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The Karusograph
Volume 57 February 2015 Issue 2Volume 57 February 2015 Issue 2Volume 57 February 2015 Issue 2Volume 57 February 2015 Issue 2
www.clintonfcc.comwww.clintonfcc.comwww.clintonfcc.comwww.clintonfcc.com
A ministry of
A Great Evening of Fellowship and Feasting First Christian Church - Family Life Center
Monday, February 9, 2015 at 6:30 pm
Bring your favorite wild game dish to share.
If you can’t bring a wild game dish, please bring a vegetable or dessert.
Bring your mounts or pictures for display
Guest Speaker
Also: Representatives from Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Pheasants Forever will be present.
Deer Elk
Goose Pheasant
Duck Fish
Quail Wild Turkey
TheGospelAccordingtoGreg
GregTaylor
On Sunday January 18, I mentioned during morning services we were recognizing Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and we encouraged families to take a baby bottle and participate in the New Life Pregnancy Center’s “Change for Life” campaign. This month, I’m not sharing any announcements but rather telling you two stories I believe reinforce why the battle for life is so crucial. Since 1973, over 57 million legal abortions have occurred in the land of the free – a statistic that is both overwhelming and heartbreaking.
Let’s begin with the story of Christian missionaries Bob and Pam – ministering in the Philippines when Pam discovered she was pregnant. It was discovered she had contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. Shortly after this was discovered, Pam entered a coma. The treatment for the medical condition required strong medications that could cause irreversible damage to her unborn son and potentially leave him with devastating disabilities and doctors advised her to have an abortion.
Pam refused the abortion – citing her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians had predicted. And even though she spent the final two months of her pregnancy on strict bed rest, she eventually gave birth to a completely healthy baby in August of 1987. And who is this young man today some 27 years later you may ask? He is none other than Tim Tebow – Heisman trophy winner and quarterback of the two time national champion University of Florida Gators. Former N.Y. Giant Chris Godfrey shudders to think of the millions of Tim Tebow’s who aren’t here today. “You just have to wonder how many good things did not come into our world because of our unwillingness to say ‘YES’ and to trust in God,” he said.
TheGospelAccordingtoGreg
Continued
“Of the 56 million plus who never lived to realize their potential, imagine the number of future leaders, inventors, doctors – and yes, even Heisman trophy winners – are among them,” said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. “I pray that the Tebow’s story helps persuade other women of the inherent value of their unborn children and the great promise that lies within.”
I never tire of hearing that story and the reminder that each abortion stops a beating heart – and ends a human life before it ever begins. The second story is even more personal – here goes:
Some of you may know that my birthday is July 23, 1969 and I was born in nearby Carle Hospital in Urbana. Many of you know my mother Dorothy or remember my father Jim who passed away five years ago this month – what a blessing they were to me! What you may not know, however, is that I am adopted. My birth mother, someone I’ve never met, gave me up for adoption shortly after my birth. I don’t know the reasons why, and really don’t even think about it – I’m just so thankful God provided wonderful Christian parents for me.
But, here is the point. I was born in the summer of 1969 – three and a half years before abortion was legalized in the U.S. What if abortion had been legal in 1968? What decision would my birth mother have made if “choice” were an option? I will never know the answer to that question, but I am sure thankful for the gift of life! And here is where my mind goes next – how many other possible preachers or youth ministers or missionaries or elders or Bible teachers never saw the light of day because of abortion?
I realize abortion is the law of the land, and probably always will be. But my prayer is that followers of Jesus will unashamedly embrace this simple truth: Every life matters. Every. Single. One. Have a great month – blessings to you! GT
Kent’sKomments
The American Funeral - Part I
Useless Tradition for the Dead
or
Useful Therapy for the Living? By Max R. Hickerson
Why do we have a funeral? Is the funeral a useless relic of the past or has it become a custom because it serves a human need? We feel the latter is the case. Society has developed and maintained this practice for many reasons.
