Merry Christmas to you - may the peace of Jesus Christ reign in your heart this Christmas season. I'm thankful for the blessings of Jesus and I'm reminded a variety of emotions are "in play" today and tomorrow. For some, life couldn't be better - it is as good as it gets!
For others, these are days of heartbreak due to loss, pain, relationship disfunction or simply the first Christmas without someone we love and miss. If the latter is more relevant than the former, consider that Jesus came just for this reason - to bring HOPE to the hopeless, to offer PEACE to the troubled, to bring JOY to those living in sadness, to allow us to live LIFE and LIFE to the FULL! If you are there today, know you are NOT alone. Blessings to YOU! Yesterday brought a special Christmas service during both 8:15 and 10:45 - the Christmas Hymns were sang, the Christmas narrative was read and "David the Inn Keeper from Bethlehem" told us his first person account of the birth of Jesus Christ - no ordinary child. Huge thanks to Ruth Davidson, Mark Behrends, Marcia Wise, Jordan Vangen, Mykenzie Green, Cody Monkman, Samuel Green, Allison Hitchings, Cassandra Benton and Mandi Ries for making it all possible! TONIGHT - Christmas EVE - Samuel Green has planned a wonderful worship service you will NOT want to miss! Please join us at either 4pm or 6pm for Christmas Eve at Clinton FCC! And bring your family and friends with you! I really believe there is no better way to celebrate Christmas than by worshiping Jesus on Christmas Eve! See you tonight at 4pm or 6pm! Several quick reminders: ** Don't forget to sign up for ROOTED - new groups begin meeting the week of January 13 on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. ** FCC is hosting the Area Men's fellowship on Thursday January 3 at 6:30pm - Jeff Mayfield from LeRoy will be speaking and ALL men are welcome! ** The FCC Office will be closed December 25-28, but it is possible to leave end of the year gifts in a safe and secure manner at the FCC building. If you have questions, please let me know. ** This Sunday December 30 is a ONE SERVICE Sunday at 9:30am - Allison and Cassandra will be speaking - see you on Sunday the 30th at 9:30am! Merry Christmas! GT Yesterday brought our annual Christmas cantata at the 8:15am service and it was a wonderful message in music you could not possibly miss - Alleluia! Christ is born! Once again, Ruth Davidson and the choir blessed us with the music and message of Christmas! Well done all that were involved! Special thanks to Samuel Green for pinch hitting on sound - Sam was literally under the weather but stepped up and really saved the day!
We also officially rolled out news about the next ROOTED sessions - beginning in January, we will offer ROOTED groups on both Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings beginning the week of January 13. This 10 week Discipleship experience was personally life changing for Marla and me, and I highly recommend YOU consider doing ROOTED if you have not experienced it yet. Over 240 have been apart of the ROOTED in the past 15 months and our goal is to have EVERYONE connected with FCC experience ROOTED! Big Christmas opportunities over the next week - make sure you are a part of our Christmas services and be intentional in inviting others to experience Christmas worship with you: #1 - This Sunday morning, December 23, at 8:15 and 10:45 - experience a special Christmas worship service, featuring the hymns of Christmas, the scripture of Christmas and a unique "first person" perspective of the famous story of Christmas! Thanks in advance to Ruth Davidson, Mark Behrends, Marcia Wise, Mykenzie Green and Jordan Vangen for being a part of this special morning! #2 - Christmas Eve at FCC - Monday December 24 at 4pm and 6pm - this is a highlight each year for me personally and once again, Samuel Green is putting together a meaningful and intentional Christmas worship experience as we anticipate Christmas! Recent stats reveal that Christmas Eve is the most likely service of the year for a non-Christian to attend - so INVITE, INVITE, INVITE! We have invitation cards available for you to share with others! Several other quick reminders: * ONE service Sunday on December 30 at 9:30am - Cassandra Benton and Allison Hitchings will be speaking! * Area Men's Fellowship hosted by Clinton FCC on Thursday January 3 at 6:30pm - my friend Jeff Mayfield will be speaking and Goldie Hedrick will be cooking! * New sermon study "I Am a Church Member" launches in January! * BSF groups for Men and Women on Tuesday evenings begin again on Tuesday evenings on January 8. Why not consider jumping in this great study opportunity? Merry Christmas! Have a great week! GT I'm sharing this week's Bible reading on the blog due to the fact church was cancelled yesterday - if you would like a hard copy, stop by the FCC office:
