January
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January 2 Epiphany/Partners in Ministry Sunday
- January 9 Transition Team Presentation in Worship and Undecorating the Sanctuary after Worship
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January 16 Book of James Sermon Series Begins
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Happy New Year! The church office will be closed on Friday, December 31, in observance of New Year’s Eve/Day.
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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
My friends,
This time last year, I remember many people looking forward to 2021 as being the year when things would return to “normal.” That, of course, is not the way things turned out. The pandemic continued. The turmoil in our society continued. A variety of troubles around the world continued. Over the past 12 months, there have been both highs and lows, joys and sorrows, celebrations and grieving. And, in that sense, 2021 has been like any other.
Obviously, I am no fortune teller, but my sense is that—barring a miracle, which we can never rule out—there will not be a magical turnaround in 2022. We will continue to learn to adjust to however the new normal will play out. And, as with any year, there will be both highs and lows, joys and sorrows, celebrations and grieving. That is simply the way it is with life.
While I do not know the future, there is one thing I do know: whatever 2022 brings, God will be there with us. One of the hymns that we often sing around the new year begins, O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come. Those words have always spoken to me. The fact that I know that God has been our help in the past gives me confidence that God will be our help in the year—and the years—to come.
I also know that I am very happy to be able to share this season with First Christian Church of Bloomington, IL. I look forward to exploring 2022 with you as we discover what God is planning for this church.
God bless and happy new year!
Hank
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Thank You Notes Received
- From Seedling Christmas 2021 “All Together Now,” we received a note and picture from director Donna Anhalt for the use of our facilities and all we do for Seedling
- From Sarah Raymond School, we received a note and pictures thanking us for the contribution of mittens, scarves, and hats for the Raymond Rookies
Christmas Cards addressed to the congregation were received from David Bradbury, Chapman Family, Ken & Marcia Christensen, Eddie Dill, Tom & Barb Dixon, Donnie & Patty Engel, Frank & Lois Lipscomb, Richard Malone, Pat Manahan, Dave & Brenda Phillis, Pool Family, Charles Ridenour, Mike & Julie Robinson, Martin & Sue Ross, Sandy Singletary-Sizemore, Chuck & Kathy Smalley. Thank you!
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Poinsettias for the Sanctuary have been given by …
- Alan & Kathie Chapman and family in memory of Jim & Betty Campbell and Don & Dottie Chapman (parents and grandparents)
- Martha Hunter in memory of Eugene F. & Luvada H. Hunter (parents), Eugene A. Hunter (brother), Ann Hunter-Brown & Lucky Brown (sister & brother-in-law), and Gayle Hunter-Dixon (sister)
- Pat Manahan, Tom & Michele Pugh, and Austin & Katie Brinkman in memory of Ed Manahan (husband, father, and grandfather)
- Dave & Brenda Phillis and family, and Dave, Nancy, and Luke Pool in memory of Billie & Geneva Scott (Brenda’s parents), Keith & Betty Phillis (Dave Phillis and Nancy’s parents), Larkin & Marilyn Pool (Dave Pool’s parents)
- Sandy Singletary-Sizemore
In lieu of poinsettias, donations to the Christmas Offering have been given by …
Ralph & Linda Lehmann in memory of Hans & Elisabeth Lehmann and Harold & Myrtle Hensley (parents)
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A Message from the Reopening Team
Please continue to mask at all times at FCC. 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 and we continue to monitor the situation. Learn more about COVID-19 numbers anytime at https://health.mcleancountyil.gov/708/CORONAVIRUS-COVID-19
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Youth News
The December 12 Scavenger Hunt was well-attended, and great fun was had by all.
Creativity was the big winner of the night!
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Sunday Mornings at FCC
For Youth/Children
Worship & Wonder
Room 128
New Sunday School Rooms
Youth 109
Children 129
Please mask at all times!
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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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Thank you to all who helped decorate the sanctuary for Advent. Please help bring our worship space back to its natural beauty on January 9 after worship. Join the fun!
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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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Small Group Update
Digging Deeper Beginning January 2, Hank will offer an after worship gathering called Digging Deeper. This gathering will provide a time of fellowship as well as a time to explore the passage of scripture for that morning a little deeper than is possible during the message. It will also provide an opportunity for people to discuss the topic of the message and to ask any questions—or even to express any disagreements—related to the message. We will meet in the upstairs conference room and will begin shortly after 10:00 AM. So, grab a cup of coffee and a snack and join us!
