What is the Evangelical Covenant Church?
The Evangelical Covenant Church is a rapidly growing multiethnic denomination in the United States and Canada with ministries on five continents of the world. Founded in 1885 by Swedish immigrants, the ECC values the Bible as the word of God, the gift of God’s grace and ever-deepening spiritual life that comes through a faith with Jesus Christ, the importance of extending God’s love and compassion to a hurting world, and the strength that comes from unity within diversity.
The Evangelical Covenant Church is:
We are united by Christ in a holy covenant of churches empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey the great commandments and the great commission: to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to go into all the world and make disciples. You can find out more about the Evangelical Covenant Church here.
The Evangelical Covenant Church is:
- Evangelical, but not exclusive
- Biblical, but not doctrinaire
- Traditional, but not rigid
- Congregational, but not independent
We are united by Christ in a holy covenant of churches empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey the great commandments and the great commission: to love God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to go into all the world and make disciples. You can find out more about the Evangelical Covenant Church here.
How should I dress at First Covenant?
All dress is acceptable and encouraged at First Covenant Church. We want people to come as they are.
How long do Sunday worship services last?
Our worship services last approximately an hour. On Sundays’ with communion our service usually lasts a little bit longer than an hour. In-between our 9am and 10:15am service there is a 15 minute time for people to greet and welcome those who go to the other service.
What are the worship services like?
We have two services each Sunday. Our services contain singing, a 20-25 minute biblical and applicable sermon, times of prayer, Bible readings, and a time of giving. We take communion on the first Sunday of each month. Our services are an hour in length.
Our 9:00am worship sings hymns accompanied by piano and organ. We also have special music twice a month and an adult choir from September-April. (Choir is still on break related to the pandemic.) This service also utilizes children’s messages but does not currently offer children’s church for families that are interested.
Our 10:15am worship sings songs lead by singers and a band consisting of piano, drums, guitars; with occasional use of a cello, and brass and woodwind instruments. This service also utilizes children’s messages and offers children’s church (3yr. old - 4th grade) for families that are interested.
Our 9:00am worship sings hymns accompanied by piano and organ. We also have special music twice a month and an adult choir from September-April. (Choir is still on break related to the pandemic.) This service also utilizes children’s messages but does not currently offer children’s church for families that are interested.
Our 10:15am worship sings songs lead by singers and a band consisting of piano, drums, guitars; with occasional use of a cello, and brass and woodwind instruments. This service also utilizes children’s messages and offers children’s church (3yr. old - 4th grade) for families that are interested.
When is communion and who is allowed to take communion?
We normally partake in communion on the first Sunday of each month. Sometimes, throughout the year we do communion at different times. You do not need to be a member of First Covenant Church to take communion with us. All we ask is that you are a member of the body of Christ.
Is the church accessible to people with wheelchairs and walkers?
First Covenant Church is wheelchair and walker accessible. There are no stairs to enter the building. In the back of the sanctuary there is room for people to sit in wheelchairs. There are shortened pews in the back so that friends and family can sit in the pews next to someone sitting in a wheelchair.
Do you have a nursery? (Partially open due to Covid-19)
We do have a nursery! Nursery is offered during our Late Service (10:15am) as well as during our Sunday School hour. All children from birth through two years of age are invited to join us in the nursery. During our Late Service we also have Children’s Church during the sermon portion of the service for all children that are from preschool through fourth grade
Do you have good coffee? Or anything besides coffee?
Well, we suppose it is a matter of opinion, but yes we do have coffee and we have faithful coffee makers who will have it hot and ready for you enjoy. We also have tea and hot chocolate too. And, drinks are welcome in the sanctuary.
Are there Small Groups to get plugged into?
We have many different small groups that you can get plugged into. We highly value the impact that being in a small group can bring for a person’s faith. Please contact Pastor Steve at 641.423.6359 or [email protected] and he will help you get connected with a small group.