2018 Clinton FCC Bible Reading – December 9-15 – Jesus Teachings ** Jesus Teachings, part one. This week during the season of Christmas, let’s look at seven chapters that expose some of Jesus’ most important and powerful teachings. Sunday December 9: Matthew 5 – Sermon on the Mount, part 1 Key Verse: Verse 16 – “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Questions to ponder: Which of the beatitudes do you connect with the most? Which of the beatitudes do you struggle with the most? Do you fee like you do a good job living the call of Jesus to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world? Do you struggle with loving your enemies and praying for them? Prayer Point: Pray this prayer: “God, help me to find tangible ways today and this week to literally be the Salt of the earth and the Light of the world for your glory!” Monday December 10: Matthew 6 – Sermon on the Mount, part 2 Key Verse: Verse 33 - ”But seek first his kingdom and his righteous and all these things will be given to you as well.” Questions to ponder: Matthew 6 begins with teachings on giving, prayer, forgiveness and fasting – any special take away for you today from these teachings? What about Jesus’ teaching on “storing up” – are you someone who finds themselves storing up treasures on earth instead of treasures in heaven? Where is your treasure? How are you at seeking first God’s kingdom and righteous? Do you struggle with worry and anxiety? Prayer Point: Our Father in heaven, holy is your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us out debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Tuesday December 11: Matthew 7 – Sermon on the Mount, part 3 Key Verses: Verses 13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate, and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Questions to ponder: Are you guilty of judging the sin of others but overlooking your own? What are you supposed to do if you have a follower of Jesus in your world who is flippantly and flagrantly embroiled in sin? Are you living the “Narrow Gate” life? Are you bearing fruit for the Lord? Is your spiritual house built on the rock or the sand? Prayer Point: Pray this prayer: “Lord, help me to continually build my spiritual house on the rock of Jesus Christ and to overcome the storms of life through the power of your Holy Spirit.” Wednesday December 12: Mark 10 Key Verse: Verse 45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” Question to ponder: Why does Jesus seemingly have such passion for children? What does this teach us about our call as a church and as families? Why is it so difficult for the wealthy to enter the kingdom? What do make of James and John, and their request of Jesus? Prayer Point: Pray this prayer from chapter 10 – “Lord help to always have the heart of a servant and to remember your heart – that all people will be saved through a relationship with your son Jesus Christ.” Thursday December 13: Mark 12 Key Verses: Verses 30-31: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’” Questions to ponder: What do you take from the parable in this chapter? Do you struggle with taxes and what your obligation should be? God is the God of the living, not the dead – what application should we draw from these words of Jesus in 2018? How are you doing at living out the greatest commandments according to Jesus? Prayer Point: Pray to the Lord for the ability and passion to Love your God with all your being and to love others in a most special way. Friday December 14: Luke 9 Key Verses: Verses 23-24 – “Then he said to them all, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.’” Questions to ponder: What takeaway should we glean from Jesus’ sending out of the 12? Peter was the first to verbalize it – Jesus is the Christ of God – how many folks in your life would do the same today? What do you make of the transfiguration? How costly has your “follower-ship” of Jesus turned out to be? Prayer Point: Pray this prayer inspired by Luke 9: “Lord, help us to truly follow you and every day to take up our cross for you. Help us to never be ashamed of the Gospel and to model your truth that by dying, we can and will truly live.” Saturday December 15: Luke 15 Key Verse: Verse 24 – “For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. So they began to celebrate.” Question to ponder: What is your greatest takeaway on the topic of “lostness” and the hope of Jesus? Do you connect more with the