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The Pathfinder Volume 14, Issue 11 - November

St. Paul United Church of Christ Columbia, IL

FROM THE CONSISTORY

As the Consistory began exploring adjustments to the Constitution and By-laws to serve our congregation better and to reflect who we are and who we hope to be, it became apparent that we needed to have more intentional conversations around these areas. Pastor Bob was given the task to guide us through this process. During our September meeting, we took significant time to learn a process for clarifying our Mission Identity. After a long and fulfilling conversation, we discovered that where our Identity, Purpose and Context come together, our Mission Identity becomes clear. Our October meeting continued this adventure, as Pastor Bob extended us in a process to discover the Core Values of the congregation as seen by the Consistory. By working the process as individuals, then couples, then groups of four, etc., we were able to come up with value concepts, even if we weren’t able to clarify them to the group’s satisfaction. (But it was only a one-hour process.) During our November meeting, we will explore a process through which we hope to come to a better understanding of the role of a mission statement for the life of a congregation. The processes being used by Pastor Bob with the Consistory is a precursor for a process involving the whole congregation, hopefully in early 2017. Stay tuned for more updates from the Consistory.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

“Go and Do the Same”

About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. (from Acts 16)

Have you ever thought about praying for the stewardship campaign? Not only for monetary success, but that our ministries might prosper? Paul and Silas were in prison. Their response to their imprisonment was praying and singing. The foundations of the prison were shaken and all of the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. Oh, that God would respond to our prayers and singing in this way. Oh, that we would sing and pray with the expectation that God will actually respond to us.

Along with our prayers, what we do with our money, our time, and our other resources in relationship to the church is important. What we do with these things represent our deepest values and commitments. We are not just pledging support for a budget. We are symbolizing what we hope for this congregation and for our community and even for the world.

Thank you for participating in our Go and Do the Same Stewardship Campaign.

Pastor Bob

The latest estimate from our contractor is that all of the construction for our capital campaign will be complete by Thanksgiving. The final pieces include the new church sign and the new doors, windows and counters for the welcome center (coffee bar). When all is completed, a dedication service will be planned so we might celebrate together.

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What’s Happening at St. Paul?

We welcome our student pastor, Jeff Mignerone. Jeff is a graduate of Eden Seminary and holds a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Studies with an emphasis in youth ministries. He has returned to Eden to complete a Master of Divinity degree which is required for ordained ministry. His emphasis with us will be pastoral care, liturgy and preaching. He will also be attending the Finance meeting and Consistory beginning in October. Jeff is married to Laura, who is a UCC minister serving our church in St. Clair, MO, and they are purchasing a house in Fenton. They have a two year old boy, Gabe.

What: This is a new study group for adults with a powerful thirst! A thirst for knowledge, for spiritual growth, for ways to connect our lives – our experiences – with God’s story, and for ways to live into doing the ministry of Jesus Christ as part of our daily lives. This is a time for your questions and current events to drive our conversation. Pastor Kris will have the welcome mat out, the coffee on, and the Bible handy to test our thoughts...

Commitment: NONE – come once, once in a while, every other, every time – whatever fits your life and

your schedule!! When: Second and Fourth Thursdays of each month at 7 p.m. Where: Youth kitchen on the third floor. Who: All adults are welcome – you can bring your friends who don’t attend St. Paul. Bring: An open mind, questions, iPad or tablet (or notebook and pen), your favorite Bible, and your

thirst.

JYF:

November 13 – 6 p.m. – Regular Meeting – Youth Center (3rd floor) November 27 – TBA – Service Project – Fellowship Hall December 18 – 6 p.m. – Christmas Party – Youth Center (3rd floor) Bring a snack and a game to share. January 2 – 1 p.m. – Ice Skating at Steinberg Rink – Prices and final details to follow. January 22 – 6 p.m. – Planning Meeting – Youth Center (3rd floor) parents and calendars requested.

