The Messenger January 2022 - Broadway Covenant Church
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January 2022
The Messenger
Contentment and Peace for 2022 - Pastor Mike Mirakian
Well, here we are again. Another year has passed, and a new year dawns before us. This time last year,
as we put the challenges of 2020 behind us, I wrote these words: “[A]s we stand on the brink of a new year, we
can only hope in faith that the coming months will bring goodness, peace and healing to wash away the harsh
memories of the year gone by.” In some ways, that hope has been fulfilled, but 2021 supplied a few more dos-
es of hardship to our world, our community and each of our lives.
So, how should we look forward to 2022? Is it foolish to expect better things? Should we buckle down
for another rough year? It’s honestly hard to know what to expect or hope for. With that in mind, let me offer
four New Year’s wishes that embrace the tension of our time.
As we hope for a better year, let’s also seek after God’s power that is made perfect in weakness.
Whether life is easy or hard, whether we feel blessed or burdened, it is always God’s strength that sustains us.
Perseverance comes through the Holy Spirit and may be the most valuable blessing God can provide to get us
through daily life in this broken world. We hope 2022 will be a great year filled with good news and sunshine,
but if it’s not, we can still rejoice knowing God’s power never fails.
[The Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” … That is
why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For
when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
As we plan for prosperity in the New Year, let’s also learn the secret of being content in every
situation. How about that for a New Year’s resolution? I will learn to be content no matter how the coming
days unfold. The secret, of course, is to lean on God’s strength and to trust in His provision rather than expect-
ing the things of this world to satisfy our hearts.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is
to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hun-
gry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians
4:11-13
As we wish for a “return to normal,” let’s also ask God for peace that passes understanding. Do
you feel anxious about the uncertain future? If so, you are not alone. We face many challenges that could easi-
ly derail our lives and send us spinning into despair. But God offers us peace, even in the midst of sorrow or
difficulty. We can’t fully understand or explain it, but when we feel peace in our souls, we know it could only
come from the God who loves us more than we deserve.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
As we dream about a year filled with happiness, let’s also set our minds on things above. God
doesn’t promise us happiness in this life, but He does promise that our resurrection life will be better in every
way. Sometimes making the best of hard circumstances is all we can do, and we should never forget to look up
and look ahead. Eternal life with Jesus will be more glorious than we can imagine. That is the future we should
set our hearts on.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the
right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. – Colossians 3:1-2
1
Serving in January
Counters:
Steve Schweitzer
Head Usher:
Randy Price & Dan Hitchcock
Birthdays
Remember in Prayer
1 Wilhemina Kirkwood
2 Michele Johnson The family of Alice Nelson who passed away.
4 Ryan Woodrow Pastor Dick Rasanen receiving rehab.
8 Michael Woodrow Betty Mitchell recovering from a fall.
11 Brandon Gasmund Amy Breese receiving chemotherapy.
13 Denise Suhr
14 Ralph Cartwright
15 Kathy Adams Leadership Team Update
Thelma Coates
16 Lisa Brown Happy New Year from the leadership team! We will have a special
Kathi Knight congregational business meeting on January 23 immediately after
Gordon Samuelson church. We will be posting an agenda prior to the meeting.
18 Robin Robinson There have been questions regarding the removal of pews from the
Evie Gill sanctuary. There has been a need for chairs in the back to accom-
23 Alex Brown modate persons who are not comfortable in the wooden pews. It
24 Tobin Holmertz seems they are full most weeks so it seems to meet the needs of
25 Teri LeJeune those persons.
26 Cheryl Ecklund As always, communicate any concerns you may have to the leader-
31 Brett Holmertz ship team. Celebrate the season. Colleen, Kim, Dan, Sue, Jeanine,
Keith, Bob and John.
Immerse: Messiah Begins January 9
The new session of Immerse will begin Sunday, January 9. During
2022, we will read through the entire New Testament
with Immerse: Messiah. Books and reading schedules are now
Anniversary available (many of us already have a copy of Messiah). Immerse is
the adult Sunday School class and meets each Sunday morning at 9
2 Brett & Laura Holmertz a.m. downstairs in the dining hall. If you haven't participated in Im-
22 David & Karen Holmertz merse before, this will be a great time to give it a try.
29 Tim & Evie Gill
Christmas Cards from:
Worship Live Stream
Dave & Karen Holmertz Wes & Sue Nelson
For those who choose not to at- Karl & Cris Burdick Alice Tsai
tend in person, our worship ser- Ron & Emmy Miller Al Damrose
vices will be live streamed on the Jon Brown John & Kathy Loven
Broadway website. Simply visit Sue Warren Gene & Collen Felts
broadwaycovenant.com on Sun- Barbara & Bob Rehnberg Evie & Tim Gill
days at 10:15 a.m. to experience Dan & Aina Hitchcock Ron & Barb Burwell
worship as it happens. Record- Neva Anderson
ings will be available after each Bud & Pat Johnson
service on the website, under Judi Papka
Sermons.
2
January
S M T W T F S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8:30 Morning
10:15 Worship Office Prayer 10:30 Pastor’s
Closed 9:30 Women’s Bible
11:45 Vida Eterna Fellowship Study
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
9:00 Sunday 8:30 Morning
School Prayer 10:30 Pastor’s
10:15 Worship 9:30 Women’s Bible
Fellowship Study
11:45 Vida Eterna
6:30 Leadership
Team Mtg
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
9:00 Sunday 8:30 Morning
School Prayer 10:30 Pastor’s
10:15 Worship 9:30 Women’s Bible
Fellowship Study
11:45 Vida Eterna
NO 60 PLUS
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
9:00 Sunday Messenger news 8:30 Morning
School due in the office Prayer 10:30 Pastor’s
10:15 Worship 9:30 Women’s Bible
Fellowship Study
11:45 Vida Eterna
30 31
9:00 Sunday
School
10:15 Worship
11:45 Vida Eterna
3January 2022
Broadway Covenant
Church
3525 Broadway
Rockford, IL 61108
Senior Pastor - Mike Mirakian
Phone - (815)399-9296
We’re on the Web
www.broadwaycovenant.com
Mission Report
Happy New Year from The Missions, Outreach, and Evangelism Committee. This month please pray for Mis-
sionary Aviation Repair Center (MARC) and Rockford Pregnancy Care Center.
MARC’s “mission is to expand the reach of the Gospel in Alaska by flying people and supplies where there
are no roads, supporting other missionaries and their aircraft and training missionary-minded pilots and me-
chanics. They provide cost-shared passenger and cargo transportation to pastors and their families, missionar-
ies, churches, para-church organizations, bible camps and short-term work groups conducting ministry activi-
ties in Alaska, Far Eastern Russia and Northern Canada.” They also operate a maintenance facility that main-
tains and repairs aircraft at a reduced cost to ministries who have their own aircraft. For more information see
www.marcalaska.org. Please pray for safety in travel, wisdom, and guidance for those who are involved with
MARC.
Rockford Pregnancy Care Center offers free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD testing, parenting classes
and resources for an unplanned pregnancy. “Without judgement or shame their team creates a safe place to
process options and make an informed decision.” They also offer mentors who will listen to concerns and an-
swer questions. These mentors also provide free customized support for both parents throughout the pregnancy
to prepare them to be parents. For more information see www.thepregnancycarecenter.org. Please pray for
strength & courage and wisdom & guidance for the staff, volunteers, and clients.
Peter and Anna-Asia
Praise: Their country is returning to normal, vaccination rates have increased, and the government is begin-
ning discussions to open their country.
Pray: God will give them wisdom to guide their son to the right college.
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