TUSCOLA CHRISTIAN. Publication of First Christian Church, Tuscola, Illinois

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1 TUSCOLA CHRISTIAN Publication of First Christian Church, Tuscola, Illinois Camp Workday at Little Galilee Saturday, May 9th Come and help our church camp at Little Galilee get ready for the summer camping season. We will be going on Saturday morning, May 9th. Little Galilee is just south of Clinton IL off Route 51. There are a variety of jobs available to do. This is a great project for a family, youth group, small group or Sunday school class. This is also an opportunity for your kids to get to know the camp We will leave at 7:45 am from the church. Depending on how much work is available, we will be done around noon. Contact Craig & Beth Romine or the church office a.s.a.p. if you are going, so we can plan transportation and let Little Galilee know how many for breakfast count. Join us Sign up for Church Camp this summer Camp is a great place for kids to make new friends and make a closer connection to Jesus If you have any questions, see Jason Rennert or Lori Reed. May 2015, Vol.55 1

2 Reboot I am thankful for technology. My computer, my cell phone. It mades me wonder how we ever got along without them in times past. The other day, I was working on the church computer and it FROZE. LOCKED UP. The crazy little wheel just kept on spinning. When that happens sometimes it s best just to reboot. Just turn it off and turn it back on. Rebooting allows the computer to start over, clear out the glitches and run effectively again. What works for computers can work for churches too. Sometimes, we just need to reboot. We are, in essence, going to be doing that in our church. Where do we start? First of all, we will look at God s word. What does He call us to do? Secondly, we will examine our assumptions and ministry. We will be working on developing our vision and how that fits in with the mission that God has called FCC Tuscola to accomplish. We will sync our values and vision to our ministry functions to ensure that we continue to be purpose driven and effective. We welcome and invite you into this process. We want the whole church body to be engaged and have input in this endeavor. How can you be involved? We have a Leadership Quarterly meeting on May 11th. Feel free to come along and experience some of the excitement brewing. Come to our First Steps Class - we will explain some of this in there too. Give me your ideas for what you believe God would want us to pursue in our mission as a church. Your Passionate Pastor & Friend, Bob Williams May 2015, Vol.55 2

3 Join us as we Travel to the Holy Land Wed. May 11:30 am through the experiences of Mark Maxey. Mark made the journey to Israel a few weeks ago. Bring a dish or two to sure in a potluck luncheon at 11:30 am. Come out and see some present-day places found in the Bible. NEW MEMBERS We celebrate Paul & Shirley Rippey as the newest members of our FCC church family. They came forward and transferred their membership on April 5, Welcome to the family NURSING HOME WORSHIP SERVICE Sunday, May 4:00 pm It is our privilege to provide the Sunday worship service for the residents of Tuscola Healthcare Center on Sunday, May 17th at 4:00 pm. You are invited to come and join with us in songs and devotions. If you have any questions, contact Dena Meyer or the church office. Thank You Your kind and thoughtful expression of sympathy is deeply appreciated and gratefully acknowledge. Thanks so much for providing drinks, desserts and a place for our family to gather after the funeral. We really appreciated it. Terry Hornaday & Hank Groves, on behalf of the Audrey Groves family To continue our series on who the Lord Jesus Christ is and what He came to do, as seen in the OT, we want to consider Genesis 3:15(NAS), which says, And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel. The Bible tells us that there is a war that involves Heaven and earth, and it was God who put hostility between the woman s seed and the serpent s seed. The woman s seed is the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 9:6 says that unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given. The word seed in the Hebrew can also mean descendant. The serpent s seed are those who side with him. Not only is there a war, but it must be fought God s way. In this war, there are two sides, but there is only one victor the Lord Jesus Christ. In Genesis 3:15 the word bruise can mean to crush. We can see from this that the war is to the finish Satan wanted to kill the Lord Jesus Christ, thinking that would be the end of Him. But God was the one who put an end to Satan s power and plans What a tremendous praise we should give to God, because the Lord Jesus Christ defeated our greatest enemy, the one who pretends to be our friend. Satan was cast out of Heaven (Revelation 12:9), imprisoned (Revelation 20:2), and sentenced to his final doom (Revelation 20:10), where he was thrown into the lake of fire. And this suffering will last forever. God is, indeed, in control. Satan must have thought he had won the war, when he helped to crucify Jesus Christ. Little did he know that the cross was not the end of God s Son; rather, it was the defeat of the devil (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). Continued on page 6.. May 2015, Vol.55 3

