March 1, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
Bill
What Do You Think? "Do We Have the Eyes to See?"  
 
One of my "favorite" shows on television is on the Discovery Channel, Gold Rush.  Gold Rush is heading into the third year of production.  The premise of the show seems to be, "Can a ragtag group of green horns strike it rich in the Alaskan Klondike?"  In describing the first season, the show's Facebook page puts it this way:  "In the face of an economic meltdown, six men will risk everything to strike it rich mining for gold in the wilds of Alaska.  Todd Hoffman of Sandy, Oregon, along with his father, are leading a group of greenhorn miners in search of the American dream and a new frontier.  Gold fever is back, and the rush is on, but they have just five months to set up a gold mine and strike it rich before winter closes them down.  While leasing a gold claim in Alaska, Todd and company must ward off bears, build homes for their families, and keep the operation running as they take fate into their own hands with a make or break venture that will change their lives forever."
 
The group's first effort was a bust.  They didn't mine much gold and lost their claim.  The second season, they faired quite a bit better on a new claim up in the Yukon.  At 93 oz., they fell just a little shy of their 100 oz. goal, but each man came home a little vial of gold worth about $8000 for five months work.  No one struck it rich, but they were successful enough that they will probably be back next year.
 
I put quotes around it being my favorite show, because I have a lot of theological questions about the show.  First, I don't think much of reality shows in general, because they give us a false perception of reality.  Can anyone say Kardashian?  Second, if the American Dream is just about striking it rich, I have a hard time promoting the American Dream.  Finally, I can't bear to think about the cost of this show on our environment, given the thousands of gallons of diesel they are using in their equipment and the hundreds of acres of pristine Alaskan tundra they are destroying to find a few ounces of gold.
 
In spite of this, I do watch the show and I marvel.  I marvel at how much can go wrong and how many poor decisions they can make in a single episode.  I marvel at their tenacity and hope.  I marvel at their ability to see a few ounces of gold hidden in a ton of mud and rubble.  Jack, the 'old miner' in the Hoffman crew, can look at a bucket of mud and tell if there is gold.  He seems to have no trouble sifting out the tiny flakes and nuggets.  I look at the same bucket of mud or pile of rubble and see rocks and dirt.  My eyes have not been trained to see gold the way Jack's eyes have been.
 
I have to wonder, if there is not a parallel here to the life of faith.  Where I cannot see a fleck of gold in a bucket of mud, I can see the hand of God at work in the world.  I can see the presence of Christ in people's lives.  I can see the power of the Holy Spirit birthing transforming moments through the life of faith.  Sure, my eyes aren't perfect.  I miss a nugget or a flake now and then, but so does Jack.  The point is, having lived the life of faith, I have learned, and will continue to learn, to see God.
 
On Sunday, as we looked again at the baptism of Jesus, I suggested, "there are times in our lives, too, when the heavens are opened, and, through Jesus, we see the world as God intends.  The better we understand the life and love of Christ, the more we can appreciate these moments, when they occur."
 
In our culture, there are too many people, even members of churches, who cannot see when the heavens are opened.  They question the good news of God's love in Jesus Christ, because they do not have the eyes to see.  They question the existence of God, because they cannot see the hand of God at work in the world.  They cannot see the love of Christ in others, because they have not offered their own lives to Christ.  They cannot see the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in their lives, because they have not learned to worship.
 
People of faith, in this season of Lent, I would invite you to reflect upon your relationship with God.  Let God shatter whatever hardness may remain in your heart.  Let Christ stake his claim upon your life.  Let the Holy Spirit help you to see the world in a new way, that, by growing in the life of faith, you, too, will have the eyes to see that which is far more precious than gold, the very love of God in Jesus Christ.

See you in church!
 
Pastor Myers

 
Out of the Mouths of Babes... 

 

While at school (kindergarten) a child asked Mrs. Myers if her necklace (cross) was a church thing.  Traylynn (Jim & Kris Brown's granddaughter) piped up and said, "Yes, that's a cross.  Mrs. Myers goes to my church and so does Rhett and Onnalee and Jacob, and you can come, too!"          

