Worship Services

8:15 a.m. | Sanctuary

8:15 a.m. | Fellowship Center

9:30 a.m. | Fellowship Center

11:00 a.m. | Fellowship Center

Church Office 217.732.7618 I Fax 217.732.5683 I lcchurch@lincolnchristianchurch.org

Website www.lincolnchristianchurch.org

July 2018 Vol. 67 No. 7

Meet Your Maker I’m not sure of the first time I heard the phrase, Meet

Your Maker; maybe some old cowboy movie,

“Prepare to meet your maker Billy Ray!” or perhaps

a friend riding in my car, “Slow down, I’m not ready

to meet my maker today!” or maybe it was some

preacher from the past, “One day, we will all meet

our maker.” Regardless, this expression has been

around a long time. For Christians, it is a part of our

basic beliefs that, after death, we all return to God

to be judged by our creator, our maker.

But there is more to meeting our maker than

just that moment of our last breath. We can meet

Him right now, right where you live! We’re invited to

come close and meet our maker each and every

day. The more we get to know Him, the more we will

begin to imitate Him.

We get the privilege of modeling our maker to

the people around us. We get to show others God’s

love and grace and joy and forgiveness. We mirror

our maker. After all, we’re made in His image.

My three-year-old granddaughter has started

walking around spitting. Not at anyone, just on the

ground. According to her mother, my daughter, it

was something she saw me doing and started

imitating me. You could say she is the spitting image

of me (when you read this, know that I’m still

giggling).

We are constantly in danger of letting the

world define our image instead of God. It is only

natural to shape our self-image by the attitudes and

opinions of our parents, our peer groups and our

society. But what is natural is not always healthy. It is

only when we define ourselves by the truths of

God’s Word rather than the thinking and

experiences of the world that we can discover the

identity our maker dreamed for us. God wants us to

look like Him.

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a short story

called “The Great Stone Face.” The story is about a

mountain overlooking a village, and on this

mountain within the rock formations was a clearly

defined stone face of a kind old man. Legend has it

that one day a man with that face would come

and visit the village and he would be a wonderful

blessing to all the villagers.

A boy named Ernest heard that legend, loved

the story, and longed for that man to come soon.

Ron Otto

Preaching Minister

The boy would gaze continually upon that great

stone face, studying its contours and

contemplating all the ways that man could bring

a blessing to that village.

As Ernest grew older, he often would take

long walks out to the great stone face and just sit

and gaze at it. It was a daily practice for Ernest to

spend time at the Great Stone Face. Ernest

became more and more well-known for his

kindness and love for the village he was a part of,

and he became known for his wisdom and care

for the villagers. One day, a man was walking with

Ernest past the Great Stone Face and as the man

looked at the mountain and looked at Ernest his

mouth suddenly dropped open in shock and he

said with great joy, “Ernest, you look just like the

Great Stone Face.” Suddenly, the man threw his

arms around Ernest and shouted again, “Behold!

Ernest is the likeness of the Great Stone Face!”

Ernest had become like the one he beheld.

We each are asked to become more and

more like our maker. But in order to mirror Him well,

we need to know Him well. If we’re to become like

Him, we must first study His face. If we’re ever to

be His spitting image, we must come close and

adopt His ways.

Our world is in a desperate state of needing

to see God. They need His love, His kindness, His

grace, and His joy more than ever. You and I are

their best chances of seeing Him today.

Current Sermon Series:

Genesis breaks easily into eight parts—four great events

and four great men—but that’s not the point of Genesis.

The point is to know the truth about God.

Aug 5 Jacob’s Story Genesis 27–30

Aug12 Jacob’s New Name Genesis 31–32

Aug 19 Dashed Dreams Genesis 34–37

Aug 26 Restoration Genesis 39–41

Sept 2 Reconciled and Grace Genesis 42–50

Hope Rising

Lincoln Christian Church is challenging each

attender to take their next step of spiritual growth

by being part of our Hope Rising series. Every

person needs the hope that faith in Jesus can

provide. So, how does the challenge work?

1. Attend Sunday Morning Worship

Hope Rising will be the topic of the September

sermon series during our worship hours. Ron will be

walking us through what it means to experience

hope every day. This will be a powerful and

exciting series to engage in.

2. Join a Six-Week LifeGroup

If you have never been part of a LifeGroup, sign

up now. LifeGroups are groups of 10–14 people

who meet together, usually in a home, to study

the Bible and share the highs, lows, and middles of

life. We are opening the opportunity for several

new groups to meet for the six weeks of the series.