4 God s Plan for Dads I have a conviction so present and real in my life that I cannot shake it off or dismiss it away. It sits like a heavy weight in my soul and is rooted in Ephesians 5 6. My conviction is this: The best way to reach children with the good news about Jesus and instruct them in the Lord is through their dad. I believe that when a dad takes time to train their children in the way of the Lord the long-term impact will be greater than the impact of programs. Our Sunday morning and Wednesday programs at First Christian Church certainly accomplish the goal of teaching the Scriptures to children, but notice that Ephesians 6:5 says, Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. The verse is instructing dads to stop provoking their children and to start instructing them in the ways of God. The amazing thing is that this verse connects directly with the first verse in chapter five which says, Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children From this connection we learn that part of imitating God, for a man, translates into the teaching and training of his own children. A man s relationship to God is one of a child to perfect heavenly Father. The child learns from the Father s instruction and matures in the ways of God as he imitates the Father. A similar relationship also exists between a young child and his earthly father. Children imitate their earthly dad as they learn from his example and instruction. That being the case, God wants dads following after Him so that the children of these dads will be trained and instructed in the way of Scripture. The pattern is this: the earthly father imitates and follows after his God as the earthly dad trains and instructs his own children who are imitating and following after him. One key lesson we learn is that in God s design for the family, He wants DAD to take the lead role. So often men consider teaching and training in God s words to be strictly the woman s job. No That is wrong God designed and designated dad to take the lead role in training and teaching. Dad s teaching does not have to necessarily be formal. No, Deuteronomy 6 explains that such teaching can happen as father and child walk along the road, work side by side, talk during mealtime, and when he tucks the children into bed. Teaching can happen in the car on the way to the ball game and over breakfast before school. I believe that when dads live out this God-given role the long-term impact on the children will be greater than what any program can provide. And this is exactly why this will be my top priority over the next few months. Although some traditional children s ministry will still take place, my primary focus must be on spending time with men who want to walk through the scriptures, learn what they say, and then stand for them. - Jason May 2015, Vol.55 4

5 Wednesdays during school year: Gathering of Brothers, a 5th-6th grade boys only after school program, AND God s Girls, a 5th-6th grade girls only after school program continue to meet (3:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.) Church bus will pick up students from East Prairie immediately after school and transport to FCC. God s Girls closing ceremony will be Wed. May 13 at 5:30 pm. Sunday Mornings in March 9:15 a.m. Programming for ages 0 6 th grade 10:30 a.m. Programming for ages 0 4 th grade What s Happening in Children s Church (grades 1-4) on Sunday Mornings: Load up your pack, tighten up the climbing harness Children head to the Anaconda Mountain Range base camp and climbing shop, known as Altitude, to lear lessons front he Beatitudes in Jesus Sermon on the Mount May 3 - Nicodemus Speaks with Jesus (John 3) May 10 - Jesus Raises Lazarus (John 11) May 17 - John the Baptist (John 3:22-31) May 24 - FAMILY Sunday May 31 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Matthew 21:12-17) SUMMER SPLASH at the Park is Coming What: A weekly event during the month of July designed to present the good news about Jesus to children entering the 1st-6th grades. When: Wednesdays from July 1-29 Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Why: Instead of having the community come to us, we have decided to GO to them with the purpose of making the good news about Jesus known to all who attend. Where: Ervin Park, as the park is a place in which all children enjoy playing Most activity will take place in and around the main pavilion. Program Elements: A. Recreation Time (Games, Craft, & free play); B. Large Group presentation of a Bible story with small group time to teach the application. The gospel will also be presented; C. Singing: a time for songs that honor God; D. Snacks Sign Up for Summer Camp Brochures available. MAY SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:15 am each Sunday morning (May 24-FIT Team duties) HERE S WHAT IS HAPPENING May 3 -Junior High Youth Group 4-5:30 pm; Senior High Youth at 6-8:00 pm May 9- Work Day at Little Galilee May 17- Graduate Recognition during morning worship May 17 - Mission Trip Info meetings at 9 am or at 12 pm. May 17-6:00 pm End of Year Celebration: For: Incoming 7th graders - Outgoing Seniors - A time to fellowship with Students and Family about the summer plans and activities, a time to meet the "new" Families (adopt a family) May 21- Baccalaureate Service at TCHS at 7:00 pm. Open to all the community May 27 - Wed. Celebra8 Lunch at the park, Eat at Noon 7-12 graders, family and friends meet for Devo and Lunch every Weds. all Summer. May 31 - Classes for anyone with 7th-12th grade students, topics will vary but be relevant in understanding ourselves & our students. Parenting is the hardest job we will ever have and we can learn so much about our parenting when we look at how we are now & where we were when we were 7th-12th graders. If you have questions, contact Lori Reed, May 2015, Vol.55 5

