March 15 to June 7 2020 | revolutionchurchold

June 7, 2020:

Good Morning! Welcome back to “What’s Happening”! Let’s see what’s going on within our flock this week as we enter WEEK TWELVE of no public church. This was also our Communion Sunday, and we used our own elements at home to celebrate “separately together”.

Pastor Billy turned over the pulpit to Pastor Julian who delivered this morning’s online message he called “Where Do You Stand?” which was a timely word considering the state of our nation during this tumultuous and history making week we are all muddling through. Our songs were “I’ll Fly Away”, “Blessed Be the Name”, and “Lord, I Need You”. You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages.

The Sandovals’ interactive kids’ church is live on Face Book each week during our preaching service if your children wish to participate. It can also be viewed again later on Julian Sandoval’s Face Book page.

Pastor Billy has begun his new Tuesday evening online class. Everybody is invited to the new FREE study on the book of Acts Tuesdays at 6:30 pm! No sign-up required. Just show up if and when you can.

We have been in the process of de-cluttering, deep cleaning, and disinfecting every area of our church in preparation to reopen for service at the end of June. THANK YOU to each person who came in and worked hard to get his place ship-shape this last week! We appreciate the servants’ hearts!

The church received a letter informing us that during quarantine the local food pantry is serving many more families than usual, and lots of them are first time users. If you can share non-perishables, there is a drop box provided in the parking lot of the Manhattan Township Building at 230 Wabash St. It is checked daily for donations. You are encouraged to donate there until we can do our usual monthly collections once we reopen.

Would you like to get to know your church family better? “Meet the People of Revolution” is something new that Penny Knott has started. She will feature a few people online weekly so you can know more about them. If you would like to share a bit about yourself, contact her at bpnojo@gmail.com for more info!

Pastor Billy posted a questionnaire online regarding your thoughts and feelings on reopening the church. Please answer those quick questions so leadership will know how best to proceed in coming weeks of transitioning back to public services.

Kudos to each and every faithful and generous giver who continues to sow into the ministry of this church. What a blessing to pull those contribution envelopes out of the mailbox! Most every church in America has taken a hit during this forced lockdown, but we are still making budget because of the goodness of God and of all of YOU! Thank you for not forgetting your church!

Happy Birthday to Elena Sandoval and Jamie Voustros who both celebrate on Wednesday! Jan Golden is our Birthday Girl next Sunday! Happy Belated Birthday wishes to Lori Fischer who fell through the crack last week.

If YOU have a special accomplishment, birthday, or anniversary, please let us know, so it will show up here for the group to see. We don’t want another crack-faller! (Sorry about that, Lori!) We will continue mentioning different graduates for one more week. In this rugged time when we are bombarded with negativity, let’s share the good stuff!

MADISON DESLAURIER proudly announces her graduation from Blackburn College with a degree in Bachelor’s of Professional Writing. Her future plans are to become a magazine editor, publish her own magazine, hopefully publish a book of poetry and novels, get married and have kids, and own her own place someday. She would love to come back to Revolution Church when it reopens.

Come right back to this page next Sunday to see what else is happening here at Revolution in June. Have a super-duper week and remember to check on each other while we are forced to be apart! Even if we don’t always agree with what we see happening in the world around us, we can still be kind to each other. Let’s remember to do all things with love, because love wins every time.

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May 31, 2020:

Good Morning! Welcome back to “What’s Happening”! Let’s see what’s going on within our flock this week as we enter our ELEVENTH WEEK of no public church.

Pastor Billy delivered this morning’s online message he called “Dysfunctional Families”. Scripture reference was Genesis 4:1-16. We had a special combined online worship service with Pastor Shawn Roberts and The Father’s House Foursquare Church in Granite Falls, Washington! Our songs were “Big House”, “Your Love Never Fails”, “Way Maker”, and the favorite golden-oldie “Shout to the Lord”. You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages.

The Sandovals’ interactive kids’ church is live on Face Book during our preaching service if your children wish to participate and can also be viewed again later on Julian Sandoval’s Face Book page.

Pastor Billy has completed his online Tuesday evening teaching from the book of Daniel. Thanks to all who participated. Everybody is now invited to the new FREE study on the book of Acts beginning this Tuesday at 6:30 pm on Pastor Billy's Face Book page!

Today at 11 am, you are invited to attend our end of the month online prayer meeting via Zoom. If you RSVP’d by the deadline, you received the link so you can join the group.

We will be de-cluttering, deep cleaning, and disinfecting every area of our church in preparation to reopen for public service as soon as Covid-19 safety guidelines have deemed it feasible for us to do so. Pastor Billy will be scheduling work groups so that no more than 10 will be in the building at one time. Leaders are now organizing teams to clean their areas. If you are able to serve your church by helping us clean, please volunteer with your ministry leader or indicate this on our new online connection card found on our main page.