This gives people an opportunity to experience

LifeGroups and all they have to offer without

committing to an entire semester.

Our LCC team has worked hard to write a six-week

study to help you be encouraged by Christian

friends and challenged in your Christian faith.

3. Be Part of a Sunday School Class

Starting September 16, each of our seven Adult

Sunday School Classes will be studying from the

pages of God’s word to help us understand the

Biblical basis for hope in our daily lives. These

lessons were written by our own team of Bible

experts to help us understand and learn from the

important truths of the Scripture.

4. Join a Hope Again Experience

We know that people need practical help in

building hope, that is why we are offing a series of

classes on steps we can take to experience Hope.

This semester, we will be talking about financial

hope through Financial Peace University.

Adult Sunday School Seven classes meet every week at 9:30 a.m. They

are a great place to study the Bible with friends.

Brandon Boyd

Minister of

Adult Discipleship

We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace

University (FPU) is that plan! It teaches God's ways

of handling money. Through video teaching, class

discussions and interactive small group activities,

FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from

where you are to where you've dreamed you

could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of

debt, manage your money, spend and save

wisely, and much more!

The FPU Free Preview event is Wednesday,

September 5, at 6:30 p.m. Sign up for the preview

in the Family Room beginning August 19. Classes

will meet on Wednesdays, starting September 19,

at 6:30 p.m.

Women’s Bible Study The fall session of Ladies Bible study will

study Discerning the Voice of God by

Priscilla Shirer. There will be both a

Monday evening and Tuesday

afternoon session. You can register in

the Family Room starting August 19.

The cost is $15.

New Wednesday Study Join us for a six-week study on

the “13 Attributes of God,”

led by LCU professor Dr. Mark

Mangano. Mark is a gifted

scholar and will help us

understand and apply this exciting and

challenging topic. You will know and experience

God more deeply and personally through this

series. This study begins September 5 at 6:30 p.m.

No registration necessary.

The Next Men On Fire Series! Sign up starting Sunday, August

19, for more information about

how a man can grow in his

faith, his leadership, and his

marketplace influence. You

can also contact Tim Becke at 217.871.2681 or

tim@menonfire.org for details.

Adult Discipleship Website For the latest information on the adult discipleship

ministry, check out the website—

lccdiscipleshipministry.wordpress.com.

Zach Ramsey

Student Minister

Student Ministry Website: lccstudents.com

Text Updates! For Jr. High, text Fuel to 40650. For

High School, text Gathering to 40650.

Jr. High Bible Study This summer at D.I.R.T.

(Deep In Rich Truth), we

will work through the book

of 1 Peter. Bible Study will

meet on Wednesday nights from 6:30–8:00 p.m. For

a list of locations visit lccstudents.com/events or

grab a physical summer calendar from the

Student Info Desk. D.I.R.T. is for all

incoming 6th–8th graders.

High School Bible Study At Greenhouse this

summer, we will work

through the book of

James. Bible Study will

meet on Wednesday

nights from 6:30–8:00

p.m. For a list of locations visit lccstudents.com/

events or grab a physical summer calendar from

the Student Info Desk. Greenhouse is for all

incoming 9th–Graduates.

10 Tutors Needed We need 10 adults who can help elementary kids

with their homework on Monday afternoons 3:15–

4:15 p.m. at the church building. This is a great way

to share the love of Jesus with students who do not

know Christ. Contact Nautika at the Church

Office.

Fall Sunday School - 5th-12th Grade Our fall classes for Sunday School start Sunday,

August 26. This year our classes will meet in the

following rooms:

5th Grade – Rm. 17

6th–7th Grade – Family Rm. 2

8th Grade – Rm. 11

9th–10th Grade – Rm. 12

11th–12th Grade – Rm. 208

Sunday School meets 9:30–10:40 a.m.

Jr. High Cookout Incoming 6th–8th graders, join us August 11, 6:00

p.m. at the Golden’s (1446 Route 121). We are

going to play games, hang out, eat yummy food,

and watch a movie (TBD). $5 for food.

High School Cookout Incoming 9th–graduated seniors, join us August 18,

6:00 p.m. at the Spencer’s (250 Campus View Dr.).

We will have yard games and more (TBA)! $5 for

food.

Fuel (5th-8th Grade Youth Group)

starts Wednesday, September 5,

6:30–7:50 p.m. Doors open at 6:15

p.m.

