TUSCOLA CHRISTIAN Publication of First Christian Church, Tuscola, Illinois Christmas Day Dinner Community churches through TAMA are sponsoring a Christmas Day dinner for those in the Tuscola community who are alone or who might not have the means to have a Christmas meal. On December 25th FCC will serve as the host this year. Dinner will be served from 11:00 am-1:00 pm. RSVPs are required for meal planning purposes, prior to December 15th. Please call the church office 253-2394. TAMA and the members of churches in the Tuscola community feel blessed to be able to offer this outreach, and encourage everyone without holiday plans to join them. Pass the word along to someone who might be blessed by sharing with us on Christmas Day. VOLUNTEERS are needed before Christmas and on Christmas Day in several areas. Why not plan a portion of your Christmas activities to serve. The volunteer sign up is at the Welcome Center. December 24 Join us on December 24th for our Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 pm. We welcome everyone to a celebration of Christ through music, scripture, devotions, and communion. The nursery will be available but not staffed. December 2014, Vol. 54 1
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory. John 1:14 We wish all of you God s blessings for a wonderful holiday season. Merry Christmas Happy New Year - Bob, Jason, Lori, Deb, Chris, Judy December 2014, Vol. 54 2
After-School Kid Care Dec. 5th 11 am-6pm Student Ministry is sponsoring a fundraiser for the Mini-Bus. On December 5, the Junior & Senior students and sponsors will be caring for young students (kindergarten & older) from 11 am - 6 pm (or any portion of that time). Plans can be made to pick up your student from school if needed at early dismissal (11 am). Lunch and activities will be provided. All donations will go to the mini-bus fund. Please RSVP to Lori by Wed. December 3rd at lori@fcctuscola.com. Prime Timers Wednesday, December 10th 11:30 am Our December meeting will be at the Smith House for a catered dinner. Our program will feature music from the Pickett family. Reservations must be made by December 7th. Cost is $10 per person, payable at the door. Call the church office 253-2394 or sign up on Sunday at the welcome desk. Come and join us and bring a friend with you Working on a New Mini-Bus The month of December is our chance to raise funds for a new mini-bus. We have been without a smaller vehicle since the loss of the van many months ago. We are in need of another $14,000 to add to what has already been collected. A new vehicle would be a great addition to the ministries at FCC. If you have any questions, contact Lori Reed. Worship Service At Tuscola Healthcare Center Our turn to sponsor the worship service at the nursing home will be Sunday, December 21st at 4:00 pm. Join us in celebrating Christmas with the residents with music and devotions. If you have any questions, contact the church office. December 2014, Vol. 54 3
THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people form their sins. Matthew 1:21 My heart over+lows with joy and gladness when God leads me to discover a connection between an Old Testament story and Jesus. The connection I wish to address is in Genesis 6-7. Before I address that connection, +irst know that God follows through with what He says He is going to do. When God says something will happen, it happens. When God says He will do it, He does it. And in Matthew 1:21, God, through an angel, said that Mary would give birth to God s son. He also communicated that His son will save those who place faith in him. And God followed through. Mary did give birth to God s son and that son, Jesus, did save His people from their sins. God does what He says He will do. Now let s move to the Old Testament story I mentioned a moment ago. In Genesis 6:17, God communicated that He was going to start over. The world had gone bad and was in need of being restored. So God said that, I am going to bring +loodwaters on the earth to destroy al life under the heavens. (Genesis 6:17) God also said that he would save Noah and his family (Genesis 6:18). God did both because God always follows through. One lesson we learn here is that God saves people from His judgment. Just as He provided a way to save Noah and his family, He provides people a way to be saved today. Noah was told to go into the ark and to take his family. In doing so, God was warning Noah that judgment was coming, God does what He says He will do. and He was giving Noah a way to be saved from the coming judgment. All Noah