John and Carrie Grafrath are proud to announce the graduation of their daughter, Chelsea Lynn from Northern Illinois University at Dekalb. She will work as a Mechanical Engineer for Turner Construction New York Main. She’s going straight into training for Operations scheduling!

Jason and Kristen Hippenhammer are proud to announce that little Avery graduated Orland Park CRC pre-school! When she grows up she eithers wants to be a chef or a gymnastics teacher.

Happy 42nd Birthday on Monday to our beloved goofball of a drummer, Mikey Nordsell! Happy 32nd Birthday on Tuesday to Brittany Batsch! If you are near Auto Zone in Frankfort, stop by and give her some love. “The Hill” is in sight, but Phil Grifford still has another year til he goes over it. Happy 49th Birthday to you, Phil! Happy 31st wedding anniversary wishes are going out to Kevin and Sandy Chambers on June 3rd! We wish for at least 31 more for these two!

If YOU have a special accomplishment, birthday or anniversary you would like to share with the group, please let Tammy Smit know a few days early, and it will appear here. We will continue mentioning different graduates for the next couple weeks. We don’t want any of us to be missed!

That’s it for this week’s update, folks. Stop in right here same time, same place next Sunday to stay current on church life. In the meantime we remind you to reach out and make the effort to check on one another so nobody feels lonely or forgotten during this quarantine.

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May 24, 2020:

Good Morning Family and Friends! Welcome back to this page! Let’s see what’s going on within our flock this week as we enter our TENTH WEEK of no public church.

Pastor Billy was back in the pulpit and delivered this morning’s online message he called “Blessed Assurance”. Scripture reference was John 3:16, John 6:37, and Romans 10:9. Our songs were “Cannons”, the beloved classic hymn, “Blessed Assurance”, and “Worthy of My Praise/Let It Rise” You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages. The Sandovals’ interactive kids’ church is live on Face Book during our preaching service if your children wish to participate and can also be viewed again later on Julian Sandoval’s Face Book page.

Have you tuned into Pastor Billy’s teaching from the book of Daniel on his Face Book page yet? Folks from multiple states have begun tuning in to participate! You can watch it live on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm until quarantine is lifted and students can gather in person again. There is no cost for this class!

Next Sunday, May 31, at 11 am, you are invited to attend our end of the month online prayer meeting via Zoom. If you wish to be included, send a message to bpnojo@gmail.com to receive the link so you can join the group.

We will be de-cluttering, deep cleaning, and disinfecting every area of our church in preparation to reopen for public service as soon as state Covid-19 guidelines have deemed it feasible to do. Pastor Billy will be scheduling work groups so that no more than 10 will be in the building at one time. Leaders are now organizing teams to clean their areas. If you are able to serve your church by helping us clean, please volunteer with your ministry leader or indicate this on our new online connection card found on our main page.

Freda Wolfenden struggled through a three-month battle with shingles and then was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer on her leg. Wednesday the cancer was successfully removed, and while it will be several weeks until it heals, she is home and will be able to get around. She thanks us all for the prayers and love. Yay, Wolfie! Here’s hoping the last half of 2020 treats you better than the first half!

Linda Lee wants to share a praise report. Her recent surgery to remove skin cancer from her lip was successful, and so far, she is very pleased with the result. Yay, Linda!

Happy belated birthday to our sweet Darla Carroll who serves on our security team. This gal is an artist and also does some of the most perfect and intricate crafting and stitching you’ve probably ever seen. Some of her best work is displayed on Face Book if you want to check it out!

Brenda Hajek is proud to announce the graduations of two of her granddaughters:

LAINEY LEATHERMAN -- 8th grade at Lindblom Math & Science Academy, Chicago and KAYLA TIPPING—American Academy of Art, Chicago, degree in art.

Darren and Mishel Rych are proud to announce the graduation of their son, ETHAN FOSEN—Lewis University, Romeoville, math degree.

If YOU have a special accomplishment, birthday or anniversary you would like to share with the group, please let Tammy Smit know a few days early, and it will appear here. We will be mentioning different graduates for the next few weeks. We don’t want any of us to be missed!

That’s it for this week’s update, folks. Stop in right here same time, same place next Sunday to stay current on church life. In the meantime, call, text, video visit, send mail or even smoke signals to each other so nobody feels lonely or forgotten during this quarantine. Enjoy this Memorial Day weekend, and maybe before you fire up the grill or do the fun stuff just pause and give honor and gratitude to those military heroes who sacrificed their lives defending our country. God bless the USA, and God bless us every one.

