Let it snow!

Many of you were like me this week - you were walking in a winter wonderland. Maybe you really enjoyed it - the beauty of falling snow and frozen trees sure are beautiful. Or maybe you are like me - ready for temps in the 30's and 40's and dry weather for the next couple of months. Whatever your thoughts were, one thing rings true - we really have no control over the weather, so simply enjoy (or tolerate) it! And guess what? Looks like another snow event is very likely this coming weekend - I'm sure hoping this proves to be incorrect!

With winter weather in mind, here are a couple of reminders related to bad weather and FCC programming:

1. Our leadership is committed to making wise choices and we will do our best to communicate quickly when programs or services are cancelled. Check both the church and my personal Facebook pages and this blog site for the most current information. If cancellations happen, please help us spread the word.

2. Like yesterday, if church is happening but the weather is not good and you are unsure if you can or should make it, please be wise and don't put yourself at risk. We are regularly sharing at least a mini-sermon on Facebook when cancellations or bad weather occurs so take advantage of this opportunity.

3. Do not be afraid to dress casually and for warmth on days like yesterday. We have no dress code at FCC so don't worry - dress warmly!

4. Be supportive of your leadership when decisions are made on either side of the decision - either to cancel or to still meet. I can still remember my conversation with a longtime member the weekend following the winter storm of 2015. We cancelled on the advice and strong encouragement of law enforcement on a Saturday evening, and the storm slowed down and didn't actually arrive until late morning - it was dry as a bone at 8:15am. Needless to say, it wasn't an ideal situation. This longtime member greeted me at 8:10am the following Sunday by sharing what a disgrace I was and how I should be fired immediately - not exactly a helpful context to enter into worship or preach the word of God!

Thank you for loving your church and please continue to pray for your leadership! We need every single prayer!

Sunday brought a message on the Clinton FCC VISION to become a "Passionate Community of Disciple Makers" and the challenge to live it out in our daily lives. Two primary challenges - make sure you are living the life of a Disciple and not merely a casual Christian and make sure you are intentionally engaging and connecting with your ONE! Let's do this FCC!

Several calendar items to keep in mind:

1.  ROOTED groups launch this week - over 50 are signed up! If you have yet to commit to a ROOTED group, please begin to clear your fall - September is YOUR time!

2. RELOAD for men - this Friday at 6:15am at the Y - all men are welcome!

3. Next Sunday - Sanctity of Human Life Sunday - Penny Weaver from New Life Pregnancy Center in Decatur will be our special guest and we will launch the annual change for life Baby Bottle campaign! Thanks to our liaison Anne Marie Hubbell for keeping us connected w/ New Life!

4. Discover FCC - 9:30am on Sunday January 27 in the Family Life Center Alcove - come and learn about the BELIEFS, the HISTORY and the MINISTRIES of Clinton FCC!

5. PIZZA Potluck connections event - Sunday January 27 at 6pm in the Family Life Center! The 2018 Annual Report will be available for the first time at this gathering.

6. I Am a Church Member all-church study during the month of February - we have a copy of this book for YOU! 

7. Prayer for mission trips happening this week:

** Pray for Don MacIsaac from our church who is traveling w/ Barb O'Donohue to Kenya for up to three months to help construct the safety wall for COPE and the children of POKOT ministry! Blessings to Don for his willingness to answer the call from God!

** Pray for Tom and Rita Seggelke, Paul Boatman and Dr. Steve Kotterman from Lincoln, IL as they travel beginning today to Northeast India to serve the Kuki Christian Church mission in Imphal, Manipur.

Have a great week - see you Sunday!

GT