Tomorrow we celebrate Memorial Day in remembrance of our War heroes.  As we remember those who gave their life in service to our country, may we never forget the greatest sacrifice of all - the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His life for our salvation.  Each Lord's Day should be a memorial day to remind us of God's grace and mercy.

In observance of Memorial Day, the Church Office and Canaan Credit Union will be closed tomorrow, May 31.

Antioch Baptist Church in Decatur will host the Fellowship District Association this afternoon at 4:00 P.M.

Canaan Academy's Science Fair on Thursday, May 27, was FANTASTIC! Our "little scientists" created their own experiments, posed their hypotheses and concluded accurately. Students in grades 2 and 3 were inquiring reporters and interviewed their fellow classmates for the following experiments:  "Testing Air" (Rohan Padmakumar); "How to Make an Egg Float" (LeeAngelo Riley); "How to make Lemonade" (Brandon Kelly); "Testing Glue:  Which Glue works the best?" (Alayah Gray); "The Effect of an OIL SPILL" (Jaylen Driver); "Which cleaner kills bacteria the best?" (Bryson Tatum); "Which model airplane design flies the farthest?" (Tyler Otis); "How does yeast affect bread?" (Amir Muhammad); "How long does it take for mold to grow on grapes?" (Kayla Harvey); "How does Pressure affect Rock in the Atmosphere?" (KHayriyah Mitchell); "How does smell affect taste?" (Jaden Johnson).  Each grade was represented (Pre-K through grade 5).

Canaan Academy's Promotion Program is Friday, June 4, at 8 A.M.  Afterwards, the Academy will recess for the summer.

Gala 2010 will be held at 6:30 P.M. on July 9, 2010, at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.  Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady, Laura Bush, is the Keynote Speaker. She is a an educator, an author, Chair of UNICEF's Next Generation, and  Contributing Correspondent,  NBC's Today. Jenna will speak on the theme, "Making A Difference: How The Power Of Compassion Changes Lives." This fundraising event is under the auspices of Canaan Development Foundation.

Tickets for Gala 2010 are available for purchase now through July 2, 2010.  Ticket Captains are urgently needed. Please see Co-Chairpersons Larine Cowan and Cynthia Turner if you are interested in assisting us in this endeavor.

Canaan is the guest church for the Pastoral Anniversary of Rev. Willie Williams, Jr., Pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church. The church is located at 702 W. Mumford Drive, Urbana, Illinois.  The celebration is July 27, 2010, at 4 P.M.

Sis. Audrey Peppers is the entrepreneur of Evolve Counseling Services, Inc. located at 1606 N. Willow View Rd. in Urbana.  Mental health and substance abuse are among the services offered in this new practice.

Note: Our policy prohibits the loan of church property (chairs, tables, etc.)  and equipment of any kind for any occasion.

Congratulations to Marina Sherrill who will be recognized by the Champaign Police Department for 10 years of service as a School Crossing Guard.  The reception is June 1 at 5:30 P.M.

A meeting of the Greeters Ministry is scheduled for June 5 at 10:30 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall.  All members are asked to be present.

SAVE THE DATE: Canaan's Women's Conference is September 11, 2010. Evangelist Cynthia Turner is Director of the Women's Ministry.

The monthly Women's Fellowship Circle is June 26 from 1-4 P.M.  in the Canaan Academy Gymnasium.

Pastor Tatum's enlightening and expository sermons are telecast each Sunday evening at 6 P.M. on UPTV, Channel 6.

The Health Ministry's First Place 4 Health Christ-centered weight-loss and healthy living program is each Saturday from 9-11 A.M.

The DARE TO TRUST GOD Pledge Commitment is extended through February 2011.  Prayerfully consider your ability to sacrificially give $250 each month over and above your tithes and offerings.  Will you give by Reason, which takes no faith, or by Revelation, which asks, "Am I willing to trust God?"

