Interview of John Knox with Mary, Queen of Scots, engraved by John Sartain from a painting by E. Leutze, 1848
Focus on Faith

Faith United Presbyterian Church Newsletter

October 23, 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 - Reformation Sunday

 October 26, 2014 

   10:30 a.m.

  

Reformation Voices Raised in Song 

Jeremiah 31: 31-34 

          Liturgist: John Marshall
Ushers:   Robert Blackford, Bill Lee, Dominick Reading, Malik Reading, Ed Melvin
Greeters:  Carol Bowman & Dee Ann Shuff 
Children's Church:  Doug Torrance
Nursery:  Heather Fisher
Coffee Hour:  Martha & Ralph Whiteman
CD Recording:  Ted Briscoe 
Special Music:  Monmouth College Bagpipers

Bible Presentation
The Christian Education Committee on behalf of the congregation is pleased to present Bibles to the following students: Lily Johnson, Naomi Duke, Sebastian Vasquez, Rhett Willett, Jacob Sundvall, and Tralynn Mitchell.  

You are encouraged to wear something plaid (and Scottish) for Reformation Sunday (and John Knox's 500th birthday) ! 

Upcoming Meetings/Events 

 

October 15 - 25  - Pastor Stoner-Lasala on vacation & study leave 

TODAY - Thursday, October 23 - Sewing Circle - 9:30 a.m. 

TODAY - Thursday, October 23 - PEO District Workshop @ FUPC 12:30 p.m. 
 (using Social Hall from noon to 4 p.m.)

TONIGHT - Thursday, October 23 - Isabel Circle @ Jonalyn Heaton's - 7 p.m. 

TOMORROW - Friday, October 24 - Deadline to sign up for Saturday of Service - noon

Saturday, October 25 - Presbyterian Youth Day - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday, October 26 - Reformation Sunday

Monday, October 27 - Outreach Committee Meeting - 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 28 - Community Thanksgiving  Dinner Meeting - 6:00 p.m.  

Tuesday, October 28 - Eboo Patel speaking at Dahl Auditorium - 7:00 p.m. 
"Interfaith Leadership in a Time of Global Religious Conflict" 
Reception to follow at the Center for Science and Business

Tuesday, October 28 - Committee on Ministry - Peoria 10 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 29 - Financial Seminar for Churches @FUPC - 10 a.m. to noon - Given by Amy Gardner, Accountant for the Presbytery of Great Rivers

Wednesday, October 29 - Wednesday Night Live - 3:20 to 6 p.m. 

Wednesday, October 29 - Acts of Faith Discussion Class - 6:00 p.m. 

Thursday, October 30 - Stated Session Meeting (rescheduled) - 7 p.m. 

Isabel Circle - Tonight, October 23, 2014 at 7 p.m. 

 

Isabel Circle will meet on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Jonalyn Heaton at 715 North 8th Street. All interested church members and friends are welcome to attend. Sharon Graham will facilitate the Bible study which will be followed by the business meeting and fellowship. Bible Study Guides are available for $9.00 in the church office.

The lesson will be from the 2014-2015 Horizons Bible Study, Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of 2 Corinthians by Elizabeth Hinson-Hasty. 

 

Lesson Two is titled, "Paul In The Context Of Ancient Corinth."  It was through the driving energy and unshakable faith of Paul, the great Apostle to the Gentiles, that the Christian Church became an organized and established force within the Roman Empire. By the time of his martyrdom in Rome in CE 67, Paul had helped to create a world-wide Church in the space of a mere thirty-seven years after the crucifixion of Christ. Paul's story is known to us from the account in the Acts of the Apostles supplemented by his own letters, but there must have been many events in his life which are unrecorded. Of Paul's letters, the writer of the second century letter attributed to Peter recorded, "Some things in Paul's letters are hard to understand." If attendees have time, please read 2 Corinthians 1:1-2:4 and jot down on a piece of paper your initial reactions to the passage.

Wednesday Night Live  - Next Session October 29

     

October 29 - Parable of the Lost Sheep

God cares for each of us. Matthew 18: 10-14

 

Kitchen Team for October 29: Lolla Ballard, Jim Brown, Rose Trimble, Sheila Wilson

 

WNL is going well.  We have 27 wonderful kids.  The 5th/6th graders have helped at Rainbow Riders and have gone to Monsanto.  Now we are gearing up to make Thanksgiving cards for the Community Thanksgiving Dinner!

 

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. 
Christian Education News 
 
 9:15 a.m.  Sunday School for all ages:

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.  October 26 - # 39 The Wicked Tenants. The readings are Matthew 21:33-44 and Luke 20: 9-18.

Wednesday Evening Discussion Group:

Acts of Faith Class:  The author, Eboo Patel will be speaking at Monmouth College on Tuesday, October 28 at 7 p.m. in the Dahl Auditorium on campus.  His talk is free and open to the public. The class will meet the next evening, Wednesday, October 29 at 6 p.m. to discuss his talk. 

Youth Group - Getting ready for the Crop Walk on November 2 and the Crockpot Cook-off on November 9. 

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. 

October Mission Focus - Operation Backpack





Operation Backpack is a program of the 1st Street Armoury and supported by Monmouth Rotary. The program provides food to the children in Monmouth-Roseville Schools who need it the most. Children are identified by school district officials who distribute the number of backpacks needed each week. Each backpack provides the child with 6 nutritious kid-friendly meals to help bridge the gap at home over the weekend and school holidays. Every little effort makes a child feel less forgotten. Better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, improved health and increased attendance have all been attributed to the success of Operation Backpack.

From Amy Toal:  "There are 157 children signed up this year.  The schools represented are Lincoln, Harding, and Central - ages ranging from preschool to 6th grade.  The 1st Street Armoury still packs the bags every Tuesday (and would love to have more volunteers, desperately) and they are delivered each week to the schools.  The bags of groceries contain 6 supplemental meals for Saturday and Sunday.  1st Street Armoury does not know the names of the children receiving the bags as this is confidential, only the counselors know who the recipients are, and on each Friday she hands out the grocery bags to the children to place in their backpacks.  We always need food donations: hot chocolate, oatmeal packets, pop tarts, granola bars, canned soup or ravioli/spaghettios, canned tuna, Ramen noodles (a favorite), fruit snacks or roll-ups, pudding, fruit cups, juice boxes, etc."
Crop Walk Logo

Crop Walk - November 2

For a third year "Crop Walk" is returning to Monmouth. On Sunday, November 2 at 2:00 p.m. walkers will meet at Monmouth College's Huff Center to begin their journey. If you are interested in walking, please see Stephanie Reading in the Social Hall after church. She will give you a fund-raising packet. If you are unable to walk but would like to donate, walkers will be taking your donations in the Social Hall over the next couple of weeks. Walkers of all ages are welcome! 
crock pot
Crockpot Cook-Off Entries

Yes, it's time again to hold our 5th Annual Crockpot Cook-off on November 9th, following worship.

The rules are simple: Select a recipe that is cooked only in your crock. This can include anything from breakfast dishes, to soups, main courses, or desserts. Basically, anything that you can cook in a crockpot.

Adults, youth, and children will then sample each one, voting on the yummiest dish. The person with the most votes will win a gift certificate to a local restaurant!

The entry fee is $5.00, and it would be helpful if it is submitted along with your name and what you'll be making to the office as soon as possible. 
Taste-buds Needed!
Come to the Crockpot Cook-off     graphic-community-meal.jpg

November 9, 2014
at 11:45 a.m. (following worship)

A free-will donation will let you...
sample from each crockery and give you the ability
to vote on your favorite one!
(Drinks will be provided.)
All proceeds will go toward the cost of our 2015 Youth missions. 
Thank you always for your support!!! 
"Acts of Faith" Author to Speak  

Sponsored by the Lux Center for Church and Religious Leadership, Dr. Eboo Patel will be speaking on Tuesday, October 28 at 7 p.m. 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.

His talk at the Dahl Auditorium on the campus of Monmouth College is free and open to the public. A reception will follow at the Center for Science and Business, also on campus. 

Eboo Patel's core belief is that religion is a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier of division.  We have been sold out on copies of the book at this time, but you are welcome to order from Amazon.com. or another online source, if you would like. 

The Faith United discussion class will meet one last time on Wednesday, October 29 at 6 p.m. to discuss Eboo Patel's talk. 
Faith and Life Class 

This is a Bible study on the Parables of Jesus, which meets in the Adult Lounge on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m. The study is an 11-part series and has been led by Jeanne Robeson, Hallie Lemon, and Tom Best.  In the coming weeks these three, plus Lolla Ballard, Tim Phelps, Rod Lemon, and Marge Phelps will alternate in teaching the class.  October 26 - # 39 The Wicked Tenants.  Readings are Matthew 21: 33-44 and Luke 20: 9-18. 
Prayer Concerns

Gene & Donna Larson; the family of Buster Kellogg, Sr.; Rev. John Irwin: Bob Meling;  Thomas Vaughn; Jim Keefe; Tamene Bekele; 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. 

Jim Andrews -- He has been transferred to St. Luke's Continuing Care Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA   New address:


Jim Andrews

Continuing Care Hospital at UnityPoint Health - St. Luke's

1026 A Avenue, NE, Room 650

Cedar Rapids, IA  52402

 

With Sympathy

Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Buster LaVerne Kellog, Sr., 90, who passed away on October 15, 2014.  Services were Monday, October 20 at Hoover Hall Memorial Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Jon Sims from First United Methodist Church in Monmouth.  To read the obituary or to leave online condolences, please visit  Hoover Hall Memorial Chapel. A memorial fund has been designated for Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center in Monmouth. 

It's a Boy...and Another Boy!  

Congratulations to Jim and Lolla Ballard on the birth of two twin grandsons, Otto Douglas at 6 lb 7 oz and Clark Andrew at 6 lb 11 oz. The boys were born Tuesday, October 21, 2014 to parents Abbie and Zach Ballard.  

Giving through October 19, 2014

ReceiptsActual GivingBudgeted Amount Needed
October 5
$3,107.50$3,808
October 12
$2,143.36$3,808
October 19$1,425.50$3,808
October total through Oct 19$6,676.36$11,425.00
Annual total thru Oct 19
$114,461.42 $159,937.00

Stewardship Commitment Sunday - November 2

Each fall the Stewardship Committee asks the congregation to make a financial commitment to the ministries of the church for the upcoming year. Commitment Sunday is preceded by a period in which the congregation is asked to reflect and pray about the use of their resources in the context of God's providing love. Letters and pledge cards were mailed out this week.  The committee then compiles the response in order to assist the session in determining the scope of ministry that will be possible for the coming year.  Join us on November 2, 2014 for our Stewardship Commitment Sunday. 
Budget Requests - Due by November 2  moneybag_graphic.jpg

The 2015 budget request forms have been distributed to all those responsible for expense line items in the church budget. Please return these to the church office with your 2015 estimates filled in. Amounts budgeted for 2014 and spent through October 16, 2014 have been filled in to assist you in making your 2015 estimates.

Completed requests may be placed in the yellow folder marked "2015 Budget Requests" on Vicki's desk in the church office. The Stewardship & Budget Committee needs these turned in by Sunday, November 2 or as soon as possible. They can also be mailed to the church at 200 South 8th Street, Monmouth, IL 61462.   Thank you for your help!

Committal Service - Friday, October 24
 

There will be a Committal Service for Glenn Irvin Lipp on Friday, October 24, 2014 at the Warren County Memorial Park 
at 2 p.m.  Rev. Charles Cunningham will be officiating. 
Community Thanksgiving Dinner  -   Thanksgiving  
Thursday, November 27, 2014

A traditional Thanksgiving Dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls and pumpkin pie. Diabetic dinners are available upon request. There is no cost for the meal. Deliveries are available and can be arranged by calling 734-5129 through Wednesday. Delivery requests can be made the morning of by calling the American Legion 734-2976.

Serving from:  12 Noon to 1:30 p.m.  at the Monmouth American Legion ~ 1110 North 11th Street, Monmouth, IL
(There's no cost for the dinner)

Volunteers ~ HELP IS NEEDED the day before (Nov. 26th & the day of (Nov. 27th).  If you have volunteered before, please help again.  If you haven't volunteered before and need more details, call (309) 221-3227 or (309) 428-0620.  WALK-IN HELP IS WELCOMED on Thursday, November 27th (11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)

Donations can be made to "Community Thanksgiving Dinner" account at Security Savings Bank in Monmouth. 

Golden Jubilee Celebration of Faith United - Sunday, November 16, 2014

Watch for further announcements!
Sugar Tree Grove Annual Soup Luncheon     
Sugar Tree Grove UP Church
 
Sunday, November 2, 2014
11:00 a.m. -- 2:00 p.m. 

There will be chicken noodle soup, vegetable beef, taco soup, and chili, along with salads and desserts served for a free will donation.  The Sugar Tree church service will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Sugar Tree Grove Church is located at 2210 M-A-M Trail.
Maple Leaf Community Concert - Thursday, October 23, 2014

The chamber musicians group, Windsync, based in Houston, Texas, will present a concert Thursday, October 28 at 7 p.m. in the Dahl Chapel and Auditorium, Monmouth College.  For ticket information call the Chamber of Commerce at 734-3181 or go online at www.goMonmouth.com. 
Monmouth College Saturday of Service - November 1

Do you have a 3-hour project that needs to be done at your home? Maybe painting, packaging items, raking leaves, moving furniture, working with children, working with elderly, assisting with setting up Christmas decorations, delivering supplies, etc.? Would you like to have a college student(s) perform these services?

Monmouth College is hosting their Saturday of Service program on Saturday, November 1 from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. They are looking for requests from community partners (that's us)  whose members, particularly seniors, have need for volunteer help that can be performed by students as they learn about the importance of civic engagement in their community. All they ask is that you sign up in advance and supply the needed materials such as paint, ladders, brushes, etc.

If you are interested, please contact the church office at 734-5129. Vicki will put your work request on a list that needs to be submitted to the Office of Student Involvement at the college by noon on Friday, October 24. There is no cost for the program.  Last year we had several members of our congregation participate. 

Birthdays

 

October 1      - Dorothy Behnke

October 2     - Lorna Blackford
October 5     - Barb Byrne
October 6     - Liz Nieman
October 7      - Michael Crosier
October 11    - Chloe Larson, David Spoerl, Paul Mason III
October 12    - Benant Bukari
October 13    - Megan Byrne
October 15    - Don Mills, Austin Johnson
October 17    - Thomas Best
October 19    - Mandy Lyle
October 20   - Jane Laughead
October 21    - Taylor Turnquist
October 29    - Marie Inman
October 30    - Lynn Biggs, Amanda Bowman, Kathy Lewis

Anniversaries
 
October 18 - Barb & Larry Byrne (28th)