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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 2009.

http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/index.php?date=2009/12/25

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

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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 sur-rounding 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 64037 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 64076 Myrna Fette Lutheran Good Shepherd Home, 202 SW St., Concordia, MO 64020 Winnie Knehans Jake Stoecklin Ann Nuelle Country Oak Village, 101 Cross Creek Drive, Grain Valley, MO 64029 Viola Meinershagen Riverbend Heights Rehab & Health, Lexington Nursing Home, 1221 South Highway 13, Lexington, MO 64067

Mark Gieselman

Addington Place of Lee’s Summit, 2160 SE Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

Roberta Summers (Apt. 212)

(Roberta’s mailing address is Rob-erta Summers, C/O Carrie Tunison, 1207 SE Brookwood St., Lee’s Sum-mit, MO 64063.)

Monterrey Park, 4600 Little Blue Pkwy., Independence, MO 64057

Marvin Rinne

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, Decem-ber 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.

Special Days in December

December 3: First Sunday of Advent Tommy leading Vespers at Meyer Care Center

December 10: Second Sunday of Advent Children's Christmas Program during the 10:30 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 31: New Years Eve!

FALL

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

RESCHEDULED:

There wasn’t a quorum at the Fall Congregational Meeting on Sun-day, November 19, 2017, so it has been rescheduled for Sunday, December 17. It will be held in the sanctuary, immediately following the 10:30 a.m. service. The agenda will be the 2018 budget.

2018 ENVELOPES

Are available in the Fellowship Hall

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

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL BOOKLETS: Are available in the back of the sanctuary and outside the church office.

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December 2017 The Lamplighter

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

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

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Best Birthday Wishes in December go to...

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CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM:

The annual Children’s Christmas program will be held Sunday, December 10, during the 10:30 am worship service. The pro-gram is “Christmas is Cancelled.” Following the program there will be fellowship time with cookies and punch in the Fellowship Hall.

The Christmas Eve Candlelight with Communion

Worship service will be

Sunday, December 24, 2017,

at 7:00 p.m.

SALEM VETERANS

SLIDE SHOW:

If you would like to watch the Sa-lem Veterans slide show that was part of the worship services on Sunday, November 12, you can tune into Citizens Cablevision Community Access Channel 3.

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

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From the Church Records

Financial Report:

General Fund Balance 10/01/17

Current deposits

Current expenses

Current Fund Balance 10/31/17

$ 4,189

$21,033

$20,693

$ 4,529

Building Fund:

Current Fund Balance 10/01/17

Current deposits

Current expenses

Current Fund Balance 10/31/17

$13,800

$ 1,106

$ 169

$14,737

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O.C.W.M. (Member Contributions for Oct.) $311

December 2017

8:30 a.m. October Attendance 10:30 a.m.

31 10-1-17 69

40 10-8-17 97

30 10-15-17 106

36 10-22-17 83

36 10-29-17 79

35 Average

Total Average 122

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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, Fa-ther Tom Hawkins (Catholic) during the month of Janu-ary, Terry Cook (Methodist) during the month of Febru-ary, 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 be-gins 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 660-584-3372, (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!

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

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CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING

October 19, 2017 – 7:30 pm

The regular meeting of the Salem Church Council was held Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 7:30 pm in the Board Room. The members present were Keri Borchers, Pastor Tommy, Felicia Leonard, Janice Hoefer, Del-bert Goetz, David Starke, Kevin Ber-ry, 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 treas-urer’s report with balances of $4,189 in General Fund and $13,800 in Building and Grounds Fund. The Pastor’s mileage of 587 miles for $314.05 was presented for payment. Motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer’s report. Mo-tion to pay mileage also made, se-conded, and approved.

The Pastor’s report included the sadness of Dot Renno-Nadler’s pass-ing. 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 con-firmands to the Festival of Sharing in Sedalia, Oct. 20th & 21st. This will be the last year, so another service op-portunity for the confirmands will need to be found. Plans are already in process for the Sunday School Pro-gram, Sunday, Dec. 10th. 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 Gather-ing was held Sat., Oct. 14th at St. John’s Chapel UCC in Springfield. Tommy and Crystal attended on behalf of Sa-lem. Crystal attended a workshop on developing an online presence for a church, and Tommy attended a work-shop on online giving to churches. Both topics are growing importance. Crystal and Tommy had a restful vaca-tion 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 Higgins-ville 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 Hal-loween. They are working on the plans for float for the Christmas Parade. An-other movie in the parking lot is a pos-sibility. Building and Grounds: David: Held meeting prior to Council meeting concerning kitchen remodel. More to follow in unfinished business. Ceme-tery: Kevin Berry no meeting. Memori-al: Peggy reported no meeting. Stew-ardship: 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. 4th and 11th at Wal-Mart and Grocery stores. Decorating Church for Fall Fest will be Nov. 4th. Worship: Janice reported discussion on upcom-ing events. Ushers: Kevin reported still needing ushers for December.

