- Sunday Traditional Worship 9:00 a.m. (with Worship and Wonder for children on the first Sunday of the month during the summer)
- One and All Worship 10:15 a.m.
- Sunday School for Adults 10:00 a.m.
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July
:
July 4 and 5
Church Office Closed
July 12
Blood Drive
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Office Hours
are listed at the bottom of each
Messenger
issue.
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Guest Preachers:
Neal Kentch will continue to be with us throughout July, and the following are scheduled to preach after that:
- August 4: Herb Knudsen
- September 1: Ed Taylor
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Gifts for Another Table
In July we will continue to collect for Ministry and More. Please donate as often as you can the following items:
rice and rice dinners, potato dinners, pasta of any kind, pasta sauce, Hamburger Helper, dinner meals, cereal, mashed/boxed potatoes, and canned fruits and vegetables. Thank you!
The Abundant Life Church Meal
will be served on the third Sunday of each month.
To help with the July 21 meal, please sign up at the Info Desk or contact Julie Robinson at
jerobinson21409@yahoo.com
.
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No Block Party
this year, but Reach Out is collecting supplies for Bent and Sheridan Schools.
While you are out and about, please consider purchasing school supplies and bringing them to the tote by the Info Desk. Also, gently used tennis shoes, coats, clothes for kids to change into in case of accidents, and new boys’ and girls’ underwear are
needed.
Visitor Welcome Gifts
The Reach Out ministry has put together visitor gift packages to make visitors to FCC feel more welcome.
If you see a visitor, after greeting them, make sure they pick up a gift at the Info Desk.
Red Grocery Bags
Do you have a story to share about how you used the red grocery bag distributed during the Pentecost services to make someone feel welcome to attend FCC? Were you able to bring a guest or do you have plans to? Stories that can be shared in the next
Messenger
can be sent to
info@blmfcc.org
. Thank you!
Sack Lunch Ministry
We will be starting a Saturday sack lunch service project beginning July 13, serving a sack lunch to kids and adults to supplement the Monday through Friday summer lunch programs through District 87. If you are interested, talk to Julie Robinson or email her at
erobinson21409@yahoo.com
. This is a much-needed ministry, as many children would otherwise go without food over the weekends.
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Sunday School and Youth Groups
are on break for the summer.
Worship and Wonder
will meet on the first Sunday of each month this summer.
Activity Bags
are available throughout the summer for children and preschoolers who attend the 9:00 a.m. service. Find them in the Narthex in a basket. After your child enjoys the activities, please return the bag and unused contents to the basket in the Narthex. Contents of the bags will be updated each week so that they are pertinent to the week's worship topic.
Camp Registration
is open for all remaining 2019 camps.
Visit
cciwdisciples.org/camp-program/
to access and complete the online registration form. Instructions and other important information are also available on the website.
Please be in prayer regularly for our July of 2019 Summer Campers:
Chi-Rho -- July 7-13
Carter Kiesewetter
Carson Damery
Tyler Chapman
Jaci Cox
Bethany Warren
Lydia Warren
Rebekah Warren
JYF – July 14-20
Calen Kiesewetter
Corryne Bohlmann
Evelyn Kosier
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Brown Bag Bible Bunch
Neal Kentch leads this weekly study group, in Jim Warren's absence, on Wednesdays 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. The topic is the scripture for the upcoming Sunday. Pack a lunch and join us!
Small Groups
meet throughout the week. Check the Calendar of Events (under the Events tab) on the website for days and times. If interested, contact Bill Robitske or Stephanie Kiesewetter.
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General Assembly
will take place July 20-24 in Des Moines, IA. Disciples of Christ of all ages will gather from all over for the assembly with an “Abide in Me” theme, based on John 15:1-5. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President, describes the gathering in this way, “We will hear about exciting mission from MissionFest stories and general ministries working on our behalf. We will be gifted with the opportunity to learn with workshops ranging from elder training to administrative ministry and training for both lay and clergy leaders. We will come together at tables – the Lord’s Table in worship, luncheons with friends and dinners to learn about ministries of the Church. Most of all, we will be in the presence of other Disciples, sharing life, love, and passion for mission together.”
Des Moines is a very family-oriented town, with many fun activities and attractions. Why not make General Assembly a part of your summer travel? Learn more at
www.ga.disciples.org
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Disciples Women's Ministries
Saving those Box Tops for Education?
