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Prairie Avenue
Christian Church
To be learning, loving, and serving disciples of Christ from the depths of our being to the ends of the earth.
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Worship Each Week & Daily Prayer |
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REGULAR WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE
UPDATES
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Traditional Service 8 AM SUNDAY. It's not worshiping without the organ, right? This service will have all the "bells" and stops pulled out for traditional hymns and organ offertories for early service.
Modern Service 9:30 AM SUNDAY. The blend of traditional hymns and contemporary choruses that developed over the COVID-19 season, with assistance from our Clavinova, will continue for this service.
Livestream Schedule Traditional Worship and Modern Worship services will be livestreamed.
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Did you miss a sermon or can't remember the good statement made by Pastor Jason recently?
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Soul Food: Something Different
August 1, 2021 Sermon
John 6:24-35
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I bet you have a beloved food item that when you smell it baking in the home brings back all of the memories associated with it. Whether it is cake or cookies, breads or pies, you could not wait until it was out of the oven to enjoy in all of its warm aromas and taste.
Some members of the Jewish community were not so excited about Jesus' proclamation that bread had arrived. The audacity of his statement seemed unbearable to them. Who has the nerve to call themselves bread from heaven? Much less a homegrown guy like Jesus? I mean they knew the family, the neighborhood. Surely he could not be serious.
But he certainly was. And Jesus' concern was not the believability of his claim, but the power in its fulfillment. This makes sense in light of the overall tenor of the book of John. The book of John differs from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) in that it focuses on different events of Jesus' life and thematically underscores Jesus' divinity. From the first chapter of the book, we get an emphasis on "the Word made flesh" that dwells among us, the Son of God. Jesus' claim is an extension of the author's own testimony about who Jesus is.
Jesus is invited people not just to stay alive, but truly to live. He is calling us back to the first chapter of John, where we read that all who receive the Word made flesh obtain the right to become children of God. We are invited to be part of the family of God, to inherit a new vitality and energy.
Jesus' offering has important implications for our present lives. Jesus is both bread of life and daily bread. Through him, we have the opportunity to slow down and appreciate the goodness of grace and mercy in our everyday lives. To partake of the bread of life is to sit, to sup, to savor. Each day, we can anticipate the goodness of God's grace and mercy manifested in the bread of life. This is the food our souls need.
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Grow in Faith
through listening, paying attention, and reading 5 verses a day
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Morning Devotion
Each day, except Sunday, Pastor Jason shares a brief 4-7 minute scripture reading, reflection, response, and prayer. During the season of Lent, Pastor Jason is sharing the gospel of Mark, which will be read through by Easter. We encourage you to read this gospel. The associated devotion is posted to Prairie Avenue's Facebook page.
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RETHINKING POVERTY STUDY
Seeking Shalom Small Group
Begins THIS SUNDAY, August 8, 10:45 AM
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Traditional charity is not working.
Join Pastor Jason as we explore the shortcomings and unintended consequences of traditional charity models and discover a better way to transform lives and communities.
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Out of concern for the health safety of all attending, please take note. During the event, vaccinated individuals may choose whether they want to wear a mask or not, masks will be required for all individuals while singing. Non-vaccinated individuals are requested to wear a mask at all times except when eating or drinking and to maintain appropriate social distance from others. On the day of the retreat, anyone who is not feeling well is asked to request a refund and plan to attend next year.
Costs
Friday-Sunday (Lodging at CWS) $82.00
Friday-Saturday (Lodging CWS) $60.00
Sat-Sunday (Lodging CWS) 68.00
Sat-Sunday (Commuter) $48.00
Saturday Only $40.00
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CCIW FALL WOMEN RETREAT
September 24-26, 2021
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After a COVID-19 cancellation in 2020, the 2021 Christian Church in Illinois/Wisconsin Fall Women Retreat returns!
The theme is Inside Out and the keynote speaker will be Vicky Woolridge (wife of former regional minister Scott) from Central Christian Church in Decatur, IL. As in the past, there is flexibility in the length of participation and in housing arrangements at Camp Walter Scott. Throughout the retreat, we will explore our theme with Vicky and scripture from the book of Ester, make crafts, pray for and with one another, and more. The evening will conclude with dinner and a movie and discussion that will allow us to further explore how we connect to our genuine selves in the midst of others' expectations and views of who we are, or should be.
