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September 01, 2005
September Newsletter
Pastor’s Pen
Public radio has been reporting on the General Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America a lot of late. This church conference would have no interest to the media if it were not for the controversy having to do with same-sex unions. The ELCA is divided just as our denomination is, as is every other “main-line” denomination. While there is no body within the umbrella of Christendom where this issue is absent, apparently only the main-line bodies are facing seismic repercussions.
Fundamentally at issue is not just whether some feel homosexual relationships are natural and normal and some are repulsed by them. At issue is not whether God loves all people, including those for whom homosex feels normal, just as much as he loves those who are drawn to the opposite sex. At issue is not whether we should treat all people with grace.
At issue, you have often heard, is the authority of the Bible itself.
Sometimes I shudder when I hear this because I think of all the ways we routinely ignore what the Bible clearly teaches with no pangs of conscience at all. As Pope John Paul II put it, the way rich Christians look at the plight of poor people is comparable to the way the rich man in Jesus’ parable looked at Lazarus, who lay at his gate, covered with sores, emaciated with hunger. We all believe that story is part of the inspired Bible, and authoritative in what it teaches. But all the while the trickle of funds to care for the poor doesn’t begin to match the waves of money we spend for matters of personal comfort and security. I don’t think we even consider this a problem.
Sometimes we treat each other shabbily. Forgiveness and large-heartedness toward one another are so rare and selective virtues that it is hard to see how very many of us believe Jesus taught them at all. I often think I’d much prefer to stand before the bar of God’s justice than to stand before most fellow Christians. This, even though it is God’s right to condemn, and all have fallen short of His standard of living in every category of goodness. We human beings judge according to the slight evidence of what we see, filtered through our biases.
Yet, what the Bible clearly says about homosex is of great concern. Indeed, it is of great enough concern to warrant dividing the Church over it. I simply cannot picture Jesus watching our selective passions with anything but a wry look. When we see that the Bible’s teaching about wealth and power are as basic to our moral sensitivity as the homosex issue, then we may step away from the accusation of a selective sense of responsibility to obey Scripture. Those who are not homosexuals have no interest at all in this kind of sexual attraction. We’re hardly praiseworthy for not doing what we have no interest in doing anyway.
We are to be praised when we deliberately obey the Bible where it tells us to do what we don’t feel naturally inclined to do—such as risk financial insecurity in order to care for as many others as possible who have nothing; or to deliberately forgive something done by someone that gave us offense. This would be like a homosexually inclined person deliberately not practicing homosex, out of obedience to God’s teaching in the Bible.
Periodically I have premonitions of the end of time when we stand before the righteous judge and our hearts are laid bare and we have to admit what we see in ourselves. We can hide in the crowd now. Because lots and lots of people are very moderately concerned for the suffering masses in the world, little ol’ me is not conspicuous in my lack of concern. In fact, any gesture I make to give something away that I might have kept, even though it causes me no hardship, surely must be worthy of God’s well-done.
At the end, I don’t think Jesus will accuse us. We will stand self-accused, and ashamed, and then discover what a magnificent thing grace is. Jesus will tell us what we have not realized, that his death on the cross covered even our self-delusions, our moral guilt, our silly self-confidence that because we believed a few bits and pieces of approved doctrine that we were OK.
Those who don’t accept what the Bible teaches about homosex are able to do this because they don’t believe God is the source of the rejection of this way of physical relationships. They believe that here the Bible merely tells of how ancient peoples had a bias against homosex. Modern people know better. Modern wisdom understands what ancient wisdom could not understand. To be sure, the “authority of Scripture” is only an idea that expresses a general respect for this body of ancient lore. It is not authoritative in any specific sense where it is not in keeping with the more mature wisdom of modern people.
I presume the Bible is not just a record of the religious views of ancient people. I presume that
God, the Creator of heaven and earth, so affected the writers of Holy Scripture that what they wrote responded to impulses from God that bear directly on how we are to live. As a result, if I am living a life-style that violates the clear teaching of Scripture, it is my duty to challenge my own life-style. This is how I accept the authority of the Bible.
I accept its authority when I accept where it tells me “no” as well as where it tells me “yes.” “The authority of the Bible” is not just a password by which I make myself acceptable to others who also like the sound of this term.
I think if we were to really accept the authority of the Bible there would take place a massive force for healing in the world. And the love of God would be so evident, shining through our display of his generosity in our ways, that a lot of people who think of Christianity as just one of many competing religions, would think differently. The Kingdom of God would be a source of great joy. And a lot of people would be drawn by it to Jesus.