prodigal son or the older son? How do you deal with the spiritually lost in your life? A key teaching in these three parables of chapter 15 is the word “rejoice” when that which was lost is finally found – do we rejoice enough when “lost” people are spiritually found and saved? Prayer Point: Pray this prayer from Luke 15: “Help me to have a heart for the spiritually lost and an urgency to be actively engaged in the name of Jesus.” ** Next week (December 16-22) – Jesus Teachings, part 2 Marla and I had the opportunity to spend the weekend with Peyton in Carbondale - a rare weekend with zero responsibilities! And so it was less than ideal when my phone started going off shortly after 6am with messages from Tim Followell and Kelly Riggs - this combination of urgent communication at 6am on a Sunday is NEVER a good thing! Unfortunately, a water main had broken and there would be no water in the FCC building for the morning. And so, the difficult but obvious decision was made to cancel all morning services. Several thoughts:
** We NEVER enjoy having the cancel services but this decision was the unanimous recommendation of multiple leaders at both the city and church level. This should be a great reminder of how blessed with are in the USA and how much we truly take the little things - like running water - for granted! ** I am so thankful for a staff that helped get this word out literally as soon as possible. Mandi Ries was at the FCC building within minutes and began the process of getting up signs and updating social media. Kelly Riggs was also on site early to assist as needed. Multiple calls, texts and emails were made to let as many people as possible know what was happening. ** I am very sorry for those of you that did NOT get the word ahead of time - especially the many that live out of town and travel some distance to FCC. Please accept my apology! ** I am most disappointed for Samuel Green - he was planning to preaching on the prophetess Anna from Luke 2 - we will certainly make sure this sermon is shared in the weeks ahead! ** I found it interesting the number of ministry friends that were quick to invite Clinton FCCers to join them for worship at their church - maybe we can return the favor some day? ** I was amazed at the power of Social Media - not only were we able to get word of the cancellation out quickly and rapidly, I was also able to share a brief sermon via Facebook and last I checked over 700 folks had viewed the message! One word of caution however: don't get used to 8 minute sermons! Marla and I were able to worship with Peyton in Carbondale at our sister church - Grand Avenue Christian Church - and had a wonderful morning! That said, it is always good to be home! Several quick reminders: #1 - 8:15am THIS Sunday December 16 - the adult choir led by Ruth Davidson will be sharing a Christmas Cantata - don't miss this! Even if you are a 10:45am person, please consider attending both services this week - you will be blessed! #2 - RELOAD for Men will meet one final time this calendar year - next Friday December 21 at 6:15am at the Clinton Y - join us men! # 3 - Special morning service on December 23 - we will head the scriptures of Christmas, sing the hymns of Christmas and hear the message of Christmas in a most unique manner! Identical services at 8:15am and 10:45am on December 23! #4 - Christmas Eve at FCC - 4pm and 6pm services on Monday December 24 - don't miss Christmas Eve at FCC! #5 - ONE service Sunday at FCC on Sunday December 30 at 9;30am! Family Sunday! Allison and Cassandra will be speaking! #6- Christmas Offering 2018 will go to the Neighborhood Care Center to purchase a generator for the NCC to keep food in our cold and frozen food from spoiling during power outages. #7 - INVITE, INVITE, INVITE - you have people in your world that are not currently connected to a local church and/or need the HOPE only Jesus offers - will you invite them to worship w/ you? Christmas Eve is the most likely time of the year for someone not connected with the Christian faith to attend a worship service. Let's do this! Have a great week - see you Sunday! GT It seems like every year we get to the month of December and cannot believe just one month separates us from a new year. This year is really no different - I cannot believe all that has unfolded personally in 2018 for my family: a wedding, two graduations, a state championship, an empty nest and much more! God has really blessed! I would encourage you to take a couple of minutes this month and just reflect on the blessings of the Lord on you and yours in 2018 as well - and give thanks to our God who is both GREAT and GOOD!
