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March 01, 2005
March Newsletter
Pastor’s Pen
The session of Faith Church is giving a lot of time and thought to the question, “How can we increase the usefulness of this congregation?” We’re praying too, and I invite you to join us in praying for wisdom in the answer to this question. We’ve been in existence close to forty years. We’re past our adolescence.
By “usefulness” we mean more than one thing. We want what we do together to really encourage each other in faithful Christian living. Christian living is distinct from living where Jesus Christ isn’t the focus of life. Christian living claims Jesus Christ’s lordship over our time, our talents, our home life, our work, our money, our ambitions, our friendships, our . . .
I aspire to worship that is so purposeful that we pass beyond the question of what’s “in” and what’s not “in”, in worship these days. We have inherited a discipline of worship moored in our Reformed heritage. This is a “serious” and purposeful, but also a joyful heritage.
The worship includes hearty singing of hymns that glorify God. In our heritage the pipe organ, which is a virtual orchestra of instruments encased in a chamber, leads the singing so that we fulfill the ideal of Psalm 150, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” The pipes of the organ breathe as wind passes through them to produce their sound. We are blessed with musicians who play the organ very well and take seriously the preparation to lead us in our music. We’re not limited to the pipe organ, but it is a great instrument we now have.
Our worship includes reading the Bible, not because people don’t read it on their own, but because God speaks when we hear the Scriptures read well. I assume that those who read the Scriptures during worship have prepared beforehand what they read publicly, so they can read with understanding.
Our worship includes prayer that spreads before the people an example of how to pray alone in the closet. I pray extemporaneous prayers, from my heart, as my Reformed and Puritan forbears did when leading worship. I pray with the sense of leading us all, and looking forward to your hearty “Amen” to let me know I did lead us all in prayer. You prayed as I prayed. Someone has said to me that he actually says each sentence after me when I lead in prayer. When you pray at home, I hope you find that I have led you in how to open your heart to God in prayer.
I think many of you don’t know we meet to pray on Wednesday mornings at 7 o’clock. This is a prayer service of the whole church. Here we have the longest running such prayer service of any Presbyterian congregation in the country. When the sanctuary looks on Wednesday morning as it does now on Sunday morning, Sunday morning will look different than it does today. We will burst at the seams. God responds to prayer with a unique kind of power that reforms and fills the heart. Ask yourself, “Ought not I to be there on Wednesday at 7 AM to pray?”
Worship of God also includes “serious” preaching where the pastor assumes the high interest of the listener in the deep things of God. Pastors in our Reformed heritage had the ideal before them in their preparation that they were to be scholars of the Word of God because the people expected to be taught deeply.
The study life of the congregation, both in the Sunday School and in Bible studies throughout the week has as its purpose to cultivate the knowledge of the Bible. A healthy church finds its people studying the Bible together and praying together. I want us to be a healthy church.
I urge you all to be regular in attendance, and to develop a habit of being on time.
I also urge the whole congregation to ask the question, “How may I specifically participate and contribute so that Faith Church is strong and good in all ways that matter?” We need to be strong and good so that we are like a centrifuge, sending the congregation out after worship to bless the world with goodness and to make the Gospel we believe and proclaim believable in a world that is desperately in need of healing.
Many matters we now talk about “strategically” –e.g., our youth ministry, ministry to families, mission involvement--will be cared for if we determine to be strong in all the ways our faithful participation can make us strong. A17th century English pastor, Richard Baxter, wrote concerning the pastorate, “We are looking for better methods while God is looking for better men.” Applied to us as a people this principle is true, our faithfulness is the tool God will use to accomplish His purposes here.
