Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
October 20, 2011
What Do You Think?
So Why Do We Suffer? 

On Tuesday night, at our Trustee meeting, we read Psalm 121 as part of our evening worship.  "I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where will my help come?  My help comes frmo the LORD who made heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.  He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand.  The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.  The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore."

That evening, I was visiting with a member of our congregation, who is going through a season of grief and discernment.  I said to her, "I thought of you tonight as we read this Psalm."  She reported later that she read the psalm that night and cried.  Psalm 121 is one of her favorites.  I, too, have found solace many times in this song of ascents, at the bedside of one who is gravely ill, when I have no other words to say, or in times when I have felt alone or helpless.  After the Twenty Third Psalm, Psalm 121 would certainly be among the most comforting for many.

As comforting as this psalm may be, we are left with a question.  If God is our constant protector, why do we suffer?
 
While I find some comfort in reflecting, theologically, on the realities of consequential suffering and redemptive suffering, I am not sure I have an adequate answer.  Clearly, in life, we suffer the consequences of poor life choices, what I would call consequential suffering.  There is also that suffering which transfigures our lives to be more like Christ, what I call redemptive suffering.  Yet, there are times when there seems to be no meaning or purpose to our suffering.  I have no answer for this suffering.
 
There are those who claim this type of suffering is related to our faith, or, rather, our lack thereof.  If you suffer, they say, it is because you are not "right with God."  In their minds, material prosperity, not suffering, comes to those who are right with God.  Personally, I find this hard to believe, in part, because, more often than not, those who suffer so are among the most faithful people I have met.
 
When I was in seminary, doing my field education, I served a struggling Presbyterian congregation in a community that had one of "those" congregations.  They were a fast growing, community Christian church.  They were known in town as the "ATT Church" because so many of their members came from ATT.  They preached this prosperity gospel and, because ATT was prospering at the time, people believed the gospel they were preaching.  Then, towards the end of my time in field ed, ATT announced massive layoffs.

I am not sure how the church is doing today, but, at the time, they began to lose members, for those who were laid off, and no longer prosperous, undermined the prosperity gospel they proclaimed.  They had lost their jobs, through no fault of their own, and no longer felt at home in that congregation.

People of faith, I wish I had an answer for every form of suffering you endure, but I don't.  As many of you, I live in the tension between the promise of Psalm 121, that God is our keeper, the shade upon our right hand, and the reality of suffering in our lives.  Nevertheless, in seasons of suffering, I, yet, find great consolation, assurance and hope in lifting my eyes unto the hills, not because I will find answers, but because God who is our keeper, who guards our going out and our coming in, has given new meaning to all of our suffering in the life, death, resurrection and ascension of his beloved Son.
 
See you in church!

Pastor Myers


 

 
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 23   

Spaghetti Sauce and noodles

 

October 30   

Paper towels


An Invitation to Read the Bible 

Sunday
Acts 3:14-5:41

Monday   
Acts 5:42-7:60

Tuesday
Acts 8:1-9:43

Wednesday   
Acts 10:1-12:13

Thursday
Acts 12:14-14:27

Friday
Acts 14:28-16:39

Saturday
Acts 16:40-19:21

Sunday (10/30)  
Acts 19:22-21:27
 

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        Andrew Ockert
            J. Eric Ockert
            Kathy Lewis
31        Jane Newberry
            Alyvia Burton

 
This Sunday...
October 23, 2011

"Are You Living Your Life for God?"

Deuteronomy 34:1-12                                         1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17                                                   Matthew 22:34-46


Lay Assistant: Mary Distin
Beedle/Crucifer: Abby & Megan Brown
Ushers: Carol & Bonnie Heflin, Ralph & Martha Whiteman, Norma Mettler
Greeters: Beverly Davis & Ruth Wright and Dick & Jan Speer  
Nursery: Margie & Will Myers 
Children's Church: Tom Best 
 
 


View our calendar. 

 

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:  At 9:15 in the Library,  Jeanne Robeson will facilitate a DVD called,  "Tricks of the Trade:  Outsmarting Investment Fraud."  Included will be conversations about even "religious folks" who want to scam you.  You, a friend, or family may be affected or tempted someday to give to someone with less than honorable intentions.  Please come and learn what to look out for.

Bible Study Class: meet in the Brides room.

 


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   

 


Crock-pot Cook-off Entry

Do you have a family secret recipe you prepare in your crock potcrockpot 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!

Get your entry in today!

All proceeds will go toward the cost of the 2012 Youth Mission trip next summer. 

 


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!

 


Wednesday Night Live Brief 

The 5th & 6th graders took books from our library to read to residents of Monmouth Nursing Home.  They were nervous at first, but all of them had a wonderful time and want to go back.  One nurse observed that Fred had not smiled or interacted with anyone for a while.  But today, he was intently watching the child reading to him and gave him a big smile when he was finished.  It was very moving to those who were watching. 

 

Another of our children who speaks Spanish sat with a gentleman and spoke his native language with him.  He was absolutely charmed by her and the time they spent together.

 

 


Out of the Mouths of Babes 

When the Children's Church children were asked, "Why does it seem like God made some people rich and some people poor?"  one child answered,  "Because God wants us to learn to share."


Isabel Circle 

The October meeting of Isabel Circle has been changed from October 27th to November 3rd due to parent-teacher conferences being held on October 27th.

 

The meeting will be held at the home of Jonalyn Heaton at 715 North 8th Street in Monmouth at 7:00 p.m. on November 3rd.  All women of the church are welcome to attend.

 

Vickie Young Briscoe will facilitate Lesson Two, Greatly Honored Are the Mourners from Confessing the Beatitudes, which can be found in the 2011-2012  Horizons Bible Study.  Jesus taught the Beatitudes in Roman-occupied Palestine.  The Empire of Rome brought many residents in Palestine into a system of oppression.  Famine, poverty, and economic injustice were the experience of many people in Jesus' audiences. It is in the context of the cruelty of Rome that Jesus lives and teaches.  In Lesson Two, we will learn that Jesus calls his disciples to honor the mourners, and he calls to account those who live a life of laughter unaffected by their neighbors' tears.  Through the Beatitudes, Jesus is teaching the people of his day (and us!) how to be disciples.  We will continue our journey of confession in light of the second beatitude.

 


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.    

 


2011 World Community Day

Living Our Faith, Unlocking Action
Roseville United Methodist Church
201 W. Union
Roseville, IL
Friday, November 4, 2011
Noon luncheon $6.00
Reservations are due to the church office by
Monday, October 31
309-426-2900

Handicap Accessible              Child Care Provided 
 

 


Icebreakers

The November meeting of Icebreakers will be held on November 13, at 6:00 p.m. in the Social Hall.  The program will be given by Raj and Saro Ambrose regarding their continued work in India, with Presbyterian Women serving dessert.  Please note date change! 

Reservations can be made by calling Jo Ellen Dollinger, 734-8627; Darlene Moffet, 734-5537; or Donna Larson, 734-6103.    

India Presentation

Join Raj and Saro Ambrose on Sunday, November 13, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. in the Social Hall, for a presentation on their continued work in India.  Dessert will be provided.

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!   

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.

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. 
 

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.




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!

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.  
 

Pray Concerns
Brittany Wilson (Brittany would enjoy receiving notes and cards from all of us.  Mail can be addressed to her at 902 London Street, Peoria Heights, IL 61616), Greg Gilliland, Mary Harrison, Ollie Faith Reed, Janet Paris, and Kylie Logsdon.
Contacts
Administrative Assistant
Heather Fisher
309-734-5129