The Karusograph

Volume 57 February 2015 Issue 2Volume 57 February 2015 Issue 2Volume 57 February 2015 Issue 2Volume 57 February 2015 Issue 2

www.clintonfcc.comwww.clintonfcc.comwww.clintonfcc.comwww.clintonfcc.com

A ministry of

A Great Evening of Fellowship and Feasting First Christian Church - Family Life Center

Monday, February 9, 2015 at 6:30 pm

Bring your favorite wild game dish to share.

If you can’t bring a wild game dish, please bring a vegetable or dessert.

Bring your mounts or pictures for display

Guest Speaker

Also: Representatives from Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Pheasants Forever will be present.

Deer Elk

Goose Pheasant

Duck Fish

Quail Wild Turkey

TheGospelAccordingtoGreg

GregTaylor

greg@clintonfcc.com

On Sunday January 18, I mentioned during morning services we were recognizing Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and we encouraged families to take a baby bottle and participate in the New Life Pregnancy Center’s “Change for Life” campaign. This month, I’m not sharing any announcements but rather telling you two stories I believe reinforce why the battle for life is so crucial. Since 1973, over 57 million legal abortions have occurred in the land of the free – a statistic that is both overwhelming and heartbreaking.

Let’s begin with the story of Christian missionaries Bob and Pam – ministering in the Philippines when Pam discovered she was pregnant. It was discovered she had contracted amoebic dysentery, an infection of the intestine caused by a parasite found in contaminated food or drink. Shortly after this was discovered, Pam entered a coma. The treatment for the medical condition required strong medications that could cause irreversible damage to her unborn son and potentially leave him with devastating disabilities and doctors advised her to have an abortion.

Pam refused the abortion – citing her Christian faith as the reason for her hope that her son would be born without the devastating disabilities physicians had predicted. And even though she spent the final two months of her pregnancy on strict bed rest, she eventually gave birth to a completely healthy baby in August of 1987. And who is this young man today some 27 years later you may ask? He is none other than Tim Tebow – Heisman trophy winner and quarterback of the two time national champion University of Florida Gators. Former N.Y. Giant Chris Godfrey shudders to think of the millions of Tim Tebow’s who aren’t here today. “You just have to wonder how many good things did not come into our world because of our unwillingness to say ‘YES’ and to trust in God,” he said.

TheGospelAccordingtoGreg

Continued

“Of the 56 million plus who never lived to realize their potential, imagine the number of future leaders, inventors, doctors – and yes, even Heisman trophy winners – are among them,” said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. “I pray that the Tebow’s story helps persuade other women of the inherent value of their unborn children and the great promise that lies within.”

I never tire of hearing that story and the reminder that each abortion stops a beating heart – and ends a human life before it ever begins. The second story is even more personal – here goes:

Some of you may know that my birthday is July 23, 1969 and I was born in nearby Carle Hospital in Urbana. Many of you know my mother Dorothy or remember my father Jim who passed away five years ago this month – what a blessing they were to me! What you may not know, however, is that I am adopted. My birth mother, someone I’ve never met, gave me up for adoption shortly after my birth. I don’t know the reasons why, and really don’t even think about it – I’m just so thankful God provided wonderful Christian parents for me.

But, here is the point. I was born in the summer of 1969 – three and a half years before abortion was legalized in the U.S. What if abortion had been legal in 1968? What decision would my birth mother have made if “choice” were an option? I will never know the answer to that question, but I am sure thankful for the gift of life! And here is where my mind goes next – how many other possible preachers or youth ministers or missionaries or elders or Bible teachers never saw the light of day because of abortion?

I realize abortion is the law of the land, and probably always will be. But my prayer is that followers of Jesus will unashamedly embrace this simple truth: Every life matters. Every. Single. One. Have a great month – blessings to you! GT

Kent’sKomments

The American Funeral - Part I

Useless Tradition for the Dead

or

Useful Therapy for the Living? By Max R. Hickerson

Why do we have a funeral? Is the funeral a useless relic of the past or has it become a custom because it serves a human need? We feel the latter is the case. Society has developed and maintained this practice for many reasons.

