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| Faith United Presbyterian Church |
September 17, 2009 |
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Greetings!
Usually, I can talk about the difficult things in life with little emotion. I do this by mostly skirting around the topic or issue. However, get me to sing a hymn like, Precious Lord, Take My Hand and I'm a complete mess!
Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, help me stand;
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn;
Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light;
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near;
When my life is almost gone,
Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall;
Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
~Precious Lord
As I stood up singing in the balcony on Sunday, across from one person while looking down at another (both of whom have suffered tremendous loss), I couldn't help but have some overwhelming emotions as I sang. The only way I could fight back the tears was to stop singing altogether. This must have caught my daughter Kara's attention because once she noticed I wasn't singing any more, she wouldn't take her eyes off of me. Swallowing hard and trying to compose myself, we sat back down in the pew, and as the tears trickled down my cheeks, she leaned over with her big pouty lips, puckered, to kiss me. She never said a thing or ever asked me what was wrong... Perhaps she, too, understood what the words meant and felt the same compassion in her own little heart that I was feeling.
Peace,
Heather |
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Sunday School Starts This Week
- Children, 3 yrs - 6th grade: Meet in the theater upstairs. Parents are welcome!
- Youth, 7th - 12th grade: Meet in the Senior High Room in the Youth Wing.
- Adult Bible Study: Meet in the Brides Room across from the Chapel, next to the Social Hall.
- Faith & Life Class will begin October 4 in the Lounge.
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Bible Class
Adult Bible Class will meet on September 20 in the classroom just off the fellowship hall. Copies of the first lesson can be picked up early from the cabinet in that room! All adults are welcome to attend and add their ideas to the discussion. This fall the study will be "The Covenant Communities" of both the Old and New Testaments.
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9/17/09 Worship Participants
Lay Assistant:
Ann Phelps
Ushers:
Mike Fisher
Korey Fisher
Steve Johnson
Bob Green
George Nieman
Beedle/Crucifer:
Landen Crosier
Will Myers Greeters:
Ted & Vicki Briscoe
Heather, Emily, Courtney & Kara Fisher
Nursery:
Robin Eiler
Children's Church:
Heather Fisher
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| Christ's Helping Hands: Jamieson Center
As part of the Mission Committee's new giving program this year, in September, we are again targeting Jamieson Center. We hope that at some point this month you will make a donation designated for this organization; to do so, write "Jamieson Center" on the memo line of your check or on a regular pew envelope and make the contribution during the weekly collection - or drop it by or mail it to the church office. Please also keep the Center in your prayers as it works to help those in need. Our goal is both to help the church maintain its traditional support for this mission and to raise awareness that it is to help the church maintain its traditional support for this mission and to raise awareness that it is important for all of us, in whatever way we can, to carry our message of Christ's love to others.
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 Wednesday Night Live
We're going to Explore the Universe of God's Promises in another great year of fun, games, music, crafts, worship and food. Regular pick up at the schools will begin on September 23. Please register your child by filling out the yellow forms found outside the office door. We can't wait to see you!!!
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Help Needed for WNL
Can you believe it's been 20 years since Wednesday Night Live after school children's program began? Come be a part of this great Faith tradition.
WE NEED teachers, table parents, dishwashers, aids, musicians, and all kinds of people to help. Please look for the WNL sign up sheet in the social hall and consider how you can make a difference in a child's life. Every job is so important, please sign up to help.
If you have any questions please call Margie in the office, 734-5129. Thank you.
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Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering
Join us on September 19, at Farmingdale Presbyterian Church (7971 Farmington Cemetery Rd.) for the Presbytery of Great Rivers' Fall Gathering. Registration will be from 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. The morning speaker: Judith Lovejoy; A Dedication of the Least Coin; Worship: The Rev. Beth Wagner; Offering: Kemmerer Village
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 Poker Run
Join us once again for Maple City Anitque Tractor Association Poker Run to benefit Jamieson Center on September 19, 2009.
- 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. Unload at Flatt's Electric (please stay on the grave!!!)
- Map will be provided showing location of the stops (the run is approximately 25 miles)
- You may drive to the stops in any order desired
- You may travel in groups or as a single
- Time is allotted to visit and receive one playing card at each location
- Lunch and awards at final stop (Jamieson Center)
- Open to Club Members and Non-Members
- Tractors of any size or age allowed (cab or open station) and will need to be capable of at least 10 MPH plus have an SMV sign.