6 Continued from page 3 After the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, He went to the Heavenly Temple, and He passed through the devil s domain (Ephesians 2:2) where evil forces fought against Him, to prevent Him from getting to His destination (Colossians 2:15). The devil failed; Jesus Christ did not We are told in Hebrews 9:12 that Jesus Christ entered Heaven s Holy Temple by His own blood. Since Jesus Christ was both fully human as well as fully divine, His blood was not only human blood, it was the BLOOD OF A SINLESS HUMAN There was now a man in Heaven, and He was making the way for His believers to follow. He was there to announce that sin was now paid for. Hebrews 9:12 tells us the He entered ONCE into the Holy Place. Unlike the Old Testament (OT) High Priest, who entered the Holy Place once a year ( every year), our Lord Jesus Christ s sacrifice was so effective that He entered once and that was enough His sacrificial death obtained our redemption. Redemption was obtained when a ransom was paid to free a slave. His death freed us from slavery to Satan for all time. Hebrews 10:12 tells us that He having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN at the right hand of God. The OT high priest never sat down in the temple, because his work was never done. But Jesus Christ, our High Priest, sat down because He had finished the work that God had given Him to do (John 17:4). Hebrews 10:19 tells us that now believers in Christ can also enter the Holy Place (into God s presence). In the OT only the high priest could do that, and only once a year. We are told in Hebrews 6:19-20 that Jesus Christ entered within the veil of the temple as a forerunner. The forerunner would enter a city announcing to the ruler of that city that the enemy has been defeated, and proof of the victory was that the captured enemy was under guard following the victorious general. The OT priesthood knows nothing of a forerunner. Jesus Christ changed all that Ephesians 2:2 tells us that the air around the earth is Satan s domain, and on His way to the Heavenly Temple, Jesus Christ went through Satan s domain. Because Jesus Christ was sinless, the enemy could not defeat Him. I believe that as Jesus Christ went through Satan s domain on His way to the Heavenly Temple, Satan fought against Him but could not win (Colossians 2:15 KJV). In this verse, we are told that Jesus Christ spoiled principalities and powers. This means that He disarmed them and stripped them away from Him. When this verse says He made a show of them openly, He exposed them as being defeated, and He was now leading a multitude of captives, announcing that He had won the war against evil (Ephesians 4:8). When God bruised Satan s head, all of Satan s plans and schemes were destroyed (1 John 3:8). Satan does not want us to know that he is already a defeated foe and that God has won the war. The Lord Jesus Christ came to defeat Satan, to free us from sin, and to open Heaven for us. These are such great truths, but how do these facts become part of our lives today? God is looking for those who are willing to be different from the world, willing to walk with the Lord, even in the midst of an evil generation, as Noah did (Genesis 6:5,9,11). We find out what God wants us to do, as we read His Word. God is looking for those who are willing to leave one place to go to the place of His choosing, as Abraham did (Genesis 12:1). This may or may not mean a long way away, as it did for Abraham; it may mean going to talk to your neighbor about who Jesus Christ is. When we are available for what the Lord wants, He sees to it that these great truths become part of our lives and that our lives become part of His plan We also have the Great Helper, the Holy Spirit, who enables us to live for our Savior (Galatians 5:22f) -Cecil Smith May 2015, Vol.55 6

