Archive for the ‘News & Events’ Category


The newsletter can be downloade right here: April Messenger, 2012.

The current newsletter is always available on the Newsletter page. You can find it by hovering your mouse over the tab hat says, “News & Events. In the pull down menu, you’ll see the link for the newsletter page.

If yu have trouble with the pulldown menu, try the alternate menu near the bottom of the page. Or go there now with this link, Newsletter.


Jan 12

Serving at Love Packages On Saturday, March 17th.

Ladies will be leaving by 7:30 am to join Effingham 1st Baptist Church to serve in Butler, IL. We’ll work
until noon, then eat our sack lunches on the way home. 

Saturday, March 24th a second group of FBC-A men and women will go to Butler and work alongside
Shelbyville Fellowship Baptist Church in sorting Christian materials.


Dec 30

We have a special Event On Sunday, January 8th at 5:30 pm. We will show the exciting new movie, “Courageous” here at our church.  Our entire church family, AWANA clubbers,
and AWANA families are all invited to attend. 

If you haven’t seen the film yet, now’s your chance. If you have, come and see it again. See you there! 



Music Notes

The chancel choir’s performance of “Joyful and Triumphant – A Worldwide
Christmas Celebration”. Was well attended, and all who were there had only good comments to make on the way the choir sounded, and delivered the message in song.

The songs in this cantata reminded us that Christ came for everyone. I am quoting from one of the songs:

He is everybody’s King,
Jesus is Everybody’s King…
No matter your race,
No matter your place in life,
He’s a King for everyone,
No matter where you came from….

Another song points out that Jesus came for people like you and me. I am reminded that Jesus came for me and He is the greatest Christmas gift one could ever receive.

If you missed joining us on Sunday, December 11th, you missed out on a blessing. But don’t worry, God’s mercies are new each day, and I’m sure the choir will have ore in store as we head into the new year.

by Keith, and based on Myrta’s newsletter article.



Sunday Evening Bible Clubs – AWANA for kids age 4 – 6th grade and TREK for youth both have their last meeting of 2011 on December, 11.

You won’t want to miss it, we start at 5:30 pm.  This is our final club night through the holidays until January 8th, so please try to attend! 


Oct 22

As part as our goals to better minister to our Sunday School members, reach more people through targeted Bible studies, and reach out to serve our community, be sure to attend next Sunday October 30, 2011.

It’s a simple thing, we’re updating the enrollment records so we know where we stand, and give us a place to start. Be sure to bring a pen and join us for Sunday School as we enroll everyone next week at 9 o’clock!

When you’re not here, we miss you, but if a proper enrollment isn’t filled out, we may not know how to contact you to tell you.


Oct 22

[St Elmo, IL] A hayride will take place at 6:00 pm this Friday, October 28th at Hunsaker Woods south of St. Elmo. 

For maximum fun and fellowship, bring a pack of hotdogs & buns, or a dessert and enjoy
the bonfire with us! 

Be sure to invite your friends and neighbors.

Don’t miss the bus. The church bus leaves at 5:30 pm! 

  • Save gas

  • No driving directions required
  • Just be in time to catch the bus.


The October Newsletter is now available, and can be downloaded here. October 2011 Messenger

The current newsletter can always be found on the Newsletter page. Look for the “News&Events tab, and click the newsletter link that pulls down.


Pastor Celebration Day

posted by Keith
Oct 1

Join us with our Pastor Appreciation day, and Mortgage Burning!

Everyone please join in our celebration of Pastor Appreciation Day on Sunday, Oct. 16th. We’ll set aside a special time during worship service to honor our pastors and we’ll show our love for them with a card shower.

A hog roast and bonfire will follow when we will burn the mortgage to our property. Hallelujah!


Aug 20

Interested in supporting our children’s Bible program? Consider donating an extra $10 to sponsor a child. Details will follow from the AWANA Commander. Just note it on your giving envelope!


Aug 8

AWANA Volunteer Meeting Next Sunday–Aug 14th—immediately following Morning Worship (lunch will be provided).

  • We’ll take an opening-year inventory of materials and uniforms,

  • review lists of return clubbers for classes,
  • determine classroom and activity placement,
  • develop an annual club calendar,
  • plan our opening night activities,
  • select possible theme nights,
  • and discuss expectations of new and returning volunteers.

Please try to attend as AWANA will kick off on Sunday, August 21st
it’s very nearly upon us!


Aug 8

Calling All Sunday School Teachers Please attend the training scheduled for this Saturday, August 13th at 1:30pm. We’ll cover The Transformational Class training for all Sunday School levels and audiences.

Come and be equipped to adopt a fresh perspective on Sunday School and its purpose. Please try to attend.



