All In-Person Worship and Church Activities Suspended through At Least April 7
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This electronic version of
The Messenger
is all that will be produced in March. No printed version can be produced because the office is closed.
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Live streaming
We are live streaming, or broadcasting, at 9:00 a.m., a form of Sunday service each week, featuring a sermon by Rev. Jim Warren. You can watch from our website homepage, as well as on Facebook. On our website, scroll down to the bottom of the homepage and see that the current or most recent broadcast is toward the top of the selections there. You can also watch older broadcasts. If you use Facebook, just go to our Facebook Page and see the broadcast start a few minutes before 9:00 a.m.
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Office Hours
(modified during the quarantine)
are listed at the bottom of each
Messenger
issue.
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April
:
- In-person Lenten Services planned are suspended. See graphic below for sermon topics for Sundays.
- April 12 Easter: Worship at 8:00, 9:00, and 10:15 if churches are worshiping in person. Watch for more information as the date gets closer, as it is likely we will worship virtually.
- Other April activities have been postponed, such as the Spring Cleanup Day, the April Blood Drive, and the completion of the Pastors' Class. Stay tuned for new dates.
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A long obedience in the same direction…
Thoughts on the Pandemic
Unprecedented
,
abundance of caution
,
pandemic
,
social distancing
,
novel coronavirus
, and
COVID-19
are words I hear used frequently these days. They’re not words I would have used very often, and some of them are even brand new to me. Can you think of any you’d add to that list?
This shows how unprecedented the novel coronavirus pandemic is and how, out of an abundance of caution, we have to practice social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19. That pretty well sums it up!
The news each day of how many more cases of COVID-19 there are and how many more lives the disease has claimed is sobering. Add to that the number of people who have lost work – either temporarily or permanently – and the number of business owners who are facing difficult and uncertain times. And add to that the rest of us whose lives have been turned upside down. It’s almost impossible to find anyone who hasn’t been affected in some way by the pandemic.
What about you? How has all of this affected you? How are you managing in these trying times?
I’ve been praying for you, asking God to keep you safe and healthy and asking God to reassure you with God’s loving presence. I hope you’ve felt my prayers, and the prayers of many others, being lifted for you.
I want you to know that you’re not alone in all of this. Although we’re practicing social distancing, that doesn’t mean it has to be socially isolating. We’re in this together, and we have God with us. To help us feel connected, I’ve asked our Elders and Board to make contact with people in our church. We’re also asking those of you who are receiving this newsletter electronically to call someone you know who only receives the
Messenger
by mail and fill them in on what’s happening at First Christian. And we can keep praying for each other. These are all ways we have to keep in touch with one another.
I encourage you to use this time well. If you’ve been given extra time at home, use this time to grow closer to God and to your family. Spend some time in prayer, Bible reading, playing with your kids, reading, walking, and relaxing. Let this be a time to grow your relationships with God and others.
As I close this meandering
Messenger
column, I urge you to keep the faith. This too will pass, and we will overcome these present difficulties. This pandemic, both globally and locally, will come to an end, although it does look like it will get worse before it gets better. No matter what may happen, no matter what the future may hold, we will get through this. God will see to that. With us doing everything we can to stop the spread of COVID-19, and with God’s help, we will emerge a stronger, more faithful people on the other side.
Jim Warren
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Are you Being Called?
In the next few weeks, you may be receiving a call from one of your fellow church members asking if you would accept an important position in our church. We have Ministry Steward and Deacon positions that need filled for the new church year beginning July 1, 2020. Our nominating committee does a wonderful job making a list of potential members to fill these positions, but it is not a perfect process and sometimes a perfect match could be missed.
If you have interest, or if God is calling you to become more involved in the life of FCC, we invite you to come forward and let it be known. You can personally contact the church office and let Rev. Jim Warren or Maggie know you are interested, and someone will contact you with the details. Chip Jamerson leads the Nominating Committee and would enjoy hearing from you, or you may call me directly if you have questions or want to discuss.
Blessings!
