May 24, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
May Birthdays 

 

1         Margie Myers

2         Mary Gibson

4         Doug Hardin

            Marjorie Phelps

6          Ashley Baber

7          Roxanne Green

8          Clayton Larson

9          Jane Hottle

            Abby Brown

            Noah Runge

10       Marilyn Van Hoozer             Olivia Heaton

11       Everitt Hardin

13       Bill Hoover

14       Bonnie Heflin

            Mike Fisher

16        Winifred Weeks

18        Doris Henricks

18        Beth Dingman

            Keith Brown

22        Courtney Fisher

            Kara Fisher

            Julie McVey

24        Debbie Dingman

            John Turnquist

25        Denise Pullen

            Tim Phelps 

26        Toby Turnquist

28        Lindsay Murdock

30        Dennis Simpson

            Jan Speer

            Erma Smallwood

 


 

 

 

 

June Birthdays 

   

1        Jim Brown

2        Jane Kellogg

3        Bryce Willett

4        Carol Bowman

          Charles Peirce

5        Hallie Lemon

6        Evelyn   

             Moschenross

12      Bill Myers

          Malik Reading

15      Mollie Murdock

17      Chris McLaughlin

19      Pete Sorensen

23      Neil Agan

          Esther White

28      Linda Groves

30      Betty Lee

 

 


 

 

 

 
Be sure to wear RED for Pentecost this Sunday!

What Do You Think?
 
How Shall We Encourage Each Other to Go Deeper?
 
A couple weeks ago, in our Faith & Life class, I shared that I sometimes confuse people.  For myself, my family, and others who have made a commitment to serve Jesus Christ through our congregation, I set a pretty high standard.  Apart from a family emergency, illness or infirmity, I expect everyone to be in worship every Lord's Day, if not here, then wherever they may be.  I expect each of us to sacrificially return a portion of our time, talents and money - that is an "and" not an "or" - commensurate with the blessings we have received.  I expect each of us to make nurturing the faith of the children of our church a priority.  The confusion comes because there are those on the fringe of our congregation, who I don't hold to the same standard.
 
Some are members.  Many are not.  Most have been baptized.  Like the Prodigal Son, they show up from time to time and I welcome them with open arms.  They do little to support the church and, yet, we avail ourselves, our services or our resources to them without question.  If all those for whom I have married or buried a loved one were active in the life of our congregation, our congregation would be at least twice as large as it is today.  Why do I appear to be so much more gracious to them?  Should they not be held to the same "standard"?
 
Finding the right balance between grace and accountability is hard.  Sometimes it comes down to "comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable", but, more often than not, it has to do with striving to create a community of faith after the example of Jesus.  Jesus had those closest to him, the twelve.  His expectations for them were high.  They were the ones to whom he revealed the deepest mysteries about his life, his mission and his relationship with God.  They were to be prepared to stand in his stead - preaching, teaching, healing, even taking up his cross.  Only after his death and resurrection did they begin to approximate the ministry to which he had called them.
 
There were others who were part of Jesus' "church", as well.  There were the seventy, who Jesus also sent out to do ministry in his name.  There were those who followed Jesus from town to town.  There were those who did not follow him, but who welcomed him into their homes, when he came to town.  There were the crowds, who did little but come out and hear him preach and teach, often wondering what they might get out of the deal.  Like the concentric circles on a target, all of these people surrounded Jesus, all of these people were a part of his faith community.  However, the further out from the center they were, the balance shifted from accountability to grace.  Why, then, should we not all clamor to the fringe, opting for "spirituality without religion", grace without accountability?
 
Sounds like a silly question to me.  The standard is higher.  The accountability is greater.  But who wouldn't want to be closer to Jesus?
 
See you in church!
 
Pastor Myers


Inquirers' Class
 

Those who would like to learn more about membership are welcome to attend our Inquirers' Class on June 3 and June 10 at 9:15 a.m. in Pastor Myers office.  The Inquirers' Class will provide you with an opportunity to discuss questions regarding faith in Jesus Christ, membership in Christ's church, and the ministry of Faith United Presbyterian Church.  On Sunday, June 17, at 9:00 a.m., those choosing to become members will meet for breakfast with our session and be welcomed in worship that morning.


 

 

 


This Sunday...
 
"Living Eternal Life Today!"

Ezekiel 37:1-14                                                      Romans 8:22-27

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b                                             Acts 2:1-21

 

Lay Assistant:  Ruth Wright    

Beedle/Crucifer:  Malik Reading & Emily Fisher     

Ushers:  Robert Blackford, Bill Lee, Dominick & Malik Reading,  

Ed Melvin   

Greeters:  Bill & Betty Lee and Helen Redmond & Nancy Dowell 

Children's Church:  Alison Clark 

Nursery:  Cindy Wilson & Landen Crosier   

Coffee Hour:  Robert & Lorna Blackford      

 

 

View our  calendar.   

 

 

 
Sunday School - 9:15 a.m.