To Honor the Departed
A funeral service and the night of visitation gives us one way to “pay our respects.” In essence, we say, “This person who has died was significant in my life. This death leaves a void. While I’m sad, I’m also glad to honor my friend.” We do not seek to deify the deceased, but show respect and honor.
To Help the Family Accept Reality
The funeral service helps those who grieve accept the reality of death. They know it happened. But a part of their mind rejects it, runs away from it. This service takes them gently by the hand and turns them to face it. And having faced it, having viewed it, things are easier. And they continue to be easier (though it may not seem so at the time) as the arrangements have them talking with sympathetic friends at the visitation and funeral service.
SpecialPrayerRequests *Indicates new name
Cassie Aldema
Hadley Rae Bruning
Della Cooper*
Florene Fisher*
Richard Foley
Sharon Gardner*
Diana Golden
Merla Hickerson
Alex Jette*
Dr. Keith Ray
Danny Shofner*
Martin Thacker*
Joenie Walters (infant)
Kents Komments continued
To Comfort The Bereaved
Bereavement comes because of the breaking of human
relationships. Our Lord wept. Grief is human. Unburdening
ourselves seems to make room for courage. As surely as sharing
joy increases joy, expressing and sharing grief lightens grief.
Those closest to the deceased urgently need the assurance that
their friends care. We bring comfort by our presence, by sending
flowers or making a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers, by
writing a warm personal letter of condolence and perhaps by
providing food for the family. All such actions show we care. All
such deeds are a comfort. And, God conveys His comfort, too,
especially through His Holy Word: “Fear not, I am with thee; O
be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid.”
New Life Pregnancy Center Baby Bo"le Campaign
Please take a baby bo�le from the crib in the foyer,
fill it with your change, cash or a check & return to
the church. Your dona�on will help many women
and save precious lives.
“Donotbeanxiousaboutanything,butineverything,byprayerandpetition,
withthanksgiving,presentyourrequeststoGod.”Philippians4:6
Manor Court/Liberty Village 1 Park Lane, Clinton, IL 61727
Theda Adams
Donna Arnold
Hazel Benz Thomas E. Bray
Mildred Burns
Betty Burris
Larry Chapman
Helen Dorrell Steve Ferguson
Nadean Gambrel Marie Jackson
Gene Jones
Betty Kyle
Elaine Leisner Ray Martin
Wilma Mestinsek
Margaret Murphy Dora Neal Helen Polley
Linda Reed
Norma Reilly
Louise Smith
Georgia Sobolewski Virginia Stein
Kathy Strange
Treva Torbert Dale Turney Juanita Turney
Shirley Utterback
Allan Webb
Hawthorne Inn/Liberty Village
(Supportive Living) 1 Park Lane, Clinton, IL 61727
Evergreen Place
Evergreen Place 4825 E. Evergreen Ct. Legacy #1
Decatur, IL 62521
Helen Riddle
Aspen Ridge Care Center 2530 N. Monroe, Decatur, IL 62526
Shirley Thompson
Bonnie Breeze
Fair Havens Christian Home 1790 S Fairview Ave, Decatur, IL 62521
Charles Coonce
Paradise Valley Retirement Community 11645 N 25th Pl., Apt. D128
Phoenix, AZ 85028
Colleen Stephens
Apt. # is required on her address
Good Samaritan 20705 W 151st St. Room 217-B
Olathe, KS 66061
June Cheatham
McKinley Court Care Centre 500 W McKinley Ave
Decatur, IL 62656
Clarence (Bob) Hubbell Genevieve Farnsworth - Room 315
Farmer City Rehab & Health Care Center 404 N Brookridge
Farmer City, IL 61842
Florene Burton Fisher
members&relativesofthoseatFirstChristianChurch,Clinton
Updated1–22-15
Mary Burton
Norma Hollibaugh Ike Leisner
Mildred Meeks
Betty Rogers
Ernest Thorp
Frank Thorp
Helen Thorp
Dorothy Yedtman
YoungatHeart
DavidBuck,Coordinator
Most of us don’t use our mouths for the reason God gave it to us.
There is great power and authority in words. The kind of power
depends on the kind of words. We can curse our future by speaking
evil of it, or we can bless it by speaking well of it. In this life, there are
material things we desire, and there are spiritual things we desire—
usually a mixture of both. We want to grow spiritually and be used by
God, and we want to be blessed in our material circumstances. ”Each
dawn holds a new hope for a new plan, making the start of each day
the start of a new life.” Gina Blair
Our mee�ngs will resume in March and we’ll be back to our usual
programs and trips. We’ll be looking forward to our return and joining
together in Chris�an fellowship.” Love is the only thing we can carry
with us where we go.” Louisa May Alco�
Our trips will start with Starved Rock State Park for a dinner theater
“Pure Vegas Baby” on March 23 at 11:30. It will be very entertaining.
Then in April on the 14th we’ll go to the White Pine State Park for a
show of tribute to the King of Country, George Strait. “The goodness
of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to
comprehend.” A. W. Tozer
One of the most difficult �mes for us to discipline our minds, mouths,
moods, and a=tudes is during the storm. We all experience the
storms of life in varying degrees, we all have our faith tested and tried,
and we all must learn how to behave in the storm.”…because greater
is He that is in you, than He that is in the world.” 1John 4:4
Young at Heart will not be meeting in February.
Elders Corner
Jim Taylor
Born at the Dr. John Warner Hospital, the youngest child of Bob and Betty Taylor, I was given the name James Robert Taylor. Soon after, my grandpa said I looked like a “Jim Bob”, and so I have since been called. As a young child, my family attended the Kenny Christian Church. We started going to FCC in 1978. I still remember how long the hallway to the beginner department seemed as my sister Marcia walked me in that first day. I am married to Cindy (Wilson) Taylor; we have two children in Jr. High, Emily and Kyle, as well as two pug dogs, Truffles and Louie. We live in Clinton, with my wife working in Bloomington, and I in Decatur. My kids and I were all baptized at Little Galilee, and you will find us there each Labor Day Weekend for Family Camp.
This is my second time serving as an Elder, and I have been blessed to
have served with so many good men. For the last few years I have
taught 5th grade Sunday school, teaching in a class room that was once
my Sunday school class. Kids who I have had in Sunday school would
think that my favorite verse would be Matthew 1:13 , due to my love of
the name Zerubbabel, but my favorite is John 3:16-17.
Rend Collective
February 7th, 7:00 pm
Lincoln Christian University
Ticket prices are $25, $15 & $10.
Tickets available online at iTickets.com or in the church office.
This ‘N That
1st Dorene Smith 90 years
817 E Johnson St
Clinton, IL 61727
J.P. & Rosamond Smith, on the birth of their son, Grover Pierce, born on
January 20, 2015. Proud grandparents are Ma�hew Fields and Deanna &
Tom Milanski. Proud great-grandparents are Shirley Fields, Alan & Lois
Bell and Bill and Barb Taylor.
19th Norma Reilly 94 years
Manor Court/Liberty Village
1 Park Lane
Clinton, IL 61727
12th Mildred Horn 91 years
615 North Quincy St
Clinton, IL 61727
26th Fayetta Isaac 95 years
1210 South Quincy
Clinton, IL 61727
4th Margaret Long 91 years
1011 East Main St
Clinton, IL 61727
Next Steps Update
NEXT STEPS – FIRST STEP
Exci�ng things are happening as we prepare to take our First Step of our Next
Step building renova�on plan. Adult Sunday School rooms have been
renovated and are ready for their new occupants, a movable folding par��on
will be installed in the Family Life Center and construc�on bids have been
received and evaluated. The decision has been made to move forward with
construc�on of the First Step at this �me. Those Sunday School classes
affected by the renova�on will move to their new rooms by the end of
February as we an�cipate actual renova�ons to begin by early March. At this
�me, we have enough funding to complete all of the educa�on areas of this
First Step. The lower level kitchen renova�on and the new accessible
restrooms will be completed when adequate funds have been donated for
that purpose. Please con�nue to pray for our Next Steps program and your
financial involvement.
