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ST. PAUL’S UCC NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2014

103 South Second Street

Marthasville, MO 63357

(636) 433-2482

[email protected]

www.stpaulsuccmo.org

Seeking to Know, Grow In, and Show the Ways of Jesus

Letter from the Pastor

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

In the above passage, Jesus was comforting his followers and reassuring them that God wants “good” for

them. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of our anxieties, fear, and anger enough to let God’s good intentions for us in.

Hopefully, the All Church Guided Conversation is one way to help us let go of some of the emotions and

confusion around the church split that occurred in June of this year. As we work through the experiences of last

Spring and Summer, hopefully, we will have an opportunity to learn, grow, heal, and renew as a congregation.

The All Church Guided Conversation is scheduled for December 5-6. The Conversation is divided into

three sessions, with the first session beginning Friday evening, 6:30-8:30 p.m. The second and third sessions will be

Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding at 3 p.m. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Each session builds

upon the other, but it is possible to miss one session and still be able to fully participate in the other two.

Rev. Allen Ladage and I will be leading the Conversation. Rev. Ladage was one of the pastors who

preached at St. Paul’s during the summer. He is a retired Methodist minister. Currently he is teaching a

communications class at Central Methodist University. He has experience leading groups through discernment and

planning processes. He told me he has worked with school districts and civic groups doing long-term planning. I

am looking forward to working with Rev. Ladage on this Conversation.

Ok, now is a time for my personal confession. I have some fears and anxieties too. My fear is that Rev.

Ladage and I have designed and planned this Conversation and no one will show. I’m afraid people will say, “Oh,

it’s too long,” or “Why dig all this up again,” or “This is not my thing,” or “My opinion doesn’t matter.”

So here is my plea: please come; know that all opinions, ideas, insights are welcome; trust that the process

will be helpful. What could it hurt to spend some holy time in Conversation together as God’s church!

I think of what Jesus said to his “little flock” in Luke. After reassuring them of God’s good intent he

reminded them that “where their treasure is, there their hearts will be also.” We usually take that to mean where our

money is, but maybe it could also mean, where our priorities, or our commitment is, there we will invest our energy,

our time, our effort.

Many Blessings—Pastor Donna

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December Extra Step - Veterans of the Cross (aka “The Christmas Fund.”) This fund is for retired pastors and their wives who are in need. Years ago,

pensions and retirement funds were not available or well known. Pastors lived in church property and never gained any equity in their homes. When a pastor retired, they retired without a home or a means to supplement their social security incomes.

By donating to this Extra Step in December, your money will help provide resources for the Emergency Fund, which provides resources to these pastors. Gifts to this fund also help provide pension and health premium supplementation to low-income retirees. Visit them on the web: www.christmasfund.org

http://www.stpaulsuccmo.org/

Quilters are encouraged to join us. All are welcome; participants need not be a member of St. Paul’s to stitch with us. Quilters meet on Mondays 10am-4:30pm and Thursdays 1-4:30pm.

Encourage fellow quilters you know to come join us! Also, if anyone wishes to learn to quilt, this would be an excellent opportunity.

17

CONTENTS

Adult Choir .......................................................... 4 Operation Christmas Child.................................... 3 Adult Social Connection ...................................... 5 Photo Frame Ornaments ..................................... 3 Altar Flowers ....................................................... 4 Poinsettias ........................................................... 3 Anniversary Books .............................................. 5 Prayer List ........................................................... 8 Birthdays, Anniversaries ...................................... 7 Pregnancy Assistance Center .............................. 3 Blood Drive .......................................................... 5 Puzzles..................................................... 5, 6, 7, 8 Calendar of Events .............................................. 9 Quilters ................................................................. 2 Christmas Program ............................................. 3 Search Committee Notice ..................................... 6 Church Membership ........................................... 5 Services of Worship.......................................... 3, 4 Council Highlights ............................................... 6 Staff/Council Members ......................................... 2 Extra Step .......................................................... 1 Sunday Morning Fellowship .................................. 5 Helping Hands Ministry ....................................... 5 Sunday School Ministry ........................................ 3 Homebound Church Members ............................ 8 Women’s Guild .................................................... 2 Letter from the Pastor ......................................... 1 Worship Leaders ................................................. 4 Membership Care ................................................ 6 Youth Fellowship ................................................. 7

