November 9, 2023 Newsletter

Prairie Avenue

Christian Church

217.428.3327

www.prairieavenuechristianchurch.org

To be learning, loving, and serving disciples of Christ from the depths of our being to the ends of the earth.

A Stephen Ministry & Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Congregation

Happy Veterans Day concept. American flags against a blackboard background. November 11.

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Veterans Day commemorates the service of all veterans. Memorial Day commemorates those who died in service. Honor the living with a moment of silence, or attend a Veterans Day parade or event in your area.

Worship Each Week & Daily Prayer

Attending weekly gives you the opportunity to re-center your life,

give God honor and glory, and remember what is really important in life.

The life and health of the church is dependent on the commitments and responsibilities of its members. When everyone sees themselves as needed, responsible, and contributing, then amazing transformations can happen. The call to faithful service is not always easy to respond to, but all things are possible when we realize how much God loves us and trusts the church to care for the world.

Be prepared.

For those familiar with Boy Scouts, it is a familiar motto. The parable of the ten bridesmaids (although they are actually grooms-maids if you read it closely) is the first of the last three parables Jesus will share just before his trial, death, and resurrection. This parable only appears in Matthew. The ongoing emphasis is that a return of Jesus may be (or is) delayed, and those caught without the necessities to receive may find themselves outside of the celebration.

Both the oil-managed and the oil-mismanaged grooms-maids fall asleep waiting for the groom to arrive. The oil-mismanaged grooms-maids have to find an oil lamp fuel dealer in the middle of the night, unable to anticipate the unexpected scheduling error.

We should not just casually wait for Jesus to come, we should prepare with actions and decisions marked by wisdom, preparation, and mindfulness.

Do we take responsibility where we can, or do we want others to step in and do things for us that we could do ourselves?

It may be too late to find a 24-hour oil seller shop in time to join the celebration of the delayed groom!

Attend Worship: Pastor Jason has encouraged an "A grade" of 90% worship attendance (missing less than 5 Sundays in a year). You can keep up your attendance by joining worship online through our Facebook premiere or our worship online page. Join us in person or online... it will count!

This Week's Prayer Calendar

Thanksgiving Special Day Offering

Eureka College

Disciples Divinity House at the University of Chicago

Community: Decatur Public Schools Galloway, Nelson, and Clokey Park neighborhoods

Global Ministries: Eswatini

Pray with Eswatini, November 12, 2023 - Global Ministries

Lectionary Selection: Matthew 25:1-13 Prayers for Eswatini Dear Heavenly Father, We are reminded of the responsibility and privilege we have as your servants to serve and make a difference in the lives of others. We ask for your blessings and guidance ... Read more

Grow in Faith

through listening, paying attention, and reading 5 verses a day

Take a class, as you make friends and grow to know what learning, loving, and serving God and neighbor means in everyday life.

Use Your Gifts by sharing five acts of love and kindness each week

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.

Worship Assistance Needed

The worship service slides are prepared. Coffee is hot, and donuts are served. Pastor Jason greets you at the door.

What's wrong with this picture? These tasks are handled and cared by Pastor Jason's family members in a majority of the situations. Every Sunday.

Help with Coffee Fellowship? Your duties would be to prep the coffee urn with water, coffee. Plug the perculator in around 8:30 am (it takes about 20 minutes for the full perculator to brew). Pick up the donuts from Good Samaritan Inn on Sunday morning (they are usually ready by 7 am) and deliver. Clean up after worship.

Help with Door Greeting? Your duties would be to arrive at the church no later than 8:50 am. Greet those at the entrance. Remain at the door until 9:40 am (about the time for "All God's children section of worship) for late arrivals.

Help with Worship Slides? Arrive in the balcony about 5 minutes before worship (9:25). Advance slides appropriately. Additional duties will be checking livestream when up and running.

Birthdays/Anniversaries

November 12 - 18

Birthdays

None

Wedding Anniversaries

None

Membership Anniversaries

(When you joined Prairie Avenue!)

November 14, 1999 - Jolene Fahnestock

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.

Give Regularly through five acts of generosity each month

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.

Thank You for your generosity!

2023 Thanksgiving Offering

November 12 & 19

The Thanksgiving Offering benefits the Colleges, Universities, Seminaries, and Divinity Houses affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Higher education has been an important focus for Disciples since the very beginning of the movement. Throughout our history, Disciples have founded institutions of higher learning to educate students and form leaders to make a difference in the world. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is still committed to higher education. Your gift to the Thanksgiving Offering helps support the education of thousands of students at our fifteen colleges and universities as well as our seven seminaries and divinity houses.

Please Give Generously to the Thanksgiving Offering

General Fund Supports Operations & Ministry

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...

Building Fund Supports Repair & Updates

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.

For instructions in registering your Kroger Rewards Card, Click Here.

The Organization code for Prairie Avenue Christian Church is: BY235.

Kroger Community Rewards Program News

$30.06 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 from July to September 2023.

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.

Share Your Faith by inviting 5 people to church this year

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.

In Other News

NCC Statement on Israel and Palestine, and the Current Hostilities - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

"As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, 'If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!'" (Luke 19:41-2a, [...]

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