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October 6, 2011
Faith United Presbyterian Church |
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THIS SUNDAY...
October 9, 2011
"A Dynamic Faith"
The Rev. Dr. Teri Ott
Exodus 32:1-14 Mark 7:24-30
Lay Assistant: Betsy Akey Beedle/Crucifer: Kara Fisher & Landon Crosier Ushers: Gary Distin, Jon Graham, Bill Hoover, Dick Speer, Larry Willett Greeters: Jim & Carol McCurdy Tom & Crystal Sargent Nursery: Bonnie Heflin & Emily Fisher Children's Church: Ann Phelps Coffee Hour: Ruth Wright & Carol Bowman |
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What Do You Think?
Should Preachers Tell Us How to Vote?
While I will occasionally be accused of "meddlin'", most of the time the critical comments come from the other end of the spectrum. "Why won't you be more specific? Why won't you give us concrete examples of what we should do or how we should act? Why won't you tell us what is right and what is wrong?" Many of our sisters and brothers want to see the life of faith as black and white. For some, life is easier if they don't have to think things through, if someone will just tell them what to believe and how to act. Presbyterians have never been comfortable with living our faith this way.
One of the strong convictions that make us who we are as Presbyterian is this: "God, alone, is Lord of the conscience and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men (all persons) which are in anyway contrary to his Word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship." While the teachings of the church, including the preaching of our pastors, guide us in discerning God's Word, we are free to accept or reject that guidance. While we will yet be judged for rejecting that which is godly, it is better to do so, than to be coerced or constrained in our beliefs.
The importance of this was brought home to me, as I read various articles about "Pulpit Freedom Sunday". As you may know, preachers are prohibited by the IRS from endorsing particular candidates from the pulpit. If they do, they risk losing their tax exempt status. This law came about in 1954, in part, because Senator Lyndon Johnson was frustrated at having been denounced from two pulpits. While I agree with the spirit of the protest, that no government agency has the right to dictate what may be proclaimed from the pulpit, I fear my colleagues may be somewhat misdirected in their efforts, as demonstrated in the following quote.
"There should be no government intrusion in the pulpit," said the Rev. James Garlow, senior pastor at Skyline Church in La Mesa, Calif., who led preachers in the battle to pass California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. "The freedom of speech and the freedom of religion promised under the First Amendment means pastors have full authority to say what they want to say."While I don't share the Rev. Garlow's political perspective, I agree with everything he says, or at least his right to say it, in this quote until the end. Pastors do not have the full authority to "say what they want to say." We have full authority to preach the Word of God. Personally, because God alone is Lord of the conscience, I always stop short in my preaching. Rather than advocating a particular position or candidate, I choose to preach the values and virtues associated with living a Christ-like life and leave room for grace and the conscience of the believer. While there are times when a little vinegar is necessary, witness, rather than coersion, is the quality for which we should all strive for in our preaching, be it from the pulpit or the lives we live. Leaving room for grace, I find, serves two purposes. If my preaching is in error, it will do less harm and, whether or not my witness is faithful, I have preserved the freedom of conscience for my sisters and brothers to discern God's Word for themselves.
See you in church! Pastor Myers | |
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An Invitation to
Read the Bible
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Your weekly Scripture readings are:Sunday Luke 20:47-22:38 Monday Luke 22:39-23:55 Tuesday Luke 23:56-
John 1:28 Wednesday John 1:29-3:36 Thursday John 4:1-5:33 Friday John 5:34-6:71 Saturday John 7:1-8:32 Sunday (10/16) John 8:33-10:17
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Festival Sundays
Invite a Friend!
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Festival Sundays are Sundays that are extra special in our life together. While the worship of God each and every Lord's Day is worthy of our time and devotion, efforts will be made to set apart Festival Sundays as extraordinary opportunities for worship. Plan ahead to bring family and friends on these festive occasions, you will be glad you did!
October 30 - Reformation Sunday
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Faith & Life Class
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Rev. Dr. Teri M. Ott, Monmouth College Chaplain, will be teach October 9th and 16th during the Sunday School hour at 9:15 a.m. in the Social Hall. The series is entitled, "Is Your God too Safe?" Fueling our Faith with Courage and Imagination." On Sunday, October 9, Rev. Ott will also be leading us in worship and will preach a sermon related to the course topic.
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Thai Circle
| | Thai Circle will meet at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, October 6, in the Social Hall. They will study lesson two in Confessing the Beatitudes - "Greatly Honored are the Mourners."
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Icebreaker for October
| | The October meeting of Icebreakers will be held on the 9th, at 5:00 p.m., in the Social Hall. The program will be given by Sharon Gilbert, The Lady With Hats. A meal will be included and the cost will be $5.00 each. Reservations can be made by calling Jo Ellen Dollinger, 734-8627; Darlene Moffet, 734-5537; or Donna Larson, 734-6103.
