What Do You Think?

Can We Live Our Faith Publicly in a Pluralistic World?

Most of us, over the age of forty, grew up in a culture that seemed to reflect much of what we believed, as people of faith, to be good and true and beautiful about life - without the Jesus language.  While historians might argue that the Protestant Establishment actually died in the 60s, I would contend that that may be so, but many of us in the church are just now reading the obituary.

As a child, though the wall of separation had become firmly established in the public schools, what I was learning in school sounded a lot like what I was learning in church and vice versa.  I'm not sure the same is true today.  In a well intentioned attempt to be tolerant of those who might not share the beliefs of the "Protestant Culture Without the Jesus Language," our nation has actually established secular humanism or, perhaps better, atheism as our national religion.

"But Pastor Myers, people are free to practice their faith privately.  Taking faith out of the schools and other public places of  

our lives puts everyone on even ground."  But does it?

Consider this...  Would we find it acceptable to say to a feminist, "Your private beliefs about women are fine, but because they are not shared by all, we cannot discuss them in public."   Would we find it acceptable to say to a Republican, Democrat, or any one else, "Your political  beliefs are a private matter, you're free to believe what you will, but we are not going to teach politics in the schools."  Would we find it acceptable to say, "In the future, we will no longer allow for the teaching of capitalism in our schools, because this is but one economic philosophy that is not shared by all."  This is what we have done with matters of faith.

Hopefully, such things would never come to pass in other areas of our life.  Hopefully we can regain a place for a public expression of faith that is not politicized.  Our country was founded on the free exchange of ideas.  Our constitution was written, in part, to protect free religious expression in the public forum, as part of this free exchange of ideas.  As people of faith, it is incumbent upon us to lift our voices, as people of faith, in the public forum.  But how?

William James, in his essay "What Pragmatism Means," offers a wonderful illustration of how a liberal pluralistic society may work, without silencing the voice of faith.  For James, public discourse is  "like a corridor in a hotel.  Innumerable chambers open out of it.  In one you may find a man writing an atheistic volume; in the next someone on his knees praying for faith and strength; in the third a chemist investigating a body's properties.  In a fourth a system of idealistic metaphysics is being excogitated; in a fifth the impossibility of metaphysics is being shown.  But they all own the corridor, and all must pass through it if they want a practicable way of getting into or out of their respective rooms."

As I read James' words, it seems, we must respect others who travel the corridor of life with us, even if they do not share our beliefs.  However, as they are, we are free to travel the corridor as the people God has called and created us to be, people of faith, who profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

See you in church!

Pastor Myers

"Faith and Life...  There is a Connection."

"The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:  Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them:  You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am Holy."  Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18

Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18                     1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23

Psalm 119:33-40                                               Matthew 5:38-48

 Lay Assistant:

Lolla Ballard
Beedle/Crucifer:

Noah & Job Runge      

Ushers:

Carol & Bonnie Heflin, Ralph & Martha Whiteman, Norma Mettler
Greeters: 

Ted & Vicki Briscoe and Carol Bowman & Ruth Wright     

Nursery: 

Kathy Lewis and Megan Byrne    

Children's Church: 

Erika Solberg   

Coffee Hour:   

Gary & Mary Distin 

30 Hour Famine    

In past years, our youth have participated in raising hunger awareness in our own community during our 30 Hour Famine.  This year, our youth will be doing service work for moms that belong to the organization, Mother to Mother.  They will also prepare a meal and serve them prior to breaking their fast. 

If you are able to contribute to the meal, we will be accepting spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, french bread, cottage cheese, and hamburger.  Please sign-up on the office door if you can donate an item or two.  We won't be needing them until Friday, February 25, 2011.

Thank you, always, for your support!

Donate to a Worthy Cause...   

As you know, our youth will participate once again in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine.  We would love to be able to reach our total goal of sending in $1,000!  If you are able to donate to this worthy cause, and would like to do it online, you can go to DONATE HERE and select one of youth to support.   

When we have our community of faith, family, and friends show an interest in worthy causes that our youth believe in, the lasting effects can have a profound impact on them.  Thank you for helping achieve our goal.   

Thai Circle     

Thai Circle will meet at the church at 9:30 a.m. on March 3rd.

