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Focus on Faith

Faith United Presbyterian Church Newsletter

August 7, 2014 

Phone:   734-5129     Hours:  M-F   8 AM - Noon  and 1 -4 PM   

   

Pastor:  Rev. Dr. Kathy Stoner-Lasala

revkathysl@gmail.com (609) 319-4030

 

Church Email: faithup@maplecity.com      

Website: www.faithpresmonmouth.org

This Sunday - 9th Sunday after Pentecost 

 August 10, 2014 

   9:30 a.m. 

 

Sermon Title: "Dream Catching" 

Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28                 Psalm 85: 8-13
Romans 10: 5-15                   Matthew 14: 22-33
              
Pastor:  Rev. Dr. Kathy Stoner-Lasala
Liturgist: Brad Larson
Ushers:  Ted Briscoe, Carolyn Meling, Steve Johnson, Bob Green, Dee Ann Shuff
Greeters:  John Marshall, Debbie Tomlin
Children's Church:  Jane Kellogg
Nursery:  Jim & Shari Glasgow 
Coffee Hour:  Buster & Jane Kellogg
CD Recording:  Janice Cunningham 
Special Music:  Doug & Sarah Torrance
 

Upcoming Meetings/Events 

 

Saturday, August 9 - Patricia Brown 90th Birthday Open House - 1 to 3 p.m. in Social Hall
 
Sunday, August 10 - PW Executive Board Meeting - 10:30 in church library

Tuesday, August 12 - Deacons Meeting - 7 p.m. 

Wednesday, August 13 - OFTA Sue Van Kirk @ Buchanan Center for the Arts - 10 a.m. 

Wednesday, August 13 - 
Focus e-news deadline - 
Noon

Thursday, August 14 - CE Committee Meeting - 1:30 p.m. 

Friday, August 15 - CWU Love Tea @ Cameron Christian Church - 1:30 p.m.

Faith United Has a New Pastor!  

 

On Sunday, July 20, having received overwhelming support from the congregation for Rev. Dr. Kathryn J. Stoner-Lasala to be our new pastor, the Session contracted with her to begin August 3, 2014.  This is a one-year contract, renewable annually.  The picnic on Saturday was very well attended and we had 125 in worship the following Sunday. Rev. Kathy's first Sunday with us will be August 3 at 9:30 a.m. 

 

Ice Cream Social - Sunday, August 24  
Ice Cream Social - Apple Pie

 

One of Faith Church's best opportunities for contact with the greater community occurs on August 24 when it hosts the Ice Cream Social.  This is also one of the unique opportunities for a large portion of the congregation of all ages to work together side by side -- to date 112 members have volunteered to help -- that includes people providing over 50 pies -- 450 tickets are out for sale and more are being requested which is the key to the success of the venture -- and a calculated guess would indicate that 750,000 calories will be consumed!!

 

Tickets are also on sale in the church office where a signup sheet for remaining jobs or donating additional pies is posted.  it indicates job assignments committed so far plus several that have not been filled as yet.  Volunteers are urged to review their assignments and additional volunteers can commit for one of the vacancies.  The committee of Gene & Donna Larson, Jane & Bus Kellogg, Darlene Moffet and Martha & Ralph Whiteman expresses its appreciation for the excellent participation of the congregation in this significant mission event. Questions may be referred to any member of the committee.  Proceeds will be designated for deserving causes when the amount has been determined.  Carl Shaub has once again provided the very creative center pieces for the guest tables.  

Gift of the Heart School Kits 
 
We have received word from the Rapid Information Network (RIN) of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance that there is an urgent need for school kits.  In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, the number of School Kits in the New Windsor, MD warehouse is down to 60 cartons and in the Little Rock, AR warehouse is down to 120 cartons.  In November 2013 approximately 3,000 School Kits were shipped for distribution in Syria.  The Church World Service Gift of the Heart School Kits include basic necessities for learning, such as notebooks, pencils and crayons and help children return to normalcy faster, helping them avoid the long-term effects of trauma.  
 
The Mission Committee of Faith Church would like to help support this humanitarian aid effort by adding the Gift of the Heart School Kits project to its July-August mission focus and to ask the congregation for contributions of school kit items and/or monetary contributions toward the kits, valued at $15.  A complete list of the school supplies needed is posted on the office door. Thank you for the many donations we have already received, and especially thank you to Ruth Wright, Liz Nieman, and Marj Phelps  for the 36 beautifully crafted tote bags they sewed.  In mid-August we will schedule a "packing day" to fill the bags with all the supplies, in preparation for shipping. 
 
We will be collecting these items for the next few weeks.  There is a box marked "School Kits for Syria" outside the office where you can drop off any of these items. Checks for monetary donations may be made payable to Faith United Presbyterian Church - please write "PDA School Kits" on the memo line. There is also a poster on the office door listing the items that are needed for the kits.  In a world filled with chaos and suffering, many of us are looking for something that we can do.  These are very easy-to-obtain items and many are on sale right now. 
 
2014-2015 Horizons Bible Study Books Now Available
 
The 2014 - 2015 Horizons Bible Study is "Reconciling Paul:  A Contemporary Study of 2 Corinthians" by Elizabeth Hinson -Hasty. 

When the PW/Horizons Bible study committee selected 2 Corinthians for the topic, they requested that the study focus on the following aspects of faith: generosity, grace, forgiveness, living by faith, the image of God, funds development, ambassadors of reconciliation (peacemaking), reconciliation, the ways in which Paul's letters are a response to these themes, what was in the original letters, and Paul himself. 

The books are illustrated with traditional and contemporary stained glass designs that are truly beautiful. 

Copies may be purchased from Vicki at the church office 8 - noon and 1 - 4 p.m. M-F for $9.00.  Please make checks payable to Faith United Presbyterian Church and write "PW Horizons Study Guide" on the memo line. 
Take Charge of Your Health - Live Well, Be Well

Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging (WIAAA) in partnership with the University of Illinois Extension will be offering "Take Charge of Your Health:  Live Well, Be Well."  This evidence-based program was developed at Stanford University to help anyone who lives with ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart, breathing, or back problems. WIAAA is licensed to provide this program.  

Classes begin August 11 and meet for 2-1/2 hours on six Mondays (except Labor Day) from 9:30 a.m. til noon at the 1st Street Armoury.  Subjects covered include techniques to deal with problems, exercise, appropriate use of medi-cations, communicating with health professionals, nutrition, and making informed treatment decisions.  Workshops are facilitated by a highly detailed manual by two trained leaders.  There is a suggested donation of $30 to cover the cost of the book.  Limited space is available. For more information or to register, please contact Barb Byrne (309) 793-6800 or (800) 322-1051. 
Prayer Concerns

Louise Roos; the families of Gerry Spicer and John Adair; Eilleen Spoerl;  Bill Smallwood; Rick Rountree;  Joyce Lantz; Irv Lipp; Etta Jane Pullen (now at Seminary Bounce Back);  Ed Strickler; Bobbi Cady (Sarah Torrance's mother);  Cathy Abernathy;  Greg Haning; Bill Hoover; Blaine Robinson; Vern Mettler; Cinda Stansbury; Mary Johnson; Lindsay Murdock; and Jim Paris. 

Louise Roos fell and broke her hip and had surgery on July 30. She is now recovering at Friendship Manor in Rock Island and will be there for about a month. Please keep her in your prayers.  The address for Friendship Manor is 1209 21st Avenue, Rock Island 61201 (309) 786-9667.
Thank You

Thank you so very much for the 85+ birthday party.  Thanks to the deacons and all who made the occasion so pleasant.  It was lovely and most appreciated.

Esther White

Congratulations  

Adelyn Grace Aberle was born August 2, 2014 at 12:09 p.m.  She weighed 7 lbs. and was 19 inches long.  Her parents are Drew and Lindsey Aberle of Morton, IL,  grandparents are Greg and Susan Gilliland, and Adelyn is Jeanne Freed's 13th great-grandchild!

Thank You

We want to thank everyone who attended our "Larson Celebration" and helped us celebrate our anniversary and birthdays.  It was such a wonderful party of food, fun, fellowship and music. 

Thank you for the cards, gifts and most of all your presence of being there. Special thanks to our children and grandchildren for a very special evening. 

We will remember all of you in our hearts. 

God Bless all of you,

Gene and Donna Larson

PW Board Meeting - This Sunday, August 10

This Sunday, August 10, there will be a brief meeting of PW's Executive Board in the library, following worship.  If you cannot attend, please let Jonalyn Heaton know.

 

Meals on Wheels    

Our church has traditionally helped with the Meals on Wheels program every August, and this year we will continue taking sign-ups from people who would like to volunteer.  This is a wonderful chance to get out into the community and meet people where needs are the greatest.  

There are a couple of changes this year:  
  1. First, the meal deliveries will originate at Jamieson Center at 1025 South 2nd Street, so volunteers should report to JAMIESON CENTER (NOT STROM CENTER)  at 10:30 a.m.  Routes should be completed by 12:30 or 1:00 p.m.  
  2. Second, for those who may find it difficult to navigate the steps in and out of the delivery van, you can opt to volunteer to help serve the congregate meal at the Strom Center from 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  They could really use 1-2 volunteers each day and it saves the program much-needed funds.  If you would like to do this, please contact Nancy Mowen, Jamieson Center Director, at 734-4251 directly.  
We have a sign-up sheet on the office door if you would like to  accompany the delivery van driver for the home-delivered meals. 
 There are still openings for August 18, 19, 20, 25, and 29.
Did You Know?      

Barbara White was a long-time member of Faith Church until she and her husband moved out of state.  After he passed away, she moved back to Illinois.  She is now living at Courtyard Estates here in Monmouth.  Please feel free to stop by and pay her a visit.  
90th Birthday Celebration - August 9

Patricia Brown will be celebrating her 90th birthday with an open house at Faith Church on August 9th.  The time will be from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. and everyone is invited to attend.  No gifts please.  The family of Patricia will be hosting the open house and look forward to seeing you.  
Sue Van Kirk to Speak at OFTA - August 13

Susan Van Kirk, author and one of our own at Faith Church, is a former Monmouth High School and Monmouth College teacher, and she will speak about publishing options for new authors at 10 a.m. Aug. 13 at the Buchanan Center for the Arts, 64 Public Square, Monmouth.

Sue is the author of  
The Education of a Teacher (Including Dirty Books and Pointed Looks) 
and the upcoming mystery
Three May Keep a Secret.  She will discuss her experiences working with a publisher and self-publishing.  Admission is free. 

Galesburg Christian School Preview Day

Galesburg Christian School preview day, Monday, August 11th. Tours 11:00am - 8:00pm. Administration presentation 6:00 pm elementary campus, 7:00 pm Jr/Sr High campus. 3&4 Preschool - 12th. Homeschoolers welcome for extracurricular activities. www.GalesburgChristian.org 343-8008

 

 

Fifty Years Ago This Month...   
1964 - 2014
 

SESSION MINUTES - AUGUST 12, 1964

(part 1)


 

The regular meeting of the Session of Faith United Presbyterian Church, Monmouth, Illinois was held at 8 p.m. August 12, 1964 in the Faith Church building at 200 South Eighth Street.  Present were Elders Rhea, Kritzer, Allison, Marshall, Ebersole, Parsons, White, Wells, Connell, Armstrong, Keating, Jewell, Carlson, Lipes, Wallace, Hallam, Rankin and Simpson and the Moderator, the Rev. G. Robert Buttrick.  Also present was David Moffet, chairman of the Board of Trustees.  Elders absent were Manley, Beveridge, Thompson, Patterson, Royer and Morrill. 


 

The meeting was opened with Scripture reading and prayer by the moderator.  On motion duly made, seconded and carried requests to be excused were approved for the following elders:  Beveridge, Royer and Patterson. 

Minutes of the July 15, 1964 meeting were approved. 


 

REPORT BY THE CLERK OF SESSION:  Requests for the following letters of transfer:

                Mrs. Joseph (Karen Bowman) Angotti to First Presbyterian Church, El Paso, Texas

                Mr. and Mrs. Frank Churchill to Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Alexis, Illinois

                Mrs. Pearl Van Tine to West Side United Presbyterian Church, Monmouth, Illinois

                Miss Helen Van Tine to West Side

                Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Phelps to West Side

                Mrs. Mary McClain             "

                Mrs. Karl Ording                  "

                Mrs. Mozena Chard            "

                James Bratkovic                                    "

                Mrs. Anna Willard                "

                Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth McDaneld             "

                Mrs. Luella Cox                    "

                Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Marsh                       "

                Mrs. Alma Johnson            "

                Miss Irene Work                "


 

Motion duly made, seconded and carried that these letters of transfer be granted as requested.  Request noted that the name of Mrs. Melvin Rash (Elaine Sedwick) be removed from the roll for the reason that she has become a member of a Lutheran Church in Rock Island, Illinois.  Moved, seconded and carried that the request be granted. 

 

In August 1964 there was only one Session meeting, so we will divide the minutes from that meeting into four parts for newsletter publication during this August. 

Giving through July 27, 2014

Birthdays

 

July 29  -     Eugene Inman, Donna Larson

July 30  -     Emily Fisher
August 2 -   Sue Connell, Les Dollinger
August 4 -   Carol McCurdy, Benjamin Bowman
August 6 -   Sally Bowman
August 7 -   J. Lowell Long
August 8 -   Joyce Lantz
August 9 -   Ryan Watson
August 10 - Pat Brown, Samara Baker
August 11 - Jake Murdock, Russ Stanton
August 12 - Karen Gibson, Linda Baker
August 13 - Brittany Wilson
August 14 - Eilleen Spoerl
August 15 - Jessica Watson
 

Wedding Anniversaries

 

August 2 -  Gene & Donna Larson (61st) 

August 2 -  Jim & Kris Brown (17th) 

August 4 -  Mary & Gary Distin (41st)

August 10 - Les & Jo Ellen Dollinger (56th)

August 20 - Dale & Deb Dingman (37th) 

August 20 - Mike & Heather Fisher (21st)

August 27 - David & Eilleen Spoerl (12th)

It's Not Too Late - Food Collection at Sav-a-Lot Today and Tomorrow for Jamieson Center

 

The WRAM/WMOI Halfway to Freezing for Food fundraiser and food collection event takes place this week Wednesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day in front of Sav-A-Lot.  Jamieson Center Executive Director Nancy Mowen said her pantry, one of the local recipients of donations, is busy, serving over 1,000 families in the month of July. In June and July combined, the Jamieson Center kitchen served over 5,000 meals she said. All of those meals and families served equates to a lot of food. She added many of the people served are from working families and almost half are not eligible for food stamps.


Her food bank is especially in need of canned veggies, beans, tuna, cereal and juice. She said having enough food is especially critical for children whose brains do not properly develop without enough nutrition.


Mowen said serving the food insecure can only be accomplished with the community's help.


Non-perishable food can be dropped off at the Halfway to Freezing for Food Wednesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of Sav-A-Lot. Cash donations are also appreciated.

 
August Mission Focus - Kandithankulam 
 

Last Sunday we had a Minute for Mission about Kandithankulam, our August mission focus.  The good work that is being done to help very needy people with their medical needs, home repairs, livelihood, and safety concerns continues to flourish, thanks to the generosity of God's caring people.  

 

So far, 20 private toilet facilities have been built in three villages in response to safety concerns and incidents of violence against women.  

 

At the free medical clinic held on July 13, 2014, more than 400 adults and children were provided free medicines and dental hygiene supplies and instruction by ten doctors, dentists, and eye specialists. Several cataract surgeries were scheduled. The cost of each of these medical camps, though completely staffed by volunteers giving of their professional services, is about $1200, including the cost of providing transportation for those unable to reach the camp any other way.  

 

In terms of computer education and job training skills, two computer centers are now being operated.  One is at the temporarily converted Light Eternal Medical Clinic and the other is located near four orphanages enabling the children there to learn computer skills which their schools do not provide. Three different courses are offered depending on age group which improve the career prospects of the village children, most of whom would otherwise end up as farm laborers. There are now six computers at the Kandithankulam Computer Center and five computers in the new branch. 

 

We recently sent out by email Raj and Saro Ambrose's update on activities at Kandithankulam as well as new photos of the ongoing work at the medical clinic, computer center, and toilet facilities.