First Baptist

CROSSINGS July 2020

As I write this article, we are doing our week of summer lunches. The number of lunches we have served has been significantly larger than

the first few weeks. Thanks to Judy McDowell and Linda Swartz for their leadership, and thanks to the volunteers, including our youth group, who have served. You have truly been the hands and feet of Jesus to our community.

The list of cancellations continues to grow, including our trip to the Christian Activity Center. While we may not go as a church, they can still use our help. They need some willing people to come down to mow and trim. If you're interested, please contact me. They also need masks, hand sanitizer and gloves. If you would like to help, bring items to the church on Thursday or Friday afternoons and mark them for the CAC.

Now that we are moving into phase 4 of the state reopening plan, we are able to have gatherings up to 50 people, which means we can resume services with some restrictions. However, we have not had people volunteer to fill needed roles in order to make reopening possible. We have several vital roles and they are all simple functions. If you would like to help make reopening happen, contact me and I can

give you a rundown of what is needed. When we have met all of the guidelines for reopening and we have the needed people in place, we will announce a date for in-person services. We will continue to stream services even after we reopen, so anyone who is at risk or is uncomfortable gathering can continue to worship with us.

Many thanks to Jeremy Vang and Adam Krause for all their work in making our streaming services happen each week. They have worked very hard to prepare and present high-quality worship services. I appreciate all they have done and continue to do.

Please stay tuned for updates and stay safe and healthy. Wear those masks and wash your hands! In Christ, Brian “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1 NIV

1

YOUTH News & views

Meet one of our youth: My name is Lindsay Weiss and I am going to be a senior in high school. I have been a member of First Baptist

Church for a long time and I have been in FBC youth group since I was in 6th grade.

I enjoy coming to youth group because it is a fun environment that combines learning about Jesus with fun things like games and trips. My favorite trip that we take every year is SKWIM, which is a youth weekend get-away in January that combines skiing and swimming.

My favorite hobbies are ice skating and music. I enjoy singing and playing guitar, and I also love being in theatre productions. That is another I also love about youth group; the Christmas play we do each is year always fun to participate in. Meet one of our youth leaders:

I am Abby Heckman. I was born and raised in southern Indiana. I work as a land planner.

I enjoy serving with the youth because they are a fun group. They bring a different perspective to conversations about Christ and I hope my perspective helps prepare them to talk to others about Christ. I’m glad I have the opportunity to listen to their concerns and accomplishments, and to pray for them.

Upcoming in July: Note – these plans are based upon the safe opening of the church to groups using the building. More details/adjustments will follow for each event. Wed. July 1 – Pool Party at Hobbs (6:00 – 8:00PM) Sun. July 5, 12, 19, 26– Financial Foundations Bible Study – TBD method (12:15 -1:15PM) Wed. July 8 – Movie night at FBC (6:00 – 8:30PM) Sun. July 12 – Graduation Sunday Celebration – TBD Method Wed. July 15 – Progressive Dinner and Wii Bowling – Location TBD (6:00 – 8:00PM) Wed. July 22 – Movie Night at FBC (6:00 – 8:30PM) Wed. July 29 – Water Game Night and Pizza at FBC (6:00 – 8:00PM)

Children & Youth Activities

Youth Schedule (grades 6-12): Meeting various locations on Wednesdays with worship, games, prayer time and various

Bible studies from 6:30 to 8:00 PM. Fran Street, Brian Romanowski, Bruce Swartz, Jenny Weiss, Abby Heckman and Pat Theobald provide adult leadership. Dan Theobald and Jeremy Vang provide music leadership. The youth group is currently using YouthTreks Intersection Curriculum.

Kids’ Club Schedule (grades K-5): Meeting over Zoom for a lesson, which uses the Gospel Project curriculum, activities, and prayer time, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Amy Krause, Helen Murphy, Linda Swartz and Pat Theobald provide adult leadership.

Sunday Mornings: Youth Study: Financial Foundations Bible Study Adult Study: Liturgy of the Ordinary (book)

Life Groups

First Baptist Church of Mahomet currently has three small groups meeting, all of which are open to new members. The dates and times are as follows:

Sundays @6 p.m. (Meets 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month) This small group is currently studying Letters to the Church by Francis Chan. It is normally led by Bruce Swartz, with Dan Theobald and Phil Labno subbing in as necessary, and meets over Zoom. If you are not currently a member of a small group and are interested in joining, please contact Bruce at (217) 369-0912 or at bswartz105@sbcglobal.net. Thursdays @7 p.m. (Meets every other week) This small group is studying The Quest by Beth Moore, which seeks to promote greater intimacy with God as participants discuss deeper questions of faith. The group is led by Pastor Brian Romanowski and meets in Judy M’s garage/driveway. If you are not currently a member of a small group and are interested in joining, please contact Brian at (309) 826-8116 or at bs.romanowski@gmail.com. Fridays @7 p.m. (Meets weekly, except the first Friday of the month) This small group is studying Proverbs. It alternates meeting on the Krauses’ and Vangs’ back patios. If you are not currently a member of a small group and are interested in joining, please contact Adam at (630) 991-3895 or at askrause91@gmail.com.

