All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it.  (From Hebrews, Immerse 382)

For the past several months, one of the roads I travel on daily was closed for construction. Even weeks into the project I often forgot to take alternate routes, and was stuck on the long, tedious detour. When the road was finally complete and reopened, I was overjoyed. This project had taken forever.

My impatience reminds me of the temples, pyramids, and walls of the ancient world which took generations to build. The designers of these wonders would not live to see them completed—nor would their children or even grandchildren. But they started the ball rolling and gave their life to the task.

In Hebrews, we find the inspiring “Hall of Faith” where our godly heroes are listed. Abraham and Sarah are named here, Noah and Moses and Rahab and so many more.

But then this: All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it.

Like the ancient architects, these men and women gave their lives to God in faith…but did not see the fruition of their labors before they died. Yet even so, they didn’t lose faith, didn’t let go of hope, kept looking forward.

I wonder how our faith muscles are these days. If a three-month detour wears me down, am I ready to spend my life on God’s kingdom, not seeing the fruit of my labor and yet not losing faith and hope? Are you?

May this great cloud of witnesses encourage us as we keep our eyes fixed on the resurrected Jesus.  

-Catherine McNiel

BLESS is the Covenant's approach to intentional evangelism. Each year, we collect the names of people in your lives for whom you are praying to come to know Jesus this year. We want to be praying with you, so on BLESS Sunday, we join other Covenant churches in submitting the names (first names only) of these loved ones.

We will compile the list of names you submit so we can add them to our prayer list throughout the year. We will send these names to the Central Conference offices, where all the BLESS names in our conference will be prayed for by the Central Conference staff. Then, all the names will be sent to Gather, our denomination's annual meeting, to be prayed over by delegates from Covenant churches from across the country.

We encourage you to be ministering to these loved ones throughout the year using the BLESS model: Begin in prayer, Listen with care, Eat Together, Serve in Love, and Share your story. Reach out to Pastor Zachs if you would like more resources about the BLESS model, or find resources HERE.

Help us celebrate our Graduating Seniors and send them off to their next adventure!

Please help us welcome guests by parking outside our parking lot. If you are able, please park at the Northwestern Medical building (we have permission to park there). See the diagram! Thank you for your ongoing help with this. 

Thank you to all who brought forward your stewardship planning card. It was a beautiful expression of worship! If you weren't able to join us in person, you may still mail or bring your card to this office. Alternatively, you can fill out a digital stewardship planning card by clicking on the button below. We hope to collect all responses by Sunday, May 4th. Thank you for your participation and generosity!

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.

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

4/27: Mary, Apostle to the Apostles

5/4-5/11: The book of Hebrews with Kevin Johnson

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!

Continue to Pray for:

• Sally & Gary H
• Ben H & family (find updates on Ben's CARING BRIDGE page)
• John & Wendy W

 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.

• Mitch
• Connor
• Mary

Pray For Our Church Family:

• Catherine & Matthew M; Asher, Benjamin, and Selah
• Anya M
• Emily M
• Joey & Tamara M
• Almas & Marina M; Daniel and Laura
• Bev & John M
• Claudio M & Maca L; Daniel, Samuel, Amanda, and Belen

Pray For Our Missionaries/Ministries:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 80 years, they have partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing, and transformation to the most vulnerable.

1. Pray for the many people in our community who face personal uncertainty and decisions as immigration policies change.
2. Pray for the recovery from the earthquake in Myanmar. 
3. Pray for resolution to and peace in the many conflict situations around the world: Ukraine, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan, Gaza, Venezuela. 
4. Pray for our clients who are single mothers. They face many additional challenges and are often making multiple sacrifices for the sake of their children.

Send a word of encouragement www.worldrelief.org/chicagoland.

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.

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.

Week 14
Day 66 pp. 397-402 
Day 67 pp. 402-408 
Day 68 pp. 408-413 
Day 69 pp. 413-418 
Day 70 pp. 418-423 

Week 15
Day 71 pp. 424-430 
Day 72 pp. 430-437 
Day 73 pp. 439-446 
Day 74 pp. 447-452 
Day 75 pp. 453-459 

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

April 25
Zack Zboncak
April 26
Nancy Mauriello

Wednesday (4/23)
Tiger Breakfast (7:00 am)
Choir Rehearsal (7:15 pm)

Sunday (4/27)
Morning Prayer (8:45 am)
Sunday School (9:15 am)
Worship (10:30 am)
412 Youth (6:00 pm)

Wednesday (4/30)
Tiger Breakfast (7:00 am)
Choir Rehearsal (7:15 pm)

Sunday (5/4)
Morning Prayer (8:45 am)
Sunday School (9:15 am)
Worship (10:30 am)
412 Youth (6:00 pm)

This week we continue our series Messiah with a sermon on Luke 10:38-11:13.

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