THE MESSENGER St. John

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1 THE MESSENGER St. John Wood River, Illinois 2012 No matter who you are or where you are on life s journey, YOU are welcome here. 2 Special Events at St. John UCC in February: February 12 Valentine Gifts for the Church We ll celebrate wedding anniversaries in worship and then Let s shower the church with fellowship gifts!! (we forgot our anniversary on January 20) Paper plates, cups, napkins, paper towel rolls, dish soap, plastic tableware, glass & surface cleaner, scrubbers all the stuff we use in the kitchen and at church dinners Feb. 19, 3pm Celebration of Ordination & God s gift of Ministry to Christ s Church The Progressive Christian Alliance has ordained Ford Frazar We will celebrate with Ford, Pat and members of the PCA With a special service of worship Followed by a light dinner in Fellowship Hall Everyone is invited! (Pastor s Note: While the Illinois South Conference chose to dismiss Ford from the discernment process, the Progressive Christian Alliance reviewed Ford s history, papers and references and chose to ordain him within their fellowship. This Ordination allows Ford to pursue his call to chaplaincy and we celebrate that as one door has closed, God has opened another.) What s Inside Prayer list Kids Klips Birthdays Getting to Know You Ash Wednesday Services Pancake & Sausage Dinner Ministry & Mission Opportunities

2 I am quite sure the dietician could hear my eyes roll when she said, Don t think of it as dieting, think of it as giving yourself the gift of good health! The fact that she looked like she was still in high school and was way too perky for someone who was telling me I had to set new limitations on myself did not help matters either. So, as we approach Lent and I write, Don t think of it as a Lenten discipline, think of it as an opportunity to deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ and strengthen your faith, I can hear your eyes rolling and the soft, sneering chuckle under your breath. I do hope you can hear the perkiness in my writing, however. I also agree with my age challenged but nonetheless wise friend that it is better to think in terms of giving ourselves something rather than taking something away. The enclosed A Different Kind of Lenten Calendar encourages us to expand our understanding of our place in the world; consider the effects of our habits on the environment, our relationships, our nation s relationships with others in the world; to consider the habits which get in the way of our relationship with Christ and which undermine our desire to live faithful, Christ centered lives; and to reflect on and give thanks for the many blessings God has given us. It encourages you to take some time for yourself and your family for prayer, time to talk to one another and time to strengthen relationships; and time to eat together and talk about things. The calendar also encourages us to read a bit of scripture every day. The difference between this calendar and others, however, is the little box that lets us put a brief note next to each day. Even if we don t do a particular day s activity, just thinking about the suggestion for the day, making a note to come back to it, a thought about why we can t do that particular task or a thoughtful disagreement with the suggestion all invite us to engage our spiritual journey more intentionally. Hopefully the note will more often be about how we did follow the suggested activity, thought about people struggling with scarcity, reflected on our own blessings and found a way to share those blessings in a meaningful way. How did that candle light dinner go? What did you think about the scripture reading that day? How did you like the game you played together as a family instead of watching TV? Did you learn anything by going to the websites listed? What would you like to share with your church family about something we might want to do as a church? That is what Lent was always intended to be: a time of intentional reflection and deepening understanding of all those things that compete with God for our attention. So, enjoy your Lenten journey. In addition to the calendar in this Messenger, we have daily devotionals available, special services and Wednesday night bible studies all to help us grow in faith, trust and understanding. Most of all, you have your own life and experience as a resource for maturing in faith. May more blessings flow from our journey together. Pastor Mike I was nauseous and tingly all over. I was either in love or I had smallpox. Woody Allen You can t put a price tag on love, but you can on all its accessories. Melanie Clark

3 Annual Shrove Tuesday Feb. 21, 4-7pm Sign up to help tell your friends bring your family! Coming in March Mission & Ministry Opportunities: Wednesday, March 7, 9am-Noon Sorting and Packing At St. Louis Food Bank Leave church parking lot at 8:15am March 30 (tentative) Preparing & Serving Dinner To the families at Ronald McDonald House (Park Ave. location) 4:30-6:30pm Leave church at 3:45pm

