Dear Brothers and Sisters of Faith Community Church,
Listen to these words of Jesus from the Gospel of John: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This statement is both bold and beautiful. First, Jesus is claiming that he alone is the source of life. If we want life, we must go to him for it. Second, the life that he offers is not a bare, mundane existence, but abundant–lavish, plentiful, overflowing. The book of Proverbs talks a lot about the path to life, which ultimately is found in Jesus Christ, “the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). This week we conclude our series on the Proverbs with a sermon on the abundant life that wisdom offers us both in the present and the future.
Please take note of the following items this week:
Final Online Sunday School: May 24
Our Sunday school series on How to Read the Bible comes to its conclusion this Sunday with a second week on the book of Revelation, taught by John Higgins. We’ll email the link with John’s teaching video once it becomes available. Be sure to join us for the last Zoom conversation at 12:15 on May 24: Details in your email!
Seung Kim to Preach May 31
On May 31, we have the exciting opportunity to hear Faith Community Church missionary Seung Kim. Seung and Amy are on furlough with Wycliffe from Southeast Asia. Seung will be sharing from Luke 5, the calling of the first disciples.
Lord’s Supper Services
The week of June 7th, we will be offering a communion service to allow us to gather together for a time of fellowship, prayer and the partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Since we will be meeting in groups of ten or less, we will offer multiple services during the week. We will provide further information soon, including service dates and times, and sign-up information.
New Arrivals
We have the opportunity to celebrate the arrival of two babies in the month of June. Here’s how you can participate:
Baby Shower for Vilands on June 14
Faith Community Church members Paola and Josiah Viland are expecting their little boy, Silas, in early July. Our plan is to host a baby shower for both Josiah and Paola on June 14. Depending on the restrictions in place in June, the baby shower will either be held in-person or online. In the meantime, please see the attached baby shower invitation, and watch your email for updates on particulars! Paola and Josiah are registered at Target and Buy Buy Baby.
Generosity Opportunity with World Relief (deadline June 7)
Shabana Kakar is a recent arrival to the US and expecting a baby in early June. A team from Faith Community Church has been working as World Relief Friendship Partners with Shabana and her husband. The family arrived in the US in February with very minimal belongings. One of the most significant ways our church can show hospitality to this family is by providing them with some basic needs in order to prepare for their new baby. Our team hopes to present some items to Shabana on June 7. If you would like to help by purchasing an item from a simple registry, click here. The items will be automatically shipped to the address provided.
Budget for 2021 Fiscal Year
Our church’s fiscal year begins in July and runs until the end of June. While current restrictions prevent us from meeting together as a body for a congregational meeting to present and discuss the budget, the elders desire to provide you with ample opportunity to ask questions and to provide feedback regarding next year’s budget. In order to do so, we will be sending you the proposed budget on Sunday, June 7, which will be followed by several opportunities and avenues to speak with the elders (for example, Zoom meetings, group phone calls, and possibly small group meetings). The elders will be providing additional information within the next couple of weeks.
Wednesday Morning Phone Call at 9:00am
Each Wednesday morning at 9:00 am, we hold a group phone call as an opportunity to connect with one another, share prayer requests, and pray together. If you would like to participate, please get in touch with Larry LaBelle.
Prayer Requests
- Mike and Ellen Horyn: Both Mike and Ellen have tested positive for the coronavirus. Please pray for complete healing and a quick recovery. Pray also for their daughter and her family who have also tested positive for the virus.
- Todd Crabtree (Bill and Barb Crabtree’s son): Pray for healing after testing positive for coronavirus.
- Carrie Tyler (close friend of LaBelles): Pray for healing after emergency trip to CDH hospital due to coronavirus; now recovering at home; pray for continued protection for husband and children.
- DeJong Family: On Thursday evening, May 14, an 18-year-old woman was caught in the high waters of the West branch of the DuPage River while walking her dogs near Winfield Mounds. Please pray for the DeJong family–for their comfort and provision during this very difficult time.
We do hope to be able to worship together in person soon. In the meantime, thank you for your prayers as your pastor and elders work hard to prepare for a safe reopening of corporate, in-person worship. Please do not hesitate to contact me or an elder if you have any questions or needs.
In Him,
Pastor Rhett