June 21, 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?
 
Are You Open to the Leading of the Holy Spirit?

"Eugene Blackwell, organizing pastor of another new ministry, House of Manna, says he was called to leave a traditional church to work more closely with people on the streets.  He describes House of Manna as a diverse congregation where a professional might sit with a prostitute and where both law makers and law breakers can find peace in Christ.  'I'd rather have a church full of people who are just discovering Christ than established Christians who are set in the way that they do church,' Blackwell says.  'With a new church, you don't have barriers to break down.  Tradition is a powerful force that can sometimes get in the way of transformation."
 
I came across this quote in the June/July issue of "Presbyterians Today".  General Assembly is meeting in Pittsburgh, June 30 to July 7, so there are a number of articles related to the witness of the Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh and beyond, past and present.  Pittsburgh Presbytery has a number of vital new church developments, each with their unique identity and mission.
 
Having served a new church development that was both transforming and traditional, I found Blackwell's comments timely and provocative.  He is absolutely right.  There is an energy and an urgency in a new church development that creates opportunities for ministry that are simply not available in an established congregation.  We were major partners in a variety of ministries in the community, including the Iowa City Community School District; the Oakdale Medical Classification Center; the North Liberty Family Resource Center; and Iowa Public Television.
 
However, I think we must take care in how we use the word "tradition" as a scapegoat for a congregation's inability to be transformative.  I would argue that "custom" not "tradition" is what holds people back.
 
As Presbyterians, there is a richness and vitality in our "tradition", theologically and liturgically.  For, inherent in our tradition is an openness to the movement of the Holy Spirit.  "The church reformed, and always being reformed, by the Word of God."  "Behold, God is making all things new."  This is attested across the country, not only by mega church and contemporary church pastors who are rethinking their ministries, but also by a new generation of young people who desire the church to "feel like church", which is to say, in part, they are looking for transformation rather than entertainment.  Tradition and transformation are not mutually exclusive.
 
If this is so, why are not more traditional congregations, such as ours, seeing a revitalization in their ministries?  Actually, many are and they share our liturgical and theological tradition.  What they have discovered is that it is not the tradition of the church that moves them forward or holds them back.  It is the customs of the people.  Specifically, are they open to having their lives transformed by the Holy Spirit?
 
In the NCD I served, and in those mentioned in the article, it was customary for people to intentionally engage the leading of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and our life together.  They actively sought ways to be a part of the work that God was doing.  Their "customs" were to worship, serve, and grow by the power of the Holy Spirit  Their "custom" generated a number of new and vital opportunities for ministry.
 
We have a good number of such people in our life together.  What we also have that most NCD's do not have are the folks who have "customs" that are not so conducive to bringing transformation in our life together.  We don't need to belabor this here.  If you are one who faithfully seeks the leading of the Holy Spirit in your service to Jesus Christ in our life together, know that we are grateful.  Our life together would be lesser without you.  If you are one who believes there may be some "customs" in your life keeping you from fully experiencing the transforming power of God's Holy Spirit in this place, speak with me.  God only knows what blessings you might bring to our life together, if you could become more open to the leading of God's Holy Spirit in this place.

See you in church!
 
Pastor Myers


This Sunday...
 

"Becoming a People with Hearts Wide Open"

 

The Psalter ~ Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32

The Epistles ~ 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

 The Gospel ~ Mark 4:35-41

 

Lay Assistant: John Marshall         

Special Music:  The Monmouth Brass Quintet
Ushers:  Jim Brown, John Turnbull, Greg Baber, John Lyle,  

Jim & Shari Glasgow        

Greeters: Joyce Patterson & Dee Ann Shuff and Armond & Betsy Akey     Children's Church: Lisa Willett        

Nursery: Margie Myers           

    

 

 

View our  calendar.   

   
Special Music this Sunday
                                            

The Monmouth Brass Quintet was formed 20 years ago.  Its current members are Joy Boostrum and James Keefe, trumpet; James Betts, horn; Ralph Butler, trombone; and Beter Gebauer, bass.

