October Newsletter
Ben will Preach while
Pastor Je is on Vacation
Pastor Je is taking
one week of vacation from Monday Oct 21 through Sunday Oct 27th, for the week
of Lebanon School's fall break. Benjamin Piper will preach on Sunday Oct 27th.
Peace & Global Witness Offering
We will continue to collect the PCUSA special offering of Peace &
Global Witness through Sunday, October 6th.
Lord’s Prayer in Languages
We need volunteers to read
the Lord's Prayer in different languages on World Communion Sunday (Oct 6). If
you would like to volunteer, please contact pastor Je or the church office.
Baby Shower for
Ryan & Echo
Sunday 13th right
after the worship service, lunch will be provided. Please bring a package of diapers (newborn to larger sizes) or gift cards
(grocery stores, Wal-Mart, Target, restaurants, etc.) to "shower" the
couple.
DORA
DORA is a Designated
Outdoor Refreshment Area, which means in short, you can drink alcoholic
beverages outdoors on the streets within the area. The Heart of Lebanon is
going to propose to the city council of Lebanon to create one. For detail,
please see attached proposal from the Heart of Lebanon.
Bibles from Nick
Hill
Nick Hill donated several
"new" bibles to the church. If anyone wishes to have one, you are
more than welcome to take one. These are in the pastor's office.
Saturday Bible Study
Will meet in the library Saturday, October 5th
at 11:30am. We finished the
Book of Hebrews and will begin Genesis.
Coffee and tea will be provided but you need to bring your own lunch.
PPM News
Happy October! We are
so excited for the fun new things we will learn this month. Our Pre-K
classes will have their first field trip this Friday, October 4th.
They will be going to Dull's to learn all about pumpkins. Every Tuesday we
have a few special guests that come to read to our older classes. The children love their special readers
and enjoy the time with them. This year we have Amelia Braga- from
Boone County Waste Management, Sally Owens, Margie McConnaha and Ralph Willard.
A big thank you to all of them for taking time out of their schedule each
week and supporting PPM and the children.
We are hosting our first family night on October 4th. Our families will be able to come enjoy some fun art activities and dinner with one another. It's hard to believe that in a few weeks, Miss Mea will begin teaching Christmas songs for our program. I pray that while waiting for the bustle of the busy season that you can take time to enjoy the beautiful bounty of the Fall season.
Happy October,
Miss Lori Rowe
Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur: A Time of Reflection for Us All
As we step into the
month of October, many of our Jewish siblings will observe two of their holiest
days: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Though these holidays are central to
Judaism, they carry deep significance for us as Christians as well. Rooted in
the Old Testament, these festivals offer an opportunity for all of us to
reflect, repent, and renew our faith.
Rosh Hashanah: The
Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashanah, often referred to as the Jewish New Year, marks the beginning of
the High Holy Days or Days of Awe. It is a time of introspection, prayer, and
the sounding of the shofar—a ram's horn—calling the community to wake up
spiritually and reflect on their lives. This holiday reminds the Jewish people
of God's creation of the world and the opportunity to start anew, with a clean
heart.
In the Bible, Rosh Hashanah is referred to as the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus
23:23-25), where God commands His people to observe a day of rest, a sacred
assembly, and to sound the trumpet. As Christians, we can see parallels in how
God continually invites us into times of reflection and repentance, calling us
to listen for His voice and align our lives with His will. In the spirit of
renewal, Rosh Hashanah reminds us of the grace we receive in Jesus Christ, who
offers us the ultimate fresh start.
Yom Kippur: The Day of
Atonement
Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day on the Jewish
calendar. Following Rosh Hashanah, this day is dedicated to fasting, prayer,
and repentance. In ancient Israel, Yom Kippur was the day when the high priest
would enter the Holy of Holies and make a sacrifice on behalf of the people for
the forgiveness of their sins (Leviticus 16).
For us as Christians, the Day of Atonement takes on new meaning through Jesus,
our great High Priest, who became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. The book
of Hebrews speaks to this connection: "But when Christ came as high
priest... he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus
obtaining eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:11-12). Yom Kippur reminds us of
the importance of seeking forgiveness, not just during Lent or on special
occasions, but as a continuous practice. We are reminded that Christ's
sacrifice offers us atonement and reconciliation with God every day.
Why These Holidays
Matter to Us
Though Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are Jewish holidays, their themes are
universal. They remind us that the God of the Old Testament is the same God we
worship today, a God who is merciful and desires our renewal and repentance. As
Christians, we are grafted into the story of God's people. Paul writes in
Romans 11:17, "You, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among
the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root." The
roots of our faith run deep into the soil of the Old Testament and the history
of God's covenant people.
In a time when our
world is fractured and weary, these holy days invite us to pause, to listen for
God's call to repentance, and to remember the fresh start we have in Christ.
They are an opportunity for us to reflect on our own lives, seek forgiveness where
we have gone astray, and renew our commitment to walk humbly with God. As we
support and respect our Jewish neighbors during these days of reflection, we
can also be reminded of the shared heritage we have and the ways in which God
calls all of His people to be made new.
Let us take this
season as an opportunity to reflect, not only on our individual journeys but on
our shared journey of faith with all God’s people. May we listen to the call of
repentance, celebrate the gift of atonement, and move forward into the future
with hearts full of grace and hope.
Anna Newman Needs
Rides
Our dear member Anna
Newman cannot come to church for the worship service because her son who used
to give her ride to and from the church is now working on Sundays. If you are
available and willing to give her a ride for the Sunday morning worship service,
please let the church office know.
Matthew
25
For the past several
months, the Mission Committee and the Session have been working to join and
embrace a powerful and transformative vision within the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.): becoming a Matthew 25 Church. You may have heard this
term mentioned recently, but what does it mean? And why is this initiative so
significant for us as followers of Christ?
At its core, the Matthew 25 Church initiative is a movement within the PC(USA)
that calls congregations to live out the Gospel more boldly, compassionately,
and justly. Inspired by Jesus' words in Matthew 25:31-46, this vision
challenges us to deepen our discipleship by caring for those whom Jesus called
"the least of these." It is a call to serve with open hearts and
hands, to actively work for justice, and to witness the love of Christ in
concrete ways.
The Foundation:
Matthew 25:31-46
The Matthew 25 passage is one of the most vivid and challenging teachings of
Jesus. In this passage, Jesus speaks of the final judgment, separating the
sheep from the goats. He commends those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the
thirsty, welcomed the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and
visited those in prison, saying, “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.”
This text is not just a call to charity; it is a call to see Christ in every
person, particularly in those who are marginalized, suffering, and in need. It
challenges us to look beyond our own comfort zones and truly follow Jesus'
example of compassionate service.
The Three Focus Areas
of the Matthew 25 Initiative
PC(USA)’s Matthew 25 Church initiative invites congregations to engage in one
or more of three areas of focus. These areas reflect Jesus' call to serve and
transform the world in concrete and faithful ways:
1. Building
Congregational Vitality: This focus is about renewing and deepening our
spiritual lives as a congregation. A Matthew 25 Church seeks to cultivate
vibrant worship, nurture discipleship, and build meaningful relationships
within the church community and beyond. This vitality comes not just from
numbers but from how deeply we are living out our faith and connecting with
others in the name of Christ.
2. Dismantling Structural
Racism: Racism continues to be a major challenge in our country and around the
world. The Matthew 25 Church initiative calls us to confront and work to
dismantle systems of oppression that marginalize people of color. This means educating
ourselves, advocating for justice, and standing in solidarity with those who
are harmed by racial inequality. As Christians, we are called to reflect God's
vision of justice and peace, where all people are treated with dignity and
respect.
3. Eradicating Systemic
Poverty: Poverty is not just an individual issue; it is deeply tied to unjust
systems that keep people trapped in cycles of hardship. The Matthew 25 Church
seeks to address the root causes of poverty through acts of service, advocacy,
and systemic change. Whether it’s supporting local food banks, advocating for
living wages, or working for affordable housing, a Matthew 25 Church actively
engages in the work of economic justice.
Why This Matters for
Our Congregation
Becoming a Matthew 25 Church means we are choosing to live more deeply into our
identity as Christ’s disciples. It is a bold commitment to make our faith more
visible in the world through action, service, and justice. In a time when many
feel disconnected, divided, or uncertain about the future, this initiative
gives us a clear path to embody Christ's love in real and tangible ways.
This movement is not about programs or numbers; it’s about transforming our
hearts and our communities through faithful action. It’s about asking how we,
as a congregation, can be the hands and feet of Jesus, meeting people where
they are, and working for a world that reflects God's Kingdom of justice,
peace, and love.
How We Can Get
Involved
Over the coming months, our session will explore ways to engage in these three
focus areas. Whether it's through participating in local service projects,
attending educational workshops on racism and poverty, or revitalizing our
worship and outreach efforts, we will have opportunities to reflect, pray, and
act together.
I encourage each of you to consider how God is calling you personally to be a
part of this movement. Perhaps you feel drawn to helping those in need in our
community, advocating for justice, or revitalizing the spiritual life of our
congregation. Every small step matter, and together, we can make a big
difference.
As we embark on this journey, let us remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:
“As you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.” May we answer
this call with joy, courage, and hope, trusting that God is with us every step
of the way.
