June 28, 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

 

 


 

 

 

 

July Birthdays 

   

4          Kris Brown

            Lewis Laughead

6          Kelsey Green

7          Leroy Lantz

8          Norma Mettler

            Jane Warfield

            Whitney Pullen

10        Steve Spainhour

13        Greg Lewis

            Courtney Agan

14        Douglas J.       

                Bowman

            Echo Logsdon

15       Hallie Hottle

16       Gene Larson

17       Jeff Rankin

            Will Best

18       Louise Roos

19       Mark Lyle

            Elizabeth Myers

21        Lolla Ballard

            Shari Glasgow

25        Mary Distin         

28        Judy Andrews

29        Eugene Inman

30        Donna Larson

31        Emily Fisher

 

 

 


 

 

 

 
BillWhat Do You Think? 
A New Opportunity for Mission? 
You have a decision to make.  Last night, the session approved calling a congregational meeting to occur after worship on July 22.  The purpose of this meeting will be to approve, or reject, an "offer of purchase" for the property immediately south of our sanctuary.  As a member of the congregation, it will be your responsibility to discern the mind of Christ on this matter.  Is God calling you, the members of our congregation, to embrace a new opportunity for mission that will include the purchase of this property?
 
While there are still details to be worked out, the session will be offering a proposal asking the congregation to approve the purchase of the property and enter into an agreement with Starting Point to provide housing for single women in need of transitional housing.  Currently, Starting Point has a home for men on Sunny Lane and apartments for families in a large home not far from our church.  Our congregation would maintain ownership of the property, while Starting Point would share in the renovation and maintenance of  the property.  The specific responsibilities in this relationship have yet to be worked out.
 
The offer of purchase that you will be asked to vote on will include all of the standard items that would normally be in such an offer, as well as a number of conditions, including:  the maximum purchase price; the need for congregational and presbytery approval of the purchase; and a signed agreement between Starting Point and our congregation.
 
Entering into such a partnership would provide our congregation with another opportunity for mission consistent with who we have been historically.  Among other ministries, the people of Faith United were instrumental in establishing Jamieson Center and partnering with Raj and Saro Ambrose in their work in India.  In this case, we would be sharing in the provision of shelter and sanctuary for single women in Monmouth with Starting Point, an agency some of our members helped to establish.
 
There is no question this would be a rewarding ministry for our congregation. However, there are some risks.  The purchase of the property would have a significant impact on our reserve funds and our annual budget.  While I believe our congregation has the means to embrace such a challenge, this will require a leap of faith, not to mention the conviction and commitment, of more than a few.  This is why it is vital to discern a call before proceeding.  We should not go forward, if we are not called by God to do so.
 
In preparation for the congregational meeting on July 22, there will be two informational meetings.  The first will be Sunday, July 15, following worship.  The second will be Tuesday, July 17, at 7:00 p.m.  At each of these meetings, a brief presentation will be made.  The floor will then be opened to questions from those present.
 
In preparation for both of the informational meetings and the congregational meeting, I would ask you to enter into a season of prayerful discernment and study.  How we handle the discernment process and discussion will say as much about who we are as a community of faith, as the decision we make.  Concerns should be raised openly and charitably.  Convictions should be shared with humility and understanding.  There is no place for division and strife, for Christ is not divided on this question.  Our goal is not to "win".  Our goal is to discover, together:  "Who is Christ calling us to be?"

See you in church!
 
Pastor Myers


This Sunday...
 

"Let Us Not Sell Jesus Short"

 

The Psalter   Psalm 30

 The Epistles   2 Corinthians 8:7-15

The Gospel   Mark 5:21-43

 

Lay Assistant: Karen Angotti          

Special Music:  Marsha Wetmore, flute; Karen Martin, violin; and Linda Andrews, organ
Ushers: Julie Armstrong, Bob Wells, Josh Clark, Ralph Whiteman, and Lolla Ballard

Greeters: Raj & Saro Ambrose and Ann Phelps & Alis Chy

Children's Church: Crystal Sargent

Nursery: Jim & Shari Glasgow

Coffee Hour:  Marjorie & Ann Phelps            

    

 

 

View our  calendar.   

   
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 tonight, June 28, at 7:00 p.m. at The Warren County History Museum, 238 South Sunny Lane, 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. 


Yard Sale Fundraiser for Rainbow Riders
 
 FAMILY YARD SALE
Friday, June 29 & Saturday, June 30     
6:00 A.M. - NOON 
   Directions:  North end of North 12th Street 
To Benefit Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center 

Art supplies, new kitchen ware, radios, teacher's delights,
hanging stained glass gobe lamp, whirl pool bath, and
other exciting goodies... no clothing 

Y'all come! 
  
An Invitation to Read the Bible

(07/01/12) Sunday - Isaiah 42:1-45:13, Monday - Isaiah 45:14-49:25, Tuesday - Isaiah 49:26-55:5, Wednesday - Isaiah 55:6-59:21, Thursday - Isaiah 60:1-65:24, Friday - Isaiah 65:25 - Jeremiah 2:36, Saturday - Jeremiah 2:37-5:30, Sunday (07/08/12) - Jeremiah 5:31-8:21.     


VBS THANK YOU!

What a splashin' good time we've been having this week at Vacation Bible School!  Of course, none of it could be possible without the countless people who donate supplies and volunteer their time.  So many of you go above and beyond, and for that, we are blessed and very thankful. 

Again, "many thanks" go out to (please let me know if I've missed anyone):  Margie Myers, Ann Phelps, Dixie Wells, Brittany Wilson, Jo Ellen Dollinger, Donna Larson, Darlene Moffet, Alice Lawson, Stephanie & Malik Reading, Emily Fisher, John & Mary Lyle, George & Liz Nieman, Megan Byrne, Sharon Simpson, Chloe Larson, Will Myers, Erika Solberg, Lorna Blackford, Jonalyn Heaton, Janice Cunningham, Candy Smith Hiett, Leroy & Randy Lantz, Alis Chy, Rob Hale, Bonnie Heflin, Marjorie Phelps, Mary Baker, Sharon Graham, Jane Kellogg, Tom Best, Pastor Myers, Heather Fisher, and all of those who donated food and supplies! 


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. 

   

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.

  
Congratulations
 
David and Sarah Distin welcomed a baby boy into the world on June 26, 2012, weighing 3 lbs 2 oz.  Because the baby was born at 30 weeks, they are still deciding on what to name him.  Grandparents are Gary and Mary Distin.   

Sympathy
 
Dear Friends and Family:

We are very saddened to report that at 11.30 pm on 6/25/12 Nellie K. Spitz passed away quietly at the age of 89 with the support of her children and grand children. She suffered briefly (36 hours) from multi-organ failure caused by a perforation of her bladder and colon. She suffered very little pain and was attended to by family members during the whole ordeal.

 

We will be talking to the funeral director at Lensing Funeral Home in Iowa City (http://www.lensingfuneral.com/) tomorrow and details of the arrangements will be forthcoming on their website. Please feel free to forward this announcement to all the people you may know who knew and loved Nellie. The family would also thank you for your loving support during this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Douglas R. Spitz, PhD
  

Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers
 

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