All In-Person Worship and Church Activities Suspended through at Least the End of May
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This electronic version of
The Messenger
is all that will be produced in April. No printed version can be produced because the office is closed.
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Live streaming
We are live streaming, or broadcasting, at 9:00 a.m., a form of Sunday service each week, featuring a sermon by Rev. Jim Warren. You can watch from our website homepage, as well as on Facebook. On our website, scroll down to the bottom of the homepage and see that the current or most recent broadcast is toward the top of the selections there. You can also watch older broadcasts. If you use Facebook, just go to our Facebook Page and see the broadcast start a few minutes before 9:00 a.m.
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Office Hours
(modified during the quarantine)
are listed at the bottom of each
Messenger
issue.
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May
:
- In-person services are replaced by live streamed worship.
- April 27 through May 2: FCC Grounds Clean Up
- May 10 Mother's Day
- May 17 Graduate Sunday
- May 24 Memorial Day Weekend
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A long obedience in the same direction…
Coping in a Pandemic
“How are you coping?” “How are you managing in these crazy times?” Those are questions I find myself asking frequently these days. This social distancing and staying at home are new adventures for all of us. “How are you doing with it?”
Recognizing that these are difficult days, I want to pass on to you some suggestions on how to cope with being quarantined. Here are some things you can do to help yourself and those living with you make it through these trying times. I adapted this list from an article published by Premier Health (
https://www.premierhealth.com
).
1. Start a journal. Pick a subject to write about each time you make an entry. For example, list ten things for which you are grateful.
2. Take a walk outdoors – in your yard, on your street, or at the park. Give thanks to God for the beautiful world in which we live.
3. Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual. If you generally cut your sleep short because you have too much to do, this is a great time to be well-rested.
4. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while and enjoy catching up.
5. De-clutter your desk or a room.
6. Spend an entire day without looking at social media.
7. Pull out a cookbook or go online for a recipe you’ve never made – whether it’s an awesome salad or delectable new entrée.
8. Watch a sunrise or sunset or appreciate something in nature you rarely have time to notice.
9. Get rid of five things you never use.
10. Write down a playlist of favorite songs from your past and listen to them.
11. Unsubscribe from “junk” emails.
12. Send an encouraging text message to five co-workers or family members.
13. Wake up 30 minutes early to meditate, pray, or reflect.
14. Listen to a podcast on a subject that interests you.
15. Make a wholesome breakfast and focus on eating it without any reading or interruptions.
16. Think of something you’ve dreaded doing and complete it. Then, cross it off your list.
17. Relieve your anxieties in the moment by paying attention to your breathing and noticing if you are OK right now, with no thoughts of the past or future.
18. To slow yourself down, eat an orange very slowly, segment by segment. Savor the taste, touch, sight, and smell as you take each bite.
19. Let go of the guilt of something you “should” do and replace it with something you want to do.
20. Unfollow social media accounts that don’t bring you joy.
21. Clean out your garage, or a closet, drawer, or shelf.
22. FaceTime or video chat with one or more family members.
23. Try a five-minute meditation or prayer on your own or do an Internet search for a guided meditation.
24. If you are worried or upset, contact family and friends, your pastor, a crisis hotline, or an employee assistance program.
25. Say a mantra that brings you comfort, such as “I am confident,” “All will be well,” or “May I be happy and healthy.”
These are all gifts you can give yourself to see you through these anxious days. Maybe you’ll find something on the list that you can try. And don’t forget that you can always contact me if there’s anything the church or I can do for you.
Jim Warren
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Encouragement
These are difficult times; however, First Christian Church is very much alive. I would like you to join me in extending our appreciation to Jim and our church staff and valued volunteers for providing a meaningful worship experience via a digital resource each Sunday while we are sheltering at home. I hope that each of you has taken the time to join the Sunday service at 9:00 a.m. over Facebook or by accessing the FCC website. You will be pleased that we can worship together in digital fashion during these unprecedented times.
Also, Rev. Jim Warren provides other opportunities through the week for those seeking the wisdom of God. Both Tuesday and Thursday at noon, Jim provides a message for those who are looking for a little middle-of-the-week uplifting.