Celebrating
Reformation Day: A Time to Reflect on Our Heritage
End of October is not
only for Halloween but also Reformation Day, observed on October 31. This day
marks the anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting of his 95 Theses in 1517, an
event that sparked the Protestant Reformation. For us in the Presbyterian Church
(USA), Reformation Day is a time to reflect on the rich heritage of faith and
to remember how God continues to renew the church and its mission in the world.
The Reformation wasn’t
just about theological debates; it was about reclaiming the heart of the
gospel—the good news of God’s grace. Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other
reformers sought to return the church to the core teachings of Scripture,
centering on God’s love and salvation through Christ alone. For us
Presbyterians, Reformation Day is an invitation to remember our theological
roots, particularly the emphasis on God’s sovereignty, grace, and the call to
faithful discipleship.
Reformation Day also
reminds us that the church is always reforming. "Ecclesia reformata,
semper reformanda"—the church reformed, always reforming—remains a central
principle in our tradition. It is a reminder that God is continually working within
and among us, calling us to examine our lives, our practices, and our
community. As we move forward in faith, we are called to listen to the Spirit’s
guidance, seeking ways to make the gospel relevant to the changing needs of our
world.
This Reformation Day
let’s give thanks for the courage of the reformers, and let’s pray for wisdom
and boldness as we continue the work of renewing the church in our time. May we
be open to how God is still at work, leading us to be a faithful, gracious
presence in our community. To celebrate the Reformation, pastor Je and the
worship team will begin the Reformation sermon series focusing on the lives of
reformers. Sunday October 27th will be on John Calvin. Sunday,
November 3rd will be on John Knox. Sunday, November 10th will
be on Martin Luther. Sunday, November 17th will be on Jan Hus.
Communion Server Needed
We have Communion once a month, on the first Sunday of each
month. We need elders to serve the communion. You can volunteer to serve if you
are an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church of U.S.A. (PCUSA). If you are willing
to serve, please put your name on the sign-up sheet on the bulletin board
across from the church office. Servers are still needed for November and
December.
October Communion Servers
·
Sig Myers
·
Roy Flanary
·
Nancy Williams
·
Ralph Willard
Voice Actor for the Scripture Reading
We usually have two Scripture readings each Sunday, one from
the Old Testament (traditionally read by the liturgist), and the other from the
New Testament (traditionally read by the preacher). To make the Scripture come
alive to us, we are dramatizing the Scripture reading whenever there is
conversation involved in the Scripture readings. If you would help in making
the Scripture readings more dynamic, please let Neal Crouse know on the Sunday
of your choice.
BYOB
Don’t forget the BYOB—Bring Your Own Whatever B—on Friday, October
11th at church library, 11:30AM.
Faith Circle
The Faith Circle meets every second Wednesday of the month
from April to October, at 1:30 PM at the church library. In October, the date
is Wednesday, October 9th.
October Church Calendar
Tues. 1st Benjamin Piper’s Birthday
Thurs. 3rd Rosh Hashana
Fri. 4th 11:30am Gourmet Seekers
Feast of St.
Francis Assisi
Sat. 5th Robert
& Phyllis Duff’s
Anniversary
11:30 am Bible
Study
Sun. 6th Pamela
Dies Birthday World Communion
Last Day for Peace
& Global Witness Offering
Mon. 7th Doris Hayden’s Birthday
Wed. 9th 1:30pm Faith Circle
Fri. 11th 11:30am BYOB
Sat. 12th Don & Lynn Kenyon’s Anniversary
11:30am Bible
Study
Yom Kippur
Church
Fellowship Hall reserved
Sun. 13th LIFE Sunday
Baby Shower for
Ryan & Echo
Mon. 14th Columbus Day
Tues. 15th 6:30pm Session Meeting
Sat. 18th 11:30am Bible Study
Mon. 21st Pastor Je Vacation
PPM Fall Break
Tues. 22nd Rob & Donna Bevington’s Anniversary
Pastor Je Vacation
PPM Fall Break
Wed. 23rd Pastor Je Vacation
PPM Fall
Break
Thurs. 24th Pastor
Je Vacation
PPM Fall
Break
Fri. 25th 11:30am Gourmet Seekers
5:30pm Worship
Team Meeting
Pastor Je
Vacation
PPM Fall Break
Sat. 26th NO Bible Study
Pastor Je Vacation
Sun. 27th Caring/Reformation Sunday
Ben Piper will
Preach
Phyllis Duff’s
Birthday
Bruce
McConnell’s Birthday
Pastor Je Vacation
Mon. 28th Mary Beth Pauley’s Birthday
Thurs. 31st Halloween
Church Contact Information
Office Email: office@LebanonFPC.org
Pastor Email: pastor@LebanonFPC.org
Phone: 765-482-5959
Address: 128 E. Main St. Lebanon, IN 46052
Website: https://www.LebanonFPC.org
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