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March 29, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
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 What Do You Think? "Could There Be a Better Time to Be in Ministry?"
Though he spent most of his professional life in the academy, Stafford was the epitome of the benevolent pastor. Affectionately known as the Bishop of Warren County and, most likely, Henderson and Mercer Counties, as well, Stafford simply had a way about him. A kind and gentle man by nature, his presence brought the peace of Christ into any pastoral situation. Nevertheless, on any number of occasions, Stafford would remark: "I'm so glad; I don't have to pastor a congregation, today."
On first hearing, his words seem counterintuitive. Here was a man who lived his life as a pastor, whether he was serving as a professor or dean, a husband or father. Why would he not want to pastor a congregation today? But what he was saying is the world had changed. Stafford had lived most of his life in a culture of Protestant Liberalism, where the values of the church were reflected in the culture. His comments reflected his recognition that we live in a different world.
Where people of faith once relied on the sound doctrine of the church's teaching to give their lives direction, today, many simply shop for churches that tell them what they want to hear. Where church pews were once full because church attendance was a mark of good citizenship, today, the culture no longer claims this virtue. Where ministry was once a respected vocation, today, the prevalence of pastoral misconduct has created a cloud of suspicion over most ministers. Where Christian homes were once the primary "school" for Christian nurture and "Sunday School" was an effort to reach the children of "unchurched" families, today, we are ecstatic just to see children for a few minutes on Sunday morning now and then. Though he would have excelled as a pastor in any age, Stafford saw these cultural changes and was thankful he did not have to face them in his ministry.
As I think about our conversations about the changes in church and culture, I am grateful. To have someone, like Stafford, who had a keen sense of the challenges his colleagues faced was most helpful. When I think about my call to ministry, I often think of Billy Joel's "Allentown". The days of Peter Marshall and Eugene Carson Blake were past. The church I thought I was being called to serve was no more. Nevertheless, while I appreciate his empathy, I don't share Stafford's perspective. While there is a part of me that would have loved to have ministered in "those days", I am not sure there is a better time to be in ministry than our time.
When there is little distinction between church and culture, and most people are inherently Christian, it is harder to see the difference that faith makes. Serving the church in our time, I have the privilege of seeing that difference like I have never seen it before. When I watch people actually reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, where twenty years ago they might try to pass themselves off as an "unchurched" Christian, it grieves my heart. But, when I see people truly embrace the good news of God's love, and sincerely commit their lives and the lives of their children to the ministry of Jesus Christ, I know it is for real. While my ego would enjoy the numbers, my heart knows that what matters is the integrity of the conversion.
People of faith, we don't have the privilege of doing ministry in the world of the Carnegies and Mellons. Nevertheless, we, yet have the privilege of doing in ministry in the name of Jesus Christ, in a world that is remarkably like his. Thanks be to God!
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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This Sunday...
"The Politics of Jesus"
Isaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 Mark 11:1-11
Lay Assistant: Vicki Young Briscoe
Beedle/Crucifer: Abby & Megan Brown
Ushers: Robert Blackford, Bill Lee, Dominick & Malik Reading,
Ed Melvin
Greeters: Craig & Peggy Watson and Rod & Hallie Lemon
Children's Church: Stephanie Reading Nursery: Bonnie Heflin & Emily Fisher Coffee Hour: Helen Redmond & Peggy Figle 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 April 1 - Chapters 25-31 Sunday Bible Study - This group will meet in the classroom across from the Chapel.
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| The House Next Door
As most of you are aware, the house south of the sanctuary is for sale. You may also be aware that, on occasion, the property has been more of a nuisance than a neighbor. The rule of thumb for congregations, when contiguous property becomes available, is to purchase the property. However, there are a number of economic and programmatic issues related to such a purchase.
Over the past couple of months, the questions have been raised informally. "Should we purchase the house?" "What would we do with it, if we did?" "Where would the resources come from to make the purchase and maintain the property?" I think it is fair to say, there has been some good conversation, but no clear vision for what we should do. The recent renters gave us a pretty clear picture of how bad the condition of the property could become with the wrong neighbors. However, we are a congregation that lives on "daily bread." While we frequently have a small surplus at the end of the year, and our reserve funds have grown significantly in the last ten years, purchasing and maintaining the property would be a significant financial commitment.
All of this is to say, a work group has been appointed by the session to explore the possibility of purchasing the property, including the financial impact on our congregation's ministry, as well as, the programmatic opportunities it might provide. They will be visiting with members of the congregation, staff and various church committee's and organizations to gather information. A time line has not been set for their work, so it may be that the house will sell before their work is through. In such a case, the information they gather will be helpful in determining how we should proceed, should the house come on the market, again, in the near future.
Dee Ann Shuff and Barb Byrne are the two elders serving on the work group with three other members from the congregation. If you have thoughts or questions, which you would like to share, please contact one or both of them. Again, this is an exploratory work group. Should a way become clear, whether to purchase the house or not, the session will keep you fully informed and, should the session desire to purchase the property, the approval of the congregation and the presbytery would be required before a purchase would be made.