To Honor the Departed

A funeral service and the night of visitation gives us one way to “pay our respects.” In essence, we say, “This person who has died was significant in my life. This death leaves a void. While I’m sad, I’m also glad to honor my friend.” We do not seek to deify the deceased, but show respect and honor.

To Help the Family Accept Reality

The funeral service helps those who grieve accept the reality of death. They know it happened. But a part of their mind rejects it, runs away from it. This service takes them gently by the hand and turns them to face it. And having faced it, having viewed it, things are easier. And they continue to be easier (though it may not seem so at the time) as the arrangements have them talking with sympathetic friends at the visitation and funeral service.

SpecialPrayerRequests *Indicates new name

Cassie Aldema

Hadley Rae Bruning

Della Cooper*

Florene Fisher*

Richard Foley

Sharon Gardner*

Diana Golden

Merla Hickerson

Alex Jette*

Dr. Keith Ray

Danny Shofner*

Martin Thacker*

Joenie Walters (infant)

Kents Komments continued

To Comfort The Bereaved

Bereavement comes because of the breaking of human

relationships. Our Lord wept. Grief is human. Unburdening

ourselves seems to make room for courage. As surely as sharing

joy increases joy, expressing and sharing grief lightens grief.

Those closest to the deceased urgently need the assurance that

their friends care. We bring comfort by our presence, by sending

flowers or making a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers, by

writing a warm personal letter of condolence and perhaps by

providing food for the family. All such actions show we care. All

such deeds are a comfort. And, God conveys His comfort, too,

especially through His Holy Word: “Fear not, I am with thee; O

be not dismayed, For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid.”

New Life Pregnancy Center Baby Bo"le Campaign

Please take a baby bo�le from the crib in the foyer,

fill it with your change, cash or a check & return to

the church. Your dona�on will help many women

and save precious lives.

“Donotbeanxiousaboutanything,butineverything,byprayerandpetition,

withthanksgiving,presentyourrequeststoGod.”Philippians4:6

Manor Court/Liberty Village 1 Park Lane, Clinton, IL 61727

Theda Adams

Donna Arnold

Hazel Benz Thomas E. Bray

Mildred Burns

Betty Burris

Larry Chapman

Helen Dorrell Steve Ferguson

Nadean Gambrel Marie Jackson

Gene Jones

Betty Kyle

Elaine Leisner Ray Martin

Wilma Mestinsek

Margaret Murphy Dora Neal Helen Polley

Linda Reed

Norma Reilly

Louise Smith

Georgia Sobolewski Virginia Stein

Kathy Strange

Treva Torbert Dale Turney Juanita Turney

Shirley Utterback

Allan Webb

Hawthorne Inn/Liberty Village

(Supportive Living) 1 Park Lane, Clinton, IL 61727

Evergreen Place

Evergreen Place 4825 E. Evergreen Ct. Legacy #1

Decatur, IL 62521

Helen Riddle

Aspen Ridge Care Center 2530 N. Monroe, Decatur, IL 62526

Shirley Thompson

Bonnie Breeze

Fair Havens Christian Home 1790 S Fairview Ave, Decatur, IL 62521

Charles Coonce

Paradise Valley Retirement Community 11645 N 25th Pl., Apt. D128

Phoenix, AZ 85028

Colleen Stephens

Apt. # is required on her address

Good Samaritan 20705 W 151st St. Room 217-B

Olathe, KS 66061

June Cheatham

McKinley Court Care Centre 500 W McKinley Ave

Decatur, IL 62656

Clarence (Bob) Hubbell Genevieve Farnsworth - Room 315

Farmer City Rehab & Health Care Center 404 N Brookridge

Farmer City, IL 61842

Florene Burton Fisher

members&relativesofthoseatFirstChristianChurch,Clinton

Updated1–22-15

Mary Burton

Norma Hollibaugh Ike Leisner

Mildred Meeks

Betty Rogers

Ernest Thorp

Frank Thorp

Helen Thorp

Dorothy Yedtman

YoungatHeart

DavidBuck,Coordinator

Most of us don’t use our mouths for the reason God gave it to us.

