A Thanksgiving Season Message It is the month we look forward to celebrating the day of Thanksgiving. It is not a church or religious holiday, but what a great occasion to be reminded to be thankful. That is a spiritual practice that is good to keep up, and not just one day or month of the year. "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus," 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. We are to give thanks in everything. That doesn't mean just to give thanks for the stuff we really enjoy, but in everything and every moment. If you do a search in the New Testament of the word "thanks," and its other forms, "thanksgiving" and "thanksgivings," you will find that it is the constant exhortation and expectation of the Apostles. Jesus was always giving thanks, and Paul writes about thanks or giving thanks in almost every single letter in the New Testament. After a while, it begins to sound like the chief activity of the Christian church and that is probably because it is. Realistically, what else is there? God gives us life, physical, daily life. So we exist by His goodness, and we have salvation by His goodness, and we possess all of the wonders and blessings by His grace and goodness. What did you do to deserve or earn your birth? Of course, we did nothing. What did you do to earn your salvation? The question is seriously entertained by many, but the answer, according to Scriptures, is just the same: 'Nothing'. How did you impress God so that He would select you, among all the people of the world, to be His chosen child, one of the "elect"? Nothing God chose us. So, what else have we to do, really, than to give thanks? What is left? All that you need is given to you. All that you really need done has been done for you. Your own guilt and sin has been punished already, and Christ bore it on the cross in your place. The life and health that you would desire, and should want, is His gift to you. There is nothing left for you to do but live in God's grace and goodness and enjoy it, and give thanks. Robin Fish PCUSA Survey Opportunity Go to pcusa.org/identity to fill out a survey to discuss the identity and purpose of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as part of a church-wide conversation initiated by the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly. Please share your insights, wisdom, hopes and dreams for the PC(USA), said Margaret Elliott, moderator of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly. Through careful listening and honest sharing we can create a church for this time and place.
The Mission Report Mission Committee announcement: For those that would like to participate in Operation Christmas Child, this is a reminder that boxes will be collected at various pick up points November 16th through the 23rd. We will get more boxes and materials for those who would like to use them. We will deliver boxes for you if you would like to bring them to the church by that time. Thank you for your consideration and giving. Andy Lamb Mission Committee Ladies Night Out All ladies are invited to the church on November 10 at 6 p.m. Merry Lanker will helps us create a painting in watercolors! If you like, please bring an apron or painting shirt. We will also reveal our Secret Sisters and have an opportunity to give our Thanks Offering. So bring yourself, a friend, and a salad for a fun night out! See you there, ladies! Please note: Session did not meet during the month of October, and therefore there are no new Session Notes. Session will meet next on November 18, and those Session Notes will be included in the next edition of the Tower Tidings. Reminder: Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 1! Be sure to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed Saturday, October 31. Fall back and join us for worship on November 1st! Guest Reformer Quote of the Month I beseech Christ for this one thing only, that He will enable me to endure all things courageously, and that He break me as a potter s vessel or make me strong, as it pleases Him. Ulrich Zwingli, Swiss Protestant Reformer
The Clown Report By Butterfly the Clown Once again, the clowns are happily anticipating Thanksgiving. We always enjoy the family gatherings and all the yummy food turkey, dressing, and, of course, the pies! But the most important part of Jesters love about Thanksgiving is the focus on giving thanks to our Lord. We want to thank him for all the wonderful things He has given us. Our clown troupe is thinking of Patches, Allene Vezina, who recently fell and fractured her hip. She is recovering well and is now at home. Our prayers are with her. On Sunday, November 8th, the Clowns will present a new skit for our church s morning worship service. It is entitled, Our Daily Bread. We hope you can be there! Until next time Butterfly (the clown) Please note: Andrea will be out of the church office from Monday, November 2, to Friday, November 6. Millikin Vespers Tickets We are taking orders for tickets to the Millikin Vespers. We will attend on Sunday, December 6th at 3 p.m. Prices are $10 for adults and $6 for seniors. Please make a reservation with money by November 1st to Julie Clodfelter thank you! Welcome back, Paul and Amelia! A huge, WELCOME BACK!, to Paul and Amelia Adams. Thank you for all the good work you did on your seven week long trip with the Marion Medical Mission. Your work is greatly appreciated here and by all those whose lives you touched on your travels. Volunteer Bell Ringers Needed! This Christmas season Salvation Army kettles will be placed around Monticello. We need bell ringers to man the kettles. The only skills needed are a willing heart and a smile. All money raised in Piatt County stays in Piatt County to meet the needs locally. Saturday dates needed: Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12 & 19 Serving in one hours shifts from 9-4 at County Market and Shopko. Thanks for serving your community! John Calvin Quote of the Month We are not to reflect on the wickedness of men but to look to the image of God in them, an image which, covering and obliterating their faults, an image which, by its beauty and dignity, should allure us to love and embrace them.
