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Faith United Presbyterian Church
Focus on Faith |
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Charity Begins with Christ
"The Christmas tree lights are on!" This has been an observation made by some, who have been in worship the past couple of Sundays. One person even asked me, "Are you being charitable, since this is your last Christmas?" Visions of Scrooge throwing open the sash on Christmas morning flashed in my head. Was I being charitable? That is a good question. The answer is: "Yes and No"! Yes, I was being charitable, because I wanted people to enjoy the trees and I knew they would enjoy them more, if the lights were on. Frankly, if people haven't learned the importance of celebrating Advent by now, they never will. No, I was not being charitable, because part of my motivation was to distract any neigh Sayers with the lovely lights. There are those in our congregation, who are not happy, no matter what we say or do. Early on in my ministry, I did something a particular way and a few people didn't like it. The next year, I did it differently, the way they wanted me to do it the year before. You guessed it. They didn't like it. I learned then, I would never please them. So, I turned on the Christmas tree lights this year, in the hope that those people would not notice the new trees, and complain because they don't like anything new, but instead, focus on the beauty of the lights. It worked. I have heard no complaints. But as I have thought about it, I realized, by responding to the possibility they might be uncharitable, I was the one being uncharitable. I was being uncharitable, by taking from them an opportunity to be charitable. Yes, they have a track record of being uncharitable. Yes, they probably would have been uncharitable this time, too. But that doesn't matter. What matters, if I want to be truly charitable, is I have to give them the benefit of the doubt; I have to provide them opportunities to be charitable, not take opportunities away; and, I have to live in hope that those, who have been uncharitable toward me in the past, will one day have a change of heart. Yes, there is always the possibility they won't, but that is the risk I must take, if I want to be charitable. In On the Common Life, Baldwin of Exeter, a medieval monk and Archbishop of Canterbury, offers a wonderful reflection on charity. He writes: [Charity] loves to have things in common, not to possess them individually without sharing them. In fact, charity loves to share them so much that it is sometimes unwilling to reclaim good that rightfully belongs to it and that someone else has taken. Charity is generous and shuns disputes; it does not seek its own interests and has no wish to enter into legal controversy, when charity itself would be in danger. It prefers to be cheated than to perish; to suffer the damages rather than be awarded the costs... Whoever has the utterance of wisdom or knowledge, whoever has the gift of work or service, whoever has any other gift, whether greater or lesser, should possess it as having been give by God for the sake of others.
People of faith, in this Advent season, may even the most charitable among us receive this gift anew. May our encounter with the Child Christ, so transform our minds, hearts, tongues and bodies that all we think, feel, say and do, may reflect the love of God we have been given at Christmas. May our lives become a living testimony of the angels' chorus: "Peace on earth! Good will to all!" See you in church! Pastor Myers
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This Sunday - 3rd Advent
"Rejoice! You are Redeemed!"
Zephaniah 3:14-20 Philippians 4:4-7
Isaiah 12:2-6 Luke 3:7-18
Lay Assistant: Bob Meling
Advent Family: Tom & Crystal Sargent and family
Beedle/Crucifer: Megan & Abby Brown
Usher: Julie Armstrong, Bob Wells, Josh Clark, Lolla Ballard
Greeters: John & Mary Lyle and Darlene Moffet
Children's Church: Lorna Blackford
Nursery: Margie Myers
Coffee Hour: Jane Warfield & Nancy Dowell
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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 - will meet for lunch on October 14, at 12:30 p.m., at Dew's Diner. Adult Sunday School Faith & Life: December 16-23 - Christmas Angels (and their cousins).
Did you know...thirty-four of the Bible's sixty-six books talk about angels in detail? Every New Testament writer confirms their existence. Jesus himself referred to angels as real beings who were involved in every realm of human activity.
We will continue our 2012 advent theme by exploring what the Bible really says about angels, including their service to God and their ministry to people.
Bible Study: Will meet in the brides room across from the chapel just outside the social hall.
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Attention New and Existing Elders
You should be receiving a committee preference sheet in the mail. If you do not receive it by Friday, please call the church office so another one can be mailed out to you. Thank you!
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Christmas Time for Refreshment
Join Pastor Myers today, December 13, at 4:30 p.m. for a special Christmas Time for Refreshment. Enjoy Christmas music, McNabb's Tea, shortbread, and good conversation. Hope to see you there!
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Attention Ushers and Prospective Ushers
The schedule of weekly usher assignments for the next six months will be issued by January 15. Please notify Deacon Usher Coordinator, Ralph Whiteman at 734-4641, if you wish to retire from your respective crew or would like to be considered for future service.
(If members of the congregation have suggestions for the improvement of usher service, please contact Ralph Whiteman.)
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Fillman Fellowship
This morning, December 13, Fillman Fellowship will gather for brunch at 10 a.m. at Dew's Diner. It is at this gathering free will donations will be received and sent to the Lindsay Murdock Family.
