PASTORS CORNERHave you ever felt that you have ‘blown it’ with God? Perhaps you have sinned in some way or failed in some part of life. I know we have all been there at some time in one way or another.

In 1 John 1:8-10 says: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”

When we sin, we need to admit it. Don’t harden your heart when God convicts you. Simply admit it and confess your sin to God. Ask for forgiveness and get right back with the Lord. Repent and change your ways immediately. Never harbor a sinful behavior or attitude.

God is so gracious, patient and kind. I love this truth from Psalm 103:8-14: “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For has high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.”

Isn’t that wonderful? The Lord is so good! Of course the devil will try to lie to you and tell you that you are not really forgiven, but don’t believe him. When God forgives, he forgives. He keeps no record of wrongs because he is love, (check out 1 Cor. 13:5).

Live in the peace of the forgiveness that Jesus won for you on the cross. You don’t have to pay for it anymore. Christ has already paid the price by his shed blood.

Remember what God has done for you and don’t forget to thank him Philippians 4:6 (NLT) says:Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.

May God, bless you as you live in the freedom of his grace and forgiveness

Pastor DanCREW

Are YOU ready? Do YOU have what it takes? Will you make it to the other side?

Then join us for……….The Underground Church Saturday, November 4th

YOUR MISSION: Safely deliver a priceless document into the hands of your intended target. To successfully complete your mission, you must navigate through acres of dark woods, high brush, and pine and thorn terrain; avoid “police” and other perils. If you reach your destination, you will be richly rewarded (with food for the body and the soul).

If you are ready to accept this mission, then read and complete the following instructions:

MEET: At 6:00 p.m. at any of these FOUR churches: First Lutheran (Clear Lake), United Covenant Church (Clear Lake) or East Lincoln Alliance (Amery), Reeve Free (Reeve).

RETURN: To the same church that you came to at 10:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Unless you or your parents have made arrangements with your Youth Leader and Van driver it is important to return in the same vehicle at the same church. (Last year we spent extra time searching for a lost body; we mean person.)

BRING / WEAR: Weather appropriate, (this event is outdoors), dark/camouflage clothes (that can get dirty), grubby shoes or boots and a flashlight. (We would suggest that you don’t bring your phones.)

Any questions by YOU or Parents?Jim and Cindy Mohrland @ 715-948-2153 or your Youth Leader.

Covenant Highlights Volume 38, Issue 10 November 2017

LITTLE LAMBS “In everything give thanks; for this is

God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. “Thessalonians 5:18

We have so much to be thankful for at Little Lambs and we will be celebrating this month with that thought in mind. On Wednesday, November 22nd we will be hosting our annual Thanksgiving Feast for the families of the Little Lambs children. We love this event! It gives us a chance to thank the families for allowing us to care for their most precious gifts. There children! A special thank you to our cook Mary Trepanier who takes the extra time to prepare this wonderful meal for us!

Little Lambs will be closed on November 23rd and 24th so the staff can enjoy Thanksgiving with their families.

Just a side note…Christmas Store! We will be looking for donations of new/gently used items we can sell in our store in December. There will be more information in the December newsletter.

For His ChildrenGina and Little Lambs Staff

We are currently looking to hire Lead Teachers and Substitute Teachers at Little Lambs. If you are interested or someone you know, please have them call 715-263-2212 and talk with Jodi Barney

PRAYERSweet Hour of Prayer

Tuesdays 8:00 a.m. in the UCC LibraryAnyone is welcome to come. Please write your prayers, with or without your name, on the prayer cards provided in the pews. Place them in the golden bowl located in the foyer. They will be kept confidential asking the Lord to give you encouragement, growth in your faith and abound in thanksgiving with praise.

THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE The Community Thanksgiving Eve Service will be held at United Covenant Church on November 22nd at 7:00 p.m.

LEADERSHIP TEAM REPORT  United Covenant Church Leadership Team Meeting

Tuesday, October 10th, 2017 Present: Pastor Dan, Zach Klein, Jan Anderson, Jen Tanner, Heidi Clausen, Casey Keller, Joel Markuson, Matt Thayer and Lucas Carlson. Absent: Jim Mohrland. Joel called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. and read from Isaiah 53 about God’s faithful love and covenant of blessings that’s never broken. Pastor shared from Romans 15 about being overflowed with hope and filled with peace and joy. Zach led an opening prayer. Casey reported on the Outdoor Expo planning meeting held last Sunday. We are planning to have it at church but as the event grows and as soon as next year, could consider having it at the school, if they would allow guns on the premises. It’s beneficial to have it at church, as well, because of the connection it affords. Gina Arntz has agreed to head it up, and a date of March 10 has been tentatively set. We will see if we can get Billy Molls to speak again. A possible soapbox derby was discussed. Zach reported that the first Saturday evening Revive service went well and was a blessing. The next one will be Sat., Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. About 20 people attended the first one. The event was likened to “a church plant within the church,” reaching out to a different group of people. Pastor said the Eau Claire Covenant church now has two services and about 220 members, with many children and about 80 college students. Our youth will go there this month for a Nerf war. A new church plant has been started in Hudson. Mark Stromberg from the Northwest Conference has encouraged us to take an offering for Minnehaha Academy, and we likely will do that later this month. Zach said it will be a busy month for our youth. He would like to create a policy about youth group being specifically for grades 7-12, as this has never officially been done. He has been seeing growth every week with the youth group and may need to rearrange some furniture in the youth room to accommodate. Financial reports were presented. The county fair money -- a total of $5,600 -- is in designated funds and will be moved to 

