better together >> weekly news >> giving info >> Happy New Year, BC family! Please join us as we start a new series this weekend, THE END of the story (as told by Jesus). As a reminder, we have three options to choose from: Saturday 5:30pm on Facebook Live, Sunday 8:30am in the sanctuary for indoor service, and Sunday 11am at the parking lot for drive-in service. You can always access bloomingdalechurch.org/watch at your convenience as well. We hope to see you!

THIS WEEKEND

Pastor David Riemenschneider presents a message from Matthew 24:1-14. People have a lot of theories about what the future of our world will be like. It’s natural to speculate what the future will look like. Fortunately for us, Jesus, the greatest authority on the subject, describes it and includes some intriguing details. In our weekend worship services, we will be turning to the teachings of Jesus found in Matthew 24-25 and investigate the promise by Jesus of his second coming and how human history will come to a decisive conclusion. Please join us as Pastor David begins the series THE END of the story (as told by Jesus). WEEKEND PROGRAMMING (latest programming updates are always available at bloomingdalechurch.org/bettertogether)

● Online Service: You can view the service online anytime, beginning Saturday 5:30pm ● Saturday 5:30pm service watch party: Watch the service together on Facebook Live;

then join us in a virtual lobby via Zoom ● Sunday 8:30am indoor service: We will meet for an indoor service, following social

distancing and mask guidelines (Children can stay with their parents during the 8:30am worship hour)

● Sunday 11am drive-in service: We will meet for an outdoor service, following social distancing and mask guidelines

● Children’s Programming: Sunday 11am during second part of service outside (Wellness Pre Check In Required)

● PAK: Sunday 11am outside in gray parsonage garage (Wellness Pre Check In Required)

THE OUTREACH BUILDING

The outreach building at 260 Glen Ellyn Rd needs your help. Here's how you can contribute:

1. If you have ideas on what to name the building, please submit names to Pastor Bill at billc@bloomingdalechurch.org

2. If you sense a need from our community that can be met through the building (i.e. support group, etc), please also submit them to Pastor Bill at billc@bloomingdalechurch.org

3. Prayerfully give to the North Building fund (our goal is to raise $50,000) so we can fully furnish and bring the building up to village code

read the full update >>

CURRENT ADULT ED OFFERINGS HOPE IN THE DARK: BELIEVING GOD IS GOOD

WHEN LIFE IS NOT (JAN 10-MAR 14) Sundays, 9:45-10:30am - Zoom

Have you ever wondered, even secretly to yourself, "Where are you, God? Can I really trust you?" Whether it is a question you've struggled with in the past or are facing right now, you are invited to join us as we explore the experiences that author Craig Groeschel shares of others who've faced that question. During our reading and discussion, we will be looking at the story of Habakkuk, a prophet of God who also struggled with trust and doubt. Together we will discover how God meets us even in life's most challenging moments and encourage one another as we wrestle with the reality of pain, doubt, and unanswered questions. Copies of the book can be found at your local library and are also available from the church for $5. If you would like a book, place your order by December 31st by clicking the below button. join class via zoom >> order book for $5 each >> (Zoom password: adulted)

ENGAGING IN PRAYER WORKSHOP (JAN 10-24) Sundays, 9:30-10:15am - Zoom

Sometimes prayer feels intimidating and hard. We may want to connect with God in prayer, but we don’t know what to say. We may get discouraged when we ask for things, but we don’t get the answers we want. Sometimes we may wonder if God is listening or if He really cares. As disciples of Jesus, one key way that we grow is by connecting with Him through prayer. Thankfully, Scripture has a lot to say about prayer, and there are many ways that we can go about it! Join us in this workshop and you will:

1. Learn creative ways of engaging in prayer that can be used both personally and in discipleship relationships

2. Practice and discuss those methods with the support of the facilitator and other participants

Questions? Email Chelsea at chelsear@bloomingdalechurch.org. join workshop via zoom >>

GOAL SETTING COURSE (JAN 10-24) Sundays, 9:30-10:30am - Zoom

There seems to be much anticipation about this new year. Maybe it is because hindsight is now (literally) 2020. Or perhaps this past year exposed some things about who you are and what you are prioritizing with your life. What are you doing about this? In this three-week mastermind course, we will:

1. Explore multiple practices for setting and achieving goals 2. Support each other in the process of crafting achievable 2021 goals

sign up for course >> join course via zoom >>

LIFE DESIGNING COURSE A self-paced program

To look forward, we start by looking back – that’s 20/20 vision. It’s hard to get far on your own in designing a plan around the purpose of your next season, let alone the purpose of your life, but with the help of a guide and some personal grit, you can achieve this. By engaging in this self-paced program, you will:

1. Put together a written design for the future you sense God has entrusted to you 2. Develop actionable and achievable goals to get you closer to your envisioned future

from your current reality

sign up for course >>

FAMILIES GROUP Sundays, 9:30-10:15am - Zoom

Families Group will resume Sunday, Jan 10. families class zoom >> (Zoom password: BCYF)

PAK ON SUNDAYS Sundays, 11-11:45am - Gray Parsonage Garage

PAK (Pre-Adolescent Kids) is our "starter" youth group for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. We are learning how to apply Biblical truths to pre-teen life through the characters of the Bible. PS: Marina sends out a weekly PAK note. If you are not receiving it, please 1) check your spam folder, or 2) call the church with your email address so we can make sure we have your info.

MONDAY NIGHT MEN Mondays, 7:30-8:45pm - Zoom

Monday Night Men will resume Monday, Jan 11. monday night men zoom >> (Zoom password: 138434)

TUESDAY WOMEN'S BREAK Tuesdays, 9-11am & 6:45-8pm - Zoom

We invite you to join Women’s Break where women from all seasons of life learn to apply timely lessons from the Bible to their daily lives. Marina Riemenschneider is leading a study of the Old Testament Psalms, starting Tuesday, Jan 12 via Zoom.

