Faith United Presbyterian Church News

Focus on Faith                                                                                                           September 1, 2011

Homecoming Sunday!

You're invited to Faith United on September 11, 2011, for Homecoming Sunday.  Join us for our Sunday school kick-off at 9:15 a.m.  Our worship celebration will follow at 10:30 a.m. featuring The Sound of Brass. Then, at 11:30 a.m., stay for our church picnic.  The church will provide the beverage and main dish - hamburgers and brats.  Bring a side dish or dessert to share and join us for the fun.  If you have a  

favorite recipe from the Finest Fare from Faith & Friends cookbook, bring it to share.   

Remember to bring table service.

 

    

 

What Do You Think?

Discerning Your Call in Our Life Together

 

 

With summer coming to a close and the excitement of a new program year starting to rise, I have been thinking about our ministry together.  As most of you are aware, we have an excellent relationship with the new Chaplain, Teri Ott, which will only strengthen our relationship with the college.  We have hired a new Director of Youth Ministry, Stephanie Reading, who brings some wonderful gifts, which should enhance our ministry with the young people of our congregation.  Margie and the Christian Education committee are bringing some new ideas to our ministry with children, particularly in our church school and Wednesday Night Live programs.  Dick and Barb, I am sure, will continue the wonderful ministry of music we have enjoyed this summer, and I can hardly wait for our choir's return with some new faces joining the familiar ones who have been so faithful through the years.  The rest of the staff, Helen, Gene, Andrea and Heather, will continue to provide their unheralded and invaluable support, as God continues to make all things new in and through our life together.     

 

As for myself, I am taking advantage of an invitation to co-teach a course in "Religion and Politics" with Ira Smolensky.  This has already proven a wonderful opportunity to encourage students to consider what a voice of faith, from a Reformed theological perspective, might bring to the Public Square.  We are using Stephen Carter's, "Culture of Disbelief", as a primary text, which some of you might enjoy.  Let me know, if you decide to read it, as I would enjoy discussing it with you.

 

Closer to home, I am thinking of bringing back "A Time for Refreshment" and "Early Word".  Before I do, I would like to hear from you about this.  

 

"A Time for Refreshment" is when we visit, over tea and shortbread, about life and faith.  Sometimes we speak of current events or issues, things going on in our community or church.  Most of the time, we simply enjoy each other's company.  I have missed this and would enjoy hosting again, but need to know:  Are you interested in "A Time for Refreshment"?  Would Thursday afternoons, 4:30-5:30 p.m. still be a good time?  Should we gather weekly or monthly?  Would you like the discussion to be more focused or free flowing?

   

"Early Word" is a Bible study where we discuss the scriptures for the coming Sunday.  Those who have attended in the past say they get more from the sermons because they have had the opportunity to reflect upon the scripture.  As for myself, it is an invaluable part of the preaching process because I get to hear your thoughts before I preach.  Again, I need to hear from you.  Would you be interested in an  "Early Word" opportunity?  What is a good day and time for you?  Before work? Mid-morning?  Would you like to gather at Maple City Cafe for an "Early Word Breakfast"?  Or would you prefer to come to the church?

 

Again, let me know your thoughts on both of these opportunities.  We'll try to plan around what works best for the most people.  In the meantime, I hope you will also take some time to reflect and pray on how God is calling you to serve in Christ's ministry through our congregation.  These are but a few of the many opportunities for ministry our congregation provides, but we can't fulfill any of them without you.

 

See you in church!

 

Pastor Myers

 

 

P.S.  Remember, "Homecoming Sunday", September 11!

 

This Sunday...
September 4, 2011

 

"Restoring Relationships"

Psalm 149, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20

 

        

Lay Assistant:

Ann Phelps
 Musical Guests:

Barbara Gossett on Harp
Ushers: 

 Heather, Korey, & Emily Fisher, Bob Green, Steve Johnson   

Greeters:  

 Phyllis Wilson & Cindy Erickson

Sally Bowman & Karen Angotti 

Nursery: 

      Lolla Ballard          

Children's Church:

  Margie Myers     
  Coffee Hour:      

                           Shirley & Julie Armstrong                            

 

Special Music

Our own organist, Barbara Gossett, will offer the special music during worship this coming Sunday, September 4, on harp.

 

This Sunday will be our final 9:30 a.m. worship service before going back to our normal worship schedule of 10:30 a.m. on September 11. 

 

Thai Circle to Begin

Thai Circle will resume its regular meetings beginning Thursday, September 1st in the social hall of the church.  All women are invited to meet for this Bible Study at 9:30 a.m.     

 

Fill Their Wagons with Diapers

Look for Mother to Mother in the Prime Beef Festival Parade!  They will be collecting diapers as they walk/drive along the route.  Mother to Mother has an "emergency" diaper pantry.  The pantry is located at the 1st Street Armoury in Monmouth.  Each year they provide over 400 packages of diapers to moms in Warren County.  Donate a package of diapers - size 1 - 5.  Any questions please call Kathy at 309-299-3951.

 

 

 

Fillman Fellowship

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, September 8, at 5:00 p.m. in the social hall.   

 

 

Monmouth College Chapel

You are invited to worship with The Rev. Dr. Teri Ott on Monday's in Dahl Chapel from 12:10-12:40 p.m.   

