The Lamplighter. December 2017 Salem United Church of Christ Higginsville, Missouri. Dear Friends,

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1 The Lamplighter December 2017 Salem United Church of Christ Higginsville, Missouri Dear Friends, Here is a beautiful poem for the coming of Christmas. December by Gary Johnson A little girl is singing for the faithful to come ye Joyful and triumphant, a song she loves, And also the partridge in a pear tree And the golden rings and the turtle doves. In the dark streets, red lights and green and blue Where the faithful live, some joyful, some troubled, Enduring the cold and also the flu, Taking the garbage out and keeping the sidewalk shoveled. Not much triumph going on here and yet There is much we do not understand. And my hopes and fears are met In this small singer holding onto my hand. Onward we go, faithfully, into the dark And are there angels singing overhead? Hark. The poem appeared on The Writer s Almanac, 25 December As we move through Advent, a season of preparation, let us remember those whom Jesus came to serve and to heal: the poor, the marginalized, the broken. And let us commit ourselves to striving to become more like Jesus. Crystal and I wish all of you a blessed, peaceful, and light-filled Advent, Christmas, and New Year. Grace and Peace Tommy 1

2 December 2017 The Lamplighter Page 2 Special Days in December December : First Sunday of Advent Tommy leading Vespers at Meyer Care Center December 10: Second Sunday of Advent Children's Christmas Program during the 10:0 a.m. Worship Service December 11: Please have Angel Tree gifts to church by noon December 14: Homebound Communion (Out of Town) Poinsettias to church December 15: Homebound Communion (In Town) Poinsettias to church December 17: Third Sunday of Advent Rescheduled Fall Congregational Meeting YOM Cookie Sale December 24: Fourth Sunday of Advent 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Communion/Candle Light Service December 25: Christmas Day! Church Office Closed December 1: New Years Eve! THANK YOU For the beautiful flowers, cards, phone calls, and for being there for the death of my sister, Jean Franklin. It was greatly appreciated. Margaret L. Soendker and Family Women s Fellowship Circle Schedules for December Esther Circle Wednesday, December 6, 10:00 a.m., at Janice Hoefer s home, Janice Hoefer hostess. Mary Martha Circle Thursday, December 7, Noon lunch at Generations. Ruth Circle Wednesday, December 6, Noon Christmas Lunch at Fireside Dining Room at John Knox Village. Eve Circle Tuesday, December 5, 6:00 p.m., in the Salem Multi- Purpose Room, Christmas Pot Luck bring a Christmas memory to share. FALL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING RESCHEDULED: There wasn t a quorum at the Fall Congregational Meeting on Sunday, November 19, 2017, so it has been rescheduled for Sunday, December 17. It will be held in the sanctuary, immediately following the 10:0 a.m. service. The agenda will be the 2018 budget ENVELOPES Are available in the Fellowship Hall ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS: Are available in the back of the sanctuary and outside the church office. 2 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 6407 Wilma Dieckhoff Mary Kirchhoff Glenn & Shirley Nowack Pat Pence Anna Marie Rinne Grace Schemmer Robert Cobb Souder Earl Struchtemeyer Bob Tankesley New Haven Living Center, 609 Golf Street, Odessa, MO Myrna Fette Lutheran Good Shepherd Home, 202 SW St., Concordia, MO Winnie Knehans Jake Stoecklin Ann Nuelle Country Oak Village, 101 Cross Creek Drive, Grain Valley, MO Viola Meinershagen Riverbend Heights Rehab & Health, Lexington Nursing Home, 1221 South Highway 1, Lexington, MO Mark Gieselman Addington Place of Lee s Summit, 2160 SE Blue Parkway, Lee s Summit, MO 6406 Roberta Summers (Apt. 212) (Roberta s mailing address is Roberta Summers, C/O Carrie Tunison, 1207 SE Brookwood St., Lee s Summit, MO 6406.) Monterrey Park, 4600 Little Blue Pkwy., Independence, MO Marvin Rinne

