“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;

As Thou has been Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” —Thomas O. Chisholm

Senior Pastor Daryl Evans Assoc Pastor Brian King Youth Pastor Josh Medlin

701 N. 7th St. Fairbury, IL

815-692-2654 fbcfairbury@gmail.com www.fbcfairbury.com

Sunday School: 8:45 am

Worship: 10 am

Deacons Alan Dunahee

Mark Haab, Jerry Huddleston,

Ken Masuda, Wayne Nelson,

Dave Taylor

March 2018

Dear Friend,

This past Sunday, we sang the wonderful moving hymn “Great

is Thy Faithfulness.” The words to this hymn came from a poem writ-ten by Thomas O. Chisholm back in 1923. The words were so moving

that the musician who gave them melody prayed earnestly that he might pen a tune worthy of the lyric. His prayer was answered! Today,

“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is sung in churches around the world and is a hymn that many people call their favorite hymn. When I sing this great hymn, I am often moved to tears as my heart is filled with emo-

tion from the great words of this song. I remember singing it at my mother’s funeral and even now, 11 years after her passing, I find it hard

to finish singing these words.

It’s good food for our souls to routinely read of the faithfulness of God in Scripture. We need to remind ourselves of this great truth that He is faithful to His word all of the time. This

serves as a wonderful reminder that the Bible pulsates with the drumbeat of God’s faithfulness from Genesis all the way to Revelation. When we study about the God’s character in the Bible,

we find that faithfulness is not an external attribute, but one that is grounded innately in His na-ture. This truth is a great comfort to ponder on a rainy afternoon – or on a sunny one for that

matter! The Psalms in particular are rich with encouragement along these lines: “As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!” (Psalm 40:11)

Just think, with each new day, God gives us the chance to prove His faithfulness. And throughout history, He’s never once been proven wrong, for His mercies are new every morning,

no matter what.

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!”

Lamentations 3:22-24

Blessings, Pastor Daryl

As winter finally starts to wind down and we all look forward to the first signs of Spring, there

is an anticipation in the air. Oh, the sights and sounds of Spring. The first robin, the first crocus,

the sounds of children playing outside again after a long winter of being inside. Then days are

getting longer now, seeing geese flying overhead going back up north and the temperatures

beckon us to spend more time outdoors.

We all have been waiting for the return of Spring to the Midwest. Some of us have been waiting

more patiently than others, but we all have waited. Waiting, it is something at times, that we are

not very good at, but over the years we all have grown accustomed to.

Has God ever asked you to do something for Him and you said, “Not now” or “I can’t do that”.

I know I have. Do you think that Jesus ever said that to His Father? “Hey, don’t think I have the

time right now, I’m too busy turning water into wine. Could you find someone else to do that”?

Yes, I know that Jesus was the Son of God and he wouldn’t talk to his Father that way. But do

we say those things knowing that God is our Heavenly Father, the creator of the universe, He

needs me and I just told Him “NO”. I remember as a young boy that I or my siblings did not tell

my earthly father, no. That would have never “flown” in our home. My dad expected us to do

what he asked of us. Praise God for His mercy, grace and unending love for us that when we

fall short and leave Him waiting, that He still believes in us.

I believe that when God asks us to do something, that He has already put in us everything we

need to accomplish the mission. We do not have to be concerned that we “can’t” because, He

has given us the Holy Spirit to see that when we take the first step of obedience, He does the

rest. “Greater is He that is in us, we are the head and not the tail, we are above and not beneath,

we choose to put on the whole armour of God and we abide under the shadow of the Almighty”.

God has given to us all the tools we need to be the ministers of the gospel that he wants us to

be. You might say…God is “waiting on us” to be the champions that he has called us to be. He

is anticipating His children to see themselves as He sees us.

We are anticipating and waiting for Spring and God is anticipating and waiting for us, His chil-

dren, to walk in His power, to be His light and to do what He asks us to do. See yourself as He

sees you…Victorious in every way!!!

From the Office of Assoc Pastor Brian

Looking Forward

Medlin’s Ministry Message

The month of February has been dominated by Upward Basketball here at the Church. We have had an amazing month of sharing virtues of patience, kindness, and love with all of our Upward players by Christian basketball coaches here in our gymnasium each week! God has been so good to us as we have been able to invest personally in over 180 children this year! And Praise the Lord even more, during our last practice, all of our coaches shared the gospel of Jesus with our players!