SYF: November 20 – 9 a.m. – Regular meeting during Sunday School. December 11 – TBA – Service Project & Christmas Party – Fellowship Hall. December 29 – 9 p.m. – Ice Skating at Steinberg Rink – Prices and final details to follow. Remember to bring your friends. They don’t have to go to our church; they just have to have a signed permission slip!!!! Peace, Pastor Kris

The Columbia Clergy Association is holding their annual Community Thanksgiving Service at Christ Community Lutheran on Wednesday, November 23, 7:00 p.m. Pastor Bob will bring the message with a number of clergy and musicians from Columbia churches also participating.

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From the Director of Christian Education

Last year, as an Advent activity, we traveled with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. This year, come and join us in a new Advent activity… St. Paul’s Christmas Scavenger Hunt! All are welcome - from one to 99! Any number of family and friends can make up a team. Will your team be able to finish the hunt first? Will your team win a prize? Come and join us for fun, food and fellowship, on Sunday, December 18, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Save the date for the Sunday School Christmas program, Jesus Means to Me, on December 11 at 10:30 a.m. Rehearsal will be on Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m.

C h o o s e o n e o r m o r e s t a r s f r o m t h e t r e e w h i c h h a s a n a m e a n d a g i f t r e q u e s t f o r C h r i s t m a s . T h e g i f t s g o t o c h i l d r e n a n d a d u l t s i n n e e d f r o m v a r i o u s p l a c e s , i n c l u d i n g H o y l e t o n , B r i d g e s o f H o p e , K i n d e r c o t t a g e , a w o m a n ’ s s h e l t e r , a s w e l l a s s e v e r a l l o c a l f a m i l i e s . T h e G i v i n g T r e e w i l l b e i n t h e l o b b y b e g i n n i n g N o v e m b e r 2 7 . W r a p t h e g i f t a n d s e c u r e t h e s t a r o n t o p o f t h e g i f t . R e t u r n t h e g i f t t o t h e S t a r T r e e n o l a t e r t h a n S u n d a y , D e c e m b e r 1 1 ( b e f o r e w o u l d b e h e l p f u l ) . D o n a t i o n s o f m o n e y w i l l g l a d l y b e a c c e p t e d t o p u r c h a s e g i f t s f o r a n y u n r e t u r n e d s t a r s o r f o r t h o s e w h o d o n o t l i k e t o s h o p . I f f o r a n y r e a s o n y o u c a n n o t p u r c h a s e t h e g i f t o n y o u r s t a r , p l e a s e r e t u r n t h e s t a r o r c a l l t h e c h u r c h

o f f i c e a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e . I f a n y o n e w o u l d l i k e t o h e l p s e p a r a t e o r d e l i v e r g i f t s , c o n t a c t B a r b i n t h e c h u r c h o f f i c e .

The Backpack Ministry has started up again. Our Sunday School Mission project

for November is our Weekend Backpack Ministry. Items can be dropped off in

the Sunday School rooms or in the room behind Fellowship Hall. They are in

need of individual serving size items, such as...

Soup Meat Tuna Mac & Cheese

Vienna Sausages

Ravioli Fruit Juices

Fruit Cups Applesauce Oatmeal

Packets

Cereal Pudding Cups Granola Bars Cheese Crackers

Little Friends Preschool is selling St. Louis Cardinals calendars for $15 each. Sales of the calendars will go towards purchasing playground equipment . If you are interested, please contact Jody Taake at 618-604-1949. Checks (no cash please) can be made payable to Little Friends Preschool and may be dropped off in the office or the preschool. Please have your contact information with payment. Calendar orders are due no later than November 13. They will arrive the first week of December… just in time for Christmas gifts!

This is YOUR personal invitation to come explore membership in St. Paul, UCC.

November 13 at 11:30 am in the Youth Center on the third floor there will be an introduction to St. Paul, the UCC, and the blessings and responsibilities of membership. Your questions will be answered and YOU will be welcomed. The service for receiving new members will be held during 9:00am worship on November 20 and will be followed by a brunch reception in the fellowship hall.

We hope to see YOU there!

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SAVE THE DATE:

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING &

LUNCHEON

January 29, 2017

Fair Trade Ministry is happy to introduce Acacia Creations! We now have a selection of bracelets, necklaces and earrings hand crafted by artisans in Kenya. Stop by our table in Fellowship Hall to pick one up for yourself or give it as a gift.

