From the Pastor’s desk…

As the seasons change all around us, we take time to put away the summer clothes, get out the blankets,

put up the storm doors, and get ready for the holidays. I’ve noticed the seasons seem to be passing me

quicker than I can keep up. It seems I just put the winter coats and boots away. Now if only I can find

where I put them!

I have been looking ahead to the events coming soon near you. Reformation Sunday is coming

together and in a few weeks I will be writing the November order of worship. By then daylight savings

time will have arrived on the first, the bazaar will be gearing up followed by Thanksgiving and turkey

sacrifices. My turkey looks like a ham! Right on the heels of turkey day is, yep, you guessed it, the “C”

word. I envision children and the choir preparing for performances, while the kitchen stays warm with

holiday goodies. If you are like me and have experienced a fast pace of life lately, (because it seems more

difficult to keep up), then there is no time to dally.

Qoheleth, the writer of Ecclesiastes, reminds us that human efforts are empty when we leave the reason

out of the equation. God has made everything beautiful in its time, but also has put eternity into our

minds. God’s gift is for his people to take pleasure in our efforts whether or not they be work or play.

Whatever besets us, he says, we are to fear God and keep God’s commands, for it is our purpose. If we

were to look toward the Shorter Catechism of our Confessions we would remember the very first question.

“What is the chief end of man? Answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”

Now I’m sure Qoheleth did not have our Book of Confessions, but in fact he had it in his heart when he

wrote “For if man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; for apart from God who can have

enjoyment?”

The point is, we get so wrapped up in the busyness of life, that when we finally settle down at the end

of the day to account for our accomplishments, we often realize we have not left room for God. Even

pastors struggle to keep that perspective. Afterall, you say, pastors should not have a problem since they

only work on Sundays! In all our humanness, yours and mine, we would do well to remember the words

of Ecclesiastes. God made it so there would be a time for everything under heaven, not more or less, but

everything in its order.

As we approach the changing seasons, let us make it a point to put God first before everything else.

There is much to do for the One who loves us and wants only good for us.

May your days be not so full that you have no time to enjoy them. It is so easy to take the blessings of

this life for granted. I don’t want you to miss a thing!

Pastor Linda

First Presbyterian Church November 2015

THE BURNING BUSH

“For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven…” Eccl. 3:1

SESSION SNIPPETS BY PAT WELKER

Notes from Oct 12 Session Meeting:

MINISTRY TEAMS CHRISTIAN ED: Bonnie & Carrie – Have the Bible's for 3rd grade promotions. All curriculum has been purchased. Now working to find a Christmas Program. FELLOWSHIP/MISSION: Jodi & Jay – The Soup Challenge Mission Dinner completed the years goal for number of dinners. The $268.00 collected was designated for the Warriors Canine Connection.

NOMINATION: Kathy & Carrie; Kevin Phillips & Marianne Taylor as at-large; Deacon-Linda Riley; Trustee-Jane Rutledge – The Team will meet during November to start work on a slate for the Class of 2016. STEWARDSHIP/FINANCE/MEMORIAL & PERSONNEL: Kathy & Sam – nothing to report. WORSHIP: Jay, Sam & Kathy – 39 were served Communion during Sunday October 4th worship. Reformation Sunday preparations are on track. There will be a bag piper from Peoria attending along with a special Fellowship with scones and tea. EVANGELISM: Kim & Jodi – Kim reported that the Spoon River Fritter Sales went very well, even though they didn't realize as much profit as last year. The sales were $1454 with $200 expenses.

TECHNOLOGY: Carrie & Kim – WiFi is available in the sanctuary but not in the CE Building. The Team will work on a resolution for the problem. The Website is up and running and in great shape. Everyone is encouraged to look at it and offer any suggestions for improvements. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP REVIEW: Pat & Kathy – The Team is going to contact 4 people about their Active Membership.

MANSE UPDATE Work on the Manse continues. The Session and Trustees are trying to get the Manse ready to be used by a future minister if they so choose. Some of the Elders are cleaning the Manse prior to

getting new flooring installed. There will be new carpet and linoleum installed. Some folks have been spending lots of their personal time on the Manse and deserve our gratitude and thanks for their hard work.

