October 13, 2022 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.

Worship Series Continues

What do our prayers say about our faith? Each week we will explore some fundamental aspects of prayer from the Gospel of Luke, empowering us to speak to God more boldly and honestly. Fear of "praying wrong" keeps some people from praying at all, but Luke shows us that prayer is ultimately a way of practicing dependence on God.

One of the most attractive (and frustrating) elements of Jesus' parables is how recognizable his characters are. I find myself often having to apologize for their behavior, wishing that Jesus would cast a more well-behaved lot. But Jesus seeks to reveal the wisdom hidden in everyday life, not the religious nuggets reserved for the pious and polite. It is also striking that, for all the ways we gloss over the difficulties of faith, Jesus never shies away from them. He speaks plainly here about the reality of answered prayer, laying the blame not on lack of faith or proper verbiage but on lack of persistence. When our prayer seems ineffective, Jesus encourages us to harass God.

My own prayers are too often bound to their results. If I do not receive what I have asked, I wonder if the prayer was even effective. The power of this parable is that it is not one of the widow's midnight annoyances that is somehow more productive than the others, it is that she shows herself determined and confident that justice will be done. Her belief is not in her own actions, but in the justice that she seeks.

This story is about the stewardship of prayer, tending to the unspeakable gift God has given us to knock on heaven's door. Jesus wants his followers in a constant state of courageous prayer, not because it is more effective, but because they so fiercely believe in the justice they seek for this broken world, and in the power of God to deliver it.

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!

This Week's Prayer Calendar

Congregations: Chapin Christian Church, Hometown Christian Church Chicago, Jackson Blvd. Christian Church Chicago; The Word Christian Church, St. Clair Shores, MI

Global Ministries: Korea

Pray with Korea, October 16, 2022 - Global Ministries

Lectionary Selection: Luke 18:1-8 Prayers for Korea God of courage and justice, Be with us in this world of much pain and fear as we strive to find faith. And as we find faith, may we be filled with compassion ... Read more

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 Book Study Continues

Wednesday, October 19, 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- Welcoming/Questioning; Everywhere: The Megachurch Next Door. 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

October 13-19

Birthdays

17- Niki Ruffner

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!

Hurricane Response Update

As it made landfall in Florida on Wednesday September 28, the center of Hurricane Ian hit the Fort Myers/Sanibel Island area with the fifth-strongest hurricane winds on record, comparable to Hurricanes Ida (2021) and Laura (2020). News reports include close to 100 confirmed fatalities, and several billions of dollars in property loss and damage.

Does Your Bank/Financial Institution

Provide Bill Pay Services?

If so, you can make sure your tithe/gift/offering arrives whether you are able to attend or not! Often when someone is absent, their offering is also. Or you left it on the table while coming to church! You can set up Prairie Avenue Christian Church as a "bill" (we are not, of course) and schedule timely checks to be mailed at no cost to our address. Many members have taken advantage of our online giving portal, but it also charges fees each time! Avoid the service charges and fees by setting us up as a regular payment through your bank/financial institution. Without fail, your support will arrive. Set your "payment" plan today.

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...

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

$29.72 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 April to June 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.

In Other News

Church Council Meeting -

Wednesday, October 19, 10:30 AM

For purposes of discussion, oversight, and decisions, a church council has been established to handle routine business and strategic planning. Meetings are open to all. This week's meeting will review the financial statement for the third quarter of 2022, update on pending repairs and projects, and discuss a strategic plan for 2023.

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