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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
Dear Prairie Avenue Family,
Forgotten by me, but remembered in the Minister's "Hall of History," was the anniversary of becoming your 16th settled pastor this past Saturday. I began serving as solo pastor on June 21, 2015. Of course, I also hold the distinction of being Prairie Avenue's longest-serving associate minister, arriving my "Senior" year from Christian Theological Seminary on July 1, 2007. In August, I will celebrate my 17th year as an ordained minister.
I cannot believe I have been a shepherd to this flock for ten years! It is beyond my imagining.
This week, we begin a new worship series based on the different scriptures selected to accompany the Disciples of Christ General Assembly in Memphis, Tennessee from July 12 to 15th. The General Assembly theme is Beyond, and is based on Ephesians 3:20-21.
Now to the one who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to them be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!
As we take the next steps in our journey as a community of faith, contemplating and deciding the disposition of our building and the future plan for ministry, I hope you will join me in expressing thanks to God for being able to do immeasurably more than we can either ask or imagine, seek the power already at work within us, that we might bring glory in the church and in Christ Jesus. The last ten years have been a time of growth, a time of challenge, and a time for deeper commitment and holy labor towards what God is calling us to do in this moment, now. What has passed is likely never to return; what is coming is not fully known. It was clear to me in our meeting with Brock McCracken last week that God is not finished with the work initiated as workers gathered on a building site at the corner of 7th Street and Prairie in 1924. Yes, we are closing a means of ministry, probably the most familiar expression of "church" for most, as a building. But as the song goes, the church is not a building, it is a people. Like the metamorphosis between caterpillar and butterfly, and like our story of death to resurrection, we will yet rise from the tomb to everlasting glory. Now is the time to prepare for the journey ahead; the exodus awaits.
To prepare for the journey, I hope you will join me in a book discussion recommended by Brock: Breakthrough: Trusting God for Big Change in Your Church by Dawn Darwin Weaks. The book is available through our Disciples publishing house, Chalice Press, here. I'm looking at a Sunday night group as most convenient for everyone.
THIS WEEK IN WORSHIP: We begin a six-week series based on the theme "Beyond" for the upcoming General Assembly in Memphis next month. This week, we encounter the main scripture theme: Ephesians 3:20-21. The writer is concluding a prayer lifted on behalf of the congregation in Ephesus. It is a prayer for power already present in our lives, already at work in bringing glory to the church in Christ Jesus. What happens when begin to believe the power of God already present within, enabling so much more than we could ever imagine?
DOVE, INC. OUTREACH PROJECT: Our new collection drive will be AA and AAA batteries.
DOVE CHRISTMAS CARE & SHARE TEEN/PRE-TEEN GIFT DRIVE: We contacted Dove to get a list of suggested gifts for teens and pre-teens in their Christmas gift program. Here are suggestions from a MacArthur High School teacher who asked teens: 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). We will begin collecting items now for the December program.
The Joint-Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin and Michigan Regions (soon to re-emerge as Living Waters Region) will be held Friday, October 3 & Saturday, October 4, at the Tinley Park Convention Center in Tinley Park, IL. For more information, click here.
WEEKLY PRAYER LIST: healing of our nation; Chi-Rho Camp at Walter Scott Health: Dane Hodges, Donald Humphries, Virginia Johnson, Paul Kater, Sondra Lehew, Scott Marland, Charlotte Sutman, Debbie Volle Community: Decatur Public Schools, Galloway, Nelson, and Clokey Park neighborhoods. Global Ministries: Hong Kong
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