January 12, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
Bill
What Do You Think? Where is the Shortfall? 
 
What a difference a week makes.  Last week, I shared with you my concern that we might be ending the year with a $20,000 deficit in our operating budget.  On Sunday, Andrea discovered that she had been counting the expenses for the kitchen renovation twice, a line item over $12,000.  For those of you keeping score, that would mean a deficit, of just over $9000, between our actual income and expenses for last year.  However, when we add the memorial gifts we have received this year, we will end the year with a surplus slightly over $14,000.
 
While this is relatively good news, a $9000 deficit is better than a $20,000 deficit by anyone's measure; our session will still face significant challenges in presenting a sustainable budget that provides for the level of ministry to which we have grown accustomed.  What that budget will look like, and what ministries and staffing it will, or won't, support has yet to be determined.  While I don't anticipate finding anymore "bank errors in our favor", there are some outstanding pledges that could yet come in and they would impact our 2012 Budget.  The good news in all of this is that, while I do anticipate some changes in the coming year, I don't believe they will be as severe as it seemed they might be, even a couple of weeks ago.
 
Whether our current financial challenges result in staffing changes, a reduction in ministries or transferring a larger portion of our reserves to sustain our budget, I trust the transparency we have shown through the process, in part, by keeping you informed about the financial challenges we face, will enable us to move forward together.  Over the past few weeks, you have been charged to prayerfully discern God's call for you to be a faithful steward of your time, talents, and money in our life together.  Our session trusts that you have done this and will enter into our discussion with the understanding that the numbers we have to work with reflect the resources God has provided us to do the ministry God has called us to do in the coming year.
 
Last week, I mentioned our session must discern a way forward with faith, hope, and trust that God will continue to provide us the resources to do the ministry God has called us to do.  We continue to ask for your prayers, for their work and our life together.  As you do, I would invite you to reflect upon this enigma:  Our God is gracious.  Our people are generous.  For years, if not decades, our budget has not reflected this.  Where is the shortfall?

See you in church!
 
Pastor Myers

 
Upcoming Birthdays 
 
January

 

2          Rose Trimble

            Carol Heflin

            Mitch McVey

6          John Turnbull

7          Ann Phelps

            Eddie Solberg-Hale

10        Bob Roney

            Sheila Wilson

            Darlene Moffet

11        Noah Sorensen

13        Jill McClintock

14        Jacob McLaughlin

            Alis Chy

15        Natalie Baber

            Matthew Blackford

18        Peggy Figle

            Steve Distin

20        Ann Kellogg Lal 

            Jim Lewis

25        Molly Inman

26        Heather Fisher

27        Dawn Fleming

28        Barb Gossett

29        Nisha Hager

30        Ron Murdock

 

 
This Sunday...
 

"Is Something Keeping You from an

               Authentic Relationship with God?"

                                                                                             

Samuel 3:1-20                                                                    1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-1872:1-7, 10-14                                               John 1:43-51


Lay Assistant: Ian Moschenross     
Beedle/Crucifer: Job & Noah Runge
Ushers: Julie Armstrong, Bob Wells, Josh Clark, Nancy Dowell,
Lolla Ballard      
Greeters: Mary Baker & Evelyn Carlson and Tom & Eileen Giddings          

Children's Church:  Erika Solberg 

Coffee Hour: Bob Green 

Nursery: TBA         

 

 

View our  calendar.   

 

 

 
Sunday School

 

Sunday School for children ages 3-18 will begin meeting again this Sunday, January 8.  Pre-K - 6th grades meet upstairs above the Social Hall.  7th-12th grades meet in the red room of the Youth Wing. 

Faith & Life
January 15, Pastor Myers will finish the series, "Dietrich Bonhoeffer:  Coming to the Manger" with a final series concerning Epiphany.  This group will meet in the Social Hall at 9:15.
 
Sunday Bible Study
Joyce Hagemann's class will not meet in January and February.
 