● "One of the many benefits of studying the Psalms is having a thankful heart. The Psalms help us to live our lives with grateful hearts no matter what our circumstances. And let’s face it, 2020 has been a difficult year. Please join us this new year as we take a break from the busyness of our lives and look into the book of Psalms for encouragement from our loving God." -Marina

● "I really like the Psalms as they speak to my emotions. Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night, a Psalm will come to me that I have memorized in the past. The Psalms really give me comfort." -Donna

● "Even though the Psalms were written so long ago, I feel like I can relate to them as they are comforting and encouraging to me. Psalm 139 is my personal favorite!" -Denise

● "I like to study the Psalms because they speak to my heart. They touch on such a wide variety of emotions and they give me a blueprint of how to handle situations in my life. I have learned how I can cry out to God at any time, with anything and he hears me and responds." -Kim

PS: Marina sends out a frequent devotional thought by email. If you are not receiving it, please 1) check your spam folder, or 2) call the church with your email address so we can make sure we have your info.

morning break zoom >> evening break zoom >> (Zoom password for both: bcwomen)

BCYOUTH264 PROGRAMMING

1. Banquet Workshop Tue Jan 5, 6:30-8:30pm (via Zoom) Planning for Youth Banquet 2021

2. *Virtual* New Year's Party Fri Jan 8, 7-8pm (via Zoom)

3. Engaging in Prayer Workshop Sun Jan 10, 9:30-10:15am (via Zoom) Teens and Adults welcome! Learn and practice creative ways of engaging in prayer for personal use & discipleship purposes

4. Youth Group will resume Jan 10 via Zoom only Sun Jan 10, 6:30-8pm - we are taking additional precautions for that Sunday after the holidays

5. IPSAT Course Starts Sun Jan 31, 9:30-10:30am (via Zoom)

Looking for a full schedule of events? read january 2021 newsletter >>

AWANA KIDS CLUB (SEP 9, 2020—APR 28, 2021)

Choose from two flexible models:

● Awana Z: Kids will meet on Zoom with leaders that will work with them in their handbooks, complete FUN activities (with supplies provided at Monthly Check-Ins), and discuss Bible lessons.

● Awana Family Groups: In this model, we will provide you with FUN weekly activities and Bible lessons to complete and discuss as a family at home while kids also work in their Awana handbooks. You can choose to participate in this model as an individual family unit or you can invite another family to participate with you in the comfort of your backyard/home.

Cost: $10 (includes supplies, surprises, and prizes!)

explore fall 2020 awana >> join bc awana fb group >>

CROSSROADS KIDS CLUB Thursdays, 4-4:45pm - Zoom

Crossroads Kids Club is a FREE after-school program that teaches kids values such as respect, responsibility, and caring for others. Each kid in Crossroads receive an activity bag called a Crew Kit that is full of supplies they will use during club. Our leaders will tell the kids which supplies are needed at the beginning of each club. register for crossroads >>

BC PODCAST

Pastors Bill Calvin, Dan Marcello, and Scott Reed come together with moderator Max Terman to discuss the Bible, Jesus Christ, and the life of Bloomingdale Church. Send questions, stories, and jelly beans to podcast@bloomingdalechurch.org. "Loose tongues and engaged minds"—this is the #BCPodcast listen to the bc podcast >>

BC LEARNING CENTER Open Monday-Friday 7am-4pm

The mission of the Bloomingdale Church Learning Center is to create a learning environment for our community’s children. We want to serve our community by providing a learning space for students (grades 1-8) currently participating in an online school. Our LC is equipped with dedicated adult supervision, proper wifi and internet, and enough space to appropriately social distance. Register by clicking below and help us spread the word! register for January 2021 >>

KIDS FRONT PORCH

Have you heard about The Kids Front Porch? We are creating a weekly program for kids hosted by Sweet Stephanie, Professor Smarts, Masked Man of Marcello with his puppet friends Lisa & Louise, Singing Scott, Nana the Story Lady, Jeanie Joy, and Adventures with Josh & Eric. The series will be available on a brand-new YouTube channel and bloomingdalechurch.org soon so stay tuned!

SHARE A PRAISE/PRAYER

At Bloomingdale Church, we want to pray for your needs and celebrate answered prayers. Please share your prayer requests and praise report throughout the week by filling out the online form below. fill out the prayer form >>

GIVING INFO Thank you for supporting our mission of helping people know Jesus Christ as Lord. Several safe, secure, and convenient methods have been created for you to give.

● Online: bloomingdalechurch.org/give ● Bank Transfer (EFT): utilize your bank's "Bill Pay" feature to designate Bloomingdale

Church as the payee ● Cash/Check: mail to the church office

give online now >>

BEFORE YOU GO...

● Weekly Facebook Live Prayer & Worship: Join Monday Devo & Prayer (10am) with Pastor Dan Marcello and Thursday Praise & Worship (6pm) with Scott Reed on our Facebook page.

● Food Pantry: Our Food Pantry is open Wednesdays 12-2pm under the portico. If you are interested in volunteering, you can learn about the different roles on bloomingdalechurch.org/foodpantry

● Past Messages: All recent messages are available to view on bloomingdalechurch.org/messages

● How can we help you stay connected during the pandemic? Ask me a question or tell me what’s on your mind. Drop me a note at nitaw@bloomingdalechurch.org.

Wishing you a blessed new year, Nita Widjaja Office Administrator

Connect with us on: Bloomingdale Church 264 Glen Ellyn Rd, Bloomingdale, IL 60108 (630) 894-0090 | bloomingdalechurch.org We help people know Jesus Christ as Lord.