The Lamplighter. October 2017 Salem United Church of Christ Higginsville, Missouri

Transcription

1 The Lamplighter October 2017 Salem United Church of Christ Higginsville, Missouri Dear Friends, This month will mark an amazing anniversary in the history of the church of Jesus Christ: the 500 th anniversary (or quincentennial) of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. The precipitating event of the Reformation, or at least the one that church historians most tend to notice, was an Augustinian monk, Martin Luther, nailing his ninety-five theses on the door of the cathedral at Wittenberg, which history says that he did on 31 October That event, which may or may not have happened, was a step in Luther s attempt to reform certain practices in the Catholic Church, practices that he believed had no warrant in scripture or tradition. Luther was trained as a lawyer and taught at an Augustinian seminary. His ninety-five theses, which he wrote and circulated throughout Germany whether he nailed them to the door of the cathedral or not, were not so much a challenge to the authority of the church or to papal authority as they were an invitation to debate. The practice was for the subject of a debate to be published beforehand and Luther wanted someone from the Church to come and debate him on these ninety-five points. Since Luther was both a lawyer and an academic, you can imagine how the ninety-five theses read. They dig into the minutiae of theology and practice, arguing the finest of points. Take my word for it, they are deadly dull reading. And yet they set the European world on fire. There had been challenges to the Catholic Church before Luther. There had been attempts at reformation before Luther. Very little had come from those earlier movements. There was something in the time that made the Catholic Church ripe for change. Luther simply provided the spark that set it all off. After Luther s bold call for change, others took up the effort, others such as John Calvin, John Knox, and Ulrich Zwingli. These Reformers, and other even more radical reformers, changed the face of the Church in Europe. Their work also made a difference in the Catholic Church. The challenges of the Reformers led to the Catholic Counter- Reformation, which gave rise to the Tridentine expression of the Catholic Church. The Council of Trent reaffirmed many of the issues that Luther challenged and reformed others. The effects of the Tridentine Council held sway for more than 400 years, until the Second Vatican Council in the 190s. The Protestant Reformation brought us many ideas that we still find relevant. It gave the trinity of dogmas that scholars have called scripture alone, which affirms the priority of scripture over tradition; faith alone, which declares that justification cannot come through works but only through faith; and grace alone, which says that salvation comes as a free gift from God. These are ideas that we still hold to some extent. Perhaps even more important in our context is the doctrine of the priesthood of the believers, which declares that none of us needs an intermediary between us and God, other than Jesus Messiah. We are all of us priests responsible for the message that we proclaim to others in our lives, and we may all approach God directly. It is a powerful idea, one that we who hold a congregational polity cannot let go of, nor should we. While Luther s attempt to reform the Catholic Church brought much that we Protestants value, it also ushered in an age in which separation and division became the norm. Whereas prior to the Reformation, the Catholic Church had a relative monopoly over religion in Europe, after the Reformation, every disagreement seemed to lead to the creation of a new church. Before the Reformation, there were only two Christian religious traditions (Catholic and Orthodox), after the Reformation there grew to be almost more than we can count. After the first separation, which created the Lutheran Church, the rest became easier. So it is with some awe that I read that on 31 October 201 Pope Francis met with a large group of Lutherans in Sweden and proclaimed that they all, Catholic and Lutheran alike, could celebrate Luther s work as a reformer, that what he did was good for the cause of Christ in the world. All the enmity and strife of the previous 500 years was past and they could move into the future together as colleagues and companions on the way of Jesus. Let us celebrate the Reformation; not its violence or its exclusivity, but its more open and life affirming aspects. And let us remember that we are all of us co-workers in the cause of Christ, whether Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Christian, Church of Christ, Pentecostal, or United Church of Christ. We are all sisters and brothers in common cause. 1 Grace and Peace., Tommy

