The Mission Trip Mindset

By Brian Zahasky,
interim director of youth ministries

We often are very skilled at processing information, analyzing problems and memorizing correct answers. But when our faith becomes too much a matter of information, our hearts can be left empty. Christian Formation recognizes that the storehouse of spiritual treasure which we keep in our minds must find its way into our hearts before we can truly love and serve Christ. But how does this transfer take place? It is not by neglecting the mind, but rather by adding a training of the heart. Traditionally this has been accomplished by prayer, devotional reading, journaling, worship, giving and spiritual disciplines such as fasting or keeping silence before God.

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. This seems like an odd question, because they would have learned to pray at the synagogue and in their homes since they were children. They knew how to pray, but not in a way that filled their hearts with the love of God. So we desire for the Lord to teach us to pray in a way that increases our love for Him.

Many Christians keep a regular habit of Bible reading, often in the early morning. But sometimes such a habit becomes more of a duty, and what is read may not "sink in." We desire to learn how to read the scripture so that it truly nourishes our souls. Rather than always reading the scripture in an analytical way, seeking to retain more and more information, we need to learn how to let the Word of God read us, so that it speaks in a personal way that melts our hearts. The early forebears of our church, called the Pietists, talked often of the "Living Word." The "Living Word of God" speaks straight to the heart, shaping and renewing our lives.

Another part of Christian Formation is becoming familiar with the devotional classics. It is opening our hearts to the insights of the saints through the ages, so that light might come to our journey. In our busy lives, we get very caught up in the here and now, thinking that newer must always mean "better." When we gain the humility to truly learn from those who have gone before us, we begin to live in a more Christ-like way.

Finally, in Christian Formation, we learn to practice some of the ancient disciplines that teach us to obey Christ. Fasting, silence, journaling, prayer walks and scripture memorization all help us to listen to God.

This year, we are going to offer a number of opportunities for youth and adults to experience Christian Formation. The adult Sunday School will embark on a year-long spiritual formation journey, with short courses on disciplines that will shape and renew your life. The high school Sunday School class will be following a similar pattern. We also will offer one or more small group experiences using a course called "Experiencing God." In this class, we learn to recognize the presence of God in our lives, and then how to hear His voice and how to obey what He speaks to our hearts.

I invite you to participate in one of the Christian Formation opportunities this year. I believe you will find a renewal in your heart if you do.

Quarterly Meeting
Set for 5 p.m. Sept. 14

Because a number of important issues will be discussed at our quarterly congregational meeting at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14, the church council strongly encourages every member to make plans to be in attendance.

Two important elections are scheduled. We will elect a search committee to begin the task of locating and calling a new Director of Children's Ministries to replace Dane Anderson, who resigned effective at the end of August to pursue his education full-time. If you would like to nominate someone to appear on the search committee ballot, you should get the person's permission and then contact chairman Owen Youngman or secretary Deb Baab in the next few weeks. (You also can nominate yourself.).

As you will recall from the July newsletter, we also will elect the 2004 nominating committee. In past years, this group has been elected in December and charged with filling the church council ballot for the February annual meeting. By moving up its election, we want to add leadership development to the committee focus; the group will work with Pastor Dwight and Owen, who under the bylaws already are members of the committee, to identify and begin discussions with potential leaders even before it is known what council positions will need to be filled next year.

Other agenda items include updates from the Director of Children's Ministry search committee and the Long-Range Planning Committee; a preview of exciting changes to our annual fall banquet, which is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 16; and a discussion of the relationship with our potential sister church in Cuernavaca, Mexico (see page 2). Reports will also be received from Pastor Dwight and our financial officers.

Every member is entitled to a voice and a vote when we meet as a congregation, so please make an effort to attend. We plan to begin with a pizza supper at 5 p.m. and move into the agenda about 5:20; childcare will be provided.

Upcoming Worship

The focus in our worship for this fall will be Christian Formation. We will follow the lectionary texts in the last half of the gospel of Mark as we consider forming our lives to Christ through commitment, service, repentance, hospitality, giving and faith.

Sept. 7 -- "Christian Formation — the Journey From Head to Heart Communion." The sacrament of Holy Communion will also be celebrated.

Sept. 14 -- "Commitment to Christ." Guest preacher: Rev. Linda Forbes. Texts: Ephesians 1:3-14 and 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12-19.

Sept. 21 -- "Serving Christ." Guest preacher: Dr. Harold Baxter.

Sept. 28 -- "Repentance." Texts: Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 78:1-8.

Welcome to Our New Members

(Editor's note: This feature, which looks at friends who have recently joined our fellowship, is taking the month off. If you think you have missed some past new-member profiles, an archive is available here on libcov.org.)

Financial Corner

Please take a moment to review LCC's financial summary for January – July 2003. As you know, the church budget is an important component of LCC and enables the church to get involved in a variety of community and mission opportunities. Of course, it is also through your giving that LCC pays its many administrative and building expenses.

Please remember to give regularly to the church, and if you pledged to give a specified amount each month or week, please make sure you fulfill your commitment. We appreciate your giving and know that, together, we can meet our financial obligations.

Financial summary through July 2003:

Church Events,
Programs and People

Adult Sunday School

Adults will have three options for the 2003 – 2004 year when they meet at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

The first option is a series of six classes (five – six weeks per class) centered on the following topics of spiritual growth:

• classic devotional readings
• stewardship
• how to read the Old Testament
• how to read the New Testament
• prayer; and
• worship.

