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August 01, 2008
August Newsletter
Pastor's Pen
One of my great baseball and anecdote heroes is Lawrence Peter (Yogi) Berra. He is famous for his baseball career with the disliked-by-me Yankees and his thought and laughter provoking sayings. One of his famous sayings was “it gets late awfully early around here.” He was supposedly referring to the poor sunlight conditions in left field at Yankee Stadium. But I have found that his strange statement is also true about the coming of Autumn in West Lafayette.
According to the calendar and the meteorologists, Autumn begins around September 21st. In most of the places in our country, Autumn is assumed to begin at the beginning of September, around Labor Day. But I have discovered that in West Lafayette, Autumn is assumed to begin around the middle of August. That means that it is now time to announce the church programs that will be starting in the Autumn.
So I am pleased to announce that I will be directly involved in two Christian Education programs that will begin during the month of August. I will be teaching a Sunday School class that will begin on August 17th at the regular Sunday School time of 11:00. This Fall we will be studying the Westminster Confession. The Westminster Confession is one of the official Confessions of our denomination and up until 1967 it was the only Confession of Faith used by American Presbyterians.
There are two documents that are connected to the Westminster Confession: The Shorter Westminster Catechism and the Longer Westminster Catechism. We will not be studying them at this time.
I am inviting you to join us as we study this Confession of Faith. We will be using the text of the Westminster Confession as it appears on the Orthodox Presbyterian Church’s website. Those of you with computer internet connections can download this text at www.opc.org/documents/MESV_frames.html. We will also provide copies of the pages we will be using at each class. I am hoping that as we study this confession we will understand what the people who wrote it believed and that we will be motivated to examine our own beliefs.
The other Christian Education program I will be a part of will be a mid-week Bible Study of Acts. This study will be held in my home (2125 Marconi Court, Lindberg Village, West Lafayette) at 7:00 each Thursday evening beginning on August 21st. Each week we will meet for about an hour. I know that the midweek Bible Study has previously been held on Wednesday evenings, but we are moving it to Thursdays to allow members of the choir to attend more easily, and to keep the folks who attend the Wednesday Morning Prayer Service from “burning the candle at both ends”. This opportunity to study the Bible is not just for those who previously attended the midweek Bible Study, you, too, are invited to come.
I recently assumed the leadership of the Wednesday Morning Prayer Service. I would like to thank Glenn Sparks and Grieke Toebes for leading the service since Pastor Robertson’s retirement. They kept an important part of the unique identity of Faith Church going until my arrival. They deserve your gratitude.
Some of you have voiced concerns about some of the decisions of the recent General Assembly. Our Session has been informed about some of these issues and will be deciding how to proceed to study the issues and respond to them. We will continue to keep you informed as we study and make decisions in these matters.
My get-acquainted visits with the members and friends of Faith Church are continuing. Stephanie will be calling or e-mailing you to schedule a time when I can meet with you. If you want to meet with me before Stephanie contacts you, just call or e-mail her and she will put you on my calendar.
Diane and I are continuing to move into our home (we are almost to the point of declaring the process to be finished, but certain aspects of getting every thing in its new place will probably continue for months). We are also continuing to enjoy meeting and being with the members and friends of Faith Church.
For those of you who have not yet heard, Diane has a job. She begins on September 8th as the School Nurse for Tecumseh Middle School in Lafayette. She is excited to have this new opportunity.
Oh yes, I have one other very important announcement: I will be formally installed as Pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church on Sunday September 7th at 4:00 in the afternoon. Our Pastor Emeritus Stuart Robertson will be taking part in the service. He will give the Charge to the Congregation.
Even though it does “get late awfully early around here” I am excited about my continuing and growing ministry among the People of Faith Church and in the West Lafayette area. And I praise God for the opportunities we have to serve and enlarge God’s Kingdom.
Your Pastor,
Dave Horner
Back To School
Fall Sunday School will begin on August 17th. We hope to see you in class growing in fellowship and knowledge.
Worship Information
Sunday, August 3 Sermon: “God’s Selective Mercy”
Romans 9: 1 - 16
Communion
Sunday, August 10 Sermon: “You of Little Faith”
Matthew 14: 22 - 36
Sunday, August 17 Sermon: “The Dream Killers”
Genesis 37: 17b – 20, 26 – 28, 45: 1 - 8
Sunday, August 24 Sermon: “Living Sacrifices”
Romans 12: 1 - 8
Sunday, August 31 Sermon: “The Work of a Christian”
Romans 12: 9 - 21
Sermons In Print
I have had some requests to put my sermons in print and make them available in the narthex. This is a very flattering request and I will do so, but I need to make it clear that these printed sermons are not identical to the sermons you have heard on Sundays. The sermons I have in print are my manuscripts. They are what I prepared to preach. However, when I actually preach, without looking at the manuscript, the sermons come out differently. So I will soon be printing the manuscripts of my sermons and placing them in the narthex as requested. The sermon manuscripts will not be of the sermon I am preaching on that Sunday, but of previously delivered sermons. I hope they are helpful to you and those with whom you share them.
