What a great weekend! May comes in with blessing!

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