september 2017 - amazon s3€¦ · cassandra benton minister of children - early childhood...
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Contact Information
Phone (217) 935-3139
Fax (217) 935-3130
Email [email protected]
Office Hours
8am-4:30pm Monday—Thursday
Greg Taylor
Minister of Preaching & Teaching [email protected]
217-853-3196
Samuel Green Minister of Modern
Worship & Spiritual Formation [email protected]
Cody Monkman
Minister of Community Impact & Care [email protected]
Ben Pertl
Director of Student Ministries [email protected]
Cassandra Benton
Minister of Children - Early Childhood [email protected]
Allison Hitchings
Minister of Children - Elementary [email protected]
Lindsey Moody
Connections & Community Groups [email protected]
Melinda Heinlen
Connections & Community Groups [email protected]
Kim Rose
Office Manager [email protected]
Mandi Ries
Ministry Administrative Assistant [email protected]
Jen Causer
Financial Administrative Assistant [email protected]
September 2017
Volume 59 Issue 9
TACKLING TOUGH TOPICS
Everyone has questions about tough topics.
What happens after I die? Why do people
do bad things? Why are Christians hypocrites?
How do I respond to a broken relationship?
We would love to help you find answers to
tough questions, such as these, and maybe
other topics you wrestle with, too. Join us for
TELL ME MORE, a four week sermon series
exploring what the Bible has to say about
these tough topics. This sermon series begins
on September 10th. This is a great
opportunity to invite anyone in your life that
might benefit from hearing these messages!
“United we stand – divided we fall.” These are famous words of our greatest President, Abraham Lincoln. Our 16
th President was inspired by the New
Testament and Jesus himself – “a house divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). It seems to be pretty straightforward – unity is the goal and division is the enemy.
And yet, we seem to live in the Divided States of America, don’t we? Our politics are as divisive as any time that I can remember in my lifetime. In 2008, following the election of Barack Obama as President, we were led to believe we were on the verge of becoming a post-racial culture and yet racism is still alive and well. Even the church in America is divided in 2017 – possibly the greatest tragedy of all.
So what is the answer? Where do we go from here? How can we as followers of Jesus live out his heart we read about in John 17, his call for unity and impact in his name? I have four thoughts I want to share this month:
#1 – Never forget what our faith is ultimately about - JESUS:
It’s not about your political party platform. It’s not about the latest cultural trend or deviation. It’s not about the greatest triumphs or shortcomings of America. It’s about JESUS. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing else.
#2 – Let the truth of GOD’S WORD be the ultimate authority:
“Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves: Do what it says” – James 1:22.
Do we allow God’s word to be truth for us? Or have we compromised our ultimate truth and authority in a dangerous attempt to become all things to all people?
Out of town Aspen Ridge Care Center
2530 N. Monroe, Decatur, IL 62526 Shirley Thompson
Good Samaritan
20705 W 151st St Room 106 Olathe, KS 66061 June Cheatham
Evenglow Lodge
215 E Washington Pontiac, IL 61764
Bob Adcock
Brookdale Desert Ridge 4050 E Bluefield Ave, Room 122
Phoenix, AZ 85032 Colleen Stephens
Woodside at Friendship Village
1390 N Drake Rd Kalamazoo, MI 49006
Dody Thomason
Heartland Healthcare Center 520 Broadway Room 192B
Normal, IL 61761 Terry Havlin
Hickory Point Christian Village 565 W Marion Ave Forsyth, IL 62535
Norma Hollibaugh
Vonderleith Living Center 1120 N Topper Dr
Mt. Pulaski, IL 62548 Helen Thorp
Local
Manor Ct/Liberty Village 1 Park Lane
Clinton, IL 61727
Theda Adams Donna Arnold Thomas E Bray
Tom Bundy Betty Burris
Larry Chapman Marie Jackson
Gene Jones Betty Kyle Mary Lane Ray Martin
Eleanor Mears Wilma Mestinek
Al Perring Helen Polley Helen Shelton
Georgia Sobolewski Shirley Utterback
Allan Webb
Hawthorne Inn/Liberty Village (Supportive Living) 1 Park Lane
Clinton, IL 61727
Mary Burton Audrey Fields Fayetta Isaac
"I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’" Hosea 2:23b (NIV) In keeping with our Lord, we at YAH are here to embrace all who enter our doors. We welcome friends from the community outside of FCC. Reach out to your friends and neighbors and invite them to join you.