I am so privileged and humbled to be part of a Church that reaches so far into our community with the gospel of Christ. I am writing this newsletter in deep anticipation for Up-ward Sunday where we hope to have many Upward players and Families come to a Sunday Morning Service where we hope the Lord’s presence will be known to all! We are praying that God would make it an enjoyable and inspired day! God has placed such a burden on my heart to help these kids know Jesus! So, I ask that even after our season is finished, you would join me in praying for our Upward families, so many who are unchurched and desperately need to know God’s deep love for them!

As for our student ministries (Junior High & High School), I have found that in this month God has led us into deeper faith discussions in small groups! We started off the month finishing our “Know God” series and Houston Jones shared how Knowing God produces evidence in your life. So many are deceived into thinking they are going to Heaven but Matthew 7:7 makes It clear that Jesus may say, I never knew you. So, we have talked with students about how they can be sure they have a real relationship with Jesus that produces a transformed life. I loved a talk I had in one of our groups with a student who has yet to trust in Jesus. He asked “Do I have to give up everything to follow Jesus”? Our answer was a re-sounding YES. Jesus calls us to leave everything and follow Him wherever he may call us. So, I am convinced that soon Jesus may help this student see that He is far more valuable than the world and everything he has!

In our High School group, God has been convicting me to go deeper and develop them into leaders. My hope is that they see that God is calling us to far more than a salvation prayer. He is calling us to become fishers of men! I hope and pray that these students might form a core group of believers that become a foundation for us to reach out with this group! So we are starting a series called forgiveness is just the front porch! I hope to teach students that God is inviting us into a relationship that offers far more than forgiveness from sin! It offers an Abundant life!

Looking Back

March 4 Must sign up to get Winter Jam Tickets by this day! March 29 Winter Jam / Peoria—Leave at 3pm. March 31 Easter Egg Hunt—10:30 am Youth Helpers Needed

April 1 Easter Sunday Youth are Responsible for “Son”rise Service

Youth Group- Wednesday’s at 6pm for Jr High & Sunday’s at 6pm for HS

ABW invites EVERYONE (not just the women of the

church) to a Work Night on March 12th beginning at 6:30 pm. We will cut

quilt blocks & tie quilts for various places, roll bandages and put together Baby,

School and Health kits. Following is a list of needed items for these kits.

BABY Kit: Wash Cloth, Sleeper 3-6 months, Sweater/Sweatshirt same size

SCHOOL Kit: Children size blunt Scissors, 70 count spiral Notebook, 12” Ruler,

Pink Eraser, #2 Pencils, Box of 24 Crayons

HEALTH Kit: Approx 16”x28” Hand Towel, Wash Cloth, Wide-tooth Comb,

Toothbrush in original Pkg, Bath Size bar of Soap

Any amount of the above listed items would be greatly appreciated. Items can

be dropped off at church or brought to the Work Night—March 12 @ 6:30 pm

Showing the Love of Christ

in a practical way...

Lenten Luncheons

Every Wednesday at

1st Presbyterian Church 12:05 pm

Pastor Brian will speak March 7

March 25—April 1

Watch for a

schedule of events…..

In the Garden of Gethsemane

Before the dawn of Easter

There came Gethsemane…

Before the Resurrection

There were hours of agony…

For there can be no crown of stars

Without a cross to bear,

And there is no salvation

Without faith and love and prayer,

And when we take our needs to God

Let us pray as did His Son

That dark night in Gethsemane—

“Thy will, Not Mine, Be done.”

—Helen Steiner Rice

Tyler Farrell - 1

Erin Kaskavage - 3

Quentin Huette - 4

Taylor Kafer - 4

Randy McCulloh - 5

Everett & Kathy Meister

03-05-1967 (51 yrs)

Blake Vaughan - 6

Sydney Retter - 7

Ken Kafer - 10

Nisa Schaffer - 10

Dusti Folwell - 11

Seth Retter - 11

Joe & Donna Delaney

03-12-1983 (35 yrs)

Mike Wolk - 13

Connie Haas - 14

Kathy Thyne - 14

Arla Wheeler - 14

Kolby Kaskavage - 15

Seth Rigsby - 15

LeighAnn Ward - 16

Kyle & Kaleigh Buchanan

03-16-2013 (5 yrs)

Mark & Rachael Strike

03-16-1996 (22 yrs)

Dana Champlain - 17

Gary Cooper - 17

Dave & Cindy Buchanan

03-17-1979 (39 yrs)

Braylen Brucker - 18

Becky Young - 18

Tom & Lisa Yoder

03-18-2017 (1 yr)

