September 14th 2015

COMMUNITYFREE CHURCH WEEKLYPraise God- AWANA 1st Night Last night we opened the 2015/16 AWANA program with over 98 kids!With the challenges of a fresh start no one knew what this year would hold, so we prayed,sought the Lord and He is SO faithful. Yesterday, at 4:30pm, the directors, leaders and volunteers met for one last steering meeting before the start of the program at 6:00pm. Then we kicked off the start with a hot dog dinner and soon the kids starting pouring in.

It was great to see every room, every nook, and every cranny filled with kids learning about Jesus Christ. This is what the church is aboutPlease take a moment today and PRAY for the kids in AWANA.

Samuel says, “Hey you guys - Pay attention to Mr. Bruce!”

Are you wondering what AWANA is all about? Come out on Sunday night and check it out. Are you wondering if AWANA might be a great place for you to serve Jesus? Drop Bruce Henrikson an email at: bhenrikson@parkland.edu to find out.

Changes Due to Construction:- Bruceʼs Christian Ed Class will be meeting in the worship area. - The interim nursery area will be upstairs. This week the Nursery stairway will be unavailable. You will get to the Nursery by taking the kitchen stairs through the senior high room.

Just a quick snapshot of Jakeʼs group of students who are growing in christ on Wednesday nights!One thing that student ministry is missing is a small group of dedicated willing to serve as disciplemakers. Pray and ask God if thatʼs you!You can reach out and learn more by emailing Jake at: jbarrett.cfcmahomet@gmail.com

As many of you have already seen via Facebook, email, and at church on Sunday the nursery construction is progressing along. If you havenʼt had a chance to see it stop in because its exciting! Donʼt forget to continue to pray for the ways that the space will bring Glory to God as they grow in grace. With over 98 kids in AWANA and new families in the church with children I believe that God is giving us a taste, just a taste, of what is to come!Also this past week the Christian Education team met and discussed the Nursery area and how we communicate Childrenʼs ministry, child check-in, age groups, and promotion to regular church out of Kids Church, ect. As the remodel finishes and offers us an awesome entryway into Kids Church there will be quite a few new things we will do to offer security and clarity for parents. All of this is part of our plan to minister well to Kids (and parents) in the years to come.

Isaiah: The King and His Glory “Present and Future Comfort”9/13/15 Pastor Jason Schifo

Introduction:God promises provide comfort for today AND tomorrow (a day in the future)" 1 Peter 1:24-25" Isaiah 39:3-6" Galatians 4:9" Deuteronomy 29:25-27" Jeremiah 52:10" Psalm 137:1-6

Exposition:

" Exodus 6:7" Leviticus 25:4" Hebrews 12:11-12" Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18" John 14:9, 1:14" 1 Peter 1:24-25" Matthew 5:17-18, " Revelation19:13" Matthew 5:14" Isaiah 40 - " John5:22, Matthew 25," John 10:11" Philippians 1:6

Our weekly newsletter that comes out on Tuesday contains a copy of sermon scripture outline along with any quotes and references. It is my hope that this helps you in reflection on the work that God did through his Word. Each outline is broken down into the introduction, exposition, and conclusion. To highlight that we are a church that takes great care to exposit the Word.

Tuesday " 9/15" Womenʼs Bible Study Fellowship" " " " 9:10am " " " " First Christian Church, Champaign" " " " Community Groups ! ! ! ! The Schifo Home 6:00pm

Wednesday 9/16! Youth Group 6:00pm

" " " " Missions Meeting 7:30pm" " "" " " "Thursday " 9/17" Elder New Member Interviews" " " "" " " " 7:30pm

" " " " Worship Practice 7:30pm

Friday " 9/18 !

