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February 01, 2009
February Newsletter
Pastor's Pen
Here we are in February, the short month. During some harsh winters I have been grateful that February only normally has 28 days. There have been times when I thought that if February had 30 or 31 days, we might not get through it. But February does come with its own diversions. There is one official holiday and two unofficial holidays in February. The official holiday is of course President’s day, which came about as the combination of two earlier holidays: Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthdays. I think it is proper for Christians to recognize and honor the men who have served as the Presidents of our Nation.
Of the other two unofficial holidays, I have a favorite. But if you ask me which one it is, my answer will depend on whether or not my wife is nearby. If she is near I will of course answer that St. Valentine’s day is my favorite February Holiday. As a Christian Pastor I can remind you that St. Valentine was supposedly an early Martyr of the Christian faith who was executed before he could marry his fiancé. St. Valentine was originally honored for his love for God. But since romantic love is such a powerful force in our world, it eventually became a day to celebrate romantic love. Then the flower, card, and candy industries got involved, and you don’t often see the “St.” before Valentine’s name anymore.
As you may have guessed by now, my real favorite holiday in February is Groundhog day. I just love the ridiculous idea that a furry little creature can help us get through the winter. Actually, Phil (the groundhog’s name) is supposed to predict whether or not winter will end on February 2nd or will continue for 6 more weeks, depending on if he sees his shadow or not.
So I guess you could say that February contains some important reminders for Christians.
Presidents’ day reminds us to thank God for our leaders and to pray for those who lead us.
Valentine’s day should remind us of those who died as witnesses to Christ. Unfortunately their number grows each year. Valentines day can also remind us to thank God for those who continue to love us even when they know our faults.
And Groundhog day reminds us of the desire of the human race to predict the future and how silly that quest can become. On Groundhog day we need to remember that God has already revealed to us the most important thing about our future: Jesus is coming back to earth to claim us for and into his eternal kingdom. With that knowledge we can get through any wild winter and many other difficult times that come our way. We belong to God forever; long after the seasons of earth and earth itself pass away.
For those of you who are spending your winter here in Indiana or colder places, and even for those of you who have escaped to warmer places, I hope your winter is mercifully short, but even if it is not, I hope you will remember that all of these things will pass away, but the promises of the Word of the Lord will remain forever.
Your Pastor,
Dave Horner
Worship Information
Sunday, February 1st Sermon: “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?”
Mark 1: 21 – 28
Sunday, February 8th Sermon: The Power and Majesty of God”
Isaiah 40: 21 – 31
Sunday, February 15th Sermon: “Love Songs”
Ephesians 5: 15 – 20
I Chronicles 16: 7 – 29
Sunday, February 22nd Sermon: “Is it good we are here?”
Transfiguration
Mark 9: 2 - 13
Clerk's Corner
At its January 13, 2009 meeting the Session:
· Noted that I will be away January 24 – February 23, 2009; Elder Jane Stewart graciously consented to be the Interim Clerk of Session in my absence
· Voted to authorize the Clerk of Session to write a letter of transfer for Frances Thompson who has joined Central Presbyterian Church, Lafayette, IN
· Authorized the following committee assignments for 2009: Finance - Carol Gentry; Worship and Music – Grieke Toebes; Congregational Life – Jan Hem and Jane Stewart; Buildings and Property – Dave McKinnis and Jerry Matthews; Evangelism – David Stith; Christian Education – Steve Varys; Communications – Jane Stewart
· Authorized the following constitution of the Personnel Committee: Don Gentry (chair), Glenn Sparks, Grieke Toebes, Lois Wark
· Approved the latest monthly budgetary report which shows a $ 20,000 surplus
· Noted that white envelopes have been placed in the pew racks, for use in monetary contributions to the General Fund
· By letter thanked Hannis Thompson and Mickey Latour for their many hours of hard work in attending to the mowing of the lawns last summer
· Discussed securing additional funding for financial support of needy families jointly with Lafayette Urban Ministry
· Authorized continuation in subsequent years of the reaffirmation of baptismal vows during a January Sunday morning service
· Learned that the Youth of the Church have requested a supervised lock-in overnight event in the near future
· Authorized the Clerk of Session to reinstate Myron and Jan Davis as members of Faith Presbyterian Church
· Set its next meeting date for February 3, 2009.
Submitted by
Jurgen M. Honig
Clerk of Session
Beat the Mid-February Blah’s
On February 15th Worship at Faith will be a little different. It will be Hymn Sunday. During the Sermon time, Pastor Horner will be talking about some of the Hymns we sing. The lives of the Hymn writers will be addressed and so will the occasions that caused the hymns to be written. As each hymn is discussed we will also sing a verse or two of it. Worship on February 15th will be a time for us to acknowledge the God-ordained place of Hymn singing in Christian Worship.
Valentine Cookie Project
Please remember our students with a sweet treat for Valentine’s Day. You may bring cookies and/or candy to the church by Friday, February 6, or on Saturday, February 7 before 9:30am, and stay for filing the boxes. Please sign up in the Narthex.
SAVE THIS DATE - CARRY IN DINNER
Sunday, February 8
After Sunday School at noon
Did You Know??
Did you notice the white envelopes that have appeared in the sanctuary pews? As mentioned in the bulletin, these envelopes are for donations intended for the general fund. The green envelopes are for the Deacon's Fund.
The Christmas eve candlelight service was especially wonderful this year. The pews were nearly filled; the readers read all the right words; the choir and the bell choir were magnificent, and no one caught fire.
Next month we'll have an article about the bells and the bell choir. (They did not catch fire either.)
In anniversary news, Marilyn Sameh (January 3, 1999) and Stephanie Cardwell (January 13, 2005) observed their respective anniversaries in January. Many, many thanks for all you do, year-in, year-out.
For the second year, Carol Goodrich's Klondike Elementary School class conducted a pledge drive to benefit the community. The third and fourth graders raised $650 and donated it to the Klondike Branch Library.
Picture books were purchased in memory of Nathan Hockerman and young adult books in memory of Claire Hockerman, who attended Klondike Middle School. Books about women overcoming adversity will honor Sharon Simon, the deceased mother of a Klondike student.
Please don't hesitate about providing information or articles for this column. This is one way we continue to communicate with one another.
Sincerely,
Your correspondent,
N. Dunn
Birthdays
February 2 Stuart Robertson
February 2 Pat Short
February 4 Lou Ann Johnston
February 4 Margaret Parker
February 4 Cari Van Tuinen
February 5 Natasha Landolt
February 6 Erin Sparks
February 9 Kyle Van Horn
February 13 Ben Johnston
February 19 Polly Tyler
February 22 Thomas Housley
February 24 Emma Parker
February 26 Jo Honig
Anniversaries
February 1 Jim & Jan Milligan
February 27 David & Kris Stith
Community Worship Services
• Sun., Feb. 1 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., Feb. 8 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., Feb. 8 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., Feb. 15 No Davis Manor
• Sun., Feb. 22 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry
Schedule Information
You can contact Pastor Horner by calling the office, 743-3683, on Monday – Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pastor Horner's day off is Friday. Outside of office hours please feel free to call Pastor Horner at home at 807-7000.
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, Pastor Robertson or call the church office at 743-3683.
Posted by faithpres at February 1, 2009 01:20 PM