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May 17, 2020:

Good Morning, and welcome back to this page! Let’s play catch-up.

On our ninth week of no public church, Pastor Billy was back in the online pulpit and delivered this morning’s message he called “Way Maker”. Scripture reference was 1 Corinthians 10:13. Our songs were “All the People Said Amen”, “Friend of God”, and a brand new one you’ve probably been hearing all over Christian radio, “Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness…MY GOD, that is who you are!” You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages.

Have you used our new online connection card? You can submit questions, praise reports and prayer requests at www.theRevolutionChurch.org now. First and last name and a valid email address are required to use this online card.

THANK YOU to each and every faithful and generous giver who continues to sow into the ministry of this church. It is a true joy and blessing to pull those contribution envelopes out of the mailbox each day. Most every church in America has taken a hit during this forced lockdown, and we are no exception. With all of us pulling together, we are rolling right along because of the goodness of God and all of YOU!

Happy Anniversary to Dan and Rebecca Rosendale! On a side note, if you see the baby photos on their Face Book pages, you are looking at answered prayers! Whitney was so premature and fragile at birth, but she is thriving and growing like a weed now, and we are clapping and cheering for her progress!

Happy birthday to Amy Makita who celebrates on the 19th! (This is Mikey the Drummer’s mama!) Also, Lenny the Therapy Dog recently celebrated his 10th birthday! We give him two paws up and will love him fur-ever! Happy Birthday wishes are going out to Sonia McHargue! We can’t mention her without sending out love and feel better wishes to J.C., too!

Grant and Faith Cromwell are proud to announce graduations of THREE of their grandchildren:

KATELYNN KNAPP-- Centennial High School, Champaign, IL. She will attend Parkland College also in Champaign.

TANNER BALOLONG—Carroll High School, Corpus Christi, TX. He will attend DelMar Community College also in Corpus Christi.

JORDAN BALOLONG – University of Texas, San Antonio, degree in Business.

Remember that Pastors Miriam and Julian Sandoval do live interactive online Children’s Church services on Julian’s Face Book page while the adult preaching is being aired each week! Your children can have fun participating if you tune in immediately after our music service.

That’s it for this week’s update, folks. Thanks again for stopping by to stay current with what’s happening here at our church. Meet you back here same time, same place next Sunday. Take care of one another!

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May 10, 2020:

Good Morning, and welcome!

Blessed are those who mourn on Mother’s Day, and blessed are those who rejoice, too! Today we send out love and gratitude to moms, stepmoms, foster moms, grannies, and to all those extra-special “like a mother” women who have nurtured us.

According to the latest mandates from our governor, we will live the entire month of May in quarantine, so we must continue to come to you via online church for now. Pastor Billy stepped aside for the holiday and Pastor Miriam Sandoval delivered this morning’s message about the attributes of God and the attributes of a mother. Scripture references were: Ps. 50:1, Eph.2:4-5, Zeph. 3:17, Rev. 21:5, Exodus 15:26, Ps 46:1, and Psalm 91:1-2.

Our songs were “My Redeemer Lives”, “Glorious Day”, and “10,000 Reasons”. (The band also has two separate music videos that you can see on the church Face Book page.) You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages.

Remember that Pastors Miriam and Julian Sandoval do live interactive online Children’s Church services on Julian’s Face Book page while the adult teaching is being aired each week! Your children can have fun participating if you tune in immediately after our music service.

Our website www.theRevolutionChurch.org now has an easy to use online connection card where you can submit questions, praise reports and prayer requests. First and last name and a valid email address is required to use this online card.

The ministry of Revolution Church goes on -- as do the bills -- whether we are permitted to congregate here or not. Your family will be receiving more postage paid contribution envelopes to make giving simple. You may also use PayPal on our main page if you prefer. THANK YOU for your generosity and faithfulness!

Congratulations to Grandpa Oscar Hammerberg on the birth of his granddaughter, Freya!

Congratulations to Cynthia Petersen, Attorney at Law, who has opened her own business! We wish her much success in her new independent venture!

Happy 38th wedding anniversary to Phil and Leslie Graniczny! Here’s hoping for 38 more!

Gene O’Brien, happy birthday to you on Tuesday!

If YOU have a graduate in the family, special accomplishment, birthday or anniversary you would like to share with the group, please let Tammy Smit know a few days early, and it will appear here. We don’t want any of us to be missed, and we always need to bathe ourselves in more GOOD news!

