Faith United Presbyterian Church News

Focus on Faith

April 7, 2011

What Do You Think?

Bill

What Will It Mean for Our Future?

Twelve thousand dollars! This is what one colleague told me a D. Min. (Doctor of Ministry) is worth. On average, he said, ministers with D. Min.'s make about twelve thousand dollars more, per year, than their colleagues without the letters. Not bad, for a degree that has long been looked down upon by "real" doctors (those with Ph. D's). But the truth be told, there is a difference. I am not a scholar. If I were, I would have taken that path. However, I did not have the intellectual ability, or the discipline, to do so. Most importantly, as much as I may have wanted to be a part of the academy, I was not called by God to be a scholar. I am a pastor, who has taken advantage of a wonderful opportunity to further my education and, for this, I am grateful.

Before you get out your check books, know that I did not pursue a D. Min. for the financial windfall, or even the letters. While I will probably add the title to official correspondence, and put the doctoral stripes on my pulpit gown, I don't think I will be encouraging people - apart from my brothers, my children, and telemarketers - to call me "Dr. Myers" any time soon. I have been "Pastor Myers" - not "Pastor Bill" by the way - for too long. So why did I pursue the D. Min.?

Intuitively, I have felt a correlation between the decline of Mainline Protestantism, the secularization of the academy and the demise of our culture. Three years of study have given me a better understanding of the dynamics of these events and their relationship to one another. At the risk of oversimplifying, if there is to be a cultural renaissance, in the quest for what is true and good and beautiful, the church, and the academy, particularly church related institutions, will need to reclaim the integrity of their respective callings.

The church of Jesus Christ is not a sacred social club; it is a Way of life. The academy, particularly church related institutions, must bring new light to bear on the unexamined assumptions of the secular worldviews corrupting our culture and impeding our quest for what is true and good and beautiful in life. Reclaiming the integrity of our respective callings is a must, if we are to have any hope of sharing in the restoring of our society for a new day.

Thank you for the time and resources to pursue a deeper understanding of what it means to be the church today. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we might further the integrity of our witness, as the people of Faith United.

See you in church!

Pastor Myers

revhaggis1@hotmail.com

Inquirers' Class

This Sunday, April 10, we will have a breakfast for those wishing to join our congregation, their families and members of our session. On each Sunday, we will meet in the Social Hall at 9:15 a.m.

On Sunday, April 10, those choosing to become members will also be welcomed in worship.

If you have any questions, please give Pastor Myers a call at 734-5129.

This Sunday...

"A Promise or a Reality?"

Ezekiel 37:1-4 Romans 8:6-11

Psalm 130 John 11:1-45

Lay Assistant:

Jillian Steamer

Beedle/Crucifer:

Noah & Job Runge

Ushers:

Tim Phelps, Tom Best, Chuck Peirce, Will Myers

Greeters:

Greg & Lynn Baber

Dorothy Behnke & Winifred Weeks

Nursery:

Margie & Will Myers

Children's Church:

Stephanie Reading

Coffee Hour:

Carol & Bonnie Heflin

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.

Faith & Life Class - Lent with Bonhoeffer

April 10 -Discussion on Ch. 2 & 3 - The Day with Others & The Day Alone - Life Together

April 17 - Ted Briscoe will discuss the new book Bonhoeffer

Holy Week

Maundy Thursday (Communion), April 21, at 7:00 p.m., Good Friday Tenebrae, April 22, at 7:00 p.m., and finally our Celebration of the Lord's Supper on Easter Sunday, April 24, at 10:30 a.m.

Prayer Vigil

On Maundy Thursday, April 21, we will share the Lord's Supper as Jesus did with his disciples on the night in which he was betrayed and arrested. Following the service we will follow Jesus to the garden where he asked the disciples to keep watch while he prayed. Three times Jesus was distressed to find the disciples asleep. Faith United is offering you an opportunity to keep watch, to stay awake instead of sleeping, and to pray in the chapel of our church. You may sign up alone, as a couple, a pair, or as a family. Prayer materials and Bibles are supplied if you need guidance. There are 37 times available. Please make this a part of your Holy Week preparation.

WNL Thank You!

We have had a wonderful year at Wednesday Night Live. We finished up our year yesterday with a carnival and graduation for the 6^th graders. None of this would have been possible without the multitude of volunteers who have given of their time, skills, patience and love. Thank you all for being willing to help with this ministry. You have touched the lives of so many. Please forgive me and let me know if I have left anyone off this list.

May God Bless You.

