Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.  Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him… Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. (From Mark, Immerse pg 263)

One of the main characters in Mark is “the crowd.” Through the Gospel, the author describes an overwhelming number of people listening, following, pushing in. As Jesus’ ministry grows, the crowd grows too, and much of the narrative is driven simply by looking for ways to navigate it.  

In this passage, we see it: a large crowd from all over, vast numbers of people who have traveled to see and hear this man.

What would it be like for public opinion to be so Jesus-curious that being crushed by Jesus-seekers was an ongoing danger in our daily lives?

Jesus separates the crowd into three segments. First, there’s the multitude gathering everywhere. From this, he chooses a group (still a crowd) to go with him. And from that group he chooses twelve, the twelve.

We often picture Jesus and twelve young men roaming the countryside, but there were many. Some were curious. Others he chose to travel closely with him. And twelve became his “sent-out ones.”

Which group would you like to be in, if it were up to you? Are you merely curious about Jesus, or are you willing to follow? Are you willing to not only follow, but be sent to proclaim?

Join us for an easter egg hunt, face painting, a magic show, crafts, bounce house, balloon creations, snacks, and more. Fun for the whole family!

The egg hunt will start at 10:15 am. 

Our denomination's annual meetings are coming up, and we need to send delegates from our church to represent us at these meetings. If you're a member of our church, you're eligible to be our delegate!

Central Conference Celebration: May 2-3 at Libertyville Covenant Church in Libertyville, IL.
Gather 2025 (ECC annual meeting): June 25-28 in Orlando, FL (celebrating our denomination's 140th anniversary!)

If you're interested in being a delegate, contact Peter Smith.

Whether you live at Windsor or not, COME AND JOIN US for a sweet time of fellowship.

This month we will be observing the Lenten fast together and will gather to pray for the weekly prayer points. Meet us in the Patio Dining Room (when you come into the building, look to the right instead of the left, and its the doors along that right wall). 

Join us for our upcoming Congregational Meeting. If you are a member of the church, we ask that you plan on being there. All are welcome to attend. 

We are still looking for help with childcare. If you are willing to hang out with our kids during the meeting, please let Pastor Eliza know.

We are looking for volunteers to help with childcare. Please consider helping, so we can relieve our regular volunteers! Contact Pastor Eliza if you have questions.

April 6, 9:15-10:15 am (Congregational Meeting)
April 17, 6:30-7:30 pm (Maundy Thursday Service)
April 18, 6:30-7:30 pm (Good Friday Service)
April 20, 10:15 am-12:15 pm (Easter Sunday)

Psalm Sunday: April 13 (Procession at 10:00 am)
Maundy Thursday: April 17, 6:30 pm (dinner at 5:30 pm)
Good Friday: April 18, 6:30 pm
Easter Sunday: April 20

Don't you love the sight of kids running around with whole loaves of bread after church? We need your help to continue providing Panera bread each week!

Sign up to help pick up the bread donations HERE.
Sign up to help wrap/package the bread on Sundays HERE.

We’re making a small but meaningful update to how we access the church building! To better support our ministries and care for our facility, we’re moving to an electronic key system.

Access will be provided based on ministry roles, but don’t worry—our doors will still be open during services and events, and if you ever need special access, the office is happy to help. Our goal is to make church access simple, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we make this transition! If you have any questions, please reach out—we’re here to help.

We invite you to journey together through Lent in the following ways:

1. Weekly Communion- Every Sunday in Lent, we will practice confession and observe Holy Communion together.
2. Fasting + Prayer- We are joining with other Covenant churches in our area in a corporate fast on Wednesdays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. We will be praying especially for refugees and immigrants in DuPage County, as well as other prayer topics we will send to you each week. 
3. Wednesdays: Praise & Prayer + Soup Supper- light soup supper from 5:30-6:30 pm; service of praise and prayer from 6:30-7:15 pm in the sanctuary.
4. Almsgiving- We encourage you to adopt a charity or missionary to give an extra love offering to during each week in Lent.

We are looking for a regular, paid childcare worker for Sunday mornings during worship and could include helping with childcare during ESL classes on Wednesday nights. Maybe you know a neighbor who would be a good fit or have a friend who attends another church with a different worship time! Click on the job description below to learn more. Email questions and inquiries to Pastor Eliza, discipleship@faithecc.org.

Support World Relief as they navigate changes in their funding due to recent executive orders issued by our new administration. These changes impact both the critical services World Relief provides and those helping to provide these services.

Continue to keep their staff and clients in your prayers.

Current Class: Women Leaders of the Bible
Teacher: Jessica Johnson

3/30: Deborah, Governor of Israel
4/6: Congregational Meeting (no Sunday School)
4/13: Palm Sunday (no Sunday School)
4/20: Easter Sunday (no Sunday School)
4/27: Mary, Apostle to the Apostles

Let us know how we can be praying for you or how God has been answering prayers in your life by clicking on the link below!

Pray requests:

• An out-of-state film crew is coming to our house this Monday and Tuesday. It is a project related to our Tales of the Kingdom books.  This can be a stressful experience. Thank you. - David & Karen Mains
• Praising God for the successful open heart surgery for my brother-in-law, Jon Moore. He should be recovering at home as you are reading this. - Susan Aarseth 
• For God’s healing power and that His Spirit speaks clearly to me to continue the plan of treatment. 

