What is the song of your heart? What is it that you would do, must do, whether you would receive pay or not, thanks or not, recognition or not?

 

In Revelation 5, we find out that John knew what his heart song was. He had sacrificed dearly to see it come about. When it appeared it would not take place, his spirit was crushed and he wept. 

 

I ask you again, what is the song of your heart?  What, if it were destroyed, would make you grieve in this way?

 

And now, here is the most critical question of all: If your heart sings such a song, how is it expressed outwardly in the way you live your life?  So much unhappiness is rooted in heart and life going in different directions. So much joy is gained when they are joined together.

 

-mark l vincent

p.s.  If you haven't been in church for awhile, it is a new year. Come. It is a good start to getting your heart and life in synch.

We all know we live in a consumer society, but perhaps we do not recognize the many ways it show up. We easily we dispose of relationships --- work, church, family, neighbors-- and we justify this breakdown of community with spiritual language that must grieve the God of heaven. "My needs aren't being met," we say. "They moved, I didn't," we claim. "They don't share my values," we plead. We throw entire configurations of relationships away and don't even start over. We simply try to live on our own, or with shallower connections than we knew before. Friends, this leads to dying alone.

Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1) appear to be conservative and deeply spiritual persons in an era when a lot of traditional values and community were up in the air. Fathers and sons clashed over the differences in the Hebrew, Greek and now Roman worlds. Religious leaders were not of the same mind about a good many things. And yet, these two have a spirit of expansiveness that invited everyone to share their joy. This stands in contrast with those who think that the joy they know needs to be preserved from those who would corrupt it.

Their approach surely influenced the way John the Baptist (their son) began to invite anyone who would, to repent, to be baptized and to enter God's forming kingdom.

Let's be hospitable people who invite others into the rich fabric of community, especially the community of God's kingdom, rather than being selfish consumers who contribute to its destruction.

-mark l vincent

I want to express my thanks for the welcome you and given Lorie and I as this interim ministry experience gets underway. I also want to say thank you to those of you assisting with the Mary Ulrich funeral this week.

 

This Sunday we kick off a brief season with small groups—groups that discuss the same texts being preached on in this series Getting Reacquainted with Jesus. Some of you have signed up already. Thank you. Your names have been passed along to the group leaders and they will be expecting you.  Thank you also for those who offered to host small groups. I regret that we do not have enough leaders to fill them all and appreciate your offer of hospitality. I hope it will not discourage you from offering in the future.

 

For those of you who have not yet signed up, there is plenty of room and I hope you will choose to benefit from the experience. Please contact the appropriate small group leader to register your interest.

 

1.    Sundays 9 a.m. – 3 October until 21 November

Family Group (children are welcome to attend a Sunday School class or to participate with the group)

Meeting in Prairieview Lower Level

Mark L. Vincent leads   (262.770.2072 or pastor@prairieviewmc.org)

 

2.    Tuesdays 7 p.m. – Beginning 5 October through 23 November

Individuals/Couples

Carolyn Forney’s home – 104 N. Tina Drive, Flanagan

David Waters leads  (309.807.2045 or perrywaters@gmail.com)

 

3.    Every other Sunday 6 p.m. – 10 October and beyond

Individuals/Couples

Various homes

Paul Stalter leads (815.743.5985 or s3181962@hotmail.com)

 

 

Finally, as I described when I began working with you, October would be the month when we would really get underway and I will have more weekdays in the community.  To that end, I’m going to make it a habit of putting on some hot water any week day I am at the office at 10 a.m., and be available for informal conversation in the church kitchen from 10-10:30.  It’s a small gesture, but one I’ve found to be important and helpful in keeping a church community alive and healthy. Whoever is in the area, please feel free to stop by for some fellowship and deepening our community life together. If you bring cookies, you will be even more welcome! If you don’t believe me, stop by on Monday (4 October). You will find me in the kitchen.  We will try to keep the dates I am in the office updated and printed in the bulletin. But truth be known—I don’t have to be there for folks to stop by at 10 a.m. and enjoy a few minutes of fellowship.

 

It is an honor to serve this church community and I look forward to these next months of worship and service together.

 

 

-mark l vincent

Prairieview Preview
July 23, 2010

It is hard to believe that Sunday is my last sermon I will preach at Prairieview as your pastor.  Likely this will be the last edition of Prairieview Preview that I will send out too.  There have been a lot of "lasts" lately and there will be more yet to come.

Sunday's worship will focus around Saying Goodbye...Temporarily based on two "farewell" speeches found in the Bible.  The first is a speech that Samuel gave to the nation of Israel as he was relinquishing his post as judge - 1 Samuel 12; the second is Paul's farewell to the elders of Ephesus, Acts 20:17-38.

August 2010 Prayer Vine: follow these links to download/print a copy to use during your prayer time.

• Prayer Vine (PDF)
• Prayer Vine (to locate a link to print all monthly requests)
  

Sunday, July 25, 2010

• Sunday School:  9:00 a.m.
• Worship: 10:15 a.m.
• Lunch Bunch to follow Worship at Woody's, El Paso
• Sr. High Youth, 6:30 p.m.

May the Lord Bless You and Keep You!

