THE MESSENGER Evangelical United Church of Christ Godfrey, Illinois web site:

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THE MESSENGER Evangelical United Church of Christ Godfrey, Illinois euccgodfrey@gmail.com web site: www.evangelical-ucc.

Don t miss what has become an Evangelical tradition! I want to remind you to join us for Christmas Eve Pancake Breakfast, 9-10:30, Christmas Eve morning.

1 THE MESSENGER Evangelical United Church of Christ Godfrey, Illinois web site: th Year December 13 th, 2018 Christmas The Chancel Choir is singing a cantata during Sunday worship service the week before Christmas (December 23), Emmanuel, God Is With Us. Don t miss what has become an Evangelical tradition! I want to remind you to join us for Christmas Eve Pancake Breakfast, 9-10:30, Christmas Eve morning. The staff will be serving, and there is no cost. This is another Evangelical tradition that has only grown over the years along with the calorie count! Christmas Eve services of worship are planned for 7 and 11 p.m. We will be lighting candles and singing carols during both services. Please plan to set aside time for being together on Christmas Eve. It is always worth your time. Do not forget to be a part of the Christmas Fund offering. Your gift will help clergy families living out their retirement years on very little income. Your gift will be received with thanksgiving by those who gave of themselves first. Red is a beautiful color. Santa looks great in red! Budget results, however, do not! We are well behind meeting budget in 2018, and I am hoping you will consider bringing those numbers closer to where they belong. Please receive my and Lori s heartfelt Christmas blessings. We are so thankful for another year of being at Evangelical. It is our relationship with you that makes living in this little corner of southern Illinois such a blessing. Merry Christmas! Pastor Jerry

Each Sunday morning, after the Message for Young Christians, children age 3 - grade 4 are welcome to leave for Children s Church.

Rooms, Heggemeier, or Gym). Our children/youth options are at 11:00am, with adult classes at 8:30 & 11.

Preschool Wing - Missy Struif, Chris & Alaina Russell 5 th -7 th Grades - Preschool Wing Joan Schomburg, Sam & Jessica Riney (This year, our 8 th -12 th graders are assisting in our younger classes

2 Each Sunday morning, after the Message for Young Christians, children age 3 - grade 4 are welcome to leave for Children s Church. Melinda Bock, Tim Sandifer, Missy Bock, Tati Gargac and others lead kids through songs (in the Chapel), snacks (in Heggemeier Hall), and crafts, videos, Bible stories, or fun time (in the Preschool Rooms, Heggemeier, or Gym). Our children/youth options are at 11:00am, with adult classes at 8:30 & 11. Here are the age groups, locations, and leaders: *No Sunday School on Dec 30 (Donut Sunday) or Jan 6 (Tapestry) Pre/K - Preschool Wing - Melissa King, Andrea Chamberlain, Emi Boyd 1 st -4 th Grades - Preschool Wing - Missy Struif, Chris & Alaina Russell 5 th -7 th Grades - Preschool Wing Joan Schomburg, Sam & Jessica Riney (This year, our 8 th -12 th graders are assisting in our younger classes or attending Journey) Adults - Music/Choir Room (8:30 - Early Bird) Susan Parton Stanard (11:00 - Journey) Tim Sandifer Tapestry Our once-a-month, contemporary, all-ages worship experience, Tapestry, continues on January 6th at 11am in the Sanctuary. Enjoy creative ways for the whole family to experience worship together, including music, hands-on activities, videos, and more! Anyone from the church, school, or community is welcome to attend our weekly youth gatherings! These are a great way to share fun times with your friends while also experiencing meaningful discussions about faith and life. Both Middle and High School groups meet on Sundays: 4:00 6:00 pm Middle School Youth 6:00 8:00 pm High School Youth Both groups are invited to share in a 5:30 pm meal. Parents from both age groups provide the meal on a rotating basis.

