March 15, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
Bill
What Do You Think? "Tolerance and Truth"  
 
I believe:  "Copernicus was wrong.  The earth is not revolving around the sun.  The sun is in fact revolving around the earth."  My rationale?  All motion is relative.  Now, I don't actually believe this.  That is why I put the "truth" statement in quotes.  I simply offer it as an illustration.  In our culture of tolerance, if we put "I believe" in front of something, it becomes true.  It is my belief.  It cannot be challenged.  Anyone who does challenge my belief is judgmental and intolerant.  Science does not accept this cultural world view.
 
In science, truth trumps tolerance.  This is not to say scientists are intolerant.  On the contrary, they simply will not tolerate unsubstantiated truth claims.  I may "believe" what I want, but it will not be accepted as truth, if the evidence suggests otherwise.  Why do not matters of faith deserve the same respect?  In matters of faith, why must we consider all beliefs to be equal, when it is clear they are not?  As in science, in matters of faith, just because someone prefaces their comments with "I believe", doesn't make them so.
 
In Christianity, there are beliefs called "adiaphora" or things, to which, we may be indifferent.  Certain spiritual disciplines come to mind.  Not everyone is required to fast or take a vow of celibacy to be a faithful Christian.  Other beliefs are deal breakers.  One cannot be Christian without believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God or that he was raised from the dead.  However, in our culture, when we try to hold sisters and brothers accountable for their beliefs, we are often accused of being judgmental or intolerant.  "Faith is a private matter", we say, "you have no right to tell me what I should, should not, believe."  While I may not have the right to tell you you have to believe Jesus Christ is raised from the dead, I do have the right to say, "You are not Christian, if you don't."
 
This carries over in our relationships with people of other faiths.  We are not allowed to challenge the "truth claims" of others.  If we do, we are "judgmental" or "intolerant".
 
Recently, I received an email from a student at Monmouth College asking me to evaluate his essay on tolerance with regard to matters of faith in the public forum.  His essay was well written and his point well taken.  However, there was a weakness in his argument, which centered on a quote from Thomas Jefferson.  "It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty Gods, or no god.  It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."
 
In response, I wrote,  "While I would concur that absolutist claims are not helpful, neither are egalitarian claims.  All belief systems are not equal.  There is a direct connection between belief and action.  What we believe directly influences how we act.  Even the actions of hypocrites reveal their true beliefs.  So Jefferson was wrong.  The worldview/faith perspective of his neighbor might well pick his pocket or break his leg.  Jihadism, or the Christian crusades, are certainly extreme examples of this.

So, in seeking the common good, together, we have to have the ability to discern those worldviews/faith perspectives which promote the common good and those which don't.  While I certainly applaud your desire for tolerance, and share an appreciation of its importance in the process, what I believe is even more important is to become more discerning.

As a Christian, there are occasions where I share with sisters and brothers an appreciation for what is true and good and beautiful in life.  There are other occasions where we differ, but I can, yet, appreciate their perspective.  However, there are also occasions, where I must hold them accountable, for they are not seeing clearly (as they must hold me accountable when I am not seeing clearly).  Wisdom is knowing when to embrace, when to tolerate and when to reject, the truth claims of those who do not share our own.  Such wisdom comes only through relationship.  This is to say, the ability to discern the common good comes not through tolerance, alone, but through communion."
 
People of faith, in matters of faith, we must find common ground between absolutist and egalitarian claims.  In our families, in our churches and in our church-related colleges, rather than saying, "If you don't believe what I believe, you are going to hell" or "It doesn't matter what you believe, because all faith perspectives are equal", we have to learn, and teach, discernment.  We must teach, not tolerance alone, but tolerance and wisdom.  We have to seek communion with each other.

See you in church!
 
Pastor Myers

 
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


 

 

 

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


 

 

 

 
This Sunday...
 
"Punishment or Consequence?"   

   

Numbers 21:4-9                                                             Ephesians 2:1-10 

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22                                                             John 3:14-21

 

Lay Assistant:  Jim Brown

Beedle/Crucifer:  Job & Noah Runge
Ushers:  George Nieman, Tom & Will Best, Chuck Peirce, Will Myers
Greeters:  Gary & Mary Distin and Greg & Lynn Baber                 

Children's Church:  Erika Solberg         

Nursery:  Amy Gound and Natalie Baber       

Coffee Hour:  Barbara Byrne 

 

 

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.

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 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. 

 

 

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.

 


An Invitation to Read the Bible

Sunday - 2 Kings 1:11-4:25, Monday - 2 Kings 4:26-6:33, Tuesday -
2 Kings 7:1-9:37, Wednesday - 2 Kings 10:1-13:13, Thursday -
2 Kings 13:14-15:38, Friday - 2 Kings 16:1-18:36, Saturday - 2 Kings 18:27-21:25, Sunday (03/25/12) - 2 Kings 21:26-24:20.     


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 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.

 

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 18 - canned vegetables and canned meat
March 25 - pancake mix and syrup

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



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.   


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  Tuesday, March 20, beginning at noon 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. 

 

 


Isabel Circle

Isabel Circle will meet at the home of Margie Myers at 1021 E. Detroit Avenue in Monmouth on Thursday, March 22, at 7:00 p.m.  All members and friends of the church are welcome to join the group.

 

Jonalyn Heaton will facilitate Lesson Six, Greatly Honored Are the Pure in Heart, from Confessing the Beatitudes from the 2011-2012 Horizons Bible Study.  The sixth beatitude from Matthew 5:8 contains the promise of seeing God.  This lesson helps the reader explore what that means.  When we see God, we become aware of our sinfulness, but we are transformed and given  a new identity.  The question is whether our actions bear witness to that new identity.
 

 


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 
  

 

 

Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering
                                           
Presbyterian Women of Great Rivers Presbytery will hold their Spring Gathering at our church on April 21st.   The Rev. Dr. Terri Ott will be the keynote speaker on the topic, "The Power of Words".  The day starts at 9:00 A.M. with closing at 2:30 P.M.  A lunch will be served at a cost of $8.00. Please plan to attend.  Reservations may be made by calling the church office or emailing Heather (faithup@maplecity.com) and need to be received by April 13.   Please advise Heather if you will need child care.   

 

 

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

DuWayne Brooks who sings in our choir is a Viet Nam Veteran.  He lost his left leg about two years ago, below the knee, to diabetes.  Under the sanction of the American Diabetes Association, he's 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 there.  Secondly, you can support him 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 the silent auction.  Our fourth option of support would be baked goods (both sugared and sugar free) for what they hope will be one of the largest bake sales ever held in our community.  The fifith option of support is joining them through volunteering your time and energy, either by joining a committee or helping out on the day of the event.  For further information on how you can support this cause, you may reach DuWayne by email at:  duwaynebrooks47@yahoo.com or at (309)453-7632.

 

      


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 
Thank You

Thank you to the members and friends of Faith for the cards, good wishes, and attending the open house to help us celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.  It is a day we will always remember.  God has indeed blessed us with our Family of Faith. 
In Christ's Love ... Jon & Sharon Graham
 

 

Sympathy

To Shirley Armstrong and family, on the death of her brother, Robert Howard, who died on March 12, 2012.
 
Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers

Cathy Abernathy, Mary Distin (mother of Gary Distin), David Spoerl's stepfather, Walter, Galvin Halpin, Karna Foster, Darlene Peters, Janet Paris, and Al Kulczewski.
 
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 $7.00 (corrected amount) each to be picked up after the Easter Service.

 

_____or please deliver_ after the service to a homebound member.

 

_____I would like to donate $7.00 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:________________________________________________________________________