The Karusograph

Volume 58 October 2016 Issue 10Volume 58 October 2016 Issue 10Volume 58 October 2016 Issue 10Volume 58 October 2016 Issue 10

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A ministry of

Take a look at what ’s happening at FCC in October!

LADIES NIGHT OUT First Christian Church

“Fall Harvest“Fall Harvest“Fall Harvest“Fall Harvest

Celebration”Celebration”Celebration”Celebration” October 27 at 6:30pm

at First Christian Church Presented by the “Soul Sisters”

Bring a salad and a friend!

TheGospelAccordingtoGreg GregTaylor

greg@clintonfcc.com

Monday, September 19 brought the 19th anniversary of the death of Rich Mullins - without a doubt my favorite musician. The thing I really loved about Rich and his music was the theology it taught so many - he was truly one of a kind! Now don’t get me wrong - Rich had his issues and was always the first to admit he was a sinner in need of a Savior. This month, I want to share some of my favorite “teachings” from his music and pay tribute to a musical genius who left us much too soon.

**The music of Rich Mullins taugh us to always keep things - and our faith - in perspective - no matter what life brings us. Whether on a mountaintop or in the valley, it is really all about God, and not about us. Listen to the words of If I stand:

“And there’s a loyalty that’s deeper than mere sentiments, and a

music higher than the songs that I sing; the stuff of earth competes

with allegiance, I owe only to the Giver of all good things.”

“So if I stand let me stand on the promise, that you will pull me

through; And if I can’t, let me fall on the grace, that first brought

me to you; And if I sing let me sing for joy, that has born in me

these songs; And if I weep let it be as a man, who is longing for his

home.”

**The music of Rich Mullins taught us about the difference between earthly kingdoms and the Kingdom of Heaven Jesus talked so much about. Consider these powerful words from the song While the Nations Rage, especially in this election season:

“The Lord in Heaven laughs, he knows what is to come, while all

The chiefs of state plan their big attacks, against His anointed

One. The Church of God she will not bend her knees , to the gods

of this world though they promise her peace - She stands her

ground, stands firm on the Rock, watch their walls tumble down

when she lives out His love.

TheGospelAccordingtoGreg

Where are the nails that pierced His hands? Well the nails have

turned to rust, but not so the Man - He is Risen and He reigns - in

the hearts of the children rising up in His name.

Where are the thorns that drew His blood? Well, the thorns have

turned to dust but behold the love - He has given, it remains - In

the hearts of the children who love while the nations rage.”

** On a personal level, songs like Home, Be With You and Hold Me Jesus have really ministered to my soul during particularly difficult or discouraging seasons of life and ministry. Love these words from Hold Me Jesus:

“Well, sometimes my life just don’t make sense at all,

When the mountains look so big and my faith just seems so small,

So hold me Jesus, ‘cause I’m shaking like a leaf, you have been

King of my glory, won’t You be my Prince of Peace.”

** Sadly, Rich turned out to be a prophet - he died tragically and quickly not far from the 61727 - listen to the words of the song Elijah - my first “favorite” Rich Mullins song:

“This life has shown me how we’re mended and how we’re torn,

How it’s okay to be lonely as long as you’re free; Sometimes my

ground was stony, and sometimes covered up with thorns, and

only you could make it what it had to be, and now that it’s done

Well if they dressed me like a pauper, or if they dined me like a

prince. If they lay me with my fathers, or if my ashes scatter on the

wind - I don’t care!

But when I leave I want to go out like Elijah, with a whirlwind to

Fuel my chariot of fire; And when I look back on the stars, it’ll be

like a candlelight in Central Park, and it won’t break my heart to

say goodbye.”

TheGospelAccordingtoGreg

**One of my favorite “Rich-isms” involved his take on hypocrisy: “No, the church is not full of hypocrites...we always have room for more.” Rich reminded us that being a Christian is not about how good we are, but how good God is. It comes down to one thing - finding peace with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ! Let me close with these words from the communion song Peace:

“And may peace rain down from Heaven, like little pieces of the

sky- Like those little keepers of the promise, falling on these souls

the draught has dried. In His Blood and in His Body, in the Bread

and in this Wine, Peace to you - Peace of Christ to you!”

Peace to you - the Peace of Christ to you,

GT

P.S.—Here are some of my favorite Rich Mullins quotes:

• “Never forget what Jesus did for you. Never take lightly what it cost Him. And never assume that if it cost Him His very life, that it won't also cost you yours.”

• “We were given the Scriptures to humble us into realizing that God is right, and the rest of us are just guessing.”

• “I am a Christian, not because someone explained the nuts and bolts of Christianity, but because there were people willing to be nuts and bolts.”

• “Look at us all -- we are all of us lost and in all of our different ways of pretending, we all fool ourselves into the very same hell. Look at the cross -- we are all of us loved and one God meets us all at the point of our common need and brings to all of us -- all who will let Him -- salvation.”

We would love to have you join others from our church as they travel to the Christian Village in Lincoln, IL. We fold laundry, clean tables or just talk with the many residents who reside at the Christian Village. We will leave at 8:30 am on Thursday, September 15 & return between 2:30 - 3 pm. This ministry is open to anyone, men & women!

We still have #iheartdewittco shirts available for sale for $5 and cards to hand out while you’re serving. Please stop by the office and get yours today!

Open House Wedding

Reception for Cody Monkman

& Emilee Houchin November 13 from 4pm—7pm in

the Family Life Center.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Cody & Emilee are looking forward

to celebra%ng their marriage with

their church family & local

community. Please RSVP to the

office by October 30th. Look

forward to celebra%ng with all of

you!

Proverbs 31 will not be cooking in October due to construction. They will be cooking again on November 1st so please mark your calendar! If you like to cook & help in the kitchen, this is a perfect service opportunity for you! If you have any questions, please contact the church office

This n That

AREA MEN’S FELLOWSHIPAREA MEN’S FELLOWSHIPAREA MEN’S FELLOWSHIPAREA MEN’S FELLOWSHIP Saybrook Christian Church

Tuesday October 4 at 7pm

We hope you will join us for a great night of fellowship! We are set to have a great

speaker and a wonderful meal. If you are interested in riding the church shuttle to

Saybrook, please contact the church office for more info, 935-3139.

We believe the table is a place to gather women and share a simple meal and dive deep with people over real stories and Christ centered conversations.

Our next IF:Table is Thursday, September 8

at 6:30pm in the Family Life Center. Please

feel free to bring a snack to share Hope you

will join us!

*Please note the time change*

Mark your calendars for the next Spiritual

Disciplines Retreat!

When: October 21-23, 2016

Where: Little Galilee Cost: $85

During this retreat you will learn about and practice 6 disciplines that Christians have used throughout the ages to help them seek a closer relationship with God, and allow him to transform their lives. Brochures are available in the office or information booth.

This n That

Oct. 18 Art Cooper 91 Years 5041 Friends Creek Rd. Weldon, IL 61882

October Shut-Ins

28th Shirley Thompson

Aspen Ridge Care Center 2530 N Monroe

Decatur, IL 62526

Send a card to help celebrate a birthday or send a note to others on the nursing home list. You will make their day!

We rejoice with & congratulate:

Matt & Traci Schaefer, 3162 Hilltop Dr., Clinton, IL , on the birth of their son, Brandt Dean Schaefer, born on August 4, 2016. Proud grandparents are Steve & Teri Schaefer, Dan Owens and Cathy Jones.

“Donotbeanxiousaboutanything,butineverything,byprayerandpetition,

withthanksgiving,presentyourrequeststoGod.”Philippians4:6

Manor Court/Liberty Village 1 Park Lane, Clinton, IL 61727

Theda Adams Donna Arnold Thomas E. Bray Tom Bundy Betty Burris

Larry Chapman Helen Dorrell Delbert Fields Marie Jackson Gene Jones Betty Kyle Ray Martin

Eleanor Mears Wilma Mestinsek David Mosley Lura Murphy

Margaret Murphy Al Perring Helen Polley Helen Shelton

Georgia Sobolewski Shirley Utterback Allan Webb

Aspen Ridge Care Center 2530 N. Monroe, Decatur, IL 62526

Shirley Thompson

Hawthorne Inn/Liberty Village (Supportive Living) 1 Park Lane, Clinton,

IL61727

Good Samaritan 20705 W 151st St. Room 106

Olathe, KS 66061

June Cheatham

Evenglow Lodge

215 E Washington

Pontiac, IL 61764

Bob Adcock

Brookdale Desert Ridge

4050 E Bluefield Ave.

Room 122

Phoenix, AZ 85032

Colleen Stephens

Woodside at Friendship Village 1390 N Drake Rd

Kalamazoo, MI 49006

Dody Thomason

Heartland Healthcare Center 520 Broadway Room 192B

Normal, IL 61761

Terry Havlin

members&relativesofthoseatFirstChristianChurch,Clinton

Updated09-26-16

Mary Burton Audrey Fields

Norma Hollibaugh Ike Leisner

Mildred Meeks Ernest Thorp Helen Thorp

YoungatHeart

DavidBuck,Coordinator

Mark these dates on your calendar: Oct 21-Bement Country Opera

Oct 26– Seniors Day at LGCA

Nov 2– Angel Tree at the American Legion

Be looking for more information on upcoming events!

We can bless people with the words of our mouth. We can speak life to them. The power of life and death is in the tongue. We can choose to speak life. When we edify or exhort, we are urging people forward. Just think of it, we can hold people back or urge them forward just by our words. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverb 18:21

Don’t forget we will be going to Little Galilee for a Seniors retreat on October 26. We will be leaving the church at 8:30 a.m . Be sure and call Karen in the church office to reserve a spot, 935- 3139. It should be a fine day of fellowship. “A man has joy In making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment—how good is it.” Proverbs 15:23

Our trip to the BeMent Country Opera will be Oct.21 so get signed up soon. We always have a great time at the Opera so I hope you will join us. Also we need travelers for the Branson Trip in November 14,15,&16. If you are interested in going on this trip, please call me. Our meeting in Nov. will be on the 2nd at the American Legion for a catered meal and the Angel Tree silent auction. “There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the people you love.” Sophia Loren

Until we humble ourselves and realize how blessed we are to have anything at all, we will never stop complaining about what we do have. Let us learn to appreciate what people do for us, and stop complaining about what they do not do.” Memory is the diary we all carry about with us.” Oscar Wilde

BLOOD PRESSURE FCC will be offering free blood pressure checks

Sunday, October 2

Where: Church Library

When: 9 am - 9:30 am

11:45am - 12:30pm

This is not a diagnosis, just a measuring & recording of your blood pressure.

RELOAD

Men of All Ages: On October 4 and 18, the Men’s Ministry group, Reload, will meet from 6am – 7am at the Cable Building. Please come, bring a friend and enjoy some great food and fellowship.

Brochures are available at the information desk or church office.

This n That

FCC is looking for a qualified individual to be the full-time Office Manager . For those interested in applying or finding out more information, please contact Karen Rice in the church office, 935-

3139.

Mark your calendars for the next

Spiritual Disciplines Retreat!

When: October 21-23, 2016

Where: Li4le Galilee

Cost: $85 ($65 for returning par%cipants)

During this retreat you will learn about and

prac%ce 6 disciplines that Chris%ans have used

throughout the ages to help them seek a closer

rela%onship with God, and allow him to

transform their lives. Scholarships are available

by contac%ng the church office.

You can now follow Student ministry activity and

announcements on Instagram by searching

revealstumin or Visit www.revealstumin.com to

stay up-to-date on student events.

Mobile FoodPantry

October 22, 2016

10am - 11:30am at 1st Church of the Nazarene

Clients do not need an ID, but will need to sign for the food. To pick up food for another person, you will need a proxy form. Call 217-328-3663 for more information.

Please join us for First Kids Youth Group on Wednesday nights from 6pm - 7:15pm. Ages 3 years old thru 5th grade are welcome. On October 14, K-5th graders will be attending the Powder Puff football game. Please be on the lookout for more information

On November 6, we will be having our 2nd annual Parent XP Night from 6pm - 8pm. This is a night for the parents of Junior High and High School students to come for a time of rest and for the chance to connect with the adult leaders who lead students every week. Roger & Jan Dial will be facilitating the evening so you won’t want to miss it! Light snacks will be served. Please contact the church office to RSVP. We look forward to this event and hope to see you there!

The fact that October is already here and the leaves are star%ng to

change colors just blows my mind! October also means we are already

halfway through the first semester of the school year. Crazy! Below

you will find a list of what weekly ac%vi%es and special ac%vi%es we

have planned for students during October.

Regular Ac�vi�es Sunday School Classes | Sundays from 930AM-1030AM

JH Reveal & Community Groups | Sundays from 430PM-600PM

HS Reveal & Community Groups | Sundays from 630PM-800PM

Breakfast Club | Fridays from 715AM-800AM

Special Ac�vi�es October 9 | Small Group XP for all student ministry Sunday School

classes

& community groups

October 16 | Flannel Chili Night @ 400PM-700PM

October 23 | Ben Dial will be preaching in JH Reveal & HS

Reveal

With Dunkin Love,

Cody

TheDunkin’Pick-Me-UpWithCody

CodyMonkman

cody@clintonfcc.com

AllisonHitchings- allison@clintonfcc.com

CassandraBenton- cassandra@clintonfcc.com

Children’s ministry has added a new face! Meet Abigail Weybright, children’s ministry intern. Abigail serves in several different areas; we are thrilled to add Abigail to our team. We asked her some questions this week so you could get to know her better. If you see her around, please say hello!

