March 2014

PASADENA COVENANT CHURCH

On Ash Wednesday, March 5th, the sanctuary will be open from 6:00am till 6:00pm. There will be two self-paced experiences, in which one can participate. The first will be a contemplative style reading, which will lead one through scripture readings, prayer, confession, reflective readings, and finally imposition of the ashes (administered by a staff member.) The second experience that will be available, will involve stations to visit, which will also effectively walk one through, with a more kinesthetic approach, scripture readings, prayers, confession, physical activity, and a reflection time. Everyone is welcome, and will have the choice to do both experiences, only one, or a combination of the two. Our hope and prayer is to create a space in which you can retreat from your day, enter into the presence of our Holy God, and take as much time as you need to prepare yourself to begin the Lenten season. We invite you to come at a time that is convenient for you to begin with us the 40 days of the Lenten season.

Support Pasadena Covenant Churchs Team Living Water http://team.worldvision.org/ goto/LivingWater as they run in the LA Marathon March 9th to raise money to provide clean water for children and families in Congo, Africa through World Vision's water programs. $50 provides clean water for one person for their entire life!

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Sunday Morning Happenings For Adults at 9:00 am and 10:30 am

9:00 am Classes: Couriers
Sunday, 9:00-10:15 a.m. in Fireside Room

Repeated Exposure to Gods Word will enrich and change your life. In-depth Bible Study Sundays at 9:00 am in the Fireside Room, Gym building. John Wipf, teacher; Marilyn Hanks, facilitator. Coffee and good fellowship. For further information contact Marilyn Hanks (626) 7913782.

10:30 am Classes:
Companions in Christ
Sunday, 10:30-11:45 a.m. in the Corner House

Are you looking for a small group that meets on Sunday morning? An opportunity to grow deeper in your faith? A chance to discuss the 9 am service in the company of friends? People to pray with? Join the 10:30 Companions group. We meet in the Corner House and have rotating leadership. We usually spend from 10:30 to 11:00 re-reading the Scripture and talking about how to apply the sermon to our lives. We spend from 11:00 to 11:30 praying for each other. All welcome. Contact person: kitty.purgason@sbcglobal.net.

Invitation to Study the Bible

Sunday, 10:30-11:45 a.m. in Fireside Room

Everyone is invited to a new Bible Study Class on Sundays from 10:30 11:45 am in Fireside Room (on the first floor in the gym building). Dr. Art Patzia, Senior Professor of New Testament at Fuller Seminary will lead the Bible study, beginning with a study of the Epistle to the Ephesians. Come to gain a better understanding of Gods Word. We envision a cross-generational group with young people and adults of all ages. Bring your Bible and invite a friend. Contact: Art Patzia at apatzia@fuller.edu.

Wow! I have a few new people to sign on to be ushers, 9am service. I am looking for folk who could commit to one Sunday a month to usher at the 10:30am service. Have no fear I will guide you through what you need to know. It is an easy way to serve the Church community and the Lord. Please contact Cindy Moseley at cam90546@yahoo.com or see me at church.

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Womens Book Club

The Womens Book Club will meet Tuesday, March 25th, in the Corner House from 7:30 - 9:00 pm. We will discuss Barbarian Nurseries, by Hector Tobar. For more info, please contact Jennifer Mawhorter at jmawhorter@pomona.edu. The next Koinonia Prayer and Praise Potluck will be on Sunday, March 2, at 5:30 pm at the home of Larry and Clara Spence. Please call Clara to coordinate your potluck item.

Sarah Circle will meet on Tuesday, March 18th, 9:30 am - noon in Fireside. We welcome all women to join us for service projects, fellowship and refreshments. For more info, contact Julie Maljian at (818) 790-5911.

The next meeting of the Men's Book Club will be at the Corner House on Thursday, March 13th, at 7pm. Come join us as we discuss "Mr. Penumbra's 24-Bookstore," by Robin Sloan. For more information, contact Rich Doyle at DoyleRJRB@aol.com.

