TUSCOLA CHRISTIAN. Publication of First Christian Church, Tuscola, Illinois. begins Sunday, September 9th. 8:00 & 10:30 am

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1 TUSCOLA CHRISTIAN Publication of First Christian Church, Tuscola, Illinois begins Sunday, September 9th 8:00 & 10:30 am The next few months, we will take a journey through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It is the God s story of how He loves humanity and the great lengths He goes to rescue lost and hurting people. The Story is the Bible, condensed into 31 accessible chapters, presented with transition text and flowing into a single grand narrative of God s story. The Story helps people understand God s Word more fully and engage with it more easily. We hope that you will take this opportunity to study God s Word more closely. Invite a neighbor, friend or coworker to join you as we begin in September. Small groups and Sunday school classes will also be available for further study. Hardback copies of The Story are available for $5.00 each. Pick up one for your family and one to give as an invitation to join us as we study together! SEPTEMBER 2018, Vol. 58 1

2 Hi Everyone, Recently, we had a great Vision Sunday where we had a lot to celebrate. Our Transition Team completed their leg of the journey with us while gifting a fantastic media resource called Right Now Media to FCC. We will launch Right Now Media on September 16th and have a few training times in the weeks/months to come. We will be growing in prayer and in ministering the Word of God, we will be growing in our responsibility to protect believers, we will grow in pastoral care, and we will grow in how to develop Biblical policy with the aim to accomplish God s will in Tuscola. These men and I will strive to do God s will through mutual submission to Jesus in prayer and unity. Please continue to pray for these men. The transition team anticipates good things as they have passed the leadership to our new Apprentice Elders. We were also able to roll out FCC s new mission statement as we take aim at the future together. We are committed to Loving and Living like Jesus. Three men have agreed to be champions to our new apprentice elders. Clayton Harriss, Howard Bossle, and Mike Otto. Because each of these men have been elders before, they understand the joy and hardship of eldership and have committed themselves to being available for our leadership moving forward. Not in meetings, but in prayer and mentorship as they are sought. I am really encouraged by this group of leaders; please continue to pray for them. The other names we announced are our new apprentice elders. Chris Brown, Craig Romine, and Kevin Kauffman. These men have accepted the role of apprentice elder. Throughout the apprenticeship we will be growing together and will meet 2 times a month for the purpose of growing together as disciples. Loving and Living like Jesus The last announcement had to do a the debt reduction campaign we are entering into January of There are commitment cards available at the church. We know God does not wish for our goal of Loving and Living like Jesus to be hindered by anything. We commit with joy and optimism to ambitiously go after this debt so we might be freed to accomplish our mission as a church. I am very encouraged by so much that is happening at FCC Tuscola right now. I would have never thought 4 months ago that God might see Yit to work so quickly in our overall church attitude posture. Optimism is growing here and more people are beginning to volunteer again. I am sensing a spirit of unity growing among us, which only solidiyies the reality of God working in our midst. It is so important we pray, pray, pray together for God s kingdom purpose to be realized among us. Not our will but His will be done! It is my joy to be serving here with each of you. May God gain the glory for the great things He is doing! Blessings, les SEPTEMBER 2018, Vol. 58 2

3 LOVING LIKE JESUS: We are dedicated to reaching others by sharing the love of Jesus with everyone; without prejudice. (Luke 10:25-37) Loving others is an overylow of our love for God. (Deuteronomy 6:4,5; Matthew 22:37-40; Mark 12:29-31) Love is our greatest asset and is valued by God above all virtues and works; this is why we choose love Yirst. (1 Corinthians 13:13) We share the love of Jesus by helping people in need. (Galatians 6:2) We share the love of Jesus by speaking true things to one another. (2 Timothy 4:1-5) We share the love of Jesus when we hope and persevere in a way which is impossible for man alone. (Philippians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10) We share the love of Jesus through faith and works (James 2:18-26); thoughts, beliefs, words, and action. AND: The word and is important because we are called to both (loving and living) without escaping the other. Loving unconditionally without an obedient lifestyle seems to fall short in light of our desire to go and make disciples, baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to teach obedience to Jesus. (Matthew 28:18-20) Likewise, living without love in your heart, on your face, and in your works seems to also fall short. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13; James 2:18-26) We strive to do both; love and live like Jesus in every opportunity Jesus gives us. (Matthew 25:31-46) LIVING LIKE JESUS: We believe the Bible (God s Word) is the handbook for life. The Bible is inspired and breathed by God (2 Timothy 3:16,17) It is the foundational book set for the Christian life and we strive to live out the lifestyle that God has laid out for us throughout these pages. Jesus lives in this way and is perfect in all things. While perfection is outside of our grasp on our own; we seek to follow the example of our Lord as demonstrated through His life on earth. The earthly beneyits of a life lived like Jesus are: pleasing God (Matthew 3:17; Philippians 2:1-15), good spiritual stewardship (Romans 12:1,2; Galatians 5:16-26), and standing out with an opportunity to share salvation through Jesus with an unbelieving world. (1 Peter 3:10-18) Jesus tells us, You are the light of the world and we are to put that light on its stand where it gives light to everyone. (Matthew 5:14,15) Ultimately, a life lived like Jesus gives God glory because the focus is to do the will of the Father. (Mark 14:36) September 12th 11:30 am Come out and enjoy some great music and lovely fall weather at Walnut Point State Park. We will be at Pleasant View shelter. Turn left after coming into the park and follow the road around. Logan Kirby will be entertaining with some lively music! Hot dogs, buns, and drinks furnished. Bring a dish to share in the potluck picnic. Prime Timers is open to anyone 50+ years old. Community is invited too. Friday, Sept. 21st 10:00 am - 2:00 pm FCC is the designated place for a Red Cross Drive on Sept. 21st. Take a few minutes out of your day and give blood! Appointments preferred; walk-ins welcome!! Call RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org. Give blood. Help save lives. SEPTEMBER 2018, Vol. 58 3

