This Sunday's Theme:

"Wash Your Hands!"

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

In-person and Live Stream to Facebook and YouTube at 10:30 AM

Good evening Church and School! 

We are doing something new this week – combining our church and school weekly newsletters. I hope that you will scroll through the newsletter to see all that is going on around the school and church! I want to welcome the school families and let you know that we are praying for you and your extremely important job of being a parent! We love and appreciate you and we are grateful for your partnership. 

At New Covenant, we are preparing for offering our “Couples Night Out” with the Marriage Course! It is a lovingly prepared meal for each couple, along with free childcare for the children, provided by some of our Preschool Teachers. There will be an opportunity for couples to reignite or reinvigorate the love that they have for one another through the Marriage Course Videos.  There is never any group sharing – only couples reconnecting and talking with each other. The Surgeon General just declared the stress of parenting as a national health crisis. If you need some self-couple care, please join us beginning September 8! Register here. We would love to have you connect with us! 

One final note! I know that not all of you are in the know, but I did apply for a Sabbatical Grant through the Lilly Foundation. I found out this week that my proposal was approved! The Board of Ministry has graciously supported this proposal and given Patti and me the summer next year to enjoy our Sabbatical. And for those interested in learning more about it, feel free to ask me more about our plans. 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend! We will be meeting for Worship and Sunday School this Sunday at 10:30 am where we will dive into Jesus’ teaching from Mark 7. I hope you will join us! 

In the meantime, God’s blessings to you all and enjoy your weekend! 

In Christ’s love, 

Pastor Steve 

What a wonderful last week of August! We have been blessed by beautiful, clear skies and finally some overcast and cooler weather. I am pleased to say that most of our little friends are adjusting to their new classes and the teachers and staff are all having so much fun getting to know all the new personalities we get to spend our days with. They are all so adorable and coming out of their shells. I have spent time in each classroom, and I am slowly but surely getting to know all your babies. Your kiddos are fun, spunky, loving, kind, and so excited to learn! It truly is such a blessing to watch their imaginations spark and their love for learning expand each day. 

As we embark up on the coming weeks, we have a lot of new and exciting adventures in store! We invite you to join us as we create a community and build relationships with each one of you, and you with one another. In September we will offer popsicles at pick-up on September 13. In October we have a weeklong fall break at the beginning of the month and later in the month, on October 26, we have our annual fall festival that is a fun time for the whole family! We really hope that you will be able to join us for rides, food, games, and costume and chili contests. This is always such a memorable event, filled with joy for everyone. Finally, the beginning of November will bring an opportunity for conferences with teachers. This will be your chance to spend time getting to know the team and learning about your child in the classroom! It is so important to learn about their growth and potential throughout the year. 

I want to revisit what I mentioned at our Back to School Night. We have spent many years cultivating a loving environment here at New Covenant, where you can feel supported spiritually and emotionally as you parent in these early years. Please know that we are all here for you. I am happy to meet with you anytime you need support or have questions of any kind. I have many years of personal parenting experience and almost as many years of working in a developmental environment. I encourage you to take advantage of opportunities that will help your children blossom and grow and I look forward to being part of your village and helping with any guidance and prayer that I can. 

Thank you again for sharing your sweeties with us each day. We love them all already and look forward to a fantastic year!  

Ms. Dana

School Calendar

• Be present with Goldie McMahan as she comes to her likely 3rd surgery in September. Surround Katelyn, Stephen, Lila, and Maeve as Goldie prepares for surgery.
• Prayers for continued healing for Mary Campbell, Pat Musgrove's sister, and for strength for her family as well. Mary is healing now after having a few small strokes. She has been diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson's disease.
• Greg is recovering after abdominal surgery for lymph node removal on Tuesday. Prayers for a speedy, complete recovery. We pray that the lymph nodes would be cancer free. He will be undergoing surveillance imaging for an extended amount of time as well. 
• We pray for Uncle Jim's tendon healing. May he feel peace during his recovery.
• We pray for the niece of Ron and Phyllis Ostrand as well as her husband, Butch, who underwent surgery earlier this month.
• Prayers of thanksgiving for the healing of Ron's brother from cancer.
• We pray for effective chemo treatments and procedures for Eric Spandenburg, friend of Max and Kristen, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
• Prayers for thanksgiving that Paul's brain cancer has stabilized and the tumors have stopped growing. Thank you Lord for answered prayers!
• Prayers for pain relief and a complete recovery for Rod Schroeder who broke his arm.
• We pray for comfort and strength for Tiffani Scott and guidance for her providers as they navigate her cancer treatment.
• Prayers for strength for Katie's friend, Christia, as she began chemotherapy recently.
• We pray for Allison's 3 1/2 year old daughter, Colbie, in Illinois who was diagnosed with cancer and begins treatment in Chicago.
• Lift up Lynley Park, friend of Dean and Lisa Durkee, in prayer as she continues radiation treatment.
• We pray for strength for Rita Semingson, sister-in-law of Chriss and Bruce Semingson, as she undergoes chemotherapy.
• Prayers for Brett Jackson as he undergoes a bone marrow biopsy and oncology evaluation in South Dakota.
• Prayers for strength and complete healing for Will Wartenburg following a bone marrow transplant recently.
• Prayers for Julie, sister of Marla, as she starts chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer.
• Prayers for complete healing for Zachary, grandson of Julie listed above, as he continues to recuperate after a bone marrow transplant.
• Prayers for continued strength for Alexandra, daughter of Julie listed above, as she is in recovery.
• Prayers of thanksgiving that Jim, partner of Marla, is recovering well after being treated for blood clots.
• Prayers for effective removal of melanoma for Marla, and healing after the procedure in June.
• Hayden, son of Shane and Michelle Grabenstein, battling severe headaches and migraines. He was previously hospitalized, and they are looking for answers.
• That the Holy Spirit would come and fill us and our church with its Pentecost power, love and grace.
• Prayers for effective treatment and healing for Ruby, the 21 month old daughter of Rhett and Rachel (friend of Jennifer Coughenour) who has been diagnosed with a very serious, rare illness, and is going through treatments at Phoenix children’s Hospital.
• Prayers for Ruby's father Rhett (listed above). Rhett is also struggling with health issues-we pray for a diagnosis and treatment.
• We pray for the safety of Pam and Bob Rognlien, and missionaries overseas.
• Prayers for Sandee that she is able to experience healing for her depression as well as other health struggles. Prayers that she would find a renewed sense of purpose.
• Prayers for all young parents, for patience, peace, and overflowing love in their homes.
• Prayers for healing for Troy's brother in Colorado who suffers from Parkinson's.
• Prayers for Carol McNulty, Aurien Preiss' mom, as she continues with therapy.
• Prayers for Bonnie Straley’s brothers, Len and Larry and also his wife, Ann, for healing; and also Daphne and Cassidy for God’s guidance.