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What Do You Think?
Why Try to Be Good?
If we are saved by grace alone and not by our good deeds, why should we try to be good in our daily lives? If we are predestined to life, why worry about sinning, as long as we confess our sins before our life on earth ends?
These were among the questions raised, after our Adult Ed class on Sunday - "Welcome to the Presbyterian Church." They are important questions to answer, if we are to fully appreciate our theology of "grace alone."
Theologically the answer is grounded, in part, in God's desire for us to love God, freely. If salvation was a reward for good works, or if our works had anything to do with securing our salvation, then questions would always remain. Did we love God, freely, or in order to secure our salvation? Have we done enough to prove our love for God?
It is grounded, as well, in our understanding of Sin as estrangement from God, with sins being symptoms of that estrangement. The Bible proclaims that we have all sinned (rejected God's love) and fallen short of God's glory. Even a Mother Theresa is not "good enough" to save herself. If we cannot save ourselves, then we must entrust our salvation to God's grace. What, then, keeps us from living in Sin and converting at the eleventh hour?
According to the Apostle Paul, once a person has experienced God's grace the desire for Sin will no longer be there. Do we still sin? Yes, but, having experienced God's grace, we freely turn our lives toward God (repentance) and live the life of faith, trusting that in the process we will become the people we were created to be (sanctification). The order is important here. We don't repent to be forgiven. We repent because we are forgiven.
Paul's letter to the Romans is probably the best exposition of this theology. There are certainly many who offer compelling arguments against it. However, for myself, it comes down to either entrusting my salvation to my ability to fulfill some program of meritorious works (e.g. the Pharisees) or God's power to do what I cannot, namely bring life from death.
This is a good question and I appreciate the person taking time to ask me about it after class. Hopefully, this week will generate even more good questions. I hope you will join us as the Welcome to the Presbyterian Church as reflects upon worship. Copies of the article: "Worship - It's all About God" are available in the church office and will be available on Sunday morning, as well.See you in church!
Pastor Myers
revhaggis1@hotmail.com |
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Adult Education
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 26: Worship - It's all about God
October 3: Your Money and Your Life
October 10: An Invitation to Read the Bible |
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Sunday School
Children 3yrs - 6th grade: meet in the theater upstairs. Parents are welcome.
Youth 7th - 12th grade: meet in the senior high room in the youth wing.
Faith & Life and Bible Study Class will meet together in the Brides room. |
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Peanut Free Nursery
Because we share space with Teddy Bear we need to be aware of one of their new students who is very allergic to peanuts. Therefore, anyone working or bringing your child to the nursery, please refrain from bringing in any kind of peanut substance. Thanks for your help.
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Coming Up on Sunday:
Sermon:
Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16
1 Timothy 6:6-19
Luke 16:19-31
Lay Assistant:
Susan VanKirk
Beedle/Crucifer:
TBA/Chloe Larson Ushers:
Julie Armstrong, Tom & Eileen Giddings,
Nancy Dowell, Ed Melvin
Greeters:
John & Mary Lyle
Gary & Mary Distin
Nursery:
Bonnie Heflin
Children's Church:
Lorna Blackford Coffee Hour:
Pam Youngbood, Phyllis Wilson, Cindy Erickson |
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Mission Focus for September is Presbytery of Great Rivers Unified Missions
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
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Wednesday Night Live
We had a great first week at WNL, but it's not too late to sign up. We're going to Sail into God's Creation with another great year of fun, games, music, crafts, worship, and food. Regular pick up at the schools will begin on September 22. Please register your child by filling out the blue forms found outside the office door. I need your registration before Sept. 21 in order to place your child in a car for pick up at the schools. We can't wait to see you!!!
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WNL Volunteers Needed
Come be a part of this great Faith tradition.
WE NEED: table parents, dishwashers, drivers, crafty ones, aids, and all other kinds of help. Please look for the WNL sign up sheet in the social hall or on the office door and consider how you can make a difference in a child's life. Every job is so important, so please sign up to help.
If you have any questions please call Margie in the office, 734-5129. Thank you.
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Isabel Circle
Isabel Circle will meet on Thursday, September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in the social hall of the church. The evening will begin with the Introduction and Lesson One from the 2010-2011 Horizons Bible Study, which is titled Journeys Through Revelation: Apocalyptic Hope for Today by Barbara R. Rossing. Sharon Graham will facilitate the session. The business meeting will follow the Bible study; the main order of business will be determining lesson facilitators, devotion leaders, and hostesses for the program year.
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Church Women United
Church Women United will be hosting a Love Tea at Cameron Christian Church on Friday, October 1, at 1:30 p.m. The speaker will be Sharon Gilbert from Galesburg on the history of hats. All women are invited to attend and you may even wear a favorite hat if you wish. Cookies and drinks will be served. If you'd like to carpool, we will leave the church parking lot at 1:00 p.m.
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Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging
The Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA) is seeking individuals interested in planning for the needs of older adults in a ten-county area of western Illinois to serve as Advisory Council members. council members act in an advisory capacity to the WIAAA Board of Directors and staff. The council openings currently exists in Warren county. Advisorty council meetings are conducted quarterly, in November, January, May, and September of each year. They are hgeld the third Wednesday of the month at the Agency offices in Rock Island. Mileage and lunch is furnished. Please contact Barbara Eskildsen at (309)793-6800 or (800)322-1051 for more information or if you or any one you know would be interested in this opening.
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Hospitalization
Erma Smallwood is currently at Bounce Back at Seminary Manor in Galesburg. |
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Prayers For...
Erma Smallwood; Marcia Kesinger; Janet Paris; Joey Hull; Ruth Foley; Carol Olsen; Joan Steis; Jack McBride; David Lee; Ted Abernathy; Ron McClintock; Eilleen Spoerl; and Frank Sorensen. |
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Calendar for the week
Thursday Isabel Circle @ 7:00 p.m.
Sunday Choir @ 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School @ 9:15 a.m.
Worship @ 10:30 a.m.
Jr. High Youth Group @ 4:00 p.m.
Sr. High Youth Group @ 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday Session Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday Wednesday Night Live @ 3:20 p.m.
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