November Birthdays & Anniversaries Nov 1 -- Noah Anderson

Nov 2 -- Diane Adams

Nov 7 -- Megan Galusha

Nov 10 -- Jaxson Galusha

Nov 11 -- Rosemary Reese

Nov 12 -- Ann Holm

Nov 13 -- Pat Larson

Nov 15 -- Lynn Peterson

Nov 17 -- Jim Olson

Nov 18 -- Tom Clarity

Nov 19 -- Milo & Kay Larson

Nov 20 -- Jon Clarity

-- Joyce Vacura

-- Larry & Sonja Arch

Nov 22 -- Renae Bahr -- Von Morgan

Nov 23 -- Diego Christianson

Nov 24 -- Vickie Bernard

-- Christina Dowty

Nov 25 -- Bailey Vollom

Nov 28 -- Peter Griffith

-- Ken & Mary Shoberg

Bluewater Covenant Bible Camp The theme for Bluewater this year was “Shift.” The theme verses were Colossians 3.1-17, which talk

about how we need to take off our old self and put on a new self in Christ. It can often be evident to the campers what things they need to take off, but it is just as important that they re-place the old things with new Christ-focused things. At Bluewater this year, the staff and speakers talked a lot about the habits, practices, attitudes, relationships, etc. that represent the new self talked about in Colossians. This year camp was closer to what a normal year would look like. There were still a few COVID guidelines in place, but they were much less re-strictive than last year. There were also some things that were kept from last year because they worked so well, like activities as a cabin and out-door worship (weather permitting). But, camp was definitely more like usual. Overall, Bluewater was able to have a full sched-ule of camps, plus fall and winter retreats. There were 928 campers, including 34 from our church, and 38 new decisions to follow Christ. There were 81 students who indicated that they felt they were being called into ministry as either a pastor or missionary. As a church we were able to provide a scholarship for one student and two students redeemed Awana shares to help pay for camp. Elly Nelson returned to work at camp again, this time as the kitchen coordinator. She said she liked how the new position allowed her to interact more with campers, including playing games, helping lead worship, and having 1-on-1 conver-sations with students. She stated it was amazing to see the unity and solidarity of the staff and to see that in action working with the campers. 2021 was a great year for Bluewater and we praise God for all the work He did. Respectfully, Justin Carney

thing to leave the family and friends that I have here. I will especially miss this church family. It was here at I Falls Covenant that I gained confi-dence as a leader. It was here that I saw and ex-perienced the Lord working in SO many ways. And it was here that I built some of the most im-portant relationships in my life. It is so hard to say goodbye, but me leaving is in many ways the fruit of the growing that I have done here at I Falls Covenant. This church has given me a place to grow and listen to God’s leading, and I am so thankful for that. When I first began as the worship director last No-vember, I never imagined that this experience would mean as much as it does to me. What a privilege it has been to share this journey of faith with you all; I count it among some of my deepest joys. I will continue to hold you in my prayers from afar, and will most definitely continue the friend-ships that we have nurtured together. I know that God will provide that right person at the right time to fulfill the worship director role that I took on this past year, and I pray that you give them the same support and encouragement you have given me. His plan is far greater than we can ever imagine, and I have no doubt that He will take care of you, my beloved church family. Thank you for all the ways that you have loved me, prayed for me, supported and encouraged me. I am forever grateful for my time here, and you will always be home to me. I will miss you deeply, but this isn’t goodbye; it’s see you later. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3.16 Love and blessings, now and always, Tess Vollom

