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W W W . L I F E C C H E L E N A . O R G

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Learn what our church is all about, including our history, what we believe, how we attempt to live that out in our community, and how we operate. A pizza dinner and childcare will be provided. Sign up in the church foyer or by calling the office so we know how many will be attending.

Membership at Life Covenant starts with LIFE 101.

LIFE 101 Discovering God’s Family at Life Covenant Church

Sunday, January 8, 4-7 p.m. Room 202/204

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Series: Stand

January 7 & 8 Stand in Everyday Life: Daniel 1

January 14 & 15 Stand When Life is Impossible: Daniel 2

January 21 & 22 Stand Under Pressure: Daniel 3

January 28 & 29 Stand When Others Knock You Down: Daniel 6

S T A N D by Keith Johnson

In 1977, fish merchant Lee Lantz traveled to Chile and "discovered" the toothfish, a species the locals deemed too oily to eat. Today and a name change later, Chilean sea bass is so popular with American palates that it's almost on the verge of extinction. So it goes with naming. An article in Men’s Health magazine continued with these examples: In 2000 the California prune board realized the words "prune" and "laxative" were inextricably linked, so they switched to "dried plums.” People bought it and, in a documented focus group, preferred the taste of dried plums to prunes. In the 1960s, Frieda Caplan, an American produce importer, changed the name of the Chinese Gooseberry to Kiwi fruit, after New Zealand's national bird which is also round, brown, and furry. Popularity spiked. These are relatively harmless examples of renaming. Some renaming, however, can be dangerous in our Christian lives and lead us to compromise. “Lying” gets renamed “stretching the truth a little.” We call sexual involvement outside of marriage “intimacy” instead of “adultery.” We label “anger” as “frustration.” We’re starting a new series on January 7 & 8 entitled, “Stand”. We’ll be looking at selected chapters of the book of Daniel and how he refused

to make compromises in his life. In this context, compromise is being willing to make a concession that is out of line with our faith or what we believe. And, sad to say, compromise leads many people of faith to destruction. Daniel stood strong on what he believed. He refused to compromise. In doing so, he honored God. The stories we’ll read from the book of Daniel in this series will hopefully encourage us all to stand strong as followers of Jesus.

F R E E R A N G E D E V O T I O N S The Faucet

by Sean Connolly

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The faucet handle blew off as the water erupted, soaking me and drenching the ceiling. In the next room, my wife and daughter erupted with laughter as I dove under the bathroom sink, frantically grasping for the water shut-off handle to stop the geyser.

No one is going to mistake me for a plumber. You won’t catch me sweating pipe joints. But replacing a washer to stop a leaking faucet is so simple, even I can do it, and have many times before. So, I do know enough to turn off the water leading to the faucet before attempting to unscrew the faucet handle … usually.

At some point that particular day, between deciding to fix the dripping faucet, a trip to the hardware store, and actually attempting to make the fix, I convinced myself that I had, in

fact, turned off the water to the faucet. I truly believed the water was off. But, I didn’t bother to verify what position the shut-off handle was in.

When we hear something that seems spiritual or sounds Biblical, how often do we confirm the meaning actually comes from the Bible? When tempting Jesus in the desert, Satan quoted Scripture out of context to help support his lies (Matthew 4:1-11). To fight back, Jesus also quoted Scripture, but correctly. We also need to understand the Bible, so we can distinguish the truth from the quasi-truth or outright falsehood.

Phrases like “God helps those who help themselves,” or “Money is the root of all evil,” or “This too shall pass” sure sound Biblical-ish, but they are not. What other sayings or phrases have we

repeated, or believed in, or relied on without confirming they are based on Biblical truth? God may work in mysterious ways (another often-quoted saying not found in the Bible), but He will not contradict Himself.

If Satan has the audacity to warp the meaning of Scripture while speaking directly to The Author of Scripture, we are not immune to his word twists either. Whether bits of advice, sayings, or words of guidance come from a friend, family, community leaders, or anyone else, we should verify the information spigot is in the correct position and based on Biblical truth before fully embracing them.

“Test everything,” Paul implores us (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Otherwise, what we believe in could erupt in our face.

In October we selected ten 7th and 8th grade students who went through an application process to become student leaders. These students have committed to stepping into several different roles on Wednesday nights, as well as during the weekend services. They also attend a monthly meeting to improve their leadership skills.

