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Faith United Presbyterian Church
| October 13, 2011 |
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Greetings!
Don't you love this season? With such warm colors and the cool crisp air it's sure to bring a sense of peace, awe, and wonder... To me, it's as if God is reminding me to be still and know that he is God! May you be able to stop and be still with God this week. |
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What Do You Think?
Faith or Politics, Which Comes First?
A couple of weeks ago, I asked a group of folks from our congregation to think about the question: Does your faith inform your political views or do your political views inform your faith? This may seem like a pretty straightforward question, with most people answering, "My faith comes first." However, I would imagine there are those who would say, "Neither, my religious beliefs and my political views are totally unrelated." Others, I would imagine, don't realize how their religious beliefs have been influenced by
their political views or vice versa.
From time to time, I will hear folks on the "Left" speak disparagingly about the wealthy. "Do they not realize Lydia, a patron of the Apostle Paul, was a 'seller of purple'?" (meaning she was quite wealthy), I'll wonder. Or, "have they not read the Parable of the Talents, where the one who was given the least was judged the harshest for squandering what he was given?" Likewise, I often hear folks on the "Right" who sound more like Rush Limbaugh than Jesus Christ, when they are talking about the poor. I mention this, not to suggest one side is more righteous in their political views. My point is simply this: As people of faith, given the current political climate in which we live, it is imperative that our political views are shaped by our faith and not the other way around. So, I would
invite you to take the following test.
Take a few minutes to write your statement of faith. It doesn't have to be particularly long or eloquent. Simply write down a few of your thoughts or convictions about God or the teachings of Jesus or living a life of faith. If you find this difficult, because you don't know what to believe, I hope you will visit with me. While I won't necessarily have all the answers, I might be able to help you ask the right questions.
After you have your statement of faith, write down a few of your strongest political convictions. Three to five should suffice.
Compare your statement of faith with your political convictions. How well do they compare with each other? Are they consistent? Are there surprises? Are there conflicts? No right or wrong answers here. Simply try to get a sense for how your beliefs, religious and political, inform each other.
Now that you have a sense of who you are and what you believe, go to your favorite source of political information. Whether it is NPR or Rush, Rupert Murdoch or the New York Times, doesn't matter. Go to the sources which inform your political views. How do your statement of faith and your strongest political convictions compare
with what your reading and hearing from the political pundits?
Finally, take a few minutes to read one of the gospels. I would recommend Luke, as this is where Jesus is the most political. However, any of the gospels would be fine. As you read, keep your confession of faith and your list of political convictions in front of you. Also, keep the voices of your favorite political pundits in the back of your mind. As you listen for God's Word, how does it resound against your political convictions and your religious beliefs? Do
the words of Jesus Christ create an echo
of your beliefs or is there a dissonance? Do
his words ring true
with those of your favorite pundits or do they
fall flat?
People of faith, again, I am not suggesting there is but one faithful political perspective. On the contrary, I have met people of faith on both sides of the aisle. However, I have also met those who simply parrot what they have heard, without giving any thought to how the teachings of Jesus should impact the lives we live. As we seek the common good, politically, I believe we will find we are much better prepared for the task, if our political views are, first, informed by the teachings of Jesus Christ rather than the "party line", whatever our party may be.
See you in church!
Pastor Myers
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This Sunday...
October 16, 2011
"Where Is God's Mark Upon Your Life?"
Exodus 33:12-33 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Psalm 99 Matthew 22:15-22
Lay Assistant: Ruth WrightBeedle/Crucifer: Kaitlyn Fisher/Emily Fisher
Ushers: Carol & Bonnie Heflin, Ralph & Martha Whiteman, Norma Mettler Greeters: Dale & Debbie Dingman and Esther White & Marilyn VanHoozer Nursery: Lolla Ballard & Maggie McVey Children's Church: Margie Myers Coffee Hour: Evelyn Carlson & Barbara Gossett
View our calendar.
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Sunday School
9:15 a.m.
Children 3yrs - 6th Grade: meet in the theater upstairs. Parents are welcome.