Youth & Young Adults We have had a very busy October in youth ministry! Our Sunday Bon-fire Bible Study and Wednesday night youth group continues to go well, and I have been very im-

pressed with the youth’s ability to grasp the Biblical narrative in the book of Genesis. They certainly have a lot of energy, but they still manage to stay focused on God’s Word which has been awesome. “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many peo-ple should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50.20 We’ve been enjoying our other youth group activi-ties like open gym, but we’ve also had the privilege of partnering with other churches. We had a nerf war with First Baptist Church which was super fun and a great time to see other siblings in Christ in the International Falls community. As I’m writing this, Rachel and I are preparing to leave for our Fall Retreat at Bluewater Bible Camp where we’ll meet up with seven other Covenant Church Youth Groups! We’re super excited! Although youth ministry is our main focus, I would be remiss if I didn’t say that October was a great month for young adult ministry as well. Rachel and I have been absolutely loving hosting groups of young adults at our house for games and fellow-ship, as well as reading through the book “Gentle and Lowly” during our Young Adult Bible Study. We also just finished reading through the book of John in a weekly Bible study. Not only this, but we have continued to be active helping out at Community Café with the rest of the young adults. Overall, we’ve had a lot of joy in young adult ministry and are excited for the times to come. Grace be with you, Marco

Worship Notes Dear church family, It is with both joy and sadness that I announce that I am moving to Nashville, Tennessee! In less than

two weeks from the time of writing this, I will be loading up my car, saying farewell, and driving 1,104 miles south. I am excited and sad, peaceful and nervous. While I know that this is a good and right decision for me right now, it’s a terribly sad

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The November 2021

A Cup of Coffee with Pastor Seth . . .

Wouldn’t it be nice to know God’s will for you today? It's not as mysterious as you may think. In fact, God tells us in the Bible.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all

circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5.16-18

Rejoice, pray and give thanks. Now some people give thanks when things are going their way, but what sets us apart as disciples of Jesus is that we give thanks in all circumstances. That means we give thanks even on those days when things are not going our way. Think about all of the difficult circumstances we have faced in the last year and a half. For many of us, it has been a very hard time. Is thankful one of the first words you would use to describe yourself during that time frame? Regardless of how we feel, it's God’s will that we give thanks in all circumstances. Now, that doesn’t mean we give thanks FOR all our circum-stances, but it means that we give thanks IN our circumstances. Thanksgiving is right around the corner on November 25th (although our Canadi-an friends already celebrated theirs). On Sunday, November 21st, we are going to have a time of giving thanks to God in all circumstances. I’m looking for a few people who would be willing to share their thanks to God with us in the service. If you feel the Holy Spirit nudging you, would you please contact me? While the world may be grumbling and complaining in all circumstances, God wants us to give thanks in all circumstances. It is God’s will for us. I want to per-sonally give thanks for all of you, for the privilege of being your pastor. In the words of Philippians 1.3-5, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, al-ways in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.” Mercy, peace & love be yours in abundance. Pastor Seth

In This Edition… • Cup of Coffee with Pastor Seth • Youth & Young Adults • Leadership Team • People to Celebrate • Celebrate Recovery • Missions Update • Costa Rica Update • Worship • Celebrate Recovery • GriefShare • Waffles & Widows

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Updates from our Missionaries… Kirsten Wagenius - Intervarsity at St. Cloud University

1. Praise God for the fall chapter retreat focused on spiritual conversations and modeling soul-care. It was a beautiful day outside! 2. Give thanks and pray for the Global Friends’ events as Thanksgiving approaches. 3. Pray for protection and provision for our family after our teen’s bike accident, and my recent out-patient surgery. 4. Give thanks to God for the raising up of gener-ations of women and men from this church to go out with the Good News! Mark & Tina Mast - One Hope Canada in Rainy River, Ontario 1. Thank the Lord for the opportunities given this summer to present the Gospel and pray that they will bear fruit. They conduct weekly Sunday worship services, and mid-week “Prayer & Praise” gatherings, plus an online “Bible Fun” program that reaches hundreds of children. 2. Pray for the opening of the Canadian/US bor-der, as they have ministries on both sides of the border. They minister in 2 small churches, one in Border, MN and one in Barwick, ON. The Border church is constructing a multi-purpose worship center, since their ministry to the surrounding area is growing. Pray for the financial support needed. 3. Pray for special wisdom as they work with ar-ea churches where deep divides exist over the issue of COVID. They ask for balance and re-straint and that these churches can remain vi-brant & flourishing. 4. They thank the Lord for their son, Ben and his wife, Ireland, for pastoring the Rainy River church. Megan Herrly - Timber Bay ministry to youth in Monticello, MN 1. Please pray that she would continue to make connections and strong relationships with other believers in Monticello, where she just moved to. 2. Pray for good health for her parents, Dave & Barb, and for herself, and to continue to trust God for His guidance. 3. Megan still needs more ministry partners, to come alongside in her ministry at Timber Bay. Would you pray about supporting her?