We could be pretty amazing in the way Jesus was if we wanted to be, if we accepted the authority of what Jesus said, indeed of the Scriptures which he accepted as authoritative in his day to day life.
Pastor Stuart D. Robertson
Worship Information
Sept. 4th - “The Holy Spirit and the Prophets of Old”
Jeremiah 14: 11 – 16
I Peter 1: 16 – 21
Sept. 11th - “Forgiven and Forgotten”
Jeremiah 31: 31 – 34
Matthew 18: 21 - 35
Sept. 18th - “Are We Catholics?
Hosea 11: 1 – 8
John 17: 14 – 26
Sept. 25th - “Baptism and Personal Salvation”
Genesis 6: 13 – 22
I Peter 3: 18 - 22
Lot’s Wife
The Sunday school teacher was describing how Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Johnny interrupted, “My Mummy looked back once, while she was DRIVING,” he announced triumphantly, “and she turned into a telephone pole!”
Clerk’s Corner
The Congregation mourns the death of Elder Robert B. Kane at his home on August 14, 2005 and extends its deepest sympathy to the Kane family. Robert’s ashes will be interred in Chautauqua, New York on August 27. A memorial service will be held in the Sanctuary at 2:00 PM on Monday, August 29, 2005.
The Session accepted with regret a letter of resignation submitted on August 9, 2005 by Necia Ketterman. Her work on the Session is much appreciated. A successor will be named at the time that nominations for Session membership are acted upon in November 2005.
Pastor Robertson has extended his office hours. He plans to be in his church office Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM until noon, and Wednesdays from 6:30 AM until noon. At other times he may be reached in his home by phone, 497 2162. His upcoming activities include: a trip to Chautauqua, New York for the interment service on August 26 and 27; teaching a mini-course on church history to the Commissioned Lay Pastor Training at Geneva Center on September 9 - 11; reading standard ordination examinations in Chicago in March 2006; and being chaplain at the Presbyterian House at the Chautauqua Center, New York August 5 -12, 2006.
The Congregation owes a debt of gratitude to Elder Dennis Dunn for his technical prowess in the publication of the supplementary hymnals that are now in regular use during Sunday worship services. Ample credit should also be given to Elder Necia Ketterman for designing the spectacular cover, and to the yeowoman job by Stephanie Cardwell in duplicating and assembling all the copies.
The Mission Fair was held after Sunday services on August 21, 2005. A pitch-in dinner was provided at the conclusion of the fair.
The next Inquirers’ Classes will be held at 7:00 PM on September 11 and 18, 2005 in the Church Library. All individuals interested in the Christian outreach and activities of Faith Church, whether they are desirous of joining as members or not, are cordially invited to attend these sessions.
At its August 16, 2005 meeting the Session voted to purchase a color printer for use at the Church Office. J.M. Honig, Clerk of Session
Life Care Services
This month’s Board of Deacons mission focus is Life Care Services (LCS), one of the local missions given financial support by Faith Presbyterian Church. All of the information below comes from the LCS website.
Life Care Services
233 Harrison St.
West Lafayette, IN 47906
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. office hours and 24-hour weekday helpline: 765-743-4488
confidential@lifecareservices.org
http://www.lifecareservices.org
LCS was formed:
• To meet physical, practical, emotional, and spiritual needs, when requested by the women and families facing a crisis pregnancy.
• To offer practical alternatives to abortion.
• To develop clients’ self-esteem and long-term self-improvement skills through educational and counseling support.
• To meet the needs of women and men who suffer from the effects of previous abortions.
• To provide the community with the opportunity to actively participate in LCS’s programs.
LCS focuses on developing long-term support relationships with clients, before, during and after pregnancy. LCS volunteers maintain an attitude of respect and compassion as they provide a variety of free services including:
• 24 hour helpline: (765) 743-4488
• Pregnancy tests
• Crisis counseling
• Ultrasound, when indicated
• Long-term and life skills counseling
• Shepherding homes
• Maternal and child health classes
• Lamaze childbirth classes
• Clothing and furnishings for mother and baby
• Practical, tangible helps
• Referrals for medical care, legal assistance and other community resources
• Adoption referrals
• Assistance in determining educational and career goals
• Pregnancy and related educational resources
• Post-abortion recovery
• Abstinence education programs
LCS is exclusively supported by private donations and is always in need of the following:
• Prayer!
• Money
• Consumable goods: diapers, pregnancy tests, office supplies, etc.
