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Faith United Presbyterian Church
| November 17, 2011 |
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What Do You Think?
Is There a Connection?
Recently, I had the opportunity to view an interesting YouTube video with Newt Gingrich. I haven't included the link, because I don't want to give the impression that I am endorsing his candidacy. However, my own conviction is that we have become too partisan for the good of our country and, therefore, when someone across the aisle says something worthy of our consideration, I am inclined to offer the opportunity.
Speaking at a conference at The Breakers in 2009, Mr. Gingrich identifies the nation's economic crisis as a cultural problem. "We don't want to reward saving and investing. We don't want to reward working. We don't want to encourage being prudent. We don't want to tell the truth about your finances. We don't want to make you be a responsible adult. And you think you can run a country this way?" What made this more than a gibe at the current administration was the fact that Mr. Gingrich acknowledges that this cultural problem, which includes a lack of leadership on the part of our elected officials, has been going on for twenty-five years. Thus, both parties are to be held accountable.
I mention Mr. Gingrich's comments, because they echo those of Thomas Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum in their book, "That Used to Be Us, How America Fell Behind in the World it Invented and How We Can Come Back." As I wrote about their book a few months ago, I won't go into detail, but their point is similar to Mr. Gingrich's. Many of the values, priorities and practices, upon which our country was founded have languished. Moreover, they will continue to languish, if there are not intentional efforts to reclaim them.
In the YouTube video, Mr. Gingrich offers a stirring retelling of the sacrifices made by General Washington and his army as they prepared for their march on Trenton on Christmas Day 1776. He challenges our current generation to recognize the high cost of living a virtuous life and the sacrifices we must make to become the people we are called to be.
As I considered his words, I realized that somewhere along the line, we lost the connection between sacrifice and prosperity. My grandparents, part of the Greatest Generation, knew this connection well. But, their generation's understanding didn't always get passed down to the next. Too many, in our time, do not see the connection between freedom and responsibility, sacrifice and prosperity. We want it all and we want it now.
As many of you know from my writing and preaching, I place much of the burden on people of faith, who have turned away from the life of faith, lived in a community of faith. There, I believe, is where the connections are to be made. Hoping and praying, we or our children will simply make these connections by osmosis is futile. We have to make choices, difficult choices, that we may make the connections and live virtuous lives. This often requires us to say, "No", to cultural mores and seek the mind of Christ. While none of us are perfect in this endeavor, it is the life for which we must strive, as people of faith.
As we prepare to celebrate our nation's Thanksgiving, I would invite us all to reflect, not only upon the many blessings we have received, but upon the life choices we must make, if our lives, our families, our congregation and our communities are to become who we were created to be. Let us make the connection with Jesus Christ and his church.
See you in church!
Pastor Myers |
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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.
November 20
Cereal
November 27
Soups & Canned meat
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| An Invitation to Read the Bible
Sunday
Philippians 2:1-
Colossians 1:15
Monday
Colossians 1:16 -
1 Thessalonians 1:5
Tuesday
1 Thessalonians 1:6 -
2 Thessalonians 1:2
Wednesday
2 Thessalonians 1:3 -
1 Timothy 3:5
Thursday
1 Timothy 3:6 -
2 Timothy 1:17
Friday
2 Timothy 1:18 -
Titus 1:15
Saturday
Titus 1:16 -
Hebrews 2:17
Sunday (11/27)
Hebrews 2:18 - 7:13
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November Birthdays 1 Larry Inman 2 Scott Gibson 6 Dalton Hottle 7 Tammi Hottle Heather Turnquist 8 Alice Lawson Alison Clark Susan Gilliland 9 Lila Blum Kylie Finnicum 10 Jodi Cheek Donna Lee 11 Megan Brown Brenda Runge 13 George Haynes 14 Dixie Wells 16 Deborah Stanton Jamie Youngblood 21 Mia Logsdon 26 Carolyn Simpson 27 Cindy Erickson Krista Larson 29 Bill Lee 30 Carolyn Meling
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This Sunday...
November 20, 2011
Rev. Bob Clark will be leading worship.
Lay Assistant: Craig WatsonBeedle/Crucifer: Jessica Wilson & Landon Crosier Ushers: Julie Armstrong, Bob Wells, Josh Clark, Nancy Dowell, Lolla Ballard
Greeters: Bill Hoover & Debbie Hall and Alice Lawson & Susan VanKirk
Nursery: Amy Gound & Natalie Baber
Children's Church: Alison Clark
PW Potluck: Bring table service and a dish to pass.
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: meet in the Social Hall
We have the opportunity to extend our series on Economics with a few additional guest speakers.
November 20 - Mr. Paul Schuytema will tell us about the Economic
situation in Monmouth.
The Advent Series will be lead by Pastor Myers from the book, " God is in the
Manger: Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Reflection on Advent and Christmas." Copies of
the material will be available in the Social Hall on November 20. Reading for
this class is not necessary in order to enjoy the class.
November 27 - Waiting
December 4 - Mystery
December 11 - Redemption
December 18 - Incarnation
Bible Study Class: meet in the Brides' Room.
