Founded in 1878 To the Glory of God

January 1, 2019 Newsletter No. 1-19

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925 West Walnut Street Metamora, Illinois, 61548

Telephone (309) 367-4603 www.christianunionchurch.com

Church Office: mcuc@mtco.com

Pastor

Gary Salm: pstrgary@mtco.com Youth Pastor

Brandon Bogue: brandonbogue1@mtco.com

With the passing of just a few short days, we will begin a new decade.

What does your 2020 vision look like? Is it pessimistic, optimistic or one filled

with a long “to do” list? In high school our recommended reading lists

included a book called 1984 by George Orwell. He had a vison of the future

that seemed a bit crazy at the time. The book was written in 1948, published in

1949. Orwell died just one year later. Many of his visons have come into play

and many more seem almost destined to be fulfilled. One reviewer wrote of his book:

“Thematically, Nineteen Eighty-Four centers on the consequences of government over-reach,

totalitarianism, and repressive regimentation of all persons and behaviors within society”. While

these things are at our door again, this is nothing entirely new. It is merely accelerated by the

new technologies of the day. Kingdoms have always been in conflict. Who holds power will

always be the question of the day. Who holds power in your life?

I am confident that a national election will occupy much of our attention during the coming

year. I am also confident that by the end of the election cycle we will be begging for the political

ads to end and life return to normal. Whoever wins, Christ will still be Lord. He will still be the

best source of truth and power. The world of politics does its best to manipulate and spin its

reasons for wanting to hold/gain power over your life. Some politicians are scary because they

will tell you one thing and do another. Others are scary because they will do exactly what they

say they are going to do.

Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life” John 14:6. Do we really believe that? He

also said, “My kingdom is not of this world”: John 18:36. If that is true, things of this world

need to find their place in the back of the line. The Apostle Paul said, “All Scripture is God-

breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that

the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”. I want to challenge our

fellowship at Christian Union with a 2020 vision to better recognize “His Kingdom” in our life,

in our church, in our community and in our world. This will mean trying some new things

inspired by His Word, renewing some things we have done in the past that were also inspired by

His Word. Doing everything with an aim to build His Kingdom in our lives.

I have been working with leadership on the development of ministries that will enhance and

elevate His Kingdom in our church in the coming year. Starting in January we will be promoting

a “Book of the Month” rather than merely memorizing a memory verse. We will also be working

at other ways to apply His Word in ministry and worship. I am looking forward to the coming

year(s) and trying some new things and renewing some things that have worked in the past. I am

confident that when Christ is Lord of our lives, our priorities will be well placed. In the chorus of

the old hymn we sing, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face; and the things

of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace”. May His Kingdom come in

2020 and beyond.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Our Daily Bread Large Print — is available for January, February and March.

Winter Mission Project — from January to March gifts will go to support Christ for India,

specifically the church and orphanage we helped to build. You can donate by using the Winter

Project envelope in your giving packet or by marking a pew envelope ‘Winter Project.’

Fall Mission Project — in October and part of November, through your generosity over $850

was given to the SugarPlum Project. For the rest of November and December donations were

used to support local, under-resourced families. Over $1700 in gift cards were delivered. Thank

you!

Snow Cancellations — Winter is here and we know the weather may interfere with our plans.

If you ever have a doubt about services or programs at church just check out our Facebook page.

Go to Facebook.com and search Christian Union Church. We will post any changes there and

with area TV stations.

Katarina Ellison Drew — born on 11/20 to Wes & Sara

Drew. She weighed 8lbs 13.6oz and 20.5in long.

Ruby Ann McClary — born on 11/29 to Dan & Loribeth

McClary (grandparents Kevin & Kim McLaren). She weighed 7lbs 14oz and 20.5in long.

Karryn Jane Smith — born on 12/11 to Jennie & Phil

Smith (grandparents Kent & Heidi Malone). She weighed

7lb 11.5oz and 18in long.

Please pray God’s protection and strength for Andrew Dahl, stationed in Italy; Chelsie

Heathcoat, stationed in Fort Benning, GA; Levi Heathcoat, stationed at Fort Carlson in Colorado Springs, CO. We continually lift up all the faithful men and women in

uniform serving throughout the world.