Look for us November 6 and 20

between services.

Save the Date:

8th Annual Christmas Market

Where : Fellowship Hall

When : Saturday, December 17 &

Sunday, December 18 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Join us once again to shop from around the world to find that special, unique gift. Where else can you shop and know that every purchase directly impacts the life of the artisan who made it?

The Junior Youth Fellowship (JYF) is pleased to present our 11th Annual Pancake Breakfast with Mary and Joseph. We will be providing all-you-care-to-eat pancakes, sausages, juice and coffee. But wait, there’s more… the real meaning of Christmas will unfold with the telling of the Christmas Story by our own youth. Two showings will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 10, in the Fellowship Hall. Tickets are $10 per adult, $5 for children and youth up to age 16, free for those under 4 and can be purchased between services on Sundays from November 20 and December 4, or at the door.

Thanks to you and our community, our sale continues to grow each year. Because of this wonderful blessing, we need more folks to pull it off. Sign up will happen early December; please think about it – there is something for everyone! If you have questions, talk to Sharon Redinger or Nicole Avise-Rouse.

I have most of the actors lined up for both Parades. The Waterloo parade is November 26, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, starting at 5:30 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, November 27 . Columbia’s Parade is Saturday, December 3, 5 p.m. Please come out and support our St. Paul Youth at both Parades.

Thank you, Paul Straub

All meetings will be held the Fourth Monday evening at 7 p.m.

November 28 – The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure

December 26 – The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado

January 23 - The Arrivals by Meg Mitchell Moore February 27— Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner

THERE WILL ONLY BE ONE 10 A.M. SERVICE ON BOTH

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S DAY.

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REGION TWO ADVENT PILGRIMAGE PROGRESSIVE DINNER – SATURDAYS DECEMBER 3 & 10

This is a great chance to visit our Region 2 churches and share food and fellowship while supporting Our Church’s Wider Mission. First Day, Dec. 3: St. Joe, Zion, 1:00, Wassail; Maeystown, St. John, 2:00, Appetizers; Valmeyer, St. John, 3:00, Soup; New Hanover, Zoar UCC, 4:00, Salad; Columbia, St. Paul, 5:00, Finger Sandwiches; Dupo, Christ UCC, 6:00, Dessert Second Day, Dec. 10: Evansville, St. John UCC, 1:00, Appetizers; Red Bud, St. Peter UCC, 2:00, Salad; Hecker, Friedens UCC, 3:00, Soup; Floraville, St. Paul UCC, 4:00 Finger Sandwiches; Waterloo, St. Paul UCC, 5:00, Dessert Tickets are $20 for one day, $30 for both. Kids under 12 free just need reservation If you would like to help host and/or make finger sandwiches for the evening of Dec. 3, please contact Pastor Kris right away!!

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Belated thank you to both pastors and our church family for all of your prayers, cards, support and meals in the last year while I was fighting bladder cancer and other complications. Thanks to

God and your prayers, I have been cancer free for the last six months. Prayers work! God is good, all the time! Clark Kossina

What’s Happening at DuBois Center?

