In-person worship has once again been suspended, effective this Sunday, November 22. With a resurgence of positive COVID-19 tests, and gathering sizes being limited in many categories as stipulated in recent announcements by our governor, we are cautious.
We hope you will continue to find FCC Connected and the resources and news within helpful. Updated, important, and new information is highlighted in aqua.
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Being Church Together
(at FCC or at Home)
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Dear Christian Friends,
Thanksgiving is less than a week away, but this Thanksgiving will be different from any before it. The coronavirus has caused us to adapt and adjust plans. How will you observe Thanksgiving this year?
What hasn’t changed is that we come to this day with generous and gracious hearts. As Christians, we know that everything we have and everything we are come from God. Life itself is a gift from God.
Regardless of what may be happening around us, may we celebrate Thanksgiving with deep gratitude, grateful for all that God has given us.
God is good…All the time!
Jim Warren
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Staying Involved
Stewardship Campaign letters have been sent via US mail or email. We appreciate your pledges and have set up an easy-to-use commitment form on the church website in the member portal. When you click on the link above and complete and submit the form, you will receive an acknowledgement on the screen when you scroll back up. Please let the church office know (Debbie at [email protected]) if you have any questions or concerns.
Donations are needed. Call Julie Robinson 309-838-4335 to arrange drop off or pick up of the following:
Senior Essential Bags Items needed are:
- Medium-sized gift bags
- Small Hand sanitizer
- Blank note cards for them to write notes
- Written notes of greeting to recipients
- Travel size items
- Hand wipes
- Small Christmas decorations
- Slipper socks
- Christmas fleece blankets
- Volunteers are needed to assemble bags Saturday, November 28, at 10:00 a.m., and delivery drivers are needed, too.
Bring a donation for Bent School Items needed are:
- Sanitizer wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- 8.5 by 11 manila envelopes to send homework in
- Masks
- Boys and girls underwear all sizes
- Sweatpants
- T-shirts
Bring a donation for the Regional Alternative School Items needed include:
- Grey or black zip-up hoodies
- Gloves, hats, scarves, coats
- Chapstick
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Small Groups: Many FCC small groups continue to meet this fall over Zoom , Skype, and Discord. Is your small group meeting? Perhaps you'd like to join a group or start a new group.
The Brown Bag Bible Bunch, which normally gathers in person, is taking a break while COVID-19 numbers are up in this area.
As always, contact Bill Robitske for help, and go to our website to learn more about Small Groups and study material available for groups to use. You may want to join a group or get a new one started, online or in-person, this fall.
Video Updates from Jim Warren: Check Tuesdays and Thursdays on Facebook and our website homepage for a short video from Jim Warren. If you haven't seen these yet, they are always available for viewing on our website, lower portion of homepage.
Worship Online: Watch the live streamed 9:00 a.m. service each Sunday morning. Not only will Rev. Jim Warren keep us apprised of what's happening in the life of the church, he will share wisdom and faith-filled teaching. Each week, expect wonderful music and a Time for Children, as well as communion. Tune in on our Facebook page or on our website homepage.
Stay Connected through Swag: What connects people more than beautiful items that remind them, and their friends, of their great church community?
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An FCC T-Shirt is available for ordering! What a great Christmas gift idea! Adult, youth, and FCC kid styles are available for just $10 each. Order HERE.
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FCC grocery bags are also available for purchase, and for just $5. If you need a bag, contact Jen Petri at [email protected].
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People at higher risk for illness are described on the Centers for Disease Control website. Think of someone you know and reach out by phone, or by email or mail, to check on their well-being or give an encouraging word. FCC members' addresses and phone numbers are in the Church Directory.
Don't forget you can access an updated church directory below and reach out by phone, text, email, or US mail to a church friend.
Please fill out the sign-in sheets at the doors to the church if you must come on premises during hours other than Sunday morning. It is important to know what areas were used and for what purpose to ensure proper cleaning.
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Being a Part of the Community |
Pray: In addition to praying for your church, pray for your community, and all affected by this pandemic, especially those at the greatest risk and the health care workers who get exposed to this virus every day. Also pray for our healthcare system to sustain patient numbers should they rise.
