January 26, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
Bill
What Do You Think? Blessing or Curse?  
 
"Be careful for what you pray", we say.  For we know enough about life, and our capacity for poor life choices, to know that our heart's desires, as wonderful as they may seem at the time, are not always blessings.  I was reminded of this in my devotional reading from the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer this week.
 
Commenting upon Genesis 1:28, "God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." and Genesis 1:31, "God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good.", Dr. Bonhoeffer was reflecting upon "The Blessing of God as Promise."  According to Dr. Bonhoeffer, blessings and curses are bestowed upon us by God.  While we frequently don't understand or comprehend either, they are, nevertheless, very real burdens that God places upon God's people.
 
"This blessing - be fruitful, feed yourselves, rule, have dominion over the world (Genesis 1:28) - affirms human beings entirely in the world of the living in which they are placed; it is their entire empirical existence that is blessed here, their creaturely nature, their worldliness, their earthiness.  Yet what happens if this very blessing ever changes into a curse?  But what does this blessing mean, other than that God saw that his work was very good? (Genesis 1:31)"
 
Dr. Bonhoffer captures well the tension in which we, as people of faith, must live.  In our lives and in our life together, we have been bestowed an abundance of blessings.  Even the poorest among us, enjoy a material wealth, of which, past generations, not to mention three quarters of our world today, could only dream.  Even those working multiple jobs to make ends meet, benefit from the technological growth and resources that offer us, not only unprecedented productivity, but vast opportunities for leisure, as well.  Our children, too, have countless opportunities for enrichment and growth.
 
As we consider all that we have received, especially in light of the hardships which faced our grandparents and great grandparents, not to mention those facing our sisters and brothers in many countries today, we must give thanks.  For one of the greatest tragedies in life occurs, when those who are abundantly blessed fail to realize what they have been given.  We must give thanks, but we must also be mindful, for, as Dr. Bonhoeffer wisely identifies, the very blessings for which we give thanks can, if not used faithfully, become curses.
 
Consider our culture - our wealth, our power, our sexuality, our stewardship - our world is filled with the witness of both - those who are faithful with the blessings they have received and those being consumed by God's good works of creation.  People of faith, in the living of our lives, and in our life together, I pray we have the faith to discern wisely.

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...
 
"Do You Understand The Dangerous Business
 We Are Called To Be About?"                                                                                               

Deuteronomy 18:15-20                                                     1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Psalm 111                                                                                     Mark 1:21-28

 

Lay Assistant: Scott McClintock    

Beedle/Crucifer: Jessica Wilson and Will Best
Ushers: Gary Distin, Jon Graham, Bill Hoover, Dick Speer, Larry Willett
Greeters: Bob & Dixie Wells and Tom & Will Best        

Children's Church: Alison Clark  

Coffee Hour:  Bob Green 

Nursery: Cindy Erickson           

 

 

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 - This group will meet in the Social Hall.

Immigration to Monmouth

January 29 - El Norte - We will watch the first half of this film that gives an accurate portrayal of the reasons and struggles for the immigration of people from Mexico and Central America into the United States.

February 5 - El Norte - We will finish the film and continue discussion.

February 12 - Michelle Rayburn, HR manager at Farmland Foods, will speak about how immigration has affected this local business.


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 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!



An Invitation to Read the Bible
Sunday - Deuteronomy 17:1-20:20, Monday - Deuteronomy 21:1-24:21, Tuesday - Deuteronomy 24:22-28:12, Wednesday - Deuteronomy 28:13-29:29, Thursday - Deuteronomy 30:1-32:36, Friday - Deuteronomy 32:37-Joshua 1:18, Saturday - Joshua 2:1-6:15, Sunday (2/5/12) - Joshua 6:16-9:12.      



Soup Sampler Supper
The Lions Club will hold a Soup Sampler Supper at Faith United Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, January 31, from 5-7:00 p.m. in the Social Hall.  Sample 15-20 different soups; beverages, crackers, and cookies - all you can eat!  A free-will donation will be accepted.  Proceeds benefit the club's community service projects.       



Souper Bowl of Caring

On Sunday, February 5, our children will be holding out soup pots after worship.  They will be offering you the opportunity to give $1.00 to raise money for Souper Bowl of Caring.  Souper Bowl of Caring is a national effort to combat hunger  on Super Bowl Sunday when most of the country is filling their stomachs with notoriously unhealthy food while others go hungry.  Please help our children raise funds to support the hunger helpers in our community, Starting Point and Jamieson Center.Thank you.

  

Lewistown Elder Training Cancelled 

Due to low registration numbers, this Saturday's Elder Training for January 28th has been cancelled.      


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!!!

 

Valentine Luncheon
Isabel Circle will have their Annual Valentine Luncheon on Sunday, February 12, following worship.  Please sign up on the office door if you'd like to attend.    

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.

 

Potato Bake Thank You
A big thank you to all who helped with and supported the Youth Potato Bake. We had a great turn out and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with our church family! The youth are very grateful for your support!

Stephanie
 
Thank You
To All of the Wonderful Members and Staff of Faith United Presbyterian Church,

Thank you so very  much for your thoughtfulness and prayers.  The pink rose and beautiful card prove how blessed we are in becoming members of such a gracious church.  Little Miss Kenna and I are doing great and hope to be seeing you all very soon.  Thank you all so very much!

Tia & Kenna Taylor 
 
Sympathy
To Carolyn Simpson, family, and friends, on the death of her brother, Charles Hendrickson, who died on January 21, 2012.
 
Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers:
Darlene Peters (Sharon Graham's aunt), Janet Paris, Greg Gilliland, and Al Kulczewski.