Karusograph. The. This Wednesday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m. A ministry of. Volume 53 Date September 27, 2011 Issue 39

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1 The Karusograph A ministry of Volume 53 Date September 27, 2011 Issue 39 This Wednesday, September 28, at 6:30 p.m. Jim Coonce Soul Sisters Choir 4-Given Scott Brendler Michaela Kitson Kasey Gwozdz Jessica Keller Larry & Kim Roberts

2 The Gospel According to Greg Greg Taylor With the conclusion of the annual Apple and Pork Festival on Sunday, fall has officially kicked into high gear in Clinton and especially at First Christian Church. This fall, we are encouraging as many as possible from our church (and community) to be immersed into the New Testament as we grow together during NT days through the New Testament. It s my hope and prayer you will take advantage of this great opportunity. All the way through the month of November, you will have chances to grow in your knowledge of our weekly readings through Sunday morning sermons, a N.T. survey class that meets in the Fellowship Hall each Sunday at 9:30 am and through Families at First lessons on Wednesdays. If you have any questions at all about what opportunities exist, please let me know. If you need a reading plan, you can find one at our website, in our church office or at the Welcome Center. This Wednesday (9/28) brings a really special night FCC s Got Talent! I m so excited about the many from our church who will be blessing us with their Godgiven talent. Don t worry my friends, Ernie and I will NOT be singing a duet just a bad attempt at humor on my part. Come on out Wednesday at 6:30 pm, and be blessed by an evening of praise and worship. We will be taking up an offering to support the COPE mission in Kenya led by Barb O Donohue see you Wednesday evening.

3 The Gospel According to Greg (cont d) I m really excited about what Ernie and Adam are doing with the Jr. High and Sr. High youth ministries. Did you know that over 65 teens gathered on Sunday evening the 18 th for REVEAL a time of worship, preaching and small groups? The Cable Building was absolutely packed! Did you know that 49 students and 5 adults gathered at the Cable Building on Friday morning, the 23 rd, for Breakfast Club at 7:15 am? I hope you are lifting up in prayer and encouraging our leaders and our students as this new school year moves into month #2. It s so exciting to see so many teens excited about growing in their knowledge of God s word! Finally, I mentioned on Sunday morning a personal invitation to the men of FCC to attend the 2011 Men s Retreat at Little Galilee. The retreat takes place on October 21 and 22. The cost is just $30 (FCC will pay half) and you will be blessed if you participate. See the office for more information or call Little Galilee directly at Have a great week see you Sunday! Greg NT75 week 3 brings the conclusion of the Gospel of Luke and the beginning of the Gospel of John. We ll look at John 3:16 this Sunday morning and the Love of God. Check out the blog M.A.P. Meeting There will be a M.A.P. meeting to discuss the 2012 Ministry Action Plan on Wednesday, November 2nd at 6:30 p.m.

4 September 25, Facts & Figures Our Witness Through Giving General Fund Giving this Week $10, M.A.P. Weekly Need $19, Shortage $ 8, Our Witness Through Attendance Worship: 411 ( 11 Ave. 651) Decisions for Christ & His Church This Week Yearly Totals Baptisms: 0 24 Transfers: 0 9 Rededications: 0 6 Christian Service: 0 0 Total 39 Sunday, October 2, :15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Distributing Bulletins Ty Osterbur Carolyn Clark Debbie Followell Norma Short Angie Wolfe Fern White Information Center Attendant Marilyn Thayer Linda Cohenour Bonnie Karr Deb Tilley Greeters Danny Bundy Becky Hickman J. D. & Norma Harrold Russell Hickman Roger Larson Wes Anderson Danny Bundy Door Assistant Joe Alexander Serving Outside Communion Shut-Ins: Danny Bundy Hospital: Galen Strain Manor Court: Larry Preston & Gary Lowrey Information About the Church Greg Taylor Minister of Preaching & Teaching greg@clintonfcc.com J. Kent Hickerson Minister of Pastoral Care Ernie Harvey, Jr. Minister of Children & Jr. High ernie@clintonfcc.com Adam Brucker Minister of High School, College Age & Technology adam@clintonfcc.com Jim Coonce Minister of Worship jim@clintonfcc.com Peggy Jones Ministerial Admin. Assistant peggy@clintonfcc.com Karen Rice Office Admin. Assistant karen@clintonfcc.com Office Phone (217) Office Fax (217) Office karen@clintonfcc.com or office@clintonfcc.com Office Hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday College/Career Sunday School Class Come relax, converse and fellowship together during the Sunday School hour. The class is being led by Dee (Fields) Milanski. The class meets in the adult class area in the back basement.