 

 

Sunday School Kick-Off

On September 11, at 9:15 a.m., we will be kicking off our Sunday School program with a Heifer Project Rally.  I've heard there will be chickens, a rooster, goats, and worms present.   

 

All are invited, parents and children, adults and friends alike.  Look for more information next week.

 

Each year our Sunday School offering goes toward Heifer Project.  Our gift makes it possible for people all over the world to receive an animal and training and by so doing they become self sufficient and share that gift with others.   Please join us for this fun filled morning.

       

 

Faith & Art Challenge - Our Family at Faith

We would like to put a new display in the social hall beginning on Homecoming Sunday, September 11.  We would like to have pictures of your family in our church setting.  We do not want wedding pictures at this time.  Have you taken a picture of your family at Easter, or in the garden with the flowers.  Maybe you have a great picture of your child participating in a church activity.  It doesn't matter where it is in or around the church or how old the picture is, we would love to have them all.  Please follow the directions below - and THANK YOU!

 

  • 5x7 or 8x10 (preferred).
  • Framed or matted.  Mattes can be purchased at Walmart.
  • Include your name, the date of the picture and names of people in picture.
  • Deliver pictures to the church office by Wednesday, September 7.
    

 

Worship Time Change

Just a reminder to let you know that on Homecoming Sunday, September 11, and thereafter, our regular worship schedule will resume to 10:30 a.m.    

 

Tools and Blankets Offering through Church         World Service 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1

PW is asking for your assistance as we collect money for the Tools and Blankets Offering, which is through Church World Service.  There is such a significant need throughout the world for assistance and we have traditionally given to this worthy need.  We will be taking the offering the next two weeks and will send it in this fall. The past couple of years we have sent $500 each year.  

$25 can provide five warm blankets for a family left homeless by an earthquake or other disaster.

$100 can enable three women to receive a micro-credit loan, a sound investment in their family's future.

$200 can provide a struggling farm family with a draft animal to increase their harvest and carry their produce to market.

 

   

 

Wednesday Night Live - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

WNL is back for it's 22nd year!!!  Come and be a part of an inspirational outreach program for the children of our church and community.  We need volunteers of all kinds, drivers, helpers, kitchen teams, table parents, snack providers - you name it, we need it, and YOU!  Look for the sign up sheet in the social hall.  We're going to have a great year with our after school program and we look forward to having you join us.  Our first day will be September 14.   If you have any questions please call Margie at 734-5129.

 

     

 

Lawn Mowing Sign-Up
We are continuing to ask members to take turns mowing the church lawn the rest of the season.  Please sign up on the office door if you can help.  The lawn can be mowed anytime between Thursday and Saturday.  

 

Adult Sunday  School

Both the Bible Study Class and the Faith and Life class will begin on October 2.  All are welcome to join us for the Sunday School kickoff on September 11.  More information will be available in September.


     

 

An Invitation to Read the Bible

Your weekly Scripture readings are:

Sunday - (9/4) - Zephaniah 3:20-Zechariah 3:8

Monday - Zechariah 3:9-9:6 

Tuesday -  Zechariah 9:7-14:21 

Wednesday - Malachi 1:1-Matthew 1:25  

Thursday - Matthew 2:1-5:26  

Friday -  Matthew 5:27-7:29 

Saturday -  Matthew 8:1-10:14 

Sunday - Matthew 10:15-12:27 

   

 

Worship Art Workshop

Churches are invited to send a small group of members to work with fiber artist Grace Cox-Johnson in creating a new banner or a new set of paraments for your church.  During the workshop Grace will share ideas, images, and artistic inspiration to make your sanctuaries come alive with your own unique paraments, banners, and liturgical art.   

 

This workshop will take place on Friday, September 16, at Faith United Presbyterian Church.  Each church group is asked to bring a side dish or two to share at a 5:30 p.m. potluck.  The workshop will begin at 6:15 and depart at 9:00.   

 

If you would like to attend, please sign up on the office door.  

 

 

Thank You

Dear Members of Faith Church,

 

Thank you for all the cards, prayers, and visits after my recent accident. I am constantly amazed by the kindness of this church and town!   I especially want to thank the Deacons and Bill and Margie for their visits and for the beautiful rose bowl.  I'm getting a little better every day.

 

Susan Van Kirk

  

 

 

Prayer Concerns

Tammy Inman, Bill Smallwood, Carolyn Albert, Jan Gebauer, Susan VanKirk, Pat Brown, Ruth Carwile, Brian and Amanda Byers, Ollie Faith Reed, Janet Paris, and Kylie Logsdon.

 

 

Calendar

We now have a current up-to-date calendar on our website.  If you see an event that you would like listed, please contact Heather.  Check it out!

 

 

September Birthdays

1          Lindsay Aberle

            Lynn Bowman

5          Margaret Josephson

7          Tamara Inman

9          Gary Distin

            Tiffani Glasgow

            Pam Youngblood

10        Vicki Young

11        Greg Baber

14        Eileen Giddings

            Phyllis Wilson

            Eilleen Spoerl

17        Mary Fleming

18        Peter Byrne

19        Marian Mills

            Jordan Watson

20        Brady Agan

22        Hannah Finnicum

23        Colton McClintock

25        Rachel Haynes

26        Ethan Clark

30        Mona Buchholz