There is great power and authority in words. The kind of power

depends on the kind of words. We can curse our future by speaking

evil of it, or we can bless it by speaking well of it. In this life, there are

material things we desire, and there are spiritual things we desire—

usually a mixture of both. We want to grow spiritually and be used by

God, and we want to be blessed in our material circumstances. ”Each

dawn holds a new hope for a new plan, making the start of each day

the start of a new life.” Gina Blair

Our mee�ngs will resume in March and we’ll be back to our usual

programs and trips. We’ll be looking forward to our return and joining

together in Chris�an fellowship.” Love is the only thing we can carry

with us where we go.” Louisa May Alco�

Our trips will start with Starved Rock State Park for a dinner theater

“Pure Vegas Baby” on March 23 at 11:30. It will be very entertaining.

Then in April on the 14th we’ll go to the White Pine State Park for a

show of tribute to the King of Country, George Strait. “The goodness

of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to

comprehend.” A. W. Tozer

One of the most difficult �mes for us to discipline our minds, mouths,

moods, and a=tudes is during the storm. We all experience the

storms of life in varying degrees, we all have our faith tested and tried,

and we all must learn how to behave in the storm.”…because greater

is He that is in you, than He that is in the world.” 1John 4:4

Young at Heart will not be meeting in February.

Elders Corner

Jim Taylor

Born at the Dr. John Warner Hospital, the youngest child of Bob and Betty Taylor, I was given the name James Robert Taylor. Soon after, my grandpa said I looked like a “Jim Bob”, and so I have since been called. As a young child, my family attended the Kenny Christian Church. We started going to FCC in 1978. I still remember how long the hallway to the beginner department seemed as my sister Marcia walked me in that first day. I am married to Cindy (Wilson) Taylor; we have two children in Jr. High, Emily and Kyle, as well as two pug dogs, Truffles and Louie. We live in Clinton, with my wife working in Bloomington, and I in Decatur. My kids and I were all baptized at Little Galilee, and you will find us there each Labor Day Weekend for Family Camp.

This is my second time serving as an Elder, and I have been blessed to

have served with so many good men. For the last few years I have

taught 5th grade Sunday school, teaching in a class room that was once

my Sunday school class. Kids who I have had in Sunday school would

think that my favorite verse would be Matthew 1:13 , due to my love of

the name Zerubbabel, but my favorite is John 3:16-17.

Rend Collective

February 7th, 7:00 pm

Lincoln Christian University

Ticket prices are $25, $15 & $10.

Tickets available online at iTickets.com or in the church office.

This ‘N That

1st Dorene Smith 90 years

817 E Johnson St

Clinton, IL 61727

J.P. & Rosamond Smith, on the birth of their son, Grover Pierce, born on

January 20, 2015. Proud grandparents are Ma�hew Fields and Deanna &

Tom Milanski. Proud great-grandparents are Shirley Fields, Alan & Lois

Bell and Bill and Barb Taylor.

19th Norma Reilly 94 years

Manor Court/Liberty Village

1 Park Lane

Clinton, IL 61727

12th Mildred Horn 91 years

615 North Quincy St

Clinton, IL 61727

26th Fayetta Isaac 95 years

1210 South Quincy

Clinton, IL 61727

4th Margaret Long 91 years

1011 East Main St

Clinton, IL 61727

Next Steps Update

NEXT STEPS – FIRST STEP

Exci�ng things are happening as we prepare to take our First Step of our Next

Step building renova�on plan. Adult Sunday School rooms have been

renovated and are ready for their new occupants, a movable folding par��on

will be installed in the Family Life Center and construc�on bids have been

received and evaluated. The decision has been made to move forward with

construc�on of the First Step at this �me. Those Sunday School classes

affected by the renova�on will move to their new rooms by the end of

February as we an�cipate actual renova�ons to begin by early March. At this

�me, we have enough funding to complete all of the educa�on areas of this

First Step. The lower level kitchen renova�on and the new accessible

restrooms will be completed when adequate funds have been donated for

that purpose. Please con�nue to pray for our Next Steps program and your

financial involvement.