Nurses, nurse aides, caregivers and correctional officers were acknowledged and honored nationally this week. A big thank you to all who serve our communities in these positions within our congregation. Thank you for protecting the public and keeping us healthy! You are appreciated and so needed in this world!

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May 3, 2020:

Thank you for coming to this page to see “What’s Happening” with Revolution Church as we begin yet ANOTHER week of the Illinois “shelter in place” mandate thanks to coronavirus. Anybody else out there starting to feel like we’re trapped in our own version of “Groundhog Day”?

Pastor Billy delivered this morning’s 10 a.m. message called “What’s In Your Backpack?” Text was from Matthew 6:25-34. Our songs were “Greatness of Our God”, “Doxology”, and “In Christ Alone”. You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages. We truly appreciate Pastor, the tech/camera team, singers and musicians for the hours devoted each week to ensure we can still “do church” online.

Remember that Pastors Miriam and Julian Sandoval do live interactive online Children’s Church services on Julian’s Face Book page while the adult teaching is being aired each week! Your children can have fun participating. Last week the kids were excited to see Brenda Hajek join them on their ZOOM screens, so that was a treat!

Our website www.theRevolutionChurch.org now has an easy to use online connection card where you can submit questions, praise reports and prayer requests. If you have received Christ or recommitted your life to Christ, let us know on there, so we can follow up! First and last name and a valid email address is required to use this online card.

The church received a letter informing us that with this extended shelter in place order the local food pantry is serving many more families than usual, and lots of them are first time users. If you can share non-perishables, there is a drop box provided in the parking lot of the Manhattan Township Building at 230 Wabash St. It is checked daily for donations. You are encouraged to donate there until we can do our monthly collections back at our church once we reopen.

Thank you for your calls, texts, mail, and video visits to each other during these lonely days. Continue to check on our most physically and emotionally vulnerable. If you have NOT been contacted by any of the elders, pastors, deacons or staff at the church with a wellbeing check, please let Larry DeSando know. We still have some folks who have yet to get a call or a note, and we need to remedy that.

We are pleased that Freda Wolfenden is showing improvement after a long bout of serious health issues. She wishes to share this note:

“I would like to give a shout out to Dawn Gonda for all the work she did to set up meals for me. She is amazing! There are not enough words to express my gratitude to Dawn, Diane, Joanne, Inez, Kathy, Tammy, Pat, Debbie, Eileen, Sandy, Penny, and Jill. (Please forgive me if I forgot anyone.) The meals were amazing. Diane Neakarse and Joanne, thank you for running to the store for me so many times. I love you all so much. I could not have made it without you all. I also want to thank everyone who sent words of encouragement and for all the cards. I was humbled by all of you. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart." --- Freda

How nice! If you would like to help with this meal ministry in the future, please contact Dawn who leads “Fishes and Loaves” or mention it on your online connection card, and we will get you plugged in.

Are you aware that anyone in the USA can dial 211 and be connected to a local switchboard that will put you in contact with or refer you to help with food, shelter, utilities, elder issues, mental health, support for children or youth, and suicide hotlines? This is a free service. There is no shame in needing an extra boost during these uncertain days.

Happy 4th anniversary to Mike and Erin Van Kuiken! If YOU have a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or special accomplishment you would like to share with the group, please let Tammy Smit know a few days early, and it will appear here. We don’t want any of us to be missed!

Remember that Mother’s Day is NEXT SUNDAY, May 10th, so plan ahead and get those cards or gifts in the mail to honor your mom or your “like a mom” person.

That’s it for this week’s update. Thanks so much for stopping by to stay current with what’s happening here at Revolution Church. Meet you back here on this page again next Sunday! Stay safe!

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April 26, 2020:

Thank you for coming to this page to see “What’s Happening” with Revolution Church as we enter week seven of the Illinois “shelter in place” mandate thanks to coronavirus. These sure are strange times we are living in, aren’t they? It feels like someone should cue the music to The Twilight Zone!

Pastor Billy delivered this morning’s 10 a.m. message about Simeon called “Patience”. Text was from Luke 2:25-35. Those watching online were able to take Communion together from our separate homes. Our songs were “Everlasting God”, “Your Grace Finds Me”, “How Great is Our God” and “How Great Thou Art”. (Our extended play version of "Here I Am to Worship was posted separately on the church Face Book page.)You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages.

Today at 11 am, you are invited to participate in a ZOOM prayer meeting online. If you messaged Penny Knott that you wished to be included, you should’ve received a link that will allow you to participate. You are always welcome to email your prayer requests during the week.

Since our home groups are still not allowed to meet in person, Pastor Billy films his teaching on the book of Daniel, and we are able to watch it live on his Face Book page. You can tune in on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm. If you are teaching an online small group and would welcome new online participants, give us the details to share with readers and grow your audience.

