The
Love God. Love others.
C
onnection Spring 2016
Sunday Worship Services: 9:00 a.m. (Blended) 10:30 a.m. (Contemporary)
Straight Answers by James Jones In John 3, a religious leader named Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. The point of the visit is a bit diffi-
cult to decipher. Nicodemus opens the conversation by laying out what he and the other religious leaders had decided about Jesus. They had seen the things that Jesus had done, and they had determined that Jesus had been sent from God. It almost feels like Nicodemus wanted to ask some kind of question, but his words just trailed off. But Jesus had a response. It had little to do with Nicodemus’ comment, but it was what he needed to hear. (John 3:3 NIV) Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Huh? Nicodemus wasn’t talking about the kingdom or trying to enter it, but Jesus knew that Nicodemus wasn’t worried about entering the kingdom of God, because he thought he was an insider. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a religious expert, a teacher, a member of the Sanhedrin, a ruler. If anyone was on the inside, it was this man. He had everything going for him. But Jesus said to Nicodemus that he was so far from what God was doing that he needed to start over. He was so messed up that there was no fixing him. The only thing to do was to start over. But here again, Nicodemus was confused. The word that Jesus used for “again,” could also mean “from above,” so Nicodemus wanted to know whether Jesus meant that he should be born again, which was impossible, or whether this was some spiritual truth that he wasn’t grasping. Jesus’ response? He told Nicodemus that he needed to be born of water and the spirit, and then Jesus said these words: (John 3:7-8 NIV) “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” The wind blows where it pleases? Again, Jesus’ language confuses Nicodemus because “sprit” and “wind” were the same word. Nicodemus is left trying to figure out what Jesus wanted. We like straight answers. In this political season, it is a compliment to say that this candidate or that gives “straight answers.” But Jesus didn’t always give straight answers, and it was often because Jesus wanted people to grapple with his teachings and come to the truth on their own. He wanted Nicodemus, this man who considered himself an expert on matters religious, to be forced to work through all that he was saying, hoping that he would finally realize that what Jesus wanted him to do was start over with God. Sometimes, we want God to give us the straight answers, and we get frustrated when we don’t get them. We want to know why bad things happen, and we want to know why we have to face death. We want to know which job to take or whether it’s time to go back to school. We want a straight answer, but sometimes the answer comes back to us, “The wind blows wherever it pleases,” and we have to grapple with the truth that our all-powerful, always-loving God wants us to do a little of the hard work on our own.
Current Sermon Series:
Upcoming Sermon Series: Brand New: How Jesus Changes Everything New Freedom New Life New Spirit New Hope New Creation New Relationship New Strength New Confidence
Listen to sermons online at taylorvillechristian.com Connect and stay updated on Facebook at Facebook.com/taylorvillechristianchurch
Love God.
Responsible Financial Stewardship by Adam Mathias, CPA, PFS, CVA We have a responsibility to manage our financial affairs according to God’s plan. Of course, tithing is one element of this equation. However, we also have a responsibility to manage our household finances. If we are consumed by the stress caused by out of control spending habits and unmanageable debts, can we give God our focus and the attention that he deserves? If you are stressed out about your household finances, don’t delay in taking action. Now is the time to take a closer look at your spending habits. Start tracking your expenses and look at ways you can reduce discretionary spending (such as travel, meals, entertainment, and clothing). Then, develop and stick to a budget, which is an important part of a sound financial plan. If you’re new to budgeting and need some help, you’re not alone. There are free tips and budget forms available at daveramsey.com. Now, let’s turn our focus to what out of control spending habits lead to: unmanageable debts. Think of debt as a cancer. You must first eliminate the spreading of it, then you must eradicate it. Develop a budget that includes an aggressive plan to eliminate debt. One popular method for eliminating debt is called snowballing. Under this method, you identify and pay off your smallest debt first, while making the minimum payment on your other debts. Once this debt is paid off, you will have even more money available to target your second smallest debt. The snowball grows with each debt that you eliminate. As you are working your way through these steps, try to remember that “no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)
Let’s Celebrate New Beginnings!
Baptisms
Transfers
Bill Siders, Sr. Ardella Siders Carol Miller Zack Minix
Delores Brawner Donnis Marcellus Connie Downs
Love others.
