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Faith United Presbyterian Church
Focus on Faith |
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 What Do You Think?
Self-Righteousness is not Piety
"I call 'piety' that reverence joined with love of God which the knowledge of his benefits induces. For until [people] recognize they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by his fatherly care, that he is the Author of their every good, that they should seek nothing beyond him - they will never yield him willing service. Nay, unless they establish their complete happiness in him, they will never give themselves truly and sincerely to him."
If you were here on Sunday morning, you may recognize these words as those belonging to Jean Calvin. Having shown how we have been enculturated to accept and celebrate words such as "wealth", "power" and "beauty", I asked why we have such disdain for the word "piety". I asked: "Why do we chafe at the word piety? Why do we no longer celebrate piety as we once did? Why do we not strive to be pious? Why do we not teach our children to value piety?"
While I did not have time to answer these questions on Sunday morning, the short answer is this. We confuse piety with self-righteousness. I would be surprised, if there were not a number of people in our congregation on Sunday morning, thinking: "We no longer celebrate piety and teach our children to be pious, because we don't want to be puritans." "We remember the Salem witch trials." "We see the pain and suffering that religious fundamentalism brings to our world." Or, simply, "we don't want to be one of those 'holier than thou' Christians."
If this is what it meant to be pious, I would have to agree with their concerns. But what these thoughts and fears reflect is not faithful piety, but its corruption by sin, self-righteousness. When sin captures and claims our piety, we become self-righteous, judgmental, bitter, and hurtful toward others. The consequences are all the more severe because not only are we personally consumed, but our witness - as followers of Jesus Christ, as members of a particular church, as people of faith - becomes demonic. People see our self-righteousness and think: "If that is what it means to be a Christian, I don't want any part of it." But self-righteousness is not reflective of true Christianity or faithful piety.
As Calvin so eloquently describes, faithful piety arises from our recognition of our right relationship with God, when we recognize that all we have and all we are, even our every breath, comes as a blessing from God's hand. Piety is God's gift, when we discover "our complete happiness in reverence joined with love of God." But how do we keep such a precious gift from being consumed by our sin?
I am not sure we can. But being aware of sin's desire to claim our piety and the ease with which we may fall into self-righteousness is an important first step. Dietrich Bonhoeffer suggests, with the Apostle Paul, that we must approach life, and our relationships with others, from the perspective that we are the worst of all sinners, that there is no one on earth whose sin is greater than ours.
"If my sin appears to me to be in any way smaller or less reprehensible in comparison with the sins of others, then I am not yet recognizing my sin at all. My sin is of necessity the worst, the most serious, the most objectionable. Christian love will find any number of excuses for the sins of others; only for my sin is there no excuse whatsoever. That is why my sin is the worst. Those who would serve others in the community must descend all the way down to this depth of humility."
People of faith, humble piety is the mark of true Christianity and the quality of faith for which we must strive. While it can be an arduous journey at times, we may trust the promise of the gospel and the witness of those who are ahead of us on this journey, the rewards are great.
See you in church!
Pastor Myers
revhaggis1@hotmail.com
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This Sunday - The Second Sunday after Epiphany
"When Heaven and Earth Meet"
Isaiah 62:1-5 I Corinthians 12: 1-11
Psalm 36: 5-10 John 2:1-11
Lay Assistant: Alis Chy
Beedle/Crucifer: Malik Reading, Choir
Ushers: George Nieman, Carolyn Meling, Steve Johnson, Bob Green, Dee Ann Shuff
Greeters: Sharon Simpson, Evelyn Carlson
Nursery: Lolla Ballard
Children's Church: Margie Myers
Coffee Hour: Youth Potato Bake
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Wednesday Night Live
Our kitchen team for January 23 includes Lolla Ballard, Paula Nuckles, Melissa Brown, & Tiffany Marie.
Fill the Corner for Jamieson Center's Food Bank!
Jan. 20 - Pancake mix & Syrup
Jan. 27 - Spaghetti Sauce & noodles
Feb. 3 - Ramen 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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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, please email (pattiparrish@greatriverspby.org) (or call 800-537-8592) Patti Parrish at the presbytery office. Or, you can call the Faith United church office to have Vicki register for you. NOTE: You need attend only ONE of these sessions. Because our presbytery is geographically large, the same workshop is repeated at various sites throughout January and February. A lunch is served at the workshop.
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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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Little Cedar Church Annual Soup and Salad Luncheon - February 24
Save the date! The Little Cedar Church in Little York will be having its Annual Soup and Salad Luncheon with a noon meal and a silent auction. More information to come later.
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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
Kenna Taylor
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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Congratulations!
Alex Withenbury (son of Nancy Bloedel) and Caitlin Adamowicz were united in marriage December 22, 2012 in West Point, NY. Both the bride and groom are serving in the U.S. Army. Our prayers go out for God's favor on this marriage.
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Prayers
For
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Please continue to keep in your prayers: Sally McVey (cards can be sent to Roseville Country Manor, 145 South Chamberlain, Roseville, IL 61473), Gary Youngblood, Vern Mettler, Jane Warfield, Lindsay Murdock, Janet Themanson, Jim and Janet Paris. Also, please add Bob Roney.
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Thank You
Bryce Willett would like to thank the congregation of Faith for the College Care Package. He says it really helped during finals week.
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Beloved Friends,
Oh how thankful I am for each and every one of you! I appreciated the coffee hour last Sunday in honor of me. The cards and gifts were so thoughtful...It reminded me once again of how joyful I am by being a part of this church family. Love to you all!
Blessings,
Heather Fisher
In Sympathy - We extend our sympathies to Vernon and Felicia Carr on the death of their daughter-in-law; to Gene and Donna Larson on the death of Gene's brother, Laurence Larson; and to the family of Larry & Lisa Willett on the death of Larry's grandfather, Floyd "Buzz" Willett.
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