Peg DeFries - 19

Larry Steidinger - 19

Beckah Gerber - 20

Rose Gerber - 20

George Gero - 20

Evan Bachtold - 21

Pastor Brian & Lesley King

03-21-1987 (31 yrs)

Dick & Brenda Horine

03-23-1974 (44 yrs)

Kurt Hoffman - 24

Troy Kaskavage - 24

Adeline Kilgus - 24

Marsha Taylor - 24

Caleb Bray - 25

Eva Gomez - 26

Rachael Strike - 26

Kevin & Nicole Ricketts

03-26-2011 (7 yrs)

Heather Schweizer - 27

Kyle Livengood - 28

Baylee Mellott - 28

Patrick Kaskavage - 29

Ben Maier - 30

Gretchen Maier - 30

Aaron Herr - 31

Community Meal is the 2nd & 4th Monday March 12 & 26. Please phone

the church before the Friday prior with your name & number of people attend-

ing. This ensures there is an adequate amount of food prepared.

Spring Clothing Exchange is set for May 9-11

VBS dates are June 11-15 from 9-11 am.

Fairbury Food Pantry is in need of grocery sized brown paper bags. Take to

February weather again challenged the winter navigating skills of the Senior

Adults. It was just above 0* and there was about 3” of snow on the ground

when 10 battled the weather to come and enjoy a warm meal and great fellow-

ship. Fred Kilcullen opened with prayer and Pastor Josh shared a favorite

Psalm. In Psalm 73 Asaph is envious of the prosperity of the wicked, but

realizes that the wicked shall perish but for him, it is good to be near God.

We invite all Senior Adults to join us on Tuesday, March 6th in the Back Kitchen. We gather at

Noon and finish up when everyone has caught up on everyone’s news.

the Methodist Church.

It is not to early to be thinking about going to summer camp at Lake Springfield Baptist

Camp. Camp packets will be available soon. FBC pays 1/2 the registration fee for campers

that attend here regularly. BUT, you can take a friend that doesn’t attend here. They would

just pay the full price. Every child needs to “make a memory” at summer church camp.

Scholarships are available through the Children/Youth Committee.

Spring Forward ….. Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 11 at 2:00 am.

Don’t forget to set your clocks forward 1 hour.

March 11 Men’s Wild Game Supper 6 pm

$12 (Adult) / $8 (12 yrs & under)

This is open to the public so invite your friends & neighbors to a night of food & fellowship.

Dan Harrison, a well-known outdoor adventure guide will give a presentation after the meal.

Alligator—Elk—Wild Boar—Antelope—Turkey—Moose—Pheasant—Rabbit—Goose—

Duck—Quail—Venison—Bison—Frog Legs—Bear—Sandhill Crane

Schedules

Ushers: Any questions/changes can be directed to Dave Buchanan (815-848-1057).

March: Mark Davis, Joe Delaney, Aaron Gerber, Houston Jones,

Marcus Maier, Chuck Mueller, Darryl Stiles, Mark Strike

Greeters: Any questions/changes can be directed to Sue Gero (815-692-3232).

March 4 SS Only: Connie Haas Worship Only: Evelyn Yoder

SS & Worship: Linda Hoffman, Betty Lawrence

(Sub: Sue Gero)

March 11 Daylight Savings Time — Spring Forward

SS Only: Joy Mason Worship Only: Jerry & Kathie Huddleston

SS & Worship: Barb Taylor, Mary Streitmatter

(Sub: Sue Gero)

March 18 SS & Worship: Malachi Bradley, Betty Lawrence

Worship Only: Darryl & Peggy Stiles

(Sub: Dawn Metz)

March 25 Palm Sunday SS Only: Rita Meiss Worship Only: George & Sue Gero

SS & Worship: Al & Mary Beth Slagel

(Sub: Mark Strike)

Children’s Church: Any questions/changes can be directed to Nicole Ricketts (309-287-4840).

Pre-K/Kdg Elementary

March 4 Deanna Evans Joy Mason / Lauren Broquard

March 11 Carol Nelson Destiny Rothert

March 18 Joni Kilgus Tiffany Cooley

March 25 Dana Champlain Dede Traub

Nursery: Any questions/changes should be directed to Kendra Broquard (309-242-3538).

Sunday School Worship / Front Only

Rachel Bachtold March 4 Lassiter Family

Kendra Broquard March 11 Brad & Ashley Haab

Tanya Rothert March 18 Dana Kafer

Brenda Mueller March 25 Emily Jones