Upcoming Trustee Meeting

Monday, March 3, 2014 7:00 pm, Corner House

Urban Ministries and Cross-Cultural Ministries joint potluck meeting

Urban Ministries (formerly Peace and Justice) and Cross-Cultural Ministries will meet together on Sunday, March 23rd at 12:15 pm at the Aokis home (1002 Dolores Dr., Altadena). We will share with each other our ministries and how we support those with whom we work. For more information or to coordinate your potluck item, Susan Aoki at 626-794-8406 or email her at susanaoki@sbcglobal.net.

Community Potluck Dinner: March 11th

Come eat with us! At Pasadena Covenant Church, we think community is important and you are important. The second Tuesday of each month is our Community Dinner, so join us this Tuesday, March 11th, from 5-8 pm at Megan Dally & Steve Lammes home (452 Alberta St. in Altadena). Its a potluck so bring something delicious to share. Invite your friends, neighbors; bring your grandma, grandpa and kids.

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Weekly Programs
The PCSM Hub: Sunday mornings in the courtyard/gym, 9:45 - 10:30 am
Every Sunday, from 9:45am-10:45am, between services, the Hub will be open in the courtyard (or gym) for students to touch base with adult leaders and other students! This way, no matter what service students attend/serve during, there will always be a home base for PCSM on Sunday mornings.

Selah: Wednesday Night Worship & Small Groups, 6:30pm - 8:30am

Selah is a great starting point for plugging into PCSM! Selah is a word that is used throughout the book of Psalms to remind us to Pause or Stop and listen and thats exactly what we want to do on Wednesday nights! At Selah we take a break from our busy week to play crazy games, worship though song, and get to know each other on a deeper level in gender and age specific small groups.

Morph 200: Growing in Spiritual Life

9:00 am, Sundays, March 16 - April 20th, Youth Building
We will start a new Morph series which will explore Growing in Spiritual Life.

Special Events
LA Marathon: March 9
This year Pasadena Covenant has teamed up with World Vision in two exciting ways: 30 Hour Famine and the LA Marathon! We will all be working together to raise money for World Visions Clean Water and Hunger-fighting initiatives! and a crazy night in for our Middle Schoolers! Note: times and locations TBA.

30 Hour Famine: April 4 - 5

PCSM will participate in the 30 Hour Famine (note the change of date), one of our biggest and best PCSM events! We already lining up some AMAZING service opportunities for that weekend and are confident that this will be one of the best 30 Hour Famine Events yet!

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Cross-Cultural Communication Specialists Praise & Prayer Requests

Brad and Lisa, members of Pasadena Covenant Church, have been on home assignment for the past couple of years, but soon they will enter into a new ministry. They have provided answers to questions many of us might have. In addition, they have given us information to help us know how to best support them as the Lord leads them along this new path.

From Brad & Lisa: Our plans are moving ahead! And soon, we will be, too, moving to the other side of the globe to join a team in North India! During this busy time of preparation, we appreciate your encouragement and prayer more than we can express! Here is an update, featuring some Frequently Asked Questions about our upcoming transition:
FAQ #1: Why did you choose India? India is home to half of the worlds largest unreached people groups -- ethnic groups that have no church speaking their language and few, if any, believers. Our loving Father desires that every tribe and tongue has access to His redemptive love, and we share that desire. While India is majority Hindu, many of its unreached people groups are Muslim. We will be working in a region of India where Muslims are the majority, and living among a Muslim unreached group of around 8 million people. FAQ #2: How are your preparations coming? We are planning to fly out of LA for Delhi on March 17, so the countdown has started! Were working through our to-do list, shopping for luggage, applying for visas, packing away our belongings for storage. And spending precious time with our family and friends! One of the biggest things on our list is raising more financial support. Our monthly budget for living expenses (rent, food, local travel, insurance, etc.) on our new team is higher than what we are receiving at present. In addition, we need to raise an additional $15,000 for one-time set-up expenses, including airfare, setting up a home, and purchasing a vehicle. FAQ #3: What will you be doing when you get there? We are joining a team of four adults who run a business in a rural area. The business purchases agricultural products such as nuts, honey, and milk from local farmers and transforms them into more valuable products for sale in the big city. Their small factory employs people from the area, and farmers get a better price for their produce. Our teammates want to expand into other kinds of agricultural products and Brads experience and training will be a big asset to this effort. After an initial period of language and culture learning, well be visiting villages and assessing their needs to see how we can help. Jesus heart for the poor and marginalized was clear throughout His ministry, and we share His heart and (continued on page 6)