December also brings unique faith opportunities and here are several to make the most of this December: ** This Friday December 7 is the final Young at Heart Gathering for 2018 - their Christmas party! Come on out on Friday morning at 10:30am in the Family Life Center if you are 55 or over - you will be blessed! Also this Friday: RELOAD for men at 6:15am at the Y and Breakfast club for Jr Hi and Sr Hi at 7:15am in the Underground! ** Sunday December 16 at 8:15am will bring the Christmas Cantata presented by our Adult Choir led by Ruth Davidson - they do a wonderful job (and on Sunday received a standing ovation from first service)! Even if you are not typically a first service person, come on out at 8:15am on the 16th and be blessed by the music and message of Christmas! ** Sunday December 23 - both services - a very special, unique and comprehensive look at Christmas! We will sing many of the Christmas hymns, read the Christmas scriptures and hear the Christmas story in most non-traditional manner! ** Christmas Eve - December 24 at 4pm and 6pm - Samuel Green is once again this year planning Christmas Eve and you will NOT want to miss. Here is a note I received from a first service member late on Christmas Eve following the Christmas Eve service: Just wanted to send you and your staff a note that my husband and I just really loved the service this year, probably the best we have ever experienced since we joined in 2004. . . Merry Christmas. Recently, I learned that Christmas Eve is the most likely worship experience each year for a non-Christian to attend, even more than Easter - so let's make the most of this opportunity and INVITE! ** ONE SERVICE Sunday on December 30 at 9:30am - FAMILY Sunday - Cassandra Benton and Allison Hitchings will be speaking! On Saturday, we hosted our annual FIRST KIDS Christmas gathering - this year brought Breakfast at Bethlehem! Great job by Allison Hitchings in making this a reality and thanks to all who brought their families and enjoyed breakfast, took advantage of the photo booth and heard the story of Christmas from Mary (Cassandra Benton), Joseph (yours truly), the Shepherds (Ben Pertl and Samuel Green) and the Magi (Cody Monkman, Olivia Earl and Laura Benton). ** Don't forget this Tuesday December 4 is Area Men's Fellowship at 6:30pm - hosted in December by Ernie Harvey and Kenney CC. Clinton FCC will host next month on Thursday January 3rd at 6:30pm. ** On Sunday December 2 at Clinton FCC, our bi-annual congregational meeting was held to vote on two items: the proposed 2019 Ministry Action Plan and the proposed By-Law changes: Here are the results of the voting as reported to Jim Taylor, secretary of the FCC Elders: 1st service: MAP: 135 YES; 19 NO By Laws: 113 YES; 37 NO Bill Chapman was in charge of ballot counting 1st service 2nd service MAP: 110 YES; 6 NO By Laws: 106 YES; 7 NO Alan Trago and John Wise were in charge of ballot counting 2nd service Total voting: MAP: 245 YES; 25 NO - 90.6% approval By Laws: 219 YES; 44 NO - 83.2% approval Please contact any elder if you have any questions. Blessings to each of you - see you Sunday! GT On Sunday at Clinton FCC, our bi-annual congregational meeting was held to vote on two items: the proposed 2019 Ministry Action Plan and the proposed By-Law changes:
Here are the results of the voting as reported to Jim Taylor, secretary of the FCC Elders: 1st service: MAP: 135 YES; 19 NO By Laws: 113 YES; 37 NO Bill Chapman was in charge of ballot counting 1st service 2nd service MAP: 110 YES; 6 NO By Laws: 106 YES; 7 NO Alan Trago and John Wise were in charge of ballot counting 2nd service Total voting: MAP: 245 YES; 25 NO - 90.6% approval By Laws: 219 YES; 44 NO - 83.2% approval Please contact any elder if you have any questions. blessings! GT Is there anything better than walking your dog at 5:30am on a dark Monday morning with 40 MPH winds and snow blowing in your face? In late November? By my count, this makes 4 different November snow falls and yet thankfully we missed most of the white stuff this time! Maybe we are getting all of the snow out of the way early this year? Yeah, I don't think so - get ready my friends - this could be a winter to remember!