Eighty-one showed up at the August YAH Get Together to enjoy the Uke Krazie’s musical entertainment. We learned a lot about the Ukulele! Del Naxi, owner of Ted’s Garage, shared with us about his new Mexican restaurant “Cinco De Mayo” to open soon out Route 54 West in Clinton. Thank you to Cody Monkman for bringing our devotion.
The September 8 YAH Get Together will be a Fall in DeWitt County, guaranteed to make you laugh as we have a visit from some personalities from HEE HAW. Lunch will be IGA fried chicken and Apple Cake. Please bring a salad. Remember this is the
2nd Friday in September due to Labor Day Weekend.
EXCURSIONS: Sign up in the FCC Church Office or at YAH Get Togethers!
Thursday, September 14th, “Aikman Wildlife Adventure Park” in Arcola, IL. $15 for the trolley wildlife drive-through park. Bring money for brunch at Cracker Barrel and shopping in Arthur. Leave 10:00am/return at 5:30pm.
BRANSON TRIP CANCELLED. Due to lack of interest, we have cancelled the Branson trip for October. We will be looking into another day trip to take its place.
Sat., November 11th, $18 to learn about the Amish life with a family style Amish
lunch at “Sarah Helmuth’s Amish Kitchen” in the Arcola/Arthur area.
God is good!
Johnny & Marcia Wise (217-521-5504) and Roger & Jan Dial
#3 – Realize not every DISAGREEMENT needs to turn into a battle or debate:
Remember the James 1:19 principle - “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires.”
Sometimes it might be best to “take a pass” on that heated Facebook debate or intense political shouting match and let silence – and love – reign! By the way, I’m personally not very good at this – too many times pride and the drive to “win” gets in my way!
#4 – Look for opportunities to LEARN from others:
Never quit growing. Never stop learning. Never be so confident and “locked in” personally you cannot attempt to understand where others might be coming from. And do it all under the umbrella of Jesus.
I have a dream! My dream is that the Church would be different and distinctive and declarative. My dream is that UNITY will win the day for followers of Jesus and division will not invade and advance. My dream includes that campfire song from my childhood – “they will know we are Christians by our love” – more than just simple lyrics but instead a lifestyle motto we claim and wear proudly!
I have a dream . . . what about you?
Let’s have a great fall at FCC!
GT
Bible Study Fellowship is coming
to Clinton!
First Christian Church will be
hosting a women’s satellite
discussion group for BSF on
Tuesday evenings beginning
September 12th at 6:30pm. God
is using BSF to help people
discover joy, freedom and
satisfaction in their lives as they
encounter God in the Bible. No
matter if you are a beginner or
an advanced Bible student, you’ll
find there’s a place for you in
BSF! We hope you will join us.
Moms & Tots Playgroup will
meet on September 1st at
10:00am with a special
brunch kick-off in the First
Kids area. This is a great
opportunity to get to know
other moms in the community
while your kids play together.
Beth Moore “Living Proof”
Simulcast
Please mark your calendar for
September 16th for the “Living
Proof” simulcast with Beth Moore.
This free event will take place from
9:00am - 3:30pm at FCC with an
hour break for lunch. You can
register for this event by visiting the
FCC Facebook page, emailing
[email protected], or call
Mandi in the church office at 217-
935-3139. You definitely won’t
want to miss this event, so sign up
today!
September 10 is Friend Sunday!
