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October 01, 2007
October Newsletter
Pastor's Pen
I've been thinking lately of a scene from the Gospels which occurred as a result of the imprisonment of John the Baptist. At some point John began to have some doubts about whether Jesus really was the Messiah. He was confused in part because the incomplete reports he'd received. So he sends a messenger to Jesus, asking, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?"
When Jesus replies, you'll notice he didn't send John a treatise on "true religion" or offer a new theory of some kind. Instead he reports what people around him had seen and heard. He says, "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." Jesus answers John by mentioning to him the observable deeds which made it unmistakably clear that he was doing what the prophets of old had said the Messiah would be doing. Jesus answer is sufficient for John.
I've read Jesus' answer over and over. I go back to it and re-read it. The blind can now see objects even in color. They can now see what most of us only take for granted. Those with joints bent in the most obtuse positions, who were looked at with pity and distain, they now stand tall and walk without hitch or hop.
Those who had been forced to circle outside the walls of Jerusalem, warning at anyone's approach: "Unclean! Unclean!", they now return from isolation to their wives and kids.
Perhaps you remember that man living down in the graveyard, who was filled with so many demons he was renamed Legion. You remember he appeared to be more of a wild beast than a man; and slept down by the tombs--frequently cutting himself in his torment. Well, Jesus casts out the demons and restored his sanity. His wife nearly faints to see him walk in the front door.
Jesus goes on to mention, "The dead are raised to life". Jairus' daughter had died. That was a fact; and the crowds discouraged her father from bothering the Master. "It was too late" they said. But what little they knew. Jairus asked and Jesus healed, "Don't be afraid; just believe", he said--and soon the young girl danced about.
When I read this passage I marvel at the Kingdom of God at work. Jesus' response set me thinking about our day and age. Couldn't we here at Faith do something quite similar? Couldn't we come to be known as a place of spiritual healing? Couldn't we become a place where each guest finds rest for his soul?
Already we're developing a reputation for this. People come to enjoy our ministry of music. They are instructed by the Word of God. Prayers are lifted high. They stay on for the refreshments, camaraderie and small groups. Somewhere along the way they get a hug. Just today, one of our elders told me she believes our guests leave with the sense we're actually trying to live out our faith. May it be, O Lord.
Not only this, but I sense we're looking for NEW WAYS to expand our outreach. For example tomorrow I meet with a group seeking to develop a Young Adult/College fellowship here at Faith. Some, without prodding, have offered to help provide meals for the students.
Another group here is offering a fellowship/study group for "young mothers". Others just this last month have been bringing much needed medical and financial relief to a handful of families in our community. Some talk about ministering to those who have left their homeland to study here at Purdue.
It's no wonder we are receiving a number of students and new families each Sunday for worship. I for one am so thankful for my opportunity to be a part of your vitality.
I think if I were reading this article, I'd be asking myself, "What can I do to add to this ministry?" Someone once wrote that the way to get out on the cutting edge of God's work is to look where the Spirit of God is obviously working and go there and get involved. Isn't this just that place? Perhaps you can bake chocolate-chip cookies, or have a van you could make available for transportation. Perhaps you know a young adult or family still trying to find a church. Perhaps you're willing to give driving lessons. Or visit the sick. Your efforts will say, in effect, "We are going to make something here or die trying. This is God's house!"
May it be said about our effort here at Faith: "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, and the deaf, once again, can hear." Pastor Ron
Worship Information
October 7th Sermon: “Plane Going Down?…Try Not To Worry”
First Lesson: Matthew 6: 19 – 21, 25 – 33
Communion
October 14th Sermon: Series “When the Silver Cord is Severed”
#1 “What Happens To Your Soul When You Die?”
First Lesson: Luke 32: 39 – 43
Second Lesson: Hebrews 26b - 28
October 21st Sermon: Series “When the Silver Cord is Severed”
#2 “What Happens To Your Body When you Die?”
First Lesson: Romans 8: 11, 22 – 23
Second Lesson: I Corinthians 15: 19 –23, 35 – 38, 42 – 44a
October 28th Sermon: Series “When the Silver Cord is Severed”
#3 “What Will Entering Glory Be Like?”
First Lesson: Revelations 19: 9, 22: 1 – 5, 14
A Weekday Sevice
In the middle of the week, at 7:00am on Wednesday mornings, there is the opportunity to come together for a short worship service, complete with Scripture readings, prayers, a hymn or two, and, once a month, a celebration of Communion.
It is a meaningful and refreshing time of worship, lifting up prayers for each other, our church and its members and friends, and for the many needs of the world.
You are invited to make Wednesday Morning Prayers part of your mid-week routine. Whether you leave for work or other activities, you will be well fed spiritually and physically (breakfast is served).
We at Faith want to thank Verona Clark for her many months of serving in the infant nursery since the passing of Ruth Ann Butler. Her loving care of our little ones is greatly appreciated, but we would like for her to join us in worship again. We would like to fill the infant nursery with a paid caregiver as we have in the past. Please contact Lou Ann Johnston if you know of someone interested in this position.
Clerk's Corner
Efforts are underway to ensure adequate staffing of the nurseries during Sunday services. Advertisements have been placed in the local newspaper.
At its October 4, 2007 meeting the Session will review the statistical information based on the review of questionnaires that have been returned to the church office. A special Congregational meeting will then be called to receive further inputs from the Congregation before the survey and related information will be submitted to the Committee on Ministry. This committee will then be asked to authorize the setting up of a Pastoral Nominating Committee which will be charged with the process of calling a new pastor for our Congregation.
New members joining Faith Church will be introduced to the Congregation at Sunday services, October 14, 2007.
This Congregation is blessed with artistic talent. We have at least two visual artists in our midst: Amy Dale has an exhibit of many of her paintings that may be viewed at the KL Art Gallery, 211 North Fourth Street, Lafayette. She also has a painting hung at the TAF Center, Wells Building, 638 North Street, Lafayette. Becky Chapman displayed her watercolor work at the Local Artists' Fair on the Wabash, September 16, 2007, at the Tapawingo Park.
Jurgen Honig
Clerk of Session
Amy Dale has several paintings on exhibit at the KL Art Gallery on 4th St. Hours are 10-2 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
She has two paintings on exhibit at the Wells Community Center.
AND there is one painting being exhibited at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Amy will receive an award for this painting on September 30!
CONGRATULATIONS AMY!!!
Congregation Reflection Study
As the congregation prepares to call a new permanent pastor, we are in the final stages of completing a congregational reflection study that is required prior to forming a Pastor Nominating Committee. Thanks to all members and friends that attended one of the discussion sessions and/or completed one of the surveys. We had a total attendance of 66 at the three meetings. TODAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd. IS THE LAST DAY TO TURN IN A COMPLETED SURVEY. PLEASE SUBMIT TO THE CHURCH OFFICE. Blank copies are available on the table in the hallway outside the church office.
The Session will review the results of the survey at their October meeting. A congregational meeting to report the findings will be called by the Session in late October. After a review by the congregation, the report will be forwarded to the Committee on Ministries of the Presbytery for approval. Once approval is received the congregation can move forward in selecting a Pastor Nominating Committee. No date has been set for this meeting.
Evangelism Committee Needs Your Help
Dear Members and Friends of Faith Church. The Evangelism Committee needs your help. We are trying to welcome first-time visitors to Faith with a baked treat and welcome brochure to take home. Our problem is that some of us are in the choir and we often don’t see all the visitors before we get to the Fellowship Hall. If you are sitting close to a visitor or don’t recognize someone as a regular attendee, please introduce yourself! If they are a visitor, introduce them to a committee member. One way to do this is to read the names of the worshippers as they sign the registers. We have had many visitors lately and we don’t want to leave anyone out. The members of the Evangelism Committee are Lonni Kucik, Dave Stith, Donna Lofgran, Jane Stewart, and Marcella Verplank.
Thank You
How the Faith Church Nominating Committee Does Its Work
One of the most important committees at Faith Church does its work a fragment of the year. Each Fall we must replenish the Session and Deacon Boards as the term expires for one third of each board. It is the task of the nominating Committee to select the slate of candidates for these two boards.
Deacons and Elders are not simply chosen in a democratic process, though the process by which they are selected is indeed democratic. We ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit to know whom to ordain to these two vital offices in the Church. We trust that the ones who serve us are aware that they do so at God's bidding.
As a Presbyterian congregation, our name means that we are governed by "presbyters," another word for elders. Actually, the New Testament doesn't mention anything like a Session for a local church. This church board owes its origin to the Reformation. Presbyters, as they are described in the New Testament, seem to be more like pastors.
The requirements for Deacon and Elder, as well as Pastor principally have to do with living a holy life and having a modicum of wisdom.
This is the process by which we select elders and deacons. Members of the congregation submit names of people, men and women, in the congregation for consideration by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee is composed of two elders, one deacon, and at least four members from the congregation at large. We include at least one of our youth each year on this committee. The congregational representatives to this committee are chosen by the congregation at our annual congregational meeting.
At the first meeting of the Nominating Committee the pastor presents the Biblical guidance on the requirements for holding this office. Things have changed somewhat since Paul wrote his letters to Timothy and Titus, where the great Apostle laid down the guidelines.
For one thing, as I have noted, the original elders were more like pastors than what we think of as elders.
Another difference is that Presbyterians, and many other Christians, have believed we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit to have women serving in these offices as well as men.
In the New Testament there is at least one clear reference to a woman, Phoebe, as a deacon from the church in Cenchreae (Romans 16:1). We choose women as elders not because we believe that Paul was wrong, or that we know better than God's Word tells us. We do so because even in Paul's day women were taking prominent places in the Church, and the present function of pastors and elders is in line with the functions women already had in those times. I suspect that in the letters to Timothy and Titus Paul wrote as he did because the churches served by Timothy and Titus may have only had men serving in these roles. Paul's guidance is found in personal letters, so presumably Paul addressed his remarks to Timothy and Titus in terms of their actual situations.
After the pastor has give the Bible study on the requirements for Deacons and Elders, and after we have prayed for God's guidance, the Nominating Committee discusses confidentially the persons whose names have been submitted for consideration. Selecting Deacons and Elders is not a popularity contest, nor is it seen as a reward for service previously rendered to our church. Just because a person has served one term, does not mean that person is given greater consideration than other candidates for the coming term of office. No person is permitted to serve more than two successive terms of office. After prayer, the Nominating Committee has concluded its work for the time being. It is charged with the duty of personally asking God's aid as each member considers who should be invited to serve. When the Nominating Committee comes together again, each member of the committee presents, in order his or her personal choices for these offices
Since we choose three elders and five deacons, one who will serve only one year, each committee member lists, in order of preference, six elders and eight deacons. The committee chair then records the choices of the members, in the order in which they put them. The slate of officers offered to the congregation includes the three elders and four deacons who had the highest number of committee members favoring them.
The pastor has no input into the selection beyond the Bible study with which the work begins.
After the slate of officers has been proposed, two members of the nominating Committee are assigned responsibility to approach each person chosen to ask if he/she is willing to serve, and explaining the duties of the office for which he or she was chosen.
Following this procedure we have enjoyed the leadership of excellent Sessions and Deacon Boards over the years.
Kids Club
School has started, Halloween and Christmas decorations are in the stores,
for a couple of days there was the nip of fall in the air, so it must be
time to re-start KIDS CLUB. One of our best activities last year was Kid's
Club. It was a four week session of stories, verses, and skills being
taught on Sunday afternoons to school age children. We did 2 sessions last
year and would like to add more this year. The fall session will be
starting soon and we need your help. This is a relaxed, enjoyable time for
all and a great way to get to know our kids, and it requires only a short
time commitment. If you can tell a story, sing, lead games, or help with our
skill award, Music maker, please contact Lou Ann Johnston.
In Honor of Pastor Robertson
In recognition of his recent retirement and Pastor Emeritus status, Stuart Robertson was honored at a worship service held during a presbytery meeting at Central Presbyterian Church in Lafayette on Saturday, September 22. I was asked to say a few words at the service about Stuart’s ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church. Grieke Toebes asked me to share what I said there with the congregation in the newsletter. Here it is.
It’s a great honor for me to be able to say a few words about my dear friend and former pastor, Dr. Stuart Robertson. Stuart served as pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette for 21 years, from Aug 1986 to April 2007. In that time, he served tirelessly performing the usual pastoral duties of preaching, teaching, pastoral visits, ministering in nursing homes, and much else that is involved in the work of a pastor. He also served in many ways outside our church community: he served on presbytery committees, on ordination examining committees, teaching courses for lay pastors, teaching at seminaries in Zambia, Poland, and Columbia, and teaching Hebrew language courses at Purdue and also as a volunteer community service.
But I don’t think that listing these many activities of his is the best way to say what was so special about having Stuart as a pastor. Many people were attracted to him and came to Faith Presbyterian Church in large part because he was the pastor there. What I want to consider today is why they were attracted to him as a pastor. What was it that made them want to be in his church? Was it his emphasis on a Reformed-style worship service? That’s a part of it I think, but not all. Was it the fact that he was obviously an educated person who was well-spoken and whose sermons were thoughtful reflections on Scripture that challenged us to be obedient to Christ? This too was a significant part of why people came to Faith Presbyterian Church. But there’s something more.
I’ve observed Stuart in many different contexts. What I’ve seen over and over again, in his actions and in his words, are two things which I think make him a very attractive personality and pastor.
The first is that he’s genuine. Pastors often feel that they need to act a certain way to fit their role. With Stuart, there is no acting, no phony religiosity. What you see is what he’s really like. One thing I know he particularly hates is feeling pressured to act as if he’s something he’s not—especially when it comes to religious or spiritual matters. It’s that complete genuineness—which I saw early on as he preached and in one-on-one meetings with him—that first drew me to him and made me want to go to his church.
The second thing that I think attracts people to him is the way he treats those around him with love. Here are some examples of what I mean.
He believes the best of people, expecting them to live honorably. I see this in his conversations with children and with people in the work release jail. By his words, he builds them up and helps them to feel that they can live a life that is a success in God’s eyes. When I see him in these settings, I think of Isaiah’s words, which were applied to Jesus: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out”.
Another example: he knows how to control his tongue, speaking words that bring peace instead of words that will increase tension. It’s not so important to him to show he’s right or to clarify his position as it is to be careful not to say something unloving, the consequences of which he may come to regret.
A final example: Stuart sees the good in people who think very differently than he does on religious matters. Whether they’re from a different branch of Christendom or from some other religion or completely nonreligious, he is able to think very highly of them and to appreciate and admire the goodness in them.
I know that Stuart likes to begin his day asking God to help him make a difference for good that day. When I consider the ways Stuart shows love to people, I can only assume that God has answered that prayer again and again.
These two things—his genuineness and the way he treats people with love—have played a very significant positive role in the life of Faith Presbyterian Church over the years he was there. I believe it is these qualities of his, more than anything else, that have made people so happy to have him as their pastor. Michael Bergmann
Covered Bridge Festival Outing
We are planning a trip to the Covered Bridge Festival followed by dinner at the Turkey Run Inn on Tuesday, October 16. Details will follow in the Sunday bulletins.
Youth Group News
The Youth Group took part in the area's Hunger Hike on September 16. There was the usual good turnout of participants, led by Faith's own coach Dave Kucik and his crew members who carried two of their shells all the way. Our Youth Group was led by Ross and Melissa Tanner and assisted by Dr. Mike Lockwood.
Of the participating Youth Groups, Faith's Youth Group raised the second
highest amount: over $1,000!!
Thank you to:
Mayfawny Bergmann, Grace Sedegii, Olivia Lockwood and her friends Francesca
and Crystal, Graham Bethel, Cory Wettschurack, Doug and Jim Varys. Cory, Jim, and Dr. Lockwood ran the course. Congratulations!
Thank You
Thank You, Faith Members, for supporting Trinity Mission in its efforts to help those with alcohol & drug addictions.
By showing them that with God’s help they can overcome their dependency. Trinity’s Mission is to help all who have a desire to learn more about our Lord & Savior.
I would like to thank those of Faith who helped out with the “Taste & See Festival” held on Sat., Aug. 18, 2007. Those that helped at our table were John Miller. John was a big hit with the youngsters of the north end neighborhood. Other helpers were Donna Lofgren, Mark, Deb, Anna & Everett Johnson, Karen Gilliom, Grieke Toebes, Jane Stewart, & Lonni Kucik.
Birthdays
October 2 Amanda Bosler
October 3 Nathan Parker
October 4 Trent Tyler
October 5 Stanley Hem
October 5 Zoe Taylor
October 5 Shirley Bosler
October 6 Matthew Stith
October 8 Sarah Wilcoxson
October 9 Lola Miller
October 10 Chase Kirby
October 11 Jane Papsdorff
October 12 Jan Milligan
October 14 Matthew Kain
October 15 Iain Donkin
October 16 Nicholas Anderson
October 16 Barbara Wiggs
October 19 Peggy Housley
October 19 Kris Stith
October 23 Mary Mason
October 23 Hannah Old
October 24 Bonnie Robertson
October 25 Kesler Paul
October 25 Lois Wark
October 26 Alexander Mason
October 26 Thom McKay
October 27 Bethany Lockwood
October 28 Jessica Mason
October 29 Barbara Knox
October 21 Aaron Sandel
Community Worship Services
• Sun., Oct. 7 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., Oct. 14 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., Oct. 14 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., Oct. 21 No Davis Manor
• Sun., Oct. 28 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry
Schedule Information
For those wishing to visit with Pastor Green his office hours are Tuesday and Thursday, 10:15am – 2:30 pm (lunch 12:30pm – 1:00pm), Wednesday 8:30am – 1:00pm, and Friday 10:15am – 1:00pm or by appointment.
Worship With Us
We invite you to join in the worship of God each Sunday morning at 9:30am and each Wednesday morning at 7:00am. 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 or call the church office at 743-3683.
Posted by faithpres at October 1, 2007 11:52 AM