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In This Issue:
Expand Initiative Update Intentional Parenting Technology Tips 3 Ways to Serve Your Neighbors Christmas Eve at TCC Angel Tree Serving Others Through Meals On Wheels Kids Ministry: What Our Kids Are Learning Student Ministry: Summer Trips Upcoming Sermon Series Baptisms and New Members and more
Love God. Love others. Sunday Worship Services: 9:00 a.m. (Blended) 10:30 a.m. (Contemporary)
by James Jones, Lead Minister What a blessing to be part of a church that is willing to move in God’s direction. For many people, the Expand Initiative was both a challenge and a stretch. Many have shown a willingness to sacrifice in order to support what is happening at Taylorville Christian Church. I am celebrating the wilIingness of the people of our church to commit to giving over $600,000 to this initiative. Your generosity is a blessing to me and to our staff and elders. Our church has come together in a great way to begin the process of building a new facility to house our fellowship hall and student ministry space. With that in mind, we have more real work ahead of us, and the work comes in several forms. First, over the next few months, we will be in building mode. We will have crews of workers on our property doing the important work of putting up this new building and remodeling our current facility. We will have some inconveniences. We may have to park in different places and enter different doors. You may find our staff using a variety of spaces for work during the remodel. We will need to be patient with the process and with each other as we work through this. Second, we will all have opinions about decisions that will be made over the next few months. Your favorite color may or may not be on the walls of the new fellowship hall. We may put tile where you would have put carpet or carpet where you would have put tile. It’s the nature of the building process that none of us will have everything we want in the building or the remodel, but each decision is being carefully evaluated. Let’s work together in staying united as we go through the process. It’s about a tool for ministry, not having my favorite color. Third, we will need a lot of volunteers as we finish the building and remodel. After Morton finishes the shell of the new building, we will be looking for lots of volunteers to help. We will have ways to sign up for volunteering. Be on the lookout for ways that you can participate. We’ll be depending on the great people of TCC to step up and help. Thanks again for being such a great church! I am honored to serve alongside you and participate in our life together. I’m praying for you, and I’m asking you to pray for me and our staff and elders!
Upcoming Sermon Series: December 3: Creation December 10: People December 17: Body December 24 (morning services): Spirit December 24 (evening services): Heaven Finding Your Way Back to God January 7: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Hard Questions January 14: Know That Church People Aren’t Perfect January 21: Begin to Interact with the God Who Loves You January 28: Take Small Steps of Faith
Coming Up at Taylorville Christian Church
Congratulations and Thank You, Deb Frye! The Annual TCC Staff Open House will be on Sunday, December 17, 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll also celebrate Deb Frye’s retirement. She has served as TCC’s Administrative Secretary for nearly 16 years. We invite you to bring a card of appreciation or note of thanks to share with Deb.
The holidays can be a busy and stressful time. It’s a time when many women say they tend to let their relationship with God take a bit of a back seat. This year, we’re inviting you to be intentional about your relationship with God through December and January. We’ll meet together for supper, video, and introduction on Tuesday, December 5 at 6 p.m.. Then you’ll go through The Quest at your own pace. We’ll have a private Facebook group, so we can encourage each other, ask questions, and share insights. You’ll receive occassional emails as well. Then we’ll get together again for supper, video, and wrap up on Tuesday, January 30 at 6 p.m. The cost of The Quest book is $15, and you’ll receive a free tote bag with it while our supplies last. Here’s a bit more about The Quest study: Curiosity is hardwired in humanity. We have this innate need to question and seek after what we don’t know or understand. Delve into Scripture to explore how God created us to seek after him—a God who desires to be found and known. In this lifelong quest of faith, learn to develop your intimacy with him and embrace the adventure that comes with living a life for God. Deepen your intimacy with God as you ask, discuss, and ponder questions of faith. Take comfort in remembering this world is only a temporary stay until we reach our heavenly home. Understand that questions are inherent and essential to growth. Embrace the adventure that comes with living a life for God.
Let’s Celebrate Baptisms and New Members! Baptisms: Carrie Willis and Paige Mollet New Members: Daniel Fortman Each month, TCC provides volunteers to deliver meals to people throughout Taylorville. You can serve one day (or more) and help others by delivering a hot meal and a smile. It only takes about one hour, but the impact on those you serve lasts throughout their day. Sign up on your own or with a friend. Get started by contacting Jacque at 725-4721 or Mary at 825-4228. The International Conference On Missions will be in Peoria on November 16-19, 2017! Location: Peoria Civic Center 201 SW Jefferson Ave. Peoria, IL 61602 Contact the church office if you’d like to know how to register. There will be main sessions, workshops, exhibits, and much more.
Intentional Parenting Technology Tips
Student Minister Zach Crowley and Children’s Minister LeAnn Jones recently hosted a Tech Savvy night for parents and have started posting weekly videos on Facebook to help parents be more intentional as they pour into their kids. We encourage you to connect with them on Facebook @TaylorvilleChristianParents to stay up-to-date with tips, events, connections, and more. Here are a few highlights of their technology tips. Why do kids want a device or a specific app? In other words, why do they drive us crazy with their “Can I have…Why can’t I have…” questions? They see others with phones and certain apps, and they want to fit in, not just with their friends but with you as parents. Instead of giving in just because your child is bugging you, you feel pressure from other parents, or you gave another child a device as a specific age, ask yourself, “Is he/she responsible enough to handle it?” What are some things I need to know when my child gets his/her first phone? • Set up expectations that include • where, when, how they can use it. • what happens if they don’t meet the expectations. • how privileges can grow when expectations are met. It’s a good idea for both of you to sign a contract with the expectations in writing, just like you sign an agreement with your cell phone provider. • Put protocols in place, including what they should do when they come across or receive something that is inappropriate, mean, or confusing. Help them respond well to speed bumps instead of leaving them to figure it out on their own. For example, encourage them to take a screen shot and send it to you immediately for accountability and documentation, since some apps’ content disappears quickly. Tips for setting safeguards for your family: • Determine times to be screen free. This might be specific times each morning or evening or during certain activities such as meal times. Screen free times give you a chance to talk, catch up, or relax. • Determine places to be screen free, such as, bedrooms, bathrooms, or kitchens. Screens help us isolate from our families and open us up to temptations. Guidelines can encourage safety and growth.