3 December 2017 Tim Bergsieker Elva Dean Erdman Charles Grumke Sonnie Renno Patty Kroll Will Cottrill Maclyn Rechterman Rita Wallpe Alex Starke Gabriel Iles Amy Goetz Peter Thaller Bryan Wesley Carson Starke Pat Warren Wayne Lieser Stacy Barnes The Lamplighter Best Birthday Wishes in December go to Ann Iles Barbara Swigart Annerose Wood Mark Nolte Marc Jensen Sandy Akin Camden Russell Bryan Nolte Annie Fiegenbaum Marie Robinson Eva Whitaker Logan Warren Randy Amor Chris Catron Lowell Grumke Atticus Kerivan Jordan Smith Brayton Stoner Nolan Stoner Virginia Marth Drew Lefman Tina Bergsieker Dorothy Peck Teresa Schowengerdt Mike Siegfried Maria LaRue Dennis Knipmeyer Paul Heimsoth Andrew Nevels Denise Schowengerdt Kenzie Rinne Hugo Soendker Jennifer Cole Chance Alberswerth Page CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: The annual Children s Christmas program will be held Sunday, December 10, during the 10:0 am worship service. The program is Christmas is Cancelled. Following the program there will be fellowship time with cookies and punch in the Fellowship Hall. How far to Christmas? How far is it to Christmas Day? The journey s just as long as taking time to listen to a joyful angel song. It s just as far as one can go in doing a loving deed that helps someone feel better or that meets their special need. For Christmas is a journey that the heart makes every year. It starts right with your family and those you hold so dear. It travels on to strangers round the world to everyone with the message that God loves us and that s why He s sent his Son! Peggy Ferrell SALEM VETERANS SLIDE SHOW: If you would like to watch the Salem Veterans slide show that was part of the worship services on Sunday, November 12, you can tune into Citizens Cablevision Community Access Channel. The Christmas Eve Candlelight with Communion Worship service will be Sunday, December 24, 2017, at 7:00 p.m.

4 December 2017 From the Church Records Financial Report: General Fund Balance 10/01/17 Current deposits Current expenses Current Fund Balance 10/1/17 Building Fund: Current Fund Balance 10/01/17 Current deposits Current expenses Current Fund Balance 10/1/17 The Lamplighter Page 4 $ 4,189 $21,0 $20,69 $ 4,529 $1,800 $ 1,106 $ 169 $14,77 O.C.W.M. (Member Contributions for Oct.) $11 8:0 a.m. October Attendance 10:0 a.m Average Total Average 122 Our greatest need If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness and acceptance, so God sent us a Savior. Author unknown 87 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. Liz Lindsey (Presbyterian) will be leading Bible Study during the month of December, Father Tom Hawkins (Catholic) during the month of January, Terry Cook (Methodist) during the month of February, Liz Lindsey (Presbyterian) during the month of March. The Bible Study is held every Wednesday, 10:15-10:45 a.m. in the Gathering Room. 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 December is Thursday, December 21. The work day begins at 8:0 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. TA TRUCK STOP-CONCORDIA COUNTRY PRIDE: Travel Centers of America-Concordia, MO-Country Pride Restaurant is now starting a Church Program! We are offering 10% of your ticket price to be donated back to your local church. All you have to do is come in to dine with us, eat, and inform your server that you would like to participate in the program, give your church s name, your name, and we will take care of the rest! Come see and enjoy our new buffets and get one of our Buffet Punch Cards buy 5, get 1 free! Thank You To the Christmas decorating committee, the church is glowing with the light of Christmas! 4