savings to help replenish that account. Casey made a motion to accept the report; Jen seconded it, and the motion passed. Old Business: The parsonage roof has been completed; siding will be later. The church roof looks good. Joel has talked to Fall Electric about pricing a new heat pump for the sanctuary; this will be forthcoming. A recent lightning strike caused some projector damage, and we may need to replace it. Electrical service system work is needed, and Joel will check out our options. There is some concern about sanctuary light fixtures as two have fallen and shattered. Along with the safety concern, lighting in the sanctuary is dim and we’d like a more modern look with more light. New fixtures will be considered. The shed needs to be cleaned out. Harvest Fest is coming up Oct. 22, and freewill donations will go toward specific projects, including paying off the copier, the A/C-heating system, possible projector, lights and electrical upgrade. Our other furnace is on borrowed time, as well. We discussed tithing a portion of Harvest Fest money for missions such as Project Blue, the Covenant well drilling project. The lawnmower has been repaired by Tim Jurisch. The updated road sign looks great and may be lit up in the future. We discussed the online giving program through the Covenant; it has been determined that it wouldn’t pay to switch. We also talked about setting up a way to accept credit card payments. Jen will touch base with Gretchen Wallberg about this. Jen also will contact the Northwest Conference about how other churches accept credit cards. New Business: In a Mutual Ministry Team update, Casey said he, Lucas Carlson and Pam Van Heuklom met with Pastor about being in prayer for him and encouraging him. A new church directory was discussed. The last one was done 4-½ years ago by Joe Helgeson, and he’s willing to take the pictures again but not put it together. Heidi got a price quote on production from Leader Printing in Eau Claire. LifeTouch would do the pictures for free but push to sell picture packages. A bulletin board with all members’ pictures was discussed but may be too difficult to do. We will update the staff and leadership board. Heidi will take pictures soon, and Jan will help put it together. We discussed the next annual meeting/budget discussion. A quarterly “town hall” will be Sun., Nov. 12, after potluck. A CHIC meeting will be Nov. 5. We need to start thinking about a nominating committee as three-year terms for at least a couple people on the team will be ending. In other business, Casey remarked that the parking lot lines are very faded, and the parking area may need re-sealing eventually. He will take care of the painting soon. Little Lambs is having some financial difficulties and faces an uncertain future. We will be in prayer about this. Pastor said about eight people have expressed interest recently in joining the church. 

Our next meeting will be Tues., Nov. 7, at 6:30 p.m. Jan closed the meeting in prayer, and we adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted,Heidi Clausen, Secretary 

  

 

United Covenant Church 6th Annual Christmas Dessert

Theatre

December 8th, 6:30 p.m. December 9th, 4:00 p.m.

Happy Birthday!Elaine Erickson’s family would like to invite you to an open house to celebrate Elaine’s 90th Birthday! It will be held at her home (2154 Mill Street, Balsam Lake) on November 25th, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. No gifts please, just join us in a celebration.

MISSION MOMENT

This year we have ordered preprinted shoeboxes and will have them available for you the first week of November to take home and fill. They will be available in the foyer. Start collecting items for your shoebox now and praying for the child that will receive it.

Anyone can pack a box. If you would rather not pack a box yourself, you can team up with someone else or help others pack a box by donating items. Donated items can be put in the basket provided near the display.

Boxes need to be filled and at the church no later than Sunday, NOVEMBER 19TH.

New this year! Donate $9 online and receive a tracking label to Follow Your Box and discover the destination of your shoebox gift!!!!

Samaritan’s Purse will send donors a special label by e-mail to attach to their box that lets you track your shoebox. This will tell you the country where your gift will be delivered into the hands of a child.www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/ go online for a list of ideas and see the answers to FAQ’s. How to Pack a Shoebox? Pick up your shoebox(es) in the foyer.

Girl or Boy? Decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and the age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14.

“Wow” Item Delight a kid! Start with a medium to large item that will capture the child’s attention the instant he or she opens the box.

