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March 8, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
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 What Do You Think? "Perhaps We Are On The Right Track"
"Change" was the order of the day at our Presbytery meeting on Tuesday. Reflecting on the transfer of power from Elijah to Elisha, Chaplain Ott commented on how much faster change seems to occur in campus ministry than in the church. Likewise, Dr. Roger Nishioka, from Columbia Seminary, spoke about how the church, though it is in one of those epic seasons of change that occur every 500 years, must have hope for we are still the church of Jesus Christ. Gifted pastors and teachers, both, Teri and Roger, were insightful and enjoyable in their presentations. Interestingly enough, in speaking of "change", both failed to distinguish between that "change" which is of God and that which is not. Knowing that both, Teri and Roger, have strong theological backgrounds and a clear sense of what is of God, what is true and good and beautiful in life, I would have enjoyed their sharing their observations, not only about how the church must embrace change, but also where the church must take a stronger stance against change. While we must be agile in the face of change, we must also stand for something, lest, as the country song goes, "we fall for anything."
One of the conversations that occurred, at our table during Roger's presentation, was directed at the question: What does it mean to be spiritual rather than religious. Surprisingly, or not, the members of the Monmouth College Choral who were at our table, a Lutheran, a Roman Catholic and a Methodist, had little patience for their peers who claimed to be "spiritual, but not religious". The word they put on it was "lazy". You may remember a couple weeks ago, I suggested many people preferred to be "spiritual" rather than religious, because there is no accountability to anyone. If I am spiritual, I can have a feel good relationship with a god of my choosing and there is no accountability. Of course, we see the same lack of commitment between many spouses, as well as, absentee fathers and mothers. So are we surprised so many in our culture prefer to be "spiritual" but not religious? I was also intrigued that the students were not terribly impressed with the college's witness as a "Presbyterian" college, but that is a subject for another article.
After his presentation, I visited with Roger about some of the things happening in our life together. I won't take time to mention them again, but they are the ministries many of you are involved with that I've mentioned before in sermons, newsletter articles, casual conversations and my annual report. Roger was interested and impressed by what we were doing. Moreover, he agreed, our intentionality, in being a Presbyterian church, knowing who we are, is as important as our agility in the face of change.
As I consider our life together, it is clear to me: If people want an opportunity to worship that is more than mere entertainment, even an opportunity to encounter the very presence of God, they will find it here. If parents want their children to be nurtured in a faith tradition, that will lead them into a deep and abiding relationship with God, they will find it here. If people of faith want a community of faith that will challenge them to become who God has called and created them to be, while providing friendship and comfort along the way, they will find it here. Of course, what they will do with the blessings they find in our life together is another matter. However, at least we can be assured, in striving to be part of the work that God is doing in our life together, and in our community, we are on the right track. See you in church!
Pastor Myers
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| 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
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| From the Mouths of our Babes
"People who pray are
good people because they pray from their hearts and it warms God's heart." He continued... "God didn't want to waste his sons life." Margie asked, "Why
did God let Jesus die?"
He said, "Because he said my son is making a good choice and we need to
let him. Because Jesus
died for us."
Jordan Watson - 1st grade
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DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS THIS WEEKEND!
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This Sunday...
"The Joy of Faith"
Exodus 20:1-17 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Psalm 19 John 2:13-22
Lay Assistant: Sharon Graham
Beedle/Crucifer: Job & Noah Runge
Ushers: Julie Armstrong, Bob Wells, Josh Clark, Nancy Dowell,
Lolla Ballard
Greeters: Jon & Lori Ockert and Paul Rickey
Children's Church: Kristie Murdock Nursery: Tammi & Dalton Hottle Coffee Hour: John & Mary Lyle and Gene & Donna Larson View our calendar. |
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| 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.
The Devil & C.S. Lewis Our series begins in earnest this week as we study the Screwtape Letters. The book has fairly short chapters, therefore we will study a grouping each week. Screwtape Letters is written as a set of letters from an elder devil to his nephew devil as they are trying to convert a young Christian man to follow their ways. It will make you stop and think about your own strength of faith. Copies are available in the office. We will meet either in the social hall or in the library. March 11 - Chapters 1 - 8 March 18 - Chapters 9 - 16 March 25 - Chapters 17 - 24 April 1 - Chapters 25 - 31
Sunday Bible Study - This group will meet in the classroom across from the Chapel.
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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. |
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Presbytery of Great Rivers Prayer Project
Today (Wednesday) we received this in the mail from United Church of Woodhull in Woodhull, Illinois. "At the direction of the Stewardship Committee we will undertake a two year prayer project for the presbytery of Great Rivers. Each week we will pray for one of the congregations in our presbytery. Each week a bulletin insert will provide information about the congregation's worship and work. You are encouraged to make this a part of your daily prayer practice. You are also encouraged to visit these congregations when you travel. Friends, please know that you are in our prayers." |
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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 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!
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An Invitation to Read the Bible
Sunday - 1 Kings 7:13-8:47, Monday - 1 Kings 8:48-10:29, Tuesday -
1 Kings 11:1-13:18, Wednesday - 1 Kings 13:19-15:34, Thursday -
1 Kings 16:1-18:31, Friday - 1 Kings 18:32-20:43, Saturday - 1 Kings 21:1 0 2 Kings 1:10, Sunday (03/18/12) - 2 Kings 1:11-4:25.
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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 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.
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Faith & Art
Thank you so much, to all those who shared their beautiful wedding pictures with us. It was so much fun to see your happy day. I really hate to take it down. Your pictures may be picked up in the Social Hall after church this Sunday. Our next display will be our children's interpretation of the Lenten season and Easter.
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Fillman Fellowship
Fillman Fellowship will meet this morning 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.
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Hear the Good News!
A Public Reading of the Gospel of Mark
Have you heard the good news? Join us for a public reading of the Gospel of Mark on Wednesday, March 14, beginning at 5:30p.m. in the Library, here at the church. A light supper will be included. Mark offers a compact, concise, and compelling account of "the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1). It takes less than two hours to read the whole Gospel of Mark out loud. By the gift of the Holy Spirit, this can be a life-changing, faith-shaping, disciple-making encounter with the living Word of God. You do NOT have to read aloud if you do not wish.
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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.
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Doug Campbell Memorial St. Jude Gospel Sing
Saturday, March 31, 2012
5:00 p.m. Held at Bushnell Christian Community Center 355 North Main St., Bushnell, IL featuring One Accord; N Harmony; All For Agape; Bob Miller; Kourtney Heikes; Hillard Gipson; Linden Beard; The Campbells, and more! No Admission - Freewill Offering All proceeds to St. Jude Children's Hospital Homemade Soup Supper at 5:00 p.m. Silent Auction For more information, call George or Sandy Campbell @ 309-426-2240
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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
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Mental Health/Behavioral Health Support Group
Date: 1st Thursday of every Month
Time: From 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: 1st Street Armoury, 734-8991, 215 South 1st St., Monmouth
(Babysitting will be provided for children)
April 5, 2012: Understanding & Parenting Easily Frustrated & Inflexible Children. Speaker - Kurt Volz, Counselor
May 3, 2012: Medication; Discussing Medication for Children with ADHD. Speaker - Dr. Matthew Weidman, Pediatrician
June 7, 2012: The Affects of Diet, Nutrition, & Physical Activity. Speaker - Luke Raymond, Counselor
July 5, 2012: Medications for Mental Health Disorders other than ADHD. Speaker: Dr. Matthew Weidman, Pediatrician
August 2, 2012: IEP's and 504 Plans: Discussion and questions parents have. Speaker: Michelle Marshall, School Psychologist
September 6, 2012: Parenting; Tools to improve academic success. Speaker: Kurt Volz, Counselor
October 4, 2012: Children with Autism - Diagnosing and Services. Speaker: Michelle Marshall, School Psychologist
November 1, 2012: Parenting; Discipline, Parental Control & Respect. Speaker: Luke Raymond, Counselor
December 6, 2012: Open Forum for Mental Health/Behavioral Health Questions. Speaker: Ryan Williams, Case Coordinator and Luke Raymond, Councelor
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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.
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Easter Flowers
Members are invited to make donations for our Easter flowers. Each year we intersperse spring flowers with the traditional lilies. Members are given the choice to either pick up a lily following the Easter service or to donate a lily for a homebound member. Please turn in your order before April 1, 2012. Thank you! _____I would like to order _____ lilies at $7.50 each to be picked up after the Easter Service. _____or please deliver_ after the service to a homebound member. _____I would like to donate $7.50 for spring flowers to be planted in the courtyard or south side of the church after Easter. to be given in memory of:_________________________________________________________ to be given in honor of:___________________________________________________________ given by:________________________________________________________________________ |
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