St. Paul’s UCC Staff

Pastor Donna Kendrick-Philips ....................................................................................................... Interim Pastor Susan Miesner ([email protected]) ............................................................................................ Secretary Sally Rohe ..................................................................................................................................................... Organist Dana Lange, Amy Lange, David Lange ........................................................ Volunteer Projection Technicians Sally & Tony Rohe .................................................................................................................................. Custodians Dana Lange ...................................................................................................................... Youth Fellowship Leader Robbin DeVore .......................................................................................................... Volunteer Newsletter Editor

Church Council

David Lange ......................................................................................... President/Pastoral Relations Committee Wade Swartz ............................................................................... Vice President/Pastoral Relations Committee Robbin DeVore ......................................................................................................................... Recording Secretary Russell Kersten ........................................................................................................................... Financial Secretary Karla Aholt ................................................................................................................................................. Treasurer Amy Lange ......................................................................................................... Missions /Historical Committee Terri Ogle ............................................................................................................. Christian Education Committee Kay Buhr .................................................................................................................. Membership Care Committee Nick Rohe........................................................................................................... Buildings & Grounds Committee

WOMEN’S GUILD Christmas Luncheon

Wednesday, Dec. 3rd at the Hawthorne Inn, Labadie, MO. Meet at the church at 11am to carpool. Visitors are welcome.

There’s a sign-up sheet in the lobby.

St. Paul’s Christmas Program, entitled “Christmas

Must Be Tonight,” is well under way. This year, the program is a

“church family” program—participants are not just the Sunday School

Students. Please mark your calendars now! Everyone is invited! You will not

want to miss this!! Program rehearsal will be on Saturday, Dec. 20th from

10am-12N. The program is scheduled for 7pm on Sunday, Dec. 21st. ALL are

welcome and encouraged to attend, so please spread the word!

NOTE: participants are to be at church by 6:30pm the night of the program.

adult Sunday School classes, begin Sunday, Nov. 30th, and

run through the Advent season, immediately following church services,

in the parlor. NOTE: The young adult class will meet in the room behind

the organ during Advent.

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Purchase a poinsettia to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas in honor or in memory of someone. A sign-up sheet is in the lobby.

Poinsettias are $17. Please place payment in the offering plate and label payment accordingly. You may take your poinsettia home after Christmas.

The picture frame ornaments are $7.50 each and make excellent keepsakes for family and friends. They are dated and the back is made for personalization. See Robbin DeVore or a member of the Women’s Guild to purchase yours today.

OPERATION

CHRISTMAS

CHILD

St. Paul’s UCC collected

34 gift boxes that will

provide a needy child a

Christmas gift. Thanks

to all who participated

in this mission project.

PREGNANCY

ASSISTANCE

CENTER Paper ornaments on the tree in

the lobby are labeled with items

that can be purchased for needy

families associated with the PAC.

All items MUST be returned by

Sun., Dec. 14th, wrapped or

unwrapped. Be sure to return the

paper “ornament” with item.

Christmas Eve Service

St. Paul’s UCC will have one service of

worship at 7pm this year on

Christmas Eve. There will be no

service on Christmas Day.

The Adult Choir always welcomes more voices. Come join

us in song. The choir typically sings

every 3rd Sunday of the month, and

usually practices the Thursday evening

before the 3rd Sunday; however, this

month the choir will practice on Thurs.,

Dec. 11th & 18th and sing on Sunday,

Dec. 21st during the worship service

and at the evening Christmas program.

Services of Worship

9:30am

Pastor Donna Kendrick-Philips, Interim Pastor

Altar flowers:

November 2: in honor of Britni Mitchell’s birthday, from Mom & Dad (Sally & Tony Rohe) November 9: in memory of Delvin & Lulu Hasenjaeger’s wedding November 12, 1960 November 16: by the congregation to the glory of God November 23: in memory of Ken DeVore and Cornelius Berg, both of whose wedding anniversaries

would have been today. **Extra arrangement in honor of Sally and Tony Rohe’s 45th wedding anniversary, Nov. 22nd**

November 30: in honor of Bob and Karen Dohrer’s 46th wedding anniversary today

NOTE: Consider sponsoring the altar flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one, a special date,

or just because… Sign-up sheets for altar flowers are in the hallway.

