REIMAGINING WORK

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“Work is such a large part of our lives, and yet it seems we as a society struggle with how to find an appropriate response to work. Through our working age, we can easily spend more of our waking hours at work than anywhere else. So, if we don’t have a healthy perspective on work, it can consume us. For

some of us, our work comes to define us. For others, work is defined by an overbearing boss or difficult co-workers. Maybe you just think you were meant for “more” or that work is nothing more than a means to an end, a necessity to pay the bills. For some Christians, work might even be perceived as a frustrating distraction that gets in the way of living the committed Godly life you

imagine you could if you weren’t forced to work all the time.

So how should we look at work? Over the next three weeks, I want to walk through this idea with you, as we consider where ‘work’ fits in the life of a Christian. As a Christian, it seems like we should ask the question from a different perspective than the world

(Continued on page 2)

by Keith Johnson

We have walked through a challenging time together as a church. Thank you for you patient, caring, loving, understanding response to this time. Because of the quickly changing nature of events and schedules, rather than try to use this format to inform you, I want to refer you to our website, www.lifecchelena.org, for the most up-to-date information about church life.

I have enjoyed studying the topic of 72 Hours with you over the course of the last two months. We’ve all gained greater insight into the events and have been faced again with the reality of what Jesus did in providing salvation for us.

Starting the weekend of May 9 & 10, we’ll launch a new series of sermons called Reimagining Work. Quinn Holzer has been delving into the subject for some time and will be sharing with us. Quinn and his family are part of our congregation and we supported them in missionary work while they served in Bolivia. Quinn shares,

Series: 72 Hours

May 2 & 3 Further Conversations (John 20:26-31, 21:1-25)

Series: Reimagining Work

May 9 & 10 Designed for Work

May 16 & 17 The Other Six Days

May 23 & 24 Work and Rest

May 30 & 31 Global Leadership Summit Weekend

“Work is such a large

part of our lives, and yet

it seems we as a society

struggle with how to find

an appropriate response

to work.”

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COVID-19 has upended everything. Lost jobs, lost in-come, nerve-racking uncertainty, confinement, and on and on and on. So naturally, there is a rising drumbeat of voices wanting to return to “normal.” But what kind of “normal” are you looking for?

After Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter wanted to return to nor-mal. Prior to encountering Jesus, he had been a fisher-man. After Jesus said, “Come. Follow me,” (Matthew 4:19), his life was upended. Everything changed. In-stead of fishing, Peter witnessed and participated in numerous miracles for three years, like helping feed thousands of hungry people with limited supplies, and walking on water (Matthew 14:13-33).

Yet, after Jesus died and his world was upended again, Peter seemingly felt pulled to return to something he was comfortable with—fishing. So, he and two other disciples went fishing. But that return to “normal” on-ly produced frustration since they caught nothing all night long (John 21:3).

And then Jesus spoke with Peter on the beach the fol-lowing morning, changing and resetting his life yet again.

During this pandemic, everybody’s “normal” has been upended. But when it slows and we emerge (which we will eventually), do you really want to return to what-ever “normal” used to be for you? With the reset button pushed for everyone simultaneously, this is our chance to reconsider our lives.

Pre-pandemic, were you involved in activities or rela-tionships that were beneficial or harmful? Were you creating, or just consuming? Were you seeking out ways to help, or waiting to be served? Were you emp-ty, or filled with purpose? Whether in our families,

relationships, jobs, neighborhoods, towns or country, what are the opportunities for change going forward?

Especially spiritually. Hopefully in this time of crisis, we’ve drawn closer to God. There’s been more time for Bible study, prayer and developing creative ways to help others. Hopefully, we’ve been developing those spiritual habits that will carry us into the future strong-er and more secure in our faith, because now is the time to act and to move from being stagnant to pro-ductive, from being unfruitful to fruitful, from focusing on ourselves to glorifying the One who made us.

That’s what Peter did after his conversation with Jesus on the beach. Although Peter seemed to struggle while trying to make sense of the upheaval in his life after Jesus died, Jesus gave him direction for his future. A future that had him preaching to thousands (Act 2:14-41), healing the lame (Acts 3:1-10), making two mirac-ulous escapes form prison (Acts 5:17-32 and 12:1-19), empowering a paralyzed man to walk (Acts 9:32-35), and raising a dead woman to life (Acts 9:36-41). None of which would have happened if he had returned to fishing. None of which would have happened without Jesus’ direction. Peter tried to go back to his pre-Jesus version of “normal,” and ended up empty-handed and frustrated.

Maybe the question for us coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic is not, “How do I return to normal.” Maybe our question should be, “What does Jesus want my new normal to be?”