 

The Faith & Life class has finished for this year.  We will resume again the first part of October.

 

Bible Study with Joyce Hagemann will meet for their last session this Sunday, May 27.

 

Children's Sunday school will finish  with a Pentecost party  this Sunday.

 

 

Isabel Circle

Isabel Circle will meet at 7:00 p.m. on May 24th at the home of Jane Kellogg at 1012 East Euclid Avenue in Monmouth.  Janice Cunningham will facilitate Lesson Eight: Greatly Honored Are Those Who Have Been Persecuted For The Sake Of Justice! from 2011-2012 Horizons Bible Study: Confessing the Beatitudes.  All members and friends of the church are welcome to attend.  For more information, contact Sharon Graham at 309-627-2484.


Rewarding Volunteer Opportunity Available

Are you being called to reach out to others?  Are you looking for flexible opportunities to volunteer?  Are you hoping to find a way to offer meaningful help, but don't have a lot of time to commit?  The Wash Day Ministry Committee of Faith U.P., a unique ministry, has a need to expand our volunteer pool to meet the need for this important community outreach.  Current volunteers have found their time to be personally enriching and rewarding.  We are offering volunteer training on June 6th at 7:00 p.m. in the church Social Hall.  Please call the church office if you are planning to attend so we can be sure to have enough materials available.  If you are interested, but cannot attend that day, please call Barb Byrne at 734-8709 to arrange an alternative time.  We thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration of this unique opportunity!

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:

May 27 - Tuna & Hamburger Helper

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



Vacation Bible School
                                           

SAVE THE DATE:  June 25 to 29th.  Registration begins this Sunday, May 27.  Help is needed in all areas:  teachers, registrars, painters, aids...

Please sign up in the Social Hall.  

 

VBS Needs:   

paper towel rolls - lots!

wet suit and mannequin

4x6 index cards

shaving cream

old CDs or DVDs

paper plates (Chinet)

clothes pins - clip

 

An Invitation to Read the Bible

Sunday - Psalm 99:9-104:21, Monday - Psalm 104:22-106:26, Tuesday - Psalm 106:27-108:13, Wednesday - Psalm 109:1-115:18, Thursday - Psalm 116:1-119:35, Friday - Psalm 119:36-119:120, Saturday - Psalm 119:121-124:1, Sunday (06/03/12) - Psalm 124:2-135:20.     




Megan Byrne Graduation Invitation
 
Barb and Larry Byrne invite you to an open house to celebrate the graduation of their daughter, Megan Byrne
on  Saturday, May 26, from 5 - 7 p.m.  
at the Warren County Historical Museum.




L
K o r e y  R e a g a n  F i s h e r

Korey senior pic

is graduating from
Monmouth Roseville High School 
Come Celebrate With Us! 
Saturday, May 26, 2012 from 1-4 p.m.
Faith United Presbyterian Church 
200 South 8th Street
Monmouth, IL  61462
 

Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging Volunteer
                                           

The Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA) is seeking individuals interested in planning for the needs of older adults in a ten-county area of western Illinois to serve as Advisory Council members.  Council members act in an advisory capacity to the WIAAA Board of Directors and staff.  The Council assists in determining priorities, identifying problem areas and needs and defining agency goals.  One opening currently exists in each of the following:  LaSalle and Warren Counties.  Advisory Council meetings are conducted the third Wednesday of each month at the Agency offices in Rock Island.  Mileage and lunch are furnished.  Please contact Deb Astillo at (309)793-6800 or (800)322-1051 for more information or if you or anyone you know would be interested in these openings.  

   

 

Survivor Registration Form 2012
                                           

Cancer survivors are welcomed and encouraged to register for Relay for Life of Warren County on their website www.relayforlife.org/warrenil, but Heather also has registration forms in the office you'd like to pick one up.  Registration forms are due by June 1, 2012.

 

The American Cancer Society considers a cancer survivor to be anyone who defines himself or herself this way, from the time of diagnosis throughout the balance of his or her life.

  

   

 

Thank You's

We deeply appreciate all your kind expressions of sympathy.
                                                                    Bill and Erma Smallwood

Dear Faith UPC,
Thank you so much for letting us use your sanctuary for our piano recital!  The piano was perfect for the occasion.  We appreciate your church being leaders in the community and supportive of the arts and piano students.  Thanks again!                                                   Julia Andrews West

Horizons Bible Study
                                           

Place:  Scotland Trinity - Macomb

Date:  Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Leader: The Rev. Lonna Lee

Reservations to:  Eloise McMillan, 4690 E. 100th St., Industry, IL  61440  309-254-3602

Reservations due Tuesday, May 29

Cost:  $7.00

 

   

 

Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers

Debbie Dingman, Beth Dingman, Carol McCurdy, Mary Distin (mother of Gary Distin), Karna Foster, Joe Cutt (childhood friend of Sharon Graham), Tracie Williams, Kathleen Fannin, Jim & Janet Paris, and Al Kulczewski.