July 2017 Messenger Newsletter We are here to serve, not to condemn— to welcome, not to exclude—to love, not to judge. December 2017 Messenger

A Note from Pastor Lisa… Rev. Dr. Lisa Martin Senior Pastor -

A Brussels Sprouts Advent A couple of weeks ago, it was pizza night in the Martin-Hilker household. Jim noticed that Dewey’s had a seasonal special pizza with Brussels sprouts. It also had bacon on it, and since I don’t eat bacon, we made a special order for this pizza, but without the bacon. When I arrived to pick it up, they’d messed up and put bacon on. They gave us the messed up one, but then gave us another bacon-less pizza free. (Good customer service from Dewey’s, right?) We were thrilled. Both Jim and I love Brussels sprouts, and it meant a happy weekend of leftovers (and no cooking) for all of us. It was not always so. If I could build a time machine and go back to tell 8-year-old Lisa that she would someday love Brussels sprouts SO MUCH that she’d even want them on pizza, that child would gape in amazement. She would be more incredulous about the idea of someday liking Brussels sprouts than she would at the presence of a time machine. I hated Brussels sprouts. I thought they were bitter. I thought they were slimy. Certainly, something is to be attributed to mom’s preference for boiling vegetables until they were nice and gray, but I’m not sure you could have convinced me to try them in any form. Now, they are one of my favorite vegetables. They will be roasted and served with Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners – that’s how much we like them. Funny, how the thing we hated, becomes the thing we crave. When I was little, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was agony. We had Advent calendars to open each day – sometimes with a Bible verse, but I’ll admit the more popular ones had a candy treasure. It did no good. Advent took forever. My mom’s cheerleading that we were getting close, “only 7 days left!” did absolutely no good because that last week slowed down… even… more. (There was more time in the days between December 18 and 25 than there was in the whole three months of summer vacation. I would swear to it.) I hated all the waiting. Like with Brussels sprouts, my tastes have reversed. The very thing I once despised, I now crave. I treasure the waiting. I want more of the stillness. I want to just look at the lights on the tree in the early evening, contemplating in this darkest season of the year that the light is coming into the world. It’s my Brussels sprouts Advent. I hope that you also might find moments to appreciate the still and hush of this season of waiting. Peace, Pastor Lisa Please join us… Prayers to end Racism Christmas Eve Services We meet in the sanctuary at St John between 9:00 & 10:30 a.m. 9:00-10:00 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month for a 4:00 (family worship), 7:00, & 11:00 p.m. gathered time of prayer. Our focus is on ending racism, but Christmas Day Service it is a quiet hour where prayer is welcome. Our next two 10:30 a.m. - communion dates are: Saturday, December 2, 9-10 am Saturday, January 6 (Epiphany) 9-10 am Adopt an Angel and Holiday Food Drive Also mark your calendars for the Community Martin Luther Continues thru December 10 King Jr. service, Sunday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. More Please note specific due dates on angels details will come in the January Messenger. This is an Angels are available for adoption in the narthex opportunity for us to build relationships across racial lines along with holiday grocery sacks. in St. Charles religious communities.