Some of our teachers from previous years will return this year. We will also have some teachers who are new to LCC's adult Sunday School.

Pastor Dwight will teach the second option. This class, "Confirmation for Adults," will meet each Sunday for the year and will use Steve Elde's condensed version of the Wesley Nelson Confirmation text, "God's Friends." The class will also use Jim Hawkinson's new anthology of Covenant writings, "Glad Hearts, the Joys of Believing — Challenges of Belonging." This class is for all who would be interested in an overview of the Bible, Christian doctrine and Covenant perspectives.

The third option will be a fellowship group for parents. This class offers a chance for parents to gather together to share and support each other in the challenges of raising children.

Watch the bulletin in the coming weeks for more details. We look forward to seeing everyone on Kickoff Sunday.

Fireside Dinner Fellowship

With the summer nearly behind us, we're looking forward to again resuming our meetings. Please keep the following dates in mind.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 6 — Picnic at Lake Forest Beach and Boat House — We have reserved the picnic pavilion at this beautiful location on Lake Michigan. As in the past, it is a potluck picnic. The area is reserved from 4 - 8 p.m. We'll meet at church at 3:30 p.m. and car pool to the site. (Sticker permits for all cars are required.) Please contact Jean, Bev or Dolores to make reservations and advise them of what dish you will bring.

THURSDAY, OCT. 9 — Dinner at Northbrook Covenant Village at 6:30 p.m. — Come to see this remodeled state-of-the-art facility and learn of its services. The dinner is free, followed by a presentation and tour.

THURSDAY, NOV. 13 — Duke's Grill, Wauconda, IL; Social hour at 6 p.m. Dinner 6:30 p.m. — Our speaker will be Davidson Scott, a student at Trinity Divinity School from Sierra Leone, who attends our church.

FRIDAY, DEC. 5 — Christmas Smorgasbord at church — Social hour at 6 p.m. Dinner 6:30 p.m. Watch for more details as the date approaches.

Office Directory Update

The church office is in the process of updating our church directory, and we need your help. Please send an e-mail to Marti with any updates or changes within your family. Include names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc. We are also interested in the fall addresses for your college students!

Sermon Texts Just a Click Away

In response to several requests from the congregation, selected sermons of Pastor Dwight’s will now be available right here on our Web site. You can point your browser directly to www.libcov.org/sermons or link to them off our home page. Of course, updated news, calendar items and prayer requests are always available on the site, which recently has moved to a new, higher-capacity server. Be sure to visit libcov.org often!

Remember Jesse Ciccotti

Jesse Ciccotti, a recent graduate of Trinity who was actively involved with our church, recently visited to share his experiences as a student pastor with the college ministry of First Evangelical Free Church in Ames, Iowa. In this role, he will work closely with students from Iowa State University. Please remember Jesse in your prayers. He is currently in the process of raising his financial support for this role. If you would like to support Jesse financially or through prayer, please write to him and let him know. Please make your check payable to "EFCA." On the memo line, write "Gift Category 52001-4518." Send checks or letters to Jesse Ciccotti, 2306 258th St., Ames, IA 50014.

Women's Fall Retreat

Information and registration forms for the Central Conference Covenant Women Ministries Retreat at Covenant Harbor is on the table in the narthex. The Women's Steering Committee is hoping a group from our church will be able to attend the second weekend (Sept. 19-21). If you have questions, contact Sheila Anderson or Sharon Holm.

Available Bible studies

"EXPERIENCING GOD": We hope to offer the "Experiencing God" study, by Henry Blackaby, in the Grayslake/Wildwood area as well as in Libertyville. The groups will meet on Thursday evenings. We will begin with an introductory session at church on Sept. 18, and then the groups will begin on Sept. 25. Click here for more details.

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY: The weekly women's Bible study resumes Thursday, Sept. 11, at 9:15 a.m. For the first several weeks, the group will study I Corinthians 13-16, continuing a unit begun earlier. Join the group for fellowship at 9:15 and study and prayer at 9:30. The morning concludes between 10:45 and 11. Child care is provided. For more information, contact Linda Youngman.

MEN'S BIBLE STUDY: The men's Bible study meets on Fridays at 7 a.m. Men are welcome to join the group. For more detail, contact Chris Becker.

Small Group Opportunities

G.U.Y.S. — The G.U.Y.S. group (Give Us Your Strength) continues to meet the fourth Monday of the month at 6:31 a.m. at the Liberty Restaurant on Milwaukee Avenue in Libertyville. Aug. 25, Bob Smietana will be talking about his experience as editor of the Covenant Companion and Home Altar. Sept. 22, Kirk Johnson will continue with another section about Christianity in the workplace. All men are enthusiastically welcomed to this opportunity for food and fellowship. For more details, contact Kirk Johnson.

Men’s ping-pong — If you’re looking for fun, fellowship and friendly competition, join other like-minded men on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. for ping-pong in the church basement. Contact John Hjelm for details.

God Squad ResumesA women's outing to the Chicago Botanical Gardens will take place Tuesday, July 15, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. We will leave from the church at 10 a.m. The 45-minute tour observes the Japanese Garden, McDonald Woods and the Prairie. The tour cost is only $6 per person.

Submissions welcome

The submission deadline for the October issue of In the Spirit is Tuesday, Sept. 16. Submissions can be e-mailed to Amy Sekili or Marti Anderson.