We now worship in person with masks at all times, and online for those who aren't able to attend. The Friday Email is intended to inform you about this Sunday's activities and other important and timely items.
As we did throughout 2020 and much of 2021 in the Friday Connected, we will continue to communicate updates to COVID-19-related policies as Illinois deals with higher and lower rates of infection.
|
|
The Friday Email
This Weekend at First Christian Church
|
|
Dear Church Family,
In this week's email, I am continuing my focus on worship. Thus far, I have written about music and the call to worship. In this edition, the focus will be on the role of prayer in our worship services. Typically, prayer takes three forms in Disciples worship.
- The first is the invocation, or the opening prayer. While we are not currently including an invocation in our worship services, normally this would be the first prayer offered. The invocation is a prayer that those who are participating in worship would recognize the presence of God in their midst.
- The second is what is sometimes referred to as the pastoral prayer. This prayer is intended to lift up concerns for individuals, the church and the world. It is during this time that we pray for people who are ill, grieving, or hurting in some other way. And while the needs of people in the congregation are important, the pastoral prayer is not intended to focus only on the congregation. It is also a prayer for needs beyond the congregation: the community, the nation, the world. This reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we are called to be concerned not only for ourselves but the world around us.
- The final form of prayer that is typically part of our worship is the communion prayer or prayers. This prayer is intended to focus on communion: asking God's blessing upon the bread and the cup and that our hearts might be opened to the love and grace of Jesus. Recently, this prayer has been offered by me. But in the coming weeks we will return to the tradition of communion prayers being offered by the elders of the congregation.
Prayer is important in the life of those committed to following Jesus. It is also important in our Sunday morning worship.
God bless,
Hank
|
|
Bible Study on Zoom (or In-Person)
There are always a lot of questions around the book of Genesis and the Brown Bag Bible Study group is tackling at least some of them with a study that you can join any time. For Advent, the group will be doing the "The Journey" study. The group meets at 12 Noon, and you can join in-person in the church’s Conference Room or online by way of Zoom. If you would like to join by Zoom, please email Hank for the link. If you want to join in-person, you are welcome to simply come to the church. Either way, the group is open to everyone. Contact Hank for further information.
|
|
Who is on the prayer list? Who are the folks prayed for on Sunday mornings? Since services are live streamed and can be seen by anyone, for privacy's sake last names are not mentioned. If you would like to see who is on the comprehensive prayer list, go to the light blue "Supporting Each Other" section below, where each week you can find a link to the Prayer Concerns for the current week.
Incidentally, there is a link to a church directory in that section, as well.
|
|
This Sunday
Rev. Teresa Dulyea-Parker will preach this Sunday on Mark 13:1-8 (NRSV) ("Scams") and the choir, with Drexler Singers, will sing. See you at FCC or online at 9:00 a.m. The Thanksgiving Offering will be accepted this Sunday and next. Please make a check payable to First Christian Church and make a notation in the memo line, "2021 Thanksgiving Offering."
Serving Schedule
-
Registration: Chaney Family
-
Deacon (Communion Set Preparer): James Nussbaum
-
Info Desk Attendant: Vicki Hall
-
Coffee Host: Susan Cleaver
-
Time for Children: Abby Logan, next week Patty Thompson
-
Worship & Wonder Greeter: James Nussbaum
-
Building Lock-up: Doug Reed
-
Candle Filler: Becky White
-
Tech Crew: Dave Phillis, Kevin Kiesewetter, Brian Metz, Austin Metz
-
Recycling: Gary and Patty Thompson, Marty Sallee
Looking Ahead and Ongoing
Calendar Update:
-
Advent brings "The Journey," our theme for the season's worship, as well as a study for small groups. Signups for the study continue through November 14. Visit the Info Desk to sign up or go to https://www.blmfcc.org/ministries/small-groups/ (this our Small Groups page on our website). There is a $10 donation associated with the study book, but please contact Hank Anderson at handerson@blmfcc.org if you need financial assistance.
-
Youth Game Night Sunday, November 21: See Facebook Youth Group page for details
-
Sanctuary Decorating on Sunday, November 21: With Sunday, November 28 being the first Sunday of Advent, and so that our sanctuary is ready, we will be decorating on Sunday, November 21, after worship. We haven’t been able to decorate since 2019, and we are anxious to prepare for a more normal Advent season. We will need 20-25 volunteers to put up and decorate our large Christmas tree, and we’ll be adding greenery, poinsettias, lights, and the manger. Our Advent wreath will be placed in the front of the sanctuary. Continuing with our guidelines, all volunteers will be fully masked to maintain safety. Please join us to transform our sanctuary after worship on November 21.