Have you signed up for Eileen DeSando’s online “Daily Scriptures” devotionals? These are brief and inspirational and can be another source of free teaching and encouragement for you while you are trying to spiritually thrive during lockdown.

Graybars Project has begun to receive many thank you letters from inmates after receiving their Easter cards. Thank you to each volunteer who donated cards, postage, and time to bless these folks in the jumpsuits and flip-flops. These facilities can explode with contagion should the virus show up there, so many places have been on lockdown for weeks. Volunteers, your encouragement and mail are hugely important at this stressful time when most of our inmates are struggling with fear. As Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember the prisoners”!

Birthdays: None this week?? That can’t be right! If you have a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or special accomplishment in your family you would like to share with the group, please let Tammy Smit know a few days early, and it will appear here. We don’t want any of us to be missed!

The ministry of Revolution Church goes on whether we are permitted to open our doors or not. Each family should’ve received four more postage paid contribution envelopes to make giving simple. You may also use PayPal on our main page. THANK YOU to those who have already sent in your offerings and tithes!

We want everyone to be as safe and healthy as possible, and not have to miss meals or choose between critical expenses. There are resources available and people who can help. In every community there’s a hotline for help with many human needs. If you have needs, please reach out to those who are eager to help. If you are in a position to help, many have never needed it more.

Are you aware that anyone in the USA can dial 211 and be connected to a local switchboard that will put you in contact with or refer you to help with food, shelter, utilities, elder issues, mental health, support for children or youth, and suicide hotlines? This is a free service. Information about 211 is available at https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/dial-211-essential-community-services. Those who wish to donate to local organizations are also directed to the appropriate local places.

That’s it for this week’s update. Thanks so much for stopping by to stay current with what’s happening here at Revolution Church. Always remember you’re loved. Meet you back here on this page again next Sunday! Stay safe out there!

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April 19, 2020:

Welcome back, friends!

Thank you for coming to this page to see “What’s Happening” with Revolution Church as we enter week six of the Illinois “shelter in place” mandate to flatten the curve of new coronavirus cases. It has been said “The church is NOT closed. We’ve just been DEPLOYED!”

Pastor Billy delivered this morning’s message about Noah’s family sheltered in the ark with text from Genesis 6,7,8. Our songs were “Glorious One”, “Stand In Your Love” and the classic hymn, “In the Garden” - sometimes called “The Andy Song”. Even though social distancing rules would insist we come to the garden ALONE and friends are forbidden to walk and talk beside us, it is comforting to know our Lord still CAN and DOES! You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages. The service should begin at 10 a.m.

Remember that Pastors Miriam and Julian Sandoval do live interactive online Children’s Church services on Julian’s Face Book page while the adult teaching is being aired! They had a really cool puppet show on Easter Sunday, so if you have little ones, get them up and in front of the screen so they can participate. It’s exciting to hear their names called during the service!

Since our home groups are still forbidden to meet in person, Pastor Billy films his teaching on the book of Daniel, and we are able to watch it live on his Face Book page. You can tune in on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm. Last week, in addition to the regular attendees, he was surprised and pleased to have viewers in four other states tuning in to learn! If you are teaching an online small group and would welcome new online participants, give us the details to share with readers.

Sunday, April 26, 11 am, you are invited to participate in a ZOOM prayer meeting online. Message Penny Knott if you wish to be included, and you will receive a link that will allow you to participate. You are always welcome to email your prayer requests.

The ministry of Revolution Church goes on whether we are permitted to open our doors or not. Each family that calls this place “home” should’ve received four more postage paid contribution envelopes to make giving simple. You may also use PayPal on our main page. THANK YOU to those who have already sent in your offerings and tithes! (Be certain your return address says 24520 S. U.S. Hwy 52, as a few were mislabeled.)

Our favorite hunter, Gary Ellinger, turns 77 on Monday! Ann Nordsell celebrates on Tuesday! (Thank you for your service, Nurse Ann!) Happy Birthday to our Head of Deacons, Larry DeSando on the 22! Connor Ward is proud to announce he becomes a teenager this week! Happy 13th Birthday to him! Our Ethan Fosen celebrates on the 23rd! Nick Golden with the million dollar smile recently turned 28! Pastor Billy turned 51 yesterday, so be especially good to him when you next speak to him. He hustles and puts in MANY extra long days and nights in order to bring us video church and to cyber-shepherd his flock during this pandemic.