Sandy Merchen brings fun team-building activities, Jenny Axelson puts together great lessons on leadership, and Jolanda Songer schedules the student jobs. It has been exciting to see the students step out of their comfort zone and take ownership. We are very proud of them!

EnFuego begins new student leadership program On Wednesday nights student leaders are assigned to greet and check-in the students and pray. Student leaders also teach, lead games, and organize special events and service projects.

Grace Johnson taught about Thanksgiving and Hunter Cromwell taught about the meaning of Christmas — they both did a fantastic job.

August Schneider and Maddie Oppel made the Shodair service project a success. Rebecca Dudek, the Children’s Miracle Network Coordinator at Shodair Children’s Hospital shared a presentation about the hospital. The students and leaders worked

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Date Dinner Theme Bring

Jan. 3 Chicken &

Rice Silly Sock

Night Wear your

silliest socks

Jan. 10 Mac & Cheese

Love Your Leader

Bring a card or treat for your

leader

Jan. 17 Spaghetti PJ Night Wear your PJs

Jan. 24 Tacos Beach Night Dress for the

beach

Jan. 31 Pancakes Camo Night Wear

camouflage

K I D A N D Y O U T H A C T I V I T I E S Kid’s Ministries Contact—Lisa Bowen: lisa@lifecchelena.org or 442-6813

Middle School Ministries Contact—Jolanda Songer: jolanda@lifecchelena.org or 442-6813 High School Ministries Contact—Matt Swider: mattswider@lifecchelena.org or 442-6813

M I D D L E S C H O O L

Confirmation Class (7th-8th Grade)

Wednesdays, 5:45-6:15 p.m.

(Confirmation resumes on Jan. 4.)

EnFuego (6th-8th Grade)

Wednesdays, 6:30-8:45 p.m.

Dinner Included

(En Fuego resumes on Jan. 4)

Tutors & Books Wednesdays, 3-5:30 p.m., Room 203

Ice Skating Saturday, Jan. 14, 6:15-8:15 p.m.

Helena Ice Arena

Cost: $5 (includes ticket, skate rental, and hot dog or pizza meal)

H I G H S C H O O L

Wednesdays, 6:30-9 p.m. (Dinner included.) Resumes Jan. 4

Voltage Ski Weekend Friday, Jan. 20—Sunday, Jan. 22

Contact Matt Swider for more info.

Thank you to everyone who made the AWANA Christmas store a success. Your donations and time made it possible for 120 kids to shop for their families and celebrate the Christmas season. Thank you for those that braved the cold weather and snow to help us wrap presents!

LCC Kids Ministry and Preschool would also like to say a huge “thank you” to Dave Anderson for building shelves for our ministries. Thank you, Dave, for donating your time and energy to help organize our programs and help them run smoothly!

Thanks!

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

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Young Adult Group & Dinner Life Covenant Church’s Young Adult Group is inviting newly attending young adults and any college students who are home on break to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings on at 6:45 p.m. on January 3. If you would like more information about Life's Young Adult Group, please contact Tom Bowen at 442-6813. (Our regular group meets at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesdays in our 700 N. Hoback space.)

Small Groups at Life Covenant Life is not meant to be lived alone. You were created to experience life with other people, and that’s why, at Life Covenant Church, we encourage you to get into a small group. A small group is a group of three or more people who gather regularly in a home, workplace, or some other shared location. In a group you’ll hang out, study, and pray together. Groups come in all shapes and sizes. No matter where you are in life, we are hoping to get you plugged into a group that’s right for you, praying for you in whatever season of life you may be. Please contact Tom Bowen (442-6813 or tom@lifecchelena.org) to start or join a group.

Chronicles (Join The Bible Project) Starts January 4; meets Wednesdays in Room 201, 5:45 to 7 p.m. Who reads the book of 1st and 2nd Chronicles? Why read the book of 1st and 2nd Chronicles? For that matter, what is the book of 1st and 2nd Chronicles? All this and more in our new Wednesday night Bible study at Life Covenant Church. Contact Tom Bowen (442-6813 or tom@lifecchelena.org) to find out more.

