Prairie Avenue

Christian Church

Celebrating 100 years...

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

Celebrating 100 Years of Faith, Hope, and Love

Loyal Men's Class, 1935. Rev. Joseph Fleshman is 5th man from the right. Marion Fleshman is the child standing in front of him, age 7.

Rev. Joseph Fleshman

September 15, 1935 - May 7, 1939

Following the vote to dismiss Rev. Jesse Story on January 13, 1935, the church board received letters of interest from several ministers. Rev. David Worsdell, a student at Johnson Bible College, served as a "student minister"until the start of coursework in September. The Elders also met regularly to discuss ministerial candidates.

Rev. Joseph Fleshman, a Johnson Bible College graduate, then currently the pastor of Newton Christian Church, applied for the position and was reviewed by the church board and Decatur Christian Missionary Society. A "homecoming celebration" was held shortly after his arrival to encourage lapsed members to return.

The spiritual and financial conditions of the church improved during Rev. Fleshman's tenure. The Christian Comrades class planted trees in the boulevard across from the building and fundraised against church debts. Sunshine class held a candy fundraiser. The roof was replaced, and the mortgage was refinanced.

A board resolution was adopted on September 29, 1936, that "consider the sale of liquor a menace to any community, Christian or unChristian, and since we are at present, unable to abolish the said menace-we deem it our Christian duty to cast our vote in the election of October 13, 1936 against the opening of taverns on the Lord's Day."

Rev. Fleshman presented his resignation notice on March 5, 1939, and ended his pastorate on May 7, 1939. He died in 1979.

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.

Bible Stories for Grown-Ups:

Where Do We Go From Here?

We conclude our series this Sunday with a review of our journey and the lessons we have gathered in these past seven weeks. The story of Noah with the lesson of human violence unchecked will unleash a flood of consequences, and how empathy and compassion help us to stem the tide. Isaac's near sacrifice reveals a God who provides rather than demands. Do we join Jonah and withhold God's grace from our "enemies?" In the parable of the talents, we confronted the landowner's wealth at the expense of others. The story of Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus reveals how repentance may also require reparation. And sometimes, as the man who was blind needed to be touched by Jesus twice in order to have sight restored, we need to grow in our understanding to see clearly.

The Bible is both an ancient collection of stories, poems, and letters and a timeless guide, revealing questions we continue to ask: what it means to be human in the world, how we relate to and experience God, why we suffer, and what it means to live a good life while we are here. The context has certainly changed, but we draw insight when we respect the past and apply it today.

This Week's Prayer Calendar

Congregations: Pine Creek Christian Church, Polo, IL; First Christian Church Pontiac, IL; First Christian Church Princeton, IL; First Christian Church Cadillac, MI

Sympathy: Family of Joan Marsh (February 4) Family of Kathryn "Kathy" Ray (February 5). Family of Thom Welch (February 22).

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

Global Ministries: Indonesia

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.

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.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

February 27 - March 5

Birthdays

28 - Parker Long (19!)

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.

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.

WEEK OF COMPASSION OFFERING UPDATE: $275.12 Received to date. There is still time to add to this special offering for the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Dove, Inc. Outreach Project

Our March-April Outreach Collection is Clorox Wipes

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.

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

The Organization code for Prairie Avenue Christian Church is: BY235.

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

Kroger Community Rewards Program News

$25.40 was raised by 13 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 1-December 31, 2024.

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

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