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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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When you think about the Grinch, what comes to mind? Do you envision that strange green creature whose heart is two sizes too small? Maybe you are thinking about someone you just saw around the Thanksgiving table, who just never seems happy with anything. We do not have to think too hard before we can add a “grinchy” face to a name, but we must not be too quick to blame someone for hating Christmas. I am sure there is something about the traditions or music or fanfare that we do not particularly enjoy. In fact, I bet we could all find a bit of the Grinch within each of us. We are never told why the Grinch hated Christmas, but that’s the thing about hate—it doesn’t need much of a reason.
We may think that hate is a bad thing, and on the whole, that is correct; but the Amos text focuses our energy on hating evil and loving good (Amos 5:21, 23-24, also see Romans 12:9). What does it mean to “hate” something? It seems counter to an Advent message, but if we light a candle of peace, we are “hating war,” so to speak.
I do not think the Grinch has much considered whether stealing Christmas is morally good or bad or just or clever, but he is certainly motivated! He fully expects that taking away all of what Christmas seems to be that Christmas will not arrive. What do you think the Grinch was expecting, after all? He waits on top of the mountain to hear weeping and wailing, but that’s not what happens. What might our expectations for the holiday season be? What are we expecting to see? What are we expecting not to see? Why? What might happen when our expectations aren’t met? Will we become bitter and angry? Or perhaps might we find there is room for our hearts to grow? Finding peace begins right inside our own hearts. The Christmas story surprises and disarms us. We are not gifted a great warrior or strategic leader. God came to us as a baby—what an amazing vulnerability! Whether we are surrounded with shouts of lament or praise over these next few weeks, may we find peace “among whom God favors,” which, thankfully through grace, is all of us.
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This Week's Prayer Calendar
Congregations: First Christian Church of Downers Grove, First Christian Church of Robinson, university Christian Church of Chicago, Blaine Christian Church of Arcadia, MI
Global Ministries: Israel/Palestine
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Pray with Israel/Palestine, December 5, 2021 - Global...
Lectionary Selection: Luke 3:1-6 Prayers for Israel/Palestine Lord, help us to be a part of your plan that all flesh shall see your salvation, through Jesus Christ. Amen. Mission Stewardship Moment from Israel/Palestine The season of Advent is a...
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 10-13 (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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Use Your Gifts by sharing five acts of love and kindness each week |
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Christmas Care & Share is the Annual Christmas Basket Drive sponsored by Dove, Inc. This is a combined effort with the Northeast Community Fund, Salvation Army, and Dove, Inc., and is supported by hundreds of churches, businesses, and groups throughout the community. A Dove and NECF partnership started in 1972 and Salvation Army joined in 2020. Traditionally the drive provided food and gifts to over three hundred households each holiday season. They became the local distributor for Toys for Tots in 2019.
Donating money or new items such as toys, stocking stuffers, hats, and gloves, wrapping paper, and tape, new socks, games, books, and puzzles.
We are collecting items for senior citizens and will be distributing them to residents at Decatur Rehab, Fairhaven, and Heritage in Mt. Zion. If you would like to donate or make homemade items for our seniors, that would be wonderful also! We are hoping to give each resident a nice blanket, a stocking with stocking stuffers, candy and snacks, warm socks, or slippers, reading material, large print crossword puzzles and word search books, etc. Anything that might make someone smile on what may otherwise be a lonely holiday (especially with Covid still in play).
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Give Regularly through five acts of generosity each month |
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The Christmas special offering collected on December 12 & 19 benefits regional ministries. Your regional ministry works to:
- Connect congregations to each other
- Foster faith development
- Gather Disciples in camps, conferences, and assemblies
- Nurture the development of a new generation of pastors
- Assist churches in calling new ministers
- Interpret the global mission of the Church
- Represent the Church in ecumenical gatherings
- Counsel and pray with those who are troubled of spirit
- Lead the Church to address racism
- Inspire leaders to experiment and create
- Witness to the power of God to make things new
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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 $5.33 donation from the AmazonSmile Foundation as a result of AmazonSmile program activity between January 1 and March 31, 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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