 

Congratulations, graduates! The world is as big as your dreams, so you must never stop dreaming.  The future is as bright as your hopes, so you must never stop hoping. Your life is as full as your faith, so you must never stop believing.  Our 2010 graduates will be recognized during today's Morning Worship Service.

A Memorial Garden in memory of Curtis McKinney will be dedicated  May 24, in front of Edison Middle School at 10:30 A.M.  All are welcome to attend.

Congratulations to Sis. Ruthie Harper who is listed as "a woman with a heart of gold who finds her blessings in helping others" in the Spring issue of Outstanding Women You Should Know.  Sis. Harper is an active member of Canaan, a 31-year employee at WICD-TV, a strong volunteer and supporter of Boy Scout Troop 402, She has donated school supplies and book bags to Canaan Academy, King and Garden Hills elementary schools, and the Center for Women in Transition. Sis. Harper is truly "a giver who seeks no rewards, accolades, or attention for her many deeds."

Congratulations to Danielle Fontaine who was inducted into the National Honor Society May 17.  She is a Junior at Urbana High School.

Gala 2010, originally scheduled for June 4, has been rescheduled and will be held at 6:30 P.M. on July 9, 2010, at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.  Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady, Laura Bush, is the Keynote Speaker.  She is a teacher, an author, Chair of UNICEF's Next Generation, and  Contributing Correspondent,  NBC's Today. Jenna will speak on the theme, "Making A Difference: How The Power Of Compassion Changes Lives." This fundraising event is under the auspices of Canaan Development Foundation.

Gala 2010 Tickets are available for purchase now through July 2, 2010.  Ticket Captains are urgently needed. Please see Co-Chairpersons Larine Cowan and Cynthia Turner if you are interested in assisting us in this endeavor.

SAVE THE DATE: Canaan's Women's Conference is September 11, 2010. Evangelist Cynthia Turner is Director of the Women's Ministry.

The monthly Women's Fellowship Circle is June 26 from 1-4 P.M.  in the Canaan Academy Gymnasium.

The Health Ministry's First Place 4 Health Christ-centered weight-loss and healthy living program is each Saturday from 9-11 A.M.

The DARE TO TRUST GOD Pledge Commitment is extended through February 2011.  Prayerfully consider your ability to sacrificially give $250 each month over and above your tithes and offerings.  Will you give by Reason, which takes no faith, or by Revelation, which asks, "Am I willing to trust God?"

Pastor Tatum's enlightening and expository sermons are telecast each Sunday evening at 6 P.M. on UPTV, Channel 6.

The Young Adult Choir rehearsal is Friday, May 28, at 6:30 P.M.

Youth For Christ International Director, Hilary Lewis-Nicol, will speak at Canaan this afternoon at 4:00 P.M.  He has recently been appointed to serve as the YFC International/Africa Area Director and will supervise the ministry in 34 nations in the whole Continent of Africa.

Canaan Academy is hosting its 9^th Annual Carnival next Saturday, May 22, 2010, from 1-4 P.M. You won't want to miss it!  There will be Games, Food, Silent Auction, and much more!  Canaan Family and Friends are invited.

The May 22 Women's Fellowship is canceled. The next monthly Fellowship is June 26.

SAVE THE DATE: Canaan's Women's Conference is September 11, 2010. Evangelist Cynthia Turner is Director of the Women's Ministry.

Gala 2010, originally scheduled for June 4, has been rescheduled and will be held at 6:30 P.M. on July 9, 2010, at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.  The Keynote Speaker is Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady, Laura Bush, and granddaughter of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Former First Lady Barbara Bush.  She is a teacher, Contributing Correspondent on NBC's "TODAY" Show, Chair of UNICEF's Next Generation, and an author. In addition to Ana's Story, she also co-wrote Read All About It with her mother, former First Lady Laura Bush. This fundraising event is under the auspices of Canaan Development Foundation.  Gala 2010 Tickets will be available for purchase May 21 to July 2, 2010.