Stewardship! Loyalty Sunday is November 15th, you should have your letter and pledge card sent to you already. "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Cor. 9:7-8)." Stewardship is centered around the reality and presence of Christ in our lives and in the world. It involves a careful and caring use of our spiritual and physical resources. Stewardship is what we do after confessing belief in Jesus Christ. Stewardship is a natural, loving, and joyful response to want to grow in a personal relationship with Christ and to share Christ with others. Living a Christ-like life happens by practicing stewardship of self (growing and maturing in our faith), stewardship of community (service to our human communities and physical environment), and stewardship of resources (gifts of time, talent, and money). In a Christian life, 100% of what we do is stewardship. Stewardship is present in every activity of the church, in its music, outreach, worship, prayer, and congregational life. Supporting stewardship means that you support developing a deeper relationship with Christ and sharing the eternal gift of Christ with others through the church s ministries and the church community. Our church has a distinguished record of leadership in the community. What Can You Do? Pledge Your Time, Talents, and Treasures: Pledging is a very important part of the church s planning and budgeting process. Your financial pledge enables the church to plan ahead, fulfilling its mission and ministries. Your pledge of time and talent is also of great value in accomplishing the services and ministries in the body of Christ. Be alert to answer the call for specific needs that arise each year, needs announced in the church s newsletter or in the Sunday bulletin; or as so led to give a weekly offering in church, or make other, pledged or non-pledged gifts. Church leaders are interested in helping you grow spiritually by learning about your God-given talents and interests and connect you to activities where you may spiritually grow and serve as a disciple to others. Each fall First Presbyterian Church conducts a stewardship campaign and asks its members to complete a Financial and a Time and Talents pledge. Your gifts, all talents, all activities, large or small, are vital to the health of the church and you are cordially invited to participate in those that appeal to you. What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don't be afraid of missing out. You're my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself. Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Luke 12:29-34 (The Message translation) Faith-In-Action Fresh Fruit and Cheese Sale Fresh Fruit and Cheese sales that benefit Faith-In-Action has begun at the church after each worship service. Sales will continue for three more weeks, so if you are interested, contact Les Schwarzentraub. The orders should arrive in Monticello during the second week in DECEMBER (around the 10th). Thanks again for supporting this local mission!
