The Visitor (USPS 439-150) Published bi-weekly except between Christmas & New Years by First Christian Church,

700 South 6th Street, Springfield, IL 62703. PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID at Springfield, IL

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: THE VISITOR, 700 S. 6th Street, Springfield, IL 62703

Periodical Postage Paid

Springfield, IL

The Visitor (USPS 439-150) First Christian Church 700 South 6th Street Springfield, IL 62703

All are welcome! Sunday School: 9:00 am

A class for every age group! Nursery provided as well.

Sunday Worship: 10:30 am Children’s Church & Nursery available!

Handicapped accessible & hearing devices available.

WOW—Worship On Wednesday at 6:00 pm

Various Ministries & Much More! Men, Women, Youth, Family...there is something

for every person and every age!

Check us out on Facebook, too! And our website:

www.fccspringfieldil.net

OFFICE HOURS

Monday thru Thursday: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

The Office is closed on Fridays.

Rev. Rick Irwin is off on Thursdays

Transportation: Call church office 528-3407

to schedule a ride for worship.

MONDAYS AT NOON—DEADLINE FOR VISITOR ARTICLES

Phone: 217-528-3407 Fax: 217-753-4562 E-mail: fcc-spfld@att.net

the Visitor BI-WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

MAY 23, 2018 – VOLUME 75 ISSUE 10

PASTOR’S PEN

I noticed something on a clergy social media thread last week. The summation was about congregational abuses upon the clergy who serve them. What a hot potato that thread be-came! It seemed that everyone had a story to tell and overall it was a raw revelation of emotion. Someone even compared it to a clergy “Me Too” movement. I didn't participate – I'm just not wired that way. I'm not going to get on a social thread and talk badly about “those church people”. Such we/they language is divisive and I think such relational fractures deserve a more Christ-like approach. Maybe I'm incredibly lucky that the churches I've served had been among the best on the planet. And maybe some of those clergy who air their hurts in public are complicit in creating the toxins of their own environment. Whatever the case, the church with all its flaws is an incredible glimpse into the kingdom of God. It should be managed with a discernible amount of awe and the clergy who serve it should count themselves among the blessed rather than extolling the times they felt cursed. As for congregants, they too should honor the institution with their best energies and attitudes. Above all it is an institution that serves God and demands our best. I would think griping and sniping fall far short of the glory of God. Near that same thread I read the rants of

another clergy member who was determined NOT to observe Memorial Day in worship. He went on the quibble negatively about “nationalism” in worship and I have to tell you his arrogance and absurd conclusions really an-noyed me. His ilk are the very reason I got into ministry 36 years ago when an inner Spirit voice told me, “The Church deserves better.” I immedi-ately set aside the sermon I had planned and began anew with an intentional nod towards Memorial Day. Thank you for being a church any rational pastor would be honored to serve. It is our sincer-ity of mission, benevolence of cause, and genuine care for each other that make First Christian Church a ministry that matters.

Blessings, Rick

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

On May 6th we welcomed Ken

and Bev Morey to our FCC

family. They come by transfer and

Ken has already joined our choir.

Please introduce yourselves to this

wonderful couple.

SERVING SUNDAY May 27, 2018

Rev. Rick Irwin

Senior Minister

Isaiah 6:1-8

“Born of the Spirit”

John 3:1-17

Instrumental Jane Hartman and The Grateful

Bread Band

Special Music FCC Choir

Van Driver Robert McKeown

Greeters Linda and Lee Williams

Deacons Denese Schaljo, Jodie Clark,

Amy Lawrence, Cheri Hopper,

and Jessica Williams

Communion

Preparer

Marti Doyle

Elders Rob and Jill Talavera

Elders Serving

Teachers

Allen Monier

Offering Bearers Jill Talavera and Cheri Hopper

Nursery Workers Patti Finney and Kristin Mapes

Sanctuary Flowers

Flowers provided by Phyllis

Eubanks in memory of Grandma

Nell

SERVING SUNDAY June 3, 2018

Rev. Rick Irwin

Senior Minister

Psalm 96

Music Sunday

Instrumental David Mitchell

Special Music FCC Choir

Van Driver Rob Talavera

Greeters Patty and Terry Camille

Sharon Goughnour

Deacons Jack and Amy Matthews,

Penny, Mackenzi, and Kallie

Matthews

Communion

Preparer

Sam Lipe

Elders Marcia and Allen Monier

Elders Serving

Teachers

Allen Monier

Offering Bearers Allen Monier and

Jack Matthews

Nursery Workers Patti Finney and Kristin

Mapes

Sanctuary Flowers

Flowers provided by Dave and

Meridy Gillespie in memory

of their parents, Dale and Pearl

Gillespie and Arthur and

Louane Baker

LECTIONARY

5-27-18

Isaiah 6:1-8 Psalm 29

Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17

TEXTS

6-3-18 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 2 Corinthians 4:5-12