2

Ministries Each month, Helping Hands provides food and other items for people in need in Mahomet. Our church participates by providing sugar. Our goal each month is 100 lbs. of sugar, dish soap, and shampoo. God bless you for giving generously!

New Commandment Ministry is a group of volunteers who help with projects within the church family as well as outside the church. This is an outreach ministry. If you are interested in helping, have a need, or know someone with a need, please contact Jeremy Rexroad at (217) 649-9810 or Brian Romanowski at the church for information.

Happy Birthday!

3 Jack Ware 7 Maxine Leffler 16 Steve Street 18 Katie Fritz 19 Jonathan Fritz 28 Neva Ann Swartz

Happy Anniversary!

3 Doug & Molly Waldman 6 Brian & Julie Romanowski 17 Linda & Gilbert Mills

Missions CAC Trip Cancelled

The CAC (Christian Activities Center) work trip has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation.

Social Media Outreach First Baptist Church of Mahomet is trying to expand our web presence so that we can reach more people in our community! If you would like to help do that or if you just like to get updates about what’s happening at the church, like our page and share it with your friends. Here are our profiles: Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstbaptistchurchmahomet/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FBCMahomet Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fbcmahomet

Important Dates July 4 Independence Day July 12 Graduation Sunday

Pray for Our Church Family, Praise & Thanksgiving

Pray for Our Church Family, Praise & Thanksgiving

…Rosemary H – Brother has knee surgery coming up …Bruce S – Roger L as he battles cancer and other health concerns.

– For Leland Collins who has blood disorder, doctors haven’t been able to diagnose

– For Bob H. He’s back home and doctors are adjusting his medications …Pastor Brian – For Joan Yecny, back at Asta Care but still recovering, lost a lot of weight

– For Olivia B as she continues to deal with health issues

– For healthcare workers dealing with Covid-19 and for grieving family members who’ve lost loved ones

– For places where hospitals are overwhelmed with Covid cases …Catherine A – Praise that MIL Julie had kidney replacement surgery and is doing well. Pray that her body accepts the kidney and recovers well. …Ann P – Praise that granddaughter Savannah’s surgery went well. Prayers for recovery. …Roger L – For Dan Johnson, who had a stroke, is doing reasonably well, but is still struggling …Pat M – For daughter, Heather, still dealing with health issues …Fran S – For God’s direction in search for Student Ministries Director

– For sister, Mary Linda, who is transitioning to assisted living …Judy H – For great-granddaughter recovering from heart surgery …Chip K – For Chip and Cherry on strict lockdown in Kenya. For protection from Covid-19. For African farmers dealing with locust swarm. For protection from locusts. …Julie R – For neighbor Sandy who had knee surgery

– For nephew, Jacob, with relationship issues …Sue H -- For Leonard, who has health issues, and his wife Suzy …Judy M – Praise for members who help with meals, care calls, transportation, prayers, and moral support of

3

those in need …Leah V – For corona virus victims and their families …June W – Has been diagnosed with lesions on lung & liver. Has elected not to have treatment. …Donna H – For Tiffany McNeely, who has cancer …Abby H – For children who count on meals from schools but are home due to Covid-19 …Linda M – For Gilbert, on dialysis, and for wisdom, strength, & endurance for Linda as she cares for him and does his home daily dialysis.

Pray for RETIREMENT, NURSING HOME RESIDENTS, the HOMEBOUND

Betty Armstrong, Mary Rexroad, Maxine Leffler, Judy Harris, Bob & Joan Yecny, Paul DeMoss (Jane’s husband), Dottie Walls

Pray for MISSIONS AND MISSONARIES

Jon & Amanda Good and their four children, Hungary Staff at CAC (Christian Activity Center) East St. Louis Chip & Chari Kingsbury, Kenya, Africa Larry & Becky Stanton and three daughters, Hungary Scott & Tan Coats & family, serving in Thailand/Myanmar. Ruth Vindas serving in San Jose, Costa Rica Doug & Patti Magnuson, serving in Amman, Jordan. Sharon G., serving in North Korea Corenne & Philip Smith, serving street children in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Pray for College Students

Nate Douglas, Logan Weiss, Matthew Ziegler, Anna Ziegler, Hannah Schwaiger, Leah Bice, Brette Dow, Natalie Douglas, Valerie Brooks

