June
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June 13 Silver and Gold Sunday (we celebrate those couples married 25, or 50 or more, years)
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June 20 Father’s Day
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June 27 at 10:30 a.m. Celebrating Rev. Jim Warren in worship, followed by a reception, on his last Sunday with us
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Office Hours are changing in June and are listed at the bottom of each Messenger issue.
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GOT THE DATE SAVED? JUNE 27, 2021 is THE DATE
Rev. Jim Warren is retiring. Help send Jim on his way to a well-deserved retirement. The day will begin with worship at 10:30 a.m. that will include a “SHORT reflection” (his words) from Jim. There will be great music and some surprises. A reception will follow the service in Fellowship Hall where you will have a chance to have a brief greeting with Jim.
The plan for Jim’s reception is for masks and social distancing to be in place. We will be monitoring as necessary the number of people in Fellowship Hall at any one time. We encourage you to thank Jim and congratulate him in a timely manner so others can do the same.
The special message cards mailed out are also available at the Info Desk.
Thank you for sending your photos from over the years for a slideshow to help make Jim’s day special.
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If you plan to attend the reception for Jim’s retirement, please email Maggie at office@blmfcc.org, with the number in your family or call the FCC office (309-829-9327) and leave a message. We are not asking for reservations, but we would like an idea of how many will be attending to approximate a count for food. We appreciate your willingness to do this no later than June 16, 2021.
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A Message from the Re-Opening Team
Important! As COVID-19 rules and regulations in Illinois change, we are doing our best to stay responsive to the needs of FCC. Read and follow these guidelines, please:
- We will continue to require masks while in the church. We anticipate that sometime soon we may be able to make mask wearing optional, but feel we are not there yet.
- Entering the church from the north parking lot will remain our only entrance for the immediate future. We will stop taking temperature upon entrance. We will open both doors for entry and leave the doors unlocked during the worship services.
- We will continue with registration to provide an avenue for contact tracing in the unlikely event we should need to do so. The registration desk will be moved to the office level. When worship begins, the registration will be handled by the person at the Info Desk so we may have an accurate record of who is attending.
- Music -- we continue to work toward more live music in our worship service, with live hymns and gift of music on May 30 and beyond.
- Most signage you have seen as you walked into the church and up the stairs will be removed. We will continue to have signage about wearing a mask. We will adopt a less stringent policy about gathering in the centrum and the narthex. If you are not comfortable with gathering, you may simply leave the church as has been the policy since re-opening.
- Youth activities, Sunday School, etc. -- we are not prepared to begin these activities at this time, but everyone involved in these activities and programs should proceed with planning and get ready to begin as we see these activities being offered soon.
- Small Groups -- the church board voted to allow small group participants to remove their masks, if they wish, when arriving in their meeting room and while participating. Masks should be worn while coming and going and if other areas of the building are visited.
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FCC Ministry Priorities and News
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Reach Out /Meet the Neighbors |
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
Mission Trip Pray for those on the May 31 through June 5 mission trip to Kentucky.
Call Julie Robinson at 309-838-4335, or email her at jerobinson21409@yahoo.com, with any questions.
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Property Use – Help our property become a resource to the community and an entry point
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- The Boys & Girls Club continues to use our building for their after-school program and likely for their summer programming when COVID restrictions allow.
- Fibers of Love, Bridge, Narcotics Anonymous, and at least one small group are using areas of the church.
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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 This weekly study group, led by Jim Warren, has resumed. The group meets Wednesdays from noon to 1:00 p.m. The topic is the scripture for the upcoming Sunday, and all are welcome to gather in the Conference Room.
Small Groups Small groups continue to offer us another way to connect with one another. If you are interested in joining a group, contact Bill Robitske at bill.robitske.jr@gmail.com. If you are in a small group, this is a great time to invite others to join you in your group's study or activities. If you have ideas for a new study, contact Bill.
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Youth News
Register for Summer Camps at Camp Walter Scott by June 1. Go to www.cciwdisciples.org for all the info you need.
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Red Cross Blood Drives
We are now focused on preparing for the July 9 drive, which will again be held at Eastland Mall from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Donors will be able to sign up on Sundays at church, via email, when Pete Whitmer calls with reminders, and through the church office with Maggie. Thanks to all donors. – Wholistic Health
Mark your calendar, also, for the October 19 blood drive
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Photos Needed for Future Recognition Services
In the coming month we will celebrate or honor many folks for holidays or special occasions. Please submit photos for the following special days to info@blmfcc.org. If you are not able to send photos digitally, please email info@blmfcc.org to arrange for scanning your photo. As always, if we already have your photo, we will be happy to use it and will do so unless asked to do otherwise. New Silver & Gold honorees will not have prior photos to use. Thank you!
Silver & Gold Sunday: June 13 (deadline for submission June 7)
Father's Day: June 20 (deadline for submission June 14)
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First Christian Church Picnic (Worship in the Park) will be on September 12 at Fairview Park in Normal.
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Thank You
Dear Church Family,
I am writing this for my Mom, Helen Joyce Barclay, to thank you all so much for all the prayers, cards, flowers, and visits during her long time of rehab and recovery from her fall in December. We know all the prayers are why she is able to thankfully be back home today. Our family so appreciates your care and concern especially since we all live further away. Mom is doing so much better but still very much misses church and seeing all of you.
