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

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

Due to the breakdown of the elevator (and its anticipated modernization approaching $200,000!), we are gathering in the choir rehearsal room for the convenience of our elderly members who cannot handle stairs. With our recording equipment placed in the Sanctuary (and immovable), we are unable to record our entire service. We will post a recording of the sermon only at this time. You can access recent recordings at our website link: Worship Online.

Bible Stories for Grown-Ups:

Lens Check

We begin a new worship series in the new year! Many of us are familiar with the stories of the Bible from our earliest childhood memories of Sunday School and its probable "flannelgram" presentation (Remember those?) Those early presentations were very influential, perhaps a cherished interpretation even today. But like all stories, there is more than one way to look and see these stories. Maybe there is more than a Sunday School lens to look through. Join us as we look again at the familiar, with a new lens. Flannelgram not included.

Decorated altar area of Prairie Avenue's Sanctuary.

Until December 2025


The Advent/Christmas decorations need to be put away for another season, please join us following worship this Sunday to take down the decorations.

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This Week's Prayer Calendar


Congregations: Christian Church of Illiopolis, IL; Niantic Christian Church, IL; Lynnville Christian Church, IL; First Christian Church Manton, MI


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


Sympathy: Family of Bob Teela



Global Ministries: Morocco

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

January 9 - 15, 2025

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Birthdays

Glory Ray, Barbara Humphries


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.

2024 STEWARDSHIP REPORTS: Your generosity records for tax purposes will be completed before the end of January.


2025 OFFERING ENVELOPES: Offering envelopes are ready for use and available in the choir room. If you would like to have one and don't already, you may pick up a number set and please sign your name for accurate bookkeeping. Of course, you can always set up a regular donation schedule via electronic payment.

2024 Generosity Report


Besides financial contributions and support for the operational and facilities of Prairie Avenue Christian Church, your support was extended to these important and life-giving ministries and programs during the past year:


Disciples Mission Fund (General Fund for Regional and General church ministries and programs) $664.30

Good Samaritan Inn (Donut Program) $800

Week of Compassion $284.98

Easter Offering $357.70

Pentecost $284.30

Reconciliation $576.10

Thanksgiving $585.72

Christmas $419.76

Dove, Inc. Financial Services Christmas Eve Offering: $565.00


2024 TOTAL OUTREACH $4537.86

Dove, Inc. Outreach Project



Our January Outreach project will be socks for the Children's Clothing Room.

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

$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.


 

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

Around Christian Church in Illinois & Wisconsin/Michigan Region

Disciples Of Christ News and Offerings...

Beyond...


Prairie Avenue to Begin the Second Century

with New Beginnings

Next year is a great time to start a new chapter in the life story of Prairie Avenue Christian Church.


Recently, the congregation and trustees agreed to seek the services of Church Board of Extension through its New Beginnings program to begin the process of ministry, resources, and community needs toward congregational redevelopment. During the process, we will explore our context, explore options, and make informed decisions about the next chapter in ministry as a faith-filled community.


Over 1,000 congregations have engaged with this program with 99% finding clarity and embracing a new vision of their future ministry. Of the churches that decided to plan their path forward:

  • 60% choose to re-envision their mission and growth
  • 35% choose to redevelop their congregation
  • 5% choose to close and leave a legacy gift so that other ministries may carry on.

Look for more announcements and updates soon.

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