Is there a favorite recipe that you like to make from Finest Fare from Faith & Friends cookbook?  Or, perhaps you submitted one of those favorites.  The cookbook committee is asking that you select from one of the many loved recipes, fix it and then bring it to our Homecoming Sunday Picnic on September 12, 2010.  Remember to bring your table service. 

 

September 12.  Here we go!  Time to gear up again.  As my wife says, "Vacations are just too long!"  You know the routine; we will have our first rehearsal on Homecoming Sunday.  We'll begin the year with a couple well-loved anthems you have performed in precvious years and I promise you a warm, delicious, and intense work out.  Although we won't perform an anthem that Sunday, our rehearsal will give us a leg up on literature and, of course, we will lead the congregational singing from our chancel pews.  I look forward to seeing you, and do bring a singing, coffee drinking friend! 

 

The funds received by Presbytery of Great Rivers (PGR) come from two primary sources which come from Shared Missions pledged and/or paid by churches that constitute the presbytery and from Per Capita Support for which all churches are assessed, but not all churches pay.  The money that is received goes to support a number of services as well as the physical site for the PGR's offices.  Just as the beautiful building which houses our staff and Family of Faith serve as part of our mission from which emanate many ministries, the PGR staff and site serve as a part of the PGR mission, which, in turn, is returned to the local congregations in many ways.
 
In addition to the dissemination of information, resource materials, and support services to local churches throughout the presbytery, some of the monies received from the PGR Unified Missions are used to help seminary students prepare for the ministry.  Currently, there are five seminary students from the PGR, including our own Hallie Hottle. 
 
Another program is the Mission Initiative Grants for which $100,000.00 are appropriated each year.  Churches in the presbytery can apply for a grant to sponsor a specific program or a new ministry.  In recent years programs such as a praise music festival, a children's choir, new church development, and a health and wellness clinic in FultonCounty have received grant funds.
 
Ms. Amy Gardner, Financial Secretary at the PGR office, was the source of the information that you have read here.  Ms. Gardner said that the Presbytery of Great Rivers Unified Missions used to be titled the "Benevolence Fund", "... which was long before her time."  On the PGR website's home page, there is a link titled "Per Capita by Church", which is very interesting.  There is also a link so that individuals may subscribe to the PGR newsletter.  The address is greatriverspby.org.  Your contribution this Septemberwill assist the mission of Presbytery of Great Rivers.
 
In Christ's name, we, the Presbytery of Great Rivers, join in prayer and partnership to serve and support the leadership of congregations and ministries; to assist congregations with renewal, revitalization and redevelopment; to develop new congregations; and to encourage ministries and mission beyond the scope of the local congregation.

Submitted by Sharon K. Graham
 

1st Street Armoury is delighted to be working with the Warren County United Way/ROE #27's Unity Board to host a Youth Rally on Friday, September 3rd.  High School students from Aledo, Monmouth-Roseville, United, and West Central schools will be attending the Rally from 9 a.m. til 2 p.m. and listening to Manuel Scott speak as well as participating in breakout sessions.

 

Manuel Scott is an Original Freedom Writer, whose story is told in the Hollywood movie, Freedom Writers.  September 3rd is a day dedicated to the well-being of our local youth.  Throughout the day Manuel will be speaking as well as a variety of breakout sessions for the kids to choose from.  Their hope is that every child will be touched by the reality that their life is important!

 

They will be poroviding lunch for over 1,700 students as well as teachers and volunteers that day and is asking for you to consider donating funds to help the Armoury and Unity Board feed everyone.  Please make checks payable to 1st Street Armoury and earmark it Youth Rally.  If you have questions please contact Jack Toal at 734-8991 or email him at jtoalarmoury@frontier.com   

This September, Fillman Fellowship will meet on the third Thursday, September 16th.  Please bring a sandwich and join us in the church parking lot at 4:30 p.m. from where we will carpool to the river home of Bette Vance in Oquawka. 

 

Join us for a "Look At What God Can Do Through Us" on September 18, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church in Farmington, Illinois.  Registration will be from 9 - 9:30 a.m.  The morning speakers will be Raj and Saro Ambrose who will tell about the medical clinic in India.  Donna Haerr from First Federated in Peoria will share about their mission support of the Mombosa project.  Rev. Elissa Jay will lead worship and all offering will go towards the mission projects.  Registrar:  Wanda Ohaver, 891 E. Vernon, Farmington, IL  61531  309-245-2210.  Registration deadline is September 13th and the cost is $7.  If you'd like to carpool, meet at the Faith United church parking lot at 8:00 a.m. 

 

All are welcome to come to the Brides Room - Across from the Chapel to kick off our adult education year with a great series about us!  If you are thinking of joining our congregation, just curious, always been a member, young, old..... we hope you will come.  Our curriculum comes out of the monthly magazine "Presbyterians Today" and will be facilitated by Pastor Myers.
 
Welcome to the Presbyterian Church
September 19:  What Presbyterians Don't Believe
September 26:  Worship - It's all about God
October 3:  Your Money and Your Life
October 10:  An Invitation to Read the Bible
 

 

The September meeting of Icebreakers will be held on the 19th at 3:30 p.m. with a hayride and weiner roast at the Jon and Sharon Graham Farm; Esther White will also favor us with her storytelling skills.  The meal will be furnished at a cost of $5.00 each.  Reservations can be made by calling Jo Ellen Dollinger, 734-8627; Donna Larson, 734-6103; or Darlene Moffet, 734-5537. 

 

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.

   

Family of Faith,

 

A heartfelt "Thank You" for all the expressions of congratulations on our 60th wedding anniversary.  Our big basket of beautiful and clever cards "runneth over".  Handshakes, hugs, and verbal "congrats" were so appreciated. 

 

We had a joyous family dinner party with many of our children from near and far.  "God is good!"

 

In Christian Love,

Bill and Erma Smallwood