1. family and parenting
2. children

!
TUSCOLA CHRISTIAN
Publication of First Christian Church, Tuscola, Illinois
!
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 5th
Two Worship Services - 9:00 am & 10:30 am
!
Join us for our special celebration of Jesus and his resurrection this Sunday,
April 5th. Invite your family and friends for our worship services at 9:00 and
10:30 am. Our regular Sunday School classes will not meet that morning.
There will be classes for the children through 4th grade at each service.
!
We know you will be blessed by celebrating with us on Sunday.
V
I
S
I
O
N
Not long ago I had my vision
checked. I went to the eye
doctor and got a check-up.
They had a chart with 6 lines of
letters in a row. I felt really good
because I could read the third
line fairly well. I misunderstood
greatly because they asked me
to read the fifth line down. I
couldn’t even begin to see the
tiny letters.
!
April 2015, Vol.55
When they gave me corrective
lenses it was amazing what all I
could see.
!
It changed everything. Without
proper vision I was not seeing the
world as it really was. I could
actually read the street signs
sooner. I could read the TV guide
without having to get up close. I
continued on next page…
1
continued from page 1…
!
I could read a book without getting a headache due
to eyestrain.
!
Vision provides some good benefits:
•
Vision provides clarity
•
Vision helps with direction
•
Vision prevents disaster ahead of time
!
In the months
ahead, our
church is
going to go
on a discovery
to determine
our vision,
purpose and
direction as a
church. Your
church leaders
!
have been working on a process that will help
us to determine these mission critical factors.
Some of the key things we will need to look at
first include our place, our people and our
passion.
!
Our objective is to have three research teams
look at these three components. The end goal
of this discovery process is to find our ministry
sweet spot that will enable and empower FCC
to make a Kingdom impact in people’s lives, in
our community and around the world.
—Bob
Wed. April 8
11:30 am
!We will be blessed by the
music from Tuscola High School for our May
meeting on Wednesday, April 8th. Join us at
11:30 am for a potluck luncheon. Bring a
dish or two to share and enjoy the fellowship
and music from our local students.
!
Nursing Home
Worship Service
Come and worship with the residents of the
Tuscola Healthcare Center on Sunday, April
12th. We will meet together in the activity
room at 4:00 pm. If you have any questions,
contact Dena Meyer or the church office.
Life’s Healing Choices
will begin on April 12 for 6 weeks at the
Sunday school time, 9:15 am. This study will
be offered based on the book by John Baker
titled “Life’s Healing Choices” which is part of
the Celebrate Recovery curriculum. You will
learn lots of advice for dealing with life’s
hurts, habits and hang-ups, straight from
God’s Word :). The class will be led by Mike &
Rachel Haste and Ginger Campbell.
Swap ’Til You Drop
!
Ladies…. It’s Springtime!
So clean out your closets - bring your friends trade you stuff!
Mark your calendars > Tuesday, April 21st
Where everybody leaves happy & nobody
spends a dime!
More Details to Come!
April 2015, Vol.55
2
Guest Author
We want to see in this series of articles who the
Lord Jesus Christ is and what He came to do, as
displayed in the Old Testament. As we begin
the series, we will look at the book of Genesis
and we will see that the same God who spoke
in Genesis, is the same God who wants to
speak to us today to dispel darkness, or our
lack of understanding. We will see that God
wants to use our lives to relive the story of
Genesis. God is willing and fully able to create
and restore, in reference to our lives even
today.
!
In Luke 24:27, we read, “Then beginning with
Moses and all the prophets, He explained to
them the things concerning Himself in all the
Scriptures.” The Lord
Jesus Christ is able and
willing to “explain” to us
what the Bible is saying
about Him. Luke 24:32
says, “They said to one
another, ‘Were not our
hearts burning within us
while He was speaking to
us on the road, while He was explaining the
Scripture to us?’”
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of the eternal
God.
!
Genesis 1:2 says, “The earth was formless and
void, and darkness was over the surface of the
deep….” The word “darkness” can mean the
absence of light, as is the case in Genesis 1:2.
The Hebrew word can also mean “lack of
understanding”. Whenever you or I do not have
the right understanding, God can command
the light to shine. When we do not understand
our circumstances or why something took
place, we can trust that God can give us light in
our darkness.
!
When God commanded the light to shine in
the first chapter of Genesis,
things began to take place in
an orderly fashion. The earth
began to produce things that
God wanted. We can have
God’s light to shine in our
hearts, and our lives will
produce things that God
wants. In II Corinthians 4:6,
we read these words, “For God, who said, ‘Light
shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has
shone in our hearts to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of
Christ.”
Who Jesus Christ
is as seen in the
Old Testament
!