December 7th 14th 21st 28th

Usher Team

Wade Swartz (lead) Gene Ahmann Patty Thornton Phyllis Sontag Nell Glosemeyer

Karla Aholt (lead) Ken Painter Harvey Cramer Maurice Mittler

Russell Kersten (lead) Bob & Maggie Barron John & Nancy Presser

Robbin DeVore (lead) Tony Rohe Curt Rohe Jacob DeVore

Acolytes Wade Swartz Karla Aholt Russell Kersten Isaiah DeVore

Readers Marge Jones Karla Aholt Curt Rohe Jacob DeVore

Greeters Brenda Roloff Marge Jones

Ken Painter Harvey Cramer

Bob & Maggie Barron John & Nancy Presser

Tony Rohe Curt Rohe

Nursery Carrie Deeker Pat Shacklette Stacie Chapman Rachel Richardson

Fellowship Kay Buhr Karen Dohrer

Pat Shacklette

Nov. Worship

Attendance:

11-2-2014-----73

11-9-2014-----82

11-16-2014-----60

11-23-2014-----60

11-30-2014-----will

appear in next issue

The missions committee

is looking for someone to

lead the Helping Hands

ministry. See Amy Lange

with inquiries.

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP St. Paul’s UCC welcomes new members. Anyone who is interested in joining

St. Paul’s UCC should contact Pastor Donna or the church office.

*********TRIVIA QUESTIONs: *********

(Answers on pg. 8)

1. What does “Emmanuel” mean? (Matthew 1:23)

a. God with us b. He who is God c. Anointed One d. Son of God

2. What was the shepherds’ initial reaction to the angel who visited them? (Luke 2:9)

a. They were angry b. They were afraid c. They were excited d. They were upset

3. Who visited Joseph, Mary, and the baby Jesus on the night He was born? (Luke 2:15-16)

a. Shepherds b. Shepherds, wise men, and those dwelling in Bethlehem c. Wise men d. Shepherds & wise men

4. The wise men traveled ____________________ to Jerusalem. (Matthew 2:1)

a. Westward b. Northward c. Eastward d. Southward

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Adult Social Connection will not meet in December due to the holidays; however, this event will resume in January. January’s meeting will be Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 at 6:30pm. Plans are to meet for soup and an evening of games. Watch for a sign-up sheet in the lobby.

150th

Anniversary Book…

Sunday Morning Fellowship

A time of fellowship and refreshments follows the service of worship. We

need volunteers to assist with the coffee, lemonade,

and donuts. The sign-up sheet is in the lobby. Thank you in advance for

your participation.

YOUR HELP

IS NEEDED!!

A committee and a chair is needed for

the Red Cross Blood Drive

Tues., Jan. 27, 2015. If interested, please contact a council

member.

mailto:[email protected]

Membership Care Committee This team of ladies filled 7 college care packages for St. Paul’s UCC’s college students.

Items donated included:

Honey Buns Zucchini Mini Loaves Gum Tic Tacs Chips Popcorn

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Coffee Ramen Noodles Christmas Mug Book Marks

1st Initial Wall Plaque Kleenex Peanuts Hand Sanitizer 2-yr. Pocket Calendar Baked Potato Bag Cheese Crackers Chip Clips Hand-written Card

Council Highlights

Employee Reviews—Reviews have been completed by the council, and we have a contract agreement with Pastor Donna to extend her employment with St. Paul’s UCC through the end of March.

Church finances—Treasurer reports are regularly posted. General fund officially no longer has a negative balance. If anyone wishes to see additional financial reports, contact a council member.

Lectern Microphone—A microphone for the lectern has been purchased and installed.

Recent Lightning Strike—Electrical/Sound/Projection damage. We are making progress with the repair/replacement of electrical equipment damaged by the lightning strike. We are receiving estimates at this time for the items that have not yet been fixed.

Search Committee—Meeting weekly; working on church profile and a survey for the congregation’s input.

Christmas Eve Service—We will have one Christmas Eve service at 7pm this year. There will be no service of worship on Christmas Day.

