Two Great Events in Store…

Item #1:
Hey, listen up! If you get The Pantagraph, there is a wonderful feature about the Van Leer Arts Society and our opening art show tomorrow night at the Broadview Mansion at 1301 S. Fell in Normal. 6:00 – 9:00. Our very own Mike Connelly is pictured and featured in the article. Since I can’t even draw a stick man, I am in charge of finger foods. So, bring your hungry little fingers over, munch with a touch of class, and meet the artists, enjoy their work, and make sure that The Jake is well represented. (Cheap date, fellas, with a touch of class, too. Hard to beat! Or, if you are single and unattached, what a great place to “make the scene.”)

Item # next:
Due to a scheduling conflict, we are moving our Thanksgiving Dinner to next Saturday, November 17, beginning at 5:00. This is all actually turning out for the best, for we can now include a movie with dinner! We’re going to be showing Facing the Giants. It is quite inspiring. Bring your Kleenex (and I’m talking to the macho guys out there; this is really a grabber for a guy’s heart).

So, even though we’ve been promoting this dinner as being on Sunday, that has all changed. Come on Saturday – and bring friends!

Dave

Some of the greatest news in the history of our church!

Just talked to Randy Stewart of Neighborhood Engagement Ministries. It is through Randy’s efforts that the money from the Cheer Bucket (Yea!) was appropriated to drill a well in a Muslim village in Nigeria. We showed two inspiring video clips of the people and the well in church a few weeks ago.

If you’d like to view it again, check out clips #1 & #2:
http://www.neighborhoodengagement.org/videostest.asp

Anyway – get ready for this:

Since the well became functional last spring, two Muslims in the village have become Christians and they say it is because of the well!!!!!!

This well changed life in this village. It brought hope and health. It tangibly demonstrated the love of Jesus and his people.

Each of these precious new Christians is being shielded from sure persecution and fed spiritually by the Nigerian missionary on the ground over there.

Please pray for them … and for an even greater harvest of souls.

More to follow!

In the words of the classic hymn, It is truly well with my soul today!

Rejoice. Thank God. And pray for these two – and that this is the just the beginning.

Drink up!

Dave

Down Payment Update

In June 2007 we asked our members to help us raise $20,000 for the down payment to purchase the property at 302-304 Jersey Av in Normal where we had been meeting for the past year. We asked for people to consider a one time gift or to pledge a monthly amount that would be contributed until we collected the total amount.

As of 9/10/2007 we have raised 61% of the $20,000.

Gifts: $10,675

Pledges received; $1,550