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

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Celebrating 100 years...

1924 - 2024

E.J. Muffley, Grace & Lee Weddle, charter members of Seventh Street Christian Church, at the dedication of the education wing, June 28, 1970.

Notes from R.H. Heicke, Illinois state evangelist, November 27, 1924


The church was completely organized with a board of officers consisting of three elders, seven deacons, three trustees, six deaconesses and all officers of the board. The Bible school was also organized upon the departmental basis according to the most improved methods. Young people's services were conducted each Sunday evening but no definite organization was effected for it was felt that instruction should be given and some practice in conducting the meeting and the work before a definite organization should be launched. It is likely the young people's work will be carried on through the regular Bible school organization.


On the closing evening of the meeting the new members subscribed over $1,300 for the support of the work and this has been increased no to over $1,800. A full-time pastor was provided and Rev. R.E. Finlayson, recently of Brownstown, was called to the work and has accepted. This is, therefore, the newest of our congregations in Illinois and is the pride of all our hearts.


The meeting resulting in this splendid achievement was of three weeks duration and was attended most faithfully by the folks of the community as well as the members of our downtown churches. Delegations also attended the meeting from Clinton, Maroa, Niantic, Oreana, Mt. Zion, Lovington and Antioch.


The church membership numbers among its constituency many tried and efficient workers. Mr. E.J. Muffley, who served with the Disciples Foundation at Champaign and worked so successfully among the university students, was chosen as Bible School Superintendent. Under his leadership it will rapidly an efficient working school. The officers chosen were men who had been members of long standing and efficient service in other churches and will bring their experience in to the building of this new church.


The results of this meeting greatly justifies our cooperative work. The State Society was glad to contribute the services of its State Evangelist and the cooperation of the churches of Decatur in making possible the undertaking speaks of a new day in our cooperative work in that city. The new church besides meeting all local expenses of the meeting contributed $40.00 to the State Society.


A Women's Missionary Society with a Home Department was also organized with a charter membership of fourteen members. This youngest of our Society is already filled with missionary enthusiasm and is proud of having contributed one gold bond to the Jubilee Fund. Its president, Mrs. E.J. Muffley is splendidly equipped for leading these workers into a large missionary vision and service for the Master.


Fourteen subscriptions for the Mission Leaves will also bring our State paper into as many homes which will keep them in close and sympathetic touch with the churches of Decatur and with their pastors, Brothers Golden and Henry, who gave every encouragement and worked consistently for this new church. Under the leadership of these men our cause in Decatur is rapidly growing in influence and power in the city.

Worship Each Week & Daily Prayer

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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 our weekly worship service at its conclusion. You can access recent recordings at our website link: Worship Online.

"God Has Heard Your Prayers"

Join us as we begin our Advent journey series. The word Advent comes from the Latin Adventus, which refers to the coming of the king or emperor. There was a messenger sent prior to arrival. We encounter the priestly family of Zechariah and Elizabeth, very old and righteous and blameless. They are also childless. Yet God has called them to be the parents of John the Baptist. There is no retirement home awaiting the faithful. The faithful are called to await, pray, and listen for God's answer.

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This Week's Prayer Calendar


Congregations: First Christian Church Downers Grove, IL; First Christian Church Borinson, IL; University Christian Church, Chicago, IL


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



Global Ministries: Turkey

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

November 28 - December 4

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Birthdays

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.

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


The delivery of our glove collection could not have been well-timed. On the day we delivered our donations, they were just about to order the gloves needed for the kitchen preparation of the Domestic Violence shelter.



Our November Collection is Shampoo, Conditioner, and Body wash products.

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.

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

$40.54 was raised by 10 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 1 - September 30, 2024. This includes the previous quarter's proceeds since it was less than $25 in a given quarter.


Our number of supporters has decreased by 2 since last quarter.


 

Thanksgiving Special Offering Received


Thank you for your generous support of the Thanksgiving Special Offering. We are still making our final tally, but will report our collection next week.


You can still give to the offering with the button below.

Give to Thanksgiving Offering

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 journey...


The journeys of Balthasar, Casper and Melchior begin this Sunday. To recognize the traveling wise men mentioned in Matthew, we let our sanctuary figurines "travel" until their arrival on January 6 (our observance will be held on Sunday, January 5). You are encouraged to take photographs of the various locations where the figures "visit."

In Other News

2025 General Assembly Submissions Open - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

As the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) prepares for the 2025 meeting of the General Assembly next summer, the Office of General Minister and President is now receiving submissions for [...]

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