October 2018 Newsletter

Sep 28, 2018

Pastor’s Pen

Rev. Paul Copeland

“Pastor Business for the Month of October”

Mini-retreat for Church Elders: October 27
Pastor Copeland will lead a “mini-retreat” for the elders of Faith Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 27, from 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.  The retreat will be held at Faith Church’s new Northend Community Center located at 2000 Elmwood Ave in Lafayette.  (Note the change from the originally published venue.)  The retreat is open to all ordained elders of Faith Presbyterian Church, not just those who are currently serving on Session.
The purpose of the retreat is to provide an opportunity to informally revisit the “office” of elder in the light of Scripture and the EPC constitution.  Key topics to be considered will include 1) the role of the Session in discerning and articulating a strategic vision for the congregation and 2) the kind of organizational structure that might best serve the Session in carrying out its mission.  No decisions will be made at the retreat other than to possibly identify questions for Session to explore in greater measure going forward.
The Rossville-based Flour Mill Bakery is to have a coffee shop open in the Community Center by the time the retreat rolls around.  Thus, there will be opportunity to sample their famous doughnuts upon arrival and through the morning.  We will have the conference room until 12:30.  Those who would like to stay and continue the discussion after 11:30 are encouraged to bring a bag-lunch.  For further information, contact Pastor Copeland.

Adult Sunday School Class October 7 – December 23: Waiting for the God of Salvation
When the Magi arrived in Jerusalem looking for the newly-born King of the Jews, they were told by the chief priests and scribes to look in Bethlehem.  It was written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.”  The prophet in question was Micah of Moresheth, an 8th century contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea.  Apart from his tie to the Christmas narrative, Micah is perhaps best known for the ethical reminder to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” (6:8)  On the horizon of prophetic vision, he shares with Isaiah the glorious  “latter day” vision of the “mountain of the Lord’s house” and “swords into plowshares.”
Micah, however, is a prophet of judgment who brings the word of the unconditional downfall of Israel’s ungodly rulers and ruling class.  He is not indifferent to the word of doom that he has to declare.  In fact, the closing oracles begin with a soliloquy that opens, “Woe is me!”  Thus Micah’s stance before the Lord and the people to whom he is sent is one of finding hope in the darkness. 
Hope arising in darkness is what we experience during Advent.  This class will take us from October through Advent with an in-depth look at “the word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth.”  Pastor Copeland will be the primary teacher of the class.  If anyone would like to participate in leading the class, please contact Pastor Copeland.

Clerks Corner

At its September 10, 2018 regular meeting the Session:

• Examined Ms. Melissa Sparks regarding matters of her faith and personal beliefs, following which the Session moved that her ordination as Deacon be set for September 30,2018.

• Scheduled the mini retreat for Session on October 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Faith Church’s new North end Community Center located at 2000 Elmwood Avenue in Lafayette; ordained elders are invited to attend.

• Accepted the financial statements submitted by Treasurer Carol Gentry; income and expenditures are in balance.

• Approved engaging Stephan Spurlock as an independent contractor for mowing and trimming during the remainder of the season, with an option to continue in the spring of 2019.

• Approved a request by Pastor Copeland that an ordained member of the Congregation lead the Wednesday morning prayer services twice a month, to relieve him of having to adhere to an extremely tight commuting schedule in the Tuesday evening - Wednesday morning timeframe. On those Wednesdays Pastor Copeland will shift his office hours to the evening.

• Was informed that three bids have now been received for upgrading the organ; only Northside Music Company has submitted a bid at a cost that can be realistically met by existing funds and future solicitations.

• Was reminded that a professional photographer will take pictures during Sunday worship on September 16, 2018.

• Noted that that the Pastor Search Committee continues to screen candidates to fill the vacant pastoral position. One telephone interview has been completed, and follow-up discussions are planned for the near future.

• Appointed Elder Jurgen Honig as a delegate to the Presbytery meeting in Warsaw, IN on September 15/16, 2018.

• Agreed to submit to the Congregation at its Annual Meeting a recommendation for ratification that Reverend Horner be designated as Pastor Emeritus of Faith Presbyterian  Church.

• Extended the terms of the covenant with Paul Copeland as Transitional Pastor.

Set October 8, 2018 as the next regular session meeting.