There is also opportunity to join a small group. The groups are centered around some facet of Christian study and discussion. These groups offer an outlet and friendship while being sheltered at home. There are around six active small groups meeting over a digital platform each week. “Ugh” you say “digital.” Please don’t get that feeling of being left out. If you have a smart phone, I-Pad, laptop or standard computer hooked to WIFI, chances are we can get you involved. You will be surprised at the quality delivered via these digital instruments. Just last week 18 of us gathered on Zoom for our April church board meeting. If you are interested or would like to join a group, please email
office@blmfcc.org
and we will get you involved.
Joe Bandy
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FCC
Ministry Priority News
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Discipleship
— Equip participants for missional engagement in the world
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Analyze Staffing Needs
— Build budgets to address mission, including how we faithfully staff the ministry for it
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Welcome All
–
Begin discernment on building an inclusive faith community
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Property Use
– Help our property become a resource to the community and an entry point
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FCC Grounds Clean Up
is in full swing. See the article below for how to get involved.
Various groups
are discussing or being considered for future use of our building. Stay tuned for developments.
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VBS 2020
has been postponed, but please watch for information about a rescheduling for later in the summer.
Pastors’ Class
will resume meeting when in-person church resumes. Details will be provided when known.
Summer Camps
are being planned (some postponed) and registration is open at the CCIW website. Find dates and details
here
.
Here is a list of dates (new dates in red):
- CYF (9th to 12th Grade): June 14-20 July 12 – 18
- Grandparents & Me: June 21-24 July 5 – 8
- Beginners (K to 3rd Grade): June 24-27 July 8 – 11
- Chi Rho (6th to 8th Grade): July 12-18
- JYF (3rd to 5th Grade): July 19-25
- Post High: August, TBD
- Labor Day Family Camp: September 4-7
An excerpt from the camp page:
Parents, guardians, and churches may register their campers without sending payment immediately. Simply complete the online form and select the “Check Payment” option during checkout. This will ensure we have the camper’s registration in our roster; later, our office will be in contact to arrange payment prior to the beginning of camp. Additionally, there will be no late registration fee, meaning the cost for camp will not increase after May 17. Lastly, any paid registration cancelled at least one week before camp starts will be refunded without penalty (a small processing fee might apply). The registration deadline is two weeks before the beginning of each camp
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SpiritualGrowth/
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
This weekly study group meets on Wednesdays 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room (on break during the pandemic). The topic is the scripture for the upcoming Sunday. Pack a lunch and join us!
Small Groups
We may not be able to meet in person, but several small groups continue to gather virtually via video conferencing tools like Zoom, Skype, and Google Hangouts. While these tools may take a bit of initial learning to get set up, they are pretty easy to use once you've attended a meeting or two. If your group wants any help setting up online meetings, please email Bill Robitske at
bill.robitske.jr@gmail.com
.
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Reach Out/Meet the Neighbors
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Meet the Neighbors
— Beginning with existing relationships, 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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Due to the COVID-19 situation
we are not able to have some of our planned events; however, we can still provide food for Abundant Life. They are trying to give out a lunch to those who have no other means to get food. Their food pantry is also open for use at this time. If you would be interested in donating items for sack lunches please let Julie Robinson know.
Abundant Life
Also, at this time Mike Robinson has been working (safely) at the Abundant Life building on Market Street doing some remodeling on the main floor area. This area includes the kitchen, food pantry, hygiene pantry, clothing shop, and the main worship area. They are working very hard to get these areas up to code for the city. Please pray for those involved as they work on this very important building that serves the homeless and a wonderful church family.
Mission Trip to Appalachia
Good news! We have heard from CAP, Christian Appalachia Project, and we are still on for June 7-12, 2020. Having said that, they are reviewing the situation with COVID-19 daily and will let us know about four weeks before the trip if they feel it is safe for us to go. If you have previously signed up but do not feel comfortable going please let us know. Also, if your plans have changed and you are now available to go, let us know.
Keep your prayers coming.
Thanks,
Mike and Julie Robinson
309-275-5908 (Mike)
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Gifts for Another Table
Please continue to gather items for the Boys & Girls Club, and bring them when we return to church. They are most in need of latex gloves (large and small), 55-gallon and kitchen trash bags, Band-Aids, toilet paper, Ziploc sandwich, quart, and gallon-sized bags, and paper towels. Your donations are greatly appreciated by the families who use these resources.
