The month of May arrived last Wednesday, meaning 2019 is 33.3% complete - and May arrived with a flurry of activity at Clinton FCC - consider the blessings of the first week of May:
** The 3rd annual Mother Daughter Luncheon was Saturday and once again, Joyce Mathias and her team did a great job - over 150 gathered to be encouraged by Becky Glenn and special music of mother-daughter team Cheryle Taylor and Katie Akeman - well done ladies! ** On Tuesday, the Clinton Rotary club held their annual Nelson's chicken dinner fundraiser to raise $ for those fighting hunger in DeWitt County - all 600 tickets were sold! And this year, the Neighborhood Care Center hosted the event (thanks to Cody Monkman for making this happen). And despite some sketchy weather at times on Tuesday afternoon, the event was once again a success - over $2,000.00 raised! ** At RELOAD for Men on Friday, Jim Minton from Decatur led our study time with lessons he recently published in his book on the importance of Christian fatherhood. The book - Just Call Me Dad,13 Principles for Better Dads, Better Kids and a Better World is available - let me know if you are interested in getting your own copy. ** Sunday was COPE day at Clinton FCC as we heard about Don MacIsaac's 6.5 week stay in Kenya and the impact the COPE ministry is making in Africa. At 9:30am Sunday, in addition to Don, we also heard from Barb O'Donohue and Dr. Steve Kottemann from Lincoln about additional aspects of this life changing ministry! Can I share briefly my heart about COPE day and the role/impact missions should have in each of our lives? #1 - Missions are important for ALL Christ Followers because they remind us the Kingdom of God is bigger than our current context. Both Don and Steve had similar testimonies - getting out of central Illinois really changed their perspective OF central Illinois and also the reality of God's Kingdom! #2 - Missions should push ALL Christ Followers to be continually seeking God's will for their lives. Don didn't wake up one day and say "hey, I want to go to Africa for a couple of months." It was through the impact of ROOTED and truly seeking God's will for his life that he believes the Holy Spirit spoke to him. Are you listening? Are living out the truth of Psalm 46:10? It can be a dangerous exercise but ALL Christ Followers should be seeking God's will regularly. #3 - Missions should be personal for ALL Christ Followers. Thanks to Karen Rice for maintaining the two mission bulletin boards by Coffee at the Crossing - why not "adopt" a monthly mission partner? You can pray for them daily, encourage them through words (text, email, letter) and even possibly financial support with "above and beyond" giving! I'm proud to be a part of a "Missions" church - you should be as well! Several quick reminders - mark these dates please: * This Sunday May 12 at 8:15am, the end of the year Choir Cantata - let's support our choir! * Friday May 17 - our last RELOAD for Men until fall at the Clinton Y at 6:15am * Sunday May 19 - Graduate Sunday at FCC - see Ben Pertl if you would like your HS or College graduate recognized in the bulletin insert. * Sunday May 26 at 9:30am - ONE SERVICE Sunday at FCC - no programming at 8:15 or 10:45 on May 26. * VBS at Clinton FCC - June 10-14 * Sunday June 23 - Congregational Meetings at the conclusion of both morning worship services to affirm those men nominated and approved to serve as Elder. The ballot will be announced and published on June 9. Have a great week! GT Although the people in Chicago might not believe it after receiving several inches of snow on Saturday, we are just a couple of days away from the month of May! Bring on springtime weather! Bring on special events and gatherings as we move toward summer! Bring on cycling in the sun - I cannot believe I have YET to get in a ride in 2019 - what is wrong with me! Much continues to happen at FCC - please make note of the following:
** The Magic of Matt Adams - what a great evening last night at FCC! Over 300 gathered to watch master Illusionist Matt Adams - what a show! And best of all, Matt shared the good news of Jesus Christ and the importance of a relationship with Jesus for one and all! Thanks Matt for being a blessing and huge thanks to First National Bank for brining Matt to town for school assemblies and youth rallies. ** Mother Daughter Luncheon this Saturday at 11am in the FLC. Our speak is Becky Glenn - Becky's topic is "CELEBRATE!". She loves encouraging all ages of women & girls in the Lord & hearing her audiences laugh as she shares fun stories from her life. She spoke for 20+ years around the nation & abroad & she is excited to have this opportunity to speak again. Thanks to Joyce Mathias for leading this effort! ** Little Galilee cereal