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

This past Sunday, Pastor Jason challenged us to hear Paul's words to the Corinthians in our context and place. With a slight "rephrase," they are now posted in the Narthex. What opportunities and challenges do you see in our mission and vision to follow this "more excellent way?"

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!

"Your People Will Be My People."


This Sunday, we will explore the Book of Ruth. Ruth is located in the Old Testament, among the books considered “historical” in nature by Christians. But in the Jewish arrangement of the Old Testament, it is included in a section called the writings, with Ezra and Nehemiah. Immigration, identity, separation, and reunion are just a few of the themes we will encounter. You are encouraged to read the book in preparation for the sermon (it is only 4 chapters long).

 


Focus Scriptures during the season:

April 14: Your People Shall Be My People - Ruth 1:16

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


Disciples Women's Ministry; Disciples Men's Ministry


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



Global Ministries: Lesotho

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 14 - 20

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Birthdays

17 - Peggy Bergen


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.

March Outreach Project

Our March Collection is over-the-counter pain medications for Dove, Inc. Aspirin, Tylenol, and Motrin (and their generic equivalents) will be collected for domestic violence and homeless services clients.

Easter Special Offering Update

Thank you for your generosity. Your contributions, along with a 10% match from the received general offerings on Palm Sunday and the 1st Sunday of Easter, collected $357.70 in support of general ministries. You may still give to the offering with the button below.


The Easter Offering supports these general ministries of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

Center for Faith and Giving, Central Pastoral Office for Hispanic Ministries (Obra Hispana), Communication Ministries, Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry, Disciples of Christ Historical Society, Disciples Home Missions, Disciples Women, Division of Overseas Ministries (Global Ministries), Higher Education and Leadership Ministries, National Benevolent Association, National Convocation, New Church Ministry, North American Pacific/Asian Disciples, Office of the General Minister and President, and Treasurer Services.

Give to Easter Special Offering

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 is forming an official board and will file articles of incorporation shortly to become a 501c3 organization.

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.
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