Follow the CDC Guidelines for Prevention: These include knowing how it spreads, knowing how to protect yourself, and knowing how to protect others. It is important to read the guidelines often for updates that are made as we learn more about the virus. CDC Guidelines for Prevention
Share News about Local Resources/Events: Many agencies, groups, and organizations are finding ways to help in a tangible way, and you can inform friends and family of these resources. You can help, too! A few are listed below.
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Bloomington Public Library is closed to the public beginning today. Curbside pickup is available to those who put items on hold in advance and the bookmobile is offering limited services at all its stops. (BPL Services)
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Experience Coalescence Theatre Project's live-streamed reading of "Juneteenth Street," by award-winning Chicago playwright Reginald Edmund, co-founder of Black Lives, Black Words, and a member of Coalescence Theatre's Playwright Advisory Board. Watch November 20 or 21 at 7:00 p.m. Learn more: (Juneteenth Street)
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Watch Illinois Wesleyan University School of Theatre Arts' presentation of the musical CHESS, book by Richard Nelson, lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson. CHESS will be available to be streamed on November 20, 21, and 22. (CHESS)
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On Small Business Saturday, November 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Uptown Normal is the place to celebrate shopping small. Uptown businesses will be offering great sales and specials as a thank you to the loyal customers that shop small all year long! Learn more: (Small Business Saturday Uptown)
- Feed the Pig! INtegRIty Counseling is partnering with the students and staff of BCAI (Breaking Chains Advancing Increase), a nonprofit that provides youth with low cost dance/art opportunities in the area, and ISU-APO, a service fraternity, on a fundraiser. Graffiti pigs will be temporarily housed at local businesses and organizations before being auctioned off to raise more money for the BCAI!
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Find and share information about the (McLean County Triage Center) (MCTC), which provides McLean County residents with an alternative to existing crisis services for those experiencing a mental health crisis, who are not violent in behavior.
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Attend virtual concerts at the Bloomington Center for Performing Arts on Thursdays through December 17. Bookmark the site here: (BCPA’s Fall Virtual Concert Series)
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Share Online Resources for Learning and Entertainment: Museums, theater arts, national parks, home schoolers, libraries, self-care coaches, and other entities have graciously shared a free peek into their offerings. Take advantage, and tell your friends!
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View a full spread of cooking classes, crafting sessions, historical webinars, even Thanksgiving-themed trivia. Whether you’re cooking a turkey for the first time, opting for a plant-based menu, or just want to perfect your DIY table setting, there’s a plentiful bounty of events to gobble up. (A Virtual Feast: Online Thanksgiving Cooking, Crafting, and History Events)
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Celebrate another wonderful year of CROP Hunger Walks! We will gather on Zoom (for the first 100 people to sign-in) and will also be broadcasting live on the CROP Hunger Walk Facebook page. December 1 at 7:00 p.m. (National Walk Celebration)
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Newly discovered (Virtual Field Trips)
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PebbleGo is an award-winning, PreK-3 database which boosts engagement and fosters independent and fun learning in core subject areas. This resource is packed with informational articles, ready-made activities, and literacy support which allows students to have the computer read the lessons to them. Access to PebbleGo is FREE with your library card from Bloomington Public Library. (Click here and scroll to "PebbleGo")
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Explore personal enrichment and professional development opportunities for October-December at (Heartland Community College).
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Attend a Virtual Pilgrimage to Cuba - a pilgrimage of listening, learning, sharing, and worship! (Global Ministries' Welcome to Cuba)
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Online Movie Screenings from the Normal Theater (Living Room Film Festival)
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Please Wear a Mask
Reminder: All church-related gatherings, inside or outside, require that face masks be worn. This includes small group meetings. Please take this important measure to protect yourself and your church family, further allowing all participants to be comfortable in attending these fellowship and/or learning opportunities.
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How do I make my offering? |
To ensure your offering is received by FCC in a timely manner, feel free to mail it to 401 West Jefferson St., Bloomington, IL 61701. Interested in automatic withdrawal? Email Debbie Stumm at [email protected] to find out how. We appreciate your continued giving!
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How do I get in touch with a staff member? |
The church office will be closed the through the end of the year. To talk to a staff person, call the church office at 309.829.9327, and follow instructions on the answering machine.
Or send an email to the staff person you want to contact.
In case of an emergency, you may text or call Jim Warren at 309.212.6873.
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What if I, or someone I know, need pastoral care? |
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