drive - we are once again gathering cereal for the summer camping season at LGCC - would you consider grabbing a couple of boxes of cereal for the camp? They are collecting the following - name brand or generic: Fruit Loops, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Captain Crunch, and Cocoa Puffs. We will collect cereal until June 2. ** Meet and Greet this Sunday at 9:30am - all are welcome to gather and learn more about FCC! Connect with Lindsey Moody for more information or gather in the foyer a little before 9:30am on Sunday. ** FIRST KIDS parent seminars at 9:30am in room 2218 - Sunday mornings in May: May 5 is for parents of K-2nd grade and May 19 is for parents of 3rd-5th grade students. ** COPE day at FCC - this Sunday! Our own Don MacIsaac traveled to Africa after feeling the call from God - we will hear about Don's first hand experience during both morning services, and at 9:30am in the FLC, an extended time of visual presentation will allow YOU to ask any questions. So thankful for the impact of COPE! ** Young at Heart- This Friday May 3 at 10:30am in the FLC - Rennie Cluver from the Y will be with us! ** End of the year Choir Cantata - May 12 at 8:15am service - we are so blessed by Ruth Davidson and our choir - this will be the last time until fall our choir will be blessing us with special music that tells the story of Jesus - please come out and support Ruth and our choir! ** Graduate Recognition Sunday - May 19 - see Ben Pertl from our staff for more information. ** One service Sunday at 9:30am - May 26 - Allison Hitchings will be leading worship and I'll bring a special message on the power and priority of remembering Jesus Christ! No programming at 8:15 or 10:45 on May 26. ** The final two RELOAD for Men gatherings until Fall - May 3 and May 17 at 6:15am at the Clinton Y - all men are welcome! This Friday May 3 will bring a special guest from nearby Decatur - Jim Minton recently published a book about the importance of being an intentional Christian father and will lead us through a study together. ** Tomorrow April 30 is the Nelson's Chicken Dinner fundraiser sponsored by the Clinton Rotary club - do you have your tickets? Pick up is at the Neighborhood Care Center this year - NOT the Jr. High. ** And I must share my heart before wrapping up this morning. We live in a divided world - we live in many ways in a divided county. And division can bring so much pain, sorrow and chaos if we allow it to win the day. Can I continue to remind everyone connected with Clinton FCC how important it is to make sure the main thing is the main thing in our lives? And the main thing is our walk with Jesus - our lives as Christ Followers! My hope and prayer for our church is this: we will rise above any divisions among us and model for those who are watching the love of Jesus we studied Sunday during the message! Let's be different in the very best KINGDOM kind of way! Finally this morning, Marilyn Strain from our church lost her son Kevin due to a motorcycle accident late last week and asked that I share the following information about Kevin's funeral services in Florida that will take place this week - here is the info: Services- Guerry Funeral Home. 2659 S W. Main Blvd, Lake City, Fl. Cemetery- Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 444 S.W. Birley Ave., Lake City, Fl.32055 Please remember Marilyn and her entire family during this difficult season. blessings to each of you, GT I rarely do special blog posts outside of Monday mornings, but wanted to share about a couple of things on my heart on this windy, cold Wednesday afternoon:
First - I am SO thankful for Jen Causer and Mandi Ries, our two Administrative Assistants at Clinton FCC. They make my life so much better and my week in, week out ministry life so much more productive and doable - thank you Jen and Mandi! The temptation for some might be to view Mandi and Jen as mere office help, and not impactful at the level of other staff positions. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Mandi and Jen are on the front lines of day in-day out ministry and do a great job juggling the many tasks they face each week. They are literally the hands and feet of Jesus and I'm so thankful for them! Will you join me in your own unique way and express appreciation and thanksgiving for these women who serve our church and community? Second - I continue to be in prayer as we move toward tomorrow evening's County Board meeting that will bring a vote on the Wind Farm proposal for DeWitt County. I shared at length on Monday what I believe Christ Followers are called to do in each and every situation of life - and especially in the world of politics and community events. Let me share a couple of additional thoughts for those