Outreach Efforts:
-
Mitten Tree for Local School Children: The Polycarps small group has organized a “scarf/mitten/ glove/hat tree” drive for the month of November. Please donate new items for children grades K-12. There is an artificial Christmas tree in the Centrum (look for the "Baby It's Cold Outside" sign) where you can learn more and where donations can be left. The donations will go to children in need at our local schools. The drive will continue through December 5.
-
Food Drive for Parkside Elementary families: To help hundreds of local families, FCC is partnering with Parkside Elementary in Normal by collecting specific items that will be given to the families in need: Disposable child size masks, Fruit cups, Peanut butter and Jelly, Single serve mac & cheese,Nutrition bars, Single serve peanut butter or Nutella, Pop tarts, Single serve cereal or oatmeal, Chef Boyardee single serve meals, Cuties, Single serve snacks like chips, cookies, crackers, trail mix, fruit snacks... Thank you for donating as you are able. Please place items on the table in the sanctuary near the piano.
-
Clothing Drive for Compassion Closet (BroMenn): We are collecting new COMFORTABLE -- STRETCHY (see the list of items needed in The Messenger) clothing for patients who are leaving Carle BroMenn Hospital. Some of the patients who come in on an emergency basis do not have clothing to leave in. A tub is available near the Info Desk for donations. Note this will be an ongoing ministry. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, knit t-shirts, knit elastic waist pants, or shorts for men and women are needed. Items need to be new. The greatest need is for larger sizes.
-
Clothing/Funds for Bent School: For those times "accidents happen," needed are new underwear for both girls and boys in youth sizes from 5 to 14, as well as sweatpants, jeans, regular long pants, and shorts (in warmer weather) for both girls and boys. Tops that match are also helpful. Please see more details in this document.
|
|
Worship at FCC or Online: Watch the live streamed 9:00 a.m. service each Sunday morning if you are not in attendance at FCC. Each week, expect wonderful music and a Time for Children, as well as an insightful sermon and communion. Tune in on our Facebook page or on our website homepage.
|
|
|
People at higher risk for illness are described on the Centers for Disease Control website. Some of our members who are at higher risk may not be ready to spend time outside the home. Think of someone you know and reach out by phone, or by email or mail, to check on their well-being or give an encouraging word. FCC members' addresses and phone numbers are in the Church Directory.
You can access a church directory below and reach out by phone, text, email, or US mail to a church friend. Link to Church Directory
If you wish to send cards to those having birthdays (the 90+ ones are listed here weekly), find addresses in the FCC Directory (link above).
|
|
Current First Christian Church COVID-19-Related Guidelines
Important! Please be aware of and follow continuing guidelines, which could change as numbers of infected increase.
All in the building are required to mask at all times. Note about choir: There are three feet between singers, and all wear masks. Singers are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Rehearsals are held in the sanctuary on Wednesdays and on Sunday mornings.
|
|
|
|
How do I make my offering? |
If you are not attending Sunday worship at FCC and thus not bringing your offering to church, to ensure your offering is received by FCC in a timely manner, feel free to mail it to 401 West Jefferson St., Bloomington, IL 61701. Interested in automatic withdrawal? Email Deborah Stumm at dstumm@blmfcc.org to find out how. We appreciate your continued giving!
|
|
|
|
How do I get in touch with a staff member? |
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. Call ahead if you plan to visit the office, at 309.829.9327.
Or send an email to the staff person you want to contact.
In case of an emergency or if there is a necessity for pastoral care for yourself or someone you know, you may text or call Hank Anderson, Transitional Interim Minister, at 309.863.5126. His email address is handerson@blmfcc.org.
Staff Meetings
It has long been the practice of the staff to have regular meetings on Tuesday morning. As the church office opens more consistently, that practice will also continue. So that the church staff has an opportunity to focus on their discussion and business, the church office will be closed each Tuesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until around 11:00 a.m. for staff meeting. If you need to contact the church office during that time, you may leave a voicemail or send an email. We promise that we will follow up as soon as we can.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