Wanted:  Hospice Compassus    

Hospice Compassus needs your help to bring change to people's lives during a very important transition in one's life.  They are looking for ordinary people with extra-ordinary hearts to offer a variety of volunteer services to Hospice Compassus patients and our patient caregivers.

If you have some extra time to donate to our organization and are willing to assist us, please call (309)342-3007.  Persons interested are asked to call for registration to Doug Gibb, MS.ED., GC-C., LFD (309)342-3007.

"An Invitation to Read the Bible"

Your weekly Scripture readings are:

Sunday (2/20) - Judges 17:8-20:18 

Monday - Judges 20:19 - Ruth 1:22 

Tuesday - Ruth 2:1 - 1 Samuel 1:28 

Wednesday - 1 Samuel 2:1 - 5:8 

Thursday - 1 Samuel 5:9 - 9:26 

Friday - 1 Samuel 9:27 - 13:22 

Saturday - 1 Samuel 13:23 - 15:23 

Sunday (2/27) - 1 Samuel 15:24 - 17:57 

Fill the Box for Jamieson Center's Food Bank!

Feb. 20 -  Rice & beans

Feb. 27 -  Peanut Butter & Jelly

Mar. 6  - Hamburger or Tuna Helper& tuna  or Macaroni & Cheese

Faith & Art Guild Lenten Photographic Challenge

Our new Faith & Art Guild would like to ask our congregation to be the first exhibitors of art in our social hall.  During Lent (March 9-April 23), we would like to exhibit pictures taken by members and friends of Faith UPC.  Specifically, we would like you to look at the world around you and find examples of crosses mixed into our everyday lives.  Take a photo of the cross, have it made into at least an 8x10 and either frame it or put a matte around it.  Inexpensive mattes and frames may be purchased at Shopko, Walmart, Michaels, Hobby Lobby, ...  We are hoping you will not take pictures of actual crosses, but instead look for the cross in a tree branch, a window pane, a telephone pole...

This is meant to be a fun challenge and an eye opening experiment into how we are surrounded by the symbol of our salvation.  Reminders of God's love are everywhere.  If you have questions, please call the church office (734-5129) or talk with Margie.  Please bring your photographs to the church and ready to be displayed by March 9.   

Good Luck and God Bless your search.

Birthday Bash in a Box

The 5^th & 6^th graders of WNL are starting a new mission project for kids in our community.  They would like to make Birthday boxes for families who can't afford to give their children the kind of party other kids have.   
 

We hope to include in a box:

Cake mix

Frosting

Cupcake cups

Candles

Themed plates

Cups

Napkins

Table cloth

Plastic utensils

Cake decorations

Simple games

Goodie bags

Small toys and candy to go in goodie bags

If you have leftovers from your party or want to buy new please bring them to the church and place them in the birthday box around the corner from the parking lot door.

Kids love themed parties:  Batman, Princess, Cars, Barbie...  but, anything is welcome.  
 

Thank you for your help, our kids will have fun making the boxes and knowing their helping to make a child's birthday a special one.

RSVP Looking for Volunteer Coaches 

Chances are you know someone who has fallen or who is afraid of falling.  A Matter of Balance is a proven program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity.  RSVP and Western IL Area Agency on Aging are looking for volunteers to help provide this award winning program.  Coaches help participants become more confident about managing falls by believing that they can increase their strength, find ways to reduce falls, and protect themselves if they do fall.  On March 2, we are offering a free Coaches training at Strom Center in Monmouth, from 8:30 - 4:30, with lunch provided.  We invite you to join us in bringing this program to Warren Co.  It is an opportunity to have a significant impact in the community and change people's lives! 

Thank You

I am overwhelmed with thanks for the many kind and heartwarming cards, notes and letters I have received from my faithful friends at Faith Church.

Recovery has been long and slow and although I'm not quite ready for home yet, I'm sure I will be soon.

With thanks to all,

Louise Roos 

Prayer Concerns:

Please continue to keep in your prayers: Mildred Lipp - who is out at OSF Holy Family, Jim & Janet Paris, Helen Bersted, Bobbi Uddin, Peggy Watson, Louise Roos, Val McManus, Phil Painter, Chuck Byers, Kathy Yates, Kylie Logsdon, Joan Steis, and Frank Sorensen.