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Faith United Presbyterian Church
Focus on Faith |
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 What Do You Think?
An Ordinary Epiphany
"But, what if I cannot hear God's voice in worship?" This was the question of someone dear to me, when we were discussing her resistance to worship. While the reasons we are sometimes unable to hear God's voice can be legion, one reason is, occasionally, on our journey of faith, we become stuck in a rut. We get caught up in the ordinary demands of our daily living and, at the end of the day, feel ordinary.
On Sunday, I shared with you Lysa Terkeurst's epiphany of going off to an "ordinary church" on an "ordinary day" in her "ordinary town", sitting in an "ordinary pew", and feeling "nothing but ordinary". "Until the extraordinary presence of God invaded that very ordinary place. God brought Africa, the orphans, the poverty, the reality, very close. Too close to ignore. Too close to deny. Too close to walk away. Too close to stay wrapped up in my ordinary life." In time, Lysa's epiphany would lead her, and her family, to adopt two teenage, orphaned, boys from a war torn village in Liberia.
How do we get there? How do we get from the young woman asking: "But, what if I cannot hear God's voice in worship?" to such transforming moment as Lysa's epiphany? I believe the answer is twofold.
First, we must realize such transforming moments are a gift of grace. As the magi did not choose, but were compelled, to follow a star to Bethlehem, so, too, we do not choose the moments when God will make God's presence known in our lives. When such moments occur, we are blessed, if we can see them, but we have no part in creating them. God appears. We see. God speaks. We hear. The order is never reversed. We cannot summon God.
Having said this, we can have some say in our capacity to see and hear God and, thus, have our lives transformed. This is the second part of the answer. We cannot create epiphanies, but we can be more or less open to them. The magi would never have left Persia, no matter how brightly the star shined over Bethlehem, if they had not been given the gift of faith. Having seen the star, as people of faith, seekers of truth, the magi were compelled to follow. But they could have said, "No!" They could have closed their eyes to what they saw. They could have shut their ears to what they heard. They could have allowed other facets of their lives to distract them. They didn't. They set out on a journey of faith. They found their way to the manger. They saw Jesus, face to face. They heard the promise of salvation.
People of faith, Christmas is past. The season of Lent is still a few weeks off. We are in "ordinary" time. But as Lysa Terkeurst discovered, epiphanies can occur, even in ordinary time, if we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear. In this season of ordinary time, be faithful in your worship, your reading of the Bible, your prayer life and your service to God, and, I promise, you will have the eyes to see, and the ears to hear, whatever God has to offer.
See you in church!
Pastor Myers
revhaggis1@hotmail.com
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This Sunday - Baptism of the Lord
"Let Us Live in the Power of the Holy Spirit"
Isaiah 43:1-7 Acts 8:14-17
Psalm 29 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Lay Assistant: Tom Best
Beedle/Crucifer: Jessica Wilson, Choir
Ushers: Carol Heflin, Bonnie Heflin, Ralph & Martha Whiteman, Norma Mettler
Greeters: Bob & Dixie Wells, Phyllis Wilson
Nursery: Glasgow's
Children's Church: Ann Phelps
Coffee Hour: Bill & Margie Myers and staff
In Honor of Heather Fisher
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Wednesday Night Live - Starts January 16
Attention Volunteers, we will begin again on Wednesday, January 16. Our first kitchen team includes Peggy Figle, The Watson's, Bonnie Heflin and Candy Smith Hiett.
Children and Parents, Welcome Back. Please look for a letter in the mail with important information. Children will be picked up in the same place by the same person unless otherwise advised. If you have a question please call Mrs. Myers at 734-5129.
Fill the Corner for Jamieson Center's Food Bank!
Jan. 13 - Cereal
Jan. 20 - Pancake mix & Syrup
Jan. 27 - Spaghetti Sauce & noodles
Feb. 3 - Raman noodles & soups
Feb. 10 - Anything pink, red or white
Feb. 17 - Rice & beans
Feb. 24 - Peanut Butter & Jelly
Mar. 3 - Hamburger or Tuna Helper& tuna or Macaroni & Cheese
Sunday Morning Bible Study Class
This class, taught by Joyce Hagemann will not meet during January and February. You are welcome to join the Faith & Life class in the Lounge.
