|
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
Happy Eastertide! We entered the season of Easter, the great 50 days of celebration for the resurrection of Jesus, last Sunday. New life begins as the freeze threat abates (frost can still happen until mid-May!), the garden centers reopen, and the farmers start their annual work of preparing and planting the rich soil of our area with their seeds.
It is not a season of absolute certainty in either a great harvest or the meaning and purpose of the resurrection! Doubts persist and may overwhelm our hearts and minds with growing uncertainty and distrust. One might conclude that these thoughts or feelings indicate a personal failure of faith. Not at all! A robust faith, as seen by the numerous encounters with the resurrected Jesus, in his near-glory form with the wounds of life still present, astonished some, had those who needed more evidence or proof, and some who doubted or refused to believe. But there is no evidence that Jesus cast anyone away! All were welcome, regardless of their ability to accept.
As a congregation, we join in the journey of faith, with its astonishment, doubts, and wonder. The old has passed away, and the new has arrived! Our resurrection mystery is that death is still present, but it is not the final author. It marks a beginning. Victory has been given by God. Thanks be to God!
NEW SERIES BEGINS SUNDAY, APRIL 27: We will begin a new series of coffee and conversation this Sunday as we explore, discover, or remember our distinctive heritage as a congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Our gathering will be in the narthex, with a short communion service in the sanctuary. Some of the formalities of the worship service will take a reprieve as we look at our shared history as part of a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. Whether you are a "cradle" Disciple or one who came from another denominational heritage, I hope you will learn and recognize how our understandings of the communion, Bible, and ecclesiology (church) shape our beliefs and practices. It may be all new to you; it may be old and familiar. But who we are shapes our calling into the future. Where we have been will help us to where we are going!
EASTER OFFERING UPDATE: Our total is $237.00 for general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). General Ministries that receive support from the Easter Offering include:
You may still contribute to the offering here.
DOVE, INC. OUTREACH PROJECT: Our collection is diapers (all sizes) and/or personal hygiene items.
WEEKLY PRAYER LIST: Congregations: Church of Christ Uniting, Lexington, IL; First Christian Church, Macomb, IL; Carlock Christian Church, IL; First Christian Church Galesburg, IL; First Christian Church, Ionia, MI. Health: Dane Hodges, Donald Humphries, Virginia Johnson, Paul Kater, Sondra Lehew, Charlotte Sutman, Debbie Volle Community: Decatur Public Schools, Galloway, Nelson, and Clokey Park neighborhoods Global Ministries: South Africa
| 
