May
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May 9: Mother's Day
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May 23: Pentecost, and we celebrate graduates of high school, college, trades school
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Office Hours (suspended during this time of social distancing) are listed at the bottom of each Messenger issue.
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GOT THE DATE SAVED? JUNE 27, 2021 is THE DATE
Rev. Jim Warren is retiring. Help send Jim on his way to a well-deserved retirement. The day will begin with worship at 10:30 a.m. that will include a “SHORT reflection” (his words) from Jim. There will be great music and some surprises. A reception will follow the service in Fellowship Hall where you will have a chance to have a brief greeting with Jim.
The plan for Jim’s reception is for masks and social distancing to be in place. We will be monitoring the number of people in Fellowship Hall at any one time. We encourage you to thank Jim and congratulate him in a timely manner so others can do the same.
The special message cards you should have received by now will also be available at the Info Desk beginning May 2, 2021.
Do you have photos of Jim from over the years? Please email them to info@blmfcc.org or send an email to arrange to get physical photos scanned if you are not able to send them digitally.
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FCC Ministry Priorities and News
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Reach Out /Meet the Neighbors
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Meet the Neighbors — Beginning with existing relationships, take a deeper dive into who God has given us to love in this area – and how our lives might intersect
Mission Trip: Spend May 31 through June 5, a Monday through Saturday, in southern Kentucky. The cost will be $325 and financial assistance may be available. All participants must pass a background check (done by the church) and have a recent clean COVID report. All expenses at the site are included; however, you will need travel money for food and gas. Anyone interested contact Mike Robinson at 309-275-5908 or Julie Robinson (see below).
Call Julie Robinson at 309-838-4335, or email her at jerobinson21409@yahoo.com, with any questions.
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Spiritual Growth/
Small Groups
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Small Groups — Build on what we’ve learned and do more of these
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Brown Bag Bible Bunch This weekly study group, led by Jim Warren, has resumed. The group meets Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. The topic is the scripture for the upcoming Sunday, and all are welcome to gather in the Conference Room.
Small Groups Small groups continue to offer us another way to connect with one another. If you are interested in joining a group, contact Bill Robitske at bill.robitske.jr@gmail.com. If you are in a small group, this is a great time to invite others to join you in your group's study or activities. If you have ideas for a new study, contact Bill.
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Property Use – Help our property become a resource to the community and an entry point
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The Boys & Girls Club continues to use our building for their after school program and likely for summer programming when COVID restrictions allow.
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Youth News
It is time to learn about Summer Camps at Camp Walter Scott. Go to www.cciwdisciples.org for all the info you need.
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FCC Grounds Cleanup Project
Thank you to all who participated in spiffing up the church property. Your hard work is appreciated and the grounds look ready to welcome all who come to FCC. We say a special thank you to John Dailey who also did much roof, ceiling, and plaster repair to prepare for re-opening for in-person worship. Thank you to Kathy Dailey, too, who worked alongside John. FCC is very grateful!
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Red Cross Blood Drives
Thank you to all who made our spring blood drive a success. We thank all who donated and a special thanks to Pete Whitmer and Jen Petri for calling donors and advertising the drive. See you at the July 9 drive! – Wholistic Health
Mark your calendars for blood drives we are hosting in the future. Details will follow about locations for each of these additional 2021 drives:
· July 9
· October 19
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Photos Needed for Future Recognition Services
In the coming months we will celebrate or honor many folks for holidays or special occasions. Please submit photos for the following special days to info@blmfcc.org. If you are not able to send photos digitally, please email info@blmfcc.org to arrange for scanning your photo. As always, if we already have your photo, we will be happy to use it and will do so unless asked to do otherwise. Graduates and new Silver & Gold honorees will not have prior photos to use. Thank you!
Mother's Day: May 9 (deadline for submission May 3)
Graduates (High School & College): May 23 (Pentecost) (deadline for submission May 17)
Silver & Gold Sunday: June 13 (deadline for submission June 7)
Father's Day: June 20 (deadline for submission June 14)
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Thank You
We received thank you notes from the following:
Thank you for the beautiful Easter lily. Blessings, Jean Snyder
Dear Friends: Now that the month of March is over, it is time to stop and smell the roses! There were friends, food, phone calls, an Easter lily, and cards everywhere. What can I say: My cup overflows! Gratefully, Mickey Armstrong
Thank you for your thoughtfulness. I have enjoyed my Easter lily so very much. Many Thanks, Jane Brummet
Dear Church Family: Thank you for the beautiful Easter lily. It now has seven blooms. We give thanks for the many ways all of you give of your time and your talents that help make First Christian special. In Christian Love, Leonard and Charlene Maupin
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90th Birthday for Marilyn Cope
Marilyn will turn 90 on June 3. She has been a member of the First Christian Church for many years. Marilyn has 4 children, 13 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandson. We would like to have anyone that knows her (or doesn't know her) send her a card to her home at: 1815 N. Towanda-Barnes Road #4 Bloomington, IL 61705
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FCC Swag
T-Shirts for Adults, Children, and Youth
FCC t-shirts have been designed and you can order yours now! There are three styles: adult, youth, and FCC kids. Click Here to see details and order on our website.
