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.

EASTER SERMON SERIES: WINDOWS ON FAITH CONTINUES: While we live today in a literate society where one can easily get not only a copy of the Bible, but a Bible application on their smartphone, the legacy of presenting the gospel through the use of symbols is still incorporated into the space you see around you today. In the windows, furnishings, and architecture of Prairie Avenue Christian Church, the timeless lessons of the gospel of Jesus Christ are presented for all who can see to “read.”

Did you miss a sermon or can't remember the good statement made by Pastor Jason recently?

You can access the complete library of sermons at our Prairie Avenue YouTube(TM) Channel

We arrive at the one window that has been part of the sanctuary since shortly after it was finished, the Gethsemane window above the altar. The window was paid for by an anonymous donor in 1951, and designed by the Unique Art Glass Company of St. Louis, Missouri. The company installed hundreds of versions of famous biblical scenes but did something unique for each installation, whether by color, placement, or element. Hence, we have a "unique" Gethsemane window.


The window reminds us of the agonized prayer of Jesus on the night of his betrayal. It is a prayer to request a different way, another "cup" instead of betrayal, trial, crucifixion, and death. It is also an experience we all have shared; the unanswered prayer.


Unanswered prayer is probably among the top reasons people abandon their faith and beliefs. "I thought God loved me, and then..." is often the beginning of the story towards stepping away. But Jesus reveals that prayer is a way not to understand, or to order God around with our desires, but a reminder to trust. Even when cups of suffering are not removed. You may not understand, but you can still trust God to be with you.



Attend Worship: Pastor Jason has encouraged an "A grade" of 90% worship attendance (missing less the 5 Sundays in a year). You can keep up your attendance by joining worship online through our Facebook premiere or our worship online page. Join us in person or online... it will count!

LIVESTREAM PROGRAMMING UPDATE: If you have followed us online for the past three years, you may have noticed we have not added video updates for worship services or sermons. Unfortunately, two young men walked in through the main entrance during the Maundy Thursday service and hid in the basement until all had left and proceeded to steal one of our two cameras for live stream. They were recorded on our security cameras, and all evidence has been turned in to the Decatur Police Department.


In response to this most recent burglary, the following operational changes have been put into place.

  • The main entrance will always be locked. You will have to ring the intercom system or use your own key to get in during regular church activities.
  • The security system will always be armed whenever the building is unoccupied. Pastor Jason already works part-time at the Decatur Public Library during the week, so it is best to call him to see if he is at the church outside of Sunday morning.
  • Sunday offerings/collections will be tabulated and deposited immediately at the conclusion of worship services. Any other fundraising activities will be deposited at the conclusion of an event, or in case of a several-day event, taken securely away from the building in trusted custody.
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This Week's Prayer Calendar


Congregations: Colfax Christian Church, Arrowsmith Christian Church, New Covenant Christian Church Normal; First Christian Church, Muir, MI


Global Ministries: Zambia

Pray with Zambia, May 7, 2023 - Global Ministries

Lectionary Selection: John 14:1-14 Prayers for Zambia Almighty and Everlasting God,We give you thanks for the opportunity to be your children. Thank you for the gift of land, which is our inheritance.We pray that we may use this inheritance for your name's ... Read more

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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.

Morning Devotion

Each weekday (Monday - Friday), Pastor Jason shares a brief 4-7 minute scripture reading, reflection, response, and prayer. The associated devotion is posted to Prairie Avenue's Facebook page.



You may also access it on the church website: prairieavenuechristianchurch.org/daily-devotional. It is posted around 8:20 to 8:30 each morning.

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.

Birthdays/Anniversaries

May 4 - 10

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A CORRECTION: Last week's listing failed to include Dane & Barb Hodges's wedding anniversary on April 30. Happy 41st anniversary!

Birthdays

None


Wedding Anniversaries

None


Membership Anniversaries

(When you joined Prairie Avenue!)

May 6, 1962- Paul Kater

May 9, 1971- Chris Gardner




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!

2023 Pentecost Offering - May 21 & 28

We are a Movement for Wholeness in a Fragmented World


In the beginning, every church was new.


It’s right there in the Book of Acts. Early disciples came together, sharing all things in common, breaking bread with glad and generous hearts. God was doing a new thing: creating a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.


In the beginning, Jesus sent out disciples, two by two, not to “plant” churches, but to proclaim the good news, to experience the hospitality and wisdom of neighbors all around.


At New Church Ministry, we believe God is calling the whole Church back to becoming new… back to becoming who we are: a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.


Your gifts to the 2023 Pentecost Offering, received this year in most congregations on Sundays, May 21 and 28, help ensure our movement continues to embody the Disciples of Christ vision: to be and to share the Good News, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.


Half of your gift supports the local new church movement through your region’s ministry. The other half supports New Church Ministry efforts across the United States and Canada to equip, train, and empower new leaders. 


So, thank you. For participating in the new thing God is still doing — just as in the beginning.

New Churches, Pentecost Offering 2023
Please Give Generously to the Pentecost Offering

General Fund Supports Operations & Ministry

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...

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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.

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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

$31.94 was raised by 13 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 2023.


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

2023 State of the Church - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

On April 14-18, 2023 the General Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada gathered in person in Cincinnati, Ohio, to worship, learn, discern and work. At the opening gathering of the General Board, General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens presented the State of the Church.

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General Assembly 2023 - General Assembly

The theme for the 2023 General Assembly is "Kindom of God Within Us, Among Us." The theme is based on three scriptures: Luke 17:20-21, Genesis 11:1-9, and 2 Peter 1:3. "Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The coming of the kingdom of God is not [...]

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