June 2024

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH
As we all move into the summer with so many opportunities to get out do stuff we couldn't all winter, I'm inviting you to consider making it a priority to stay connected to your church. If you're away, watch the service online. You can always find them on our Livestream page or our YouTube Channel. If you're nearby, try to make it a priority to join us for worship! Summer is also a time when giving tends to go down. Many people only give when they're present. Would you be willing to come up with a way to continue your giving even if you're not here? Your consistent contributions to the mission of this church will help us continue to grow our staff, ministry programs, and missional impact on the Red Wing community. 

AS I AM
Our next preaching series, June through August, is called, "AS I AM: How the Character of God Defines the People of God." In the scriptures, God commands us to "be holy as I am holy." Each week we'll explore a particular character trait of God's and how it blesses us.  Then we'll explore how we can develop that character trait in ourselves, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and bless others, as well. If you happen to be away, try to catch us online on our Livestream page or our YouTube Channel.

REFLECTIONS ON OUR 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
President Rev. Tammy Swanson-Draheim
This last Sunday, May 26 2024, we had the honor of hosting Rev. Tammy Swanson-Draheim, President of the Evangelical Covenant Church (our denomination). Pastor Tammy's presence and message were so inspiring to all who were here! She honored First Covenant so well by acknowledging so many important parts of our church's history and the people who were part of it all. I'm so glad so many of you got to hear her message and even meet her. You were all so gracious and encouraging. I'm so thankful for such a great weekend. If you didn't get to see her message, you can watch it on YouTube or on our 150th Anniversary webpage.

Superintendent Rev. Kara Stromberg
We also had the honor of hosting Rev. Kara Stromberg, Superintendent of the Northwest Conference of Covenant churches on May 05 2024. I've know Pastor Kara for many years and watched her grow from being a children's pastor, to joining the conference staff as the Director of Children and Family to becoming the Associate Superintendent and now as the Superintendent. Kara and I serve on the NWC Ministerial Association's Executive Board together and I truly appreciate her leadership and pastoral heart. Pastor Kara, too, honored our church's 150th Anniversary well and she is such an encouraging person. I'm so thankful that you all have had the opportunity to hear and meet her. If you weren't in church the Sunday she was here, you can watch the service on YouTube or on our 150th Anniversary webpage.