November 2006

FINLEY FOCUS

November 2006

Founded 1891 Picture by Karen Brown

From the Pastor’s Desk

Wow! What an experience…what a blessing! After spending over a year in planning, in hours of preparation, and in the anxiety of the unknown, the Gulf Team has returned from Hattiesburg, MS having completed our mission. All of the hard work done to make this trip possible was well worth it. All of the hard work done on the job site was well worth it. All of the soreness and bruises and hurt fingers (and toes) were well worth it. Wow! What an experience…what a blessing!

In some ways, it is not easy to put into words what we experienced on our mission trip. I think all who went are still in the process of working through how this trip has affected us mentally, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually. We went for the purpose of helping others, to be an instrument for God to use to bring restoration and healing to others. We went not sure of what we would be doing, but hoping that in some way we would be a blessing to others. But what we discovered was that we were blessed too – in more ways than we can count. Our God is indeed an awesome God who gives grace abundantly.

One of the questions that we wrestled with was, “will we make a difference?” In the grand scheme of things the task of rebuilding and restoring along the Gulf Coast is a monumental task. In Hattiesburg alone there are some 700 projects still to be done, and that is just in Hattiesburg! On the Gulf coast the amount of work is even greater – exponentially greater. In some ways, I first felt that what we did was really just a drop in the ocean. How can we possibly make an impact in an area of such need? Can one new roof really make a difference in the vast sea of blue tarped roofs? But, I don’t feel that way now. The answer to both questions is a resounding YES! We can and have made a huge difference.

We have made a huge difference in the lives of Fernand and Jeannine Lavigne, whose roof we replaced. For four days we trampled on their metal roof banging and clamoring around. For four days they listened to drills and hammers and saws and us calling back and forth to each other. But, in the end, they were beaming with joy for the gift that they had been given. And so were we. In the end, they felt the blessing of God. And so did we.

We made a huge difference in the life of Linda McLain. Linda lives in the house we stayed at during our time in Hattiesburg. Linda is from Waveland, MS where the eye of the hurricane came ashore. Her home was completely destroyed, nothing left but the foundation and a pile of debris full of memories. She also lost her husband several months later. She was unable to bring him to Hattiesburg because of his medical condition. For six days we ate with Linda, talked with her, shared stories together, and brought her into our group. She became a part of us, and I believe she was blessed because of us. But in the end, she is the one who blessed us. She blessed us with her hospitality and care. She blessed us with her grace and love and faith in God’s abiding presence.

We made a huge difference in the congregation of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg. They once again experience the blessing of a church in relationship with another church. They experienced the blessing of being a connectional church bound together through Christ and made near through the Spirit. They were overjoyed to have us with them in their community, joining with them in doing God’s work. But in the end, we were blessed through them. They welcomed us as brothers and sisters. We broke bread together, sang hymns together, prayed together, and lifted each other up in God’s grace.

But most importantly, I believe we made a huge difference in our congregation. I’m not talking about just the Gulf Team making a difference. I’m talking about all of us making a difference. Together we worked as one for a common purpose. Together we worked as one for a common mission. Every one of us had a part to play to make this trip possible whether you went on the trip or not. Every one of us made a huge difference in the life of the church and in the lives of people near and far. Together we blessed others. Together we were blessed. May God continue to lead and bless this congregation, and may God continue to call us to be a blessing to the world.

Thank you again for all that you have done and continue to do together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God.

Always in God’s grip,

Dan

From the Gulf Coast Mission Team

After taking a couple of weeks to return to our normal schedule and recuperate from the trip, the Gulf team has some work left to do. We will be joining together again to talk about our plans for sharing our trip with the congregation. We have many photos to show and stories to tell, and we can’t wait to share all of them with you. We will also be discussing the most appropriate way to use the remaining money we raised. Stay tuned for more information as we continue our work.

From Member Involvement Ministry

Join us for

RECHARGE!

Wednesday evenings

November 1, 8, and 15, 2006

Dinner provided from 6:00-6:45pm.

Program from 6:45-7:30pm.

On November 1, Dan and Mike Robison will begin our conversation about what it means to be a missional church. We will define the term and tell about our own personal experiences of moving into a missional understanding of church, discipleship, and faith. Our dinner for the evening will be a catered BBQ dinner.

On November 8, Dan will continue our conversation with a look into how being a missional church affects the mission and ministry of the local church in the culture and community in which it lives. For dinner, we are having a Crock-pot Cook-off to see who has the best Crock-Pot recipe. If you would like to bring your favorite crock-pot foods, please sign up on the sheets in the narthex or back hall under the windows three. Everyone else is welcome to join us and share in what promises to be an excellent dinner!

On November 15, Jason Whitener, pastor at Tinkling Spring, will be speaking about how the Bible reflects the idea of being a church that is missional oriented and focused. He will also talk about what he learned from his work on his Doctorate in the area of being a missional church.

Join us as we are recharged to be a more Missional Church.

Finley Family Advent Festival

Sunday, December 3, 2006

3:00pm in the Fellowship Hall

Join us for a Christmas Carol sing-a-long, reading of the Christ child story, learning about the meaning of the Advent Candles.

There will be crafts for the children.

Please bring a Christmas “goodie” to share.

Don’t forget to wear those Christmas sweaters that we know everyone has!

If you have any questions, please see Jill Matthews

Please see Ann Colman (943-1927) to order your poinsettia for the Christmas season. Your flower will decorate our sanctuary before going home with you. The price is $7.20; please place your order by November 19.

Fellowship Ministry

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast November 5, at 8:30 am. All men are encouraged to join us for food, fellowship and service.

Our monthly Coffee is November 26, downstairs in the Fellowship hall after worship

Presbyterian Women will meet on Tuesday, November 7 at 7:00 pm. All women are members, and are invited and encouraged to attend and share in our bible study and projects.

One of our main projects, the "Angel Tree" will be ready in the narthex Nov. 5. This year we are sponsoring the Valley Program for the Aging as we have in the past and our needy children project will be for students of our own church membership elementary teachers. We will get needed school supplies for the teachers to give or use in their classrooms.

The Valley Program for aging has requested Wal-Mart gift certificates of $25 each for their elderly recipients. These people have no family and get by on a shoestring. What they receive at Christmas is most likely the only present they will get. By getting gift certificates they can be certain to get exactly what they need. Most of them will be taken to Wal-Mart to use their gift certificates, and those that cannot go shopping will have what they want purchased for them. The white angels on the tree will represent the elderly. You can purchase the gift certificate yourself or give the money to Esther Winton, treasurer, or any of the other PW officers. The red and blue angels will list school supplies needed by our teachers for their students. Please help us brighten Christmas by picking an angel or two off the tree, getting whatever is on the angel, and returning it to the tree. NO GIFT WRAPPING THIS YEAR PLEASE, as we will be dividing the school supplies between our teachers. Please remember to sign the sheet with your name and phone next to the corresponding number of your angel so PW can call you if the gift has not been returned by the deadline. The deadline will be Dec.3. Help us to support these projects as you have in the past.

From the Frontier

“A Chat with God”

God speaks to us through his Word, through the Holy Spirit, through our friends, through our pastor, and in many other ways. Below is a compilation, a condensed, imperfectly paraphrased part of “a chat God and I have been having recently.”

Me – God you have blessed me in so many ways and yet I am so undeserving.

God – That’s true.

Me – But God, I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer; I’m not the fastest runner in the race.

God – That’s true too. Those are not the gifts I’ve given you. You couldn’t have handled those gifts, trust me on this, they would have made you unbearably arrogant and boring.

Me – But I sometimes feel so inadequate.

God – You are inadequate, you need me to be complete, that is how I designed things. Relax, I have perfectly matched the gifts you need to do the tasks I have for you to do.

Me – But how am I to know what tasks you have for me to do?

God – Ask me, then listen.

Me - Oh yea, you’ve mentioned that before, prayer.

God – Right. I love you more than you know, and I have blessings in mind for you that will surprise you.

Me – Wow. How about Finley?

God – How about Finley what?

Me – What do you have in store for us at Finley, God?

