Sunday, April 12, 2020

In light of public health and safety requirements, and with prayerful guidance from the Dewey Community Church Board of Elders, it has been determined that all activities in the DCC building will remain on hiatus through at least the beginning of May. This includes Sunday morning activities in addition to Wednesday evening "Connections."

You can listen to this week's sermon online at http://www.deweychurch.org/listen. On the website, you'll also be able to access our YouTube playlist for songs of joy and hope to bring you into a time of worship.

During this time of staying home, Pastor Neal is emailing a daily devotion (Tuesday-Friday), along with a Sunday email called DCC@Home. If you are not already receiving these emails but would like to, contact the church office at office@deweychurch.org.

Journey to Hope
Luke 24:13-35

Jesus offers hope to hope-deprived people from every kindred, every tribe through his death and resurrection. In Luke 24:13-35, Jesus walks with two of his disciples and through their interaction we see 3 stages of hope which they experienced on their post-resurrection journey with him.

I. Jesus’ disciples experienced the loss of hope.

II. Jesus’ disciples experienced a spark of hope.

III. Jesus’ disciples experienced a renewal of hope.

A. Jesus offers hope for the next life.

B. Jesus offers hope for this life.

Conclusion: In Christ alone my hope is found!

Remember to Pray: For Steve E. who received a concussion due to a fall last week but is recovering and back at work...for Ben & Erin H. as they await the arrival of their child in May...for Mike & Heidi R. as they continue to care for Heidi's father in their home...for Nik H. and Chase V. as they serve our nation in the US Army overseas....for Rhonda H. & Emily N. as they continue to be intentional about staying connected with our preschool children and their families...that the light of Christ will shine brightly in and through His people during these dark days...for our public school teachers and administrators as they transition to and prepare lessons for eLearning through at least end of April...that all those in our congregation who fall into the 'at risk' demographic will be able to steer clear of the coronavirus...for those who have or who are anticipating a loss of income as 'non-essential' businesses remain closed through the end of the month...for our president, governor and other elected officials as the weight of many decisions which impact the lives of millions rest upon their shoulders...for our missionaries who are experiencing the challenges presented by Covid-19 in places far removed from their family support systems.

Instant Church Directory: The online directory can now be accessed by downloading the Instant Church Directory app from Google Play, the Apple App Store or Kindle Fire. After downloading the app: 1) enter your email which you provided for the directory; 2) follow the directions on screen to complete the login process. Once logged in you have access to the entire directory and you can edit your families information. (Including adding a picture to your entry. Currently, there are very few pictures in the directory!) If you are have not provided information for the directory please do so by contacting the church office. We would like this directory to be a current and complete representation of the DCC family. For more information, you can visit the Instant Church Directory website at http://www.instantchurchdirectory.com.Questions? Contact the church office.

Together for the Gospel (T4G): The T4G conference which was scheduled for April 13-16 in Louisville, KY was cancelled back in March. Pastor Neal was registered to attend but will now be participating via Live Stream on those days. He will not be responding to emails or texts during the sessions but he will be available between sessions. Since the venue has changed from on-sight to Live Stream, he is able to share a link with ten other people who would like to participate in the conference. Let him know if you are interested in participating and he will share the link with you.

The Elder Board will meet on Sunday, April 19 at 5:00 pm. Please keep them in your prayers as they seek to continue to lead the congregation during these unusual days and circumstances.

RightNow Media: Looking for online, Bible-based resources for your entire family to utilize while you are 'sheltering in?' RightNow Media provides a treasure-trove of resources including Bible studies, devotionals, teaching videos for adults and Bible-based videos for children. If you would like to access these resources, please contact Pastor Neal (neal@deweychurch.org). As an alumnus of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School he is able to grant access to the site.

April 2020 Church Calendar: The April calendar is available on the DCC website. Follow this link (http://www.deweychurch.org/calendar) to access it.

Associate Pastor Survey: If you have not yet turned in your survey please do so in the next few days. The survey has been sent to the congregation via email and the Elder Board is hoping that many of you will take a few minutes to respond to it. The information gleaned from the survey will be used by the Elder Board to revise (if warranted by the survey results) the current Associate Pastor job description and to help guide the congregation moving forward. We would ask that you print the survey and fill it out either as couples or as individuals. If you do not have the resources to print it please contact the church office and a hard copy will be mailed to you. After you have completed the survey you may mail it to the church office (P.O. Box 21, Dewey, IL 61840) or drop it off in the 'black box' which will be located on the table just inside the carport entrance. If you do not have access to email, please contact the church office and a paper copy will be sent to you.

DCC Email Sign-Up: Several means of accessing information from DCC are available via email. These include: 1) Pastor Neal's devotionals; 2) a weekly link to the DCC digital Sunday bulletin; and 3) other news, announcements and prayer requests. If you would like to be included on one, two or all three of these lists, please email the church office at office@deweychurch.org.

An Easter Greeting:

Dear friends,

Whatever challenges and difficulties we may be facing now in the midst of the pandemic, we have this assurance: “Christ Jesus who died - more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom.8:34-35)

Let us rejoice, then, as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection in the confidence that, even in the midst of our current troubles, we can be assured of his love and protection.

May you and your family have a blessed Easter!

Yours in His love,

Gregg and Rawda D. (Missionaries serving overseas)