January 01, 2005
January Newsletter
Pastor’s Pen
Maria sings in “The Sound of Music” a very thoughtful song. “What will the future bring? I wonder.” So do I in the song we are singing together at Faith Church.I was deeply touched to get a phone call this week from a fellow on the pastoral staff of another church in Lafayette. He told me that someone with whom I had shared some of my life over the past few years was that day baptized in the congregation he serves. She gave her testimony before being baptized by immersion. She gave a personal testimony in which she mentioned our conversations which had been a part of her gradually coming to trust personally in Jesus as her Lord and Savior. I thought of Paul’s remark, “One sows, another waters, and God gives the increase.”
It pays to share one’s faith in Jesus with others who are searching to make sense of life. It is a guilty courtesy not to share our faith, a courtesy prompted by a polite evasion of Jesus’ request of us to be His witnesses everywhere. We don’t
have to understand what’s going on in the confusion of the religious market place. It is enough to know that Jesus died for our sins, to be grateful for this, and to say to someone longing to know, that his/her sins were atoned for by Jesus on Calvary.
I’ve never been a good evangelist. I’m too respectful of folk. I haven’t the moxy to be pushy, to press for someone to pray the Jesus prayer after laying down the steps by which to trust in Jesus. It has never seemed to me an automatic kind of thing, the end of a formula, to pray the prayer in response to which the gates of heaven swing open.
I think a lot of us here are that way. Let me encourage you that you don’t have to be pushy, or cock-sure of yourself. You don’t have to understand the mechanics of the heart’s link with God by faith. If we care for people and are honest with them about what is important to us, that is, the crucial role Jesus Christ plays in our life, we have enough to share to help someone come to trust in Jesus.
If I could choose what I’d see in the coming year, it would be a steady influx of people hungry for God, whose appetite has been given an aperitif by your kindly sharing of your faith with them. Then, here let them see the love of Christ evident in our life together. Here let them hear the “old, old Story,” winsomely. I could think of few happier prospects here. The spin-off of this would bring incalculable ripples of good in this troubled world. Pastor Robertson
Worship Information
Jan. 2: “Letting Christmas Soak In”
Communion
Rev. Ralph Smith preaching
Jeremiah 31:7-14
John 1:1-18
Jan. 9: “Jesus Christ—True God From True God”
Daniel 7:13-14
Colossians 2:6-10
Jan. 16: “Jesus Christ—Begotten Not Created”
Psalm 2
Luke 2:26-27, 30-31, 34-35
Jan. 23: “Jesus Christ—Of the Same Essence as the Father”
Isaiah 35:1-4
John 14:8-11
Jan. 30: “Jesus Christ—Through Whom All Things Were Created”
Genesis 5:1-5
Colossians 1:11-20
Clerk’s Corner
At its meeting of December 7, 2004 the Session (i) approved the nomination of Elder Dennis Dunn as Commissioner to the Wabash Valley Presbytery, (ii) adopted the job description for the new position of Office administrator, (iii) granted the request by Pastor Robertson for a personal leave of absence December 29, 2004 through January 5, 2005.Announcements pertaining to the open position of Office Administrator have been published in the local papers. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit their qualification via e-mail to
The Congregation is greatly indebted to the following individuals and groups:
Dennis Dunn, Necia Ketterman, and the Worship and Music Committee for putting together the supplementary hymnal for use in the Advent Season.
Lisa Czerwonky for furnishing a delicious luncheon spread after Sunday Services on November 14, 2004, as a kickoff for the Christmas Jubilee activities.
Dorothy Bethel and her Committee for organizing and undertaking the Christmas Jubilee activities.
Lonni Kucik for organizing, and the young people for participating in the December 5, 2004 Annual Christmas Program.
Nadya Dubikovsky, Marilyn Sameh, and the Choir for the musical offerings at Sunday Morning Services, and for the Bach Christmas Cantata.
Myra Leap for providing yeowoman interim secretarial services until the position of Office Administrator is filled.
Mark Johnson for organizing the Sunday afternoon services at various retirement homes in the community; Grieke Toebes and Donna Lofgren for providing music at these services.
Ursula Hess for her extensive work in the Church Library.
If I have inadvertently overlooked any individual who should be thanked please bring this matter to my attention, so that his/her contribution can be acknowledged in the next issue of the Newsletter.
