Eureka Christian Church
The Christian Visitor
“To be faithful to God, related to Christ and one another, and ministers to our world.”
December 25, 2013
Mamma Mia! Ticket Auction
The church has received six tickets to the February 8 production of the musical Mamma Mia! at the Fabulous Fox Theater in St. Louis. The show time is 2:00 in the afternoon. To help raise money for the tornado recovery efforts, we have
decided to auction them off! The tickets are in the Mezzanine, Section MZ06, Row DD. The seats are all together, but
the numbers are not sequential because of the theater numbering system: 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44. The original price
for each ticket was $133. You can go to http://www.fabulousfox.com/seating_chart.aspx to view the exact location of the
seats.
Here’s how the auction will work (we hope!). Bidding will begin on January 2 and end on January 15. Bidding hours will
be from 8:00-4:00 weekdays only. We will auction the tickets off in pairs, so you will be bidding on two tickets. If you
would like to make a bid on all six, you will have to make three separate bids (one for each pair). Heidi will manage the
bidding. If you would like to make a bid, please call the church office at 467-2369 or email Heidi at [email protected].
As she gets a new bid, she will update our website www.eurekachristianchurch.org so you can check on the status of the
bidding. The bidding will start at $40 per ticket ($80 for the pair).
We hope this will be a fun way to raise money for tornado recovery. Get ready to start bidding—and help spread the
word to your friends and neighbors!
January Adult Elective Series
The Adult Elective Series continues in January with teacher Loren Logsdon leading a four week course
called “Is There Anything Good About Men?” Intriguing title, wouldn’t you say?! He writes, “The discussion of the gender issue has been co-opted by radical feminists; Roy Baumeister in his book Is There
Anything Good About Men? seeks a balanced and comprehensive understanding of gender conflicts.”
Come prepared for good, rousing discussions! The Adult Elective Series meets in the Fireside Lounge
on Sundays from 9:30-10:15. Guests are always welcome!
Meditation Group Forming
I used to get up early almost every morning to meditate. But then I got pregnant, and sleep became infinitely precious;
and when I had Silas, it became even more precious. So it’s been a couple of years since I had a dedicated meditation
practice. I miss it—meditation is a wonderful way of cultivating mindfulness and compassion. It brings us more deeply
into the present, helps us to see past the obstructions of our egos, and helps us to live more charitable—more Christian—lives.
When Jennie talked about becoming the Neighborhood Church, I was struck by a sudden inspiration (so sudden, in fact,
that I almost forgot that I was serving as liturgist and had to give the Invitation to Offering!). What if ECC became a place
where those who are interested in exploring meditation practices could gather to support each other? So, starting on
January 14, I will be “leading” a weekly meditation gathering on Tuesdays at 5:15 in the little room next to the church
library.
If you’re at all interested in or curious about meditation—whether or not you’ve never tried it before—I invite you to join
me. I’ll provide some suggestions for different meditation practices, or you can use this as a dedicated time of silent
prayer. No need to attend weekly; this isn’t a class, so please drop in as you wish or are able. Contact me at
[email protected] or (401) 699-4860 if you have any questions. -Jessica Barr
The Christian Visitor
Page 2
Merry Christmas! by Rev. Jennie Churchman
By the time you read this, Christmas will be upon us. After all the weeks of preparation—made even shorter this year by
the late date of Thanksgiving—we are finally at the moment when the Good News of great joy breaks upon us. The following is a lovely Christmas message from one of my favorite writers-theologians-poets, Joyce Rupp. It can be found in
her 2001 publication Inviting God In. The mediation is based on this phrase from Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet of the messenger who…brings good news.” Joyce Rupp’s “Beautiful Are They Who Bring Love”:
It is Christmas! It is the most wondrous feast—the birthday of the One who came to show us a God of love.
How beautiful are the feet of those who walk the extra step across a room to greet someone with whom they
have had differences. How beautiful are the feet of those who step beyond the material gifts and appreciate the
heart of the giver. How beautiful are the feet of those who move about in the kitchen making the special foods
and serving the guests who gather. How beautiful are the feet of those who not only go to church services but
who also fully participate by greeting others joyfully, praying and singing heartily. How beautiful are the feet of
those who walk into homeless shelters or places with little comfort to bring some of their own abundance.
Yes, how beautiful are all those feet who walk with glad tidings this day, with the intention of love in their hearts,
for they are living the message of the One who came so long ago. The Christ of abundant love, born some two
thousand years ago, lives on in us. As our feet take us near and far, let us continue to be the Christ to one another.
Divine Messenger, I will carry the glad tidings of your abundant and abiding love to all I meet and greet today.
This is a great Christmas message. Merry Christmas!
