June 7, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
June Birthdays 

   

1        Jim Brown

2        Jane Kellogg

3        Bryce Willett

4        Carol Bowman

          Charles Peirce

8        Hallie Lemon

9        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

 

 


 

 

 

 
BillWhat Do You Think?
 
"What Will We Become?"
 
If you have not had the opportunity, take time to see the movie, "Iron Lady."  Not so much because Meryl Streep's performance in the role of Margaret Thatcher is critically acclaimed, but because it calls to mind a culture that has much to offer our own.  Ironically, in a time of national crisis, Thatcher calls her people to look not simply to their glorious past, but to the "philosophy" of America that was decidedly forward looking in its belief that through hard work, virtue, and perseverance the future could be better than the past.  Whether, or not, we agree with her assessment of our culture at the time, her words ring true as a clarion call for who we must become again.  If our tomorrow is to be better than today, we must now look to our past and reclaim the virtues that will make it so.
 
Let me say, this is not an endorsement, nor a critique, of her political policies and programs.  Studying in Aberdeen, my colleagues from Great Britain were not of one mind regarding Prime Minister Thatcher and her policies and they are much more informed than I am.  The movie, too, takes care to reflect the complexity of her leadership and persona.  Nevertheless, there are some ideals worthy of our reflection.
 
One that is particularly important in our time is there must be a balance between public welfare and personal accountability.  Whether, or not, the "Iron Lady's" policies always found this balance is a question for greater minds than mine.  However, we must relearn what our grandparents knew.  Good work, well done, is good for the spirit.  Rich or poor, each of us must take responsibility for our individual lives and use what ever resources we have to improve our lot in life, and that of the next generation, and we should help others to do so as well.  Of course, there is the rub.

Who are those "truly" in need?  How can we keep people from taking advantage of "the system"?  When it comes to helping "those less fortunate", how much is enough?  These are but a few of the questions that come to mind and, as vexing as they are, they do not begin to reflect the complexity of dealing, politically, with economic poverty on a national scale.  One reason for this is that poverty is not simply a political issue.  Poverty is, also, a theological issue born in injustice, oppression, sloth, and greed and our culture has lost the capacity to address such issues from a critically theological perspective.
 
Would that I had a political policy or program that would bring an end to poverty.  I don't.  Even Jesus knew the poor would always be with us.  But I do understand the importance of the church's role in shaping the culture in which we once lived.  The virtues of the "Greatest Generation" were the fruit of seeds planted in the Protestant Reformation.  Our understanding of the relationship between faith and life, that our faith is embodied in the style and manner of lives we live, and our appreciation for the majesty providence of God, as well as, our embrace of such virtues as living a simple, holy, and disciplined life are sorely missed in our culture of entitlement.

 

People of faith, the greatest threat to our future is not economic uncertainty, Islamic extremists or competing political/social agendas.  These are but symptoms.  The greatest threat to our future is a crisis of belief.  If our future is to be better than our present, we must examine our beliefs and reclaim the virtues of our faith.  To paraphrase the "Iron Lady":  "We must watch our thoughts for they become words.  We must watch our words for the become actions.  We must watch our actions for the become habits.  We must watch our habits, for the become our character.  And, we must watch out character, for it becomes our destiny!  What we think we become."

 

May we become evermore faithful followers of Jesus Christ.
 
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 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...
 

"Discerning Good From Evil"

 

The Torah - Genesis 3:8-15 

The Psalter - Psalm 30 

The Gospel - Mark 3:20-35

 

Lay Assistant:  Brad Larson      

Special Music:  Buchanan Singers

Ushers:  George Nieman, Carolyn Meling, Steve Johnson, Bob Green, Dee Ann Shuff     

Greeters:  Harlow & Lila Blum and Scott & Karen Gibson   

Children's Church:  Margie  

Nursery:  Lolla Ballard      

PW Luncheon Following Worship

 

 

View our  calendar.   

 

 

 
PW Officers Needed
                                           

Presbyterian Women is in need of officers for this next program year which begins in September of 2012.  Positions to be filled are:  Moderator, Vice Moderator, two persons for the Nominating Committee, and one representative for Church Women United.  It is not necessary for individuals to be actively involved as a member of a circle to serve as an officer.  All female members as well as friends of our congregation are considered to be Presbyterian Women.  If you are a woman who wants to serve God by helping to "... build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God's kingdom ...", your acceptance of an opportunity to serve as a member of the Coordinating Team for Presbyterian Women would be greatly appreciated.

 

The following women have agreed to serve as officers for this next program year: Jane Kellogg - Treasurer, PW Nominating Committee - Bonnie Heflin, Heather Fisher - Coordinator of Study Action, Janice Cunningham - Coordinator of Interpretation, and Darlene Moffitt and Carolyn Simpson - Representatives to Church Women United.

 

Please telephone Sharon Graham at 309-627-2484 or 309-337-2109 or email to sjgraham6227@yahoo.com or talk to her in person after worship service on Sunday, June 3rd
 

 

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

(06/10/12) Sunday - Proverbs 11:13-14:13, Monday - Proverbs 14:14-16:32, Tuesday - Proverbs 16:33-19:29, Wednesday - Proverbs 20:1-22:28, Thursday - Proverbs 22:29-25:13, Friday - Proverbs 25:14-28:15, Saturday - Proverbs 28:16-31:12, Sunday (06/17/12) - Proverbs 31:13-Ecclesiastes 3:22.     


Thai Circle
                                           
Thai Circle will meet in the Social Hall at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, June 7.  A combined study of Lessons 8 and 9 will be given.  

   

 

PW Luncheon
                                         

All women of the church are invited to the annual Presbyterian Women's salad luncheon today, after worship in the Social Hall.  We will install new officers and enjoy a program on next year's Bible Study.  Please bring a salad to share and table service.

 

Coldbrook Christian Church
                                              

1428 State Hwy 164

Rural Cameron

342-8915

To benefit:  "The Starting Point"

Sunday, June 10, 2012

4:00 - 6:30 p.m. 

$6.00 includes:

Homemade Ice cream, pie or cake, & beverage

Also available for purchase:

Country BBQ, grilled hot dogs and additional servings.

Tickets at the door.

 

VBS Staff & Teachers
                                      

There will be a meeting for all Vacation Bible School staff and teachers on June 14, at 4:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. 


Fillman Fellowship
                                            

At 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, Fillman Fellowship will gather at Faith Church parking lot to carpool to the Lutheran Church Strawberry Festival.  Serving time is from 5 to 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are available at the door - $6.00 for adults and $4.00 for children 10 and under.  The menu includes barbeque sandwiches, cake, ice cream, strawberries, and a drink!  A concert by the Monmouth City Municipal Band will start at 7:00 p.m. in the church Sanctuary.


Annual Strawberry Festival
                                           

Date:  Thursday, June 14, 2012

Time:  5 - 7:00 p.m.

Location:  First Lutheran Church

116 South B Street, Monmouth

Held in the basement Fellowship Hall

BBQ Sandwiches

Strawberries, Ice Cream, Cake and Drink

Suggested donation $6.00 adults; $4.00 children (10 and under)

Monmouth Municipal Band Concert

7:00 p.m.

Held in the church Sanctuary

  

85th Birthday Party
                                                  

The Deacons of Faith Church will hold their Annual 85 Years and Older Birthday Party on Sunday, June 24th following the worship service.  All are welcomed and encouraged to stay for the celebration!

   

Congratulations

To Alison & Josh Clark on the birth of their son, Grady John Clark, on Wednesday, May 23.   His brothers are Noah and Ethan and his grandparents are Jonalyn & Gary Heaton.

  

 Thank You

Dear Faith UP family,

 

Thank you for the cards and well wishes for my graduation.  A special 'Thanks' to the sewing circle for the beautiful quilt in Western Illinois University colors.  It will be a meaningful keepsake.

Thank you again, Mitch McVey
 

 

Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers

Vern Carr, Carol McCurdy, Don Robeson, Debbie Dingman, Beth Dingman, Carol McCurdy, Joe Cutt (childhood friend of Sharon Graham), Tracey Williams, Jim & Janet Paris.