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						Holy Family Parish
						 
						
						 316 S. Logan 
						St.          217-732-4019 
						Pastor:   Rev. Jeffrey G. 
						Laible 
						Assistant:   
			
			
						Rev. John Huy Pham 
						Liturgy schedule:   5PM 
						Saturday   8AM & 10AM Sunday Website: 
						
						
						www.holyfamilylincoln.com E-mail:
						
						
						
						info@holyfamilylincoln.com 
						
						
							
							
							
							
							
							Jefferson Street
            Christian Church  
							
							
							 1700 
						N. Jefferson St.          217-732-9294 
							Preaching minister:   
						Dustin Fulton Worship: 
							   
						9AM & 10:45AM Sunday Midweek activities: 
							 
						"Truth North": 6PM Wed. 
							Website: 
							
							www.jeffstreet.org 
							
							E-mail:
							dustinf@jeffstreet.org 
						 
						
						Lincoln
            Christian Church  
						Independent 
						Christian Church 
						
						
						 204
            N. McLean St.          217-732-7618 
						Preaching minister:   Ron 
						Otto Worship:    
						8:15, 9:30, 11AM & 
						6PM   Sunday Midweek activities: 
						
						(Beginning Sept. 12)  
						Adult, Youth & Kids' Club: 
  6:30PM 
						Wed. Website: 
						www.lincolnchristianchurch.org
						 E-mail: 
						gtparmenter@insightbb.com 
						 
						
						Prairieland Christian Church
						 
					
						 P.O. 
    Box 108, 1st St. Hartsburg, IL 62643          217-642-0415 
						Minister:  Vance Russell 
						Sunday School:
             9:30AM Worship: 10:30AM 
						
						
						Lincoln Church of God
						 
						
						 1415 
						Fourth St.          217-732-8989 
						Pastor:   Jacob Skelton 
						Sunday School:
             9:30AM Morning Worship:   10:45AM 
						Evening Service: 6PM Wednesday Family Hour: 
						  7PM 
						Website: 
						
						www.lincolnchurchofgod.com  
						
						
						Trinity
            Episcopal 
						Church 
						
	
						 402 Pekin St.,
            Lincoln          217-732-7609 
						Pastor:  James Cravens Worship:    7:30 & 9:45AM Sunday  9:00AM Wednesday 
						
						
						Kingdom
            Life Ministries 
						
						
						 2500 Woodlawn Road          217-732-1466 
						Pastor: Joe Bennett Worship:    10AM & 6:30PM Sunday 
						 
						
						Lincoln
    Bible Church 
						
					
						 2316 N. Kickapoo St., Lincoln        
						 
    217-735-5959 Pastor:  Ron Denlinger  
						Worship: 10AM Sunday Sunday School: 9AM
    					 
						Website: 
						www.lincolnbiblechurch.org 
						
						
						Good
    Shepherd Lutheran Church 
						Association
    of Free Lutheran Congregations 
						
	
						 1140 N. State St., Lincoln          217-735-9320 
						Worship: 10AM Sunday 
						E-mail: 
						gslc@ccaonline.com 
						 
						
						Immanuel
    Lutheran Church  
						ELCA 
						
						
						 1409 Pulaski St., Lincoln          217-732-6777 
						Pastor: Andrew Nyren Worship: 9AM Sunday 
						Sunday School: 10:15AM Praise Service:  5PM Saturday 
						Website: 
						http://www.immanuellincoln.org 
						E-mail: 
						immanuel_lincoln@verizon.net 
						
						
						Open Arms 
						Christian Fellowship 
						
						
						 311 
						Broadway St., Lincoln 
						Pastors: Larry Crawford, 
						309-830-0461 
						Kevin Wolf, 
						309-838-8564 Worship: 
						10AM Sunday 
						Home Group: 
						Various dates and locations 
						(please call for 
						more information) 
						Website: 
						
						http://comebackministries.com 
						E-mail: 
						
						
						
						comeback7@msn.com 
						
  
						
						
						Chestnut
  United Methodist Church 313 N. 
						Logan
						St.              
						Chestnut          217-796-3532 
						 
						
						First
  United Methodist Church 
	
	 302 Broadway St.,  Lincoln          217-732-2204 
						Pastor: Jame Hahs 
						Asst. Pastor: Julie Azbell 
						Worship:    9AM Sunday 
						Sunday School:
						10:15AM Website: 
						
						
						www.gbgm-umc.org/ lincoln1stumc/index.html 
						 
						
						First
  United Methodist Church 
						303 E Jefferson,               
						Mt. Pulaski          217-792-3918 
						 