  For my friend Jen King, who learned that her father has cancer this past week, and my friend Linda, who received a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma this past week. For my mom, that she come to believe that God will give her the strength and courage needed to continue to a fuller life, for my brother’s salvation, and for my whole family at Faith Covenant who need God’s strength to help them go through any trial they may be facing. - Erika Stahl
• Jean had her 4th chemotherapy infusion on Monday, March 24th. Pray that her side effects will be minimal. - Tom Peterson
• Please pray for my son's family (lots of issues). My daughter-in-law urgently needs a new job. - Pam Benda
• Thank you for the prayers. My cousin Stacey is home now, following his open heart surgery and ensuing complications. He is feeling much better and the doctors expect a full recovery. Prayers are powerful! - Ben Franklin

Continue to Pray for:

• Sally & Gary Hutchinson
• Ben Hayes & the Hayes Family (find updates on Ben's CARING BRIDGE page)
• John & Wendy Wilson

 Pray For Our BLESS people:
BLESS is the Covenant's approach to intentional prayer and evangelism. Listed below are names of people in your lives who you are praying would come to know Jesus this year. We are praying with you.

• Sarah
• JC
• Madeleine

Pray For Our Church Family:

• Pat Helbig
• John & Sheila Herpolsheimer
• Anna Herpolsheimer
• Laura & Nate Hickox; Daisy and Levi
• Heiby Hildalgo
• Katherine & Tom Hill
• Betsy & Mark Hinsch; Kole Aebly
• Jane & Ray Hinsch

Pray For Our Missionaries/Ministries:

Manuel & Loida Barbosa Ramos have been appointed as missionaries of Mesa Global, accepting an invitation to join the faculty at Central American Theological Seminary (SETECA) in Guatemala. Manuel is pursuing a Ph.D. at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Please pray:

• For Manuel as he prepares for the comprehensive exams that he will take in June.
• For God’s protection of our family in Colombia. There has been a rise in violence from guerrilla rebels, affecting thousands of civilians. 
• For God's healing for our family, both here and in Colombia.

Send them a word of encouragement at  ramosmanuelalejo@gmail.com.

The Care and Prayer Ministry Team prays for all prayer requests submitted through the digital and paper Connect Cards.  If you have an urgent prayer need, you can email careteam@faithecc.org or call Team Leader Rita Christensen at 630-835-8737.

Week 10
Day 46 pp. 285-292 
Day 47 pp. 293-297 
Day 48 pp. 297-301 
Day 49 pp. 303-308 
Day 50 pp. 309-310 

Week 11
Day 51 pp. 311-318 
Day 52 pp. 318-324 
Day 53 pp. 324-329 
Day 54 pp. 330-336 
Day 55 pp. 337-340 

Looking for the audiobook? Listen to this week's reading here: Immerse website, Spotify, or Apple Podcast.

March 26
Tom Bonk
March 29
Pia Fahs

Wednesday (3/26)
Tiger Breakfast (7:00 am)
Lenten Fast & Prayer (11:00-1:00)
Kids Club (6:00 pm)
Soup Supper (5:30 pm)
Lenten Prayer Service (6:30 pm)
Choir Rehearsal (7:15 pm)

Sunday (3/30)
Morning Prayer (8:45 am)
Sunday School (9:15 am)
Worship (10:30 am)
412 Youth (6:00 pm)

Wednesday (4/2)
Lenten Fast & Prayer (11:00-1:00)
Wednesdays at Windsor (12:00 pm)
Kids Club (6:00 pm)
Soup Supper (5:30 pm)
Lenten Prayer Service (6:30 pm)
Choir Rehearsal (7:15 pm)

This week we continue our series Messiah with a sermon on Luke 19:11-27.

Sunday worship begins at 10:30 am. Join us in person or via live stream on Facebook or YouTube.

We have two assisted listening devices available at the sound booth every Sunday morning. Ask one of our sound booth volunteers if you would like to use one during worship!

The Community Board is a space for us to...

House Sitting: Hello Church family! We will be in Germany for the month of July, and we are looking for someone to stay in our home and take care of our cats while we are gone. Even if you have friends or family from out of town who would possibly want to come spend a beautiful month in Wheaton, they would be welcome! Our two cars will be available as well. Let me know if you are interested! Email Virginia Johnston, Virginiakeen@gmail.com.

-Selling or Donating a Car: My brother-in-law is currently studying at a seminary. Unfortunately, their family's minivan, which they relied on for daily transportation, has recently broken down beyond repair. They urgently need a vehicle to help manage everyday responsibilities, such as attending classes and running errands, but they have very limited funds. If you know anyone who has a vehicle they might be willing to sell or, even better, donate, please reach out to Pastor Zachs, outreach@faithecc.org or 331.236.0316. Your assistance would mean the world to them! Thank you! 

Ask to borrow items
Give stuff away that’s useful to someone else 
Announce an event 
Have something to contribute? Send it to the church office: office@faithecc.org

Evangelical Child and Family Agency is looking for Christian mothers with a passion for mentorship. Their Pregnancy Support Services meets with struggling new mothers to help them navigate the challenges of this phase of their lives. Mentors would help provide a support network for these women and share the love of Christ with them. ECFA provides training, resources and support for mentors so they can feel empowered to care for these women well. If you think this could be you, please reach out to Elianna Tuggy in person, by phone (503) 217 9492, or by email eliannat@evancfa.org for more details!