News, Announcements, Bulletins: July Newsletter

July 01, 2005

July Newsletter

Pastor’s Pen

Something we’ve all noticed about thriving families is that parents and kids do a lot together. The parents are right in the mix when it’s homework time. Parents find a way to help even with subjects they’re not good at—like maybe math or science. The children’s perplexity at a hard problem becomes their perplexity. Everyone laughs when they figure it out. There are picnics, birthday, and other parties often. There are many reasons to do things together. I’ve noticed that home-schooled children seem to get on very well with their parents. When very interactive families come to church it seems that they bring to the church the happiness of the home. To see a happy family is a terrific thing. It’s obvious they like each other. Sure, there are those moments when this or that one, kids or parents, gets out of sorts. But they get over it because they want to get over it and to be on with life together. It has always been one of my joys at Faith Church that we are like a family. This was my impression when I came here. Young and old liked each other-- a lot. They did things together. For years the pianist for the children’s choir was Lena Coombs, a very old lady chronologically, but there was no generation gap between her and the kids. Our VBS has always had everyone in there up to the elbows, pulling together the most fabulous crafts and refreshments that illustrated the Bible stories. I am a family man, which is one reason I think I’ve stuck around as long here as I have. Family and home are places of security in an often harsh world. Faith Church has usually felt like a family. I sit in my chair beneath the pulpit on the Lord’s Day and feel just a bit like a father at the head of the table at dinnertime. I’ve had opportunities to leave. There have been a few times when I felt so bad about some things that I wanted to leave. But when push came to shove it felt like forsaking my family because some things in our family life hurt. I don’t believe in leaving my family. I think I have seen my pastoral and my husband-vows alike; they include an implied vow of stability. When Bonnie and I have felt at odds, both of us had the presupposition that we had to work it out because we love each other absolutely. We refuse to budge on that. Because after all, love is like that. It keeps on keeping on. Not only that, but it results in a really marvelous home life when we weather the storms. As home love matures it doesn’t get at all boring; it keeps on blooming. I believe this applies to church family too. The same kind of thing makes a church family’s love become deep. When we are often together we like each other more. Imaginative events like “Polish lunches,” and “Mitford Teas,” and talent shows, and square dances in the dead of winter mix with weekly coming together for worship on the Lord’s Day, and study and prayer throughout the weeks of the year. The teas and square dances and the like are all the more fun because they are enjoyed with people we worship and pray with. Our common cause is life together before God. This works best when everyone keeps on trying. Church growth, a top-drawer concern, happens when folk come here, see what’s going on, discover this is what they need, and become part of it. I see how many new folk have added their contributions to our life in ways that soon became indispensable. The secret to keeping on growing is getting new folk so into the mix of our church family that they let others know where they can find a home. I’ve yet to meet anyone who was in the mix of things with heart and soul who felt church was anything but a needful part of life. Over the years a lot of people have come and gone from Faith Church. I get emails and snail mail letters from many who were once with us who wish they were still with us, but they finished their studies at Purdue, or got job transfers. How fond these letters are. At Easter I’ve seen Keith and Diana Hearit with their growing brood come back from Kalamazoo to sit in the front row. I can’t remember how many years ago I married them, when they were grad students at Purdue. Others have left us for sad reasons, but a common denominator to these reasons is that they stopped being part of the mix of our family life. The burden of responsibility, in these days of such church competition, seems to rest most on the congregation to be pleasing in all its ways. If I’m troubled here, I’ll look elsewhere. But when we accept this outlook, the genius of maintaining our church family life has died at that place. When someone feels that the lion’s share of responsibility rests with him or her to bring to the family his or her best, it works. Life goes from richness to richness. Our future is as bright as our family life is tight. A bit trite, I know, but it just came out that way. It is your privilege and mine to bring to our church family life whatever we can. Somehow, this is the way the Holy Spirit moves in a congregation, politely, gently, from faith to faith, from person to person. Lesslie Newbigin, a missionary to India whose books have nurtured me richly, wrote a book about the Church called “The Household of God.” At the local level it is most evident how the Kingdom of God is like a household, a family. I love family. Pastor Stuart D. Robertson