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hope to minister as He did, in word and deed. Lisas role, in addition to relationships with local women, will be to provide spiritual coaching and support to our co-workers in the region. II Cor. 4:5-7: We do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake. For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this allsurpassing power is from God and not from us. FAQ #4: Are your daughters going with you? No, well have to say good-bye, and watch from a distance as Anna and Mary move into adulthood. Were blessed to have two daughters who are mature, godly, and worthy of our trust, and a Heavenly Father who is infinitely trustworthy. FAQ #5: How can we be praying for you?

Preparations for departure: Pray for peace, strength and energy, and God's continued direction in our plans; specifically, that our visas would come through quickly despite current diplomatic tensions. New home in North India: Pray for provision of a place to live and good neighbors. Anna: Continue to pray for Gods direction to a full-time teaching job, and for enough substituting in the meantime to make ends meet. Also, lift up her church involvement and good relationships. Mary: Pray for learning and maturing in her junior year at Biola, and for good relationships and spiritual growth. Finances: Pray for more monthly supporters and provision of our extra outgoing expenses.

If you would like to be added to our email newsletter list, send us a note at: <BDL431@pmbx.net>

Farewell Luncheon for Brad and Lisa

Sunday, March 9th at noon in Fireside Room
Pasadena Covenant Church will say farewell to Brad and Lisa, members of our church, who have spent the last couple of years on home assignment here in Pasadena. We will have a potluck luncheon on Sunday, March 9th in the Fireside Room, located on the main floor in the gym building. All are welcome to come to hear more from Brad and Lisa about their new ministry and find out the ways we can support them.

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Journey to the Cross

Lenten Program for Gradeschoolers
9:00 & 10:30 am Sundays, March 2nd thru April 13th
During Lent, 1st-5th graders will participate in a special program that will help them understand and respond to the meaning of Jesus life, death and resurrection. Our theme this year is found in Col. 1:13: For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. We will explore five stories from the gospels that will show this journey from darkness to light. At 9:00, filmmaker Matt Webb will work with the kids to help them write & produce their own videos depicting these five gospel stories. At 10:30, our Club 1-2-5 team will lead the kids in exploring these stories in depth through Bible study, prayer, games, and crafts. Club 1-2-5 kids will also hear stories from our own Pasadena Covenant Church community of how God has delivered us from darkness into lightshowing that this journey continues today. They will be invited to respond in their journals to the call of God on their hearts. This is an exciting program, one that reinforces our goal to help kids grow deep in their faith and experience God as present and real in our lives today. The videos our young filmmakers produce will be available for the entire congregation to view on Easter Sunday and the following week. Volunteers are needed to help Matt Webb with the filmmaking (no experience necessary) if you could help one or more Sundays at 9:00 between March 2nd and April 13th, please contact Vikki Randall at vrandall@pasadenacovenant.org.

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Welcome to the Kingdom of Light!

PCC All-Kids Easter Celebration
9:00 & 10:30 Easter Sunday, April 20th
On Easter Sunday our Lenten them of darkness into light will come together in a Big Way! Children 2 years old through 5th grade will take part in a hands-on experience as they journey from the kingdom of darkness & shadows, where they are rescued by King Jesus. They will be invited into the Kings Banquet in the Kingdom of Lighta time of celebration that will include worship, special crafts, and of course, the Kings Feast! We have lots of great activities planned to help children experience the wonder and mystery of Jesus victory over the darkness of sin and death, and his welcoming into the goodness of Gods Kingdom. Volunteers are needed to make this all happen! If youd like to be part of this wondrous celebration, please contact Vikki Randall at vrandall@pasadenacovenant.org. Options include: Helping paint our kingdom castle set on Sat, April 12th Helping set up our Kingdom experience from 7:30-9 am Easter Sun., April 20th Classroom helper at 9:00 or 10:30 on Easter Sunday, with either preschoolers or gradeschoolers Manning a craft table or snack table at 9:00 or 10:30 on Easter Sunday (no prep needed) Loaning dark black or grey sheets or tablecloths to help create our kingdom experience Donating cupcakes for the Kings Feast

