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June 01, 2008
June Newsletter
Pastor's Pen
“Good-bye”
by Pastor Ron
Yes the church is like a train. It keeps going down the track. People get on and get off at different stops along the way, but the train keeps on going. On June 14th, it is my turn to get off. But the train will keep going, being driven by Jesus Christ himself. He is the head of Faith Church.
So, what remains is to say good-by to all of you. I thank you for the opportunity to be with you and open the Word of God to you. I am hopeful you’ve found that some things I’ve highlighted from Scripture have helped balanced your focus and caused your faith to surge. I am thankful for getting to know so many of you. I treasure these friendships and hope to keep in touch. And, yes, because of my experiences here, I leave enriched for upcoming ministry. You have helped me “strengthen my grip”.
I will miss our Wed Morning Prayer Services, my Wed Evening Bible Study and all of those enjoyable worship services we shared on the Sabbath. I have enjoyed the peaceful unity at Faith immensely. You all as individuals and as a group are a very rare commodity because of your faith, your cooperation and your willingness to undertake the work Christ has given us. I have no doubt that Rev. Horner and his wife will have a blessed time here.
My leaving and another coming is but one of many changes we must face. Nothing stays the same. Yet, I've been encouraged in this matter by remembering that God's hands are involved in each and every change. Accordingly we ought not to fear them or become pessimistic. Changes are exciting and can lead to blessings previously not possible, given those circumstances. I find my confidence in dealing with change has to do with my understanding of the goodness of God. You see God is not like man in that he teases us by holding back a gift or takes it away without our being prepared to take a loss. Instead he is working out a plan for our good, for our up-building. His providence is kind. He wants for us more than we want for ourselves.
I can't help closing with a few admonitions. When the Apostle Paul said goodbye to the elders of Ephesus he warned them: "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers." That is good advice. He's saying that first of all we should take care of our own spiritual development; then, go on to strengthen our fellowship so members and visitors are not only cared for, but trained from the Word of God for ministry. Paul warns them to be on guard to maintaining the true faith for that is not always as easy as some might lead us to believe. There will be internal and external challenges at Faith which might tempt some to turn aside or water down their Christianity.
As I've said this year over and over again, I believe the key to your viability has to do with becoming more of a church that has an outward focus, becoming a church that brings in others from our community to link arms with us. Evangelism is the hardest task a church undertakes. It takes constant attention. But such efforts guarantee the survival of our ongoing ministry as one generation gives way to the next. As I leave there are a whole set of ideas about outreach/evangelism, just waiting to be put into action. Some have suggested a Wed. night program such as Logos which features children coming for study, crafts, supper and fun as well as adults showing up for study or choir after a joint supper. The key of success of this program will be, in my mind, that most of our effort be focused on drawing in children from the community. Without such outreach we will struggle with viability.
Another suggested outreach program which I value, is the suggestion we offer videos on current affairs which have moral overtones for the Purdue students here at the church on a bi-monthly basis. Advertising would be done through the Purdue paper and through contacting churches and para-church organizations. What a great idea this could be for redeveloping a ministry to Purdue students.
In regard to your welcome of Rev Horner, please don't expect him to come fully "up to speed". If my experience is any guide, it will take him six months to get settled and figure out what he is to be doing here. Then it takes another six months to begin to sense the scope of your ministry. So, give him some time to settle in. Also, please try to sense what unique skills, and gifts and interest he brings to you. If you allow him, he will add uniquely to your ministry. And to feel welcome, he will most likely need you to shake his hand after each worship service. That will only add to the bonding process.
As I leave you should know that I will continue my prayers for you all. In this way I can still add to your well-being. In the same manner I need your prayers. It has been an honor to be here and add a few bricks to this spiritual building here. For many years my predecessor, Stuart Robertson, did the same stacking many bricks on the walls. May God bless Rev. Horner and his wife, Diane as they mix the mortar.
