Sunday Traditional Worship 9:00 a.m. with Worship and Wonder for Children One and All Worship 10:15 a.m. Sunday School for Adults 10:00 a.m.

 December 5, 2018 Visit Our Website

December: Music Sunday December 9 at 9:00 a.m. service Annual Tasting Party December 9 at 10:00 a.m. Christmas Eve Services December 24 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

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Save the Date: January 27, 2019 Celebrate Jim! Blended service at 10:00 a.m. Meal and mini-program Details in the next Messenger

WEDNESDAY SUPPER CLUB DECEMBER 19 5:00 p.m.   SHANNON’S 5 STAR DINER    Note number attending on Sunday attendance pad OR Phone FCC Office (829.9327) by 2:00 p.m., MONDAY, December 17 Information Center Volunteers Maggie will soon be preparing the next schedule for the INFO CENTER Ministry Volunteers. If you would like to volunteer on the very occasional Sunday please notify FCC Office by December 21. We welcome all -- men included.   Many people make less-often Sundays. Currently, the frequency is not more than two Sundays in a year and many times only one -- just depends on how the repeats fall.   If you have questions about the responsibilities, you can talk with Mary Helen Haskell on Sunday or email her at [email protected] .

All I Want for Christmas Advent Devotionals are available on the table outside the sanctuary in the Narthex, and on the table outside Fellowship Hall. With cover artwork by our own Nancy Trefzger and entries written by our Elders, your family’s copy is sure to be treasured. Advent began December 2 Christmas is a time to give and receive gifts, and to remember the greatest Christmas gift of all: God’s gift of the Christ Child, God’s gift of a Savior. Unfortunately, sometimes we focus so much on the falderal that comes with Christmas that we miss the special gifts Christmas has for us. Those special gifts are expressed in the traditional Advent themes: hope, peace, joy, and love. During Advent we’ll explore what these special gifts mean for us as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and the greatest Christmas gift of all.   – Rev. Jim Warren

Legacy Circle  Visit the church website (in the Member Portal) to learn about this group whose members have decided to keep the church in their long-term plans.

Please find find thank you notes from Seedling Encore (building use) and Cuba Christian Church (prayers) on the Centrum bulletin board.

Christmas Greetings   Rather than sending Christmas cards to all our church friends, our tradition is to send one card to the church to be placed in a basket in the Centrum for all to read. Enclose the amount saved on cards and postage, and this donation will be given to Camp Walter Scott. To date we have received greetings from the Pool, Leight, and Lipscomb families.

Spiritual Growth Brown Bag Bible Bunch Jim Warren leads this weekly study group on Wednesdays 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. We are studying Luke 1. Come join us! All are welcome! New Adult Sunday School Class continues, meeting in #129 after the 9:00 a.m. service. All are welcome for topical studies and studies about books of the Bible. Currently, the group is involved with the Rob Bell NOOMA DVD series.   Meeting in small groups for eight weeks allowed each of us to gain new insights into one another that just doesn’t happen in corporate worship. Now that our prayer groups have officially ended, that doesn’t mean we can’t still get together! Several groups have decided to continue to meet for fellowship or study, but participation in a prayer group is not a prerequisite! We hope to provide an opportunity for richer relationships within our congregation. Some suggestions include a Christian Book Club (perhaps similar in structure to the Great Books Clubs), Story Circle (sharing our story with others), Sermon Discussion (delve deeper into the message). The idea is to explore our social, religious and philosophical beliefs and life experiences. Meeting places (homes, church, restaurants), time of day (morning, afternoon, evening), and frequency of meetings can be determined by each group (weekly, monthly, bi-weekly). There might be one facilitator, or members of a group could take turns.  Please read and respond to the survey at the bottom of this email (to allow for printing)... this is not a commitment, just needed feedback so we can proceed. We would love to have at least some studies in place by mid-January.  Please turn your response in to the office or place it in the offering basket.   Please circle all responses that apply. If you turn your response in to the office or place it in the offering basket, it will find its way to us. In the meantime, please check out at least one of the two adult study groups already meeting after the early service on Sunday morning.  Thank you,  Bill Robitske  Patty Thompson

Children and Youth Worship and Wonder   Susan Sanders began as our Worship and Wonder storyteller on December 2. She is a Worship and Wonder Trainer and has led W & W for many years. She is currently participating in the children’s ministry at Normal First Presbyterian Church, and will be able to be our storyteller as well. We welcome Susan to First Christian and look forward to many stories! Youth Group  Upcoming Date:  December 9  Youth Group grades K-12 Scavenger hunt and Christmas party Youth Group and Sunday School will be on a break after December 9. They will resume January 13.  A Youth Group Schedule can be seen here . On December 2 the Youth visited Martin Health Center and entertained some of the residents with some Christmas Carols including Joy to The World, Jingle Bells, 12 Days of Christmas, and many more. Photo by Gregg Kiesewetter. Reach Out Gifts for Another Table Please bring food items for Home Sweet Home Mission, a great community member, during the month of December. Items needed include rice and rice dinners, potato dinners, pasta of any kind, pasta sauce, Hamburger Helper, dinner meals, cereal, mashed/boxed potatoes, and canned fruits and vegetables. Start Fresh is a program that area churches are participating in to help men who are exiting from Lincoln Correctional Center and beginning their lives outside of incarceration. New or gently used winter coats, hats, and gloves are needed. There is a tote next to the Information Center for your donations. Abundant Life Meal will be served December 16. If you can serve or help with desserts or meal preparation, please contact Julie Robinson at [email protected] . Those we serve are so appreciative of a home-cooked meal. Please consider helping with this outreach project.

Poinsettias  If you would like to provide a poinsettia for the sanctuary during Advent, please complete a form found in the attendance pad at church and return it to the church office, or place it in the offering basket, with $9. You may also use any paper with the following information on it: Name: ______________________________________________________________   Given in memory of or in honor of (circle choice) :  ____________________________________________________________________   ___ In lieu of a poinsettia, I would like my donation to be given to the Christmas offering

Discernment Update In July of 2017, the Official Board authorized the Trustees to initiate a discernment process for our church, the purpose of which would be to examine our mission and ministry to see if changes might be desirable as we move into the future. Secondarily, we wanted to be sure that critical decisions that must be made regarding our facility will be in line with and supportive of our decisions regarding mission and ministry. No pre-determined outcomes were envisioned, and although we have made considerable progress, highlighted to date by our recently concluded eleven prayer groups involving nearly one hundred of our members, we are not yet at the stage of making recommendations, and much important work remains to be done.   From the outset, the Discernment Planning Team has included all five Trustees, our professional staff and key leaders of the congregation, including leaders of our Official Board. We have had important input and assistance from the Christian Church in Illinois and Wisconsin Regional Office. We are now at the point of transitioning the oversight and direction of the discernment process back to the Official Board, the governing body of our congregation. The Trustees will continue to be active participants in a supporting role.   I challenge each member of First Christian Church to stay engaged, follow the leadership of the Official Board, and help to keep our discernment process moving forward.   Alan Chapman Chair of Trustees November 18, 2018

Disciples Women's Ministries News College semesters are well underway. As you remember, our Disciples Women's Ministries group sends Love Boxes to our military personnel and college students on Valentine’s Day. Please make sure our office has the correct address for these folks. Please send the addresses to Maggie at [email protected] or give her a call. Be sure to put 'LOVE BOX' in the subject line. If the address changes for the spring semester, please re-send to Maggie. Thank you for your attention to this. After the first of the year there will be an easel with more details at the Information Center.

Saving those Box Tops for Education? Please do! There is a Disciples Women’s Ministries mailbox just outside the office door where you can leave them. Donate your Box Tops (they look like this and are found on many food and other grocery store items) and we can make a big impact on a local school. Thank you! 

Serving Schedule

Sunday, December 9  Acolyte:  ---- Child Care:  ·        Trish Logan ·        Jenny Henneberg Deacons: ·        9:00 Libby Nussbaum, Juan Mejia ·        10:15 Matt Davis, Michelle Kiesewetter Jr. Deacons:  ·        Jaci Cox ·        Bethany Warren Drivers:   ·        Rich Crusius ·        Ralph Lehmann Elders:  ·        Susan Cleaver ·        John Dailey Homebound Elders:   ·        Al Leight ·        Beverly Leight Fellowship Host:  Tasting Party   Fill Candles:   ·        Mark Gramley ·        Kathie Chapman Greeters:  ·        Mark & Michelle Gramley ·        Brian Metz, Austin Metz Information Center:  Susan Chaney       Scripture:  Patty Thompson                 Sound Tech:  James Nussbaum Time for Children:  Matt Chapman              Video Tech:  Austin Metz Worship & Wonder Greeter:  Karen Crusius Pulpit:  Jim Warren – Luke 1:46-55 Second Sunday of Advent “All I Want for Christmas Is … Peace” Christmas is a time to give and receive gifts, and to remember the greatest Christmas gift of all: God’s gift of the Christ Child, God’s gift of a Savior. Unfortunately, sometimes we focus so much on the falderal that comes with Christmas we miss the special gifts Christmas has for us expressed in the traditional Advent themes: hope, peace, joy and love Sunday, December 16 Acolyte:  Hunter Trefzger Child Care:  ·        Trish Logan ·        Corin Chapman Deacons: ·        9:00 Ted Logan, Matt Nichols ·        10:15 Drew & Jenny Henneberg Jr. Deacons:  ·        Austin Metz ·        Carson Damery Drivers:   ·        Ralph Lehmann ·        Ryan Newton Elders:  ·        Tamara Shields ·        David Bradbury Homebound Elders:   ·        Susan Cleaver ·        John Dailey Fellowship Host:  Doug Reed Fill Candles:   ·        Mark Gramley ·        Kathie Chapman Greeters: ·        Justin & Kim Cox ·        Doug & Stephanie Reed Information Center:  Jan Dyer       Scripture:  Ryan Newton                  Sound Tech:  Dave Phillis Time for Children:  Scott Fisher            Video Tech:  Chip Jamerson Worship & Wonder Greeter:  Jessica Davis Pulpit:  Jim Warren – Isaiah 12:2-6 Third Sunday of Advent  “All I Want for Christmas Is … Joy”

Contact Us Senior Pastor:   James Warren 309 212-6873  [email protected] Minister Emeritus:   John Trefzger Dir. Music, Dir. Music & Youth Ministries: Holly Irvin 864 921-4874  [email protected] Organ/Piano: Lou Ann Fillingham 309 310-8394 [email protected] One and All Music Coordinator: Bill West 309 838-5937 [email protected] Communications Coordinator:        Jenifer Petri 309 533-4912  [email protected] Office Receptionist: Maggie Burton 309 829-9327 [email protected]        Financial Secretary: Deborah Stumm 309 829-9327      [email protected] Child Care Coordinator: Trish Logan         [email protected]

Witness of the Faithful Attendance: 11/25/18: 145, 38  12/02/18: 160, 36 Offering:  $27,505.41   Prayer Concerns Awaiting Tests/Surgery: Tom Crutchley Laurie Heermance Aftercare: Duff Knudsen Ralph Lehmann Peggy O’Neal David Pool Mary Smart Pam Yerkes Treatment:  Sharon Warren Hospice: Harold Goyen Assisted Living:   Mickey Armstrong (Luther Oaks) Mary Lou Mercier (Home) Alma Samuels (Taylors’ home)      Nursing Homes:     Heritage, Blm. – Merle Murray, Pam Yerkes Heritage, El Paso – Sonna West  Heritage, Normal – Harold Goyen Liberty, Clinton – Corena Meyer Martin Health – Myrna Cable, Marlyn Mahannah McLean County – Darlene Bethel Military: Adam Jacobs (Army) Chris Kavanaugh (Marines, CA); Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA) Sympathy to: Brenda (Dave) Phillis family on the November 25 death of her mother, Geneva Scott Congregation of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church on the November 29 death of their pastor, Rev. Frank McSwain New Baby:   Congratulations to Jill and Justin Smith, who had a baby girl, Marley Sue, on November 20. Brother is Tucker. Grandparents are Julie and Mike Robinson and Dave and Brenda Phillis.

Lost Coat or Jacket?   A blue jacket and a black coat have been hanging outside the church office for some time. Please claim your outerwear, as we plan to donate whatever is left after the new year. Thank you!

Office Phone 309 829-9327 Fax 309 829-2865 Address 401 W. Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701 Website www.blmfcc.com Hours Of fice hours have changed. The office is open Mondays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. , and Tuesday through Friday 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.  The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. every day. The best times to contact the church office are while Maggie is here, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Small Group Survey Are you interested in a small group interactive study?     YES          NO What time of day is best for you?    MORNING    AFTERNOON    EVENING How often would you like to meet?    WEEKLY     TWICE MONTHLY    MONTHLY Would you be willing to:    HOST          FACILITATE       ATTEND Do you need transportation?     YES          NO                              Name:  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­______________________________________________________ Please turn your response in to the office or place it in the offering basket