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Faith & Art - Advent Calendars
Our next display will begin on Sunday, November 27, and it requires you to dig into your Christmas things a little early. We will have a display of Advent Calendars. Many families have shared the tradition of opening a window on a paper calendar each day. This symbolized the expectation and waiting all have done for the birth of the Christ child. If you have saved some of those calendars please bring them in before Sunday, November 20. We will also welcome all Advent calendars whether paper, cloth, wooden etc. You may pick up your pictures from the previous display after November 22. Thank you!
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Thank Offering and Thanksgiving Potluck
Presbyterian Women will once again accept donations for the Thank Offering on Sunday, November 20, 2011. The offering collected is a way for women to express their gratitude for the special blessings in their lives.There are no guide lines for giving other than give as you are blessed. The offering is used for many different things, such as health ministries, drug counseling, homelessness, elderly care, child care, and community organizations.
PW will also be hosting our annual Thanksgiving potluck on Sunday, following worship. Bring a dish to pass and table service.
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Community Thanksgiving Service
Join the Warren County Ministerial Association for their Annual Community Thanksgiving Service on November 21, 2011, at 12:10 p.m. at Monmouth College's Dahl Chapel. In addition to the Rev. Dr. William C. Myers doing the meditation for the service, the Monmouth College Chorale will be singing, and there will also be a free-will offering taken for Jamieson Center and other community organizations.
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Community Thanksgiving Dinner
There will be a Community Thanksgiving Dinner at The Monmouth American Legion on Thursday, November 24, 2011, serving from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Please call Sue at New Life Foursquare Gospel Church at 734-3052, to have a meal delivered or for more information.
If you'd like to volunteer, please come to The American Legion on Wednesday from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. or Thursday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. to volunteer in any way.
Donations may be made to the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Security Savings Bank.
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Monmouth Roseville Madrigal Singers
The Monmouth-Roseville Madrigal Singers will offer their special music during worship on Sunday, November 27.
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Congregational Meeting
Following worship on November 27, we will have our annual meeting where we will vote on newly elected officers.
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Happy Birthday!
The family of Carolyn Simpson cordially invites all Faith friends to coffee hour on November 27, to help celebrate her 85th birthday. See you there!
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Advent Devotions
Devotional readings for each day of Advent will be available on November 27 - the first day of Advent. You may pick one up under the mirror outside the office or in the Narthex. This year's devotional is called "The Unfolding Journey" and comes from Presbyterian Today.
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Advent Fair & Supper
On Wednesday, November 30, all people of the church are welcome to begin the advent season by helping us decorate the church and create items to take home with you.
5:30 - A meatloaf supper will be provided free of charge.
6:00 - We will begin decorating and making advent items.
7:00+ - Ending.
Singles, Couples, and Families and friends are all welcome.
It is necessary for you to sign up on the office door so that we can make enough food and crafts.
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Madrigals
The Icebreakers program planning for the year included a Saturday night or Sunday afternoon at the Monmouth-Roseville High School Madrigals program under the direction of Kevin Ferry (December 3 & 4) and the Galesburg High School Madrigals program where Carolyn Kellert Griffiths is director (December 10 & 11). Both schools do excellent programs.
Those interested in the Monmouth-Roseville School should contact the school directly (734-5118). The reservations for the Galesburg program will work better through a group reservation.
The format for each appears as follows:
Monmouth-Roseville High School: Saturday evening, December 3, at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday afternoon, December 4, at 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $15
Menu: ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans with bacon, fruit cup, cheese
cake, roll
Galesburg High School: Saturday evening, December 10, at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday afternoon, December 11, at 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $14
Menu: wassail, soup, 1/2 chicken, rice, green beans, fruit salad, figgy pudding
Reservations for either Galesburg program made through the Church need to be made and paid for by Wednesday, November 23. Checks should be made out to: Faith United Presbyterian Church along with the names of those attending. (A printed program will include all names). Contact Jim McCurdy at 734-2638 if you have questions.
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The Buchanan Community Chorus
The Buchanan Community Chorus presents The Music of Christmas, on December 2, at First United Methodist Church in Galesburg at 7:00 p.m. Special musical guest will include District 205 Singing Streaks, and on December 3, at First United Methodist Church in Monmouth at 4:00 p.m. with musical guest "The Dancers". Cost is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for students (under 17 - free). This concert is partially funded by a grant from the Buchanan Center for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
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College Care Packages
We would like to thank the many Monmouth College students who participate in the life of our congregation by giving them a care package of goodies during their finals. We need your help.
Please sign up on the office door if you can donate a homemade baked good, microwave popcorn, candy, hot chocolate, or fresh fruit. Please bring it to the church by Sunday morning, December 4, at 9:00 a.m. Care packages will be assembled and delivered on that day.
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Time for Refreshment
Join Pastor Myers onThursdays, 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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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.
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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Dr. David Allison Memorial Service
David Allison's memorial service has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 29, at 2:00 p.m. in Dahl Chapel. Because of the lack of campus parking, Monmouth College will be running two shuttles from the Faith Church parking lot, beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m. Rev. Dr. Teri Ott will be officiating, but details of the service are still pending.
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Pray Concerns
Premraj Ambrose (Raj's brother who recently underwent major surgery), Lauren Hendel, Al Kulczewski, Janet Paris, and Kylie Logsdon.
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Contacts
Administrative Assistant
Heather Fisher
309-734-5129 |
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