1 December 2017 Messenger Newsletter From the Rock… Rev. Rocky Sheneman Associate Pastor Happy holidays! Can you believe we’re at the beginning of December already? December 3rd is the First Sunday of Advent. Since so much of our culture has been engaged in a consumer-driven notion of “the Christmas season” since sometime in October, I want to call followers of Jesus to an observance of Holy Advent, which precedes Christmastide and Epiphany. The origin of Advent is difficult to say with certainty. There is evidence that it was in place by the year 480 A.D., but there are claims that the tradition goes all the way back to the apostles. Advent was a time of preparation. Originally, it was a time of fasting in order to be prepared to celebrate the Incarnation of Jesus at Christ’s Mass (Christmas). With the wider culture being preoccupied with other winter solstice festivals, Christians were focused on how God came into the world. At some point, Advent became a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus in a way that is more complex. In the 6th Century, Pope Gregory the Great was preaching a sermon in response to a devastating hurricane in the Mediterranean region. The text was Mark 13, often called the “Little Apocalypse,” which many have taken to be Jesus talking about his return and the end of the world. It happened to be the First Sunday of Advent, so Advent came to be a time of considering the Second Coming of Christ in addition to celebrating Jesus’ birth. Historic preachers seem to have figured that since the Pope decided to preach on the Second Coming during Advent, so should they. Today, I invite you to consider that we prepare for Jesus to come into our own lives in new ways. Let us anticipate that Jesus may tug at our hearts at any moment. A new resolve to be devoted to Jesus is like a second coming Christ or a second Christmas. There is something of God in each of us when we do God’s will. So let this Holy Advent be an exercise in looking for the coming of Christ into your life in a powerful way. Blessings, Rev. Rocky Winter Coat Drive Homeless Warming Center St. John will once again sponsor a winter coat rack St. John will be hosting the Homeless Warming Center for outside near 5th Street for those in the community St. Charles city on the following dates: who could use a winter coat. We are seeking December 23 - 30, 2017 donations of winter coats for all ages in good January 20 - 27, 2018 condition. Please launder gently used coats before February 24 - March 3, 2018 donating. We also need durable plastic hangers, The Warming Center opens at 9:00 p.m. on evenings hats, scarves, and gloves. Items can be dropped off anticipated to be 20 degrees or colder. Guests stay until on the table in NFH. 7:00 a.m. the following morning. An exception will be made Risk-Taking Mission and Service if we are active Christmas Eve. Then, we will not open until after the late service has ended and the shelter will end by 10:00 a.m. with an invitation to join us for Christmas Day worship. In addition to overnight staff, we need volunteers to provide a light evening meal when guests enter (hot soup is recommended) and breakfast items the next morning. We also need someone to wash linens and return them. Coffee with Pastor Lisa If you missed the November training dates, you have an Pastor Lisa will be out in the community on these opportunity to watch a video of the training. Please contact dates. You are invited to join her to chat, ask Pastor Lisa for details, [email protected], theological questions, or bring a friend or family 636-395-8651. member to meet her. It’s an informal time, without an agenda. You can show up any time in that hour and she’ll stay longer. Monday, December 11, 7:30-9am Paul’s Donuts, 1320 Triad Center Dr, St Peters Wednesday, January 10, 11am Crooked Tree, 559 First Capitol Dr., St Charles 2 December 2017 Messenger Newsletter

Kim Hedgpeth Director of Children’s Ministries This month I am taking the easy route on my Messenger article. The following words are directly from the MOPS Website about preparing our children for Christmas. Other than a few small edits to shorten the message, it is all from the wise moms at MOPS. Christmas and kids were made for each other. The main attraction in the story is a baby surrounded by animals after all. It’s like God wrote this chapter with a younger audience in mind. No different than us, the children in our care, need to hear and experience the story over and over. We are meant to steward this tale, to hold it for our generation and pass it down to the next so they can in turn pass it down someday. We know this miracle happened because there have been people of every generation since that have guarded and retold it. Now is our time, to tell and retell so our children will absorb it into their hearts. Here are a few ways to present these characters to our kids: It is a story! Use books. Illustrated picture books. Board books. Lift the flap books. It doesn’t matter, just read them; a book a night. Go to thrift stores and build your stock that you pack away and bring back out every year with your Christmas decorations. Go to the library and raid their seasonal collection. We all know reading to and with kids is good for them in all kinds of ways. Why not read them stories that capture their imagination around this beautiful truth we are collectively celebrating? Be tactile. Not every child learns by listening. Give kids tools to build and touch. Make a stable with blankets. Have nativity sets they can play with and move around (and don’t be surprised to find Joseph in the fridge or baby Jesus in the bathroom sink). Use Play-doh to make a manger or a star in the sky. God needed to come in an incarnational way with skin and bones that could touch and hug. No surprise many of us need to touch and feel details of the story for it to become more real. Act it out. Nothing helps children absorb the story more than playing it out. Whether holding figurines from a nativity set or holding a baby doll, kids can take on the parts of the various characters. What did they say? Do? Feel? How did the others respond? As children consider what it felt like to journey on a donkey (and older kids make for great donkeys BTW) or to have an angel appear, the realities of the characters’ experiences begin to sink in. Sing the story. Christmas carols are a beautiful tradition that capture a small part of the larger story and focus in on it. Play Little Drummer Boy and ask kids what their gift to Jesus can be. Play Away in A Manger or Silent Night while your children lie with their eyes closed picturing the manger and the baby. Have a dance party to Joy to the World and remember that this is a birthday celebration we hold every year for Jesus. Music speaks to our hearts and the lyrics of traditional carols help put the story on our lips. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I’ve heard you must hear a word seven times in a new language before you remember it. It takes 30 days to build a habit. So, no surprise it takes repetition to remember and absorb a story. We need it and our children need it. And here’s the benefit for us: when we repeat the story all of these different ways for our kids’ sakes, we are repeating it for our own hearts too. Peace, Kim

Children’s Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Holiday Class Schedule If your child is in Preschool – Sixth grade we would love to Due to Christmas and New Year’s holidays, there have him/her participate in our Christmas Pageant, which will be no Faith Quest on December 24th or 31st. takes place during our 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service. Nursery and Pre-K will be combined to provide They will be fitted for costumes and rehearse on babysitting during both 9:00 and 10:30 services on th st December 17th, immediately following the 10:30 a.m. December 24 and 31 . There will be no child care service in the sanctuary. Please contact Sarah Price, during evening Christmas Eve or Christmas Day [email protected] or Amelia Hodge, services. There will also be no Kid’s Rap on th [email protected] if your child plans to participate. December 27 .