SACRED RHYTHMS RETREAT for Men & Women Fri, Feb 27, 6 pm - Sun, March 1, 12 Noon at Little Galilee

Learn spiritual disciplines through DVD teaching & discussions

Register online at littlegalilee.com or forms are available at the information booth. Registration is $75 - limited to 16. Meals, room, book & workbook are

covered. Sign up soon!

See Sacred Rhythms Retreats Facebook page for more info!

Adult Small Groups or

Community Groups for 2015

The Story returned on January 4, 2015. Please consider being in either a community group or a Bible School class that will study along- side our Sunday morning sermons. Greg’s Sunday night group will meet at 5:45 pm, in the Lord Led Ladies room. Greg’s Wednesday night group will meet at 6 pm, also in the Lord Led Ladies room (please note the time and location change).

February 3, 2015

7:00 pm

Speaker: Andy Glass

Menu

Hamloaf with all the fixings, desserts, coffee and tea

Worship

Samuel Green

Saybrook

Christian

Church

Our Father – Part 1

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed

be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in

heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we

also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but

deliver us from the evil one.’” -Matthew 6:9-13

Many, if not all, of us have heard or read the Lord’s Prayer in our lifetime. It is more than likely the singular most well-known prayer in all of history. It sits in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount, which is also perhaps the most popular sermon ever given. And it is given by Jesus, who is the author of life and the foundation of our faith as Christians. But how often do we pray it? How often have we reflected on it? It is the central teaching on prayer in the entire Bible and is crucial to understanding God’s heart. Should we not spend more time in this passage than we do? Before we get into any kind of in-depth study of this prayer, let us spend time together praying it. My challenge to you (and myself) is to pray the Lord’s Prayer daily. Pray it when you wake up in the morning. Pray it before you fall asleep at night. Pray it in different English translations. Make it a part of your daily routine. If it is the center of God’s will, should it not also be the center of ours?

“Training the body has some value. But, being godly has value in

every way.” I Timothy 4:8

This is our memory verse for Junior Church this month and I think it is

perfect for January. Some�mes I get so caught up in ea�ng healthy,

changing bad habits that are bad for me and exercising to feel be�er.

I want to feel healthy and look healthy. All those things are the

training of my physical body. It would take persistent dedica�on and

focus to reach my goals. And Paul tells us these things are good, but

there is something be�er. Being godly. That sounds impossible. But

it is what we are to be training ourselves to be…godly. We should

make this our persistent dedica�on to know God and do what it takes

to reflect Him. It will require training in love, forgiveness, humility

and so much more. Daily training. But this will have value in EVERY

WAY. I realize I need to redirect my focus and begin my godly

training rou�ne.

Shelley’sShowcase

ShelleyLea

Shelley@clintonfcc.com

Sunday, February 1: What is Orange? 9:30 am in Family Life Center Sunday, April 12: Taking Church to Social Media Sunday, June 7: Partnering with Families of Special Needs

Y Fit 4 Life sign ups are going on NOW at the Clinton YMCA! This is a weight loss program, but can also be for those that just need more info on nutrition and exercise. We will offer daily recipes for all 3 meals plus snacks every week! We will also give you a very organized grocery list you can take to the store with everything listed that you will need for each meal. Another key part of this program is exercise! We will be offering monthly prizes. Coupons will be given to those that complete the following: 4 hours of exercise a week, weighing in 2 times a month, keeping track of your food and exercise in your journal and completing weekly challenges. We will begin February 2nd and the cost is $20 per member.

Last month I introduced you to Rachel Deavers; one of our lead volunteers

with the 2 and 3-year-old children. This month I would like for you to get to

know Judy Shaw!

TheDunkin’Pick-Me-UpWithCody

CodyMonkman

cody@clintonfcc.com

Judy joined the FCC Family in 1957. For

the last 25 years she helps with Jr

Church worship, teaches the Lord Led

Ladies Sunday school class, helps

whenever food is needed for fellowship

�me, funeral dinners, and youth

groups. Lastly, if you know Judy well

enough, you know that she loves

wri�ng le�ers and cards full of Chris�an

love and encouragement. You may

have received one yourself!