Chefs

Jim McCurdy

Amy DeVitalis

Dixie Wells

Shirley Armstrong

Rose Trimble

Snack & Supper Setup

Donna Larson

JoEllen Dollinger

Teachers

Mary Lyle

Sharon Graham

Jane Kellogg

Margie Myers

Volunteers

Jeremy Piepenbrink

Ashley Blust

Heather Fisher

Ralph Whiteman

Stephanie Reading

Marj Phelps

Gene Larson

Emily Fisher

Table Parents

Jill McClintock

Mary Distin

Helen Redmond

Bob Meling

Betty McBride

Mary Baker

Janet Themanson

Carolyn Meling

Alis Chy

Jeremy Piepenbrink

Carol McCurdy

Bill Myers

Drivers

Jim Brown

Erika Solberg

Ruby Bukari

Tracy Vasquez

Alis Chy

Heather Fisher

Sandy Fabian

Stephanie Reading

Kitchen Teams

Tom Best

Alice Lawson

Echo Logsdon

Lolla Ballard

Leroy Lantz

Joyce Lantz

Mike Fisher

Heather Fisher

Mandy Fisher

Alison Clark

Michelle Thomas

Kath Sturgeon

Brad Sturgeon

Courtney Agan

Jenny Carrier

Shelia Wilson

Evelyn Carlson

Lorna Blackford

Candy Smith

Snack providers

Thai Circle

Mary Lyle

Jane Kellogg

Susan Fabian

Kath Sturgeon

Stephanie Burris

Debra DeCrane

Sharon Graham

Dawn Brown

Pat Brown

Margie Myers

An Invitation to Read the Bible

Your weekly Scripture readings are:

Sunday (4/10) -1 Chronicles 25:31-28:20

Monday - 1 Chronicles 28:21 thru 2 Chronicles 3:1

Tuesday - 2 Chronicles 4:1-6:42

Wednesday - 2 Chronicles 7:1-10:19

Thursday - 2 Chronicles 11:1-15:18

Friday - 2 Chronicles 15:19-19:11

Saturday - 2 Chronicles 20:1-23:20

Sunday (4/17) - 2 Chronicles 23:21-27:3

Thai Circle

Thai Circle will meet at 9:30 a.m. this morning, April 7th, in the social hall. Lesson 7 of the year's study guide will be discussed. All women of the church are welcome.

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.

April 8 Heritage Presbyterian

April 15 Immanuel Baptist / River Of Life

April 22 First Lutheran

Lost & Found

We have accumulated quite a bit of "lost and found" items over the course of many months. This Sunday in the social hall we will have these items available to be picked up. The items that are unclaimed will be taken to Strom Center. Thank you!

Icebreakers

The April meeting of Icebreakers will be held on the 17th at 5:00 p.m., meeting in the social hall of the church. The program will be given by Presiana Yorgakieva, a Monmouth College student entitled, Bulgaria - My Home and Country. A meal will be included at a cost of $5.00 each. Reservations can be made by calling Jo Ellen Dollinger at 734-8627, Donna Larson at 734-6103, or Darlene Moffet at 734-5537.

Ecumenical Singers

The Ecumenical Singers, directed by Leo Ramer, will present their 31st Annual Easter Concert on Palm Sunday, Apr. 17, at 4:00 p.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Monmouth. Also appearing will be the ICS Children's and Youth Choirs, directed by Mrs. Alisa Ramer. A guest appearance by the MRHS Concert Choir will be included. No admission; free-will offering will be taken. This concert is partially funded by the local Buchanan Center for the Arts & the Illinois Arts Council, a state agy.

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, Jacob Altgilbers

Supporting Youth Ministry

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

Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering

April 9, 2011

"Celebration of Giving"

First Federated Church

3601 N. Sheridan Rd., Peoria, IL

9:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m. - Coffee
9:30 a.m. - Gathering

Morning Speaker: "Envisioning" - The Rev. Richard Johnson
Workshops: "Celebration Giving" - Carolyn MacDonna
"5th Sunday Projects" - Kathy Casey

"Envisioning" will include information about grant monies available for mission projects.
"Celebration Giving": The offering monies given through PW; where and how they are used.
"5th Sunday Projects": Going out and doing local mission projects on the 5th Sunday.

R.S.V.P. to Barb Hein, 7100 Fox Point Drive, Peoria 61614 309-691-1981 hbhein@comcast.net

Deadline: April 1 (please honor the deadline)

Variety Show

Monmouth-Roseville Education Foundation presents: School Daze Variety Show on April 16, at 7:00 p.m.in the Monmouth-Roseville High School Auditorium. Tickets are $5.00 a piece and can be purchased in the office or through Ralph Whiteman.

Thank You

Dear Church Family,

Carolyn and I had no idea the price (pain) would be so high for these new knees to be able to get back on our bikes and go for walks. Jack is so much better but still weak and recovering. Between us, it's the blind leading the blind. Without your wonderful food gifts, we could easily have gone hungry. The call, cards, and flowers were also greatly appreciated, They fed the heart. It's our hope to be back soon to share our love in person with your hugs and smiles.

Sincerely, Betty McBride

Prayer Concerns

Please continue to keep in your prayers: Colleen Hazen and family, Carolyn Meling, Betty McBride, Eilleen Spoerl, Melia Skinner & Riley Beckwith, Parker & Joan Steis, Reva Brower, Mildred Lipp, Jim & Janet Paris, Val McManus, Chuck Byers, Kathy Yates, Kylie Logsdon, Jand Frank Sorensen.

April Birthdays

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear...

1 Kristina Gilliland Compton

2 Dalton Willett

3 Matthew Rickey

5 Alex Green

6 Nancy Bersted

7 Brittany Liggett

10 Carol Tenold

Raj Ambrose