Love Does, Do You? Many small groups are launching into a study of Bob Goff’s Love Does. Your involvement in a small group doesn’t determine your commitment to “doing” love. Each of us is responsible for living alongside others with God’s love. God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son (John 3:16). God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him (1 John 4:6). Love is active. We receive love, and we respond to it by loving others. Consider the following verses and be challenged to connect to others--those in the church and those outside the church walls, those you know and those you don’t, those you are comfortable with and those who stretch your faith. Connect with God’s love. Be at peace with each other (Mark 9:50). Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10). Stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13). Instruct one another (Romans 15:14). Wash one another’s feet (John 13:14). Serve one another (Galatians 5:13). Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other (Galatians 5:26). Carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Be kind and compassionate to each other (Ephesians 4:32). Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21). Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another (Colossians 3:13). Make your love increase and overflow for each other (I Thessalonians 3:12). Build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Don’t grumble against each other (James 5:9). Pray for each other (James 5:16). Love each other deeply (1 Peter 4:8).
Several groundbreaking events occurred in the first half of the academic year at VisionWay Christian School. First, the Mission Fair focus this year stirred the hearts of the students and resulted in the best ever Missions offering to date. During the week of November 2-7, 2015, students learned about living conditions of students across the globe in the impoverished village of Lamu, Kenya, and gave generously by raising $2,550 to sponsor five children living there for an entire year. The VCS students have begun corresponding with the sponsored children through email and hand-written letters and will continue to do so throughout this school year. Second, for the first time ever, the student body at VCS participated in Hour of Code, an international incentive to introduce computer science and teach the basics of computer coding to students. On Wednesday, December 9, 2015, all VCS students, kindergarten through high school, were able to learn code for one hour. Youth Minister Zach Crowley joined the high school students as they wrote code, and our State Representative Avery Bourne joined the 2nd-5th grade students. In addition, VisionWay was chosen as a highlighted school in central Illinois by the founders of Hour of Code and were featured on their website. VCS participation in Hour of Code also made the news, as the event was mentioned in the Breeze Courier and the State Journal-Register.
How Can You Help? It takes a small army of volunteers to make Sunday services and activities run smoothly at Taylorville Christian Church, and we need your help! Because of the schedule change to two services, we’re asking everyone to recommit (or commit for the first time) to specific service times and volunteer responsibilities. Below is a brief overview of opportunities. COMMUNION PREPARERS—Prepare communion trays on Friday or Saturday for Sunday’s services. Serve for one month at a time. COMMUNION SERVERS—Pass communion trays throughout the congregation during a worship service. Twelve servers are needed per service. VIDEO TECH—Control media and basic lighting during a worship service. SOUND TECH—Monitor sound for vocals and instruments and record sermons during a worship service. HOST/HOSTESS—Welcome people as they arrive to a worship service, distribute bulletins, and help people find information and locations they need. NURSERY CAREGIVERS—Care for infants to plant early seeds of faith and allow their parents to attend worship services. PRE-K CAREGIVERS—Care for and teach young children through lessons, play, and conversations. K-5th SMALL GROUP LEADER—Teach and guide elementary students through worship, discussions, and activities. K-5th WORSHIP CHECK-IN—Welcome and interact with parents and children as they check in for K-5th worship. YOUTH SPONSOR—Connect with and encourage youth as they grow in their faith. Lincoln Christian University
Christian Women’s Conference April 27, 2016
with storyteller Michele Cushatt popular speaker and musician, Dr. Dinelle Frankland Contact the Church Office or LincolnChristian.edu for more information. Intentional Church Conference First Christian Church, Decatur April 23, 2016 with Tim Harlow and J.K. Jones, plus breakout sessions. Contact the Church Office or IntentionalChurchConference.com for more information.
When the Flood Waters Recede Our area recently experienced unprecedented flooding. Many people in our area had damaged or destroyed property. Some lost family and friends. People jumped in to help, providing financial support, meals, and hands willing to clean up, move, and begin to rebuild and heal. But the rebuilding and healing process doesn’t happen when the flood waters recede. It lasts much longer. There are still many needs, and you can reach out by contacting Midland United Methodist Church. Beyond the floods, consider what needs might still exist in people’s lives after a crisis, death, or struggle. Consider people who you’ve helped in the past who might appreciate your willingness to check in with them. Even when time has passed, the healing process continues. Who has experienced a death in the last several years, or perhaps even longer than that? Who made it through their cancer treatments? Who went through a financial crisis? How might they still be struggling, perhaps not with the same things but with new challenges and questions? How can you help? Make a phone call. Send a text. Write a note. Deliver a meal. Find a way to show you care, that you’re willing to do life alongside someone. You don’t need to know all the details. Perhaps the person isn’t ready or willing to share with you. Reach out to them anyway just to say, “I care, and I’m here.” We often want to do something in order to help others, so when we don’t know exactly what we should do, we stand back and do nothing. Sometimes reaching out and making contact is enough. Just because a crisis has passed doesn’t mean people no longer need you. They just may not be able to say it. Don’t wait for someone to reach out to you. Extend a willing hand and heart.
