- FCJ - Big Moment Coming. Who
are we, why has God put us here, and what are the key steps we need to
take to experience new life as a Christ-centered, serving, community open
to all? These and other questions are being asked by our Fruitful
Congregation Journey (FCJ) team as they complete their Shared Learning
Experience. At 6:30 p.m. in the evening of the 24th at our Church
Council meeting, we will be voting whether or not to continue to Phase II
of FCJ. This second chapter in FCJ is an assessment of the church
and its ministries -with recommendations for strategic next
steps. Please be in prayer for the Church Council as the members
vote on this possible step. Note - all church members and friends
are welcome to attend our "always open" Church Council meetings.
- The Open Door (TOD). Is an
amazing, creative, mission outreach to the Bloomington community.
We're all about sharing the love and truth of God in Christ in a
non-traditional worship experience with people who may have no
history -or be recovering from a bad experience- with
Christian community. Some of you know we have arranged, after
repeated episodes of misbehavior by a few guests, for professional
security. We are committed to a safe, drug-free, joyful, community
experience where God is worshipped in a way that reaches all ages.
We are excited about the future of TOD. If you have not tried TOD,
we would encourage you to join us! Watch and listen for plans for
something new with TOD in the Fall.
- Easter Sunday Schedule.
Services will be held in the sanctuary at 8:45 (notice the one-time shift
in the beginning time of the 9 o'clock service) and 10:15. The Upper
Room community will worship in the Chapel at 9 a.m. on Easter, and The
Open Door will have Easter worship at 11:15 a.m. in the Buskirk-Chumley
Theater on Kirkwood.
- Post Flood Building Repairs &
Recovery. Our insurance carrier & our contractor are agreeing to
a dollar estimate for repairs, and per our Building Committee, work is
about to begin. A high priority is getting the daycare/childcare areas
fixed first. (As weather warms you will also see work progressing on
the courtyard project.)
- Building Study, Deferred
Maintenance & Improvements. Our Trustees and Building Committee
are moving ahead to authorize a study of the structural integrity of the
building, identify critically needed repairs, and possible improvements
that will be vision and mission driven. To put this in plain
language, our historic building is overdue for repairs (water leaks,
missing ceiling tile, stained carpet, crumbling steps, etc.). So we
will work with an architect to address deferred maintenance issues, AND
look at possible improvements that will insure the facility is a great
instrument for mission and ministry in the years ahead.
- Power & Passion: Six
Characters in Search of Resurrection by Samuel Wells (Zondervan) is a
resource that goes with our current sermon series. Order your own
copy if you want to read this outstanding resource.
- Grace is Good! A young boy
was in a Fort Wayne area UM congregation. After the worship service,
during which communion was celebrated, a young boy approached a pastor and
asked if he could have another piece of the leftover bread. The
pastor said, "Yes" and handed the young boy a nice size piece of
bread. The thankful boy took it, savored it, and then announced to
his parent, "Grace is good!"
In Christ and for Christ,
Mark
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