Friend Sunday is a great chance
to apply the Core Value: Invite!
Reach out to a co-worker,
neighbor, friend, gym buddy,
someone you just met and invite
them to attend church with you!
Mark your calendars
First Kids Youth group is back in full swing starting September
13th at 6pm in the First Kids
Area.
Reveal for JH & HS students
will be back on September 10th
with JH Students meeting 5pm -
6:30pm and HS Students will
meet from 6:30pm - 8pm.
Choir practice resumes on
September 6th at 6:30pm. If you
are interested in joining, please
feel free to join us at practice.
For questions, contact Ruth
Davidson
Impact & care. They go hand-in-hand if we want to bring The Gospel of Jesus Christ to our families, neighbors, and communities. I couldn't be more excited to start a new ministry here at First Christian Church that is all about helping the church be The Church. In another sense, I like to view this new opportunity as a way of mobilizing the church by being on the front lines with people and the community - looking people in the eyes and asking, "How can I serve you?" "Do you want to get well?" - Jesus, with the sick man next to the Pool of Bethesda in John 5. I see this new ministry being abundant in opportunities to be next to so many people, from so many different backgrounds. I can't help but envision that moment where Jesus knelt down, looked this man in the eyes, and asked him "Do you want to get well?" And then Jesus listened to the man. He listened to his heartaches and worries. He loved him. If you read the rest of this account of Jesus' ministry from John 5, you will see that this is a story of care, love, and compassion. And what happens in the end? Jesus made an impact on this man's life that was full of GOOD NEWS. It was Gospel-centered with the fingerprints of God all over it! I'm excited to join some of the ministries that FCC currently does that are full of impact & care. But I'm also excited to be able to create new ways that we as The Church can make a Gospel-centered impact & care on our community. Stay tuned for more! With Dunkin' Love, Cody
Eleanor Mears September 13
Manor Ct/Liberty Village Clinton, IL 61727
Albert Morgan September 29
317 E Jefferson St Clinton, IL 61727
September Shut-in Birthdays
Elder’s Corner A few announcements regarding roles and personnel to
share… With the recent retirement of Kent Hickerson and then Adam
Brucker’s departure earlier this year we have some gaps to fill. The staff has done a nice job picking up the slack, but the elders have decided to make a few additional changes. As you know we’ve added Lindsey Moody and Melinda Heinlen, both as part time staff (about ten hours a week), to focus on connections, small groups, and welcome teams here at FCC. We are also shifting Cody Monkman into a new role which we are calling Associate Minister of Community Impact and Care which will include some of the existing prior responsibilities held by the other staff members but also what we see as an expanded role in the following areas: a much broader benevolence ministry including pastoral care, hospitals, nursing homes, shut-in and personal residences visits, Grab and Go/ONE, Community Clothing room, Resume Classes, Celebrate Recovery etc., Missions team liaison providing and organizing opportunities for the FCC community to participate in service projects and mission trips, as well as teaching a Bible School Class and some preaching responsibilities. A more detailed job description for Cody will be finalized in the coming week and will be made available. Taking over in the Youth areas will be Ben Pertl serving as our Director of Student Ministries. Several of our staff and some parents of our youth have met with Ben and interviewed him in the past few weeks. Ben has been leading youth groups down in Charleston, IL and will be relocating to Clinton in the near future. Please introduce yourself to Ben as you see him in the coming weeks.
Funeral dinner dishes are
located in the brown
cabinet at the south end of
the Family Life Center.
Please pick up any dishes
that belong to you.
Contact the office if you
have any questions.
Don’t forget to stop by Coffee at
the Crossing on Sunday mornings
to get a tasty beverage. All
proceeds will benefit Casas por
Cristo in Acuna Mexico!