Kim Hedgpeth - Director of Children’s Ministry [email protected] 3 December 2017 Messenger Newsletter

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) We have done the research, made the contacts and attended the trainings. Now MOPS is going to be a reality here at St. John. We still need volunteers to babysit, moms Please join us on the second Sunday of each to lead, and participants to register, but it’s going to month for Family Worship Sunday. This is a happen! Starting in January, MOPS will meet at 9:30 a.m. special time reserved for family worship. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Following the Time for Children, grade school Moms will meet in St. John Hall for food, fellowship and a children (K-6th Grade) will rejoin their families short program while their children are cared for in our in the pews. Preschool children will be nursery/preschool by trained volunteers or paid staff. escorted to their normal class after Time for MOPS International encourages and equips moms of Children. Nursery care will be available for the young children to realize their potential as mothers, entire service as normal. women and leaders, in relationship with Jesus, and in partnership with St. John. We are very excited to begin this new ministry. Please consider how you might support this ministry through your Kid’s RAP time, money or prayers. For more information about Kid’s RAP meets from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on MOPS, please visit their website at http://www.mops.org. Wednesday evenings. This year we will be exploring many different ways to worship including music, art, drama, missions, etc. Kid’s RAP is for children in grades kindergarten through fifth grade.

Old Fashioned Intergenerational Advent Potluck Do you remember those days of old fashioned church potlucks when everybody brought their yummiest dish to share? Let’s take a trip down memory lane and plan a whole church celebration of the beginning of Advent. The potluck will be held right after church on December 3rd. There will be Christmas crafts, decorating, singing, and hopefully lots of great food. Most importantly, you will be filled with the joy of the season with your church family. Sign up today by calling the church office or emailing Kim at [email protected]. Let us know if you will be bringing a main dish, a vegetable, bread, or a dessert. Trunk ‘r Treat Thank You The Connections Team would like to thank all of those who participated in Trunk ‘R Treat this year. It turned out to be a beautiful day with many trick or treaters. Thanks to everyone who provided a trunk and treats, Men’s Bible Bagel and Brew for preparing s’mores, the Korth family for grilling the hot dogs, and Cheryl Prante for planning and helping with the craft table. A special thanks goes to the confirmation students who were extremely helpful with last minute details, running the Cookie Walk, and the trunk contest voting. Kim Hedgpeth and Julie Rhodes, thank you for your support and help with planning, popping corn, providing keys, and all of the other details of the day. The winner of the best decorated trunk went to Bob and Sandy Kleberger. Hope to see you all again next year!!! Kim Hedgpeth - Director of Children’s Ministry [email protected] 4 December 2017 Messenger Newsletter

Cindy Birkner Director of Youth Ministries I love Christmas music. Truth is, I hardly listen to anything else during those days between Thanksgiving and the New Year. The last couple of years I started paying more attention to the words than the familiar tune that I had learned to know so well. In that time, I have a new appreciation of the stories that rise out of those familiar notes. Here are a few of my favorites: I hope you will take the time to listen to them this season and perhaps hear them in a different way.

Little Drummer Boy by Mercy Me- a simple version of the old familiar song yet it touches me in a different way than the others. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day by Casting Crowns- a haunting version that calls for a world of peace and love. When Christmas Comes To Town from The Polar Express- a powerful song that makes me think of the children that we buy for during the Adopt an Angel Program. Run, Run, Rudolph by Jane Krakowski- a song from the Allie McBeal days. For those of you that watched that show—you will enjoy the flashback! Joseph’s Lullaby by Mercy Me- We rarely think of Joseph and what it must have felt like to be the father of Christ. Did he have any idea what was about to take place? Great song.