If a church wants a better pastor, it can get one by praying for the one it has.
–Rev. Robert E. Harris

Worship Information

July 3: “Yokes for Folks” July 10: “The Gospel through Gardening”
Psalm 55: 1 – 7, 22 Isaiah 55: 10 - 13
Matthew 11: 16 – 19, 25 - 30 Matthew 13: 1 – 9, 18 - 23

July 17: “The Lord, the Giver of Life” July 24: “So, We Have Found the Kingdom;
Now What?”
Isaiah 32: 9 - 20 Exodus 3: 1 - 6
Galatians 5: 13 - 23 Matthew 13: 31 – 33, 44 - 53

July 31: “One Word that Divided the Church”
II Kings 2: 5 – 11
John 20: 19 – 23

Clerk’s Corner

The Annual report to the Congregation, 2004, is available; copies have been placed in the Narthex. The new supplementary hymnal will be introduced at Sunday morning services in July. We owe a debt of gratitude to Kathleen Kirsch whose pulpit falls are regularly displayed, and who has spent much time and effort in preparing Kiddy bags for use by youngsters at Sunday services. Catherine McKinnis and Jan Hem are organizing a Faith Church Family Picnic and Concert trip to the Symphony on the Prairie, Noblesville, Indiana, July 15, 2005; more information is presented elsewhere. The ‘Verse of the Week Club’ has been reactivated for the duration of the summer semester. The Biblical-based Finance seminar is being organized by Jim Powell, with a startup date of August 17; more information is forthcoming. In May the Session voted to display the Charter for Boy Scout, Troop 338, in Memorial Fellowship Hall; the Congregational Life Committee headed by Jan Hem has been charged with recommending additional ways in which their activities can be given wider publicity. Pastor Robertson has been granted a personal leave of absence June 20 – 26, 2005. The Session voted to skip the regular July 2005 meeting. Stan Hem was presented with the Murphy Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching at Purdue University at the Honors Convocation Meeting on April 18, 2005. Heartiest Congratulations! J.M. Honig, Clerk of Session

Evergreens !

Thanks to Hannis Thompson and his crew for measuring, digging, planting, fertilizing and watering ALL the new evergreen seedlings around the perimeter of the church’s property. You all did a fantastic job (in about 2 hours!) and they look so nice. They’ll be beautiful as they “grow up” and become majestic trees. Myra Leap, Chair Building & Grounds

Morning Prayers

Regarding Morning Prayers. Each morning Stephanie Cardwell sends out a prayer to all those on our email list. This, I hope, helps those who read it to start the day thinking of God and His will for them that day. These prayers are drawn from many sources. Most recently they have been drawn from John Calvin's Commentary on the prophet Jeremiah. Sometimes the prayers sound very old fashioned, sometimes less so. But I hope you may read and pray them without regard for the source, just as you would enter in to the prayer of someone you hear praying aloud, whether this person prayed using the more old fashioned form of prayer or prayed in a more modern way. Every prayer that I include in this ministry of prayer speaks to my own heart and leads me in prayer to God. If anyone is interested to know the source of any of the prayers we send out, please ask and Stephanie can tell you. Pastor Robertson

Summary of Mission Data Gathering

The Board of Deacons recently gathered information from members of the congregation about Christian individuals and organizations you support individually or as a family, which are not supported, by the congregation through the Board of Deacons. We want to present a summary of what we learned from this data gathering. Although Faith Presbyterian is a relatively small congregation in terms of numerical membership, our resources, interests, and how we feel God's spirit leading us, enable us to have significant local, national, and global impact with our mission dollars beyond what we officially support as a congregation. Faith members and friends support educational institutions in states as varied as California, Indiana, Kansas, and North Carolina. We support global missionaries and missionary organizations in countries such as Canada, Ecuador, Haiti, Mexico, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Poland, and Ukraine. We also support topically oriented ministries dealing with radio, university students, missionary aviation, pro-life Causes, prison ministry, medicine, and agricultural development. The Deacons have been inspired and humbled by the diverse Christian missionaries and mission organizations supported by this congregation and seek to have the missions the church supports be reflective of congregational interests. Bert Chapman

