| Focus on Faith | April 28, 2011
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This Sunday is Youth Sunday...
Tom Sargent and many of our Junior and Senior High Youth have been working hard and writing material for our Youth Sunday this week. In addition to their leadership the small children of the church will be singing as will the Madrigal Choir of Monmouth Roseville High School. Please support our youth in worshiping God by joining us this Sunday.
"Believing Without Seeing"
Acts 2:14a 1 Peter 1:3-9
Psalm 16 John 20:19-31
Youth Sunday Participants:
Korey Fisher, Cori Sargent, Chloe Larson, Will Myers,
Dalton Hottle, Natalie Baber, Emily Fisher,
Brittany Wilson, Will Best, Landen Crosier
Beedle/Crucifer:
Dalton Willett and Natalie Baber
Ushers:
Malik Reading, Job & Noah Runge,
Megan & Abby Brown
Greeters:
D.J. & Mariah Reading and Paul Mason & Jessica Wilson
Nursery:
Amy Gound
Children's Church:
Ann Phelps
Coffee Hour:
Dominick & Stephanie Reading and family
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WNL
Again, thank you for your support. We will be honoring you at the Youth Sunday service this Sunday, May 1. Please come if you can.
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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 May 1 - 9:15 in the lounge.
The guest speaker for the Faith & Life Class will be Alexis Maloof. Alexis is one of the PW USA Mission Experience participants. She has traveled to the Sisseton Reservation in South Dakota where our youth will be going on their mission trip in June.
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Isabel Circle
I apologize for not getting this info to you sooner and in the enewsletter and bulletin. I regret that I will not be able to attend the meeting this week. I will be giving an apron presentation that night. I have missed participating in the spiritual journey with all of you Isabel Circle Meeting Schedule: April 28: Leader-Mary; Hostess-Margie at her home May 26: Leader-Lorna; Jane Kellogg at her home June 23: Leader-Crystal; Hostess-Sharon at her home Blessings ... Sharon |
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Sewing Circle
The Sewing Circle will be meeting at the church this morning at 9:30 a.m. Open to all members and friends of Faith United Presbyterian Church. |
Youth Car Wash Fundraiser
Let us wash your vehicle this Saturday, from 11:00 - 3:00 p.m. here at the church; weather permitting. Donations will be accepted and put towards the youth mission trip this summer to South Dakota.
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Lawn Mowing Time!
We are going to ask members to take turns mowing the church lawn again this season. Please sign up on the office door if you can help. The lawn can be mowed anytime between Thursday and Saturday. Thank you!
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An Invitation to Read the Bible
Your weekly Scripture readings are:
Sunday (5/1) - Job 5:1 - 7:21
Monday - Job 8:1 - 11:19
Tuesday - Job 11:20 - 14:22
Wednesday - Job 15:1 - 18:20
Thursday - Job 18:21 - 21:22
Friday - Job 21:23 - 25:1
Saturday - Job 21:23 - 25:1
Sunday (5/10) - Job 25:2 - 29:24
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The Buchanan Community Chorus
The Buchanan Community Chorus presents Nature at its Finest on Friday, April 29, 2011 at First United Methodist Church; Galesburg at 7:00 p.m. Special musical guest - District 205 Singing Streaks. Then, on Saturday, April 30, at the Monmouth College Dahl Auditorium at 4:00 p.m. The cost for adults is $5.00, students - $2.00 (17 and under are free).
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A Heart for Kylie!
As you may have seen in our Prayer Concerns, Kylie Logsdon has been listed there for some time now. She is the cousin of Tammi Hottle who was diagnosed with Post-natal Cardiomyopathy in October.
There will be a benefit for her on April 30, 2011. If you'd like tickets, you can purchase them from Tammi. Click on the following link to view the flyer:
Kylie Logsdon Benefit.
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May Friendship Day
Church Women United will meet at Faith Church at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 6, for their annual May Friendship Day Breakfast. All ladies are welcome to the breakfast and program. A free will donation will be taken. Reservations are appreciated by calling Darlene Moffet at 734-5537.