Churchman Family Vacation Schedule
The Churchmans will be traveling to Texas after worship on December 29 and returning to
Eureka on January 6. For pastoral emergencies, please contact Carol Bennett-Barker for December 29-30 at 309.251.0363 and Don Zumwalt for December 31-January 6 at 309.263.4006.
You can also call your Shepherding Elder. Carol Bennett-Barker will be preaching on January 5.
Please turn in all 2013
donations to the
church office by
December 31
to have them count
toward your 2013
statement of giving.
Tornado Recovery Update
In this busy holiday season, please remember our neighbors who are still struggling to regain a sense of normalcy following the November 17 tornados. You can still volunteer! This would be a great way to spend some of the days of
many of us certainly have at this time of year. Call 309.698.5002 to volunteer on your own or with a small group. If you
have heavy equipment or can muster a team of 15 or more volunteers, call 309.698.5003. You can also continue making contributions to the Week of Compassion for Illinois Tornado Recovery, and those gifts will be given to families as the
need arises. To update you on other giving, the First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, Illinois continues to amaze
us with their generosity. In addition to the $1500 they have already given to the family we have been helping with no
insurance, they have taken up an additional collection of over $1200 to provide Christmas gifts for this family. We also
received a call from a family in the Chicago area who “exchanged” gift cards to Menard’s instead of gifts this year.
Those cards will be given to another family in Washington whose home was completely destroyed to help with some of
their rebuilding supplies. Please join in these efforts by giving your time and resources to our neighbors.
A Note from Lill Frerichs
Dear Family & Friends,
You never know what the year will bring. Last August 22, we experienced the great sadness of Bill’s death. He had various health problems over the past few years, but died peacefully. We miss him very much.
I am so grateful for Hospice & the loyalty, help, & concern of our wonderful caregivers. Billie & Lou continue to watch
over me, & take care of my needs. Vicky, Art, & Sally chin in whenever they can.
At the end of October, I moved to a new apartment. There are fine aides & nurses who look in on me & take me to
meals & activities. It is a bright spot in my day to receive mail, & I always enjoy hearing from you. Wishing you are very
Merry Christmas.
Love, Lill
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The Christian Visitor
Coming Up for YOUth
Things are kind of slow on the youth front right now with the Christmas holidays, but read
on for what’s coming up. You also should have received a January edition of The Youth
Times. If you did not, please email Jennie at [email protected], and she’ll make sure you
get it.
December 29 and January 5: No youth meetings. Enjoy your school holiday!
January 12: Parent-Youth meeting at 4:00 to discuss plans for this summer’s mission project/trip. So far, the consensus has been to stay here and work in Washington for tornado recovery. Come to this meeting to share your ideas.
January 24: Lock-In! (More details to come.)
CCIW Mid-Winter Retreat, February 1-2: This year’s CCIW mid-winter retreat will be held at Bethany Park Christian
Church in Rantoul for grades 6-12. The cost is $20. Registration is online this year at www.cciwdisciples.org. Forms
and money are due January 12.
Church “De-Decorating” Day
Mark your calendars for our de-decorating day on Saturday, January 4. We’ll begin with breakfast at 7:30 in the Parish Hall and then get to work! The more folks
we have, the faster we’ll be finished! Please consider sharing an hour or two to
help with this effort.
Sermon Scriptures
December 29: Isaiah 63:7-9
January 5: TBD
January Snackpac Dates
January’s unloading of Midwest Food Bank supplies will be on Wednesday, January 15, behind the
church at 5 p.m. On Thursday, January 16 at 2 p.m. we will meet in the Parish Hall to fill the bags.
We need packers, table wranglers, box cutters, and more. Thanks to one and all for your help,
both financially and physically, as we seek to feed Eureka's hungry kids!
Thank You
Christmas Greetings
My “Thanks” to all of you who have
helped me these past days and
weeks, with my health needs and
given me your spiritual support. You
are a true Community Church, a
Christian Church, a Christmas
Church.
Martha Jane Clymer
Terry and Mary Margaret Klaus
Eureka College—Dave and Katherine Arnold
Pete and Sharon Hanner
Joanie Johann, and Chip
Virginia Sherry
Bill and Marilyn Walter
Betty Lopata
Annette Sherman
Jerry and Ginny McCoy
Dennis and Carolyn Kroll
Mike and Linda Hood
Pat Wuethrich
Joan Herron
Lovingly,
Eva Drew
—————————
Thank you for letting us use the
church for our sorority events!
We greatly appreciate it!