- Pastor Doug

Prairieview Preview
July 16, 2010

Worship on Sunday will be at Prairieview and NOT IN THE PARK due to the heat that is forecast for Sunday.  There will be no Sunday School and worship will begin at 10:15 a.m.

The focus for worship will be "I Have Decided to Follow..." based on Jesus' invitations to "follow me."  We'll explore what it means to follow Jesus.  During worship we will celebrate the baptisms of Kati Krominga & Chad Gundy!  There will be a potluck meal to follow worship and a farewell for the King Family.  Bring food to share; table service and we will all enjoy the air-conditioned Family Life Center!

Sr. High Youth will meet at 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening.

Wednesday, July 21

• Morning Prayers, 8:30 a.m.
• Exercises, 9:00 a.m.

Have a great weekend and see you on Sunday AT PRAIRIEVIEW!

Doug King, pastor

Prairieview Preview
July 9, 2010

Our family has returned after traveling through Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois - lots of miles in a relatively short period of time. It is good to be back and even though we have a lot of work to do in getting ready to move to Ohio, I am looking forward to the last three weeks of ministry among you at Prairieview. 

As we think about gathering for worship on Sunday I ask you this question...What is it that makes for a healthy congregation?  The answer is trust.  Worship will involve looking at Trusting the Work of the Spirit & Each Other - John 14:16-17, 26; John 16:13-15; Zechariah 4:6; Ephesians 4:22-32.  One highlight of worship will be celebrating communion together!

Come with eager expectation of meeting God.


Sunday, July 11

• Sunday School, 9:00 a.m.
• Worship, 10:15 a.m.
• Congregational Meeting after worship - Topic:  Office Manager Position
• Sr. High Youth Group, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 14

• Faith Exploration Class, 8:00 a.m.
• Exercises, 9:00 a.m.
• Prayer Meeting Night, 6:30 p.m.
• Management Team, 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 15

• Faith Exploration Class, 8:00 a.m.
• Joint Management & Leadership Team meetings, 7:00 p.m.

LOOKING AHEAD!!!

Sunday, July 18

• Worship in the Park - featuring the baptisms of Kati Krominga & Chad Gundy
• Potluck Picnic - bring food to share together
• Farewell for King Family

Have a blessed weekend!

Doug King, pastor

Prairieview Preview
June 25, 2010

Sunday's worship will focus on Standing in Awe of God from Ecclesiastes 5:1-7.  What does it mean to stand in awe of God?  What is awesome about God for you?  Take time to reflect on that between now and worship - then share it with someone at church on Sunday.

NOTE: 

Pastor Doug & Family will be on vacation June 28-July 5.  In the event pastoral care is needed please contact Kathy Porzelius (309.747.2446), member of the Leadership Team.

Sunday, June 27
Sunday School, 9:00 a.m.
Worship, 10:15 a.m.
Sr. High Youth, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, June 28
Walking, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 30
Exercises, 9:00 a.m.
Walking, 6:30 p.m.
Leadership & Management Teams meet with Illinois Mennonite Conference Minister, Chuck Neufeld, 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 4
Sunday School, 9:00 a.m.
Worship, 10:15 a.m. (Jane Roeschley will bring the morning message)
Sr. High Youth, 6:30 p.m.


Have a joy-filled weekend!

- Pastor Doug

Prairieview Preview

 June 17, 2010

This coming Sunday Pastor Duane Otto will be guest speaker on A Father's Journey Home - Joshua 24:1-15.
***Sunday is Father's Day!  It's also the day to return your baby bottles for the Caring Pregnancy Center.  Please return them to the table in the foyer.***

Pastor Doug and family will be celebrating family Christmas in Iowa this weekend...if you have pastoral care issues/needs please contact Carolyn Ringenberg, member of the Leadership Team.

Upcoming Events:

Sunday:      Sunday School, 9:00 a.m.

                    Worship, 10:15 a.m.

                    Blood Pressure Screening in the library before and after Sunday School

                    Sr. High Youth, 6:30 p.m.

 

Monday                 Walking at the church, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday                Faith Exploration Class, 10:30-12:00 noon

 

Wednesday          Morning Prayers – 8:30 a.m.

Exercises – 9:00 a.m.

                                Walking at the Church, 6:30 p.m.

                               

Thursday              Faith Exploration Class, 10:30-12:00 noon

                                Bulletin Announcements due by 12:00 noon

Prairieview Preview
June 11, 2010

Psalm 66:1 - Shout with joy to God, all the earth!

Sunday's worship message is titled Come & See, Come & Listen based on Psalm 66.  I invite you to read the teaching in preparation for worship.

Note:  Pastor Doug & family will be attending a family Christmas gathering in Iowa next weekend (June 18-21).  All pastoral care issues, concerns and prayer requests can be directed to Carolyn Ringenberg, member of the Leadership Team, during that time.

Sunday, June 13

• Sunday School, 9:00 a.m.
• Worship, 10:15 a.m.
• Sr. High Youth, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, June 14

• Walking at church
  

Tuesday, June 15

• Faith Exploration Class, 10:30-12:00 noon
  

Wednesday, June 16

• Morning Prayers, 8:30 a.m.
• Exercises, 9:00 a.m.
  
• Walking, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 17

• Faith Exploration Class, 10:30-12:00 noon

Blessings,
Pastor Doug