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October 01, 2005
October Newsletter
Pastor’s Pen
The stories that stand behind many of the hymns we sing are worth telling. If we knew the stories, they would probably affect the way we sing the words. I am sometimes very moved as I sing the words in church.
This past Sunday our concluding hymn was “It is Well With My Soul.” The combination of the words with the very moving tune, harmony, and cadence of the refrain touches a deep nerve—particularly because I know the story. Here is something of the story of this hymn.
It was written by Horatio Spafford, a Chicago lawyer, in 1873. He was a devout Christian and a successful lawyer. He and his wife, Anna, had five children, four daughters and a son. All seemed to be going well, but as sometimes happens in life, things started to fall apart.
First, their son died of scarlet fever. He was four years old. The next year the great Chicago Fire hit, destroying all the property which the Spafford’s owned in the city.
Horatio decided to take his wife and four daughters to England for a vacation to refresh them. The sorrow of losing a son and brother and losing nearly everything in the fire was intense. So, in November, 1873 they scheduled space on the French ocean liner, Ville de Havre, to sail to England. At the last minute, Horatio was forced to remain in America to take care of a business matter. He urged his wife and daughters to go ahead. They needed refreshing. He would join them soon. He assumed they were sailing happily to England.
Nine days after they sailed from New York, Horatio Spafford received a brief telegram from his wife, written from England, “Saved alone.” The ship carrying his wife and daughter to England collided with another ship. It sank in twelve minutes. Two hundred and twenty six passengers died. His wife was pulled unconscious from the water, but his four daughters drowned.
The bereaved dad and husband caught the next ship for England, to be with his wife. The captain of the ship, knowing the reason for his being on this voyage to England, called him to the bridge when he realized they were near the spot where the Ville de Havre sank. Horatio Spafford looked at the rolling waves that moved over the spot where, many fathoms below, lay the ship in which his daughters drowned. He went to his cabin and penned those words that move us so deeply.
When peace like a river attendeth my ways;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot Thou has taught me to say,
‘It is well, it is well with my soul’.”
He was inspired by the words of II Kings 4: 26, strangely out of context. In this Old Testament passage, a woman who has lost her only son responds to the prophet’s question, “Is it well with your child?” She replied, “It is well.” And then she broke into tears, because her child lay dead. Elisha is able to restore her son, so that story has a happy ending. But memory is selective, and the part of the story that Horatio Spafford remembered in his agony of soul was the mother’s remark even though she thought she had lost her son, “It is well.” And thus we have the hymn with those haunting words, “It is well with my soul.” Even though the one who wrote them was in the depths of sorrow, it was well with his soul.
It is a common experience, but no less painful for being common, that we face circumstances that are nearly unbearably difficult. Others see the surface of things. Only those who suffer know what is going on. “The blessed assurance” Spafford felt was not because all was going well in life, but because beneath the sorrow was an even deeper trust in God.
I have often found that because I know the circumstances in which hymns were written, that they speak deeply to me. Horatio Spafford’s hymn is one of these, as is a hymn written by a Scottish pastor, Henry Francis Lyte, “Abide With Me,” whose words I remember often. Because it is an evening hymn, we haven’t occasion to sing it at Faith Church. But we often sing it in afternoon services I lead at Friendship House and Davis Manor. It speaks to my soul.
For more than a century the bells of the church where Pastor Lyte preached his last sermon ring out the tune of this hymn. He wrote it in the afternoon just after his last sermon. He died shortly after. It became one of the most beloved hymns of all.
Oddly, it was sung at the weddings of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II. It scarcely seems a wedding hymn. Maybe it was chosen because of the immense popularity of this hymn with people who found in it the prayer that arose from their hearts to God in circumstances more common and far less joyous than a wedding, “Abide with me.” “Stay with me, God.”
Pastor Stuart D. Robertson
Worship Schedule
October 2nd - World Communion Sunday
“The Life of the World to Come”
Isaiah 66: 18 - 24
Revelation 21: 1 - 8
October 9th - “What Must I Do to Be Saved?”
Numbers 21: 5 - 9
John 3: 1 - 19
October 16th - “When Does Salvation Happen?”
I Chronicles 16: 23 - 36
Romans 10: 1 - 15
October 23rd - “Do Only Christians Know Correctly About God?”
Isaiah 19: 18 - 25
Romans 2: 14 - 29
October 30th - “What Place Do Good Deeds Have in Our Standing
With God?
