Sunday, April 5, 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.

Visit our YouTube playlist for songs of comfort and peace to bring you into a time of worship: https://bit.ly/2JmowbM

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.

The Word of God
Isaiah 40:6-8

God’s child can ‘Keep Calm’ in these Covid-19 days because of God’s word spoken to us. In our text, we discover 3 characteristics of God’s word which should lead us to a spirit of calm as we reflect upon them.

I. We will be nudged towards a spirit of calm when we are reminded that God’s word is timely (v. 6a).

II. We will be nudged towards a spirit of calm when we are reminded that God’s word is powerful (v 6b-8).

III. We will be nudged towards a spirit of calm when we are reminded that the promises of God’s word are manifold (41:1-66:24).

Remember to Pray: For Ben & Erin H. as they await the arrival of their child in May...for our public school teachers and administrators as they transition to and prepare lessons for eLearning through at least end of April...for Mike & Heidi R. as they continue to care for Heidi's father in their home...for Rhonda H. & Emily N. as they continue to be intentional about staying connected with our preschool children and their families...for Nik H. and Chase V. as they serve our nation being deployed with the US Army...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.

Congratulations to Steve E. and Mary K. who were united in marriage this past Saturday, April 4 in a small family ceremony. Please keep them in your prayers and find a way to extend to them your blessing as they embark on this new season of life together.

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.

Cancellations: With the extended Stay-At-Home mandate from the State of Illinois, Sunday School classes and Worship services will continue to be on hiatus until at least the beginning of May. Likewise, Wednesday "Connections" will not meet again during the school year as these midweek ministries typically conclude on the last Wednesday of April.

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

New Address: Dave & Rose B. have moved to the Villas of Holly Brook in Rantoul, check the DCC@Home email or contact the church office for their address.

Associate Pastor Survey: Within the next several days an email will be sent out to to the DCC family. The email will have a survey attached which the Elder Board invites everyone in the congregation to fill out. 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 don't 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.

It’s That Time of Year Again - VBS TIME! As we tentatively and prayerfully move forward with planning Vacation Bible School we ask that instead of the paper copies of the VBS Volunteer form, you fill out an online version (link below)! This year’s theme: Concrete and Cranes-- Building on the Love of Jesus! is based on Philippians 1:6, I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. God willing, His work will be done through you, June 8-12 at this year’s VBS. Please pray and complete this form by April 5th! If you have any questions, please contact Megan H. and Susie K. (check the DCC@Home email or contact the church office for their contact information).

Here is the link to the online survey: https://forms.gle/iRBtxDMrXkiQpQLc7

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 Online Church Directory is being produced for the DCC family utilizing Instant Church Directory Online (www.instantchurchdirectory.com). If you would like to be included in the directory contact the church office and an information form will be emailed to you. You can fill it out and return it to the church office. (Feel free to include only the information you are comfortable sharing in the directory.) In addition, you can email a family/individual picture to office@deweychurch.org for inclusion in the directory. Access to the directory will only be available to those included in the directory.