						
						Latham
  United Methodist Church 
						241 N. Walnut St.             
						PO Box 246               
						Latham          217-674-3749 
						 
						
						New 
						Holland
  United Methodist Church 
						201 N. Mason St.,  New Holland          217-445-2485 
						
						
						  
						
						
						First
  						Presbyterian Church 
  						
						 301 
						Pekin St.,  Lincoln          217-732-6141 
						Pastor: Rev. Phillip Blackburn 
						Worship:    10AM Sunday 
						Celebration:
						6PM Wed. 
						 
						Website:
						
						www.firstpreslincoln.com 
						E-mail: 
						
						office@firstpreslincoln.com 
						 
						
						
						First Cumberland Presbyterian Church 
						
	 110 Broadway St.,  Lincoln          
						217-732-7568 
						Pastor: Dr. David West 
						Cell phone: 871-9940 
						Worship:    10:30 AM Sunday 
						Sunday School:
						9:30AM   
						
							
								
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				Focus on Advent 
			
			
				New 
				International Version  
				 
				Isaiah 49.1-16  
				 
				1 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: 
				Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made 
				mention of my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, 
				in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished 
				arrow and concealed me in his quiver. 3 He said to me, "You are 
				my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor." 4 But I 
				said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in 
				vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, 
				and my reward is with my God." 5 And now the Lord says-- he who 
				formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to 
				him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes 
				of the Lord and my God has been my strength-- 6 he says: "It is 
				too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes 
				of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also 
				make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my 
				salvation to the ends of the earth."  
				7 This is what the Lord says-- the Redeemer and Holy One of 
				Israel-- to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to 
				the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you and rise up, princes 
				will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the 
				Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you." 8 This is what the Lord 
				says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day 
				of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you 
				to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to 
				reassign its desolate inheritances, 9 to say to the captives, 
				'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' "They will feed 
				beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. 10 They 
				will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the 
				sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide 
				them and lead them beside springs of water. 11 I will turn all 
				my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up. 12 
				See, they will come from afar-- some from the north, some from 
				the west, some from the region of Aswan."  
				13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, 
				O mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have 
				compassion on his afflicted ones. 14 But Zion said, "The Lord 
				has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." 15 "Can a mother 
				forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the 
				child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget 
				you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your 
				walls are ever before me. 
			
			
			 
			
			
				How do you know whom to marry? 
				When we marry, we are saying, “I have found 
				intimacy with this person.  This is the one I want to share my 
				life with.”  Next to deciding to become a Christian, whom you 
				will marry is the most serious decision that you will make, and 
				its impact will last a life time. 
				So what are some guidelines that could help 
				in making this most important decision?  I believe that there a 
				few questions that could help us along the way. 
				How do you get along with your mom and 
				dad?  It goes without question that the unfinished business that 
				exists in your relationship with your parents you will bring 
				into your marriage.  The person you are considering marrying 
				probably has many qualities that are like your opposite sex 
				parent.  The question is, can you identify those characteristics 
				and are they positive or negative.  It is not uncommon for a 
				daughter to seek after a man who is like her father in 
				temperament, even if that temper is explosive, because that is 
				what is normal for her.  She may not necessarily like that, but 
				she is familiar with it and familiarity seems a lot safer then 
				something different. 
				Another question from your family of origin 
				is:  How did your parents resolve conflict?  Did you see them 
				fight?  Did they come to a resolution that was agreeable to 
				both, one, or was it ultimately ignored?  How does/did the 
				parents of the perspective spouse deal with conflict?  If one 
				family is highly vocal and the other deals with conflict very 
				logically, it could cause a problem.  How do you and your fiancé 
				resolve conflicts? 
				What about personality differences?  I give 
				the Taylor-Johnson Temperament Analysis for personality traits 
				during pre-marital counseling.  This examines nine personality 
				traits.  The purpose of the test is to help the individual to 
				see attitudes and behavioral tendencies which influence 
				personal, marital, parental, family, scholastic, and vocational 
				adjustment. 
				If you were to ask, “What are the three 
				things that couples fight most about?” the answer would be 
				MONEY, SEX and HOUSEWORK.  You might want to look at these 
				issues. 
				Money; Who is going to make it, both the 
				wife and the husband?  When children come along (assuming they 
				do), will the wife continue to work?  Who will take care of the 
				bills?  How do you spend money?  Will there be a budget? 
				Sex;  Yes, you will have it, but how often? 
				Couples fight most about the frequency.  If there have been 
				other lovers in the past, STDs and treatment need to be 
				explored.  What type of birth control will be decided upon?  
				There are many other issues, but they will be addressed in 
				another column.  
				Housework; Whose job is it?  Who is going 
				to do what?  Again, looking back at what happened in your family 
				of origin will help reveal what will happen in your own family. 
				It’s true that just because a pattern was set in your own family 
				doesn’t mean that it can’t be changed.  However, that change 
				must be a conscious, constant, and considered effort.  Within 
				Mark’s home he did the dishes a lot as a kid.  Today he still 
				does the dishes.  (Hopefully this will never change). 
				Last, but certainly not least, the question 
				must be posed:  Are we spiritually compatible?  In other words, 
				is she/he a Christian?  In 2 Cor. 6:14-18 Paul commends that 
				Christians not be yoked to unbelievers. I understand that this 
				passage pertains to business partners, but how much more 
				important that we have as our life partner someone whose 
				fundamental basis (a world view) is the same as ours.  It is 
				this basis from which all other decisions should be made.   
				Marriage is a wonderful, God given gift.  
				That doesn’t mean it’s not a lot of hard work.  When we are more 
				compatible with one another in background, personality and 
				theology, then intimacy, the sense of oneness, is much easier to 
				achieve.  The journey of life together can be an awesome 
				adventure.  
				Roberta Mangano, Counseling Minister, 
				Lincoln Christian Church  
			