2 October 2017 The Lamplighter Page 2 NEIGHBORS IN NEED SPECIAL MISSION OFFERING The Neighbors in Need offering will be dedicated on October 1. Please place your offering in the designated envelope from the September Lamplighter, and make your check payable to: Salem UCC-NIN. You may bring your offering to the church office at any time. Special Days in October October 1: World Communion Sunday, Dedication of Neighbors In Need offering Crop Walk October 9: Columbus Day Observed October 15 : 10:30 a.m. Service featuring Children s Sunday Dedication of Festival of Sharing offerings Church Hayride and Weiner Roast October 21: Festival of Sharing in Sedalia October 29: Reformation Sunday LAFAYETTE AREA CROP HUNGER WALK SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2017 AT THE CONFEDERATE PARK IN HIGGINSVILLE The Lafayette Area CROP Hunger Walk will begin at 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 1st in the Confederate Park in Higginsville near the Chapel. Registration will begin at 2:30 p.m.. Parking and a shuttle service will be available from the Salem parking lot; the van will leave at 2:30 p.m. Come and join us to raise awareness and help stop hunger in our world. The Annual Fall Fest Dinner will be held Sunday, November 5, immediately following the 10:30 morning worship service. The dinner will be held in the church Dining Room. Everyone 55 years of age and over are invited to come and enjoy good food, fellowship and entertainment. Janice Hoefer will have the program. There is no charge to attend. Please join us. Women s Fellowship Circle Schedules for October Esther Circle October 4, 10:00 a.m., at Ginny Bertz home, hostess & program Ginny Bertz. Mary Martha Circle October 5, 1:30 p.m., in the Salem Board Room, hostess Dot Nadler. Ruth Circle October 4, 2:00 p.m., at Jackie Meinershagen s home, hostess Jackie Meinershagen, program Arlene Long. Eve Circle October 3, 7:00 p.m., in the Salem Board Room, hostess Karen Homfeld, program Shirley Paul. WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHY TO: Brooke (Kaiser) Cramer and family. Brooke s grandfather, Phillip Kaiser, passed away August 17. ALSO Louise Salyer and family. Louise s sister-in-law, Marilyn Ainsworth, passed away. ALSO Pat Haston, Pat s sister, Jane Rosenstangle, from DeSoto, KS, OUR FRIENDS AND CHURCH FAMILY IN CARE FACILITIES Listed below are our members and friends (at the time of printing of the Lamplighter) now residing or recovering at our local and surrounding community nursing homes and care facilities. A card or visit from a church family member would be a delightful surprise! Meyer Care Center, 1201 W. 19th St., Higginsville, MO 4037 Wilma Dieckhoff Glenn & Shirley Nowack Pat Pence Anna Marie Rinne Grace Schemmer Robert Cobb Souder Earl Struchtemeyer Bob Tankesley New Haven Living Center, 09 Golf Street, Odessa, MO 407 Myrna Fette Lutheran Good Shepherd Home, 202 SW St., Concordia, MO 4020 Winnie Knehans Jake Stoecklin Ann Nuelle Country Oak Village, 101 Cross Creek Drive, Grain Valley, MO 4029 Viola Meinershagen Riverbend Heights Rehab & Health, Lexington Nursing Home, 1221 South Highway 13, Lexington, MO 407 Mark Gieselman Winchester Meadows, 371 W. 10th St., Sedalia, MO 5301 Roberta Summers (Apt. 102 E) PASTORAL VISITS OR PRAYERS Anyone who would like a pastoral visit or are in need of prayers, please call the church office, (0)

3 October 2017 Sadie Kumm Johnny Marth Sarah Short Nathan Rinne Skyler Robinson Bob Jarman Alice Davis Mary Dickmeier Ray Don Paul Carla Starke Tish Stoner Paul Howell Trace Alberswerth Ada Kay Stoner Abigail Cramer Autumn White Dennis Stewart Laith Kirchhoff The Lamplighter Best Birthday Wishes in October go to Angie Green Crystal Schloman Hanni Herriott Logan Tracy Gail Kirchhoff Brenda Homfeld Joey Hoflander Briana Homfeld Kenneth Schemmer Cole Harris Owen Wood Wyatt Wilkinson Dot Nadler Billy Mackie Caleb Romans Jaxon Barnes Myrna Fette Fred Jungerman III Joe Rolf Greg Soendker Kenneth Buchanan Joe Steinkuhler Wilburn Woods Chase Berry Vida Mehrhoff Robbie Alberswerth Susan Shier Jonathan Hoflander Matthew Leonard David Starke Margaret Soendker Chris Homfeld Greg Berry Page FOOD RESOURCE BANK Fall is upon us and with good weather, harvest will soon be completed around the area. We should take time to give thanks for our many blessings and be mindful of others who are less fortunate. To that end, the Salem Men s Fellowship is again collecting and coordinating donations for the Foods Resource Bank program, which Salem has supported for seventeen years. This past year Foods Resource Bank added five new Growing Projects and nine new overseas programs. This progress is made in part by our donations. I would like to share a quote from Torrey Peace, One of the best aspects of FRB support is that it is flexible to respond to actual community needs. If you care to be a part this year, please drop your check by the church office before November 30, To learn more about FRB, their mission, overseas programs and reports, go to Thank you, Dennis Knipmeyer Do you live in an area where you don't get alot of trick or treaters and you love to pass out candy and see all the kiddos in costumes? Well we have a way you can do that! Halloween night, while down town is having their trick 'r' treat, we would like for anyone who wants to pass out candy to come park in the parking lot at Salem and pass candy out from your car! It's called trunk or treat. If this is something you would like to do, please be in the church parking lot by 5:00 p.m., the event will be over by :45 p.m. The Methodist church has done this for several years and we decided to join them! We encourage the decoration of car trunks! If you have any questions please call June at

