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Faith United Presbyterian Church
Focus on Faith |
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 What Do You Think? How Do You Prepare for Communion?
Consider the last time you received communion. What did you do to prepare for that occasion? If devotional practices are not a regular part of your spiritual life, did you consider taking some extra time to read the Bible or pray before coming to worship that Sunday? If devotional practices are a regular part of your spiritual life, did you devote any of that time to preparing to receive communion? If you didn't, don't feel bad. Most people don't. If you did, I would love to hear about it.
Preparing to receive the Lord's Supper was once a vital part of what it meant to live life as a Presbyterian Christian. Most of us are not old enough to remember receiving communion tokens or attending Holy Fairs, but some may remember communion preparatory services on the Thursday before the next Lord's Day, when communion was to be celebrated.
Generations ago, families were the primary source for teaching faith to children. Reading the Bible, reciting catechisms, singing hymns, and offering prayers were spiritual practices learned from father and mother - at the dinner table, before going to bed or in the process of learning to read and write. From time to time, the pastor and the other elders would visit in the home to see that such family devotions were taking place. They would examine the children and parents, and if their understanding was suitable, the family would receive a token to present at the "fence" surrounding the communion table and they would be allowed to enter and partake of the Lord's Supper.
While it is not hard to imagine the abuses which could arise from such a practice of examination, it is important for us to reflect upon why such preparation was required. For Presbyterians, there is a mystical union which occurs at the table where those gathered become one with Jesus Christ. This union, whether between the church and Jesus Christ, or the individual believer and Jesus Christ, is akin to that between a husband and wife. The scriptures caution us that if we enter into this relationship in an unworthy manner, we will bring judgment upon ourselves. The season of preparation, be it one or more services of worship, was intended to enable believers to receive the sacrament of communion, to enter into this union, with a right, albeit sinful, heart and mind.
John Willison (1680-1750) was one of the most influential and revered authors of devotional literature of his day. His sermons regarding the sacraments, along with other devotional literature, were still being read over a century after they were written. In his "Sacramental Directory", Willison outlines the steps involved in preparing to receive communion. They include finding time and space to step back from the world; examining our lives; confessing our sin; renewing our personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ; changing behaviors that are amiss in our lives; passionately practicing the spiritual gifts we have been given; reflecting the sacrifices Christ made upon our behalf, particularly his suffering and death (to which I would add his resurrection); and, offering earnest prayer to God for preparation and assistance in fulfilling the ministries to which Christ has called us.
Our congregation will be celebrating World Communion on Sunday, October 7. Would you take five minutes each day, between now and then, privately, or with your family, to consider and follow Willison's steps for preparing for communion with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and then join our congregation in this celebration? If you will, I think you will find your experience of communion to be even more meaningful than you have known.
"When the bread and wine are offered to you, and you hear Christ saying, Take, eat, drink: O then cast open all the doors and gates of your soul, that the King of glory may enter in... Stretch out faith's arms as far and wide as you may, to welcome, embrace and clasp about our Saviour, and say, My beloved is mine, and I am his: Now may the marriage be sealed and ratified, and the knot cast which shall never be loosed again." John Willison
See you in church!
Pastor Myers
revhaggis1@hotmail.com
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This Sunday...
"The Journey into We"Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22 James 5:13-20 Psalm 124 Mark 9:38-50 Lay Assistant: Mary Distin
Beedle/Crucifer: Malik Reading & Choir
Usher: George Nieman, Carolyn Meling, Steve Johnson, Bob Green, Dee Ann Shuff
Greeters: Peggy Figle and Helen Redmond
Children's Church: Lisa Willett
Nursery: Lolla Ballard & Maggie McVey
Coffee Hour: John & Lynn Biggs
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Sunday School
Sunday school begins at 9:15 a.m. PreK (3+) and Kindergarten - meet in the upstairs theater. Your teachers are Mrs. Lyle and Ms. Simpson. 1, 2, 3th grade - meet in the upstairs theater. Your teacher will be Mrs. Myers and Crystal Sargent. 4, 5, 6th grade - meet in the upstairs theater. Your teachers are Mrs. Heaton, Mrs. Dingman, and Mr. Best. 7 & 8th grade - meet in the junior/senior high room above the nursery. Your teachers will be Dr. Sargent and Jill McClintock. Senior High - your schedule has changed this year. You will not meet for Sunday School but will instead meet for a meal after church at least twice a month. More information will be coming. This makes it possible for you to join our chancel choir which practices on Sunday mornings or join our Faith & Life class and learn about interesting topics related to our faith or our Bible Study class. Adult Sunday School Faith & Life: Will not meet for the rest of September. We will resume October 7. Stayed tuned for more information. Bible Study: Joyce Hagemann will again lead this Sunday Morning Bible Study class. It will meet in the brides room across from the chapel just outside the social hall.
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Hurricane Isaac 
On August 28 Hurricane Isaac made landfall in Louisiana along a path that was devastated seven years ago by Hurricane Katrina. Communities that have just begun to recover from the impact of Katrina and the Gulf oil spill now face another challenge to rebuild and restore their lives once again. As people of faith, we pray with all who have been affected by this disaster. In these uncertain times we pray, trusting that God remains mightier than even the strongest of storms and largest of waves. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) stands ready to immediately respond to needs identified by mid councils in the affected areas. Trained National Response Team members are being deployed to provide a ministry of presence and help with assessments and other identified needs. Cleanup buckets and Gift of the Heart kits are being considered to help in many aspects of the cleanup and recovery process. Your generosity will make a big difference in the effectiveness of this work. To make a donation click here.
