Standalone Sermons

Sunday Service - I Will Give You Rest with Pastor Rocky Hovda

August 18, 2024 • Matthew 11:28–30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” --Matthew 11:28-30 Do any of you find it difficult to rest? Especially in your storm as we talked about last week? Join us this Sunday as I unpack a summer of youth events and explore the need to rest! --Pastor Rocky

Confirmation Sunday

May 19, 2024 • Pastor Rocky Hovda

Four students will be confirmed this Sunday morning during the 10:15 am Worship Service. The Confirmands are: Micah Pappenfus, Jaxson Schiesser, Lindsey Strei and Mya Williams. Everyone is welcome to join us in the Fellowship Hall for a small reception following the Worship Service to Congratulate the Students. There will be a table set up in the fellowship hall for those who would bring cards or gifts for students,

Grad Sunday

May 26, 2024 • Pastor Rocky Hovda

During the 10:15 am Worship Service this Sunday, we will be honoring the four students from our congregation who will be graduating from high school this year. They include: Jacob Boggs, Carsyn Fairchild, Melinda Twedt, and Brendan Pappenfus. Everyone is welcome to join us in the Fellowship Hall for a small reception following the Worship Service to congratulate the graduates. There will be a table set up in the fellowship hall for those who bring cards or gifts for the students,

"Seeing is Believing"

March 31, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • John 20:1–18

This Sunday marks the high point in the Christian year - the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In John’s account of the Gospel of Jesus, we are introduced to the Son of God, the Messiah - sent by God to give eternal life to all who put their trust in him. The story of Jesus’ death and resurrection are central to our faith. That Jesus rose from the dead isn’t a secondary issue for Christians to “agree to disagree.” There is no point in being a follower of Jesus if he did not die for our sins, rise from the dead, and ascend into heaven. This is plainly revealed in the ancient creeds of Christianity. What we celebrate and declare with trumpets and loud hymns of praise was originally a morning of confusion, heartache, and desperation. As the sun set on Friday afternoon, Jesus’ friends and followers felt defeated, abandoned, and betrayed. But Sunday morning revealed Christ’s triumph over sin, death, and the devil. “Believe that Jesus is the Messiah - the Son of God - and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31).

"Grateful for a Loving Heavenly Father who is Merciful" Sunday Service

November 19, 2023 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Psalm 51, Psalm 103:10

We wrap up our month of giving thanks to God by pondering God’s mercy. Over the past two weeks, we have considered God’s steadfast faithfulness and generosity. This week you will be invited into the merciful arms of our Heavenly Father through Psalm 51. As King David comes to terms with the magnitude of his sin and deception before the LORD, he likewise discovers the depth of God’s mercy. As we conclude our month of praising God for who he is, we must not neglect to recognize and appreciate that God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities (Psalm 103:10).   During the morning service, we will also be announcing the dollar amount raised through this year’s Harvest Offering. In celebration of God’s Faithfulness, Generosity, and Mercy, we will gather together after the service for banana splits and we will hear from Shalese Sands as she shares her gift of art and bears witness to God’s calling on her life. 

"Grateful For A Loving Heavenly Father Who Is Generous" Sunday Service

November 12, 2023 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Psalm 111

This Sunday, we celebrate God’s incredible generosity toward his children. In response, we joyfully respond in kind. As Jesus-followers, we see the selfless generosity of our Savior and LORD. This Sunday, we will be collecting our Harvest Offering which will be divided between Arrive Ministries - Willmar, Ridgewater Campus Ministries, and Lake Beauty Bible Camp. Representatives from these ministries will share with us on Sunday how our financial partnership will be used to extend God’s heart of generosity toward others. You are invited to give in person, through the FCC Web page, or through the FCC App. We will also be offering up our praise as we prayerfully respond to God’s generous acts toward us as revealed in Psalm 111.

Grateful for a Loving Heavenly Father Who is Faithful -- and Partial

November 5, 2023 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Psalm 146, Ephesians 1:3–14

Throughout November, we will be focussing on Gratitude. There is much in our world that would cause us to fear or become resentful. However, Christ-followers are aware of the reality of new life in Christ Jesus. This new life in Christ is a gift from God -- completely undeserved, and only explained by God’s unconditional love. Having been redeemed to new life in Christ Jesus, our attitudes are also transformed from fearful to loving; from vengeful to forgiving; from entitled to gracious; and from scarcity to abundance. We begin this month of gratitude by praising God for who God is; a Loving Heavenly Father, gracious and faithful, yet God is also partial. That’s right, God has a soft spot for some people and is not subtle in his preference. In preparation for this Sunday, read Ephesians 1:3-14 and Psalm 146. Today is Communion Sunday!