Please continue to pray for:

Wynema Parks — recovery from hip surgery to insert a pin on 12/13;

Jill Frost, Ken Maurer, Donna Miller, John Szilvasy, Noah Gregait, Sue Johnson,

Rachel Cook, Abbi Jones, Mike Colty, Clyde Carroll, Joy Bays, Erin Miller, Elaine

Lauffenburger, Bob Mason, Bruce Thompson, Tara Ott, Kathleen Minnich, Linda Jones, John Clark, Naomi Anderson, Emily O’Connor, Richard Parks, Becky Jones,

Grahm, Julie Parks, Dona Parks, Hazel Dyar, Sue Zobrist, Tia Dye, Ian Wallace, Kyle

Wood, Mona Smock, Larry & Marty Mullins, Mary Dexter, Shirley Lindsay, Mitch Williams, Donna Schifeling, and Faye Hines as they deal with on-going health issues.

Our Partners in Mission:

New Hope Community Church; Martin Smith, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship;

MTHS Snowball; Open Arms Food Pantry

A N D

Please have all committee reports and documents for the 2019 Annual Report to the office by Monday, January 6th.

The Annual Christian Union Church Congregational meeting

will be held Sunday, January 26, 2020 in the Church Sanctuary at 10:00 am .

Annual Reports will be available on Sunday, January 12th.

Church Council Nominative Slate is:

TREASURER — Dick Owens TRUSTEE — Ed Metts

AT LARGE — Mary Armstrong, Chad Keller, and Jeff Herring

Dining Out is going to

Monical’s in Washington

Thursday, January 9 at 6:00 pm

Meet at the restaurant.

Invite a friend and join us for an evening of fellowship and fun. Please make your reservation outside the church office by Monday, Jan. 6. For more information see

Amy Cotton, Sue Devine and Janet Winkler

Altar Flower Chart for 2020

The new flower chart is up on the bulletin board near the Fellowship Hall. If you have a special remembrance or occasion to commemorate with altar flowers, please sign up for your special date on that calendar. Thank you for enhancing the beauty of our sanctuary and allowing us to celebrate and remember with you. If you have any questions please call the office.

Philathea will meet Tuesday, January 14th at 6:00 pm in

the Fellowship Hall for a potluck dinner. Hosts are the 2020 Officers: June

Ahrens, Donna Woltzen, Sue Zobrist and Jolene Pelton. Donna Woltzen will be

leading devotions.

2020 Giving Envelopes are available on the table in the

foyer. If you were expecting to have a set but did not find

one or you would like a set please contact the church

office.

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There is no Elevate

after the Christmas Party.

Thanks for a great 2019!

Look Back/Look Ahead is Sunday, January 12th 6-8pm! Open to both age

groups! This is the kick-off for the 2020 year for Elevate! Don’t miss out!

Upcoming Sermons: 1/5 Colossians 1 : 9 - 20 Kingdoms in Concert 1/12 Colossians 1 : 28 - 25 The Mystery of God 1/19 Colossians 3 : 12 - 17 Whatever You Do 1/26 Colossians 4 : 2 - 6 The Church on the Outside

Pajama Party Project Metamora Community Preschool is sponsoring a pajama drive through the month of January. Donations of NEW pajamas will provide warmth to women and children in need at Heart House. Adult pajamas will also be distributed to residents in need at Snyder Village. You can drop you donations in the basket outside the church office. THANK YOU!

Please join us in reading a book in the Bible each month this year. January’s Book of the Month is Colossians. We hope you enjoy this year’s new tradition as much as we do!

To our Christian Union Church Friends,

We wanted to thank those of you who donated to our SugarPlum Project. This year, we were able to provide 128 beds and bed sets to local children in need. As we have said before, we would not be able to give to those in need without the kindness and generosity of people like you. We thank you and we thank God, who guides us, who blesses our project with these families and who opens your hearts to the children’s needs. Thank you and God bless, Greg, Erin, Cullen and Keagan Nevitt

January 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Office Closed

2 3 4 4:30 1st Look Rehearsal

5 9:00 Worship & KidZone 10:00 CoffeeHr Adult & Jr Hi/ Sr Hi SS 11:00 Worship & KidZone 3:30 Adult SS Rm Reserved

6 8:30 Morning Joe @Cornerstone 5:30 Camp Wildwood Reserved 7:00BoyScout Fellowship Hall

7 10:00 Staff Meeting 6:00 Adult SS Rm Reserved 6:30TakeTwo Rehearsal

8 7:00 1st Look Rehearsal

9 5:30 Fellowship Hall Reserved 6:00 Dining Out@ Monical’s

10 8:30 Living Rm Reserved

11 11:00 Fellowship Hall Reserved

12 9:00 Worship & KidZone 10:00 CoffeeHr Adult & Jr Hi/ Sr Hi SS 11:00 Worship & KidZone 2:30 Camp WildwoodRsvd Sr HiElevate