Dave Horner
Clerk's Corner
At its July 8, 2008 meeting the Session:
Was addressed by Mr. Joseph Micon of the Lafayette Urban Ministry who had been invited to discuss the current operations of the organization, and who pleaded for contributions to its capital campaign goal of $ 4.4 million over the next three years. The request has been forwarded to the Board of Deacons for their further consideration
Adopted a new format for the official minutes of all its transactions
Agreed that communion in July would be served only at Wednesday morning prayers, July 16, 2008
Authorized the transfer of Carol Barker to the Brown Street United Methodist Church of Lafayette, IN
Adopted August 17, 2008 as the starting date for all Sunday school classes for the fall semester
Accepted the financial report of Treasurer Carol Gentry for July 2008; we are currently approximately $41,000 behind in income relative to the same period in 2007, largely because of a $30,000 drop in pledges for the current calendar year, relative to last year.
Adopted a resolution that the Sunday hymn sing be postponed to later in this year
Appointed Tammy Sandel as Director of the newly constituted handbell choir, with Nadya Dubikovsky as Assistant. The handbells were acquired through a generous gift by Barbara Knox
Received information from several sources pertaining to the recent actions of the 218th General Assembly.
The next Session meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2008.
The formal installation service for Pastor David Horner is set for 4pm Sunday, September 7, 2008.
Jurgen Honig, Clerk of Session
Faith Church Choir
If you wish to enjoy great company; if you can hum Twinkle Twinkle; if you can count to two, three or four; if you can tap your foot to the beat; if you believe that God must be praised with a joyful song...then this party is for you:
Faith Church Choir
invites you for
An Evening of Entertainment
(Choir Practice)
Date: Wednesday, September 3rd
Time: 6:30 pm
We look forward to seeing you!!
More Music Is On The Way
The Faith Presbyterian Handbell Choir really is about to be born. Premium Schulmerich handbells with beautiful, brilliant sound are headed to Faith to provide a new way to make a joyful noise. They are just taking a little longer than expected. The company does not cast the bells until they are ordered, so ours are in the birth process and expected to make their arrival in September.
We have a good group of names for interested ringers, but it is not too late to add yours. Contract either Stephanie Cardwell in the office of Tammy Sandel 583-2304.
Summer Food Drive
We are holding a summer food drive for the food bank. A bin is located in the fellowship area for your donations. The drive will be for one month.
Food Drive Wish List…
• Any non-perishable food items such as
• Canned Vegetables & Fruits
• Rice, Beans, Peas, Pasta, Cereals, Crackers
• Soups: canned, dried (such as Ramen noodles), etc.
• Canned or boxed meals: Macaroni & Cheese and others
• Canned Meats: tuna, chicken, stew, chili, ravioli, etc.
• Peanut Butter
• Baking supplies: flour, sugar, cooking oil, powdered milk, cake or other mixes
For back-to-school: NONPERISHABLE, SHELF-STABLE single-servings of Cereal, Oatmeal, Juice, Tuna Packs, Beans & Franks, Ramen soups, Fruit Cups, Pudding Cups, Granola Bars, Raisins, Trail Mix, Peanut Butter or Cheese Crackers, and any other nonperishable, kid-friendly, light-weight food item in single-serving containers.
The food bank cannot use: Rusty or unlabeled cans,
out-of-date cans, perishable items, homemade items,
open or used items, alcohol beverages, unusual ethnic
items, mixes or soda.
Thank You
Dear Friends,
God’s grace and love was made very real through your ministry to us over these last few challenging weeks. There is a “camp” song that comes to mind: “Have you seen Jesus my Lord? / He’s here in plain view,” the last verse of which reads: “Have you ever stood in the family, / With the Lord there in your midst, / Seen the face of Christ on your Brother? / Then I say, you’ve seen Jesus, my Lord.” Thank you for all of the ways you expressed your care and support, they were deeply and richly felt.
Most sincerely,
Mary Lou, Steve, Mark, Jim and Doug Varys
Sunday Evening Bible Study
The Sunday Evening Bible Study will resume on August 24 at the Moore’s. We meet from 6:30pm – 8:00pm for light refreshments, sharing and prayer, and Bible study. We will begin the fall semester by looking at the careers of Elijah and his successor Elisha, from I Kings 17: to II Kings 13. These major characters of the 9th century BC are more removed from modern sensibility than the great Old Testament figures of Abraham, Moses, and David. We will try to understand them and their time. Call Nancy Moore for more information, 583-4583.
Did You Know???
The streets and byways of West Lafayette are quickly filling with U-Haul after U-Haul. Now is the time to brush up on your defensive driving skills … the semester cometh.