Pastor Myers
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| Holy Week
Maundy Thursday Seder Meal, April 5, at 5:45 p.m. and communion service at 7:00 p.m., Good Friday Tenebrae, April 6, at 7:00 p.m., Adult Prayer Vigil on Saturday, April 7, from 9:00 - 10:30 p.m., and finally our Easter-tide Breakfast at 9:30 a.m. followed with a Celebration of the Lord's Supper on Easter Sunday, April 8, at 10:30 a.m.
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| Maundy Thursday Seder Meal
At 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, in the Social Hall, please join us as we celebrate the Seder together. On the night Jesus was betrayed, he took bread and wine and shared it with his disciples. Jesus was celebrating the Passover - the Seder. The Christian Easter Triduum (Thursday, Friday, Saturday) and the modern Jewish Seder both have roots in the Passover (Moses and the exile) traditions of biblical Israel. We will celebrate together a meal and tradition of special foods and wine (juice), biblical readings and prayers. Please join us for this special meal and bring a friend. Our Maundy Thursday Service will follow at 7:00 p.m.
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| Prayer Vigil
On Maundy Thursday, April 5, we will share the Lord's Supper as Jesus did with his disciples on the night in which he was betrayed and arrested. Following the service we will follow Jesus to the garden where he asked the disciples to keep watch while he prayed. Three times Jesus was distressed to find the disciples asleep. Faith United is offering you an opportunity to keep watch, to stay awake instead of sleeping, and to pray in the chapel of our church. You may sign up alone, as a couple, a pair, or as a family. Prayer materials and Bibles are supplied if you need guidance. There are 37 times available. Please make this a part of your Holy Week preparation.
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| Good Friday for Kids
No School! Help your parents out and come to the church for a day filled with thoughtful centers and projects concerning Holy Week - swimming, making Easter baskets, visiting our nursing
homes, games, ping pong tournament, prayer, singing, and maybe even a movie. It is our hope that our children will have a meaningful Good Friday - learn and experience the events of Holy Week and also have a fun day off from school. When: Good Friday - April 6 Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (When you sign up let us know your schedule) Where: Faith United Presbyterian Church, YMCA, two local nursing homes Ages: 1st - 6th grade Bring: Sack Lunch, $2.00 for swimming at the Y, swimsuit and towel Register: Please sign up and fill out the necessary permission slips by Wednesday, April 4. You may sign up by calling the church or signing the sheet on the office door. HELP: Any adults or youth interested in helping with this day PLEASE call Margie at 734-5129.
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| Adult Prayer Vigil
Members and friends of Faith over age 16 - you are invited to a walking vigil on Saturday, April 7, from 8:30 - 11:00 p.m. We will follow the "path" of Christ in his last days. Beginning and ending at the church. We will end with a renewal of baptism and communion. It is a very moving experience. We encourage all who come to wear walking shoes and to check the weather for dress attire.
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An Invitation to Read the Bible
Sunday - 1 Chronicles 12:17-15:29, Monday - 1 Chronicles 16:1-18:16, Tuesday - 1 Chronicles 18:17-22:19, Wednesday - 1 Chronicles 23:1-25:30, Thursday - 1 Chronicles 25:31-28:20, Friday - 1 Chronicles 28:21 - 2 Chronicles 3:17, Saturday - 2 Chronicles 4:1-6:42, Sunday (04/08/12) - 2 Chronicles 7:1-10:19.
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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 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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Easter-tide Breakfast
Join us Easter Sunday at 9:30 a.m. for our Annual Easter-tide breakfast. Enjoy breakfast casserole, coffee cakes, and juice or milk. The cost is $1.50 for children under 10 and $3.00 for adults. Choir will be served at 9:00 for those wanting to eat. Please sign up on the office door.
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Coffee Cakes
Would you be willing to bring a coffee cake for our Easter-tide breakfast? If so, please sign up on the office door. Thank you!!!
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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:
April 1 - cereal and oatmeal
April 8 - macaroni and cheese, canned lunch meals
April 15 - Tuna and Hamburger Helper and canned tuna
April 22 - rice, pasta, and beans
April 29 - canned vegetables
Let's fill the boxes each week! Thank you!
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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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| Thai Circle
Thai Circle will meet on Thursday morning, April 5 (Maundy Thursday), at 9:30 a.m. in the Social Hall. All women of Faith are invited to attend.
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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.
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Church Rummage Sale
It has been soooo beautiful outside hasn't it? I'm sure this nice weather has put you in the "cleaning" mode...so, just in case it has, please remember us for our Annual Church Rummage Sale that will be held on May 11 and 12.
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Icebreakers Thank You
The Icebreakers would like to thank everyone who took part in their "Skit Night" and everyone who attended.
Special thanks to Mary Distin and John Marshall for leading and directing, and to Brad Larson, who acted as the emcee.
A delicious dessert was served and it was an enjoyable evening.
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Sympathy
To Leroy and Joyce Lantz and Mike and Heather Fisher and family, on the death of Joyce's mother and Heather's grandmother, Melba Collins, who died on March 27, 2012.
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Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers
Cathy Abernathy, Mary Distin (mother of Gary Distin), Karna Foster, Darlene Peters, Jim & 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 $7.00 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:________________________________________________________________________ |
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