We now worship in person with masks at all times, and online for those who aren't able to attend. The Friday Email is intended to inform you about this Sunday's activities and other important and timely items.
As we did throughout 2021 and now 2022 in the Friday Connected, we will continue to communicate updates to COVID-19-related policies as Illinois deals with higher and lower rates of infection.
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The Friday Email
This Weekend at First Christian Church
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My friends,
Ash Wednesday is upon us and with it the beginning of Lent. Many churches--including this one--have a history of holding an Ash Wednesday service as a time for people to begin reflecting on their spiritual lives. That leads us to reflect on what in our life that we want--or need--to give up? What change do we need to make in order to grow spiritually?
Our Ash Wednesday service, which will be held on March 2 at 6:00 PM, will take a different approach than in past years, but is intended to help us reflect on those very questions. Because of the pandemic, and the desire to continue to maintain a degree of "social distancing," we are not going to use ashes. Rather, we are going to go a different direction that will allow us to symbolically give up whatever it is in our life that is getting in the way of our being able to grow in our commitment to God.
When those who are participating in-person come into the sanctuary, they will be given a special piece of paper. During the service, they will be asked to write whatever it is that they are wanting to give up during Lent on that piece of paper. They will then be invited to come forward one-by-one to place that paper into a bowl of water. Because this paper will be water soluble, it will dissolve in the water as a symbol of God's willingness to forgive and to change us. The service will also be live streamed and we are inviting those who plan to participate that way to let us know of their plans by February 24. We will then mail them a piece of this paper so that they can participate in this part of the service at home. I should also say that there will be no meal before the service this year.
While this Ash Wednesday service may be different, I believe the service will be meaningful to all who participate. Again, we want to include those who will be participating at home. If that is your intent, please call or email the church office by February 24 so that we can get this paper to you. And whether you participate at home or in-person, I pray that you will join us.
God bless,
Hank
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This Sunday
This Sunday Hank is preaching from the book of Kings, and the topic is "The Power of Discernment" -- We will be blessed when we seek to discern God's wisdom and will. Read the scripture: 1 Kings 3:11-12 (NRSV). The Week of Compassion collection will be taken this Sunday and next. See you Sunday at FCC or online at 9:00 a.m.
Coffee Fellowship Time is on hold due to high COVID-19 infection numbers. We will resume as soon as we can! See additional COVID-19-related information below.
Serving Schedule
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Registration (Check-in): Linda Metz
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Deacon (Communion Set Preparer): Chip Jamerson
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Elders: Valerie Fisher, Scott Fisher; Visiting Elders: Deanne Bryant, Ryan Newton
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Info Desk Attendant: Mary Helen Haskell
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Coffee Host: (on hold)
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Time for Children: Scott Fisher
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Worship & Wonder Greeter: Alan Chapman
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Building Lock-up: Chip Jamerson
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Candle Filler: Deb Bomeli
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Tech Crew: Dave Phillis, Kevin Kiesewetter, Brian Metz, Austin Metz, James Nussbaum, Ryan Newton
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Recycling: Gary and Patty Thompson, Marty Sallee
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Small Groups:
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Lenten Study: During the season of Lent, we invite you to participate in a discernment process through small groups, Brown Bag Bible Bunch, or Digging Deeper on Sunday morning. If you are not already part of a small group and would like to participate, please sign up at the Info Desk on a Sunday or contact Holly Irvin at hirvin@blmfcc.org. To learn more, Click here.
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Digging Deeper: Hank will start his “Digging Deeper Bible Study” this Sunday. We will gather around 10:15 a.m. in the upstairs conference room to take a closer look at the passage that Hank preached on that morning. The session will also allow people to ask questions or make comments about the sermon. This Sunday, we will take a closer look at 1 Kings 3. Everyone is invited and if you would like to join the group by Zoom, send an email to Hank and he will send a link.
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Brown Bag Bible Study: The Wednesday Brown Bag Bible Study is back! The group meets on Wednesdays at 12 Noon in the upstairs conference room. If you would prefer to join by Zoom, let Hank know and he will send a link. This coming Wednesday, they will take a look at the story of Noah. Everyone is welcome!
Looking Ahead and Ongoing:
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Ash Wednesday: service will be March 2 at 6:00 p.m.
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Choir: will restart March 6, with rehearsals on Sunday at 8:15 a.m.
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Youth Group: Game Night for Grades 3-12 will be Sunday, March 27, 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the church.
