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Focus on Faith

Faith United Presbyterian Church Newsletter

February 12, 2015 

Phone:   734-5129     Hours:  M-F   9 AM - 1 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 in Lent 
February 15, 2015
  10:30 a.m. 
 
 "At the Crossroad"

 

Lectionary:  2 Kings 2: 1-12, Psalm 50: 1-6, Mark 9: 2-9
 
Liturgist:  Ruth Wright
Ushers:  Robert Blackford, Bill Lee, Dominick Reading, Malik Reading, and Ed Melvin 
Greeters: John & Lynn Biggs, Mary & Gary Distin 
Children's Church:  Crystal Sargent 
Nursery: Lynn Baber 
  Coffee Hour:  Party in Honor of Vicki Briscoe-Young, hosted by the Elders 
CD Recording:  Janice Cunningham

Upcoming Meetings/Events 


 

Sunday, February 15 - Party for Vicki Young Briscoe hosted by the elders following the service. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
             
Wednesday, February 18 - Focus e-news deadline - noon

Wednesday, February 18 - Wednesday Night Live 'Soup Supper' 3:20 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday, February 18 - Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 p.m. 
 
Wednesday Night Live  -  February 18, 2015
     

 

February 18: The Parable of the Persistent Widow 

"God wants us to keep praying, no matter what." Luke 18: 1-8

 

 

Kitchen Team for February 11 -  Julie Blaesing, Agatha Johnson, Donna Spears, and Jo Ellen Dollinger 

Ash Wednesday Soup Supper at 5:30 p.m. on February 18. Join the WNL kids and their families for a soup supper. A free will donation will be taken. We also need donations for this event: cookies, bread, and crackers. Please sign up on the office door so we can have enough soup. :) Or let Deb Dingman know. Ash Wednesday Service following WNL, at 6:30 p.m.  

 

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. 
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!
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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.
At 9:15 a.m. this Sunday, February 8, Pastor Kathy will be facilitating the second Lectionary/Sermon study on Sunday morning. The class will focus on Mark 9: 2-9 and the sermon will be on that text the following Sunday. 

Wednesday, February 18, the new series for the adult book discussion will break for the Ash Wednesday worship service. The series began last week, February 11, and will continue next Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m. The group is discussing the book
Widening the Welcome of Your Church: Biblical Hospitality & the Vital Congregation, by Fred Bernhard and Steve Clapp. Books are available in the office for $10.

Elementary and Junior High Sunday School
Regular classes January - May 
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Party in Honor of Vicki Young Briscoe ~ hosted by the Elders Sunday, February 15, 2015

This Sunday we will celebrate the ministry and Vicki Young Briscoe as our church Administrative Assistant. We're throwing a party for Vicki (and Ted!) after worship in the Social Hall.  

February Mission Focus - Kandithankulam
Prayer Concerns

Rose Trimble (broken ankle); Cathy Abernathy; Fred Stanton; Etta Jane Pullen;  Esther Mercatoris (Kathy's aunt); 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

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. 
Free Subscription to Presbyterians Today

Right now 
Presbyterians Today is offering a free 1-year subscription to new members. In addition to the subscription, you'll also receive a free Advent calendar, Lenten Devotional, and access to the entire Presbyterians Today website and archive. 
 If you are interested, let the office know!
 

Kirkwood Presbyterian Church - Melt Away Winter Taco Dinner

The Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 200 E Cedar, presents their 'Melt Away the Winter' taco dinner, plus salads and desserts. February 15, 11:30am until 1:00pm. Goodwill donations accepted.
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).  

Birthdays

 

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
February 18 - Jennifer Gilliland 
February 19 - Sharon Simpson
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 - Susan Trevor
February 28 - Joyce Patterson

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