Wednesday Bible Study A reminder that a group gathers on Wednesdays at 12 Noon for Bible study. On January 5, we wrap up our study of The Journey. Then, beginning January 12, we will resume our study of the book of Genesis. The group is open to any who would like to participate. We meet in the upstairs conference room—and you are welcome to bring lunch if you would like.
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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 a few small groups. |
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Reach Out/
Meet the Neighbors
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Reach Out/Meet the Neighbors — 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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Ongoing/New Efforts
Collection for Parkside Elementary Every weekend hundreds of Bloomington-Normal children go home on Friday afternoons to empty cupboards at home. The office staff and social worker at each school try to help meet the needs of these families but operate with limited resources. Various area churches help support these efforts with food drives. FCC has begun partnering with Parkside Elementary in Normal in collecting specific items that will be given to the families in need. The list of items needed includes 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, etc. Please donate as you are able. A table for donations is in the Centrum.
Baby Blanket Outreach We have just celebrated the birth of Jesus. The journey we have been on during December does not end at the manger. There is a need for new baby blankets at Crisis Nursery. Our Thursday night small study group would like to encourage members of our congregation to donate new blankets for children at Crisis Nursery from Sunday, January 16, through January 31. A variety of blankets will be a good gift for us to give just as the Wise Men brought gifts to the new baby. There will be a box at the Info Desk starting January 16 with a sign designating it for blankets for children at Crisis Nursery. Cash donations are also welcome (designate “Crisis Nursery” on the memo line if you are writing a check). Thank you for caring and joining us in this outreach. --Susan Cleaver and John Hensley
Compassion Closet, run by Carle BroMenn, makes sure individuals can leave the hospital with dignity when their own clothes have been discarded. FCC, led by Vicki Hall, is collecting new comfortable (think stretchy) clothing for those patients. Find a tub at the Info Desk for donations. This will be an ongoing ministry. Items must be new. The greatest need is for larger sizes.
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Way to Go, FCC!
This fall and thus far this winter we have made a difference with several outreach efforts, led by both individuals and small groups. See the FCC Ministries Reach Out/Meet the Neighbors section of this issue of The Messenger for ongoing efforts, which have been very successful. Among other efforts are the collection of items for a mitten tree by the Polycarps small group for local children, as well as a collection by the Monday afternoon small group for children under the care of the Baby Fold.
The Polycarps small group collected items on a tree in the Centrum, with almost 200 items collected for children at eight local schools. Generous Monday afternoon group members fulfilled wish lists for three children in the community that are in crisis situations.
The love of this church family flows throughout the year and is especially apparent in the time leading up the the holidays. Please continue to read about and support outreach efforts throughout the year.
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Important Bulletin Board Note The FCC bulletin board in the Centrum is full of helpful and uplifting information. If you would like something placed on the bulletin board, please submit a request to the office, along with your item. Thank you.
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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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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
Communications Coordinator:
Jenifer Petri
Financial Secretary:
Deborah Stumm
Child Care Coordinator: Trish Logan
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Witness of the Faithful
December 5: $18,368.67
December 12: $11,362.85
December 19: $45,826.00
December 24: $1,462.00
December 26: $8,371.74
Note: Donations for 2021 need to be postmarked by December 31
Board Minutes and Financial Reports are available on request. Please contact Deborah Stumm at dstumm@blmfcc.org or call the church office.
Prayer Concerns
Awaiting Tests: Deb Underhill
Treatment:
- Frank Lipscomb
- John Schultz
Aftercare:
- Bill Chaney
- Tom Crutchley
- Chuck Smalley
- Mary Smart
- Dick Wey
Hospice: Dorothy Sallee
Military:
- Sean Montoya (Marilyn Cope's grandson/Air Force, Belgium)
- Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
Welcome to Ann Holub who joined FCC on December 12!
Sympathy to:
- family and friends of Marilyn Kopp on her November 29 death
- family and friends of William Etchison on his November 30 death
- Ryan and Jenna Newton and family on the December 9 death of his sister, Jeannette Whittle, of Indiana
- family and friends of Helen Fry on her December 16 death
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Please be in prayer for essential and emergency workers, of which our congregation has many.
Reminder: Please let the church office know (email dstumm@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.
Note a prayer concerns list is found as a linked document in each Friday Email so you can always have a fresh list.
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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:
- January 21 for January 26 mailing
- February 23 for March 2 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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