Dear Brothers and Sisters,
If we want to live a life of freedom in Jesus Christ, we must recognize with the Apostle Paul that “[t]here is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Christians are no longer bound by the power of sin but have been set free to live a life in step with the Holy Spirit. True freedom in the Christian life comes when we submit ourselves to the working of the Holy Spirit within us. This Sunday, Rev. Andy Iversen will preach on Romans 8:1-4 with a sermon entitled “Walking According to the Spirit.”
As our family is preparing to welcome our new baby this week, I am grateful to have Rev. Andy Iversen filling our pulpit this Sunday, and Rev. Don Johnson preaching next Sunday, May 21. If you have a pastoral concern or matter that needs to be addressed while I am on leave, please feel free to email elders[at]faithchurchwc[dot]org, or to contact Tim Wierenga or Larry LaBelle.
The link to Sunday’s worship service is available here.
This Saturday, May 13: Embracing Hope Gathering Women’s Luncheon (10:00am-12:00pm; Mission Center)
The Embracing Hope Spring Luncheon is upon us! This is a welcome opportunity to celebrate the hope we have in Christ through sharing food and enjoying friendship and the truth of Scripture. Amy Paglia will be sharing her story of hope and all FCC women are encouraged to invite friends, relatives, and colleagues. Please RSVP to Amy Paglia or Jenny Johnson.
Please Return Caring Network Baby Bottles by This Sunday, May 14
Thank you for your enthusiastic response to providing resources to our local Caring Network through our baby bottle drive! This Sunday is the last day to participate. Baby bottles can be placed in the bassinet in the narthex.
Kingdom Prayer Small Groups: Sunday, May 21 (4:00pm-5:00pm)
Mark your calendars for the next Kingdom Prayer Small Groups, to take place Sunday afternoon, May 21 (4:00pm-5:00pm). Please note that the Austins will not host in May while on parental leave. Kingdom Prayer Small Groups will be meeting in the following homes: Isaac and Erin Evans; Dennis and Audrey Dobbs, and Ben and Jackie Huggins.
Final Week of Sunday School: May 21
Please note that our final adult Sunday school class on Caring for One Another will take place on Sunday, May 21. We will break for the summer and will resume our children and adult Sunday school classes this fall.
Crossroads Kids Club: Call for Volunteers
Recently in our worship service Tim Wierenga shared about an evangelism opportunity our church is aiming to launch this fall in a local public school called Crossroads Kids Club. We have had several people indicate interest, and we would love to build our team with a few more individuals who are eager to invest in local public school students with the gospel. We are also aiming to have a few members of our team join the regional training May 23-24 in Oak Brook. The cost of the training retreat is $79.00 and is reimbursable (please use code Illinois29 for $29 off). If you are interested, you may sign up in the narthex or contact Valerie Austin.
Vision Campaign Timeline Update
Our Vision Campaign Committee has been meeting regularly and has been hard at work in supporting our church’s Called to Flourish vision by overseeing and planning for the financial campaign. Though our aim was to publicly introduce our financial campaign this spring, together with the elders the committee has prayerfully determined to move our financial campaign to this fall. Thank you for your continued prayers and investment in our Called to Flourish vision.
Prayer Requests
Bill Crabtree: Pray for healing and strength for Bill as he awaits test results after being hospitalized on Sunday with severe stomach and back pain.
Richard Kepner: Please pray for Richard as he has an ablation procedure scheduled for May 15 to correct atrial fibrillation.
Wetherington Family: Please continue to pray for Cari, Katie’s sister, as she continues to recover from a major car accident and the loss of her baby at 26 weeks. Thank you for your prayers for Lois, Dan’s sister, who is returning to Denver this weekend following a long stroke recovery.
Karla and Gary Van der Molen: Thank you for your perseverance in prayer for Karla, as she and Gary continue to navigate her ALS.
Sterk family: Please pray that the Lord would comfort the Sterk family, after the loss of Shane Sterk’s sister, Michelle, to cancer.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Rhett