PASTOR’S REPORT

Another very busy month, having worked 75 hours. Some highlights-

At last have closed on the houses in Indiana (sold) and Pekin (bought).

The PNC has gotten the MIF approved and are ready to go online. The COM were impressed with the MIF the team turned in. They should get some PIF's soon.

Farmington Country Manor was served with a lesson and Communion. I consider it a privilege to serve the folks there. Sara plays piano for us when she feels up to it. She has a great gift.

Communion was served to 22.

Attended the Great Rivers School for Pastors. An all day event to be with colleagues and leaders. I was mainly interested in the changes to the Board of Pensions. Also attended a class for hospital care giving and protocol. I was able to bring back information to present to

the Deacons. We practiced procedures with sterile gown, mask, gloves and booties. Also the proper way to serve Communion to a high risk patient with a virus. There will be a second part regarding trauma response at the next Deacons meeting.

This month I have had several counseling sessions, visits, phone visits and correspondences. I look forward to the upcoming Reformation celebration with scones and bagpipes, better known historically as the 'Kirkin' 'O' the Tartan”. I hope everyone enjoys the richness of the service. thanks for their hard work.

Timeline to Find Minister

June 15 Missions Statement to Marty Tartar to debug

June 23 Mission & Financial Statements to COM for approval

July 1 Call Congregational Mtg to elect PNC – must announce mtg for 2 Sundays

August 1 Have PNC elected; PNC & Session complete MIF, MIF approved by COM

(meet 4th Tues of month), Presbytery stated Clerk works with MIF &

Financials (Meet Felipe Martinez)

September 1 PNC starts receiving PIFs to review. Also any self-referrals (5-10 qty)

Will select PIFs for further review

October 1 Should be ready to interview/meet candidates. Narrow down candidates to final choices.

November 1 Fill position.

NOVEMBER IS STEWARDSHIP MONTH. The Finance Committee will begin to evaluate our church's financial resources, as it plans the budget for 2016. Church members are also encouraged to give thought to the needs of the church and the part they are willing to take to support our church in our local and world mission.

The Nominating Committee will soon begin to seek members of the Church to fulfill the offices for Session,

Deacon Ministry, and Trustee. I would encourage the members of the Church to follow the direction for the

selection of the PNC. Many PNC members volunteered to serve on this committee. There are many important

and varied roles in the life of a vibrant church. I would ask each of you to consider what part you can play. To

volunteer please contact Kathy Welch or Carrie Black, session members serving on the Nominating Team.

Did you attend Reformation Sunday??? If you

didn't you really missed a great fellowship and

worship service. The Fellowship was hosted by

Sue Lane, Jodi Phillips and Kathy Welch who

made scones and shortbread for us to enjoy. They

also had hot tea which was a nice change. There

were about 60 folks in attendance. Everyone was

given a placard to remember the day. It was a

cutout of a Scottie Dog with a card marking the

day inside. The sanctuary was decorated for the

occasion and all in attendance had been asked to

wear plaid. Thanks to Jane Rutledge and Pastor

Linda for the decorations. The pews were filled

with lots of plaid and Pastor Linda had on a

beautiful Scottish outfit. The service started with

a bag piper. We were blessed to have a

professional piper from Peoria helping with our

celebration. The Choir sang, the piper played 3-4

times, and Beth Martin played a Scottish tune on

her flute. Pastor Linda's sermon was a history

lesson on Reformation Sunday. It was a great

day. Thanks to all who decorated, provided music,

provided Fellowship or helped in anyway.

Mark your calendars! Children’s Christmas

Program December 20th

Please join us for the

Farmington

Council of Churches

Thanksgiving

Evening Worship

Service

at

First Presbyterian

Church

of Farmington

6:30PM

November 22nd

Hanging of the Greens

Please join us!