4 October 2017 From the Church Records Financial Report: General Fund Balance 8/01/17 Current deposits Current expenses Current Fund Balance 8/31/17 Building Fund: Current Fund Balance 8/01/17 Current deposits Current expenses Current Fund Balance 8/31/17 $ 5,409 $14,335 $14,13 $ 5,581 $1,089 $ 2,84 $ 50 $18,885 O.C.W.M. (Member Contributions for August) $410 8:30 a.m. August Attendance 10:00 a.m Average Total Average 122 CHURCH INFORMATION Tommy s tlfaris@ctcis.net Tommy s cell phone: Church Telephone: Church salemucc@ctcis.net Church Website: salemucchigginsville.org Fax number: KANSAS CITY METRO MEN S CHORUS Will be performing, Sunday, October 29, at 3:00 p.m. at Salem United Church of Christ. Refreshments will be served following the concert. Donations collected will benefit the Higginsville Senior Center. Please drop your Best Choice Labels by the church office. The Lamplighter Page 4 89 COMMUNITY NEWS: JOHN KNOX VILLAGE AND MEYER CARE CENTER BIBLE STUDY John Knox Village and Meyer Care Center have a weekly Bible Study that is led, on a rotational schedule, by the Ministerial Fellowship. Tommy (Salem) will be leading Bible Study during the month of October, Greg Fine (Baptist) during the month of November and Liz Lindsey (Presbyterian) during the month of December. The Bible Study is held every Wednesday, 10:15-10:45 a.m. in the Gathering Room FRIENDS FOUNDATION (Formerly, Friends of Emmaus) Annual Festival & Quilt Auction will be held, Sunday, October 8, Noon-5:00 p.m. This event will be held at Boone Monument Village, 1522 Boone Monument Rd., Marthasville, MO. For information please call Lynne Unnerstall or Mary Fischer WESTERN ASSOCIATION FALL GATHERING Will be held Saturday, October 14, 2017, at St. John's Chapel UCC, 4344 S. Fremont Ave., Springfield, MO. This years theme is Being God s Beloved Community Now! Registration Cost (includes lunch): $30.00 per person if registered by October 3. After October 3, the cost will be $35.00 per person. Registration deadline: Monday, October 9. Please call or robertatkinson@sbcglobal.net by October 9, if you are registering at the door. HARVESTERS SCHEDULE First Assembly of God Church of Higginsville hosts a Harvesters Community Food Network distribution of food on the third Thursday of every month. The date in October is Thursday, October 19. The work day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends approximately at Noon. After the food is distributed, volunteers are asked to stay and help clean up the area. Anyone willing to help is asked to call , (First Presbyterian Church), and leave your name, phone number, and mailing address. Wear comfortable clothes. HIGGINSVILLE PROJECT CONNECT: This event is a one-day public health service event for adults that are uninsured and underserved in the area. There is no cost for any service received at this event. They would appreciate volunteers to help at this event, Saturday, November 4, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the East Gym of Higginsville s High School (Lafayette County C- 1.) There is a sign-up sheet outside the church office for volunteers. 4

