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| Faith United Presbyterian Church |
October 8, 2009 |
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Greetings!
How may we affirm our children's offering of worship? The children sang in church last Sunday. We hadn't had long to practice and had no accompaniment. It probably wasn't our best effort. After church one of the children said to me, "they didn't clap for us". I assured her that was okay and we were actually offering our song to God, not for the audience/congregation. This was a disturbing conversation for me. On the one had, she was hurt because the congregation "didn't like them" enough to applaud as you have done before. On the other hand, it made me realize our children believe they are performing for you.
In confirmation class, we teach our young people God is the audience and we, the congregation, are the actors. Therefore, when we clap or don't clap for the children, they believe it is a reflection upon them. However, the answer is not to clap every time. The answer is to help teach them they are offering God a gift. We, the congregation can encourage them in this, not with applause but with an affirmative Amen. This helps them to know their offering was a prayer and, agreeing with their prayer, you want to be part of their offering to God, as well.
Please help us teach our children a better theology of worship. When they offer songs, words or actions in church, support them with a strong AMEN!
Thank you,
Margie Myers
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10/11/09 Worship Participants
Lay Assistant:
Craig Watson
Ushers:
Julie Armstrong, Tom & Eileen Giddings,
John Lyle & Jim Brown
Beedle/Crucifer:
Brooke & Kirstin Johnson Greeters:
Mark & Julie McVey
Leroy & Joyce Lantz
Nursery:
Lolla Ballard & Beth Dingman
Coffee Hour:
Carol Bowman and Ruth Wright Children's Church:
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Home Communion
If you have not been called to receive Home Communion and would like to be on the list, please notify the church office at 734-5129 so we can schedule you in the next week.
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Peacemaking Offering
We will continue to accept any contributions to the Peace Offering throughout October. Please use the designated envelopes in the pews or use a regular envelope and write on it, "For Peacemaking Offering." We hope you will join us in committing ourselves to working for the unity of the church and the peace of Christ.
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 Marriage
On October 18, as part of our service of worship at 10:30 a.m., our congregation will witness the vows of Christian Marriage for Ted Briscoe and Vicki Young Briscoe. Ted and Vicki were previously married in a civil service on April 24, 2009. They wish to make a public proclamation of their marriage in the sight of God and before their family and their friends at Faith United Presbyterian Church.
Come and celebrate this joyous occasion with Ted, Vicki, and their family. Ted and Vicki will host the coffee hour after church that day and invite all to stay and continue the celebration with them.
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Icebreakers
The next Icebreakers meeting will be on Sunday, October 18, 2009. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. with a program to follow given by Jenna Link, the Adminstrator of Warren County Health Department.
Please call Jo Ellen Dollinger (734-8627), Donna Larson (734-6103), or Darlene Moffett (734-5537) to make your reservations by October 16. |
 A Survivor's Celebration
Mark your calendars for November 14 at 4:00 p.m. for A Survivor's Celebration Benefit honoring Tammi Hottle.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under and can be purchased from Heather Fisher, Jane Kellogg, or Barb Byrne.
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Please Pray for:
Tammi Hottle; Tammi's dad, Larry Dye; Don "Tiny" Fillman; Krista Youngblood; Janet Paris; Carson Dowell; Connie Louck; Lamont Huff; Corgan Lantau; Mark Dunn, Susan Van Kirk's cousin, Virginia Caleca, Susan Van Kirk's aunt, and Scott Price.
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| Calendar |
Thursday Fillman Fellowship @ 5:00 p.m.
Sunday Choir @ 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School @ 9:15 a.m.
Worship @ 10:30 a.m.
No Youth Group
Tuesday Deacon Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Wednesday Night Live @ 3:20 p.m.
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October Birthdays
1 Dorothy Behnke
2 Lorna Blackford
4 Phil Painter
5 Barb Byrne
6 Elizabeth Nieman
7 Michael Crosier
10 Elizabeth Schroeder
11 Chloe Larson
David Spoerl
13 Megan Byrne
15 Don Mills
Austin Johnson
17 Thomas Best
28 Michael O'Neal
29 Marie Inman
30 Lynn Biggs
Amanda Bowman
30 Andrew Ockert
J. Eric Ockert
Kathy Lewis
31 Jane Newberry
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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?
Do We Have Enough
Conflict in Our
Congregation?
"After some days Paul said to Barnabas, 'Come, let us return and visit the believers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.' Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers commending him to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches." (Acts 15:36-41, NSRV) Do we have enough conflict in our congregation? This may seem a strange question, but consider the source. As a preacher, I know that if everyone "loves" my preaching, there is probably something wrong with my preaching. Jesus, himself, said the gospel is divisive. Even families can be divided over matters of faith. So, is the absence of significant conflict in a congregation, necessarily, a good sign? The conflict between Paul and Barnabas was significant. So significant, it "divided the church". Barnabas went one way and Paul the other. Yet ultimately the church thrived, for new lands and peoples were opened to Paul. Of course, conflict for the sake of conflict is not healthy. Neither is the pettiness that so often devours us, people and churches, from within. We must choose our windmills wisely. However, there are giants on the horizon. There are issues and events, in our community and beyond, that as people of faith and stewards of God's creation, we should be addressing. Some of these issues are cultural. Others are environmental. Many are political. All are theological. For at some level, they deal with our relationships with God and neighbor. Are we doing enough to witness to the world who we are as people of faith? Are there ways we should be preparing one another for the task of living our faith in the world? Are we willing to lift high the cross of Jesus Christ, even if it means inviting conflict into our lives and our life together? See you in Church! Pastor Myers revhaggis1@hotmail.com
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