Faith United Presbyterian Church News

Focus on Faith

March 17, 2011

Situation Report - Japan and Pacific United States

March 11, 2011 Tsunami

PDA stands ready to respond to needs from the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Japan and the ensuing tsunamis across the Pacific rim.

The earthquake struck in the middle of the afternoon just off of Honshu, Japan's most populous island. It is the strongest earthquake to hit Japan and has been identified as the fifth strongest earthquake in the world since records have been kept.

Donna Derr, director of Church World Service's development and humanitarian programs, said: "Japan is obviously a country of substantive resources and a construction industry that is renowned and the country has been on the cutting edge of building earthquake-resistant housing. As such, this bodes well for them being able to manage a pretty effective recovery over time themselves."

ACT Alliance reports that the Pacific Islands are highly vulnerable and most of them will be touched by the tidal waves. ACT general secretary John Nduna said today "We are deeply concerned about the most vulnerable countries and their people, and we are monitoring the situation closely so that ACT Alliance can direct its resources to where they are most needed, as quickly as possible".

Japan

PC(USA) has mission partners in Japan. World Mission is contacting mission co-workers and partner organizations and churches and will offer updated information as available. Read about the status of coworkers and updates from partners on the World Mission Japan page.

Mission partner Yodogawa Christian Hospital in Osaka sent this message:

"Thank you so very much for your kind words and prayers. Thankfully, our hospital patients and staff and their families are all safe, but our heart aches as the earthquake disasters are spreading in other parts of Japan. We are praying for God's protection and comfort over those people in the earthquake affected areas. He is our refuge and fortress."

United States

PDA staff and National Response Team members are contacting potentially affected presbyteries to offer assistance and prepare for potential impacts.

For Health and welfare checks on American citizens traveling abroad, call the State Department at (888) 407-4747.

For those concerned about loved ones living on the West Coast, Alaska and Hawaii, the Red Cross maintains a searchable database at www.safeandwell.org. Relatives can log on to leave their names that they are safe and well; other relatives can search by name to check on their loved ones.

The Hawaii Red Cross maintains a Twitter feed as well.

How you can help

You can stand in the "GAP" for disaster survivors and help the church in this response.

GIVE. The generous sharing of your financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and special designated giving provides the resources needed to assist with immediate emergency needs, clean up provisions, long-term and unmet needs, and spiritual/emotional counseling.
Individuals may give through your local Presbyterian congregation, by calling Relationship Development Operations at (800) 872-3283, on the secure PC(USA) website, or by sending a check to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

P.O. Box 643700

Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Please include the special designated giving account DR000117 - Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels.

ACT. Stay informed and share information about the need with others. Sign up to receive PDA Rapid Information Network (PDA-RIN) email notices to alert you of additional needs.

PRAY. Please pray for those seeking emergency shelter and safety, those seeking information about the security of their loved ones, and those who are working to rescue survivors and offer assistance

This Sunday...

"Let's Go To the Mountaintop"

Genesis 12:1-4a Matthew 17:1-9

Lay Assistant:

Karen Angotti

Beedle/Crucifer:

Will Best and Emily Fisher

Ushers:

Buff & Dalton Hottle, Mark & Mitch McVey, Brenda Runge

Greeters:

Marjorie Phelps and Bill Hoover & Debbie Hall

Nursery:

Lolla Ballard and Chloe Larson

Children's Church:

Tom Best

Coffee Hour:

Dick & Jan Speer

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 - Led by Joyce Hagemann. This class will meet in the brides room at 9:15 a.m. They will begin the spring semester with the study of 1 Timothy this Sunday.

Faith & Life Class - Lent with Bonhoeffer

March 20 - We will finish the documentary on the Life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and then discuss it. We will meet in the library.

March 27 - April 17 - Ted Briscoe will lead a discussion on Bonhoeffer based on the recently released book "Bonhoeffer". The remaining weeks, we will be reading and discussing chapters from Bonhoeffer's book "Life Together".

An Invitation to Read the Bible

Your weekly Scripture readings are:

Sunday (3/20) - 1 Kings 18:32-20:43

Monday - 1 Kings 21:1-2 Kings 1:10

Tuesday - 2 Kings 1:11-4:25

Wednesday - 2 Kings 4:26-6:33

Thursday - 2 Kings 4:26-6:33

Friday - 2 Kings 7:1-9:37

Saturday - 2 Kings 10:1-13:13

Sunday (3/27) - 2 Kings 13:14-15:38

Wash Day Update

The Wash Day Committee is pleased to report that our ministry is up and running. As planned, we are starting slowly, and we are grateful that the organizations with whom we are working have honored our request to begin on a small scale. As more participants are referred to us -- and as the weather warms up -- we expect to see more traffic in the laundry room. We would love to have additional volunteers, so please contact Heather if you are interested. As always, if you have questions or ideas, contact Erika Solberg at esolberg@monmouthcollege.edu or 734-5145.

Lenten Lay Breakfast at Strom Center

The 36^th Annual Lenten Lay Breakfast series has begun and will continue each Friday morning through Good Friday April 22, 2011.Strom Center will again be the host for the series.Breakfast begins at 6:30 a.m. with worship from 7:15-7:45 a.m. All are welcome.

