TUSCOLA CHRISTIAN Publication of First Christian Church, Tuscola, Illinois Farewell Reception for Bob & Deb Williams Sunday, December 4 th Please join us after each service for fellowship, cake & coffee this Sunday, Dec. 4th. You are encouraged to come and share in Bob & Deb s last ofcicial Sunday with us. There will be a basket for cards and encouraging messages. Please join us in giving them a warm send- off. Sunday, December 18th at 8:00 & 10:30 am As part of our Worship Services on Sunday, December 18th, we will feature a special Christmas skit entitled The Ultimate Gift. Come and experience the ups and downs of CEO Alan Mc Intyre as his company seeks to discover the ultimate product to Change Your World. Find out what they discover is really worth having. Sharri Kerkhoff will be directing our group of performers. Join us for a special look at the meaning and message of Christ s coming. December 2016, Vol. 56 1
Giving Thanks for You, Remembering You First of all, I would like to thank all the many people who have shared encouraging and affirming sentiments with Deb and I. That truly is a great lift to my spirits. In addition, it is a powerful support to know that several are continuing to pray for Deb and I as we pursue the path God has for us. Thank you greatly for that prayer support; we certainly covet all the prayers we can get. I want you to know that I will truly miss seeing all of you on a weekly basis. We will leave with many fond memories and close friends. Secondly, you will never know because I am unable to express it in words how much it means to me that you have allowed me to speak and share God s word over the last three plus years. It is an incredible privilege to be able to preach the Gospel a responsibility, which I do not take lightly. I thank you for allowing me the privilege to do that here at First Christian Church in Tuscola. I am always humbled and amazed that people are willing to invest their time and allow me to speak into their lives the way you all have. It is very gracious of you to do that. Thirdly, I wish, as maybe some of you do too, that some things could have gone differently. It has not always been an easy road; there have been some potholes along the journey. But as I reflect on that, it is my belief that God allows difficulties to happen to teach us things. Most importantly, He uses those to mold us and make us stronger. I believe we have all learned some things and grown as a result. I m sure we still have some growing to do; I know I do. But the verse I am reminded of is what Paul said to the Galatians. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9, niv Lastly, it is my hope to come back one day and see First Christian Church thriving and strong. It is my hope that you will continue on, keep the faith and abound in the work of the Lord. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. I feel very much like the Apostle Paul did when he wrote to the Ephesians. 15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:15-16, niv May the Lord bless you and keep you and cause his face to shine upon you! From the Pastor s Pen (well, computer keyboard), Bob Williams December 2016, Vol. 56 2