 

 

 

 

March Birthdays 

 

1          Genevieve Ball

3          Deena Fisher

4          David Distin

5          Mary Baker

            Joyce Hagemann

7          Rhett Willett

8          Sally McVey

9          Matt Lewis

10        Jessica Wilson

11        Kristie Murdock

            Ruth Carwile

            Julie Armstrong

12        Ron Tenold

19        James Connell

            Samantha Cheek

18        Shanae Glasgow

19        Dale Dingman

23        Jonalyn Heaton

            Kathy Rickey

            Bob Wells

26        Barbara Solberg-Hale

27        Harlow Blum

28        Phyllis Wheeler

29        Vernon Mettler

30        Jim Hallstrom

31        Gentry Sorensen

            Lisa Willett


 

 

 
This Sunday...
 
"Which Frightens Us More?"   

   

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16                                                      Romans 4:13-25

Psalm 22:23-31                                                                        Mark 8:31-38

 

Lay Assistant:  Tom Sargent

Beedle/Crucifer: Dalton Willett & Landen Crosier
Ushers: Jim Brown, John Turnbull, Greg Baber, John Lyle
Greeters: Jenny Carrier and Robin Eiler & Colton McClintock                

Children's Church: Lisa Willett      

Nursery: Jim & Shari Glasgow    

Coffee Hour: Gene & Donna Larson              

 

 

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.
March 4 - Dr. Heather Brady (Monmouth College) will complete our series on Immigration. 

March 11 - April 1 - Continue the series on "The Devil and C.S.Lewis."

 

Sunday Bible Study
This class will resume on March 4 in the Bride's Room across from the chapel.  All adults are welcome to attend. The 12 week unit will cover God's Creative Word through John.  The first lesson is now available in the cabinet in the classroom.
 

 

Lenten Devotionals

This year's devotionals come from the Presbyterian Church USA.  They are called "Living the Word" and are written in Korean as well.  Please pick up your devotional under the mirror at the parking lot door or in the narthex on Sunday.  There are a limited number, but, if we run out others are available from previous years.

 


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:

March 4 - Hamburger and Tuna Helper
March 11 - cake mixes, frosting, and brownie mixes
March 18 - canned vegetables and canned meat
March 25 - pancake mix and syrup

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



An Invitation to Read the Bible

Sunday - 2 Samuel 13:39-15:37, Monday - 2 Samuel 16:1-18:33, Tuesday - 2 Samuel 19:1-21:22, Wednesday - 2 Samuel 22:1-23:38, Thursday -
2 Samuel 23:39 - 1 Kings 1:53, Friday - 1 Kings 2:1-4:17, Saturday - 1 Kings 4:18-7:12, Sunday (03/11/12) - 1 Kings 7:13-8:47.     


2012 Ecumenical Lenten Lay Breakfast

 

The 37th Annual Lenten Lay Breakfast series began on Friday, February 24, and continue each Friday morning through Good Friday, April 6.  Strom Center will, again, be the host for the series.  Breakfast begins at 6:30 a.m. with the program from 7:15-7:45 a.m. The list of participating churches is as follows:

 

March 2            Faith United Presbyterian

March 9            Fairview Center Methodist/Coldbrook Christian

March 16          Immaculate Conception

March 23          First United Methodist

March 30          Heritage Presbyterian

April 6               Immanuel Baptist/River of Life

 

The breakfast series is sponsored by the Warren County Ministerial Association.

 

Thai Circle


Thai Circle will meet this morning at 9:30 a.m. in the Social Hall.  Lesson 5 of this year's study guide will be discussed.   

 


World Day of Prayer


The Christian women of Malaysia invite all women to join them Friday, March 2, for World Day of Prayer 2012.  Our local worship service will be held at Cameron Christian Church at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 2.   

 


You Are Invited!


Jon and Sharon Graham of Biggsville, Illinois will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house hosted by their daughter and family at Faith United Presbyterian Church from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 3.  All friends and family are invited.  The couple has requested no gifts, please.

Jon Graham and Sharon Galley were married on March 4, 1962 at University Avenue Methodist Church in Peoria, Illinois.

They are the parents of one daughter, Lorella (Bill) McLaughlin and two granddaughters of Edwardsville, Illinois.   

 


Fillman Fellowship


Fillman Fellowship will meet on Thursday, March 8, at 9:30 a.m. in the church parking lot to go up to the Maple City Restaurant for coffee.  Anyone is welcome to join us.

 


Icebreakers

 

Mark your calendar! Save the date!

The Icebreakers present

for all members and friends of Faith United Presbyterian Church

The Icebreakers Revue

March 18, 2012, 6:00 p.m.