5 October 2017 Page 5 The Lamplighter CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING AUGUST 17, 2017, 7:30 pm The regular meeting of the Salem Church Council was held Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 7:30 pm in the Board Room. The members present were Pastor Tommy, Keri Borchers, Felicia Leonard, Ronnie Bergsieker, Janice Hoefer, Delbert Goetz, and Peggy Pragman. David Starke and Kevin Berry were unable to attend. President Keri Borchers called the meeting to order. Pastor Tommy led the group in devotion, Psalms 85, and prayer. Minutes were read, corrected, and approved. Felicia gave the treasurer s report with balances of $5,409 in General Fund and $1,089 in Building and Grounds Fund. The Pastor s mileage of 59 miles for $31.57 was presented for payment. Motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer s report and to pay mileage. The Pastor s reported Tommy reported the second YOM trip to Montana was a success, and most youth who went expressed desire to go again. Board of Christian Ed. sponsored a movie in the parking lot on Friday evening, Aug. 11. An estimated crowd of 50-0 people attended, including a number of people walking in from surrounding neighborhood. The movie shown was Disney/Pixar, Cars. There was Popcorn, drinks, and activities for children of all ages. BCE plan to do this again, perhaps as early as fall. Tommy reported the two upcoming events to wish the Rev. Dale Parson well as he retired from the position of the Associate Conference Minister for the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the UCC. On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 20 at Immanuel UCC in Sedalia, Mo. from 3-5 p.m. an open house. The following Sat. Aug. 2 th, at Columbia UCC, Columbia, Mo., there will be an open house, lunch, and farewell for Dale starting at 10:00 a.m. and concluding at 2:00p.m. Tommy is planning to attend both and hope that Salem will be well represented at one or both of these events. Tommy is very grateful to Dale for introducing him to Salem and to Higginsville. Crystal and Tommy are going to be on vacation Aug. 29 through Labor Day. Dale Parsons will be here to preach on Sept.3 rd. Dale told Tommy that on his very first in the position of Associate Conference Minister in July 199, he came to Salem Church. Crystal and Tommy will be taking some time also at the end of Sept. to attend a wedding. He is also plans to attend the MO. Mid-South annual Persons in Ministry retreat that will be held Sept Correspondence: Keri read a Thank you from MVCAA for the notebooks, folders, and checks we donated. Tommy said more notebooks and folders had come to the church after and Rhonda took them to the Guidance Counselors at school. Christian Ed: Movie night success, hope to do another, planning to combine a Halloween event with the Methodist Church for the kids, discussed planning a Christmas Float, plans to start an additional 3 week a month Adult Sunday School Class, and is in need of one more female sponsor for confirmation. Building and Grounds: Delbert reported a reminder for more outlets upstairs. Cemetery: no meeting. Memorial: Peggy reported no meeting. Stewardship: Ronnie reported no meeting. Evangelism: Felicia reported no meeting. Worship: Janice reported no meeting. Ushers: Janice reported well for Sept. Unfinished Business: Vox-Box has started to work on security systems. Vacations for staff: Tommy- Aug-28 th - Sept.4 th ; Sarah-S ept Sarah is 5 getting subs. Council discussed and reviewed options of placement of money from cashed out CD s from US BANK. Motion was made that would keep the amount in 3 separate CDs at Equity Bank in Higginsville. Two of the amounts as follows are: #1- $1,000 and #2-$15,000 will be put in separate fourteen months CD and the third of amount of $10,000 will be put in a 38 month CD. The odd dollars of the three amounts will stay in the money market were it was placed after being cashed in, prior to Council s decision. New Business: A.A. Donation was received of $300, Council voted to send $150 to Show-Me Christian Group Home and put rest in General Fund for now. Discussion on leak in basement and Delbert will call Jeff Gash. Carpool for council members to either or both retirement events for Dale Parson was discussed. Dates for Budget Committee Meeting (October). November 19th was temporarily set for Fall Congregational Meeting to approve budget. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by saying the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted Peggy Pragman, Council Secretary TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE Transportation is available to any worship service. Please call the church office to make arrangements, (0)