All of this to say, Saturday brings the month of December - and so many opportunities are in front of us at FCC this final month of 2018. Here are several reminders:
Yesterday about 40 minutes into our 10:45am service, we had a medical emergency and were asked by our safety team and medical professionals to clear the sanctuary. I am happy to report that our friend Norman Emery is doing well and is resting at home, but I also wanted to thank everyone in attendance for their response to this unexpected change. We were able to gather in the Family Life center for communion, and then eventually return to the sanctuary to witness Ana Robinson's baptism. Again, thank you! Finally - tomorrow - Tuesday November 27 - is Giving Tuesday - I talked briefly about this somewhat "NEW" day during the message yesterday. I challenged all of us to consider "storing up treasures in heaven" on giving Tuesday and - here are a couple of ideas near and dear to my heart for those who are interested: * Consider a gift to the Vault - our Thanksgiving offering recipient for 2018 * Consider a gift to the 2020 Vision project at Little Galilee camp - a place near and dear to FCC * Consider a gift to God's Shelter of Love homeless shelter in Decatur - a ministry that is growing and expanding and has increased financial needs * Consider a gift to the Kuki Christian Church Mission in Northeast India - a ministry that has reached thousands for Christ in a country where the Gospel is sorely needed * Consider a gift to COPE and the children of POKOT - The ministry in Kenya led by Barb O'Donahue These are just five options - there are many, many more excellent possibilities - let's store up treasures in heaven! have a great week - see you Sunday! GT After months of planning and preparations, yesterday was the day! And oh what a day it turned out to be! Our first Coming Home Sunday is in the books - so thankful for the day! Here are some of my thoughts on this dark, cold Monday morning:
** So thankful for the Coming Home Sunday planning team, and especially our team leader Allison Hitchings! I will probably leave some folks out - apologies in advance - but thanks to Mark Behrends, Candi Heap, Paula Barton, Karen Rice, Ruth Davidson, Samuel Green, Mary Holland, Mandi Ries, Emilee Monkman, Gage Lyons, Norma Harrold and many more! This day would not have been possible without each and every one of you! ** Our "speakers" each brought a unique and special word - David Mabon, Brent Zastrow, Gerald Denny and Jake Follis - I was touched by each one of you - thank you! ** Our music and worship was great! Thanks to Josh Rich and the Choir for bringing specials in song! By the way - any day we get to hear a Rich Mullins song in worship is a good day, and yesterday Josh gave us two! The worship song selection was really good - I can't stop singing the Rend song "For all that you have Done" - what a perfect song to sing to the Lord on Coming Home Sunday! The worship team of Samuel Green, Marcia Wise, Mark Behrends, Karla Smith, Ruth Davidson, Sam Fleming, Patty Sunderland and Carly from LCU were wonderful! ** I LOVED the video - and we will share on social media and our website this week if possible. Thanks to our friend Scott Sarver from Broadleaf video for blessing us once again! FYI - Scott produced our Next Steps phase 1 video, as well as our Heroin crisis video from October 2016. Scott Sarver is the best! ** The FOOD was awesome - thanks to Mike Chapman and the Clinton IGA for feeding over 500 people quickly - and the food was really excellent in my opinion! Well done Clinton IGA team and thanks to Karen Rice for creating a team of volunteers to make this part of the day flow - people were eating in six different areas or rooms and even though lunch started about 15 minutes late due to the length of the morning service, we will still able to start the afternoon gathering on time at 1pm. ** Thanks to everyone who participated in the Afternoon Gathering: Thanks to the panel of Debby (Baker) Carter, Gerald Denny, Chelsea (Cheatham) Ewald, Jake Follis and Carol Mabon. Thanks to Ernie Harvey - it is always a blessing to share the stage w/ Junior! Thanks to Melanie