As we return to in-person worship 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.
|
|
Being Church Together
(at FCC or at Home)
|
|
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.
|
|
Dear Christian Friends,
The 2020 election has dominated our news this week. Here it is Friday, and we still don’t know who won the race for President. It seems like we’re going to keep hearing about the election for some time to come.
But that’s not been the only news story taking place in the world this week. Hurricane Eta hit Nicaragua Tuesday as a Category Four hurricane with winds of 140mph and torrential rains. It then weakened into a tropical depression as it moved into neighboring Honduras and later Guatemala. Across the Central American region, Eta is believed to have killed more than 70 people.
I’ve been encouraging you all week to be in prayer for our country while we’re caught up in this election, but we need to pray for our neighbors in Central America, too. We can be thankful that our denomination’s Week of Compassion fund will be there to help in Eta’s aftermath and in the rebuilding.
It’s another beautiful day out there. Enjoy the warmth and sunshine!!
Peace and grace,
Jim Warren
|
|
Please Wear a Mask and Review Opening Procedures!
Reminder: All church-related events, inside or outside, require that face masks be worn. This includes small group meetings. Please take this important measure to protect yourself and your church family, further allowing all participants to be comfortable in attending these fellowship and/or learning opportunities.
The policies and procedures established by the Re-Opening Group have been mailed to each church family member, and are available for review here. Jim Warren made an excellent video previewing the experience and you can watch it on our FCC Facebook page here.
|
|
This Sunday
The sermon focuses on Matthew 25:1-13 and is entitled, "Always Prepared." This is the story of the ten bridesmaids, five of whom had extra oil and five of whom didn’t. We need to be prepared for Jesus appearing to us. We will thank our Veterans this Sunday, as Veterans Day is November 11.
Serving Schedule
- Temperature Takers/Registration: Jill West, Abby Logan
- Deacon (Communion Set Preparer): Susan Chaney
- Info Desk Attendant: Betty Steinlicht
- Time for Children: Scott Fisher; next week Matt Chapman
- Building Lock-up: Chip Jamerson
- Tech Crew: Dave Phillis, Kevin Kiesewetter, Brian Metz, Austin Metz
Bring a donation for Bent School this Sunday, November 8. There will be a bin in the elevator foyer for your donation (or call Julie Robinson at 309-838-4335). Items needed are:
- Sanitizer wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- 8.5 by 11 manila envelopes to send homework in
- Masks
- Boys and girls underwear all sizes
- Sweatpants
- T-shirts
Bring a donation for the Regional Alternative School this Sunday, November 8. Please bring winter weather clothing (sizes adult through 3XL). Look for a bin in the elevator foyer. Items needed include:
- Grey or black zip-up hoodies
- Gloves, hats, scarves, coats
- Chapstick
|
|
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 is meeting at FCC at noon on Wednesdays in the Conference Room. Bring a Bible and wear a mask for this safely-distanced gathering.
An Adult Bible Study class meets on Sunday mornings after worship in the Conference Room. Please keep your mask on for this safely-distanced gathering.
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 fall.
Video Updates from Jim Warren: Check Tuesdays and Thursdays on Facebook and our website homepage for a short video from Jim Warren. If you haven't seen these yet, they are always available for viewing on our website, lower portion of homepage.
Worship Online: Watch the live streamed 9:00 a.m. service each Sunday morning. Not only will Rev. Jim Warren keep us apprised of what's happening in the life of the church, he will share wisdom and faith-filled teaching. 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?
-
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.
-
FCC grocery bags are also available for purchase, and for just $5. If you need a bag, contact Jen Petri at info@blmfcc.org.
|
|
|
People at higher risk for illness are described on the Centers for Disease Control website. 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.
|
|
|
Being a Part of the Community |
Pray: In addition to praying for your church, pray for your community, and all affected by this pandemic, especially those at the greatest risk and the health care workers who get exposed to this virus every day. Also pray for our healthcare system to sustain patient numbers should they rise.
Follow the CDC Guidelines for Prevention: These include knowing how it spreads, knowing how to protect yourself, and knowing how to protect others. Especially as we resume in-person worship, it is important to read the guidelines often for updates that are made as we learn more about the virus. CDC Guidelines for Prevention
Share News about Local Resources: Many agencies, groups, and organizations are finding ways to help in a tangible way, and you can inform friends and family of these resources. You can help, too! A few are listed below.
- Feed the Pig! INtegRIty Counseling is partnering with the students and staff of BCAI (Breaking Chains Advancing Increase), a nonprofit that provides youth with low cost dance/art opportunities in the area, and ISU-APO, a service fraternity, on a fundraiser. Graffiti pigs will be temporarily housed at local businesses and organizations before being auctioned off to raise more money for the BCAI! The pig at FCC is hungry and will be located next to the offering basket for a few weeks starting November 22. Please feed it with coins or paper cash on your way out of the sanctuary.
-
View this video shared on the National Not In Our Town website, featuring Art and Camille Taylor. (The community of Bloomington-Normal rallies behind the Taylor family after a neighbor makes false accusations and police are called. The Not In Our Town group organized a car rally to show support for the Taylors and donate money to the Not In Our School Book Club. What can we do to make everyone safe in our communities? We show up and we stand up.) (The Bloomington-Normal Community Stands Up to Hate)
-
Find and share information about the (McLean County Triage Center) (MCTC), which provides McLean County residents with an alternative to existing crisis services for those experiencing a mental health crisis, who are not violent in behavior.
-
Tune into the Celebrating Local Philanthropy event on November 19, where Camille and Art Taylor will be awarded the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation's (Philanthropists of the Year Award).
-
Attend virtual concerts at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts on Thursdays through December 17. Bookmark the site here: (BCPA’s Fall Virtual Concert Series)
|
|
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!
-
PebbleGo is an award-winning, PreK-3 database which boosts engagement and fosters independent and fun learning in core subject areas. This resource is packed with informational articles, ready-made activities, and literacy support which allows students to have the computer read the lessons to them. Access to PebbleGo is FREE with your library card from Bloomington Public Library. (Click here and scroll to "PebbleGo")
-
Explore personal enrichment and professional development opportunities for October-December at (Heartland Community College).
-
Attend a Virtual Pilgrimage to Cuba - a pilgrimage of listening, learning, sharing, and worship! (Global Ministries' Welcome to Cuba)
-
Online Movie Screenings from the Normal Theater (Living Room Film Festival)
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
How do I get in touch with a staff member? |
The church office will be closed the through the end of the year. To talk to a staff person, call the church office at 309.829.9327, and follow instructions on the answering machine.
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.
|
|
|
|
What if I, or someone I know, need pastoral care? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
