Skip to main content
CongregationsGood Newsnews

BE THE CHURCH SUNDAY

By July 10, 2018March 12th, 2024No Comments

Here is some great news from First Christian Church in Galesburg! They’re reading Ruth Fletcher’s book – “Thrive: Spiritual Habits of Transforming Congregations.” They are sharing God’s love in the community.

From The Crusader newsletter –

August 19 is “Be the Church Sunday”. Outreach ministry is excited to offer an opportunity for the whole church to become involved as one body of Christ for one day to serve our community in a variety of ways. In addition to a wide variety of ministry opportunities within our church, God offers many examples of service beyond the local congregation. Of great importance is missionary activity that takes the gospel message to those who have yet to hear (Acts 13:1-5; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Many forms of humanitarian service can offer tremendous help to others while opening opportunities to share faith. These can include the areas mentioned in Matthew 25 in which Jesus calls people to serve the “least of these”. Another example can be seen in the account of the Good Samaritan. The man who stopped to help was considered the one who was a neighbor to the man in need. Jesus said, “You go, and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). The application is that believers are to find those in need and make an effort to serve based on those needs. Many roles exist for Christians to serve beyond the church’s internal ministries. Scripture offers numerous examples, yet God often places needs right in front of us where we can use our gifts, abilities, and resources to help those in need.

As we work with the Thrive book to be creative, out of the box thinkers, we will be participating in a variety of service ministries on August 19. There will be an opportunity for all ages and ability levels to serve. Related ministries for the day include 6 opportunities to participate in an area that you feel most comfortable. Our activities will include worshiping together at a 9AM combined service, outreach opportunities from 10AM-12 PM and a catered luncheon from 12PM-1PM.

In the upcoming weeks you will see descriptions and sign up opportunities to “Be the Church” and show our community some First Christian church love! We look forward to serving with you on Sunday, August 19th.

 

More from The Crusader newsletter on July 17 –

“BE THE CHURCH” SUNDAY

                  Be the Church Sunday is coming on Sunday, August 19th.  We are looking forward to a day of fellowship and service, but we need YOU to participate.  We have worked hard to try to find 6 different activities that can meet any and all needs of everyone in our congregation.  We are praying everyone feels it in their heart to participate! Mark your calendars now to spend Sunday, August 19th from 9am-1pm with your church family in worship, fellowship and service.  This week we will highlight 3 of the possible service stations so you can begin to pray and see if God is leading you towards these. In next week’s newsletter the remaining 3 opportunities will be highlighted.

# 1 King Elementary Prayer Walk: Contact: Linda Mowrer:  Participants in this station will travel to King Elementary School to walk the grounds and pray as a whole group, in small groups, and individually for students and staff at our adopted school.  Prayer starters and staff lists will be provided. There are benches available at King School if walking is not feasible. Principal Amy Nielsen will be joining this station.

#2 First Responder Treats: Contact: Ruthann Smith:  Participants in this station will work in the FCC kitchen making baked goodies to provide enough treats for 5 platters of goodies to serve our first responders.  Participants will then deliver the treats to our local 3 fire stations, police station and ambulance barn. All ingredients and supplies will be provided and ready go!

#3 Door Tag Walkers:  Contact; Steve and Nancy Spicher: We need LOTS of volunteers as we will be focusing on two different parts of town.  Participants in this station will be walking door to door to put door hangers on doors, invite others to our church and church programming.  We are not knocking on doors but leaving our information. Participants should wear tennis shoes and be able to walk several blocks.

#4,5,6….stay tuned until next week.

After working together, we will meet back at FCC for a catered luncheon and be able to fellowship about our experiences. Looking forward to BE the Church on Sunday August 19.

More from The Crusader newsletter on July 24 –

BE THE CHURCH” SUNDAY

Be the church Sunday is fast approaching.  Sunday, August 19 is a great opportunity for us to show Christ’s love through action.  We will be meeting as a whole congregation at 9AM for combined worship. From 10AM-Noon we will be serving our community in a variety of ways.  Last week I shared the first 3 stations available to volunteer for:  King School Prayer Walk, First Responder treat trays, and Neighborhood door tags.  This week I will share the remaining opportunities for volunteering.

Station 4: King Landscaping:  Contact Chris Mowrer:  We will travel to King Elementary School on South Farnham street to mulch by their marquee, the front garden and plant three new planters to welcome the community back to King School.  Mrs. Nielsen, the principal is checking to see if any additional projects may need to be done.  This station would be great for people who want/like moderate activity levels and being outside.