Upcoming Youth Schedule: Dec 16 Christmas Caroling (during regular youth group times) Dec 23 Party at the Riverbender Community Center (Middle and High School groups) 4-6pm Dec 30 NO Middle School

We made over $700 for mission trip and sold out of cookies (Our apologies to anyone who missed out as a result) Saturday, February 9 th Evangelical UCC Gym Doors at 6pm; Trivia at 7pm $15 per person

3 Upcoming Youth Schedule: Dec 16 Christmas Caroling (during regular youth group times) Dec 23 Party at the Riverbender Community Center (Middle and High School groups) 4-6pm Dec 30 NO Middle School Youth Group; The Good Place overnight event (Senior High) 5:30pm CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE! Thanks so much for making this event such a success! We made over $700 for mission trip and sold out of cookies (Our apologies to anyone who missed out as a result) Saturday, February 9 th Evangelical UCC Gym Doors at 6pm; Trivia at 7pm $15 per person teams of 8-10 players Popcorn and soda are provided. Players usually bring snacks to share with their table. Assemble teams now by inviting friends, family members, work buddies, trivia buffs, etc. All proceeds will benefit our church youth ministries. RSVP is not required but is helpful in our planning. Contact Tim Sandifer to sign up ( ). Come one, come all! All-Church Ski Trip March 1-4 Cascade Mountain, Portage Wisconsin Travel Friday, ski all-day Saturday and Sunday, return Monday All ages invited! Contact Tim Sandifer ( ) to indicate your interest and find out more details!

4 BUILDING USAGE To prevent conflict of building usage, please call the church office first at to schedule the area or room that you need. Your help and cooperation are greatly appreciated. CHRISTMAS FAMILY DAY DINNER I Would like to thank all the wonderful cooks who helped with our Christmas dinner. Turkey Cookers: Ray Bock and Walter Renken - delicious Mashed Potatoes: Walter and Margaret Renken Gravy: Lois Gibson Vegetables: Eric Thurston Thank you to our turkey carvers: Ray Bock, Walter Renken, Annette Durham, Steve Jutting Thank you to our table servers: Dave and Charlotte Williamson, Youth Group Thank you to those who served to the tables: Youth Group GREAT JOB YOU ARE HIRED! Thank you to all those who helped clean up after dinner including: Eric Thurston, Ray Bock, Julie Hinesman, Tom Brown, Bill and Marti Goebel, Jane Hopkins, June Aubrecht, Lois Gibson, Walter and Margaret Renken and anyone I might have missed. Thank you to Tom, Greg and Randy for all the setting up. A great big THANK YOU to all who attended our dinner and keeping our Christmas tradition alive. 50 YEARS AND GOING STRONG. Nancy Brown

from those who helped set up to those who helped clean up we were truly blessed by your willingness to help. It was a special day that happened because everyone worked together.

5 CHRISTMAS FAMILY DAY To each and every one of you that played a part in the activities on Christmas Family Day, we want to say a sincere thank you. From the participants in the live Nativity to the shepherds and their sheep; from the angels and their music to the wiseman and their gifts; from those full of creativity to those full of enthusiasm; from those who helped set up to those who helped clean up we were truly blessed by your willingness to help. It was a special day that happened because everyone worked together. For this, we are so grateful. Sincerely, Missy Chapman, Liz Peters and Ann Hamilton The Women s Fellowship Board would like to thank the great group of people that helped decorate the church for Christmas. We were don in record time! Alice Camp, Nick and Becky Crawford, Scott and Mary Pat Darr, Dennis Dintelmann, Greg Gaddy, Jenny and Wil Gargac, Bill and Marti Goebel, John Hamilton, Emily Hejna, Julie Hinesman, Steve and Barb Jutting, Liz Kuhn, Jan Luken, Shirley Lyerla, Chuck and Bonnie Norman, Dave and Brenda Plunk, Degion Pranger, Kathy Reimer, Kermit and Ruth Ann Schien, John and Nancy Tucker, Elaine Viviano, June Weinrich, Pastor Jerry.

UPCOMING EVENTS 1. New Year s Day Church Office Closed 2. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am 3. Basketball Practice, 3:30 8:00pm 4. Basketball Practice, 3:30 8:00pm 5. Basketball Games, 8:00 4:00pm 6.

