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02/14/10 Worship
Sermon Title & Lectionary
"From Fear to Faith"
Exodus 34:29-35 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
Psalm 99 Luke 9:28-36
Lay Assistant:
Ann Phelps
Gary Distin, Jon Graham, Bill Hoover, Dick Speer, Larry Willett
Greeters:
Scott & Jill McClintock and Chuck & Joyce Peirce
Nursery:
Margie, Elizabeth & Will Myers
Children's Church:
Ann Phelps
Upcoming Lay Assistant Scheduled:
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Adult Sunday School
February 14 at 9:15 - Lounge
- Dr. Hannah Schell, Professor of Religious Studies (MC) will speak on "The future of Christianity in America".
February 21 at 9:15 - Lounge
- Margie Myers will begin our Lenten Series on Jonah. Other members and friends of Faith will be leading subsequent weeks.
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Food Pantry Success!
The need for food at the Jamieson Center food pantry never ceases. We did a great job of giving to this cause in October and November. We can help again. Let's Do It Again!
Please bring food each week for the Jamieson Center box. You may bring anything non- perishable and place it in the box at the door. To make it easier you could go with a schedule such as this.
Feb. 14 - Anything pink, red, or white
Feb. 21 - Rice & beans
Feb. 28 - Peanut Butter & Jelly
Let's fill the boxes each week! Thank you!!
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 Youth Famine
We are excited about this year's famine! With your help we can make it another great success! I would like to help the youth have a visual of that amount of children that day each day due to malnutrition by by making a labyrinth of pennies - 29,000 of them. We've already reached over 1,118 pennies - with a little less than 27,882 to go! A coin jar is available in the social hall. Part of our famine is to also partner up to do community service. This year the University of Illinois Extension office will be sponsoring an outreach 3 on 3 basketball tournament for the Hispanic community on February 27 at the 1st Street Armoury. The youth have agreed to run the concession stand during this event. We will be making subs to sell, proceeds going to Starting Point but are still in need of meat and cheese to put on the bread. There is a sign up on the office door. Finally, to break our fast, we are looking for individuals to plan and prepare a meal for our youth for 6:00 p.m. on February 27. This would be one way of thanking them for their service as well as it being a great way to close our time together with great food, fellowship, and reflection. If you are interested in helping with this, thank you! Sign-ups are on office door.
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Valentine Soup Luncheon on February 14
The members of Isabel Circle cordially invite all congregational members and friends of the church to attend the fourth annual Valentine Soup Luncheon on Sunday, February 14th, following worship. The menu will consist of vegetable soup, Wisconsin Cheese, ham salad, egg salad, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Jell-o cake, and beverages. Music and entertainment will be provided after lunch. If you have a talent that you would like to share, please contact Pam Youngblood at 734-4107. Reservations are not needed, but they would be appreciated. Reservations can be made on the sign-up sheet on the office door. Donations will be accepted the day of the luncheon to offset expenses. Excess proceeds will be given to missions supported by Faith United Presbyterian Church.
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Wednesday Night Live Needs
We need 40 frosting containers with lids by February 17. Please frost a lot of cakes! You may drop them off in the office. Thank you!!!
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| The Ecumenical Singers:
The Ecumenical Singers, directed by Leo Ramer, will present their annual Valentine Day Variety Show at the Monmouth College Dahl Chapel on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 3:00 p.m. The ICS Children's Choir, directed by Alisa Ramer, will also perform. The Show is a fundraiser and tickets may be purchased at the door. Come, have a date with us!
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Ash Wednesday Soup Supper
As we begin the season of Lent on Ash Wednesday, February 17, you are invited to join us for a soup supper at 5:30 p.m. in the social hall. A free will donation will be received to cover the cost of the supper. An Ash Wednesday Taize service of communion and imposition of ashes will follow the supper at 6:30.
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Ash Wednesday Taize Service
Our Ash Wednesday service will be held on February 17, at 6:30 p.m. This year the service of communion and ashes will include the music and order of a Taize service.
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What is Taize?
Taize music comes from the ecumenical monastic community of Taize, France. Founded in 1940 to work for reconciliation among the people of Europe, this community, which now numbers one hundred Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox brothers from dozens of countries, has become host to thousands - young people in particular - who visit Taize to discern their vocation, entering into the prayer and spirit of the community. The music is contemplative and sometimes repetitive so that you might absorb what you are praying into your very being. You will find yourself singing some of the prayer/songs long after the service. It is a very meaningful way of worshipping and a good way to start the Lenten season.
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Lenten Devotionals
Devotionals will be available in the Narthex or under the mirror outside the office beginning February 17.
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Icebreakers
The February meeting of Icebreakers will be on the 21st at 5:30 p.m. The program will be given by Bill Hoover and Pauline "Boots" Winbigler entitled, "Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. for WWII Veterans".
The meal will be included and will cost $5.00. Reservations can be made by calling, Jo Ellen Dollinger, 734-8627; Donna Larson, 734-6103; or Darlene Moffet, 734-5537. |
 American Guild of Organists Recital
The Western Illinois University Chapter of the American Guild of Organists will present a recital of solo and ensemble music at 3 p.m., Sunday, February 28, at the Faith Presbyterian Church, 200 South 8th Street in Monmouth.
The public is invited to attend. Admission is free. Solo organ music to be performed includes two works of Bach, excerpts from the popular Suite Gothique by the late 19th century composer Léon Boëllmann, and several sets of hymn variations. The 100th anniversary of the birth of American composer Samuel Barber will be celebrated with performances of his song The Crucifixion and his Variations on Wondrous Love for solo organ. The program will also include two works for horn and organ, and Joel Raney's organ and piano duet on He's Got the Whole World in His Hands.