Joe Bandy
309 825-5270
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Property Use
– Help our property become a resource to the community and an entry point
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Discipleship
— Equip participants for missional engagement in the world
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Small Groups
— Build on what we’ve learned and do more of these
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Analyze Staffing Needs
— Build budgets to address mission, including how we faithfully staff the ministry for it
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Welcome All
–
Begin discernment on building an inclusive faith community
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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
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Boys and Girls Club
is once again asking you to share your talents with our kids. This time it’s a little bit different since we are all staying in our homes. We’d like you to share a video. This could be you doing something like cooking dinner or making your favorite snack, sewing a button on your favorite shirt, or playing music. It could be you talking about how much you miss the kids in the building or about your favorite app. We are open to all ideas and suggestions. Please send your videos, links, or ideas to
jhall@bgcbn.org
, or find her on Facebook:
Jenny.hall.14473
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Pastors’ Class
will resume meeting when in-person church resumes. Details will be provided when known.
Summer Camps
are being planned and registration is open at the CCIW website. Find dates and details
here
.
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Spiritual Growth/
Small Groups
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Brown Bag Bible Bunch
This weekly study group meets on Wednesdays 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room (on break during the pandemic). The topic is the scripture for the upcoming Sunday. Pack a lunch and join us!
Small Groups
continue to meet virtually or are on a brief break. See the
Connect
newsletter for details and for how to join a group or start a new group.
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Reach Out/Meet the Neighbors
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Thanks
to all who have donated and served over the past couple of months!
The nominating committee will soon begin their work of filling positions for the upcoming church year. Reach out will be needing two new Ministry Stewards. Maybe God is leading you to respond in this way. Please pray about it.
Anyone interested should see Chip Jamerson or Julie Robinson. It’s a fun area of our church’s ministries to be a part of.
The term will begin July 1, 2020.
- - Julie Robinson, Ministry Steward
Mission Trip to Appalachia
is still being planned for June
7-12 but is being evaluated regularly. Cost will be $400 per person but we will do some fundraising to offset that cost. All ages are welcome. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or grandparent. Work will be construction of various kinds. Contact or see Mike Robinson for details: 309-275-5908 or mrobin2217@gmail.com.
Abundant Life Church Meals
FCC will be serving meals on the third Sunday of each month. The March meal was canceled. Sign up at the Info Desk to help or provide food for the April 19 meal when we return to FCC. Contact Julie Robinson at jerobinson21409@yahoo.com for information.
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Gifts for Another Table
In March we collected for the Boys & Girls Club, and we will continue to do so in April when we return to church. They are most in need of latex gloves (large and small), 55-gallon and kitchen trash bags, Band-Aids, toilet paper, Ziploc sandwich, quart, and gallon-sized bags, and paper towels. Your donations are greatly appreciated by the families who use these resources.
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THURSDAY
FOOD & FELLOWSHIP
April 16 at 12:30 p.m.
MONICALS
(on
Eldorado Rd., just south of Red Lobster
).
Note number coming on Sunday attendance pad in far right column when we return to in-person worship, OR
Phone FCC office BEFORE 2:00 p.m.
Monday, April 13
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Disciples Women's Ministries
Ladies,
I am sure this will come as no surprise to you, but our April meeting of DWM is being cancelled. I know we are concerned with the health of everyone -- our group included. We are all members of the vulnerable group of citizens. We will not be scheduling any meetings until further notice.
Please take care of yourselves and follow the health guide lines that have been issued.
We are not together to add our prayers for this situation, but you can do this on your own and do it often.
In Christ, Pam
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Banners in the Sanctuary This Season
Lenten Banners
by Nancy Trefzger
Lent is a prime time for spiritual reflection and preparation for the most important event in Christianity – the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This pivotal crossroad in our faith journey points out the contrasts we find in life. Faith is often the most influential factor in our ability to find meaning and hope for such moments. Thus, on either side of our baptistery (the symbolic center for faith decisions) are two such life contrasts used in scripture. The bottom part of each banner symbolizes life outside of God’s love and grace while the top part suggests the Spirit-filled state. The banner on the left has the contrast of “living water” and “parched land,” and the right side banner’s contrasts are “light” and “darkness.” The purple border is the Lenten seasonal color.
