FINLEY
FOCUS
August
2006
Founded 1891
Picture by
From
the Pastor’s Desk
With
the thought that it is nearly August and September is just around the corner, I
am mindful of all the missed opportunities to find the time I need to just be
in communion with God, to just be in a quiet place in the presence of God away
from people, away from the business of life, away from all those things that
keep me from my alone time with God.
Sometimes we forget that Jesus took time to get away
and pray. After feeding the five
thousand, Jesus tells the disciples to get into the boat and go on without him,
and then after dismissing the crowd, “he went up the mountain by himself to
pray. When evening came, he was there
alone” (Matt.
On the night of his arrest, the night before his crucifixion, the darkest night of Jesus’ life, he took his disciples to Gethsemane and said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray” (Matt. 26:36).
The Gospel of Luke tells us how during those days of Jesus’ ministry, Jesus would go to the mountain to pray, spending the night in prayer to God, and how Jesus would withdraw to deserted places and pray (5:16, 6:12). Even Jesus himself reminds his disciples that “whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:6).
We always think of Jesus constantly in the midst of people and crowds healing, forgiving, blessing, teaching, and sometimes feeding, but we miss the moments when he took time to go off by himself and be in communion with his Father in heaven.
Maybe we need to remember that finding time to pray is as important as finding time to do others things. Prayer is about time, about making time to be with God, to be with God in communion, to be with God in fellowship, not just with others, but also alone on the top of mountains, in the deserted places, or in quiet rooms behind closed doors. When we do this, we will find that time itself ceases to exist, and we will truly be one with God as God is one with us, and that is after all, what our time here is all about.
May be the peace of Christ
be with you,
Dan
Worship Ministry
On Sunday, August 6 we will begin our
summer sermon series. This year we will be spending seven weeks discussing some
of the most prominent stories in the Bible about King David, one of the most
important figures of the Old Testament and of God’s people. We invite you to
read ahead the passages for each week before you come to worship. Spend some
time thinking about the stories you read, the events that take place, and the
blessings and struggles King David faces as a servant of God and a leader of
God’s people. Through his story, we just may learn something about ourselves as
well.
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August 6 |
1 |
God chooses David |
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August 14 |
1 |
David and Goliath |
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August 20 |
2 |
David brings the ark to |
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August 27 |
2 |
God’s promise of David’s
kingdom. |
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September 3 |
2 |
David and Bathsheba |
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September 10 |
2 |
David’s sin is revealed |
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September 17 |
1 Kings |
God blesses David through
Solomon |
Buildings and Grounds Report
During past session meetings there has been
discussion about how Finley is surrounded by aging trees. One tree had gone
unnoticed until recently, the largest oak at the bell tower. To our surprise,
the trunk has rotted away under the outer bark layer, leaving a large cavity.
Further examination shows the upper branches have died. With the proximity to
the church building, the session approved the removal of this declining tree.
The session acted now to prevent unneeded damage to the church building and/or
Hazel Cohron’s property. To ensure good stewardship, many quotes were considered;
Big O Tree & Lawn was selected to perform the work.
“For everything there is a season, and a
time for every matter under heaven:….a time to plant and a time to pluck up
what is planted;……” Ecclesiastes 3
Personnel and Finance Ministry
Below is the monthly chart showing our
average financial giving per week. Thank
you for your generosity and faithful work in providing for the further ministry
and mission of our church. Through God’s abundance and provision through you,
we will be able to accomplish much to further God’s kingdom in the world.
Remember that if you wish to see the financial reports of the church, all you
have to do is ask. Your pastor and elders would be happy to share with you the
good work we are doing through your faithful stewardship of time, talents, and
resources all for the glory of God.
Thank You!!
The Elders and Pastor want to thank
all of you who helped with
Christian
Education Ministry
Our Fall
Sunday School Program Needs You!!!
On September 10 we will begin our fall
Sunday school program. As always, we are
excited about a new beginning to this old tradition of meeting once a week in
fellowship to study, learn, and grow in our knowledge of God’s word. This year there will be two adult classes
offered to you. Andy Wenner will lead a class in the study of the Gospel of
Luke, and Dan Matthews will lead a class to discuss and experience the spiritual
disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, and worship.
