We now worship in person with masks at all times, and online for those who aren't able to attend. The Friday Email is intended to inform you about this Sunday's activities and other important and timely items.
As we did throughout 2020 and much of 2021 in the Friday Connected, we will continue to communicate updates to COVID-19-related policies as Illinois deals with higher and lower rates of infection.
|
|
The Friday Email
This Weekend at First Christian Church
|
|
Dear friends,
I have an Apple Watch, which I really like. Admittedly, I could live a very full life without a computer on my wrist, but it is handy. For instance, when I receive a text message it pops up on my wrist as well as my phone. Quite often, I don't have my phone with me or am in a situation where I can't access my phone. Having the message come up on my watch in those situations allows me to see the message quickly and easily. Life changing? No. Handy? Yes.
But with technology comes issues. Due to its size, responding to a text message on a watch is much more difficult than reading a text message on a watch. As a result, Apple has developed several ways to respond to a message more easily. One of those options is a list of "canned" responses. Things like: "yes" or "no"; "not now" or "on my way"; "thank you" or "will call." To respond, you simply scroll to the most appropriate one and tap on it. It's a helpful feature--except when it is not.
Typically, I simply tap a "dismiss" button to dismiss the whole message and respond on my phone when I get a moment. After a recent update, however, the "dismiss" button and the canned responses overlap in such a way that if my aim is not perfect the watch happily sends off a random message. Often, I don't realize what I have done until it is gone.
Monday, Deann texted me to tell me that a meeting she was going to had been cancelled due to weather. As a result of my inexact aim, my response was "Pretty much". Another time, she misspelled a word in her text message. She immediately sent a second text with the correct spelling. My accidental response: "No." Fortunately, all the canned responses are innocuous. So, I don't think I offended anyone. I probably just made them scratch their head. Anyway, I have now deleted all the canned responses.
Communication is a challenge under the best of circumstances. Sometimes, messages come across that we don't intend. Sometimes, people misunderstand. Sometimes, frustrations with something else cause something that we say to sound harsher than we intended. The list could go on. At the same time, communication is critically important. Therefore, we should always approach our efforts at communication carefully. That includes thinking through what we are going to say and, on the other side, offering grace to the other person when something doesn't sound right.
God bless,
Hank
|
|
Bible Study on Zoom (or In-Person)
There are always a lot of questions around the book of Genesis and the Brown Bag Bible Study group is tackling at least some of them with a study that you can join any time. The group meets at 12 Noon, and you can join in-person in the church’s Conference Room or online by way of Zoom. If you would like to join by Zoom, please email Hank for the link. If you want to join in-person, you are welcome to simply come to the church. Either way, the group is open to everyone. Contact Hank for further information.
|
|
Did you know that October is Pastor Appreciation Month? We are blessed to have both Rev. Hank Anderson and Rev. Holly Irvin as staff at FCC, and we value them so much! Take a moment to drop each of them a note or find another way to show your appreciation to them this month. Thank you, Hank and Holly! |
|
This Sunday
Our sermon series, "It's Not 2019," (churches are living and ministering in a new age and a new reality) continues this Sunday with "Uber Eats and the Church," taking a look at Acts 17:22-23. Hank Anderson will preach and the choir, with Drexler Singers, will sing. It is Heritage Sunday, when we honor all those that have been members of First Christian Church, Second Christian Church, Third Christian Church, Stanford Christian Church, or University Christian Church for 50 or more years. See you at FCC or online at 9:00 a.m.
Serving Schedule
-
Registration: Abby Logan
-
Deacon (Communion Set Preparer): Chip Jamerson
-
Info Desk Attendant: Pete Whitmer
-
Coffee Hosts: Vicki Hall and Nancy Pool
-
Time for Children: Deann Anderson, next week Scott Fisher
-
Worship & Wonder Greeter: Chip Jamerson
-
Building Lock-up: Chip Jamerson
-
Candle Filler: Deb Bomeli
-
Tech Crew: Dave Phillis, Kevin Kiesewetter, Brian Metz, Austin Metz
-
Recycling: Gary and Patty Thompson, Marty Sallee
Looking Ahead and Ongoing
Calendar Update:
-
This coming Tuesday, October 20, Blood Drive at Eastland Mall, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., hosted by FCC (but give whenever and where ever you can due to a dire shortage of blood). Sign up Sunday at the Info Desk!
-
Bonfire Cookout for Youth grades 3-12 next Sunday, October 24. Find details on Facebook on the Youth Group page. RSVP and be sure to have a signed permission slip. Parent drivers are needed to drive from and back to FCC. Contact Holly Irvin at hirvin@blmfcc.org.
-
Advent brings "The Journey," our theme for the season's worship, as well as a study for small groups. Signups for the study start next Sunday, October 24. There will more information in various publications and at church soon.
-
Food & Fellowship Restart? Reminder: If you are interested in restarting Food & Fellowship once a month on maybe the second Tuesday or Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m., please email maryhh3444@gmail.com. For December, plan on Thursday the 9th, 1:00 p.m., at Shannon’s. We can decide future places then. If interested, please reply no later than October 22.
Outreach Efforts:
-
for Parkside Elementary families: To help hundreds of local families, FCC is partnering with Parkside Elementary in Normal by collecting specific items that will be given to the families in need: Disposable child size masks, Fruit cups, Peanut butter and Jelly, Single serve mac & cheese,Nutrition bars, Canned goods, Single serve peanut butter or Nutella, Pop tarts, Single serve cereal or oatmeal, Chef Boyardee single serve meals, Cuties, Single serve snacks like chips, cookies, crackers, trail mix, fruit snacks... Thank you for donating as you are able.
-
for Compassion Closet (BroMenn): Through October, we are collecting clothing for patients who are leaving Carle BroMenn Hospital. Some of the patients who come in on an emergency basis do not have clothing to leave in. A tub is available near the Info Desk for donations.
-
for Bent School: For those times "accidents happen," needed are new underwear for both girls and boys in youth sizes from 5 to 14, as well as sweatpants, jeans, regular long pants, and shorts (in warmer weather) for both girls and boys. Tops that match are also helpful. Please see more details in this document.
|
|
Worship at FCC or Online: Watch the live streamed 9:00 a.m. service each Sunday morning if you are not in attendance at FCC. Each week, expect wonderful music and a Time for Children, as well as an insightful sermon and communion. Tune in on our Facebook page or on our website homepage.
|
|
|
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.
You can access a current church directory below and reach out by phone, text, email, or US mail to a church friend. Link to Church Directory
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).
Gene Ressler will be 92 on October 22.
|
|
Current First Christian Church COVID-19-Related Guidelines
Important! Please be aware of and follow continuing guidelines, which could change as numbers of infected increase.
All in the building are required to mask at all times. Note about choir: There are three feet between singers, and all wear masks. Singers are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Rehearsals are held in the sanctuary on Wednesdays and on Sunday mornings.
|
|
|
|
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 is open Monday through Friday, 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 or if there is a necessity for pastoral care for yourself or someone you know, you may text or call Hank Anderson, Transitional Interim Minister, at 309.863.5126. His email address is handerson@blmfcc.org.
Staff Meetings
It has long been the practice of the staff to have regular meetings on Tuesday morning. As the church office opens more consistently, that practice will also continue. So that the church staff has an opportunity to focus on their discussion and business, the church office will be closed each Tuesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until around 11:00 a.m. for staff meeting. If you need to contact the church office during that time, you may leave a voicemail or send an email. We promise that we will follow up as soon as we can.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