Angel Tree For many years, people at TCC have helped families in need through Angel Tree. It’s almost that time again, but first, let’s take a moment to look back. Angel Tree helps provide Christmas gifts (and food) to children of incarcerated parents. We received many letters of thanks, and we wanted to remind you of a few, so you can see how your generosity impacts lives. “Thank you for the gifts you and your church sent to my children. The food helped them a great deal, too. Since I can’t myself, you bring kids joy and happiness. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. My daughter Karla especially loved the unicorn etched in glass.” (N.M.) Through your generosity, TCC also helps provide Christmas gifts to youth at Kemmerer Village. Here’s what a few of them said: “Thank you for the presents you gave me. My favorite things was the necklace and I loved the shoes.” (G.) “Thank you for all of my gifts you bought for me. I appreciate it so much. You’re amazing. God bless you!” (M.) “The Christmas gifts you got me were great. Thank you for the skateboard.” (S.) “Thank you for making my Christmas #1 best Christmas! This was a awesome Christmas this year, and I am thankful and happy with all I got. Merry Christmas to you, too, and have a Happy New Year!” (M.) Thanks again for reaching out to others in our community and county. It’s almost Angel Tree time again! On Sunday, November 25, there will be a tree filled with tags for you to choose and register, so we know who is responsible for what gifts and food. Then you get to enjoy shopping! We ask that you bring back the gifts no later than December 10, so we have time to get everything ready for delivery. We’ll have volunteers on hand November 25 (and the following Sundays as names and needs last) to answer any questions you have. Thanks again for your generosity!
Here’s What Our Kids Are Learning PreSchool November: Bottom Line: I can thank God for everything. Key Question: Who can you thank for everything? Memory Verse: I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. Psalm 111:1, ESV December: Bottom Line: God gave us Jesus. Key Question: How do we know God loves us? Memory Verse: God has given a son to us. Isaiah 9:6, NCV January: Bottom Line: Jesus can do anything. Key Question: Who can do anything? Memory Verse: With God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26, NIV
Elementary November: Week 1 Bottom Line: Celebrate what God has done. Week 2 Bottom Line: Adjust your attitude. Week 3 Bottom Line: Say thank you. Week 4 Bottom Line: Always be grateful. Memory Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIRV
DECEMber: Week 1 Bottom Line: Because God gave, I can give. Week 2 Bottom Line: Don’t miss your chance to give. Week 3 Bottom Line: Look for creative ways to give. Week 4 Bottom Line: God gave us Jesus. Week 5 Bottom Line: Give like you’re giving to God. Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 6:18, NIRV
January: Week 1 Bottom Line: Practice hearing and doing what God says. Week 2 Bottom Line: Practice praying to God. Week 3 Bottom Line: Practice talking to God. Week 4 Bottom Line: Practice living for God. Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 4:8, NIRV
Student Ministry Summer Trips Jr. High CIY MIX June 3-7, 2018 Lake of the Ozarks High School CIY MOVE June 25-30, 2018 Holland, MI More details to come!
3 Ways to Serve Your Neighbors This Christmas Make a special treat for your neighbors. Hot chocolate mix with a peppermint stick, pumpkin bread, jam, sugar cookies, hand-decorated/handwritten card, a Christmas tree ornament, or anything personal that you can deliver. Keep it simple. Many people are watching what they eat over the holidays, so it can be a non-food item. Sharing a small gift is a connection point when you get to greet your neighbor face-to-face. Host a Christmas party and invite your neighbors. Ask everyone to bring something. Again, keep it simple and share appetizers or put together the fixings for a baked potato or taco bar. A simple breakfast buffet is a lighter option. Watch a Christmas movie together or play a couple games. Keep it to 2-3 hours because it’s a busy time for most everyone. Adopt a family in need. Get together with a couple of neighbors and commit to shopping for several Angel Tree or other children. Perhaps there’s a family in the neighborhood who has had a rough year. Whether it’s simple gifts, stockings for everyone in the family, or groceries for a couple of holiday meals, you’ll find joy in serving alongside others as you meet needs.
Taylorville Christian Church 1124 N. Webster Taylorville IL 62568 217.824.6621 TaylorvilleChristian.com office@taylorvillechristian.com Ministry Staff: James C. Jones Lead Minister james.jones @taylorvillechristian.com Ken Manning Worship/Seniors Minister ken.manning @taylorvillechristian.com Zach Crowley Youth Minister zach.crowley @taylorvillechristian.com LeAnn Jones Children’s Minister leann.jones @taylorvillechristian.com Support Staff: Steve Basham Ministry Assistant steve.basham @taylorvillechristian.com Debbie Frye Administrative Assistant deb.frye@taylorvillechristian.com Susan Lawrence Small Groups/Communications susan.lawrence @taylorvillechristian.com Shelby Smith Contemporary Worship Coordinator shelby.smith @taylorvillechrisitan.com Susan Boyd Custodian