We need volunteers for the Beth
Moore simulcast “Living Proof” on
September 16th. We have several
different service opportunities for this
event, and we would love to have
you! If you are interested in serving,
please call Mandi in the church office
o r e m a i l K a r e n R i c e a t
We would love to have you
join others from our church as
they travel to the Christian
Village in Lincoln, IL. We fold
laundry, clean tables or just
talk with the many residents
who reside at the Christian
Village. We will leave at
8:30 am on Thursday,
September 21st & return
between 2:30 - 3 pm. This
ministry is open to anyone, men
& women!
Are you a medical professional
that attends FCC on a regular
basis?
We are compiling a list of
medical professionals and the
service they usually attend, so
we have several contacts in case
of a medical emergency on
Sunday mornings. If this is
something you are interested in,
please contact the church office.
Thank you in advance for
helping provide the best care
for our church family on Sunday
mornings.
Area Men’s Fellowship Little Galilee Christian Camp
Tuesday, September 5th at 7pm We hope you will join us for a great night of fellowship! We are set to have a great speaker and a wonderful meal. We hope you will join us! Questions? Please contact the church office for more information.
Men’s Ministry
Reload
September 12 & 26
Please join us at 6am in the
Family Life Center for wonderful
food & fellowship! Contact the
office with any questions.
Sabbath End Beginning September 10th at 5:00pm,
please join us for Sabbath End. A time to
worship, praise, practice and pray - at the
end of the Sabbath Day. Please be on the
lookout this month for a booth in the foyer
to sign up or ask questions! You may also
contact Susan Klein with any questions, at
217-454-3555 or email at
Fan the Flame featuring Michael W. Smith Please join us on September 23rd at 7:00pm at ISU Braden Auditorium for what will be an amazing concert! Tickets are $17.50, $22.50 and $32.50. Tickets can be purchased from the Braden Box Office, Ticket
Master website or by phone, 1-800-745-3000. This concert will benefit Midwest Food Bank in Bloomington, IL
Are you a new attender to
FCC???
Join us in the FCC foyer for a
Meet & Greet on September
17th at 9:30am. We are
excited to introduce you to FCC
and our staff! Coffee and light
snacks will be provided. For
more information, please contact
look forward to meeting you!
A Tale of Two Houses: Casas por Cristo
This past month I had the privilege of traveling with 14 other men from FCC down to the Mexican town of Acuña, located right across the border from Del Rio, Texas, in order to build two houses for families in need. I wanted to spend my time with you here while you read this K article filling you in on the trip a bit, especially if you were unable to attend services here the week after we returned when we showed a recap video and one of our elders who went with us (Gage Lyons) bawled his eyes out while sharing how God worked throughout the week. Alright, I guess he wasn’t bawling, but he certainly had some tears! But I digress. It was certainly a powerful, moving, and emotional week for us as our 15 from FCC joined Scott Dewitt and 3 of his Casas staff to build two houses in 3.5 days. Yeah, you read that right. Two houses in 3.5 days. I couldn’t believe it either. Scott was awesome and I got to know him fairly well throughout the week (I came to FCC after Scott’s time here, so I had just met him once or twice before). For those of you who wonder how Casas has treated him since he left FCC, I would say that in my opinion he has certainly found the crossroads of where his gifts and passions intersect with a really great organization that is doing a ton of good down in Mexico as well as Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. Throughout the week, we got to know some of the local Casas staff, David and Conrado, who were amazing builders and both had incredible stories. David has been with Casas for years and his wife leads an amazing cooking ministry with several women that helped feed us all week and employ local Mexicans to support their families. So not only were the houses a blessing to the community but even the food we ate was helping create sustainable and impactful change! Both of the families that we were able to build the houses for were amazing and they also made meals for us all week long, which for them was a great sacrifice of time and money. Both were elderly couples who had been praying for a house for a long time and because of the generosity of FCC in raising money for the second house we were able to bless them both with new homes. Their gratitude was indescribable and the trip was an amazing experience for all of us who went. If you would like more details, feel free to ask me whenever you see me! Until then…
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.