Faith United Presbyterian Church

Focus on Faith

Phone: (309) 734-5129 
Pastor Charles Cunningham: (emergencies)
(309) 221-8168
August 8, 2013
In This Issue
This Sunday
Meetings
Horizons Bible Study
Tools & Blankets
Ice Cream Social
Mission Focus July-August
Medieval Manuscripts
Christian Education Position
In the Community
Prayer Concerns
Sympathy
Thank You
Stewardship & Budget
Elder Training
Church Leadership

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(309) 734-5129



  
August Birthdays


2 - Sue Connell, Les Dollinger

4 - Carol McCurdy, Benjamin Bowman

6 - Sally Bowman

7 - J. Lowell Long

8 - Joyce Lantz

9 - Ryan Watson

10 - Pat Brown, Samara Baker

11 - Jake Murdock
Russ Stanton

12 - Karen Gibson, Linda Baker

13 - Brittany Wilson

15 - Jessica Wilson

16 - Dick Speer

18 - Ralph Butler

20 - Jennifer Carrier, Maggie McVey

22 - Jeanne Freed, Evan Green

24 - Greg Gilliland, Ben Dingman, Betsy Akey, Brad Larson

25 - Ed Melvin

26 - Bob Buchholz

28 - Jim Andrews, Shirley Armstrong, Jarod Spangler

30 - Robert Blackford

31 - Zach Glasgow     


Your church family wants to keep in touch with you.  With this weekly e-newsletter, we bring you up-to-the-minute news of the latest events and happenings. It's all about staying connected.  
                          
                                         "Jesus said...  'I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.'"               - John 13:31a; 34-35                               
                                                                                                                                        
         
This Sunday ~ Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost ~ August 11, 2013   
9:30 a.m.

Sermon Title:  "Your Father's Good Pleasure..." 
Luke 12:32

Lectionary
Genesis 15:1-6                                              Psalm 33:12-22
Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16                                  Luke 12:32-40  
     
Liturgist: Jim Brown
 Ushers:  Tim Phelps, Tom Best, Will Best, Chuck Peirce
Greeters:  Joyce Patterson, Joyce Hagemann
Children's Church:  Stephanie Reading
Nursery:  Tammi and Dalton Hottle
Coffee Hour:  Rod and Hallie Lemon
Special Music: Eudaimonia Brass

Meetings

TONIGHT   Thursday, August 8 - CE Committee - 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 11 - After-Worship Gathering - 10:45 a.m. in church library or Social Hall

Tuesday, August 13 - Visioning Group Discussion - 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, August 14 -  Visioning Group Discussions at 5:00 p.m. and at 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 14 - Bible Study with the Pastor - 6 p.m.
  
Horizons Bible Study Books
  
The 2013-14 Horizons Bible Study books have just arrived in our church office and are available for $9.00.  The upcoming study is "An Abiding Hope:  The Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy" by Janice Catron.  This study was designed around the topic of migration.

Please make checks payable to "Faith United Presbyterian Church" and write "PW Horizons Bible Study" on the memo line.  The church office is open M-F 8 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. 
Tools & Blankets Sunday - August 18
  
What is the Church World Service Blankets + Program?

For over 60 years, CWS has worked in partnership with local communities to identify their needs and access the resources they need to build the foundation for a more viable future, including: 
  • Blankets, tents, food and other emergency supplies in the wake of a disaster.
  • Tools and seeds for refugees returning home to replant their fields.
  • Wells for families living in drought-prone areas to provide clean, safe water to drink and to irrigate crops and gardens.
  • Literacy training and microcredit for women struggling to realize their potential.   
  
On August 18, Faith will receive offerings as we join in this ministry with some 8,000 congregations and groups across the U.S. to provide funds to help people in need around the world. 

Ice Cream Social Announced
for August 25th
  
At a recent visioning meeting, a group of church members lamented the fact that since Faith Church was planning to attract a new permanent minister that our image might be a little negative in that certain traditions were being dropped.  In particular, the discontinuing of the Icebreakers group, the ice cream social and a substantial portion of our corporate mission giving were discussed. 