As always, we will also have our children
and youth Sunday school classes, and we need your help. We need people who are
willing to give their time, talents, and energy to lead our children and youth
in their own learning and growth in faith. We offer a user-friendly curriculum
to help you with teaching, and Dan will be glad to work with you to help you
with planning and ways to make teaching easier and more fulfilling for you.
Never underestimate the impact you may have on the faith and lives of our
children and youth. They want you to be a part of their lives just as much as
you want them. Please answer God’s call
to you to be a Sunday school teacher.
From Member Involvement Ministry
Want a summer job? We have just the
thing for you. We are looking for a few people to man the phones and be a
warm, welcoming body in the church office during the summer morning
hours. Ideally, we would like to have office volunteers in the church
office Tuesday-Friday mornings from
Anyone welcome, no experience
required. Bring your cross-stitching, a good book, and letters to
write... Sign up under the Windows Three and I will contact you with
more information and set up the hours you would like to work. Jill
Presbyterian
Women
Presbyterian Women will not meet again until
the first Tues. in Sept. At that time we will hold installation of officers.
All women are encouraged to attend, so please mark your calendars. Our meetings
consist of meaningful bible studies and worthwhile projects, in the company of
the women of the church who are your friends.
Fun With Scrapbooks
Thanks to all who came and worked on their
photo albums! We had a lot of fun and had a record 5 people. Look
for dates and times to be announced for August. Also...Ladies I am
organizing a dinner and a movie outing for The Devil Wears Prada with
Meryl Streep. ALL women are invited. Date and time to be
announced soon! Call
Suppers for Six
Some groups have already started hosting
dinners for one another, has yours? We have 4 wonderful groups going, but
can always start more. If you are interested in becoming a Supper
for Six participant, please let Jill know.
Please remember, if you are heading off to
college this month, please give us your email and snail mail addresses so we
can keep in touch!
The
Flood
Buckets consist of the following items –
5-gallon
bucket with reseal able lid
Bleach
(two quarts)
5
scouring pads
7
sponges
1
scrub brush
10
cleaning towels (reusable)
Liquid
laundry detergent, 50 oz. bottle
1
household cleaner, 16 – 32 oz. bottle
Disinfectant
dish soap, 20 or 28 oz. bottle
50
clothes pines
Clothes
line, 50 or 100 ft.
5
dust mask
2
pair latex gloves
1
pair work gloves
Roll
of heavy-duty trash bags, 30-45 gallons (remove roll from box before placing in
bucket)
1
insect repellant spray, 6-14 oz. (If aerosol, cans must have protective caps)
We are collecting these buckets until
September 17. If you can purchase a bucket and all the stuffings we would
greatly appreciate it. If the bucket is too expensive for one person, pick
another to share in the expense and most importantly in the experience. A bucket would be great for a family or
Sunday School project. If you have questions, please see
Our next Gulf Coast Mission
Team meeting will be Wednesday, August 16 at
Over the next three months, we will be
asking the congregation to continue to financially support Finley’s mission
trip to the
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October 2006 |
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Transportation |
Cost |
Fuel |
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Total |
Sub Total |
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12 Passenger Van |
$490.12 |
$500.00 |
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$990.12 |
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7 Passenger Mini Van |
$292.00 |
$333.33 |
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$625.33 |
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Trailer (6Ft. X 12 Ft.) |
$209.65 |
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$209.65 |
$1,825.10 |
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Food |
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7-8 days |
$800.00 |
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$800.00 |
$800.00 |
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Building Supplies |
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Materials |
$3,000.00 |
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$3,000.00 |
$3,000.00 |
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Tools (if needed) |
$100.00 |
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$100.00 |
$100.00 |
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Lodging |
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2 nights, $100/room |
$1,200.00 |
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$1,200.00 |
$1,200.00 |
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Utility fee to |
$100.00 |
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$100.00 |
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Total |
$7,025.10 |
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Amount raised to date: |
($5,398.51) |
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Amount still needed: |
$1,626.59 |
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Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one
of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me. Matthew 25:40
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From the Frontier |
“The Missional Church”
Friends, it is Thursday, lunchtime, and I
am writing to you from Mugzies Coffee House in the little burg of New
Wilmington Pennsylvania, where I am attending the New Wilmington Mission
Conference – with about a thousand other people of all ages. This is the one
hundred and first consecutive NWMC.
A recurring theme I have heard at this conference,
and that I have seen in a number of churches I have visited over the past year,
is that “missional churches” are the ones that tend to be growing, healthy
churches. A missional church is a church where mission is not a program but an
understanding of God’s purpose for the church and for Christian lives.