SACRED RHYTHMS RETREAT for Men & Women Fri, Feb 27, 6 pm - Sun, March 1, 12 Noon at Little Galilee
Learn spiritual disciplines through DVD teaching & discussions
Register online at littlegalilee.com or forms are available at the information booth. Registration is $75 - limited to 16. Meals, room, book & workbook are
covered. Sign up soon!
See Sacred Rhythms Retreats Facebook page for more info!
Adult Small Groups or
Community Groups for 2015
The Story returned on January 4, 2015. Please consider being in either a community group or a Bible School class that will study along- side our Sunday morning sermons. Greg’s Sunday night group will meet at 5:45 pm, in the Lord Led Ladies room. Greg’s Wednesday night group will meet at 6 pm, also in the Lord Led Ladies room (please note the time and location change).
February 3, 2015
7:00 pm
Speaker: Andy Glass
Menu
Hamloaf with all the fixings, desserts, coffee and tea
Worship
Samuel Green
Saybrook
Christian
Church
Our Father – Part 1
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed
be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we
also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from the evil one.’” -Matthew 6:9-13
Many, if not all, of us have heard or read the Lord’s Prayer in our lifetime. It is more than likely the singular most well-known prayer in all of history. It sits in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, which is also perhaps the most popular sermon ever given. And it is given by Jesus, who is the author of life and the foundation of our faith as Christians. But how often do we pray it? How often have we reflected on it? It is the central teaching on prayer in the entire Bible and is crucial to understanding God’s heart. Should we not spend more time in this passage than we do? Before we get into any kind of in-depth study of this prayer, let us spend time together praying it. My challenge to you (and myself) is to pray the Lord’s Prayer daily. Pray it when you wake up in the morning. Pray it before you fall asleep at night. Pray it in different English translations. Make it a part of your daily routine. If it is the center of God’s will, should it not also be the center of ours?
“Training the body has some value. But, being godly has value in
every way.” I Timothy 4:8
This is our memory verse for Junior Church this month and I think it is
perfect for January. Some�mes I get so caught up in ea�ng healthy,
changing bad habits that are bad for me and exercising to feel be�er.
I want to feel healthy and look healthy. All those things are the
training of my physical body. It would take persistent dedica�on and
focus to reach my goals. And Paul tells us these things are good, but
there is something be�er. Being godly. That sounds impossible. But
it is what we are to be training ourselves to be…godly. We should
make this our persistent dedica�on to know God and do what it takes
to reflect Him. It will require training in love, forgiveness, humility
and so much more. Daily training. But this will have value in EVERY
WAY. I realize I need to redirect my focus and begin my godly
training rou�ne.
Shelley’sShowcase
ShelleyLea
Sunday, February 1: What is Orange? 9:30 am in Family Life Center Sunday, April 12: Taking Church to Social Media Sunday, June 7: Partnering with Families of Special Needs
Y Fit 4 Life sign ups are going on NOW at the Clinton YMCA! This is a weight loss program, but can also be for those that just need more info on nutrition and exercise. We will offer daily recipes for all 3 meals plus snacks every week! We will also give you a very organized grocery list you can take to the store with everything listed that you will need for each meal. Another key part of this program is exercise! We will be offering monthly prizes. Coupons will be given to those that complete the following: 4 hours of exercise a week, weighing in 2 times a month, keeping track of your food and exercise in your journal and completing weekly challenges. We will begin February 2nd and the cost is $20 per member.
Last month I introduced you to Rachel Deavers; one of our lead volunteers
with the 2 and 3-year-old children. This month I would like for you to get to
know Judy Shaw!
TheDunkin’Pick-Me-UpWithCody
CodyMonkman
Judy joined the FCC Family in 1957. For
the last 25 years she helps with Jr
Church worship, teaches the Lord Led
Ladies Sunday school class, helps
whenever food is needed for fellowship
�me, funeral dinners, and youth
groups. Lastly, if you know Judy well
enough, you know that she loves
wri�ng le�ers and cards full of Chris�an
love and encouragement. You may
have received one yourself!