5 Young at Heart David Buck, Coordinator Instead of riding the emotional roller coaster, which only exhausts us, we need to become stable, solid, steadfast, preserving, determined people. Renewing our minds to think and believe that we are stable and content will help us get started. We can never enjoy any of God s promises until we believe them for ourselves. In the world, we believe what we see, but in God s kingdom we believe and then we see. Patience and self-control are our ways to learning contentment and stability. Steve Ingram got here a little late, but he really gave us a fine program. We ll be looking forward to the quiet-mannered Joe Meeks for our program on the 5th of October. Then our friend, Carol McFeeters Thompson will give us a fine program as usual on the 19th of October. We re very happy to have her come. No man is useless while he has a friend. Robert L. Stevenson On October the 15th, we ll be off to who knows where for a wonderful day of happiness and fellowship. Then to Branson, Missouri, for a few days of grand performances, fine food and Christmas shows. We will be enjoying Danny O Donnell, the Baldknobbers, Roy Rogers, Grand Country Jubilee, Clay Cooper, and Mel Tillis. December will take us to Christmas in the Chapel on the 1st and then to the Gaither Christmas Show on the 15th. Chance makes brothers hearts makes friends. Booth You can enjoy peace by yourself, but you will have to pursue it. God created you and He doesn t make junk, so start seeing your strengths and stop staring at your weaknesses. Think of no other greatness but that of the soul, no other riches but those of the heart. John Quincy Adams Job Opportunity Peace Meal needs someone to coordinate its Senior Lunch Program located at the DeWitt County Friendship Center. This is a part-time position. The hours are Monday - Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If you are interested in applying, call Barb at (309)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 Hospital Prayer List Our Christian Sympathy to the Family and St. Mary s Loved Ones of... Richard Brelsfoard...Robert Roberts, Owensboro, KY - brother of Jim Rueger (28th) Floy Harmon and Lois (Allan) Bell Springfield Memorial...Thomas Tucker, Clinton - cousin of Kristin Larry Montgomery Gentry and Shelley (Mike) Maltby...Lyle Reeder, DeWitt, IL - brother of Kathy (Vance) Fraley Released Ernest Thorp...Steve West, Prospect, KY - brother of Kathy Shirley Dodd (Gene) Wickenhauser Lori Evans...Patricia Taylor, Diamond Head, MS - mother of William Taylor Shirley Aizenstat Becky Alexander Bettie Anderson Gary Angel Shirley Bain Debbie Bateson Sadie Bell Linda Berry Virgil Brady Andy Breeze Beverly Brown Crew Buchanan Pat Butler Brad Campbell Edna Carter Landon Clark Mike Connelly Merle Cox Brett Creager Dorothy Daniels Lois DeJaynes Patty Douglas Carolyn Drummond Carol Duncan Special Prayer Requests * New Names Vickie Dunham Shirley Dunn Candi Evans Lori Evans Doug Fleming Debra Focht Loretta Forrest Betty Fortune DeEtta Gehres Cheryl Haynes Judy Hedrick Jackie Hunt* Dixie Keller Carol Krause Jerry Kronk Rachel Litherland Ed Martin Olive Moberly Jimmy Moore Tammy Moore Robert Peters Jesse Reising Diana Richardson Arwilda Roberts Bob Roberts Randy Roy Mary Shofner Whitney Siltman Bob Simmons Gary Simmons James L. Smith Sharon Stephenson Doris Sugg Rebecca Tellefsen Andy Thomas Iris Thorp Emily Titus Bob Trummel Wayne Tyler Sherry Volk Chad Walker Sharon Webb Bill Westfall* Brien White Gene Wickenhauser Vernadine Witt

7 This N That October is Pastor Appreciation Month! There is no greater gift you can give your pastors & the spiritual leaders of your church than to pray for them. Prayer is crucial for pastors, their families, our church, and our church leaders. Please visit for 31 Days of Praying for Your Pastor. You can download the prayer guide. We will have some prayer guides at the Information Booth too. Let s take this opportunity to lift our ministers & family up in prayer. Baby Bottles If you still have a baby bottle for the New Life Pregnancy s campaign, would you please return it to the church office (filled or not)? They use the bottles each year for the Change for Life campaign. Thank you. Snow Removal Building & Grounds is looking for someone to do sidewalk snow removal this winter. If you are interested in bidding on this job, please contact Kelly Riggs.