Clerk's Corner
At its May 6, 2008 Meeting the Session:
Was briefed on the deliberations of the “Think Tank”, convened to consider methods of increasing membership in Faith Church
Appointed Elders Don Gentry, Glenn Sparks, Grieke Toebes, and Lois Wark as members of the Transition Care Committee to assist incoming Pastor David Horner in the assumption of his duties at Faith Church
Was informed about current and planned activities of the Congregational Life Committee:
the May 18, 2008 thank – you luncheon, honoring Pastor Ron Green;
the June 8, 2008 reception for Interim General Presbyter Ray Fancher,
who will conduct Sunday services on that date;
the reception on June 15, 2008 for Reverend Horner after his inaugural
Sunday service;
the worship service and subsequent picnic on the patio on July 6, 2008
Approved the Adult Education Program for the summer of 2008 and plans for the upcoming Vacation Bible School
Appointed Elder Jane Stewart as Coordinator for the installation and operation of the donated defibrillator, described elsewhere
Was handed a set of application blanks to be filled out by volunteers who wish to serve on any of several committees of the Presbytery of Wabash Valley; a detailed notice is included elsewhere in this issue.
I will be out of the country June 2 – 20, 2008; Elder Jane Stewart has kindly consented to attend to my duties during my absence.
Jurgen M. Honig
Clerk of Session
Worship on the Patio
July 6 is our annual Worship on the Patio. Please bring meat for your family, and a salad to share. Potato chips, condiments, drinks and dessert will be provided.
Coming Events
Sunday, June 8: Reception for Ray Fancher, Executive Presbyter
(after Sunday service)
Sunday, June 15: Reception for Pastor David Horner on his first Sunday at Faith Church (after Sunday service)
Sunday, July 6: Worship on the Patio
Faith Family picnic will follow the service.
Calling A Few Good Men And Women
Our Presbytery needs some volunteers who would be interested in serving on some Presbytery Committees.
NOW BEFORE YOUR BRAIN TURNS OFF BECAUSE YOU HAVE HEARD THE WORD “COMMITTEE” please reflect that the output of these committees can be no more than the input and if we do not want to input we may very well not be happy with the output.
I understand that Grieke Toebes, Nancy and Dennis Dunn among others, have served ably on these committees and would probably (maybe not) be glad to talk to you about them.
Jurgen Honig has the 2 page form that need to be sent in to Presbytery by JUNE 10. He will be glad (for sure) to give you the application.
Below is the listing of the opportunities:
Church council
Administrative Ministry
Church Development Ministry
Committee on Preparation for Ministry
Committee on Representation
Nominating Committee
Permanent Judicial Committee
Synod commissioner
Committee on Ministry
Geneva Center Ministry
Communications Ministry
Where most needed
Thank you for thinking about this, and Session thanks you too, Jane Stewart
Sunday Evening Bible Study has ended for the school year. Look for a mid-summer announcement about dinner and a movie (when we'll continue with our Judges theme minus lion meat and honey) ! Many, many thanks to Steve Varys for leading us!
Choir Information
Summer Choir will start on Sunday, June1.
Come at 8:45am to practice for the worship service. Stay at 11:00am to practice for the next Sunday.
ANYONE that would like to participate is welcome.
Summer Sunday School
Several of the adult Sunday School classes will continue through the summer. We would like to have a class for the school age children as well. This class will be a time of a story, a verse, and fun. This class will be taught by volunteers on a sign up basis. If there are no teachers for the week, the children will attend Sunday School with their parents. Please sign up on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. Lou Ann Johnston
Faith Women Fellowship
After a long, cold winter, and a very busy spring, with lots of congregational activities, it is time for the Women of Faith to meet together again as a group. Please put on your calendar the following date and time: Saturday, June l4, at 9:00 a.m. We are planning a 'BREAKFAST ON THE PATIO", but move it indoors in case of unpleasant weather.
Come as you are, but make sure to SIGN UP in the Narthex. Food and drink will be provided. We are planning a Plant and Flower exchange. If you have a garden, share flowers or a small plant. No garden? Bring a SMALL bouquet, so everyone goes home with a Spring Reminder. Devotions and some business will be part of our meeting as well. Come and bring a friend!
For the FWF Committee, Grieke Toebes
Did You Know????
The congregation enjoyed a wonderful lunch on Sunday, May 18, to honor and thank Pastor Ron for serving with and for us the past year or so. Thank you again, Ron. Cake and ice cream were available for dessert—after a short program to specifically thank Ron for his efforts and successes. It was a great time for the kind of fellowship Faith Church enjoys so much.
Elsewhere:
• Shingles seems to be the flavor of the month as Lola Miller and Tom Housley have both been inconvenienced. Hope you both feel better soon.
• Janis Matouk has moved to Friendship House with a new address and telephone number: 1008 Cumberland Ave., WL 47906. (765) 497-2063.
• Young Ezekiel Housley, born prematurely, has gained enough weight to go home with mom and dad. Keep eating, Ez!