FALL WORK DAY

November 5 - Service Saturday

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

9 am Out & About

2

9 am Preschool

9 am Festive Ringers

2:30 pm After

School Program

6 pm Confirmation

6 pm Bells of Joy

7:30 pm Chancel

Choir

3

9 am Preschool

4

7:30 am

Breakfast

Prayer Group

8 am Quilters

5

DuBois

Center -

Fall Work

Day

6 Totenfest

Communion Sunday

KinderCottage Food

Collection

Fair Trade

9 am Worship, Classes

10:30 am Worship

7

7 pm Property

Management

8 Pathfinder

Articles Due

9 am Preschool

7 pm St. Paul Band

9

9 am Preschool

9 am Festive Ringers

2:30 pm After

School Program

6 pm Confirmation

6 pm Bells of Joy

7:30 pm Chancel

Choir

10

9 am Preschool

7 pm Thirsty

Thursday

7 Cemetery Board

11

Veteran’s Day

7:30 am

Breakfast

Prayer Group

8 am Quilters

12

13

9 am Worship, Classes

10:30 am Worship

11:30 am New

Members Class

6 pm JYF

14

6:15 pm Finance

Committee

7 pm Consistory

15

7 pm St. Paul Band

7 pm Board of Lay

Life & Work

16

9 am Preschool

9 am Festive Ringers

2:30 pm After

School Program

6 pm Confirmation

6 pm Bells of Joy

7:30 pm Chancel

Choir

17

9 am Preschool

1 pm Columbia

Women’s Club

18

7:30 am

Breakfast

Prayer Group

8 am Quilters

8:30 am

Assemble

Pathfinder

19

20

Fair Trade

9 am Worship, Classes

Receive New

Members

SYF

10:30 am Worship

JYF Service Project

21

7 pm Board of

Worship

22

No Preschool

7 pm Board of

Christian Education

7 pm St. Paul Band

23

NO Preschool, After

School Program or

Music Programs

10 am Columbia

Nursing & Rehab

7 pm Community

Thanksgiving

Service at Christ

Community

Lutheran

24 Thanksgiving

Office Closed

No Preschool

25

7:30 am

Breakfast

Prayer Group

8 am Quilters

26

9:30 am -

10:30 am

Butterbraid

Distribution

Fellowship

Hall

5:30 p.m.

Parade in

Waterloo

27 Advent Begins

Giving Tree Begins

9 am Worship, Classes

10:30 am Worship

JYF Service Project

28

6:15 pm

Executive

Committee

7 pm Board of

Mission &

Stewardship

7 pm Book

Discussion

Group

29

9 am Preschool

7 pm St. Paul Band

30

9 am Preschool

9 am Festive Ringers

2:30 pm After

School Program

6 pm Confirmation

6 pm Bells of Joy

7:30 pm Chancel

Choir

When we FEED our FAITH, we starve our

doubts………God

SHARE THE HARVEST

Thanks to those bringing vegetables for this project. The freewill offering of $49.75, which will be used for the Building St. Paul Fund.

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In Honor and Memory

BACKPACK MINISTRY In honor of Lawrence Hutson’s 100th birthday, given by Barb Miller

BELL CHOIR FUND Donation given by Ben & Carol Bergmann, in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary In honor of Ben and Carol Bergmann’s 50th wedding anniversary, given by Shirley Bergmann

FLAG REPLACEMENT In memory of Cora Metter, given by Mrs. Florence Haberl

MUSIC FUND In honor of Lawrence Hutson’s 100th birthday, given by Elaine Heatherly In memory of Norman Rodenberg, given by Judy Kelso

RENOVATIONS - BUILDING A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE In memory of Dorothy Hoffman, given by Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Cates In memory of Dorothy Hoffman, given by Ms. Irene Ebert In memory of Dorothy Hoffman, given by Mr. & Mrs. John McCollough In memory of Myrna Schiemer & Mary Ann Kopp, given by Mr. Bob Schiemer Donation given by Bill & Johanna Wayland, in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary

FLU CLINIC Thank you to the 19 people who received the flu vaccine. It is never too late to get your shot!!

COUGHS AND COLDS Do not be reluctant to just give a friendly smile in Sharing the Peace in Worship Service. Hand sanitizers are also available throughout the church building.

ALZEHEIMER’S ASSISTANCE hililarityforcharity.org is a foundation that Seth Rogan and his wife have set up to provide financial assistance for those needing financial help in home, daycare, assisted living or nursing home. Applications may be submitted monthly and are reviewed quarterly.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PROGRAM St. Louis HELP accepts donations of every type of hospital equipment, except oxygen and medications. These are then loaned out to people needing them at no cost. Contact 314-567-4700 - www.stlhelp.org

FOOD PANTRY HEALTHY FOODS

The holiday season will be approaching when many food drives are held. You may just go to your cabinet to see what you can pull out to put in the bag, but all of us like to eat healthy and we should consider that for everyone!

Food donations to a qualified nonprofit, like most pantries, are deductible from your taxes if you itemize instead of taking the standard deduction. A receipt is not needed under the $250 value. Local food pantries also buy food from larger centralized banks where the food is bought at a discount, so you can also consider a monetary donation. Suggestions are to use goods with pop tops, which are better than those needing a can opener. Avoid foods in a jar. Do not donate foods past the expiration date. The basic idea is to give items with low sugar, low sodium, high protein, whole grain, healthy fats, dairy substitutes and fruit and vegetables. The suggested list is as follows: low sodium canned beans, dry beans, peanut butter and other nut butters, holiday foods of low sodium stuffing mix with cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes, high in antioxidants, rolled oats, canned fruit in juice, low sodium soups, canned vegetables, with no or low sodium, canned tuna in water, canned chicken, canned salmon (which are the 3 most useful items), whole grain pasta, 100% juice drinks, unsalted nuts (which are the most expensive to stock in a food pantry), shelf stable milk, canned beef stew, brown rice, quiona, canola and olive oil, unsalted dried seeds, low sodium pasta sauce, low sugar cereal (Cheerios and Fiber One), granola bars, popcorn, honey, seasonings, dried herbs and spices, condiments, chicken, beef and vegetable broth, baby food, baby formula, infant cereal. Personal staple toiletries like soap, shampoo, diapers, tooth brush and paste, deodorant, baby wipes, pads and tampons are acceptable. Families have pets so you may also want to consider pet food for their animals. When in season, fresh vegetables are appreciated. It is also suggested to clip coupons for food pantries to have on a table if anyone would want the use of one.

Hopefully, this list will be for you to keep year round when you are able to donate to those needing to have a basic need met.

Hunger of Many

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” Proverbs 19:17 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” Psalm133:1 Many Bible verses make it clear for us to understand the need to help those crying out and the silent ones. Our faith makes it important to help those who are hungry and need help for themselves. Hunger does not always mean hunger for food, but includes hunger for love, acceptance and community. St. Paul UCC shows the gift of compassion for feeding the hungry. The acceptance of love and community makes our church most accepting in Columbia. May we pray to know our compassion is needed for those reaching out for any type of hunger, which then gives US the Grace of the Lord. Amen

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Columbia Rehab and Nursing Center 253 Bradington Columbia, IL 62236 618-281-6800

Vera Eschmann Rose Franke Pearl Halleran Twila Hankammer Harold Klotz Anne Manson Maureen Mueller

Oak Hill Nursing Home 623 Hamacher St Waterloo, IL 62298 618-939-3488

Dolores Alspach Mary Russell Chester Schmidt Ruth Schmidt Ruth Strayhorn Viola Wetzel Helen Wilde

Freeburg Care Center 746 Urbana Dr. Freeburg, IL 62243

Betty Mann

Granite City Nursing & Rehab 3500 Century Dr., #215 Granite City, IL 62040-2166 618-504-0637

Cindy Baumann

Garden Place Of Columbia 480 DD Rd. Columbia, IL 62236 618-281-4200

Alice Haberlah Leona Hoffman Mary Keller Bruce Soehnlin Jerlene Stone Dixie Stumpf Nira Probstmeyer Roy and Edna Taake

Garden Place 735 Columbia Ave. Waterloo, IL 62298 618-939-4900

Gene Haller Wilbur Gummersheimer

Friendship Village 12501 Village Circle St. Louis, MO 63127 314-270-7201

Art Baltz - Apt. 201

Our Lady of the Snows 726 Community Drive Belleville, IL 62223

Betty Lou Carle - Apartment B7

Brooking Park 307 South Woods Mill Rd. Chesterfield, MO 63017 314-313-6811

Arthur Rueck - Room 186

Marilyn Harres 135 Meadowland Estates Rm. 113 O'Fallon, MO 63366

Nathan Schnittger U.S. Army

Nephew of Cathy Huels

Roberto DeMarquez Army National Guard

son of Ursula DeMarquez

Marine Pfc. James K. Combs Son of Jim & Debbie Combs

Brandon Fritz U.S. Coast Guard

son of church secretary, Cathy & Cory Fritz

Our Members in Nursing Homes

Our Members in Senior Living

Military Prayer List

Thank You for Helping To those that helped with the Pathfinder: Nora Bennett, Charlotte and Don Freeland, Shirley