US and International Prayer

…Lori & Matt Mann, development workers in Laos …Rachel (Street)/ Jacob Way teaching in China, waiting on word for return …Our leaders: Federal, state & local, firemen & policemen

The following have cancer:

Tiffany M, Roger L, Lucky Ray, Brenda, Beth, Ann C., Tammy Konold, Gary’s daughter, Lora Thomas, Chris & Kenneth Albin, Patty, Carrie, Laura Bice, Michael Welch, Robin Eslinger, Valerie Bloomberg, Susan Florentino, Robert, Erin, Pat Wodka, Jennifer, Shelly Fouss, Gina Hern, Bernadette, Bobi Goodpastor, Shelby Horn, Chris Stevens, Tim, Jeremy’s boss’s son-in-law, Uncle John, Aaron, Ann Reynolds, Tina, Carol Ware’s nephew, Bob Hayward, Tyrone Phillips, Dawn, Melissa, Cheryl, Bob Gifford

(PRAY for their families and caregivers, too)

GOD’S PLAN FOR SALVATION We need God’s forgiveness – Romans 3:23

Salvation & Eternal Life – Romans 6:23 God’s Love & Salvation – Romans 5:8

Calling Upon God – Romans 10:13 Confess Jesus as Savior – Romans 10:9

First Baptist Church of Mahomet

Pastor Brian Romanowski

Ted Walker – Custodian Michelle Baker – Church Administrator First Baptist Address: 402 S. Elm Street / PO Box 196 Mahomet, IL 61853 FBC Telephone: 217-586-3304 FBC Fax: 217-586-2747 FBC e-mail: fbcmahomet@gmail.com

4

July 2020

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday *Because COVID precautions mean we will not be volunteering on Sundays as usual, the volunteer schedule has temporarily been replaced with a calendar of the silly holidays found in July and suggestions for how you can celebrate them to

make July a little more fun.

1

Joke Day: Find some

corny jokes to share with

someone.

2 3

Eat Your Beans Day:

Chow down on some baked

beans, peanut butter, or hummus.

4

5

Hawaii Day: Listen to

some Hawaiian music, eat

some pineapple.

6

Fried Chicken Day: Fry some up yourself or order out

from somewhere

yummy!

7

Straw-berry

Sundae Day:

Indulge in some fancy ice cream.

8 9

Sugar Cookie

Day: Get baking!

Consider sharing with

your neighbor.

10

Kitten Day: Find some cute kitten videos/

pictures to share with your loved

ones.

11

Cheer Up the Lonely

Day: Contact someone who lives

alone.

12

Paper Bag Day: Make something

out of paper bags: a 3D

star, sunflower, or wreath!

13

French Fry Day: Figure

out who makes your fav. type of

fry—string? Wedge? Curly?

Waffle?

14

Cow Apprecia-tion Day: Go for a

drive in the country. Count as

many cows as you can.

15

Give Something Away Day:

Time to pass it on to

someone who might

enjoy it more.

16

Corn Fritters Day: Use

fresh corn to make

some fritters.

17 18

World Listening Day: Call a

friend and let them chat while you

listen and ask good

questions. 19

Ice Cream Day: Get some ice

cream from a drive-thru

and eat outside.

20

Moon Day: Ironically a new moon

day. Gaze at the moonless

sky.

21 22

Hammock Day: Spend sometime

outside in a hammock or lawn chair.

23

Refresh-ment Day: Enjoy some

cold lemonade or

ice tea.

24

Drive-Thru Day: Support a local business by using their

drive-thru/curbside

service.

25

Day of the Cowboy:

Wear your favorite plaid

shirt and jeans combo.

26

Parent’s Day: Hire a babysitter and take a few hours

off. Call your own parents.

27

Love Is Kind Day: Do

something kind for

someone else.

28

Milk Chocolate

Day: Indulge in

a chocolate treat.

29

Lasagna Day: Enjoy this Italian

favorite.

30

Day of Friendship: Text, call, or send a note

to your friends.

31

Get Gnarly Day: Do

something a bit outside of your comfort

zone.

5

A B C *K *M *N

D E F *O *R *S

G H I *T *U *V

n

Recipe of the Month

Dill Dip By Beverly Wrench

1 Tbsp. minced onion 1 tsp salt 1 Tbsp. parsley flakes 1 pt. sour cream 1 tsp dill ¾ cups real mayo

Mix together all ingredients and chill overnight. Serve with cut vegetables or fries.

PUZZLE TIME! Solve the puzzle using the key below to complete the verse that Jesus quoted from Psalm 22.

__ y __ __ __ , __ y __ __ __ , w __ y __ __ __ __ y __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __? W __ y __ __ __ y __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ , __ __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ y __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ ?

6