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Buchanan Community Chorus
Friday, December 14, 2012
1st United Methodist in Galesburg, at 7:00 p.m.
Special Guest Artist: 'The Dancers'
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Heritage Presbyterian in Monmouth, at 4:00 p.m.
Special Guest Artist: Monmouth Roseville Choir Chimes
The cost is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for students.
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End of the Year Reports
This year is coming to an end quickly so I'll need to begin putting the Annual Report together soon.
If you are the moderator of a committee, I'll need a report from you. If this is your first year and you are needing help, please call the church office or stop in to see Heather.
The deadline to turn in the reports from your committee will be on Friday, December 28, 2012. Thank you!
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The Freedom Angel
Be a part of something that captures the meaning of the Holiday Season! Purchase a Freedom Angel to support our troops. 100% of proceeds will support a benefit for local veterans; cost is $10; local, high-quality craftsmanship; exceptional gift idea; unique opportunity to say, "Thank You!" to local veterans; a win-win philanthropy project. The Freedom Angel is available at Innkeeper's Coffee, the Orpheum Theatre, or online at www.theorpheum.org.
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Deacon Christmas Caroling
The Deacon Christmas Caroling will be held Sunday evening, December 23, 2012, at 4:00 p.m.
We will meet at the church at 4:00 p.m. and return to the church for soup, drink, and finger food. Soup and drink will be furnished and each one attending should bring a finger food to share.
Mother to Mother and Faith's Youth Group will be joining us. Everyone is invited to attend.
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Christmas Pageant
This Christmas the children of our church will be offering their Annual Christmas Pageant to you and God on Christmas Eve at 5:00 p.m. This celebration of Christ's birth is not meant only for the children and their parents. Please join us as we travel, with our children leading the way, to the manger of our Savior's birth.A Service of Lessons and Carols
The ancient Service of Nine Lessons & Carols - from King's College Chapel, Cambridge - recounts the prophecy and birth of Christ in the words of Holy Scripture and in songs of devotion and praise. Join us at 8:00 p.m. as we hear again the message of the angels and go even unto Bethlehem!
Candlelight Communion
Following the order of service for evening prayer, we will celebrate the birth of Jesus by celebrating the sacrament of the Lord's Supper at 11:00 p.m. If you have been looking for a moment of peace during this hectic holiday season, this is a good place to find it.
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Christmas-tide Breakfast
Join us on December 30, 2012, for our Annual Christmas-tide breakfast potluck at 9:30 a.m. in the Social Hall. Bring a dish to pass and your own table service.
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2013 Elder Training
Saturday
8:30 - 3:00
Rev. Dick Johnson Date Place RSVP by
January 26 Lewistown - First January 11 (March 2 snow date)
February 2 Woodhull - United January 19
February 9 Bloomington - St. Luke January 26
February 16 Springfield - Third February 2
February 23 Peoria - First Federated February 9 Mark your calendar for the upcoming 2013 Elder Training! To register elders in your church, please email (pattiparrish@greatriverspby.org) (or call 800-537-8592) Patti Parrish at the presbytery office. You will need the name, address, phone number and email address for all who plan to attend.
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Christmas Flowers
Traditionally, we have a beautiful sanctuary during the Christmas season. If you would like to make a donation for either Christmas flowers or decorations for the sanctuary ($6.00 each), please fill out the form below and return it with the money to the office by December 14th.
________ I would like to donate to the Christmas flower & decorations fund to be given in memory of:
________________________________________________________________
or
________ To be given in honor of:
________________________________________________________________
(Please check appropriate box)
________ I wish to pick up a poinsettia following the Christmas Eve service.
________ I wish to donate a poinsettia to an at home member.
Flowers are welcome simply as gifts to the church either by family name or anonymously.
Given by:
________________________________________________________________
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December Birthdays
1 Andrea Spainhour 17 Job Runge
2 Beverly Davis 18 Dorothy Huthisson
5 Rodney Lemon Jarrett Baber
6 Gary Pullen 19 Jason Haynes
Karen Angotti Evelyn Blackford
11 Jo Ellen Dollinger 23 Joyce Allison
12 Stephanie Reading 25 Ralph Whiteman
13 Noah Clark George Nieman
15 Mark McVey 27 Kristin Sorensen
16 John Sorensen 30 Merle Brown
Alexis Crosier Bette Vance
31 Chuck Hallam
Dawn Brown
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Baptism
Sympathy
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Grady John Clark was baptized on November 25, 2012. He is the son of Josh and Alison Clark. Brothers are Noah and Ethan Clark, and grandparents are Gary and Jonalyn Heaton.
To DuWayne Brooks, family, and friends, on the death of his brother, Leland Brooks, who died on December 3, 2012.
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Prayers
For
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Esther White, Sally McVey, Gary Youngblood, Evelyn Carlson, Dorothy Hutchisson, Vernon Mettler, Don Tomlin, Jane Warfield, Mick Miller, Lindsay Murdock & family, Vern Carr, Janet Themanson, Jim & Janet Paris.
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