Faith Presbyterian Church Happenings! November 12, 2018 Groundbreaking Date set for new church building Following a very productive meeting between representatives of the New Building Committee and our Contractor last Friday, the Session met on Sunday, November 11 and set the date for the Groundbreaking for our new church building Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Noon. See all the details in today’s Newsletter. Updated news and other resources available online at: http://www.faithpresbyterianusa.org/ If you are a Facebook user and have not yet “liked” the Faith Presbyterian Church Facebook page – click this Facebook button (you may need to press the CTRL key and click the button…) Pastor Simpson will be on Study Leave November 15-21. If you need assistance, please contact an Elder or your Shepherd. MONDAY, November 12 Church Office – Peggy Reich and Elaine Whitley 9:00 Officer Training 1:00 Congregational Care Planning Team TUESDAY, November 13 Church Office: Janice Cary 4:00 Spiritual Development Planning Team WEDNESDAY, November 14 Church Office: Sylvia Goodyear 5:30 Cantata Practice and Choir Practice THURSDAY, November 15 Church Office: Lynn Hayes Faith Serves at Food Pantry 10-12 Bud and Treva Wheatley 1-3 Bob and Fidelia Salley 2:00 Faith Group FRIDAY, November 16 Church Office: Treva Wheatley SATURDAY, November 17 Merry Maids: Men of the Church 9:00 Men’s Breakfast at Pete’s Place SUNDAY, November 18 9:30 Choir Rehearsal 10:30 Worship Service, Michael Gable preaching 11:45 Mission and Outreach Planning Team MONDAY, November 19 Church Office: Peggy Reich and Elaine Whitley Worship Attendance November 11: 107 November Head Usher: Nancy Goodson
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Faith Presbyterian Church Happenings! November 12, 2018
Groundbreaking Date set for new
church building
Following a very productive meeting between
representatives of the New Building Committee
and our Contractor last Friday, the Session met
on Sunday, November 11 and set the date for
the Groundbreaking for our new church
building
Sunday, November 25, 2018 at Noon. See all
the details in today’s Newsletter.
Updated news and other resources available online at: http://www.faithpresbyterianusa.org/
If you are a Facebook user and have not yet “liked” the Faith Presbyterian Church Facebook page – click this Facebook button
(you may need to press the CTRL key and click the button…)
Pastor Simpson will be on Study Leave November 15-21. If you need assistance, please contact an Elder or
Faith Presbyterian Church Happenings! November 12, 2018
By the giving of her mite, the widow connects to God’s might which is forever expressed in
true kindness and lasting mercy. Unlike most all of the worshipers in the Temple, Jesus noticed
this woman. Jesus recognized her courage as she made her gift right beside the rich with their
wads of cash; her courage as the last scrap of security fell into the offering plate. Jesus paid
attention to her sense of worth, while other people saw her only as a widow or a poor widow
Jesus saw her intentionality, to act as she believed…..
… And isn’t this exactly what all of us wish to do?
To so live, to so commit, to so share, to so give, to so serve, to so be that we might connect
with, express and share God’s might by means of kindness and mercy?
Isn’t this the place and point we have reached in our lives? Hasn’t our journey through life
revealed to us, little by little, that the point of life is not the stuff, not the title, not the executive
corner office, not the latest gear or gadget, not fame and fortune, not the richest food or the
finest wine, but the relationships of love and care and mercy and justice that express the heart of
what really matters?
And aren’t we even now concluding that we each have the opportunity and responsibility in the
here and now to share through our living and through the corporate life and experience of this
church, God’s mighty love and overflowing mercy and perfect justice, with all people and in
every situation?
By means of the gift of the two small coins the widow placed her whole life in God’s hands.
She placed her whole living in trust, trust to God. How might you and I likewise place our
whole lives, even if they are somewhat broken into God’s hands? How might we place our
whole living into God’s hands? What risks are we being asked to take for God, not that trusting
God is ever a risk?
From our broken places will we step forward into a deepening and widening trust in God’s
grace and find a deeper and wider purpose in trusting and serving in the reality of life?
I conclude this sermon by quoting a blessing that originated in the Franciscan tradition. I want
to offer these words and their thoughtfulness to you as a blessing,
a blessing as you look to respond to the story of the widow and
her mite and consider what it means to express that line from the
hymn, “Take my Life and Let it be”, that grows out of this Gospel
incident. “Take my silver and my gold; Not a mite would I
withhold.”
Faith Presbyterian Church Happenings! November 12, 2018
“May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths, and
superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your
heart.
May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so
that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people.
May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection,
starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to
comfort them and transform their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really can make a
difference in this world, so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim
cannot be done.”
May God bless you in all these ways! Amen.…”
***
“Draw Near”! Advent 2018 is coming!
Advent Events and Opportunities
There are many ways for you to celebrate this Advent Season – when we will Draw Near to our Lord and Savior.
Advent Devotional “Draw Near” Advent Devotional booklet available beginning November 18th
Decorate the Chrismon Tree – November 26 at 3:00 pm Draw Near to continue our tradition of decorating the Chrismon Tree with beautiful, handmade ornaments.
Advent Lunch & Learns – each Wednesday, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19 at 12 noon Draw Near as we fellowship with soup, bread, and dessert and enjoy an Advent lesson with Pastor Jim.
PLEASE SIGN UP IN THE GATHERING ROOM.
Cantata – December 16 at the 10:30 worship service and at a 5:00 performance Draw Near and enjoy an inspiring worship performance, “The Glory of Christmas.”
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – December 24 at 5:00, Prelude of Music from 4:30 p.m. Draw Near in song, praise, and worship, welcoming the Light of Jesus.
Faith Presbyterian Church Happenings! November 12, 2018
Stewardship Response - Week Three Update....
Just a note to say Bob Goodyear our Financial Secretary is traveling, actually he is
enjoying one of his favorite hobbies, sailing… Bob, stay safe!
This means that we won’t be able to provide any detailed updates on the ongoing response to
this year’s Pledge Campaign. Except to say that on top of what was reported last week, Bob will
have at least five additional pledges to include in the total, because by yesterday that is the
number of new pledges received.
As of week2 62 pledges totaling $197,020 have been received from members and friends of
Faith for financial support in 2019. Assuming the 11 pledges outstanding from current pledgers
come in at the same level as 2018, we would anticipate another $23,900 to be pledged bringing
the total to $220,920.
“Thank you to all who have and will make a pledge for 2019. For those who have yet to
communicate their commitment to the church for 2019, we look forward to hearing from you.”