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Prairie Avenue
Christian Church
To be learning, loving, and serving disciples of Christ from the depths of our being to the ends of the earth.
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Worship Each Week & Daily Prayer |
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REGULAR WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE |
Traditional Service 8 AM SUNDAY. It's not worshiping without the organ, right? This service will have all the "bells" and stops pulled out for traditional hymns and organ offertories for early service.
Modern Service 9:30 AM SUNDAY. The blend of traditional hymns and contemporary choruses that developed over the COVID-19 season, with assistance from our Clavinova, will continue for this service.
Livestream Schedule Traditional Worship and Modern Worship services will be livestreamed.
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Did you miss a sermon or can't remember the good statement made by Pastor Jason recently?
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Soul Food: An Appetite for Instruction
August 15, 2021 Sermon
Proverbs 9:1-6
Psalm 34:9-14
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Jesus had a penchant for saying hard things. I do not mean that his statements were necessarily difficult to understand (though folks do interpret his words in a variety of ways). I mean that his words were often difficult to accept. He did not shy away from bold statements about his life, his purpose, or the work required to live with godly power and purpose.
It is no wonder then even his first disciples had trouble accepting his teaching. Eating flesh and drinking blood sounds gruesome. But Jesus doubles down and says that this is the way to life. The disciples are resistant to this teaching, and Jesus calls them on it. And Jesus gives us clues to what he means. Living water is the source of continual spiritual renewal. Jesus' food is the work and will he was sent to fulfill on earth.
Perhaps this reframes how we think of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. It is common to refer to those related to us as our "Flesh and blood." This means we share a bond and a lineage, a common ancestry. What if eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Jesus meant taking on a whole new level of identification with the deep substance of his life? This is a powerful notion. It might mean taking on both the spiritual empowerment of living water and the weighty responsibility of the work and will of God.
The difficulty of Jesus' teaching may be less about the idea of consuming flesh and blood and more about just how much this requires of his hearers. He is not advocating mere religiosity or ritual practice. He is calling for life-changing spiritual commitment. The text records Jesus telling the disciples that the spirit gives life, and the flesh is useless. In other words, it is not enough to perform commitment; we have to live it and embody it.
No wonder so many of the disciples left Jesus that day. So many of them who literally followed Jesus could not follow his words to their spiritual conclusion. Jesus knew that the path ahead of him was not for the faint of heart. His words pushed his followers to ask if that path was really for them, Jesus invited all who would hear to join him in this journey, to eat and drink of his life. We are given the same opportunity. Chances are, it is hard for us to swallow too. Still, this is the choice that is before us. There are no shortcuts or easy ways to the spiritual growth Jesus offers us. It is only through faith that we are able to accept it in spirit and in truth.
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Grow in Faith
through listening, paying attention, and reading 5 verses a day
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Morning Devotion
Each week day (Monday - Friday), Pastor Jason shares a brief 4-7 minute scripture reading, reflection, response, and prayer. The associated devotion is posted to Prairie Avenue's Facebook page.
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RETHINKING POVERTY STUDY
Seeking Shalom Small Group
Sundays at 10:45 AM
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Traditional charity is not working.
Join Pastor Jason as we explore the shortcomings and unintended consequences of traditional charity models and discover a better way to transform lives and communities.
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Out of concern for the health safety of all attending, please take note. During the event, vaccinated individuals may choose whether they want to wear a mask or not, masks will be required for all individuals while singing. Non-vaccinated individuals are requested to wear a mask at all times except when eating or drinking and to maintain appropriate social distance from others. On the day of the retreat, anyone who is not feeling well is asked to request a refund and plan to attend next year.
Costs
Friday-Sunday (Lodging at CWS) $82.00
Friday-Saturday (Lodging CWS) $60.00
Sat-Sunday (Lodging CWS) 68.00
Sat-Sunday (Commuter) $48.00
Saturday Only $40.00
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CCIW FALL WOMEN RETREAT
September 24-26, 2021
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After a COVID-19 cancellation in 2020, the 2021 Christian Church in Illinois/Wisconsin Fall Women Retreat returns!
The theme is Inside Out and the keynote speaker will be Vicky Woolridge (wife of former regional minister Scott) from Central Christian Church in Decatur, IL. As in the past, there is flexibility in the length of participation and in housing arrangements at Camp Walter Scott. Throughout the retreat, we will explore our theme with Vicky and scripture from the book of Ester, make crafts, pray for and with one another, and more. The evening will conclude with dinner and a movie and discussion that will allow us to further explore how we connect to our genuine selves in the midst of others' expectations and views of who we are or should be.