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Per Capita
| | The per-capita assessment underwrites the operating costs of the Presbytery of Great Rivers, the Synod of Lincoln Trails, and General Assembly. It also pays for denominational dues in the National Council of Churches and the national ordination exams for candidates for the ministry. Traditionally, congregations ask that all members pay their per capita in addition to making a contribution above and beyond their regular giving to assist in meeting our denominational operating cost.
This year's per capita is $28.00 per confirmed member.
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Back by Popular Demand!
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Join us for our 2nd Annual Crock-pot Cook-off on October 23, following worship.
It's that time of year again so get out your secret family crock-pot recipes! The rules are simple: select a recipe that is cooked only in the crock-pot. This can include anything from breakfast dishes to soups, main courses to desserts, etc. Basically, anything that you can cook in a crock-pot. Adults, youth, and children will then sample each one, voting on the yummiest dish. The person with the most votes will win a $25.00 gift card to a local restaurant. The entry fee is $5.00, and needs to be submitted along with your name and what you'll be making to the office by Sunday, October 16. All proceeds will go toward the cost of the 2012 Youth Mission Trip.
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Icebreaker News
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The Icebreakers will be producing and directing an all-church evening of skits and entertainment. We have some scripts ready to go and a couple more to find. There are spots for junior highs and senior highs and lots of spots for adults. If you're itching to get back on the stage or onstage for the first time, let the Larsons or the Distins know. If you and a friend do a wonderful duet of "Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better," let us know. Do you have prepared a brilliant monologue you know we'll love? Let us know. And if the role that is right up your alley is Audience Member, we're totally okay with that too.
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Kids Against Hunger & Coins
for Kids | |
Monmouth is now a satellite for a program based in Minneapolis call "Kids Against Hunger." The local leaders are Dan & Wendy Allaman, who have traveled to Ethiopia twice with their family in the last 2 years. Volunteers package meals which will be sent to Ethiopia, assembly-line style. Each package of food costs $.25 and 2000 meals can be packaged in one hour with 10-12 volunteers for the cost of $500.00.
In October, the youth of our church will package meals which have already been paid for. Sometime in November or January we will be organizing an event for families with young children to package food. In order to do this we need to raise money for each package. Look for a large jar marked "Coins for Kids" in the social hall. All kinds of coins (or paper) are welcome - especially quarters. We hope to have $500.00 in a very heavy jar at least by January. So, load up your pockets with change on Sunday morning and fill up our jar. Thank You.
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| Food for Jamieson | | |
Please bring the following items and fill the hall outside the office! The need at food pantry's is increasing, please join us in helping. Thank you for being "The Hands of Christ" and thinking of others.
October 9
Cereal
October 16
Peanut Butter & Jelly
October 23
Spaghetti Sauce and noodles
October 30
Paper towels
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| Time for Refreshment | |
Reminder: A Time for Refreshment will not meet today, October 6. However, join Pastor Myers next Thursday, from 4:30 - 5:30 p.m., for tea and shortbread in the Church Office. Drop in for a time of refreshment after school or on your way home from work. Featuring: Teas from McNab's Tea Room, Boothbay, Maine & Music from Bach to Bix!
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| Change a Life... Tutor a Child | | The RSVP Volunteer program of Warren County, in partnership with local schools and after-school programs is looking for volunteers to help children succeed. A variety of opportunities and schedules are available. Orientation and training will be on Wednesday, October 12, at the First Street Armoury, from 9:00 a.m. - noon. Please call Barb Byrne at 309-368-4598 or Amye Bean at 309-428-5841.
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| Milk Caps | | |
Bring in your Swiss Valley or Prairie Farms Milk Caps. Each cap can be redeemed for $.05 which will go toward Teddy Bear Day Care. TBDC is located in our church basement and cares for children ages 2 - 5 plus before and after school care. Every penny counts, so drink your milk and save the caps for us. Just place them in the milk container in the social hall. Thank you!
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Monmouth
College Chapel | | Worship with The Rev. Dr. Teri Ott on Monday's in Dahl Chapel from 12:10-12:40 p.m.
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Prayer Concerns
Brittany Wilson, Greg Gillliland, Mary Harrison, Ruth Carwile, Ollie Faith Reed, Janet Paris, and Kylie Logsdon. |
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Thank You
Sheila and Brittany Wilson would like to sincerely thank everyone for their support and cards to Brittany while she continues to heal from a severely broken ankle. Brittany recently had another surgery to clean an infection from the break. She is now at home with her grandmother in Peoria, while she continues to get treatment from doctors.
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Birthday Wishes to You!
October Birthdays
1 Dorothy Behnke
2 Lorna Blackford 5 Barb Byrne 6 Elizabeth Nieman 7 Michael Crosier 11 Chloe Larson David Spoerl Paul Mason III 13 Megan Byrne 15 Don Mills Austin Johnson 17 Tom Best 19 Mandy Lyle 21 Taylor Turnquist 29 Marie Inman 30 Lynn Biggs Amanda Bowman 30 Kathy Lewis |
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