Welcome: First Christian Church; Council Bluffs, IA

Senior Adult Ministries

Who are we?

People in our 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and up (age is just a number!)
Single, married, widows, divorced, etc.
Some retired, some still employed, some working part-time and some volunteering
Some very healthy, some not-so-healthy and some in-between
Some living in our own homes, some living in nursing facilities, some living in assisted living or apartment environments and some living with family

What is the ministry all about?

What kind of activities do you have for active seniors?

Outings: We have gone to places such as the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Factory, the Iowa State Fair, IMAX Theatre and Pie at Petrow's and the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad train ride featuring a Civil War Reenactment.
Conferences: Every June we go to the Senior Adult Christian Conference held in Branson, MO, sponsored by Ozark Christian College.
Service Projects: Volunteer Days at Risen Son Christian Village, service to the FCC congregation in the form of helping with various ministries within the church, janitorial assistance, funeral dinners and behind-the-scenes “nobody knows but Jesus” deeds of kindness.
Fellowship Dinners: Potluck dinners after church (always a favorite)
Special Holiday Dinners: For those who do not have family in town, we have special holiday dinners and parties to help our seniors get through (what could be very tough) holidays: Thanksgiving, New Year’s, Easter and 4th of July.

How do you minister to your homebound senior adults?

We take communion to our homebound senior adults every Sunday. Along with communion, we deliver the Sunday bulletin, the "Christian Standard" and the “Lookout.” DVDs of Pastor Dave’s sermons are available to our homebound each Sunday along with communion. The team who delivers communion will assist the homebound with setting up the DVD.
Every May we deliver a May Basket to each of our homebound members. The baskets include personal care articles as well as word search books, greeting cards and basic home products.
Periodically we have a carry-out dinner for our homebound. We make up a great Sunday dinner and ask volunteers to take the dinners to our homebound members. What a treat this is!
Our Minister of Senior Adults visits each of our homebound members on a regular basis. Additionally, our homebound members receive phone calls and cards of encouragement.
We also provide transportation to the doctor, physical therapy and prescription pick-up.
During inclement weather, our Minister of Senior Adults calls and checks on our homebound members who live on their own.
In the summer months many of our members donate fresh home-grown fruits and vegetables for our homebound. Our Minister of Senior Adults takes these along on visits.
We conduct Sunday services in several area nursing homes: Midlands Living Center, Woodlands Rehabilitation Center and Northcrest Care and Rehabilitation Center.

What kind of needs do you have for this ministry?

Sponsors: We could really use some tenderhearted, compassionate singles or couples who enjoy the company of older people. Things you could do would include assisting our people on and off the bus, helping with fellowship dinners and decorating for special events.
Special needs crew: Are you willing to be on call in case of emergencies and in times of special needs?
Wheelchairs: Good, used wheelchairs are needed (wide chairs especially helpful)
Donations of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Donations of homemade cookies, cakes and pies.
People who like to send cards and/or enjoy visiting the homebound.
Volunteers to help with Sunday services at area nursing homes.
Volunteers to help deliver communion on Sundays.

If you would like to know more about our Senior Adult Ministry, just call Jean Provines:
Church office: 328-2606
Home: 328-2074
Cell: 402-680-1290