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.
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Everyone may have a different definition of home and the places where we belong. Some people may find home not in physical spaces, but instead in belonging to a community that accepts us for the entirety of who God created us to be. The Advent and Christmas seasons are a sort of homecoming. God found a new home among us in the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. God will find this home again in the second coming of Christ as we await that return. The dwelling places where we find Christ today can be in our mangers, surrounded by parents, shepherds, magi, and a variety of animals--and also through the moves of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes those dwelling places can take us by surprise; sometimes those dwelling places can also be where we experience the most comfort and joy, where we truly belong in creation. | | |
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This Week's Prayer Calendar
Happy New Year!
Congregations: Gerlaw Christian Church, First Christian Church Gibson City
Community: Decatur Public Schools Galloway, Nelson, and Clokey Park neighborhoods
Global Ministries: Japan
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Pray with Japan, December 31, 2023 - Global Ministries | Lectionary Selection: Luke 2:22-40 Prayers for Japan God of Love, we pray for the ministry of the Aizu Radiation Information Center. We give thanks for the bold, prophetic witness of Terumi Kataoka and her companion advocates, who have worked for years ... Read more | | | |
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. | |
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. | | |
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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 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.
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Birthdays/Anniversaries
December 31 - January 6
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Birthdays
6 - Les Ruffner
Wedding Anniversaries
None
Membership Anniversaries
(When you joined Prairie Avenue!)
January 6, 2008 - Rev. Jason & Amanda Butterick
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 | |
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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STEWARDSHIP CORNER: If you plan to give to the church before year-end and want your gift to be recognized as a donation in the 2023 tax year, please keep these dates in mind:
Online giving or Text to Give - submit no later than December 31st
By check - mail no later than December 31st (must have a 2020 postmark) or drop your gift at the church office no later than December 31st.
Did You Know?: You can automate your giving through your bank/credit union/financial institution! Nearly all online bill pay services can provide your contribution by mail or ACH (Automated Clearing House) without fees.
OFFERING BOXES FOR 2024:The contribution envelopes for 2024 are available for pick up in the Education Wing Hallway. If you would like to begin a regular contribution, ask Pastor Jason for an unassigned box of envelopes.
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2023 Christmas Special Offering Update: | |
Thank you for your generous support of the Christmas Special Offering! With special offering gifts as well as 10% of general fund contributions for December 17 & 24, we have collected $404.76. If you would like to contribute an individual gift (and mark it as credit to us), please use to button below to give. | |
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. | | | |
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Sanctuary Air Conditioning Repair Update
This past summer, the HVAC A/C equipment for the sanctuary wing was failing to keep it cool. King-Lar Company repaired a faulty capacitor and refilled freon. Our thermostats were also replaced. Our bill for service was $865. Contributions to the building fund to offset this expense are appreciated.
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Decatur Crisis Nursery Project Update
Members of the Decatur Crisis Nursery Project group have recently visited the Crisis Nursery in Urbana. Heather Seitz has also met with the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) crisis nursery licensure representative for Central and Southern Illinois. The State Fire Marshall office needs to complete a building review for renovation and code requirements. The DCFS representative is willing to visit the Prairie Avenue site to review changes needed to be granted licensing.
The next crisis nursery group meeting is Thursday, January 18 at 11 am.
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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 | |
$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.
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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. | | | | |