DECEMBER SUNDAYS 9:15 am class each Sunday AM (Dec 1st - FIT Team duties) [No Sunday School or youth groups on Dec. 25] HERE S WHAT IS HAPPENING IN DECEMBER 4 - Youth Group- grades 7-12: 6:33 pm 11 -Youth Group- grades 7-12: 6:33 pm 16-5th Quarter, Hi School, after basketball game 18 - Christmas Parties; JR HI - 4-6 pm at Kauffman s; SR HI - Time to be determined 24 - Christmas Eve service, 7:30 pm 25 - Christmas Day service, 10:00 am 23,26 - church office closed If you have questions, contact Lori Reed, 259-2433; lori@fcctuscola.com Saturday, December 24 Join us for our Christmas Eve Service at 7:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to a celebration of Christ through music, scripture, devotions, and communion. Make it a special event for your family. Sunday, December 25 One Service at 10:00 am. Make Christmas morning a special time of worship and praise with your family and friends. Give thanks for the true reason that we celebrate the Savior s birth. Sunday, January 1 Prime Timers Thursday, December 15th @ 11:30 am Smith House on Main Street Come to our Christmas GetTogether on Thursday, Dec. 15th at 11:30 am at the Smith House. Our program will feature Christmas music by the Pickett Family. One Service at 10:00 am. Start the New Year 2017 out right with worship and study in God s Word! Pancake breakfast beginning at 8:30 am. Join us for a fellowship breakfast before the worship service. Please sign up for the catered dinner by Dec. 12th. The cost is $10 per person, payable at the door. Call the church office (253-2394) or email (office@fcctuscola.com). Join us for some Christmas time fellowship! December 2016, Vol. 56 3
The Transition Team meets every other Wednesday evening and works to accomplish tasks that are needed to fulfill the challenge of leading our church as we go forward. We are committed to staying transparent about our decisions for the health of the church body. The following outline some highlights from our November meetings and announcements: 1. Farewell Reception for Bob & Deb: Sunday Dec. 4th after each service. There will be a basket for cards and cake & coffee. There will be a special prayer time during services. 2. The preaching schedule is filled through the end of the year. 3. Holiday services: Christmas Eve at 7:30 pm; Christmas Day at 10:00 am; New Year s Day at 10:00 am. 4. We will have a pancake breakfast before the New Year s service, beginning at 8:30 am. 5. December 18th - Special Christmas program at each service. 6. Alta Long has been affirmed as our new Stewardship Deaconess. 7. Transition team is interviewing Interim Ministers with a target date beginning January 8th. 8. Financial Peace University will be offered in the future by Chris Brown. 9. A maintenance team has been created to help Jeff Martin oversee building & grounds: Dan Alexander, Randy Long, Steve Fox, Chris Harris, Ron Gardner, Tim Hilligoss, and Geoff Summerville. 10. Contact information and ministry connections for the Transition Team follows. Ministry Connections The name in parentheses is the member of the Transition Team working alongside each ministry. Benevolence - Chris Brown (Chris Brown) Bldg/Grounds - Jeff Martin, Trustee & team: D. Alexander, R. Long, S. Fox, C. Harris, R. Gardner, T. Hilligoss, G. Summerville (Bruce Thompson) Caring - Clayton Harriss (Chris Brown) Children's Preschool/Elem - Leslie Smith- birth to 4 th grade; Lori Reed- 5 th & 6 th grade (Cindy Coombes & Fred McDonald) Missions - Craig Romine Stewardship - Alta Long (Fred McDonald) (Kevin Kauffman) Financial Team - Kent McGillen, Barb Alexander, Phylliss Ehrsam, Alta Long (Kevin Kauffman) Ministries currently without a Deacon or Deaconess: Adult (Kerry Kincaid) Men s (Rob Pratte) and Women's (Ginger Campbell) Student: Junior High, High School (Brian Dean) Worship (Ginger Campbell & Rob Pratte) Ministerial Staff: (Bruce Thompson) Transition Team Contact Info: Brown, Chris 217-855-0923; cdetbrown@gmail.com Campbell, Ginger 217-246-6266; gingercampbell@kw.com Coombes, Cindy 217-621-5531; 832-5531; cbs1234@yahoo.com Dean, Brian 217-402-3573; bddean20@gmail.com Kauffman, Kevin 217-962-0277; kkauffman@simplyamish.com Kincaid, Kerry 217-649-6225; 253-2852; kerry.kincaid54@gmail.com McDonald, Fred 217-493-3351; fred.tcr@gmail.com Pratte, Rob rpratte@gmail.com; 217-722-2309 Reed, Lori 217-259-2433; lori@fcctuscola.com Thompson, Bruce 217-259-1527; tfarm61910@gmail.com December 2016, Vol. 56 4
