First Champaign-urbana

It’s a new year! Congrats, you made it! And with the new year probably came some self-reflection. For almost all of us, the start of a new calendar grants us the natural pause to reflect on how to be ‘better’ for this trip around the sun. So, let’s learn how ‘unstuck ourselves’ and make the changes for the better!

No one ever could have predicted the way in which the King of the Universe would arrive on the scene: as a baby in a manger. But he did! How does this unexpected arrival change us? How does this not only reshape our expectations for our lives, but give us real hope this Christmas? Through the miracle of the incarnation, we will discover the unexpected grace of God in our very midst.

Unexpected Presence | Unexpected Christmas - Week 5 by First Christian Church Champaign

Unexpected Worship | December 17, 2023 by First Christian Church Champaign

Unexpected Doubt | December 10, 2023 by First Christian Church Champaign

Waiting | Christmas 2023 Week 1 by First Christian Church Champaign

November 26, 2023 | True North Week 24 by First Christian Church Champaign

It’s always a good day to remember, reflect, and respond to the resurrection of King Jesus! It’s like Easter… just not on Easter! In the second to last chapter of the book of Corinthians, Paul will encourage the church to remember the resurrection and to remind them what he received and what he passed onto them. Only two more weeks in True North as we continue to reorient our lives around the work and person of Jesus!

We’re aware that on occasion, a judge will demand ‘order!’ in his courtroom to coral unruly people. But, what about a passage of Scripture that demands the same thing for the church? In Week 22 of True North, we dive into a passage that has nothing—and everything—to do about what we tend to think it does!

Prepare and plant for the promised plentiful harvest! First Christian Church's 70th Birthday!

In some ways, “love” has become a buzz-word in the church, hasn’t it? Well, we just need to ‘love on’ people better… the world first needs to know we love them… when in doubt - love! There is no shortage of wanting to feel, share and extend love. So, how do we go about love in a practical way?

At almost every wedding you can guess the “Love Chapter” is going to be read or referenced. 1 Corinthians 13 is arguably one of the most popular passages in the entire Bible - and for good reason! In this week of True North, we dive into this popular passage on love.

For this week in True North, we continue last week's message by looking at the roles we all play in the larger mission of Jesus’ church! We hope you lean in to help discern and discover the role you have been called to play for the sake of the mission of Jesus! Yeah, you read that right! Someone is waiting for you to step into what God has called you to!

Do you know what a Rune Goldberg machine is? You probably do, just not by that name! (Think of the board game: Mousetrap!) The definition is simple: a complex machine to accomplish a clear and simple task. In many ways, we could say the same for the church! A complex group of individuals coming together to achieve a clear and simply mission - to make disciples! For two-weeks, we will unpack the role everyone is called to play in Jesus’ mission to seek, save, and restore the world!

Every week we gather as a faith community, the same things happen: we sing songs in worship, we give financially, we serve in ministries, we hear a sermon and we take communion together. If you’ve ever wondered why we take communion in the first place or what it represents, then week 17 of True North is for you!

Everyone has a preference - on almost anything in life! From the type of salad dressing and what belongs on pizza to what songs should be sung in church or length of service, preferences are everywhere! In this week of True North, we will be challenged to see how to best approach our preferences in life and faith.

‘idol’ = a person or thing used as an object of worship; object that centers our priorities… If we were to ask you - what are your idol(s) in life? You might be inclined to say, “none.” But, is that really the case? This week in True North, we will learn how to identify, test, and challenge the potential idols in our lives.

One of the best-selling books in the past few years is entitled Atomic Habits. In that book, author James Clear talks about the importance, value and necessity of building good habits. So, what does the Bible have to say about self-discipline and the motives behind our habits in life? Let’s find out in week 14 of True North!

We love our church - and we hope you do, too! Every week our pastors, elders, and volunteers come together to serve so many people and families to help them grow closer to Jesus. This week, our True North series reminds us the importance of taking care of those who take care of us spiritually.

From Mr. Miyagi to Master Yoda, we all learn the importance of who we follow and imitate in this life. Most studies will tell you that who or what you give your attention to is what you will, at least attempt, to become. So, if you had to answer the question - who or what gets most of your attention or desire? - would that answer line up with who you desire to become?