What a week! 90 degrees on Monday and Tuesday afternoon! Snow on Friday! Don't you just love central Illinois weather! My guess is the warm days that are ideal for cycling are no more for 2018, but that's all good - let's just keep the white stuff in the sky for a couple of more months please! I love the contrast we have here in central Illinois - if you don't like the weather, just wait 15 minutes - it will probably change!The Vault, Fan the Flame and Ladies Night Ou
I am so thankful for Michelle WItzke and her vision for the Vault! Thankful for everyone who has made this a reality! If you see Michelle or the Vault team, please thank them for ALL they are doing for the youth of 61727! At 1pm yesterday, I was blessed to witness the ribbon cutting ceremony and Open House for the Vault teen center - what a wonderful day! If you are a FaceBook user, check out my page and you can watch the video of yesterday's ceremony. I am so thankful for the reality of an open and usable teen center right here in Clinton. I am so thankful for Michelle Witzke and her vision - and a community that rallied around this vision and has made it a reality. Sadly, last Friday, I was able to watch the true value and blessing of the Vault in action. On Friday morning, our community once again suffered a tragedy - another teen's life lost far too soon. Please be in prayer for the family and friends of 12 year old Daphne Peavler as they prepare for her funeral tomorrow. And Friday morning, there was much sadness and many tears at Clinton Junior HIgh School as Principal Maxwell shared this heartbreaking news with the student body. On the spur of the moment, Michelle opened the Vault Friday afternoon for students to come and grieve together - and by 4pm dozens of Jr High students were gathered. Michelle led a large group time of sharing about Daphne and allowed each student to share memories and thoughts of their friend and classmate. And then, Michelle reminded us all of some really important truths: Kindness can make all the difference in the world - so be kind to everyone! Jr High is a tough time - so look out for those who are seemingly struggling - and be a friend! It doesn't cost you anything to be nice - so be nice. It was a precious and powerful moment in the midst of struggle and sadness. Thank you Michelle Witzke and the Vault leadership team! Thank you Clinton, IL and central Illinois for your generosity! Thank you to ALL who will rise up and serve as mentors, tutors and friends - we need you! Well done! Much is happening . . . Fan the Flame is six just six days away!!! This Sunday evening October 21 at 6pm featuring Carrollton and We Are the Monks! Tickets are just $10 - please support this evening of worship and Christian music! So thankful to share that any extra funds from the cost of this concert will stay right here in DeWitt County to offset the loss of Salvation Army bell ringing in 2018! God is good - all the time! Call the office if you have questions about tickets. Wednesday October 24 is Seniors Day at Little Galilee Christian Camp - our keynote speaker this year is Tom Ewald. If you are interested in attending, please see myself or Marcia Wise or Jan Dial - we would love to have you join us! My friends Hank Sanford and Jeff Mayfield have helped put together this day at camp! The last Thursday of October brings LADIES NIGHT OUT at FCC at 6:30pm! Ladies - this evening is for you! Come on out and enjoy a great program as well as Christian fellowship and food! LNO is a salad potluck evening! ALL women are invited and welcome! Several other reminders: ** RELOAD for Men at the Y on the 1st and 3rd Friday's of each month - next gathering is Friday October 19 at 6:15am - see you then Men! ** By-Laws - this Sunday October 21, proposed By-Laws will be available at the Welcome Center for you. If you would like an electronic copy of the proposed By-Laws, contact the office - they will be available via email after this Sunday. On Sunday December 2, during our bi-annual congregational meeting, we will ask you to affirm these proposed By-Laws. ** Young at Heart meets on the 1st Friday of each month at 10:30am in the Family Life Center - next gathering is Friday November 2. ** Time Change Sunday - FALL Back - Sunday November 4 ** Coming Home Sunday - Sunday November 18! Get your tickets while they last for our catered meal! THREE Final thoughts on this wet and windy Monday morning: #1 - so thankful to learn about the release of imprisoned American Pastor Andrew Brunson! Praise God! I shared about his struggles and imprisonment during our first sermon from James back in August and it was heart warming to see him in the Oval Office praying for our President - asking the Holy Spirit to guide him and lead him! #2 - way to go Dawson Graves! It has been awesome to watch this young man grow up during my ministry at FCC! Dawson didn't even plan to be on the Jr High cross country team this year but due to a series of unforeseen circumstances, ended up on the team. And all he did was go to state in Cross Country! Way to go Dawson - proud of you! Our High School boys and girls Cross Country teams are doing great as well, and congrats to Payne Turney on her conference title from this week as well. Our HS Football team is 5-3 - way to go! So many positive moments in the world of sports in 61727 this fall! #3 - as many of you know, my kids attended school in nearby Mount Pulaski - and my daughter Jordan played volleyball for 8 years for legendary coach Donna Dulle. On Saturday, coach Dulle won her 1,100th HS match! 1,100 wins - unbelievable! Congrats Coach Dulle and thanks for all you continue to do for MPHS, MPGS and game of volleyball! Have a great week - see you Sunday! GT Comments are closed.
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Elder's CornerWeekly update on what's happening at FCC! Glad you're here! |