4 St. John UCC Prayer Concerns Hospitalized since the last Messenger: Joyce Gholson, Marilyn Tohill, Judy Hanfelder, Staying Close to Home/Health Concerns Eleanor Kohlmiller, Pat Westerhold, Margaret Rowden, Betty Wiegand, Chuck Ursprung, Lucille Aubin, Tim Coates, Paul Harris February 1 - Kathleen Hall, Kim Sheraka 2 - Alex Frazar 3 - Donita Crockett 5 - Josh Manescalco 9 - Rene Butler, June Niehaus 10 - Sheridan Frizzell 11 - Jim Stille 12 - Tom Thorp 14 - Nicole Spate, Gene Abernathy 15 - Lois Cotton 18 - Greg Farrell 19 - Marie Pearson 20 - Gladys Abernathy, Nathaniel Crockett 21 - Wyatt Hill 23 - Dana Fink 25 - Ed Hamlin, Julie Thien 28 - Brian Kichline, Meghan Reppenhagen In Nursing Homes Henrietta Hughes, VIP Manor Ruth Jones,The Gardens, Springfield John Niehaus, Jerseyville Manor Marie Pearson, Rosewood (Alton) Mary Jo Ringering, Willow Rose, Jersey Hugh & Shirley Thatcher, VIP Manor Serving in the Military Alex Frazar, Tyler O dell, Dan Roberts, Blake Sabolo, Brandon Sabolo and Brandon Southcombe As we continue Luke s Christmas Story in Sunday School we still have the following units and teachers scheduled: Feb. 5 Food & People, Betty Maendele & Evalena O dell Feb. 12 Community Life, Dustene Shoemaker Feb. 19 Brain Teasers, Kaleigh & Andrew Rider Feb. 26 Children in Worship

5 Getting to Know You Hello, I m Kathleen Hall and I ve been a member of St. John UCC Wood River for approximately 30 years. I was raised as a Presbyterian since infancy and attended 12 th Street Presbyterian Church (USA) in Alton, IL. During my sophomore year at Roxana High School, I met the love of my life. Who says they don t believe in love at first sight? I used to be one of those people until Jerry Hall decided to be in the same Earth Science class as me. We dated for four years and then got engaged. After another three years engagement, while we finished our career goals, we were married on Aug. 12, I graduated from St. Luke s Hospital School of Nursing and Jerry had completed his 4 years of carpentry apprenticeship. We had the whole world ahead of us and felt truly blessed. In March of 1982 our beautiful daughter Emily was born and 4 years laterour other beautiful daughter, Allison completed our family. Both Emily and Allison were recently married by Dr. Beebe at St. John and we now have two wonderful sons-in-law, Chris and Kevin. We feel extremely fortunate to have been blessed with such and amazing family. I have been employed as a pediatric nurse for the last 33 years. First working 9 years in Pediatrics at the Wood River Township Hospital, then 13 years in the Neonatal Intensive Care at Cardinal Glennon Children s Hospital and currently completed the last 11 years at St. Louis Children s Hospital. I m employed by Washington University School of Medicine in the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology. I am a nurse surgical coordinator to a wonderful pediatric ophthalmologist at St. Louis Children s Hospital and love my job. I enjoy my pediatric patients and their families in a less intensive area, but still enjoy the fast pace in a high-volume practice. You may have seen me at church with a camera around my neck a time or tow. I m always up to the request to capturing special moments in our church. These photos are archived in the church computer. Actually, Rev. Southcombe had one of the Pet Blessing photos put in the Alton Telegraph to promote our congregation. I love photographing people. Our poor daughters have had a camera pointed at their nose since birth just ask them someday. I love my camera. In fact, my family will probably bury me with an old camera some day! We have raised our children in rural Bethalto, where Jerry built us a warm & welcoming home on 5 acres in Who knows, maybe someday we ll be entertaining our grandchildren there! We love beign at home in the yard or around the pool. In 1993 Jerry & I took a major step and established Hall Construction Company, Inc. It is based out of our home. Our company was inspired from Jerry s God-given gift of master carpentry. We focus on custom home building andlight commercial projects. God has guided us all the way! I instantly acquired another hat and learned bookkeeping and manage details behind the scenes while Jerry works his building wonders on the job site. Owning a husband/wife business can either make you or break you! Our marriage covenant with God has truly given us strength and guidance every inch of the way. Perhaps I m the first nurse/contractor you ve known. As you can see, we have a busy life, but most of all, I love my church family. I need that spiritual shot in the arm each Sunday when I reconnect with all of you. Some Sundays one of you may say something to me that gets me through the next hectic week and I thank you for that! I truly believe that God gives us many gifts and one very important gift is fellowship. God Bless, Kathleen Hall