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College Care Packages
Please help us fill the care packages for our college students. We will be handing them out on Sunday, May 8. Thanks for your help. Please bring by May 8:
Cookies
Fruit
Bottled water packs (crystal light or koolaid)
Any fun item
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Rummage Sale Helpers
Please sign up on the office door if you are willing to help with the Rummage Sale. Preparation days will be May 11 & 12. The sale is May 13 & 14. Sorters, pricers and cashiers are needed.
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Faith Rummage Sale - May 13 & 14
Wednesday, May 11 - 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Drop off your items for sale.
Friday, May 13 - Sale - Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 14 - Sale - 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Anything is welcome, except, no adult clothing please.
All proceeds go to PW missions.
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Joe's at Church - May 14
Saturday - May 14
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Sloppy Joe Meal: $4.50
Hotdog Meal: $4.00
Includes chips, baked beans, drink, and dessert.
Social Hall
Sponsored by the 5th & 6th graders
Proceeds go to local mission.
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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.
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Icebreakers
The May meeting of Icebreakers will be held on the 15th at
6:00 p.m. (note time change) in the social hall. The program
will be given by Tom Best - "Philadelphia to Boston". This will
be a dessert meeting and reservations can be made by calling
Jo Ellen Dollinger, 734-8627; Donna Larson, 734-6103; or Darlene Moffet, 734-5537.
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VBS Registration Begins
VBS - Shake It Up Café
June 27 - July 1
9:30 - 12
Ages Pre-K - 6th grade
Look for the registration table in the social hall
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Prayer Concerns
Please continue to keep in your prayers: The Mike & Jennifer Van Kirk family, Amber Dillbeck, Mick Miller, Colleen Hazen and family, Pat Brown, Helen Bersted, Eilleen Spoerl, Parker & Joan Steis, Mildred Lipp, Jim & Janet Paris, Val McManus, Chuck Byers, Kathy Yates, Kylie Logsdon, and Frank Sorensen.
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Thank You
On behalf of the Youth Group, I'd like to thank everyone for coming to our Annual Easter-tide Breakfast. A special thank you to those who donated a coffee cake. Our proceeds are going to help fund our mission trip this summer. Again, thank you!
Heather Fisher
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Easter Flowers
In Memory Of...
All family loved ones
By Gene & Donna Larson
Grandmother, Martha Hallam and grandparents,
Wink & Wanda Switzer
By Kim Hallam, Kris & Scott Wilson, and Kate & Maranda
David & Ruth Turnbull
By The John Turnbull family
Our parents, Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Mettler Sr. and Mr. & Mrs. Charles Wells
By Bob & Dixie Wells
Carl Freed
By his family
David Moffet
By Darlene Moffet
David Baker
By Mary Baker & family
Austin, beloved grandson of Les
& Jo Ellen Dollinger
By Armond & Betsy Akey
Elizabeth Schroeder
By Evelyn Carlson & Linda White
Phil Painter
By David & Joyce Allison
C.P. & Beulah Patterson
By Joyce Patterson
Our Parents, Mr. & Mrs. Merle Melvin and Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Mettler, Sr.
By Vern & Norma Mettler
Evelyn Youssi & Jim Long
By Lowell & Dee Long
Dr. James W. Marshall
By his Family
Durbin, Betty, & Steve Ranney
By the family
Marilyn Roney
By Robert D. Roney
Sandy Townsend
By Sheila Wilson
Loved Ones
Bob & Carolyn Meling
Lee Alan Spicer
By The Spicer family
Our Son, Josh
By Jack & Betty McBride
Clint Hagemann
By Joyce Hagemann
Brian Hendel
By Jim & Kris Brown
Our parents and grandparents
By Gary & Pam Youngblood
David Phelps
By Marjorie Phelps
Jim & Brian Armstrong
By Julie Armstrong
Our parents
By Ralph & Martha Whiteman
Our Grandparents
By Scott & Jill McClintock
Dan Adair, Irven & Vera Painter, Mildred Adair, David Lorton,
Elvis Black, Dan Reeder, Randy Cooper
By Linda Adair
In Honor Of...
