Prairie Avenue

Christian Church

217.428.3327

www.prairieavenuechristianchurch.org

To be learning, loving, and serving disciples of Christ from the depths of our being to the ends of the earth.

 A Stephen Ministry & Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Congregation

Worship Each Week & Daily Prayer
Attending weekly gives you the opportunity to re-center your life,
give God honor and glory, and remember what is really important in life.

Did you miss a sermon or can't remember the good statement made by Pastor Jason recently?


You can access the complete library of sermons at our website. We ask for patience as we resume our sermon video production abilities!

"You always have the poor among you."


As we continue in our worship series, we encounter Jesus at the home of Simon the leper on the Wednesday of Holy Week. An unnamed woman anoints Jesus with perfume. This quotation has been used to justify that poverty is God’s desire for the world. But what if it is not a divine decree but a divine mandate? Read Mark 14 to prepare for our lesson next Sunday.


 Focus Scriptures during the season:

April 21: You Always Have the Poor Among You - Mark 14:7

April 28:For Surely I Know the Plans I Have for You- Jeremiah 29:11

May 5: I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me - Philippians 4:13

May 12: Sodom and Gomorrah - Genesis 19

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This Week's Prayer Calendar


Congregations: Glen Oak Christian Church Peoria, IL; Mosaic Christian Church, Peoria, IL; First Christian Church Petersburg, IL; First Christian Church Rushville, IL; Woodgrove Brethren Christian Parish, Hastings, MI


Community: Decatur Public Schools Galloway, Nelson, and Clokey Park neighborhoods



Global Ministries: Lebanon/Syria

Grow in Faith
through listening, paying attention, and reading 5 verses a day
Take a class, as you make friends and grow to know what learning, loving, and serving God and neighbor means in everyday life.

Prairie Avenue Provides Access to RightNow Media


Did you know that Prairie Avenue Christian Church offers unlimited access to RightNow Media--the world's largest streaming library of video Bible study resources (it's been called the Netflix of video Bible studies)?


Besides video-based Bible studies, RightNow Media offers videos for everyone in your family on a variety of topics like marriage, parenting, personal finances, mental health, and more. There is even a library just for kids with over 2,000 safe, entertaining videos (Including VeggieTales!). RightNow Media also has a free app that is available on all major streaming devices so you and your family can access content anywhere, anytime, by phone, computer, or SmartTV.


Enjoy a devotional while waiting for an appointment. Learn about the power of prayer, or explore something about faith or the Bible that has perplexed you for years.


Several have already signed up for this program, and you can too!


You can sign up here:

https://app.rightnowmedia.org/join/PrairieAveCC


Or you can text PRAIRIEAVECC to number 49775 to get a welcome/registration.



Use Your Gifts by sharing five acts of love and kindness each week
Serve God and neighbor by using your gifts and talents both inside and outside the walls of the church. Each of us have spiritual gifts and natural abilities to use to serve others and glorify God.
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Worship Assistance Needed


The worship service slides are prepared. Coffee is hot, and donuts are served. Pastor Jason greets you at the door.


What's wrong with this picture? These tasks are handled and cared by Pastor Jason's family members in a majority of the situations. Every Sunday.


Help with Door Greeting? Your duties would be to arrive at the church no later than 8:50 am. Greet those at the entrance. Remain at the door until 9:40 am (about the time for "All God's children section of worship) for late arrivals.


Help with Worship Slides? Arrive in the balcony about 5 minutes before worship (9:25). Advance slides appropriately. Additional duties will be checking livestream when up and running.

Birthdays/Anniversaries

April 21-27

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Birthdays

22 - Ed Govro

23- Geoffrey Peoples


Wedding Anniversaries

None


Membership Anniversaries

(When you joined Prairie Avenue!)

None


If you know of a birthday or anniversary that has gone "Missing" from our list, please contact the church office at 217-428-3327. Thanks.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month


April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. For additional information and resources about Child Abuse Prevention Month in Illinois, visit this website. We invite you to wear BLUE on Fridays in April to show support.


