The Gospel According to Greg Greg Taylor

[email protected]

This week brings the celebration of the birth of Jesus, and with Christmas day comes opportunities to

reconnect with family and friends. However, for many, this is the most difficult time of the year. For many

stinging from the pain of death, distance, or discouragement, Saturday is not the most wonderful day of the year. I recently found a story written by author/composer John Thomas Oaks about an experience he will

never forget – I hope this will bless you if you find yourself down and discouraged:

It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a

skip up from Times Square. Early November weather in New York City holds only the slightest hint of

the bitter chill of late December and January, but it’s enough to send the masses crowding indoors to vie for available space and warmth. For a musician, it’s the most lucrative Starbucks location in the

world, I’m told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right. Apparently

we were striking all the right chords that night, because our basket was almost overflowing. It was a

fun low-pressure gig. I was playing the keyboard and singing backup for my friend who also added

rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. We mostly did pop songs from the 40s to the 90s with a few original tunes thrown in.

During our emotional rendition of the classic, “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” I noticed a lady sitting

in one of the lounge chairs across from me. She was swaying to the beat; she was singing out loud.

After the tune was over, she approached me and she said, “I apologize for singing along on that song.

Did it bother you?” she asked me. “No, no, no,” I replied. “We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?” To my delight, she accepted the invitation.

“You choose,” I said. “What are you in the mood to sing?” She turned to me and she said, “Well, do

you know any hymns?” Hymns? The woman didn’t know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth

on hymns. Before I was even born, I was going to church. I gave our guest singer a knowing look and

I said to her, “Name one.” “Oh, I don’t know. There are so many good ones. You choose one,” she said. “Okay,” I replied. “How about “His Eye is on the Sparrow‟?” My new friend was silent, her eyes

averted. And then she fixed her eyes on mine again and she said, “Yeah, let’s do that one.”

She slowly nodded her head, she put down her purse, she straightened her jacket, and as she faced

the center of the shop and with my two-bar set up, she began to sing: “Why should I be discouraged, why should the shadows come?” The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling

noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as employees stopped what they were doing to listen. And then the song rose to its conclusion: “I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free; his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.” It was a holy moment. And when the last note was sung,

the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar that would have even rivaled a sold out crowd at

Carnegie Hall. Embarrassed, the woman tried to shout over the din, “Oh, y’all go back to your

coffee, cut it out. I didn’t come here to do a concert, I just came in here to get something to drink

just like you.”

But when the ovation continued, I embraced my new friend. “You, my dear, have made my whole

year. That was beautiful.” “Well,” she said, “it’s kind of funny that you picked that particular hymn.”

“Why is that?” I asked. “Well,” she hesitated again, “that was my daughter’s favorite song.” “Really?”

I exclaimed. “Yes,” she said, and then she grabbed my hands. By now the applause had subsided and

it was business as usual, and she said to me, “My daughter was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week.” I said the first thing that found its way through the stunned silence. I said, “Are you going to

be okay?” And she smiled through tear-filled eyes, and she squeezed my hands and said, “I’m going

to be okay. I’ve just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything will be just

fine.”

If you find yourself struggling this year, turn your discouragement, disillusionment and doubt into praise

and blessing. Trust the Lord and keep singing his songs.

Merry Christmas!

December 19, 2010 - Facts & Figures

Sunday, December 26, 2010

9:30 am

Distributing Bulletins Vickie Moore Joe Alexander Jean Perring Nancy Kuntz Edna May Sprague Tanya Donelson

Information Center Attendant Mary Jordan Tracy Ryan

Greeters Dan & Mary Holland Steve & Nancy Bridges Bob & Dolores Primmer Allen & Barbara Trago

Door Assistant

Wes Anderson Ty Osterbur Danny Bundy

Serving Outside Communion Shut-Ins: Ken Klein

Hospital: Galen Strain Hawthorne Inn: Tim Hoyt

Cookie Callers for the Week of December 26th

Jim & Cindy Taylor Linda Cooper

Our Witness Through Giving

General Fund Giving this Week $19,486.14 2010 M.A.P. Weekly Need $19,150.67 Surplus $ 335.47 Our Witness Through Attendance

Worship: 415+278=693 (‘10 Ave. 632)

Bible School: 571 (‘10 Ave. 288)

Decisions for Christ & His Church

This Week Yearly Totals

Baptisms: 4 43 Transfers: 0 18 Rededications: 0 4 Christian Service: 0 0 Total 65

Young at Heart

David Buck, Coordinator

Christmas, Let us celebrate Jesus and all He

stands for in our lives. He is our Savior and Faithful

Provider from sin and difficult times that we have

while trying to live through our trials. Jesus is a

wonderful part of our lives. Remember the times that

we learned about Him in our Sunday School classes

and we were in wonder of Him coming for us to make

our lives happy and blessed, keeping us safe and

watching over us. Yes, let us celebrate our Jesus

forever. “Give thanks to him who placed the earth

among the waters. His faithful love endures forever.

Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights -

His faithful love endures forever.” Psalm 136:6 -7

We had such a good Christmas party and gift

exchange with a fine silent auction and we passed on

the good results of the auction to Angel Tree. Thank

you for the ability to be able to make someone‟s

Christmas a very fine day. Our calendars are here and

ready for your pick-up in the foyer of the church.

Thank you again for ordering your calendar and we

are sure it will bring you many smiles. “Not what we

give, but what we share, for the gift without the giver

is bare.” James Lowell

Our trips are lining up for 2011 and we‟ll go in

February to the Goodfield Barn #2 for a fine dinner

and stage play, “Barefoot in the Park.” We always

have a delightful evening there and excellent good

food. Then in March we‟ll travel to White Pines State

Park to enjoy a fine day with the Tribute to Dolly

Parton show on March 30th. We‟ll enjoy the show

and good food galore. “If only man could get a little

older a little later, and a little wiser a little younger.”

Dick Gregory

Christmas 2010 is almost here and Sunday was

a very delightful day at our church. The children and

staff gave us a very fantastic Christmas program that

was written and lead by our friend, Melanie

Cheatham. She has always shined for us, bless her.

Let your light shine, too, this holiday season. “This

little light of mine, I‟m gonna let it shine, I‟m gonna

let it shine, Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.”

Merry Christmas

Young at Heart calendars will be available this

Sunday. You can pick yours up if you ordered

one. Extras may be available at a later date.

“Lest We Forget Those We Love” Memorials were given in

memory of: Paul & Flossie Deeters

Bill Deeters, Sr. Herschel & June Newman

...Mary Lou Punches Waugh, Clinton, IL - mother of Dennis (Pat) Punches, Alan (Dixie) Punches & Marla (Dave) Kneller ...Howard Mears, Kenney, IL - father of Helen (David) Wilkins, brother of Mildred Maddox ...Eva Sojka, Wapella, IL - sister of Fern Day, grandmother of Richard Geddes ...William Strohkirch, Clinton, IL - husband of Debbie Strohkirch, son of Roy (Dee) Strohkirch, brother of Don (Susie) Hulvey & Rose (Jeff) Overleese

Rick Alwood Gary Angel Kate Arnold* Helen Azbill Lisa Babbit Debbie Bateson Jeanette Bliss Yvonne Blount Linda Brennan Brad Campbell Ron Campbell Maxine Cardinale Edna Carter Landon Clark Ainsley Cohenour (infant) Michelle Cohenour Mike Connelly Allen Cooper Bill Coughlin Bill Cox Brett Creager* Lois DeJaynes Patty Douglas Carolyn Drummond Lyle Dubson Carol Duncan Candi Evans Marvin Finfrock Nathan Florey Betty Fortune Delmar Foster Jack Fansler Marilyn Fansler Sandy Gambrel Vicky Gates Barb Haning Lucille Heinrich Floyd Hickman Yvonne Hicks

Ray Houchin* Joyce Kaufman Diane Kinkaid Tresa Kissack Taffy Lighthall Bob Lowery Ed Martin Gordon Massey Richard McConnell Charlotte Milton Sterling Montgomery Tammy Moore Robert Peters Steve Peters Ron Rector Linda Reid Jesse Reising Randy Roy Shane Senters Breanna Shofner Candy Siltman Gary Simmons James L. Smith Nathaniel Strange (infant) Cinda Stocks Lori Stone Kris Sulzberger John Thorp Dustin Underwood* Sherry Volk Leslie Volker Gary Waggoner Allan Webb Sharon Webb Vernadine Witt Lester Woolridge Carolyn Zorn

Hospital Prayer List

First Christian Church THE KARUSOGRAPH (USPS 536-250) is published Weekly by FIRST CHRISTIAN

Corner of W. Main & N. Jackson CHURCH 100 N. Jackson St., Clinton, Illinois 61727. Periodicals Postage 100 N. Jackson St. Paid at Clinton, IL. Postmaster: Send address changes to: The Karusograph First

Clinton, IL 61727 Christian Church, 100 N. Jackson St., Clinton, IL 61727

Special Prayer Requests * New Names

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Decatur Memorial Verna Norrington

Lois DeJaynes

St. Joseph’s Louise Whitehead

Information About the Church

Minister of Preaching & Teaching.…..….Greg Taylor Minister of Pastoral Care . …..J. Kent Hickerson Minister of Children & Jr. High….....Ernie Harvey, Jr. Minister of High School, College Age & Technology……....….…………..Adam Brucker Minister of Worship…………….….Jim Coonce Office Phone ......................... (217) 935-3139 Office Fax ............................. (217) 935-3130 Office E-mail ............. [email protected] Office Hours ........... ....8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This Lord’s Day – December 26, 2010

9:30 a.m. Morning Worship Service – Unity service featuring FCC Timothy and special guest

preacher Wade Lowery of Ozark Christian College. Please come and support Wade and celebrate the unity we share in Christ at FCC! No classes or services scheduled at 8:15 or 11:00 and no fellowship time from 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

NO grade school, junior high or senior high youth groups this Sunday evening.

