May 23, 2024 Newsletter

Prairie Avenue

Christian Church

217.428.3327

www.prairieavenuechristianchurch.org

To be learning, loving, and serving disciples of Christ from the depths of our being to the ends of the earth.

A Stephen Ministry & Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Congregation

Worship Each Week & Daily Prayer

Attending weekly gives you the opportunity to re-center your life,

give God honor and glory, and remember what is really important in life.

Windows on Faith Series Continues This Sunday

We continue our series on the "hidden" windows of our sanctuary building with The Christian Church window located in the transept (recently where the handchimes were played). Church is often associated with a building and address. The ancient Greek word was an "ecclesia," which denoted a group of people, sometimes organized as a political or national movement. Most of Paul's letters are addressed to these assemblies in various places across the Eastern Roman Empire of the first century AD/CE. Jesus instructs the church to go and baptize the nations in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation, we recognize our early traditions as not the only Christians, but as Christians only. Our window reflects a church universal, not particular denomination or group. It is a place of safety and rescue, reaching out to the storm-tossed around us. Our ceiling has a story to tell, too!

Other Windows in the Series:

May 26 - The Christian Church

June 2 - The Creation

June 9 - Peace

June 16 - King of Kings

This Week's Prayer Calendar

Congregations: Union Avenue Christian Church, Litchfield, IL; Flanagan Christian Church, IL; First Christian Church Creve Coeur; Gerlaw Christian Church, IL; First Christian Church, Lansing, MI

Community: Decatur Public Schools Galloway, Nelson, and Clokey Park neighborhoods

Global Ministries: Palestine

Grow in Faith

through listening, paying attention, and reading 5 verses a day

Take a class, as you make friends and grow to know what learning, loving, and serving God and neighbor means in everyday life.

SECRET PLACE SUMMER 2024 ISSUE AVAILABLE: The daily devotional magazine Secret Place is available in the Education Wing foyer to pick up.

Use Your Gifts by sharing five acts of love and kindness each week

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.

Worship Assistance Needed

The worship service slides are prepared. Coffee is hot, and donuts are served. Pastor Jason greets you at the door.

What's wrong with this picture? These tasks are handled and cared by Pastor Jason's family members in a majority of the situations. Every Sunday.

Help with Door Greeting? Your duties would be to arrive at the church no later than 8:50 am. Greet those at the entrance. Remain at the door until 9:40 am (about the time for "All God's children section of worship) for late arrivals.

Help with Worship Slides? Arrive in the balcony about 5 minutes before worship (9:25). Advance slides appropriately. Additional duties will be checking livestream when up and running.

Birthdays/Anniversaries

May 23 - 29

Birthdays

None

Wedding Anniversaries

None

Membership Anniversaries

(When you joined Prairie Avenue!)

None

If you know of a birthday or anniversary that has gone "Missing" from our list, please contact the church office at 217-428-3327. Thanks.

Give Regularly through five acts of generosity each month

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.

Thank You for your generosity!

DID YOU KNOW?: You can automate your giving through your bank/credit union/financial institution! Nearly all online bill pay services can provide your contribution by mail or ACH (Automated Clearing House) without fees.

Dove, Inc. Outreach Project

The Dove, Inc. Domestic Violence Shelter desperately needs baby wipes! Boxes of wipes are available at Sam's Club for around $25. Pastor Jason challenged each participant to purchase a box of wipes to present at the end of the month.

Pentecost Special Offering UPDATE:

Our collection for the Pentecost Special Offering to-date is $284.30.

The Pentecost Offering supports Disciples' new church development. Planning, nurturing and sustaining new congregations is part of the Disciples’ vision. This offering supports the specialized ministry of new church development through both regional and general programs. Gifts for this offering are divided equally between the region in which they’re given and the New Church Ministry.

You may still give to the Pentecost offering. When giving, be sure to mark it as a gift from Prairie Avenue Christian Church. Use the button below to complete an online contribution.

Give to the Pentecost Special Offering

Building Fund Supports Repair & Updates

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.

For instructions in registering your Kroger Rewards Card, Click Here.

The Organization code for Prairie Avenue Christian Church is: BY235.

Kroger Community Rewards Program News

$25.45 was raised by 12 households who have linked their Kroger customer reward cards to support Prairie Avenue Christian Church. The quarterly contribution is for shopping at Kroger from January to March 2024.

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.

Share Your Faith by inviting 5 people to church this year

The God you worship is always revealed through your words and actions. Awkward conversations (i.e. "Are you saved?") are not necessary when your words and actions reveal the God you seek to learn, love, and serve.

In Other News

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