Job 34: 10 - 21
Ephesians 2: 4 - 10
Faith Women Fellowship
As part of the body of Christ, the women of Faith Presbyterian Church want to promote fellowship, outreach and service, and provide caring and spiritual nurturing. By meeting together regularly we will find ways to get to know and support one another, learn together and have fun together. Our first meeting will be a Soup Supper on Monday, October 3, 2005 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Since we want you to be there, and get an idea how many bowls of soup to make, you can expect a reminder call soon. We are looking forward to a great time together! Grieke ToebesClerk’s Corner
At its September 13, 2005 meeting the Session authorized the expenditure of $ 4827 for installation of five new doors to the church building, at which time the water leakage problems around these doors will also be addressed. Yvonda Marshall and her four children who had been displaced by Hurricane Katrina from their home outside Mobile, Alabama, and sought shelter in Lafayette had been settled by the Red Cross in a motel in Lafayette. They are on their way back to the south to rejoin other members of the family. They were initially provided with basic necessities through the Red Cross. Members of our Congregation were instrumental in getting the Marshalls settled in and provided for. The Congregation owes special thanks to Amber Latour, Lois Wark, Grieke Toebes, Lou Ann Johnston, and Pastor Robertson for their help in welcoming this family and making them feel at home during their brief stay in Lafayette. Pastor Robertson and Elders Kessler and Honig will represent Faith Church at the September 24, 2005 meeting of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley in Lebanon, IN. Elders Dunn and Gentry are in the initial stages of preparing the budget for the year 2006. Any especially urgent project requiring funding should be brought to their attention. The proposed budget must be approved by the Session, except for the remuneration of the Pastor, which requires approval by the Congregation at a special meeting that is usually called on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Bible bags, lovingly prepared by Kathleen Kirsch and Carol Goodrich, are now available at both entrances to the sanctuary, for use by children that accompany their parents to worship. Please return these units at the conclusion of each service. J.M. Honig, Clerk of Session
Our nice microphone with telescoping stand has apparently wandered away from the church within the past year. If these have wandered to your house, please return them to the church. Their siblings miss them very much.
Watch your thoughts
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
-Author Unknown, quoted in How Could You Do That? By Dr. Laura Schlessinger
A Letter from Rich Anderson
Stuart, I’m sorry it’s been almost half a month since your last email, and you wrote a long one. I got it tonight (due to the increasing slowness of the email at the café, and the now breakneck speed at which we are working it’s been difficult to get over there). I was sad to hear about Bob Kane. I was wondering about him, being sick when we left. I remember singing with him in the choir. He was always very friendly to me, and I know he was very important to you. I miss him from over here. I’m always glad to hear about the gospel message being reintroducted to those who may not consider it important, or outdated, or superseded, etc, and admire you for the work you do. We have some action over here right now. You can read about Tal Afar and the 3rd ACR in the Washington Post, and I guess it’s on Fox and CNN, although New Orleans has been the main subject it seems. The last two weeks, I’ve been meeting with the water ministers in Mosul and Tal Afar. I even traveled to Dahok (Kurdish territory) for one of these. Kurd area is very safe. They don’t mess around up there. I helped to start the water tanker delivery program to the Shia areas in South Tel Afar. (A good story I’ll have to tell you some time, basically commandeered the trucks from the fire department, who had been hording them). I negotiated a deal to get lots of electrical equipment to fix the power lines as soon as it’s safe here again, and mainly I’ve been focused on the water deficiency, working with the engineers, and pushing for help from Baghdad and Mosul. The State Department boss in Mosul is helping me. I was in a Bradley (small tank to civilians) on a return from a power station mission when we were hit by an IED (one of those roadside bombs), but it was small and went off behind us (missed). We had the top hatch cracked open and felt the blast. Overall though I think the Lord has blessed this effort immensely. I’ve been safe, and have established a reputation with the Iraqi’s as a guy who gets things done. They call me Muhandas Anderson. Mohandas means engineer in Arabic (either that or dumbkopf, and they just haven’t told me yet). When I went to the castle (it’s an old ottoman fortress - inside the buildings are contemporary but in bad condition…I’ll show you pictures) the Iraqi general who is in charge of police said, “It is very unfair that they should be targeting you”. Ha, don’t think I’ve reached that level of importance, but it’s nice of him to humor me. The work has just begun. When the soldiers finish their work the engineers work really begins. v/rRichAnderson NIPRNET:richard.anderson@mnbnw.iraq.army.mil LCDR, CEC, USN mailto:richard.anderson@mnbnw.iraq.army.mil 3ACR USACE LNO SIPRNET: andersonr@3acr.army.smil.mil DNVT: 302 539 5090 Iraqna (cell): 0770 218 7912Jubilee Christmas Coordinator
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 BethelCHILI CHUCKWAGON
Yes, friends, it's time to tuck in that napkin and hunker down with some down-home chili. You-all are invited to the church on October 16 starting at 5:30 pm. Chili is provided but you-all can contribute veggies, salad or simple desserts. Sign up in the narthex, partner. Also, there will be a fire for roasting hot dogs (outside) and mebbe some singing and a few surprises. You'll want to dress in yer western/country casual duds. If you have serious questions, you can call the head chuckwagon ramrods: Jan Hem (464-7870) or Nancy Dunn (463-1696). Table service will be provided, thank yee very much fer coming! Don't fergit to sign up, you-all!