			
			 
			
			
			
			Immanuel Lutheran Church is 
			proud to announce that Pastor Andrew Nyren is joining our church 
			family. 
			  
			
			Pastor Andrew is the son of 
			David and Judy Nyren from Iowa City, Iowa. 
  
			
			Pastor Nyren received a 
			bachelor of Arts Degree as a high school history teacher from Luther 
			College in Decorah, Iowa.  He received his Masters of Arts, studying 
			church history, in Theological Seminary from the University of 
			Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa. 
			  
			
			Following his studies in 
			Dubuque, Pastor Nyren received his Master of Divinity from Lutheran 
			Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota May, 2008.  Pastor Andrew Nyren was 
			ordained Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in 
			Ames, Iowa.  He began his work with Immanuel  October 1, 2008. While 
			he was working as Director of Education for 6th grade and under at 
			Bethesda Lutheran Church, the Nyrens traveled to their companion 
			church in Tanzania.  Pastor Andrew and his wife Amy both enjoy 
			traveling, they have also visited Iceland, Russia and Ethiopia. 
  
			
			Please join Immanuel on 
			Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008 at 3:00 pm for the installation of Pastor 
			Andrew Nyren.  Bishop Warren Freiheit will be presiding with 
			Communion being served.  There will be a reception following the 
			service in the church parish hall. 
			
			
			 
			
			
			
			Street Signs Point the Way to 
			First Presbyterian Church 
			 
			New street signs now direct travelers to The First Presbyterian 
			Church at Pekin and Ottawa Streets. Founded in 1857, First 
			Presbyterian Church has undergone at renaissance under the 
			leadership of the Reverend Phillip Blackburn who came to Lincoln 
			four years ago.  
			 
			With previous service to churches in Scotland, Texas, Oklahoma and 
			Indianapolis, Indiana, Phillip Blackburn brought new style of 
			preaching to First Presbyterian Church. His sermons are delivered 
			"away from the pulpit" and at the congregation's eye level. 
			Blackburn's preaching style is relevant, direct and often filled 
			with humor. 
			 
			First Presbyterian Church's worship has been enlivened by the 
			rebuilding of its historic pipe organ. The rebuilt organ complements 
			the church's choir, which is led by Ms. Julie Kasa. Both organ and 
			choir will have a central role in a special Christmas cantata that 
			will be sung at 10 a.m. on Sunday, December 21. 
			 
