July 19, 2012
Focus on Faith
Faith United Presbyterian Church
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  

27        Dee Ann Shuff        

28        Judy Andrews

29        Eugene Inman

30        Donna Larson

31        Emily Fisher

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 
What Do You Think?
 
This is Why
 
From time to time, folks will question, even challenge, my belief that Christians should be in worship each Lord's Day.  "I don't need to be in church every Sunday.  I can praise Jesus wherever I am."  Some even question the need for reading the Bible or daily prayer.  Most gave up on church doctrine a while ago.  "We live in a different world."
 
True enough.  We don't need to be in church to worship.  In fact, all of life is to be lived in a spirit of worship.  We do live in a different world.  I wear my pulpit gown in the pulpit, as a reminder of who I am and the heritage from which I come, but I don't wear it around town each day like Jean Calvin or John Knox might have done.
 
Nevertheless, I have been reminded this week why the touchstones of
our faith - a community of faith gathered for worship each Lord's Day; the reading of scripture; the life of prayer; and, an understanding of the teachings of the church - are vital for our personal faith and our life together.  They are the tools or, better, the spiritual gifts, which enable us to become the people God has created us to be.
 
As most of you are aware, we have had an ongoing conversation in our congregation over the past few months regarding the possibility of purchasing the property next to the church.  We had another informational meeting on Tuesday night.  Like the meeting on Sunday morning, we had a good number of people.  Those present were clearly invested in the process.  All of the questions were asked, and concerns raised, not in a negative way, but with an openness to hearing an answer that might address the concern or even change an opinion.  As with the discussion Sunday morning, Tuesday evening's conversation served as a wonderful example of people of faith seeking to discern and serve God's will.
 
Some may disagree, but I find it more than coincidental, that the vast majority of those who have been involved in this conversation - those who raised the question initially; those who have provided us helpful information along the way; and, those who have offered important questions and concerns throughout the process - are those who worship with us regularly on the Lord's Day; are faithful in their devotional life; and, have a sound understanding  of the teachings of the church.  The quality of the conversation has clearly been shaped by the same Spirit that is shaping our lives and our life together as people of faith.
 
Yes, there are times that good Christians don't act like good Christians.  There are also times that folks, who are not Christian, reveal to us what it truly means to live the love of Christ.  But these are exceptions that prove the rule.  As people of faith, we live a disciplined life of faith, in order to be prepared for moments, such as this one in our life together, when we are called to discern and serve God's will.
 
As a pastor, I see this truth lived out time and again.  Those who have nurtured a deep and abiding faith, for themselves and for their families, through faithful worship, prayer, Bible study and reflection on the teachings of the church are the best prepared to deal with life's questions and challenges.  They are also the best prepared to appreciate life's blessings to their fullest.
 
People of faith, thank you for reminding me, throughout this conversation, why we do what we do.
 
See you in church!
 
Pastor Myers


This Sunday...
 

"How Shall We Minister to Those Who Dwell in a Deserted Place?"

2 Samuel 7:1-14a

Psalm 23 

 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

 

Lay Assistant:  Betsy Akey

Communion Servers: Lolla Ballad, Barbara Byrne, Ralph Whiteman, Martha Whiteman, Jon Graham, Gary Distin, Mary Distin, Buster Kellogg, Jane Kellogg, Bob Green 

Special Music: Carolyn Kellert

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

Greeters: Don & Donna Lee and John & Isabel Marshall

Children's Church:  Lorna Blackford 

Nursery: Margie Myers 

Coffee Hour:  Karen Angotti & Sally Bowman

     

                    

 

 

View our  calendar.   

   
Home Communion
                                           

If you are home-bound and would like to receive Communion, please call Heather at 734-5129 so she can schedule a time for you.   

  

Congregational Meeting
                                           

On July 22, following worship, we will have a congregational meeting. The purpose of this meeting will be to approve, or not approve, an offer of purchase for the property immediately south of the church, 220 South 8th Street, and a proposal for the use of the property presented by the session.

 



A Young Woman at Starting Point

A couple of years ago students in the Communications Department of Monmouth College, under the supervision of their professor, Chris Goble, made a short documentary film called "Hidden Homeless in the Rural Midwest."  Their film centers on interviews with Jack and Amy Toal and Dave Giles about the extent of the problem in Monmouth and Starting Point's work trying to provide homeless shelters. This film focuses on one particular client, Brandy, a 33-year-old single mom whose children are in foster care.  It shows her Starting Point living quarters and goes over some of the life circumstances that brought her to homelessness. To actually see Jack and Amy's faces as they tell about their work conveys so much about their sincerity and dedication and is very compelling.

Here is a link by which you may view the film, which runs about 10 minutes:

 

    Once at the page, go to the "Fusion" column on the right side of the page, simply click on the "Documentary 'Hidden Homeless'" (about halfway down) to see this film.  

Calling All Campers!
                                           

On Friday, July 20 beginning at 6:00 p.m., we will, cook out, circle the campfire, make s'mores, tell stories, play games, watch an outdoor movie, pitch tents( if you want to stay the night), and do lots of other fun stuff!  Everyone is welcome, especially families with children.  Bring your tent and sleeping bags to camp out on Faith's lawn - if you want.    Even if you can't stay the night, still bring a lawn chair and come join the fun!  To reserve a spot for camping, please call the church or sign up on the office door.

 

Bring:  Lawn chairs

              Table service for your family

              Out door game if you have one

               Bug spray

              A little wood for the fire if you have it :)

              Tent and sleeping bags if you're staying the night.

 

Hope to see you and your family for the fun on Friday.

 

An Invitation to Read the Bible

(07/22/12) Sunday - Jeremiah 30:24-32:43 - Lamentations 2:22, Monday - Lamentations 3:1-4:22, Tuesday - Lamentations 5:1-Ezekiel 3:27, Wednesday - Ezekiel 4:1-8:17, Thursday - Ezekiel 8:18-12:27, Friday - Ezekiel 12:28-16:28, Saturday -Ezekiel 16:29-18:31, Sunday (07/29/12) - Ezekiel 18:32-21:16.     


OSF Fundraiser 
 
Fund raiser for OSF Holy Family Medical Center and Clinic featuring grammy winning, country music star David Ball and his band.  Concert is 8PM, Friday, July 27th at the VFW.  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  Tickets are available at Security Savings, the Hospital Gift Shop, or from John Marshall.  All proceeds go to our local Hospital and Health Clinic. 


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 - 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.

  
Please Keep the Following in Your Prayers
 


Jane Warfield, Mick Miller, Sarah & Rylan Senlo Distin, Lindsay Murdock & family, Tracey Williams, Peggy Willett, Don Mills, Vern Carr, Don Robeson, Joe Cutt, Dale Dingman,  Kathleen Fannin, Jim & Janet Paris, Janet Themanson.