Christ Bible Church

10/23/2026

10/21/2026

I saw a video online this past week that caught my attention. It showed a sheep who had fallen asleep and who slept right through the rest of his flock moving on. The video shows someone waking the sheep up, and after a moment of confusion and looking around, the sheep jumps up and runs off toward the flock a little ways off in the distance.

The video made me think about how easy it is for us to do the same thing spiritually. Sometimes we get so comfortable that we fall asleep spiritually. Or maybe it is our routines, responsibilities, or distractions that this world has to offer. And before we realize it, we have drifted away from the Lord. Like the sheep in the video, we may not even realize how far we have fallen behind until something wakes us up.

God doesn’t want us to sleepwalk through our Christian lives. He wants us to stay alert, remain close to Him, spend time in His Word, and follow where He leads.

What I loved about the video is that once the sheep realized what was going on, he jumped up and ran toward his flock. This is what God wants us to do as well, when we find ourselves maybe a little too far away from Him. He doesn’t want us to feel ashamed or feel guilty about where we have drifted to, He wants us to get up, turn our hearts toward Him, and run back to Him!

In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Are you keeping close to the Shepherd, or have you gotten too comfortable, busy, or distracted that you have drifted away a bit?

You don’t have to stay there. Get up and come running back to the Shepherd! He is waiting for you with open arms.

~ Michele

10/18/2026

Announcements ~ October 18, 2026

Children's Church leader next week: Brooklin & Breanna Heeren
Shepherd Watch next week: Michele Combs

A note on communion:
At Christ Bible Church, we practice "open communion." The Lord's Supper commemorates His sacrifice for our redemption and looks forward to His return. This command to observe the Lord's Supper was given to all believers. So, if you are a visitor to our church and have received Jesus as your personal Savior, we invite you to join us for communion today. If you prefer not to participate, simply allow the communion elements to pass by as they are distributed.

Next Sunday: Chili Potluck and Trunk-or-Treat
It's an annual tradition now! Jessica Powell is the coordinator and it's always a great time. We were able to meet some of our neighbors last year so maybe we'll reach more this year! Jessica will make chili and we'd like you to bring a dish to pass. Sign up in the foyer!

October 31: Daylight Savings Time ends
The good news is: we get an extra hour of sleep Sunday morning.
The bad news is: it gets dark waaay too quickly. Turn your clocks back an hour Saturday night before bed!

November 1: Amanda King here
It has been a joy for us to partner together in ministry with Amanda for over 20 years. Amanda serves with SIM (Serving in Mission) as a missionary in the country of Ecuador, and we first met her when she was raising support as she was entering the mission field.

A note from Pastor Tom:
"Thank you for your very generous financial gift and especially for the lovely card with your notes of appreciation for Pastor Appreciation Day! It is my great joy and privilege to be your pastor. I love you all!"

Thanks to Deb Fandel for preparing the communion elements for us today!

10/18/2026

October 18, 2026

10/14/2026

My husband and I went through the 9/11 exhibit at the Peoria Riverfront Museum last week and it struck me again how none of the nearly 3000 people who died that day had any clue that morning when they woke up that that day would be their last morning on earth. Similarly, two of the four family members that have passed away recently in my family were unexpected deaths. That’s the thing about life, we simply don’t know when our time is up.

We all live our lives and make plans for the future. We set appointments, buy tickets, plan vacations, and look forward to special occasions like holidays or weddings, or births. But the truth is that none of us knows how many tomorrows we have left. James 4:14 reads, “ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

This is why we cannot afford to put off getting right with Him. Being ready isn’t about living in fear, it is about knowing where we stand with God and having that powerful reassurance that no matter when our last day comes, our eternity is secure in Jesus Christ.

Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior? Are you living with your heart surrendered to Him? Tomorrow is not promised, and we shouldn't assume we will always have more time. Because some day, we won’t. Please don’t put off deciding what you are going to do about Jesus, because none of us knows for sure when our last day on earth will be.

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die...'" ~ John 11:25-26

~ Michele

10/11/2026

Announcements ~ October 11, 2026

Children's Church leader next week: Ashley Smith
Shepherd Watch next week: Billy Combs

Next Sunday: Communion Sunday
Christ gave ordinances for His church to follow until His return. One is baptism and the other is the Lord's Supper. Baptism is public testimony of a believer's faith in Jesus, and the Lord's Supper is to remember His sacrifice on Calvary and looks forward to His return.

October 25: Chili Potluck and Trunk-or-Treat
It's an annual tradition now! Jessica Powell is the coordinator and it's always a great time. We were able to meet some of our neighbors last year so maybe we'll reach more this year! Jessica will make the chili and we'd like you to bring a dish to pass. Sign up in the foyer!

October 31: Daylight Savings Time ends
The good news is: we get an extra hour of sleep Sunday morning.
The bad news is: it gets dark waaay too quickly. Turn clocks back before you go to bed Saturday night!

November 1: Amanda King here
It has been a joy for us to partner together in ministry with Amanda for over 20 years. Amanda serves with SIM (Serving in Mission) as a missionary in the country of Ecuador, and we first met her when she was raising support as she was entering the mission field.

November 11: Veterans Day
America sets aside this day to honor all veterans--living and deceased--who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

November 15: Thanksgiving Luncheon

10/11/2026

October 11, 2026

10/11/2026

Thank you Pastor Tom for everything you do for us!