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Focus on Faith

Faith United Presbyterian Church Newsletter

February 20, 2014 

Phone:   734-5129           

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

 

Church Email: faithup@maplecity.com 

This Sunday - the Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

February 23, 2014

 

Sermon Title: "The Trouble with Being Perfect" 
 

 

          Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18                                Psalm 119:33-40
   1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23                            Matthew 5:38-48

 

 

Liturgist: John Marshall

 Ushers:  Buff Hottle, Dalton Hottle, Mark McVey, Brenda Runge, Job Runge, 

Noah Runge  

Greeters: Craig & Peggy Watson, Bob Roney 
Children's Church: Ann Phelps
Nursery:  Sharon Graham
Coffee Hour: 
Craig & Peggy Watson
 
Special Music:  
The Monmouth College Chorale
 

Upcoming Meetings/Events

 

Thursday, February 20 - TONIGHT  Community Care Days Meeting at Security Savings - 6:30 p.m.  

 

Saturday, February 22 - Church piano tunings 

 

Sunday, February 23 - First Confirmation Class Meeting - noon

 

Tuesday, February 25 - Finance Committee Meeting - noon @ FUPC

 

Tuesday, February 25 - Session Meeting - 7 p.m.

 

Wednesday, February 26 - Wednesday Night Live - 3:20 p.m. 

 

Wednesday, February 26 - Bible Study with Pastor - 6 p.m. 

 

Wednesday, February 26 - PNC - 7 p.m. 

 

Thursday, February 27 - Isabel Circle - 7 p.m. @ Lolla Ballard's home

 

COMMUNITY CARING VOLUNTEERS -  MEETING TONIGHT

 

On Thursday, February 20, 2014, the Community Care volunteers from various Monmouth churches will meet together at 6:30 p.m. at Security Savings Bank.  If you have already spoken to Ralph Whiteman, come to the meeting.  If you think you may be interested and have not had a chance to speak to Ralph yet and want to learn more, please come to the meeting anyway.  So far, four members of our congregation have come forward with an interest in this ecumenical project involving 5 or 6 local churches whose purpose is to provide deserving residents with basic home repair, yard work, painting or light construction jobs. See you there!

Ash Wednesday Soup Supper - March 5

 

On Wednesday, March 5, the congregation and the Wednesday Night Live families are all invited to an Ash Wednesday Soup Supper at 5:30 p.m. A free will offering will be taken for the meal, and donations of cookies, crackers, and bread would be most welcome.  Pastor Charles will lead a short discussion about Lent, following the meal. The Ash Wednesday service will follow at 6:30 p.m., led by Pastor Cunningham.  Please sign up on the office door if you are planning to attend the supper. 

Lenten Lay Breakfast Series - Begins Friday, March 7

 

The 39th Annual Lenten Lay Breakfast series will get underway Friday, March 7, 2014 and continue each Friday morning through Good Friday on April 18, 2014. The series is sponsored by the Warren County Ministerial Association and hosted by Strom Center. Breakfast begins at 6:30 a.m. with the program from 7:15 - 7:45 a.m. 
 
March 7 - Heritage Presbyterian
March 14 - Immanuel Baptist
March 21 - First Lutheran
March 28 - Faith United Presbyterian
April 4 - Fairview  Center UMC  
April 11 - Immaculate Conception
April 18 - First United Methodist  

 

Christian Education News

 

 

Confirmation will start February 23 with a meeting after church with Rev. Cunningham to decide on the schedule. Letters have been mailed to 9th and 10th graders whose parents are members but any high school-aged youth is invited to come on February 23rd.

 

Adult Sunday School will start a Lenten Study led by Pastor Charles on March 9th.   Illuminating Lent deepens faith and enhances knowledge through the exploration of the Lord's Prayer. Each session examines a part of the prayer, its theological understandings, and what it means for Reformed Christians in practical ways during Lent. 

 

Thanks to all who participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring. A little over $200 was raised and will be presented to Jamieson Center.  Also, thanks to the Fellowship committee for the social hour after church.

 

Ann Phelps and Deb Dingman have a new email address for Christian Ed business, faithchurch.ce@gmail.com. 

 

 

Isabel Circle - Thursday, February 27  

 

Isabel Circle will meet at the home of Lolla Ballard at 119 South 7th Street on Thursday, February 27th, at 7:00 p.m.  The business meeting will follow the Bible study which will be facilitated by Janice Cunningham.  Two items on the agenda for the business meeting are Gifts of Women Sunday on March 9th and the annual rummage sale on May 2nd and 3rd.

 

Lesson Five from the 2013-2014 Horizons Bible Study, "An Abiding Hope: The Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy" by Janice Catron,  will be studied.  

 

God provided faithfully for the Hebrew people's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs in the wilderness.  God still provides for the church and the world through the combined efforts of all disciples.

 

All interested people are welcome to attend.  

 

Sewing Circle - No February meeting  

 

Birthdays

 

February 21 - Gary Heaton
February 22 - Ryan Cheek, Bill Smallwood
February 23 - Catrina Pullen
February 24 - Jackie Andrews, Ted Briscoe
February 25 - Doug Torrance, Martha Whiteman
February 26 - Carl Shaub, Kathleen Fannin, 
                                 Helen Owens
February 27 - Sue Trevor
February 28 - Joyce Patterson   

Happy Birthday Celebration - February 23  

 

Martha Whiteman will celebrate her 85th birthday on Sunday, February 23 at the Monmouth Country Club from 3 - 5 p.m.  Everyone is welcome.  No gifts please. 

Wednesday Night Live - February 26                           
Fruit of the Spirit
  
International Night

Kitchen crew:   Robert or Lorna Blackford, Lolla Ballard, Tiffany Marie, Roberta Hasten

Coming Up:  We could use cookie, cracker, or bread donations for our Ash Wednesday Soup Supper on Wednesday, March 5.  Contact Deb Dingman or call the church office at 734-5129. 

Prayer Request

Joy and Greg Haning are members of Second Presbyterian Church at Bloomington, IL.  Both of them have been very active in the Presbytery of Great Rivers and the Synod of Lincoln Trails for many years.  Greg has been diagnosed with lung cancer and will be undergoing a battery of tests before the extent of the disease and methods of treatment will be known.  Joy Haning and Sharon Graham are currently serving as co-moderators of PW PGR and they have known each other for at least thirty years.  Please keep Greg and Joy in your prayers.   
  
Prayer Concerns

Greg Haning; those who are unable to worship with us on Sunday; Marian Mills; Donna Lee; Jessie James; Bill Hoover; Blaine Robinson; Vern Mettler; Cathy Abernathy; Cinda Stansbury; Irvin Lipp; Mary Johnson; Tara Hanson; Gary Youngblood; Lindsay Murdock;  and Jim Paris.    
  
Directory Changes
 
Fisher, Mrs. & Mrs. Michael (Heather)  309-224-6349
 
2014 Nominating Committee - Please add Betty McBride, Representative from Deacons
 
Wondering If We Are Having Church?

We're not out of the woods yet on winter weather.  If church services should need to be cancelled, an announcement will be put on News Channel 8.  It should appear across the bottom of the TV screen but will also be on their website at http://wqad.com/weather/closings  We will also call WMOI to have them announce it on the radio.  We will try to give you as much notice as possible. 
  
Finance Committee
 
Please note that the Finance Committee will be meeting at the church on February 25 at 12:00 noon to discuss investments with Adam Carlson, our trust representative at Midwest Bank.    
Community Care Days - A Progress Report
 
In last week's Focus, Ralph Whiteman gave a report on the ecumenical effort by a group of 5 or 6 local churches calling itself "The Good Samaritan Parish," which is sponsoring Community Care Days. The purpose of the volunteer men and women is to provide deserving residents with basic home repair, yard work, painting or light construction.  No special skills are required.  To date, four members of Faith Church, including both men and women, have indicated an interest in serving on the Community Care team. One project for the group has also been suggested.  Additional volunteers are asked to contact Ralph Whiteman (734-4641) with questions or to sign up.

 

Need Your Piano Tuned?
 

Dick Griffiths tells us that Glen Core, our church's piano technician, has retired, and he is trying to entice John Duda, from Bettendorf, to consider a trip to Monmouth occasionally to tune pianos in the area. So far there are 7 pianos lined up for John to tune, but it would be nice to have even more to make John's trip worth the drive.  
 
When was your piano last tuned?  Cost is approximately $75 for a normal tuning.  Mr. Duda is more than a tuner; he rebuilds Steinways. His clients include Augustana College, Knox College, and the Orpheum Theatre.  If you would like to be included in the Monmouth-area tunings, please contact Dick Griffiths, either after church or by calling him at 734-3467.
  

Fifty Years Ago This Month... 

 
   1964 - 2014

 

 

February 26, 1964 - SESSION MEETING held in the former Second UP Church building, 7:30 p.m  
(condensed)

 

This meeting was held a half hour prior to the Congregational Meeting.

 

Elders Present:  Armstrong, Wallace, Ebersole, Jewell, Rhea, Carlson, Royer, Keating, Thompson, Allison, Mrs. White, Mrs. Beveridge, Connell, Kritzer, Parsons, Rankin, Marshall, Wells, Manley, Simpson, Morrill, Hallam, Patterson, and the moderator, Rev. H.D. Finley.  Also present was David Moffet, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.  Elder Lipes was absent.

  • Requests for Letters of Transfer out for two families who have moved out of town were approved.
  • Facility request for the wedding of Miss Alberta Cox to Donald Lantz on April 9, 1964 was approved. Wedding to be held at the former First UP Church building.
  • Permission granted for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority to serve a benefit breakfast March 7 at the former Ninth Avenue Church building for the benefit of the youth which meets there.
  • Next Session meeting will be held at 8:00 p.m., March 4 in the former First Church building.
  • Approved adjournment of the Session to follow the benediction closing the congregational meeting set for 8:00 p.m. this date in the sanctuary of the former Second UP Church building.
  • Pastor salaries - At this point the Moderator left in order that the matter of salaries for the stated supply pastors might be considered. Salaries were approved as follows:  Rev. Ayoub, base salary of $5,800, auto $180, and 13% of pension; Rev. Phillippe, base salary of $7,080, auto $600, 13% of pension; Rev. Finley, base salary of $7,080, auto $600, 13% of pension.  Proposal from Session to go to the congregation for final approval.
  • Dr. Marshall, chairman of the Nominating Committee, presented the following names for presentation to the congregation as representatives to the Monmouth 

    Council of Churches from Faith United Presbyterian Church:  Mrs. U. S. Harrison, Mrs. H. J. Ralston, Miss Louise Sawyer and Miss Linda Schroeder.  Moved and seconded that these persons be presented to the congregation as representatives to the Monmouth Council of Churches. 

 

Safety First

 

The steeply-pitched roof of our sanctuary and the snowy weather have created many icicles along the south side of the building, making it nearly impossible to keep the walkway clear of ice near the south sanctuary door. Unless a miracle of nature occurs between now and Sunday that leaves the pavement clear and dry, in the interest of safety, please try to use the office door entrance instead of the south sanctuary door.    

 

Women of Worth Retreat - Saturday, March 1, 2014

 

The annual Women of Worth retreat, sponsored by Hanna City Presbyterian Church will be Saturday, March 1, from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.  It's a day planned for women to worship God, be inspired, and have fellowship, food, and fun.  This year's theme is "Living Wisely."  Julie Otto will speak on "Knowing Christ" and "Seeking Christ," as she shares the journey the Lord has allowed her to travel. Cost is $30.  Vicki has registration forms in the office. Scholarships available. 

 

2014 Elder/Deacon Training Workshops

 

There are three more workshops left:  Feb. 22 - Springfield, Third; March 1 - Normal, First; March 8 - Macomb, First.  Please contact the Faith Church office if you are planning to attend and which date, and we will forward your RSVP to the Presbytery.  If you prefer to register directly, call the Great Rivers Presbytery at 800-537-8592. 

Melt Away the Winter   


 

Don't you wish you could?  Well, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood has something to help - an invition to some warm and delicious Sunday dinners. 

 

March 16 - Chicken & noodles, desserts  / Beef & noodles, desserts

 

Serving from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

 

Free Will Donations - 20% local mission

 

Door Prizes & Items for Sale

 

Session News

 

At the Session Meeting on January 28, 2014, the Session voted to establish these 7 committees.  John Marshall was elected Clerk of Session.  

 

        Committee Name                    Co-Moderators

 

1.  Finance (Stewardship, Memorial,   Mary Distin & Scott McClintock

                     Audit, Investment)           

2.  Worship                                               Denise Turnbull & Deb Tomlin

3.  Christian Education                           Rod Lemon & Ann Phelps

4.  Mission (Wash Day, Daycare)          Barb Byrne & John Marshall

5.  Outreach  (Fellowship)                     Gary Pullen & Tammi Hottle

6.  Buildings & Grounds  (Insurance)   John Lyle & Brad Larson

7.  Personnel                                            John Marshall & Brad Larson

  

We have reduced the number of Session standing committees from 12 to 7.  Members of the congregation who are interested in joining in the work of the above committees (except for the Personnel Committee), should contact either Pastor Cunningham or Vicki.  

Little Cedar Home Made Soup Meal - February 23, 2014

  

Little Cedar Community Church in Little York will have a home-made soup meal on Sunday, February 23, 2014 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  You will have your choice of soups:  vegetable beef, turkey noodle, broccoli cheese, or chili. 

There will also be home-made salads, home-made cookies, and beverages.  Donations are accepted at the door, with proceeds going for church mission projects. There will also be a silent auction. 

2014 Deacon Officers

 

Moderator - Jim Brown

 

Secretary - Jonalyn Heaton

 

Cards -  Alice Lawson (birthday), Dixie Wells (anniversary), Pam Youngblood (new baby), Darlene Moffet (sympathy), Julie Armstrong (get well). 

 

Rosebowls - Alice Lawson & Betty McBride

 

CDs - Ted Briscoe & Janice Cunningham (recording)

          Ted Briscoe, Janice Cunningham, Julie Armstrong, Ralph Whiteman, Jim Brown (delivering)

 

Ushers - Jim Brown

 

Greeters - Carolyn Meling & Pam Youngblood

 

Transportation - Mary Baker & Jim Brown

 

Memorial Committee Representative - Ralph Whiteman

 

Nominating Committee Representative - Betty McBride

 

Budget Committee Representative - TBA

 

Communion - Jonalyn Heaton, Jo Ellen Dollinger, Julie Armstrong, Donna Larson, Darlene Moffet 

 

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