Thank you for your calls, texts, mail, and video visits to each other during these rugged days. This is not the time to lose our sense of community. Continue to check on our most physically and emotionally vulnerable. If you have NOT been contacted by any of the elders, pastors, deacons or staff at the church with a wellbeing check, please let Larry DeSando know. We don’t want even one person to be missed. If you are in need of assistance to pick up essentials, let us know.

Pastor will keep us updated with Face Book posts and email this week. This column will also keep you current on announcements and will be updated each Sunday. Please let your friends know to watch both of these places so we will all be on the same page.

Although it doesn’t FEEL like spring considering our surprise snows on Wednesday and Friday, at least our parking lot planters at our entrance now LOOK like spring thanks to Pat Wozny! The silk flowering branches there look real pretty from the highway. Hopefully, we will soon get to see them up close when we are allowed to gather at the church again. Until then, make sure you TEST POSITIVE for faith, DISTANCE YOURSELF from doubt, and ISOLATE yourself from fear.

Have a blessed week!

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April 12, 2020:

OH, HAPPY DAY!

JESUS IS ALIVE AND WELL!

Even though America’s churches are empty, praise God, so is the tomb!

Thank you for coming to this page to see “What’s Happening” here at Revolution Church as we enter week four of the Illinois “stay at home” mandate to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Pastor Billy delivered this morning’s resurrection message with text from Matthew 28. Our songs were “This is Amazing Grace”, “Because He Lives”, and “Living Hope”. You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages. The service should begin at 10 a.m.

Pastors Miriam and Julian Sandoval did a live interactive online Children’s Church service on Julian’s Face Book page again while the adult teaching was being aired! They also began daily Holy Week online devotions for kids each afternoon on the same page.

We were so disappointed we were unable to have our annual public Good Friday service here at the church, but Pastor Billy stepped up and delivered a beautiful inspiring online service that included him serving Communion to us to bring us all together during this Holy Week. We participated with our own bread, wine, and juice from our homes. This video is still available to see if you missed it on Friday.

Since our home groups are still forbidden to meet, Pastor Billy filmed his teaching on the book of Daniel, and we were able to watch it live on his Face Book page. You can tune in on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm.

Happy Birthday to our Administrative Assistant, Kathleen Milligan! Happy Birthday on Tuesday to Noel Knott! “Little Kevin” Ward turns 15 on Friday! Pastor Billy turns 51 this coming Saturday, so be particularly nice to him when you next speak to him. He has hustled and put in MANY extra hours to bring us video church and to cyber-shepherd us this past month.

Thank you for your calls, texts, mail, and video visits to each other during these rugged days. This is not the time to lose our sense of community. Call each other. Check on our most vulnerable. If you have NOT been contacted by any of the elders, pastors, deacons or staff at the church to check on you, please let Larry DeSando know. We don’t want even one person to be missed. If you are in need of assistance to pick up essentials, let us know.

Happy Easter!

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April 5, 2020:

Greetings, friends and church family! Happy Palm Sunday!

Thank you for coming to this page to see “What’s Happening” here at Revolution Church as we enter week three of the Illinois “stay at home” mandate to slow the spread of COVID-19. We are living through what will be a future classroom history lesson!

Thank you for your calls, texts, mail, and video visits to each other during these rugged days. Now is the time to strengthen our sense of community and be our brothers’ keepers even if we have to do the keeping from a distance. Do your part so that not a one of us feels forgotten or isolated.

While many are kicked back in fuzzy pajamas still working from home, some of our members are on the front lines during this war on Covid-19. Pray for those truckers, healthcare providers, food store employees, restaurant delivery people, childcare providers, and other essential employees in this congregation. They have no choice but to saddle up and carry on with heavy responsibilities. Some of our members suddenly found themselves sitting home with no job trying to figure how to pay bills coming due. Let’s pray for each other that God will give us strength and patience to ride out this storm together.

Pastor Bob Smith delivered this morning’s message called “Hope”. The Sandovals did a live interactive online Children’s Church service again while the adult teaching was being aired! This can be viewed by going to Julian Sandoval’s Face Book page. Eileen DeSando’s “Daily Scriptures” devotions can be accessed online, too, and they are consistently inspirational! You can request to be added to her mailout list for free for even more spiritual nourishment!

Our songs were “Let the Praises Ring”, “Hosanna” and the beloved classic hymn, “Old Rugged Cross”. You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages. The service should begin at 10 a.m.

Sara Moehle, Autumn Hensle, Inez Davis, and Jordan Knott all have birthdays this upcoming weekend! Happy Anniversary to Pastor Billy and Penny!

The work of this church goes on whether we are permitted to gather or not. Each person who calls this place “home” should’ve received a letter and postage paid contribution envelopes to make giving simple. You may also use PayPal on our main page. THANK YOU to those who have already sent in your offerings and tithes! (Be certain your return address says 24520 S. U.S. Hwy 52 #8, as a few were mislabeled.)

