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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: Hard to Swallow
August 22, 2021 Sermon
John 6:56-71
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To be quite honest, I think the Pharisees get a very bad rap as people who are judgmental, critical, and overly concerned with minor details. But in their own context, the Pharisees were among those charged to maintain religious traditions and practices of the Jewish people. Their roles were important for the reinforcement of sacred communal identity. Here in the seventh chapter of Mark, Jesus' encounter with the Pharisees and scribes strikes me as a conflict of priorities.
Traditions can be a wonderful way of keeping us connected to our histories, reminding us of who we are and where we come from. But without meaning or relevance, traditions can become just rote practices, things we repeat simply because we are used to doing them. They can bring us comfort and familiarity, but sometimes they can limit our understanding of the moment we are in.
There is practice and there is purpose; Jesus clarifies that there is a difference. He responds to the question of ritual tradition with scriptural tradition, recalling the message from Isaiah 29:13: people's words are better than their hearts. Traditions, doctrines, and human-made customs look good, but often they do not reflect the habits of the heart. If Jesus is quoting from Isaiah, he is speaking to a long-standing problem of religious performance overshadowing spiritual commitment.
Traditions can be picked up and put down. Our hearts, however, stay with us, and what they produce will ultimately reflect the content of our lives and intentions. We may differ in the body of Christ around particular customs or practices of religious devotion. But the products of our hearts tell the story of our deepest commitments. Jesus runs down the list of defiling things that the human heart generates: deadly acts, despicable attitudes, devious ways. Paying lip service to God does nothing to disrupt that flow. Jesus knew this, and he did not mince his words in spelling out just how much our hearts can hurt our witness.
The transformation of the heart results in new habits that will impact our outward presence. Something on the inside begins working on the outside, and it leads to true change in our lives. The pursuit of a clean heart is a private matter that becomes public only over time. No wonder Jesus is critical of those who try to use public displays to cover up private intentions. Eating with dirty hands might offend some sensibilities, but living with dirty hearts is the truest offense in the sight of God.
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A Good Life: Wisdom for Living Well
September Worship Series
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Our lives do not just happen to us--we build them through our decisions and our actions. How can we live in a way that will allow us to look back on the lives we have lived and pronounce them good? Through the pithy poems of the Bible's Wisdom literature like Proverbs through the stories of Esther and Job, we will discover how we can build for ourselves "a good life." |
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Grow in Faith
through listening, paying attention, and reading 5 verses a day
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Morning Devotion
Each weekday (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.
The Secret Place
The Fall 2021 (September-November) issue of the daily devotional magazine The Secret Place is available to pick up in the Education wing hallway. In regular or large print editions.
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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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Pray with Israel/Palestine, August 29, 2021 - Global...
Lectionary Selection: James 1:17-27 Prayers for Israel/Palestine Generous God, who created the spark of light from which all life springs,May we open our minds for hearing, be slow to speak, slower to anger, and welcome humilityMay we be doers of ...
Read more
www.globalministries.org
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Afghanistan and Haiti Responses:How to Help
Afghanistan How to help: - Donate to support refugee relief -Advocate for a robust U.S. refugee resettlement program - Get involved with resettlement in your local community - Pray for those who are fleeing violence and seeking refuge In recent...
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 Program News |
$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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Imagine With Me:
Social entrepreneurship
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"And so what is new is the invitation to everyone to recognize the importance and for the church to participate collectively. And so if we're understanding God's kingdom to bring about wholeness and justice and liberation, and that is the work that we are called to, that social entrepreneurship is that journey of participation." - Rev. Ashely Mayham, social entrepreneurship program coordinator for National Benevolent Association
General Minister and President Terri Hord Owens talk with Darnell Fennell, director of social entrepreneurship, and Ashley Mayham, social entrepreneurship program coordinator, from the National Benevolent Association about the NBA's emphasis on social service and thinking in new ways about serving communities.
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2021 Membership Directory Available
The 2021 Membership directory is now available for pick up at the church or sent to you via e-mail. Contact the church office at 217-428-3327, or prairieavenue@sbcglobal.net to get your copy.
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