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We are a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one Body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.
-Disciples Identity Statement
October 3, 2025
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
We begin another letter from Paul this Sunday, his "first" letter to the church in Corinth. I put "first" in quotes because it is likely that what became known later as First Corinthians is at least a second response to their correspondence asking for some advice and guidance (1 Corinthians 7). It is also likely to be at least two letters edited later into one letter, the second-longest letter Paul wrote (only Romans is longer).
If you have been joining us on this journey through Paul's writings to the early church, we have examined two of the seven authentic letters, 1 Thessalonians and Galatians. As we have discovered, Paul is responding to matters and issues of his time and place, whether it is the misunderstanding among the Thessalonians over the status of those who have died before Christ's return, or the misleading demands of fellow Jesus-following missionaries from Jerusalem to make Paul's converts in Galatia look, act, and reshape their bodies to conform with 1st Century Jesus-Judaism. It was an early controversy of the Jesus community how much Jewish practice and behavior was needed or necessary for Gentiles to be a part of this new Messiah-led (via his witnesses, the Apostles) movement.
It is refreshing (and maybe a bit disconcerting) to see that there was a diversity among those united and believing in Jesus as the suffering Messiah to bring about God's plan to bring both Jews and Gentiles, slave or free, male and female, into the one family of God. We see this diversity still reflected today, despite our tendencies to set up boundaries and divisions.
Living faithfully in this new community is not without its challenges, as we will discover in cosmopolitan Corinth.
We continue to evaluate our options and have received a broker's opinion of value for our current buildings. Some find it too low, others say high, and others say about right, given the local market (location, location, location still the lead in real estate). Some are frustrated, others are worried. And yet we will be faithful, listening for God's call to a new beginning. What is clear in our calling is that we no longer need facilities this size to do our ministries. A building occupied for one hour on Sunday, with fewer than 15 people, was built for 130-160.
We worry about what will become of us.
But we are a death & resurrection people.
No one wants a Good Friday.
But everyone can't wait to celebrate Easter.
Yes, it is Good Friday now.
But in the end, there is Easter. There is hope. Not a return to days long past, but a new day coming.
THIS WEEK IN WORSHIP: We begin our exploration of 1 Corinthians through reading Paul's greeting to the saints in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:1-9). This Sunday, let's gather together as those who have been called by God and enriched in every way through Christ Jesus. Paul reminds us that we lack no spiritual gift as we eagerly wait for our Lord, and that God will keep us strong to the end, faithful in His promises.
What a reason to celebrate! Come experience the fellowship of believers who are being made holy, who share in God's grace, and who look forward with hope. You don't have to be perfect—you just need to come as one who has been called.
We'd love to see you this Sunday as we give thanks for God's grace given to us in Christ Jesus!
RECONCILIATION OFFERING: This is our second Sunday to collect for the Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciliation Special offering. The Reconciliation Ministry Special Offering is received each year in congregations on the last Sunday in September and the first Sunday in October (in solidarity with World Communion Sunday). Funds generated by this special emphasis are used throughout the year to provide grants to ministries and congregations actively developing and implementing programs that promote our Church’s Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racist identity. These programs and efforts seek to reveal, re-educate, and remove systemic and structural barriers in our communities that serve to deny the image of God and human thriving based on race.
Your gifts to Reconciliation Ministry strengthen our Church’s witness to God’s unending love for all of humanity. With your generosity, leaders, communities, and our congregations are being equipped to witness to God’s love and justice in all times and in every season. The time is always ripe to stand up for justice to ensure that all of God’s children are treated equitably. Thank you for joining us on this journey through your generosity.
DOVE, INC. OUTREACH PROJECT: Our current collection drive is diaper rash cream, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, and Vaseline (TM)
DOVE CHRISTMAS CARE & SHARE TEEN/PRE-TEEN GIFT DRIVE: We continue to collect these items: Throw pillows, Back support pillows, Blankets, Makeup, Skin care and pimple stickers, Tumblers, Strip or string lights, Journals and fun pens, Games (Jenga, cards), Belt bags, Soccer balls, Slime, Nail polish and press on nails, Bead and friendship bracelet (could also be tween).
WEEKLY PRAYER LIST: World Communion Sunday. Health: Dane Hodges, Virginia Johnson, Paul Kater, Sondra Lehew, Charlotte Sutman, Debbie Volle.Sympathy: The family of Donald Humphries. Community: Decatur Public Schools, Galloway, Nelson, and Clokey Park neighborhoods. Global Ministries: Costa Rica
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