Annual Congregational Meeting—We will have our congregational meeting on Jan. 18, 2015 immediately following the service of worship, with an alternative meeting date of Jan. 25, 2015 in case of inclement weather.

~NOTICE ALL MEMBERS~

Leadership Expectations Survey Your Pastor Search Committee would like your suggestions and recommendations in regards to the selection of a pastor. Survey forms will be available in the church lobby as of Sunday, December 7, 2014. Please give this matter your prayerful and thoughtful attention.

Please place your completed survey in the box designated “Congregational Survey” located in the church lobby or mail to:

St. Paul’s United Church of Christ 103 S. Second Street

Marthasville, MO 63357 Attn: Pastor Search Committee

Thank You! THE PASTOR SEARCH COMMITTEE

TRIVIA QUESTIONs: (cont.) (Answers on pg. 8)

5. How many wise men brought gifts to Jesus? (Matthew 2:1-2)

a. 3 b. None c. 2 d. The bible never really says

6. What was Jesus’ approximate age when the wise men presented Him with

gifts? (Matthew 2:16)

a. 6 yrs. Old b. 10 yrs. Old c. 12 yrs. old d. less than 2 yrs. old

7. Who diligently asked the wise men about baby Jesus? (Matthew 2:7)

a. King David b. King Elias c. King Herod d. King Pilate

8. Why did Herod want to learn more about Jesus’ whereabouts?

(Matthew 2:16)

a. He wanted Jesus to heal him b. He wanted to worship Jesus

c. He wanted to ask Jesus to be the heir to his throne d. He wanted to kill Jesus

9. How did the wise men find Jesus? (Matthew 2:9)

a. Directions from an angel b. They followed a star

c. They asked the shepherds where He was d. They asked the King

DECEMBER WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES OF BAPTISM

5th: Katie Thornton December: DECEMBER:

7th: Rachel Richardson 6th: Harvey & Tammy Siem 6th: Cheyenne Murrell 8th: Mike Schaller 26th: Norbert & Patricia Shacklette Cierra Murrell 9th: Sue Berg 27th: Mike & Kelly Meyer 12th: Caylynn Murrell 12th: Janet Buescher 29th: Elise Thierbach

13th: Abbie Thornton January:

14th: Karen Sida 2nd: John & Nancy Presser JANUARY:

15th: Laurie Witte 7th: Harvey & Delores Cramer 15th: Xavier Posey 16th: Nell Glosemeyer 20th: Greg Thornton Walean Bunge 22nd: Deanna Ahmann 24th: Harvey Cramer 26th: Michael Niemeyer 28th: Edna Lee Kunze 30th: Nicole Meyer

JANUARY

BIRTHDAYS

1st: Norbert Shacklette Wesley Thierbach 2nd: Brayden Mayer 4th: Jessica Zeh 5th: Kelly Meyer 9th: Celeste Mueller LaVerda Thierbach 10th: Randy Wilson 11th: Rhonda Juntti 12th: Kara Niemeyer 13th: Janna Thornton Robbin DeVore 15th: Angela Gray Xavier Posey 19th: Cindy Niemeyer

November

Youth Event

Thirteen youth attended the November Laser Tag outing to Epic 6,

following a pizza party. The group had a great time. Details for the

December activity is still in the planning stages, so be watching for

sign-up sheets in the lobby and notices in the bulletin for future

monthly Youth events. For questions or inquiries, contact:

Dana Lange, Youth Fellowship Leader

636.359.1180 / [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

ANSWERs TO

TRIVIA QUESTIONS: (From pages 5 & 7)

1. a. God with us

2. b. They were afraid

3. a. Shepherds

4. a. Westward

5. d. The bible never really says

6. d. Less than 2 yrs. old

7. c. King Herod

8. d. He wanted to kill Jesus

9. b. They followed a star

PLEASE REMEMBER IN PRAYER

The family of Kenneth Leesman who passed away 10/23/14; Layton Rehmeier—recently diagnosed with cancer; The family of Annie Ward (Ann Sabbert’s mother) who passed away 10/23/14; The family of Walter Hoffman who passed away 10/16/14; Ellen Engelage—ankle surgery; Kevin Brunkhorst (Rev. Bockting’s son-in-law)—at home recovering from severe burns; Margaret Lange—at Cedarcrest recovering from hip surgery; Norbert Shacklette—back surgery 7/21/14; Ann Jenkins—back surgery 7/15/14; Eldon & Sue Green—health issues; Angela Gray—health issues; Gail DeVore Morris—health issues; Jerome Bunge—diabetes and advanced Parkinson’s; Eleanor Lutz—sciatic nerve pain, heart; John Spires—Parkinson’s.