November 22nd

after worship

(Potluck afterwards)

PEO Dinner

December 8th

5:30PM

NOVEMBER 2015

SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT

1 Food Pantry & Communion Sunday

2 3 4 Choir Practice

7-8:00PM

5 6

7

Church Work

Day

8

9 PNC meeting

6:15PM

10 Session meeting 7PM

11 Choir Practice

7-8 Choir Practice 7-8:00PM

12

13 Presbyterian Women 12PM

14

15

16

PNC meeting

6:15PM

17

18 Nov Burning Bush deadline NOON

Choir Practice

7-8:00PM

19

20 21

22 Hanging of the Greens after worship FCC Thanksgiving Service 6:30PM

23 PNC meeting

6:15PM

24

25

Choir Practice

7-8:00PM

26 Office Closed

27 Office Closed

28

29

30

PNC meeting

6:15PM

1 Christi Garlish 7 Trevor Martin 8 Brady Johnson, Delano Ohaver, Tate Ulm 11 Karen Goggin-Wilson 14 Cozy Hoover 15 Pat Welker 30 Velma Petty

November 10

Mike & Paula Monari

November 27

Randy & Kathy Welch

November 30

Cozy & Gary Hoover

SAVE THE DATE!!! BRING A FRIEND... TELL EVERYONE...

HOLIDAY BAZAAR & SOUP SUPPER

Saturday, November 21, 4pm to 7pm

All You Can Eat Soup ONLY $5,

includes salad & drink

HOMEMADE SOUPS Vegetable, Chicken Noodle, Italian Potato and Chili

Extras: Desserts, Hot Dogs/Chili Dogs

Silent Auction | Crafts | Raffles | Plus More

Raffle Tickets: $1 ticket or $5 for 6 tickets

American Girl Doll of the Year “Grace” $1 ea or 6/$5 Lego City Set – NEW Deep Sea Operation Base plus more

Drawing held at 7PM, November 21st, at the Bazaar! To get your tickets early,

contact the church at 245-2914!

Want to help sell raffle tickets?

START WATCHING FOR THOSE WONDERFUL CLIPBOARDS TO MAKE THEIR WAY TO YOU!

The next meeting of the Presbyterian Women will be December 4th, at the home of Pauline Sprowls. We will have a soup and sandwich lunch at noon. The soup will be provided by Wanda, Pauline and Marianne. Subway sandwiches will also be on the menu. Following lunch, we will have our business meeting and decide how to disburse the money in our treasury. Two teams will be chosen for our very competitive annual Christmas trivia game. Last year Jean Peterson's team defeated Wanda's team. The cookie and candy exchange will conclude the meeting. Bring some Christmas goodies to share plus an extra container to hold your choices from the exchange. Our Christmas meeting is always an enjoyable time of fellowship. All ladies of the church are

encouraged to join us! asdfasdfsadfsadfsadf

Jackets and coats are available

through the Kid's Coat Closet for

students of Farmington Central School

District #265. Please contact the

church office at 245-2914 or Kathy

Welch at 245-4286.

“When Grief Doesn’t Take a Holiday” is a free Educational

Grief Seminar offered by UnityPoint Hospice – Peoria for

persons who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The

seminar is focused on understanding the special challenges

of coping with the winter holidays, including Thanksgiving,

the entire Christmas season, New Year’s Eve and New

Year’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Practical suggestions will

be provided for each holiday. The seminar will take place

Saturday, November 14, 2015, at the UnityPoint—

Methodist Atrium Building, ABC Conference Room in Peoria,

Illinois. Please RSVP at 309-672-5746 by Monday,

November 9, 2015.

Farmington Council of Churches Food Pantry

Donations of non-perishables are always very much appreciated!

Suggested items include but are not limited to:

Canned meats Peanut butter

Spaghetti sauce Canned meals

Macaroni & Cheese Pastas and rice

Cereal Canned fruits

Canned vegetables other than green beans

Next giveaway dates: November 18th

December 16th

New Hope Fellowship Church

1102 IL Route 78, Farmington

The Burning Bush – November 2015

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

83 North Cone Street

Farmington IL 61531-1248

Blessings on:

“In the Beginning was

the Word, and the

Word was with God,

and the Word was

God.” (John 1:1)

COME WORSHIP WITH US SUNDAYS! Sunday School classes for all ages 9:30AM Fellowship Time 10:30AM

Worship Service 11:00AM

Join us for a great message and God’s word! Enjoy wonderful music and fellowship between

Sunday School and Worship Service