January 19, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
Bill
What Do You Think? Is Our Faith Well Founded? 
 
"The one who trusts in God will receive a blessing of inner peace and strength.  We gain confidence knowing that in whatever the circumstances we find ourselves - whether in want or plenty, whether in life or death - God is present and we are richly blessed."
 
These words of David Bland were not lost on me this morning.  They were among my devotional reflections today and, last night, our session approved the budget for 2012.
 
Mr. Bland was commenting on one of the lectionary readings for Sunday, Psalm 62:5-12.
 
"For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.  On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.  Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.  Those of low estate are but a breath, those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.  Put no confidence in extortion, and set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, do not set your heart on them.  Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord.  For you repay to all according to their work."
 
It is always helpful to be reminded, especially at budget time, where our faith is to be founded.  While we have some modest reserve funds, we are a church that lives on "daily bread".  Though our ministries compare favorably with most congregations our size, or even a little larger, our stewardship and our budget do not.  The upside of this is that we must put our trust in God.  The downside is that it makes it hard to dream.  How can our session and our staff dream about new ministries, when we can barely provide for what we are already doing?  How can we reach out to new people, in new ways, when it takes all that we have to take care of our own?
 
I raise these questions because we have a budget for 2012.  Our session and trustees met, and because of the hard work of our Stewardship and Budget Committee, we had a balanced budget put together in less than two hours.  We have taken a relatively conservative approach to income.  We did not have to make any significant cuts in staff or programming.  Our staff will receive a 2.5% cost of living increase.  We are only borrowing $6000 from our reserves to balance the budget.  Our bottom line is $232,000, well below our year end income of $245,000 last year.  So what it the problem?  Why didn't we dream bigger?  Perhaps a budget of $240,000?  Because our year end expenses were $254,000, which left us with a $9000 deficit in 2011.
 
Again, we made our budget, what is the problem?  The problem is that stewardship is not about making budget.  Stewardship is a way of life.  Generally, those who are good stewards with their finances are good stewards of the other blessings God provides.  Those who are not good stewards of their wealth, generally, make poor life choices in other areas, as well.  So, I have a pastoral concern for individuals in our congregation, whose stewardship practices may be undermining their relationship with God.  But my larger concern is for our congregation as a whole.  Our finances, or lack thereof, play too large a role in determining our ministry.  I am grateful we made our budget for another year, but I fear having a budget for 2012 will simply put off the conversation we must have about our stewardship and the ministry to which God has called us.
 
Personally, I understand that "in plenty and in want" our lives belong to God.  I am grateful that God has provided for us, for yet another year.  Nevertheless, the question remains for our congregation, is our faith well founded?  Is the salvation of God the source of our life together?  People of faith, the answers to these questions will only be found in the quality of our stewardship.

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...
 
"What Led You to Follow Jesus?"                                                                                               

Jonah 3:1-5, 10                                                        1 Corinthians 7:29-31

Psalm 62:5-12                                                                          Mark 1:14-20

 

Lay Assistant: Karen Angotti     

Beedle/Crucifer: Courtney Fisher & Landon Crosier
Ushers: Tim Phelps, Tom & Will Best, Chuck Peirce, Will Myers      
Greeters: Bill & Erma Smallwood and Bette Vance & Jane Warfield          

Children's Church:  Erika Solberg 

Coffee Hour: Bob Green 

Nursery: Amy Gound & Natalie Baber          

 

 

View our  calendar.   

 

 

 
Sunday School - 9:15 a.m.

 

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 22, Pastor Myers will discuss the budget for 2012 with all who are interested.  This group will meet in the Social Hall.
 
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:

January 22 - Chili beans, tomato juice, canned tomatoes
January 29 - Hamburger & Tuna Helper, canned tuna
February 5 - Brownie and cake mixes and frosting
February 12 - pancake mix and syrup
February 19 - canned vegetables and canned meat
February 26 - noodles, sauce, and soups

 

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



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!

An Invitation to Read the Bible
Sunday - Numbers 33:1-35:11, Monday - Numbers 35:12-Deuteronomy 1:46, Tuesday - Deuteronomy 2:1-4:23, Wednesday - Deuteronomy 4:24-6:25, Thursday - Deuteronomy 7:1-10:21, Friday - Deuteronomy 10:22-13:17, Saturday - Deuteronomy 13:18-16:22, Sunday (1/29/12) - Deuteronomy 17:1-20:20     



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!!!

 

Book Drive
HMW Regional Office of Educational 27 Early Learning is looking for donations of new or gently used board books.  These board books will go to Henderson, Mercer, and Warren County families with children ages 0-3 to assist with building family libraries.  Books may be dropped off at:  1st Street Armoury, West Central Elementary School, West Central Preschool, Apollo Elementary School, and New Boston Elementary School. For more information or to arrange pickup contact Jodie or Angie at 734-8991 or email atorrance@hmwroe27.com or jatteberry@hmwroe27.com.  This project is ongoing.

 

Homemade Soup Meal

Little Cedar Presbyterian Church in Little York will have a soup meal on Sunday, February 26, from 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  You will have your choice of soup, salad bar, dessert, and drink. Donation will be taken at the door.  There will also be a silent auction.

 

2012 Presbytery Night at the Ballpark

The date has been set! Mark your calendars now and join us for the last Presbytery Night at the Ballpark on Friday, June 22, 2012 at 7:00pm.  Ticket price is $8.00.  There will be a limited number of tickets this time, it will be first come first served.  If interested, contact Heather at 734-5129.

 

Congratulations
To Tia Taylor, on the birth of her daughter, Kenna Raeann, who was born on Saturday, January 14, 2012.  
 
Sympathy
To the family and friends of Elizabeth James who died on January 16, 2012.  Her visitation will be Friday, January 20, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Turnbull's Funeral Home.  The
funeral service will follow immediately after her visitation. 
 
Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers:
Darlene Peters (Sharon Graham's aunt), Janet Paris, Greg Gilliland, and Al Kulczewski.