Faith Women Fellowship

For a while there have been no regular get-togethers for the Women at Faith, but with the success of the Mitford Tea just behind us, it is time to look again at creating fellowship opportunities for the ladies of our Congregation.
The Planning Committee wants to know what YOU are interested in, so please give us your ideas and suggestions to help us set up a program of regular meetings for the coming year. Planning Committee Lois Wark, Joanne Kovacs, Barbara Wiggs, and Grieke Toebes

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
(John 13:35)

A Helping Hand

Do you remember that time when a friend brought you a meal after being in the hospital? Or when someone did an errand for you when you didn’t feel like getting out of the house? Maybe someone visited you in the hospital. Perhaps right now, a friend really needs help with meals for a week or so. Do you know whom to call to make it happen?
For years members of our congregation have been ready to help someone in need just as soon as that need has been known. Unfortunately, we sometimes don’t know anything about a person having surgery, a baby, who is ill at home, etc. and we end up not helping at all, and that is not what we are all about! Now we can avoid that stumbling block!
At its June 6th meeting, Session approved a proposal to create a Congregational Care committee that will provide some structure to a ministry that endeavors to respond to the needs of people in the congregation. Through this ministry you will know whom to call when YOU would like some help, or when you become aware of SOMEONE ELSE’S needs.
The three basic areas of concern that we feel are important are to help those who:
• are ill, are hospitalized, are infirm or otherwise unable to attend worship. (We always are concerned about people who have been absent from worship for a period of time.)
• need meals delivered temporarily following surgery, a new baby, etc.
• need help with errands, simple tasks around the house, etc.
Initially the three people who will chair these areas are Lois Wark (illness, etc.), Grieke Toebes, (meals) and John Miller (errands, etc.) Each of us would like to build a “team” of congregational members who can help in this ministry. Your participation certainly does not require a long-term commitment – rather something that can fit into your busy schedule.
If there is any way that you can help, please let us know.
This ministry will be effective only if all members of the congregation will help to make it work! You must tell us if YOU need help and, fully as important, you must let us know when someone else needs a helping hand. (We will always respect the privacy of those with whom we become involved. We will divulge personal information only with the permission of those individuals.) Remember - only when we know about a person’s need can we respond!
We are a very giving congregation. We give money, we help on various committees, we do things to help when no one knows about it, we bring food to share at our pot luck luncheons, we read scripture, we greet and usher, we sing, we serve as a deacon or elder, we make and serve coffee and we help in many other ways. This new Congregational Care ministry is just one more way in which we can serve. As we help others we will receive far more than we give. Through this ministry we will demonstrate our love for Christ by loving and helping each other.
John Miller 743-5781, Grieke Toebes 463-7136, Lois Wark 743-1903

“So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and
especially for those of the family of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)

Need A Little Help Around The House

OK, I understand, you are cautious to call someone you do not know. Lola and I have been married 47 years and were active members of Elston Presbyterian Church for around 30 years. About a year and half ago I had a couple of heart attacks and we began to wonder why should we drive about 8 miles to church, when there was a nice Presbyterian Church just down the road from where we live. So we transferred. When we were at Elston I told the pastor that I thought I wanted to be an Elder so that I could represent the Church in offering care to our home bound members. We did not stay long enough for that to happen, but I did mention this to Stuart. One thing led to another. I could envision someone needing their pots and pans washed, the kitchen cleaned, the porch swept, groceries purchased, their flower garden trimmed or de-weeded or just a visit. If you would feel more comfortable, Lola would tag along - after all, she trained me in most of these duties. Lola and I are lifetime members of this area. She was raised on a farm and attended Boswell (Benton County) schools. After graduation she eventually worked at First Merchants National Bank in Lafayette. I attended West Lafayette schools, Purdue and eventually worked at Purdue State Bank. These two banks merged in February of 1957 forming Purdue National Bank and we merged in November of 1957. I was offered an Administrative position with Purdue in 1960 and retired in June of 1994. Since retirement I have "worked" as a Greeter for Wal-Mart and a sacker for Smitty's Foodliner. Lola‚s mother is house bound at her other daughter‚s home in WL and occasionally I assist in her care, including seeing that she eats a good noon meal. We have two children and 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild with another on the way. Both of our children and their families live nearby. Stuart mentioned that he could imagine someone expecting me to move their grand piano from the ground floor, up a spiral staircase to the third floor.

