Graduation 2018 weekly update

What a great weekend for so many families in our area, as we were able to celebrate our senior students High School graduation. On Saturday, I watched with pride as my son Peyton graduated from Mount Pulaski HS and gave the valedictorian speech - just two weeks after watching my daughter Jordan graduate with highest honors from Johnson University. I am super, crazy proud of both of my kids! Yesterday, Clinton HS graduation took place and many of our students were honored and represented their school and community with excellence. What a blessing! We have so many future difference-makers right here in our midst!

Friday night, I attended graduation ceremonies at Sangamon Valley High School where my niece Kenndi was graduating - I was really moved by what took place at the end of the evening. A young lady - whom I had never met - was asked to close the ceremony with "closing remarks." She announced to the crowed she would praying, and invited them to join her if they wanted to, or to not pray as was their right, and then she proceeded to thank God for blessing her and her classmates over the past 18 years and to ask the Lord to continue to bless them in whatever path they find themselves on moving forward. Good stuff! I get a little bent out of shape when I hear people trash this generation - I think this generation is going to, and in many cases already are, changing their world for Christ!

So - here is the GT challenge for this week: First - PRAY - lift up our recent graduates in prayer as they begin the path toward adulthood.  Second - ENCOURAGE - if you know recent graduates or students in this generation, take time to offer them encouragement as they begin their journey of life. You never know the difference your words, emails, letters and actions filled with the love of God will make in the life of an 18 year old! Finally, ENGAGE - get to know these students. Be willing to invest in them. You will not regret being a positive influence, trust me!

Several quick reminders:

** Final RELOAD for Men until fall at 6am on Tuesday May 22 in the Family Life Center.

** THIS SUNDAY May 27 is a ONE SERVICE Sunday at 9:30am - no programming at 8;15 or 10:45.

** MONDAY May 28 - our communities annual Memorial Day service at 10am at the Cemetery - FCC is the rain location. This is such a great opportunity to remember those who literally gave it all for their country.

** SUNDAY June 3 at 3pm - Ben Dial's ministry ordination at FCC! Let's have a huge crowd to support Ben and his family as he is "set apart" for ministry!

** Tuesday June 5 at 6:30pm - Area Men's Fellowship at Monticello

** VBS at Clinton FCC - June 11-15 from 9am - 11:30am each morning - contact Cassandra Benton for more info!

** Congregational Meetings at the conclusion of both morning services on June 24 for the purpose of voting on Elders who were nominated and approved. 

** Junior 2 Main camp at Little Galilee- led by Dean Allison Hitchings and several from our church - June 24-29 for students going into 5th and 6th grade this fall. Just a reminder, FCC will pay half-tuition for your children and grandchildren to attend one session of camp this summer!

Finally this week, our daughter Jordan is getting married to Jacob Vangen on Saturday June 9 at 2pm in the FCC Sanctuary and we want YOU to know you are personally invited! A dessert reception will follow in the Family Life Center until 4:15pm. We are so excited about Saturday June 9 and would love for you to join us!

Have a great week - see you Sunday at 9:30am for our ONE SERVICE Sunday!

GT