Our parents & grandparents By Scott & Jill McClintock Our children By Ralph & Martha Whiteman Isabel Marshall By family Shirley Armstrong By Julie Armstrong My family By Marjorie Phelps Our children & granddaughter, Lilly By Gary & Pam Youngblood Our Parents By Jim & Kris Brown Brittany & Jessica Wilson By Sheila Wilson Our children & grandchildren By Jim & Carol McCurdy Our church family By Tom Best Jan Lorton, Mary Walters, Carolyn Meling, Marcia Damos By Linda Adair My daughter, Anne and her family and my son, John and his family By Jane Warfield
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April & May Birthdays
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear...
April 30 Marjorie Butler
Cathy Abernathy
Eleanor Moschenross
May 1 Margie Myers
2 Mary Gibson
4 Doug Hardin
Marjorie Phelps
6 Ashley Baber
7 Roxanne Green
8 Clayton Larson
9 Jane Hottle
Abby Brown
Noah Runge
10 Marilyn Van Hoozer
Olivia Heaton
11 Everitt Hardin
13 Bill Hoover
14 Bonnie Heflin
Mike Fisher
16 Winifred Weeks
18 Doris Henricks
19 Beth Dingman
Keith Brown
20 Helen Bersted
22 Courtney Fisher
Kara Fisher
Julie McVey
24 Debbie Dingman
John Turnquist
25 Denise Pullen
Tim Phelps
26 Toby Turnquist
28 Lindsay Murdock
29 Joan Steis
30 Dennis Simpson
Jan Speer
Erma Smallwood
...happy birthday to you!
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Faith United Presbyterian Church
200 South 8th St
Monmouth, Illinois 61462
Heather Fisher
309-734-5129
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What Do You Think?
Where Do We Go From Here? As many of you know, the college is undergoing a process of discernment and planning for the future. Having been invited to participate in a couple of the activities related to this process, it has made me think that perhaps now is the time for us to be asking a similar question, "Where do we go from here?" In a month or so, I will have been your pastor for ten years. There was a time, when this was about the midpoint of many pastorates. Today, it is few years beyond the average tenure for a pastor. Many first time pastors don't even stay in ministry more than five years. Ten years is also about twice as long as the 3-5 year commitment I gave the PNC. This is not to suggest my departure is immanent. Only to suggest we are reaching a critical time in our call to serve in ministry together. Many pastorates "go south" near the end. Having been at it awhile, it is easy for pastors to coast. Knowing their pastor will be leaving sooner than later; many congregations find it hard to sustain the same level of commitment to ministry. While we have yet to see signs of either of these, it is important for us to be aware of these tendencies in pastors and congregations, so we may be even more intentional about sustaining our commitment to ministry during this time. Financially, we remain in good shape. We are living within our means with regard to our annual budget, enjoying another good year financially. In the past ten years, we have addressed a number of significant capital improvements, including new roofs on our old and present sanctuary buildings, while maintaining modest reserve funds should an emergency arise. While we are not a wealthy congregation, I am grateful for God's providence and the generosity of our members. While I have been a little concerned about our worship attendance this winter, we are starting to see folks return from their winter travels. Hopefully, the magnificent Easter we enjoyed is a sign that our worship life will be returning to normal. With regard to our ministry, we have some good things happening, as well. Perhaps our greatest blessing is the wonderful group of children we have growing up before our eyes and maturing in their faith. One of my personal joys is hearing how many people feel their lives are being changed by your ministry. So, where do we go from here? We have some decisions to make. Perhaps the most urgent is, "How will we nurture the faith of our youth?" We have had some excellent conversations with members of our congregation, as well as parents, about the direction our youth ministry should take. In the near future, we will be speaking with our youth, as well. What is becoming clear is the importance of working together. Our session and congregation will need to continue providing strong leadership and support. Our parents and youth will need to continue making the church's ministry with youth a priority in their lives. There are other opportunities for ministry to be nurtured, as well. The needs and resources in our community are great. We have a growing immigrant population in Monmouth. We have a new chaplain at the college. We have families in our community facing tremendous challenges in providing for the health, welfare, education, and spiritual nurture of their children. Might each of these afford us new opportunities for ministry? In last week's column, I suggested that, because of the abundance of God's providence and grace, our life together could be whatever you wanted to make it. So where do we go from here? I will be using the Easter season as a season of discernment. I hope you will join me in prayer, reflection, and conversation, as we look to discover God's will for our future. See you in church!
Pastor Myers revhaggis1@hotmail.com
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