Join us Each week in person or online
Sundays at 9:30am.
Scripture: Acts 2:1-13 & Joel 2:28-32
Music:
Lord, You are Good and Your Mercy Endures Forever
This I Believe (The Creed)
King of Kings
Goodness of God
The Stand
We will Glorify
Summer Sermon Series
What Difference does the Holy Spirit Make
IN the Life of a Believer
IN THE Life of the Church
This week in worship, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and all believers, after Jesus’ ascension to heaven (Acts 2:1-13, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people”). Pentecost is often referred to as the birth of the church as 3,000 believers were added to their number that day – and that momentum of growth has never ceased!
Our next sermon series begins this week and will take us all the way through the summer months, as we reflect on the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church. We will hear from Acts, John’s gospel, Paul’s letters to the Galatians, Ephesians, and Romans, and the book of Revelation. When Pastor Jeff returns, we will consider the presence of the Holy Spirit in Genesis, the prophets, and the Psalms.
Peace, Pastor Dawn
Treasurer’s Report
Below is a recap of the Treasurer’s Report at our recent quarterly congregational meeting.
There is much to be grateful for here at GEECC. We are thankful for the gifts given so far this year. They are helping to fund the commitment we made a few years ago to nourish and grow this congregation. And we are seeing the fruits of that commitment with pews filled, Sunday school classes very well attended, increases in activities, and even a completely full parking lot on recent Sunday mornings. It is exciting to be a part of this!
As is common at this time of the year, our giving is not keeping up with our expenses. Historically, we receive about 20% of our donations in December; therefore, we rely on our reserves to carry us through until then. However, this year we are facing two challenges. First, because of the cost of replacing our boiler last winter, we started the year with a much smaller reserve. Secondly, we are finally fully staffed, which has increased our compensation commitment. Being fully staffed is an awesome blessing, but it also means much of our monthly operating expenses can’t be deferred and the pace of the use of our reserves has quickened.
We are all investing together in the ministry of GEECC – whether our gifts are large or small. Part of our worship is through the gifts we give, and God is glorified in that. Please prayerfully consider how the Spirit might be leading you in response to our current challenge. But let us also hold on to the truth that this is Christ’s church and in Him we place our trust.
Writer’s Workshop: May 19
The next Writer’s Workshop will be May 19th, 4-6pm, in the Family Life Center.
If able, please write your stories ahead of time. You can also bring a copy on the day of the class. Suggested topics include an important person, place, or event in your life. They should be about a page long.
You can email your drafts to litalh@aol.com or drop off physical copies to Don Holt at church or his home (10 Union Circle).
The Ark Preschool
The Ark Preschool is gearing up for the 2024-2025 school year. We still have a few spaces available!
If you have family, friends, or neighbors with preschool age children who are seeking a Christian preschool education, please have them call The Ark Office (630-858-7755) or email Holly Pelsor (holly.pelsor@gecovenant.org) for registration information.
Thank you for your prayers and support of The Ark Preschool. May God's grace and peace be with you.
Young Adult Supper Club: May 20
All young adults are invited to our next Supper Club at the home of Joseph Sawyer (502 Byron Ct.) this Monday, May 20th at 6:30pm.
Any in our congregation who are interested in supporting this ministry with food or hosting, please see Pastor Dawn.
All Church Summer BBq: June 5
Our first All Church Summer BBQ is at the home of Pastor Dawn (10 Union Cir.) on Wednesday, June 5th from 5-7pm. Bring your meat to grill, a side dish to share, and enjoy the summer evening together!
We will have Summer BBQ’s every Wednesday until July 10th (excluding July 3rd).
Click the link to sign up!
Front Door Ministry
If you are interested in helping out at church, below are some exciting new and existing hospitality roles:
Usher: At the doors to the sanctuary, they provide bulletins to every congregant and help people find seating.
Coffee Host: They brew and set up the coffee station in High Grounds for the morning. They also engage with visitors during the coffee hour.
Door Greeter: Located at the east and west entrances of the church, they open the door for visitors and welcome them inside. They will also assist visitors based on their needs.
Connector: Just inside each entrance, they help answer questions and direct visitors to the appropriate location, whether it is the sanctuary, nursery, or children’s ministry.
Parking Lot Attendant: Starting in the Fall, they direct visitors to the best available parking spot. If the lot is full, they help visitors navigate alternative parking locations.
Click the link to sign up!
SMALL GROUPS
Pastor Dawn is grateful for the time spent with many of our small groups. New ones are still starting and forming!
Please see her if you are in need of a small group or if your group would like to use her resources on Spiritual Practices. Email Pastor Dawn at dawn.lauber@gecovenant.org
Thursday Evening Book Club
On Thursdays the Justice group will be studying material from World Relief called
DISCOVERING AND LIVING GOD’S HEART FOR IMMIGRANTS: A GUIDE TO WELCOMING THE STRANGER
This guide is intended to help you learn more about a very complex and controversial topic, one that tends to evoke passion and sometimes disagreement."
We picked this topic because in all the current debate about immigration and the border, it was hard to understand the issues and we all wanted to become more informed.
Anyone who would like to receive the pdf or printed file of the guide and/or join the Zoom discussions Thursdays 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. should contact Mary or Scott Crickmore.
Student Ministry Updates
For the month of May on Thursdays we will have Hangouts at the church from 7-8pm.
Sunday, May 19th after church, we will clean out the gym closet. Donuts and bagels for any helpers!
We will start our Summer Fire Pits on Thursday, June 6th. Click the link to sign up!
There will be K-12 Dodgeball on Saturday, June 8th from 5-6:30pm.
CHURCH PRAYER MEETING!
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” -Colossians 4:2
ATTENTION: The Church prayer meetings are on Zoom every Monday night at 7pm!
Zoom ID: 859 848 614
Password: geecc
All are welcome to this sweet hour of prayer! See you there!
Missions focus
Covenant Church of Congo and the Paul Carlson Partnership
Jesus is known in the breaking of bread, and as his followers, so are we! Last Sunday, after worship, Pastor Dawn and several of us from the missions team enjoyed a lovely time of fellowship with our visitors from the Paul Carlson Partnership.
We had the opportunity to learn more about Glen Ellyn Covenant’s long-standing relationship with the churches in Congo. Our guests shared memories of Dr. Paul Carlson, whom we supported even before he began his ministry in Congo. As we exchanged stories, it became evident that the Church in Congo and in the U.S. share many of the same problems. For example: apathy among younger people and a growing Islamic presence.
We are so thankful for this opportunity to further tighten the tie that binds us in Christian love and look forward to hearing more about the powerful work the Covenant in Congo is accomplishing for the Kingdom.
