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1 Founded in 1878 To the Glory of God December 1, 2018 Newsletter No West Walnut Street Metamora, Illinois, Telephone (309) Church Office: Pastor Gary Salm: Youth Pastor Brandon Bogue: If you would prefer not to receive this newsletter, please us and write unsubscribe in the body of your message. Thank you for your interest in the Christian Union Church Family and God Bless You.

2 As I sat down to write this week, we are still a few days from Thanksgiving. The blessings of this season have already been too numerous to count. Sharing a meal together and a night of good fellowship was such a blessing last Tuesday (November 13 th ). Our choir friends serving in Peoria but originally from Africa blessed our gathering as well. One of the young men in the choir is leaving for Africa in a few weeks. He is currently a Bible Student who plans to teach preachers in Africa. With your love offering we have been able to bless their work and his preparation for teaching in Africa. It never fails to amaze me that the expression of sincere faith in any language changes the room. Listening to hymns in Swahili or English, the message of God s love comes through. We have plans next year to bless our unity at Christian Union with the blessing of bringing the 9 A.M. and the 11 A.M. services together when there is a 5 th Sunday in the month. We will meet in the middle at 10:00 A.M. With that in the works, we also thought it would be great to share our Christmas Sunday (December 23 rd ) this year as well with a special service at 10:00 A.M. Fellowship time can be enjoyed before or after the service that day. The worship leaders are working at preparing and planning for that day as well as our Advent services. Once again we will be offering two Christmas Eve Services at 5 P.M. and at 10 P.M. The early service allows families with young children to get home in time to celebrate before bedtime. I am confident that both services will serve as a blessing to all. I have chosen the theme, Making the Holidays Holy for our Advent messages. It is so easy to criticize what others have done with Christmas but in the church still miss the real purpose of the season. I am hopeful that God will bless our church with a Holy Day not just a holiday. Once again we will be sharing a blessing in our community with those in need with our fall envelopes. If you personally know a family struggling in any way, please contact Gary or the office. We would like to help people truly in need, especially ones not inclined to ask for help. In all these things, I am hopeful that God will be glorified and celebrated this Christmas season. May God bless your Christmas and may he bless His church in the coming new year. Have a Merry Christmas, Pastor Gary A Blessed Christmas to all! The staff of Christian Union would like to extend warm Christmas wishes to all who serve and worship here with us. We are blessed to work with all of you and very grateful for the ministry of Christ within this community. May God bless you all as you have so generously blessed us. Pastor Gary, Lori, Brandon, Jenny and Dawn

3 We give thanks to the Lord for 11 years of leadership under Pastor Gary Salm! We are so blessed by the work that God has done and continues to do through them. May Gary, Lori and their family be blessed, strengthened, and filled with joy as they serve among us. Please pray God s protection and strength for Andrew Dahl, stationed in Italy; Levi Heathcoat, stationed in Fort Lewis, WA; and Jeff Long stationed at Eglin Air Force base, FL. We continually lift up all the faithful men and women in uniform serving throughout the world. Continue to pray for : Melody Sledgister recovery from Achilles tendon surgery Joe recipient of a heart transplant The family of Ed Evans, who passed on November 3 Ally emotional support Jordan Herring car accident Teri & John Emory car accident Barbara Owens, Ken Maurer, Becky Jones, Grahm, Jerry Heller, Dale Winn, Linda Jones, Ron Veatch, Julie Parks, Donna Miller, Dona Parks, Merle Lotz, Mike Minger, Hazel Dyar, Bob Mason, Ruth Salm, Cullen Nevitt, Patty Nordhielm, Sue Zobrist, Tia Dye, Elaine Lauffenburger, Carol Larue, Ian Wallace, Kyle Wood, Mona Smock, Lois Strickfaden, Larry & Marty Mullins, Mary Dexter, Shirley Lindsay, Mitch Williams, Donna Schifeling, Pastor George & Faye Hines as they deal with on-going health issues. Our Partners in Mission: Guy & Lora McIntire Wycliffe Bible Translators Dan & Christi Ucherek Orphan Outreach ANNOUNCEMENTS Love Gift The Church Council is gathering a love offering for our church staff this Christmas. If you would like to contribute, you may give your donations to a council member or drop them off to the church office by Wednesday, December 19. Philathea will meet Tuesday, December 11 at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Our Daily Bread the new edition is available for December, January, February. Women s Guild will meet on Tuesday, December 18 at 1:15 pm in the Living Room. Miriam Gamble will lead devotions. Fall Mission Project through December our Fall Project donations will be used to support local, under-resourced families. Every year we meet people who need a little extra help. Thank you for giving to share the love of Christ as we celebrate His birth. You can donate by using the Fall Project envelope in your giving packet, or by marking a pew envelope Fall Project. Holiday Office Hours The office will open from 8:30 to 12 noon on 12/24 and 12/31. The office will closed from 12/25 through 12/28 and 1/1 thru 1/2. 2