I am told and have come to believe that
being a missional church is understanding that the church is not about us.
Rather it is about what God calls us to do, who God calls us to be. John Piper,
a popular pastor and Christian author says (paraphrased, I don’t have the book
with me) that ‘mission needs to be a part of the church like flame is a part of
fire.’
Is
I encourage us all to prayerfully ask some
questions. What is God calling me to do? What is God calling
Blessed to be a blessing ~ Mike
Front Yard Eagle Project
Here is a brief financial summary of my
Eagle Project. Once again, thank you to all who contributed, the project could
not have been a success without your support. - Brian
Money
Raised:
Donations (Individual
contributors, corporate contributions): $585
Hot Dog and Drink Sale: $110
Total amount raised: $695
Costs:
Gene Kane (digging and
hauling away unusable dirt): $100
Pipe: $466
Miscellaneous expenses (Supplies for hot dog sale, food for workers, straw,
etc.): $129
Out of pocket: $16
Total Cost: $711
Fellowship Ministry
Men’s Fellowship Breakfast August 6, at
Our monthly Coffee is August 27, down in the
Fellowship hall after worship.
Chancel Choir practice will begin on Wed.,
August 30. If you love to sing, and if you feel called to the ministry of
worship through music, please join us.
A Note from Tom Hay, General Presbyter
It was the Sabbath, my key
wouldn't turn in the ignition and I was stuck.
It had already been a long morning that began with a drive from
Then I drove to
Then my car wouldn't start. More than that, the ignition
switch seemed locked – the key would enter, but would not turn. I jiggled
and wiggled and hit everything I could think of. Then I got out to catch
the last of the men before they left the church.
I was in a pickle. My family was driving to
And help they did! Over the next hour a succession of men
tried to get the key to turn in the ignition. And I, helpless, hot and
hungry, learned a couple of key lessons:
1. No one
will ever believe you when you say your key won’t turn in the ignition. I
had to repeat the same litany with each new person who approached (“Yes I
turned the steering wheel.” “Yes I put it in Park.”) so I took to simply
handing over the key. No one is satisfied until they try themselves. Thus
I learned a lesson in experiential learning.
2. No man in the
3. The youngest man in the group ended up producing a hammer – the most
effective tool for solving the problem. His tapping and twisting finally got
the ignition key to turn. Thus I learned a lesson about how to wield power
gently.
4. It may be too much to expect much more than 150,000 miles without incident
from this Chrysler. It has been a great car, and I've been hesitant to
give it up, but now may be the time for the Presbytery to get a new car. Thus
I learned a lesson in timeliness.
And now I'm
not stuck – a shot of lubricant promises to keep the key turning in the future,
and I am left with my lessons. The point of which is how much we have to learn
from each other if we just listen.
There is a lot of talk in the church these days, but how
much listening are we doing? There are many folks ready to tell us the
truth, but how many of us are ready to learn? I can’t brag – it took me
being stuck to change me from the guest preacher to the student. But
Christ put us together as congregations because we each have something to teach
one another.
There isn't a church, pastor, elder or CLP in the Presbytery
who doesn’t have something to teach me. Us. So I’ll keep driving the
Youth
News
Middle School Youth Group: No meetings for the summer.
High School Youth Group:
Sun., August 6 - No Youth
Sunday, August 13 - We'll be traveling to
Sun., August 20 - No Youth
Sun., August 27 - Senior High Youth Kickoff/Cookout at the Coble's
Girls: bring a side dish or
dessert. Invite your friends and let's start off our fall season with a
bang!
Sun., Sept.3
(Labor Day weekend) - No Youth
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Nursery
Schedule |
Visitation
Schedule |
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Aug. 6 |
Sue & Jessica
Brubaker; Gina Henderson |
David Wenner & Don
Markle |
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Aug. 13 |
Jeff & |
Darlene Bowles |
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Aug. 20 |
Dawn & Jay Christian; |
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Aug. 27 |
Greg & Amy Allen; Paul
Willey |
Marjorie Shreckhise |
Usher List
John Gibson
Beverley Ellis
Dave Wenner
Brian Boswell
Faye Wellborn
Birthdays and Anniversaries in August
2006
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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6 Donnie & Debbie McCormick’s
Anniversary |
7 |
8 Dan & |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |