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March 01, 2007
March Newsletter
Pastor's Pen
On two consecutive days this past month I sat before a doctor and then a judge. In the presence of both there is the desire to hide because both can say things that I don’t want to hear.
I remember the irritation I felt with the doctor who told me I needed to get a blood test that would reveal the presence of cancer if it was there. I wanted to say, but didn’t, “Leave me alone; I’m feeling fine.” I felt oddly annoyed when the doctor subsequently told me, “You’ve got cancer and we’ve got to do something about it.” My instinct was, “I feel fine; you have no business telling me this. Get off my case.”
It is similar before a judge in a setting where an attack and a defense attorney debate with each other to strip away all appearances and get at what a person has actually done. I watched the MSNBC reports of men caught in sting operations for sexual predators. Some of these men were “pillar of society” types.
I remember a physician caught on candid camera coming to have sexual relations with a thirteen year old girl, as he thought. He’d laid the plans for this on the internet with some really gross proposals to this young girl, not knowing that everything he wrote there was also appearing on the computer of someone else. Engineers, and a school administrator were caught in this sting. The news media broadcast all the seamy details of a prominent pastor’s recent exposure for privately doing what he preached was wrong to do. How absolutely devastating it is to get caught red-handed doing something yukky that one thinks is being done altogether in private.
Doctors and judges can be scary people. Of course, doctors stand before doctors too for the same reason we non-doctors do. And judges stand before judges too sometimes. O to be healthy of body and soul so that to stand before a doctor and a judge is not a scary thing.
The purpose of the life of faith is, from one vantage, to render fearless any momentary exposure to the scrutiny of anyone, and then finally to render fearless the self-revelation that awaits us all before the Creator of bodies who knows every tiny detail of what we’ve done, and why we did it—for better and for worse. Positively speaking, the life of faith is to lead us to live honorably and with true love for God and neighbor.
I sometimes think there should be a plaque above every fireplace, or if there is no fireplace, at some other prominently visible place in the home. “Live remarkably.” This means regardless of whether any dietician is watching, eat what is good for the body. Whether any doctor is watching, cultivate habits that do good to the body. Whether any judge or preacher or any other moral discoverer-type is watching, live excellently. All this, not because the Ultimate Judge and Discoverer that knows every detail is watching, but simply because it is good to live nobly and well. It is better to live well than to live badly, we’d all agree. It is better to be happy than sad. It is better to be honorable than to be dishonorable.
Though we all slip up in fulfilling our finest ideals, it is better to have the ideals than not to have them. It is better to try than not to try.
This outlook does not devalue grace. It does not suggest that I do not need God’s mercy. Rather, it treats grace as so valuable that I want to honor it by truly grateful living—all the time, if possible. It treats God’s mercy as so precious that I do not want to abuse the favor. Why should I, just because God is kind, treat His good pleasure as though it is of little interest?
Pastor Stuart Robertson
SAVE THIS DATE
MARCH 4, Sunday at noon.
Join us for our MOAPI
APRIL 15, Sunday evening
Appreciation Dinner for
Pastor Robertson and Bonnie.
March Hymn Sings
The four Sundays in March we will start the service with a ten minute Hymn Sing.
Come and participate at 9:20am on those Sundays.
Thursday, April 5th – Maundy Thursday Cantata
Sunday, April 8th – Easter Service & Brunch
MOAPI…
Doesn’t that just roll off the tongue? And you’re saying to yourself, what is MOAPI anyway, and, why should I care?
MOAPI anyway is: Mother Of All Pitch Ins.
See, here’s the deal: On Sunday, March 4, after worship, at noon, we’re going to celebrate MOAPI at Faith Pres. by bringing our very favorite, most delicious, spectacular and famous dish*, be it pie, roast beef, tuna casserole, pickled pigs feet, noodles, brownies and ….well, you get the drift. (Good pun, by the way.)
Also, if you will, kindly bring the recipe and deposit it in the container so provided. Then we’ll ask Stephanie to compose the recipes into some kind of order so that everyone can have a copy eventually. So, you can see why this is not just any old pitch in. Cooks, your reputation is on the line! Well, maybe not that serious, but do your best. (Tables service and drinks provided.)
After all, what can be more enjoyable on a snowy, cold day than a warm, delicious meal, served at one’s leisure, amongst a host of friends and family, sharing recipes and good cheers—just a wee bite of winsomely prepared edibles! What joy! What fellowship!
Speaking of which there will be, for your pleasure and attention, delightful, sparkling conversation and chatting, both serious and entertaining. After which we will all gather the remains of our gracious repast and go home, all with the knowledge that we have shared a most enjoyable winter coming-together amid the snow and bleak mid-winter.
SEE YOU THEN!
*no haggis or liver mush, please.
News from and for Faith Women
The pie making and demolition party was a great success. Imagine two excellent bakers showing you how to make the perfect pie shell; six women who brought wonderful pies to eat (no two were alike), and 16 women to eat those pies, leaving only a few pieces!
The sweaters for our mission outreach filled a large box and were brought to the YWCA Women’s Shelter.
March will be a busy month, with Spring Breaks at different times, so we are not scheduling a FWF meeting. Impromptu lunches may be arranged by small groups. In May we are planning a Saturday Lunch Out, so that our working women can attend. We’ll let you know the date later.
Have a blessed Lent and Easter time.
FWF Planning Board
**The Women’s Bible Study is meeting regularly, when the snow and other weather permits. We are studying Daniel, and you can join us at any time. See the bulletin for time and place.
Graduation Planning
For planning purposes, if you know someone who will be graduating this May—from high school or college—please leave their names with Stephanie. Thank you!
Life Care Services Announces
Speaker and author Dr. Bob Reccord will be the guest speaker at LifeCare Services Spring Banquet in April. Dr. Reccord is recognized as a dynamic and compelling speaker, and was the Keynote Evangelist for the 2006 Promise Keepers’ event.
Dr. Bob Reccord has a deeply personal testimony about his own loss, rejection and adoption. Dr. Reccord has published books including Made to Count and Live Your Passion—Tell Your Story—Change Your World. He is a graduate of Indiana University and received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.
LifeCare Services is a pregnancy center near the Purdue University campus. The spring banquet will be Saturday, April 28, 2007, in the Purdue Memorial Union Ballrooms beginning with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.00 each, or $200.00 for a table of 8. Call LifeCare Services at 765-743-4488 for tickets. Your check confirms your reservation. Deadline for reservations is April 18.
Jewish Studies Noon Lecture Series
Pastor Robertson will be giving the Jewish Studies Noon Lecture Series lecture on March 7th, in Stewart Center. The title of his lecture is:
"The Bible and its Early Interpreters" and
"Ancient Judaism and Early Christianity": Prolegomena to Two New Jewish Studies Courses
Two new Jewish Studies courses have been proposed and this lecture will give a sense of the content of them.
The first part of the lecture will give illustrations of the vitality of the Hebrew Bible in the way its themes develop and bring influence to Jewish life long after the time that the particular parts of the Hebrew Bible were written. This starts with the adaptation of early parts of the Bible in later parts of the Hebrew Bible--for example, the prophets use of the Torah and the Psalms use of the prophets.
The second part of the lecture deals with the development of Judaism and Christianity from the religion of the Hebrew Bible. After AD 70 and the destruction of the Temple two new religious developments emerged, one centered on the rabbis' teaching, the other on Jesus and His followers.
Resolution and Overture of the Session of Covenant Presbyterian Church Concerning Essential Standards for Ordination
Whereas the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) denomination has defined spiritual and moral standards for ordination to church office in the Book of Order and
Whereas these same standards originate in Scripture, which we recognize to be authoritative in all matters of faith and practice;
Whereas these same standards include the requirements that:
“Those who undertake particular ministries should be person of strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.” (G-6.0106a)
“Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel in the church and in the world.”
(G-6.0106a)
“Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life of obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historical confessions of the church.” (G-6.0106b)
They are to “live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or in chastity in singleness.” (G-6.0106b)
“His or her conscience is captive to the Word of God as interpreted in the standards of the church.” (G-6.0108b)
Therefore the Session of Covenant Presbyterian Church”
1. resolves that the policy of this Session and Congregation shall be to treat as essential all standards of ordination to church office defined in the Book of Order; and
2. calls upon all Sessions and Congregations in the Presbytery of Wabash Valley to establish the same policy; and
3. respectfully overtures the Presbytery of Wabash Valley to establish the policy that it will uphold as essential all standards fro ordination to church office defined in the Book of Order.
This overture passed 63-59.
SAVE THE DATE
Since the snow is melting, can Spring Break and Summer be far behind? Summer means warm weather, school break, and Vacation Bible School. Vacation Bible School will be held the week of June 18th. We are in need of teachers, helpers, crafters, and musicians. But our first need is to find a director, someone to organize the many happy volunteers in having a Bible school to make happy memories and teach Christian lessons to our children. Please see Steve Varys or Lou Ann Johnston if you are able to help, or sign up on the VBS clipboard, soon to be coming to a coffee hour near you.
Faith Picture Directory
Faith Church will be having a new directory put together by Olan Mills. Everyone that participates will receive a free 8X10 picture and a church picture directory. The picture days are scheduled for Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 21 from 3:00pm – 9:30pm. You may sign-up online beginning Sunday, February 4 at www.olanmills.com. Sign-up sheets will be located in the Narthex beginning Sunday, February 25th. We would like to have everyone participate. This will be the last professional directory made before Pastor Robertson retires. Any questions, contact Stephanie at
743-3683 or office@faithpresbyterian.org.
Birthdays
March 1 Lana Johnston
March 2 Jackie Stewart
March 3 Ward Hanson
March 5 Marti McIntyre
March 5 Joram Stith
March 10 Tom Van Horn
March 11 Angelique Lynn
March 12 Jessica Stewart
March 16 Chase Latour
March 21 Eleanor McKay
March 22 Douglas McKay
March 25 Katherine Meriwether
March 26 Abigail Berends
March 26 Alexandra Berends
March 26 Janey Berends
March 29 Brad Kovacs
March 30 Robert Stith
March 31 Karsten Hess
Anniversaries
March 15 Luke & Barbara Jacobus
Community Worship Services
• Sun., Mar. 4 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., Mar. 11 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., Mar. 11 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., Mar. 18 Davis Manor 3:00pm
• Sun., Mar. 25 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of
this ministry
Worship With Us
We invite you to join in the worship of God each Sunday morning at 9:30am. 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 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.
Posted by faithpres at March 1, 2007 09:56 AM