Cheatham and Gabe Rutledge from Westside CC in Springfield for creating the video memories of Agapeland and CLASS Act kids! Thanks to Ruth Davidson for leading the choir special during the afternoon. ** Thanks to everyone who played a part in the dozen picture boards and memory moments - we will keep these boards w/ the pictures up for a couple of more weeks - check them out! Thanks to all who made the Picture Booth in the Fireside room an extra blessing for the day! Thanks to the volunteers who allowed for an open house of the Neighborhood Care Center! ** Thanks to Ann Bellange and everyone who compiled the Memory (History) book - if you would like a copy, contact the church office ASAP. ** Thanks to Larry Roberts for providing video of past Music/Drama presentations that were viewed in the Edge during lunch. ** Thanks to all who helped w/ set up or tear down - a special shout out to Alan and Barb Trago for staying until the very end of clean up - If anyone from the Clinton Y is reading this, Barb deserves "Survivor" credit for this work out!!! ** Thanks to the Lord for His continued Faithfulness - may we never grow tired of becoming a Passionate Community of Disciple Makers! Several quick reminders: ** Thanksgiving Offering goes to the Vault this year - let's give generously! ** December 1 - Breakfast at Bethlehem ** December 2 congregational meeting at the end of each service to 1. Affirm the 2019 MAP and 2. Approve the proposed By-Law changes. ** Adult Choir Christmas Cantata - 8:15am service on Sunday December 16 - let's support our choir! ** Christmas Eve services at 4pm and 6pm on Christmas Eve - Monday December 24. ** Family Sunday on December 30 - one service Sunday at 9:30am - Allison and Cassandra will be speaking! Have a great week - Happy Thanksgiving! GT Back in early spring 2018, we announced plans for a homecoming day at FCC - "Coming Home Sunday." And since that time, dozens of meetings and much planning has taken place! Allison Hitchings has served as point person for this event - it her idea originally - and so many have given so much to make this coming Sunday a reality. Just to summarize, here is what is happening:
** 9:30am ONE SERVICE Sunday - a 90 minute service for everyone! So thankful Brent Zastrow and David Mabon have agreed to return as our speakers for the morning service, and equally excited for everyone who will be a part of the morning! You will not want to miss this worship service! ** 11:30am Catered, Ticketed Lunch - we have reached our max of 550 reservations for the meal - don't forget to bring your ticket with you on Sunday! Huge thanks to the team at the Clinton IGA for preparing and serving this fellowship meal! ** 1:00pm AFTERNOON Gathering - we will gather after lunch for a time of sharing, with several "surprises" in store. Our best guess is the gathering will last about 75 minutes, but we really don't know for sure. Again, all are welcome to join us at 1pm in the Sanctuary! ** Clean Up assistance - one glaring need as we move toward Sunday is additional help at about 2:30-2:45pm as part of our clean up crew! The more who can help us clean up and put back, the quicker the process will take! If you can help with clean up, please call the office and let Mandi or Jen know, or reach out directly to Allison. Thanks in advance! Several additional reminders: ** This Friday November 16 at 6:15am - RELOAD for Men at the Clinton Y - we will be studying chapter 5 this Friday - "Demonstrating Wisdom" - ALL men are welcome to join us! ** This Friday evening November 16 at 7pm - all are invited to the ROOTED celebration in the Sanctuary! Come and see what God has been doing in the lives of ROOTED participants the past 10 weeks! ** This Saturday November 17 is the monthly Mobile Food Pantry at the American Legion - help is always needed and appreciated from 9am - noon. ** Saturday December 1 - Breakfast at Bethlehem from 9am - 11am - free tickets are required - get yours today! ** Sunday December 2 - Congregational Meeting at the end of both services to vote on both the 2019 MAP and the proposed By-Law changes. If you need a copy of the proposed By-Law changes, they are available at the