In Genesis 1:1 we are told that “In the
beginning God created the heavens and the
earth.” In Genesis 1:3 we are told that “Then
God said, ‘Let there be light’ ; and there was
light.” The very first time that we are told that
God spoke, we are told that He commanded
the light to shine! The Bible talks of the Lord
Jesus Christ as the voice of God. That is why we
read in John 1:1 that Jesus Christ is the word of
God. Ephesians 3:9 tells us that God created all
things by Jesus Christ. Thus, we see that God
“voiced” existence and restoration for the
heavens and the earth, and that voice was
April 2015, Vol.55
!
In other words, when God commands the light
to shine in our hearts and lives, people can see
something about who Jesus Christ is, as
reflected in and through our lives. God can
cause His people to be the light of the world
(Matthew 5:14). Psalm 119:105 says, “Your
word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my
path.” When the light shines, God can get what
He wants. I believe this is true for a person, an
assembly of God’s people or a nation.
- Cecil Smith
3
!
Down Love
Upside
You may have discovered that my wife, Amanda, loves to write. She enjoys writing
encouragement cards, letters to others, and often writes down the thoughts the Lord gives
her as she reads her Bible and moves about the tasks of the day. Following is something
she wrote just a couple nights ago. Its theme surfaces the amazing love of Jesus.
!
Tonight as I pulled the throw pillows off our bed, I had a thought. My mom’s love language must be pillows because all =ive of the decorative tufts that adorn our bed have been gifts from her. One of the pillows is a small pink heart that says “Mom.” She helped my children pick it out years ago for Mother’s Day. Another is a small oval shaped pillow and two large square pillows, made by one of her co-­‐workers. The =inal of the =ive is not fancy. It is now a kind of dirty white color with, inked in pen, the word “Love.” As I placed that last pillow on the =loor I realized that I did so in such a way that the word “Love” was upside down. The phrase “upside down love” =lashed into my brain. “How could that be used in a teachable context,” I wondered. I guess upside down love is love that is turned up on end, unexpected, given when times are chaotic, decisive, out of the ordinary. If one loves “upside down” then he/she is loving without pretense; loving without the expectation of getting something in return for the love given away; loving when life is turned 180 degrees and nothing makes sense. Sounds a bit like Jesus’ love, yes? He loved us before we were knit together in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13), has ordained our life before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16), endured the cross, scorning its shame (Hebrews 12:2) to save us from ourselves (sin). That love is unexpected, decisive, sel=less, out of the ordinary and upside down. !
May we never forget that while we were still sinners and before
we were even created, Christ demonstrated great love for us
(Romans 5:8) by dying on the cross. His incredible act of
obedience to death on the cross has paved the way for all who
trust in Him to experience true living now and for eternity. The
mighty and lavish love of Christ is truly out of the ordinary.
!
April 2015, Vol.55
Blessings,
Jason
4
!
!
!
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.
!
APRIL
Sunday Mornings in March
9:15 a.m. Programming for ages 0 – 6th grade
10:30 a.m. Programming for ages 0 – 4th grade
!
What’s Happening in Children’s Church
(grades 1-4) on Sunday Mornings:
Aside from Easter Sunday, children will continue to visit a very
strange town, a place where people live their lives upside
down. Now that doesn’t mean they stand on their heads. No,
it is the wrong choices they make that we call “upside down.”
When we don’t live as God wants, we call that living upside
down. During the month of April, children will continue to
learn what it looks like to live their lives right side up.
!
April 5 - He is Risen! (Luke 23-24)
April 12 - the Parable of the Loaned Money (Matthew 25:14-30)
April 19 - The Separation of the Sheep & the Goats (Matthew
25:31-46)
April 26 - FAMILY Sunday
!
What’s Happened in the Children’s
Ministry lately?
The 5th-6th grade students, 33 of them to be exact,
traveled to Eastview Christian Church in Bloomington, IL on
March 13 to attend the SuperStart conference. The
students learned that Grace is an unearned gift that costs
the giver, and shows God’s love. There was much singing,
learning, playing, and just a little sleeping. :)
!
Our elementary children also performed an Easter Show
titled “It’s All Because of Jesus” in which they shared the
good news about Jesus through song, dance, and drama.
What a joy to witness our young people share their talents
in such a way that honors Jesus.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
9:15 am each Sunday morning
!
HERE’S WHAT IS HAPPENING!
April 1 - SR HI Dodge Ball, 8:45 pm
No Youth Groups April 5
April 12, 19, 26 -Junior High Youth
Group 4-5:30 pm; Senior High Youth
at 6-8:00 pm
April 10,11- Vine Conference at LCU
for Senior High
April 26 - Student Ministry Family
Lunch, 12 noon
April 26 - Camp Sunday!
!
!
SAVE THE DATE……
!
May 17th: Graduate Recognition
during the worship service
!
May 21st: Baccalaureate Service at
TCHS at 7:00 pm. Open to all!
!
If you have questions, contact Lori
Reed, 259-2433.
