FAITH FAMILY HIGHLIGHT

from The Paper | Jun-Aug Issue 2 Vol 11

DEAR FAITH CHURCH FAMILY & FRIENDS,

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET CONNECTED TO FAITH CHURCH?

We were invited by friends and co-workers who attended the Beecher campus and the Cedar Lake campus.

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN GOD DO AT FAITH CHURCH?

God has allowed Faith Church to grow in numbers and become an open and welcoming place to learn and grow in God and in community.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT THE WORSHIP SERVICES?

Our family always enjoys the song choices! We love that they are songs we hear daily on the radio that the kids can sing along with. One day we hope to be able to pull off the Dave Weemhoff wobble to the song.

We are also thankful for Faith Kids, pouring into our kids and allowing us to focus on the message. Pastor Dave makes the messages very relatable by being honest with his own personal struggles.

WHERE DO YOU SERVE AT FAITH CHURCH?

Dawn serves with the Coffee Ministry during fellowship time on Sunday mornings; Matt facilitates Financial Peace University; and Gretchen helps with the 3-5’s room in Faith Kids.

JOSH & ASHLEY BRUINIUS

The Crocco Family Faith Cedar

HOW DO YOU CONNECT WITH OTHERS AT FAITH CEDAR LAKE?

We connect with others through small groups, men’s groups and women’s bible study.

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN GOD DO IN YOUR LIFE?

We have seen God place the right people at the right time in our lives to build us up in faith and give encouragement through difficult seasons.

Paul instructs his apprentice, Timothy, with these words: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, CSB). That timeless wisdom speaks to us today! Reading and learning Scripture is an essential part of the life of a disciple of Christ.

Faith Church is now entering a season of marrying two key Scripture-engaging elements: weekend teaching and the 4Year Bible Reading schedule, Cover to Cover. Close observers during our Lenten series, Influencer, may have noticed the weekend teaching was all from Romans 12, which coincided with those reading Romans in the daily plan.

This Summer, we plan to ramp it up in a fun and unique way. Summer at Faith means older children from Faith Kids (completed Kindergarten through fifth grade) participate in “big church,” and we want the whole family to experience the journey of God’s people from the Book of Exodus together with a series called, Exodus: God Always Has a Plan. The series represents a collaborative effort between Faith Kids leaders, worship leaders, and Bible teachers to bring out the major events of this extraordinary journey for Israel.

We’ve launched the Cover to Cover Podcast (WeAreFaith.org/c2c) for deeper context & understanding of the Bible reading.

So, let me answer a couple of questions.

Why Exodus?

Let me bring in an expert. Faith’s own Dr. Brian Dennert says: “God’s promise-keeping nature and His power are on abundant display in the Old Testament Book of Exodus in the way that He rescues and delivers His people from slavery in Egypt so that they may live under His rule and with His presence. What is also on abundant display is that those whom God promises to rescue and then powerfully delivers aren’t exceptionally faithful but rather fickle, trusting in Him at one moment and then doubting the next.”

Pastor Brian is right! God delivers His people in a powerful way that only He is able to do. Then, God guides, rescues and provides for His people over, and over (and over!) again in this amazing story. However, the people are proven to be of temperamental faith, trusting God and then doubting God shortly after. Does that sound familiar? It sure does to me! It sounds like each season of my own life, uncertain about how God will move me, my family, or my church through each trial and obstacle. Yet, He continues to be faithful!

How can I maximize this experience?

1. Join Faith Church live on weekends for all of June and July 2023 for Exodus: God Always Has a Plan with your whole family! Kids and adults alike will walk away with a better understanding of God’s greater story and the hope of Christ!

2. Read Exodus with us daily from June 9 through July 25; sign up for text & email devotions at CovertoCoverFC.org.

3. Listen to the Cover to Cover Podcast to supplement the reading.