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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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Attending weekly gives you the opportunity to re-center your life,
give God honor and glory, and remember what is really important in life.
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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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Getting Unstuck...from Shame
John 21:15-19
Sunday, May 1, 2022
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Sometimes we do not see the answer right in front of us. Because we fail to recognize it in an acceptable way.
We turn back the clock this week in the gospel of John. Our reading encounters Jesus at the festival of dedication in the temple in Jerusalem, the only mention of the celebration that would become Hanukkah. He encounters a group of Jewish people who want him to declare plainly whether he is the Messiah, the Jewish word for "anointed one" or savior, what the Greek word "Christ." means.
Jesus has been stating plainly through his actions: water into wine, feeding five thousand, and stating that he is the light of the world, the Good shepherd. If you really were looking, you would see it plainly!
Sometimes we fail to see because it does not come how we expected it. The Bible describes those who came to faith as those who were willing to receive God as God came, rather than as they desired. Sometimes we are stuck in our confusion because we do not want to see God in a particular way. Are we willing to ask whether what we are looking for in faith, in Christ, and in God, is already present before us? Will we accept God as we expect, or as God reveals Godself to us?
Attend Worship: Pastor Jason has encouraged an "A grade" of 90% worship attendance (missing less the 5 Sundays in a year). You can keep up your attendance by joining worship online through our Facebook premiere or our worship online page on the website. Join us in person or online... it will count!
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This Week's Prayer Calendar
Congregations: Colfax Christian Church, Arrowsmith Christian Church, New Covenant Christian Church Normal; First Christian Church of Muir, MI
Global Ministries: Lesotho
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Pray with Lesotho, May 8, 2022 - Global Ministries
Lectionary Selection: Acts 9:36-43 Prayers for Lesotho God of deep love, of boundless grace, of fierce hope, this Mother's Day week we give thanks for those who brought us into life, who carried us and loved us even before we ... Read more
Read more
www.globalministries.org
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Grow in Faith
through listening, paying attention, and reading 5 verses a day
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Take a class, as you make friends and grow to know what learning, loving, and serving God and neighbor means in everyday life. |
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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.
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Wednesday Night Study
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
In Person/Online
May 4-June 1
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We are all busy. Some of us can't remember the last time we rested or even had free time. Our busyness can feel productive but it is a toxic distraction, sapping our spiritual, physical, and emotional vitality. It may seem like we have no choice but to live at a frantic pace, but God has a better path for us.
Join pastor and author John Mark Comer in this five-part series as he addresses one of the greatest threats to our spiritual lives: hurry. Instead of allowing our calendars and screens to control our lives, Jesus offers us a new rhythm of life, overflowing with grace, peace, and beauty.
You can join online through our RightNow Media subscription (free!) or in the sanctuary for discussion. The group will gather for about an hour.
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Prairie Avenue Provides Access to RightNowMedia |
On Easter Sunday, Pastor Jason announced Prairie Avenue Christian Church would offer 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:
Or you can text PRAIRIEAVECC to number 49775 to get a welcome/registration.
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Use Your Gifts by sharing five acts of love and kindness each week |
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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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Birthdays/Anniversaries
May 5 - May 11
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Birthdays
None.
Anniversaries
None
Membership Anniversaries
(When you joined Prairie Avenue!)
May 6, 1962 - Paul Kater (60th)
May 9, 1971 - Chris Gardner (51st)
Note- We missed one! Dane & Barbara Hodges were married at Prairie Avenue (check out Dane's beard on Facebook) on April 30, 1983 (39th) Congratulations!
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.
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Give Regularly through five acts of generosity each month |
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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.
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Thank You for your generosity! |
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2022 Special Day Offering Updates |
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WEEK OF COMPASSION OFFERING: $586.71
DISCIPLES MISSION FUND: $242.00
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Turning Struggle into Steadfastness - 2022 Pentecost Special Offering
Stories of struggle are nothing new to the church.
From the persecution faced by early Christians to civil rights movements led by faith leaders, the church has found its strength in times of unrest.
The COVID-19 pandemic is yet another chapter in this long history, both nothing unique and yet entirely different.
Through it all, Disciples have been steadfast. By launching emerging congregations, they have stepped up to care for communities in need.
But they don’t do it alone.
With the help of regional and general ministries, these brave leaders have been provided with facilities to conduct their outreach activities and with online educational opportunities, such as Leadership Academy.
By making a gift to the 2022 Pentecost Offering, received in most congregations on Sundays, May 29 and June 5, you can ensure that the new church movement continues to prosper in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Each year, half of these gifts go to your own region to support local new church development. The other half goes to New Church Ministry, which trains, equips, assists, and multiplies new church leaders across the United States and Canada through programs such as coaching, New Church Hacks, and Water the Plants.
Planning, nurturing, and sustaining new places of worship is part of the Disciples’ vision – participation in this Special Day Offering helps this vision come to life.
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DOES YOUR BANK/FINANCIAL INSTITUTION PROVIDE BILL PAY SERVICES? If so, you can make sure your tithe/gift/offering arrives whether you are able to attend or not! Often when someone is absent, their offering is also. Or you left it on the table while coming to church! You can set up Prairie Avenue Christian Church as a "bill" (we are not, of course) and schedule timely checks to be mailed at no cost to our address. Many members have taken advantage of our online giving portal, but it also charges fees each time! Avoid the service charges and fees by setting us up as a regular payment through your bank/financial institution. Without fail, your support will arrive. Set your "payment" plan today.
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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 |
$35.20 was raised by 12 households who have linked their Kroger customer reward cards to support Prairie Avenue Christian Church. The quarterly contribution is for shopping at Kroger from January to March 2022
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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"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 $7.56 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between July 1 and September 30, 2021.
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Share Your Faith by inviting 5 people to church this year |
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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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