- $20 entry fee per participant
- Will need valid drivers license and proof of insurance
- Sponsorship money and entry fees will cover expenses (food, prizes, insurance, etc) and remainder to be donated to Jamieson Center in Monmouth
- No tractor? Come anyway and ride on hayracks provided
- Prizes/Awards for 1) Best poker hand 2) Oldest participant 3) Oldest tractor (that finishes) 4) Best breakdown (Presidents discretion) 5) Next best poker hands until prizes run out
- To have an estimate for lunch preparation, reservations appreciated, but not required
- Call Tim Phelps (309)255-7031 or Robert (309)355-3475
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Icebreakers - September 20, 2009
The Icebreakers will meet Sunday afternoon, September 20 at the Jon & Sharon Graham Farm for a hayride and weiner roast. The program will be given by retired Federal Deputy Chief Immigration Judge, Tom Pullen. We will leave the church parking lot at 3:30 p.m. to travel to the Graham farm.
We will enjoy a weiner roast including hot dogs, chips, baked beans, cider & coffee, and s'mores.
Reservations are needed by Friday, September 18, and can be made by calling Jo Ellen Dollinger (734-8627), Donna Larson (734-6103), or Darlene Moffet (734-5537). Icebreakers meetings are open to all members and friends of Faith United.
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Isabel Circle
All women of the church are invited to attend the first meeting of the program year for Isabel Circle on Thursday, September 24th. The meeting will be held in the church fellowship hall at 7:00 p.m. Sharon Graham will be the lesson leader and Margie Myers will provide refreshments. Study guides can be purchased in the church office in advance of the meeting or they can be purchased that evening. |
Please Pray for:
Dick Kieft; Tammi Hottle; Tammi's dad, Larry Dye; Don "Tiny" Fillman; Krista Youngblood; Roger Hawkins; Janet Paris; Reagan & Kate Kinser; Rod & Hallie Lemon; Carson Dowell; Connie Louck; Dave Fisher; Corgan Lantau; and Scott Price.
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| Calendar |
Sunday Sunday School @ 9:15 a.m.
Worship @ 10:30 a.am.
Icebreakers @ 3:30 p.m.
Youth Group @ 4:00 p.m. (Jr. & Sr. Highs)
Tuesday Session Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Wednesday Night Live @ 3:20 p.m.
Thursday Isabel Circle @ 7:00 p.m. |
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September Birthdays
1 Lindsay Gilliland
Lynn Bowman
3 Janice Cunningham
5 Margaret Josephson
7 Tamara Inman
9 Gary Distin
Tiffani Glasgow
Pam Youngblood
10 Vicki Young Briscoe
11 Greg Baber
Bryce Blackford
13 Brittany Wilson
14 Eileen Giddings
Phyllis Wilson
Eilleen Spoerl
17 Mary Fleming
18 Peter Byrne
19 Marian Mills
Jordan Watson
20 Brady Agan
22 Hannah Finnicum
23 Colton McClintock
25 Rachel Haynes
26 Ethan Clark
30 Mona Buchholz
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| Contact Information |
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Administrative Assistant
Heather Fisher
309-734-5129
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What Do You Think?
H1N1 and Faith United
In the weeks ahead, as we enter into the coming flu season, more and more questions will be raised about the impact of the H1N1 virus upon our congrgation's ministry. So, I want to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on what we are doing and intend to do.
We are keeping up to date on CDC - Centers for Disease Control - recommendations and directives. We will have CDC brochures available, providing information on limiting the spread of the H1N1 and other viruses. Our Children and Youth Ministry staff will work with our CE Committee to ensure we are taking all necessary precautions with regard to our children and youth. Our sextons will continue to be diligent in disenfecting areas that are most susceptible to the transfer of the virus. (e.g. door knobs, hand rails.) We have purchased two large bottles of hand sanitizer to be available at the church.
What further actions we take will be dependant upon the severity of the outbreak in Warren County and what actions are taken by other local agencies. It makes little sense to speak of cancelling events at the church, if our schools, banks, grocery stores, restaurants and other public places are open for business. Likewise, we will continue to "Pass the Peace", celebrate communion and greet people in the manner to which we are accustomed, until such time as it seems prudent not to do so.
While in Scotland, a colleague in my doctor of ministry cohort contracted the H1N1 flu. Unbeknownst to any of us that his "cold" was actually this flu, I sat next to him the entire week he was contagious. Our group shared a meal in his home. We celebrated communion by a common cup, I drank from the cup after he did. No one else in the group contracted the flu from this virus.
I share this story, not to make light of the situation, but to suggest that while we are taking the upcoming flu season quite seriously, it is important that we do not over react. If each of us is diligent in taking everyday precautions (e.g. keeping informed, frequent hand washing, staying home when sick), our community of faith should be fairly well protected. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. See you in church!
Pastor Myers
revhaggis1@hotmail.com
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