In This Issue:
If there is any way we can serve you better, please let us know!

Our Mission: "Multiplying Leaders, Ministries and Healthy Churches"
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A JOURNEY OF GRACE
"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people" - Titus 2:11

Disciple-making is a journey of grace. Just like the activity of a Christian parent, intentional disciple-making does not begin at conversion, it begins at  conception . Before a person comes to faith in Christ, prevenient grace begins drawing them. Saving grace leads them into a grace-filled journey with Jesus, within the fellowship of his church. Sanctifying grace is both a divine moment and a process when a person fully embraces the agenda of Jesus and is entirely sanctified to God's will for their life. Growth in grace continues until they meet Jesus face to face.  

The disciple-making journey we take with Jesus is filled with grace! This journey does not begin at a person's conversion, it begins long before! When Paul had the vision of "a man from Macedonia," (Acts 16:10), God never intended the church's mission to be male-centric. The first convert God was already preparing was a woman named Lydia who "the Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message" (Acts 16:14). Before Paul ever had the vision of the man from Macedonia, Lydia's journey of grace had already begun!

We find God's plan for the journey of grace throughout the Scriptures. "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people" (Titus 2:11). The word grace (charis) appears in Luke, John, Acts, in Peter's writings and 100 times in the writings of Paul. Beyond references to grace, there are also 158 references to favor in the Scriptures, referencing both "favor with God" and "favor with people." Grace is God's love and power in action in the life of every person. "God looks with favor on us in order that he may infuse us with His own moral energy...Grace is intended to change us; it does not leave us where we are."
                                                 
The above paragraphs are part of a chapter entitled, "Movements Focus on Outsiders," from the book entitled, "Fueling the Nazarene Movement with Love." Thanks to  each of you  for being Christ in Action on our district, in the community where God has placed you. Great days are ahead on the CCD team - you are loved.





Dr. Larry McKain, Superintendent
Chicago Central District
Church of the Nazarene










Registration is now open for Cultivate 2019!  Our theme for this year is  Healthy Churches: The First Steps to Multiplication . We have a new format and a great lineup of speakers that will be challenging us on areas of building healthy teams, creating a culture of prayer in the church, building agenda harmony, and how to effectively reach those outside the church. It will be a great day and we want YOU to join us!

Cultivate will be held at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, November 2. Registration cost is $20. Please visit ccdnaz.church/cultivate for more information.

 



CELEBRATE CLERGY APPRECIATION MONTH

The month of October is clergy appreciation month. Churches worldwide will show their appreciation for clergy and pastoral staff members through a gift, a note of encouragement, or other method. Here are some ideas to show your pastors your appreciation!  Read more
PRIME TIME THANKSGIVING DINNER
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W e are looking forward to our annual district Prime Time Thanksgiving Dinner! Senior adults from across the district are invited to join us on Tuesday, November 19th at Kankakee First Church from 11am - 1pm for food, fellowship and entertainment. Tickets are $14 per person. 

One person from each church should collect all registration payments and submit the registration online. Registration and payment can be completed here. We hope to see you at this year's Prime Time Thanksgiving Dinner! 
LOCAL WORK AND WITNESS OPPORTUNITY

Pastor Debora White and the Sheldon Church request help with the following projects:

1. Scrape and paint the outside of the church (cinder block, Sheldon will provide the paint).
2.  Remove pews in the sanctuary to make room for chairs.
3.  Remove carpeting in the sanctuary to make room for new flooring.

These are great weekend projects for a men's group, youth group, Sunday School class, etc. and would be an immense blessing to the Sheldon Church.

For more information, contact Debora White at  [email protected] or 815-295-6572.

PRAYER REQUEST FROM PASTOR BILL LUTTRELL

On September 30, I was given the news that I have been diagnosed with a Non Hodgkins B-cell Lymphoma (specifically Small Cell Lymphocytic Lymphoma). This week and next, I will be having tests to determine what stage I am in. I am extremely fatigued and not feeling well. Please pray with us as we take this journey together as a couple, a family, and church. 

