Christ Bible Church

06/10/2026

Hey church family, are you pumped for our picnic this Sunday? It's going to be awesome! Jenae says we've already got plenty of desserts left over from graduation and the wedding, so if we could focus on non-dessert side dishes that would be great. (Just don't tell Jackie!).

06/10/2026

We live in a world overflowing with opinions, information, and competing voices. Every day we are told what to believe, how to think, and what should matter most. In the midst of all that noise, one of the greatest gifts a believer can possess is discernment.

I know I have written about this before, but after seeing a few things online this past week, I felt the Lord prompting me to revisit the topic. I have recently seen several videos from different pastors and people in leadership positions. A couple were speaking false doctrine and a couple were calling out those speaking the false doctrine. James 3 reminds us that teachers will be judged more strictly. Throughout Scripture, God warns about the dangers of leading others astray. Because of this, those who teach and influence others must be careful with the information they present as truth. Therefore, people must be very careful about the information that they present as facts. And for readers, listeners, “consumers” like us, this is where discernment becomes most important.

Discernment is more than simply knowing right from wrong. It is the ability to recognize truth from error, wisdom from foolishness, and God's voice from the countless distractions around us. It is easy to believe the words of someone in a position of power or leadership who speaks with confidence. We must be able to recognize the falsehood, the error, the foolishness, the “almost right, but not quite.” But in order to be able to do this, we must anchor ourselves in His truth.

Discernment doesn't happen by accident. It grows when we spend time in Scripture, seek God's guidance through prayer, and allow the Holy Spirit to shape our thinking. Hebrews 5:14 teaches that mature believers have their senses "exercised to discern both good and evil." In other words, discernment develops through a consistent walk with Christ. And time spent in His Word.

You cannot recognize what is wrong unless you know what is right.

Before accepting what we hear, share, or believe, may we ask: Does this align with God's Word? Does it reflect His character? Does it draw me closer to Christ?

In a confused world, God's truth remains unchanged. Let us be people who seek wisdom, pursue truth, and walk with discernment so that our lives point others to Jesus.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God..." ~1 John 4:1

~ Michele

06/07/2026

Announcements ~ June 7, 2026

Children's Church leader next week: Jessica Powell
Shepherd Watch next week: Michele Combs

Today: Breanna Heeren Graduation Party 3-5 pm
We're all invited to celebrate with Bre downstairs in Taylor Hall.

Next Sunday: Church picnic at Independence Park 12 noon
Immediately following our worship service, all of us will head down to the park for an awesome church family potluck. We'll be at the pavilion at the top of the hill by the softball fields in Marquette Heights where we were last year. We'll have a great time. Jenae Nimmo is coordinating it. The church will provide sloppy joes and hot dogs and lemonade. Please bring your favorite dish to share.

June 21: Father's Day
We will honor our Heavenly Father as we celebrate our earthly dads.

Help Wanted!
We are so thankful to Bryan Boston for volunteering to be our new sound system operator! If you haven't taken the opportunity to meet Bryan and thank him personally, please do so! We do still need someone creative to make those cool PowerPoint background slides for announcements like Mike does. Our Praise Band would like to have a drummer and/or a keyboardist so we could use your prayers there too. "Pray to the Lord to raise up workers in His harvest field!"

The New "Our Daily Bread" devotional booklets are ready for you o the table in the foyer. Guaranteed to start your day correctly!

Children's Church News
We are so incredibly thankful for all you ladies who volunteer to teach our precious children about Jesus! The new schedules will be out at the end of the month. If you have been thinking about joining our awesome team of teachers, please see Pastor Tom soon!

06/07/2026

June 7, 2026

06/06/2026

06/03/2026

✨Christ Bible Church Spotlight✨

Nick Meints

I grew up in the Lutheran Church through high school. I went through confirmation class and went to church pretty much every week. When I got into college I didn't attend church but I still believed in God. It wasn't until I had a friend in college that I started attending church with that I felt like I had a real relationship with God. I enjoyed going to church and talking to my friend about the sermons and questions that I had. I always believed in God but this time I felt a stronger connection and importance of my faith.

After college I searched for a new church to attend. I had attended Christ Bible Church as a kid but then moved to a Lutheran church affiliated with my grade school. So I knew Pastor Tom and some of the church members. I spoke to Billy Combs while at work about finding a church and he invited me to attend Christ Bible Church with him. I started attending church with him and his family.

I instantly felt welcome by the members at Christ Bible Church. The fellowship of church events made attending every Sunday more comfortable. I have now been at Christ Bible for 3 years. I truly feel my relationship with God growing from the sermons preached by Pastor Tom.

At the church, I help with shepherds watch and ushering for offering when needed. I also coach high school age baseball and basketball at the Christian Center in Peoria. I am often inspired by Pastor Tom's sermons to guide the devotions that I do with my teams as a coach. My faith is very important to me--more than ever before--and I have the honor of sharing it with young athletes.

My favorite thing about Christ Bible Church is the closeness and family feel of the members that attend. We do a lot of fun activities outside of church that connects us as a church. And Pastor Tom is always passionate and inspiring when he preaches his sermons.

My favorite Bible verse is: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

06/01/2026

Comment and share with others what gets you through!

06/01/2026

Announcements ~ May 31, 2026

Children's Church leader next week: Denise Baker
Shepherd Watch next week: Billy Combs

Saturday: Makenzie McGuire Open House, 1-3 pm
Jeff and Pattie invite everyone to a cookout and pool party for Makenzie's graduation at 109 Greenbriar Court in East Peoria.

Next Sunday: Bree Heeren Graudation Party at the church, 3-5 pm

June 14: Church picnic at Independence Park
Immediately following our worship service, all of us will head to the park for an awesome church family potluck. We'll be at the pavilion at the top of the hill by the softball fields in Marquette Heights. Same place as last year. We'll have a great time. Jenae Nimmo is coordinating it. The church will provide sloppy joes and hot dogs and lemonade. Please bring your favorite dish to share.

June 21: Father's Day
We will honor our Heavenly Father as we celebrate our eartly dads.

Help Wanted!
Congratulations to Mike and Amanda Giebelhausen as they began their new life together last night! They are moving to Columbia, MO and so Mike's last Sunday with us will probably be June 14th. As you know, Mike's leaving will result in a big gap in our ministry and we need some folks to step in and help. We may have found someone to run the sound system, but still need someone to help with screen graphics, a song leader would help, etc. So far no one has stepped up to help. We can do better! We are quickly running our of time for Mike to help train his replacement(s). Please see Pastor Tom if you are ready to help!