From the Pastor's Desk Rev. Susan Krummel

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1 "In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan. Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone... What can I give him, poor as I am?... Yet what can I give him, give my heart." From the Pastor's Desk Rev. Susan Krummel Do you know this Christmas hymn? As I am writing this, we have just come out of the mid-december deep freeze in Illinois. The frosty wind was blowing and the earth is certainly like iron. We are getting a little break before the next blast comes. I am a native Illinoisan like many of you are and we will not be fooled by any fifty degree days in December. Winter does not give up that easily! But even knowing that more cold and snow will be coming, we also know that spring will arrive in due time. Just so, we know that we can count on God's love because of the fulfilled promise of hope we have received in Jesus himself. So what should we give as a gift to the Christ child, not only at Christmastime, but throughout the year? Our hearts will do. As you are reading this newsletter, perhaps we have already met. But I thought I would introduce myself to you a little more. I am a native of Peoria and have served most of my ministry in this area. My husband and I will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary this month (talk about a cold time of year to get married. Do you remember the winters of the late 70's in Illinois?) We left immediately after our wedding to attend seminary together and have been serving in ministry together since then. We have sometimes been co-pastors and sometimes served in different ministries. He is the pastor at First Federated Church in Peoria (it is a federation of a Presbyterian Church and a United Church of Christ church.) Until recently I was employed by the national church and before that for a dozen years I was the presbytery executive and stated clerk in the presbytery just south of Blackhawk Presbytery. We have had many adventures along the way, including being the parents of two daughters and now the grandparents of six elementary aged children. Our older daughter lives in Iowa City. She is a professor of education at St. Ambrose in Davenport. Her husband is an assistant superintendent in the Iowa City school district. Their three children are in fifth and third grade and pre-kindergarten. Our younger daughter lives in Peoria. She is a professor of education at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Her husband is a manager at CEFCU and their three little ones are in second grade and two in kindergarten. You will surely hear me talk in my sermons, in conversations, and in written communications like this one about my hobbies. My husband and I are ballroom dancers; I have a large perennial garden; and I enjoy puzzles of almost any kind. I look forward to working with you as we discern God's call to this congregation for the years ahead. ~ Sue Krummel

2 Happy January Birthday! Beth Schultz Jim Cochran Diane Seidel Karlie Schultz Deb Schultz 15th 21st 25th 25th 29th The First Presbyterian Youth Christmas Program was held on Dec.18th under the direction of Beth Schultz. The program featured music & performances by the Puppeterians including "A Christmas Play," "Pray Little Angel" and "Mr. Pennypincher's First Christmas." Shown above are Sunday School members who participated in the program: Danicka and Daelyn Benavidez, Carmi and Cainee Bohnsack, Mary Jeanne Brown, Alexandra & Brenna Powelson, Karlie and Luke Schultz. Great job, everyone!! On January 1, 2008, Keith Severin and his 7-year-old son, Adrien, agreed that they would spend at least 15 minutes every day that year searching together for treasure. Carlos Alcalá s article in the Sacramento Bee described how they went out each day in every kind of weather to see what they could find. A year later their collection of coins, golf balls, recyclable bottles and cans, and various other items had yielded more than $1,000. In the process, they enjoyed many hours of companionship and fun. If we decided to spend 15 minutes a day searching for treasure in the Bible, what would we find? Solomon wrote: If you seek [wisdom] as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.... Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path (Prov. 2:4-5,9). Growth won t happen all at once. But gradually, day by day, we will be changed through reading God s Word and obeying Him. And think of the privilege and pleasure of spending time with our heavenly Father. It begins with a willing commitment, continues with exciting discoveries, and leads to the treasure of wisdom and life. Pick up your free copy of "Our Daily Bread" in the Narthex! THESE LADIES KEEP GIVING! You are a blessing, salad ladies! Here are the salad ladies that took salads to the Our Table gathering on November 21 and December 19. Thank you goes to: Chanda Bohnsack, Pam Cochran, Connie Espel, Lora Corban, Becky May, Mary Michel, Barb Brumbaugh, Carolyn Workman, and Susan Barlow. [Sign-up sheets for January, February, and March of 2017 are on the narthex bulletin board.] Evening Circle The following ladies will host 2017 Evening Circle meetings, held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm: Feb. 7th March 7th April 4th May 2nd Kathy Cartwright Connie Espel (at the church) Susan Barlow At Church Don't forget the Food Pantry in January! Any kind or size of canned soup or packaged soup will be appreciated!