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A note from Church World Services:
Thank you so much for being a sponsoring CWS Blanket congregation! Church World Service couldn’t do our Blankets ministry without congregations like yours. We are so grateful for your generosity.
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Nominating Committee News
- The committee, led by Chip Jamerson, continues to work toward finding members to fill officer and other leadership positions. If you are interested in holding an office at FCC, please contact Chip at cjamerson@gmail.com.
- The congregational meeting that would have happened in April will be postponed until further notice. Officers will be voted on at that meeting.
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FCC Grounds Clean Up
You are needed! Have some free time to help make our church grounds beautiful for summer? Please go to this
SignUpGenius link
to find a time (between April 27 and May 2) for you or you and your family to spend an hour or so doing a much-needed task that will help spiff up our property.
Here is a note from John Dailey with details:
Just because we were not able to gather as a group to participate in the FCC grounds clean up day a couple of weeks ago does not mean we cannot help each other to get the church looking great for our eventual return to worship there. Our plan is to have times available for individuals to come to the church property and clean up a small area. With many small clean ups, we can accomplish much toward making our property beautiful for the summer. You will find a map of the church property with numbered areas indicated
here
. Each of these areas has weeds, leaves, debris, sticks, etc. that need to be pulled, raked, bagged, and thrown away. Please pick one of these areas and indicate the area number in the comments section when you sign up for a time slot. SignUpGenius has been built with a schedule for us to pick a one-hour slot during the days from Monday, April 27, through Saturday, May 2.
The link to the site to sign up is above. There are many one-hour time slots during that week, so you can pick one that is convenient for you. If the weather changes, feel free to reschedule to a time that is better. Each hour slot has room for only four people to sign up so that we can keep our social distance while working.
If you have garden tools, brooms, etc. that you want to bring from home, feel free to do that. Some tools from the church as well as garbage cans and bags will be placed for your use in the outside stairwell that leads from the parking lot down to Major Hall kitchen area. The church building will be closed, so you will not have access to the inside facilities. Please bring your own drinking water, etc. Any trash or yard waste should be bagged up and placed in the dumpster on the west side of the building.
If you have any questions, or if you are not comfortable with using SignUpGenius to pick your time, please call John Dailey at 309 846-0694. He will be able to find a time for you to volunteer and can answer any questions you may have about the nature of the work to be done. We will schedule another time later to add mulch and flowers to the areas that have been cleaned up.
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THURSDAY FOOD & FELLOWSHIP
is cancelled for May and June.
Regular participants will be sent a survey about your dining experiences.
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Disciples Women's Ministries
Please continue to collect your plastic lids and caps, and then bring them with you when we return to church. Thank you!
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Tee It Up For The GFPD
Regrettably, we are announcing that Tee It Up! For The GFPD 2020 will not be held May 14-15 as scheduled. Illinois State University is requiring that all events and activities scheduled to be held on campus through July 31, 2020 be postponed or cancelled and the State of Illinois has extended the Stay-at-Home order through May. Although we are disappointed, we completely support these moves in the interest of everyone’s health and safety. We explored several possible options to reschedule later in the year, but with the evolving guidance from health officials and the uncertainty ahead, we have reluctantly reached the conclusion that our most safe and prudent course of action is to cancel our Reception and Golf Outing for this year. We are still planning to hold an online auction of our donated items later this summer to help promote those sponsors who have helped out so far. More details will be coming soon.
The critical work of The Global Foundation For Peroxisomal Disorders (GFPD) continues. A huge thank you goes out to our sponsors, donors, and participants who are already on board, and to our volunteers who had already committed to help. Please continue to support all local businesses as best you can.
We recognize that this is an extremely difficult time for many businesses and individuals to consider charitable donations. If you must forego your support this year, we completely understand. If you are still considering a sponsorship or donation, we have extended our target date for finalizing these to July 1, 2020.
If you prefer a refund of a sponsorship, donation, or event registration you have already completed, please let us know your wishes by sending an email to teeitup4gfpd@gmail.com. If we do not hear from you by July 1st, your registration fees will be automatically converted to a charitable donation and you will receive a receipt from the GFPD confirming your donation.