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Red FCC grocery bags are available for purchase for $2 (or 3 bags for $5) for your use and for ministry projects. Contact Jen Petri at info@blmfcc.org to purchase bags.
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Worship at FCC is Live Streamed
We live stream Sunday Worship at 9:00 a.m. on Facebook and on our website, whether we are meeting in person or not. On our website, www.blmfcc.org, click "Watch Now" and find the service at the top of listed services, or scroll down the homepage and find the broadcast there.
You can also watch older broadcasts on the "Watch Now" page. If you use Facebook, go to our page and see the broadcast start a few minutes before 9:00 a.m.
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Tech Team Volunteers Needed
It is more than just advancing slides! The tech team is blessed to be used by God to bring the worship experience to a broad audience. Now that we have returned to in-person worship, we would like to add volunteers! There are opportunities to run the PowerPoint or MediaShout presentation, work the sound board, or work the cameras.
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A New Website
We now have a new, more usable, modern, and welcoming website for our church. The website has a button on the top right corner (access on the menu icon on your phone), "Watch Now," that provides quick access to the Sunday worship services or Tuesday/ Thursday Greetings from Rev. Jim Warren. The website is www.blmfcc.org.
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Scholarships Available
Former First Christian Church members Dr. Richard and Lois Manahan have again generously donated $1,000 to be awarded as a scholarship to a church member who attends Illinois State University. No applications were submitted for the 2020-21 academic year, so up to two $1,000 scholarships are available this year. Full-time and part-time students attending Illinois State University for the 2021 Fall semester are eligible to apply. Consideration will be given to active participation in the ministries and programs of the church.
Please submit a letter of interest and your class schedule or other proof of enrollment to Alan Chapman, Chair of Trustees, 410 N. Grove St., Normal, IL 61761 by Tuesday, June 1. All applicants will be interviewed by a committee of the Trustees, in a manner consistent with current guidance and protocols regarding COVID-19.
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Serving Schedule
We publish serving schedules in the Friday Email/FCC Connected when we are worshipping in person.
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Contact Us
Senior Pastor: James Warren
Minister Emeritus: John Trefzger
Dir. Music & Youth Ministries:
Holly Irvin
Organ/Piano: Lou Ann Fillingham
One and All Music Coordinator:
Bill West
Communications Coordinator:
Jenifer Petri
Office Receptionist: Maggie Burton
Financial Secretary:
Deborah Stumm
Child Care Coordinator: Trish Logan
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Witness of the Faithful
April 4: $10,992.12
April 11: $8,948
April 18: $8,144
April 25: $2,378
Prayer Concerns
Awaiting Tests: Rob Blessing
Awaiting Surgery:
Treatment: Jim Frizzell
COVID-19:
- Dorothy Sallee
- Chuck Smalley (home health care)
- Suzanne Summers
Aftercare:
- Helen Joyce Barclay (Martin Health)
- Mary Helen Haskell
- Susan Hinrichsen
- Richard Malone
- Phyllis L. Miller (Heritage, Blm. Rehab)
- Kim Rott
- Mary Smart
- James Wills
Hospice: Marilyn Kopp
Military:
- Sean Montoya (Marilyn Cope's Grandson/Air Force, Belgium)
- Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
Birth: Congratulations to Drew and Jenny Henneberg on the April 7 birth of their son, Declan Michael
Please be in prayer for essential and emergency workers, of which our congregation has many.
Reminder: Please let the church office know (email office@blmfcc.org) if there’s someone who needs a call or is in the hospital. We are not always able to find out who is in the hospital directly from the hospital.
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Current Hospital Patient Visitation Restrictions
Specific visitor restrictions took effect recently at Carle BroMenn and Carle Eureka. Other area hospitals have similar restrictions. Regular inpatients now are allowed one designated support person throughout their entire stay. If the patient has no designated person, or wants their designated person to be their faith leader, then a faith leader can visit. Otherwise, faith leaders are not allowed to visit that person. Please inquire about end-of-life situations.
People who come into the BroMenn and Eureka Emergency Department are allowed one visitor. It is considered in the patient’s best interest – especially in the case of elderly patients – to have an advocate with them in these emergency situations. If the person is admitted, then all additional COVID visitor protocols apply.
In all of these situations all visitors must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
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Deadlines for Publications
Please follow these deadlines for publications to ensure that your item is included!
The Messenger (mailed the last Wednesday of the month with some exceptions)
Deadline Friday at noon before mailing date as a general rule (verify with church calendar on FCC website or in previous issue of The Messenger)
Upcoming Messengers:
- May 21 deadline for May 26 mailing
- June 25 deadline for June 30 mailing
Beyond the Bricks (mailed two weeks after the Messenger, on Wednesday)
Deadline Sunday the week of mailing
FCC Connected/Friday Email
Deadline Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
Announcements/Prayer Concerns
Deadline Thursday noon, unless it is an emergent prayer concern
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Office Phone 309-829-9327 Fax 309 829-2865
Address 401 W. Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Hours The office is currently closed every day out of caution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff members are working from home as needed. Normally, the office is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. The best times to contact the church office are while Maggie is there, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
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