Ideas include Soccer ball with pump, Stuffed animal, Toys (puppets, trucks, etc.), Doll (baby, Barbie, etc.), Musical instrument, Outfit, Shoes

Other Suggestions

Toys: Include items that children will immediately embrace such as toy cars, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise (with extra batteries), etc.School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.Non-liquid Hygiene Items: toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, etc.Accessories: T-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc

Crafts: Make your own items such as hair bows, finger puppets, and friendship bracelets. Downloadable instructions here.A Personal Note: You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself, your family, or group. If you include your name and an address, the child may be able to write back.

Go online for a list of ideas and items to send.

Do Not IncludeUsed or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.Candy specifications: Only hard candy and gum in baggies. As long as its expiration date is at least six months after National Collection Week: Nov. 14-21, 2017. No Toothpaste

Every shoebox gift delivered by Operation Christmas Child is a tangible expression of God’s amazing love. But a

shoebox is just the beginning. It also presents an opportunity in more than 100 countries for our church

partners to invite children into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ through The Greatest Journey. After

receiving a shoebox gift, children have the opportunity to enroll in The Greatest Journey, our dynamic, 12-lesson

Bible study course guiding them through what it means to faithfully follow Jesus Christ.

Friday, December 15th

Volunteers Needed:1:30 to 3:30 (set up)3:30 to 5:30 (serving/cleaning tables/tickets)5:30 to 8:00 (tear down/ clean up)

Soups Needed: (roaster of soup)Chicken Wild RiceRed Hamburger ChiliWhite Chicken Chili Chicken Noodle

Bars/Cookies Needed: We are looking for each church to bring 4-6 pans of bars and/or 4-6 dozen cookies or a combination of these. 

Making Bowls:Our church and/or youth group are welcome to set up a time with Holly Waterman to go make bowls.  Make a fun night out of it for your church family.  Holly’s email is hwaterman@clwarriors.org

Contact Nettie Groat if you can volunteer or if you are able to bring a soup and/or bars/cookies, as soon as possible. Home: 263-2595  Work:  263-2447

HAPPY BIRTHDAY…. 2nd: Dan Pearson, Vicky Markuson 6th: Dave Reed 7th: Glen Gorres 8th: Ally Markuson 9th: Doug Otto10th: Tim Jurisch 15th: Louis Mayer17th: Elaine Erickson 26th: Sue Spurrell

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY…7th: Doug/Norma Otto, Louis/Linda Mayer8th: Dan/Leah Pearson

November 2017-10:00 a.m. Worship ScheduleMusic Team: Service Leader:  5th: 1   5th: Derrick Meyer12th: 2 12th: Casey Keller19th: 3 19th: Jim Mohrland26th: Youth 26th: Cary Eastvold

Reader:     5th: Pam Moriak12th: Tami Linden19th: Mike Pickard26th: Cindy Mohrland 

Nursery:  5th: Phyllis Luhman/Olivia Peterson12th: Katie Jurisch/Mikayla Peterson

19th: Lynn Pickard/Addison Thayer26th: Heidi/Hailey Clausen  

Greeters/Ushers:   5th: Bonnie/Cary Eastvold, Larry Benson/Jack Tanner12th: Jason/Jenny Tanner, Larry Benson/Jack Tanner19th: Doug/Norma Otto, Larry Benson/Jack Tanner26th: Matt/Susie Thayer, Larry Benson/Jack Tanner 

December 2017-10:00 a.m. Worship ScheduleMusic Team: Service Leader:  3rd: 1   3rd: Keith Anderson10th: 2 10th: Derrick Meyer17th: 3 17th: Casey Keller24th: Youth 24th: Jim Mohrland31st: 1 31st: Cary Eastvold

Reader:     3rd: Lynn Schone10th: Pam Moriak17th: Tami Linden24th: Cindy Mohrland 31st: Mike Pickard

Nursery:  3rd: Phyllis Luhman/Olivia Peterson10th: Katie Jurisch/Mikayla Peterson17th: Lynn Pickard/Addison Thayer24th: Heidi/Hailey Clausen  31st: Brenda Cogbill/Grace Grahovac 

Greeters/Ushers:   3rd: Bonnie/Cary Eastvold, Larry Benson/Jack Tanner10th: Jason/Jenny Tanner, Larry Benson/Jack Tanner17th: Doug/Norma Otto, Larry Benson/Jack Tanner24th: Matt/Susie Thayer, Larry Benson/Jack Tanner 31st: Keith/Jan Anderson, Larry Benson/Jack Tanner 

ATTENTION!!!If you would like to be a greeter, reader, or help in the nursery, please contact Gina at the church. Call 715-263-2665, or email unitedcovchurch@cltcomm.net. Thank you!