Thank you,

Bill Luttrell
Pastor at Wilmington First

AVAILABLE  DEPUTATION SERVICES

Below are some opportunities for upcoming deputation services on the district.  Email Denise Anderson at  [email protected]  or call 815-370-4318 with any questions!
  • Dan and Melody Anderson (serving in Uganda)
    • Available dates:
      • Monday, October 21
      • Tuesday, October 22
      • Saturday, October 26
      • Sunday, October 27
      • Monday, October 28
      • Tuesday, October 29 
Check out missionaries available in 2020 on the NMI website. Go to ccdnmi.org and click on Deputation Schedule to see the 4 missionaries and their availability.  
UPCOMING DATES

Mark your calendar!
  • October 11 - 13 | District Preteen Mission Trip 
  • Saturday, November 2 | Cultivate at Kankakee First
  • Thursday, November 7 | District Mission Strategy Team
  • November 15-16 | Board of Ministry Discovery Weekend
  • Saturday, November 16 | Children's Bible Quiz, Location TBA
  • Thursday, December 5 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Thursday, January 2 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Saturday, January 4, 2020 | South/Southwest Mission Area Dinner
  • Saturday, January 11, 2020 | Board of Ministry Training Day
  • Saturday, January 18, 2020 | North/Northwest Mission Area Breakfast
  • Saturday, January 25, 2020 | Central Mission Area Dinner
  • Saturday, February 1, 2020 | Ordination Interviews
  • Thursday, February 6, 2020 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Saturday, February 15, 2020 | Southern Mission Area Breakfast
  • Saturday, February 22, 2020 | Chicago Mission Area Breakfast 
  • Saturday, February 22, 2020 | Children's Bible Quiz, Manteno
  • Thursday, March 5 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 | District Advisory Board Meeting
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 | Children's Bible Quiz, Kankakee First
  • Saturday, March 28, 2020 | NMI Convention
  • Thursday, April 2 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Saturday, April 4, 2020 | Children's Bible Quiz, Kankakee Westbrook 
  • April 17 - 18, 2020 | District Assembly
  • Thursday, May 7 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • May 10 - 20 | District Work and Witness Trip, Nairobi, Kenya
  • June 1 - 3 | PALCON, Olivet 
  • July 9-12 | Kids Camp, ONU 
DS VISITS 

Hooves of Hope had their Fall Rodeo Round-Up last Saturday, reaching out to hundreds of people. A big thanks to Stan and Mary Remole's leadership.


Last night, Dr. McKain gave his report to the District Leadership Team 
 at the annual Superintendent's Dinner. We want to say thank you 
to our wonderful team at the District Ministry Center for all their work 
in making it a wonderful evening!

PRAYER REQUESTS AND CELEBRATIONS

Please pray for Pa stor Andrew Twibell. He is taking a medical leave of absence from Kankakee First as he battles a recurrence of his brain cancer. Please pray for strength as he undergoes treatment. 

Your prayers are appreciated for Edna Roach. She has a fractured hip and is facing numerous health complications. Edna served as the recording secretary for the Chicago Central District for many years, and she would appreciate your prayers as she is healing. 

We remember the family of Pastor Don Harrison at the Limestone church. His mother passed away this week. Please be in prayer for Don and his family as they mourn her loss. 

We would love to hear any prayer requests or celebrations from our district pastors to include in our weekly communications. Please email us so we can lift each other up!
UPCOMING LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY EVENTS

November
Sun., Nov. 3 - Oak Lawn First  6:00 - 8:00 pm
Mon, Nov 11 - Joliet Crystal Lawns   6:30 - 8:15 pm
 
 
December


Please send us dates for your upcoming 2019 Leadership Community gatherings - we would like to promote those in our newsletter! 


If there is any way we can serve you better, please let us know!