 

The Quintet plays an eclectic mixture of music and has played at a number of venues such as Monmouth College, Market Alley, the Monmouth Schools, the Buchanan Center for the Arts, Carl Sandburg Mall, and several churches as well as a variety of events. 


An Invitation to Read the Bible

(06/24/12) Sunday - Isaiah 11:10-16:9, Monday - Isaiah 16:10-22:11, Tuesday - Isaiah 22:12-26:20, Wednesday - Isaiah 26:21-30:16, Thursday - Isaiah 30:17-34:16, Friday - Isaiah 34:17-38:21, Saturday - Isaiah 38:22-41:29, Sunday (07/01/12) - Isaiah 42:1-45:13.     


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!

   

BBQ & Swimming Party
                                                  

On Sunday, June 24, at 5:30 p.m., Vacation Bible School will have its kickoff at the Monmouth Country Club swimming pool.  Please bring a dish to share and table service.  In case of rain we will eat at the church.  ALL are welcome!  

   

Vacation Bible School
                                           
On June 25-29, from 9:30 a.m. - noon, all children from PreK-6th grade are invited to Operation Overboard - Dare to Go Deep with God. Through crafts, songs, recreation, and Bible story-telling, we will learn about the faith of Noah, The Servant Girl, John the Baptist, The Disciples, Paul, and Jesus 

 

 

STARS Project 2012-2013
                                           
Jamieson Community Center is beginning the STARS project for the 2012-2013 school year.  STARS stands for Supplies To Arrive Ready for School.  Many churches have participated in the past years by collecting donated school supplies and we are grateful for the generosity of past years.  Supplies have then been distributed to the schools in Warren County.  This program has been very successful in providing school supplies to children who come to school without the necessary supplies throughout the year.

You can either bring supplies to the church and place them in the box outside of the office, or  you can drop them off at Jamieson Center, 325 East. 9th Ave.  Monetary donations toward the program are also welcome.  Checks should be made out to Jamieson Center STARS.  If you have any questions, call Dori Anderson at Jamieson Center at 734-4251.  

Jamieson Center
                                                  

Help fill Jamieson Center's food pantry!  You can bring any nonperishable food item and place it under the mirror outside of the office each week.  Thanks for your help. 

   

A Rare Titanic Family - The Caldwells' Story of Survival
Warren County History Museum 
                                                  

Author Dr. Julie Hedgepeth Williams will recount the amazing tale of the rescue of the Albert Caldwell family from the ill-fated Titanic. 
The Caldwells spent time with Albert's father, a minister in Biggsville, IL.  Albert later worked as a principal, teacher, and coach in Aledo, IL.  Dr. Williams, Albert's great niece, will appear in 1912-era dress to provide the fascinating story of this family's real-life adventure.

 

The program is on Thursday, June 28, at 7:00 p.m. at The Warren County History Museum, 238 South Sunnylane, Monmouth, and is open to the public.  A donation of $2.00 is suggested to help support such museum programs.

 

Books will be available for purchase. 


Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging
         .                                          
WIAAA is planning a trip to Branson, Missouri for October 8 o- 12, 2012 and would like to invite you.

This trip includes:
  • Motorcoach transportation
  • 4 nights lodging
  • 8 meals: 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
  • Admission to 7 Branson shows
  • And much more...

Cost for the trip is $509 per person/double occupancy.  Trip insuarnce is available for an additional charge.

 

We will be departing at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, October 8.  Actual departure location will be determined closer to the event date.

 

If you have questions or would like to register for the trip, please contact Vicki at 309-793-6800 or 800-322-1051 or by email vcoutant@wiaaa.org.

  
Thank You

Thank you to the Monmouth Evening Lions Club for purchasing and planting the beautiful maple tree on our first avenue side close to where the big tree fell last summer.  The tree is an Amur Maple and will grow to about 25 feet.  It will be bright red in the fall. We appreciate their generosity in this project. 

  

Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers

The family of Spc. Bryant J. Luxmore, Lindsay Murdock, Betsy Akey, Peggy Willett, Don Mills, Vern Carr, Don Robeson, Joe Cutt, Debbie & Beth Dingman, Kathleen Fannin, Jim & Janet Paris