6 October 2017 The Lamplighter Page Veteran s Sunday (Nov. 12 th ) A couple of years ago our church did not have a record of members who served in our Armed Forces. Now we have information on 80 members. The names of the service members in our database are included in this Lamplighter. That said the list is incomplete. Ainsworth, John Ainsworth, Robert Ainsworth, Thomas E. Alexander, Dean Baker, Carl Dean Begemann, Martin Bergsieker, Ernst F. Bodenstab, Robert Lee Bruening, Carl H. Buchanan, Kenneth Busch, Gustav "Babe" John Conzelman, Arthur Dickmeier, Hubert Diekhoff, Alfred Echelmeier, Herbert Erdman, Harvey Erdman, Roger Fasse, John August Fisher, Howard Fizer, John E. Freese, Edward H. Gadt, Donald Gadt, Keith Goetz, John Green, Kenneth Harris, Cole Haston, Frank Hilgedick, Wilbert Hoefer, Maurice H. Hoefer, Robert Sevier Hoelscher, Gustave Homfeld, Cleo Hook, C.W. Iles, Kenneth R. Kirchhoff, Rodney Kirchhoff, Wilbert W. Knehans, Homer Kumm, Andy Kuschel, Alfred G. Lamb, Angelica Lefman, George Lefman, Ralph Marth, John Meinershagen, Lawrence Meinershagen, Wilbur Miller, Wayne Neher, John B., Jr. Neher, John B., Sr. Nieman, Max Niemeier, Curtis Hayes Niemeier, Richard C. Nolte, Roger Opfer, Carl Lawrence Paul, Ray Don Peck, Clifford Pragman, Robert Renno, Billy G. Ridder, Alvin Edward (Sr.) Riekhof, Gary Rinne, Kevin Schemmer, Kenneth Schloman, Alan Henry Schloman, Max T. Schneider, Edsel Charles Schowengerdt, Delmar L. Schowengerdt, Melvin O. Schowengerdt, Richard Siegfried, Donald F. Starke, David Starke, Ernest Harlan Starke, Herbert William Starke, J.W. Stoner, James H. Struchtemeyer, Earl Tempel, Raymond Thaller, Arthur Thompson, Stanton Tyler, Clark W. Woods, Wilburn "Pee Wee" If you know of a member not listed who was (or is) a veteran, please help us by providing the following: Photo of veteran in uniform. Name. Branch of Service. Dates of Service (date enlisted and date discharged). Final rank/designation attained (i.e. Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Petty Officer). Veteran information can be submitted by contacting Stanton Thompson at (Home); (Cell); or jsthomps@ctcis.net ( ).

7 October 2017 The Lamplighter Page 7 Salem UCC Hayride and Wiener Roast Sunday, October 15, 2017 At the home of Bill and Paula Oelrichs Join us for Family Fun at 5:00 p.m. Wiener Roast at :00 p.m. Hayride around 7:00 p.m. Please bring a side dish and lawn chairs. Hotdogs, buns, drinks, and tableware will be provided. Contact the church office for more information. 7

8 October 2017 The Lamplighter Page 8 FROM THE BOARD OF ELDERS For many years, Salem, other churches and other organizations have participated in the Festival of Sharing. The Festival of Sharing is a cooperative response to world hunger, poverty and injustice and seeks to raise awareness of its cause and to address solutions. The Festival of Sharing is an interfaith, statewide celebration and gathering of resources that is held on the third Saturday in October each year. When people of faith come together, our sharing makes a positive and powerful difference in the lives of people in need. Members of Salem have participated in the Festival of Sharing through many different projects and causes, including quilts made by our quilters for the auction, coupons, blankets, specialized packets that are passed out following a disaster or other incident, along with church members donating time and labor for repackaging and loading bulk produce items that are distributed to those in need. This year the Board of Elders have chosen two projects that we are asking members of Salem to participate with, they are Missouri Paper Product Pack and Missouri Personal Hygiene Pack. Attached with this article is a description of how they benefit those who truly need our help. Please consider donating any of the many items involved with these packets that are listed. The Elders have placed a container in the Overflow to collect your items. We will accumulate them and deliver them on October 21,

9 Salem United Church of Christ 1500 Main Street Higginsville MO 4037 Non-Profit Organization POSTAGE PAID Permit NO. 104 Higginsville MO 4037 Return Service Requested The Lamplighter The Lamplighter Is a monthly newsletter of : Salem United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. Tommy Faris Keri Borchers, President 1500 Main Street Pastor Church Council Higginsville, MO 4037 Sarah J. Berry Mark Gross, President (0) Secretary Board of Elders Fax: Doris Jane Stoner Judi Knipmeyer, President salemucc@ctcis.net Organist Board of Christian Education Early Worship Jamie Smith June Howell 8:30 a.m. Music Director Christian Education Coordinator Sunday School Anne Iles Lindsey Rolf, Volunteer 9:15 a.m. Youth Music Director Assistant Church Secretary Worship Lowell Grumke 10:30 a.m. Custodian October Salem United Church of Christ Higginsville, Missouri 9