3 Members and Friends at Home: Emma Krase & Jan Edgerley Members and Friends at Retirement Communities: Greenfield Home: Ruth Davis 500 Park Ave. E Ann Mickow 509 Park Ave. E, Rm 168 Colonial Hall: Norma DeRose 515 South Bureau Valley Parkway Millcreek Care Center: Marilyn Pryor 3319 Ginger Creek Rd Springfield, IL Liberty Village: Lil Johnson 140 N. 6th Street Helene Gleason and Diane Seidel 140 N. 6th Street Bounce Back Lane From the Organist s Bench Hello Everyone, Finally, we are over with the Christmas Festivities! I tell you, I don't know about you guys but I was extremely busy. As we start the New Year I am looking forward not only to having a new minister but also having a change for myself. I want to really go in depth with music and what it is I am playing and doing. I want to become more involved with the church and be more active. There are some things I have been interested in doing and now with a new minister and a new year, I am not only looking forward to this year's gifts, but what great things will happen! My music selections this month happen to be very heavy on Bach. Bach in his time, was the most sought after organist. His improvisations, later coming to be his most well known compositions were used in almost any church settings. Many of his Chorales complimented with Preludes as secondary accompaniments are well suited for Church settings. This month I will focus my attention on his Chorale's and Préludes from his Orgelbuch. I will focus on such chorales as Es Ist Das Heil uns Kommen Her, or Wo soll ich fliehen hin? All of these pieces, when musically analyzed in their separate voices, all bring a swift sense of renewal and contextual writing found none other than by himself. It will be such a great experience to be with you all at church this month as I share some of Bachs' hardest, but greatest compositions with you all! -Dylan Benavidez

4 The Session met on November 15, 2016 for a regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting opened with prayer and the minutes of the last meeting and the treasurer s report were approved as written. The number of persons who were served communion on the first Sunday in November was 32. The number of home communicants was 6. Mark Schultz will take communion to the home bound in December. No one has yet been chosen to attend Presbytery in February. Kenn Corban presented the 2017 budget and noted that the minister s salary and benefits have been down for the 2016 year. The office supplies were also lower. But the overall expenses will be up by $8000 for A vote on the budget by the session will take place in December. The MIF prepared by the session to advertise for a new minister will be held until the interim pastor arrives. She has a lot of experience and can help us especially with the narrative section. The interim pastor s contract was reviewed by the session and then sent to Gavin Finefield, our moderator, for approval. The Stewardship letters are ready to go out. The elevator is now working. Painting will be done in the manse before the new interim pastor arrives. Furniture is needed. The annual Christmas program will be held on December 18th during the worship service. The Christmas Eve service will be held at 5 pm on December 24th with a pulpit supply doing the service. The Christmas day service will be held at 10:30 on the 25th with hymns and bible verses presented by the session. The organist, Dylan Benavidez, will play the organ on Christmas day. The Joy offering will begin the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the advent readers have been selected. The nominating committee to secure new deacons and elders for the 2017 church year will meet in December to replace retiring members of both committees. An annual audit needs to be done and a selected person will be asked if he/she will do it. The annual reports are due to the office by the middle of January and the annual meeting will be held on February 5, 2017 after the church service. Kenn Corban will announce that Sue Krummel has been hired to serve as our interim pastor and she will begin her service on January 1, The meeting adjourned with prayer given by Gavin Finefield. Deacon: Barbara Brumbaugh THOSE SERVING IN JANUARY Ushers: 1 & 15 Len & Barb Brumbaugh 8 & 22 & 29 Justine & Beth Schultz Communion: (served) 1 Becky May Chuck Stiles Lay Leaders: 1 Carolyn Workman 8 Mark Schultz 15 Luke Schultz 22 Beth Schultz 29 Roland Gibson

5 SUN M T W TH F SAT 1 Communion Choir performs 2 New Year's holiday (Office closed) 3 (No Evening Circle) 4 January Choir practice (TBA) "Dedication Sunday" "Taking down the greens" Our UMC Session 7 p.m COMING UP IN FEBRUARY: ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUNDAY, FEB. 5th (after Worship service)