In Christ's Love,
Helen Joyce
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A long obedience in the same direction…
Beginning the Countdown
You should see my office. Thanks to the help of several people, I got most of my office cleaned out Sunday. I look around me now and see mainly empty walls and empty shelves. All of my knickknacks are gone. And there’s a bunch of boxes in the main office waiting for me to take them home. This really is happening.
The countdown is on, and in a little over a month I will retire and complete my pastorate at First Christian Church. It hardly seems possible that that’s only a month away. My ministry of 22½ years will come to an end, and you and I will be off to new adventures.
I don’t know of anyone who likes goodbyes, and I certainly don’t, but it’s almost time. I’m counting five Sundays left, including the big shindig June 27th.
Hank Anderson will follow me as your interim minister, and I know that he will do an excellent job. He brings with him a great deal of experience in interim ministry, and you will enjoy him.
In the remaining time we have together, let’s be in prayer for one another. We will both face a lot of changes. And let’s be praying for Hank, that God will prepare and equip him for his ministry here.
I am very grateful for these years with you, and in the next month I hope I can begin to find the words to thank you for the caring and love you’ve so generously shared with me. Thank you, friends.
Jim Warren
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Oh Babe-IX: Adventure Awaits
Dear Friends and Family,
You are invited to join Mom-to-be, Katherine M. Warren, for a drive-thru baby shower!
When: Saturday, June 12th, 2021, 11:30AM -1:00PM
Location: Uncle Chris’s house 804 Smith Drive Normal, IL 61761
*In lieu of cards, the mom-to-be would love for friends and family to help fill her little girl’s library with books!
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Church World Service has designated FCC is a sponsoring CWS Blanket congregation. CWS couldn’t do their Blankets ministry without congregations like ours. They are so grateful for your generosity.
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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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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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Tech Team Volunteers 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 PowerPoint or MediaShout presentation, work the sound board, or work the cameras.
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A New Website
We now have a new, more usable, modern, and welcoming website for our church. The website has a button on the top right corner (access on the menu icon on your phone), "Watch Now," that provides quick access to the Sunday worship services or Tuesday/Thursday Greetings from Rev. Jim Warren. The website address is www.blmfcc.org.
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2021 Graduates
On Sunday, May 23, we celebrated these graduates. Please congratulate them when you see them or find addresses in the Member Directory (a link is in the Friday Email) to reach out to them.
Travis Auer, son of Bruce and Wendy Auer
Master in Biomechanics from ISU
Emily Cassidy, daughter of John and Debbie Schultz
Master of Education in Special Education from Central Methodist University
Jessica Doty, daughter of Don and Luella Mahannah
2020 M.Ed in music from Eastern Illinois University
Kristen Goldner, daughter of Don and Luella Mahannah
Master of Social Work from University of Illinois - Champaign
Averie Kiesewetter, daughter of Gregg and Michelle Kiesewetter
University High School
Abby Logan, daughter of Ted and Tricia Logan
Normal Community West High School
Austin Metz, son of Brian Metz and Jenifer Petri
Normal Community High School
Bryce Reed, son of Doug and Stephanie Reed
Bloomington High School
Carolynn Warren, daughter of Jim Warren
Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Methodist College
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Scholarships Available
Former First Christian Church members Dr. Richard and Lois Manahan have again generously donated $1,000 to be awarded as a scholarship to a church member who attends Illinois State University. No applications were submitted for the 2020-21 academic year, so up to two $1,000 scholarships are available this year. Full-time and part-time students attending Illinois State University for the 2021 Fall semester are eligible to apply. Consideration will be given to active participation in the ministries and programs of the church.
Please submit a letter of interest and your class schedule or other proof of enrollment to Alan Chapman, Chair of Trustees, 410 N. Grove St., Normal, IL 61761 by Tuesday, June 1. All applicants will be interviewed by a committee of the Trustees, in a manner consistent with current guidance and protocols regarding COVID-19.
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Serving Schedule
We publish serving schedules in the Friday Email/FCC Connected.
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Contact Us
Senior Pastor: James Warren
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
May 2: $12,282.17
May 9: $8,721
May 16: $9,095.50
May 23: $4,298
Prayer Concerns
Awaiting Tests: Rob Blessing
Awaiting Surgery: Jaci Cox
Treatment: Jim Frizzell
COVID-19:
- Chuck Smalley (home health care)
- Suzanne Summers
Aftercare:
- Helen Joyce Barclay (at home)
- Jaci Cox
- Susan Hinrichsen
- Phyllis L. Miller (Heritage, Blm. Rehab)
- Mary Smart
Hospice:
- Marilyn Kopp
- Dorothy Sallee
Military:
- Sean Montoya (Marilyn Cope's grandson/Air Force, Belgium)
- Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
Sympathy to:
- the Phillis and Pool families on the April 26 death of their aunt, Lena Betts
- Rita Bell and family on the April 30 death of her daughter, Mary Lou Goveia
- the family and friends of Betty Brandt on her April 30 death
- Tom and Sarah Butler and family on the May 16 death of his mother, Judy Brady
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:
- June 25 deadline for June 30 mailing
- July 23 deadline for July 28 mailing
Beyond the Bricks (mailed two weeks after the Messenger, on Wednesday)
Deadline Sunday the week of mailing
FCC Connected/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 Beginning June 1, the church office will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 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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