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

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Let us give thanks for all God's gifts so freely bestowed upon us:


For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea;

For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ;

For our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends;

For minds to think, hearts to love, and hands to serve;

For health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play

For the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity;

For all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice;

For the communion of saints, in all times and places.

Above all, we give you thanks for the great mercies and promises given to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

To him be praise and glory, with you, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

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.
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
Sermon: "The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine): Full Disclosure" November 13, 2022

The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine): Proving Who You Are

Luke 23:33-43

November 20, 2022

November 20, 2022 Worship Service













When we ponder the Christmas story, Zechariah is not the first name that typically comes to mind. Actually, his name might not come to mind at all. We are more likely to remember his wife, Elizabeth, whom Luke describes as a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus. But Zechariah and Elizabeth both hold an important place in the story of Jesus's birth.


Zechariah and Elizabeth, like all of the Jews in Judea in that era, lived under the oppression of the Roman Empire and Herod, its despotic puppet king. Zechariah was a priest from the order of Abijah, and his wife was a descendant of Aaron, Moses's brother.


Zechariah and Elizabeth are childless, which should recall other stories of the Bible involving barren parents: Abraham and Sarah, Hannah and Elkanah in 1 Samuel.


Gabriel's announcement to Zechariah befuddled him, and for his hesitation, he is rendered mute until the child is born and to be named. Even when angels bring good news, we sometimes waver in our faith. But when he is allowed to speak again, Zechariah finds his voice and proclaims: Blessed be the God of Israel, who is at work, in ways we cannot see, in ways we can scarcely imagine, to bring light into the darkest times and places.


In the middle of our darkness, whatever that may be, God is preparing us for a light that leads our feet into the way of peace. God is preparing us to be a light that leads others to peace. How can we hold back, or keep silent?

 

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 on the website. Join us in person or online... it will count!

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This Week's Prayer Calendar


Congregations: Cuba Christian Church, Central Christian Church Decatur, Vermont Christian Church, Flint, MI


Global Ministries: Lebanon

Pray with Lebanon, November 27, 2022 - Global Ministries

Lectionary Selection Matthew 24:36-44 Prayers for Lebanon Our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, almighty and only God, whose ways are unknowable, but whose care ever surrounds us, in these uncertain days across the world we pray today for Lebanon: for the ... 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.

Next Steps Class Meets

Wednesday, November 30, 6 pm

As Prairie Avenue approaches its 100th anniversary, a new chapter begins. To develop a deeper discussion on the mission and call in the 21st Century, we continue a study of two books: Thrive by Ruth Fletcher, and Everywhere You Look by Tim Soerens. Chapters to be read in each: Thrive- Building Capacity & Giving Thanks; Everywhere: The Same Team. You do not need to have read the materials to participate in the discussion. This is a church-wide conversation, open to all.

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

November 24 - 30

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Birthdays

24 - Rev. Dr. Connie Green

27 - Virginia "Jenny" Johnson

30 - Susie Hendricks


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.

Advent/Christmas Decorating Saturday, November 26, 9 am


Let us prepare our hearts to prepare him room this Christmas season. Join us as we gather to decorate our sanctuary for the Advent/Christmas season.

"Not Quite" Choir Meets Wednesday, November 30, 7 PM


Like to sing hymns, or miss the anthems and special music of the times before COVID? Join us on Wednesday, November 30, at 7 pm - Sanctuary.

music department news
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!

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

$28.95 was raised by 14 households who have linked their Kroger customer reward cards to support Prairie Avenue Christian Church. The quarterly contribution is for shopping at Kroger from July to September 2022


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.

"When you shop for items or gifts at smile.amazon.com/ch/37-6056944, AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchases to Prairie Avenue Christian Church at no cost to you!"

Prairie Avenue Christian Church is a listed charity with the Smile.Amazon program. Please use smile.amazon.com, and choose Prairie Avenue Christian Church for your generous support. We will receive a $5.42 donation from program activity between April 1 and June 30, 2022. 

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.

The Wise Men Begin Their Journeys...


Caspar, Balthazar, and Melchior begin their annual seasonal journey to see Jesus starting this Sunday, November 27.


To remind ourselves of the journey to meet Jesus during the season of advent, our Wise Men figurines travel to various places in Central Illinois on their journey. Each week during Advent we will post photographs of our wise men on their journey. Try and figure out where they have visited.


If you would like to "adopt a wise man" to take for a weekly journey, please sign up with Pastor Jason.


In Other News

Church Council Meeting -

Wednesday, November 30, CANCELLED


The planned church council meeting for this coming Wednesday is CANCELLED due to Pastor Jason's new work schedule at the Decatur Public Library. The next meeting will be on Wednesday, December 14, at 10:30 am.

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