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Prairie Avenue
Christian Church
To be learning, loving, and serving disciples of Christ from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.
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IN THE LIFE OF OUR CHURCH
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ONLINE WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Building Blocks: Asking Questions
Saturday, May 9, 5 pm
Sunday, May 10, 9 am
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COVID-19 GUIDELINES:
In accordance with National Emergency Declaration, as well as State and Local Public Safety Officials,
ALL IN-PERSON EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING WORSHIP IN SANCTUARY, ARE CANCELLED
for the duration.
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The Five Expectations of Members -
1.Worship Each Week
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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Join us as we examine valuable fundamentals for a life of faith. We believe in what we cannot see, experience the resurrected Christ, learn to share in community, ask questions as we grow in faith, draw connections for those with other beliefs, and draw strength from shared prayer, and value all who are part of the body of Christ.
We will still have a Facebook Live event each Sunday at 9 am.
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ATTEND WORSHIP ONLINE:
Pastor Jason 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 Live broadcast or worship online (online attendance registration coming soon!).
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The Five Expectations of Members
2.
Grow in Faith
- Take a class, join Alpha (TM) course(s), as you make friends and grow to know what learning, loving, and serving God and neighbor means in everyday life.
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Alpha is for anyone and people attend from all backgrounds, religions, and viewpoints. They come to investigate questions about the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of Jesus and more.
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Be sure to keep posted via our Facebook (TM) page and this e-newsletter for online opportunities for small group study and devotion during the month of May.
Daily Devotion
Each day, except Sunday, Pastor Jason shares a brief 4-7 minute scripture reading, reflection, response and prayer. This devotion is posted on his personal Facebook (TM) page and shared to the Prairie Avenue page. You may also access it on the church website:
prairieavenuechristianchurch.org/daily-devotional
. It begins "live" around 8:20 to 8:30 each morning.
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YouVersion Bible App:
Looking for a mobile devotional app? Check out YouVersion for Android or Apple devices. Daily scripture, reflection, images, and prayers available. Strengthen your faith, your devotion to God, or your spiritual practices through this handy resource.
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The Five Expectations of Members
3.
Use Your Gifts
- 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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Not sure about your gifts?
At least once a year we offer a spiritual gifts discovery course, utilizing the
Serving from the Heart
resource. If you would like to take the survey used for the course, click
here
.
For more information about the survey, its results, and possible ministries and projects that can use your gifts, see Pastor Jason.
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COVID-19 OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE/ASSIST
**Please consider your personal health and safety before volunteering** Those over 60 years of age are encouraged to remain at home throughout the crisis.
NORTHEAST COMMUNITY FUND:
Up to 10 individuals are allowed for its food donation distribution, 9 am - 2 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Fridays. Sign up through their online volunteer portal.
GOOD SAMARITAN INN:
Volunteers are needed for 9 am to 11 am or 11 am to 1 pm to prepare and box to-go meals for patrons.
BLOOD DRIVES:
The American Red Cross is collecting blood each Tuesday from Noon to 6 pm at their facility (2674 N Water).
UNITED WAY OF DECATUR AND MID ILLINOIS:
The United Way of Decatur and Mid Illinois have set up a COVID-19 Assistance page. It can be accessed
here
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The Five Expectations of Members
4
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Give regularly -
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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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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Why do we have volunteer hours cards in our Pew Pockets?
Our mission statement is to be learning, loving, and serving disciples of Christ from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth. A disciple is a student who is doing those three actions: learning, loving, and serving. Giving service to others is perhaps one of the most fulfilling actions, and we want all of our attendees to seek opportunities of service. A hour of volunteer service is equal to paying someone $28 per hour. These hours show our faith community at work, doing tasks and providing service in organizations and groups that rely on volunteerism to meet community needs.
By volunteering, we also can find out if additional help is needed, or a special event or fundraiser is coming up, so that we can show our support. If you are not compensated for your attendance or task, then you should record those volunteer opportunities weekly and place a completed volunteer hours card in the offering plate as it is passed. Did you know that our congregation regularly provides over 1,000 hours? That’s over $28,000 of valuable care!
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How is the Pentecost offering used?
In 2001, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) embraced a bold vision: to start 1,000 new churches in 1,000 different ways by the year 2020.
Today, we have welcomed 1,034+ new places of worship into the Church. The Table around which we gather has grown in language, diversity, and life experience.
Courageous leaders have answered the call to grow the denomination through the new church movement. They have reached the under-served, welcomed new neighbors, and created communities of faith. And we, as Disciples, have committed to supporting them.
Support the 2020 Pentecost Offering. Each year, half of this offering stays in your
Region
to support and sustain new churches. The second half helps leaders across the United States and Canada through
New Church Ministry
programs.
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We received the quarterly report for January 1-March 31, 2020. 14 households generated a $26.45 donation.
Your shopping at Kroger can help Prairie Avenue! Sign up for the community rewards program.
Our organization number is: BY235
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Prairie Avenue Christian Church (EIN: 37-6056944) has been issued a $6.20 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between Oct 1 and Dec 31, 2019. Shop at
smile.amazon.com/ch/37-6056944
and AmazonSmile donates to Prairie Avenue Christian Church.
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The Five Expectations of Members
5.Share Your Faith
- 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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SOLAR INSTALLATION UPDATE:
The installation contractor has been confirmed for our project! Roy Keith Electric of Farmington, Illinois will be doing a site visit on Monday, May 11 at 8 am.
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