6 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00p SR Practice 8p NA 2 8:30a Fellowship Red Apple 5:30p AA 5 9:30a Worship Communion 10:30a Coffee 12 9:30a Worship 10:30a Coffee Wedding Anniversaries Anniversary Presents for Church 6 12p WR Rotary 7p Boy Scouts 13 12p WR Rotary 6:30 Finance Team 7p Heartland Quilters 7p Boy Scouts 7 9a Stewardship Mtg 7p Cub Scouts 14 Valentine s Day 6:30p Pinochle 7p Cub Scouts 8 4:30p Outreach 8p NA 15 5:00p SR Practice 8p NA p Hoyleton Annual Awards Banquet At The Falls Banq. Ctr. In Waterloo 16 12p Region 4 Golden Corral 4:30p WMT :30p AA 5:30p AA 19 9:30a Worship Baptism Anniv. 10:30a Coffee 3p Ordination Worship & Fellowship 20 Presidents Day No WR Rotary? Messenger Deadline No Boy Scouts 7p Cub Scouts p Pancake Supper 22 Ash Wednesday 12p Service 7p Service 8p NA 23 6p Ad Team 24 6p Messenger Tm 25 5:30p AA 26 Lent 9:30a Worship 10:30a Coffee 27 12p WR Rotary 28 9a Heartland Quilters 29 5:00p SR Practice 7p Boy Scouts 6:30p Pinochle 7p Cub Scouts 8p NA

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9 2011 Year End Manna Money Report The Manna Money program started in June 2011 in time for Father's Day. The first orders were taken on Sunday, June 19th and those cards were distributed the following Sunday. In a short 6 ½ months the Manna Team purchased over $25,000 worth of cards of which $1,130 in prepaid cards are currently on hand to sell. Through December 31, 2011 the team earned $1, in profit for St. John UCC. The first commitment with profits from the Manna Money program is for the adoption of an orphan from Zimbabwe, Africa for a 12 month (one year) period at $25.00 per month. Total commitment for a one year period is $ You will learn more about our adopted child once we receive relative information and throughout With continued support, it is estimated that the Manna Money program will earn a profit of $2, for St. John UCC. Stewardship and Mission Team Manna Money Committee: Edgar Tohill, Chairman Betty Maendele Beverly Thomas Cindi Pulaski The Empty Vase And Full Hearts in Lent Many churches do not allow flowers in the sanctuary during Lent. When the chancel remains empty of flowers, the greenery on Palm Sunday and then the burst of Lilies and color on Easter Sunday are much more striking. The lack of flowers contributes to our awareness of the barrenness of our lives without a strong relationship with Jesus. We can still remember our loved ones or celebrate special days in the bulletin and on the screen, however, with a donation to Kindercottage in lieu of flowers. Just sign up on the flower chart in Berry Parlor, write a check for $20 to the church to be forwarded to Kindercottage and we will list your memorial or celebration in the Weekly Messenger for 2 Sundays and project a picture on the screen during the announcements. A Mission and Outreach Opportunity for St. John UCC We are hoping to provide a free soup lunch (Noon to 1pm) to ANYONE beginning Fridays in March. Our Outreach and Worship Ministry Teams have each agreed to sponsor this meal one Friday a month. We need other Teams, groups or families who can cook 2 pots of soup and provide crackers or bread for about 40 people (our best guess) to sign up for this ministry. We hope that church members will come and enjoy a soup lunch and some fellowship and we hope to serve needy individuals from the community with cheerful hospitality and a hearty bowl of soup. The meal is free, for those who wish to pay, we ll have a free will plate set out. See the bulletin board or talk to Pastor Mike, Ande Yakstis or Jim Stille for more information.