We are incredibly disappointed to have to cancel our public Good Friday and Easter morning services next weekend, but we have no choice. We will gather online until the virus has run its course. Keep the faith!

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March 29, 2020:

Greetings, friends and church family!

Thank you for coming to this page to see “What’s Happening” here at Revolution Church as we enter week two of our Governor’s “stay at home” mandate to slow the spread of COVID-19. Besides the unexpected financial gut punch many of us have taken with sudden unemployment, are you alright otherwise? Let us be diligent to check on each other and be generous with our words of encouragement and prayers for one another. As counselor Mishel Rych says, “We can do hard things!” Amen! We CAN and we WILL!

Pastor Julian Sandoval delivered this morning’s message called “False Evidence Appearing Real”. The Sandovals did a live interactive online Children’s Church service for our kids while his adult teaching was being aired! Eileen DeSando’s “Daily Scriptures” devotions can be accessed online, too, and they are consistently inspirational! You can request to be added to her mailout list for free!

Our songs were “Open Up the Heavens”, “Grace Like Rain” and “Goodness Love and Mercy”. You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages. The service should be up by 10 a.m.

Special recognition to the worship team, our tech team, Pastor Billy and the Sandovals for going the extra mile to bring church to us online while Illinois is on lockdown. The hours it takes Pastor Billy to shoot and edit video each week are unbelievably tedious and time consuming, and that does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. THANK YOU!

Graybars Project applauds the volunteers who worked hard to mail out inspirational, encouraging Easter devotional letters and cards to the inmates in our prison outreach. Holidays are the toughest times for incarcerated people. Remember them during this coronavirus crisis. They cannot practice social distancing, have hand gel, or wash their hands as frequently as those of us living in free world. An outbreak among them could quickly be disastrous.

Cynthia Petersen and Larry DeSando deserve two thumbs up for finishing our new photo directories! She did the digital work, and he did the printing and binding. They look great, and you can take one home the first Sunday the Governor permits us to return to church.

Sending love and condolences to the Craig Dombrowski family on the passing of Jan’s beloved sister, Maureen, who had been in hospice only a short time. Be good to this family during their time of grief.

Our sweet Freda Wolfenden has had another really tough week battling health issues. Please remember her when you pray. Thank you to the good people who continue to help provide meals to her through our Fishes and Loaves ministry!

We have TWO of our men celebrating birthdays on April Fools Day! No kidding, no joke! Happy Birthday, Pastor Julian and Kevin Chambers! Kevin is fairly new to Revolution, and if you don’t know him yet, step over and introduce yourself when we are allowed to assemble again. He is a fun guy! Birthday wishes are going across the miles to T.L. all the way down in GA. She is another of our quiet but faithful supporters, and we love her! Belated birthday wishes to our favorite candy maker, Connie Schuler!

The work of this church goes on whether we are permitted to gather or not. Each person who calls this place “home” should’ve received a letter and postage paid contribution envelopes this week to make giving easy. You may also use PayPal on our main page. THANK YOU to those who have already sent in your offerings and tithes! (Be certain your return address says 24520 S. U.S. Hwy 52, as a few were mislabeled.)

Remember to wash your hands and say your prayers, ‘cuz Jesus and germs are EVERYWHERE!

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March 22, 2020:

Hello, friends and church family!

How are you doing out there living under the Governor’s “shelter in place” mandate that came down yesterday? We are dog paddling in unchartered waters this week, but we are all in it together, and it is only temporary, so we CAN do this!

Because of this week’s unforeseen coronavirus chaos, Pastor Billy detoured from his 1-2-3 John series and gave a reassuring message called “Worry, Anxiety and Stress”. Text was from Matthew 14 where Jesus walked on the water. The Sandovals did a live interactive online Children’s Church service, because we wanted to include our Revolution kids! How fun!

Our songs were “Love the Lord”, “Who You Say I Am”, and “I Stand Amazed”. You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view our music service along with today’s and past messages. The service should be up by 10 a.m..

Today was to have been our special baptizing service, but that has been postponed until we can all come together again and cheer in person for those who are taking this next step in their faith journey. If you wish to be included or have questions, any of our pastors will be happy to talk with you so you can be ready when the new date is announced.

St. Patrick’s Day corned beef luncheon for our senior ministry group had to be cancelled. Let’s plan on a super-duper traditional holiday whoop-ti-do meal NEXT March, and we can eat DOUBLE to make up for this year’s cancellation.