In this connection, a committee has been authorized to reinstate the ice cream social for which the Icebreakers had traditionally provided much of the necessary leadership.  The committee's intent is to involve as much of the congregation (that's you!) as possible including our high school and grade school youth, who are proposed to be the beneficiaries of a portion of the mission proceeds received.

This event is being organized on short notice and the committee solicits your support and participation.  The social will be held on Sunday, August 25, from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., and the menu will be pork chop sandwiches, baked beans, applesauce, and a good size portion of that delicious Faith Church cake or pie a la mode.  Occasional entertainment will be included and drive-up service on East First Avenue has been added.

This activity is one of the few opportunities to welcome the community to our church and it is the committee's intent to make this a very pleasant and meaningful occasion for all concerned.

There are three sign-up opportunities if you choose to participate.  Included will be
-- TICKETS (to attend and to sell to friends & neighbors)
-- VOLUNTEER JOBS
-- BAKE PIES OR CAKES

Ticket sales are the key to a successful event and they will be available from committee members or at the church office.  The committee consisting of the Gene Larsons, the Bus Kelloggs, Darlene Moffet, and the Ralph Whitemans thanks you for your support and would welcome your suggestions.  For tickets, call the Whitemans at 734-4641. 

Faith Mission Focus in July & August - "Mission in Monmouth"
  
Faith United Presbyterian Church is providing assistance to the community by stepping forward to help the senior population and offering assistance with household chores through the Strom Senior Center.  Strom has made available an application in their monthly newsletter for seniors who need volunteer help with tasks such as washing windows, cleaning the garage, raking the yard, etc., and has stated a July 12 deadline.  The Faith UPC Mission Committee will then try to match volunteers from our church with the job requests.  Members of our congregation are also invited to request assistance with chores around the house with which they need assistance - just call the church office and requests will be forwarded to the Mission Committee. 

There is a sign-up sheet on the office door for volunteers to sign up who are willing to do small projects.  We have several who have already signed up but could use more. You can either pick the small project you'd like to take on, or simply sign up with your name and your skills, and the Mission Committee will  match you with the work requests as they come in.
Karen Gould Manuscript Collection at Monmouth College 
  
There will be an exciting opportunity this fall for people interested in church history and documents. Monmouth College will be the host for the Karen Gould Manuscript Collection, on loan from the Spencer Art Reference Library of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.  This newly assembled, significant collection consists of 31  illuminated manuscripts and leaves from early printed books, both religious and secular. Most of the pages date from the 15th century, but the collection includes a liturgical text from Italy dated to the early 12th century.  The manuscripts have been privately held until very recently, and Monmouth College is pleased to be able to make them available to the public in western Illinois.

The exhibit will open on Thursday, October 11, 2013 in Gallery 203 of Hewes Library and will remain open to the public until Tuesday, November 26, 2013.  On Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in the second floor foyer of the library, Bro. Thomas Sullivan, O.S.B., of Conception Abbey in Conception, Missouri, will give a gallery talk on the collection.  Monmouth College student docents will also be available for tours for individuals and school groups by prior appointment from Monday, October 28 through Tuesday, November 26.  The exhibit is open for unguided visits during regular operating hours of the Hewes Library (for times, see http://library.monmouthcollege.edu ).  Admission is free.
Christian Education
  
Interim CD Director Position Opening

The Session, through a specially-appointed task force,  has decided to hire an Interim Director of Christian Education.  This paid position would last until the end of December 2013 and would involve approximately 10 hours a week.  The CE Director would work with the Christian Education Committee and would report to the pastor.

A tentative job description appears in the July 4th Focus on Faith newsletter (click here to access the newsletter with the full job description). 

Please email John Marshall, Moderator of the Personnel Committee at johnbertismarshall@yahoo.com to submit a resume, or if you would like further information.  You may also contact him by phone at (309) 536-0638. 
 
In the Community 
 
Historical Talk
Rev. Dr. B. Kathleen Fannin will give a talk on her recent book, "Paper Trail:  Letters from the Civil War" on Friday, August 16, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Buchanan Center for the Arts in Monmouth.