10 A Different Kind of Lenten Calendar Taking More Time to Reassess A 40 Day Guide for Lent and Easter Date Journal What I did today on my Lenten Journey or things I have to come back to. 22 Ash Wednesday Read Matthew 6:1.What hopes and fears do you have for this Lenten time? Open yourself to learning new ideas, attitudes, actions, habits. Pray for joy to accompany you during this Lenten season. 23 Thursday. Read the ten commandments. How will we honor the Sabbath each week together? Discuss this as a family around the table at dinner. 24 Friday Notice advertising today. Discuss its effect with family members. List some things that ads make you want that you wouldn t even know existed otherwise and would never have missed. Ex. 20: Saturday Go through your closet today and give away at least five pieces of unused clothing. Learn to live with less. Spruce up old clothing instead of buying new. Discuss what guides your clothes purchasing habits. Check the labels to see where the clothes were made. What do you know about those countries and the working conditions in their mills and factories? 26 First Sunday in Lent. Read Mark 1:9-15. What material possessions, people, fears or emotions do you allow to have power over you? How are you tempted to serve this other master? Talk about your first 5 days of Lent at Coffee Fellowship at church.

11 27 Monday Pray to use your personal freedom to serve the needs of people in bondage to hunger. Keep a photo or a quote in your kitchen as a reminder of them for 40 days. Check out to see how our church is helping to alleviate hunger. Genesis 9: Tuesday Learn to enjoy without owning: what can you borrow rather than buy? Check out Bonhoeffer s The Cost of Discipleship or another book from the church or public library. Matthew 6: Wednesday In Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, a village of 6,000, the average source of water is two taps. Give $2 for every faucet in your house to the church s Lenten offering. Jonah 3:1-10 March 1 Thursday Read Luke 14: Name your most prized possession. How would life change for the better if you were called to give this one thing up? 2 Friday Could our church building be used more efficiently if opened to other groups? Brainstorm: What worthwhile local organizations could use free meeting space? Read Matt. 7: Saturday Write a thank you note to a teacher, Sunday school teacher or friend who has helped you grow closer to God. Matt. 5: Second Sunday in Lent. Read Mark 8: Where does consumerism set our mind on human things rather than the divine realities? 5 Monday Average TV viewing in U.S. households is over 7 hours a day. Decide to do something for at least an hour other than watch TV tonight, such as read, take a walk, talk with each other, play a game, etc. Read Daniel 9: Tuesday Does something produce addiction in you coffee, TV or internet, sports, chocolate, soda, snack food? Abstain for the week or longer. Visit and pray for the people recovering from disasters whenever you have the urge to feed your addiction. Isaiah 1:10, Wednesday Make a list of five things you have and five you would like to have. Discuss with your family which are necessities and which are luxuries. Give $1 for each luxury item. Matt. 20: Thursday Evaluate your church celebrations by their lifestyle and economic witness. What kind of foods are served? Are disposables used? Jeremiah 17: Friday Jesus granted us freedom with his death so don t be a slave to material goods or anyone. Genesis 37: Saturday Dematerialize celebrations by making your own gifts or giving gifts to non-profits in honor of family and friends. Share the story of a meaningful gift you have received. Visit 11 Third Sunday in Lent. Read John 2: What needs cleansing in our lives, our temples, our structures?

12 12 Monday Pray this Latin American mealtime prayer: To those who hunger give bread, and to those who have bread, give the hunger for justice. Micah 6: Tuesday Eat your evening meal by candlelight tonight and discuss better ways to conserve energy. Give $1 for every electrical appliance in your kitchen to the church s Lenten offering. 2 Kings 5: Wednesday Go to your place of solitude. Relax with eyes closed for 5 minutes. Now remember one joyful childhood experience. How did that experience make you feel loved? How can you share that joy with someone else? Learn about the United States Institute for Peace at Read Ps Thursday Find joy in letting go and in sharing. Give away something of value to you a book, CD, toy, tool. Read Mark 10: Friday Give thanks to God for both the challenges and choices you have in your life. Ask God s spirit to fill all with compassion, insight and concern when making personal decisions which may affect the lives of others. Ps. 147: Saturday Many electronic devices are assembled in countries where workers earn less than 25 an hour. Give at least 25 for each electronic device in your house. Visit Mark 10: Fourth Sunday in Lent. Read John 3: Focus on God so loved the world the people, the animals, plants, the Creation. An Environmental Tithe means to reduce consumption of all resources by at least 10%. God put us on Earth to be stewards of Creation, not abusers, not dominators. Visit 19 Monday Water. In the Stories of the Creation (Genesis 1 & 2) reflect on And Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. -Genesis 2:15. Visit 20 Tuesday Our water is both precious and finite. Let s challenge wasting or poisoning of it. Turn the water off when not needed while washing hands, shaving or brushing teeth. Fix leaky faucets. Install low flow shower heads. Turn off the water while soaping. Read Exodus 17:1-7 Visit 21 Wednesday When using public facilities, report leaks to the proper authorities (faucets, showers, toilets, drinking fountains, garden spigots). Why do we water the street? Recommend a drip system instead of sprinklers. Visit Proverbs 14:31 22 Thursday Energy. Read the Story of Noah in Genesis 6-9:17. Reflect on 6:19-22 and 9:8-17. God does not want the Earth harmed. Visit 23 Friday All this environmental work seem overwhelming? Know that when life seems hardest, God is with you even more. Psalm 34:17-21, Saturday Convert to fluorescent or other high efficiency bulbs. Wash the dishes by hand today. Hang the clothes out to dry this week. Inquire about an energy audit from your local utility. Visit 25 Fifth Sunday in Lent. Read John 12: Plan recreation that gives physical exercise and/or builds relationships but uses little fuel or other nonrenewable resources.

