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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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Learning to Love Your Enemies
September 12 & 13 Online
Sunday, September 13, 9 am - Sanctuary
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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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Saturday, September 5, 2020 Online Worship
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Last week's sermon addressed the question, "When someone does something bad or wrong, how does God want us to respond?" This week's sermon addresses, "When someone does something bad or evil, how does God respond?"
Jacob/Israel has just died. Joseph, as a royal official of Egypt, orders public acts of mourning and the only mention in the Bible of the act of embalming Jacob's body to be returned to the Machpelah, the cave purchased by his grandfather Abraham for family burials in Canaan. After the burial is completed, the brothers of Joseph, who once almost killed him but then decided to sell him as a slave instead, are now worried that their bad behavior and consequences will await them now that Joseph is free to do whatever he would like now that Jacob/Israel is dead.
It is not clear in the text whether the words the brothers share are truly Jacob's last request or another deception to avoid punishment from Joseph, but whether it was or not, Joseph does not accept their offer of slavery and can see a "10,000 foot view" of his early betrayal as the means that God provided to save the family from famine and destruction.
Evil still acts, yet God is not limited in creative or healing power to use for ourselves, our enemies, and to release resentment and bitterness of our past into a glorious redeemed future.
Let us be clear what is not God's will: the use of abuse or punishment for some "higher plan." Terrible events can be redeemed by God, and often are done in good time. Joseph saw it. We can see it, too.
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The Book of Revelation
Wednesday, September 16, 6 pm - Parlor
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You may obtain a copy of the book through online or local retail book shops, but purchasing the book is not necessary to join the class.
To register for the class, click here.
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Revelation appears to have been written at the time of the Roman emperor Domitian. The situation in which Revelation was composed is similar in many respects to that of the book of Daniel, written more than two centuries earlier. The author of Revelation made extensive use of Daniel and other apocalyptically-oriented biblical writings.
Much of Revelation is taken up with descriptions of the judgments awaiting God's enemies, in particular, the emperor, the imperial cult, and the city of Rome itself.
The church does not escape judgment entirely. The "letters to the seven churches" in chapters 2 and 3 contain both rebukes and exhortations.
Revelation ends with a glorious vision of "the world reborn and Paradise revisited."
Revelation does not provide us with a "roadmap" to the future; nevertheless, it is a valuable book that still challenges and inspires modern believers.
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Morning Devotion
Each day, except Sunday, Pastor Jason shares a brief 4-7 minute scripture reading, reflection, response and prayer. This devotion is posted to Prairie Avenue's Facebook page.
Wednesday Youth Activities
Our youth group are meeting with COVID-19 guidelines in place. They are meeting every other Wednesday, 5 pm to 7 pm. At this time, no food is being served, but snacks brought from home are welcome!
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Friday, September 18, 1 pm God's Shalom: Justice & Wholeness
David Anderson Hooker, is Associate Professor of the Practice of Conflict Transformation and Peace building at the University of Notre Dame's Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, an integral unit of the Keough School of Global...
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cciwdisciples.org
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Water the Plants prayer initiative - New Church Ministry
Water the Plants is a church-wide initiative that is bringing together 1000 intercessors to pray for the leaders and congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) New Church Movement. The challenges of starting a church are unique....
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newchurchministry.org
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Pray with Fiji Sunday, September 13, 2020
Lectionary Selection: Exodus: 14:19-31 In the darkest of times, the Lord is there with us. While the Egyptian army pursued the Israelites on their trek to a better life God was ever-present and assisted the refugees all along the way.
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www.globalministries.org
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The Rocks Are Crying Out: Show Up; Speak Up; Stand Up
The Reconciliation Ministry Special Offering is used to fund our Church's mission imperative to become a pro-reconciling and anti-racist church utilizing experiential education, inclusive worship, and intentional dialogue. Our efforts to promote...
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cciwdisciples.org
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Fundraiser Food | Nelson's Catering | Springfield IL
Pickup Date: 9/25/20 Pickup location: First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Decatur Pickup time: 4:00-6:00p Grilled 1/2 Chicken Dinner, sides include: mashed potatoes & gravy and southern style green beans. Comes complete with roll & butter and all...
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nelsonscatering.com
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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...
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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 |
$29.64 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 during April-June, 2020.
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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Regional Assembly 2020: FREE - Sat. Oct. 17, 10 am-Noon
Registration for Regional Assembly 2020 is now open. We invite you to celebrate ministry with us during these unprecedented times by Zoom and YouTube. Please click the registration button to the right and begin your registration. All registrants...
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cciwdisciples.org
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