Farmers' Market -  June through October
The annual Farmers' Market began Friday, June 7th at the First State Bank parking lot from 7:00 a.m. - noon.  The Farmers' Market will run each Friday through October.
  
Next Music Days in Market Alley - August 14      
Sponsor: Frontier Communications  
Food:  Flowers for Less & The Kitchen    
Music:  Bryan Dixon  
                                  -------------
Monmouth College  
New Student Move-in Day - Saturday, August 24
Volunteer Fair - September 18
Warren County Prime Beef Festival 
September 4 - 7 
                         

Prayer Concerns

Please continue to keep in your prayers:  Louise Roos, Cathy Abernathy (now at home),  Andrew Hayward Smith, Chuck Hallam (at Seminary Bounce-Back), Craig Watson (recovering at home from hip replacement surgery)  Pat and Merle Brown (Merle is at Monmouth Nursing Home) ,  Cinda Stansbury (now at Marigold), Vern Mettler (now at home),  Irvin Lipp (now home),  Tara Hanson, Mary Johnson, Sally McVey, Gary Youngblood,  Lindsay Murdock, and Jim Paris.

With Sympathy

Lewis E. Laughead, 86, of Bettendorf, passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at Bettendorf Health Care Center.  Lewis was a carpenter and retired from Lewis Laughead Builder.  He served as a Trustee and was on the Session of Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth. 

Private family services will be held at Faith United Presbyterian Church Chapel with burial in Warren County Memorial Park in Monmouth.  Memorials can be made to Faith United Presbyterian Church for the Chapel.

Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing Lewis's obituary at McGinnis-Chambers.com.


Thank You 

I would especially like to thank Betty McBride, Carolyn Meling, and Martha Whiteman for volunteering to help out in the office last week when I was out on vacation.  This enabled me to spend precious time with my daughter Mariel and my 9-month-old granddaughter Phoebe, whom I had never met, as they live in Seattle.

Sincerely,
Vicki Young Briscoe

A Word from Stewardship & Budget

We're more than halfway through the year and so, I think, at a good point to consider whether we're supporting Faith as we'd planned, as we're able.  If we pledge, our treasurer sends each giver a report each quarter showing how we stand compared to the pledge.  I hope you'll take a look at the most recent report or check your own figures if you give without a pledge. When you're fishing in Minnesota or riding roller coasters in Ohio, Faith United will still deal with utility bills, payroll, mission goals, denominational promises.  Count on it.  And remember that Faith United counts on all of us. 

 

Mary Distin

 

for the Stewardship & Budget Committee


Telephone Numbers

If you are no longer using a land line phone, please call the church office at 734-5129 and let us know your current cell number so that we may update our records.  Thank you to those who have already done so.  

ELDER TRAINING - OCTOBER 5, 2013

There will be an elder training session, Saturday, October 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Beulah Presbyterian Church, presented by Rev. Dick Johnson.  Please send RSVPs to Beulah PC, 9221 148th Avenue, Orion, IL  61273 or call Linda Baldwin at (309) 787-5755.

2013 Session Committees

Moderator:   Rev. Charles Cunningham 

 

Clerk:               Scott McClintock

 

Personnel     John Marshall - Moderator

Brad Larson, Mary Distin

 

Worship         Denise Turnbull- Moderator

                             Gene Larson, Deb Tomlin

 

Stewardship   Mary Distin - Moderator

& Budget            Scott McClintock, Rod Lemon                     

                       

Mission           Barb Byrne - Moderator

                              Gary Pullen, Ann Phelps

 

Outreach       Tammi Hottle, John Marshall                                   

 

CE                  Ann Phelps - Moderator

                        Rod Lemon, Brad Larson

 

Fellowship      Tammi Hottle - Moderator

                                 Denise Turnbull

 

Audit              Gary Pullen - Moderator

                           Kristie Murdock

 

Memorial        Deb Tomlin - Moderator

                                Kristie Murdock

 

Investment     Scott McClintock - Moderator

                                 Deb Tomlin

                       

Nominating    Gene Larson - Moderator

                                 Vicki Young Briscoe

 

Wash Day      Vicki Young Briscoe - Moderator

Ministry          Barb Byrne