had to do was enter the ark and the ark would save him and his family. Likewise, God warns us today and gives us a way to be saved. Today, we do not need to step into a physical ark but into a life of faith in Jesus, the Savior of the world. Just as God brought Noah safely through His judgment then, He brings us safely through His judgment today when we trust in Jesus. And trust is key. In order for Noah to receive the bene+it of being saved, Noah had to believe enough to step into the ark. Likewise, if people today want to receive the bene+it of being saved, they have to believe enough to step into a life lived from Jesus. Such a life has surrendered its own will and desires thus allowing Jesus to be Lord of its life. The Bible is all about who Jesus is, what He came to do, and why He came to do it. I encourage you to make time this Christmas season to spend some time as a family re+lecting on the signi+icance of Jesus, who was born with the purpose to save his people from their sins. Read the +irst few chapters of Matthew and Luke as a family. Sing some Christmas carols together. Practice Advent. Pray together. Do something, because Christmas is about the Savior. Blessings and Merry Christmas, Jason December 2014, Vol. 54 4
PRESCHOOL VOLUNTEERS Sunday School 3-K: Dan & Dena Meyer Nursery: Ginger Campbell & Ashley Manzella; Do you see a place for you to serve? Carrie Bubb & Debbie Beeson; Michelle Sutherlin, Sharri Kerkhoff & Stephanie Kauffman Kent & Anna McGillen 2-3 s: Gary & Megan Leech; Josh & Becky Ponder; Suzanne Yoder & Bobbi Ward; Julie Adcock & Missy Bromenshenkel. 3-4 s: Audrey Johnson, Kelly & Scott Clarkson 4 s-k: Beth Romine & Cindy Coombes; Audrey, Johnson, Kelly & Scott Clarkson;Mindy & Chris Fowler Subs: Amanda Rennert; Riley & Leslie Smith; (your name here?) JUMP 3:16 (K 5th Grade Wednesday Night Program) 12/3 Special Project: Decorate the Kid s Wing Plus we ll learn about the angels visit to the shepherds (Luke 2:1-20). 12/10 Magi (Wise Men) meet Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12) 12/17 Special Family Night where children are invited to share a talent that honors Jesus (Play Christmas song on piano, share a poem, read a scripture, etc.). We will also have a Birthday Party for Jesus 12/24 Cancel for Christmas 12/31 Cancel for New Year s Eve Sunday Mornings 9:15 a.m. Programming for ages 0 6 th grd 10:30 a.m. Programming for ages 0 4 th grd What s Happening in Children s Church (grades 1-4) on Sunday Mornings Dec. 7 Christmas Through the Eyes of Mary (Luke 1:26-28) Dec. 14 Christmas Through the Eyes of Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-56) Dec. 21 Christmas Through the Eyes of Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25) Dec. 28 Family Sunday - STUDENT MINISTRY December SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:15 am each Sunday morning (* 7th- FIT team) EVENTS Dec. 5 After School Care for young students, 11 am - 6 pm Dec. 5-6 All Youth Lock-in, 6 pm-10 am Dec. 7 JR HI Youth grp, 4-5:30 pm SR HI Youth grp, 6-8 pm Dec.12 JR HI Christmas Party at Reeds; we will have supper & $5 gift exchange Dec.14 SR HI Christmas Party at Reeds; we will have supper & $5 gift exchange Dec. 21 Christmas Caroling at Nursing Homes, 4-6 pm Dec.24 Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 pm Dec.25 Christmas Day Dinner, all families are encouraged to serve together Dec.28 NO Youth Group Also, December is our month to raise funds for our Mini-Bus. See picture on page 3. For more information, see Lori Reed or Mike Haste. December 2014, Vol. 54 5
New Member Congratulations to Jim Clarkson on his baptism on Saturday, November 22nd. Jim lives at 709 E Overton Street, Tuscola. Welcome New Picture Directory We are planning a new church directory in the spring. Each family (person) photographed will receive a printed, color directory and a free 8x10. The company will be Lifetouch. The company photographs many schools and churches in our area. We hope that everyone will be able to participate. More details in the January newsletter. Our photography dates will be the end of Feb. and first part of March. *** If you go south for the winter, please give the office an up-to-date photo so we can be sure you are included in the new directory. Any questions, contact the church office, Lori Thompson, Chris or Judy. Thank you Event Reminder If you are planning an event, program, or ministry, we have a form in the office for you to fill out that will help you and the office staff to sufficiently promote and reserve your activity on the calendar. Funeral