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.

Whenever religion becomes a report card, it leads to hypocrisy rather than humility, as illustrated by Jesus' parable. "Two men went up into the temple to pray," Jesus tells us, and we should take note of how equal they are in that initial description. Before God, their distinction do not matter, and their accomplishments are inconsequential. They are simply two human beings, coming into the presence of God. One stands on his own, a Pharisee, offering the wrong kind of gratitude. He thanks God for how he is unlike the more public failures he sees all around him. The catch, of course, is that he is as broken as the rest of them, and yet God still seeks him, which ought to be the source of his thanksgiving.

In the opposite corner is a tax collector, a man who has betrayed his own people to make a profit, who clearly believed money would cure what ails him at some point. But here in the temple, he confesses his brokenness in a brutally honest fashion, unable even to lift his head, as he begs for God's mercy. The humbled man, Jesus says, will be exalted.

The biblical principles of giving are never rotted in earning God's grace or displaying our faith for the world to see. If that were the case, churches would post lists of their top givers to let the rest of the congregation know who really loves Jesus! Instead, the invitation to give is an invitation to trust, an opportunity to humble ourselves before God, step away from the rat race of comparing and competing and rest in the merciful arms of our Redeemer.

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!

New Worship Series Begins Sunday, October 30

We will begin to tackle some scripture passages that you have likely not seen in a cross-stitch project or emblazoned on your favorite coffee mug! We ask the question that most people at one time ask: where is God when things go wrong? In a world caught up in a negative news cycle, the texts that speak to hopelessness, fear, and even the close of history can teach us much about remaining faithful in difficult times. Can we look to the apocalyptic (it means revealing or unveiling) texts of the early church to learn how to remain hopeful, even when the headlines seem out of control?

This Week's Prayer Calendar

Congregations: First Christian Church Canton, First Christian Church Carbondale, First Christian church Virden; Triumphant Temple of Praise, Flint, MI

Global Ministries: Democratic Republic of Congo

Pray with the Democratic Republic of Congo, October 23, 2022 - Global Ministries

Lectionary Selection: Luke 18:9-14 Prayers for the Democratic Republic of the Congo Loving, Living God, God, may we come to youin humility and repentance,ready to encounter you in love At times, we see the suffering in the world, and we ... 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 26, 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 Parish is the Unit of Change. 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 20-26

Birthdays

20- Dave Geibel

21- Stephanie Peoples

Wedding Anniversaries

20- Rev. Jason & Amanda Butterick (21)

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!

PRAIRIE AVENUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS RECOGNIZED AMONG THE TOP 20 PER CAPITA AND SPECIAL DAY OFFERING GIVING IN 2020-2021

During the Christian Church in Illinois-Wisconsin & Michigan Region Assembly this past weekend, Prairie Avenue Christian Church was #13 in giving support per capita to the Disciples Mission Fund in 2020-2021. It was also #13 in top support for Special Day Offerings (Week of Compassion, Easter, Pentecost, Reconciliation, Thanksgiving, and Christmas).

In 2021, the decision was made to regularly sustain the Disciples Mission Fund with a 1% contribution of every offering donation received each week. On collection days for Special Day offerings, in addition to those who give designated gifts, 10% of collected offerings are given for support. Your generosity does not end with the balance sheets and bills paid for our personnel and facility expenses; they literally circle the world and touch countless lives around it.

We did not make this decision for recognition purposes, but it is a tribute to your generous trust that made it possible!

DOVE Fundraiser at Panera Bread

Panera will be hosting a fundraiser night for DOVE Inc. On November 1st, from 4:00 - 8:00 PM, 20% of Panera sales will be donated to DOVE Inc. Use code “FUND4U” at the checkout, in the Panera app, or at the kiosk in the café to have 20% go to DOVE Inc. during that time frame.

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.

Thanksgiving Special Day Offering:

Sunday, November 13 - Sunday, November 20

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.

In Other News

Imagine with Me: Global Ecumenism Rev. Dr. Terri Hord Owens, Ross Allen, and Rev. Allison Bright

Learn more about the organizations mentioned in this episode:

Global Ecumenical Theological Institute

Ecumenical Institute-Bossey

Imagine with Me: Global Ecumenism

On today's episode of Imagine with Me, General Minister and President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens hosts a conversation with Ross Allen, the Disciples representative at the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute (GETI) during the World Council of Churches 13th Assembly, and Rev. Allison Bright, who serves at First Christian Church, Chattanooga and is currently the Disciples representative at the Ecumenical Institute in Bossey.

Share This Email