September
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September 12 Worship in the Park at 10:30 a.m. and Youth Pool Party at 3:00 p.m.
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September 19 Youth/Children Kick-Off for Fall Programming
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Office Hours are listed at the bottom of each Messenger issue.
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A Message from Hank Anderson, Transitional Interim Minister at FCC
One of my great regrets in life is that I have no musical ability what-so-ever. I can't sing and I can't play an instrument. The best I can do is hit the play button on my Apple Music app. I have no idea why God chose to not give me a gift for music, but it is a reality that I have had to live with throughout my life. But God did give me other gifts and I am very thankful for those gifts.
I always try to remember that God has created each of us to be unique, with a particular set of gifts and abilities that we are called to use for God. There has never been, and will never be, anyone with the mix of personality, gifts, abilities, and traits with which we have been created. That means that God has created us to be who we are. I am not called to be you and you are not called to be me.
What is true for individuals is also true for churches. At First Christian Church, God has gathered a mix of people with a set of gifts unlike any other church. The people of this congregation are called to use their gifts, talents, and abilities to carry out the mission that God has given us. God created this church to be unique. We can't--and shouldn't--be the church down the street or across town. We are called to be who God has called us to be. We will be effective and successful only when we are seeking to be the church God has called us to be.
It is tempting for me to look at some great musician and ask, "why can't I be like that musician?" The answer, of course, is that God created me to do something else. It is also tempting to look at another church and ask, "why can't we be like that church?" And the answer is the same, because God created us to do something else.
The better question, the question we must answer is, who has God created FCC Bloomington to be?
God bless,
Hank
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Stay in Touch
Jim Warren’s new email is jwar407@gmail.com. He will no longer be receiving emails at his old FCC email address.
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Need Extra to Share?
Extra bulletins from the retirement service of Jim Warren will be available at the Info Desk beginning September 5. They will be available through September.
Maybe you would like to send to out-of-town family and/or friends. - Jim’s Journey Planning Group
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A Message from the Reopening Team
Keep apprised of ongoing, updated, and on-the-horizon policies related to COVID-19 safety by reading the Friday Email and Messenger regularly. We are continuing the safety measures outlined in the previous Messenger and recent Friday Emails.
Note choir rehearsals are planned to start in September, with a hoped-for return of the choir to worship by early October. There will be three feet between singers, and all will wear masks. Singers will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Rehearsals will be held in the sanctuary on Wednesdays and on Sunday mornings.
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Youth News
Upcoming Children & Youth Events:
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September 12 Youth Group will re-start, with an outdoor pool party at Susan Cleaver’s home. The details: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., 5 Stark Circle in Bloomington, for 3rd – 12th grade. Snacks will be provided. Please wear a mask for trips inside the house. Come and kick-off the new school year!
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September 19 (see flyer below for details):
o Third graders will be given a Bible
o Worship & Wonder will begin. Parents are asked to retrieve their children promptly after worship.
o Children and Youth Sunday School will begin.
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FCC Ministry Priorities and News
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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 The group meets Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. and is led by Hank Anderson. The topic is the scripture for the upcoming Sunday, and all are welcome to gather in the Conference Room.
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Property Use – Help our property become a resource to the community and an entry point
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Groups using the building include The Boys & Girls Club, Fibers of Love, Bridge, Narcotics Anonymous, Seedling Theatre, and at least one small group |
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Fibers of Love Projects Help Many
This group meets Tuesdays in Major Hall. Did you know they are creating works of love with donated items? They use yarn for baby items, items of comfort for homeless, and caps and angel blankets for cancer patients. An example of what they do with fabric: out of wedding dress fabric they make angel gowns and tiny napkin shrouds for babies who do not survive, and these are donated to hospitals in the area.
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The Chancel Choir will have a get-together on Wednesday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Centrum. We will share stories with some light refreshments, vocalize, and sing some hymns to get our voices back in shape! All singers youth-aged and older are welcome to come. If you have questions, see Holly Irvin.
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Thank you, FCC Friends and Family, for your prayers and well wishes during my recovery from my kidney cancer surgery. I am very blessed to have a good recovery and outcome.
In Christ’s Love, Penny Bland
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Red Cross Blood Drive
The Red Cross has changed the date of our blood drive at the Eastland Mall. Change or make a notation on your calendar for Wednesday, October 20 (not October 19). PLEASE GIVE! -- Wholistic Health
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October 3 World Communion Sunday
October 17 Heritage Sunday
November 7 All Saints Day
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Get Involved!
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Tech Team Volunteers Are 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 MediaShout presentation, work the sound board, or work the cameras. Interested? Contact Brian Metz at medzy65@gmail.com or James Nussbaum at masterbimmertech@gmail.com.
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A Bottled Water Replenishment Volunteer is Needed In order to have water on-hand for purchase, FCC needs a person to purchase the bottled water and stock the Fellowship Hall refrigerator regularly. Please contact the office for more information about the task and how to be reimbursed for the purchase.
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A Recycling Volunteer is Needed Please contact the office for more information about the task or to volunteer.
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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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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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Serving Schedule
We publish weekly serving schedules in the Friday Email.
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Contact Us
Transitional Interim Minister:
Hank Anderson
- 309-863-5126
- handerson@blmfcc.org
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
August 1 $10,097.66
August 8: $17,647.90
August 15: $6,705
August 22: $3,282
August 29: $4,859.01
Prayer Concerns
Awaiting Tests: Deb Underhill
Treatment: Jim Frizzell
Aftercare:
- Carrie Chapman
- Janet Frizzell
- John Hensley
- Mary Lou Mercier
- Chuck Smalley
- Mary Smart
- Suzanne Summers
Hospice:
- Marilyn Kopp
- Dorothy Sallee
Military:
- Sean Montoya (Marilyn Cope's grandson/Air Force, Belgium)
- Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
New Members:
- Jon Deedrick joined August 15 by transfer
- Wally & Susan Sanders joined August 22 by transfer
Birth: Ixchel Isabella-Kay Warren was born July 26 in Peoria to Katherine Warren. Jim Warren is the grandfather.
Sympathy:
- to Richard Malone on the death of his cousin, Donna Green
- to Madonna Courtright on the death of her Uncle 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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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:
- September 24 deadline for September 29 mailing
- October 22 deadline for October 27 mailing
Beyond the Bricks (mailed two weeks after the Messenger, on Wednesday)
Deadline Sunday the week of mailing
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 church office is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Please call ahead if you plan to visit the office.
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