8 Grant Writing Do you have experience writing grants? Barb O Donohue has accumulated a number of grant applications which need to be completed and submitted on behalf of COPE. If you can benefit COPE in this manner, please contact Leslie Gwozdz at or cope2011pokot@yahoo.com for more information. Tuesday Morning Ladies Bible Study We will be doing a study of Colossians and Philemon. Please sign the sheet at the Information Booth and pick up a book. We will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Lord Led Ladies room, beginning October 4. Bloodmobile October 6 at St. John s Hall 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. If you would like to make an appointment call Faye at or Rosemary at Please bring identification. 8th 28th October Shut-In Birthdays Cathelena Daily, 1200 Evenglow Lane, Pontiac, IL Shirley Thompson, Aspen Ridge Care Center, 2530 N. Monroe, Decatur, IL 62526

9 Excerpts from Ernie Ernie Harvey Jr. Sunday Night Youth Groups - 5:30-6:30 p.m. October 2 nd God s Little Treasures (3 years - K): Bible Lesson, Songs & Activity. We will meet in the Beginner room. Primary Youth Group (1 st - 3 rd Grades): Bible Lesson, Songs & Activity. We will meet in the Primary room. Junior Youth Group (4th & 5th grades): We will meet in Fellowship Hall. C.L.A.S.S. Act Kids Sign-Up Sign-up for C.L.A.S.S. Act Kids on Sunday, October 2, 9 or 16. Practice will begin on October 16 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. FAMILIES AT FIRST Wednesday, October 5 th, we will have our light meal at 5:30 and the regular children and youth activities at 6:15. This year we are doing a study entitled Journey with Jesus. Breakfast Club Friday Mornings at 7:15 am in the Cable Building. Ernie will take you to school. Last week we had 54 kids.

10 Adventures with Adam Adam Brucker Reveal Sunday, October 2-5:30-7:00 p.m. Volleyball from 7 to 8 p.m. Fridays 7:15 to 8:00 a.m. in the Cable Building Fellowship of Christian Athletes Wednesday, September 28, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. will be our first FCA meeting in the Cable Building.

11 Worship 101 Honey From Rocks Jim Coonce But I would feed you with the finest wheat I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock. Psalm 81:16 In Psalm 81, the Lord invites Israel to receive the very best of his blessings. Open your mouth wide, he says, and I will fill it with good things (81:10). In order to receive this bounty, God s people need only to listen to his words and walk in his paths (81:13). Then, the Lord promises, I would feed you the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock (81:16). The finest wheat, literally in Hebrew, the fat of the wheat, is that from which one makes the best bread and other baked goods. The food that comes from the finest wheat is both tasty and healthy. Wild honey from the rock adds some zest to the bread. The psalmist may envision a bees nest under some rocky crag, from which one takes delicious honey. As I think about Psalm 81:16, I m impressed by God s offer of wild honey. To be sure, honey has some nutritional benefits. But, unlike wheat, it is meant mostly to delight the one who eats it. Honey adds sweetness and joy to eating. So, without pressing the imagery of this verse too far, I think it s true to say that God offers, not only nutrition, but also pleasure to those who hear and do his words. Sometimes we think of obeying God so much in terms of what we must give up that we fail to remember the rewards of obedience. Our God, who created honey and our ability to enjoy it, wants us to live a full, rich life, a life of genuine pleasure. This comes as we seek the Lord and follow his ways. Note: For a fascinating series of photos depicting the taking of honey from the rock in Nepal, check out this website: html/photolibrary14.html (Copied from The High Calling by Mark D. Roberts)

12 This Lord s Day October 2, :15 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.: Greg Taylor shares another message in our fall series NT75 75 days through the New Testament. This week we ll study John 3:16 and the incredible Love of God. 9:30 a.m. Bible School classes for all ages. 10:30 11:00 a.m. Fellowship time for all adults in the Family Life Center! 5:30 6:30 p.m. Preschool and Grade School Youth Groups 5:30 7:00 p.m. REVEAL for Jr. High and Sr. High at the Cable Building First Christian Church THE KARUSOGRAPH (USPS ) is published weekly by Corner of W. Main & N. Jackson FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 100 N. Jackson St., Clinton, Illinois N. Jackson St. Periodicals postage paid at Clinton, IL. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Clinton, IL The Karusograph First Christian Church, 100 N. Jackson St., Clinton, IL 61727