First Christian Church Champaign

Have you ever gone on a hike without a map? That could be a recipe for disaster! You would end up taking quite a few steps, but maybe not in the right direction. Our goal as a church is for us all to take steps of faith in the right direction of fulfilling our mission. This week we unpack the new vision of FIRST: 5,000 Next Steps of Discipleship.

With the turn of every new year comes the chance to set the pace for where God will take our church in the coming year. So for us, that means reminding all of us of the greater mission God has set before us. While God sets the mission, we set the pace. Are you ready to see what God will do this year?

The Christmas season is over, but the New Year isn’t quite here yet. So, now what? What if we saw giving as something that’s always in season? Let’s wrap up the Christmas Gift Exchange by keeping the heart of giving for all seasons of the year.

Knowing the giver of the gift can dramatically change its value and meaning. A macaroni necklace from your boss is a fake smile and half-hearted, “thanks.” But, the same gift from your child is truly something to be cherished. In week 3, Christmas Eve, we remember who the greatest gift in this life is from.

It’s the thought that counts. Perhaps you’ve heard - or used! - that phrase in regards to a gift. What that really means is the heart behind the gift is what matters most. In week 2 of Christmas Gift Exchange, we look at how Jesus exchanges our hearts for His.

Giving gifts is somewhat of an art form, isn’t it? Whether it’s what they want or need, the better you know the other person, the easier gift-giving is. As we kick-off this Christmas series, we see that God knows the greatest gift we need.

“Anything worth living for is worth dying for…” comes from the iconic novel Catch-22. The pithy statement may beat strong in our minds, but does it pump the blood through our veins? As we finish our Upside Down series, we look at the final Beatitude that may be the greatest challenge of all.

Would you say peace is harder to make or maintain? Either way, both require quite a bit of effort. Yet, living at peace with everyone is always harder than it sounds. In week 8 of Upside Down, we unpack the challenge of Jesus to be peacemakers.

There’s a big difference between water that’s filtered and unfiltered. What if we told you it was also possible to filter the tugs of heart? In week 7 of Upside Down, we see how Jesus challenges us with a heart-filter in following Him.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “you get what you deserve?” If we’re honest, not one of the best things to hear. So, why does it sound like that’s what Jesus is saying in this next Beatitude? In week 6 of Upside Down, we unpack what Jesus meant when He said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”