Dear Faith Community Church Family,
Four years ago, in September of 2022, we launched our Called to Flourish three-year vision. Our vision theme passage was Ezekiel 17:22-24, a prophecy of the coming Christ. In these verses the Messiah is described as a small sprig taken from a cedar and planted on a high mountain. The tender plant grows into a flourishing cedar where “every kind of bird” (representing people from every nation) will find a home.
One key component of our Called to Flourish vision was church planting. We took a step of faith and made a commitment to raise $5000 as part of the campaign fund to put toward church planting. The Lord provided these funds, but the question remained, “What does it look like for Faith Community Church to do the work of church planting?” This was new territory for us.
The Lord sent his answer to this question from Uganda by sending us Lawrence, Simple (and of course Aloya!) Owinya. This Sunday at 4:00pm, Lawrence will lead the first official service of Faith Nations Fellowship, a church plant to the Diaspora community of West Chicago. After the service, everyone is invited to the Mission Center for pizza.
As I shared on Sunday, this church plant is our church plant–it is our congregation working and serving together to reach the Diaspora community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you would like to receive the weekly Faith Nations Fellowship newsletter and the monthly update letter you can sign up here (Scroll down to “Subscribe to Our Church Newsletter”). If you would like to know specifically how you can serve the Faith Nations church plant, click here.
Please pray for the Lord’s blessing on this Sunday’s service and for the advancement of the gospel through Faith Nations Fellowship!
This Sunday, Jonathan Keller, our Pastor of Community Outreach will preach on Matthew 20:1-16 with a sermon entitled The First Will Be Last.
Click here to access the livestream for this Sunday’s worship service (9:30 am).
Want to listen to our worship songs before Sunday morning? Find them on our Spotify playlist here.
Saturday Men’s Bible Study: October 10 (8:00 a.m.; Room 1)
Our Deacon Dennis Dobbs will lead us in the study of the book Union with Christ by Sinclair Ferguson.
Oak and Willow Contra Dance: Fridays, October 9, 23, and Nov 13 at 7:00 p.m. Come join us for contra dancing (like square dancing without a square). No partner required. 18 and up invited to attend. Suggested donation of $7 at the door.
Blanket Ministry will Meet October 12th and November 9th (10:30 am; Rm 7)
Feel free to bring a handiwork project to work on and share with someone in need of comfort.
Men’s Lunch at Hawthorne (Wednesday, October 14 at Noon)
This month’s men’s lunch will take place on Wednesday, October 14 at Hawthorne’s Backyard in West Chicago (1200 W Hawthorne Ln, West Chicago, IL 60185). Need a ride? Talk to Pastor Jonathan.
Choir Practice (Wednesday, October 21, 6:30pm)
This month’s choir practice will take place on October 21 at 6:30pm in the Worship Center. Choir will sing in the worship service on Sunday, October 25.
Self-Defense Class for Women: Saturday, October 17th (3:00pm-4:30pm)
Natalie Wierenga will lead a self-defense class for the ladies on Saturday, October 17th from 3:00pm to 4:30pm in the Mission Center. Whether you are new to self-defense or have prior experience, and regardless of physical ability, ladies ages 12 and older are invited to attend. Be sure to invite friends and neighbors to join you to learn more about the ministry of our church.
Women’s Outreach Event: Community, Cider, Craft (October 24; 10:00am-Noon)
Come enjoy the fall with fellowship, warm cider, and a craft session at the West Chicago ARC Center (201 W. National), hosted by our women’s ministry. Invite friends, family, and neighbors!
Prayer Requests and Praises
Barb Crabtree: Please pray for Barb, who is recovering from a fall.
Ray Bebee: Pray that the Lord would give strength and hope to Laura and Ray as he continues chemotherapy treatments.
Owinya Family: Continue to pray for wisdom regarding Simple’s educational plans.
Kelly (Daughter of Ernie and Donna Siefert): Please pray for comfort following the passing of Kelly’s husband, Dan Carlson.
Amy Rhody: Pray for physical strength and for her pacemaker lead to continue to work.
Joanne Klingberg: Pray for relief and healing for her back following a fall.
With Joy,
Pastor Rhett