On the Horizon…..
*Keep your eyes open as summer plans are being finalized! *Don’t forget to sign up for
Summer Camp at Little Galilee Christian Camp. Brochures are at the Resource Center (near the
kids check-in area). you can also view the schedule and register online at www.littlegalilee.com.
April 2015, Vol.55
5
Work Day at Little Galilee
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.
!
We will leave at 7:45 am from the church. Contact
Craig & Beth Romine or the church office if you are
going so we can plan transportation. This is also an
opportunity for your kids to get to know the camp!
!
!
Get Out Your Sewing Machine!
Remember all the lovely dresses that were sewn
for Haiti and Thailand? Plans and instructions are
coming for boys’ shorts that will go to Haiti. We
are still going to sew more dresses next winter,
too! Watch the bulletin for more information! The
picture below was taken when Bob was in Haiti in
February. These dresses were made by our
sewing people!
Now glory be to
God! By his mighty
power at work
within us, he is able
to accomplish
infinitely more than
we would ever dare
to ask or hope.
!
- Ephesians 3:20
April 2015, Vol.55
6
Remember in Prayer…
SERVING FOR APRIL
FIT Team
5 Jack & Phylliss Ehrsam; Team 2
12 Carson Alexander/Emily Groves; Team 3
19 Robbie & Sandy Robinson; Team 4
26 Joyce Allison/Myron Gingerich; Team 1
Daniel Cisney
Ruth Burris
Phyllis Moore
Danny Ragle
Tom Warner, friend of Ragle’s
Virginia Ward, sister of Linda Schultz
Dora Norfleet
Heather Poole
Emily Tillis
Gary McPheron, friend of Pickett’s
Mike Valerio, son-in-law of Richard & Dianne Eiche
Laura Rawski, friend of Chris & Cheryl Harris
Shirley Quinn
Ashley Manzella
Sonya Maurer
Jim Clarkson
Jason Galvin, friend of the Carners
Michelle Hengel, friend of Carners
Kelly Burns, granddaughter of Dale & Martha Burns
!
Communion Meditation
5 1st- C. Harriss
2nd- C. Harriss
12 1st- J. Fortney
2nd- D. Foltz
19 1st- L. Reed
2nd- D. Meyer
26 1st- C. Romine
2nd- G. Foltz
!
Serving Out
5 H. Bossle
12 M. Otto
19 A. Reeder
26 D. Dundas
Serving Leader- April
1st: J. Martin
2nd: D. Meyer
!
!
Communion Prep
April 5 & 12
Mary Knight
April 19 & 26 Jim & Diane Bierman
Our Sympathy goes out to John & Stephanie Hudson
& family in the loss of his Kye Hudson; to Janet
Butler & family in the loss of her mother Joan
Spence; to the family of Jean Bender; Julia
Anderson & family in the passing of her mother,
Marjorie Blakeney
!
Communion Clean-Up
April 5 & 12
Kelly Whittington
April 19 & 26 Kerry & Linda Kincaid
!
!
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
!
Please call or email the church office to have someone added to the prayer list. Thank you for your support and encouragement for those in need of prayer. Attendance
March 1
March 8
March 15
March 22
March 29
Worship
169
281
279
292
306
Sun Sch
42
65
62
60
69
3/1
3/8
3/15
3/22
3/29
General Fund
$4377.68
$12,040.25
$5740.48
$6971.00
$13,882.47
Benevolence
125.00
430.00
110.00
178.00
635.00
Debt Reduction
——
2120.00
220.00
20.00
—-
Other funds &
Reimbursements
1062.86
352.35
576.00
128.63
583.59
$5,565.54
$14,942.60
$6,646.48
$7,297.63
$15,101.06
March
(Missions is 10%)
TOTAL
April 2015, Vol.55
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
April 2015
!
!
April Calendar
1 - Quilting Group, 9:00 am
1 - God’s Girls & Gathering of Brothers, 3:30 each
Wednesday after school
1 - Jump 3:16, 6:00 pm (end of year party)
1- Dodge ball, 8:45 pm (Senior High)
3 - Office closed for Good Friday
5 - EASTER SUNDAY, 9:00 & 10:30 am services
8 - Prime Timers, 11:30 am
10,11- Vine Conference at LCU (Senior High)
12 - Nursing Home Worship Service
15 - Quilting Group, 9:00 am
15 - Building use for the evening
19 - Coffee with Bob, 9:30-10:00 am
21 - Swap ’Til You Drop, 6:30 pm
25 - Ladies Conference in Terre Haute
26 - Family Sunday
26 - Camp Sunday!
26 - Student Ministry Family Lunch
27 - Elders, Trustees, Staff meeting, 6:00 pm
29 - Ladies Day at Lincoln Christian University - see info
on the bulletin board
April 2015, Vol.55
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
8