Faith United Presbyterian Church Newsletter

November 21, 2013 

Phone:   734-5129           

Pastor Charles B. Cunningham (emergencies after hours) 309-221-8168

This Sunday - Christ the King Sunday

Thank Offering Sunday

November 24, 2013

Jeremiah 23:1-6                                                                     Luke 1:68-79
Colossians 1:11-20                                                                  Luke 23:33-43   

 
Liturgist:  Sharon Graham 

Ushers: Julie Armstrong, Bob Wells, Jonalyn Heaton, Lolla Ballard, Betty McBride
Greeters:  Dale & Debbie Dingman, Scott & Jill McClintock

Upcoming Meetings/Events

Sunday, November 24 - Thanksgiving Potluck after church - 11:30 a.m.

Thank Offering Sunday and Potluck - November 24

The Church Office will be closed on Thursday, November 28

Christmas Eve Pageant  

All children in preschool through 6th grade are invited to participate in the Christmas Eve Pageant.  This year's pageant will be on December 24 at 5:00 p.m.  This has been a special event for those who have participated in the past.  Information and sign-up forms will be sent home with all the WNL and Sunday School children in that age group. 

Youth Group - Upcoming Events: 

Presbytery of Great Rivers Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service.  

This will be a youth service and celebration weekend.  Mission & Ski Trip - January 19 & 20.  Let Stephanie Reading know before December 13 if you are planning to attend.  Cost is $25 per person, but please speak to Stephanie if a scholarship is necessary. Cost includes all meals, ski equipment, and project supplies. Sunday noon to 6 p.m. will be skiing at Ski Snowstar in Andalusia, IL. Youth will be staying overnight at Broadway Presbyterian in Rock Island.  Monday from 9  a.m, to 3 p.m. will be service projects around Rock Island to commemorate Dr. King's birthday and legacy for service.

December 15 - 12:30 p.m. lunch for youth at church

Dec. 15 - 4 p.m.  The Youth will also be accompanying the Deacons for caroling.

Nursery:  Contact Ann Phelps, Interim CE Director, if you are interested in helping in the Nursery. You would only work once every 6 or 8 weeks.

Decorating the Sanctuary for Christmas - Nov. 25 - 9:00 a.m.

Community  Thanksgiving Service - Monmouth College Chapel

Sue reports that as of Monday, November 18, no church buildings were damaged and, as far as we know, no church members are in the hospital with storm-related injuries, although there was one death in Washington and multiple injuries.  Community members are helping one another with immediate needs.  Please continue to pray for the people whose homes have been destroyed (the media reports estimates of up to 400 homes damaged or destroyed in Washington, a town of 16,000) and for the leaders of their communities, especially pastors Becki Weltmann and Kristie Peterson.  We also have members of our own congregation who have family members who live in Washington and have been directly impacted by the tornado.

Watch the presbytery web page www.greatriverspby.org and Facebook page for updates on how churches and church members can help. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Presbytery-of-Great-Rivers/159445010769873

Lastly, Sue reminds us to think about what is your disaster drill experience in your church?  She relates that Sunday morning, her husband Frosty, who is pastor at First Federated Church in Peoria, told people at the beginning of the service what they would do if a tornado warning came during worship.  That actually did occur, and people did exactly as he had explained.  She suggests that sometime in the next few weeks, have your pastor and ushers or others who are very familiar with the building figure out where you could put everyone from the sanctuary into a safe place and then have them practice. And especially think about what you will do with the people in your church who cannot manage the steps to the basement. 

In closing, she reminds us:

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult...God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns." (Psalm 46)  

Hearing Amplifiers 

Two or three of the church's hearing amplifiers seem to be missing from the Ushers' basket in the Narthex. Last summer we had four or five, but we only have two of them now. (Each costs $140 to replace). Please check pockets and bags in case one accidentally traveled home with you and return it to the church as soon as possible so that others can use it too. Thanks!

"All Aboard" at the Warren County History Museum - Dec. 7 & 8
 

Children's Program:  Saturday, December 7 - 1:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m.