I could wax eloquent about the Greek verb that means both «to come» and «to go» which confounds our Greek class often … but instead I will mention that our friend and former pastor Stuart Robertson has gone to Israel to study Modern Hebrew. It is an intensive language course of two sessions, each session lasts four weeks. Classes are about four hours each day, not counting study time. This takes place at the University of Haifa. Stuart is the only non-Hebrew-speaker in the whole bunch but hopes to be a modern Hebrew speaker when he comes back at the end of August.
As far as safety issues are concerned, one requirement was that each student possess a European cell phone which must be recharged every night and turned on at all times. Bonnie says Stuart does appreciate prayers in his behalf.
When you have a few minutes, consider a visit to Janis Matouk. She lives at Friendship House now and her phone number is 497-2063. Give her a call before visiting, please.
Good news that Ezekiel Housley is not only at home, but «out in the world» his grandmother says. Donna Lofgren's father has also returned to his place of residence.
Our sympathies and prayers to Dottie and Keith Bundy on her sister's death, as well as David and Nancy Moore on the loss of David's mother.
The installation service for our new pastor, David Horner, will take place on Sunday, September 7, unless that's the wrong date, in which case you'll know before then. Just a reminder that it's coming up. This is a very special occasion for Pastor Horner and for our church.
Sometime ago this column mentioned Charlie Short's new job. Here's information about the Community Cancer Network.
Community Cancer Network is a new local nonprofit agency providing support for cancer patients and their families in Tippecanoe and surrounding counties. CCN is the Google of local cancer support: one call provides all the resources of the community directly to the patient. CCN funds no research or awareness campaigns: the only focus is helping the local patient through treatment and recovery.
With ten area nonprofit partners, CCN does not duplicate services, but is able to access services previously not available to cancer patients and their families. Partners include Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Tippco Chapter American Red Cross, YWCA and Food Finders, to name a few. All area medical providers currently refer their patients to CCN for support care assistance.
CCN also offers a full-time nonpartisan Patient Advocate, Melinda Bond, to coordinate services, transportation, food and nutrition, home repairs, respite care, pharmacy support, medical equipment and direct aid. For more information:
Community Cancer Network
Charlie Short, Director
PO Box 4499
Lafayette, IN 47903
(765) 446-5220
cshort@communitycancernetwork.org
After 13 months of operations, the Network now has 94 active files with 44 people receiving assistance and currently is receiving 40 new clients per months. Sounds like there is a need!
Make a telephone call today to someone you haven’t seen at church for awhile.
Your correspondent,
N. Dunn
Thank You
I want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers during my knee surgery and rehab. My knee is doing just fine. Your cards, calls, flowers and visits were appreciated so much!
This congregation is the most wonderful group of people I know.
Thanks again for everything.
Ann Freeman
Thank You
Dear Faith friends,
Thank you so very much for the prayers, meals and cards following my knee surgery. My recovery is going well and I’ve felt “uplifted” (pun intended) by your concern and support.
In Christian support,
Emily Matthews
How To Use The Church Library 101
Our ever-expanding church library contains books to enlighten and intrigue everyone, from Biblical reference works and Bible study guides to discussions of Christian Living, from Young Adult and adult fiction to videos and cassettes. The majority of the collection is housed in the library. Some of the fiction is in a bookcase in one of the fellowship hall classrooms due to current (but soon-to-be-remedied) lack of bookshelf space. Please visit and browse and take home a book or two to enjoy. Here's what you need to know in order to use our library:
1. To check out a book, fill in your name and the date on the card you will find in a pocket inside the book. Leave that card in the BROWN box that is next to the RETURN basket (middle shelf of the middle bookcase that is between the two windows).
2. Read the book and then RETURN it so that others can enjoy it as well.
3. To return a book, place it in the RETURN basket in the library (see number 1 above for the location).
4. Please do NOT reshelve books, whether ones you are returning or ones you used in the library. Merely place all books in the RETURN basket and the librarian will see that they get correctly reshelved.
Should you find the stairs up to the library a daunting prospect, let me know and I will be happy to bring a selection of books down to you instead.
Happy Reading!
Vicki Kennell, Librarian
Faith Women Fellowship (FWF) Bible Study
Come to the patio on Tuesdays at 9:30am, and let’s study Timothy and Titus, “Do what you have heard”. Nancy Dunn will lead us.
Birthdays
August 9 Donald Winship
August 10 Everett Johnson
August 10 Anna Johnson
August 11 Julia Berends
August 13 Josephine Parker
August 15 Miranda Bosler
August 17 Ann Freeman
August 18 Cressida Hanson
August 18 Mayim Stith
August 21 Glenn Sparks
August 23 Andy Kirby
August 25 Luke Jacobus
Anniversaries
August 3 Stan & Jan Hem
August 12 Jurgen & Jo Honig
August 12 Hannis & Fran Thompson
Community Worship Services
• Sun., August 3 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., August 10 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., August 10 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., August 17 No Davis Manor
• Sun., August 24 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry
Schedule Information
For those wishing to visit with Pastor Horner, his office hours are Monday and Thursday, 9:00am – 1:00 pm 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 August 1, 2008 08:58 AM