Editing God
A boy was watching his father, a pastor, write a sermon. “How do you know what to say?” he asked. “Why, God tells,” the father answered. “Oh,” said the lad, “then why do you keep crossing things out?”
Sunday School Schedule for 2005-2006
There will be Sunday School every Sunday from now through May 21, 2006 except on the following dates:November 27 Thanksgiving
December 25 Christmas break
January 1 Christmas break
April 16 Easter
In addition, there will be a congregational meeting this fall (usually held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving). On that Sunday, adult classes will be canceled but classes for the children and youth will still be held.
Thank you
Many thanks to the following people who ushered
and helped with the collections during September:
Glenn & Cheri Sparks, Maxine Jones, Doug Jones,
Luke & Barbara Jacobus, Tom & Peggy Housley,
Steve, Mary, Doug & Jim Varys, Cory Wettschurak,
Mike & Cathy Lockwood, Will Gray and Barbara Wiggs.
When Calling Elders and Deacons
Each year we choose from our number persons to serve a new class of Deacons and Elders. We believe that because we ask for the aid of the Holy Spirit that the ones who are finally selected are not only the result of our choice, but of the Holy Spirit’s guidance too. Choosing church officers is not a popularity contest. It is not a matter of choosing people with the best administrative gifts alone, though it is helpful to have elders and deacons who serve on our boards with a good sense of how to get things done. Our input, after praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is to choose people who have been faithful in their lives before us for long enough that we feel we know them well, people of good judgment and upright character, with a sincere faith in Jesus Christ, a love for His Church, and an unqualified devotion to the life and ministry of Faith Church. Those who serve as Deacons and Elders must be collegial, able to work with fellow Elders and Deacons for the common good. They are to be good listeners, cooperating with others in achieving goals that their particular boards are convinced are for the good of Faith Church. Elders and deacons are spiritual leaders. Spiritual leadership involves leading others in following Christ by what we say and by what we do. Our primary goal as spiritual leaders is to build up the church to become more Christ-like in our thoughts, words, and actions while at the same time preserving the unity of the body of Christ by being concerned not to be hurtful to others and by being forgiving and gracious when others are hurtful to us. Deacons and Elders, while not specifically superintended by the Pastor, have the duty of cooperating with the Pastor, accepting the Pastor’s leadership and counsel. The Pastor is moderator of the Session. This means that it is the pastor’s duty to let the gifts and wisdom of all the elders find a place in the spiritual leadership of the congregation. Deacons choose their own moderator. The Session has the final responsibility for the governance of the congregation, but deacons and elders share a common task of serving in such a way as to harmoniously further the cause of the Gospel in the congregation. In the Presbyterian system of government, the lay officers in the congregation have great responsibility to serve with the Pastor in leading the congregation. The future as well as the present of Faith Church depends heavily on the excellence of our Board of Deacons and Session. Pastor RobertsonCommunity Worship Services
• Sun., Oct. 2 St. Mary Healthcare 2:30pm • Sun., Oct. 9 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm • Sun., Oct. 16 Friendship House 2:30pm • Sun., Oct. 23 No Davis Manor • Sun., Oct. 30 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministryBirthdays
October 2 Amanda Bosler October 3 Nathan Parker October 4 Trent Tyler October 5 Stan Hem October 5 Zoe Taylor October 6 Matthew Stith October 8 Sarah Marie Wilcoxson October 9 Lola Miller October 10 Dustin Chase Kirby October 11 Jane Papsdorff October 14 Matthew Henry Kain October 15 Iain Donkin October 16 Nicholas Anderson October 16 Barbara Wiggs October 19 Peggy Housley October 19 Darrell Leap October 19 Kris Stith October 19 Katie Wark October 23 Hannah Old October 23 Mary Mason October 24 Bonnie Robertson October 25 Kesler Krieg Paul October 25 Lois Wark October 26 Alexander Mason October 26 Thom McKay October 27 Bethany Lockwood October 28 Jessica MasonWorship With Us
We invite you to join in the worship of God each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. We also invite you to participate 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 at 743-3683.
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.
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 October 1, 2005 09:13 AM