Harres, Elaine Heatherly, Helma Kleinschmidt, Alvira Miller, Lynda and Ron Sauer and Dee Steppig

To those who served as ushers: Glenda Churchill, Bill Brucker, Ron and Lynda Sauer, Don and Sandie Vaughn, Dan and Rhonda Herrmann, Robin MacLaughlin, Cory Stumpf, Jarod Hoffman, Jakob Hoffman, Natalie Busch, Bill and Pat Rauch, Tom and Susan Kuergeleis and Morgan Seals

To those who served as greeters: Beth Vinyard, Josh Hanock, Kathy Harres, Bruce and Joanne Counce, Brent and Carol Freeland and Natalie Busch

To those who served as acolytes: Ally Curry, Brock Krueger, Jack Augustin, Natalie Busch, Tom Krueger, Jakob Hoffman, Owen Lockett, Jarod Hoffman, Jason Kuchinski and Sophia Huch

A special thank you to those that helped assemble Worship bulletins: JoAnn Kossina, Lea Berry and Susan Kuergeleis

To those who helped with the sound board: Scott Kuhnert, Rodney Duffy and Robert Kirk

To those that served at the Columbia Nursing and Rehab: Nora Bennett, Helma Kleinschmidt, Ellen Lewis, Sharron Burgdorf, Shirley Harres, Sandy Kirkpatrick, Barb Miller and Jean Eckert

To those that served in the nursery: Debbie Steinmann, Faye Mehrmann, Kelly Hancock, Linda Whelan, Lea Berry and Laura Hoguet

To the Sunday morning van drivers: Howie Knapp, Gregg Giffhorn, Bob Elder, Celeste Knierim, Gigi Abbott, Dennis Hoguet and Craig Maxiener

A Veteran’s Day Prayer God of all nations, you are our Strength and Shield. We give you thanks today for the devotion and courage of all those who have offered military service for this country …

We ask today that you would lift up by your Spirit those who are now at war; encourage and heal those in hospitals or mending their wounds at home; guard those in any need or trouble; hold safely in your hands all military families and bring the returning troops to joyful reunion and tranquil life at home. Give to us, your people, grateful hearts and a united will to honor these men and women and hold them always in our love and our prayers until your world is perfected in peace and all wars cease. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

—Rev. Dr. Jennifer Phillips

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Perfect Attendance -

Attendance

DATE 9 a.m.

10:30

a.m. TOTAL

9/4 112 36 148

9/11 176 50 226

9/18 141 67 208

9/25 161 36 197

Financial Report

Please Note:

Because of the way the holidays fall this year, the December and January issues of the Pathfinder will be coming out a littler earlier than usual. Thank you!

September Year to Date

2015 2016 2015 2016

Revenue

Tithes & Offerings:

Pledged & NonPledged 27,668.00 29,644.00 286,680.75 291,566.50

Misc. Contributions 352.54 282.25 14,068.21 12,890.13

Interest Income 0.00 6.52 2,657.77 2,458.85

Endowment Interest Income 0.00 0.00 38,769.41 39,201.64

Rental Income 298.40 30.00 3,746.00 2,651.00

Misc Income 405.65 596.09 8,423.54 10,546.16

Total Revenues 28,724.59 30,558.86 354,345.68 359,314.28

Expenses

Personnel 38,691.10 38,186.43 262,189.36 271,951.60

General Expenses 18,083.18 14,080.18 83,620.31 83,564.48

* OCWM 2,684.51 2,171.90 25,093.68 23,906.75

Total Expenses 59,458.79 54,438.51 370,903.35 379,422.83

Net Receipts (30,734.20) (23,879.65) (16,557.67) (20,108.55)

RESERVES 44,677.94 42,477.99

*2016 OCWM 10,000.00 out of St Paul Mission (833.33

monthly)

RENOVATIONS CONSTRUCTION

LOAN Interest Principal Principal

Columbia National Bank Paid Paid Balance

281,179.66 1,515.93 0.00 281,179.66

WEDDINGS

Kara Gerstenecker &

Joe Schmid Married: October 1, 2016

Preschool Landon Schlemmer *Betty Gummersheimer

Rotation Emery Harres Molly Harres Nathan Jackson Colleen Jackson

Junior High Natalie Busch Becca Cleary Michael Cleary Mason Kohlenberger Daniel Lechner Morgan Seals Christine Wallace Mickey Wallace *Donna Myers *Becky Trexler