Remember in Prayer Cathy Weatherford, niece of Ron & Linda Schultz Landon Shiu, Sharon s grandson Jerry Livingston, Josh s father Stacy Leech Claus Schultz, KellyHeather Dixon Derra Howard Eskridge, friend of Jeannine Fortney Rebecca Adkins, Greg & Brenda Harris daughter Judy Wright, aunt of Donnie & Iris Miller Brenda Bunting, friend of Brinda McCumber Jack & Diane Swatko Blake Bass, Donnie & Iris Miller s son Emily Dickinson, Cliff & Virginia s daughter Lane Tyler Foster, grandson of Ann Pollock Todd Martin, Judy s son Linda Moon Keyauni Kern, daughter of Riley & Leslie Smith Kara Kuhns, friend of Ron & Linda Schultz Kathy Hesch, cousin of M. Knight and B. McCumber Our Church Family Church Leaders Government Leaders 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 Our Sympathy goes out to: Denise Groves and Emily & Jordan Hallett in the passing of Denise s mother Janet Branch. Serving the Month of December FIT Team 4 Joe Harris/Alison Bowen; Team 1 11 Martha Burns/Sandy Robinson; Team 2 18 Jack & Phylliss Ehrsam; Team 3 25 1 Service: Ron & Linda Schultz + Team 4 Communion Meditation 4 1st- L. Reed 2nd- L. Reed 11 1st- J. Harriss 2nd- T. Johnson 18 1st- S. Kerkhoff 2nd- S. Kerkhoff 25 1 Service- C. Harriss Serving Out Serving Leader - Dec. 4 A. Reeder 1st: Judy Martin 11 D. Dundas 2nd: 18 H. Bossle 25 M. Otto Communion Preparation Dec. 4 Dec. 11 & 18 Dec. 25 Shirley & Steve Quinn Ron & Linda Schultz Dan & Barb Alexander Communion Clean-Up Dec. 4, 11 & 18 Tim & Chris Johnson Dec. 25 Tim & Chris Johnson Attendance Worship Sun. School November 6 185 44 November 13 171 43 November 20 184 35 November 27 152 30 NOVEMBER 11/6 11/13 11/20 11/27 General Fund (Missions is 10%) $8870.03 $7902.00 $6364.03 $4,741.00 Benevolence 406.00 290.00 275.00 85.00 Debt Reduction 100.00 1000.00 Other giving & Reimbursements 310.60 421.45 280.67 74.50 TOTAL $9,686.63 $8,613.45 $7,919.70 $4,900.50 December 2016, Vol. 56 5
100 E Church Street Tuscola IL 69153 Phone: 217-253-2394 Fax: 217-253-3869 Email: office@fcctuscola.com 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: Lori Reed DECEMBER 2016 CHURCH CALENDAR 7 & 14 - God s Girls & Gathering of Brothers, 3:30 4 - Bob & Deb s farewell reception 4 - Live Nativity at Immanuel Lutheran, 4:30-6:30 pm PRAYER CIRCLE We continue meeting to pray every Wednesday evening at 5:30 pm. You are welcome to join us as we pray for our church family, leadership, and our nation. We will meet each Wednesday in December. Coming Up.... Sunday, January 1, 2017 @ 4:00 pm Tuscola Healthcare Center Worship Our turn to provide the service at the nursing home will happen on January 1st of 2017. Help the residents start off the New Year with worship & praise. If you have any questions, contact the church office. December 2016, Vol. 56 4, 11 - Youth Group (7th-12th), 6:33 pm 7 - Quilting Group, 9:00 am 7 - God s Girls Christmas Tea at Smith House, 3:30 pm 7,14,21,28 - Prayer Circle, 5:30 pm 14 - Transition Team mtg, 7:00 pm 14 - Building use (auditorium), 7:00 pm 15 - Prime Timers @ Smith House, 11:30 am 16-5th Quarter (High School) after game 18 - Christmas Skit & Program, 8 & 10:30 am 18 - Student Ministry Christmas parties 20 - Building use, 6:00-9:00 pm 21 - Quilting Group, 9:00 am 23 - Church Office closed 24 - Christmas Eve Service, 7:30 pm 25 - One Service- Christmas Day, 10:00 am 26 - Church Office closed 28 - Transition Team meeting, 7:00 pm 6