Welcome Center, the church office or can be emailed electronically if you contact the office at 935-3139. ** Sunday December 16 - 8:15 am service - the Adult Choir Cantata will take place. ** Monday December 24 - 4pm and 6pm - Christmas Eve services at FCC ** Sunday December 30 - 9:30am - one service FAMILY Sunday - Allison and Cassandra will be sharing! On a personal note, this weekend was an extra special blessing for our family. Jordan was able to come home for a quick weekend visit - first time back in Illinois in almost five months! And Peyton was also able to return home for the first time this semester from SIU. It was really special to have our entire family back together in the Geo-center for a couple of days! So thankful for both of my kids and how they are growing in life, and especially thankful for Marla and how she holds us all together as a family! Have a great week - see you Sunday for Coming Home Sunday at FCC! GT Tomorrow is the day, thankfully! All of the commercials will go away . . . for a while. And tomorrow we will be blessed to do what people all over the world are envious of: have free and democratic elections! I am so thankful to enjoy this blessing and to live a land where freedom reigns.
That said, I'm pretty sick and tired of the slime - the slander - the seemingly non-stop attacks smearing opponents and much of the time, offering unrealistic promises that almost certainly cannot be fulfilled. Yuck! So what should followers of Jesus do? Here are three suggestions from our message yesterday at FCC: 1. PRAY - follow the Biblical command throughout the N.T. to pray for your leaders - nationally, state-wide and locally. Pray for our community, our state, our country and our world. And here is something to seriously consider: will you pray for your perceived political enemies? Every day. Pray. Just do it. 2. Be INVOLVED - do not bury your head in the sand. Get involved - get to your polling place and VOTE! And don't ever back off sharing what matters most of you - communicate your passions and priorities - but do it with SALT and LIGHT. Do it in a way that honors Jesus Christ. 3. LOVE - allow AGAPE LOVE to be your mode of operation. "The greatest of these is LOVE!" Hopefully, the song will ring true - they will know we are Christians by our LOVE. Several reminders: Area Men's Fellowship - Tomorrow night at 6:30pm at nearby Texas Christian Church - Max Aper from Little Galilee will be speaking. Kings Kitchen - a FREE meal for the entire community - YOU are invited - 5pm in the Family Life Center this Saturday evening November 10! MAP meeting - this Sunday November 11 in the Family Life Center at 9:30am Blood Pressure Checks - this Sunday November 11 following both services in the library! Proposed By-Law changes - get your copy of the proposed By-Laws at the Welcome Center or church office, or reach out to Mandi or Jennifer in the office and they can send you a copy electronically. We will vote on these proposed changes on Sunday December 2. This Sunday November 11 at FCC - part 2 of God and Country - looking at What the church can learn from Veterans? Coming Home Sunday - Sunday November 18 - 9:30am one service Sunday and afternoon gathering at 1pm. Thanksgiving Offering this year will be for the Vault! Let's generously bless this incredible addition to our community! Funds raised will go to phase 3 fundraiser to update and improve HVAC systems at the Vault. Breakfast at Bethlehem - Saturday December 1 at 9am - ALL are welcome to attend this family friendly event! December 2 Congregational Meeting - at the end of each morning service, we will have our bi-annual congregational meeting to affirm the 2019 MAP and vote on the proposed By-Laws changes. Adult Choir Christmas Cantata - Sunday December 16 at 8:15am Christmas Eve 2018 at 4pm and 6pm - once again, Samuel and his team will have Christmas Eve services that help us worship the newborn King in a special and meaningful service! Family Sunday December 30 at 9:30am - one service Sunday - Allison and Cassandra will be speaking! Have a great week - see you Sunday! GT |
Elder's CornerWeekly update on what's happening at FCC! Glad you're here! |