Prairie Avenue Weekly Update

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.

Sometimes we get lost along the way. Even if we are brave enough to pick up our cross or sell what we have or set out with enthusiasm after Jesus, we then get a little confused, we lose our way and wander off in the wrong direction, and before we know it, we have totally lost our focus. This is what happened to James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who had gladly set down their fishing nets, given up everything, and followed Jesus. But just a few chapters later, they have completely lost their focus, convinced somehow that following Jesus included ascending to positions of influence and power. They had picked up their crosses but got a little lost.

Have you experienced a time when your focus was so distracted that you missed out on what had been so important in the days and weeks prior to the experience? Our focus is so distracted that we miss the reason for the journey in the first place, catching a glimpse of something we have always wanted to see, but missing out on the full experience because we were not fully participating in the first place. We walked the trail but failed to see the stunning landscape, the much talked about landmark, the long-awaited artifact or object we have talked about for years wanting to see.

It is easy for us, followers of Jesus, to wander off the path even while carrying our crosses. We get distracted by other concerns. We lose focus on the path of discipleship, and we need to step back and refocus.

This Week's Prayer Calendar

Healing of our nation

Camps: Chi Rho Camp at Camp Walter Scott

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

Global Ministries: Paraguay

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.

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

June 27 - July 3

Birthdays

July 2 - Barbara Hodges

Wedding Anniversaries

None

Membership Anniversaries

(When you joined Prairie Avenue!)

July 1, 1963 - Donna Reeve

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

Our June/July Dove, Inc. Outreach project is purchasing new full-size bath towels, twin-size bed sheets, pillows, and comforters.

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

Prairie Avenue Receives Ameren Energy Efficiency Grant

Ameren Illinois Energy Efficiency program has announced Prairie Avenue Christian Church as an approved lighting upgrade project. Over 500 fluorescent bulbs in the sanctuary and education wing buildings will be updated to LED bulbs. The cost of the project is still being finalized, but a full grant of $13,000 is anticipated. No cost for the church.

A Vision for an Emerged Regional Ministry in Michigan, Illinois & Wisconsin available

Two and a half years ago, CCIW and CCMR entered into a "Covenant Partnership." At the time, we were planning to remain separate indefinitely. Now, however, we understand that our future is together! What has emerged is an understanding that God is calling us to live into a new vision of abundance! Would you like to read more about the vision of this Emergence? Click here.

Of interest around CCIW/ CCMR...

CCMR Disciples Women are hosting their annual retreat on August 16-18 at Crystal Conference Center
AIM's 30th Annual Conference on Intergenerational Ministry is Oct. 2-3. Messy Church USA educator, Ronda Bower, will keynote.

DOC News and Offerings...

Applications for Family Faith Everyday Congregational cohorts are open through July 5. Five congregations will receive $15,000 to use over three years to develop programs for families with children 0-3 years old.
Register for the Poor People and Low Wage Workers' Assembly and Moral March in Washington, DC on June 29.
The National Convocation's Biennial Session is July 11-14 in Greensboro, NC
NAPAD Convocation will gather July 17-24, 2024 in Salt Lake City, UT
The Association of Disciple Musicians will meet in Tulsa, OK July 22-26
New Church Ministry will host its Leadership Academy Oct. 22-25 in Gainesville, FL
The Proclamation Project will host a Preaching Retreat Oct. 28-30 in Scottsdale, AZ

Beyond...

National Council of Churches' Freedom Summer is in full swing! Get involved here
The newly-formed Pause/ Play Center for Preaching directed by Disciples homiletics scholar, Rev. Dr. Casey T. Sigmon, is taking applications for a new cohort.

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