As we now worship in person without most restrictions for those who choose to attend, we resume the Friday Email and its efforts to inform you about what you need to know before coming to church on Sunday.
We hope you are finding FCC Connected and the resources and news within helpful. Please remember to read to the end for FCC plans for the future! Updated, important, and new information is highlighted in aqua.
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Being Church Together
(at FCC or at Home)
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This combination Friday Email/Connected newsletter is a resource for accomplishing "Being Church Together" whether you are at home or on the church premises, or anywhere you might find yourself now and in the future.
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Dear Christian Friends,
I’ve been experiencing a series of “lasts” lately. I’ve preached my last sermon, recorded my last weekday video, and am preparing for my last worship service with you. This is my last Friday Email greeting.
I’m looking forward to worshipping with all of you this Sunday, June 27th. I hope you’ll be a part of the service either in person or online through Facebook or our church’s website. The service will start at 10:30AM, which is later than usual.
I want to thank Jen Petri for putting together this weekly Friday Email. Each week she brings us news about our community and information about First Christian Church. This is just one of the many ways she uses her gifts for communication to minister with us. Thank you, Jen.
I’ll see you Sunday!
Your friend in Christ,
Jim Warren
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Current COVID-19-related Guidelines
Important! Please be aware of and follow these guidelines, in place for the past two weeks:
- Entry: We will continue to have one entry point for church worshipers at the north parking lot entrance (elevator foyer). This will allow us to perform registration of worshipers so that we can contact trace, if necessary. Hand sanitizer will continue to be available throughout the church.
- Masks: We are going to go with a mask optional approach going forward. Those that are not vaccinated should wear a mask. There will be signs posted indicating that if you have not received the COVID vaccination, you should wear your masks. See note below about singing to determine if you want to bring a mask.
- Sanctuary: The ropes on the pews have been removed.
- Communion: We will continue communion in the current fashion using the all-in-one wafer and juice unit. Please pick up the communion unit prior to entering the sanctuary.
- Singing, Praying, and Responsive Reading: All will be allowed; however, please use a mask while doing these activities.
- Childcare: We have resumed childcare and will offer child care on June 27 for Jim’s retirement service and reception.
- Fellowship: Fellowship after church is permitted and encouraged if you feel comfortable participating. Coffee and donuts are served most Sundays.
- The church building will be open for events, meetings, and activities. If you are wanting to have something at church, please get in touch with Maggie to reserve your day and time. We ask that everyone clean the area used with the provided materials so it will be ready for the next use.
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This Sunday
This Sunday we will celebrate Rev. Jim Warren's journey with us. Jim has served First Christian Church for over 22 years, and this weekend is his last with us as he enters retirement on July 1. We will miss him tremendously and as we continue our journey as a church, we mark this joyous occasion for Jim with a celebration. Sunday at 10:30 (note the later start time), we will worship God together, while we focus on Jim's contributions to the life of FCC and Christ's Church.
Come for 10:30 a.m. worship and stay after for a reception in Fellowship Hall where you'll have a chance to offer brief best wishes to Jim. We have indeed been blessed by our time with Jim in the FCC family.
Members who are able are asked to park in the supplemental FCC parking lot, across and northwest of the main church parking lot. Thank you!
Serving Schedule
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Registration: West family, Bethany Warren
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Deacon (Communion Set Preparer): Kathy Dailey
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Info Desk Attendant: Betty Steinlicht
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Time for Children: Matt Chapman, next week Scott Fisher
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Building Lock-up: Doug Reed
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Tech Crew: Dave Phillis, Kevin Kiesewetter, James Nussbaum, Jen Petri
Looking Ahead and Ongoing
Reach Out Collection for Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Club can use homemade cookies, and is in need of paper products (paper towels, large garbage bags, sturdy paper plates, napkins), as well as glue sticks, markers, colored pencils, and crayons. Leave cookies in the main level kitchen (marked clearly for the Boys & Girls Club) and bring the other items to the Info Desk area on Sunday mornings. Thank you!
FCC Summer Blood Drive July 9 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Eastland Mall. Call Maggie Burton at church, call Red Cross 800 733 2767, or sign up online at www.redcrossblood.org.
FCC Office Is Now Partially Staffed
The church office is staffed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 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, please.
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Small Groups: Many FCC small groups continue to meet this summer over Zoom , Skype, and Discord. Is your small group meeting? Perhaps you'd like to join a group or start a new group.
The Brown Bag Bible Bunch has resumed meeting on Wednesdays at noon in the Conference Room at FCC and is led by Rev. Jim Warren. The topic of study each week is the upcoming Sunday's scripture, and all are welcome.
As always, contact Bill Robitske for help, and go to our website to learn more about Small Groups and study material available for groups to use. You may want to join a group or get a new one started, online or in-person, this spring.
Worship Online: Watch the live streamed 9:00 a.m. service each Sunday morning (10:30 a.m. this week) if you are not in attendance at FCC. Each week, expect wonderful music and a Time for Children, as well as communion. Tune in on our Facebook page or on our website homepage.
Stay Connected through Swag: What connects people more than beautiful items that remind them, and their friends, of their great church community?
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An FCC T-Shirt is available for ordering! What a great Christmas gift idea! Adult, youth, and FCC kid styles are available for just $10 each. Order HERE.
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FCC grocery bags are also available for purchase, and for just $2 (or 3 for $5). If you need bags, contact Jen Petri at info@blmfcc.org.
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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.
Don't forget you can access an updated church directory below and reach out by phone, text, email, or US mail to a church friend.
Please fill out the sign-in sheets at the doors to the church if you must come on premises during hours other than Sunday morning. It is important to know what areas were used and for what purpose to ensure proper cleaning.
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). Happy 90+ birthday to Merle Murray, who turns 93 on June 30.
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Being a Part of the Community |
Pray: In addition to praying for your church, pray for your community, and all affected by the pandemic, especially those at the greatest risk and the health care workers who get exposed to this virus every day.
Follow the CDC Guidelines for Prevention: These include knowing how it spreads, knowing how to protect yourself, and knowing how to protect others. It is important to read the guidelines often for updates that are made. CDC Guidelines for Prevention
Share News about Local Resources and Events: Many agencies, groups, and organizations are finding ways to help in a tangible way, and you can inform friends and family of these resources and opportunities. You can help, too! A few are listed below.
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This Saturday, June 26, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the future of Rummage Sales takes place. Join the Wesley community and follow the interactive map by following the URL or scanning the QR code! The sales benefit Wesley's Youth Missions efforts. (Sales)
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This Saturday, June 26, attend the Stop The Violence Street Festival with your children at SunnySide Park, at 407 East Erickson in Bloomington. The event is from noon to 2:00 p.m. There will be music and live entertainment as well as a free barbecue meal and snack food. (Stop the Violence Festival)
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Coalescence Theatre Project and Prairie Pride Coalition are excited to be co-sponsoring a production of the acclaimed play BOY by award winning playwright Anna Ziegler. BOY will be virtual and streamed on ShowTix4U on June 25, 26, and 27 at 7:30p.m. each night. Tickets are on a pay what you can basis and can be reserved now at (BOY Tickets)
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Get Your "Fix" on Route 66 in Downtown Bloomington at July First Friday. July 2 at 5:00 p.m. through the evening. Downtown Bloomington is positioned along the Mother Road and we look forward to celebrating another unique First Friday with all of you! Come down and Get Your "Fix" on Route 66! Also, enjoy a pop-up art fair on Monroe Street between Main and Center Streets! (Route 66)
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Join the Humane Society of Central Illinois at The Workout Company, under the tents at 419 Kays Drive in Normal on Saturday, July 17, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, for the DogOlympics 2021 event. Have fun on a summer morning with families and dog-friendly dogs! We will have friendly shelter dogs there to meet and greet, plus a photo book of all the pets available for adoption and volunteers who can answer questions. Donation jars will be available for cash donations. There will be free classes at The Workout Company all day (pre-registration required) and more! Check out all the details: (DogOlympics 2021)
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INtegRIty Counseling is hosting a garage sale on July 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at First Christian Church, and we need donations and volunteers! We are looking for people to collect money and to be available for "security" purposes the day of the garage sale, as well as people to help sort items from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday/Thursday/Friday before the sale. If you are interested in helping at the garage sale, email sophiam@integrityhelps.org for more information, OR stop by an evening before the sale and drop off some items to be sold! Find in this link a list of the items we are looking for, as well as items we will not accept: (More Info)
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Lunchtime concerts feature quality musical entertainment during the noon hour at Wither’s Park in downtown Bloomington (corner of East and Washington Streets). Attend Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Concerts are free. (Concert Series)
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Enjoy the Community Concert Band as they perform a wide variety of music including marches, overtures, show tunes, dance music, novelty, and traditional selections. Come out to Franklin Park and bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. Thursdays through July 22 (not July 1), at 7:00 p.m. Concerts are free. (Community Concert Band)
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District 87 is having a Summer Food Service Program. Weekdays now through August 17 there will be free meals for those 18 and under. See the flyer for more information. (Food Service)
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Support the Wesley Distribution Ministry. Donations can be dropped off in the collection box located at the entrance door of Wesley West (413 E. Washington St) at any time.The distribution is held the third Saturday of every month from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Collected paper products are available free at Wesley UMC’s smaller annex, Wesley West. Find out more at (3rd Saturday Distribution).
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Share Online Resources for Learning and Entertainment: Museums, theater arts, national parks, home schoolers, libraries, self-care coaches, and other entities have graciously shared a free peek into their offerings. Take advantage, and tell your friends!
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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 Debbie Stumm at dstumm@blmfcc.org to find out how. We appreciate your continued giving!
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How do I get in touch with a staff member? |
The church office is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 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, you may text or call Jim Warren at 309.212.6873.
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What if I, or someone I know, need pastoral care? |
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