Appreciation Dinner for First Responders

Appreciation Dinner for First Responders

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Honoring Police, Fire, & EMTS on the  National Day of Prayer

The Second Annual First Responder Appreciation Banquet, sponsored by the Johnston City Ministerial Alliance on the National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 3, 2018, 5:00-7:00 p.m. (drop-in) will be held at JCity Church (Johnston City Free Will Baptist Church), 609 Monroe (Broadway & Monroe), Johnston City, Illinois.

All local police officers (full-time, part-time, and auxiliary), fire fighters (city and county), and EMTs serving our community are invited to this complementary dinner. Immediate family members or significant others are also welcome to attend. We ask that participating personnel RSVP by calling or texting 618-983-5254. Participating churches in the Johnston City Ministerial Alliance will provide menu items and volunteers who will serve the meal.

Local pastors will be on site and available to pray with first responders and their families and will gladly receive written prayer requests for continuing prayer needs. Keith Fletcher, the host church’s pastor, serves as a volunteer chaplain for the Johnston City Police Department. He is also treasurer of the JCMA.

The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, the law was unanimously amended by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Thursday, May 5, 1988, designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer. Every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

Save the Dates: Lunch Bunch

Save the Dates: Lunch Bunch

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JC Kids’ Lunch Bunch begins Monday, June 4. We are planning a kick-off celebration (a community carnival) on Saturday, June 2, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. We will serve meals Monday-Friday, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm until Friday, August 3. If you would like to help, please call the New Lunch Bunch Hotline  (618) 944-4905 and leave a message for Marta Phillips.

Easter Recap

Easter Recap

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What a Glorious Day!

Easter Sunrise in Johnston City

“Like Jesus’ friends visiting the tomb, our day started before sunrise,” says Pastor Keith Fletcher. The Fletchers have a private tradition of having a “family sunrise service” of their own on Easter morning,. “Sarah and I went out on the deck to watch the eastern sky. God had used two jet pilots to draw a cross in the sky over Johnston City just as the sun was rising.”  This amazing “sign” and beautiful sunrise was a subtle reminder that the mission of our church is to lift up the Cross for our community. In John 12:32, Jesus said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (ESV)

The rest of the morning was cool but pleasant as we gathered at JCity Church to celebrate Christ’s resurrection. As people gathered in, some came early and enjoyed a delicious breakfast, while others sat under the capable teaching of Roger Legendre in his adult Sunday school class. Pastor Keith welcomed our guests and offered them a free book by Thom Rainer, We Want You Here. This book communicates what we as a church would like to offer you and your family.

After a couple traditional Easter hymns accompanied by piano and organ, our adult choir presented three contemporary arrangements of songs focusing on Christ’s death and resurrection. Scripture readings interspersed between the songs built up to a climax in our theme song for the Easter season, Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me).

We are so thankful for all who joined us for this very special service. If you didn’t get a chance to come, but would like to watch the service at your convenience, here is a live recording of the service.