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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 26 & 27 Online
Sunday, September 27, 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 19, 2020 Online Worship
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Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.
It is hard enough to make peace with those who have wronged us; sometimes making peace with ourselves is even harder. Perhaps no one else is trying to punish us for the things we regret, but we punish ourselves ten times over and hurt others in the process. Internalized shame and guilt can manifest themselves in self-harm, attempts to control one's surroundings and other people, and even smoldering rage. That guilt prevents peace, even if others are brought to justice, because it is a spiritual struggle.
The exiles are confronted with the legacy of their ancestors, taking guilt and blame to the extreme of believing God is fundamentally unfair in punishing.
Our reading in Ezekiel, a unique dialogue between God and Ezekiel over the consequences of sin and the possibilities of punishment reveals the truth: Your ancestor's sins do not get imposed on you. Consequences may be present in your life, but consequences are not punishments of God. Often, our punishments are self-imposed rather than God imposed: we keep ourselves trapped in guilt and shame, offering excuses rather than accepting God's offer: new heart and new spirit.
With a new heart and new spirit we may live by kindness, firmness, dignity, and respect. Then forgiveness, love, and laughter can heal and open new possibilities in ways that punishment never could.
This is good news. We make mistakes, or maybe we just feel bad, but when we accept Christ's forgiveness to cleanse our souls and love the enemy within, we live freely in the grace of God.
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OCTOBER SERMON SERIES
How can you be generous, but also balance burdensome debt, lifestyle maintenance, and limited retirement savings? How can Prairie Avenue balance its budget without harming those who struggle financially? It does not have to be a struggle. Generosity comes out of faith, discipline, and life balance.
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The Once and Future Kingdom
Wednesday, September 30, 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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To a significant extent, the expectations of the early church mirrored those of Jesus himself.
The crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus were regarded as eschatological work already done.
The early church's eschatology shifted over time, for example, from a more "future" to a more "realized" eschatological perspective (i.e., toward an increasing emphasis on the things that Jesus had already accomplished).
The distinction between future and realized eschatologies is evident in the New Testament as well as in contemporary Christianity.
The eschatology of the apostle Paul makes for an especially interesting study. Paul's emphasis on the cross led his thinking in the direction of a future eschatology: God is now present in the midst of human suffering, which will be eliminated only at the return of Christ. In other contexts, his emphasis on the present admission of Gentiles led his thinking in the opposite direction: Christians are a new creation already set free from the power of sin.
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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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Do you have 20 minutes? - Christian Church (Disciples of ...
Twenty minutes is all it takes to choose your own adventure in this new Bible-study tool, A Parallel Journey. Different demographic profiles are included that present you, the learner, with a variety of different decisions and what the outcome...
Read more
disciples.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....
Read more
newchurchministry.org
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Pray with Ghana Sunday, September 27, 2020
Lectionary Selection: Exodus 17:1-7 As we offer our gifts to you, O God, remind us that they are but gifts you have provided to us for our daily needs. Often we grumble, particularly in this time of Covid-19 that has brought us to a wilderness...
Read more
www.globalministries.org
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The Reconciliation offering is divided in two parts with one half going back to the region from which it was received and one half going to the General Reconciliation Ministry administered by the Reconciliation Ministry Commission made up of volunteers from around our church body.
The regions choose the method of distributing the funds that remain within their own area. These programs vary widely between regions. Contact your region for a current listing of projects funded in your area.
The Reconciliation Ministry Commission receives, reviews and allocate funds for grant requests submitted by our general ministries, higher education institutions, regions and recognized ministries of the church whose proposals meet the grant guidelines.
Congregational grant requests are to be submitted to their Region for funding.
Prairie Avenue has not collected this offering for many years. Your generous support towards anti-racism/pro-reconciliation efforts will assist to ensure the human dignity of every child, to ensure all have access to Christ’s abundance, to fully flourish in education, and financial stability, and friendships across God’s human diversity. Won’t you join the chorus in shouting out Hosanna, Hosanna blessed are we who come in the name of the Lord. Thank you for your generosity. OUR GOAL IS $200
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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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General Minister and President's message Sept. 18, 2020...
Climate change is real and climate change is also an important justice issue, not only for stewardship of our earth, but because ecological devastation impacts our most marginalized communities.
Read more
disciples.org
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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...
Read more
cciwdisciples.org
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