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Prairie Avenue
Christian Church
To be learning, loving, and serving disciples of Christ from the depths of our being to the ends of the earth.
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Worship Each Week & Daily Prayer |
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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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The Grinch stands at the precipice of Mt. Crumpit with a sleigh full of all the Whos' holiday fare. His sleigh teeters on the edge, ready to disappear into the abyss along with the Whos' hope of a merry Christmas. The Grinch does not steal away Christmas for personal gain, power, or influence. At worst, it seems that he is causing harm for the sake of causing harm.
It is true that the Grinch is bent on punishing the Whos for their love of Christmas, but does his dastardly deed go deeper? With a heart two sizes too small, why would we expect anything less than a love for wrongdoing? Regardless of his motivation , as he is pushing Christmas off the edge of a cliff, he cups his ear to hear the Whos' weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth. He is convinced that what he has done has worked. He is certain that his assumptions are right.
When have you been so certain, only to be completely, and totally wrong?
This week we encounter Mary as she encounters Gabriel perplexing announcement of her pregnancy and the nature of the one whom she will deliver. Mary moves into the unknown, but says yes to God anyway. That is the thing about love, isn't it? Love does not mean that everything will work out the way we plan. Love does not mean there will not be suffering, hardship, or guarantees of the "good life"; but love never tires of making sure that we are valued and that we are precious and that we are God's own. Hope is the poetry of Advent, inviting us to have a holy imagination for a better tomorrow. Peace is the way to build the framework. Joy arrives without invitation. And love disarms and dismantles. Will you let love enter?
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This Week's Prayer Calendar
Congregations: First Christian Church of Centralia, UniPlace Champaign, Chandlerville Christian Church, Burt Lake Christian Church, Burt Lake, MI
Global Ministries: Philippines
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Pray with the Philippines, December 19, 2021 - Global...
Lectionary Selection: Luke 1:39-45 Prayers for the Philippines God Creator, we welcome you in. We invite you into our hearts and homes. The Advent season is a moment for us to remember your covenant with us made visible through Jesus ... Read more
Read more
www.globalministries.org
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Grow in Faith
through listening, paying attention, and reading 5 verses a day
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Morning Devotion
Each weekday (Monday - Friday), Pastor Jason shares a brief 4-7 minute scripture reading, reflection, response, and prayer. The associated devotion is posted to Prairie Avenue's Facebook page.
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The Cost of Discipleship
Book Study Group Continues Sunday, 10:30 AM
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We discuss chapters 18-20 (they are short chapters) this Sunday following 9:30 am service. The Sermon on the Mount, with its Beatitudes, and teachings of Jesus, reveal how disciples should engage in life together, among themselves, and with the world around them. The whole Sermon on the Mount is summed up in one word: love. |
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Longest Night/Blue Christmas Service
Sunday, December 19, 7 pm
FACEBOOK (TM) LIVE
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When the days are at their shortest, and darkness grows deeper, many experience depression in contrast to the expectations of joy. The loss of a loved one - due to death or divorce, unemployment, ill-health, or a sense of isolation can all contribute to a deep pain that is intensified when everyone around us seems to be celebrating.
In a season proclaiming hope, love, joy, and peace, it is difficult to acknowledge and remember it is still a season of loss. Join us online as we pause to remember what we have experienced as loss, yet see the still glimmer of the Holy Light present in our grief.
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Use Your Gifts by sharing five acts of love and kindness each week |
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Give Regularly through five acts of generosity each month |
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God's Love Revealed through
the Committee on Ministry
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The Committee on Ministry members walk with leaders through the process of becoming Ordained or Commissioned Ministers. This Regional Committee is important to the vitality of the Christian Church in Illinois-Wisconsin Region and the larger church. Here is a testimony attesting to God's Love being revealed through this process.
"In my many years of church service this has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding committees to serve on. I've even enjoyed the preparation needed in reading papers and other documents. I will miss all of this but especially the fellowship with the other committee members." - Larry Pepper
Thank you for revealing God's Love in your offering to support the ministries we share through The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Illinois and Wisconsin. Your offerings make a difference! 100% of your gifts to the Christmas Offering support the work and ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Illinois-Wisconsin.
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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...
Read more
www.continuetogive.com
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Fundraising Project - reFresh Capital Campaign
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.
Read more
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 Program News |
$32.73 was raised by 13 households who have linked their Kroger customer reward cards to support Prairie Avenue Christian Church. The quarterly contribution is for shopping at Kroger during July-September, 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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"When you shop for items or gifts at smile.amazon.com/ch/37-6056944, AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchases to Prairie Avenue Christian Church at no cost to you!"
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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 $7.56 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between July 1 and September 30, 2021.
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Share Your Faith by inviting 5 people to church this year |
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Christmas Eve
@ Prairie Avenue
Friday, December 24
7 pm & 9 pm
In-person & Online
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Two in-person Christmas eve services will be held on Friday, December 24, at 7 and 9 pm. Masks are required if social distancing is not expected or observed.
We will have Facebook Live premiere at 7 pm and it will be posted on our website online worship channel at 9 pm.
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Imagine With Me:
Regional Ministry
“Our part of the church way over here across the mountains in in northern California/Nevada belongs to Arizona, and belongs to the Southwest, and belongs to Oklahoma, and belongs to Ohio, where I lived for a long time. And so, we’re all in this church together, doing things together that none of us can do by ourselves. And so, that’s one of the ways that we are in covenant with each other, which I think of as a kind of holy agreement to be a church.” – Rev. Dr. LaTaunya (Toni) Bynum, regional minister for Northern California/Nevada region and president of the College of Regional Ministers.
Rev. Terri Hord Owens talks with three regional ministers about the work made possible by the Christmas offering and Disciples Mission Fund. Rev. Dr. LaTaunya Bynum of the Northern California/Nevada region, Rev. Dr. Andy Mangum of the Southwest region, and Rev. Pam Holt of the Oklahoma region share stories of the work and impact of regional ministry.
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New Regional Associates - Christian Church (Disciples of ...
Published by Neil Topliffe January begins a major change in leadership for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Michigan Region. With the retirement of our current Regional Minister, the Rev. Eugene W. James, Jr., we enter a new direction...
Read more
www.michigandisciples.org
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