Worship This Weekend
It is the fourth Sunday of Advent and we focus on Love!  Rev. Jim Warren will preach at both services on the passage Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew's account of Jesus' birth.  The sermon title:  A Baby Crying 
 
A men's quartet will provide the Gift of Music at the 9:00 a.m. traditional service, and we will enjoy carols and contemporary Christmas music by the One and All band at the 10:15 a.m. service.    
 
What a festive time of year to bring a friend to FCC.  We have had several repeat visitors lately.  Why not invite someone yourself?  In addition to fabulous worship and music, there will be donut holes and coffee in the centrum around 10:00 a.m., and the usual complimentary light breakfast in Fellowship Hall during One and All.    
 
Christmas is just a few days away!  We will have two Christmas Eve services to choose from.  See the descriptions and details in the "Upcoming" column.  If you haven't been to an FCC Christmas Eve before, you are in for a big treat!   
 
Mark your calendars now, also, for next Sunday, December 29.  There will be just one service at FCC that morning, at 10:00 in the sanctuary.
 
Can't attend either service this Sunday, or a Christmas Eve service?  Tune in Sunday at 9:00 a.m. or for either of the Christmas Eve services on Facebook (go to our Facebook Page), or on our website ( www.blmfcc.com) to see a live stream!  You can watch  and worship along with folks at FCC.  Be sure to tell your friends! 
 
food_drive_girl.jpg Gifts for Another Table:
This month we continue to collect food products for the Salvation Army.  Please bring a few items each week.   Needed items include rice and rice dinners, potato dinners, pasta of any kind, pasta sauce, Hamburger Helper, dinner meals, cereal, mashed/boxed potatoes, and canned fruits and vegetables. Especially appreciated is peanut butter. 
Don't Miss It
Activities/Events at Our Church
THIS Weekend
Sunday:   
 
9:00 a.m.           Traditional Worship   
                              in the Sanctuary                               
10:15 a.m.         Sunday School for Adults
 
10:15 a.m.         One and All Progressive
                              Worship in Fellowship Hall
Prayer Concerns
 
Reminder: Please let the church office know if you know of someone who needs a call or is in the hospital.
 
   
AWAITING TESTS/SURGERY:  Richard Malone  
 
AFTERCARE:   
  • Suzie Kiesewetter
  • Al Leight
HOSPICE:
  • Harold Goyen
  • Marilyn Kopp  
 
MILITARY:
  • Adam Jacobs (Army)
  • Harley Scott (Phillis' niece/Navy, VA)
TO BE VISITED THIS WEEK BY THE ELDERS:
  • Jean Snyder
  • Doris Thompson
CARD SHOWER:   Hobie Landreth 

PRAYER FOCUS:  For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...
 
MEMBERSHIP: Sue Whitlock joined December 15.
 
HAPPY 90+ BIRTHDAY: Gene Murray will be 93 on December 25.

Serving this Sunday 

Please note:  This is current data as of Friday Email publishing date.  If you know of changes to your own duties, please continue as you have planned.   Please make sure the office is aware of changes.  Thank you!
 
Acolytes:
Building Lockup: Doug Reed        
Child Care: Trish Logan, Abby Logan
Deacons: 9:00 Scott & Valerie Fisher    
                   10:15 Reena Rhoda, James Nussbaum  
Jr. Deacons: Maddie Chapman, Tyler Chapman     
Drivers:   Gary Thompson, Ralph Lehmann  
Elders:  Karen & Rich Crusius 
Visiting Elders: Art & Camille Taylor   
Coffee Fellowship: Susan Cleaver
Fill Candles: Becky White, Kathie Chapman        
Greeters: Vicki Hall, Wannie Beard
Info Desk: Leslie Frizzell    
Livestreaming Tech: Dave Phillis   
Scripture Reader:  Bob Trefzger 
Time for Children:  Abby Logan           
Sound Tech: James Nussbaum   
Video Tech:
James Nussbaum             
     
Reminders
Things to Do While
You Are at Church
 
 
 
Drop off Plastic Caps and Lids.   Disciples Women's Ministries is collecting plastic caps and lids of (almost) all types in coordination with St. Luke Union Church. The caps can be donated at the FCC office counter or Info Desk.  Please remember lids must be free of any food residue and liners must be removed, as food residue and liners interfere with the recycling process. We cannot use plastic food containers, metal lids, or lids from drive-thru drink containers.  Thank you & keep them coming.
 
Drop Off Sweatpants for Bent School Students, who are in need of gender-neutral colored pants sized 4T-7.  A collection bin will be at the Info Desk.  
 
Drop Off School Supplies and other items for school children. Reach Out is collecting supplies for Sheridan School and Bent School.  Teachers have requested a number of specific items.  Please find a detailed list of needed items at the Info Desk.  Some examples:  Ziploc gallon bags, paper towels, plastic shoeboxes, glue sticks, tissues, pens, and Playdoh.  Also, gently used tennis shoes, coats, clothes for kids to change into in case of accidents, and new boys' and girls' underwear are needed.
 
Volunteer to Help Around FCC.  Find signup sheets at the Info Desk.   
 
Drop off your Box Tops for Education in the Disciples Women's Ministries mailbox outside the church office door.  
 
Make a new friend!  Greet a visitor. Greet someone another member has greeted!  Several contacts truly make a person feel welcome.  A great resource for helping a visitor is the bulletin, and you can also walk them to the Info Desk for another warm greeting,  more information, and a welcome gift! 

"Check In" on Facebook while you are at church. 
December 20, 2019 
In This Issue
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Weather Questionable?

If you suspect Sunday services or another event might be canceled due to inclement weather, see the FCC Facebook page or website, or the WJBC website.
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Office Hours

The church office is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the exception of Mondays, when the office closes at 3:00 p.m. instead.  The office is closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. daily.       
 
Holiday Hours:
The office will be closed for Christmas December 24,  25, and 27,and will also be closed on January 1.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! 
Ministry Quick Links
  
  
Like me on Facebook
  
Also find us on
Instagram
(username "blmfcc")

   
See the Youth Bulletin Board in the Centrum for Youth news and opportunities. 
   
Worship & Wonder and Sunday School for Children are on break until after the holidays. 

Upcoming
 
Brown Bag Bible Bunch meets at noon on Wednesdays.  Jim Warren leads the group, which studies the scripture for the upcoming Sunday.   Bring a lunch to the conference room and join the study.  All are welcome!  Note the group will be on break for Christmas and January 1.

December 24 Christmas Eve Services:           
  • 5:00 p.m. This service has an emphasis on the Christmas story with a Spontaneous Nativity Pageant.
  • 7:30 p.m. This service is saturated with musical sounds of the season and we light candles as we conclude in song.
December 29 we will have only one service, at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.

January 5 we will "undecorate" the sanctuary.  Come one, come all!

January 12 Congregational Meeting to approve church budget

Sharing FAITH beyond the FCC walls.  Opportunities to be involved in our community...
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The One and All Song Lineup
for December 22  
 
Angels We Have Heard on High
Hark!  The Herald Angels Sing
Glory (Let There Be Peace)
Make Room
Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy) 
FCC Vision and Mission Statements
 
Vision: To be a growing church who welcomes all, grows spiritually, and serves others.
 
Mission: To invite and welcome all to the Lord's Table, to strengthen our spirituality with God and one another through prayer, worship, study, and fellowship, and to serve our community with compassion.


401 W. Jefferson St.
Bloomington, IL  61701
  (309) 829-9327

  To contact Jenifer Petri about Church Communications, email her at [email protected] or call 309 533-4912