Give Regularly through five acts of generosity each month
Giving regularly not only supports the work of the church,
but also is your way of giving God priority in your life.
What we love is where we will spend first.
When we are able to give, it always deepens our faith
in loving and serving God.

Thank You for your generosity!

DID YOU KNOW?: You can automate your giving through your bank/credit union/financial institution! Nearly all online bill pay services can provide your contribution by mail or ACH (Automated Clearing House) without fees.

General Fund Supports Operations & Ministry

Donations given to the Prairie Avenue Christian Church General Fund support the year-round ministries of the church. Your generous support keeps our building, staff, and operations working for the mission of the church. The mission of Prairie...

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Building Fund Supports Repair & Updates

Announced at the State of the Church address on June 30, 2015, the reFresh capital campaign has two improvement/update priorities: updating HVAC equipment and internet/network accessibility.

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Building Repair Updates & Expenses


King-Lar replaced water vents that were not working, replaced broken pump couplings, installed pressure temp gauge and added water to the sanctuary system. Total Cost: $1674.00


Bendsen Signs & Graphics were called to repair bulb outages on the ID "Prairie Avenue Christian Church" part of our message center. Bulbs and wiring replaced. Total Cost: $309.23


Noah's Plumbing investigated and replaced a former water supply line for the sanctuary boiler with a new pipe and cap. Total Cost: $328.06


TOTAL BUILDING REPAIR EXPENSES: $2311.29

Give to the Building Fund

Decatur Crisis Nursery Project Update


The Decatur Crisis Nursery Workgroup has filed for 501c3 status with the state of Illinois and awaits approval of its articles of incorporation.

For instructions in registering your Kroger Rewards Card, Click Here.

The Organization code for Prairie Avenue Christian Church is: BY235.
Kroger Community Rewards Program News

$24.45 was raised by 14 households who have linked their Kroger customer reward cards to support Prairie Avenue Christian Church. The quarterly contribution is for shopping at Kroger from October to December 2023.


Joining to support the ministries of Prairie Avenue Christian Church is FREE. Any transactions moving forward using the Shopper’s Card number associated with your digital account will be applied to the program, at no added cost to you. Kroger donates annually to participating organizations based on your percentage of spending as it relates to the total spending associated with all participating Kroger Community Rewards organizations.

Share Your Faith by inviting 5 people to church this year
The God you worship is always revealed through your words and actions. Awkward conversations (i.e. "Are you saved?") are not necessary when your words and actions reveal the God you seek to learn, love, and serve.
In Other News

Around CCIW/ CCMR...

DOC News and Offerings...

Beyond...

  • The National Council of Churches' Reparatory Justice Series will offer a webinar Creating a Culture of Repair and the 2024 Election on Zoom, April 18. DHM Minister of Justice and Advocacy, Rev. Brian Frederick-Gray will be on the panel.
  • The Madison, WI VA Hospital is offering a free Virtual Clergy Training on April 23, 2024 on Moral Injury and Building Spiritual Strength and prevention of Veteran Suicide. 
  • Apply for the National Council of Churches' Freedom Summer Fellowship by May 1.
  • The newly-formed Pause/ Play Center for Preaching directed by Disciples homiletics scholar, Rev. Dr. Casey T. Sigmon, is taking applications for a new cohort.


2024 Camps Offered by the Christian Church in Illinois-Wisconsin


Please note these summer camp programs will abide by our Covid-19 policies which will be updated as we get closer to our camping season.



Throughout the history of CCIW’s Outdoor Ministries, the safety and well-being of our campers have been of utmost concern. To assure this, policies are in place regarding qualifications for staff members as background checks are conducted annually. Valuing our campers, we also value the gifts and talents of those who volunteer to serve with our campers. In keeping with this, we welcome the gifts of all regardless of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, age, or disability.

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