Station 5: Church Clean up:  Contact Willa Jewsbury or Candi Moulton:  We have noticed that FCC could use a little love and attention as well.  Our building is used by a variety of community organizations and groups and we want to make sure we have a facility that is well organized, clean and presentable.  This station will be divided into two parts.  Willa’s group will be working on cleaning certain areas of the church that Bob can’t get to on a regular basis.  Think church clean up days that have been held in the past.  Some things you may be doing but not limited to are wiping down pews, wiping counter tops, dusting windows, etc.  Candi’s group will be sorting and organizing the newly formed craft room off of small hall and weeding out some of the sub- basement.  Both of these areas are hidden gems of our church but need some immediate attention to make them shine!  This will be a great station for those who aren’t as mobile as others or who want to make sure to stay in a temperature-controlled environment.

Station 6Nursing Home visits:  Contact Renée Galvin:  This station will be traveling together to a few area nursing homes to spread some cheer and fellowship.  Interested people should choose a short story, article, or children’s book to share with a resident.  There may also be a short activity you could do with one of the residents.  Initial thoughts were this would be an excellent opportunity for the children/youth of our church but we have since expanded our thinking to include any adults who would want to go for a visit with some area folks who sometimes don’t get

a lot of visitors.  Chicken Soup for the Soul offers great short stories as does several of

our favorite devotionals.  Sharing photos of your own families/passions is encouraged to help the conversation flow.  This station is a low activity station that will be good for any age member of our congregation!

After serving our community we will join back together as a church family to enjoy lunch together in the large hall.  A day full of worship, service and fellowship is just what the Good Lord loves in his faithful followers!  Won’t you consider which station you will be a part of?

 

More from The Crusader newsletter on August 28 –

Comments after “BE THE CHURCH” SUNDAY

I shared in my sermon that people are still talking about the August 19 “Be the Church Sunday” when we “took a detour” from our regular Sunday morning schedule and did service projects right after worship.   I wasn’t able to share everyone’s comments, given to me, in my sermon – so I told y’all that I would print them in the newsletter.   Besides these – I have heard numerous verbal comments from people saying how much the Sunday meant to them and how they loved getting to know more of the church family. 

So, enjoy all the good comments shared by some of our church members and praise God for how God is at work in our church family!  I’ve also included a few other pictures of the day!  

May God continue to draw us closer as a church family and energize and empower us to “be the church” in our community!    God bless you all!    Pastor MJ

My best memory of our community service day was seeing everyone old & young alike all working together. I especially loved hearing other church members & even the principal (whom I didn’t realize who she was) say how great the school looked after we were finished. I can honestly say my family had a lot of fun that day!

–  Marla Wood

As a crew leader, I was a little worried during the week before if we would able to get everything together that we needed. But, with a little help, everything we needed was there Sunday morning. We had a great crew working on the landscaping project and we had great fun and fellowship while we were working. We spread our crew over the 3 project areas and everybody pitched in to get it all done within the 2 hours allotted.  In addition to accomplishing our goal of dressing up the exterior of the school, I think the members of the crew enjoyed getting to know each other better. We had people who are regulars at both services and barely knew each other before that Sunday.

-Chris Mowrer

It is always a blessing to know that fellow Christians want to have a beautiful sanctuary for worship. Our crew worked hard to polish up the pews and furniture. –  Willa Jewsbury

We go to nursing homes often, but we don’t always take the time to visit with the people like we did Sunday.  Mozart loves going to the library at the Hawthorne Care Centre and we got to say “hi” to Joyce Aldridge who had a birthday.  At Rosewood Carol Blair brought a book with pictures in it of Galesburg from years of the past. One of us would tell a story followed by another and Brenda found a relative. Al Bower went home and put on his bib overalls so he’d make the farmers feel a connection.  – Ellen Anderson

It was pleasing to see the residents at the nursing homes be so welcoming.  The ones I visited were open to a bit of devotion and prayer.  They were also very willing to share their family news,  etc.  They love it when we listen and comment.   – Carolyn Spratt

I really felt the Holy Spirit with me as I prayed at each window around the school.  And talking aloud to Him. – Linda Mowrer

I felt a great sense of church unity … the church, united, all coming together to do God’s work.  From the old to the young, everyone doing his/her part for God’s kingdom.  It was heartwarming.   – Terri Oehlert