|
What Do You Think?
What Will It Take for Us to Put the "Civil" Back in Civil Discourse? Neither Sarah Palin, nor her iconic targets, are responsible for the shooting of Congresswoman Giffords. Anyone who seeks to make political hay over this sorrowful act should take a long hard look in the mirror. Mental illness, more than political rhetoric, seems to provide the most reasonable explanation for this tragedy. While I believe all of this to be true, I also believe such events provide moments, not only for silence, but for reflection. Though there appears to be no direct connection between this shooting in Arizona, and the fact that Ms. Palin placed Congresswoman Giffords' district in her proverbial gun sights, we must ask ourselves, "Is such rhetoric the quality of civic discourse to which we would have our political leaders aspire?" Again, Ms. Palin is not the only, or even the worst of the offenders. Examples of inflammatory, violent, hate speech can be heard from both sides of the aisle. However, the tragic coincidence of the recent attacks on a district, "targeted" by Ms. Palin, puts in stark contrast the level to which public discourse has fallen in our country. Is it the worst it has ever been? Probably not, but is such rhetoric the quality of civic discourse to which we would have our political leaders aspire? If we would have our political leaders aspire to a higher quality of debate, we should look first to the quality of our own conversations. Whether in political discussions, casual conversations, media reports, talk radio diatribes or Sunday morning sermons, as people of faith, it is imperative that we listen for, and speak with, the Word of God. When we speak of those with whom we disagree, do we demonize them or do we affirm we are yet sisters and brothers in spite of our disagreements? When we present our positions, do we speak objectively or do we spin the party line? When we turn to other sources for information, do we seek the truth or look for those who will tell us what we want to hear? Though we may not change the course of national debates, we might be surprised how the quality of public discourse might change, if we all were a little more thoughtful, virtuous and magnanimous in our speech. As people of faith, I trust that each of us can recognize hate speech, even when it strikes a chord with some of our deeper prejudices. I trust, as well, that when we hear language that demonizes, or dehumanizes, particular individuals or groups, we recognize its ungodly nature. Nevertheless, I would invite us to reflect upon Paul's words to the Colossians. Would that all of our speech, aspire to such a level. "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
See you in church! Pastor Myers revhaggis1@hotmail.com
|
|
|
| This Sunday...
"Why Do We Find it So Hard to Say Thank You?"
"I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great
congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know,
O Lord. I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your
faithfulness from the great congregation."
Psalm 40:9-10
Isaiah 49:1-7 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Psalm 40:1-11 John 1:29-42
Lay Assistant:
Mary Distin
Beedle/Crucifer:
Abby & Megan Brown
Ushers:
Jim Brown, John Turnbull, Greg Baber, John Lyle,
Jim & Shari Glasgow
Greeters:
Barb Byrne and Phyllis Wheller
Ed Melvin and Carl Shaub
Coffee Hour:
Mike, Heather, Korey, Emily, Courtney, & Kara Fisher
Nursery:
Cindy Erickson & Landen Crosier
Children's Church:
Kristie Murdock
|
|
Christian Education
Sunday school for PreK - 6th meet up stairs and Jr. & Sr. Highs meet in the Youth Wing at 9:15 a.m.
Sunday Morning Bible Study Class
This class will not meet in the months of January or February. Please join the Faith & Life class in the social hall for their 9:15 class.
Faith & Life Class
Bullying - It's Many Forms and Solutions
January 16 - Bullying in the Bible
January 23 - Hate Bullying - Dr. Michael Harrison (MC) and students from -SOUP - Students Organized to Unite People
January 30 - Cyber bullying - Dr. Ericka Buhring (Educ. Studies at MC)
.
|
|
|
Welcome New Officers
Elders Phyllis Wilson, Robert Wells, Gene Larson, Mary Distin, Vicki Briscoe, Scott McClintock, Linda Baker; Deacons Allison Clark, Dee Long, Jill McClintock, Sally Bowman, Alis Chy, Stephanie Reading, Ruth Wright; and Trustees George Nieman, Mike Fisher, and Joyce Patterson.
|
|
|
Wash Day Ministry to Begin
A big thank-you to Isabel Circle for providing the dinner at the Wash Day Ministry Training Session on January 5. We had a great turn-out from our volunteers and from the participating organizations. We will now start accepting referrals and start providing laundry services to those referred to us. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Heather. If you have questions, please contact Erika Solberg at 734-5145 or esolberg@monmouthcollege.edu. Thank you for your support as we begin our ministry!
|
|
|
Deacon Meeting Rescheduled
Due to weather, the regular Deacon's meeting was rescheduled from January 11 to January 18, at 7:00 p.m. Session and trustees will also meet that evening in annual joint meeting at 7:00 p.m.
|
|
|
"An Invitation to Read the Bible"
Your weekly Scripture readings are:
Sunday (1/16) - Numbers 13:15-15:21
Monday - Numbers 15:22-17:13
Tuesday - Numbers 18:1-20:29
Wednesday - Numbers 21:1-23:14
Thursday - Numbers 23:15-26:26
Friday - Numbers 26:27-28:30
Saturday - Numbers 28:31-31:21
Sunday (1/23) - Numbers 31:22-32:42
|
|
|
Fill the Box for Jamieson Center's Food Bank!
Jan. 16 - Cereal
Jan. 23 - Pancake mix & Syrup
Jan. 30 - Spaghetti Sauce & noodles
Feb. 6 - Raman noodles & soups
Feb. 13 - Anything pink, red or white
Feb. 20 - Rice & beans
Feb. 27 - Peanut Butter & Jelly
Mar. 6 - Hamburger or Tuna Helper& tuna or Macaroni & Cheese
|
|
|
Icebreakers
Icebreakers will not be meeting in the months of January and February due to unpredictable weather. Their next meeting is scheduled for March 20th. More information will be listed in Focus on Faith at a later date.
|
|
|
Congregational Meeting
On Sunday, January 23, the annual meeting of Faith United Presbyterian Church will be held immediately following worship. This is an important meeting in which the budget will be presented and the congregation will approve the annual report. |
|
|
Potato Bake
On Sunday, January 23, the youth will have their annual Potato Bake. A free will donation will be received where the proceeds will go toward their mission trip this summer. |
|
|
Salads/Desserts
If you are able to fix a salad or dessert for the potato bake by the 23rd of January, please sign up on the office door. We appreciate your participation. Thank you!
|
|
|
Engaging Evangelism
Presbytery of Great Rivers has been called to an evangelical challenge at Transitions of Western Illinois, Conference Center, 631 North 48th Street, Quincy, Illinois 62301on February 11 & 12th. The leader of this one day event is Rev. Ray Jones, Coordinator of Evangelism for the General Assembly of the PC (USA). The focus is an exploration of how our churches can serve in a changing world, how we share our story and our faith, and how we use Scripture to guide our lives. They will examine: Engaging - Our Culture, Engaging - The Gospel, Engaging - The Community, Engaging - Discipleship.
For questions or to R.S.V.P., please contact Annette Smith via e-mail: ansmit53@yahoo.com or by calling 217-222-5992 no later than February 5, 2011.
|
|
|
Prayer Concerns:
Please continue to keep in your prayers: Louise Roos (Friendship Manor, 1209 21st Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201), Phil Painter, Chuck Byers, Kathy Yates, Kylie Logsdon, Joan Steis, the Hackspacher family, and Frank Sorensen.
|
|
|
Sympathy:
To the family, friends, and colleagues of William Davis, who died on January 5, 2011.
|
|
|
Thank You:
I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, cards, phone calls, and memorials when my son, Dan, passed away. Everything has meant so much. Sue Connell
***********************************
Thank you for the prayers for our family during my sister's recent death. We also appreciated the use of the social hall for a bereavement dinner following her funeral. Lisa Willett
|
|
January Birthdays
2 - Rose Trimble
Carol Heflin
Mitch McVey
6 - John Turnbull
Jack McBride
7 - Ann Phelps
Eddie Solberg-Hale
10 - Bob Roney Sheila Wilson
Darlene Moffet
11 - Noah Sorensen
13 - Jill McClintock
14 - Jack McLaughlin
Alis Chy
15 - Natalie Baber
Matthew Blackford
18 - Peggy Figle
Steve Distin
20 - Ann Kellogg
Jim Lewis
25 - Molly Inman
26 - Heather Fisher
27 - Dawn Fleming
28 - Barb Gossett
30 - Ron Murdock
|
|
|