connected with Clinton FCC - words from the heart of your Pastor: #1 - I'm thankful in 2019 for anyone who is willing to serve in an elected capacity on the local, state or national level. I'm thankful for each of our 12 County Board members during their service to our community and my prayer for each of the board members is this: May God grant you wisdom to make the decision you believe is best for our county. You will have people upset with you however you vote. Do what you believe is right. Lean into wisdom from above. #2 - I'm thankful for the freedom of a democracy. I'm thankful for the ability to share personal opinions and perspectives with elected government officials without fear of punishment or persecution. I have exercised this right multiple times in my adult lifetime. I'm thankful for time during official government meetings to speak and be heard. And it would appear the vast majority of people in our county on both sides of this issue have exercised this right in an honorable and dignified manner. And for that I am thankful. #3 - Friday is coming. A decision will be made on Thursday night and a group of people that are very invested in this issue will leave very disappointed - either the pro-wind farm group or anti-wind farm group. They will believe the wrong decision was made. It is my hope and prayer - whatever the outcome - we can come together as a community and as a county and move beyond the disappointment. And for followers of Jesus - and especially Clinton FCC - I pray we can set the pace in this regard. #4 - Finally - please know my door is always open if you want to visit or share or pray together. I am far from the best preacher and certainly far from the best "blogger" - whatever or whoever that is - and I realize sometimes written words can create more questions than answers. Please know I am always open to a conversation - either in person, via text/email or on the phone. My greatest passion is that Clinton FCC will be a beacon of light and hope for our community - especially during times of conflict, pain or tragedy. Well that's all for this Wednesday - off to do radio in Decatur. Join Wayne Kent and myself from 5-7pm tonight on WSOY AM 1340 during the Direct Line radio show. blessings GT In you are a follower of Jesus, Resurrection Sunday - aka Easter - is the biggest day of the year. If you are a church, more than likely your attendance will be much larger on Resurrection Sunday. And if you are a minister/pastor, it simply doesn't get any busier or bigger than Resurrection Sunday. And it all boils down to this truth that was proclaimed in song during both services yesterday: Jesus Christ is our LIVING HOPE! Jesus Christ is ALIVE!
Huge thanks to both Ruth Davidson and Samuel Green for planning our Resurrection Sunday services at FCC - what a blessed day! Thanks to everyone that played a part in either the 8:15am or 10:45am services, or helped make our building - and especially our sanctuary - so beautiful. Bottom line? It's ALL about Jesus! Amen! This week leads us on the journey toward the month of May and eventually summer and several important events or opportunities are unfolding in the weeks ahead: ** Don't forget to give (if you choose) to LGCC for our Easter offering this year - the 2020 Dining Hall project is well underway and is worthy of our generous gifts! Marla, Sadie and I were able to take an Easter afternoon hike around the camp and we were able to see up close all the progress - Kevin Peterson and his team are doing a great job! Let's bless the camp this Easter season! ** The final Ladies Night Out is this Thursday night at 6:30pm. Thanks to all that have made this gathering such a blessing - ladies - please make the most of this final LNO! ** FREE, FUN Family night at FCC - this Sunday evening at 5:30pm featuring the magic of Matt Adams - master illusionist and sold-out follower of Jesus. No tickets are needed. This is a great opportunity to invite friends and family to join you at FCC! ** Young at Heart - Friday May 3 at 10:30am in the Family Life Center. ** Mother/Daughter Luncheon at FCC - Saturday May 4 at 11am - get your tickets! Our own Becky Glenn will be speaking! ** COPE day at FCC - make sure you are at FCC on Sunday May 5 for either morning worship service at 8:15 and 10:45 and the Bible school hour at 9:30 - you will hear about all that God is doing in Africa through the ministry of COPE! Don MacIsaac will share his first hand experience - you won't want to miss it! ** End of the year Choir Cantata - 8:15am service on Sunday May 12 - come support our choir and Ruth! ** Graduation Sunday - May 19 - see Ben Pertl for more info. ** ONE service Sunday - Sunday May 26 at 9:30am. In addition, remember the following: 1. FCC will pay a 50% scholarship for your children or grandchildren to attend one session of camp at Little Galilee this summer - don't miss this great chance for your most precious ones to experience camp! 2. ROOTED will be back in September - will you begin opening your schedule now in order to be a part of this 10 week Discipleship experience? 