150) Springfield, IL 62703 the Visitor...The Visitor (USPS 439-150) Published bi-weekly except between Christmas & New Years by First Christian Church, 700 South 6th Street, Springfield,

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

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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: [email protected]

the Visitor BI-WEEKLY NEWSLETTER | FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

| APRIL 11, 2018 – VOLUME 75 ISSUE 07

PASTOR’S PEN

Last week I briefly mentioned the cynicism of the world. It's fairly easy to spot in the despondency of social media and the 24/7 cycle of the bad news networks that are so abundant today. But the Christian faith has a good news response and Easter changed everything. As an Easter believer and to quote an old poem, “I'm drinking from the saucer because my cup runneth over.” In the gospel exchanges of what happened in the post resurrection appearances there is no shortage of divine appeals such as “Do not be afraid” and “Peace be with you.” Before ascending into heaven Jesus, as portrayed by the gospel writers, seems intent on the reassurance of the Holy Spirit who would oversee the establishment of His church. I find every reason to be upbeat, enthused and positive given these teachings. This past week in John's gospel (20:22) Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. In the reading from Luke this week 24:49 he tells those same disciples to stay in the city until they are clothed with power from on high, indicating the Spirit was yet to come. Matthew mentions the Holy Spirit in context to the “great commis-sion” (28:19) Mark, ever the brief one, implies but does not mention the Holy Spirit in the post resurrection narratives. Rather, he offers a listing of “signs” which amount to the types of things the disciples will be able to accomplish in the name of Jesus. (16:16)

As a professor of New Testament studies once shared with me, the facts don't always line up, but that the truth always prevails. Each Gospel writer had a different perspective, different audience, and different words to convey the mysteries of God. Some of their chronologies read with slight differences but this does not discount their truth. One of our lectionary readings for this week is Acts 4:5-12. I encourage you to read it and the contextual scriptures surrounding that reading. Here, Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and even though his words are from the 1st century it is hard not to catch his enthusiasm as he states, “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” “I'm certain this is the same fervor we should enthusiastically convey. And so I end this column with a question. How do you convey your enthusiasm for the Lord? Blessings, Rick

BAPTISM CLASS

Please contact Rev. Irwin if your child has expressed an interest in baptism. We are ready and willing to convene a class to prepare our young people in their decisions.

SERVING SUNDAY April 15, 2018

Rev. Rick Irwin

Senior Minister

Acts 3:12-19

“Is there Anything to Eat?”

Luke 24:36-48

Instrumental David Mitchell

Special Music FCC Choir

Van Driver Rob Talavera

Greeters Phyllis Eubanks and

David Wyatt

Deacons Merle and Pearl Gaiser, Gary

Stone, Ron and Wendy

Hayward

Communion

Preparer

Jack and Janice Blazis

Elders Ross Van Dettum and

Karen Stone

Elders Serving

Teachers

Jill Talavera

Offering Bearers Karen Stone and

Gary Stone

Nursery Workers Patti Finney and Kristin Mapes

Sanctuary Flowers

Flowers provided by Marti

Doyle in memory of her

husband, Jim

SERVING SUNDAY April 22, 2018

Rev. Rick Irwin

Senior Minister

Acts 4:5-12

“Knowing the Shepherd

John 10:11-18

Instrumental Jane Irwin and The Grateful

Bread Band

Special Music FCC Choir

Van Driver Ron Hayward

Greeters Linda and Lee Williams

Deacons Denese Schaljo, Jodie Clark,

Amy Lawrence, Cheri

Hopper and Jessica Williams

Communion Preparer

Jack and Janice Blazis

Elders Jill Talavera and

Rob Talavera

Elders Serving

Teachers

Allen Monier

Offering Bearers Rob Talavera and

Amy Lawrence

Nursery Workers Patti Finney and Kristin

Mapes

Sanctuary Flowers

Flowers provided by Sam

and Cheryl Lipe in memory

of Loved Ones.

LECTIONARY

4-15-18

Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4

Luke 24:36b-48 1 John 3:1-7

TEXTS

4-22-18 Acts 4:5-12

Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18

*we encourage you to read the lectionary texts each

week

ATTENDANCE:

April 1, 2018

Sanctuary 91 Nursery 3

Total 94

Sunday School ~~18

Maundy Thurs. ~ 42 Good Friday ~ 40

Weekly Worship Total 176

April 8, 2018

Sanctuary 63 Nursery 5

Total 68

Sunday School ~~ 17

WOW ~ Apr 4, 2018 20

Weekly Worship Total 88

TRIVIA NIGHT THIS FRIDAY Friday, April 13th at 6:00 pm will be our third Trivia Night here at FCC. Sign up your group for a great night of Fun, Fellowship and Facts!! Tickets are $10 each and there are 8 to 10 to a table. Bring snacks for your table to share. See Rob or Jill for tickets.

BOOKMARKABLES The group will be reading “Home Front” by Kristin Hannah for the April 12th meeting. If you would like to read the book and join the discussion, it will be held at the home of Linda Williams with Marti Doyle leading the discussion. It all begins at 7:00 pm. FAITH BUILDERS SS CLASS continues to develop their digital library. Everyone at FCC is welcome to borrow great movies etc. On Sundays consider joining this class at 9 a.m. in the Bride's room off the Fellowship Hall. You will find it well worth getting to church a bit earlier to share in the spiritual growth and warm fellowship; where the coffee pot is always on. LITURGICAL ARTS FESTIVAL goes from April 27th—May 5, 2018. There is an additional concert on Sunday, April 22nd at 4:00 pm at the Grace Lutheran Church, 701 E. Capitol Ave. Come sing traditional hymns which are accompanied by organ, brass and violin. Jointly hosted by Grace Lutheran and Our Savior’s Lutheran Churches. All are welcome. Free. For more information go to: www.gracelutheran-springfield.com or call 522-3965. I will publish a complete schedule in the next newsletter—April 11th. DISCIPLES MEN COOKOUT MAY 14TH The Disciples Men Cookout is scheduled for Monday, May 14th at 6:00 pm. We’ll gather at Ramsey Pond for food, activities and to give “Mr. President”, Danny Mohr a hard time. Please join us.

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-

[email protected]. 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.

LLCC BIG BAND CONCERT—MAY 7TH

The Lincoln Land

Community College

Big Band will present a

spring jazz concert on

Monday, May 7th at

7:00 pm at the First

Christian Church.

Under the direction of

Jane Irwin, these

concerts are always popular with the community.

Please attend and bring your friends!