Congratulations to Jarel Jackson who was inducted into the National Honor Society last Wednesday,  May 12.  He is a Junior at Centennial High School

The DARE TO TRUST GOD Pledge Commitment is extended through February 2011.  Prayerfully consider your ability to sacrificially give $250 each month over and above your tithes and offerings.  Will you give by Reason, which takes no faith, or by Revelation, which asks, "Am I willing to trust God?"

What are **you** doing at Canaan and in our community?  Please send your ministry news, personal testimonies, creative expressions, and timely tidbits to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for upcoming issues of the church newsletter, Rejoice!

UPCOMING EVENT

GALA 2010

"Making A Difference: How The Power Of Compassion Changes Lives."

July 9 - 6:30 P.M.

Keynote Speaker: Jenna Bush Hager

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

500 S. Goodwin Avenue

Urbana, Illinois

Host:

Canaan Development Foundation

Happy Mother's Day to the honorable women who've been called to care for the heart and spirit of a child.  Mother is a treasure of the heart.  The greatest impression a mother can leave on her children is the message of her living faith, unwavering hope, and steady trust in God that will be engraved on their heart forever.

We bid farewell to Munenè Khoza who is leaving our congregation to return to her native home in South Africa. Munenè was a faithful member during her stay as an Exchange Student.

Canaan's Publishing Ministry will meet at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, May 15, at the Urbana Free Library Conference Room.

What are **you** doing at Canaan and in our community?  Please send your ministry news, personal testimonies, creative expressions, and timely tidbits to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for upcoming issues of the church newsletter, Rejoice!

The May 14 Young Adult choir rehearsal is cancelled.   Following are the remaining rehearsal dates for the month of May: Monday, May 17, 6:30 P.M.; Saturday, May 22, 2:00 P.M.; and Friday, May, 28, 6:30 P.M.

Canaan Academy is hosting its 9^th Annual Carnival on Saturday, May 22, 2010, from 1-4 P.M. You won't want to miss it!  There will be Games, Food, Silent Auction, and much more!  Canaan Family and Friends are invited.

The DARE TO TRUST GOD Pledge Commitment is extended through February 2011.  Prayerfully consider your ability to sacrificially give $250 each month over and above your tithes and offerings.  Will you give by Reason, which takes no faith, or by Revelation, which asks, "Am I willing to trust God?"

Attention, Graduates! Each year in May we honor our graduates, and we would like to recognize you and your accomplishment. Please e-mail Sis. Barbara Tatum, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call the church office (367-2158) and let us know the College/University from which you will graduate, type of degree, and the discipline in which you will receive your degree.  High school seniors, please be sure and give us the name of your school.  The names we have to date are:

University of Illinois

Rachel Campbell, M.S., Chemistry

Yvonne R. Griswold, M.S., Agricultural & Consumer Economics

Illinois State University

Jensa Taylor, B.S., Elementary Education

Parkland College

Cheryl Curry, Associate Degree

Central High School

Desiree Young

Urbana High School

Stephen Lenear

Edison Middle School

Deonte Young

The Health Ministry's First Place 4 Health Christ-centered weight-loss and healthy living program is each Saturday from 9-11 A.M.  Weigh-in begins at 8:45 A.M

Pastor Tatum's enlightening and expository sermons are telecast each Sunday evening at 6 P.M. on UPTV, Channel 6.

Pastor Tatum has launched a series of sermons from the Book of Revelation.  Don't miss this dynamic unveiling of the Visions of Glory, Grace, and Government.

We are praying for the sick and shut-in everywhere.  God is a Healer and He DOES answer prayer.  We are praying for Mother Odessa Taylor's granddaughter who is seriously ill in Carle Hospital, Evangelist Cynthia Turner, recuperating from last week's illness, and others whose names we do not have.  God is a Healer and He DOES answer prayer!   We are praying for Pastor Roland Brown, bereaved by the loss of his wife, Willa.