• Client goods: maternity clothes, nursery furniture, baby clothes and supplies, even automobiles
• Event goods: items needed for the few fundraising and awareness events held each year by LCS. Example: A florist provided bouquets and centerpieces for a recent annual banquet.
• Time: volunteers who work directly with clients go through comprehensive training, and help with services such as answering the hotline, counseling, ultrasound (professional), and nutrition and Lamaze classes, to name just a few examples. Non-client volunteers help with mailings, take care of the plants at the LCS house, perform maintenance and repair work, or provide any of a variety of other practical helps.
• Services: LCS is always grateful for the donated services of physicians, practitioners, attorneys, pastors, dentists, nutritionists, computer repair specialists, electricians, landscapers, childcare, etc. Barbara Jacobus
Presbyterian Habitat House Blessing
On Sunday, September 11 at 5PM, we will have a blessing ceremony for the Presbyterian Habitat House at 231 Kimmel Street. This is the fourth house the Presbyterian churches of Tippecanoe County have built with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter.
The house will be home to the Brewer family; Justin and Maryanne with daughter Chiara and a baby to be named in November. Justin and Maryanne have worked very hard this spring and summer with Habitat. They should have their required "sweat equity" hours completed in time to move in to the house soon after the house blessing. Besides working with Habitat on his house (and others), Justin has a full-time job at Subaru of Indiana Automotive.
Please join us in celebrating this joyous event with the Brewers. As indicated above, Justin and Maryanne will be welcoming their second child to their new home in November. To help them celebrate, we would like to invite you to bring a baby gift to the blessing ceremony. If you are not able to attend, but would like to give a gift or money, please contact me.
Directions to the house will be available in the narthex. Dan Trinkle
Recalling the life of Bob Kane
In my years as a pastor I have from time to time met a few people in the congregations I’ve served who not only accepted my pastoral ministry gratefully, but who became friends at a deep level, thus nurturing me for the work of the ministry. Bob Kane is one of these who have been nurturing friends as well as parishioners. Not long before he died Bob told me that he saw me more as his friend than as his pastor, because of which he found me the kind of pastor to whom he could respond.
We came from quite different backgrounds in the Church. He was from a somewhat liberal American Baptist background; I came from an ultra-conservative Reformed heritage—with Free Church and Anglican influences tossed into the mix. Perhaps it was because we were both keen listeners that we discovered this friendship developing as we discussed matters of faith as they arise from the heart as well as from the head.
I could look forward to thoughtful comments from him after my Sunday morning sermons. I could tell by watching the congregation as I preached that he listened intently. Since preaching is a form of communication, the feedback of good listeners is of great use to the preacher.
When he served as Elder on our Session some years ago he devised a plan for the Nominating Committee of which he was chair. We have followed his plan since. I wrote up this plan for Monday Morning, a little weekly magazine that all pastors used to get. I learned that a number of other churches adopted this plan for their selection of Elders and Deacons after their pastors read of it.
Bob participated in our Friday book discussion group until the time that ill health made it impossible. The books we discussed covered a wide range, from great sermons, to the relationship between science and the Bible, to hard-core theology. He was a continuous source of good will and thoughtful insights—offered in his rare very articulate manner.
When Robert Landolt retired as Clerk of Session after many years of service, Bob offered his services as Clerk. The meticulous care he once used as the first Dean of the School of Education at Purdue he devoted to keeping the records straight here, and recording the minutes of our Session meetings. Every Wednesday we would meet to discuss details pertaining to the Church, and would branch off from these business matters to matters of theology, of the workings of church and society, often sharing elements of our personal odysseys of faith as part of the conversation. His trust in me as I would throw big questions up for discussion was one of the really heartening aspects of his ministry to me.
Bob and Bobbi were married fifty-five years. So a large empty place is there in Bobbi’s heart as well as in our church family. We add a name to the list making up our “cloud of witnesses” in Fellowship Hall. I have been invigorated by Bob’s life and faith. His legacy to us is one of stable, faithful commitment, honest devotion to God and to us as his brothers and sisters in Christ. I am grateful that it has been my privilege to be his pastor for the past nineteen years. Pastor Robertson
Need Help?
Are you scheduled for surgery? Do you know someone who is? Are you aware of someone in our congregation who is ill, who might appreciate a few meals? Have you noticed that someone has been missing from our worship service for a while whom we could call and check on? Maybe it would help a bit if someone ran a couple of errands for you. We all need an extra hand once in a while.
Your Congregational Care committee stands ready to help in any of these ways, but we count on you to let us know how! (All information will be held in confidence.) Please contact any of us. John Miller 743-5781, Grieke Toebes 463-7136 or Lois Wark 743-1903.
