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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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ONLINE WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Family Reunion: God Chooses An Imperfect Family
Genesis 18:1-15; 21:1-7
Saturday, June 13, 5 pm - Worship Online
Sunday, June 14, 9 am - Facebook Live
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COVID-19 GUIDELINES:
In accordance with National Emergency Declaration, as well as State and Local Public Safety Officials,
ALL IN-PERSON EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING WORSHIP IN SANCTUARY, ARE CANCELLED
for the duration. We continue to review and discuss the situation and whether we can proceed to begin steps towards reopening. Current guidance still restricts group gatherings to 10 people or less.
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The Five Expectations of Members -
1.Worship Each Week
Attending weekly gives you the opportunity to re-center your life, give God honor and glory, and remember what is really important in life.
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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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Summer is a time for family reunions. For some of us, family reunions are fun and fulfilling. For others of us, they are uncomfortable or even painful. We all have some dysfunction in our families. We all have stories that we'd rather not tell. In the stories of Genesis, we discover God's chosen family --those first generations of Israel--had struggles, secrets, sibling rivalries, and even threats of murder! As we explore these rich and ancient stories, we see how God works through and in spit of family dysfunction to bring about God's purposes for the world, and we find hope for God's presence and movement in our own families.
We have a Facebook Live event each Sunday at 9 am.
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COFFEE HOUR FELLOWSHIP SUNDAYS:
Grab a cup of coffee (or preferred beverage) and we will gather in Jason's room on Facebook immediately following Sunday worship.
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UPDATE ON WORSHIP:
As current trends are pointing towards our region shifting into phase 4 of the Restore Illinois COVID Plan on Friday, June 26, permitting gatherings of up to 50 people, plans and arrangements are being put in place to observe current safety guidelines to prevent unnecessary and avoidable infections. We are taking a look at holding worship in our garage or in fellowship hall to begin either Sunday, June 28 or Sunday, July 5. Online worship will continue on Saturdays at 5 pm.
Masks will be required for attendance.
Several modifications regarding singing, offering collection, and communion will also be in place.
UPDATE ON ZUMBA:
Zumba classes will begin on Monday, June 15 at 6:15 pm. $3 per session, each Monday & Wednesday, in Fellowship Hall. For more information, contact Stephanie Peoples, 521-2233, or Barb Hodges, 620-3268.
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The Five Expectations of Members
2.
Grow in Faith
- Take a class, join Alpha (TM) course(s), as you make friends and grow to know what learning, loving, and serving God and neighbor means in everyday life.
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Alpha is for anyone and people attend from all backgrounds, religions, and viewpoints. They come to investigate questions about the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of Jesus and more.
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Be sure to keep posted via our Facebook (TM) page and this e-newsletter for online opportunities for small group study and devotion during the month of May.
Alpha Film Series
Why and How Should I Read the Bible Wednesday, June 17, 6 pm:
The Bible is one way God can speak to us. This week we will look at how to read the Bible. You should find a Bible in a version that is easy for you to understand. A Bible that can be understood is often the gateway for you to hear God, and remember it more than when others talk about how they hear God. More information about the Alpha Series is in the adjacent column. To watch the video and join the group on Wednesday, check out :
https://www.prairieavenuechristianchurch.org/alpha-course
Daily Devotion
Each day, except Sunday, Pastor Jason shares a brief 4-7 minute scripture reading, reflection, response and prayer. This devotion is posted on his personal Facebook (TM) page and shared to the Prairie Avenue page. You may also access it on the church website:
prairieavenuechristianchurch.org/daily-devotional
. It begins "live" around 8:20 to 8:30 each morning.
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The Five Expectations of Members
3.
Use Your Gifts
- Serve God and neighbor by using your gifts and talents both inside and outside the walls of the church. Each of us have spiritual gifts and natural abilities to use to serve others and glorify God.
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Not sure about your gifts?
At least once a year we offer a spiritual gifts discovery course, utilizing the
Serving from the Heart
resource. If you would like to take the survey used for the course, click
here
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For more information about the survey, its results, and possible ministries and projects that can use your gifts, see Pastor Jason.
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ADOPT-A-STREET CLEAN UP RESUMES: Saturday, June 20, 9 am
We will be picking up litter and debris along 2200 E Prairie and 2200 & 2300 E Main every third Saturday of the month, June-October, weather permitting. Equipment provided. COVID-19 Precautions and guidelines observed.
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COVID-19 OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE/ASSIST
**Please consider your personal health and safety before volunteering** Those over 60 years of age are encouraged to remain at home throughout the crisis.
NORTHEAST COMMUNITY FUND:
Up to 10 individuals are allowed for its food donation distribution, 9 am - 2 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Fridays. Sign up through their online volunteer portal.
GOOD SAMARITAN INN:
Volunteers are needed for 9 am to 11 am or 11 am to 1 pm to prepare and box to-go meals for patrons.
BLOOD DRIVES:
The American Red Cross is collecting blood each Tuesday from Noon to 6 pm at their facility (2674 N Water).
UNITED WAY OF DECATUR AND MID ILLINOIS:
The United Way of Decatur and Mid Illinois have set up a COVID-19 Assistance page. It can be accessed
here
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The Five Expectations of Members
4
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Give regularly -
Giving regularly not only supports the work of the church, but also is your way of giving God priority in your life. What we love is where we will spend first. When we are able to give, it always deepens our faith in loving and serving God.
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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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LabOratory Church (Indianapolis, IN)
When the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) set a bold goal to start 1,000 new churches by the year 2020, courageous leaders answered the call. New church planters have given their hearts to reaching the underserved, welcoming new neighbors, and creating communities of love. And we, as a church, have committed to supporting those who have stepped out in faith to start new churches.
One way we celebrate and support these brave leaders is through the Pentecost Offering. This week we
will join with churches across the United States and Canada by collecting this special offering. Half of what we give will stay in our Region to help new churches close to home, and the other half will help support new church planters throughout the Church.
Our gifts today will help planters like Pastor Amie Vanderford. She and her husband Thaddeus Shelton
recently launched The LabOratory Church in Indianapolis, IN. LabOratory Church offers a safe space for those with mental illness to worship, cultivate strong connections, and become well. Previous gifts to
the Pentecost Offering helped send Amie and Thaddeus to Leadership Academy in 2019. At Leadership Academy they met other planters. “Being a church planter can be lonely,” says Amie. “Bouncing ideas off of others going through the same thing was awesome.”
Your gift to the Pentecost Offering will help the new church movement continue. We are celebrating 1,000 new churches…and counting!
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Poor People's Assembly + PRAR
The PRAR team wants to encourage 100 people from CCIW to sign up for the Poor People's Online action on June 20! After this, I heard the LORD ask, "Is there anyone I can send? Will someone speak for us?" "I'll go," I answered. "Send me!"
Read more
cciwdisciples.org
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