 

Jamieson Center
Help us stock the food pantry at Jamieson!  You may bring anything non-perishable and place it under the sign outside the office.  To make it easier, you could go with a schedule such as this:

Jan. 15 - Boxed breakfast foods
Jan. 22 - Chili beans, tomato juice, canned tomatoes
Jan. 29 - Hamburger & Tuna Helper, canned tuna

 

Let's fill the boxes each week!  Thank you!


 


An Invitation to Read the Bible
Sunday - Numbers 15:22-17:13, Monday - Numbers 18:1-20:29, Tuesday - Numbers 21:1-23:14, Wednesday - Numbers 23:15-26:26, Thursday - Numbers 26:27-28:30, Friday - Numbers 28:31-31:21, Saturday - Numbers 31:22-32:42, Sunday (1/22/12) - Numbers 33:1-35:11    



Welcome New Officers
Elders - Kristie Murdock, Barbara Byrne, Rob Hale, Tammi Hottle, Dee Ann Shuff, Rod Lemon; Trustees - Les Dollingers, Jon Graham, Bonnie Heflin, Chuck Peirce; Deacons - Ted Briscoe, Jo Ellen Dollinger, Debbie Hall, Betty McBride, and Carolyn Meling

 


Preliminary Budget
A preliminary budget will be made available for review in the office after the session meeting on Tuesday, January 17, for those who are interested.

Wednesday Night Live  
Attention Volunteers, we will begin again on Wednesday, January 18.   Our first kitchen team includes Sheila Wilson, Roberta Hasten, and Jenny Carrier.   

 

Children and parents, remember that we end now at 6:00 p.m.  Children will be picked up in the same place by the same person unless otherwise advised.  If you have a question please call Mrs. Myers at 734-5129.

Congregational Meeting
Congregational Meeting:  On Sunday, January 22, the annual meeting of Faith United Presbyterian Church will be held immediately following worship.  This is an important meeting in which the budget will be presented and the congregation will approve the annual report, including the Terms of Call for Pastor Myers.

Annual Potato Bake  
On Sunday, January 22, the youth will have their annual Potato Bake following the congregational meeting.  A free will donation will be received where the proceeds will go toward their youth mission trip in the summer.  If you are able to help with a salad or dessert, please sign up on the office door.  Thank you!

Faith & Art

The display in the Social Hall for January is from the Presbyterian Women's Bible Study Series.  Each year an artist is hired to produce works of art which represent the title of the Bible Study.  This years study is "The Beatitudes."  A description of each piece and a prayer are beside each matted picture.  Please take time to examine this unusual art work.   

 

About the Artist:  Ann Kim is a contemporary artist from Seoul, Korea.   In 1994 her Christian faith walk crossed over into her profession.  Ann Kim's paintings were transformed and her ministry began.  Through national and international exhibitions she became recognized as a visual artist whose art is infused with Christian themes.  Ann Kim has redefined "biblical art"  into something modern, contemplative, and ecumenical.  She now lives north of New York City.  Her creations are inspired by the joys of the Lord, her loved ones, and the blessings of overcoming breast cancer. 

 

Faith & Art - February - Weddings! 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!  Please bring one framed or unframed picture of your wedding to the church for display.  No need to have been married here.  We want pictures from every decade.  Don't be shy... lets "share the love".  Please bring your photo's to Margie's office by Tuesday, January 31.  Please include your names, date, and place of your wedding.   We want to fill the walls!!!

 
Thank You
Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of Jamieson Center, I would like to extend our thanks for your wonderful out pouring of love and compassion shown during our holiday programs.  Every individual and family benefited from your generous hearts.

It is extremely gratifying to realize how truly wonderful our area citizens, businesses, churches, and clubs are in displays of generosity and compassion.  Over $7500 in monetary gifts as well as an abundance of food, clothing, quilts/blankets and toys were donated to our programs.

Your gift helped to provide new clothing and toys to 212 children ages one through ten and to distribute holiday food baskets to an additional 112 families.  This helping hand to families residing in Warren County is made possible only through your loving kindness and support.  On their behalf I extend to you, again thanks and appreciation.

Sincerely,
Jan Sprout, Executive Director


 
Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers:
Darlene Peters (Sharon Graham's aunt), Janet Paris, Greg Gilliland, and Al Kulczewski.