Prairie Avenue

Christian Church

Celebrating 100 years...

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

Celebrating 100 Years of Faith, Hope, and Love

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.

Livestream Update

We will post a recording of the sermon only at this time. You can access recent recordings at our website link: Worship Online.

Parables: The Parable of the Mustard Seed

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed. We probably associate mustard as a spicy condiment, or if we are conditioned by years of sermons, the smallest becoming mighty. Small seed, big growth. As we encountered the story of new wine and old wineskins last week, there are three versions of this parable (Mark 4:30-32Matthew 13:31-32, Luke 13:18-19). A small seed produces an unruly shrub/weed. The lesson may be that small actions grow over time. Patience may be necessary (not easy in our microwave-instant world). We like the tall, stately, and large in most things in life. What is bigger is not better, after all? What kind of movement is barely noticeable, then, is a wild shrub growing everywhere? Would you join a movement of small seeds growing to unruly shrubs?

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This Week's Prayer Calendar


Congregations: Sunnyland Christian Church, Washington, IL; First Christian Church Lawrenceville, IL; First Christian Church Paw Paw, MI


Sympathy: Family of Thom Welch (February 22)


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


Global Ministries: Japan

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

March 13 - 19

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Birthdays

None


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!

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.

The Easter Offering, received by most congregations on April 13 and 20, 2025, provides vital support for the general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Your generous gift helps equip college students for leadership, strengthens global mission partnerships, sustains health and social service ministries, supports the formation of new congregations, cares for pastors and chaplains, and so much more.

Dove, Inc. Outreach Project



Our March-April Outreach Collection is Clorox Wipes

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.

Read More
For instructions in registering your Kroger Rewards Card, Click Here.

The Organization code for Prairie Avenue Christian Church is: BY235.

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

Kroger Community Rewards Program News

$25.40 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 October 1-December 31, 2024.

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

Crisis Nursery Update

The From Birth to 5 Crisis Nursery Working Group met this past week to discuss the status of establishing a crisis nursery to serve Decatur & Macon County. Our public informational meeting was well received, with much support for the effort given. However, the shift in political will in both Washington and Springfield has made available funding precarious towards renovation and operation. Staffing a 24/7/365 facility for children under age 6 will also be difficult at this time.


Our building is only best suited if the nursery is operated in the space currently the garage, due to fire code. The entire building would need a sprinkler system installed on all floors, also due to updated fire regulations. While ever hopeful for support towards renovation, it was agreed at this time to suspend the project until grants were assured and staffing could be developed. In the meantime, they will work with Safe Families to develop short-term coverage for community needs.

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