Mark 2:23-3:6

*we encourage you to read the lectionary texts each

week

ATTENDANCE:

May 13, 2018

Sanctuary 73 Nursery 3

Total 76

Sunday School ~~16

WOW ~ May 9, 2018

23 Weekly Worship Total

99

May 20, 2018

Sanctuary 66 Nursery 3

Total 69

Sunday School ~~ 10

WOW ~ May 9, 2018

23

Weekly Worship Total 92

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL NEWS VBS is just around the corner, our theme is Babylon. It will be on June 25th—28th 9am-2pm. We are still in need of helpers. We need someone to run the sign-in and sign-out table. Also some more Tribe Leaders. If you are able to help or know some teens who would like to help please contact Jessica Williams at the church. Also the kids VBS sign-up sheets will be in the office. The first 30 families to sign up will get a copy of the music for this year's VBS.

FAITH BUILDERS SS CLASS Faith Builders SS class continues studying the challenging, exciting and assuring book of James at 9 AM in Room 1, off the Fellowship Hall; where the coffee pot is always on. LIFE LINE SCREENING Cheryl Porter of Life Line Screening has emailed FCC 3 complimentary screening certificates to offset the cost of an individual screening. These certificates are available in the office. If you are interested, please come in and pick one up, however, you still need to pre-register in order to use the certificate. With the number of people already signed up, appointment spaces are very limited so please don’t miss your chance to confirm your appointment today before the event is full! Pre-registration is required. Sign up now by calling toll free to 1-888-653-6441 or text the word circle to 797979 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com/communitycircle

Zachary Mapes Graduates from

The Christian Theological Seminary

Zachary Mapes graduated from the Christian

Theological Seminary (CTS) in

Indianapolis, IN on Saturday, May

19, 2017. Zack received his

Master of Divinity degree upon

completion of three years of study

at CTS. He now hopes to find a

position as a minister at a church in

the Illinois-Wisconsin Region.

Zack has been a member of the First Christian Church for many years. His mother is Kristin Mapes, and his grandparents are David and

Meridy Gillespie.

Emma and Walter Pickering Scholarship

The Emma and Walter Pickering Scholarship fund was

formed in 2010 through a gift from the Estate of Ferne L.

Gardner, a former member of First Christian Church

honoring her parents.

There are three $1,000 scholarships available annually. If

there are unused scholarships from a previous year, they will

also be available. Applications are available at the church

office and are accepted annually. New applicants shall be

given preference over any renewals.

Eligibility requirements:

* Must demonstrate financial need

* Must be an active member or dependent of an

active member of First Christian Church

* Must have a high school diploma or GED

* Must plan to attend a trade school or an accredited

two or four year college or university

* Must complete an application.

Applications must arrive at the FCC office by Sunday, June 17, 2018. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Send or br ing applications to First Chr istian Church, 700 S. 6th Street, Springfield, IL 62703 OR fcc-spfld@att.net. Scholarships will be awarded to the applicant’s school between August 1, 2018 and August 30, 2018. Contact the church office at 217-528-3407 if you have any questions.

ILLINOIS COLLEGE CHOIR

Sunday, July 15, the worship service at First Christian Church will be blessed with a visit and performance by a choir from Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL. This will be followed by a “potluck” lunch to feed them and us. Plan to bring a main dish and a side dish to share. We look forward to extending our hospitality as we fellowship together. While you are putting this on your calendar you may also wish to make a note of our church ice cream social and youth group carnival on Wednesday, July 18, 2018

CORRECTION

In last week’s Visitor and bulletin I made an error in listing the donors of the flowers. It should have read, Flowers provided by Marcia, David, Jill and Jessica Hoos and Wendy, Ron and Justin Hayward in Memory of husband, father, grandfather John D. Hoos. I am so sorry for the error.