"Work From Your Rest - Your Christian Vocation"

September 10, 2023 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Colossians 3:23, Colossians 3:24

The idea of Sabbath was completely unheard of in the ancient world until it appeared in the Hebrew Scriptures. Once enslaved people (forced to work 7 days a week by their task masters), were miraculously freed by the LORD God in fulfillment of God’s promise to them. In establishing a new nation and a holy people, God commands that they Sabbath one day a week. A day in which they are to stop their work, rest their bodies, delight in God’s goodness, and contemplate God’s gracious love. Sabbath is a day set apart unto the LORD. A day to rest from your work. Sabbath is the high point of the Christian's week. Sabbath is a day for “human beings” to be more than just “human doings.” On the seventh day, we rest from our work so that over the next six days we may work from our rest. This Sunday, we explore how our identity in Christ Jesus (vocation), nurtured through Sabbath practice, impacts our work in the world (occupation) all for God’s glory. Colossians 3:23-24

"God Invites You to Rest From Your Work - The Gift of Sabbath"

September 3, 2023 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus

Labor Day weekend is an opportunity for us to observe the sacrifices of those who have participated in the American labor movement as well as consider the goodness that accompanies work. It is interesting that by stopping work, we are invited to more deeply appreciate the work we do. Over the next two Sundays, we are going to explore God’s gifts of work and rest and learn how God’s planned rhythm of labor and Sabbath are essential disciplines to maintain a healthy identity in Christ Jesus. We live in a society in which the biblical expression and practice of Sabbath is largely ignored or disregarded as irrelevant -- replaced instead by a day (or days) off from work. However, there are profound emotional and spiritual riches that can be discovered in the healthy practice of Sabbath. Join us this Labor Day weekend as we explore what it means to rest in the LORD and experience Sabbath delight.

"The God Who Comforts Us" Guest Speaker - Pastor Mike McCain

August 13, 2023

Just as nature (at times) can be kind and beautiful, and at other times a raging storm, the experiences in our lives can be kind and life-giving, and at other times filled with challenges, trials, tragedy, and yes, even grief. So what do you do when the foundation of your life is crumbling all around? Whom do you turn to when the storms of life come rolling in? The answer is the God of all comfort - who comforts us in all our troubles! "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:19

Sunday Service

May 28, 2023 • Rocky Hovda

Please join Rocky Hovda and the FCC Congregation during the 9 am Worship Service on Sunday, May 28, as we recognize our High School graduating Seniors. A reception will be held in the lower level Fellowship Hall. As in previous years, "grad bags" will be downstairs at the reception if you would like to drop your cards in the student bags.

Discipleship - Confirmation Sunday

May 21, 2023 • Rocky Hovda

"I Know that Voice!"

January 8, 2023 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Matthew 3:13–17, Acts 10:34–48

As the Christmas Season draws to a close, we redirect our attention from the humble birth of our Savior to the powerful ministry of Jesus the Messiah. The Son of God was anointed by the Father for the ministry of redemption. Even people who don’t believe Jesus is the Son of God are impressed by Jesus' life and ministry. Jesus didn’t just talk about spiritual things, he lived out his teaching with integrity and conviction. In a word, Jesus was profoundly "theological." The words Jesus spoke were manifested in the way he lived. This Sunday, we will consider life-altering effects on humans when God’s Spirit and God’s voice come together in the person of Jesus Christ. This is the invitation to the Church to this very day -- Hear God’s voice and be filled with God’s Spirit to carry out God’s will in our world. In preparation for this Sunday, read Matthew 3:13-17 and Acts 10:34-48. This Sunday, we will also be welcoming new partnering members into First Covenant Church. We are excited to welcome these sisters and brothers in the bounds of Christian fellowship. Several of these new Partnering Members will be serving as we celebrate Communion together.

A New Hope

January 1, 2023 • Rocky Hovda

Your new year will be based on your attitude and if you are going to allow God to do what is needed in your life. 2023 can be an amazing year, even if you are going through a lot!