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Prairie Avenue
Christian Church
To be learning, loving, and serving disciples of Christ from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.
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Worship Each Week & Daily Prayer
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REGULAR WORSHIP SERVICE SCHEDULE
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We host in-person services on Saturdays at 5 pm,
and Sunday mornings at 8 am and 9:30 am.
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Saturday, April 24 Worship Cancelled
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Did you miss a sermon or can't remember the good statement made by Pastor Jason recently?
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What is the heart of the Christian faith? Many in the modern church would answer that question by naming a list of doctrinal beliefs that in theory would transform the way one sees the world. But when one examines the teachings of Jesus and the early teachings of the apostles, another message emerges: Christianity is about doing far more than believing.
Action and belief are not opposed to each other, but in our epistle reading this Sunday (no service on Saturday due to an out-of-town wedding), we are told that there is to be an emphasis on our actions and our truth-telling, rather than on believing or declaring our faith in God. The writer of the epistle goes so far as to suggest that the love of God is not in someone's heart if they see someone in need but choose not to act. This may sound familiar to another testimony in the New Testament, the writings of James, the brother of Jesus, who condemns those who would say, "Be blessed," to someone in need instead of offering a tangible hand of healing.
In the post-resurrection world, we are called to be the incarnations and channels through which Christ is manifest in the world. Theresa of Avila famously declared, "Christ has no body on earth but ours." And it seems that this is the sentiment that the earliest followers of Jesus understood. Unless we are willing to make our faith in the way of Jesus real through living the sacrificial life that Jesus taught, then how can we say we have been transformed by the gospel of Jesus? If we are not willing to speak the truth about our addictions to wealth and power, then how can we say that our lives are centered on the agape--unconditional and equalizing love--of God?
The writer of the epistle (there are a lot of "Johns" mentioned even in the New Testament literature to choose from!) says that our faith will be legitimized by how willing we are to actually embody it and to tell the truth, even when it costs us. This is the challenge that all of us are called to rise to in this post-resurrection world.
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Grow in Faith
through listening, paying attention, and reading 5 verses a day
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Morning Devotion
Each day, except Sunday, Pastor Jason shares a brief 4-7 minute scripture reading, reflection, response, and prayer. During the season of Lent, Pastor Jason is sharing the gospel of Mark, which will be read through by Easter. We encourage you to read this gospel. The associated devotion is posted to Prairie Avenue's Facebook page.
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Christian Church in Illinois/Wisconsin Announces 2021 Camp
Memorial Day Weekend Family Camp May Friday 28 - Monday 31 There will not be a potluck during Family Camps this year. See registration form for fees. Camp Acts - Service Week Groups and Individuals are welcome to attend during any portion of the...
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cciwdisciples.org
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Use Your Gifts by sharing five acts of love and kindness each week
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Parking Lot Attendants / Greeters Needed
We need smiling faces and joyful hearts in greeting and security. I need two parking lot attendants to greet our guests and assist them with their entrance. Once service begins, these parking lot attendants will secure all entrances to the building, locking the doors, closing the garage about 15 minutes into the worship services. I would like to have attendants for each service -Saturdays at 5 pm and Sundays at 8 am & 9:30 am. Contact the church office (217-428-3327) if you are interested in helping assist in guest/welcome services.
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Music Ensembles To Resume Wednesday, May 5, 7 pm
As we look towards in-person hospitality and activity, we need additional assistants at each of our worship services. I would like to have a music ensemble for each worship service: Saturdays at 5 pm and Sunday mornings at 8 am and 9:30 am. These groups are tentatively called Meadowlands 1, 2, & 3. You will lead the congregation in singing the hymns and leading our expanding list of familiar praise songs and choruses. While the ability to read music is helpful, and holding a musical pitch (no matter what size bucket) is expected, all those willing and able are welcome to join these small ensembles.
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Our in-person services need worship leaders to assist in speaking the call to worship, invocation prayer, and the call to worship for each of our services: Saturday at 5 pm or Sundays at 8 am or 9:30 am. These materials are prepared each week by Tuesday afternoon, so you do not have to create your own! You can sign up a particular Sunday of the month, a particular time, or which service you already (or will eventually) attend in person. Contact Barb Hodges at 217-620-3268 if you would like to sign up or have questions.
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Pray with Japan, April 25, 2021 - Global Ministries
Lectionary Selection: Luke 24: 13-35 Prayers for Japan God, open our eyes and fill our hearts as you did for your disciples on the road to Emmaus.Walk with those who are overwhelmed with sadness and who face more questions in ... Read more
Read more
www.globalministries.org
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Give Regularly through five acts of generosity each month
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General Fund
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...
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www.continuetogive.com
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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 DONATION
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$29.90 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 during January - March, 2021.
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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Get Your Disciples Apparel and Gear Here!
Get your Disciples polos, hats, and hoodies in a variety of colors. Order by the 15th to be included in this month's production! 10% of the proceeds benefits the Disciples Mission Fund!
Read more
store.disciples.org
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Prairie Avenue Christian Church is a listed charity with the Smile.Amazon program. Please use smile.amazon.com, and choose Prairie Avenue Christian Church for your generous support. We received a $7.39 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between October 1 and December 31, 2020.
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Share Your Faith through inviting 5 people to church this year
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Rule Changes. In Baseball, In life. In Faith
The theme of the event is Rule Changes...in baseball, in life. in faith. The keynoter is going to be Rev. Michael Gatton from Louisville, KY. No cost to attend. Please register by noon on Tuesday, April 27 schedule Keynoter Reverend Doctor...
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cciwdisciples.org
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Regional Church Council + Asian American & Pacific...
Dear Members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Illinois and Wisconsin, There is a rising tide of violence and harassment against Asian-Americans and Asian immigrants in our country. We must raise awareness about these incidents,...
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cciwdisciples.org
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2020 Vision New Church Impact Report - New Church Ministry
Starting new churches and making new disciples has been part of the Disciples tradition from its earliest days. The 2020 Vision's commitment to new faith communities wasn't new for Disciples, but it pushed the Church to go further and more...
Read more
newchurchministry.org
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SAVE THE DATE! August 7, 2021 Nothing can separate us from the love of God! #DisciplesConnect2021 Stay tuned to Disciples News Service for details as they become available.
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