The WIU Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is comprised of
organists, choir directors, teachers and students from west central
Illinois. It is part of the 20,000-member national professional association which serves the organ and choral music fields. The purpose of the AGO is to promote the organ in its historic and evolving roles, to encourage excellence in the performance of organ and choral music, and to provide a forum of mutual support, inspiration, education, and certification of Guild members.
AGO members performing on this program are Jan Lucie, soprano;
Sheila Nollen, piano; Cristina Werling, horn; and organists Linda Andrews, Mark Aska, Barbara Gossett, Sarah Holland, Claudia McCain, Mark Ross, and Anita Werling.
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Souper Bowl of Caring Thank You
Thanks to you and our children our congregation raised $274.00 for Souper Bowl of Caring. The money given will be split between Jamieson Center and Starting Point. Thank you for your generosity in fighting hunger in Monmouth.
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Please Pray for:
Haiti and volunteers; Frank Sorensen; Doug Lehmke; Sally McVey; Eilleen Spoerl; Esther White; Jacob Ballard; Martha Royer; Katie Mahoney; Carolyn Simpson; Kathy Smith; Dean Robbins; Lana Endicott; James Butler; Mark Dunn; Carson Dowell; Marilyn Simpson; and Connie Louck.
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| Calendar |
Thursday Fillman Fellowship @ 7:00 p.m
Saturday Valentine Luncheon Decoration @ 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Choir @ 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School @ 9:15 a.m.
Worship @ 10:30 a.m.
Valentine Luncheon @ 11:30 a.m.
Youth Group @ 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday Trustee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Wednesday Night Live @ 3:20 p.m.
Ash Wednesday Taize Service @ 6:30 p.m.
Friday Lenten Breakfast @ 7:00 a.m.
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February Birthdays
2 Dee Long
3 Parker Steis
Muff McVey
5 Korey Fisher
Betty McBride
7 Denise Turnbull
Dick Griffiths
8 Emily Yard
9 Megan Lyle
11 John Gibson
12 Ralph Whiteman
13 Sandra Spainhour
Buster Kellogg, Jr.
18 Jennifer Hedges
19 Will Myers
Sharon Simpson
21 Gary Heaton
22 Ryan Cheek
Bill Smallwood
23 Catrina Pullen
24 Jackie Andrews
Ted Briscoe
25 David Allison
Reva Brower
Martha Whiteman
26 Carl Shaub
Kathleen Fannin
Helen Owens
27 Susan Trevor
28 Joyce Patterson |
| Contact Information |
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Administrative Assistant
Heather Fisher
309-734-5129
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What Do You Think?  How
Do We Read the Bible?
Let's face it. Many of us don't. The Bible is the best selling book of all time and, probably, the least read. Why?
Reasons abound. No time. Not relevant or interested. Too confusing or complicated. Fear? There was a time when the church wouldn't let just anyone read the Bible for fear of misunderstanding or corruption. Prior to the Reformation, church tradition held more authority than scripture.
The magisterial reformers, Luther, Zwingli, Calvin championed the Bible's authority and accessibility for the people. "Sola Scriptura!" - Scripture alone! - is one of the hallmarks of the Reformation. The church lives, not by its own authority, but by Scripture alone.
Be this as it may, if Scripture is to be authoritative for our lives today, we must read it. How do we, as Presbyterians, read the Bible?
While there is no single doctrine of Scripture in the Reformed tradition, there are trajectories, or claims about Scripture, that help us understand how we read the Bible.
First, we believe God speaks. God chooses to reveal God's identity and will for creation. Apart from God's speaking, God's self-revelation, we would have no way of knowing God.
Second, God's Word is indistinguishable from God's Will and God's Work in the world. Scripture is authoritative because it is the Word of God which reveals the Will and Work of God in the world.
Third, God chooses to speak through creation. There is the voiceless witness of creation, what the Protestant scholastic theologians refer to as "general revelation." But God speaks most clearly through the prophets and apostles who bear witness to God's incarnate word, Jesus Christ.
Fourth, God speaks through the written word. Here is one of the great misunderstandings of our tradition. We refer to the Bible as the "Word of God." Too often, this leads to a biblical idolatry, where we claim the "inerrancy" of scripture and close our eyes to textual, cultural and theological errors and inconsistencies. Presbyterians believe the Bible is inspired, not inerrant.
Fifth, Holy Scripture is the church's canon. Scripture, as the revealed Word of God, calls the church into being. The church does not give Scripture its authority. Apart from Scripture, the church cannot live or act.
Sixth, Holy Scripture is sufficient for the church's life. Where the Roman church held tradition in higher authority than Scripture, spiritualists and those of the radical reformation gave illumination by the Spirit the higher place of prominence. To both of these, the Reformers said, "No!" Scripture alone is sufficient for the revelation of God's Word.
Seventh, the Holy Spirit bears witness to the Truth of all these affirmations. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that the words and witness of the prophets and apostles become the authoritative witness to the Word of God, incarnate, Jesus Christ.
Hearing how important the Bible is to our faith, I hope you will give some thought to the place of the Bible in your life. Read it. Reflect upon it. Wrestle with it. Listen to it. Not only do we believe in the authority of Scripture, we believe it is the living, breathing, Word of God "making all things new" by the power of the Holy Spirit.
People of faith, as we enter into this season of Lent, let us covenant to read scripture well, together, that our lives and our life together, might be made new by the Living Word of God we encounter there.
See you in church!
Pastor Myers
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We Pray for Haiti