Real Women, Real Faith: Undaunted Starts January 6; meets Fridays in Room 202/204, 9 to 11 a.m. The Friday morning ladies group is starting a five-session study by Christine Caine as she shares her compelling personal journey and offers insight into how anyone can overcome challenges and pain by putting trust in God. Using her dramatic story, Caine illustrates how God rescued her from a life of abuse – where she was unnamed, unwanted, and unqualified – into a God-filled and faith-fueled life. Contact Angela Brent at 461-6541 for more information.

Tuesday Women’s Study: Starts January 24; meets Tuesdays in Room 201, 1 to 3 p.m. The Book of Hebrews is a rich, dense section of Scripture that can intimidate the most scholarly biblical student. But Lisa Harper makes digging into Hebrews fun and doable, as only she can, without losing an ounce of depth. Hebrews was a sermon for a specific people and culture in the midst of martyrdom and persecution, but is also so relevant for us today, reminding us to continue walking toward Jesus regardless of our culture or our circumstances. Contact Mary Anderson at 422-2969 for more information.

55 and Better Luncheon

Friday, January 13 at 12 p.m. Start the New Year in the company of friends at our monthly 55 and Better Luncheon. Have no fear about it being Friday the 13th, we’ll have a great time no matter what day it is! Call the church office and let them know you plan to attend!

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Upcoming Adult Sunday School Classes — Beginning January 7 & 8

What I Wish I Had Known Sundays, 10:10-10:50 a.m. in Room 203 Keith Johnson will openly and candidly share with you what no one taught him before he got married. He’ll share five principles he’s learned that have become a part of his marriage and which he uses regularly in his pre-marriage and marriage counseling.

Genesis Saturdays, 6:40-7:20 p.m. & Sundays, 10:10-10:50 a.m., Room 201. The book of Genesis features familiar biblical stories such as the creation of the world, Adam and Eve and the forbidden fruit, Noah and the flood, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, the Tower of Babel, and Sodom and Gomorrah. While many readers know the facts of these stories, sometimes we do not know how they relate to each other. In this class, we will develop a deeper understanding of the theological significance of the book of Genesis as a whole. We will also learn how to develop a biblical worldview that can apply to our daily lives. Whether familiar or unfamiliar with this famous book of the Bible, you are bound for a few surprises.

Other Events

Financial Peace University Starts January 16; meets Mondays at 7 p.m. Financial Peace University is a 9-week class on money taught by America’s most trusted financial guru, Dave Ramsey. This biblically-based curriculum will help you achieve your financial goals by walking you through the basics of budgeting, eliminating debt, planning for the future, and much more! Registration begins December 31. The cost for the FPU membership kit (workbook, & member subscription) is $98. Contact Damon Songer at 406-437-1150.

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E V E N T S & C L A S S E S — C O N T I N U E D

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together to make 19 blankets for the children at Shodair.

Maddie McNeil, Keelin Connolly, Sam Henrikson, and Grace Oelkers did an amazing job organizing the cookie baking and decorating event and the EnFuego Christmas party. Jaedyn Kent and Abby Buschini have been wonderful at leading games.

You will see these student-leaders greeting and handing out bulletins most weekends, as well as reading the verses during worship every third

weekend of the month.

It is important for students to know that they have a place in the church, not just on Wednesday nights. They are very capable and mostly just need some adults to believe in them and encourage them. We want them to be great leaders in their church and community!

Please pray for all our students, as well as our student and adult leaders. Thank you for your support!

STUDENT LEADERS, continued

Address Service Requested

Life Covenant Church 800 North Hoback Helena, MT 59601

Periodicals US Postage Pd.

002231 Helena, MT

POSTMASTER

Send address change to

Life Covenant Church

800 N. Hoback, Helena, MT 59601

For he [God] is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.

He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. Daniel 6:25-26

LCC Preschool Happenings December was a very exciting month in the preschool! Each day we focused on one part of the nativity and created that part, which resulted in a compete nativity set to retell the story of Jesus' birth. The children presented "Christmas in the Kitchen" for family and friends. It is so heartwarming to watch the young children share Christ's love for us through costume, song and signing. January will find us studying winter weather, snow, penguins and opposites. A special fieldtrip to the Army Aviation Support Facility is planned to tour the helicopters! Thank you for all of your prayers and support!