Committee members will be asking leaders to check with volunteer staff to see if everyone is serving where they feel called. Better yet—be proactive and let your Team Leader know and save them a call! Those who are non-members are welcome to volunteer to serve in many non-leadership positions, so please notify the Team Leader listed below.

Interest Surveys and Spiritual Gift Inventories are in the front foyer.

Our Team Leaders:

Worship & Music – Mirta Donnelley

Provide music, worship, and media resources, plan all worship services

Includes: ushers, media, drama, floral décor, greeters, chancel choir, special music.

Ministry – Pastor Lowell

Discovering spiritual gifts and guiding members to find meaningful places of service

Includes: nursery, prayer, bus & van, Shut In, youth and ministry for all ages.

Fellowship – Janet Hunsaker

Includes: weddings, funerals, potlucks, holiday events, pastor appreciation, compassionate cooks, graduations, game nights.

Evangelism & Missions – Pastor Ron & Linda/Larry Riley

Evangelistic training, activities & programs, mission opportunities

Includes: REACH, Men on Mission, World Changers, VBS, WMU, mission night.

Discipleship – Paula Putnam

Developing spiritual maturity, sponsor programs that help believers grow

Includes: Sunday School, AWANA, small group Bible study, extended session, children’s church.

Sunday School: Our church family has filled the needs for children’s Sunday School teachers for the coming year. Praise the Lord! We are left without substitute teachers for the preschool through 6th grade class levels, so if you’re willing to fill in, see Paula Putnam.



Lesson Overview: The lesson encourages Christians to make the most of unsettling experiences.

Background: JEREMIAH 26:1-29:32

1. REESTABLISH NORMALCY (JEREMIAH 29:1,4-7)
2. REJECT UNREALISTIC DREAMS (JEREMIAH 29:8-9)
3. REMEMBER THE LORD IS IN CONTROL (JEREMIAH 29:10-14)



R.E.A.C.H. Training is for all Sunday School teachers, AWANA club leaders, and Deacons. All are strongly encouraged to join us on this Saturday, July 23rd as we travel to Marion for this FREE IBSA training session. 

By training, we are enabling our teachers, and our church family will be equipped to reach out to others and evangelize our communities. 

Let Pastor Ron know TODAY if you plan to attend.  We’ll leave the church at 6 am and return about 3 pm.



You Are Needed! Our Sunday School needs teachers for the following children and youth classes:

  • 1st and 2nd grade

  • 3rd and 4th grade
  • 5th and 6th grade
  • 7th and 8th grade
  • 9th – 12th grade

Please pray about these openings and then see Paula Putnam if you are being lead to serve our church family in this way.

Don’t Forget: You can send an email directly to Paula by clicking here.


Jun 24

Coming Soon! Our Sunday School will soon be offering classes to:

  • Singles, led by Keith Heltsley

  • Young Married Couples, led by Pastor Ron & Delaine

Check out our other Adult Sunday School Classes:

  • Baby Boomers and Empty Nesters, Life Values

  • Baby Boomers and Empty Nesters, Exploring the Bible
  • Time-Honored Women
  • Time-Honored Men

Grounds Crew

posted by Keith
May 16

With the spring rains (OK, in our case a deluge) comes the need to mow our beautiful church grounds. Our lawn crew is at it once again—if you are in the neighborhood on Thursdays, stop in and give them a cup of coffee or a cool drink to show your appreciation for their dedicated service to our church family.


May 12

Shut-In Ministry

As we celebrate Memorial Day this year, let’s reflect on God’s faithfulness to His people.

“God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1:9

Our Shut In Ministry team continues to contact those folks who, for one reason or another, are unable to worship and fellowship with us. Recent visits include Doris Larsen, Cleo Allen, Irene Tucker-Riley, Bob Atchison, and Sybil Wooldridge. We were blessed by our visits and ask that you remember them in prayer for health needs, comfort and encouragement in this season. We also remember Jon Clymer, Louella Goldsborough, Maxine Hites, Angie McElroy, and Larry Riley for recent health struggles.

If you have an interest to serve in this ministry or if you know someone in our body in need of encouragement, please contact Alice Potts (618.483.3126) or Nancy Byars (618.483.9826).


May 10

At our May business meeting we will vote on a proposed Deacon Yokefellow program.

The proposal is as follows:

A yokefellow is a man from the church family who assists the deacon in his ministry as a deacon.

Prospective deacons may be asked to serve twelve months as a Yokefellow, working beside other deacons to learn about the duties and responsibilities of service as a deacon.

Any Yokefellow-time is useful to help the church determine whether the prospective deacon should indeed serve. The prospective deacon may also use Yokefellow-time for personal, prayerful reflection to determine if he should or must serve Jesus as a deacon of His church.