Our Christian Sympathy to the Family and Loved Ones of...

Released from the hospital...

Mia Rogers Gary Patterson

Bill Fox Jerry Breeze

Ruth Harvey Kim Gibbons

Bob Foster

Nursing Home Updates...

...Hazel Benz from Manor Court to Hawthorne Inn

...Louise Smith from Manor Court to Hawthorne Inn

...Mildred Burns from Hawthorne Inn to Manor Court

...Shirley Utterback to Manor Court

...Alice Moit to Manor Care/Liberty Village, Clinton

mailto:[email protected]

This „N That

CHRISTIAN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship forms for students who are attending

Christian Church affiliated colleges are now

available for the Spring 2011

semester. Please pick up a form in

the church office or at the

Information Desk. Deadline to

return the completed forms is January 9, 2011.

CHURCH LADIES

MENTORING PROGRAM You haven’t been forgotten! Watch the “K” in

January for more information. We received many

ideas and requests! WE ARE EXCITED!!!

2011 offering envelopes will be available in the church foyer. If you don’t have, but would like to have, an offering envelope assigned to you, please call the church office.

It’s time to register for the

HEARTS AT HOME

conference, March 11 & 12,

2011. Just go online to see

details & sign-up!

www.heartsathome.org

Sign-up online, at

www.familylife.com to attend the Family Life

Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway. It is April 8-10 at the Marriott

Hotel in Normal, IL.

To God’s Angels, Thank you so

much. You have touched mine and

my family’s hearts! Our

appreciation is overflowing.

Kenje Underwood & family

The IRS rules state that year end offerings to the church must be received by December 31. The church office will be closed on the 31st. If you mail your

contribution, it must be postmarked by December 31, 2010. Contributions received, or postmarked, after the 31st will be recorded for 2011 even though the check may be dated in December 2010.

A thank you note has been received from

Junior Massey family. Christmas cards

have been received too. They are all posted

on the bulletin board by the church office.

The Bible in 90 Days is still available,

either in the church foyer Sunday, or

in the church office. The cost is

$15.00. The reading plan is included

with this Karusograph. More copies

will be available at the information booth & also in

the church office. Greg will be preaching each

week based on the reading plan.

This year‟s Christmas offering will be split

between the benevolence ministry here at First

Christian Church and the First Christian

Church in Jacksonville, IL. Jim Coonce‟s

former church in Jacksonville received

extensive damage from a fire on November

29th and they are currently unable to meet at

that location. The future location of their

church building is undetermined at this

time. Thank you for your generosity!

“And the Lord Added…” Kaelan Smith (son of Keith &

Kathy Smith), 5690 Tahoe Dr.,

Clinton, IL, 61727, was baptized

into Christ on December 19,

2010.

Adam Moore, Hailey Moore, and

Kylie Jordan, 917 W. Clay,

Clinton, IL, 61727, were

baptized into Christ on

December 19, 2010.

TOTS to TEENS . . . Ernie Harvey Jr. & Adam Brucker

SENIOR HIGH SKI TRIP

February 4-6, 2011

Cost: $160.00 Registration has begun; turn yours in today!

Children’s Youth

Groups for 2010 have

ended. We had a

great time each

Sunday evening.

Youth Groups will

resume on

January 9, 2011.

Reveal has concluded for

2010. It was a good year of

worship, fun and fellowship

time. We will meet again on

January 9, 2011.

Breakfast Club is also on a

Christmas and New Year’s

Break. We will start the

new year on January 7.

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

Hawthorne Inn/Liberty Village (Supportive Living)

1 Park Lane, Clinton, IL 61727 Mildred Burns Marge Hoke

Vivian Sievers Dorothy Yedtman

Farmer City Rehab

404 N. Brookview Dr. Farmer City, IL 61842

Jim Bell

Leroy Manor

509 S. Buck Road Leroy, IL 61752

Lyle Nelson

Christian Village 1507 7th St.

Lincoln, IL 62656 Norma Rich

Clara Lou Stephens (Supportive Living)

Westminister Village 2025 E. Lincoln St.

Bloomington, IL 61701 Aileen Short

Evenglow Inn

1200 Evenglow Lane Pontiac, IL 61764

Cathelena Daily

Heartland Health Care Center 510 Broadway, Normal, IL 61761

Ann Kohler

Evergreen Village

1701 Evergreen Village Blvd Normal, IL 61761 Louise Whitehead (Supportive Living)

Members & relatives of those at First Christian Church, Clinton

Please call the church office with additions or corrections.

Louise Adams Hazel Benz Fleta Buggar Joan Cobb Lorine Cole Connie Echigo Lyle Gill Gene Jones Fred May Margaret Murphy

Charlene Paterson June Provin Carol Radley Maxine Robinson Stella Romanowski Louise Smith Kathy Strange Avy Washburn Donald Yedtman

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