4 Meet In The Middle Worship Service Sunday, December 23rd At 10:00 am Christmas Eve Service Monday, December 24th Candlelight Family at 5:00 pm Candlelight Communion at 10:00 pm 3

5 Altar Flower Chart for 2019 The new flower chart is up on the bulletin board in the main hallway. If you have a special remembrance or occasion to commemorate with altar flowers, please sign up for your special date on that calendar. If you have any questions please contact the office. Thank you for enhancing the beauty of our sanctuary and allowing us to celebrate and remember with you. To allow staff to spend time with their families between Christmas and New Years the following dates have been established: January newsletter deadline is Mon. 12/17 December 23/24 bulletin deadline is Tues. 12/18 December 30 bulletin deadline is Wed. 12/ expense reimbursement request deadline is Wed. 12/ Annual report deadline is Friday 1/11 If you have any questions, please call the office. The rehearsal schedule for December for the Youth Holiday Ensemble is: Wed. Dec. 6:30 pm Sun. Dec. 10:15 am Wed. Dec. 6:30 pm They will sing at both services on Sunday Dec 16 and at the 5:00 Christmas Eve service. The rehearsal schedule for December for the Adult Holiday Ensemble is: Wed. Dec. 6:30 pm Wed. Dec. 6:30 pm They will sing at both services on Sunday Dec 9, the 10 am service Sunday Dec 23, and at the 5:00 Christmas Eve service Maci Keller Angie Ford Nancy Donaldson David Poling Elizabeth Keller Louise Ruhman Eric Benes Jeff Ries Amanda Kough Sharol Minger Rob Hackett Jeff Phillips Carter Brock Jordan Herring Lucille Lotz Carol LaRue Ben Poling Sally Brock Ryan Poeschel Julie Fandel Scott Marsh Lori Jones Melanie Goodyear Matt & Cathy Gregait Larry & Donna Woltzen Matt &Kristyn Kennell Dave & Helen Cheek Rick & Sallie Lotz Dick & Carol Schertz Joe and Tiffany Ryan 4

6 We will be gathering items for children 0-17 years old for the Tree of Hearts at Heart House in Eureka for the next couple of weeks. There will be a tree in the Kid Zone room for the presents. If you would like to donate a gift, please take it UNWRAPPED to the Kid Zone room by December 9 th. Some suggested items are baby clothes (no diapers), rattles, stuffed animals, dolls, trucks, blocks, Legos, games, Bath & Body Works sets, shaving kits, make-up, jewelry, long sleeve tees or hoodies, basketballs, footballs, etc. There is also the opportunity to sort gifts on December 14 th at Heart House or wrap on the 18 th and 19 th. Any questions, please talk to Margie Hahn. The Elevate Christmas Party is Sunday, December 16th from 5-8pm! This year s theme is A Cozy Christmas, so wear your favorite Christmas pajamas! We will have food, games, the White Elephant gift exchange, and we will go caroling! Don t miss out on all the Christmas fun! Jr. High Elevate is moving to Wednesdays in January following the Look Back/ Look Ahead night! Look Back/Look Ahead is Sunday, January 13th 6-8pm! Open to both age groups! More info to come! 4 5 There is no Elevate after the Christmas Party. Thanks for a great 2018!