Those Battling Cancer: Dera Rehmeier, Rick Rehmeier, Jim Grafrath, Jerry Hoelscher, Ron Palitzsch, Gary Dobsch, Michel Otten, Dawn Borgmann, Mark Jones, Leonard Lutz, Dale Krampe, Tim Palitzsch, Gene Bollinger, Kenneth Lammers, Jim Schultz (Celeste Schriefer’s; brother), Jen Laspe (39, cousin to Thornton’s).

Those serving in the Military: Stuart O’Black, Devon Martin, Caleb & Sarah Murphy, Tim Thornton, Chris Noeth, Erin Francis, & others seeking to faithfully serve God & Country!

**********************************************

Please remember those who are not always able to worship with us at St.

Paul’s UCC. Remember them in prayer, with a visit, card, or a phone call:

Jerome Bunge Rev. Dale & Helene Krampe Vera Mittler 306 E. South St Homestead at Hickory View NHC Healthcare Marthasville, MO 63357 1481 Marbach Dr., Apt. 225 35 Sugar Maple Ln. (636) 433-2001 Washington, MO 63090 St. Charles, MO 63303 314-974-3784

Vera Freese Dee Schuster Cedarcrest Eleanor Lutz 700 E. Fifth St., Apt. #103 324 W. Fifth St. 20555 Cedar Ct. Washington, MO 63090 Washington, MO 63090 Warrenton, MO 63383 (636) 388-1054 636-456-8105 Vada Hinnah Robert Schuster The Arbors at South Point Orie McCarty Cedarcrest 5129 Old Hwy. 100, Room 10 702 E. Main St. 324 W. Fifth St. Washington, MO 63090 Marthasville, MO 63357 Washington, MO 63090

-- REMINDER – NEWSLETTER ARTICLES & ANNUAL REPORTS for

the January-February Newsletter are due by

Dec. 15, 2014!! We would like a brief annual

report from ALL committees. Please have year-

end Financial Reports in ASAP thereafter.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING will be

Jan. 18, 2015 immediately following the

service of worship—Jan. 25, 2015 in case of

inclement weather. Meeting packets will be

included in the Jan./Feb. Newsletter and will

arrive the 1st or 2nd week of January.

St. Paul’s UCC Church Calendar—Dec. ‘14-Jan.’15

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Psalm 28:7)

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 10-4:30pm Quilters

2 7pm Church Council Meeting 7pm Search Comm. Meeting

3 Women’s Guild Christmas Luncheon (Meet @ 11am)

4 1-4:30pm Quilters

5 HANG YOUR STOCKINGS & SAY YOUR PRAYERS!!

6

7 Bring A Meal Sunday 9 :30am Worship with Holy Communion 10:30am Morning Fellowship 10:30am Sunday School


9 7pm-8pm-Food Pantry @CBC 7pm Search Comm. Meeting

10

11 1-4:30pm Quilters 7pm Adult choir practice

12

13

14 9 :30am Worship 10:30am Morning Fellowship 10:30am Sunday School

PAC gifts DUE!


16

17

18 1-4:30pm Quilters 7pm Adult choir practice

19

20

Christmas Program Dress Rehearsal 10am-12Noon ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

11am-noon Food Pantry @ CBC

21 9:30am Worship 10:30am Morning Fellowship 10:30am Sunday School

7pm Christmas Program


23

24

7pm Christmas Eve Worship Service

25

26 27

28 9:30am Worship 10:30am Morning Fellowship 10:30am Sunday School


30

31

1

2

3

4 Bring A Meal Sunday 9 :30am Worship with Holy Communion 10:30am Morning Fellowship 10:30am Sunday School


6 7pm Church Council Meeting 7pm Search Comm. Meeting

7 2pm Women’s Guild

8 1-4:30pm Quilters

9 6:30 pm Adult Social Connection

10

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2015

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