Special events:
Christmas Eve services at 7:00 PM December 24, 2004
Christmas Day Services at 11:00 AM, December 25, 2004
Installation of Elders and Deacons at Sunday morning services, 9, 2005
Moody Bible Institute Women's Concert Choir and Bell Ensemble concert, January 14, 2005.
I will be absent January 8 through February 9, 2005. Jane Stewart has very kindly agreed to be Interim Clerk of Session, and will serve the Congregation well.
- Jurgen Honig, Clerk of Session
Nursery
We are looking for some more volunteers to staff the pre-school nursery during the Sunday morning worship services. We like to have two adults or one adult and one youth each Sunday. We have several "regulars", but we'd like to share this opportunity with a few more people. If you would be interested in helping to watch over some really fun (and cute) kids, please contact Dan Trinkle (463-1107 or trinkle@trinkle.com). – Dan TrinkleMoody Bible Institute Women’s Concert Choir and Bell Ensemble
The Moody Bible Institute Women’s Concert Choir and Bell Ensemble will present a concert at Faith Church on January 14, 2005. Housing is needed for approximately 60 choir members. Please contact Jan Hem or Jane Stewart if you can offer your home for this purpose.
Women’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study
We will begin our study on January 11, 2005. All women are welcome to attend. We meet in the pre-school nursery at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday mornings. If you have questions, please contact Deb Johnson at 477-6569.
Russian Poet & Composer Alexander Dulov in Concert
January 30 ~ 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 30, we will host the first performance in Indiana of Russian poet and composer, Alexander Dulov. Each concert of Alexander Dulov is like an intense and friendly conversation with his audience. His guitar and voice bring us wonderful songs—sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes wise, but never boring. He creates music for his own poems. He also masterfully uses other classic and modern Russian poets’ writings in his songs. Alexander Dulov performs throughout the world, including the U.S., Canada, Germany and Israel. In addition to his artistry, Dr. Dulov is also an accomplished scientist in the field of organic chemistry, and holds an honorary membership in the Russian Academy of Sciences. (Admission $12)
- Nadya Dubikovsky
JUBILEE CHRISTMAS
Jubilee Christmas came (and went)! On Saturday, 11th December, the church was filled with wonderful sights, sounds and smells as we celebrated Jubilee Christmas with fourteen guest families. Thanks are due to many, many of our Faith community for making this day a success - gift givers, table providers, cookie (and other goodies) bakers, set-up crew, general helpers and family hosts. After a hearty breakfast from Kris and Dave Stith, and Tom van Horn, Pastor Robertson welcomed Faith folk and guests in the sanctuary, reflecting on the meaning of Jubilee Christmas. Afterwards, Tom Housley shepherded us through the morning in a jolly fashion, while Grieke played the piano. Presents were chosen and wrapped, gift certificates and groceries distributed and our guests headed home with many bags of Christmas spirit. Each guest fills out an (anonymous) evaluation form, and here are some of the responses.
Question: What does Jubilee Christmas mean to you and your family? “I’ll have a good Christmas for my kids.” “It means a lot to me because right now, things are tough.” “It means more than words can say.”
Question: Please list any suggestions for improvement in Jubilee Christmas. (All the replies were similar to this…) “Nothing. Everyone was wonderful. Thank God for all of you.”
Thanks indeed. - Dorothy Bethel
CHOIR REHEARSALS
Adult choir rehearsals will begin again Thursday, January 13, and we will sing on Sunday, January 16. Children’s choir will begin again on January 16.Winter Safety – Sidewalks
Well, the white stuff is finally here…making us aware of the importance of sidewalks being clear of snow and ice as much as possible for the next several months. None of us wants any falls or broken bones, so…some able-bodied, strong, youthful (in mind or body) churchgoers are needed to grab shovels and some ice melt and help us out on the bad days. Volunteers are needed on weekdays as well as on Sundays, but we understand that some of you cannot be available during the week. To lessen the load on any particular individuals, we’d like to spread the load and share this good deed—the load’s always lighter this way. Several folks have already volunteered their time and energy, but we still have the following slots open: all Sundays in February and March except for the first one each month. If you can help out by volunteering to take on one of these dates, please call Pat Short (743-3160). Remember the bruise and broken bone avoided may be your own! Thank you.New Parking Lot
DesignationsNew Designations for Upper Parking Lot. The Building and Grounds Committee is requesting that all parking spaces on the north side of the upper lot (nearest the sidewalk) be reserved for those who are handicapped or need easier access to the church. The remainder of the upper lot will serve as convenient parking spaces for visitors. Please know if you have a need to park within easy walking distance, you are welcome to use this upper lot. Everyone else is kindly asked to use the lower parking lot. Our intent is to make access to the church easy for those who really need it and for our visitors. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We all appreciate it!
Myra Leap, Chair Building & Grounds
Coming up—All-Church Talent Show
Faith Church’s once-in-a-while talent show will be held on Sunday evening, February 27 accompanied by a dessert carry-in. Please get your act together and plan on having a rip-roarin’ fun evening with all of us! To schedule your talent act, please contact Nancy Dunn (463-1696) or Tom Goodrich (746-1500).
Schedule Information
You can contact Pastor Robertson by calling the office, 743-3683, on Wednesday mornings any time and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. to noon. Pastor Robertson's day off is Monday. Outside of office hours please feel free to call Pastor Robertson at home at 497-2162.
Sunday School
There is a class for everyone! Pre-kindergarten & Kindergarten: Amber Latour & Lou Ann Johnston Grades 1-3: SueAnne Bergmann Grades 4-7: Carolyn Kessler Grades 8-12: Hannis Thompson & Jane Stewart College Class: Pastor Robertson Young Adults Bible Study: Mark Johnson Adult Bible Study: Glenn Sparks New Testament Greek: Jurgen Honig Bible 101: Mike Bergmann“ New Address “
Married December 18, 2004 Joshua and Tiffany McMillin 1783 W 4650 South, Apt. P Roy, UT 84067Thank You !
During the busy fall and holiday season we had many things to be thankful for. I would include the following people who helped our worship services go smoothly by performing ushering duties. In October – Dennis Dunn; Scott & Irina Hinkel; Ken & Lois Wark; Tom & Peggy Housley; Carol & Don Gentry; Mickey & Amber Latour; Dale, Markus, Hans-Martin & Karsten Hess; Bob & Amy Dale; Amy and Leah Sameh. In November – Necia & Bob Ketterman; Jan & Stan Hem; Penny & Don Winship; Dorothy & Morgan Meyers; Steve, Mary Lou, Jim and Doug Varys; Jim & Jeremy Powell; Rick, Vicki & Thomas Kennell. In December – Mike, Cathy, Bethany & Olivia Lockwood; Tyler Janovitz; Lonni & Dave Kucik; Carson & Andy McVay; Ken Wark; Doug Jones; Jim, Julie, Jenny & Jeremy Powell; Becky & Bert Chapman; Joanne Kovacs; and Mike Bergmann. Many thanks to all of you! - Kathy Bowker Thank you to Ken and Lois Wark and Martha Hall and Kathleen Kirsch for their help with the December newsletter mailing. – Myra LeapCommunity Worship Services
• Sun., Jan. 2 - St. Mary Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., Jan. 9 - Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., Jan. 16 - Davis Manor 3:00pm
• Sun., Jan. 23 - Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
• Sun., Jan. 30 - St. Mary Healthcare 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry.
CHRISTIAN ONE LINERS
Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited—until you try to sit in their pews.Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.
When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
People are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.
The phrase that is guaranteed to wake up an audience: "And in conclusion."
God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should we?
Peace starts with a smile.
A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises"
are just sitting on the premises.
We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Christ be with me, Christ within me;
Christ behind me, Christ before me;
Christ beside me, Christ to win me;
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me;
Christ in quiet and in danger;
Christ in the heart of all that love me;
Christ in the heart of friend & stranger.
Attributed to St. Patrick, 390 – 461
Worship With Us
We invite you to join in the wor-ship of God each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. We also invite you to partici-pate in the prayers, fellowship, work and activities of this church. For more information about this opportunity to be involved at Faith Presbyterian Church, please call or talk to any member of Session, Pastor Robertson or call the church office, 743-3683.Faith Presbyterian Church
3318 State Road 26 West
West Lafayette, IN 47906-4666
(765) 743-3683
E-mail: faithch@dcwi.com
Home page: http://www.faithpresbyterian.org
An answering machine is available.
Fax number: 765-746-5955
Stuart D. Robertson, Pastor
Ralph Smith, Parish Associate
Lisa Czerwonky, Newsletter Articles
Myra Leap, Office Administrator pro tem
Ordinarily submit articles to the church office by noon on the last Friday before the last Monday of every month except November and December when deadlines are announced.
You are welcome to worship with us at
9:30 a.m. each Sunday.
Sunday School is at 11:00 a.m. September through mid May and in the summer as announced
Posted by faithpres at January 1, 2005 12:45 PM