7 December Ministry Leaders Date A/V Team Lay Reader 9:00 Nursery 11:00 Nursery Greeters KidZone 12/2 12/9 12/16 12/23 10:00 am only Steve Griffin / Angie Kimbro Stan Deatherage / Jed Smith Steve Griffin / Matt Gregait Gary Barke / Denny Hahn Susie Thomas Judy Winkler Matt Kimbro Kent Malone Mandi Bogue & Sarah Kimbro Crystal Benes & Eliza Fletcher Sheila Boles & Kathy Steele Marci & Kate Shoff Kathy Steele & Sarah Kimbro Jenny Poling & Alexis Kellerstrass Sandi Riggert & Taylor Hines Peggy Nieschlag & Dorothy Fahlberg June Ahrens & Donna Woltzen Lacey Harahan & Lorraine Durst Dewey & Elaine Newell Brandon Bogue & Youth helper Rachel Cook & Marci Shoff Amy & Dan Wilbur No KidZone 12/24 5:00pm Rich Sledgister / Jed Smith Bogue s & Salm s No Nursery No Nursery No KidZone 12/30 Stan Deatherage / Zach Barker Sarah Kimbro No Nursery Family Sunday No Nursery Family Sunday Doug & Jean Long No KidZone Family Sunday December Ushers: Mike & Sharol Minger, Bob & Sherrie Harper, and Sue Devine Communion Stewards (12/2) : Jim & Gloria Hicks, Lori Jones, Mike & Sharol Minger, and Jolene Pelton Welcome Rep: Sandy Madsen 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 December Schedule Driver Helper 12/2 John Armstrong Mary Armstrong 12/9 Cathy Gregait Sue Devine 12/16 Matt Kimbro Sarah Kimbro 12/23 Lance Fandel Jill Fandel 12/30 Jared Barker Zach, Kevin, & Derek Barker 6

8 December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 9:00 1st Look 9:30 Take Two 2 9:00 Worship 10:00 Sunday Sch 10:30Dining Out 11:00Worship 4 6 BS&CS mtg Sr. Hi Elevate 9 9:00 Worship 10:00 Sunday Sch 10:15 Youth Ens. 11:00Worship 3:00 Camp rsvd Sr. Hi Elevate 16 9:00 Worship 10:00 Sunday Sch 11:00Worship 2:00 JenkinsEagle Scout Reception Elevate Christmas Party 23 10:00 Worship Service 3 8:30 Morning Joe Cornerstone 7:00 Church & Ministry 7:00 Boy Scouts 10 6:00 Mission Comm. 7:00 MCP Program 7:00 Council 7:00 Boy Scouts 17 8:30 Morning Joe Misty s 7:00 Boy Scouts January Newsletter Deadline 24 Christmas Eve 5:00 Service 10:00 Candlelight Service 4 10:00 Staff Meeting 1:30 Pastor s Assisted Living 11 7:00 Philathea 18 1:00 Staff Mtg. 1:15 Women s Guild 7:00 GS Leader meeting 25 Christmas Day 5 6:30 Youth & Adult Holiday Ensemble 12 2:30 Snyder Chapel 7:00 Take Two 8:00 1st Look 19 6:30 Youth & Adult Holiday Ensemble 7:00 12/23 8:00 5pm Christmas Eve 6 6:00 Cub Scout Wolf Den meeting Jr. Hi Elevate 13 8:30 Moms in Prayer Jr. Hi Elevate 7 6:00 McDaniel KidZone Family Christmas Party 8 9:00 1st Look 9:30 Take Two 4:00 McDaniel Wedding 15 12:00 Women s Christmas Luncheon :30 10 pm Christmas Eve :30 Take Two Office Closed 30 Family Sunday 8:00 1st Look 9:00 Worship 10:00 Coffee Hour 11:00 Worship 31 New Year s Eve 8:30 Morning Busy Corner Jan 1 Jan 2 Office Closed 7