 |
Welcome... to the latest issue of
Beyond the Bricks!
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
My alarm goes off every morning, and so begins my day. I roust the kids for school, take the dogs out, and make coffee. I wouldn't get up without an alarm.
God sets alarms for us throughout the day, but they don't ring out from clocks. Instead, they awaken us from our inattention and lethargy and remind us to be present to our world. These alarms frequently come in the people we meet and are reminders that God calls us to serve the needs around us.
Perhaps this issue of Beyond the Bricks will be a wake-up call for you, and you'll be encouraged to reach out to those around you in Christian love.
Where is God asking you to be present today? What is God awakening you to do?
On the journey with you,
Jim Warren
|
Support the Annual Garage Sale Benefiting
Recycling Furniture for Families
Friday and Saturday, April 5 and 6
8:00 a.m. to noon
College Park Christian Church
116 North Cottage Ave.
Normal, IL 61761
Recycling Furniture for Families is a
Christ-Centered Ministry connecting local agencies and churches to McLean County families in need.
SALE ITEMS INCLUDE:
Collectibles
Baskets
Decorative Items
Toys
Linens
Pictures/Frames
Hobby/Sport Equipment
Household Items
Electrical Goods
AND MUCH MORE!
Recycling Furniture for Families is in great need of dishes, bowls, and silverware. We are always in need of clean, gently used furniture and household items.
|
Attend "Be a Hero Day"
Celebrating Autism Acceptance
Saturday, April 6, 2019
4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
ISU Alumni Center
110 N. Main St.
Normal, IL 61761
$5 for Adults; Children Under 12 Free
Meal includes: a sandwich, chips, dessert, & drink.
Fun includes: face painting, a balloon artist, a photo booth, a silent auction, and a 55" smart TV raffle.
|
Donate to Project Love the Ladies
March 6 through April 14, 2019
Various Locations: Merry Maids in Normal, St. Patrick Church of Merna, Holy Trinity Parish Center, St. Mary's Church (Bloomington), Coffeehouse and Deli in Uptown Normal
Project Love the Ladies is a group focused on providing pads and tampons to those in poverty in Bloomington/Normal Illinois.
A message from the founders:
In 2015 we started Project Love the Ladies as a yearly service project to collect feminine hygiene products for those that cannot afford them. We place donation drop off boxes throughout Bloomington/Normal.
Most people don't think to donate sanitary pads or tampons when they make food pantry donations so they usually don't have enough to give out. Food stamps cannot be used to purchase them. A gofundme link is also available at the Facebook page.
|
Attend the Jewish Film Festival
Sunday, April 7 4:00 p.m.: Heading Home
Sunday, April 14 4:00 p.m.: Shalom Bollywood
Normal Theatre
209 W. North Street
Normal, IL 61761
Free for the Entire Community -- All Are Welcome!
The Moses Montefiore Congregation in Bloomington is very excited to be bringing this film festival to Central Illinois
This event is made possible through a Shulman Jewish Education and Life Grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. These grants focus on Jewish educational programs and materials; Jewish themed arts, music, and theater programs; and Jewish cultural enrichment programs in McLean County.
|
Attend an Author Presentation: Nafissa Thompson-Spires
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Bloomington Public Library
205 E. Olive St.
Sponsored by the Bloomington Public Library, at this event writer Nafissa Thompson-Spires will talk about her 2018 short story collection Heads of Colored People. This presentation is part of the 2019 Bloomington Reads Programming Series. Find out more on the Facebook events page.
The collection of stories in Nafissa Thompson-Spires' Heads of the Colored People range from darkly humorous to devastatingly poignant and cover a wide variety of life events. Each tale centers on black characters and their experiences.
Thompson-Spires, Ph.D., will share these stories and tell attendees how she created them as the final program in the 2019 Bloomington Reads programming series. A Q & A session and book signing will follow this program. Books will be available for purchase at the program.
In addition to this collection, Thompson-Spires has written many other short stories and articles. A professor at the University of Illinois in Champaign, she teaches in the English, African American Studies, and Jewish Culture and Society departments.
|
Participate in the Pregnancy Resource Center Walk
Saturday, April 13, 2019
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Christ Church PCA
1301 North Linden St.
Living Alternatives is committed to saving the lives of unborn children by promoting life-affirming options and providing practical assistance, while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed, and to minister restoration to those who have been wounded by the trauma of abortion.
Get involved: Whether by staying in touch with our latest prayer needs, volunteering your time and talents, or giving of your financial resources, there are a variety of ways you can join us in making a difference in the lives of families in your community. Click on the buttons below for more information on the walk and other opportunities.
|
Help Serve a Meal at Abundant Life in Christ Church
Sundays
First Christian Church is Serving April 21 (Easter Sunday), 2019
Abundant Life in Christ Church
108 E. Market St.
Abundant Life's mission is "to lead people to saving faith in Jesus Christ by sharing the Gospel, as defined in the Holy Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).
We exist to help people get from where they are to where God wants them to be (Philippians 3:13-14)."
Continued contributions are needed along with helpers to serve or make desserts for the meals FCC serves. Sign up at the FCC Info Desk or contact Julie Robinson (jerobinson21409@yahoo.com) if you would like to help on the above date and for details. Or contact Abundant Life (309) 232-8702 to help in any other way.
|
Participate in or Get Involved with
Tee It UP! For The GFPD 2019
May 16 and 17, 2019
Weibring Golf Club
This year our Reception and Silent Auction will be Thursday, May 16th from 6:00-9:00 p.m., and our Golf Scramble will be Friday, May 17th, with tee times at 8:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Weibring Golf Club will once again be hosting our event, and lunch will be included for all golfers. Golf spots have filled up quickly in the past, so don't wait and sign up today!
We're using a new website platform for registration this year that will provide us some additional capabilities, so please let us know if you have any questions as you register. If you're signing up for both the Reception and the Golf Scramble, you'll just need to do two separate transactions. You can also donate to our event or buy sponsorships directly through the website.
Our volunteers are amazing and truly make our event what it is and we couldn't make it happen without you! Please sign up today to volunteer. If you signed up in prior years, please fill out the form again at the link below so we have an updated list.
|
|
Around the Community
Click on any organization to access its website and learn about support/volunteer opportunities
|
|
First Christian Church |
info@blmfcc.org| 309 829-9327 |
www.blmfcc.com
401 West Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Bloomington's Oldest Continuing Congregation
|
|
|
|
|
|