Judy has two children, Bob and Lori. Bob is married to Tricia and they have a

daughter Savannah. In Judy’s spare �me she loves to do anything with the

outdoors; especially walking and hiking, and of course…anything that allows

Judy to spend �me with Savannah, her 3 year old granddaughter.

When asked what she is most excited about at FCC she said, “I love what we

are doing right now to be�er our ministry to children. I have seen how

Orange has made what we were already doing…BETTER!” Judy went on to

say how she loves to be on the frontlines of seeing young children mature

into young Chris�an adults.

If you have a grandchild or child involved in the children’s ministries at FCC

Clinton, you need to know that your children are in the best of care. People

like Judy are passionate about working with your family, and volunteer

�relessly to make sure the Next Genera�on grows up knowing Jesus as their

Lord and Savior.

With Dunkin’ Love,

Cody

TheDunkin’Pick-Me-UpWithCody

Continued

Beginning in February, Breakfast Club will

meet on all Fridays school is in session, from

7:15 - 8:00 am in the Cable Building. All high

school and junior high students are invited

to a�end.

Reveal shirt hoodies are $12. See Cody to purchase one.

Junior High Laser Tag Lock-In

February 6-7th

7 pm - 8 am

Cost $30

Sign-up today!

New REVEAL times

5 pm - 7 pm

Join us for an evening of fellowship, worship & fun!

Hope to see you there. Invite a friend!

2015 High School Reveal Trips

Ski Trip - February 21-22, Cost $100

CIY - June 8-12

Mission Trip - July 19-26

2015 Junior High Reveal Trips

CIY Believe - March 27-28 in Springfield, IL

Mission Trip - June 22-27 in Tulsa, OK

AdventureswithAdam Adam Brucker

adam@clintonfcc.com

A few months ago I went out to my car so that I could head to church

for a mee�ng and as I got into the car, I put the key in the igni�on and

when I turned the key to start the engine, nothing happened. I am not

usually someone who allows for ample �me before I get somewhere so

I usually show up right on �me and this was a problem that was not

going to help me stay on schedule. I called someone for a ride and

decided that I was going to have to deal with this later. AOer I got

home and did some careful inves�ga�on I realized that my ba�ery was

dead. From the appearance of it, it had never been replaced and the

car was nearly 10 years old. As frustra�ng as that event was I realized

that the ba�ery was something that I didn’t really think about and

didn’t really seem all that important. I now have a much greater

respect and apprecia�on for the ba�ery in my car. Even though it is a

small part of many parts, it is crucial to the engine even star�ng.

As I thought about that par�cular circumstance I realized that is

some�mes like our rela�onship with God. We might “know” that God

is there and that he is vital to our very lives func�oning but many �mes

we take him for granted and don’t realize our need for him un�l we are

stranded. It is easy for us to cruise about life without thinking of the

very integral role that God has in our lives. I believe that is oOen why

we experience difficult �mes in our lives. Those are reminders to us

how deeply we need and depend on our God.

My challenge to you, as well as myself, is that daily we take �me out to

appreciate the great God that we serve. 1 Chronicles 16:11 says, “Look

to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” No�ce that it

doesn’t say when �mes get tough to seek God’s face. It says seek his

face always!

Blessings!

First Christia

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The Karusograph First Christia

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Information About First Christian Church

Greg Taylor Minister of Preaching & Teaching

greg@clintonfcc.com

217-853-3196

J. Kent Hickerson

Minister of Pastoral Care

217-871-3139

Adam Brucker Minister of High School, College Age & Technology

adam@clintonfcc.com

309-532-2326

Cody Monkman

Minister of Children & Jr. High

cody@clintonfcc.com

217-871-2003

Shelley Lea

Children’s Ministry Director shelley@clintonfcc.com

217-791-2270

Samuel Green

Part-Time Worship Minister samuel@clintonfcc.com

217-971-1010

Karen Rice

Office Manager karen@clintonfcc.com

Jenny Cohenour Financial Admin. Assistant jenny@clintonfcc.com

Office Phone (217) 935-3139

Office Fax (217) 935-3130

Office E-mail karen@clintonfcc.com

or office@clintonfcc.com

Office Hours

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.