Missions Spotlight: Tim and Elizabeth Harrison Tim and Elizabeth met at Lincoln Christian College (LCC) while preparing to work cross-culturally, and married in 2004. After finishing at LCC, both went to nursing school in southern Illinois. During this time Tim worked in youth ministry and Elizabeth in healthcare. Tim and Elizabeth joined New Misions Systems International (NMSI) in December 2009. Both Tim and Elizabeth had long felt God’s general call to missions in their lives. God led Tim to preaching and discipleship, and Elizabeth discovered a passion for caring for others as well as health education. Until 2009, neither knew where God would use these gifts and passions. During their time of training at NMSI, Tim and Elizabeth sought God’s direction through prayer and counsel with NMSI staff as to where they might best use their gifts. They were led to serve with Africa Hope, Kenya, and joined that ministry in January 2011 after building their partnership team. Tim is working in Africa Hope’s church ministry program. His focus is on church planting, discipleship, and leadership development among rural church leaders. Elizabeth is working with Africa Hope’s health development. She is using Community Health Evangelism (CHE) in rural Maasai areas to promote holistic health and educate on nutrition, maternal health, childhood diseases, and environmental health. Faith (4/12) joined the Harrison family in May 2012.
Beginning February 7th, children’s programming (K-5th) will take place in the Activity Center. This will allow for a more secure environment and a more engaging, dynamic experience for children. Please remember the following changes in procedures: • Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade must check-in with their parent at the entrance of the Activity Center (gym). • At that time, the student will be given a Child Name Tag that must be worn for the entire service. • The parent will receive a Parent Tag, which will be needed in order to pick up their child at the end of the service. • When the main worship service is over, parents can proceed into the Activity Center to pick up their child. Upon leaving the Activity Center with your child, a Children’s Ministry staff member or volunteer will check your Parent Tag and your child’s Name Tag to ensure that each child is being released to the correct adult. Children cannot enter or leave the Activity Center (gym) without their parent present.
8:00 a.m.
Into God’s Word Sunday School Class Led by Jim Nuelle Location: Library Currently studying sacred gifts and holy gatherings (Exodus, Leviticus, Song of Solomon, John, and Matthew).
8:00 a.m.
9:00 a.m.
Ladies Sunday School Class Led by Gina Thompson Location: Fellowship Hall
Men’s Fraternity: Winning at Work and at Home Led by Bill Siders, Sr. Location: Library
After the current study on Joy, the class will choose the next topic. Contact Gina or the church office for more information.
A study that challenges men to step forward and meet their responsibilities.
Ministry Spotlight: Welcome Ministry Greeting people as they enter the church building is more than a handshake and a smile. It is an opportunity to express God’s love through Christ and help set the tone for the upcoming worship service. Church Hosts have more of an impact than they think. -EvangelismCoach.org
First impressions are lasting impressions. As a church we all need to be “Hosts,” welcoming everyone into the church as we would welcome them into our homes. This may come more naturally to some; however, we all need to practice hospitality to guests. We can all improve and make more warm, authentic efforts to pay attention, smile, and welcome people, whether it is their first time or twentieth time to TCC. Welcoming guests starts the minute people pull into the parking lot. Can they park close to the building, or are those spaces already taken? Do they know which is the MAIN entrance, where they will be able to immediately find the information and direction they need, where they can grab a cup of coffee, stand and talk to someone who is willing to share with them, or do they follow people into a more narrow hallway that isn’t quite as easy to maneuver for first-timers? Are there signs to point them in the right direction, or do they have to continue to ask, week after week, because they are still getting used to the bends, curves, and many hallways of the building? They need to know where to the Worship Center is, where they can check in their children, and where they can find restrooms. It seems easy for those of us who have moved through the building for years. For newcomers, our building can be confusing. Many people volunteer to serve as Hosts on Sunday mornings. Their responsibilities include: • Looking around the Welcome Center and making sure it is tidy and comfortable, reading to welcome people. • Greeting people, both adults and children, by name whenever possible. • Smiling and being willing to answer questions and give directions. • Seeking out guests following worship services and asking them if they have any questions. • Thanking people for coming and encouraging them as they leave. If you’d like to serve as a Host, please contact Jennifer Franklin (824-7433) or the Church Office. But even if you don’t serve as a Host, challenge yourself to stay alert on Sunday mornings. Notice who might be new or need help. Introduce yourself. Even if they have been attending for many months but you’ve never crossed paths with them, it’s okay to introduce yourself and meet someone who is new to you and still needs to make friends and become familiar with TCC!
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 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 Mike Profeta Jr. High Youth mike.profeta @taylorvillechristian.com Beth Piatt Early Childhood beth.piatt @taylorvillechristian.com Susan Boyd Custodian