3. Most Wednesday evenings, I am w/ Wayne Kent on AM 1340 WSOY as part of the Direct Line radio program - check us out and even call in as we consider the world we live in through the lens of faith. Finally this morning - this Thursday evening is a big night for our County, as the County Board will be considering and voting on the proposed wind farm. This is an emotional issue and many of you reading this blog have very strong opinions - one way or another. And that is good - we will in a land where we are allowed to voice our opinions freely and elect representatives without the fear of repression or penalty. I'm so thankful for the freedom we enjoy! That said, can I humbly remind you that if you are follower of Jesus, you need to behave like one ALL the time. Even when considering the wind farm proposal. Even when you disagree with an elected official. All. The. Time. Three thoughts: First - the men and women that serve on the County Board are GOOD people - they are our people - they are NOT the enemy, even if you disagree with them on this issue. I have heard very disappointing reports of how our board members have been treated by men and women that claim to be followers of Jesus. Can we as a church rise above? Second - if you are a Christ Follower, you are called to be the Salt of the earth and the Light of the world. All the time. Especially on Social Media. Especially when you disagree with someone. Our world is watching. Our county is watching. Can we as a church rise above? Third - Friday morning, no matter how the vote goes on Thursday night - Jesus Christ will absolutely still be Savior and Lord. IF you are a Christ Follower, don't forget this or lose sight of this truth. Remember how the old song goes - "this world is not my home, I'm just passing through." That is my heart - may it be your heart as well. Blessings to each of you. GT Everyone loves a parade! That was the context on Palm Sunday - you can read about the Triumphal entry in all four Gospels - when a crowd gathered and sang out in praise to Jesus, "Hosanna - Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!" And yet just days later a different crowd gathered and a different "shout" was heard - "Crucify! Crucify! Crucify!"
And that is the tension of Holy Week. From celebration to execution. From uncontrolled joy to unbelievable hatred and anger. My prayer for this week is simple: let's live in tension. Let's consider all that took place - even the painful and the ugly - as we move toward victory Sunday - Resurrection Sunday. May this week be one of worship and contemplation. Let's keep our eyes focused on Jesus! Several April and May reminders: ** This Wednesday April 17 - Walk with Jesus - don't miss this wonderful family opportunity! ** This Friday April 19 - RELOAD for men at the Y at 6:15am - a special Good Friday study this week. ** This Friday April 19 at 7pm - the CAMA Good Friday service at the Nazarene Church. ** Sunday April 21- Easter at FCC at 8:15am and 10:45am - who are YOU inviting? ** Our Easter offering this year is to Little Galilee for their 2020 vision Dining Hall project - will you consider a generous gift to one of God's special places? ** Thursday April 25 - the final Ladies Night Out at FCC - 6:30pm ** Sunday April 28 - FREE, fun family night at FCC at 5:30pm featuring Illusionist Matt Adams! No tix required! ** Tuesday April 30 - "Nelson's Chicken Dinner" fundraiser sponsored by Rotary for the benefit of the hungry in DeWitt County - get your tickets! Just $10! ALL money raised is used to help feed the hungry in our county, including the ministry of the Neighborhood Care Center! You can get your tickets at church the next two Sundays or in the office during the week. ** Friday May 3 - Young at Heart at 10:30am in the Family Life Center ** Saturday May 4 - the 3rd annual Mother/Daughter Luncheon featuring our own Becky Glenn! Don't miss it! Tickets are available on Sundays and in the office! ** Sunday May 5 - COPE mission day at FCC, featuring the testimony of our own Don MacIssac! ** Sunday May 12 - 8:15am service - the end of the year Choir Cantata. Please come and support the choir! ** Sunday May 26 - ONE service Sunday at 9:30am Have a blessed Holy Week - see you Sunday for Victory Sunday! GT As I watch dark become light on this rainy Monday morning, I'm reminded what a very special last 7 days I have been blessed with! Here are just a couple of the blessings from my week . . .
