What's Happening
Join us this weekend - in person or online. Worship services are Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 8:45am and 10:30am. Note that we now have a sensory-friendly worship service on Saturdays at 5pm in the East Auditorium with gentle lighting, no special effects, controlled sound, and flexible seating.
Below you'll find lots of great things happening at First Christian Church. For a complete calendar, click here.
To receive our WHAT'S HAPPENING digital newsletter every Friday, sign up via email or text FIRSTDECATUR to (217) 875-3350.
Hope in the Hurt
CURRENT SERMON SERIES
When life hurts, faith can feel fragile. Hope in the Hurt tackles the hard realities of suffering — what causes it, how it shapes us, and where God is in the middle of it all — through Scripture, mental health insight, and lived experience. This series isn’t about easy answers, but about practical tools and resilient faith that help us move from simply surviving to discovering what God wants to do in us through pain. Become grounded in the truth that God is with us — even in the hurt. Join us Saturdays at 5pm and Sundays at 8:45am and 10:30am in person or online.
21 Days of Prayer & Fasting
STARTS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2026
James 4:8 reminds us, “Come near to God and He will come near to you.” Beginning Monday, February 16, you’re invited to join us for 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting as a church, creating intentional space to slow down, listen, and seek God together. As we discern what’s next for our church and for our own lives, this season creates space to listen for the God who is already at work among us.
GriefShare
STARTS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026 FROM 6-8PM
GriefShare is a grief recovery support group that provides a safe space for individuals who are coping with the loss of a loved one. This 11-week program offers practical guidance and emotional support to help navigate the challenges of grief and find healing along the way. The cost is $20; scholarships are available. Questions? Email care@firstdecatur.org.
Midweek Prayer
WEDNESDAYS FROM 12:15 - 12:45 PM
Jesus is the hope of the world. The Church is Jesus' plan to bring his hope to the world, and prayer is the pathway to bring all of this together! Everyone is invited to join us every Wednesday from 12:15pm-12:45pm in the West Auditorium for a time of worship reflection, and prayer.
Night to Shine
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026 AT GT CHURCH
Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for individuals with disabilities ages 14 and older. It's a fun evening which includes walking down the red carpet, dancing, photos, gift bags, food, and so much more! We are excited to co-host the event with GT Church and Macon Resources.
BECOME A SPONSOR!
Become a sponsor of Night to Shine right here in our community! We have various sponsorship levels.
BE A VOLUNTEER!
Night to Shine will require hundreds of people serving in many different capacities. We invite you to help make it an amazing event for our guests.
••• WE HAVE PLENTY OF VOLUNTEERS NOW. THANK YOU! •••
First Steps
WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 14/15, 2025
AFTER EACH WORSHIP SERVICE
Whether brand new to First Christian Church or just looking to get plugged in, FIRST STEPS is the perfect place to make connections with other people just like you! Discover our mission and the “why” and “how” we grow and serve together. Along with that, you’ll learn practical next steps for you to get plugged in as well as get to know some of our staff. This 20-minute informational meeting meets AFTER each of our worship services. We will meet in The Hub or just stop by the Welcome Center, and a hospitality member will escort you to The Hub.
If you attend church online, we'd love to connect with you as well! We can meet sometime during the week over a coffee or set up a Zoom meeting. Whatever works best for you. Contact Hannah at hbeery@firstdecatur.org or call/text (217) 875-3350 to see up a time to connect together.
Winter Retreat
MARCH 13-15, 2026 AT LITTLE GALILEE
Our Student Life Winter Retreat is going to be an awesome weekend focused on building deeper relationships with God and each other through worship, teaching, and fun activities. Students will have dedicated time to hear from God in the midst of the wilderness of life. We are planning several group activities and free time slots to encourage connection and fun. It will be a great opportunity for students to step away from the normal routine and focus on what matters most. The cost is $185 ($50 deposit). Scholarships available. Questions? Contact John at jbillner@firstdecatur.org.
NLPC Baby Bottle Campaign
RETURN BABY BOTTLES MARCH 14/15, 2026
We value life. That's why our church is participating in New Life Pregnancy Center's Baby Bottle campaign. NLPC offers compassionate support to women and men facing unplanned pregnancies. If you didn't get a chance to grab a baby bottle, stop by the church office during the week M-Th 8:30-4:30pm to pick one up and return it filled with change the weekend of March 14/15. If you prefer to donate online, give online here:
CIY Conference
JULY 13-17, 2026
Middle & high school students, you are invited to go to the Christ In Youth Conference which will be held in Wheaton, Illinois. This conference will consist of 4 days on a college campus. Students will have opportunities to hear amazing speakers and worship together. We can’t wait to see how each student encounters Jesus this year.
Employment Opportunities
MOSAIC CAFE COOK (PART TIME)
We are looking for a cook for Mosaic Café for primarily Monday-Thursday and special events as needed. This position prepares made-to-order food items for the café’s daily menu as well as occasional cooking for larger groups. To apply, contact Lisa at lweatherford@firstdecatur.org or meet with Lisa in person at the café M-Th 7-11am.
PRE-K CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DIRECTOR (FULL TIME)
We are looking for a Pre-K Children's Ministry Director to lead ministry for families with children from birth through pre-kindergarten, fostering spiritual growth and service opportunities. Key requirements include accepting Christ, ministry experience, a baccalaureate degree, and a passion for spiritual development of young children and their families. The director will develop and implement programming, recruit volunteers, equip parents, and manage the ministry space and budget. This full-time role emphasizes teamwork with the Family Ministries Team and adherence to Christian principles. Send resumes to Dawn at dwendt@firstdecatur.org or APPLY ON INDEED.COM.
For a complete list of events, click the church calendar button below. Questions?
Please call or text the church at (217) 875-3350 or questions@firstdecatur.org.