Freda Wolfenden has been absent for months because of multiple health issues in her family. Thank you to those who have blessed her with meals through our Fishes and Loaves ministry. If you enjoy cooking and would like to bless those in our congregation who could benefit from some lovin’ from the oven when they are physically down, contact Dawn Gonda who will be so happy to teach you how this program works!

Lisa Jasinski has been recuperating from outpatient surgery this week, and we send her good wishes for quick healing.

Samantha Jasinski is young and so far from her parents during this pandemic. If you would like to send some love and encouragement to England where she is in college, here is her address:

165E Jamilah House

4-6 University Way

London, UK E16 2RD (Remember extra postage will be required!)

Happy Birthday to Kristen Hippenhammer on Friday! After being sheltered in place with Jason, Jason’s beard, and five littles, she is probably hoping the Birthday Fairy will grant her an hour of quiet!

The work of our church goes on whether we are permitted to gather or not. Each person who calls this place “home” should’ve received a letter and postage paid contribution envelopes this week to make giving easy. You may also use PayPal on our main page. Thank you to those who have already sent in your offerings and tithes!

Pastor will keep us updated with Face Book posts this week. "What's Happening" column will also keep you current on announcements and will be updated each Sunday. Please let your friends know to watch both of these places so we will all be on the same page.

Fear not, pray hard, radiate love, and WASH YOUR HANDS! See you back on this page next Sunday!

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March 15, 2020:

Hello, Beloved!

Oh. My. Goodness. What a week! We’ve had a full moon, “spring forward” time change, Friday the 13th, snow, COVID-19/Coronavirus causing global panic, AND no toilet paper…. JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL!

In all seriousness, in times of uncertainty and fear what better place to be than in the House of God where we can find comfort, peace, and respite from the craziness that is our world at the moment. We hope you were blessed by coming to worship and pray.

Pastor Bob led in prayer for healing of our land. Pastor Billy continued the series, “The Letters of 1-2-3 John”, with a message called “The Sin That Does Not Lead to Death”. Text was 1 John 5:10-21. Larry DeSando prayed the closing prayer. You can go to the main menu and click WATCH to view this and other past messages. Today’s sermon should be up by Monday afternoon.

This morning’s songs were “Give Us Clean Hands” (how appropriate is THAT one?!) “Greatness of Our God”, “Where the Streets Have No Name”, and “Lord, I Need You”.

The proofs for our new directory are on the Connection Table. It is your responsibility to view your contact info and either make corrections or put a check mark beside it if it meets your approval. If you are unhappy with your photo, let Cynthia Petersen know immediately as this is the final week for proofing.

Have you noticed the people wearing headphones during preaching? They are taking advantage of our new service to help those struggling to hear the sermon. We are super excited to offer those with hearing difficulties a downloadable app that will provide more volume and clarity in our services! You simply need to provide your own headphones, and then we can quickly teach you how it works!

Did you take home a Blessing Bag from “Warm Their Soles” ministry? Pastor Julian asked us to show mercy to our homeless brothers and sisters during this tough time and share a Ziploc of treats and small gifts should we see a person in need. Thank you to those good folks who donate items and fill these bags!

St. Patrick’s Day senior holiday meal scheduled for March 18 has been postponed. No corned beef, no cabbage, no little red taters for any of us on Wednesday. Sorry about that!

Have you been baptized? March 22 during service will be our next baptizing, so if you wish to be included or have questions, indicate this on your connection card, and someone will be in touch. We already have four people eager to take this next step, so don’t be shy if you would like to participate. Remember your cameras, towels, and a change of clothes!

Mark your calendars now for Easter services! One of our most memorable services each year is Good Friday. Join us here Friday, April 10 at 7 pm. Easter Sunday is April 12! Ask your friends and family NOW before they make other plans.

Happy 41st wedding anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Naughton! Happy Birthday to Bob Brown turning 82 on St. Patrick’s Day!

It was a joy to see Robbie Fosen visiting today from Colorado. We pray safe return travels for him as he drove near 1000 miles to surprise his mama.

Small group studies will continue until further notice, and church doors shall remain open for you and your family for as long as conditions allow. We have diligently wiped down surfaces in common areas, restrooms, and children’s areas. Hand sanitizer is throughout the building. The health of our church family is always our priority, and we are taking every step we can to safeguard you.

Please check on each other - especially our vulnerables - to be sure we all have enough of what we need in the coming weeks. If you are unable to come to church, remember your tithes and offerings can be mailed to us at 24520 S. US HWY 52 Unit #8 Manhattan IL 60442 or given online using the PayPal option found on our website so the ministry can still move forward until all this dust settles. Thank you for being faithful to Revolution Church with your time, treasures, and talents. We love you.

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