ECC-Evangelical Covenant Church
The Kingdom Takes Shape: Activated Faith
The Kingdom of God took root in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the Kingdom of God began to take shape in the world, as well. The book of Acts is a story of action, faith, courage, and boldness in uncertain times. Then, it was persecution that deployed the Church; today, it is a virus. Tomorrow, it may be something else. How might the Kingdom take shape in our world, as it did then? Join us Sundays at 10:30am (ecclife.net/stream or facebook.com/ecclife) as we rediscover the passion and power of the early Church and what they have to teach us in our uncertain and anxious times today.
Locations & Times
Evangelical Covenant Church
3600 S 9th St, Lafayette, IN 47909, USA
Sunday 10:10 AM
Downloadable Bulletin
Please check out our virtual bulletin.
https://www.ecclife.net/uploads/2/7/2/8/27288883/5.10.20_bulletin.pdfCommunication Card
Please visit the Communication Card to mark that you attended our online service. If you need prayer, care from a Stephen Minister, added to the E-letter mailing list, or other concerns, visit the Communication Card link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054BAAA923A2FC1-20200426Giving online
To give online, please click the link below.
http://www.covchurchgiving.com/c-27-evangelical-covenant-church-of-lafayette.aspxMay 10, 2020
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Carol Smith, Youth Director
Name a movie or book that has a surprise ending for you? After you had finished reading the book or watching the movie, was there anything you encountered earlier in the story that might have tipped you off to where it was all going from the very beginning?
Read Genesis 50:15-20. In verse 20, Joseph's response to his brothers' plea for forgiveness was "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." How does this relate to Acts 8:1-8? How is it different?
What do you think "active faith" means? What are the ways you see your faith active right now and what ways can be activated?
In Acts 8, the church is scattered to new cities. How does being scattered create something new and better? Where have you seen God do something new that you could not imagine on your own?
Read the following quote:
"Expelled from Jerusalem, Philip knew that God is not limited to one particular place but can be worshiped anywhere... Philip preached Christ, Luke writes, to the Samaritans. They were no longer excluded from the Good News, which is God's universal message to all people."
What is your response to "God can be worshiped anywhere?" What does this look like right now?
-Exposition of the Acts of the Apostles. Vol. 17, by Simon Kistemaker and William Hendriksen.
In Acts 8, Philip had to move from his home to a new city. If you had to move how would you show God you love him? How would you show your new city and new neighbors that God loves them? Do you think that you would be sad to leave? Have you ever gone somewhere new and you were afraid or sad but it turned out good? Tell me about that.
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Book of Acts, Part 1
Follow the link below to view part 1 of The Bible Project video on the <i>Book of Acts. </i>Part 2 of the overview is below.
https://youtu.be/CGbNw855kswThe Book of Acts, Part 2
Follow the link below to view part 2 of the Bible Project video on the <i>Book of Acts</i>. Part 1 is above.
https://youtu.be/Z-17KxpjL0QPrayers for this Season
Follow the link below to view or download some helpful prayers to pray as we walk through the current pandemic.
https://www.ecclife.net/uploads/2/7/2/8/27288883/favorite_prayers_-_coronavirus.pdfGlobal 6K
The Global 6K is next Saturday! In order to get your packet in time, you need to register this weekend for the Global 6K. Even if you aren’t able to walk, you can register to donate to help give people clean water! Join with others around the world—right from your own home or neighborhood—to walk or run 6K Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 9:00am. No matter where or how you move your feet—in your house, at a park, or through your neighborhood, you’ll change lives by bringing clean water to those who need it most.
https://www.ecclife.net/6k.html24-Hour Ascension Day Prayer Vigil
On Ascension Day (May 21) we invite you to join us in a 24-hour Prayer Vigil. Just as those first followers of Jesus waited on the coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus' ascension, so we will. If you are interested in signing up, please click the link below to let us know of your interest. We'll send you an email with instructions on how to sign up. The vigil will take place in half-hour time slots, from midnight on Wednesday, May 20-midnight, Thursday, May 21. The week of the vigil, we will email you with suggestions of how to spend your time in prayer. Thanks for joining us in prayer!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054BAAA923A2FC1-24hourOpportunities for Women
Women, we need to be connected to God and each other more than ever. Social distancing doesn't have to equal social isolation... the ways we connect just need to look differently right now. NETam and NETpm, First Fridays, and Mugs & Muffins are meeting on Zoom. Register now for the Women of Joy conference in Indianapolis coming late summer for discounted rate. Check out our ECC's Women's page for dates and details!
https://www.ecclife.net/women.htmlConnection Groups
For the month of May, we will be offering Connection Groups: small -group style, virtual gatherings to connect with God, His word, and each other. Each meeting we will re-visit Sunday's scripture passage to continue learning and growing together, followed by a time to simply be in community together and tell stories of where we see God at work. We would love to have you join us on Sundays, 3:00pm (May 17, 31), or Thursdays, 7:00pm (May 14, 28). Links to Connection Groups can be found at ecclife.net/zoom.
https://www.ecclife.net/zoom.htmlRecognizing Our Seniors
Introducing the graduating class of 2020! Take a minute to look through the pictures of our seniors at ecclife.net/youth and help us celebrate and honor them by sending them notes of encouragement, your favorite verse, and/or life advice. This will be up and available through May 18. If you would prefer handwriting those notes, please mail them into the church by May 16.
https://www.ecclife.net/youth.htmlSummer XP 2020
Summer XP is just around the corner, and we’re re-designing our week so that we can share Jesus’ love with kids…online! From June 1-4 (Monday-Thursday), we’ll combine paper mailings, video elements, and secure online technology so that children entering grades K-5 can have both a large group and small group experience. We’re also exploring how we can continue to offer drive-thru meals as part of the program. We will still need a loving and dedicated crew of volunteers to invest in our children and families during this week, and we invite all of you to look for unique ways that you can be involved in serving. Volunteer and child registration can be found online at ecclife.net/xp.
https://www.ecclife.net/xp.htmlHow to Connect at ECC
Click below to explore many opportunities get connected even--or especially--in this time of "social distancing".
https://www.ecclife.net/connect.html