Dessert followed by songs, silliness, skits (some with a message, some not exactly), riddles, and miscellany for your entertainment by Icebreakers members, Junior Highs, Senior Highs, known  

and unknown talents.

To participate as a cast member, notify Gary or Mary Distin or Gene or Donna Larson.   We will be in (minimal) rehearsal soon.

To participate as an audience member, watch for sign ups to come.

 


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.

 

1st Annual DuWayne Brooks Music Festival for Diabetes
"Creating Awareness; Raising Hope!"

Dear Friends,

 

My name is DuWayne Brooks and as many of you know I am a Viet Nam Veteran with diabetes.  About two years ago I lost my left leg, below the knee to diabetes.  I am now living with a prothesis and I am doing well and enjoying my retirement life here in Monmouth.

 

There was a tremendous outpouring of help, support, and love from you through a benefit that was put on for me in 2010.  I want to thank you all.  It was an amazing day that helped change my life forever.

 

Now it is time for me to give back!  Under the sanction of the American Diabetes Association, I am proud to announce, The First Annual DuWayne Brooks Music Festival for Diabetes... "Creating Awareness; Raising Hope!"   

 

The event will be held on June 23, 2012 at the Rivoli Theatre/Bijou Pub Complex.  There will be music all day from a wide variety of genres, a large silent auction, a panel discussion, bake sales, raffles, food, and much more.   

 

You can help in several different ways.  First of all you can mark that date on your calendar and plan to spend a fun-filled, informative day with us.  Secondly, you can support us through different levels of financial sponsorship.  Bronze ($50-$150), Silver ($151-$250), Gold ($251-$499), Platinum ($500 and up).

 

A third option is through donations of merchandise and in kind services for our silent auction.  Our fourth option of support would be baked goods (both sugared and sugar free) for what we hope will be one of the largest bake sales ever held in our community.  The fifith option of support is joining us through volunteering your time and energy, either by joining a committee or helping out on the day of the event.

 

I don't know of ANYONE whose life has not been touched by this dreaded disease, either directly or indirectly.  So join us in the fight!  Help us "Create Awareness and Raise Hope!"

 

I am asking you as a neighbor and friend to search your heart and do whatever you can.  We need to come together as a community and make our voices heard.  UNITED, WE WILL STAND TALL!

 

For further information on how you can support our cause, you may reach me by email at:  duwaynebrooks47@yahoo.com or call me at (309)453-7632.

 

Yours In The Fight,

DuWayne Brooks, Chair     
Thank You

 

Last weekend, the Jr & Sr High youth groups participated in World Vision's 30 Hour Famine.  This was my sixth year of participating and every year I am truly inspired by the involvement and commitment of our youth in wanting to bring awareness to the global food crisis. 

 

Part of our discussions during the famine was about some of the youth right here in Monmouth not having enough food to eat as well as in other countries.  On Saturday, February 22, our group stood in the cold to hand out free vegetable soup to anyone in the community that wanted a bowl.  Although there was no payment required, a few people did leave donations.  Those proceeds (along with the donations left on Sunday - thank you!) went towards the Back Pack Program at the 1st Street Armoury.

 

I would like to thank Dairy Queen for the bowl and lid donations and Save A Lot for letting us serve the soup in front of their store.  A special thanks to all of you who came out on Saturday to support our youth, and also to those of you who enjoyed soup on Sunday following worship.

 

A big thank you to Lolla Ballard, Heather Fisher, Barb Byrne, Tom Best, Kathy Robertson, and Charity Duke for helping make this weekend a big success.

 

Sincerely,

Stephanie Reading

 

******************************************************************

 

Dear Rev. Myers, Mrs. Myers, and Congregation,

 

Thank you so much for the Christmas box.  I so appreciated it and the love and community Spirit within your congregation is something I won't forget.

 

Best wishes and God bless,

Katie Murphy 

 

 

Sympathy

To Gary and Mary Distin and family, on the death of Gary's father, Senlo Distin, who died on February 27, 2012.

To Mary Baker and family, on the death of her brother, George Pease, who died on February 29, 2012. 
 
Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers:

Mary Distin (mother of Gary Distin), David Spoerl's stepfather, Walter, Galvin Halpin, Karna Foster, Darlene Peters, Janet Paris, and Al Kulczewski.