Make weekly devotions from my website www.seanconnwriter.com part of your new normal. While you’re there, please sign up for my email list. Thanks!

by Sean Connolly RESET

might tell us to. What does the Bible tell us about work, and what does that mean for us throughout the week? It might seem pretty clear when we walk through the church doors on Sunday that we are committing that time to God. But what about the other six days of the week? How do we navigate a

secular-sacred divide that splits our week in such a way? How do we work for a human boss and reconcile with our belief that we are to live our life for Christ?”

I hope you’ll join us for this series in which we’ll reimagine work.

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(6th- 8th Grade) Check www.enfuegoatlcc.com and the EnFuego

Facebook page for notifications and updates

M I D D L E S C H O O L Ministry Contact—Jolanda Songer

jolanda@lifecchelena.org 437-8158

CONFIRMATION CLASS (7th - 8th Grade)

Call Keith for information

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM

(6th - 8th Grade) We will plan to start again in the Fall

Planting Truth—Growing Faith

Ministry Contact—Deanna Carlson

Ministry Contact - Matt Swider matt@lifecchelena.org 442-6813

H I G H S C H O O L

Voltage will take place on Wednesday nights at 7pm via YouTube.

Recharge will take place on select Sunday nights via Zoom.

Call Matt for more information

May is all about celebrating! Did you know that almost 3000 verses have been learned by our AWANA kids this year? Join Deanna for AWANA at Home in May on our private Facebook group, Life Kids, where we will celebrate all of the work the kids have done this year!

You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that

comes by trusting in Christ

Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15

Facebook Live beginning at 6pm every

Tuesday on the Life Kids group.

Date Theme Wear

May 5 Western Night Wear your best western

wear

May 12 Celebrate! Dress for a party!

Check our website for

updated information on

Vacation Bible School

Life Covenant Church VBS 2020

Parents! Be sure to check out the Life Kids re-sources on our website or our mobile app. We up-date the "Life Kids, AWANA & Parent Resources" page weekly with new video Bible stories, printa-ble parent guides, devotions for kids, and family activities you can use at home.

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NOTE: PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT lifecchelena.org , OUR APP OR OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THE MOST RECENT UPDATES.

FACEBOOK LIVE SERVICES Until further notice, our church services will be online LIVE via Facebook during our normal service times. CD’s are also available to pick up in the office. LIFE COVENANT CHURCH APP NOW AVAILABLE Download the LCC App — available for Apple, Android and Kindle devices. The app will allow you to view updates from LCC leaders, complete fill-in notes during the sermon, listen to past sermons, share prayer requests, sign up for events, make secure online donations… and more!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE LIFE COVENANT CHURCH PODCAST You can now subscribe to the Life Covenant Church podcast and automatically receive the most recently post-ed sermons right to your mobile or desktop device. Or you can listen on demand. This is now available through Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, TuneIn or Stitcher. Just search by Life Covenant Church to find it and subscribe.

GRADUATION RECOGNITION WEEKEND We are collecting names and photos of this year’s graduate students of high school, college, trade-school, and graduate school for our Graduate Recognition Weekend. During services on May 16 & 17, we will present a slideshow of all LCC’s 2019-2020 graduates. Submit your name, school, and degree, with a senior/graduation photo to matt@lifecchelena.org by May 11.

CHURCHWIDE COMMUNICATION If you have not been receiving the email updates from the church and would like to be included, please contact the office at 442-6813 or email lynnette@lifecchelena.org or visit our website at lifecchelena.org and click on the Resource link, then fill out the online Welcome Card. Also, you can use any of those methods to opt out from getting the email messages.

E V E N T S & C L A S S E S

LCC PRESCHOOL HAPPENINGS

It is hard to imagine that we are entering our final month of the school year. While we have been learning remotely for the last month, I have been encouraged to see chil-dren's work and activities through Facebook posts, texts and pictures. We are thankful for technology to keep us in touch.

May is consumed with "In the Ocean". Children are always fascinated by ocean life. Each day we will explore, discover and experiment a different ocean "critter".

It is always fun to celebrate the end of the year, bittersweet as we say "good-bye" to the older class. However we are so excited for their accomplishments and new ventures.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of this very special ministry. It is such a blessing (and so gratifying) to share Jesus with the preschoolers, and assist in providing them a solid foundation in Christ.

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Several members of our congregation have been busy making masks. Many masks have been donated to St. Peter’s Health. In addition, some have been sent to nursing homes (both in-state and out-of-state) and to some out-of-state organizations in need. All involved in the sewing project have made masks for friends, rel-atives and for others in need. These volunteers also began sewing for members of our congregation who might need or want them when we return to regular services. The masks really have been “sewn in love.”

SEWN IN LOVE

A GLIMPS OF WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON WITH LIFE KIDS

“Bible Hero” night at AWANA Window art for Easter

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Life Covenant Church 800 North Hoback Helena, MT 59601

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002231 Helena, MT

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Life Covenant Church

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Whatever you do, work at it with all your

heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

since you know that you will receive an

inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24