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February 01, 2010
February Newsletter
Pastor's Pen
I suppose that with all the special days in February I might be expected to write something about Valentine’s day, President’s day, or even (my favorite) Groundhog day. But I did all that last February and I now have another subject on my mind. The people of Haiti.
Most of us are somewhat used to disasters, man-made and natural, striking people and cities and nations. We have seen earthquakes and volcanoes and fires destroy peoples lives, livelihoods, and homes, all from the comfort of our living rooms via TV. We have seen such disasters strike rich and poor alike. And yet we are greatly concerned about the people of Haiti, citizens of the poorest nation in our hemisphere. We have seen the bodies piled up along the side of roads. We have read stories about the mass graves of the earthquake victims.
Some of us have been a little more affected by this disaster because of the love our Brother Mike Lockwood has for the people
of Haiti. He gives up a few weeks of his time each year to use his medical skills to help the people of Haiti. He has probably lost some friends in this disaster.
But as we are concerned about the people of Haiti we need to be remembering who we are and what we are supposed to be doing. As Christians, we need to be careful not to blame God for the violence that has befallen the Haitians. The fact of the matter is that most of the time, we have no idea what God is up to.
We do, of course know that He is working in this world to bring people to the salvation that Jesus died to bring. And we know that in the end God will bring an end to the conflicts and disasters of this world and bring His people into His eternal kingdom. But most of what He is doing in our world right now is not revealed to us. We do not understand why such disasters occur, we just know that they will continue to occur until the return of Jesus.
But God has revealed to us how we are supposed to respond to such disasters. We are to be good neighbors. The abilities of the news media to make us eyewitnesses of such events has made us neighbors to those who suffer. And in the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us how we are to treat our neighbors. If you don’t remember, read Luke 10: 25-37.
In allowing this disaster to happen, God has given us the opportunity to be good neighbors to the Haitians. So what can we do? We can pray for all who are in Haiti, the residents, the aid-givers, and the overwhelmed and up until now somewhat incompetent government. And we can support those aid organizations that are helping the Haitians. I have my favorite and will tell you which one it is if you ask me, but I am confident that you will be able to do some research and find a good organization to support.
But as we give and pray, we need to be thinking about what the final outcome of all this might be. It is my hope and prayer that the Haiti that will emerge from this disaster with the help of people from around the world will be a stronger, healthier, more stable Haiti. It is up to us, under the guidance of God, to turn this horrible disaster into a blessing.
Pray for the Haitians and for those who love them. And do all you can to help them.
Your Pastor,
Dave Horner
Valentine Cookie Project
Faith Women’s Fellowship will be doing the Valentine cookie project again this year. We will be sending boxes of goodies to our college students to let them know we care for them and are praying for their success. We will also deliver boxes to our shut-ins. There are sign-up sheets in the Narthex for cookie bakers and packing helpers. You will need to bake three to four dozen cookies and have them at the kitchen before 9:00 A.M. February 6, 2010. Helpers need to be there at that time.
**Copies of the 2009 Annual Report are now available. They are located on the table in the Narthex.**
Valentine's Day Carry-In
Can you remember the excitement of Valentine's Day in Second Grade? The corny Valentines and party food.....Sunday, February 14 at noon.
Clerk's Corner
At its January 11, 2010 meeting the Session dealt with the following items: the Session
• Took official cognizance of the ordinations on January 10, 2010 of Donna Lofgren and of Jean McCoy as Elders on Session
• Took official cognizance of the ordinations on January 10, 2010 of Shirley Bosler and Mary Lou Varys as members on the Board of Deacons
• Approved the following committee appointments:
Finance: Carol Gentry; Buildings and Property: David McKinnis and Jerry Matthews; Personnel: Don Gentry, and David McKinnis as liaison; Worship and Music: Donna Lofgren; Congregational Life: Jane
Stewart; Christian Education: Jean McCoy and Steven Varys; Evangelism: David Stith; Communications: Nancy Dunn
• Approved the following appointments to church offices:
Clerk of Session: Jurgen Honig; Treasurer: Carol Gentry; Auditor: John Miller; Commissioner: Nancy Dunn
• Set February 1, 2010 as the date for the next regular meeting, and the second Monday of each month foe meetings thereafter
• Learned that all 2009 pledges had been met and that the calendar year 2009 ended with income and expenditures in balance
• Learned about plans for another Monday Evening Miniseries event in the near future
• Was informed about progress in the readmission of University Church as a Congregation in the Presbytery of Wabash Valley
• Voted to leave all missionary funding at the discretion of the Board of Deacons.
The Session also met in a Special Meeting on January 18, 2010 in response to a request by Commissioned Lay Pastor Anella McFee who petitioned to become a member of Faith Church. By unanimous affirmative vote she was warmly welcomed as our newest member.
The Session also met in Special Session on January 18, 2010 to respond to the second set of three questions posed by the Presbytery of Wabash Valley as part of its Missional Transformation effort. The Presbytery is to be informed of these findings in the near future.
I will be out of town during the month of February. Elder Jane Stewart has graciously consented to take my place as Deputy Clerk of session during that period.
Jurgen M. Honig
Clerk of Session
Worship Information
Sunday, February 7
“Love”
I Corinthians 13: 1 - 13
Sunday, February 14
“Transfiguration”
Luke 9: 28 - 36
Sunday, February 21
“Temptation”
Luke 4: 1 - 13
Sunday, February 28
“Imitations of the Suffering of Christ”
Philippians 3: 7 – 4: 1
Birthdays
February 2 Stuart Robertson
February 2 Pat Short
February 4 Lou Ann Johnston
February 4 Margaret Parker
February 4 Cari Carpenter
February 5 Natasha Landolt
February 6 Erin Sparks
February 9 Kyle Van Horn
February 14 Ben Johnston
February 19 Polly Tyler
February 22 Tom Housley
February 24 Emma Parker
February 26 Jo Honig
Anniversaries
February 1 Jim & Jan Milligan
February 27 David & Kris Stith
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 Horner or call the church office at 743-3683.
Community Worship Servives
• Sun., Feb. 7 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., Feb. 14 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., Feb. 14 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., Feb. 21 No Cumberland Point
• Sun., Feb. 28 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry
Posted by faithpres at February 1, 2010 08:52 AM