Join us Each week in person or online
Sundays at 9:30am.
Scripture: Romans 4:1-12
Sermon Series
A year long study of Romans
Dear Church,
How is your credit? To be honest, when someone is checking my credit score, I am never quite sure what that means and how it all works! This week as we look at Romans, Paul will quote two Old Testament passages that talk about God’s “crediting”. We hear the good news that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness AS WELL as the good news that David writes about in Psalm 32, “Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count (credit) against them.” I look forward to worshiping our great Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with you , even as we put our faith in Him and receive what He freely offers us at the table He has prepared!
See you Sunday!
Pastor Jeff
QUARTERLY CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Please join us for our Quarterly Congregational Meeting THIS Sunday, November 17th 6pm- 7:30pm in the Family Life Center. We will fellowship together as we seek the Lord’s leading of our church.
Childcare is provided beginning at 5:45. We’ve got the kids covered so you can focus on the work of the church! The Children’s Ministry will provide childcare for toddlers and up. The kids will enjoy chicken nuggets, snacks, a fun movie, crafts, and games—plenty to keep them entertained while you pray, plan, and come together for God’s work. Let us handle childcare so you can fully participate in this important time. Looking forward to seeing everyone there!
This is an important meeting as we will sit around tables discussing the budget and the future of the church. To prepare you for providing good feedback, we are including the questions below:
Questions for small groups:
2025 Budget
1. As a congregation, we approve a balanced budget. Our revenues have not met our expenses for the past two years. As a reminder, the major components of our budget are: staff (58%), P&E (20%), missions (17%), ministry expenses (5%). What are your reactions to these approaches to setting the 2025 budget?
Continue to let the reserves draw down in belief that our church is growing which will eventually result in increased giving.
Divide expense budget into discretionary and non-discretionary components, then prioritize and spend on non-discretionary items as monies become available.
Reduce our total mission budget (currently 17% of total budget).
Set a budget that matches the total giving for 2024. This may mean reducing budgets on most discretionary line items, including staff salaries.
Allow for cost-of-living increases for staff, but do not increase any other discretionary line item.
What other ideas might you have?
2. What does ‘stepping out in faith’ look like for our church?
Charitable giving is changing in two critical ways: (1) Giving as a percentage of household income is decreasing, and (2) gifts are made to a wider set of charities, resulting in less to the local church. The biblical concept of tithing, previously culturally thought to be for the local church, is not a spiritual discipline that many practice. Is this something that we should encourage our congregation to reconsider? If so, how?
Growth and Evangelism
3. How do you feel ‘growth’ happening at our church?
4. Are you experiencing spiritual growth through the ministries of our church?
5. Only 10% of growth in ‘growing’ (numbers) churches is attributed to conversions. Is evangelism something that we should give more focus programmatically? If so, what?
Physical Plant Needs and Opportunities
Facts: We have several deferred maintenance items (e.g., A/C units, Gym windows, etc.). Our current facilities are dated cosmetically and functionally. A P&E Task Force has discussed several ideas that would dramatically improve the usefulness and effect of our building.
6. Should we prioritize and pursue these needs? If so, how should we pay for them:
Capital Campaign
Loan (e.g., from Covenant Properties)
Sell existing asset (house)
Seek renters for our facility when not in use (e.g., other congregations, mission organizations)
operation christmas child
Help us share the love of Christ this holiday season by filling a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child! The ministry sends gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world, sharing joy and the message of Jesus. Please take a shoebox from the display at church, fill it with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies and return it to us by Sunday November 24. Let’s come together to make a difference in the lives of children who need it most. Thank you for helping spread hope this Christmas!
Front Door Ministry
Thank you to all who have joined this important ministry! Front Door Ministry offers a friendly face and helpful advice to newcomers to GE Covenant on Sunday mornings. Would you consider joining our team? We especially need Door Greeters for these Sundays; November 17, November 24, December 1, December 15, and December 22.
Thank you!
Click to sign up!
Men’s & Women’s Bible Studies:
Our Intergenerational Evening Men’s Bible Study meets every other Wednesday night at church from 6-7pm. Pastor Jeff leads a study of Luke’s gospel.
Our last two meetings before Christmas: November 13 and December 11 at 6pm.
Our Intergenerational Women’s Bible Study (two options) Mondays at 6:45pm (at Pastor Dawn’s home) and Tuesdays at 9:30am (at church). Pastor Dawn leads a study of First John. Choose the evening or daytime option every other week this fall.
Our last two meetings before Christmas:
November 18/November 19 and December 2/December 3
Please email dawn.lauber@gecovenant.org with any questions.