The Gathering (9th–12th Grade

Youth Group) starts Sunday,

September 9, 6:30–8:00 p.m.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Quest programs begin September 6.

Jr. Quest → 3:15–5:00 p.m.

Quest 68 → 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Quest 912 → 7:00–8:30 p.m.

WELCOME Students Parents

KIDS WORSHIP — August 2018 Wisdom is something we can’t

order from Amazon or go

to the mall and buy. It’s

not something that

someone can wrap up in

a tidy gift box and

present to us! Sometimes

wisdom seems pretty

elusive, but the Bible is

clear that wisdom is

something we can gain. None

of us will likely become “Solomon-like” overnight.

Wisdom has to be cultivated and nurtured.

Solomon said it this way: “Let the wise listen to

these proverbs and become even wiser” (Proverbs

1:5). And Jesus said, “Anyone who listens to my

teaching and follows it is wise” (Matthew 7:24).

Wisdom is a gift, but not one that can be

purchased. We have to grow it in our lives. During

the month of August, our kids will have the

opportunity to discover that when head and heart

knowledge become hand and feet knowledge,

that’s when real wisdom is being practiced. We

hope you can join us as we grow in wisdom

together!

Our key verse for this month is Proverbs 2:6.

Moms and Dads, if you would like to talk with your

kids about our study, the topics are listed below.

The Beginning of Wisdom. Proverbs 1:1–7. We

respect God to become wise.

God Talks to Solomon. 1 Kings 3:5–15; Proverbs

3:14–15. We ask God for wisdom.

Solomon’s Wisdom. 1 Kings 4:29–34. We use the

wisdom God gives us.

The Wise and Foolish Builders. Matthew 7:24–29;

Proverbs 24:3. We show wisdom by following

Jesus.

Be on the LOOKOUT! Be watching for information about the

newest member of the Children’s

Ministry Team! McKenna Southard will

be joining us in August! McKenna is a Junior

Children’s Ministry major at LCU and originally from

Springfield! We are excited to introduce her and

look forward to her serving our kids and families!

Marcia Wells

Children’s Minister

Sunday, August 19, 2018 It’s almost here!! Promotion Day! Make sure you

are with us on Sunday, August 19 at 9:30! Kids will

begin the hour in their current class and have a

chance to say goodbye to their current teacher

and celebrate before moving on to their new

class for the 2018–2019 school year! Kids entering

5th grade will be escorted to their new 5th grade

classroom (Room 17, across from the pop

machine). All other kids will be taken to their new

rooms downstairs and introduced to their new

teachers. This is a special day for our kids and

teachers! Hope to see you there!

Sunday,

August 26,

2018

6:00–8:00

p.m.

Join us on Sunday, August 26, for a Pool Party at

the Lincoln Rec Center. We invite all of our families

to come out to the pool and be sure to bring

some friends! We hope to see lots of our kids their

and all of our VBS friends! So begin thinking of who

you can invite today!

PRESCHOOL OPENINGS

School is just around the corner. If you haven’t

registered your preschooler yet, call today! Give

your child a great start in learning at Lincoln

Christian Church Preschool, where he/she will

learn skills needed for kindergarten in a Christian

environment! Curriculum includes reading, writing,

math, science readiness and more. Stop by today

or call 217.732.7618 for more information!

Laurin Hill

Worship Minister

Good News is for students in 9th thru 12th grades. Kickoff is Sunday,

September 9, at 5:00 p.m. Good News consists of Student Choir, Student

Worship Band*, T.R.A.S.H.*, Student Drama Team, and Student Tech Crü.

Good News includes relevant music, focused drama, and great service

opportunities in a fast-paced, high-energy environment all leading up to a

fantastic tour, June 4–12, 2019!

*audition

HeartSong is for 5th thru 8th grade students. Kickoff is Sunday, September

9, at 6:00 p.m. HeartSong includes service opportunities in music, worship,

drama, and T.R.A.S.H.! HeartSong will participate in the Harvest of Talents

service, Celebrate! Christmas this fall as well as a three-day tour in April 2019.

HeartSong rehearses each Sunday from 6:00–7:00 p.m. Bring your friends!

The Sanctuary Choir kickoff is Wednesday, August 22, at 6:00 p.m.

We will share a meal together (bring something to share), then head into

the Sanctuary Choir loft to sing a little. The Sanctuary Choir meets each

Wednesday night from 6:30–7:45 p.m. We present special music and lead

worship each Sunday in the 8:15 a.m. Sanctuary service. The Sanctuary

Choir is open to those in high school and older. Worship Team vocalists for

the 8:15 a.m. Sanctuary service are selected from the Sanctuary Choir.