** Thankful to once again be a participant in Jody Owen's Spiritual Formation Summit for Ministry staff in the Smoky Mountains last week! Allison, Cassandra, Cody and Samuel were a part of the gathering as well. This was my third time and each year brings unexpected blessings and I'm reminded how important it is for those of us in vocational ministry to have opportunities to grow at the feet of Christian leaders! The retreat is growing at a pretty rapid rate, and Jody will more than likely be offering a second retreat this fall - identical to the one from last week. If you are in Leadership at the local church level, you can't beat this retreat for a variety of reasons. I would love to tell you all about it! ** Thankful to be able to hike Mt Leconte on Thursday in the Smokies! 5.5 miles up and 5.5 miles back down - what an incredible experience and blessing! This has been on my bucket list since summer 2013 when Jordan first visited Johnson University and sadly, Jordan and I never did it together (maybe next year Jordan?). And I didn't even need the Bear Spray that I didn't have with me! Thursday was a great day! ** Friday brought an unplanned visit w/ my son Peyton at SIU on my way home - great to catch up w/ him on a weekend where SIU did not have a track/field meet - a variety in the spring. I'm so proud of both my kids and treasure every opportunity to spend time with them! Even if it means eating Mexican for lunch! ** Friday night was our ROOTED Celebration - so blessed to hear how God worked the last three months in the lives of so many. I believe that close to 300 from our church have been a part of the ROOTED the past 20 months! Here is to 300 more over the next couple of years - are you in? So much to type about from Friday night - the worship, the testimonies, the baptism, the re-dedications, the communion time - I just wonder if it was a picture of what eternity with the Lord might be like? ** All day Saturday was spent in Decatur at Decatur FCC during the 12th Intentional Church Conference. So blessed by the words of the Ben Cacharias and Nancy Beach, as well as the continued to connections with so many that have poured into me personally or our church at Clinton through the years! And on top of it all, this year was the biggest ICC yet - well over 400 in attendance! ** Sunday morning brought week 6 of our WHY? sermon series - looking at Evangelism and our call to share our faith with others. Four key reminders: Live the NEW CREATION life! Engage in the ministry of RECONCILIATION! Embrace your call to be Christ's AMBASSADOR! And remember NOW is the time - TODAY is the day! Next week is our 7th and final message in this series as we look at GROUPS. ** Sunday also brought the opportunity for me personally to pray with several: Dave and Mary Jo, Roger, Amy and Emily, Rob and Norman. So of these folks I know really well - one I met yesterday for the first time. ALL are facing challenges - one way or another. Will YOU lift them up in prayer? And please pray right now for Norman Emery - he is having surgery this morning around 7:30am to remove a tumor from his brain in Chicago. Let's lift up Norman and Rachel. ** Last week capped a busy but great week - our latest CONNECTIONS event - the Dessert Potluck - what a great evening! Thanks to Lindsey Moody and her team for once again doing a great job helping us get connected! Four quick reminders moving forward: #1 - EASTER AT FCC - April 21 at 8:15am and 10:45am - who are you inviting? #2 - Illusionist Matt Adams - family fun (and FREE) night - April 28 at 5:30pm - ALL are welcome! Who are you inviting? #3 - The Rotary "NELSON'S" chicken dinner - Tuesday April 30 - drive thru service from the Neighborhood Care Center - tickets for this meal at Just $10 and every dollar raised by Rotary is given back to help fight hunger in DeWitt county - and the NCC has been financially blessed for years by Rotary through this fundraiser! Get 1, 2 or 10 tickets and help Rotary help the hungry! #4 - Mother/Daughter banquet at FCC on Saturday May 4 at 11am - featuring our own Becky Glenn! You can get tickets in the office or in the foyer on Sundays in April! have a great week! GT Well not exactly - it's still March 31 as I type this update in a Kodak, TN hotel room. I'm in Tennessee this week for a Spiritual Formation retreat along with Cody, Cassandra, Allison and Samuel led by Dr. Jody Owens of Johnson University - as a result - I'm sharing my blog early and it will be fairly brief. Let's get rolling:
** Today we honored one of our own - Shirley Fields - for her decades of service to our church as our Librarian. Today was Shirley's last day serving in this capacity and I'm so thankful for ALL she has done for the church she loves! I shared w/ the Faith Builders SS class - we need more Shirley Fields - people who unconditionally love their church and are willing to serve their church w/ passion and priority! Thanks Shirley! ** This Friday April 5 is our ROOTED celebration at 7pm - come on out to the Sanctuary and be blessed by the testimonies, rededication's and baptisms that have unfolded as a result of ROOTED this session! Special thanks to Samuel Green for once again leading the charge with ROOTED! ** This Saturday April 6 is the 12th annual Intentional Church Conference in Decatur - and it will be our biggest yet! If you are signed up to go, see you Saturday by 9am at Decatur FCC! ** This Sunday April 7 at 6pm in the Family Life Center is our next Connections Event - the Dessert Potluck! Come on out and connect! ** Easter at FCC is just three weeks away! Sunday April 21! Who are you inviting? ** Family Fun night - Sunday April 28 at 5:30pm featuring the magic of Matt Adams - this FREE event is for everyone! Have a great week - see you Sunday! GT We are one week from the 1st of April, and thats no joke! We are just less than four weeks away from Easter - our biggest day of the year. And much is happening between now and then, and into summer - can I put multiple events and opportunities before you this morning?