God – Like with you, I have blessed Finley abundantly for many years and will continue to do so. I will bless my children at Finley more than they deserve, as I have in the past. Sometimes I will challenge them to get their attention or to make them stronger. I have blessings in store for my children at Finley that they do not know. Some of those blessings, not all, will depend on the choices they make. There is nothing new here; this has always been the case.

Me - How will we know the right choices to make God?

God – Ask me, then listen.

Me – Oh yea, right…..

God – The love I have for each of my children at Finley, and the blessings I have in mind for them, exceed anything they know, or could imagine, even if they tried.

~mike

Youth News

Middle School Youth Group: Meetings at the Nelson’s. Bring your Bible!

High School Youth Group:

Nov. 5 – No Youth – please keep those traveling out of town in your prayers.

Nov. 12 – Stay tuned – If the weather is nice, we’re planning an afternoon hike to Humpback Rock. If the weather turns cold or “yucky,” we’ll have a movie night instead.

Nov. 19 – We’ve been invited to join the High School Youth from several area churches at the Solid Rock Café in Waynesboro from 6-9 pm. Cost will be $2 and will cover your admission and pizza/snacks. Feel free to invite your friends. If you need a ride, please contact Marti Elliott or Nancy Coble. Otherwise, we’ll meet you there!

Nov. 26 – Fellowship & Devotion at the Coble’s 7-9 pm. Bring your Bibles and your friends.

	Nursery Schedule	Visitation Schedule
Nov. 5	Dawn & Jay Christian; Denise Brady	Darlene Bowles
Nov. 12	Greg & Amy Allen; Carolyn Palmer	Janet Robinette & Doris Willey
Nov. 19	Darlene Bowles, Jill Matthews & Kathy Boswell	Marjorie Shreckhise
Nov. 26	Karen & Ron Bing-Wo; Esther Winton	Esther Winton & Beverley Ellis

Usher List

Dan Hatter (CH)

Beryl Lunsford

Ray Snyder

Jeff Crist

Buck Earhart

Art Hendrickson

Shannon Wimer

An Old Farmer’s Advice

I found this in the October 2006 edition of the “Backroads” Newspaper. I thought it was really funny and insightful. Enjoy.

· Your fences need to be horse-high, pig tight and bull strong.	· Don’t judge folks by their relatives.
· Life is simpler when you plow around the stumps.	· Remember silence is sometimes the best answer.
· A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.	· Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
· Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.	· If you find yourself in a hole, stop diggin’.
· Words that soak into your ears are whispered, not yelled.	· Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
· Don’t corner something you know is meaner than you.	· Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
· It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.	· If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some importance, try orderin’ another’s dog around.
· You cannot unsay a cruel word. · Every path has a few puddles.	· Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
· When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.	· Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And leave the rest to God.

Birthdays and Anniversaries in November 2006

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Hunter Crist’s Birthday

Debbie McCormick’s Birthday

Jessica Blythe’s Birthday

Amanda Argenbright’s & Randy Fink’s Birthday

Ella Troiano’s Birthday

John & Carol Gibson’s Anniversary

Brian Boswell’s Birthday

Shoo-Fly Cake

from The Best of Mennonite Fellowship Meals by Phyllis Good

Makes at least 12 servings. Dairy and egg free.

2 1/2 cups boiling water

1 cup light molasses

1 Tbsp. baking soda (be sure to use fresh soda).

4 cups flour

2 1/4 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup cooking oil

In large bowl mix flour, brown sugar, salt and oil. Blend into crumbs the size of peas. Reserve 1 cup crumbs for topping.

In another large bowl, mix boiling water, molasses and baking soda. Stir until well mixed. Mixture will foam. When it has stopped foaming, combine crumb and molasses mixture and mix well.

Pour immediately into ungreased 9" by 10" baking pan. Sprinkle crumbs over top of cake.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Do not remove from pan until thoroughly cooled.

November 2006

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Chancel Choir practice 7:30 pm

All Saints’ Day

World Community Day

Men’s Breakfast 8:30am

4¢-a-Meal

Presbyterian Women

7:00 pm

Election Day

Chancel Choir practice 7:30 pm

Veteran’s Day

Session

7 pm

Chancel Choir practice 7:30 pm