Please do! There is a Disciples Women’s Ministries mailbox just outside the office door where you can leave them. Donate your Box Tops and we can make a big impact on a local school. Thank you!
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July Meeting
Due to the 4th of July Holiday, our July meeting will move to July 11 at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. Leslie Frizzell will present the second session of our new study: "Ministry of Jesus Christ - Walking in Jesus' Footsteps." The subject will be "The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus."
Hope to see everyone there. -- Pam Yerkes
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Summer Blood Drive
Due to overwhelming need, a special summer blood drive will be held Friday, July 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Major Hall. If you haven't yet, please sign up at the Info Desk. Your donation is greatly needed! -- Wholistic Health Council
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Recycling/Trash Guidelines
can be found on the pre-worship and Centrum slides on Sunday mornings. Also, the guidelines are attached to or posted near the prominent recycling bins throughout the building. Please be sure you are using the appropriate bins when disposing of items. Thank you!
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Advocate BroMenn Medical Center
has declared First Christian Church of Bloomington a 2019 Member in Good Standing of the Delegate Church Association. Advocate states, "Your service to our organization, and commitment to our values, goals, and shared ministries, is greatly appreciated."
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FCC Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are needed to help in several ways around FCC. Find signup sheets at the Info Desk.
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Want to help the Warrens by providing a meal?
If you would like to help provide meals for the Warren family, please follow the steps below. Thank you!
- Go to the web site: www.takethemameal.com
- Type in "Warren" for the family name
- The Password: Godisgood
- Sign up for the time(s) when you would like to supply a meal, and just follow the simple steps for delivery
Note there are more days per week on the schedule so visit the site soon if you haven’t done so recently. Questions? Contact Kathy Smalley at 309-824-2839 or
smallekj@fairpoint.net
.
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Mary & Martha Benefit
to Help the Warren Family
Thank you to all who volunteered and/or participated in the benefit for the Warren family this past weekend. Donations totaling $2,516 will be given to the Warren family. Raffle winners were: Martha Hunter, Rita Fisher, and Marcia Christensen.
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Thank You
Please find a
thank you note on the Centrum bulletin board from
Mary Lou Mercier (Disciples Women's Ministries plant).
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The Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal
is excited to partner with First Christian Church this year for their Junior Leaders Program. The Junior Leaders program assists Club members ages 13 to 18 in exploring a career in youth or human services, particularly Boys & Girls Club work. Young people prepare for future roles as human services professionals by participating in career development activities, discovering the importance of community service, building customer service skills, and completing a Club apprenticeship. The program develops Club members’ interpersonal skills, work ethic, and sense of community responsibility.
Due to the growth of the organization BGCBN did not have space in their current building to host this amazing program for our teens. We reached out to FCC and they agreed to host us for the summer. Throughout the program our Junior Leaders will be showing their appreciation to the church by helping out with their "to do" list and special projects as needed. The Club appreciates the collaboration. It truly takes a village!
Jenny Hall
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Changes for "Wednesday Supper Club"
Wednesday Supper Club will no longer be
Wednesday
, nor will it be just
Supper
. The WSC will now be
Thursday Food & Fellowship, TFF,
on 3
rd
Thursday, September – May.
We will meet for lunch some months due to early darkness and often inclement weather. Because we will meet for some noon meals, we moved to Thursday so as not to interfere with Brown Bag Bible Bunch study.
The months we will be meeting at 12:30 p.m. are November, December, January, February, and March. The entire schedule will be in the August
Messenger
. The bulletins will continue to list by month the place, date, time, and deadline to sign up. Also, the schedule handout will be at the Info Desk for you to pick up by mid-August.
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New Vision and Mission Statements Developed
Seeking Congregational Approval
The FCC Official Church Board voted to develop new Vision and Mission statements for FCC based on findings from the Discernment process. A core team was established
with a group
representative
of our church congregation. The team met from April through May to develop a draft version which was presented to the Official Board during their June meeting. The Official Board voted to present the draft statements to the congregation.
The draft versions of the Vision and Mission statements will be presented to the congregation during worship on July 14. After worship, members of the team will be available in the sanctuary for further discussion and questions. This will give all members an
opportunity
to provide input for either of these documents. A Congregational Meeting will be held following the 9:00 a.m. service on August 11, when we will seek congregational approval for the final draft of the
Vision and Mission statements
.
- Draft Vision Statement: We are a Christian community who welcomes all, grows spiritually, and serves others.
- Draft Mission Statement: We welcome all to share the Lord’s Table. We strengthen our spirituality with God and one another through prayer, worship, study, and fellowship. We extend our hand in friendship and serve our community with compassion.
Core Team Members:
Susan Cleaver Marla McElroy Julie Robinson
Rev. Jim Warren Becky White
Doug Reed
Joe Bandy
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A Message from Rev. Neal Kentch, Interim Minister
I thank all of you for welcoming me and for helping me as I try to fill Jim’s shoes for the next few weeks. I am honored to be asked to do this and I intend to do right by Jim and by you. I am keeping his seat warm until he comes back. Below is a newsletter column I wrote a few years ago. I like it. Maybe you will too.
I remember standing alone in the middle of a dirt road late at night somewhere in northwestern Oklahoma, bare wheat fields on either side, before and behind. With the sky arcing high overhead from one low horizon to the other and the land rolling with gentle swells all around, it occurred to me. It occurred to me that I was the tallest thing out there. I was the tallest thing out there except maybe for that oil well pump I heard chugging somewhere in the distance. I was the tallest thing; there were no trees, no houses or buildings, no street lights overhead to protect me and shelter me from the uncaring moon and the heedless stars making their way across the dark sky. A strange feeling, eerie and unsettling. The chill of an autumn wind whistled past my face.
At first, I felt uncomfortable out there with no shelter, no protection, at the mercy of the stars and moon. I felt small and fragile, insignificant. I thought maybe I should get back to town. But then . . . And maybe it was the way the earth I was standing upon was swelling all around me. That or something else; I don’t know. But suddenly I forgot about myself. I forgot about myself for a moment or two. And just as suddenly did it all seem so amazing to me. The stars and moon up there seemed wondrous, wonderful. The land in the moon’s white glow was just beautiful somehow. Even the cold wind seemed remarkable as it rushed all around me. For a moment or two, I just didn’t care about myself. I forgot about myself. And what I then saw was wondrous and beautiful.
The Book of Job is an interesting book. And Job is an interesting character. He was very concerned with himself. He felt that he had been treated unjustly by God. He had a point: Why should a man as righteous as Job suffer as much as he? Job had a bone to pick with God. And sometimes a person can’t help but think that they could run things better than God. Job wanted to argue, wanted to have a knock-down-drag-out argument with God. And then God shows up and shows up in a mighty whirlwind. In chapters 38 to 41, God shows up. And in those chapters, God shows
Job the wonders and the wildness of creation. These four chapters are beautiful. I can’t do them justice and you should read them. God asks Job, “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place?” “Who has cut a channel for the torrents of rain, and a way for the thunderbolt, to bring rain on a land where no one lives?” “Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the deer?” “Is the wild ox willing to serve you? Will it spend the night at your crib?” With these and all sorts of other questions does God show Job the beauty and the wildness of all that has been created.
And Job kind of forgets himself. He is overwhelmed by the beauty and wildness of things and he forgets himself. “I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me.” And he repents of his dust and ashes, his complaints.
In the New Testament, Jesus reminds those who would follow him that foxes may have holes and the birds may have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. The Son of Man has nothing to shelter and protect him. Neither will those who follow him. “Take up your cross,” he says to those who would follow. “Forget yourself.”
I think this forgetting of oneself is important. It is by forgetting ourselves that we can begin to see the world around us, to see it as it is and in all of its wildness and beauty. We might start seeing other people in new ways. And it is by forgetting ourselves that we can begin to know God. So forget about yourself once in a while and for at least a moment or two. See how things look. You might want to make it a practice, a kind of spiritual practice.
Neal Kentch
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The Messenger
is a
Monthly
Newsletter?
On a trial basis, and as a cost-saving endeavor,
The Messenger
will now be mailed on the first Wednesday of each month. The trial will last through the summer. We will do our best to include comprehensive information in each issue, and you will find updates, breaking news, and weekend worship news in the bulletins and Friday Emails, as well as on Facebook and our website.
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Serving Schedule
Serving Schedules
are included in each
Messenger
and in the Friday Email (sent via email to all who have subscribed) two days before worship services. These are to help you as a final reminder of your duties. Ministry areas send initial serving calendars or schedules for each area of duty, and we hope you have already marked your calendar.
When you find it necessary to find a substitute, please try to trade with someone else and don’t forget to tell the church office at 309-829-9327 or office@blmfcc.org as soon as you can.
Knowing who is actually serving is important to the staff and leadership for various reasons. Thank you for your help!
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Sunday, July 7
Acolyte:
George Davis
Building Lock-up:
Bill Robitske
Child Care:
Trish Logan, Naomi Kosier
Deacons:
· 9:00 Kathy Dailey, Susan Cleaver
· 10:15 Kathy Dailey, Reena Rhoda
Jr. Deacons:
Austin Metz, Sadie Newton
Drivers:
Rich Crusius, Gary Thompson
Elders:
John Dailey, Jill West
Visiting Elders:
Deanne Bryant, Ryan Newton
Coffee Fellowship:
Bill Chaney, Tom Chaney
Fill Candles:
Becky White
Greeter:
Rick Erickson
Info Desk:
Pat Bozarth
Landscaping:
Kim Rott
Scripture:
Nate Damery
Sound Tech:
James Nussbaum
Time for Children:
Linda Lehmann
Video Tech:
James Nussbaum
Worship & Wonder Greeter:
Bethany Warren
Pulpit:
Neal Kentch Mark 1.29-39 "He Raised Her Up"
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Sunday, July 21
Acolyte: --
Building Lock-up:
Doug Reed
Child Care:
Trish Logan, Michelle Kiesewetter
Deacons:
· 9:00 Chip & Patti Jamerson
· 10:15 Reena Rhoda, Liberty Nussbaum
Jr. Deacons:
Abby Logan, Drew Logan
Drivers:
Rich Crusius, Ryan Newton
Elders:
Gregg Kiesewetter, Madonna Courtright
Visiting Elders:
Leslie Frizzell, Bill Robitske
Coffee Fellowship:
Susan Cleaver
Fill Candles:
Becky White
Greeters:
Alan & Kathie Chapman, Doug & Stephanie Reed
Info Desk:
Leslie Frizzell
Landscaping:
Kim Rott
Scripture:
Todd Chapman
Sound Techs:
Brian Metz, Paige Metz, Austin Metz
Time for Children:
Matt Chapman
Video Tech:
Todd Chapman
Pulpit:
Neal Kentch Mark 7.24-37 "A Syrophoenician Woman"
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Sunday, July 14
Acolyte:
Khloe Nussbaum
Building Lock-up:
John Dailey
Child Care:
Trish Logan, Stephanie Reed
Deacons:
· 9:00 Scott & Val Fisher
· 10:15 Drew & Jenny Henneberg
Jr. Deacons:
Maddie Chapman, Addy Reed
Drivers:
Gary Thompson, Frank Lipscomb
Elders:
Leslie Frizzell, Bill Robitske
Visiting Elders:
John Dailey, Jill West
Coffee Fellowship:
Becky White
Fill Candles:
Becky White
Greeters:
Justin & Kim Cox; Bill, Susan, and Tom Chaney
Info Desk:
Jan Dyer
Landscaping:
Kim Rott
Scripture:
James Nussbaum
Sound Tech:
Brian Metz
Time for Children:
Patty Thompson
Video Tech:
Austin Metz
Pulpit:
Neal Kentch Matthew 10.24-39 " The Hairs of Your Head"
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Sunday, July 28
Acolytes:
Mackenzie Nichols, Kenley Nichols
Building Lock-up:
Chip Jamerson
Child Care:
Trish Logan, Marcia Christensen
Deacons:
· 9:00 Julie Robinson, Carrie Chapman
· 10:15 Julie Robinson, Carrie Chapman
Jr. Deacons:
Carter Kiesewetter, Lydia Warren
Drivers:
Gary Thompson, Ralph Lehmann
Elders:
Marla McElroy, Mike Robinson
Visiting Elders:
Gregg Kiesewetter, Madonna Courtright
Coffee Fellowship:
John & Rita Hensley
Fill Candles:
Becky White
Greeters:
Art & Camille Taylor, Betty Steinlicht
Info Desk:
Ron & Nancy Gramley
Landscaping:
Kim Rott
Scripture:
--
Sound Tech:
Dave Phillis
Time for Children:
Tamara Shields
Video Tech:
Nate Damery
Pulpit:
Neal Kentch Matthew 5.38-48 Be Perfect
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Sunday, August 4
Acolyte:
Khloe Nussbaum
Building Lock-up:
Joe Bandy
Child Care:
Trish Logan, Amy Nichols
Deacons:
· 9:00 Scott & Val Fisher
· 10:15 Doug & Stephanie Reed
Jr. Deacons:
Carson Damery, Rebekah Warren
Drivers:
Ryan Newton, Ralph Lehmann
Elders:
Tamara Shields, Nancy Trefzger
Visiting Elders:
Marla McElroy, Mike Robinson
Coffee Fellowship:
--
Fill Candles:
Connie Rapp
Greeters:
John & Kathy Dailey
Info Desk:
Mary Helen Haskell
Landscaping:
Nancy Pool, Luke Pool
Scripture:
Marla McElroy
Sound Tech:
James Nussbaum
Time for Children:
Heather Damery
Video Tech:
James Nussbaum
Worship & Wonder Greeter:
Bethany Warren
Pulpit:
Herb Knudsen
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Contact Us
Senior Pastor:
James Warren
Interim Minister:
Neal Kentch
Minister Emeritus:
John Trefzger
Dir. Music, 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
Worship and Wonder Storyteller:
Susan Sanders
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Witness of the Faithful
Attendance:
- 6/9/19: 124, 27
- 6/16/19: 127, 30
- 6/23/19: 125, 42
- 6/30/19: 145, 35
Offering:
$32.181.66
Prayer Concerns
Advocate BroMenn:
Kathy Sallee
Aftercare:
- Bob Corbett
- Tom Crutchley
- Art Headley
- Kim Janvrin
- Carol Kline
- Frank Lipscomb
- Brenda Phillis
- Mary Smart
- Mara Studebaker
- Shirley Wotherspoon
Treatment:
- Forrest Kaufman
- Paula Robb
Hospice:
Harold Goyen
Assisted Living:
- Mickey Armstrong (Luther Oaks)
- Niola Daily (Westminster)
- Mary Lou Mercier (Home)
- Glenn & Betty Metz (Villas of Holly Brook)
- Neil & Dorothy Sallee (Westminster)
- Alma Samuels (Taylors’ home)
- Suzanne Summers (Evergreen Village)
Nursing Homes:
- Alden Valley Ridge, Bloomingdale – Hazel Kuhn
- Heritage, Blm. – Merle Murray
- Heritage, El Paso – Sonna West
- Heritage, Normal – Harold Goyen
- Liberty, Clinton – Corena Meyer
- Martin Health – Myrna Cable, Niola Daily, Carol Kline, Marlyn Mahannah, Neil Sallee, Barbara Thatcher
- McLean County -- Marilyn Kopp
Military:
- Adam Jacobs (Army)
- Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
Wedding:
Matt Hegland and Jessica Fisher were married June 8. Jessica is the daughter of Scott & Val Fisher, and the granddaughter of Dewey & Jan Dyer.
Sympathy to:
Holly, Shelby, and Lydia Irvin and family on the June 2 death of their aunt/great-aunt, Shirley Juchems, of Pekin
Sympathy to:
Donnie & Patty Engel and James, Libby, and Khloe Nussbaum and family on the June 8 death of their brother/ uncle/great-uncle, Timothy Engel, of Seatonville
Sympathy to:
Jim, Benjamin, Christopher, Katherine, Carolynn, Johnathon, Samuel, Rebekah, Gabriel, Lydia, Bethany, and Hannah Warren and family on the June 20 death of their wife/mother/ grandmother, Sharon Warren
Sympathy to:
Mary Ellen Gottselig and family on the June 23 death of her husband, Don Gottselig
Sympathy to:
Helen Fry and family on the July 2 death of her husband, Jim Fry
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Office Phone
309 829-9327
Fax
309 829-2865
Address
401 W. Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Hours
Of
fice hours
have changed. The office is open
Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
, and
Tuesday through Friday 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.
The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. every day. The best times to contact the church office are while Maggie is here, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
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