13 6:00 Mission Comm. mtg 7:00 Church Council mtg 7:00BoyScout Fellowship Hall

14 10:00 Staff Meeting 6:00 Potluck for Philathea 6:00 Adult SS Rm Reserved 6:30TakeTwo Rehearsal

15 Jr Hi ELEVATE

16 17 8:30 Living Rm Reserved

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19 8:00 Rehearsal 9:00 Worship & KidZone 10:00 CoffeeHr Adult & Jr Hi/ Sr Hi SS 11:00 Worship & KidZone Sr Hi ELEVATE

20 MLK Day Office Closed 8:30 Morning Joe @ Cummins 5:30 Living Rm Reserved 7:00BoyScout Fellowship Hall

21 10:00 Staff Meeting 6:00 Adult SS Rm Reserved 6:30TakeTwo Rehearsal

22 7:00 1st Look Rehearsal Jr Hi ELEVATE

23 5:30 Fellowship Hall Reserved

24 8:30 Living Rm Reserved

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26 9:00 Worship & KidZone 10:00 Jr Hi/ Sr Hi SS; Annual Mtg 11:00 Worship & KidZone Sr Hi ELEVATE

27 7:00BoyScout Fellowship Hall

28 10:00 Staff Meeting 6:00 Adult SS Rm Reserved 6:30TakeTwo Rehearsal

29 7:00 1st Look Rehearsal Jr Hi ELEVATE

30 31 8:30 Living Rm Reserved

Date A/V Team Lay

Reader 9:00

Nursery 11:00

Nursery Greeters

9 am; 11 am KidZone

1/5 Gary Barke

/ Zach Barker Jolene Pelton

Crystal Benes and Open

Audrey Salm and Open

Doug & Jean Long

/Kristen Ward

Theresa Braun and Caleb Salm

1/12 Steve Griffin

/ Angie Kimbro

Judy Winkler

Sheila Boles and Open

Kristen Ward and

Open

Kathy Imhoff and Camille

Imhoff / Theresa

Braun

Sandi Riggert and

Sarah Kimbro

1/19

Stan Deatherage

/ Matt Gregait

Dick Owens

Sandi and Autumn Riggert

Jill Fandel and Open

Sue Zobrist / Open

Jayme Hackett and

Sarah McDonald

1/26

Stan Deatherage

/ Denny Hahn

Angie Kimbro

Open and Sarah Kimbro

Open and Open

Donna Woltzen and Sandie

Moore / Sue Kern

Lois and Valerie Jones

January Ministry Leaders

January Ushers and Communion Stewards

Nicole & Doug Garber, Darlene McDaniel, Dewey & Elaine Newell, and Rhonda Ries

Communion Preparation:

Sue Devine

Welcome Rep:

Deb Houch

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Attention, Snyder Passengers!

Winter is here and the Snyder bus team is eager to continue serving our bus riders! However, we recognize that sometimes inclement weather conditions may make this impossible.

We are leaving the decision up to the individual driver each week as to whether or not to make the trip. If the weather is too bad, the driver will contact Snyder Village and passengers to let them know the bus will not be running. We will also post an announcement on TV and on our website.

If you would like to become a driver, or know someone who might like to ride, please contact Judy Winkler at 383-4680.

January Schedule

Driver Helper

1/5 Cathy Gregait Noah Gregait

1/12 Jared Barker Zach, Kevin, & Derek Barker

1/19 John Armstrong Mary Armstrong

1/26 Matt Kimbro Sarah Kimbro

1 – 04 Scott & Emily Marsh 1 - 08 Rob & Jayme Hackett 1 – 21 Doug & Nicole Garber

1 – 01 Chris Keller 1 – 02 Andy Gleason Barb Pitzer 1 – 03 Clayton Bachman Cullen Nevitt Joe Reich 1 - 04 Kathy Braun 1 – 10 Lucas Ahrens Ryan Shoff Morgan Viggers 1 – 13 Chelsea Cook

1 - 17 Ethan Kellerstrass 1 – 18 Merrie Jo Allen Nate Parks 1 – 19 Dave Cheek 1 – 22 Gloria Hicks Alexis Kellerstrass Ed Metts III Dick Owens 1 – 23 Nancy Bernius 1 – 25 Sandi Riggert Roy Thommen

1 – 26 Jerry Heller Ally Schumacher 1 – 27 Jason Allen 1 – 28 Stan Deatherage Noah Ward 1 - 30 Delaney Greer 1 – 31 Lacey Hanrahan

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