Submitted by
J.M.  Honig
Clerk of Session

Worship Information

October 7, 2018
Theirs is the Kingdom
Genesis 2:18-24, Mark 10:2-16

October 14, 2018
Entering the Kingdom
Amos 5:10-15, Mark 10:17-31

October 21, 2018
Unfinished Business
1 Samuel 28:4-19

October 28, 2018
Saving Faith
Jeremiah 31:7-11, Mark 10:46-52

Birthdays

October      2   Amanda Bosler   
October      3   Nathan Parker
October      4   Trent Tyler
October      5   Fred Fillmore
October      5   Shirley Bosler
October      6   Matthew Stith
October      8   Sarah Wilcoxson
October    10   Chase Kirby
October    14   Matthew Kain
October    14   Ron Castleberry
October    16   Barbara Wiggs
October    17   Samantha Elliott
October    19   Kris Stith
October    19   Peggy Housley
October    21   Jerry Matthews
October    23   Hannah Old
October    24   Bonnie Robertson
October    25   Lois Wark
October    27   Bethany Lockwood
October    29   Barbara Knox
October    30   Annika Clase
October    31   Aaron Sandel

Anniversaries
.
October      2   Theo & Amy Van Cott
October    18   Ron & Vera Lee Castleberry
October    25   Scott & Shana Cress

Community Worship Services

Sunday, October 7
St. Mary’s Worship
2:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 14
Tippecanoe Villa
1:30 p.m.
Friendship House
3:00 p.m.

A heartfelt thank you to the greeters and
ushers for the month of September.

If you would like to volunteer to greet fellow worshippers, please contact Emily Matthews or 583-4111.

Thanks for the consideration.

September   2   Dorothy Bethel & Nancy Webb

September   9     Jane & Terry Stewart

September  16   Becky & Bert Chapman

September  23   Frank Saputo & Steve Varys

September  30   Karen Gilliom & Deb Johnson

For the Deacons,
Emily Matthews

Greeters for October

October     7    Gayle Weast & Olivia Wood

October    14    Dennis & Nancy Dunn

October    21    Rob & Betsy Wagner

October    28    Morgan & Melissa Sparks

* Sunday Evening Bible Study at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Come Join us for light refreshment and conversation, then promptly at 6:45 p.m. begin with prayer followed by study. We end promptly at 8:00 p.m.

 * L2 Single Ladies Group is planning to have lunch at the Village Pub at Westminster Village Monday, October 1st  at 11:30 a.m. All single women are invited to join our group. Questions?   Contact Jean McCoy.

* Adult Choir practice Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm.

* Men’s breakfast Fridays, 7:30 a.m. at Christos New City Grill West Side. All men are invited to join us for food, fun, and fellowship. 

* Lafayette Christian School is looking for volunteers to make their famous Dutch apple pies on Monday and Tuesday, October 8th and 9th. Can you give one hour, three hours, five hours of your time? No experience necessary. Sign up at http://www.lafayettechristian.org/parents/applepievolunteer.cfm or contact Jennifer White. 

* In a couple of weeks we will be sending you our annual pledge letter to let you help determine the future of Faith Presbyterian Church. In preparation for that letter, we would ask for your prayers for the future of our church and our congregation. Please give prayerful consideration to your pledge and how best you can serve our church.    

Carol Gentry
Treasurer

* Save-the-date! This year's Trunk-or-Treat will take place on Sunday, October 28th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In the last three years of holding this event, we have had some tremendous opportunities to have fun and connect with community members. We need at least 20 trunks ready to pass out goodies! We also need your prayers. Contact Lou Ann for more information.

* Save the Date! Church Outside Cleanup — Workers are needed to clean up the courtyard and landscaping on Saturday November 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (weather permitting). Bring your gloves, rakes, etc.  Questions? Contact Sergey or Ron.

* One Purdue Rower - 5 Hours of Work - Only $75 — Rent-A-Rower is a unique service provided by Purdue Crew that allows YOU (members of the community) to hire rowing athletes to help out with housework, yard work and other tasks - and all proceeds benefit Purdue Crew & rowing.

Rent-A-Rower:
$75 for up to 5 hours of work (donation is tax deductible)
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturdays — September 29, October 27 & November 10;
Sundays — October 21 & November 18 (make up day)

If you would like to participate in the Purdue Crew’s Rent-A-Rower program — and hire a rower to help out with work around your house, please contact Purdue Crew on their Contact Us page, email purdue.rentarower@gmail.com or call  765-494-3120.

* Our Mission of the Month for October is Trinity Life Ministry — Trinity helps men with addictions of various types by helping them become disciples of Christ.  The main location is in Crawfordsville but they also have a thrift store here in Lafayette.  The store here and the one in Crawfordsville help to fund the ministry and provide places for the guests to work in their spare time. 

 
The success rate of this ministry is amazing compared to most rehabilitation programs. Without question, there is power in including Christ in the program and letting Him lead the way for these men.
 
The needs for the new group are as follows: Twin sheet sets, Pillows, Pillow cases, Towels, Wash cloths, Laundry Baskets, Laundry Soap and Blankets.
 
The ministry likes to give each guest a new set of linens, etc. to signify their “New Beginning” but gently used items in great condition are also appreciated.

* Session agreed at its September stated meeting to nominate Reverend David Horner to be elected Pastor Emeritus at the November meeting of the congregation.  This will continue Reverend Horner’s association with the congregation in an honorary relationship, but with no pastoral authority or duty.  Once the congregation has acted on this recommendation, it will be reported to the Midwest Presbytery for final ratification.

* If anyone would like to present the children’s message from time to time in worship, please contact Pastor Copeland at 765-249-9344.