Youth 7th - 12th Grade: meet in the senior high room in the youth wing.
Faith & Life: Rev. Dr. Teri Ott will finish up her series entitled, "Is Your God too Safe? Fueling our Faith with Courage and Imagination." This class will meet in the Social Hall.
Bible Study Class: meet in the Brides room.
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| Fillman Fellowship
Fillman Fellowship will meet in social hall of Faith Church at 5:00 p.m. tonight, October 13. All women are welcome. Please bring a sandwich. Dessert and beverages will be provided.
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| An Invitation to Read the Bible
Sunday John 8:33-10:17
Monday John 10:18-11:57
Tuesday John 12:1-13:38
Wednesday John 14:1-16:32
Thursday John 16:33-19:14
Friday John 19:15-21:25
Saturday Acts 1:1-3:13
Sunday (10/23) Acts 3:14-5:41
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| Attention Ushers
The semi-annual usher's schedule will be printed off next week, so if you'd like to usher or know someone who might, please contact the Deacon's Usher Chairman, Ralph Whiteman, at 734-4641.
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| Festival Sundays
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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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 16
Peanut Butter & Jelly
October 23
Spaghetti Sauce and noodles
October 30
Paper towels
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Crock-pot Cook-off Entry
Do you have a family secret recipe you prepare in your  crockpot that everybody loves? If so, why not enter it in our Crockpot Cook-off for October 23, following worship?
The rules are simple: Select a recipe that is cooked only in your crock. This can include anything from breakfast dishes to soups, main courses to desserts, etc. Basically, anything that you can cook in a crockpot.
Adults, youth, and children will then sample each one, voting on the yummiest dish. The person with the most votes will win a gift certificate to a local restaurant!
The entry fee is $5.00, and would be helpful if it is 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 next summer.
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Taste-buds Needed!
Crockpot Cook-off
October 23, 2011 at 11:45 a.m. (following worship) $3.00 per adult and $1.00 per child under 12 will let you...
sample from each crockery and give you the ability
to vote on your favorite one!
(Drinks will be provided.)
All proceeds will go toward the cost of our
2012 Youth Mission tip next summer.
Thank you for your support!
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| Youth to Gilson
The Jr. & Sr. High Youth Group will be going to a haunted school in Gilson at 6:30 p.m. on October 29. The cost is $8.00. If you'd like to go, call Stephanie at 368-0457 or email her at youth@maplecity.com.
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Time for Refreshment
Join Pastor Myers next Thursdays, 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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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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Icebreaker News
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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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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Elder - Trustee - Deacon
Suggestion Form
The task of the Nominating Committee is to place the names of qualifies individuals before the Congregation as nominees to fill positions on the church boards. The Congregation must then vote to elect these persons. The Nominating Committee needs your help in determining who is qualified and able to serve, if nominated. Please give this form to any member of the Nominating Committee.
Candidate Name:
____________________________________________________
The 2011 Nominating Committee is: Mary Distin, Phyllis Wilson, Crystal Sargent, Sally Bowman, Les Dollinger, Betsy Akey, Carolyn Meling, and Julie Armstrong.
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Thank You
Merle and I sincerely thank our friends and "church family" for the cards, notes, phone calls, and food which you have sent to us. Many thanks to all who have brought us the church bulletins and discs. The rose was a beautiful remembrance too. Our lives are resuming a bit of normal and we hope to be joining you at church soon.
Pat and Merle Brown
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Sympathy
To the family and friends of Phyllis Clark, who died on October 11, 2011. Arrangements are being made here in Monmouth.
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Pray Concerns
Brittany Wilson, Greg Gilliland, Mary Harrison, Ollie Faith Reed, Janet Paris, and Kylie Logsdon.
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October Birthdays
1 Dorothy Behnke2 Lorna Blackford 5 Barb Byrne6 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 Andrew Ockert
J. Eric Ockert
Kathy Lewis
31 Jane Newberry
Alyvia Burton |
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Contacts
Administrative Assistant
Heather Fisher
309-734-5129 |
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