Hebrew Class
On Sunday evening, September 18th, the Hebrew class that began last year will resume. We'll meet at 6 PM. We will begin translating the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and continue our study of Hebrew grammar. We will also be offering a beginning Hebrew class which will also begin on Sunday, September 18th at 7:30 pm at Faith Presbyterian Church.
Inquirer’s Classes
The next Inquirer’s Classes (a two-week series) will be offered at 7pm on Sunday Sept 11 and on Sunday Sept 18. These classes are for anyone interested in learning about the ministry and teachings of Faith Presbyterian Church. This includes those who want to become members as well as those who aren’t sure they want to become members but who would like to find out more about our church. Please contact Michael Bergmann, Glenn Sparks, or the church office if you’re interested.
Women's Bible Study
Women’s Bible study will begin meeting September 6 at 10:00 am in the preschool nursery. Topic of study has not yet been decided. Moms with children are welcome. If you plan to attend, please contact Deb Johnson at 477-6569.
Choir Information
The Adult Choir will resume practice on Thursday, September 8th at 6:30pm and will begin singing during worship service on Sunday, September 11th.
The Children’s Choir will begin practicing on Sunday, September 11th after the sermon.
Youth Group
Arthur Semotan began meeting with the Faith Youth Group on Sunday, August 21st. Some pizza was eaten, games were played and everyone got to know one another. Come and join the fun every Sunday night at Faith Church from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Our thanks to Kris Stith, Mary Lou Varys, Kathy Bowker, Joanne Kovacs and Kathleen Kirsch for helping out at the Food Pantry last month. Your efforts are greatly appreciated…..
Jubilee Christmas Coordinator
Jubilee Christmas 2005 will take place on Saturday, December 10.
Jubilee Christmas is a wonderful occasion where we get to help local families not so fortunate as ourselves provide Christmas for their children. Faith is looking for a coordinator and/or a deputy coordinator for this year’s event. This will entail attending one or two meetings at LUM (Lafayette Urban Ministry) during the fall, and lots to take care of the week before the event. Fortunately, there is always a multitude of volunteers for this event so help will be plentiful. If you are interested, please see me at church, or call me at 497-4673. Dorothy Bethel
Hunger Hike 2005
An annual event to help feed the hungry benefiting Food Finders Food Bank, Lafayette Urban Ministry, and the Haiti Ministry of St. Thomas Aquinas on Sunday, September 18, 2005. Registration will be from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm at Riehle Plaza. There will be door prizes and fun activities. The two-mile hike will begin at 2:00 pm on the Wabash Heritage Trail. New this year will be an extended 4.5 mile route for joggers. Live music, clowns, balloons, popcorn, watermelon and Coke products will be available at 3:00 pm. They need youth group and adult teams of hikers! Free t-shirt when you raise $50 or more. New this year—create your own personal fundraising webpage! Send it to friends and relatives by e-mail—they can make online donations and your page will automatically keep track of how much you’ve raised. Personal fundraising pages are free, fun and easy. To learn more visit: www.hungerhike.org. For more information contact: Lafayette Urban Ministry, 525 N. 4th Street, Lafayette, 423-2691 or pocallaghan@lafayetteurbanministry.org. There are registration forms and collection envelopes available on the table by the church office. You can also get registration forms online.
Many thanks to the following people who ushered and helped with the collections during August: Hannis Thompson, Joanne Kovacs, Chris and Carol Christiansen, Morgan and Dorothy Meyers, Bert and Becky Chapman, Tom and Carol Goodrich, Mickey and Amber Latour, Bill and Marilyn Hinze.
Community Worship Services
• Sun., Sept. 4 St. Mary Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., Sept. 11 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., Sept. 11 Friendship House 1:30pm
• Sun., Sept. 18 Davis Manor 3:00pm
• Sun., Sept. 25 Rosewalk Commons 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 Tuesdays, Thursdays, 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
September 1 Sawyer Marie Latour
September 3 Hannis Thompson
September 4 Erin Van Horn
September 7 Fran Thompson
September 14 Ainslie Taylor
September 14 Horace Tyler
September 16 Cynthia Clinton
September 21 Kathy Trinkle
September 22 Nancy Dunn
September 26 Timothy Anderson
September 29 Jurgen Honig
September 29 Olivia Claire Lockwood
September 30 James Varys
Anniversaries
September 3 Ken & Lois Wark
September 10 Thom & Eleanor McKay
September 16 Horace & Polly Tyler
September 28 Charlie & Pat Short
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 September 1, 2005 01:36 PM