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07/04/2010
"Sowing the Seeds of Community in God's New Creation"
Psalms 30
Galatians 6:1-16
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
Lay Assistant:
George Nieman Ushers:
Carol & Bonnie Heflin, Ralph & Martha Whiteman, Norma Mettler Nursery:
Children's Church:
Jim & Shari Glasgow
Coffee Hour:
TBA
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Galactic Blast - VBS
We've had a fantastic week at Vacation Bible School. With our space gorilla friend "Galileo", Commander Myers, and our GPS VBS system we have learned to PRAAAIIIISSSE GOD! But those leaders could have done nothing without all our teachers and helpers. We want to especially thank Ann Phelps for directing the program and Mary Lyle for doing so much to help us prepare. We had over 45 children join us for a week of Bible storytelling, singing, science discovery, recreation, snack and crafts. Look for pictures coming soon in the social hall. Thank you to everyone who brought food and supplies. You made this possible too!
Thank you to:
Ann Phelps, Sharon Simpson, Elizabeth Myers, Mary Lyle, Alison Clark, Brittany Wilson, Jan Speer, Korey Fisher, Emily Fisher, Will Myers, Dalton Hottle, Tom Best, Jonalyn Heaton, Bill Myers, John Lyle, Shirley Armstrong, Rose Trimble, Donna Larson, Jo Ellen Dollinger, Emily Yard, Alice Lawson, Elizabeth Nieman, Stephanie Reading, Dee Long, Jim McCurdy, Marj Phelps
Please forgive me if I left anyone out.
Margie
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Church Lawn
To cut down on expenses again this summer, we are asking for volunteers to mow the church lawn. (Please plan on using your own mower.) If you are interested, please sign-up on the office door. Thank you!
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Softball
There will be no softball games this Sunday, July 4th!
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| Ice Cream/Pie/Cake/Barbecue Sandwich Social
This yearly social event is scheduled for Sunday evening, August 1, at Faith United Presbyterian Church. A big change this year comes with the church's session approval to open it up to be an all-church project rather than just an Icebreaker project. The Icebreakers organization will still provide the leadership but all members and friends of Faith United are invited to help with the different activities - the sale of tickets, baking a pie or cake, and working at the evening social.
Anyone interested in helping in any of these areas should contact Donna Larson (734-6103) or Jim McCurdy (734-2638). |
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Trivia Night Scheduled - July 17, 2010
You won't want to miss the second annual Trivia Night at Faith UP on Saturday, July 17th sponsored by the Mission Committee. Food and fellowship will be available from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. with the competition starting at 5:00 p.m. Rob Hale will be the MC for the evening. The cost to participate is $30.00 per team of six participants. Remember to think "Intergenerational" when you select your team members because the categories and questions will span centuries of useful and useless (except for trivia night) information. Proceeds from this fun event will go toward mission projects supported by the members and friends of Faith United Presbyterian Church. Sign up forms will be available starting Sunday, June 20th. |
| Found Wallet
We received a wallet at the yard sale that had items of personal value in it, please come to the Church office and identify the wallet if you feel it might be yours. Thank You. |
Thank You:
Julie Armstrong, FaithUPC Mission
Judy Andrews
George Neiman
John Lyle
Lolla Ballard
On behalf of the staff, BOD and riders, I send to you:
Applause, applause, hugs and ever so many "thank you's" for choosing Rainbow Riders as a local mission site. The weather blessed us today, and made some really hard and dirty work bearable.
Because of you all, the chewed fencing is replaced and painted, the preparation for gutters is completed, stench water is removed from one stall. Removing the bricks and rocks exposed by the rain wash protects our horses feet. The water tank is cleaned. Because you found us some clay dirt, shoveled it around the barn, we may never have another water problem on that side of the barn. Lolla, thank you for making the calls, and please thank your brother for the clay, which we will also use to enhance shed footing for the horses... and...for his offer to deliver us much needed sand that has been washed away for the arena. George, thanks for your extra visits to prepare. You truly were disaster response workers in Monmouth today!
You are a great team to work with, I value your insight and guidance in the work accomplished. It was a joy to work with you, to bond in this special space. I cherish the opportunity, and hope for another time together.
The attached document tells you who you served today as God's hands on earth. It was a joyful worship. I am professionally and personally grateful.
Karen Angotti, Program Director, Executive Director, Lead Instructor
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Please Pray for:
Bob Meling; Susan Van Kirk & family, Allison Fisher; Lorna Utter; Ted Abernathy; Grant Tate; Isabel Marshall; Ron McClintock; Brenda Clark; Helen Owens; Eilleen Spoerl; Frank Sorensen; and Connie Louck.
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| Calendar |
Thursday VBS @ 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Worship @ 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday Maple City Band Practice @ 7:00 p.m.
Thursday Fillman Fellowship @ 5:00 p.m.
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July Birthdays
4 Kris Brown
Lewis Laughead
6 Kelsey Green
7 Leroy Lantz
8 Norma Mettler
Jane Warfield
Whitney Pullen
10 Steve Spainhour
13 Greg Lewis
Courtney Agan
14 Marilyn Simpson
Douglas J. Bowman
Echo Logsdon
15 Hallie Hottle
16 Gene Larson
17 Will Best
18 Louise Roos
19 Mark Lyle
Elizabeth Myers
21 Lolla Ballard
Shari Glasgow
25 Mary Distin
28 Judy Andrews
29 Eugene Inman
Curran O'Riley
30 Emily Fisher
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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 You Have Faith in God?
On first read, this seems like a silly question. Most of the people who read our newsletter are members or friends of our congregation. Many attend church regularly. Many serve our congregation faithfully. Many have been doing these things all of their lives and, for some, that is a long time. Can't we assume they are all people of faith?
Would that we could. The truth is we would probably be surprised by the number of people who, even after years of faithful participation in, and service to, the church, still feel empty, lonely, bitter or afraid. How can this be?
While the word "faith" probably means many things to many people, the Bible and our tradition are reasonably clear. "Faith is a firm and certain knowledge of God." But what kind of knowledge are we speaking about? Memorizing the books of the Bible? Knowing our catechism? Understanding right doctrine?
In part because of the influence of the Enlightenment, we have, in recent history, equated the knowledge of faith with correct belief. From about the 1700's, but particularly in the twentieth century, faithful people were those who believed the right things, people who held to correct doctrine. The measure of one's faith was faithful participation in, and service to, a congregation.
Today, while we would certainly encourage faithful participation in, and service to, a congregation, we recognize there is more to the life of faith than right belief or correct doctrine. The knowledge of faith transcends the "reasonable" knowledge of the Enlightenment. The knowledge of faith is sapiential knowledge. Knowledge which connects the knower to the known.
Our sisters and brothers who equate the knowledge of faith with correct belief would view ourselves as the knowers and God as the known. While this is certainly part of the equation, it is important to remember the reverse is also true. In the life of faith, God is ultimately knower and we are the known. This is the piece that has been missing for so many, even good church folks.
When we understand that God knows us better than we know ourselves, when we accept that God knows our sins and shortcomings, our doubts and fears, and loves us anyway, then we know the joy of faith. Such knowledge is what frees us from emptiness, loneliness, bitterness and fear which afflict so many in our time, even good church folk.
People of faith, would that everyone in our life together could experience the joy of faith. If you are one who knows the joy of being known and loved by God, thanks be to God. If you are not, do not be ashamed. It would be my privilege to visit with you about your faith and how you might open yourself to the life giving love of God, we have come to know in Jesus Christ.
See You In Church!
Pastor Myers
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