• Don't forget Vacation Bible School is coming up. Bless yourself and a bunch of kids by volunteering. Even one hour one day helps.
• One of our resident artists, Becky Chapman, has yet another exhibit at Sugar Creek Art Center, 127 S. Pearl St. in Thorntown (though May 31). Becky is also the Wabash Artists Alliance artist of the month.
• Dave Kucik’s wonderfully coached Purdue Varsity Eight crew won gold medals and the trophy in the men’s eight—which they won last year as well—at the Dad Vail Regatta in Philadelphia. Purdue held off charges by Colgate and Temple and mounted a sprint to finish off the race. (Colgate should probably just stay with their toothpaste.) Dave and Jacob Hatch, the women’s rowing coach, were recently voted the ACRA Great Lakes Regional Coaches of the Year. Good rowing, guys!
• John Miller says: “I once made some remarks about hidden books in the Bible. It is a lulu, kept some people looking so hard for facts and to others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the books were not capitalized. But the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you.
Yes, there were some really easy ones to spot. Others might require judges to determine. We will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one and there will be loud lamentations when you see how simple it is.
A little lady says that if she brews tea, she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, there are sixteen books of the Bible in these three paragraphs.”
Thanks for your comments, readers, and your suggestions.
Your correspondent,
N. Dunn
Big Brothers is in great need of men to be Big Brothers for over 74 Little Brothers in the Lafayette area. The campaign with go on through the summer and into the fall. Come check out Big Brothers Tuesday, May 20th at 6-7:30 pm at the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Headquarters on 5308 Fortune Drive, Lafayette. (Off of Creasy Lane). Free food, games, prizes. Hope to see you there. If you can't make it but are interested please call 446-BBBS (2227) or check out the website at www.relivethefun.com.
Vacation Bible School
For boys and girls Entering Kdgn. through 6th grade
Monday – Friday
June 16 – 20, 2008
9:00am – 12:00pm
Journey with Joseph
In everything God works for good!
Boy Scout Troop 338
Boy Scout Troop 338 is chartered for its 48th year as an organization under Faith Presbyterian Church. Many of Faith’s Scouts, Scouters, and Scoutmasters have been part of this great troop. Some of you may be aware of the scout activity around the church. The scouts use the facility as a gathering place on most Tuesday evenings to work on merit badges, learn morals and ethics, build character, let fail and learn from it, and learn leadership and teamwork. We use the parking lot for a gathering place for trips, and the grounds for sports activities. The troop expresses its appreciation for the facility use by removing the sidewalk snow during February and cleaning storage areas.
There are rank advancements and 120 merit badges that can be earned by the scouts. Those achievements are recognized twice/year at the Court of Honors held in the Fellowship Hall. The troop produced several Eagle Scouts recently and most are recognized at Faith Presbyterian in special services that include friends, family, peers, and even state and local politicians. Recent Troop 338 Eagles honored include Mark Albrecht, Joseph Beaty, Matt Hardebeck, Cody Mullen, Keenan Hartman, Daniel Suckow, and Matt Walker’s ceremony will be held in April. We should note the Eli Lilly endowment award (full ride college scholarship) was awarded to an Eagle Scout in our troop three out of the last four years to Mark Albrecht, Cody Mullen, and this year to Keenan Hartman. Clearly, there are benefits to developing the character required in becoming an Eagle Scout.
Our troop continues growing with the addition of a Cub Scout Pack crossing over and other transfers making our membership over 30 Scouts with diverse ages between 11 and 18. This year our activities will again include a church driveway (yard) sale on June 7th, so contributions are appreciated. The troop website is HYPERLINK "ht www.bsa338.com if you would like to stay connected with our activities. Contact is easy via the scoutmaster@bsa338.com email.
Birthdays
June 1 Barbara Dale
June 4 Kathleen Kirsch
June 6 James McIntyre
June 7 Mary Lou Varys
June 11 Christopher Van Tuinen
June 12 Debbie Fleetham
June 15 Grieke Toebes
June 17 Nathaniel Kuhn
June 21 Jordan Sparks
June 24 Aaron Cummings
June 30 Rachel Moore
Anniversaries
June 7 David & Ann Landgrebe
Jun 12 William & Marilyn Hinze
June 28 Andy & Pam Kirby
Community Worship Services
• Sun., June 1 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., June 8 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., June 8 Friendship House 3:00pm
• No Davis Manor
• Sun., June 23 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 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 June 1, 2008 10:43 AM