If you ask, I will say "No!"

Interested in a little help around the house??

Call us at 743-5781, John and Lola Miller

Annual Church Mission Fair

The annual Church Mission Fair will be celebrated on Sunday, August 21. Representatives from missions supported by the church will be attending with exhibits. They will be delighted to talk with you and answer any questions.
A new twist this year will be our 1st Perhaps Annual International/Ethnic Dinner after the fair. Mark you calendars. Start now to look for an ethnic dish. You may wish to share the recipe and origin.

Film Night!

For the past several years, the Sunday Night Bible Study has tried to find a film that ties in with one of our study subjects. This Spring we studied the apostle Peter. The natural choice just had to be "Quo Vadis" 1951 starring Peter Ustinov, Deborah Kerr and Robert Taylor. The cover reads:
"Nero Fiddles Rome Burns Christianity Endures". They don't make them like they used to! You are welcome to come and enjoy the film, sandwiches and the company of friends on:
Sunday July 10 5:30 PM at the Moore's (583-4583). Sandwiches will be provided. Please bring something to go with. Please call ahead so that we can plan for seating and enough sandwich fixings to be available. By the way, Peter Ustinov looks very Neroish in his laurel crown of gold and purple robe!

Presbyterian Habitat House 2005

It's time to provide you with a quick update on the Presbyterian Habitat House project. Many people from Faith helped to make our two-scheduled workdays successful. On May 14 we not only had a crew putting up siding in less than idea weather conditions, but we also had a group that provided everyone with the physical nourishment necessary to keep us going. On June 11 we did interior painting and some excavation for the driveway.
Everyone that helped got a chance to meet and work with Justin Brewer who, along with his wife Maryann and young daughter Kiara, should be moving in to their new house some time this fall.
Thank you to Dorothy Bethel, Jim Bosler, Kathy Bowker, Clark Dale, Robin Dale, Doug Jones, Judy (Doug's friend), Carolyn Kessler, Bob Ketterman, Necia Ketterman, Joanne Kovacs, Kathy Trinkle and Mary Lou Varys for their excellent work.

TEA FOR THE MULTITUDES!

(Okay, there were 60 ladies, which makes a small multitude.)
Sunday, June 19 found many well-bred and discerning women, bedecked in hats and colorful dresses, pointing their pinkies and sipping tea at Faith Church.
It was the first ever Mitford Tea featuring some of the recipes from the book series and most especially in the spotlight was Esther's Marmalade Cake.
Carolyn Kessler, Nancy Moore and Peggy Housley produced the cakes and there just wasn't much left. It is an understatement to say the cake was delicious.
Also snarfed up were the traditional cucumber sandwiches, cookies, chocolate covered strawberries, and other assorted tasties.
As might be expected, the group combined to provide a delightful rendition of "I'm a Little Teapot."
Also on the agenda was the designation of the "best" hat, and there were several contenders, chief among them being Sheri Sparks in her "Rag Mop Do," and Peggy Housley and Pat Short, becoming in red (and pink). Several ladies had already curtsied to the
Queen Mum before they realized the vision in the purple hat was actually Barbara Wiggs looking regal and stunning, as becomes royalty.
The hands-down winner, however, was Ginny Shively in the becoming and popular going-away hat she wore after her wedding.
Then we settled down (no small task) and listened as Nadya Dubikovsky told us about her family's journey, both physical and spiritual, from Russia to the USA. It was a most interesting look at a different kind of life that included the gift of God's grace in this family's life.
Our good-will collection of $270 was sent to LUM for camper-ships.
The unanimous decision was that the afternoon was much fun and quite entertaining … and that we should do it again!
Many thanks to all who helped – Carolyn Kessler provided the lovely flowers and Joanne Kovacs helped arrange them. Several people washed dishes, and we especially thank Stan Hem who thought he was coming to move tables! Congregational Life Committee Jan Hem, Chair