Welcome to our new organist, Han Cheol Kang! Han Cheol Kang (South Korea) is currently pursuing a Doctor of Music Arts in Piano Performance and Literature under the instruction of Dr. Hobson. Mr. Kang studied with Dr. Logan Skelton and received his Master of Music in Piano Performance as the recipient of the Patricia Joy Arden Scholarship Award. Mr. Kang studied with Prof. Inil Kim at Pusan National University and received his B.M.A., Summa Cum Laude, in Piano Performance in 2011. During that year he was also selected as New Rising Pianist of the year. Mr. Kang has placed in many competitions throughout Korea, taking first place at the concerto competition at Pusan National University two years in a row and performed Beethoven s Piano Concerto no. 4 and Choral Fantasy. Additional accomplishments include first prizes at Busan High School of Arts Piano Competition, Music Association of Busan Piano Congratulations to Alex and Danielle Neubauer, who were married at First Presbyterian on October 24. We wish you many happy years together! Here is a little information on the newlyweds and our newest members: Alex was born and raised in Paxton, Illinois, and graduated from PBL High School. He moved to La Bell, Florida, briefly but returned home to be near family. He studied Elementary Education at Parkland College, but the opportunity presented itself to go into the hospitality industry, where he worked his way to a management position within Hilton Hotels. After four years of management, Alex left the hotel and is currently working as an administrative assistant at MSC in Champaign with hours that allow a more normal family life. Danielle is a Monticello native, attending White Heath Elementary School and graduating from MHS. She went into the health care field immediately after high school, working first at a local group home and eventually working at Kirby and then Carle. Her proudest career achievement is making her way through classes and becoming certified as a telemetry monitor tech through Carle while working in the Cardiology Department. After nearly ten years in health care, she left the field and is currently working as a teller at First Mid Bank and Trust. Danielle is loving having a banker s hours schedule. Alex and Danielle live in Lodge with their two dogs, Grace and Titus, and cat, Cali. They are involved with Danielle s family farm. Together they enjoy being outdoors, traveling, riding their scooters, and doing home improvement projects together. Individually, Alex enjoys woodworking/refinishing furniture, yardwork, and gardening. Danielle loves photography, baking, and playing music, having most recently taken up the violin. They celebrated their wedding on October 24th here at First Presbyterian Church. They are very excited to be a part of the church and look forward to becoming more involved. In Memoriam It is with great sadness that we inform you that Betty Ploeger passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2015. Betty touched many lives in our church and our community with her musical gifts and private lessons. At one time she was a member of our Adult Choir, led our Junior High Choir, and also used our church sanctuary for many of her piano/voice student recitals. She will be missed by many.
Celebration of Life Concert Singer s Choice Part 1 Donations to our scholarship fund are always welcome When: November 7, 2015, 7:00 P.M. Where: Faith United Methodist Church 1719 South Prospect Avenue, Champaign Visit our website: www.thechorale.org Presenting: Derek Maninfior Piano Graduate Jacobs School of Music Indiana University Annual Deacon's Fund Help for Those in Need The Deacons are gearing up for their annual gifts to those Piatt County families in need. County Market food gift cards are distributed in November to those needy families to provide a happy holiday boost prior to Thanksgiving. The Deacons are welcoming donations from the congregation in order to insure that we can meet the need that is before us. Please make any checks payable to: First Presbyterian Church with the memo area showing "Deacon's Fund." Your generosity will be appreciated. Kemmerer Village Overnighter Opportunity We have the opportunity to get away as a church family to Kemmerer Village for an overnighter November 13-14. Best of all: it is free! We will be staying in their visitor s building and will participate in some painting and reorganizing activities. The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. on that Friday for dinner and goes through the next day for as long as you can stay. This will be a great time of fellowship and to get to know and serve Kemmerer Village. Call the church office to save a spot or sign-up via the sheet on the credenza.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 All Saints Day Communion Daylight Saving Time Ends 2 Andrea out of the office (11/2 11/6) 3 Election Day 4 7 pm Worship Mtg. 7 pm E&F Mtg. 5 9 am Women s Breakfast at 8 pm TN Group 6 7 7 am Men s Meeting at the 8 11:15 am Deacons Meeting 9 7 pm Mary- Martha Circle 10 6 pm Painting Party and Salad Supper 11 Veterans Day 7 pm CE Meeting 12 9 am Women s Breakfast at 7 pm Missions Mtg. 8 pm TN Group 13 Over Niter at Kemmerer Village (11/13-11/14) 14 15 Loyalty Sunday 16 17 7:00 pm Stephen Ministers Mtg. 18 7 pm Session 19 9 am Women s Breakfast at 7 pm Community Thanksgiving Service at Calvary Baptist Church 8 pm TN Group 20 December TT articles and calendar events due 21 22 23 24 25 December TT Mailed 26 Thanksgiving Day 27 28 Church Office Closed 29 1st Sunday of Advent 30