			Not content with its revitalized worship and preaching, First 
			Presbyterian Church has also reached out the community through 
			service to flood-battered western Illinois and to Lincoln through 
			the recent "Together for Lincoln" project. First Presbyterian Church 
			members helped new students move into Lincoln College and members 
			are tutoring students at Washington-Monroe School again this year. 
			The church will host dinners for the Lincoln Lady Railers basketball 
			team and members are actively involved in the Pink Shutter and the 
			Lincoln-Logan Food Bank. 
			 
			One of the most exciting ventures at First Presbyterian Church is 
			its "In Joy" and "Celebration" programs. People from through the 
			community gather at 6 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in the church at 
			301 Pekin Street to worship in a contemporary service filled with 
			skits and spirited music. Participants then enjoy a meal prepared by 
			First Presbyterian members. The Celebration program builds 
			relationships through interactive discussion of the parables of 
			Jesus. Everyone is welcome to participate in the Wednesday night 
			program 
			
			
			 
			
			
			
			Jeff Hills has been hired as 
			Vice-president of Development for Christian Homes, Inc. 
			
			 
			Hills will oversee the Office of Development, which is responsible 
			for raising funds for the ministry of Christian Homes. 
			
			 
			After serving 19 years as vice-president of marketing and sales for 
			Syst-A-Matic Tool and Design Company in Meadville, PA, Hills 
			graduated from Lincoln Christian College and Seminary in 2007. While 
			earning a degree in general ministries, Hills was selected as the 
			LincUp honor student for the class of 2007. 
			
			 
			“Hills comes to us at a crucial time,” noted CEO Tim Phillippe. “A 
			growing number of older adults are unable to pay for the skilled 
			nursing care they need. “We rely on gifts from our donors to assist 
			our residents who can no longer pay for their care. Christian Homes 
			is committed to allowing residents to remain in our skilled nursing 
			facilities, regardless of their ability to pay.” 
			
			 
			Christian Homes, headquartered in Lincoln, has been a leader in 
			Christ-centered services to senior adults since 1962. The company 
			employs a staff of 2,400 and provides independent and assisted 
			living, rehabilitation therapy, dementia care and skilled nursing 
			care to more than 2,500 older adults at 14 senior living communities 
			in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri. 
  
			
			
			 
			
			
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			spirit@lincolndailynews.com 
			  
			
			
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			  
			
			
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					Recent Spiritual Life Articles  | 
				 
				
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			Thank you Lincoln and LoganCounty! 
			  
			Thank you 
			for being with us from the beginning and faithfullysharing a measure 
			of your time, talents, and resources with theHarvest of Talents for 
			World Hunger ministry that now celebrates itsSilver Anniversary!! 
  
			At Monday 
			night’s City Council meeting, Harvest Founder, Pat Snyder,and 
			Harvest Chairperson, Carolyn Neal, graciously accepted a 
			specialProclamation from City of Lincoln Mayor Elizabeth Davis-Kavelmanthat 
			officially proclaimed the fourth Saturday of October 2008 as‘Harvest 
			Day’ in Lincoln. The Mayor commended the efforts of thoseinvolved 
			with seeing the Harvest welcome its 25th anniversary 
  
			
			
			(Click Here for Full Article) 
			 
			
			Do You Really Believe 
			That What You BelieveIs Really Real? 
			  
			
			As it has 
			been throughout history, God continues to call ordinary people to 
			make an eternal difference in our world. We invite you to be a part 
			of this cultural change by participating in the live nation-wide 
			Focus on the Family's Truth Project Simulcast Training Event. We 
			believe this one-day eventrepresents the possibility for 
			exponen1tial change within the body of Christ, as we expect that 
			tens of thousands will be transformed by this curriculum. 
			  
			
			
			(Click Here for Full Article) 
			 
			
			New wave of 
			higher education 
			  
			
			Back-to-school 
			is looming in the air for most people right now. From buying up 
			crayons and pencils for the youngsters to packing up that 
			college-bound youngster of yours for the first time. And when a lot 
			of us take time to think about the hustle and bustle of preparing 
			for school this time of year, those are the situations we normally 
			think of first. 
			  
			
			(Click Here for Full Article)  
			 
			
			New Staff Member at Lincoln Christian Church 
			  
			Lincoln 
			Christian Church is thrilled announcing Don Kauffman as the 
			unanimous recommendation of the elders to their congregation to 
			serve as a Student Ministry Team Leader (Youth Minister). 
			Lincoln Christian Church is excited about the addition of Don to 
			their staff team. They believe God has called him as their Student 
			Minister and has uniquely prepared him for this time.  
			 