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Pastors' class: For those junior high students interested in learning about baptism, we will be holding a Pastors’ class during Lent. If you are interested contact either Hank at handerson@blmfcc.org or Holly at hirvin@blmfcc.org.
Outreach Efforts:
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Baby Blanket Drive for Crisis Nursery: The Thursday night small study group would like to encourage members of our congregation to donate a variety of new blankets for children at Crisis Nursery for a couple more weeks. There is a box at the Info Desk with a sign designating it for blankets for children at Crisis Nursery. Cash donations are also welcome (designate “Crisis Nursery” on the memo line if you are writing a check). See The Messenger for more information.
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Food Drive for Parkside Elementary families: To help hundreds of local families, FCC is partnering with Parkside Elementary in Normal by collecting specific items that will be given to the families in need: Disposable child size masks, Fruit cups, Peanut butter and Jelly, Single serve mac & cheese, Nutrition bars, Single serve peanut butter or Nutella, Pop tarts, Single serve cereal or oatmeal, Chef Boyardee single serve meals, Cuties, Single serve snacks like chips, cookies, crackers, trail mix, fruit snacks... Thank you for donating as you are able. Please place items on the designated table in the Centrum.
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Clothing Drive for Compassion Closet (BroMenn): We are collecting new COMFORTABLE -- STRETCHY (see the list of items needed in The Messenger) clothing for patients who are leaving Carle BroMenn Hospital. Some of the patients who come in on an emergency basis do not have clothing to leave in. A tub is available near the Info Desk for donations. Note this will be an ongoing ministry. Sweatshirts, sweatpants, knit t-shirts, knit elastic waist pants, or shorts for men and women are needed. Items need to be new. The greatest need is for larger sizes.
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Worship at FCC or Online: Watch the live streamed 9:00 a.m. service each Sunday morning if you are not in attendance at FCC. Each week, expect wonderful music and a Time for Children, as well as an insightful sermon and communion. Tune in on our Facebook page or on our website homepage.
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People at higher risk for illness are described on the Centers for Disease Control website. Some of our members who are at higher risk may not be ready to spend time outside the home. Think of someone you know and reach out by phone, or by email or mail, to check on their well-being or give an encouraging word. FCC members' addresses and phone numbers are in the Church Directory.
You can access a church directory below and reach out by phone, text, email, or US mail to a church friend. Link to Church Directory
If you wish to send cards to those having birthdays (the 90+ ones are listed here weekly), find addresses in the FCC Directory (link above).
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Current First Christian Church COVID-19-Related Guidelines
Please be aware of and follow guidelines.
Summary of new measures/policies as of February 2022:
- as previously decided, coffee and refreshments are on hold
- greeting, hugging, handshakes, and having detailed conversations inside the church building, are discouraged
- some pews are roped off for social distancing
- we will continue with congregational singing but use fewer verses (two at the most)
All in the building are required to continue to mask at all times.
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How do I make my offering? |
If you are not attending Sunday worship at FCC and thus not bringing your offering to church, to ensure your offering is received by FCC in a timely manner, feel free to mail it to 401 West Jefferson St., Bloomington, IL 61701. Interested in automatic withdrawal? Email Deborah Stumm at dstumm@blmfcc.org to find out how. We appreciate your continued giving!
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How do I get in touch with a staff member? |
The church office is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call ahead if you plan to visit the office, at 309.829.9327.
Or send an email to the staff person you want to contact.
In case of an emergency or if there is a necessity for pastoral care for yourself or someone you know, you may text or call Hank Anderson, Transitional Interim Minister, at 309.863.5126. His email address is handerson@blmfcc.org.
How do I learn more about what the Church Board is doing or about the church's finances?
Board Minutes and Financial Reports are available on request. Please contact Deborah Stumm dstumm@blmfcc.org or call the church office.
What do I do if the winter weather is bad? Will the church be open?
On Sundays, we will try to make a decision early if the roads appear to be unsafe, and will post closure information on Facebook. During the week, if District 87 is closed then the church office is closed.
Staff Meetings
It has long been the practice of the staff to have regular meetings on Tuesday morning. As the church office opens more consistently, that practice will also continue. So that the church staff has an opportunity to focus on their discussion and business, the church office will be closed each Tuesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until around 11:00 a.m. for staff meeting. If you need to contact the church office during that time, you may leave a voicemail or send an email. We promise that we will follow up as soon as we can.
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