Unfinished Business: Equity Bank CD’s, now active. Budget Committee Meeting Oct. 22 @2:00 and Nov. 19 for Fall Congregational Meeting to ap-prove budget. Kitchen Meeting to re-view and discuss plans for remodeling

was held prior to Council meeting.

Plans to get updated estimates and a new project cost for Janu-ary’s Congregational meeting. Bats seem to be leaving so con-tinuing to wait.

New Business: Received letter that house numbers at parsonage needs to be more visible. U.S. Bank Credit Card needs author-ized 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, 7:30 p.m.

There being no further busi-ness, 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.

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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 (584-3603) by Wednesday, December 13, 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.

2017 Annual Reports Are Due in the Church Office by January 5, 2018. Please have them typed or email 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

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 for-mally of Wichita, KS, and sister-in-law of Bill and Marilyn Davenport) died in Kernersville, North Caroli-na where she lived with a daughter, Gina and family. Her funeral ser-vice was held on Monday, Novem-ber 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 Mon-day, November 13, 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 hus-band left and began divorce pro-ceedings. 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 orna-ments seemed to fade into the back-ground, and all [she] saw was the shimmering gold of the JOY orna-ment.” 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.

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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 660-641-6773 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 wor-ship services on Sunday, December 17th. 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 660-641-2406 and you can mark your

“holiday baking” off of that “to do” list this season!

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Salem Angel Tree 2017

The Angel Tree is up and deco-rated 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, De-cember 11, at noon. Please do not feel obligated to buy every-thing on the wish list. Whatever you choose to give will be appreciated.

CHURCH INFORMATION Tommy’s email: tlfaris@ctcis.net Tommy’s cell phone: 816-352-2052 Church Telephone: 660-584-3603 Church Email: salemucc@ctcis.net Church Website: salemucchigginsville.org Fax number: 660-584-5666

TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE

Transportation is available to any worship service. Please call the church office to make arrangements, (660) 584-3603. If you would like a ride to the Christmas Eve Service, please call the church office by Fri-day, December 22.

PASTORAL VISITS OR PRAYERS

Anyone who would like a pastoral visit or are in need of prayers, please call the church office, (660) 584-3603.

TURKEYS FOR HIGGINSVILE/CORDER

FOOD PANTRY

On November 4 and 11, we had peo-ple at Moose’s Market and Piggly Wiggly from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. receiv-ing monetary donations for turkeys for Higginsville/Corder Food Pantry. We collected $778.99. We would like to say “Thank You” to all who made monetary donations. We greatly ap-preciate your support.

The Evangelism Committee

FALL FEST

Fall Fest dinner for 55 and over was held on November 5. There were 53 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 pro-gram. The meal was catered by Moose’s Market. Everyone en-joyed 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 Christ-mas 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 modern-day Turkey. In the year 325, he was part of the Council of Nicaea, which produced the Nicene Creed.

Nicholas, known for his generosi-ty, often gave away his money anonymously. According to tradi-tion, he secretly provided dowries for the three daughters of a bank-rupt 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 stock-ings.

St. Nicholas is quoted as saying, “The giver of every good and per-fect gift has called upon us to mimic God’s giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves.”

YEAR END

CHURCH BUSINESS:

Please have all church financial con-tributions and business transactions to the church office by Sunday, December 31, 2017. Thank you for your consideration.

While they were sleeping It was an evening like any other. Ordinary men were do-ing 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 mysteri-ously, how unexpectedly an ordinary night became the turning point of human histo-ry. How remarkable that God chose to set his great rescue plan in motion when only a young couple was paying at-tention and only a few shep-herds 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 rou-tines.

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Salem United Church of Christ

1500 Main Street

Higginsville MO 64037

Non-Profit Organization

POSTAGE PAID

Permit NO. 104

Higginsville MO 64037

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The Lamplighter

December • Salem United Church of Christ • Higginsville, Missouri

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 64037 Sarah J. Berry Mark Gross, President

(660) 584-3603 Secretary Board of Elders

Fax: 584-5666 Doris Jane Stoner Judi Knipmeyer, President

E-Mail: 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