6 UPCOMING EVENTS 1. New Year s Day Church Office Closed 2. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am 3. Basketball Practice, 3:30 8:00pm 4. Basketball Practice, 3:30 8:00pm 5. Basketball Games, 8:00 4:00pm 6. Early Bird Adult Sunday School, 8:30 9:30am Tapestry, 11:00am 12:00pm Basketball Games, 12:00 4:00pm 7. Men s Bible Study, 12:00 1:00pm 8. Bible Study, 10:00 11:00am Consistory, 7:00 8:00pm EPIC, 7:00 8:00pm 9. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am 10. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am Volleyball Practice, 5:00-8:00pm 11.

7 13. Early Bird Adult Sunday School, 8:30 9:30am Food Pantry Sunday School, 11:00am 12:00pm 14. H.I.S. Ministry, 10:00 11:00am Men s Bible Study, 12:00 1:00pm H.I.S. Ministry, 7:00 8:00pm 15. Bible Study, 10:00 11:00am 16. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am Early Bird Adult Sunday School, 8:30 9:30am Sunday School, 11:00am 12:00pm 21. Martin Luther King Holiday Church Office Closed 22. Bible Study, 10:00 11:00am School Board, 6:00 7:00pm 23. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am 24. Volleyball Practice, 3;30 8:00pm 25. Our Friday Club, 6:00 8:00pm 27. Early Bird Adult Sunday School, 8:30 9:30am Sunday School, 11:00am 12:00pm 28. Men s Bible Study, 12:00 1:00pm

29. Bible Study, 10:00 11:00am 30. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am 31. 1. 3. Early Bird Adult Sunday School, 8:40 9:30am Pew Communion Tapestry, 11:00am 12:00pm 4.

8 29. Bible Study, 10:00 11:00am 30. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am Early Bird Adult Sunday School, 8:40 9:30am Pew Communion Tapestry, 11:00am 12:00pm 4. Young Authors Assembly, 9:00am Men s Bible Study, 12:00 1:00pm 5. Bible Study, 10:00 11:00am Women s Fellowship Board, 6:30 7:30pm 6. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am 7. Middle School Preview Night, 7:00 8:00pm 8. Upcoming Events

9 10. Early Bird Adult Sunday School, 8:30 9:40am Food Pantry Sunday School, 11:00am 12:00pm Great Rivers Valentine s for Two, 1:00pm 11. H.I.S. Ministry, 10:00 11:00am Men s Bible Study, 12:00 1:00pm H.I.S. Ministry, 7:00 8:00pm 12. Bible Study, 10:00 11:00am Consistory, 7:00 8:00pm EPIC, 7:00 8:00pm 13. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am Valentines Day Dance, 5:00 9:00pm 17. Early Bird Adult Sunday School, 8:30 9:30am Sunday School, 11:00am 12:00pm Normandy Condo Assoc. 1:00 5:00pm 18. Presidents Day Church Office Closed 19. Bible Study, 10:00 11:00am 20. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am Our Friday Club, 6:00 8:00pm 24. Early Bird Adult Sunday School, 8:30 9:30am Sunday School, 11:00am 12:00pm

10 25. Men s Bible Study, 12:00 1:00pm 26. Bible Study, 10:00 11:00am School Board, 6:00 7:00pm 27. Lectionary Study, 10:00 11:00am 28. Grandparents Day Crisis Food Center For the month of December, we collected 146 food items and 13 calendars. Don't forget our next collection date of January 13 th. BUILDING FUND SCRIP For eating...shopping...or filling your tank WHAT S NEW? Domino s $10 cards. Please continue to use your Schnuck s E-Scrip cards. If you do not have one, you can get one from a Scrip Representative. Schnuck s now has reward cards that earns money for you, E- Scrip cards earn money for the church. You can t use both cards at the same time during check out. We have available Walmart and Target cards for purchase so that you can use them to purchase your groceries. ***We have a list of all the cards scrip sells. If you need something different than what we have on hand you can place an order. Order on Sunday and it will be here the next Sunday.***

2019 Below are the 2019 dates that are available for Altar Flowers. The price remains the same as last year. $29 for one arrangement and $58 for both.

