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Focus on Faith

Faith United Presbyterian Church Newsletter

January 29, 2015 

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 - 4th Sunday after Epiphany
February 1, 2015
  10:30 a.m. 

 "Beat Down"

 

Lectionary:  Psalm 111, Mark 1: 21-28
 
Liturgist:  Ruth Wright
Ushers:  Buff Hottle, Sheila Wilson, Mark McVey, Brenda Runge, Job & Noah Runge
Greeters:  Jane Warfield & Betty McBride and Mary & Linda Baker
Children's Church:  Sarah Torrance
Nursery:  Sharon Graham
  Coffee Hour:  Deb Tomlin & Souper Bowl of Caring
CD Recording:  
Janice Cunningham 

Special Music:  The Monmouth Brass

Upcoming Meetings/Events 

 
Thursday, January 22 - Isabel Circle - 7:00 p.m. 

Sunday, February 1 - Adult study on Lectionary/Sermon - 9:15 a.m. 

Sunday, February 1 - Souper Bowl of Caring 

Tuesday, February 3 - Session Meeting - 7 p.m. 

Wednesday, February 4 - Warren County Ministerium Meeting - 11:30 a.m. 

Wednesday, February 4 - Focus e-news deadline - noon

Wednesday, February 4 - Wednesday Night Live Skating Party @ Freedom Roller Rink - Skating begins at 3:30 p.m.  Parents should pick up children at 6 p.m. at the roller rink

Wednesday, February 4 - Wednesday Evening Adult Discussion Group -
Widening the Welcome of Your Church:  Biblical Hospitality & the Vital Congregation  Books are available in the office for $10. - 6:15 p.m.
Results of Annual Congregational Meeting Held on Sunday, January 25, 2015

At the Congregational Meeting held on Sunday, January 25, 2015 in the Social Hall of Faith Church, the Annual Reports and 2015 budget were received, the necrology report was read, the changes to the Faith Church By-Laws were approved by the congregation, and Bob Wells was elected Ruling Elder for the Class of 2017.  Lorna Blackford was elected Ruling Elder to fill a vacancy in the Class of 2016, a two-year term.  

Those who passed away in 2014 were Isabel Marshall, Mary Gibson, Robert Buchholz, Geraldine Spicer, Irene Reynolds, and Thomas Vaughn.  Don Mills passed away on January 2, 2015. 
Wednesday Night Live  -  February 4, 2015
     

 

February 4:  Skating Party at the Freedom Roller Rink on North 11th Street. Children will be picked up from school.

Skating begins at 

3:30 p.m. 

 

Kitchen Team for February 4 - No kitchen team

 

Mark your calendar for the Ash Wednesday Soup Supper at 5:30 p.m. on February 18.  

 

Wish List for March 18:

  • $ for prizes for Carnival
  • Cookies for 25th Anniversary/Closing Program
  • Help for Carnival and for Reception
  • Favorite Memories of WNL over the years. 
See Deb Dingman with ideas, help, donations, etc. as she is planning the March 18th Celebration. 

Youth Potato Bake - Thank You

 

Thank you to everyone who helped with the Youth Potato Bake-the youth, those who brought desserts and salads, and all those who stayed to enjoy taters 'n toppings. Donations totaled $437.56 and the net proceeds will go toward Youth Missions.  We could not do it without you! 
Finance Committee Meeting

The Finance Committee will meet after church with coffee the fourth Sunday of each month starting with February 22.

How to Reach Our Pastor

Want to know how to reach our Pastor?  Kathy's open door office hours are Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. To make an appointment at another time, you can call or text Kathy's cell phone at 609-319-4030, or email her at revkathysl@gmail.com. Kathy reserves Fridays for visiting homebound members; her day off is Monday; and if her sermon isn't finished by Thursday, she may be deep in prayer and study on Thursday mornings!
Attention Gmail Users!

If you receive the Focus via a Gmail account, please be sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom, where you may see [Message clipped] View entire message.  Please be sure to click "View entire message" -- otherwise you may be missing out on viewing a major portion of your newsletter!  
Time to Say Good-bye

Sadly, this is my last newsletter. I'll be moving on to whatever other things God has planned for me. January 30 will be my last day as Administrative Assistant at Faith Church. Before I go, though, I would like to say what a blessing and privilege it has been to serve this congregation over the past two years in this very unique capacity.  I am grateful for the opportunities given me and the support of so many.  It was more than a job to me - it was a ministry and we were all in it together. 

 

My love extends to each and every one of you, and I wish this church the very best.

 

Vicki Briscoe

 

"And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."  (Romans 8: 27-28)  

Nursery
Available from 10:30 through the end of the service on Sunday mornings. 

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. 

Adult Ed.
Beginning at 9:15 a.m. this Sunday, January 25, Pastor Kathy will be facilitating a Lectionary/Sermon study on Sunday mornings. The first class will focus on Mark 1: 21-28 and the sermon will be on that text the following Sunday. 

Also, starting on Wednesday, February 4, Pastor Kathy will be facilitating a six-week Wednesday Evening Study at 6 p.m. on "Widening the Welcome of Your Church: Biblical Hospitality and the Vital Congregation" by Red Bernard and Steve Clapp.  

Elementary and Junior High Sunday School
Regular classes January - May 
January Mission Focus - Jamieson Center

The Focus on Mission this month of January is Jamieson Community Center (JCC). Our Family of Faith has a long history of commitment to this mission project. Jamieson Community Center's mission is to coordinate programs addressing the needs of all ages, provide services which extend widely into the community and surrounding area, and work in cooperation with the social service agencies in the region. It is a non-profit
center that strives to provide social services to Monmouth and the surrounding area. It was founded in 1965 following the merging of four area churches which resulted in the establishment of Faith United Presbyterian Church. JCC is named after Rev. Jamieson who was responsible for the vision of JCC and was one of the early founders.

Your generous monetary support will help carry out the mission of Jamieson Community Center. 

To learn more about the Jamieson Center, click here for a link to their website. 
February Mission Focus - Kandithankulam
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9th Annual 
Valentine Soup Luncheon ~
Sunday, February 8 

Congregational members and friends of the church are cordially invited to attend the ninth annual Valentine Soup Luncheon on Sunday, February 8, 2015, following the worship service. The meal will include vegetable and broccoli cheese soups, egg salad, ham salad, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and Jello cake for dessert. Music and entertainment will be provided after lunch.  Families with children will be the first to go through the serving line.  Donations will be accepted the day of the luncheon to offset expenses.  Carry out meals will be available.  Excess proceeds will be given to missions supported by Faith United Presbyterian Church.  This fellowship event is sponsored by Presbyterian Women.  Bring your appetites and lift your soup spoons as we celebrate our Family of Faith. 

Souper Bowl of Caring - Sunday, February 1

This Superbowl Sunday, after worship and during Coffee Hour, the Sunday School children will be holding soup pots for your donations to the Souper Bowl of Caring.  All of the money we collect at church will go to support the food pantry at Jamieson Center.  We ask that you consider a donation of $1.  We hope to collect over $100.

"Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat."  
Prayer Concerns

Those impacted by Winter Storm Juno in the Northeast, Cathy Abernathy (recovering at home following surgery); Fred Stanton; Etta Jane Pullen;  Esther Mercatoris (Kathy's aunt); Sarah Torrance; Louise Roos; Jack Stoner (Kathy's father); Jan Speer (at Monmouth Nursing Home); Rev. John Irwin;  Tamene Bekele; Jim Andrews; Bobbi Cady (Sarah Torrance's mother); Robert Cooper (Bonnie Heflin's cousin); Bill Smallwood;  Ed Strickler; Greg &  Joy Haning; Bill Hoover; Blaine Robinson; Vern Mettler; Cinda Stansbury; Mary Johnson; Lindsay Murdock. 

Jim Andrews has moved to Quality Living, Inc. in Omaha - mailing address:

Jim Andrews
QLI, House 2
6315 N. 70th Plaza
Omaha, NE  68104
New Officer Training  

Are you a new Deacon or Ruling Elder on Session?  In addition to the Officer Training & Examination of Officers on Sunday, January 11, 2015 at our church, the Presbytery also offers training sessions for new Deacons & Elders on your choice of one of five Saturdays, each held from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30
p.m. with lunch served at noon. The training is taught by Rev. Richard Johnson, Pastor of the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church.  Classes registering fewer than 10 will be cancelled. 

WHAT IS TAUGHT? 

During each training event participants will 
  1. Examine and explore the significance of their personal faith to their call to ministry. 
  2. Examine the core beliefs of the PCUSA through the confessions of the church.
  3. Look at each part of the Book of Order and how each applies to their work, and spend some time learning just how amendments and overtures, creeds and confessions become part of the Constitution.
  4. In addition, attendees will tiptoe through the minefield of decision-making and the various ways decisions can be made
  5. Give special attention to addressing controversial issues and conflicts when they arise within the life of the congregation.
  6. Time will be given to help both ruling elders and deacons understand the ministry and role deacons play in the life of the church as well as consider the breadth of the deacons' ministry
  7. Ruling elders will be introduced to the many facets of their office as they seek to lead their congregations and shape their ministries. 
DATES

January 31    -  First Federated Church, 3601 N. Sheridan Road, Peoria, IL  61604

February 7    -  Third Presbyterian Church, 1030 N. 7th Street, Springfield, IL 62702

February 21 -  First Presbyterian Church, 400 E. Carroll Street, Macomb, IL  61455

February 28 -  First Presbyterian Church, 2000 E. College Ave., Normal, IL  61761

March 7 - United Church, 150 W. Third Street, Woodhull, IL  61490

RSVP to Patti Parrish at pparrish@greatriverspby.org or phone 800-537-8592. Be sure to include your name, home and/or cell phone number, and email address in case you need to be contacted about cancellation due to weather.  Also, classes registering fewer than 10 people will be cancelled, so be sure to include contact information.
Little Cedar Homemade Soup Lunch - Sunday, February 22

Little Cedar Community Church in Little York is sponsoring a homemade soup meal on Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Soup choices are vegetable beef, chili, turkey noodle, or broccoli cheese.  Homemade salads, cookies, and a drink will be offered. Donations will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will go for church mission projects. 
Canned Food Month ~ During Month of February

In honor of Canned Food Month, Courtyard Estates & Legacy Estates of Monmouth are holding a canned food drive through the whole month of February. The food will be collected and then donated to the First Christian Church of Monmouth's Food Pantry.  Collection drop-offs through the month of February are at Courtyard Estates, One Courtyard Blvd, Monmouth (309.734.9355) and Legacy Estates 1200 W. Broadway of Monmouth (309.734.0909).  
Thank You

Thank you for the use of your church for our Soup Sampler Supper. 

Monmouth Evening Lions Club

Birthdays

 

January 25 -   Molly Inman

January 26 -   Heather Fisher
January 27 -   Dawn Fleming
January 28 -   Barb Gossett
January 29 -   Nisha Hager Spangler
January 30 -   Ron Murdock

February 2 -   Dee Long
February 5 -   Korey Fisher, Betty McBride
February 7 -    Denise Turnbull, Dick Griffiths
February 8 -   Emily Yard, John Marshall
February 9 -   Megan Lyle, Dorothy Woodall
February 11 -  Helen Redmond
February 12 -  Ralph Whiteman
February 13  - Sandra Spainhour, Buster Kellogg, Jr. , Lynn                                 Baber
February 15 -  Scott McClintock
February 17 -  Preslie Fisher


Anniversaries
 
February 28    -  Greg & Lynn Baber (28th)

No January anniversaries so far!