Senior High John Montgomery *denotes teacher

Gratitude

Be grateful for the kindly friends that walk along your way; Be grateful for the skies of blue that smile from day to day; Be grateful for the health you own, the work you find to do, For round about you there are souls less fortunate than you. —Edgar A. Guest

The Little Things

Robert Shahan, bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Phoenix, was recovering in a hospital after heart surgery. He caught the attention of a nurse and asked her to please bring him some ice.

“I have a choice for you,” the nurse said. “You can either have a new BMW or some ice chips.”

Immediately, the bishop said, “Ice!”

The nurse replied, “Don’t ever forget that.”

Shahan says that was a good reminder of the importance of life’s little things. Now he tries to always be thankful — even for such common things as ice or a glass of water.

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CONSISTORY PRESIDENT Cathy Huels

SENIOR PASTOR Bob Goddard

ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRIES

Kris Avise-Rouse

STUDENT PASTOR Jeff Mignerone

DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Denise Johnson

MUSIC COORDINATOR AND ORGANIST Lori Morton

ADULT HANDBELL & CHOIR DIRECTOR Emily Thoman

YOUTH HANDBELL DIRECTOR & BAND DIRECTOR Sue Phillips

MORNING HANDBELL DIRECTOR Patti French

FINANCIAL ADMINISTRATOR Barb Gerstenecker

SECRETARY Cathy Fritz

CEMETERY Shirley Asselmeier

LITTLE FRIENDS PRESCHOOL Jody Taake

LEAD CUSTODIAN Terry Schramm

ASSISTANT CUSTODIAN Janet Zinn

WORSHIP SERVICES Sundays, 9:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

FELLOWSHIP TIME Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.

NURSERY Provided for the 9:00 a.m. Services

HOLY COMMUNION 1st Sunday of every month

ADULT CLASSES Sunday, 10:30 a.m.

CHURCH SCHOOL 9:00 a.m. (Nursery through adults)

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM - Wednesdays (Sept. - May) 2:30 p.m.

CHOIR PRACTICE - Wednesdays (Sept. - May)

Children's Choir - 4:45 p.m. Chancel Choir - 7:30 p.m.

HANDBELL CHOIRS - Every Wednesday (September—May)

Alleluia Ringers - 3:45 p.m. Festive Ringers - 9:00 a.m.

Bells of Joy - 6:00 p.m.

MONTHLY MEETINGS*

Board of Christian Education,..7:00 pm, …...4th Tuesday of the month

(as needed)

Board of Evangelism, 7:00 pm, ................ …..1st Tuesday of the month

Board of Missions & Stewardship, 7:00 pm, 4th Monday of the month

Board of Worship, 7:00 pm,……………………...3rd Monday of the month

Cemetery Board, 7:00 pm, ........................ ..2nd Thursday of the month

Executive Committee, 6:15 pm…………… 4th Wednesday of the month

Finance Committee, 6:15 p.m., ……...2nd Monday prior to Consistory

Property Management Committee, 7:00 p.m,1st Monday of the month

St. Paul Consistory, 7:00 p.m., ................. ....2nd Monday of the month

*Monthly meetings subject to change. Please check calendar.

facebook.com/ColumbiaUCC

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Office Hours: Monday -Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. & Friday 9 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Wednesday: Staff Lunch 12:15 p.m. –1:15 p.m.

To remove your name from our mailing list, please call the church office at

618-281-5102. Questions or comments? Email us at ucccol@htc.net.

The Pathfinder

Monthly Newsletter of St. Paul United Church of Christ

St. Paul United Church of Christ—618-281-5102

FAX - 618-281-3032 — E Mail - ucccol@htc.net—Web Site

- www.stpaulucc4u.org

Dial-A-Meditation—618-281-5102, Ext. 34

St. Paul United Church of Christ 127 St. Paul Street

Columbia, IL 62236

Website: www.stpaulucc4u.org