#1 - FCC is hosting the 4th CAMA Lent service THIS Wednesday March 27 at 6:30pm in the Family Life Center at 6:30pm. This 30 minute worship experience will be led by Cody and Allison and is a great opportunity to worship with others from our community as we move toward Easter week. #2 - This Sunday brings week 5 of our WHY? sermon series - looking at the Neighborhood Care Center and why this ministry hubs helps us fulfill our vision to become a Passionate Community of Disciple Makers. We will hear this week from Cody, as well as three key NCC volunteers - don't miss worship at FCC this Sunday! #3 - ROOTED Celebration - Friday April 5 at 7pm in the Sanctuary. We have talked about the difference ROOTED has made in the lives of so many - see and hear firsthand at the ROOTED celebration! And just an FYI - the next ROOTED experience will launch in early September. #4 - 12th annual Intentional Church Conference in Decatur on Saturday April 6 - our church has been a part of the leadership of this conference from the beginning and we couldn't be more excited about year 12! We are so excited we want you to attend for FREE! Just contact this office this week and we will get you signed up! #5 - Connections Event - Dessert potluck - Sunday April 7 at 6pm in the Family Life Center. Bring your favorite pie, cookies, cake or other yummy dessert and join your church family for our next Connections event - I can't wait! #6 - Easter at FCC - Sunday April 21 at 8:15am or 10:45am - start inviting your friends today! #7 - Family Fun night on Sunday, April 28 at 5:30 will bring free show by Christian Illusionist Matt Adams in the sanctuary. This is a great opportunity to reach out to family or friends and invite them to a night of adult- and kid-friendly fun with a great message. #8 - Mother-Daughter banquet at Clinton FCC on Saturday May 4 - year three of this event promises to be one you will not want to miss! Make memories with your mother and/or daughters! #9 - End of the year Choir Cantata - Sunday May 12 at 8:15am - come out and support our wonderful choir! #10 - Little Galilee Christian Camp - summer camping is almost here! We want your children/grandchildren to attend! FCC will pay 50% for one session of camp at LGCC - take advantage of this great opportunity literally in our own back yard! That is a lot - isn't it great to be a part of a busy and active church! Blessings to you! Have a great week! GT Wednesday March 20 marks the official beginning of spring and I have been waited for this day for weeks! I'm ready for bike riding weather, the beginning of baseball and longer days. Of course, last year we were blessed with five different snow events AFTER the official beginning of spring so who really knows what is next? Several thoughts this morning on this LAST Monday of winter:
** So good to hear Adam Brucker bring the word yesterday on the topic of COMMUNITY in the life of a church - and in the life of our church! Adam, Trina and their children were such a blessing to FCC and our community during the almost 11 years they spent in the 61727 and God is doing some really good things in their lives in Mason, Ohio. If you missed the message, check it out on our website - you will be glad you did. ** This week is week 10 for our ROOTED groups - the Sunday groups wrapped up yesterday and the Wednesday groups will conclude on Wednesday evening. So many great stories are being told and I know of at least six faith decisions have been made already! Praise the Lord! The ROOTED Celebration service is scheduled for Friday April 5 at 7pm - I really hope you will consider attending - you will be blessed! ** Great job everyone involved in our annual Pancake and Sausage fundraiser for UNDERGROUND Student Ministry. I'm disappointed I missed it but heard great reports. Well done Ben Pertl, the many parents and volunteers, and the Jr High and High School students! ** Our WHY? series continues this Sunday will a look at MISSIONS - why do we spend 20% of our MAP on Missions and Benevolence ministries? Is there a Biblical mandate for MISSIONS? How many monthly MISSION partnerships are currently active at FCC? Come hear stories of what God is doing literally all over the world through our monthly MISSION partnerships! Our WHY? series will take us to Easter 2019! ** Our next CONNECTIONS event is less than three weeks away - Sunday April 7 at 6pm in the Family Life Center - Lindsey and team are sponsoring a dessert potluck - so bring a pie, cookies, a cake, or something else in the dessert family and get to know others in your church family better! ** The Intentional Church Conference is