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Soupcan Offering for Covenant World Relief

Bring Banks to Church Sunday, April 13th
PCC Kids will participate in March & April in a soupcan offering for Covenant World Relief. Covenant World Relief is the humanitarian aid ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. The goal of Covenant World Relief is to participate in Gods transforming mission in the world through disaster relief and community development among the most vulnerable. We work with Covenanters and other partners around the world to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable who suffer from extreme poverty, hunger, disease, and injustice. Our mission is to love, serve, and work together with the poor, the powerless, and the marginalized. Pick up a flyer and supplies to turn a soupcan into a bank at any of our children's classrooms. Return your soupcans to church on Palm Sun., April 13th.

Pasadena Covenant Play Club

Play Club is a place for preschool kids and their moms or dads to gather and have a great time. Kids will sing songs, hear Bible stories and play while their parents connect with and support each other. Play Club is led by Brittany Burian and Lisa Thackwell and will meet the first and third Tuesday mornings, from 9:00 11:00 am at Pasadena Covenant Church's nursery. We hope that children will find Play Club to be a joyful place filled with fun friends and loving grown-ups and that their parents will receive support and friendship. Contact Brittany Burian at bburianmft@gmail.com for more information.

Summer Camp Dates

Remember to mark your calendars with these important events!
PCC Family Camp-Out! All ages, Monrovia Canyon Park, June 20-22 Middle School Camp: July 13-16 High School Camp: July 14-18 Jump Start Daycamp for kids entering Madison Elementary: Aug. 4-8

Pasadena Covenant Church 539 North Lake Avenue Pasadena, California, 91101-1217 Return Service Requested

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March 2014
1 Saturday 2 Sunday 9:00 a.m. Classes 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Classes 11:45 a.m. Hospitality 6:00 p.m. Koinonia Potluck 3 Monday 4 Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Play Club 5 Wednesday Ash Wednesday 6:00 a.m. Sanctuary open 5:45 p.m. Childrens Choir 6:30 p.m. Selah (PCSM) 6 Thursday 7 Friday 8 Saturday 9 Sunday - Daylight Saving Begins 9:00 a.m. Classes 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Classes 11:45 a.m. Hospitality 12:00 p.m. Luncheon for Leegers 10 Monday 11 Tuesday 5:00 p.m. Community Dinner 12 Wednesday 5:45 p.m. Childrens Choir 6:30 p.m. Selah (PCSM) 13 Thursday 7:00 p.m. Mens Book Club 14 Friday 15 Saturday 16 Sunday 9:00 a.m. Classes 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Classes 11:45 a.m. Hospitality 17 Monday 18 Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Play Club 9:30 a.m. Sarah Circle 19 Wednesday 5:45 p.m. Childrens Choir 6:30 p.m. Selah (PCSM) 20 Thursday 21 Friday 22 Saturday 23 Sunday 9:00 a.m. Classes 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Classes 11:45 a.m. Hospitality 12:15 p.m. Urban Ministries and CrossCultural Ministries joint meeting 24 Monday 25 Tuesday 7:30 p.m. Womens Book Club 26 Wednesday 5:45 p.m. Childrens Choir 6:30 p.m. Selah (PCSM) 27 Thursday 28 Friday 29 Saturday 30 Sunday 9:00 a.m. Classes 9:00 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Classes 11:45 a.m. Hospitality 31 Monday Spring ahead 1 hour on Sunday, March 9th (at 2:00 am)