5 December 2017 Page 5 The Lamplighter CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING October 19, :0 pm The regular meeting of the Salem Church Council was held Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 7:0 pm in the Board Room. The members present were Keri Borchers, Pastor Tommy, Felicia Leonard, Janice Hoefer, Delbert Goetz, David Starke, Kevin Berry, Ronnie Begsieker, and Peggy Pragman. President Keri Borchers called the meeting to order. Pastor opened with devotion from Psalms 99 and prayer. Minutes were read, corrected, and approved. Felicia gave the treasurer s report with balances of $4,189 in General Fund and $1,800 in Building and Grounds Fund. The Pastor s mileage of 587 miles for $14.05 was presented for payment. Motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer s report. Motion to pay mileage also made, seconded, and approved. The Pastor s report included the sadness of Dot Renno-Nadler s passing. Children s Sunday was a success, thanks to the time and effort June Howell and the Youth and children s marvelous job. What a Blessing for them, and our entire church. June and Pastor will be taking the confirmands to the Festival of Sharing in Sedalia, Oct. 20 th & 21 st. This will be the last year, so another service opportunity for the confirmands will need to be found. Plans are already in process for the Sunday School Program, Sunday, Dec. 10 th. Tommy will be conducting wedding Oct. 21 for Jessica Cole at the Anderson House in Lexington. He will be leading the Bible Study on Wed. mornings at Meyer Care Center and also Vespers service on Oct. 22. Pastor attended the anniversary service of the Rev. Dr. Vernon Howard Oct. 8, at St. Mark Union Church in Kansas City. The Western Association Fall Gathering was held Sat., Oct. 14 th at St. John s Chapel UCC in Springfield. Tommy and Crystal attended on behalf of Salem. Crystal attended a workshop on developing an online presence for a church, and Tommy attended a workshop on online giving to churches. Both topics are growing importance. Crystal and Tommy had a restful vacation visiting family, UCC friends in Dayton, Ohio, and attending a friend s wedding in Columbus. Correspondence: Discussion was held, and motion made, seconded, and approved to give ½ of the collection from the Thank Offering to Higginsville Heat and Hunger Fund and ½ to the Food Pantry. Christian Ed: Delbert reported they got rid of almost everything at garage sale. Doing Trunk or Treat for Halloween. They are working on the plans for float for the Christmas Parade. Another movie in the parking lot is a possibility. Building and Grounds: David: Held meeting prior to Council meeting concerning kitchen remodel. More to follow in unfinished business. Cemetery: Kevin Berry no meeting. Memorial: Peggy reported no meeting. Stewardship: Ronnie reported Time and Talent sheets ready to be sent out. Tommy is doing the kid s sheets. Evangelism: Felicia reported monetary donations for turkeys will be accepted on Nov. 4 th and 11 th at Wal-Mart and Grocery stores. Decorating Church for Fall Fest will be Nov. 4 th. Worship: Janice reported discussion on upcoming events. Ushers: Kevin reported still needing ushers for December. Unfinished Business: Equity Bank CD s, now active. Budget Committee Meeting Oct. and Nov. 19 for Fall Congregational Meeting to approve budget. Kitchen Meeting to review and discuss plans for remodeling was held prior to Council meeting. 5 Plans to get updated estimates and a new project cost for January s Congregational meeting. Bats seem to be leaving so continuing to wait. New Business: Received letter that house numbers at parsonage needs to be more visible. U.S. Bank Credit Card needs authorized name changed from Dot Renno-Nadler. After discussion Council voted and approved to have the authorized officer changed to Salem UCC by Sarah Berry, Church Secretary. North gate padlock doesn t work. Alumbaugh s will be notified to check it. Next Council Meeting Date: November 16, 2017, 7:0 p.m. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by saying the Lord s Prayer. Respectfully submitted Peggy Pragman, Council Secretary 2017 FESTIVAL OF SHARING UPDATE Through your generosity, Salem Church was able to send 50 Missouri Personal Hygiene Packs, 64 Missouri Paper Products Packs, 1 regular size quilt, and 2,760 best choice labels to Sedalia. In addition, monetary donations included $175 designated for where most needed, $700 Mother s Day and $590 Father s Day donations, designated for the Church World Service blankets program. Last, but certainly not least, a big thank you to Mark Hook who transported our donations to Sedalia. Thank all of you again.

6 December 2017 The Lamplighter Page 6 POINSETTIAS: We will appreciate having poinsettias in church again this Christmas. If you wish to place a plant in memory of someone, please notify the church secretary (584-60) by Wednesday, December 1, so that she can print it in the church bulletin. Be sure your name is on the plant that you bring. Please leave it in the fellowship hall on the stage by Thursday, December 14, or by noon on Friday, December 15, (Please do not bring the poinsettias before these dates), the flower committee will place the plants in the sanctuary. You may collect your poinsettia after the Christmas Eve Service. WE EXTEND OUR SYMPATHY TO: Margaret L. Soendker and family. Margaret s sister, Jean Franklin, passed away Sunday, November 5, her services were held Thursday, November 9, at Central Christian Church. ALSO The family of Sharon Gadt. Sharon (wife of the late Eugene Gadt formally of Wichita, KS, and sister-inlaw of Bill and Marilyn Davenport) died in Kernersville, North Carolina where she lived with a daughter, Gina and family. Her funeral service was held on Monday, November 20, 12:00 Noon at the Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri. ALSO The family of Harold Schroer (Harold was the son of the late Walter and Delpha Schroer, brother of Bob Schroer.) Harold passed away Tuesday, November 7, his funeral service was held on Monday, November 1, at Christ Lutheran Church, Kansas City, MO, following the service his burial was at the Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri. Everlasting joy In a Chicken Soup for the Soul sampler, Karen Asire tells of a particularly difficult Christmas after her husband left and began divorce proceedings. As Karen and her three young children set up their tree, she fought tears and secretly tucked aside certain ornaments, such as one announcing Our First Christmas Together. Several days later, a neighbor stopped by with a gold decoration proclaiming JOY. We ve hung this ornament on our tree for several years, she explained, but this year we wanted you to have it. When Asire hung it on the tree and stepped back, all the other ornaments seemed to fade into the background, and all [she] saw was the shimmering gold of the JOY ornament. She allowed herself to cry then, grateful for the reminder that amid grief and heartache, God s love shines. Pain fades in time, while God s Christmas gift Jesus brings joy that lasts forever Annual Reports Are Due in the Church Office by January 5, Please have them typed or them to: salemucc@ctcis.net Please note your responsibility for the report. Board of Elders Report-President Church Council Report-President Pastor s Report Congregational Meeting Minutes- Council Secretary Christian Education Coordinator s Report Board of Christian Education- Secretary Board of Christian Education (Financial Report) -Treasurer Salem Cemetery-Lot Superintendent Memorial Committee-Chairperson Memorial Committee- (Financial Report) - Treasurer Salem Men s Fellowship-President Women s Fellowship-President Women s Fellowship - (Financial Report) - Treasurer Quilters-Quilting members Endowment Fund-Report and Financial Report-Chairperson Youth on Mission Report and Financial Report-Chairperson Stewardship Committee-Chairperson Evangelism Committee-Chairperson Chancel Choir-Director Handbell Choir-Director Youth Choir-Director Little Notes-Director Chime Bells-Director Worship Committee-Chairperson 6

7 December 2017 The Lamplighter Page 7 Youth on Mission News As we enter another holiday season, Youth on Mission again invites you to be a part of our giving tree project which offers our campers talents to you for your chosen donation. It is a busy time of the year for all of you and we would like to offer our talents to make your life a little easier this season and ALL YEAR LONG. Do you have a task that needs to be done? Our campers will complete it for you and you may make a donation to Youth on Mission with what you think is an appropriate donation. Below is a list of possible tasks we can do, but if you have a job you would like to have done that s not on the list, NO PROBLEM. Call Delbert Goetz at and he will find a camper to do the work! Shovel snow Christmas decorating or taking them down Wrap your Christmas gifts Walk your dog Baking and/or cooking a meal Bake your favorite dessert Grocery shopping Cleaning Run an errand Transportation to a doctor s appointment Clean gutters (single story) Wash windows (single story) Pressure washing siding/deck Painting Rake leaves or mow yard Plant bushes or tree Plant flowers or other gardening projects Do you need some yummy, homemade cookies and/or baked goodies this holiday season? Well, look no farther because our annual cookie/bake sale will be held after BOTH worship services on Sunday, December 17 th. We will set up in the Fellowship Hall, and as in the past, you may fill a box (or more!) and make a donation to Youth on Mission at that time. Can t make it to our cookie/bake sale that day? Amy Goetz will take your orders and they will be delivered to your door! Just call Amy at and you can mark your holiday baking off of that to do list this season! 7

