This Sunday's Theme:

10:30 AM Service

"Jesus: Wanted - Dead or Alive?"

Luke 13:31-35

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

Good afternoon friends, 

As he came near and saw the city (Jerusalem), he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! Luke 19:41-42 

We are beginning this season of Lent with an educational opportunity called, “Lent, Lunch and Learn.” We will hand out a book on prayer for you to take, do a brief Bible Study and then report in weekly on how our praying is going. The book “Growing in Prayer,” will be our guide. Bring a lunch and join us beginning next Wednesday at 11:30 am. 

Next Monday is St. Patrick's Day! This is a Christian festival day commemorating St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. I grew up in the most Irish county in the state of Iowa and I have a humorous story about St Patrick’s day that I will share with you on Sunday! 

This Sunday, join us as we look at Luke 13:31-35. This is a fascinating passage where Jesus seems to have the support of the Pharisees. But even with this support, there are many others after Jesus. We will look at the theme, “Jesus: Wanted - Dead or Alive?” 

Yes, you read that right – with a question mark! 

Pastor Steve  

Well, it’s official. My body requires that I work 24/7 to stay healthy. I have once again fallen ill during a much-need break. So, needless to say, I will be keeping this short. This time it’s COVID. If you know my story, then you know how scary it was for me to hear that I was COVID positive on Monday morning. The one and only time I had this yuck was in the Fall of 2021, and I had it for about 6 months! Long-haul COVID literally took over my life. Parenting, working, cooking, cleaning, and participating in literally anything was nearly impossible. It was rough. I am still struggling with the financial impact and the breathing issues from the 2021 diagnosis. My whole family has PTSD from that time frame. Without this church and school, we likely would not have made it through. We were blessed to be surrounded by the New Covenant community of loving and faithful individuals who prayed endlessly, showered us in meals, and offered overwhelming amounts of help in so many ways. You are all such an amazing gift to my family. The good Lord healed me and brought us through the storm, and you all were the earthly angels He sent to save us. I am eternally grateful to you all.  

This time around I wept as soon as the nurse told me that I had COVID on Monday morning. I was petrified to tell anyone because I knew they would all freak out with déjà vu from 2021. In a snap, I made the decision that this was not going to be a repeat of that horrible first time. I quickly wiped my tears away, threw on a mask, picked up my prescriptions, got myself home and back to bed and began working on getting better. I am choosing to focus on God and His promises for my future and the future of my family. He would not let this ridiculous virus take us down again. He will not. I believe in His grip and His truth. The medicines are working. Between Paxlovid and Prednisone, I have the most disgusting taste in my mouth constantly and I can’t sleep a wink! My blood oxygen is crazy low, but I feel wired all the time. Being couped up is the worst. I am not a good sick person. I am a mover. Thank God my children are older and more mature now. Although they all had their immediate fearful or subdued reactions to the news, they mostly have just gone about their business and checked on me periodically.  

This spotlight is not my sob story. It is my testament to the faith and family that this amazing church, school, and community have created. This family at New Covenant has continually brought my own family peace and comfort and a spirit of renewal, hope, and belief. It is during these personal trials that I am reminded of the years of love I have experienced at this church and school. We are all blessed to be one, under His wings, together. Stay healthy! As for me, once I am better, I will no longer take breaks from work. 🤣 I get it, God. You want me to work 24/7. 🤣 

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” - 2 Corinthians 4:16 

Ms. Dana

School Calendar

• Prayers for Merle Keiser's comfort and recovery from a recent infection, and for love and blessings on his upcoming 97th year.
• Prayers for Ms. Dana's quick and complete recovery from Covid.
• Prayers for a successful heart valve surgery next week for Terri.
• Please Lord, be with Mary Campbell and her family as she enters hospice care. Bring comfort to them all, and our sister in Christ, Pat.
• Surround the family of Leann Burmeister as they mourn the death of her son, Jackson Wirth.
• We pray for a successful heart valve repair for Renee.
• Thanks to God and His Body of Christ from New Covenant and its Congregation for their prayers for Isabella's return. It takes a community to raise a child- something we talk about for child baptisms. A special thanks to Jodi and Maddie for their active role in bringing Isabella home.
• We pray for the family and friends of Paul Nelson as they mourn his death.
• We pray for complete healing for Pat who is living with long Covid.
• Kurt Keiser is suffering from high blood pressure and other health issues. We pray that he would experience healing.
• We pray for Tiffani Scott, niece of Sheri Hanchar and granddaughter of Ann McDonell, during her ongoing breast cancer treatment and next phase of chemo.
• We pray for strength and healing for Christina, daughter of Kim, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and now has recurrence in her liver and brain.
• We pray for healing for Kevin Bunn, brother-in-law of Max Duarte. Kevin has been diagnosed with cancer of the liver and began chemo this week.
• That the Holy Spirit would come and fill us and our church with its Pentecost power, love and grace.
• 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.