Judy has two children, Bob and Lori. Bob is married to Tricia and they have a
daughter Savannah. In Judy’s spare �me she loves to do anything with the
outdoors; especially walking and hiking, and of course…anything that allows
Judy to spend �me with Savannah, her 3 year old granddaughter.
When asked what she is most excited about at FCC she said, “I love what we
are doing right now to be�er our ministry to children. I have seen how
Orange has made what we were already doing…BETTER!” Judy went on to
say how she loves to be on the frontlines of seeing young children mature
into young Chris�an adults.
If you have a grandchild or child involved in the children’s ministries at FCC
Clinton, you need to know that your children are in the best of care. People
like Judy are passionate about working with your family, and volunteer
�relessly to make sure the Next Genera�on grows up knowing Jesus as their
Lord and Savior.
With Dunkin’ Love,
Cody
TheDunkin’Pick-Me-UpWithCody
Continued
Beginning in February, Breakfast Club will
meet on all Fridays school is in session, from
7:15 - 8:00 am in the Cable Building. All high
school and junior high students are invited
to a�end.
Reveal shirt hoodies are $12. See Cody to purchase one.
Junior High Laser Tag Lock-In
February 6-7th
7 pm - 8 am
Cost $30
Sign-up today!
New REVEAL times
5 pm - 7 pm
Join us for an evening of fellowship, worship & fun!
Hope to see you there. Invite a friend!
2015 High School Reveal Trips
Ski Trip - February 21-22, Cost $100
CIY - June 8-12
Mission Trip - July 19-26
2015 Junior High Reveal Trips
CIY Believe - March 27-28 in Springfield, IL
Mission Trip - June 22-27 in Tulsa, OK
AdventureswithAdam Adam Brucker
A few months ago I went out to my car so that I could head to church
for a mee�ng and as I got into the car, I put the key in the igni�on and
when I turned the key to start the engine, nothing happened. I am not
usually someone who allows for ample �me before I get somewhere so
I usually show up right on �me and this was a problem that was not
going to help me stay on schedule. I called someone for a ride and
decided that I was going to have to deal with this later. AOer I got
home and did some careful inves�ga�on I realized that my ba�ery was
dead. From the appearance of it, it had never been replaced and the
car was nearly 10 years old. As frustra�ng as that event was I realized
that the ba�ery was something that I didn’t really think about and
didn’t really seem all that important. I now have a much greater
respect and apprecia�on for the ba�ery in my car. Even though it is a
small part of many parts, it is crucial to the engine even star�ng.
As I thought about that par�cular circumstance I realized that is
some�mes like our rela�onship with God. We might “know” that God
is there and that he is vital to our very lives func�oning but many �mes
we take him for granted and don’t realize our need for him un�l we are
stranded. It is easy for us to cruise about life without thinking of the
very integral role that God has in our lives. I believe that is oOen why
we experience difficult �mes in our lives. Those are reminders to us
how deeply we need and depend on our God.
My challenge to you, as well as myself, is that daily we take �me out to
appreciate the great God that we serve. 1 Chronicles 16:11 says, “Look
to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” No�ce that it
doesn’t say when �mes get tough to seek God’s face. It says seek his
face always!
Blessings!
First Christia
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N. Jackson FIRST CHR
ISTIAN
CHUR
CH, 10
0 N. Jackson St., Clinton, Illinois
6172
7.
100 N. Jackson St.
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dicals
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Information About First Christian Church
Greg Taylor Minister of Preaching & Teaching
217-853-3196
J. Kent Hickerson
Minister of Pastoral Care
217-871-3139
Adam Brucker Minister of High School, College Age & Technology
309-532-2326
Cody Monkman
Minister of Children & Jr. High
217-871-2003
Shelley Lea
Children’s Ministry Director [email protected]
217-791-2270
Samuel Green
Part-Time Worship Minister [email protected]
217-971-1010
Karen Rice
Office Manager [email protected]
Jenny Cohenour Financial Admin. Assistant [email protected]
Office Phone (217) 935-3139
Office Fax (217) 935-3130
Office E-mail [email protected]
Office Hours
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.