Faith Deacons‚ Emergency Funds

Thank you, Faith Congregation, for responding to the request for support for the donation Faith Presbyterian makes to the Central Presbyterian Emergency Fund, which provides emergency financial aid to individuals or families in the local community. We received enough funds to guarantee some level of support ($450/month) until the end of the year. As we continue to collect more donations, we may be able to increase this in the coming months. Thank you, Faith Deacons

Lafayette Christian School

Lafayette Christian School is accepting applications for the following part-time positions for the 05 – 06 school year.
1. A social studies teacher. He or she will teach 6th grade geography (the Western Hemisphere) four days per week and 7th grade geography/history (the Eastern Hemisphere) five days per week. Class periods are 55 minutes long.
2. A physical education teacher to teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grade physical education, each two periods per week.
3. A Development Director. Qualifications include development experience and a desire to enhance Christian Education.
For more information contact the school at 765-447-3052 or avreeke@lafayettechristian.org or send resume to Lafayette Christian School c/o Abe Vreeke at 525 North 26th Street, Lafayette, IN 47905.

During March, April and May the following people served Faith Church as ushers and helped with the collections.

Many thanks to all of you:
Bob & Amy Dale, Amy & Leah Sameh, Don & Penny Winship, Mickey, Amber & Chase Latour, Bob & Necia Ketterman, Doug Jones, Margaret Rogler, Dorothy & Morgan Meyers, Chris Christiansen, Joanne Kovacs, Ken & Lois Wark, Bert & Becky Chapman, Kathy, Mike & Olivia Lockwood, Fran Thompson, Shirley & Jim Bosler, Alexandra & Sergey Dubikovsky, Lou Ann & Kevin Johnston, Luke & Barbara Jacobus, Andy & Carson McVay, Tom & Peggy Housley, Jim & Jeremy Powell, John Shively, Jack Baker, Rick, Vicki & Thomas Kennell, Maxine Jones, James & Douglas Varys (for Youth Sunday), David & Cathy McKinnis, John Miller, and Ron Smith.
Kathy Bowker

Community Worship Services

• Sun., July 3 St. Mary Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., July 10 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., July 10 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., July 17 Davis Manor 3:00pm
• Sun., July 24 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
• Sun., July 31 St. Mary Healthcare 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry

Schedule Information

You can contact Pastor Robertson by calling the office, 743-3683, on Wednesday mornings 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and Fridays 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pastor Robertson's day off is Monday. Outside of office hours please feel free to call Pastor Robertson at home at 497-2162.

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.

Birthdays

July 3 Dennis Dunn July 6 Rebecca Ann Kettel July 10 Lonni Kucik July 12 Yancy Wilcoxson July 14 Kristin Hem July 14 Steve Varys July 18 Missy Yacomeni July 19 Hannah Rae Wilcoxson July 21 Kevin Johnston July 22 Pam Kirby July 22 Dominic Sages July 25 Kaitlyn Housley July 26 William Hinze July 26 Charlie Short July 27 Jay McMillin July 29 Carson McVay July 30 Owen Sages

Faith Presbyterian Church, 3318 State Road 26 West, West Lafayette, IN 47906 (765) 743-3683
An answering machine is available. Email: office@faithpresbyterian.org Home Page: www.faithpresbyterian.org
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 when deadlines are announced.
You are welcome to worship with us at 9:30 am each Sunday and 7:00 am each Wednesday.

Posted by faithpres at July 1, 2005 10:49 AM