Concerns, Announcements and Devotional Thought
A Weekly Ministry of Indianapolis First Friends Meeting
As Way Opens by Ruthie Tippin
O God, who art the unsearchable abyss of peace,
the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings
and the bestower of affection,
who sendest peace to those that receive it;
Open to us this day the sea of thy love
and water us with plenteous streams
from the riches of thy grace
and from the most sweet springs of thy kindness.
Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace,
enkindle in us the fire of thy love;
sow in us thy fear;
strengthen our weakness by thy power;
bind us closely to thee and to each other
in our firm and indissoluble bond of unity.
Syrian Clementine Liturgy
The very earliest significant liturgical document known to exist is in The Apostolic Constitutions (also known as the Clementine Liturgy). It contains scripture readings, sermon, dismissal of catechumens, a comprehensive litany, corporate intercessory prayer, kiss of peace, procession of the gifts to the altar, prayers, intercessions and the communing of the faithful. This beautiful prayer comes from that liturgy.
Announcements, Reports, & Opportunities
Day of Prayer and Support for Refugee Children - Paula and Ed Kassig of Indianapolis would like to thank the community and those around the country and world for their ongoing support and love. Abdul-Rahman was originally drawn to Syria to help refugees. That number has now grown to approximately 3 million people - half of whom are children - who have been forced to flee into Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan and other countries. (It's the equivalent to the entire population of Chicago fleeing to Indiana and Wisconsin.) We are asking people of Indiana and around the country to gather tomorrow, Wednesday evening, to pray for Abdul-Rahman Kassig and all innocent people harmed by war and violence. We also encourage them to learn about plight of Syrian refugees and how to help. We ask the American people and people around the world to support organizations working to help the children displaced by the Syrian civil war. The Butler University Muslim Student Association will host a prayer service tonight at 6:00pm at Butler University. Members of the community and general public are encouraged to attend. Those in attendance are asked to wear long-sleeved white shirts/sweaters (white is the color of peace) and long pants or skirts. It will be held in Atherton Student Union Mall located at 4600 Sunset Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46208.
Have you missed a Sunday Service and would like to hear the sermon? The audio is now available on our website. If you’d like to listen to a sermon as it was given, please visit https://first-friends.squarespace.com/sunday-morning-messages, and click on whichever sermon you’d like to hear.
Participate in our "Sponsor a College Student" project! Just select a college student off the board set up in the meetinghouse and send them notes, cards, treats, etc throughout the school year so they hear from someone at the Meeting and feel connected. We will continue to send care packages before finals in December and in May. Please let the office know at office@indyfriends.org if anyone is missing from this list of students: Amelia Calley, Helen Calley, Maggie Crawford, Natalie Donahue, Emma Faulkenbach, Adrian Firsich, Glennis Henderson, Greg Henricks, Lori Heusel, Portia Mastin, Will Mastin, Grace Miller, Christine Panah, Holly Pennington, Tyler Rodino, Lee Schilling, Mitch Snyder, Ben Wertz, Grif Williams, Nick Wilson, and Samuel Wilson.
Sign up for Softball! We’re trying to get a team together to play. Date and location TBD. Contact Coach Jim Donahue or Batboy Dan Mitchell if interested in playing.
Join us for an Eco-Film Series at Epworth United Methodist Church, 6450 Allisonville Road, at 7:30 p.m. on the second Friday of each month. The next one is Friday, October 10th at 7:30 p.m. called “Rock the Boat”. When a government agency decides that the Los Angeles River is not worthy of environmental protection, a biologist becomes a whistle blower, a writer trades pen for paddle, and together with others they change the course of history in a local battle with national significance. With climate change and an impending worldwide water crisis, we are now forced to examine the impact on nature of our urban lifestyle. With striking images of the L.A. River, insightful interviews and a soft spot for humor, Rock the Boat documents the intrepid fight to renew the river and the city itself, and affirms the power of committed individuals to jump-start that change. (54 min.) www.rocktheboatfilm.com
Volunteers will be at Mid-North Food Pantry next Wednesday, October 15th, at 10am. What if you can’t help at the Pantry on Wednesday’s? The Food Pantry can use donations of food, pantry basics, and even home goods like toilet paper and tooth paste. Please bring in donations this Sunday so they have plenty to hand out!
Save the Date! Plan to come and see our own Jeff Rasley give a Tedx talk at Fishers High School on Friday, October 17th. The theme of the event is “Mistakes, Failures and Reflections.” There will be a number of speakers as well as two Ted Talk videos. The event will take place from 7:00 to 10:00 pm in the Black Box Theatre. Doors open at 6:30 with student entertainment. Enter the building through door FH7, on the east side between the football stadium and auditorium. Tickets are $3 and can be reserved at this eventbrite website: http://tedxfishershighschool.eventbrite.com The seating for this event is limited – there are only 35 seats reserved for the general public, so sign up now!
Looking for some family-friendly fun this fall? The Meridian Street Preschool Co-Op is hosting their annual Fall Festival here at First Friends! Join us on Saturday, October 18th from 4-6pm for a chili cook-off, family photos, a costume contest, a bounce house, and family-friendly games and activities. You are welcome to add your best chili recipe into the contest – there will be prizes!
The 35th annual Indianapolis CROP Hunger Walk is on Sunday, October 19th. Indianapolis area congregations of all faiths, civic groups and other organizations are invited to participate. Walkers cover a designated route beginning and ending at the Christian Theological Seminary on 42nd St near Michigan Rd (near Butler University). Funds raised from this walk are channeled through Church World Service to help fight hunger around the world. Registration starts at 1:30 and you begin walking immediately, setting your own pace. We are putting together a team of people to participate in CROP walk. If you are interested please contact Jim Donahue at jdonahue@indy.rr.com or Beth Henricks at beth.henricks@indyfriends.org. If you would like to donate to the cause, we will have a table set up at the Meetinghouse collecting donations before the event. For more information, please visit http://www.indycropwalk.org/.
Poetry Group will meet this month on Tuesday, the 21st at 2:00 p.m. in the Parlor. We're excited to have Catherine Swanson reading poems from her about to be published book "A Map in the Wind!"
Ladies! Oak Leaf: Meeting for Reading will be discussing Elizabeth Clines’ Overdressed on the third Tuesday of October, the 21st, at 7 pm in the Parlor. If you would like to be on the email list or need a copy of the book list for 2014, please contact Kathy Rhyne at kathyrichelle@yahoo.com. Listening to the Light, by Jim Pym is our upcoming book for November.
You are invited! To a “Seasoned Friends” Potluck Luncheon (for retirement age or older!) on Tuesday, October 28th at 11:30. Weather-permitting we’ll have a wiener roast in the courtyard. Bill & Kathy Farris will be bringing hot dogs (vegetarian hotdogs upon request) and soup; please bring a side or dessert to share! Brian Pozen from The Englewood Group, who purchased the old church at 13th & Alabama, will be here to share their plans for the building. Come prepared to share stories and memories! Please RSVP to the Meeting Office at 255-2485 by Thursday, Oct. 23rd. We'd love to see you!