March 18 Fairview Center Methodist / Coldbrook Christian

March 25Immaculate Conception

April 1 First United Methodist

April 8 Heritage Presbyterian

April 15 Immanuel Baptist / River Of Life

April 22 First Lutheran

Lenten Devotionals

Devotionals are now available in the Narthex or under the mirror at the parking lot door. This years devotional is called, "I have Heard the Cries of My People:The Exodus for Lent." While it is based on Old Testament Scripture it is also still Christ centered.

Faith & Art Display

Please visit the social hall and discover the 6 beautiful photographs of crosses in nature and those we find in our daily lives. They are beautiful and amazing. Thank you to the artists, Vicki Young Briscoe, Gene & Donna Larson, Mary Distin, Amy Glenn, Betsy Akey and Erika Solberg.

Cards to Military Personnel

The Deacons would like to send cards to those that are listed in our bulletin who serve in the military. If you could help them track down addresses, that would be greatly appreciated. Addresses can be given to Sally Bowman or Stephanie Reading, or you can drop them off in the office or email them to Heather at faithup@maplecity.com.

Jon Anderson, Frank Brower, Andy Diaz, Joe Bratcher,

Drew Lozier, Michael Fleming, Josh Gilliam, Gregg Haneman,

Luke Johnson, James & Jill Cheney, Adam Lawson,

David Cooper, Bill Gibbs, Gary Sjurset, Lucas Pedigo,

Nathan Frazer Moore, Tunde Scott

Supporting Youth Ministry

March 20 - Coffee Hour - A special coffee hour will be served this Sunday, March 20, in the social hall. The Christian Education committee wants your input on Youth Ministry in our church. We especially hope members of the congregation WITHOUT children and those of all ages attend. Youth Ministry is a ministry of our church, therefore, it involves you! Please come and join the discussion about youth ministry in our future.

April 6 - Breakfast - Bring your children to Sunday School and stay for breakfast. This breakfast is for all parents no matter how old your children are. We will talk about the future of youth ministry in our church. If you are interested in having a program for your children in place when they reach Junior High, please attend.

May - TBA - Youth will eat, play games and talk about what they think youth ministry in our church should/could look like.

Soup Supper

Westminster UP Church
200 E Cedar St.
Kirkwood
309-768-2004

March 20, 2011 from 12 - 2:00 p.m.
Beef & Noodle or Chicken Noodle
Salads, desserts, and drinks are furnished.

Free will donations accepted.

Icebreakers in March

The March meeting of Icebreakers will be held on the 20th, at 5:00 p.m., in the social hall. The program will be presented by Rev. Dr. Teri Ott, Chaplain at Monmouth College, "Chaplaincy and the Church". A meal will be served at a cost of $5.00 per person. Reservations can be made by calling Jo Ellen Dollinger, 734-8627; Donna Larson, 734-6103, or Darlene Moffet, 734-5537.

Sewing Circle

The Sewing Circle will meet at the church on Thursday, March 24th at 9:30 a.m.

Warren County Emergency Shelter Training Program

The 1st Street Armoury will host this event on March 24, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. Learn about the Warren County Shelter Plan, key supervisory roles needed in a shelter, take a tour of the 1st Street Armoury (a designated shelter in Monmouth), and let us know how you want to be involved.

Training is sponsored by the Warren County Health Department, Monmouth Evening Lion's ALERT, RSVP, Monmouth/Warren County Citizen Corps/CERT; and 1st Street Armoury.

Please contact Jenna Link at 734-1314 or Barb Byrne at 734-6779 for more information.

Isabel Circle

Isabel Circle will meet at the home of Jonalyn Heaton at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 24th. Lolla Ballard will be facilitator for Lesson Six from the 2010-2011 Horizons Bible Study.

Lesson Six: Witness to Hope: The Woman, the Dragon, and Earth's Daring Rescue

At the center of Revelation, we encounter two of the most dramatic and deeply symbolic stories, representing the life-and-death struggle that is at the heart of Revelation.

Revelation does not proceed chronologically; it sometimes uses flashbacks. The stories in Revelations 12 are flashbacks. Even though they come in the middle of the book, they actually are telling the story of Jesus' victory on the cross -- a vital message for the isolated and powerless Christian communities of John Patmos' day -- an event that has already happened, and in which Satan and evil are defeated. Revelation 12 uses the symbolic picture of Satan stalking the earth in order to warn Christians that things will get worse under Rome's rule, where persecution has become empire-wide, before life for the Christians become better.

Doug Campbell Memorial St. Jude Gospel Sing

When:
Saturday, March 26, 2011
6:00 p.m.
Where:
Bushnell Christian Community Center
355 N. Main St., Bushnell
Featuring: One Accord; Harmony; All for Agape; The Shecklers; LCC Praise Band and more!
Cost: No Admission - Freewill Offering
Proceeds: St. Jude Children's Hospital

Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering

April 9, 2011

"Celebration of Giving"

First Federated Church

3601 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, IL

9:30 a.m.