			
			Reaching New 
			Heights 
			  
			So, what’s the point?  Many of us are trying to 
			do too much on our own strength and ability.  We have failed to join 
			ourselves with God and allow Him to take us higher than we could 
			ever go on our own. 
			  
			
			(Click Here for Full Article) 
			 
			
			
			Lincoln 
				Christian Church's VBS raises money for 'Together for Lincoln' 
			 
			
			Lincoln 
			Christian College welcomes new faculty for 2008-09 Academic Year 
			 
			
            
			Lincoln Christian College is pleased to 
			announce new additions to the faculty. 
			(Click Here for 
			Full Article) 
			 
			Don’t 
			Preach to Me! 
			
			
			A 
			preacher once asked comedian and actor George Burns for advice; 
			“You’re so good with audiences, Mr. Burns, and you hold their 
			attention so well. Do you have any advice for a preacher?” He 
			answered, “My advice is to have a good beginning, and good ending, 
			and then keep them as close together as you can.” 
			(Click 
			Here for Full Article) 
			 
			
			
			
			What is Together for Lincoln? 
			
			Together for 
			Lincoln is a partnership consisting of over 15 area churches who are 
			committed to work together to share the love of Jesus Christ by 
			serving our community. Our first day of service will be on Sunday, 
			September 28, 2008. On that day, we will send dozens of teams into 
			the community to do everything from building wheelchair ramps for 
			individuals to visiting members of our community who are in the 
			nursing home. The day will conclude with a community worship 
			gathering in the evening.  
			
			
			(Click Here for Full Article) 
			 
			
			Praise God 
			For What He Does 
			
			  
			
			Ephesians 5:19-20 says we are to “speak 
			to one another with songs, hymns and spiritual songs.  Sing and make 
			melody in your hearts to the Lord, always giving things to God the 
			father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  We 
			praise God for His works. 
			
			 
			(Click Here for 
			Full Article) 
			 
			
			Fire 
			
			There’s 
			something about fire that mesmerizes us, attracts us, draws us in. 
			Its raw power and energy has amazing potential to be used for 
			good—to heat our homes, to give us light, to cook our food, create 
			spaces where we tell stories and connect with each other—and also to 
			destroy as it consumes whatever we throw into it. It’s untamed, we 
			can’t understand it, and it carries the potential to break out into 
			something so totally beyond us. It’s a thing of awe, a thing of 
			terror, a thing of beauty and a thing that has often inspired 
			worship. 
			
			  
			
			(Click Here to Read Full Article)  
			
			Understanding where our uniqueness is from 
  
			
            We desire old, vintage, nostalgic 
			things’ they’re things we want.  I love the look of old movie 
			theaters, the smell of old books, the glimmer of classic cars, the 
			design of old posters and the simplicity of a boy shooting his eye 
			out in A Christmas Story. 
			
			 
			(Click 
			Here to Read Full Article)  
			
			Cleaning House 
			 
			
			I 
			talked with a friend this week about an opportunity she had to help 
			a guy clean his house.  It may not sound that monumental, except his 
			house hadn’t been cleaned for SEVEN years.  Something had happened, 
			and his life as he had known it ended.  Maybe something died, or 
			shut down, but stuff started to pile up—garbage, dishes, papers, 
			clothes—until it felt overwhelming.  His friends didn’t know how bad 
			it had gotten, he hadn’t shown them, or maybe they just never 
			stopped by.  My friend was the first in a long time.  They spent six 
			hours cleaning, just so they could clear a path so the appraiser 
			could walk through the house.  It’s not finished, and there’s a 
			whole lot more to do, but it’s a start. 
			
			(Click Here to Read Full 
			Article) 
  
					 
					
					Do You Really Want To Know The Truth? 
					I 
					had spoken at a family conference 
					and explained and illustrated Bible truths about how a 
					parent can “turn around” a rebellious teen. 
					-- A man came up to me and 
					said, “How did you discover such amazing truths?” I replied, 
					“The Bible is the mind of man’s Creator revealed to man. In 
					the Bible God gave to man every key truth man would need to 
					live human life. Our difficulty is in receiving and 
					believing ALL of those truths. But each truth we believe 
					opens up another set of truths. And each one of those opens 
					up another set, etc. etc.” 
					
					
					
					(Click Here to Read Full Article) 
					 
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