Easter Banners
by Nancy Trefzger
“Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen!”
At the very heart of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Christ. This hope-filled message of transformation takes us from defeat to victory, doubt to faith, death to life, darkness to light, sadness to joy, the old to the new. Rising above the hills and valleys of our lives radiates the warmth, the vibrancy, and the glory of the sun. Just as sun is the main source of light and life in our physical world, Christ is the source of light and life in our spiritual world.
Another symbol of resurrection Christians use is the butterfly. Its stages of transformation from larva to caterpillar to chrysalis to majestic beauty and flight powerfully reflect life’s glory – now and forever. Paul reminded the Corinthians of this “mystery” of the perishable body putting on the imperishable and our mortal bodies putting on immortality. Thus, the fifty days of Easter are a significant spiritual time of steadfastness and abounding in the work of the Lord, giving thanks always to God, who gives us this victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is risen indeed!
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Blood Drives
We have a couple of drives happening at FCC this year. Please note the April drive has been cancelled but you are urged to give at the Red Cross on Westport Ct., where those in charge have assured us they are taking all precautions. Please put these dates on your calendar and consider being a blood donor.
-- Wholistic Health Council
- July 10 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Friday)
- October 20 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. (Tuesday)
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We have received thank you notes f
rom
Shirley Wotherspoon (get well cards), Alma Samuels (card shower recipient), and Kailyn Rittenberry
(Love Box), and you may view them on the Info Desk bulletin board when we return to church.
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Graduates and Mothers
will be honored in May.
Fathers
will be honored in June.
Watch for details and pleas for photos and information.
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Looking Ahead...
The Cornbelters are still planning to play their regular season. Plans are being made for an FCC "See You at the Game" night. Watch for more details, coming soon.
Looking for cheap fun and ways to connect with your family and friends this summer? Have you considered the free concerts offered in Bloomington and Normal? Look for the dates soon and come meet up with your friends from FCC!
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A Prayer in the Time of a Pandemic
(anonymous author) shared by Camille Taylor 3/19/20
May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel out trips remember those who have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country, let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. AMEN
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Deadlines for Publications
Please follow these deadlines for publications to ensure that your item is included!
The Messenger
(mailed 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
:
- April 24 deadline for April 29 mailing
- May 22 deadline for May 27 mailing
The Bulletin, Moments for Mission/Ministry
Deadline Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.
The Friday Email
Deadline Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
Announcements/Prayer Concerns
Deadline Thursday noon, unless it is an emergent prayer concern
Worship, Pre-Worship, Centrum, and Foyer Screen Items
Deadline Thursday, 4:30 p.m. (note these include Time for Children and Moment for Mission/Ministry screens)
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Serving Schedule
Serving Schedules
are normally included in each
Messenger
and in the Friday Email (sent via email to all who have subscribed) two days before worship services when in-person worship is planned.
Note: No in-person worship is planned for March 29 or April 5, and likely will also be suspended April 12 and some Sundays beyond. We will publish serving schedules when it is determined we will resume in-person worship.
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Contact Us
Senior Pastor:
James Warren
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/Sexton:
Susan Sanders
- (217) 931-2430
- suznwally@hotmail.com
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Witness of the Faithful
Attendance and o
ffering numbers are currently unavailable and will be published later.
Prayer Concerns
OSF St. Francis (Peoria):
Barb Mote
Treatment:
Justin Cox
Aftercare:
- Richard Malone
- Charles Ridenour
Hospice:
Marilyn Kopp
Military:
- Adam Jacobs (Army)
- Sean Montoya (Air Force, Belgium)
- Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
Weddings:
- Congratulations to Kristi Bandy and Jon Deedrick on their March 7 wedding at FCC. Kristi’s parents are Joe and Sue Bandy.
- Congratulations to Sean and Emilie Montoya, on their March 14 wedding in Eureka. Sean's mother is Lori Montoya.
Please be in prayer for essential and emergency workers, of which our congregation has many.
Reminder
:
Please let the church office know if there’s someone who needs a call or is in the hospital
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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, t
he 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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