Dinners We are in need of a couple of people to coordinate funeral dinners for our church family. Please contact the church office if this is an area you can use your gifts of service. THANK YOUs A BIG thank you to God s Girls and their leaders for raking our yard. It was a nice surprise and very much appreciated. -Dale & Martha Burns Dear Friends, Thank you for all the cards, prayers and extra help during Mary s surgery. We appreciate your concern and encouragement very much. With His love, Stanley & Mary Stephenson Dear Church Family, I would like to thank everyone for your prayers, cards, and concern following my recent surgery. This year has been a trying year with a total of 4 surgeries But God has blessed me through them all and I give Him the glory. Your sister in Christ, Lacrecia Otto Andrew, I and the mission ministry would like to thank you for your support of the Thailand fundraiser. Your generous donations of over $1700 will be a blessing to the ministry in Thailand. Thank you, Lori Lansky December 2014, Vol. 54 6
Remember in Prayer Sabra Greger Tommy Cravens Trisha Sluder Mary Stephenson Dora Norfleet Lori Lansky Don Rudder Cindy Lewis, Rob Boyd s sister Jason Galvan, friend of Carners Gary McPheron, friend of Picketts Debbie Root Rich Whittington Mike Bready, friend of Nikki Hausmann Virginia Ward, sister of Linda Schultz Don Grimes, friend of Kimberly Bassett Gayla Taylor, mom of A. Cravens & S. Taylor Vickie Fifield, Brian Alcorn s aunt Billy Mitchell, friend of Shirley Reed Jim & Brenda McCumber Nikki Hausmann Dorothy Otto, Mike s mother Shirley Reed Lacrecia Otto Jean Bender Eldon Foltz With Our Sympathy - to Hank & Denise Groves and Brad & Terry Hornaday in the loss of their brother Jake Groves; and to Jon & Michelle Higar in the loss of her grandfather. Missions We Support Abel Sairattanyu family (Thailand), Jack Swanson family (Chile), Les & Sarah Evans (Japan), Little Galilee Christian Camp, Christian Campus House EIU, Illini Christian Ministries, Stadia Church Planting, Roseland Good News Daycare (Ms. Pearl), Operation Christmas Child Serving for December FIT Team 7 Dale & Martha Burns; Team 1 14 Jack & Phylliss Ehrsam; Team 2 21 Carson Alexander/Emily Groves; Team 3 28 Tim & Chris Johnson; Team 4 Communion Meditation 7 1st- J. Harriss 2nd- J. Harriss 14 1st- M. Knight 2nd- G. Foltz 21 1st- L. Reed 2nd- L. Reed 28 1st- J. Fortney 2nd- T. Johnson Serving Out Serving Leader- Dec. 7 D. Dundas 1st: J. Martin 14 H. Bossle 2nd: K. Kauffman 21 M. Otto 28 A. Reeder Communion Prep November 30/Dec. 7 Mike & Mary Snider December 14/21 Robert & Sarah Pratte Dec. 28/January 4 Hank & Denise Groves Communion Clean-Up November 30/Dec. 7 Jeff & Ronda Davis December 14/21 Tim & Becky Seip Dec. 28/January 4 Andrea Rotramel Attendance Worship Sun Sch November 2 318 57 November 9 287 77 November 16 282 70 November 23 282 64 November 30 249 62 November 11/2 11/9 11/16 11/23 11/30 General Fund (Missions is 10%) $16,472.68 $8559.50 $5464.40 $10,543.00 $7519.25 Benevolence 550.00 137.00 160.00 446.00 195.00 Debt Reduction 20.00 20.00 20.00 5020.00 - Other funds & Reimbursements 119.98 2165.40 284.58 538.00 171.19 TOTAL $17,162.66 $10,881.90 $5928.98 $16,547.00 $7,885.44 December 2014, Vol. 54 7
100 E Church Street Tuscola IL 69153 Phone: 217-253-2394 Fax: 217-253-3869 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, Deb Williams December 2014 3- Quilting Group, 9:30 am Calendar 3- God s Girls, G.O.B, Jump 3:16 5- After school Kid Care, Student Ministries, 11-6p 5-6 Student Ministry Lock-in, 6p-10am 7-Deadline for Prime Timers dinner sign up 8- Elders, Trustees, Staff meeting, 6:00 pm 10- Prime Timers at the Smith House, 11:30 am 10- God s Girls, G.O.B., Jump 3:16 12-13 Bell Ringing at Shopko 12- Jr Hi Christmas Party at Reed s, 6-9 pm 13- Manger Building, 9:00 am 13- Missions Ministry meeting, 10:00 am 14- Sr Hi Christmas Party at Reed s, 6-9 pm 17- God s Girls, G.O.B., Jump 3:16 19- Building in use 6-9 pm 21- Worship service at the Nursing Home, 4:00 pm 24- Christmas Eve Worship Service, 7:00 pm 25- Merry Christmas 25- Serving Christmas Dinner, 11:00-1:00 pm 25,26- Office Closed 31- No Wednesday Children s activities Operation Christmas Child Thank you for such a great response We sent off 447 shoeboxes Pray for Shoeboxes the continued ministry of Samaritan s Purse as the boxes are inspected and readied to ship around the world. Elders: Gary Foltz, Clayton Harriss, Mike Otto, Don Rudder, Bruce Thompson Trustees: Jeff Davis, 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 December 2014, Vol. 54 8