Faith & Life
"The Ark of the Covenant and the Lost Tribes of Israel in the 21st century."
Did you know that a tribe of African people living in Zimbabwe has been proven to be one of the lost tribes of Israel? They also believe that they have the Lost Ark of the Covenant! Margie Myers (frustrated arm chair archeologist) will lead this short series.
January 13 - What does the Bible say about the ark?
January 20 - Documentary on the journeys of Tudor Parfitt and his discoveries
concerning the ark.
January 27 - Finish Documentary and final discussion.
This class will meet in the social hall at 9:15.
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Junior High Youth Group - Meets Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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The Un-Hanging of the Greens - Helpers Needed this Saturday
Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 9 a.m. the Worship Committee will be taking down the Christmas trees and other decorations from the sanctuary. Many hands make light work! Please join us if you can! Contact Gene Larson, if you have any questions.
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Time for Refreshment
A Time for Refreshment (Reflection)series with the departing Myers as special guests is being sponsored by eight TFR regulars. The series will be held on three Thursdays in January (10th, 17th, 24th) at the Whiteman home, 1405 East 2nd Avenue from 4:30 until 5:30 pm. Light refreshments will be provided by the committee including the Gene Larsons, the McCurdys, the Briscoes, and the Whitemans. All members of the church are invited.
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Annual Congregational Meeting - Sunday, January 20, 2013
The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2013 following worship for the purpose of receiving the 2013 Annual Budget and the 2012 Annual Report.
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Lions Club Soup Sampler Supper
The Monmouth Evening Lions Club will be holding their annual Soup Supper at Faith Church on Saturday, January 19, 2013 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Come and sample a variety of soups prepared by club members! Beverages, crackers, and cookies will also be served! Nobody goes home hungry! A free-will donation will be taken. Proceeds benefit the club's many community service projects.
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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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Potato Bake
On Sunday, January 20, the youth will have their annual Potato Bake following the congregational meeting. A free will donation will be received where the proceeds will go toward youth missions. If you are able to help with a salad or dessert, please sign up on the office door. Thank you!
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Godspeed Send-Off
Join with us on January 27, following worship for Pastor Myers' Godspeed Send-off! This will be the last day Pastor Myers preaches and the last day his family will be worshiping with us. Hope you can all make it! You should have received a letter in December from the Godspeed Committee with further information.
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Welcome, New Officers
Ruling Elders for the Class of 2015: Heather Fisher, John Marshall, Denise Turnbull, Ann Phelps, and Gary Pullen.
Ruling Elder for the Class of 2014 (unexpired term): Debbie Tomlin
Deacons for the Class of 2015: Jim Brown, Jonalyn Heaton, Julie Armstrong, Ralph Whiteman, and Mary Baker
Trustees for the Class of 2015: Hallie Lemon, John Lyle, Sheila Wilson
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Thank you, Heather
The staff will be hosting the coffee hour on January 13 in honor of Heather Fisher -- our church secretary for the past 9-1/2 years. While Heather is not leaving our church family, we want to thank her and wish her well in her new position in the Office of Student Affairs at Monmouth College. Please join us.
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January Birthdays
2 Rose Trimble
Carol Heflin
Mitch McVey
6 John Turnbull
7 Ann Phelps
Eddie Solberg-Hale
10 Bob Roney
Sheila Wilson
Darlene Moffet
11 Noah Sorensen
13 Jill McClintock
14 Jacob McLaughlin
Alis Chy
15 Natalie Baber
Matthew Blackford
18 Peggy Figle
Steve Distin
20 Ann Lal
Jim Lewis
25 Molly Inman
26 Heather Fisher
27 Dawn Fleming
28 Barb Gossett
29 Nisha Spangler
30 Ron Murdock
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Prayers
For
| 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. | |
Thank Thanks from Beth Dingman for the College Care Package.
You
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