Be well and stay safe. Please continue to check in with us at
www.teeitup4gfpd.com
for updates. We certainly look forward to better times ahead, and will optimistically begin to prepare for Tee It Up! For The GFPD 2021.
Alan, Kathie, Todd and Corin Chapman
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Trustee News
Marty Sallee has resigned as a Trustee in order to give greater time and focus to family and professional demands and obligations. We are grateful for his faithful and effective service. The Official Board on April 20 approved the appointment of Susan Cleaver to serve the remainder of Marty's current term. Susan will also be a candidate for a three year term as Trustee, to begin July 1, 2020.
Alan Chapman
Chair of Trustees
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Blood Drives
We have a couple of drives happening at FCC this year. Please put these dates on your calendar and consider being a blood donor.
-- Wholistic Health Council
- July 10 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Friday)
- October 20 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. (Tuesday)
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Charles Ridenour sent a thank you note for his get well and birthday cards, and Mickey Armstrong sent a note thanking the congregation for the many birthday, Easter, and get well cards she received.
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Mothers and Graduates
will be honored in May. Please send mother photos (we will use last year's if you do not send anything) as soon as possible for the May 10 service.
Please send photos and information about your graduate (name, school, and degree, if applicable) as soon as possible for a May 17 virtual celebration. All information and photos should be sent to Jen at
info@blmfcc.org
. Our current list of grads includes Samuel Gustafson, Paige Metz, Jillian R. Smith, and Claire Stucky. We are so proud of each of you!
Fathers
will be honored in June.
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Looking Ahead...
The Cornbelters have been planning to play their regular season and are now evaluating whether the schedule will be changed. Please watch for news about an FCC "See You at the Game" night.
Looking for cheap fun and ways to connect with your family and friends this summer? Have you considered the free concerts offered in Bloomington and Normal? Look for the dates soon and come meet up with your friends from FCC!
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Deadlines for Publications
Please follow these deadlines for publications to ensure that your item is included!
The Messenger
(mailed 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
:
- May 22 deadline for May 27 mailing
- June 19 deadline for June 24 mailing
The Bulletin, Moments for Mission/Ministry
Deadline Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.
The Friday Email/FCC Connected
Deadline Wednesday, 4:30 p.m.
Announcements/Prayer Concerns
Deadline Thursday noon, unless it is an emergent prayer concern
Worship, Pre-Worship, Centrum, and Foyer Screen Items
Deadline Thursday, 4:30 p.m. (note these include Time for Children and Moment for Mission/Ministry screens)
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Serving Schedule
Serving Schedules
are normally included in each
Messenger
and in the Friday Email (sent via email to all who have subscribed) two days before worship services when in-person worship is planned.
Note: No in-person worship is planned through May and likely some Sundays beyond. We will publish serving schedules when it is determined we will resume in-person worship.
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Contact Us
Senior Pastor:
James Warren
Minister Emeritus:
John Trefzger
Dir. Music, 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
Worship and Wonder Storyteller/Sexton:
Susan Sanders
- (217) 931-2430
- suznwally@hotmail.com
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Witness of the Faithful
Attendance and o
ffering numbers are currently unavailable and will be published later.
Prayer Concerns
Treatment:
Justin Cox
Awaiting Tests/Surgery:
Richard Malone
Aftercare:
- Phyllis L. Miller (Heritage, Blm. rehab)
- Connie Rapp
- Ethan Rocke
- Mary Smart
- Jan Violano (Heritage, Normal, rehab)
Hospice:
Marilyn Kopp
Military:
- Sean Montoya (Air Force, Belgium)
- Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
Jim and I would like to say a big "Thank You!" to all of our church family for praying for our son Adam Jacobs this past year while he was deployed. He is now back home with his wife and four children. Our family is overjoyed to have him back with his family.
Thanks!
Jim & Deb Underhill
Please be in prayer for essential and emergency workers, of which our congregation has many.
Reminder
:
Please let the church office know if there’s someone who needs a call or is in the hospital
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Office Phone
309 829-9327
Fax
309 829-2865
Address
401 W. Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Hours
The office is currently closed every day out of caution during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff members are working from home as needed.
Normally, t
he office is open
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.
The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. The best times to contact the church office are while Maggie is there, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
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