Saturday April 6 at Decatur FCC - you can go for FREE! You will be blessed! Let me know if you are interested in attending w/ FCC. ** Just a reminder - MOST Wednesday evenings I serve as either co-host or host of the Direct Line radio show on AM 1340 WSOY in Decatur with my good friend, Wayne Kent of Decatur FCC. We would be honored if you would join us on Wednesday evenings! ** A new elective class began yesterday - "My Life in the Church" - led by Cody Monkman and Ryan Sosamon. This class meets in room 2217 and all are welcome to attend at 9:30am on Sunday morning. ** FIRST KIDS is sponsoring another Easter event - "Walk with Jesus" will take place on Wednesday evening April 17 - all are welcome but tickets are needed - please look for more info in the weeks ahead. ** Please get any remaining baby bottles for New Life in Decatur returned as soon as possible, preferably filled with $! As I conclude this morning's update, I want to share a few words about my first born - my daughter Jordan. Saturday brought her 23rd birthday and i could not be more proud of the young woman of faith she is and the way God is using her and her husband Jacob in Rhode Island, one of the least churched states in our union. The church they serve at - Bridge Point Christian Church - is almost six years old and is already over 500 in weekly attendance most weeks! Jordan and Jacob are serving in the area of student ministry and helping introduce students to Jesus! Jordan is also concluding her student teaching and doing a great job! Would you pray for Jordan and Jacob this week? Would you lift up Bridge Point CC? Jordan (and Jacob) - I love you and I'm so proud of you! Keep changing the world for Jesus! have a great week - see you on Sunday! GT This weekend is one my family will not soon forget - especially my wonderful wife Marla. This Wednesday brings a milestone birthday most of us are NOT excited about, so Jordan, Peyton and I decided to make it as blessed as possible - full of surprises and encouragement. The fun began Friday morning, when Marla woke up and found Jordan was home for the weekend from Rhode Island - her reaction was priceless! Peyton rolled into Chestnut Friday evening late - now the house is full once again - blessed words for empty nesters! Then on Saturday, following a mother/daughter/grand daughter lunch at La Te Da, dozens of family and friends surprised her with a birthday party in the family life center. Mandi Ries and Emilee Monkman - dear friends who have recently lauched Bright Light Design Co. - took care of the shopping, decorations and set up, and Allison Hitchings, Lindsey Moody, Andrea Graves, Karen Rice and others helped with the goodies and additional set up. And best of all? Marla had no idea - total surprise - what a great weekend! Thank you to everyone that has loved my wife and said kind words to her - I'm so thankful for you, Marla - I love you!
Yesterday brought week 2 of our WHY? series - looking at FIRST KIDS and UNDERGROUND Student Ministry - thanks to ABC - Allison, Ben and Cassandra - for sharing during much of the sermon. One point to highlight from the message yesterday - each of these men/women of faith desire to be a PARENTAL RESOURCE - please never hesitate to reach out to them and encourage them! A major part of becoming a Passionate Community of Disciple Makers involves having cutting edge Children's and Student Ministries - that is our goal for FIRST KIDS and USM! Keep the following in mind: ** THIS SATURDAY March 16 is USM's All You Can Eat Pancake and Sausage Breakfast - get your tix and come on out and support our students! Tickets will be available at the door! ** THIS SUNDAY - March 17 - I am excited to announce Adam Brucker will be speaking during both services on why COMMUNITY is so important in the life of our church as part of our WHY? series. Don't miss the chance to catch up with Adam and be encouraged by his message! ** Baby Bottles are due - please return your filled baby bottles to the Welcome Center or the Church office. This fundraiser helps support the New Life Pregnancy Center in Decatur. ** Elder Recommendation forms will be accepted until March 31 - find these forms at the Welcome Center or in the Church office. ** CAMA Lent service this Wednesday at 6:30pm at the Nazarene Church. FCC will host on March 27. ** Rooted Celebration will be Friday night April 5 - all are welcome to attend. ** The 12th annual Intentional Church Conference will be on Saturday April 6 in Decatur - you can go for FREE! Have a great week - see you Sunday! GT |
Elder's CornerWeekly update on what's happening at FCC! Glad you're here! |