For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Beth Rupe, Coordinator CCIW Disciples Women at 309.224.0538 or email bethr@cciwdisciples.org
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Use Your Gifts by sharing five acts of love and kindness each week |
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NEXT SUNDAY IS STEPHEN MINISTER COMMISSIONING DAY |
Next Sunday at 9:30 am, we will commission our first Stephen Minister, Amanda Butterick. Since March, she has completed 50 hours of training in one-to-one Christian caregiving, including grief, loss, and other life situations many people face. She has answered a special call to use her gifts to follow in Jesus' caring footsteps. As we commission her next Sunday, let us celebrate the completion of her training for this ministry and thank God for her generous response to his call, keeping the success of her ministry always in our prayers. |
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Pray with Indonesia, August 8, 2021 - Global Ministries
Lectionary Selection: Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Prayers for Indonesia: To our loving God, in the midst of the ongoing pandemic, continue to hold the people of Indonesia in your loving arms; have mercy on those who are suffering from the illness, on ......
Read more
www.globalministries.org
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Give Regularly through five acts of generosity each month |
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Senior Companion Program Volunteer Opportunities |
The Senior Companion Program sponsored by Dove, Inc. provides senior volunteers who are 55 years of age or better, on a fixed income, and living in Macon County the opportunity to improve their quality of life by simply being a friend to isolated seniors. You must commit to weekly hours and you can earn an hourly nontaxable stipend, mileage reimbursement, paid holidays, and more.
Additional information is available here.
If you would like to volunteer, or need more information, please contact Kathy Walters, SCP Coordinator at 217.428.6616
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Immediate Service Opportunities Available |
We have many opportunities, both old and new, to share in service to God and the greater community.
We need worship leaders for 8 am & 9:30 am services. A schedule is being developed. Please contact Barb Hodges a 217-620-3268.
We need greeters! Greeters will arrive 20 minutes prior to either 8 am or 9:30 am service, standing outside of the elevator entrance. They will hold the door for everyone who is entering the building. Greet everyone with a smile and thank them for attending. Give directions to hand sanitizer and sanctuary. Remain at the door until 10 minutes after worship service has begun and secure the door. Greeters will leave worship just after communion is served to open the door following dismissal. Call the church office to get on the schedule for either (or both) services. 217.428.3327
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Board Officer Nominations |
Nominations for Board Officers in 2022 are being accepted. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we also need two Trustee vacancies filled. If you are interested, please call 217.428.3327. |
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General Fund
Donations given to the Prairie Avenue Christian Church General Fund support the year-round ministries of the church. Your generous support keeps our building, staff, and operations working for the mission of the church. The mission of Prairie...
Read more
www.continuetogive.com
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Fundraising Project - reFresh Capital Campaign
Announced at the State of the Church address on June 30, 2015, the reFresh capital campaign has two improvement/update priorities: updating HVAC equipment and internet/network accessibility.
Read more
www.continuetogive.com
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For instructions in registering your Kroger Rewards Card, Click Here.
The Organization code for Prairie Avenue Christian Church is: BY235.
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KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS DONATION |
$32.21 was raised by 14 households who have linked their Kroger customer reward cards to support Prairie Avenue Christian Church. The quarterly contribution is for shopping at Kroger during April - June, 2021
Joining to support the ministries of Prairie Avenue Christian Church is FREE. Any transactions moving forward using the Shopper’s Card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you. Kroger donates annually to participating organizations based on your percentage of spending as it relates to the total spending associated with all participating Kroger Community Rewards organizations.
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Get Your Disciples Apparel and Gear Here!
Get your Disciples polos, hats, and hoodies in a variety of colors. Order by the 15th to be included in this month's production! 10% of the proceeds benefits the Disciples Mission Fund!
Read more
store.disciples.org
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"When you shop for items or gifts at smile.amazon.com/ch/37-6056944, AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchases to Prairie Avenue Christian Church at no cost to you!"
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Prairie Avenue Christian Church is a listed charity with the Smile.Amazon program. Please use smile.amazon.com, and choose Prairie Avenue Christian Church for your generous support. We received a $5.33 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between January 1 and March 31, 2021.
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Share Your Faith through inviting 5 people to church this year |
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Disciples Virtual Gathering - Saturday, August 7, 2021
The Disciples Virtual Gathering is an opportunity for Disciples to connect, learn, worship, and imagine new ways of gathering as church.
Read more
disciplesconnect2021.vfairs...
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"Why is it important to be together? Well, in Hebrews 10:24 and 25, the writer of Hebrews reminds us that we need to encourage one another, not just to love but to action, to do, to not only imagine together but to help actually bring to fruition God's reign and fulfillment on the earth."
General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens shares her excitement for the August 7 virtual gathering, where Disciples from across the U.S. and Canada will be able to learn, pray, and worship together.
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