For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Beth Rupe, Coordinator CCIW Disciples Women at 309.224.0538 or email bethr@cciwdisciples.org
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Use Your Gifts by sharing five acts of love and kindness each week |
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Adopt-A-Street
Saturday, August 21, 10 AM
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Since 2018, Prairie Avenue Christian Church has been responsible for the litter pick-up of East Prairie and East Main near our facilities. Litter gitters, supplies, and water provided.
Demonstrate love of neighbor through the clean streets surrounding our beautiful buildings this Saturday morning.
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Pray with Ghana, August 22, 2021 - Global Ministries
Lectionary Selection: Psalm 84 Prayers for Ghana Happy are we, O Lord, to acknowledge your presence. This day we stand in your courtyard as we praise you and thank you for our sisters and brothers in Ghana. Through the threat of ... Read more
Read more
www.globalministries.org
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Week of Compassion Responds to Earthquake in Haiti
On Saturday morning, August 14, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the south of Haiti. The earthquake was also felt in other Caribbean islands. This earthquake was stronger than the 2010 quake that devastated the nation's capital of...
Read more
www.weekofcompassion.org
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Give Regularly through five acts of generosity each month |
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Senior Companion Program Volunteer Opportunities |
The Senior Companion Program sponsored by Dove, Inc. provides senior volunteers who are 55 years of age or better, on a fixed income, and living in Macon County the opportunity to improve their quality of life by simply being a friend to isolated seniors. You must commit to weekly hours and you can earn an hourly nontaxable stipend, mileage reimbursement, paid holidays, and more.
Additional information is available here.
If you would like to volunteer, or need more information, please contact Kathy Walters, SCP Coordinator at 217.428.6616
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Northeast Community Fund Seeking Volunteers |
The NECF is currently looking for volunteers to work in either the clothing room or along the food line. It operates between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The greatest need is on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. Anytime within those hours on those days would be fine. Responsibilities include:
• Unload trucks and/or stock the food pantry warehouses
• Sort donations
• Keep common areas clean
• Help clients choose from a variety of options
If interested, contact Josh Perkins at 217-350-3458.
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Immediate Service Opportunities Available |
We have many opportunities, both old and new, to share in service to God and the greater community.
We need worship leaders for 8 am & 9:30 am services. A schedule is being developed. Please contact Barb Hodges a 217-620-3268.
We need greeters! Greeters will arrive 20 minutes prior to either 8 am or 9:30 am service, standing outside of the elevator entrance. They will hold the door for everyone who is entering the building. Greet everyone with a smile and thank them for attending. Give directions to hand sanitizer and sanctuary. Remain at the door until 10 minutes after worship service has begun and secure the door. Greeters will leave worship just after communion is served to open the door following dismissal. Call the church office to get on the schedule for either (or both) services. 217.428.3327
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Board Officer Nominations |
Nominations for Board Officers in 2022 are being accepted. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we also need two Trustee vacancies filled. If you are interested, please call 217.428.3327. |
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General Fund
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...
Read more
www.continuetogive.com
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Fundraising Project - reFresh Capital Campaign
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.
Read more
www.continuetogive.com
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For instructions in registering your Kroger Rewards Card, Click Here.
The Organization code for Prairie Avenue Christian Church is: BY235.
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KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS DONATION |
$32.21 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 during April - June, 2021
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.
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Get Your Disciples Apparel and Gear Here!
Get your Disciples polos, hats, and hoodies in a variety of colors. Order by the 15th to be included in this month's production! 10% of the proceeds benefits the Disciples Mission Fund!
Read more
store.disciples.org
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"When you shop for items or gifts at smile.amazon.com/ch/37-6056944, AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchases to Prairie Avenue Christian Church at no cost to you!"
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Prairie Avenue Christian Church is a listed charity with the Smile.Amazon program. Please use smile.amazon.com, and choose Prairie Avenue Christian Church for your generous support. We received a $5.33 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between January 1 and March 31, 2021.
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Share Your Faith through inviting 5 people to church this year |
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Dear Disciples:
August 13, 2021
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"What a day, what a day, what a day!"
General Minister and President Rev. Terri Hord Owens thanks the church for coming together on Aug. 7 for the virtual gathering.
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