Attitude of Gratitude

November is the month we talk about gratitude and thanksgiving. But thanks-

giving and gratitude is so much more than a date on the calendar. One instruction God gives us over and over is to give thanks. “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High.” Psalm 92.1 As Christians, we should be the most thankful people around; after all, we have purpose for living and hope for the future. As parents, we want to convey that attitude of gratitude to the children in our lives. But how? Here are seven ways you and your kids can practice an attitude of gratitude: 1. Replace complaints with thanksgiving. After giving your kids some examples, ask them to think of their own examples. 2. Ask each person at the dinner table to list two rea-sons they are thankful for the day. 3. Say prayers that focus on thankfulness rather than a list of things we want God to do for us. 4. Once a month, have a “thanks day,” where each family member writes a note of thanks to someone for what they do. (Younger children can draw pic-tures.) 5. Write your “gratitude” on sticky notes and stick them on a door or refrigerator. 6. Have a “no grumbling” day. See who can go the whole day without complaining. 7. Start a ‘Thanks’ journal, either individually or as a family, leaving the journal open on a counter or cof-fee table. Gratitude doesn’t always come naturally. But grati-tude will grow inside of us as we concentrate on be-ing thankful for all the little moments of the day … and as we mentor our children to develop mindsets of thankfulness to God.

Costa Rica Mission’s Trip Congregation, we thank you for the support you’ve given us so far.

Thank you for supporting us financially and especial-ly with prayer. We will be giving more updates here in the newsletter and in the bulletin. In three months, we will be going to Costa Rica! In November, there will be treats at the Coffee Bar each Sunday morning. There will be a free-will dona-tion that will go towards the Missions Trip. We will also be selling pies on November 21 — just in time for Thanksgiving! There will be a sign-up sheet to let us know how many to make.

This Opportune Time As we move through one of the most splendid autumns in memory, I am again reminded of the renew-

ing capacity of nature and the way it deepens our connection to the Creator. Jesus

and his disciples were campers and walkers, and the parables reveal our Lord’s tremendous con-nection with the natural world. The beauty of Fall brings healthy renewal to our souls.

The cycle of nature also reminds us of God’s faith-fulness as we go through incredible times of tran-sition. In the past month we have received the resignation of our custodian, Skip Ohlquist, and our Director of Worship Arts, Tess Vollom, and the leadership team is navigating these changes. In less than two years we have transitioned nine staff positions (some coming, some going, and Pastor Seth becoming Lead Pastor), and in each case, God has made provision. He watches over his church and his children, and we pray God’s contin-ued blessing for both Skip and Tess.

Congregations are changing too, and an informal survey conducted by one of our Covenant pastors simply asked how attendance has shifted since the pandemic began. With twenty respondents across the country, the average loss was forty to fifty percent. For some, the shift is dire (possibly related to finances and staffing), and for others, the shift has created opportunity.

Pastor Dave Smith, who served this congregation for a decade, told how some years later he and Barb talked and prayed while driving home from a challenging conference. They knew it was time to simplify their lives and asked God to help them. A mile from home they noticed a strange orange glow in the midnight sky and arrived in time to watch their hand-crafted log home burn to the ground. “It was too late to save it so we just sat and watched until 5:30 that morning,” he told me, “and knew God was opening a new plan for our lives.” He went on to become President of Oak Hills Bible College.

We are in a time of pivoting, not knowing where all of this is going, but knowing that God loves his church and his children. Together, we trust that all things are working together for good and are confi-dently moving forward because he is faithful. We see ourselves as among those for whom the shift is creating opportunity. Alan Johnson, Chair