Saturday " 9/19" Act Like Men Coffee 7:00am

Sunday " 9/20" Christian Education 9:30-10:30am" " " " Gospel Life with Jerry Unger" " " " Jesus >Religion with Jim Sackett" " " " Godʼs Prophets with Bruce Henrikson" " " " Precepts Upon Precepts Womenʼs " " " " Study "" " " " Sr. High School Jake Barrett" " " " Jr. High School Ronda Ekberg" " " "" " " " Childrenʼs Church 10:45am" " " " Worship Gathering 10:45am" " " " Isaiah 40:12-31 ! ! ! ! “To Whom Shall You Compare” Pastor Jason" " " "" " " " AWANA 6:00pm " " " " " "

4:00pm-8:00pm

8:00am-4:00pm

Do you want to stand against the evil of abortion and be an encouragement to those who have dealt with abortion?Consider representing CEFCM at the monthly Champaign County “Celebrate Life” meeting. They are working to build partnerships that fight abortion and help those struggling with the effects of abortion. The first meeting is September 14th, at 7:00pm and St. Patrickʼs Church, Urbana, Illinois.

For the first time a study on the entire Book of Revelation will starting in mid September 2015 through May 2016. Each expositional study has three parts: a study guide you complete, a small group discussion where you talk about what you learned, and a lecture on the weeks materials. This gives you the opportunity to hear it multiple times. Menʼs Bible Study Fellowship will start September 14th, 6:45pm, at First Baptist Church of Savoy. There is a program for kids 1st grade through High School. Womenʼs Bible Study Fellowship will start September 15th, 9:10am, at First Christian Church in Champaign. There is a childrenʼs program birth through preschool. This is an excellent FREE opportunity for the whole family to study through a book of the Bible together every week!

MISSIONS MEETING“therefore go...into all the world”

We are called to go into all the world with the Gospel and to make a real “Jesus Difference” in the lives of the people we meet.

Do you know what that means? We sure donʼt - but we have some ideas.

I want to urge you to come out Wednesday evening at 7:00pm and join us. Letʼs be creative, confident, and most of all WILLING to ask God to lead us into the world to make a “Jesus Difference”!

This week we are going to be priming and painting the nursery area. There is a lot of wall space that needs to be painted and “many hands make for light work”. There is significant savings on the construction project if we do this part of the work. Please consider helping!

" " Friday " 4:00-8:00pm" " Saturday "8:00-4:00pm

Please join us September 25th, for a virtual 24 hour prayer vigil where we will be joining churches all over the world in praying for Pastor Saeed Abedini, an American pastor who is currently serving an eight year prison sentence in one of Iranʼs toughest prisons simply because of his faith in Jesus.

Since his arrest in September 2012, he has been beaten, and emotionally and physically tortured. Yet, in a letter to his wife, Naghmeh, he wrote:

“… like the rats I can scream with joy within those prison walls and worship my Lord in joy and strength. The Joy of the Lord is my strength. Amen.”

We pray that he may continue to hold fast to the Lord and find joy and strength in Him while he remains in prison. His wife, Naghmeh and their two children have remained in the United States, so please pray for their comfort and peace as they wait on the Lord during this difficult time.

What do I do? This Sunday and every Sunday till the 25th there will be a sign up sheet in the back of the church. Sign up for 1 hour over the 24 hours and covet to PRAY for Saeed and his family. There is nothing to “attend” it is something you do where you are.

PRAYER VIGIL

ISLAM CHRISTIANITY

and

withRobert Sievers

September 25th at 6:00pm

Register by calling 217-586-5165

CONVERSATIONS MATTER

This next installment of “Conversations Matters” promises to be very interesting as Bob walks everyone though the end times as laid out in Quran and compares it to the Biblical text. In addition he will offer historical understanding of the region of the Middle East. Trust me - this will be good stuff!

September 24th, 2015 7:00-9:00pm

LIFE BANQUETOnce again this year Community Evangelical Free Church is a table host for this event. That means that we want to host and fill tables with people who are pro-life and passionate about coming out to celebrate Living Alternatives 30th anniversary with them!