Blessings to all of you during this Advent Season! Like finding new meaning in old songs, I pray you find something new and inspiring in the midst of your ordinary routine. Blessings, Cindy

What's Happening? Middle School Small Groups 6:00-7:00 p.m., St. John Hall December 3 High School Small Groups Last day to pick up gift cards 6:30-7:30 p.m., St. John Hall 11:30am, NFH, Old Fashioned Advent Pot Luck 5-9pm, HS Progressive Dinner December 10 11:30am, NFH, Mission Trip parent meeting 10:30am, SJH-LL, Confirmation mentor class December 24 No Sunday classes December 27 High School Bible Study No small groups 10:30 a.m. St. John Hall 3rd floor December 31 Confirmation (7th & 8th grade) No Sunday classes 10:30 a.m. St. John Hall Faith Quest (K-6th grade) 10:30 a.m. Faith Quest Rooms Must sign in at the Children’s Registration table Cindy Birkner - Director of Youth Ministry [email protected] 5 December 2017 Messenger Newsletter

150th Anniversary Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your home and on your gates.” 2018 marks our 150th anniversary here at St. John, and the anniversary committee has been hard at work for many months putting together a year of events that will encourage everyone in the community to “help us celebrate!” Be on the lookout for a full calendar of events coming in the January 2018 Messenger. In the meantime, here are a few highlights: *Mark your calendars for our formal anniversary celebration on Sunday, October 21. We will celebrate in worship, followed by an afternoon open house at Bogey Hills Country Club. Everyone is invited! More info to follow. *As you prepare your special holiday recipes, consider setting aside your favorites to submit for our 150th anniversary cookbook. We will begin gathering recipes in the new year. *Have a special memory of people or events at St. John? We are inviting folks to write these memories down and share them with us! As you reflect on the church you call home, consider journaling these special memories so that we might collect them. *We are planning a St. John Youth Choir Reunion next summer. If you or someone you know sang in our youth choir, be on the lookout for more information regarding this special weekend! These are only a few of the many events planned for 2018. December Music Schedule Our theme is “Remembrance, Reunion, Rebirth;” each event December 3 planned is intended to focus us 9 & 10:30am - Chancel Choir on one of the parts of our December 10 theme. St. John is a very 9am - Middle School Choir special place that families have 10:30am - Faith Quest Choir, Children’s called home for generations. Ensemble, Celebration Ringers How exciting is it to be on the December 17 precipice of this historic 9am - Adult Bell Choir, Chancel Choir 10:30am - Adult Bell Choir, Jubilation Choir celebration! Won’t you help us celebrate? December 24 (morning) 9 & 10:30am - Chamber Choir Blessings, Sarah

Sarah Price - Director of Music & Worship Arts [email protected] 6 December 2017 Messenger Newsletter

After the E-vent: Small Group Leader Training In 2018, we will carry forward the idea of small group ministries. There will be a series of three training sessions offered for small group leaders on Sundays, December 3, 10, & 17, 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. or Wednesdays, January 3, 10, & 17 at 6:30 - 7:15 p.m. We will also set up quarterly meetings for leaders to reflect on any challenges arising in our small groups, arrange for substitutes, and look at future topics. Fred Meyerotto - October 24 A brochure explaining all small group options is available at the Welcome Center outside the sanctuary. Hospitalizations Sign Update Please pray for these members... We finally have news to report about our new sign! It is (at the time of printing) supposed to arrive in early December and hopefully be Returning Home installed soon afterwards, weather permitting. It seems that Lorene Godair the delay has been the uniqueness of manufacturing the sign to fit our existing sign cabinets. Thank you for your patience Our Giving Matters during this long process. 28 St. John members are currently delivering Meals on Wheels every day of the week to 65 recipients. The meals are Red Cross Blood Drive prepared at the Senior Center. Our Thursday, December 21, 3-7pm, New Fellowship Hall member volunteers pick the meals up at Register online redcrossblood.org (sponsor code StJohnUCC) the Senior Center and deliver from there. If you are interested in this ministry please contact Al Hoppe at 314-409-7394 Pastor-Parish Relations Committee or [email protected]. The Pastor-Parish Committee continues to meet periodically with Pastor Lisa. The purpose of the committee is to share Summary Financial Statement feedback in the form of ideas, joys and/or concerns of October 2017 members with the senior pastor. For those who are not familiar, this is a committee that many churches have but is 2017 2016 new to St. John. It is one way that through prayer and General Fund Balance, sharing, communication is enhanced. If you have something January 1 207,794 221,635 that you would like mentioned or discussed at the December 11th meeting, please contact one of the following Plus: committee members: Offering Income 567,043 602,048 Jim Mennerick, 636-946-4525, [email protected] Other 70,215 65,586 Shirley Lohmar, 636-946-4862, [email protected] Total Income 637,258 667,634 Patt Kellar, 636-946-7358, [email protected] Ron Beckmann, 636-946-2909, [email protected] Less: Benevolence/Mission 84,899 80,231 Staff compensation 417,697 408,193 Property Management 116,655 112,451 Women’s Retreat Other 69,035 73,549 Friday, January 19, 7pm - Sunday, January 21, 12pm Total Expenses 688,286 674,424 Marianist Retreat Center Cost $180, registration form and all monies due January 7 General Fund Balance, Forms available online, www.stjohnuccorg, and at October 31 156,765 214,845 Welcome Center