13 26 Monday Consumables. Share newspaper or magazine subscriptions with a friend or read it at the library. It takes 17 trees to make one ton of paper. Over half the magazines on newsstands are discarded unsold. It takes about 280 gallons of water to produce a large Sunday paper (after the trees are grown). Read Jeremiah 31: Tuesday Buy only the paper products you really need. Close the loop by purchasing products made of recycled fibers, even if they cost somewhat more. Caring for Creation does not mean living on the cheap. Yes, we can afford to do this for the Earth! Read Romans 4: Wednesday Tell at least 2 friends about the paper, aluminum can, and inkjet cartridge recycling at the church. Offer to pick up those recyclables and drop them off at church. Read John 5: Thursday God promised to watch over us and redeem us, and does so every day. Think about the times God has seen you ignore your own good and how God must have felt. Read Psalm 106: Friday Take your own mug with you for coffee in the mornings. Talk to others at church about how the church can be more environmentally responsible. Read Jn 7: Saturday. Food. Reflect on Lk 12:22-32 or Matt. 6: Don t worry about what you ll eat or what you ll wear. That sounds like encouragement to live more simply. April 1 Sixth Sunday in Lent (Palm/Passion Sunday). Read Mark 11:1-11, Mk 14:1-15:47 WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? WWJB? What would Jesus buy? Discuss with others: If Jesus accompanied us shopping, would our buying habits be different? Discuss as a family if other commitments need to be cancelled or set aside this week so that you can focus on the full meaning of the crucifixion and resurrection. Committing fully to the Holy Week services is a good lesson and a good discipline to follow. 2 Monday: Prepare for Jesus death and resurrection by filling your home with his presence. John 12: Tuesday: The crowds expected a certain kind of Messiah. Reflect: Jesus is not a model of triumph and success; his response to the suffering of the world is to join it. What expectations do we have of God for deliverance? Mark 14: Have you cleared your calendar for the services during the Paschal Triduum? 4 Wednesday Close friends betrayed the Lord in thought, word and deed. Reflect on your Lenten journey. Which aspects were easy, which were difficult, which ones do you still struggle with? Matt. 26:14-25 The Paschal Triduum Maundy Thursday: Come to the pot luck dinner at church at 6pm. Good Friday: Attend the Wood River Township Ministerial Alliance s community Good Friday service which we are hosting at St. John this year. Holy Saturday: Meet at the church at 10am to help prepare the sanctuary for Easter Sunday. Prepare a dish for the Easter brunch. Gather as a family and consider your Easter Envelope offering or other special gift to a mission of the church.

14 Mission Statement for St. John UCC St. John United Church of Christ, Wood River, Illinois is a Christian Community: Worshiping the Triune God Claiming the historic faith of the church Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ Nurturing for Christian discipleship Ministering to one another through fellowship and caring Serving our community and the world Connecting with other Christians for witness and service The Messenger is a monthly publication of St. John United Church of Christ, 228 N. Sixth St., Wood River, IL 62095; phone Access our home page at Worship is at 9:30 a.m. Our Pastor is Rev. Mike Southcombe, cell phone (618) The Messenger editorial staff includes, Evalena O dell and Marlene O dell. All guests are welcome. always caring, always sharing St. John United Church of Christ 228 N. Sixth St. Wood River, IL Return Service Requested