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2013 Budget Requests
If you received a budget request in the mail and have not yet turned it in to Heather, please do so as soon as possible. If you have questions regarding the request, she will also be able to help with that.
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Isabel Circle
Isabel Circle will meet at the home of Sharon Graham this evening, September 27th at 7:00 p.m. Those who are attending can car pool from the church parking lot at 6:30 p.m. Sharon Graham will present the Introduction and Lesson One: An Overview of the General Epistles. The Scripture readings include 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude.
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An Invitation to Read the Bible
(09/30/12) Sunday - John 5:34-6:71, Monday - John 7:1-8:32, Tuesday - John 8:33-10:17, Wednesday - John 10:18-11:57, Thursday - John 12:1-13:38 , Friday - John 14:1-16:32, Saturday - John 16:33-19:14, Sunday (10/07/12) - John 19:15-21:25.
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Provide Meals to Our Youth
The Sr. High Youth Group will be meeting once a month for lunch following worship on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. If you are interested in providing a lunch (pizza, hotdogs, tacos, sloppy joes, etc.) for our youth, please sign up on the office door or contact Stephanie Reading. This is a great time for our youth to enjoy lunch and fellowship together. Your support is greatly appreciated!
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Commissioned Ruling Elder Program
Commissioned Ruling Elders (CREs) are elders in one of the churches of our presbytery who have felt a call to further their ministry by seeking further education. Once that education is complete, they work with the Committee on Ministry to determine whether or not they have a call to be commissioned as the pastor of one of our smaller churches. We have more than a dozen congregations now served by CREs.
Most of the education is now done online through Dubuque Seminary. The presbytery also requires that anyone who would like to be commissioned here does two other things. The first is to be evaluated as to their emotional and psychological readiness for the rigors of the pastoral life. Currently, this is done through a counseling service in Chicago but it will soon be done within the bounds of the presbytery. The second is to attend a class taught by members of the presbytery to look at the practical aspects of polity, preaching, worship, and sacraments. Online classes are good for theory and we are adding this component of practice.
Please contact Sue Krummel at skrummel@greatriverspby.org if you would like more information or if you or someone you know would like to attend.
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Handyman/woman Needed
Strom Center would like to partner with individuals from our church who have the capability and desire to help others in the community with minor house repairs who are incapable of doing it themselves. Please sign up on the office door if you can offer your time and talent.
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Annual Wiener Roast
Sugar Tree Grove will have its Annual Wiener Roast, 2210 M~A~M Trail, on Sunday, September 30, at 4:00 p.m. Bring hot dogs, lawn chairs, and a dish to pass.
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Help Lindsay! (Only 16 tickets left to sell.)
Raffle tickets for half of a hog (processing included) are now available in the church office from Heather, for the Lindsay Murdock Benefit. Tickets are $5.00 a piece. The drawing will be held on October 1, 2012, at the United Volleyball game at United High School. You need not be present to win. Two thumbs up for Lindsay!!!
Lindsay is now at: On With Life at Ankeny 715 SW Ankeny Rd Ankeny, IA 50023
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For the first time in decades "Crop Walk" is returning to Monmouth. On Sunday, October 21 at 2:00 walkers will meet at Monmouth College's Huff Center to begin their journey. If you are interested in walking please see Stephanie Reading in the social hall after church. She will give you a fund raising packet. If you are unable to walk but would like to donate walkers will be taking your donations in the social hall over the next couple of weeks. All age of walkers are welcome! Read what one pastor wrote to encourage his congregation and ours to participate. "I walk because I hope to experience the change that Jesus brought forth as he walked from Galilee to Jerusalem transforming the lives of those he encountered. I walk to help others. I walk to change the lives of my children, and to change my life. Let's walk together in our communities' CROP Hunger Walks knowing that we do not walk alone. For just as Jesus walked with the poor, the lonely, the sinful and the hurting, Jesus walks with us. Let's make this the year when we challenge those around us who are looking for a way to be of service to participate in their local Walk. And let them know that they make a difference in the lives of others who are connected to them by our common heritage as the children of God." (Written by, The Reverend Jimmie R. Hawkins) |
September Birthdays
25 Rachel Haynes 26 Ethan Clark 30 Mona Buchholz |
October Birthdays
1 Dorothy Behnke 2 Lorna Blackford 5 Barb Byrne 6 Elizabeth Nieman 7 Michael Crosier 11 Chloe Larson David Spoerl Paul Mason III 13 Megan Byrne 15 Don Mills Austin Johnson 17 Thomas Best 19 Mandy Lyle 21 Taylor Turnquist 29 Marie Inman 30 Lynn Biggs Amanda Bowman 30 Kathy Lewis
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Prayers
For:
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Pat Comer (sister of Vern Mettler and Dixie Wells), Rose Trimble, Wayne Hasting (Betty Lee's brother), Jane Warfield, Mick Miller, Tracey Williams, Lindsay Murdock & family, Don Mills, Vern Carr, Don Robeson, Janet Themanson, Jim & Janet Paris.
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