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5 Remember in Prayer Apprentice Elders Thomas Brown April Richardson Dave Lohr Dave Dobson Sharon Sanders Dora NorYleet Eunice Carner, John s mother Paul Montgomery, Melissa Lemay s father Stanley & Mary Stephenson Joyce Allison Ruth Burress Pat Voyles, Orlena McDaniel s sister Frank Cribbett, Orlena s brother-in-law Young friend of Ron & Linda Schultz Todd Martin, Judy s son Shirley & Paul Rippey Fern Stinson, mother Linda Carner Dale Burns Kelly Burns, granddaughter of Dale & Martha Our Church Family, Church Leaders Government Leaders Our Sympathy is extended to Paul Boatman and the family in the passing of his wife, Mary. Missions We Support Abel Sairattanyu family (Thailand), Jack Swanson family (Chile), Little Galilee Christian Camp, Christian Campus House EIU, Lincoln Christian University LCU, Illini Christian Ministries, Stadia Church Planting, Roseland Good News Daycare (Ms. Pearl), Operation Christmas Child If you have an update or a request to add, please contact the church of;ice. of;ice@fcctuscola.com or Serving the Month of September FIT Team 2 Jack & Phylliss Ehrsam; Team 1 9 Dave & Val Morgan; Team 2 16 Gale & Connie Underwood; Team 3 23 Randy & Alta Lone; Team 1 30 Joe Harris/Alison Bowen; Team 2 Communion Meditation (1st & 2nd services) 2 H. Bossle C. Brown 9 C. Harriss C. Harriss 16 L. Reed L. Reed 23 M. Knight S. Clarkson 30 C. Romine S. Kerkhoff Serving Out Serving Leader- September 2 D. Dundas 1st - Gale Underwood 9 M. Otto 2nd - Bruce Thompson 12 A. Reeder 23 H. Bossle 30 D. Dundas Communion Preparation Sept 2 & 9 Howard & Susan Bossle Sept 16 & 23 Jenni Boyd Sept 30 & Oct 7 Dan & Barb Alexander Communion Clean-Up Sept 2 & 9 Chris & Cheryl Harriss Sept 16 & 23 Gary & Marney Foltz Sept 30 & Oct 7 Dwayne & Laura Van Cleave Attendance Worship Sun. School August August August August LOVING & LIVING LIKE JESUS AUGUST 8/05 8/12 8/19 8/26 General Fund (Missions is 10%) $ $ $ $ Benevolence Debt Reduction Other giving & Reimbursements TOTAL $11, $4, $10, $7, SEPTEMBER 2018, Vol. 58 5

6 100 E Church Street Tuscola IL Phone: Fax: office@fcctuscola.com Sunday Worship Service 8:00 am and 10:30 am Sunday School Classes 9:15 am adults & students Office Hours: 8 am - 4 pm Mon-Fri Ministers: Les Evans, Lori Reed SEPTEMBER 2018 Loving and Living like Jesus Small Groups for Fall: We are lining up small groups for this fall (start in Sept.) - looking for group leaders and people to host a small group in their home. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Gary Foltz at or garyandmarneyfoltz@yahoo.com. This Sunday, Sept. 2nd you will can sign up on the back of the connection card during each worship service. Weekly Prayer Circle YOU are invited to pray with us each Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm. Join us in prayer together for the direction that God wants our church family to go. Worship Tuscola Healthcare Center Our next opportunity to sponsor the worship service at the nursing home will be on October 7th. Church Calendar 2,9,16,23,30: Worship Services at 8:00 & 10:30 am; Sunday School at 9:15 am 5,12,19,26: Prayer Circle, 5:30 pm 3 - Office closed for Labor Day 4 - Small group leaders meeting, 6:30 pm 5 - Apprentice Elders meeting, 6:30 pm 8 - Christian artist, Aaron Shust, at Broomcorn Festival 9 - The Story begins! 9 - Cultivate Youth Groups begin, 6:33 pm 12 - Prime Walnut Point State Park, 11:30 am 12 - God s Girls (grades 5 & 6) begins after school 14-5th Quarter for SR HI after the football game 19 - Apprentice Elders meeting, 6:30 pm 21 - Red Cross Blood Drive here, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 28-5th Quarter for SR HI after the football game SEPTEMBER 2018, Vol. 58 6