Kid’s Choirs will kickoff on Sunday, September 9, at 6:00 p.m. Kids will

be placed in one of two choirs based on age by September 1: ages 3yo,

4yo, 5yo (Cherubs) & 1st thru 4th grades. We have a lot of exciting things

planned this fall and an awesome spring musical for May 2019. We’ll meet

each Sunday evening from 6:00–7:00 p.m. to have fun learning about Jesus,

music, and worship. Invite your friends! After care is available until 7:45 p.m.

for those parents involved in small groups.

Local Impact Highlight: Local Impact Sunday, July 29

Visit our mission booths in the Family Room.

Representatives from Christian Campus

Foundation (Axiom), Christian Child Care, Habitat

for Humanity, His Hands Outreach, Inner City

Mission, Lincoln Christian University, Lincoln/Logan

Food Pantry, Little Galilee Christian Camp, and The

Christian Village will be in the Family Room for you

to learn more about their ministries.

You are invited to a potluck dinner at 12:30

p.m. Please bring food to share. Drinks and table

service will be provided. This will be a time of

fellowship with our partners in serving our

community and state. RSVP by calling the Church

Office to plan appropriately.

In conjunction with Local Impact Sunday, the

Local Impact team is asking for non-perishable

items for the Community Action Food Pantry:

Recap:

When: Bring your items on Sunday, July 29.

Where: Leave your items beside your bumper and

volunteers will pick it up.

His Hands Outreach 2018 Friends and

Family Gathering

Lincoln Christian Church

Monday, August 13 | 7:00 p.m.

This gathering will be held here in LCC’s Fellowship

Center and along with dessert and fellowship,

some of HHO’s volunteers and neighbors will share

their testimonies of God’s grace in their lives. Invite

your friends and family to join us! There is no cost to

attend this event, but an opportunity will be made

available to extend a financial gift to the ministry

of His Hands Outreach.

RSVP to Deb Hoover at

217.828.0275 or

dkh0422@hotmail.com.

Global Impact Highlight: The Johnny Knox Family: Myanmar

On Sunday afternoon, July 8, several gathered at

Lincoln Christian Church to welcome Johnny, Janelle,

Will, Hope, and Zoe. LCC has

helped financially supported the

Knox family since they first went to

Myanmar—bringing the gospel to

this predominantly Buddhist nation.

Johnny & Janelle partner with New

Mission Systems, a mission mobilizing

and sending agency.

Johnny has found that teaching business skills in

Myanmar not only provides a legal way to remain in

the nation, but also helps establish common ground

to make room for Jesus. In addition to business skills, he

is coaching church planters looking to establish

businesses of their own to provide for their financial

needs. The name of Johnny’s business school is

ONOW. He provides classes for Christians and

unbelievers. One aspect that Christian individuals here

can participate in is in giving funds to be used as

small business loans for start-up businesses. When the

loans are repaid, that

money enables more

loans; AND their loan

repayment is much higher

than the average

microloan program.

One example of a successful business and

church planter is Thi Thi Cho, a former Buddhist, now a

Christian. She uses her business to connect with her

community and eventually started a church in her

home. Later, a second church was started and now

five more have been funded by the profits from her

business.

Pray for safety and health as the Knox family

visits supporting churches and family. Pray for God’s

continual blessings on their ministries in Myanmar.

News for the Family!

New Members by Baptism: Emery Kitterman – July 2018 (LGCC)

Brenley Bruns – July 2018 (LGCC)

New Members by Transfer:

Sympathy & Prayers: Joan Horrom at the passing of her sister, Martha J

Harris Kirk; Dennis & Mamie Shull at the passing of

Dennis’ sister, Christine (Shull) Peasley; Mike & Nicole

Lee at the passing of Mike’s uncle, Mike Lee, and

Nicole’s grandmother, Linda Garrett.

laundry soap

dish soap

Diapers (any size)

tooth paste

deodorant

shampoo/conditioner

bar soap/body wash

pasta/spaghetti sauce

canned soups

canned fruit/vegetables

cereal

shelf stable milk

The Call is published monthly by Lincoln Christian Church,

204 N. McLean St. Lincoln, IL 62656–2847. U. S. P. S. 559620

periodical postage paid at Lincoln, IL 62656–9998 Post-

master: Send change of address to Lincoln Christian

Church 204 N. McLean St., Lincoln, IL 62656–2847