January: 6, 13, 13, 20 February: 3, 3, 10, 17, 24, 24 March: 3, 3, 10, 10, 17, 17, 24, 24, 31, 31 April: 7, 7, 14, 14, 28, 28 May: 5, 5, 12, 12, 26 June: 2, 2, 9, 30, 30 July: 7, 14, 14, 21, 21, 28,

Students and teachers have been preparing this advent season for the birth of Jesus by listening each day to a reading from scripture.

11 2019 Below are the 2019 dates that are available for Altar Flowers. The price remains the same as last year. $29 for one arrangement and $58 for both. If you would like to reserve the flowers in Memory or Honor of someone or an event, please call the church office at January: 6, 13, 13, 20 February: 3, 3, 10, 17, 24, 24 March: 3, 3, 10, 10, 17, 17, 24, 24, 31, 31 April: 7, 7, 14, 14, 28, 28 May: 5, 5, 12, 12, 26 June: 2, 2, 9, 30, 30 July: 7, 14, 14, 21, 21, 28, 28 August: 4, 4, 11, 11, 18, 25, 25 September: 1, 1, 8, 8, 15, 15, 22, 22 October: 6, 13, 13, 20, 20 November: 10, 17, 17, 24, 24 December: 1, 1, 8, 8, 29, 29 ~ News from Evangelical School ~ Students and teachers have been preparing this advent season for the birth of Jesus by listening each day to a reading from scripture. We bow our heads after each day s reading and pray that we may be prepared to do His work. Teachers then light the appropriate candle/candles in their advent wreath, and students sing the corresponding verse/verses of Light the Advent Candle. We are so very grateful for the blessing of Christ s presence in our school lives! rest and relaxation. Students will enjoy a break from school to celebrate the birth of Jesus from Wednesday, December 19 th, through Tuesday, January 1 st. This time offers our students and teachers some much needed

The last day of the second quarter is Friday, December 14 th ; report cards go home on Wednesday,

Young Authors books are due on Friday, January 18 th ; we have many talented authors here at our

collecting can goods during the month of January to help restock the shelves of the Crisis Food

12 The last day of the second quarter is Friday, December 14 th ; report cards go home on Wednesday, January 2 nd. When we return from Christmas break, we will begin the last half of our school year! It s going by so fast! There is no school on Monday, January 21 st, in honor of Martin Luther King s birthday. Young Authors books are due on Friday, January 18 th ; we have many talented authors here at our school, and we look forward to the large display of books in the atrium the week of Young Authors which begins on January 28 th. Students in grades 4 th -8 th can participate in our school s Spelling Bee to take place on Wednesday, January 23 rd. ~ News from Evangelical School for the Young Years ~ The boys and girls in preschool will be collecting can goods during the month of January to help restock the shelves of the Crisis Food Center. Each class will keep track of the number of cans that they collect, and the class that collects the most canned goods will be a awarded a class party. Our four-year-old students will take a field trip to the Children s Museum in Edwardsville on Wednesday, January 30 th. They will enjoy activities and hands-on exhibits in a FUN and educational environment.

13 The Staff of Evangelical wishes you and your family a Happy and Blessed New Year!! Pastor Jerry MeCaskey Lori MeCaskey Tim Sandifer Charlotte Williamson Libby Brame Susan Parton Stanard Nykki Williamson Maria Baalman Susan Doyle Julie Harris Randy Greenwell Greg Gaddy Tom Walter

Growing as Disciples of Jesus Christ through Worship, Learning, Fellowship and Outreach KEEPING UP WITH WHAT S GOING ON!

The Messenger NOVEMBER 2018 Growing as Disciples of Jesus Christ through Worship, Learning, Fellowship and Outreach KEEPING UP WITH WHAT S GOING ON! As we head into the holidays, there are plenty of things