The special Speaker this year is pro-life actress Sheri Rigby.

Where?" Hilton Garden Inn – Champaign" " 1501 S Neil St,, Champaign, IL

When? " September 24th, 7:00-9:00pm

How Much? The evening is Free. There will be an opportunity to " " support Living Alternatives but there is no pressure to " " do so. Register by calling: 217-398-6311 today.

Why? "" Because we believe that abortion is one of the great " " issues of our time and we want to fight it wherever, " " and however we can. Therefore, every member and " " attender of CEFCM is invited to attend this event!

Starting on September 23rd, 40 Days For Life will be peacefully praying outside the Champaign/ Urbana Planned Parenthood facility. Through this ministry many, many lives have been saved as God opens doors for conversations with those going into the clinic for abortions. We will have 2 hours per week that CEFCM is tasked to be outside the clinic. Please pray about joining this ministry. Sign up in the back of the church.

These two new studies are starting September 13th! Sign up this Sunday at the church

2 New Studies Starting September 20th -Register Sunday at Church!

Do you want to study the Bible? Do you want to get to know others who are passionate about Godʼs Word? Do you want to grow to know more about God?

Then think about attending Bible Study Fellowship this fall. For the first time a study on the entire Book of Revelation will starting in mid September 2015 through May 2016. Each expositional study has three parts: a study guide you complete, a small group discussion where you talk about what you learned, and a lecture on the weeks materials. This gives you the opportunity to hear it multiple times. Menʼs Bible Study Fellowship will start September 14th, 6:45pm, at First Baptist Church of Savoy. There is a program for kids 1st grade through High School. Womenʼs Bible Study Fellowship will start September 15th, 9:10am, at First Christian Church in Champaign. There is a childrenʼs program birth through preschool. This is an excellent FREE opportunity for the whole family to study through a book of the Bible together every week!

For more information please see Michele Shafer (shafer5@mchsi.com), Tasha Schifo (tschifo@gmail.com), or Pastor Jason (who attends the Monday night Menʼs Study).

Prayer Retreatmini

Where: Lake in the Woods ParkWhen: October 17th 9am to 12pm (Lunch provided afterwards)

We will be having our first “mini” prayer retreat at Lake in the Woods park where we will pray, seek God, and together see what He is saying to us. We will be using a book that Pastor Jason and Jan Piasecki recently read, “Divine Strongholds” by Terry Terkyl.

If you would like a copy (encouraged) please call the church office. The donation is $10 per book. We will also have some scheduled coffee times to gather, pray and discuss the book.

When was the last time you were able to spend an hour rocking a baby? When was the last time you

were able to give your undivided attention to a curious infant?

 The baby/infant nursery needs your loving touch. We have many babies coming to Sunday School and church each week and their parents could use a break so they can focus on God. During this time it is our chance to tell these little ones how

much God loves them. Say “YES” to serving on

a rotating team. See Michelle Shafer (shafer5@mchsi) or Tasha Schifo (tschifo@gmail.com) today!

Now is Your Opportunity!

Weekly Bible Reading

On September 23rd, at 12:00pm, we will be having a new member luncheon and class. At CEFCM we donʼt look at membership as simply adding numbers, but as a means where you can use your voice to guide the mission of the church. As a congregational church every voice is equal and every voice matters. Please consider joining us.

In addition the Elders would love the opportunity to sit down with prospective new members to get to know them better ahead of the membership class.

The gospel is the good news that a just and gracious Creator has looked upon hopelessly sinful men and women and has sent his Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, to bear his wrath against sin on the cross and to show his power over sin in the resurrection, so that everyone who turns from their sin and themselves and trusts in Jesus as Savior and Lord will be reconciled to God forever. (1 Corinthians 15:1-12)The Gospel is a message that is to be proclaimed by every believer (Mark 1:14; Acts 14:21, Romans 1:16, 1 Peter 1:12).