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April 5, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
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 What Do You Think? "Catch", "Welcome", "Invite", or "Nurture"?"
"Catch" is the name of a church wide program for invitational evangelism created by Debi Nixon, of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, and published by Abingdon Press. We will be using this resource, which includes Bible study, for our "Faith & Life" class beginning April 15 and runnthing through May 6.
The title, "Catch", is based on Jesus' invitation to the disciples in the gospels of Mark and Matthew: "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." I am reluctant to use this title in speaking about the class, because it sounds a little manipulative, or even coercive, to my Presbyterian sensibilities. I prefer to speak about "welcoming", "inviting" or "nurturing" people into the faith community.
In any case, by whatever name, the resource is an excellent one and will offer us the opportunity to reflect upon some crucial questions for our life together. Among the questions that we will reflect upon are: "Why do people need Jesus?" "Why do people need the church?" "Why do people need our congregation, Faith United?"
While some of you may be inspired to become the next Apostle Paul, and make Monmouth the center for the next great missionary movement, because of your experience in the class. Even if you don't, you can offer a great service to our congregation simply by attending the "Faith & Life" class for those four weeks. I have asked our session to commit to participating in the class, because I believe this has the potential to be one of the most important congregational conversations we have had in the last ten years. The more voices we have sharing in this conversation, the more we will learn about who we are and who we are being called to be.
"Why do people need Jesus?" "Why do people need the church?" "Why do people need our congregation, Faith United?" Some of us will have very clear thoughts. Some of us will not be so sure. We need everyone's voice in this conversation, not only to affirm the good work we have done, but to challenge some of our assumptions and open all of us up to the new possibilities that await us, as we seek to serve Jesus Christ in our lives and our life together.
People of faith, I won't make any promises that your attendance in this class will help our church grow numerically. Church of the Resurrection was in a demographically rich setting, twenty-five new church developments had already started before the Church of the Resurrection. However, I will promise that if you faithfully participate in this class, you will grow in your appreciation for why we need Jesus Christ; why we need his church in our lives; and, why our congregation plays such an important role in his ministry. Moreover, I will promise, that when you grow in your appreciation of these things, you will become an even greater blessing to the ministry of Jesus Christ we share.
See you in church - and see you at the class!
Pastor Myers
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| April Birthdays
1 Kristina Gilliland Compton
2 Dalton Willett
3 Matthew Rickey
5 Janie Brill
Alex Green
5 Nancy Bersted
6 Brittany Liggett
10 Carol Tenold
Raj Ambrose
12 Laura Rickey
14 Bob Meling
15 Dominick Reading
16 Steve Johnson
18 Hannah Hottle
Kirstin Johnson
23 Samantha Agan
24 Isabel Marshall
25 Jacob Baber
Brooke Johnson
26 Linda Adair
Jim McCurdy
27 Alex Hardin
28 Saro Ambrose
30 Marjorie Butler
Cathy Abernathy
Eleanor Moschenross
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This Sunday...
"He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!"
Isaiah 25:6-9 John 20:1-18
Lay Assistant: Ann Phelps
Communion Servers: Ted & Vicki Briscoe, Les & Jo Ellen Dollinger, John & Mary Lyle, Julie Armstrong, Dominick Reading, Jane Warfield, Margaret Josephson, Armond & Betsy Akey
Beedle/Crucifer: Malik Reading & TBA
Ushers: Carol & Bonnie Heflin, Ralph & Martha Whiteman, Norma Mettler
Greeters: TBA
Nursery: Laura Lyle Coffee Hour: Don & Donna Lee 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 15 - May 6: "Follow Me"
This study will be led by Pastor Myers. Among the questions that we will reflect upon are: "Why do people need Jesus?" "Why do people need the church?" "Why do people need our congregation, Faith United?" The curriculum comes from a study called, "Catch" which includes Bible study. The title, "Catch", is based on Jesus' invitation to the disciples in the gospels of Mark and Matthew: "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." For more information please refer back to Pastor Myers newsletter article of this week.
Sunday Bible Study - This group will meet in the classroom across from the Chapel.
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| Thai Circle
Thai Circle will meet this 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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| 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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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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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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Egg Hunt
We will have our Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday at 11:30 (following worship). All children ages 10 and under are welcome to meet in the Fellowship Hall for instructions, children 11 and older are welcome to help the younger ones. Please bring a basket if you would like. The goodies inside each egg will help us remember the true meaning of Easter. (Sorry, we need to keep the eggs, but the goodies are yours.)
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An Invitation to Read the Bible
Sunday - 2 Chronicles 7:1-10:19, Monday - 2 Chronicles 11:1-15:18, Tuesday - 2 Chronicles 15:19-19:11, Wednesday - 2 Chronicles 20:1-23:20, Thursday - 2 Chronicles 23:21-27:3, Friday - 2 Chronicles 27:4-30:26, Saturday - 2 Chronicles 30:27-33:24, Sunday (04/15/12) -
2 Chronicles 33:25-36:22.
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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 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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Monmouth's Next Great Baker
Do you have a special talent for baking and decorating cakes? Are you always being complimented on your gift? Then this competition is for you!!!
Starting Point is hosting their first ever Monmouth's Next Great Baker Competition in conjunction with their Annual Spring Tea, May 5th, at 1st Street Armoury from 1 - 3 p.m. Baker's interested in participating are asked to make a 1/2 sheet cake to be judged for presentation and a full sheet cake to be judged for tasting. The contest will be judged by three judges (making up 3/4 of your total score) and the audience (making up 1/4 of your total score).
If interested, please call the Armoury, 734-8991, no later than April 11.
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Fillman Fellowship
Fillman Fellowship will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 12, in the home of Rose Trimble, 630 200th Street, Monmouth. |
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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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Gifts of Women Sunday
Women have been instrumental in the ministry of Jesus since the beginning. Jesus did not see that they were lesser in the realm of society, as so many others did. Throughout the history of the church, women have often been placed in the roll of servant as opposed to leader. Although this has changed greatly, it has been the tradition of our congregation, as well as our denomination, to celebrate the leadership gifts of women by inviting the women of our church to lead worship once a year. This year we will have Gifts of Women Sunday on April 15. Margie Myers will preach on "Jesus said to her, 'Mary!'". The scripture will be John 20:1-18.
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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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| Prayers and Cards for Mia!
Mia Logsdon is a resident of Lutherbrook Child and Adolescent Center. She would love a card or a little note from her church family.
Mia Logsdon
343 W. Lake St.
Addison, IL 60101
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Thank You
Dear Deacons of Faith Church,
Thanks so very much for the lovely rose and Mrs. Wright's visit and Pastor Myers visit to the hospital, and all of your prayers.
Sincerely,
Cathy Abernathy
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On behalf of my entire family, I'd like to thank Pastor Myers for capturing and expressing the true essence of my beloved grandmother during her funeral service. And to those of you who sent cards and expressed sympathy for my family, it was greatly appreciated - thank you! She was a wonderful lady and will be missed dearly!
In Christ,
Heather Fisher & family
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Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers
Joyce Lantz, Craig Allaman, Cathy Abernathy, Mary Distin (mother of Gary Distin), Karna Foster, Darlene Peters, Jim & Janet Paris, and Al Kulczewski.
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