Love,
The Women of Delta Delta Pi
Dick and Janet Baner
Annette Schurter
Terry and Carol Bruley
Ron and Linda Veatch and family
The Lynch Family
Darwin Collins
Ann Campbell
Our Prayers
Congregations of the Week, December 29:
Congregations of the Week, January 5:
15th Ave. CC Rock Island, Memorial CC Moline, FCC Rushville
Sandoval CC, FCC Springfield, FCC Sterling, FCC Sullivan
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The Christian Visitor
Serving Schedule
December 29
First Light
Elder(s)
Carol
Bennett-Barker
Special
Duties
Hospital: Jim Noe
Ushers
Janet Davis
Kylie Davis
Set-up &
Clean-up
January 5
Traditional
A. Krogmeier
S. Hanner
R. Crawford
First Light
Robin Robinson
January 12
Traditional
J. Hinrichsen
C. Kroll
B. Wright
First Light
Don Zumwalt
Traditional
B. Zumwalt
K. Coulter
M. Coulter
Hospital: Joan Herron
Maple Lawn: Bill Wright
Maple Lawn Deacon: Andy Argo
Hospital: Joan Herron
A/C Home: Sharon Hanner
A/C Home Deacon: Chris Robinson
Conner Cox
Chris & Jennifer
Kozik
Don & Karen
Wettstein
Mike & Kylie Davis Eric Lind
Tom Price
Chris Robinson
Laura Cox
Catherine Argo
Lillia Hartter
Sara Kaufman
Janet Davis
Laura Cox
Connor Cox
Attendance
Sheet
N/A
Eric Lind
N/A
Scott Zimmer
N/A
Roger Cox
Treats/
Elements
Connie Davis
Karen Wettstein
Marilyn Walter
Robin Robinson
Janet Davis
Robin Robinson
Liturgist
N/A
Bob McClure
N/A
Mark Miller
N/A
Karen Wettstein
Counters
Tom Price
Carolyn Kroll
Karen Wettstein
Andy Argo
Eileen Baker
Steve Colburn
Tom Price
Carolyn Kroll
Karen Wettstein
Eric Lind
Eric Lind
Eric Lind
Eric Lind
Paul Wilkins
John Gholson
Chris Kozik
Robin Robinson
Tom Price
John Gholson
Sound Tech Eric Lind
Unlocking
& Locking
Tom Price
Godly Play
No Godly Play
Calendar of Events
The church office will be closed
December 25 through January 1.
Sunday, December 29
8:15a.m. - First Light
10:30a.m. - Traditional Worship
Friday, January 3
8:00a.m. - Visitor Articles Due
Saturday, January 4
7:30a.m. - Church De-Decorating
Sunday, January 5
8:15a.m. - First Light
9:30a.m. - Sunday School
10:00a.m. - Choir
10:30a.m. - Traditional Worship
Tuesday, January 7
ECNS-First Day Back to School
Wednesday, January 8
9:00a.m. - Knit Together at Mika’s
5:15p.m. - Choir
Thursday, January 9
9:30a.m. - Bible Study (Maple Lawn)
Allison Miller & Chris Robinson
Amy Wuethrich & Lisa Zimmer
**The next deadline for Visitor articles is January 3 @ 8 a.m.**
Friday, January 10
6:00p.m. - Women’s Retreat
Sunday, January 12
8:15a.m. - First Light
9:30a.m. - Sunday School
10:00a.m. - Choir
10:30a.m. - Traditional Worship
4:00p.m. - Parent/Youth Meeting
Wednesday, January 15
9:00a.m. - Knit Together at Mika’s
5:00p.m. - Snackpac
5:15p.m. - Choir
7:00p.m. - Board Meeting
Thursday, January 16
9:30a.m. - Bible Study (Maple Lawn)
2:00p.m. - Snackpac (PH)
For a complete schedule
of the fitness classes offered at
Eureka Christian Church,
please visit our website:
www.eurekachristianchurch.org
and click on “Calendar”
STAFF MEMBERS
Jennie Churchman–Senior Minister
Carol Bennett-Barker–Minister of Music
Dr. Randy Crump–Choir Director
Heidi Lynch–Office Secretary
Katie Hansen-Wheeler–Nursery Coordinator
Zane Ridings– Student Intern
Rachel Tapp– Student Intern
BOARD OFFICERS
Mark Miller–Board Moderator
Sharon Hanner–Board Vice-Moderator
Randy Crump–Board Treasurer
Wendy Rush–Board Secretary
TEAM LEADERS
Administration: Andy Argo
Deacons: Connie Davis
Discipleship: Lorna Smith
Education: Audrey Krogmeier/Laura Cox
Elders: Joan Herron
Outreach: Don & Beth Zumwalt
Personnel: Josh Yoder
Property: Steve Colburn/John Gholson
Worship: Robin Robinson
EUREKA CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Disciples of Christ)
302 S. Main St.
Eureka, IL 61530
Church phone: 309.467.2369
Office Hours: M-F 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.
email: [email protected]
www.eurekachristianchurch.org