FINLEY MEMORIAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

P O BOX 256

STUARTS DRAFT VA 24477

FINLEY FOCUS

October 2007

Founded 1891 Picture by Karen Brown

A musical note from Elise:

"Of those who have much, much is expected."

That quote is both a blessing and a curse. If we are blest with talents, we are often expected to share those talents generously and gladly. Sometimes that stretches us physically and mentally!

As autumn arrives and school has started again, we are drawn back into the activities of the community and the church. Finley will have MANY opportunities for each individual member to become involved in activities of the church. There are new bells to play, new music to sing, books of the Bible to study, meetings to attend, committees to serve on, people to pray for and visit, . . . the list is endless. We at Finley are being challenged and stretched to do more. And yes, I am here to put you on the spot; I want you to become more involved in the music of the church. I want you to play bells with the bell choir and I want you to join the Chancel Choir and sing on Sunday mornings. That's what I want.

What God wants, though, is for you to be called to ministry of worship through (you fill in the blank). It may be through music (I hope that's the case), or membership visitation, or Sunday School teaching. Whatever you feel God calling you to do, answer the call. We have been blessed with much. Our challenge is to use that much to the glory and worship of God.

The Bell Choir will practice on Tuesday nights and the Chancel Choir will practice on Wednesday nights. If you feel called to the ministry of worship through music, consider becoming involved in both the bell and chancel choirs. God has given Finley many musically talented people. Perhaps you are one of those people who need to begin (or to continue) to give your musical gifts back to God. The choirs of the church are waiting (and expecting) you to share the many gifts you have. Yes, we will be stretched physically and mentally, but that may be exactly what God is calling us to do!

Our Chancel Choir has begun practice on “Holy Night of Miracles,” a cantata of hope for Christmas. We will be singing this music along with Calvary’s choir at both Finley and Calvary. Please join us for all or part of our choir practice so we can lift our voices together in hope!

The Life You’ve Always Wanted

It is so easy to stay in life’s habit patterns and belief patterns, particularly for those of us who have worked hard and long for a “dependable” lifestyle defined by family, the cars we drive, our occupations, the home we own and the church we attend. Each is allotted its given role and time assuring us a “security” that we no longer try to define or change.

Included among us folks in that condition is the practice of being “one hour” Christians. We are good people who very faithfully attend church every Sunday from 11 AM until 12 noon. The weekly sermon and accompanying service is the essence of our sense of worship and presence of God. Faith in the Lord is a “given” the remaining time each week. We simply see ourselves “in His care.” Yet we are not searchers for an understanding which involves us as companions with others in daily Spiritual disciplines that require seekers sharing a deeper meaning of Christ’s principles in our everyday affairs.

Mike Robison has come upon an excellent Course of Study by John Ortberg with the title “The Life You’ve Always Wanted, Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People” that offers a practical “way of life” in Holy Presence, every day! It is in book form available in paperback for about $15 per copy. It contains an outstanding Study Guide with discussion questions that lead to the daily practice of most satisfying disciplines in all aspects of our lives.

Following are the core chapters that should involve you in good discussions regarding your peace and purpose in His Presence:

The Goal of Spiritual Life

The Truth About Spiritual Disciplines

The Practice of Celebration

The Practice of Prayer

The Practice of Servanthood

Receiving Guidance from the Holy Spirit

Mike Robison would be available on Thursday evenings at 7 PM to lead the Study Group during those times his travel schedule permits. He would need a companion leader to share guidance in his absence.

If the possibilities seem promising to you, your family (including teenagers), or best friends at Finley, encourage them to join you in this unusual study. Leave a message expressing your interest on Mike’s phone (540-337-1471). When sufficient numbers express their interest in the search for the daily practice of very natural spiritual disciplines, Mike will reply with dates for this very promising endeavor.

Our monthly Men’s Fellowship Breakfast will be served on Sunday, October 7, at 8:30 am. All men are encouraged to join us for food, fellowship and service.

Presbyterian Women will meet at 7pm on Tuesday, October 2. All women are invited to attend our meetings and participate in our bible studies and service projects. For generations, Presbyterian women have responded to God's love by offering this love back to the world in tangible ways. With our wide variety of talents, resources and our sincere desire to help others, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of people everywhere.

Bluegrass Gospel Concert

Several months ago we had a wonderful concert here by the bluegrass gospel group Amy Ladd and Friends. Well, we are going to have another bluegrass gospel band here at Finley to share their music with us, so reserve Sunday, November 11 at 6:00 pm to join us and hear the Heavens Mountain Band.

Youth News

Middle School Youth Group: Meeting at Beth Gibson’s house, 7-8:15. Don’t forget to invite your friends!

High School Youth Group: The Senior High Youth would like to give a special thank you to Arnold Apgar and Dave Brubaker for their help last weekend in cleaning up, raking and burning in the backyard. Also, special thanks to Lorraine Apgar for her delicious Chocolate Campaigner Cake!

Sun., Oct. 7 Fellowship & Devotion at the Coble's 7-9 pm. Bring your friends and your Bible's as we continue our study of Jesus' miracles.

Sun. Oct. 14 Fellowship & Devotion at the Coble's 7-9 pm. Bring your friends and your Bible's as we continue our study of Jesus' miracles.

Sun. Oct. 21 NO SCHEDULED SENIOR HIGH YOUTH ACTIVITIES - Enjoy your Fall Break from School!

Sun. Oct. 28 HIKING HUMPBACK ROCKS - meet at the Coble's at 2 pm. Bring a water bottle and an ingredient of your choice for making our own trail mix before we go! We'll arrive back at the Coble's by 6 pm. If the weather is bad, we'll watch a movie at the Coble's instead - same time & still bring your trail mix ingredient!

Sun. Nov. 4 Fellowship & Devotion at the Coble's 7-9 pm. Bring your friends and your Bible's as we continue our study of Jesus' miracles.

WE"RE PLANNING A TRIP TO THE CORN MAIZE THE 2nd WEEKEND in NOVEMBER - Details to be announced later!

	Nursery Schedule	Visitation Schedule
Oct 7	Darlene Bowles, Shirley Meijer & Alisha Alcala	Darlene Bowles
Oct 14	Karen & Ron Bing-Wo & Esther Winton	Janet Robinette & Doris Willey
Oct 21	Kathy Boswell & Carolyn Palmer	Marjorie Shreckhise
Oct 28	Coble family & Yvonne Simmons	Esther Winton & Beverley Ellis

Gloyd May (CH)
Ben Meijer	Janet/Gene Robinette
Jonathan Smith	David Cohron

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Randy & Allison Fink’s Anniversary

David & Lisa Seaman’s Anniversary

Ryan Moneymaker’s Birthday

Peter Orzech’s Birthday

Paige Allen’s Birthday

Jessica Brubaker’s Birthday

Hunter & Kelly Hughes’ Anniversary

Maggie Marie Henderson’s Birthday

Anna Grace Henderson’s Birthday

Brandon Blythe’s Birthday

Mike Robison’s Birthday

Greg & Amy Allen’s Anniversary

2007

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Presbyterian Women 7pm

Bell Choir 7pm

Chancel choir 7:30pm

Men’s Breakfast 8:30am

4¢-a-Meal

World Communion Sunday

Peacemaking offering

Session

7 pm

Columbus Day

Bell Choir 7pm

Chancel choir 7:30pm

Bell Choir 7pm

World Food Day

Chancel choir 7:30pm

Pot-luck after worship

Bell Choir 7pm

Chancel choir 7:30pm

Focus article deadline

United Nations Day

Reformation Sunday

Bell Choir 7pm

Chancel choir 7:30pm

Finley Memorial Presbyterian Church

Presbytery of Shenandoah, Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

24 Finley Drive

P.O. Box 256

Stuarts Draft, Virginia 24477

Church Office Telephone: (540) 337-3561

E-mail: finleypc1@verizon.net

Web address: www.finleypres.org

Session Members


2007	2008		2009
Beverley Ellis	Sue Brubaker		Lance Allen
Donnie McCormick	Jacquelyn May		Darlene Bowles
	Don Splaun		Beth Gibson
Don Markle	Randy Fink		Donna Swink
	Treasurers
Ann E. Willey, Receiving Jack R. Blacka, Disbursing
Trustees
David Brubaker James L. Wellborn Donald Splaun
Presbyterian Women
Karen Brown, Moderator Julia Crist, Co-Moderator Joan Batten, Secretary Esther Winton, Treasurer , Historian
Church School Superintendent – David Brubaker		Secretary – Ann Willey
Music Director – Kelly Hughes		Librarian – Art Hendrickson
Choir Director – Elise Blacka

Finley Memorial Presbyterian Church

Trustees

Presbyterian Women