-Pastor Robertson
Worship Information
Mar. 6: “Holy Healing”
Communion
Isaiah 42: 18-23
John 9: 1-17
Mar. 13: “High Hope in Deep Despair”
Ezekiel 37: 1-14
John 11: 1-6, 17-45
Mar. 20: “Looking at Jerusalem from Afar”
Zechariah 8: 1-8
Matthew 21: 1-11
Mar. 24: “The Passion in Matthew’s Gospel”
Maundy Thursday
Matthew 26: 26-75
Mar. 27: “Unexpected Joy in the Morning”
Isaiah 60: 1-3
Matthew 28: 1-10
Clerk’s Corner
At the January 9, 2005 Sunday Morning services Dennis Dunn, Don Gentry, and Myra Leap were installed for a three year term as Members of Session. At the same service Barbara Jacobus and Thomas Housley were ordained and, together with Katherine Bowker and Polly Tyler, were installed for a three year term as Members on the Board of Deacons. An Inquirer's Class will be held at 12:30 PM, February 27, 2005 at Church, and on March 6, 2005 at 7:00 PM at a venue to be determined. These classes will be conducted by Glenn Sparks and Michael Bergmann. All those wishing to join the Church or interested in finding out about the activities of Faith Church are invited to attend. At morning services on February 20, 2005, the following individuals were warmly welcomed as new members into the fellowship of Faith Church: Bruce and Martha Hall David and Catherine McKinnis John and Lola Miller Ronald Smith The scientific achievements of Professor David Landgrebe have been recently recognized by his election to the National Academy of Engineering. This is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a member of the engineering profession. Congratulations! The church community is much indebted to Reverend Ralph Smith, for his work as Parish Associate, as well as to Doug Jones and to Tom Housley for their work on Sunday mornings in attending to the offering, the audio equipment, and sundry other duties. I also greatly appreciate the willingness of Jane Stewart to act as Clerk of Session during my absence. -J.M. Honing, Clerk of Session
Vacation Bible School
Thanks to Alice Landolt and Deb Johnson who have offered to head it up, we're looking forward to another great VBS week this summer! So mark your calendars for VBS June 27-July 1, 2005. Invite your friends, neighbors, and relatives, from those who are entering kindergarten up through those who have completed grade 6. Also, please pray for the VBS program, staff, teachers, coordinators, and curriculum planning. For more information, you can contact Alice Landolt (463-9897) or Deb Johnson (477-6569).
Mission to the World
Pastor Jim Banton of University Lutheran Church has invited folks at Faith Church to hear a presentation by Dr. Doreen Hung Mar, a Presbyterian medical doctor serving with a ministry called Mission to the World. She will speak following a free supper at University Lutheran Church at 5:30 pm on Saturday, March 5, 2005. A number of us from Faith Church attend Good Friday services at University Lutheran. If you cannot attend but would like to contribute to this ministry, you may send a check to THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANS to Nancy Maylath, 1302 Mc Shay Ct., West Lafayette, IN 47906.BOLD TRUTH Youth
For youth and their parents – Friday, April 22 7:00-10:00 PM at Elkhart’s North Side Gym in Elkhart, Indiana. This one-evening, three-hour youth extravaganza is a combination of live drama, motion picture, lights, sound, and music by the musical guest Superchick – all punctuated by the gripping questions: "What are you searching for?"; "What is the most valued treasure in life?"; and "Where are you trying to find it?" Young people will be caught up in this unique, experiential event-of-a-lifetime as the drama unfolds around them, draws them in, and immerses them in a riveting, interactive, multi-sensory experience unlike anything they have ever attended. Through it all, they will be brought face-to-face with the bold truth that Christ is the only true source of meaning in life - the One we are all searching for - and the only one with the power that "satisfies every need there is" (Acts 17:25, NLT). But more than that, students will be presented with this startling realization: IF CHRIST ISN'T WHO HE CLAIMED TO BE THEN HE HAS NO POWER TO FORGIVE SIN OR TRANSFORM LIVES! If Jesus isn't the Son of the one true God then our faith in him is worthless and our lives have no meaning. Yet, if Jesus is the true Christ then what he offers is real and relevant to every aspect of our lives! It is here that Josh McDowell (speaker/presenter) provides compelling evidence for the deity of Christ, establishing beyond a reasonable doubt that Christ is who he claimed to be. Using captivating video and live drama, Josh drives home the bold truth that Jesus is the ONE and he does in fact have the power to transform lives. Youth and their parents are encouraged to attend this evening full of teaching, music, intrigue, and fun with one central objective in mind – bring students to an encounter with the evidence and reality that Jesus Christ is the one and only true source of meaning in life. The evening concludes with a challenge to commit or recommit one’s life to the powerful Creator and loving Savior of the world – Jesus Christ. There is an advance discounted group rate of $17.00. Lonni will be organizing a group to go – so let her know ASAP if you are interested. -Lonni Kucik, Youth
A Shower of Blessing
Faith Church Women are invited to a baby shower for a friend of the church, who is in real need. The baby, a girl, will be born in April, and the shower is planned for Saturday, March 19th from 9am – 11am. A light breakfast will be served. We would appreciated monetary contributions for the larger items. Carolyn Kessler, Janet Hem and Grieke Toebes will be available after the worship services for any questions.
Come and share in this celebration to support, welcome and bless this new life.
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: Michael Lockwood
College Class: Pastor Robertson
Young Adults Bible Study: Mark Johnson
Adult Bible Study: Glenn Sparks
New Testament Greek: Jurgen Honig
Bible 101: Michael Bergmann
Pastor Robertson’s March Trip to Poland
I will be in Poland from March 6th through 19th to offer thirty hours of lectures on the period of Jewish history in which Christianity was born. I will offer these lectures at an Evangelical Seminary in Wroclaw, near Auschwitz, where Malcolm Eliott-Hogg teaches Old Testament. Malcolm was a classmate of mine in graduate school, who serves under the Conservative Baptist mission board. He has been my close friend for many years. Bonnie and I help financially to support Malcolm’s ministry every month. Poland is a country with many Christians, but not many Protestant Christians.
There are few places in Poland where Protestant pastors can be equipped for their ministry. The seminary occupies an old cathedral no longer used, with extensive buildings to house and provide classrooms for students. The Catholic Diocese has given a virtually un-ending lease of these facilities to the seminary that is situated across the river from the university located in Wroclaw.
My talks will cover some of the area of my Ph.D. studies that ended with a study of an aspect of a work by Josephus, a Jewish historian who was born just after Jesus ended His work here physically. This period of history produced the Jewish literature that is important to our understanding of the New Testament.
I will be giving this series of lectures at their interterm, much as I gave the lectures last year on Josephus at the Biblical Seminary in Medellin, Colombia, South America last February. I am able to help fill a gap in the curriculum. They aren’t able to afford faculty to cover all the areas about which a pastor should know something. So I come to help in a concentrated period of time, which all the students must attend. Pastors from the area attend these talks too as continuing education.
This is an important part of my ministry, and of the mission outreach of Faith Church. I will give a report on my time there when I return. Ralph Smith, our Parish Associate, will preach when I am away, and will be here to visit in hospital and to cover emergencies that arise.
Please will you pray for me when I am gone. Pray that what I offer them is useful. Pray that I may be encouraged by their faith as I hope I encourage them not only by what I have to offer, but also by letting them know you care about fellow Christians in Poland. You care enough to make it financially possible for me to go there. I have been encouraged in past trips I have made to Zambia in 2001, and to Colombia last year, as a number of you have told me personally that you are praying for me. -Pastor Robertson
Community Worship Services
• Sun., Mar. 6 - St. Mary Healthcare 2:30pm • Sun., Mar. 13 - Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm Friendship House 3:00pm • Sun., Mar. 20 - Davis Manor 3:00pm • Sun., Mar. 27 - Rosewalk Commons 2:30pmThe Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry.
Standing Alone at the Coffee Pot
Faith Church enjoys a reputation of being a “friendly” church. How can we continue to live up to that expectation? Take a look around the next time you’re enjoying a cup of coffee between the worship service and Sunday school. Do you see any couples or singles standing by themselves? If you’ve ever been in a situation like this-standing in a big room with no one to talk to-you know how much a friendly face is appreciated. Whether it’s visitors, new members or someone who has attended Faith Church for some time, be bold, take the plunge and talk to someone you don’t know. A few gentle questions and a sincere interest goes a long way toward making someone feel genuinely welcome. -Nancy Dunn
Birthdays & Anniversaries
I would like to add to the newsletter a column that lets everyone know who’s birthday and anniversary is the following month. I will have a sheet at each door and ask that you take a minute to write down your name, month and date of your birth and the date of your anniversary for all family members. Thank you.
-Stephanie Cardwell, Admin. Asst.
To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. –unknown
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who’ll never find out. –Frank A. Clark
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.
Only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find his right road. -Dag Hammarskjöld
You can accomplish more in one hour with God than in a lifetime without him. -unknown
Faith Presbyterian Church
3318 State Road 26 West
West Lafayette, IN 47906-4666
(765) 743-3683
E-mail: office@faithpresbyterian.org
Home page: http://www.faithpresbyterian.org
An answering machine is available.
Fax number: 765-746-5955
Stuart D. Robertson, Pastor
Ralph Smith, Parish Associate
Stephanie Cardwell, Admin. Asst.
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 March 1, 2005 12:42 PM