Focus on Faith

Faith United Presbyterian Church Newsletter

September 25, 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 - Season of Peace 

 September 28, 2014 

   10:30 a.m. 

 

Sermon Title: "Attitude Adjustment" 

Exodus 16: 2-15          Hebrews 13:1-3, Romans 12:13-21                               

         Liturgist: Mary Distin
Ushers:  Carol Heflin, Bonnie Heflin, Ralph Whiteman, Martha Whiteman, 
Norma Mettler
Greeters:  Steve & Cheryl Johnson, Buster & Jane Kellogg
Children's Church:  Jane Kellogg
Nursery:  Krista Larson
Coffee Hour:  Lowell & Dee Long
CD Recording:  Ted Briscoe
Special Music:  Barb Gossett on harp

Upcoming Meetings/Events 

 

Thursday, September 25 - Sewing Circle Cancelled - 9:30 a.m.

TONIGHT, Thursday, September 25 - Isabel Circle - 7 p.m. @ Jane Kellogg's

Friday and Saturday, September 26 & 27 - Community Care Work Days

Sunday, September 28 - Sunday School for Pre-K - adults - 9:15 a.m.
- Worship - 10:30 a.m. 
- Coffee Hour - 11:30 a.m. 

Sunday, September 28 - Finance Committee Meeting - 11:35 a.m. 

Wednesday, October 1 - Wednesday Night Live - 3:20 - 6:00 p.m. 
Wednesday, October 1 - Acts of Faith book discussion group - 6:00 p.m. 

Thursday, October 2 - Thai Circle - 9:30 a.m. 

Saturday, October 4 - MC Homecoming Parade Staging in FUPC parking lot - 10 to 11 a.m. 

Saturday, October 4 - Higbee-Orne Wedding in Chapel - 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 5 - World Communion Sunday & Peacemaking Offering

Monday, October 6 - Friday, October 10  - Administrative Assistant on vacation
Finance Committee Meeting - Sunday, September 28, 2014   moneybag_graphic.jpg

There will be a meeting of the Finance Committee after church on Sunday, September 28.  

Isabel Circle - Tonight, Thursday, September 25 - 7 p.m. 

Members of Isabel Circle will meet on Thursday, September 25, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Jane Kellogg at 1012 East Euclid Avenue in Monmouth. Jonalyn Heaton will introduce the 2014-2015 Horizons Bible Study, Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of 2 Corinthians.  She will also serve as leader for Lesson One: The Promise And Problem Of Paul. The study will begin with the reading of the PW Purpose and will be followed by the lesson. The business meeting will follow the Bible study. Study guides can be purchased for $9.00 in the church office.

All interested members and friends are welcome to attend. For more information about Presbyterian Women, contact Jonalyn Heaton.
Community Cares Days Work Days     
                                                            
Friday, September 26 and Saturday, September 27 will be the Community Care Work Days. Participating churches are First United Methodist of Monmouth, Fairview Center Methodist, First Lutheran Church of Monmouth, Faith United Presbyterian, and Sugar Tree Grove. Any questions may be directed to Faith's committee representatives, Bob Wells and Ralph Whiteman. 

Wednesday Night Live  - Next Session October 1    

 

October 1 - 15   Parable of the Talents

God wants us to do our best with the talents 

He gives us.  Matthew 25:14-30

 

Kitchen Team for October 1:  Lolla Ballard, Robert or Lorna Blackford, Donna Spears, and Rose Trimble.  We could still use more people for Kitchen Team, which is washing dishes and cleaning up. 

 

Registration forms have been sent in the mail and are also available in the church office and in the Social Hall after church on Sundays.  Click here for a 2014-2015 WNL Registration Form that you can print and fill out (be sure to fill out both pages, including the photography consent form). 

 

Reminder to Parents: Please remember to turn in your registration and pay your child's fees.  Cost is $20 for the first child for one semester or $40 for the year.  If you have two children, it's $35 for the semester and $70 for the year. 


 

We can also use monetary donations for scholarships or supplies used at WNL. Finally, we need your weekly prayers for the success of this program.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or know of someone who hasn't come before so I can get them the information.  Thank You! 

 

Debbie Dingman - WNL Director 2014-2015  

Would You Like a Free Subscription to Presbyterians Today Magazine?
                           
There is a free subscription offer from the publishers of 
Presbyterians Today.  This is a one-year print copy subscription available to new subscribers only.  If you are interested and not already a subscriber, please let Vicki know so that she can sign you up as a gift subscription recipient. I will need your name and address. There is no limit to the number of subscriptions, but this offer expires on October 31, 2014 and must be submitted by that date.  After the free one-year subscription, you can decide whether or not you want to continue the subscription at regular rates. 

Presbyterian Youth Day at Monmouth College - October 25

Monmouth College will present "Making All Things New" Presbyterian Youth Day at Monmouth College on Saturday, October 25th, 2014 for Senior High Youth.  The day will start out at 9 a.m. with worship, energizers, keynote, and small groups in Dahl Chapel, followed by lunch in the college dining hall at noon.  Then there's the football game at 1 p.m.   It's a great chance to check out a Presbyterian Church-related college.  

Cost is $10 and includes the lunch and a t-shirt. Registration deadline is coming up soon on October 10,  so if you are interested please let Stephanie Reading know by email at youth@maplecity.com or call her at 309-368-0457 so that she can include you in the group registration.                 
Discover a Season of Peace


A 
Season of Peace 
is a four-week pilgrimage spanning five Sundays developed by the PCUSA which is designed to deepen the pursuit of peace for congregations, small groups, families, and individuals. Through daily peace reflections, family activities such as peace cards, Bible studies, and other online resources, you are invited to define and deepen your calling as a peacemaker.  This Season is a time of encouragement, challenge, inspiration, and education. 

All of these resources are designed to culminate in the Peacemaking Offering, traditionally received on World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday in October.  The Offering gives us a concrete way to contribute locally and nationally to the work of peace enabling the Presbyterian peacemaking Program to:
  • Inspire new approaches to active peacemaking;
  • Equip God's people to be compassionate, prophetic peacemakers; and 
  • Connect communities of peace in accompaniment, mutual learning and shared action for the transformation of the world. 
What are the opportunities Faith Church is offering for you to participate in this pilgrimage?  
  •  Providing a link to subscribe to Path of Peace Daily Devotions for this four-week period. The 2014 Path of Peace Daily Devotions were authored by Presbyterians who traveled to Israel and Palestine in April/May of 2014 for the Peacemaking Program conference, Mosaic of Peace. Conference participants reflected on scripture readings from The Biblical Witness to Peacemaking and were guided by stories and experiences shared by our Israeli and Palestinian church partners, who live with military occupation as the backdrop of church life.  To receive these daily devotions go to http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/peacemaking/path-of-peace-daily-reflections/.  You can subscribe by email or by RSS.  As an alternative to receiving one per day by email, you can also download a copy of the entire set of 2014 Path of Peace Daily Devotions as one document to read through at your leisure.
  • Incorporating parts of the five-session Bible study that helps us in recognizing peace, finding peace, practicing peace, extending peace, and living peace. We have already looked at Recognizing Peace, Finding Peace, and Practicing Peace. This Sunday we will look at Extending Peace.  "So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them."  How does the Bible teach us to live with neighbors who are different?  This session will focus on hospitality as peacemaking in light of Hebrews 13:1-3 and Romans 12:13-21. 
  • Use of a special hymn that was written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette to support the work of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program and its annual special offering called "O God, the Things That Make for Peace." The hymn is based on the Bible study mentioned above. 
  • A special interfaith "Prayer for Peace" 
    event honoring the International Day of Peace was held on Wednesday, September 17, in conjunction with Monmouth College and included the civic and campus community joining in prayer on the side lawn of the Intercultural House. Following this half-hour service, all were invited to a Group Soup Meal in the Social Hall at Faith Church. The congregation brought a vegetable, vegetable stock, beans, tomato juice, or crackers/ bread to church on September 14, the Sunday before. These offerings were laid on the Church World Service blanket on the communion table to represent peace efforts in the form of humanitarian aid to our brothers and sisters in the world who are in need of comfort and support.  
  • Beginning on Wednesday, September 24, Pastor Stoner-Lasala will lead a weekly series of discussion groups on Eboo Patel's book Acts of Faith on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m.  Dr. Patel will be speaking at Monmouth College on October 28. His topic will be "Interfaith Leadership in a Time of Global Religious Conflict." The book is available for sale ($10) in the church office. More copies will be ordered if needed. 
  • Denominational bulletin inserts on Anti-bullying and International Peacemaking on September 28 and October 5.
  • A Season of Peace 
    will culminate in World Communion Sunday and the
    Peacemaking 
    on October 5.  The 2014 General Assembly is transforming the Peacemaking Offering into the Peace & Global Witness Offering. 
    This new Offering will have a greater global reach, make a more significant impact, and empower participating congregations to use 25% of the money they raise on local and worldwide ministries of their choice.  We will share information about this exciting new Offering with our congregation!
Christian Education News 
 
September 14 - 9:15 a.m.  Sunday School Begins!

Preschool children & parents - meet the teacher upstairs in the Noah's Ark room.  Use the East Hallway to get to the stairs and go upstairs. 

Elementary children - meet at 9:15 a.m. in the theatre upstairs for opening. 

Youth grades 7-9 - meet upstairs in the Youth Room of the Youth Wing at the NW corner of the church building.  Use the West Hallway to get to the stairs and go upstairs. 

Adults - Bible study on the Parables of Jesus.  Meet in the Adult Lounge.  Directions:  Use the West Hallway to get to the stairs and go upstairs. It's the  room on the far left. This study is an 11-part series.  September 28 - #44 Watchful Servants & #43 Wise and Foolish Virgins Matthew 13: 32-37/
Matthew 25: 1-13 and Luke 12:35-40.

Starting Wednesday, September 24, Rev. Kathy will be leading a discussion class for adults on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. on the book 
Acts of Faith
by Eboo Patel. Readings for October 1 - 

Youth Group - will kick off in early September. More details to follow.

Nursery will be available from 10:30 through the end of the worship service. 

Children's Church meets after the Children's Time in the service.  Children's Church helps children to learn to worship God and to understand what happens during worship.  Children 5 years old to 3rd grade are encouraged to attend Children's Church. 

Book Discussion Group  

Beginning on Wednesday, September 24, Pastor Stoner-Lasala will be leading a five-week book discussion group at 6 p.m. in preparation for the arrival of guest lecturer Eboo Patel on the Monmouth College campus on October 28.  

Sponsored by the Lux Center for Church and Religious Leadership, Dr. Patel will be speaking on "Interfaith Leadership in a Time of Global Religious Conflict."  He is the author of Acts of Faith:  The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation 
-- the book we will be discussing.

Eboo Patel's core belief is that religion is a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division.  Copies of the book are available in the office for $10.  
September Local Mission Focus:  Jamieson Center

One area of service that Jamieson Center provides addresses the problem of food insecurity (not enough to eat) in many homes in our area.  The Center has seen an increasing demand in its food programs in the first half of 2014, with Senior congregate and delivered meals up 8%, food pantry demand up 17%, and the Summer Feeding Program up 21%.  

Other programs and services provided are:

* STARS - Students Arrive Ready to Start - school supplies
* Thrift Store - a resource for the community to find quality clothing and goods for low prices. The Thrift Store revenue goes back into Jamieson Center programs so is an important source of revenue to match grants and fund programming. Daily sales have doubled recently thanks to the generosity of the community and the dedicated staff.
* Christmas Store - Families will begin applying soon for this great program. They pay a small fee to be able to shop for their families for Christmas including clothing, winter apparel and 1 toy per child.
* Angel Trees - placed throughout the community to provide gifts for pre-approved children
* Christmas Baskets - families choose either the Christmas Store or a food basket. Many of the recipients of the baskets are older adults. Look for letters going out to the community soon asking for support for these Christmas programs.

There is a flu shot clinic coming up on October 2 from 1-3 p.m. for the uninsured and underinsured.  Registration is encouraged. Call 734-4251.  Jamieson Center is located at 1025 South 2nd Street in Monmouth. 

Just recently Jamieson was approved for an AmeriCorps Vista position to assist with some new programming they hope to bring to the community. 

If you would like to explore the programs at Jamieson Center on your own, they have a new website which is  www.jamiesoncommunitycenter.org.  Also, if you are interested in finding your niche as a volunteer, on the table under the mirror near the office are some information sheets on the different types of volunteer opportunities with the center.

Path of Peace Daily Reflections

Each Sunday we pass the Peace of Christ in church and many of us yearn for more peace in the world.  During "A Season of Peace," (September 7 - October 5), if you would like to have more peace in your life and better understand its dimensions, you can subscribe to Path of Peace Daily Reflections 
 (for free) by clicking here 

Prayer Concerns

Tamene Bekele; Larry Byrne; Jim Andrews;  Bobbi Cady (Sarah Torrance's mother); Bob McClintock; Robert Cooper (Bonnie Heflin's cousin); Louise Roos; Bill Smallwood;  Etta Jane Pullen;  Ed Strickler; Cathy Abernathy; Greg &  Joy Haning; Bill Hoover; Blaine Robinson; Vern Mettler; Cinda Stansbury; Mary Johnson; Lindsay Murdock; and Jim Paris. 

Retired mission co-worker Carolyn Weber asks our prayers for Tamene Bekele, one of her former students, who is in the second year of his master's degree studies in Ethiopia.  Tamene is battling prostate cancer after a surgery that was not successful.  He begins radiation treatments this week. 


Larry Byrne is doing well after hip replacement surgery on Monday, September 22. He is expected to be home by now and on a walker for about a week.  He will have outpatient physical therapy.

Jim Andrews, son of Judy and Steve Andrews, was in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, August 30 and was life-flighted to Iowa City where he remains in critical condition. His address at the University of Iowa Hospital is:

Jim Andrews
SNICU. 5JPP UIHC
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA. 52242
Raise the Roof for Rainbow Riders - Saturday, October 18

Please join us for this boot-stomping adult event as we kick off our capital campaign to raise money to build a mini covered arena!  Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center serves individuals with special needs.
  • Saturday, October 18
  • American Legion Hall in Monmouth
  • Doors open at 5:30 p.m. 
  • Dinner served from 6 - 7 p.m. (Eddie B's BBQ!)
  • Live band featuring ETERNITY ROAD from 7 - 10 p.m. 
  • $10 per person
  • cash bar available
  • 50/50 raffle and silent auction
Fifty Years Ago This Month...   
1964 - 2014
  
REGULAR SESSION MEETING - September 30, 1964

The regular meeting o the Session of Faith United Presbyterian Church, Monmouth, Illinois was held at 8 p.m. September 30, 1964 in the former First Church building. 

Present were Elders Marshall, Kritzer, Connell, Rhea, Thompson, Hallam, White, Beveridge, Keating, Jewell, Armstrong, Wallace, Allison, Manley, Parsons, Royer, Carlson, Lipes, Ebersole and Wells and the moderator, the Rev. G. Robert Buttrick. Also present was David R. Moffet, chairman of the Board of Trustees. Absent was Elder Rankin.

The meeting was opened with devotions and prayer conducted by Elder Marshall.
Request from Elder Rankin that he be excused was noted. Motion made, seconded and carried that the request be granted.

Minutes of meetings held August 12 and September 2, 1964 were approved.

REPORT OF THE CLERK OF SESSION: Resignations noted from Elders Patterson and Morrill, both of whom have left the community. Moved, seconded and carried that the resignations be reluctantly accepted and that both these elders be commended for their effective service as members of the Faith Church Session.

Reported by the Clerk that letters of Dismissal have been sent for the following: Mrs. Donald Rhodes and Mrs. Ruth Rhodes to the First Presbyterian Church, Charles Town, West Virginia; Mrs. Linda Hutchisson Peck to Community Presbyterian Church, Chase, Kansas; Miss Rebecca Murphy to Sycamore United Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio and Dr. Allan Morrill and Mrs. Eleanor Morrill to College Hill Presbyterian Church, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. It was moved, seconded and carried that this action be approved.

REPORT OF THE WORSHIP COMMITTEE: Report made by Elder Thompson. Moved, seconded and carried that the chancel arrangement as worked out by the Worship Committee be approved and that the worship committee be allowed flexibility in rearranging the worship center from time to time as may seem advisable. Also, motion made, seconded and carried that the pastor be given permission to work out the order of worship for Communion on October 4 and that the Rev. Paul McClanahan be invited to assist in that service.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Report presented by Allison. Following consideration it was duly moved, seconded and carried that the Board of Deacons be requested to assume responsibility for organizing the Cradle Roll.

STEWARDSHIP & MISSION COMMITTEE REPORT: Report by Manley. Moved, seconded and carried that the Session underscore the responsibility of all members of the Session, Trustees and Deacons to be involved as needed in leadership of the parish group meetings.

In connection with the report of the Nominating Committee it was moved, seconded and carried that the committee be empowered to name the music committee as provided for by action taken by the Session at its September 24, 1964 meeting in order that this committee may begin to function at once.

REPORT BY PASTOR: Following presentation of the report it was duly moved, seconded and carried that a series of fellowship potlucks be set up with planning and scheduling of this series to be under direction of the Parish Life Committee and that a series of study groups be set up covering several special interest areas with arrangements for this series to be directed by the Christian Education Committee.

Moved, seconded and carried that other items on the pastor's report be placed on the agenda for a future special Session meeting to be set at the discretion of the moderator. Whereupon the moderator set this meeting for 8 p.m., October 14, 1964 in the former First Church building.

The matter of time for regular Session meeting was then considered and it was duly moved, seconded and carried that these be held at 8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.

There being no further business to come before the Session it was moved, seconded and carried that the meeting adjourn. Adjournment then followed prayer by Elder Allison.

Rev. G. Robert Buttrick, Moderator
David M. Hallam, Clerk

Giving through September 21, 2014

Receipts
Actual Giving
Budgeted Amount Needed
September 7
$3,426,00
$3,808.42
September 14
$2,491.00$3,808.42
September 21
$ 693.00
$3,808.42
Sept Total thru Sept 21
$6,610.00
$11,425  (rounded)
Annual Total thru Sept 21
$106,762.06$144,705 (rounded)

Vigil for Peace at Monmouth College - Thursday, September 25

There will be a moment of silence and recognition in honor of Mike Brown's life (Ferguson, MO) to stand in solidarity with those fighting against police brutality and racial profiling, and to honor all lives lost to the systemic problem.  The Vigil for Peace will take place on Thursday, September 25 (tonight) at 8 p.m. on the Quad (grassy area between Huff Center and Stockdale Center.  

Birthdays

 

September 3   - Janice Cunningham (new information)

September 22 - Hannah Finnicum

September 23 - Colton McClintock
September 25 - Rachel Haynes
September 26 - Ethan Clark
September 30 - Mona Buchholz
October 1          - Dorothy Behnke
October 2         - Lorna Blackford
October 5         - Barb Byrne
October 6         - Liz Nieman 
 

Wedding Anniversaries

 

September 1 - Gary & Denise Pullen (35th)

September 7 - Ralph & Martha Whiteman (28th)

September 20 - Frank & Kathy Stoner-Lasala (28th)

September 21 - John & Denise Turnbull (40th)