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We are a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one Body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.
-Disciples Identity Statement
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
Our final Sunday of the Easter season is this Sunday, June 1. As we discussed last week, Jesus ascended to heaven on the 40th day following his resurrection, according to the 2nd Volume of Luke, otherwise known as Acts. The disciples were told to wait in Jerusalem until they had received the power of the Holy Spirit, and then to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea & Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
One of the ends of the earth was the Roman Empire's capital, Rome. Both historical and scriptural evidence indicate that Jesus' followers were in the city just a few decades following Jesus' death, around 50-59 AD/CE. This week, as we conclude our Disciples of Christ series, we will examine a section of the Apostle Paul's letter to several communities in Rome, house-congregations who knew about Paul, but never met him. His letter to the Romans is a letter of introduction and his response to some tension present in the Jewish and Gentile churches in the city. His imperatives to these early congregations can also shape us as members of a local congregation. Through prayer, attendance and participation, service, and inviting others, we reveal God's kingdom as Christ's living body present today.
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST SERIES CONCLUDES THIS SUNDAY: What does it mean to be a member of a group of disciples? Being a member of a church means more than just showing up on Sundays for one hour of worship or only on special occasions such as Easter and Christmas. As a church member, your responsibility --and your privilege--is to support Prairie Avenue in any way that you can and help it become a living, thriving manifestation of God's kingdom in Decatur. As we conclude our study and discussion, we will explore the importance of membership in this portion of the body of Christ.
PENTECOST SPECIAL OFFERING JUNE 1 & 8: The Pentecost Offering supports Disciples new church development. Planning, nurturing and sustaining new congregation is part of the Disciples’ vision. This offering supports the specialized ministry of new church development through both regional and general programs. Gifts for this offering are divided equally between the region in which they are given and the New Church Ministry. Please give generously to the Pentecost Offering.
DOVE, INC. OUTREACH PROJECT: Our collection is diapers (all sizes) and/or personal hygiene items.
DOVE CHRISTMAS CARE & SHARE TEEN/PRE-TEEN GIFT DRIVE: We contacted Dove to get a list of suggested gifts for teens and pre-teens in their Christmas gift program. Here are suggestions from a MacArthur High School teacher who asked teens: Throw pillows, Back support pillows, Blankets, Makeup, Skin care and pimple stickers, Tumblers, Strip or string lights, Journals and fun pens, Games (Jenga, cards), Belt bags, Soccer balls, Slime, Nail polish and press on nails, Bead and friendship bracelet (could also be tween). We will begin collecting items now for the December program.
NEXT CHAPTER DISCIPLES CHURCH EXTENSION UPDATE: We have turned in our initial assessment report to Brock McCracken, Building and Capital Services Advisor with the Disciples Church Extension Fund. He would like to meet with us in June and requests the best time, day or evening. Please let me know your availability and preference!
The Joint-Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin and Michigan Regions (soon to re-emerge as Living Waters Region) will be held Friday, October 3 & Saturday, October 4, at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, IL. For more information, click here.
WEEKLY PRAYER LIST: Congregations: 15th Avenue Christian Church, Rock Island, IL; Memorial Christian Church, Moline, IL; First Christian Church Maywood, IL; Handyperson Skills Week at Walter Scott. Health: Dane Hodges, Donald Humphries, Virginia Johnson, Paul Kater, Sondra Lehew, Scott Marland, Charlotte Sutman, Debbie Volle Community: Decatur Public Schools, Galloway, Nelson, and Clokey Park neighborhoods Sympathy: Family of Karin Rasor (Tonda Atchason's sister-in-law), 5/11. Global Ministries: Kenya
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