STATE OF THE UNION

Article. II., Section. 3., of the Constitution of the United States provides that the President "shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses…" The idea was that presidents would be found in and among the members of Congress often. But since receiving some rough treatment, George Washington limited his reports to once, yearly, in the form of a spoken address. This became known as the "Presidents Annual Message."

John Adams reported likewise as did his successor, Thomas Jefferson, early on. However, Jefferson's dislike of the similarity between a president's speech before Congress and the English King's address to Parliament led him to discontinue in favor of a delivering a written address only. This, then, became the practice observed for over 100 years. It was a former college professor, President Woodrow Wilson, who brought back Washington's tradition in 1913 and became the first since Jefferson to orally deliver his report in the Capitol. Later, President Franklin Roosevelt changed its name to the more accurate "State of the Union Address."
"State of the Union" is the phrase found in the Constitution. The framers intended the nation to be regarded not as some monolithic entity but as a union of separate and independent states. (Hence the name, United States of America). This can also be a useful way to think of the Church. The New Testament tells the Church: "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it" (1 Corinthians 12:27). As a local congregation of the Lord's Church, we are individuals united together in faith, worship, and obedience to God. But we are separate souls.

"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Romans 12:4-5). We strive together, we love together, we cry together, and yes, we have the same goal of living lives pleasing to God. Yet, we do not lose our identities into one melded soul. The Church and a local congregation of it, is a union of baptized, obedient, believers and there is one thing that unites us: Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Christ whose body we are.

A recent tradition regarding the president's address, whether in good times or bad, is the inclusion of the bold statement, "the state of our union is strong!" In some congregations, preachers present a "state of the congregation address." If we were to present an address on the state of our congregation, how would we describe our union? The above passages make it clear. If each soul is committed to serving God faithfully through Jesus Christ and to accepting the leadership of Jesus Christ as the head of His church (Ephesians 1:22), the state of our union will be strong!

- Neil

SCRIPTURE READING: Daniel 3:8-18

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sean Conley has begun working with the Franklin Congregation. The congregation here helps support Sean.
Summer Series: June 9 thru Aug. 11th--each Wed.
Agape Dinner: Feb. 13@ 5:30 p.m. Sign up sheet is on Bulletin board
Pantry Items: Canned meats, soups
Soup & Sandwich Potluck: Rescheduled to Feb. 28
2010 Sign-up sheet for monthly fellowships is posted on the bulletin board

PRAYER LIST - ADDITIONS/UPDATES:
Jason Collette: has been laid off from his job
Our deepest sympathy is extended to Doug Stroop's family on the passing Wednesday of his Uncle, Wilson Runion.
Fay Pitsenbarger, Tana's Mother, fell last week and has a possible fractured tailbone and other complications.
Patti's cousin, Amy, has been put on bed rest due to bleeding during her pregnancy. She has approximately 5 months to go until the baby is born.
Gloria & Connie's friend, Gloria Crawford's mother has lung cancer.
Jan Worthy: will be having surgery to remove a growth on her thyroid on Feb. 2nd.
Katie Hylton, Tana's friend, is in UVA for about 6-7 wks, to hopefully stop premature labor. Baby is due March 21.
Erica Regester: (Carr's cousin) Leukemia has returned She is undergoing another round of Chemo. & may need a marrow transplant.
Roy Carr: Bob Carr's brother, has 2 herniated discs in his back. He had surgery Friday.
English Barbour: Jennifer's sister-in-law gave birth Friday to a healthy baby girl.
Chandler Brown: Is in rehab and is improving.
Francis, Bob Biller's Sister, will have skin graft on her foot Feb. 4th.
Heather Hegg, friend of Jan's--serious eating disorder
Tony Viola
Ed Moss: Co-worker of KK's is in Harrisonburg Health & Rehab. after having been in RMH with MRSA.
Heather Pauley
Jennifer's Grandmother, Virginia Bland: lung cancer
Terri Estep: Patti's co-worker, is back on lose dose chemo & will be re-tested later this month or in Feb.
Mary Ellen Carr, Bob's Mother, is very weak
Elliott Asbury
Edward Ford, Charlene's Grandfather: cancer has returned; on chemo
Caitlin Worthy.
Mary Ann Adkins: Health issues
Dallas & Margaret Barrett: ongoing health problems
Melanie Moyer: Friend of Emory's, breast cancer
Pam Mundo
PLEASE keep Linda updated so we can keep the prayer list current.

FRIENDS/FAMILY SERVING IN THE MILITARY:
Josh Phillips-Iraq; Josh Buchanan-Germany, Ben Frazier-Home temporarily; Brant Weisner-Kuwait, Eric Reed-Iraq

OUR COLLEGE STUDENTS:
Adam Good, Kayten Stroop, Kolter Stroop, Jan Worthy, Heather Pauley