• 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.
 November 21, 2018
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The Church Office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23, in observance of Thanksgiving. May you have a blessed holiday weekend!
December:
  • 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.
Rev. Jim Warren marks 20 years at FCC on December 1!  Wow!  What a milestone for Jim and for us! We will celebrate him in a larger way on January 27, but be sure to thank him for his service and commitment to God and FCC on December 2 when we gather for worship!
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 office@blmfcc.org 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!

D W M CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
December 6, 2018
Arrive 11:45–11:55 a.m. 
Meal served at 12:00 noon
Cost $10.00  (pay on arrival)
WESTMINSTER VILLAGE
(carpooling encouraged)
SPACE LIMITED TO 40
SIGN UP at the INFORMATION CENTER
Sign-up deadline:
Sunday, December 2
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Mark Your Calendar!
Annual FCC
Tasting Party
December 9 at 10:00 a.m.
Drivers Needed   Volunteers are needed to transport those desiring to attend the 9:00 a.m. service. If you would like to be a driver, please call the church office.
Spiritual Growth
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New Adult Sunday School Class continues, meeting in #129 after the 9:00 a.m. service (on break November 25). 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. 
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 Hebrews. Come join us! All are welcome!
 A Summary of and Reflection on the Fall Prayer Groups, presented by Linda Lehmann at the November 18 Celebration Sunday gathering
A little over a year ago, we gathered to begin the process of discernment, embarking on a journey that had no clear destination but one we knew we needed to travel together. 

Our first stop provided facts and figures about our church building, attendance, demographics, and giving patterns. That provided a knowledge base for moving forward. Two other gatherings allowed time for reflection, questions, and feedback; all good opportunities to hear one another. 

( click to continue)
Children and Youth
Youth Group 
Upcoming Dates: 
  • November 25  No Youth Group due to Thanksgiving
  • December 2  Youth Group grades K-12 Caroling and dinner
  • December 9  Youth Group grades K-12 Scavenger hunt and Christmas party

A Youth Group Schedule can be seen here .

Worship and Wonder Storyteller Belle Grober will be leaving her position soon and we will recognize her service Sunday, November 25. Please thank her when you see her!
Reach Out
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Gifts for Another Table  In November we are collecting non-food items for the Regional Alternative School. Please bring shampoo and conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, hand lotion, Chapstick, and diapers. In December we will collect food items for the Home Sweet Home Mission.
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 November 25 and December 16. We need servers and those who can help with desserts or meal preparation. Contact Julie Robinson at jerobinson21409@yahoo.com . Those we serve are so appreciative of a home-cooked meal. Please consider helping with this outreach project.
All I Want for Christmas Advent Devotionals
will be available starting this Sunday. Find your copy on the table outside the sanctuary in the Narthex, or 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 begins December 2, 2018
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
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Please find find thank you notes from Neil and Dorothy Sallee (health), Seedling Theatre (building use), and the family of Dave Dungan (support, sympathy, and memorials) on the Centrum bulletin board.
Is yurt heart at Camp Walter Scott?  
Our region is very proud of our camping ministry, and we want to continue changing the lives of future generations. Some major repairs/ renovations are planned to help us do just that. This fall we will be replacing the roof of the dining hall and restoring the bath house facility on the south side of the lake.
 
In addition to these projects, several others are in the planning phase. This is where we need your help! Your Matching Grant contributions will go toward the purchase and installation of 10 yurts, complete with bunkbeds and electricity, and a splash pad.
 
Please prayerfully consider a contribution to this program. If you want to make a difference, donate now and your impact will be doubled by the CCIW Matching Fund Campaign. CCIW will match contributions up to $100,000. We encourage your gifts (www.cciwdisciples.org) by March 31, 2019 to benefit the 2019 camping season.
Serving Schedule
Sunday, November 25
 Acolyte:  Jeremiah Hall
Child Care: 
·          Trish Logan
·          Marcia Christensen
Deacons:
·          9:00 Drew & Jenny Henneberg
·          10:15 Chip & Patti Jamerson
Jr. Deacons: 
·          Bryce Reed
·          Brennon Reed
Drivers:  
·          Gary Thompson
·          Ralph Lehmann
Elders: 
·          Camille Taylor
·          Art Taylor
Homebound Elders:  
·          Joe Bandy
·          Sue Bandy
Fellowship Hosts: 
·          Cindy Rousey
·          Wannie Beard
Fill Candles:  Marla McElroy
Greeter:  Pete Whitmer
Information Center:  Nancy Guither       
Scripture:  --                 
Sound Tech:  Brian Metz
Time for Children:  Linda Lehmann             
Video Tech:  Nate Damery
Worship & Wonder Greeter:  Sue Bandy
Pulpit:  Jim Warren – Luke 1:8-17
“Getting Ready”
The season of Advent doesn’t begin until next week. On this Sunday between Thanksgiving and Advent, we can prepare our hearts and souls for a new thing that’s about to happen. Today we hear the story of the angel announcing to Zechariah that he and his wife, Elizabeth, will have a son, who will be John. John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus.


Sunday, December 2
Acolytes: 
·          Josie Jamerson
·          Lucy Jamerson
Child Care: 
·          Trish Logan
·          Amy Nichols
Deacons:
·          9:00 Holly Rocke, Robyn Loftin
·          10:15 Ted Logan, Matt Nichols
Jr. Deacons: 
·          --
·          --
Drivers:  
·          Ryan Newton
·          Gary Thompson
Elders: 
·          Al Leight
·          Beverly Leight
Homebound Elders:  
·          Camille Taylor
·          Art Taylor
Fellowship Host:  Teri Arvik
Fill Candles:  
·          Mark Gramley
·          Kathie Chapman
Greeters:
·          Bill, Susan, and Tom Chaney
·          Art & Camille Taylor
Information Center:  Karen Crusius      
Scripture:  Marla McElroy                  
Sound Techs: 
·          Austin Metz
·          Brian Metz
Time for Children:  Patty Thompson            
Video Tech:  Todd Chapman
Worship & Wonder Greeter:  
Corin Chapman
Pulpit:  Jim Warren – Jeremiah 33:14-16
First Sunday of Advent
 “All I Want for Christmas Is … Hope”

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.
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Contact Us
Senior Pastor:   James Warren

Minister Emeritus:   John Trefzger

Dir. Music, Dir. Music & Youth
Ministries: Holly Irvin

Organ/Piano: Lou Ann Fillingham

One and All Music Coordinator:
Bill West

Communications Coordinator:
       Jenifer Petri

Office Receptionist: Maggie Burton

Financial Secretary:
Deborah Stumm

Child Care Coordinator: Trish Logan
        tllogan4@hotmail.com
Witness of the Faithful
Attendance:
  • 11/11/18: 165, 39
  • 11/18/18: 163, 50
 
Offering: $ 54,255.05
 
Prayer Concerns

Hospice:
  • Harold Goyen
Aftercare:
  • Richard Anderson
  • Sue Brumme
  • Gene Fowler
  • Art Headley
  • Duff Knudsen
  • Peggy O’Neal
  • David Pool
  • Dorothy Sallee
  • Neil Sallee
  • Mary Smart
  • Joe Violano
  • Pam Yerkes
Treatment:  Sharon Warren
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, Barbara Thatcher
  • McLean County – Darlene Bethel
Military:
  • Adam Jacobs (Army)
  • Chris Kavanaugh (Marines, CA);
  • Harley Scott (Phillis niece/Navy, VA)
Sympathy to:
  • Family and friends of Mary Moran on her death November 9
  • Family and friends of Marilyn Thompson on her death November 10
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!
Front of Church
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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