What is your name? Abigail Weybright. Who are your parents and siblings? Mom and Dad are Erin and Shane. I have two sisters, Chloe (17) and Gracie (15).

Where are you from? Bethany, Illinois.

Where is your home church? Lampstand Presbyterian in Decatur.

What year of school are you in at LCU and what is your major? I am a junior psychology major.

What do you hope to do after you graduate? I want to continue working with children because of their eagerness to learn, their simplicity and honesty, and their need for care and attention.

How long have you served here at FCC? This is my second year. How did you get interested in children’s ministry? I grew up with a lot of kids in my extended family and love spending time with them. Also, after going to Haiti and spending time at an orphanage, I decided I wanted to work to love, care for, and help children to know Jesus and the hope He gives us.

What are some of your roles here? I’m leading 4-5th grade youth group, helping with Sunday morning worship in PreK and K5, and leading the time spent with Y-

Zone as an outreach to the community.

What is something you hope for this year at FCC? I hope I continue learning and knowing God with Allison, Cassandra and the kids.

What’s your favorite Bible verse? John 21:25 “There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I think the whole world would not be big enough for all the books that would be written.” It’s a beautiful image. We know there is always something to be thanking and praising Jesus for.

Last one. What’s your favorite ice cream? Cookies ‘n cream

Needing help & comfort dealing with the loss of a loved one? A grief class is being considered for this winter starting in the new year. Please call the church office, 217-935-3139, to register.

Childcare providers are needed for Coffee Break. We need volunteers for one Friday a month from 9:45am - 11:45am. If you can only volunteer a few times a year, we’d be happy to have you! Contact Lindsey Moody, 217-871-1985 or Michelle Witzke, 309-212-7332 if you can help!

“Finding Your Way Back to God” books are available for purchase. Cost is $5. Please stop by the office during the week to pick up a copy or visit the table on Sunday mornings!

Moms & Tots Playgroup is a great oppor tunity to come have a playdate with toys, activities and snacks for your little one while getting to know other moms in the community. The next Moms & Tots playgroup is October 14 at the Wagon Wheel Pumpkin Patch from 10am - 11:30. We hope to see you there!!

Little Galilee Senior’s Day

When: October 26 at 8:30am

Cost: $5

Please join us for a great day of fellowship. A light breakfast and lunch will be served. Please call the church office to sign up!

AdventureswithAdam

AdamBrucker adam@clintonfcc.com

The series that we have been studying the last several weeks has been on finding your way back to God. In my wife and my community group we have been going through the accompanying study and something we have been discussing at length is the idea of "The Journey". I like to think of the Christian walk as a journey because it implies that the further you get down the road the closer you are to your destination. I believe that sometimes in our Christian walks we get the idea that living a Christian life is a once n’ done kind of deal or even that it is an immediate transition that must take place for it to be real. The problem is that once you have that "once n' done" experience you tend to want to coast for the rest of the way. Sometimes I have found that it is hard for people who have been Christians for a long time to feel like there is anything new they could even be challenged with in their faith. If, instead, we begin to look at our walks with Christ as a journey that is heading somewhere then we begin to get the picture of action and movement.

Shortly after Jesus' resurrection several of Jesus' disciples talked about what has happened to the body that was buried. "13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14 and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them." Luke 24:13-15. This I think is a great picture of the Christian walk-two people engaged on the journey together talking about Jesus and what has happened to him.

The Christian walk has never been about who can get to the end the quickest or who can grow in spiritual maturity the most, but rather are you continuing on the journey. The biggest encouragement that I can give is to just keep moving and to find someone who can help you move, too. After all, we are all on this journey together!

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Information About First Christian Church

Greg Taylor Minister of Preaching & Teaching

greg@clintonfcc.com

217-853-3196

Adam Brucker Associate Minister adam@clintonfcc.com

309-532-2326

Cody Monkman Student Minister cody@clintonfcc.com

217-871-2003

Samuel Green Minister of Modern Worship & Spiritual Formation

samuel@clintonfcc.com

217-971-1010

Cassandra Benton Children’s Ministry Administrator cassandra@clintonfcc.com

217-201-9236

Allison Hitchings Children’s Ministry Program Director allison@clintonfcc.com

309-531-8495

Karen Rice Office Manager karen@clintonfcc.com

Mandi Ries Administrative Assistant mandi@clintonfcc.com

Jeannine Wylder Financial Secretary

financial@clintonfcc.com

Office Phone (217) 935-3139

Office Fax (217) 935-3130

Office E-mail karen@clintonfcc.com

or office@clintonfcc.com

Office Hours

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday