News from Faith United Presbyterian Church

Faith United Presbyterian Church

Focus on Faith

November 11, 2010

How Will We Respond to Our Blessings?

Fall is the time of year that I, like many of you, begin to count my blessings. Sunday is our Stewardship Commitment Sunday. A week or so later, we will celebrate our nation's Thanksgiving. A few days after that, we will begin a new Christian year on the first Sunday in Advent, as we await our celebration of the greatest blessing of all, the birth of Jesus Christ.

As I consider our life together, the past couple of months, we have been particularly blessed, financially. We received a most generous bequest from a family who has requested the gift remain anonymous. This bequest should cover most, if not all, of the cost of the new roof on our sanctuary. The bid for the roof was 50-70% less than most of the previous bids, we had received, without sacrificing on the quality of the materials - a financial windfall in and of itself. Not to mention, our presbytery has approved to fund the start up costs for our Wash Day Ministry in full.

Add to this the faithful support of our members, who have sustained their steadfast giving through some difficult economic times, and we must count ourselves blessed. We are not a "rich" congregation. We have a modest budget and modest reserve funds, which help to sustain our budget, but we are truly blessed, having our "daily bread" and then some.

As I reflect upon the financial blessings we have received, I am mindful that material blessings do not always serve as spiritual blessings. The Bible warns us to beware of the love of money and we are all aware of families destroyed over even a modest inheritance.

Sometimes our prosperity exposes our corruption. Sometimes our prosperity frees our spirit for generosity. Do we have any say in which path we take?

People of faith, I think we do. In this season of Thanksgiving, as we consider the blessings we have received, it is important for us to ask: How will we respond?

In our lives and our life together, will our prosperity lead us to hold on tighter to what we have, because we have so much more to lose? Or, will the generosity we have received lead us to even greater acts of generosity toward those with whom we share this precious gift of life?

See you in church!

Pastor Myers

revhaggis1@hotmail.com

Coming Up on Sunday:

Sermon:

"Sharing in God's Work"
"Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us."

2 Thessalonians 3:6

Isaiah 65:17-25 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Isaiah 12 Luke 21:5-9

Lay Assistant:

Ron Tenold
Communion Servers:
Les & Jo Ellen Dollinger, Bob & Carolyn Meling, Gary Distin, Betty McBride, Jim McCurdy, Alice Lawson, Bob Green, Margaret Josephson, Tim Phelps, Betsy Akey

Beedle/Crucifer:

Noah & Job Runge
Ushers:

Buff Hottle, Mark & Mitch McVey,
Leroy & Joyce Lantz, Brenda Runge
Greeters:

Dominick & Stephanie Reading and family
Peggy Figle and Debbie Hall
Nursery:

Margie & Will Myers and Cori Sargent
Coffee Hour:
Jeanne Freed & Barb Gossett

Children's Church:

Tom Best

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.

Adult Bible Study: This class met this morning and will continue meeting on Sunday mornings at 9:15 in the Bride's Room across from the chapel. Joyce Hagemann will be your very capable teacher. Reading for the next week may be picked up in class or in the social hall. The fall series will be studying The Inescapable God from Exodus and the Psalms.

Faith & Life: This Sunday, November 14, Simon Cordery, associate professor of history at Monmouth College, will speak on his new book: Mother Jones: Raising Cain and Consciousness. Mother Jones' life resembles that of many immigrants coming to the U.S. today; hardship and struggle. Yet, in the alter half of her life she became, "the most dangerous women in America", as she stood up for the rights of those who labor. Come and listen to this fascinating story and compare it to the one you heard on November 7. Meet in the lounge, next to the Youth Wing at 9:15 a.m.

Christ's Helping Hands Monthly Giving Program

Our focus for November: Jamieson Community Center, which is currently in critical need of financial support. It relies on community donations for the majority of its work, such as the Kids Club afterschool program and its Christmas programs, and it also needs to be able to pay its employees to run such essential programs as the thrift store, food pantry, and senior nutrition program. We are aiming for $500 to reach our yearly giving goal for JCC. Please consider making a donation using the pew envelopes or by dropping off a check of the church office, and please keep the center in your prayers this month.

Jamieson Center Bell Ringers Needed

The Jamieson Center is looking for volunteers to ring the bell outside of local stores during November to raise money for its emergency fund program. This money goes towards such items as breathing machines for asthmatic children, clothing for job interviews, and GED fees. Ringing Begins November 5; if interested, please contact the center at 734-4251.

Fillman Fellowship

Fillman Fellowship will meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, November 11, 2010 in the Church Fellowship Hall. Each member is reminded to bring a sandwich with dessert and beverage provided by the committee. Also in lieu of a gift exchange we will again collect money for our annual donation to those in need.

'Tis a time for Thanksgiving - We can help!

Look for a sign our WNL children have made. They want to help you remember to bring food each week for the Jamieson Center box. You may bring anything non-perishable and place it in the shopping cart or a box at the door. To make it easier, you could go with a schedule such as this:

Nov. 14 - Any kind of canned vegetable

Nov. 21 - Cereal

Nov. 28 - Pancake mix & Syrup

Dec. 5 - Spaghetti Sauce & noodles

Dec. 12 - Raman noodles & soups

Dec. 19 - rice & beans

Dec. 26 - Peanut Butter & Jelly

Jan. 2 - Hamburger/Tuna Helper & tuna or Mac & Cheese

Let's fill the boxes each week! Thank you!!

Faith & Arts Guild

Will meet briefly after worship this Sunday, November 14 at the back table in the social hall. Look for the sign. All are welcome.

Chili & Oyster Stew Supper and Bake Sale

WHERE: FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH

116 SOUTH B STREET

MONMOUTH, IL

WHEN: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2010

5:00-7:00 P.M.

CHILI OR OYSTER STEW - VEGGIES - DESSERT - DRINK

FREE WILL DONATION

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

Proceeds will go to Jamieson Center and the

Women of the ELCA projects.

Icebreakers - Madrigals

The Icebreakers program planning for the year included a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon (December 11 & 12) to attend the Galesburg High School Madrigals program where Carolyn Kellert Griffiths is director. Since then, the Monmouth-Roseville High School Choral Department, under the direction of Kevin Ferry, has scheduled a Madrigal dinner and program on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon (December 4 & 5).

We would welcome anyone interested in either or both of the programs to contact Jim McCurdy, at 734-2638. Those interested could also contact the Monmouth-Roseville School directly if they choose. The reservations for the Galesburg program would probably work better through a group reservation.

The format for each appears as follows:

Monmouth-Roseville High School

Saturday Dec. 4 @ 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 5 @ 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $15
Menu: Ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans w/bacon, fruit cup, cheese cake, & rolls

Galesburg High School
Saturday, Dec. 11 @ 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 12 @ 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $12.50
Menu: Wassail. soup, cornish hen, rice, green beans, fruit salad, & figgy pudding

Reservations made through Icebreakers need to be made and paid for by Sunday, November 14, 2010.

PW Thank Offering and Potluck

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

On November 21, Presbyterian Women will host the annual Thanksgiving potluck immediately following the church service. Bring a dish to share and table service and join us as we celebrate all that we have been given.

Also, on November 21, PW will be accepting Thank Offering donations (envelopes in pews) which help fund mission projects around the world and health ministries as well. Last year our congregation donated $650 to the Thank Offering.

For more than 100 years, Presbyterian Women has been generous in giving to the Thank Offering each fall. The grants have made possible new life and hope for people throughout the world. The grants have been shared with those close to home and those in great need around the world. 40% of this offering supports hospitals and other health ministries throughout the world. The other 60% supports other needs such as homeless shelters, youth programs, elder care programs, and many more. A list of the grant recipients is on the office window.

Please consider giving to this offering.

Traditionally, we have also collected canned goods for Jamieson Center. We will continue that tradition, with boxes located in the narthex and by the offices.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

New Life Foursquare Gospel Church is organizing a Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Monmouth American Legion on Thursday, November 25, 2010, serving from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.

Please call 734-3052 to volunteer or if you need a meal delivered. Volunteers are needed on Wednesday from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. and Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Donations can be made to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Security Savings Bank in Monmouth.

Advent Fair/Potluck

The entire church family and friends are invited to our Advent Fair and Potluck on the first Sunday of Advent, November 28.

4:00:

Hanging of the Greens/Decorating the church as well as making crafts and playing games.

5:30: Potluck Supper (bring a dish to pass and table service.)

This is a fun evening for people of all ages. Please join us as we prepare for the coming of Jesus - the reason for the season, - the Messiah.

Please call the church office (5129) or sign up on the office door and let us know how many to expect so we can have enough crafts.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER TWENTY SEVENTH
TWO THOUSAND AND TEN
2:00PM - 4:00PM
WARREN COUNTY HISTORY MUSEUM
238 SOUTH SUNNY LANE
MONMOUTH, IL 61462

NO GIFTS PLEASE! YOUR PRESENCE IS GIFT ENOUGH.

WNL Musical
"A Christmas Carol: Scrooge in Bethlehem

We are so excited to be producing a Christmas musical on December 1, at 6:00p.m. Ashley Blust, a student at Monmouth College has been directing our children at WNL with the assistance of Dr. Steve Richter, Professor of Music at MC. Please join us in the sanctuary for this wonderful gift offered by our children. They are very excited and have been working hard for weeks.

WNL Bread Needed & Cookies, too!

Please sign up on the office door if you would be able to bring a loaf of baked bread for the WNL family supper on December 1. Please also sign up if you could bring cookies for the reception after our musical.

Mitten Tree for Jamieson Center

Isabel Circle is sponsoring a mitten tree again this year to help make sure there will be warm little fingers this winter. Please bring new mittens, gloves, and hats and place them on the tree in the social hall by Wednesday, December 10. The mittens will be taken to Jamieson Center to be available at their Christmas Store. Thank You.

Deacon Caroling

The deacon's have scheduled their caroling for December 19, from 4:00 - 5:30, and you are all invited! Join them, afterwards, for soup and finger food in the church social hall.