7 Remember in Prayer Chris Brown Darcy Strack, daughter of Judy Harriss Ruth Burress Jonathan Moreland, friend of Tim Postlewait Gale Underwood Jane Seider, sister of Gale Underwood Heather Poole Mike Graber Phyllis Moore Danny Ragle Tom Warner, friend of Ragle s Dora Norfleet Mike Valerio, son-in-law of Richard & Dianne Eiche Ashley Manzella Sonya Maurer Jim Clarkson Jason Galvin, friend of the Carners Michelle Hengel, friend of Carners Kelly Burns, granddaughter of Dale & Martha Burns Our Sympathy goes out Hank & Denise Groves, Brad & Terry Hornaday and family in the loss of their mother, Audrey Groves; and to Ron & Linda Schultz in the loss of her sister, Virginia Ward Missions We Support Abel Sairattanyu family (Thailand), Jack Swanson family (Chile), Les & Sarah Evans (Japan), 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 Please call or the church office to have someone added to the prayer list. Thank you for your support and encouragement for those in need of prayer. SERVING FOR MAY FIT Team 3 Ron & Linda Schultz; Team 2 10 Joe Harris/Emily Groves; Team 3 17 Dale & Martha Burns; Team 4 24 Jack & Phylliss Ehrsam; Team 1 31 Tim & Chris Johnson; Team 2 Communion Meditation 3 1st- T. Johnson 2nd- T. Johnson 10 1st- H. Bossle 2nd- J. Harriss 17 1st- M. Knight 2nd- G. Campbell 24 1st- B. Thompson 2nd- B. Thompson 32 1st- C. Romine 2nd- S. Kerkhoff Serving Out Serving Leader- May 3 H. Bossle 1st: G. Underwood 10 M. Otto 2nd: B. Beck 17 A. Reeder 24 D. Dundas 31 H. Bossle Communion Prep May 3 & 10 Dave & Val Morgan May 17 & 24 Tim & Chris Johnson May 31/Jun 7 Communion Clean-Up May 3& 10 Tommy & Angie Cravens May 17 & 24 Alison Gilles May 31/Jun 7 Attendance Worship Sun. School April April April April April 4/05 4/12 4/19 4/26 General Fund (Missions is 10%) $ $ $14, $10, Benevolence Debt Reduction Other giving & Reimbursements TOTAL $10, $7, $15, $10, May 2015, Vol.55 7

8 100 E Church Street Tuscola IL Phone: Fax: Sunday Worship Services 8:00 & 10:30 am Sunday School Classes 9:15 am for all ages Office Hours: 8 am - 4 pm Mon-Fri Ministers: Bob Williams, Jason Rennert, Lori Reed May 2015 May Calendar 3- Elective class on Prayer begins at 9:15 am. 6- Quilting Group, 9:00 am 6- God s Girls/Gathering of Brothers, 3:30 pm 7- National Day of Prayer service at Courthouse, 12:05 9- Work Day at Little Galilee Camp 11- Leadership meeting, 6:00 pm 13- Prime Timers, 11:30 am 13- God s Girls/Gathering of Brother, 3:30 pm 13- God s Girls closing ceremony, 5:30 pm 17- Grad Recognition Sunday AM; Mission Trip Info mtg at 9 am or 12 pm 17- Foyer use, 2-4 pm 17- Nursing Home service, 4:00 pm 17- Student Ministry: End of Year Celebration 20- Quilting Group, 9:00 am 20- Gathering of Brothers, 3:30 pm 21- Baccalaureate Service at TCHS, 7:00 pm 22- Bldg use, 6-9 pm 25- Office closed for Memorial Day 27- Celebr8 Lunch in the park at noon 31- Classes for parenting with 7-12 grade students 31- Bldg use, 2-5 pm Elders: Gary Foltz, Clayton Harriss, Mike Otto, Don Rudder, Bruce Thompson Trustees: Jeff Martin, Dan Meyer, Joe Stanfield Ministry Deacons: Benevolence- Chris Brown Caring- Clayton Harriss Children s Ministry Pre-School- Leslie Smith Missions Ministry- Craig Romine Stewardship- Dan Wakefield Treasurer- Alison Gilles Asst. Treasurer- Kent McGillen Financial Secretary- Barb Alexander May 2015, Vol.55 8