8 December 2017 The Lamplighter Page 8 TURKEYS FOR HIGGINSVILE/CORDER FOOD PANTRY On November 4 and 11, we had people at Moose s Market and Piggly Wiggly from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. receiving monetary donations for turkeys for Higginsville/Corder Food Pantry. We collected $ We would like to say Thank You to all who made monetary donations. We greatly appreciate your support. The Evangelism Committee CHURCH INFORMATION Tommy s tlfaris@ctcis.net Tommy s cell phone: Church Telephone: Church salemucc@ctcis.net Church Website: salemucchigginsville.org Fax number: PASTORAL VISITS OR PRAYERS Anyone who would like a pastoral visit or are in need of prayers, please call the church office, (660) TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE Transportation is available to any worship service. Please call the church office to make arrangements, (660) If you would like a ride to the Christmas Eve Service, please call the church office by Friday, December 22. YEAR END CHURCH BUSINESS: Please have all church financial contributions and business transactions to the church office by Sunday, December 1, Thank you for your consideration. FALL FEST Fall Fest dinner for 55 and over was held on November 5. There were 5 in attendance including 2 from Blue Springs Terrace. Janice Hoefer gave the program on her trip to Australia which was enjoyed by all. Thank you to Janice for presenting the program. The meal was catered by Moose s Market. Everyone enjoyed the meal. Thank you to YOM for serving the meal and cleaning up afterwards. Women s Fellowship The giver Many Christian families struggle with what role if any Santa Claus should play in their Christmas celebrations. No matter what you decide, it s fascinating to know the history of the real-life St. Nicholas. Born about 270 A.D., Nicholas was a bishop in Myra, or modernday Turkey. In the year 25, he was part of the Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicene Creed. Nicholas, known for his generosity, often gave away his money anonymously. According to tradition, he secretly provided dowries for the three daughters of a bankrupt merchant. Nicholas threw two bags of gold through open windows and placed the third in a stocking hanging by the fireplace to dry. Thus began the Christmas tradition of placing gifts in stockings. St. Nicholas is quoted as saying, The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves. 8 Salem Angel Tree 2017 The Angel Tree is up and decorated so you can choose the tag or tags you wish to buy for. Buy and wrap the gifts, returning them with the tags number side up, no later than Monday, December 11, at noon. Please do not feel obligated to buy everything on the wish list. Whatever you choose to give will be appreciated. While they were sleeping It was an evening like any other. Ordinary men were doing an ordinary job. Shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night (Luke 2:8). Was it chilly? Were they tired? When angels appeared with news of a Savior, had the shepherds been talking about their troubles or sharing a good joke? How quickly, how mysteriously, how unexpectedly an ordinary night became the turning point of human history. How remarkable that God chose to set his great rescue plan in motion when only a young couple was paying attention and only a few shepherds were awake. God s work is sometimes so secret we may wonder if he s there or if he cares. The Christmas story tells us that God works out breathtaking plans for our lives in the dark, often while we re sleeping or going about our ordinary routines.

9 Salem United Church of Christ 1500 Main Street Higginsville MO 6407 Non-Profit Organization POSTAGE PAID Permit NO. 104 Higginsville MO 6407 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 6407 Sarah J. Berry Mark Gross, President (660) 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 8:0 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 10:0 a.m. Custodian December Salem United Church of Christ Higginsville, Missouri 9