Moms Together continues Thursday, November 21 at 9:30 am. in Higher Grounds. Allison Borton leads a time of conversation and encouragement for moms of preschoolers and school-aged children.
Please RSVP to allisonmborton@yahoo.com for childcare.
Exodus World Service
Thank you for all who have already donated to our “Welcome to America Pack.” This is a whole-church endeavor to welcome a refugee family to America with practical Christian love.
Please see the link below and consider participating in this project. All items can be dropped off at Pastor Dawn’s office.
Sign up link: https://signup.com/go/qxShXOO
Men’s Pancake Breakfast
All men are invited to Pastor Jeff’s house for pancakes, fellowship and BACON this Saturday November 16 at 9am.
ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL THIS FALL
Please join Dr. David Lauber as he teaches on Orthodoxy, Heresy, and True Worship on the next two Sundays; November 17th, and 24th in Munson Hall.
Collecting Books for Theology Program Accreditation
Our partner in Zimbabwe, Rev. Tarcisio Magurupira, is collecting books to achieve accreditation by The Association of Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA) for the Evangelical Theological College’s (ETC) Bachelor of Theology program. The ETC, where Rev. Magurupira is academic dean and lecturer, was founded in 2004 to provide theological education to urban and rural pastors.
Some 5,000 books were collected for the college in 2022, but the ACTEA recommends that the ETC’s library have an additional 5,000 to 10,000 books to meet the students’ resource needs and the accreditation requirements. Although Tarcisio is pursuing a few seminary-level book sources, anyone interested in donating unused or unneeded theological books from their own home libraries is welcome to do so. Children’s books are of interest as well, given their utility for Christian education and English language learning in conjunction with the church district and national children’s camps.
Please place books for donation in the coat room across the hall from the library, near the Higher Grounds coffee area at church. Thank you!
Rev. Tarcisio Magurupira also is director and field officer of Firm Foundation.
Local Ministry partners
Glen Ellyn Walk-In Ministry
This faith-based organization serves Glen Ellyn residents, church members, and referred PADS clients, providing emergency help with important expenses such as utilities, food and gas vouchers, as well as auto repairs and insurance. Glen Ellyn Walk-In Ministry, which served about 300 clients this year, is supported by volunteers and 13 area churches, including ours, and other organizations and individuals.
This ministry needs someone from our church family to serve on its Board, which meets every other month on Friday mornings. Contact Diane Brown (dgraceb05@gmail.com) for more information.
Repeat Boutique
This Christian, non-denominational ministry provides clothing and household goods to refugees, low-income families, and Christian workers in need. This year, Repeat Boutique served 16,315 individuals, up from 13,000 in 2023. Last month alone they served people from 42 different countries of origin who speak 28 different languages.
The organization is especially in need of children’s winter coats, and adult coats, men’s sweaters, and jeans. As usual, sheets and towels and pots and pans are also needed. Another need is for a few more volunteers on Thursday and Friday mornings.
Members of our church have been active in the organization through the years and some currently serve there. Learn more here. Contact Rosie Gardner (RosieGardner@sbcglobal.net) for assistance in responding to these needs.
looking forward to summer 2025
covenant harbor camps
Registration is now open. You may set up or update your account now to streamline registration. For more information, go to Covenant Harbor - Christian Camp and Retreat Center in Lake Geneva, WI
College Student Ministry
Next Meeting is November 17 at 5 PM
College students, you are warmly invited to join us for food, fellowship, and conversation.
November 17: Jon and Andrea Martin will host
November 24: Pastor Dawn and husband David will host
December 8-we hope you will attend the Lucia service with beautiful Swedish goodies afterwards
December 15: Paul and Jayne Bischoff will host.
IF YOU COULD HELP WITH THE SIDE DISHES ON THE 17TH, 24TH, OR DECEMBER 15, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE TEXT KRISTIN KRIEGBAUM, AT 630-294-0045. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WEEKLY Church Prayer MeetingS
MONDAYS at 7PM ON ZOOM AND WEDNESDAyS at 10am in person in the church library
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” -Colossians 4:2
ZOOM PRAYER MEETING DETAILS
Zoom Meeting ID: 859848614 Password: geecc
Send a prayer request to Jayne Bischoff who will forward to Prayer Partners. Please mark if confidential. (jaynebischoff@gmail.com)
Worship Arts News
Calling all artists! Thank you to those who have already displayed their artistic responses to our sermon series on Romans.
It is exciting to see the new submissions in our south alcove. If you missed the “assignment” – we are creating a display of art that reflects a favorite verse from Romans.
Please email Kriste Sveen for more details as needed.