7 December 2017 Messenger Newsletter December Volunteer Schedules

Acolytes 9am 10:30am Hospitality Team A December 3 Krystal Roeper- Ben King Mokriakow Hospitality Team A will be the friendly faces and December 10 Gage Regot Jackson Otto welcoming handshakes who will greet you during the December 17 Alyssa Riegerix Alex Striver month of December. The consistent efforts of the December 24 Eleanor Curtis Kaitlyn Shariff following members help to make St. John the friendly December 31 Catrina Jefferson Summer Striver and supportive church we want it to be. Look for these Radio Room 10:30am members at various doorways and at the Welcome December 3 Garry Miller Center. Share a smile! December 10 Jason Muhm Team Leader - Judy Bliggenstorfer December 17 Kyle Foster Kathy Whitlock, Cheryl Prante, Angie Curtis, Mimi Korth, December 24 Al Hoppe John Preiss, Priscilla Schmidt, Carolyn Sexton, Nancy December 31 Garry Miller Collier, Lorie Davis, Cindy Vitale, Shirley Lohmar Greeters 9am 10:30am Coffee Fellowship Team December 3 Tammy & Robbie Tammy & Robbie December 3 (Team B) Donna Martin, Dave & Marcia Dennis Dennis Barklage, Betty Drier, Sheila Killebrew December 10 Ron & June Russell Pool Family December 10 (Team C) Logan Bruns, JoAnn Groos, December 17 Ted & Phyllis Kolb Miller Family Phil & Jayne Weber, Ric Ratkowski December 24 Carlie Davis, Dan & Diane December 17 (Team D) Jeff & Colleen Pool, Dave & Alvina Strassburger Beauchamp Gail Viehmann, Dennis & Sharon Holtgraewe December 31 Kyle & Amanda Jeff & Lorie December 24 (Team E) Ray & Darleen Gutermuth, Christian Kruckeberg Clair & Sharon Navarrette, Harold Snyder, Shirley Fehl Bus Driver Bell Ringer December 31 (Team F) Mimi Korth, Priscilla Schmidt, December 3 Doug Launhardt Logan Bruns Phil & Jane DiBlasi December 10 Ken Kirchoff Bryan Curtis December 17 Chris Hoffman David Balfany December 24 Rich Alt Dan Beauchamp December 31 Daryl Rhodes Norman Grubb Nursery 9am 10:30am December 3 Julie Rhodes Angie Castro December 10 Nancy Phifer Donna Thornhill 9am 10:30am Total December 17 Rachel Holtgrewe Dana Schmidt November 5 160 105 265 December 24 Julie Rhodes Kim Hedgpeth November 12 164 145 309 December 31 Alicia Muhm Julie Rhodes November 19 198 111 309 Altar Guild November 26 167 137 304 December 3 Barb Smith, Jayne Weber October weekly average thru November 26, 297 December 10 Elizabeth Gerdiman, Gloria Schwenck December 17 Elizabeth Gerdiman, Gloria Schwenck Offering Totals through November 30, 2017 December 24 Gladys Phillips, Janice Rumfelt, This Year Last Year Deb Staggemeier December 31Claire Davis, Bobbie Knipp Actual $598,553 $639,258 Budget $725,520 $725,520 Tax Tip Over (Under) ($126,967) ($86,262) The gift of appreciated stock or mutual fund shares is a valuable way to make a contribution to St. John Church and receive tax benefits as well. By transferring ownership of stock to the church, you can give the full value of the stock as your charitable gift, which is deductible on your tax return, and you avoid the capital gains tax which would result if you sold the stock. When the church sells the stock, there is no tax incurred because the church is tax-exempt. It’s truly a win-win situation for everyone. Consult your tax advisor to see if this could be a benefit to you. 8 December 2017 Messenger Newsletter

Friday, December 1 7pm-MS Choir Rehearsal 5:15pm-Community Meal Adopt an Angel & Holiday Food 7:30pm-Chancel Choir Rehearsal 6pm-MS Small Groups Agape Meal Drive thru 12/10 8:30pm-Chamber Choir Rehearsal 6pm-Jubilation Choir Rehearsal Saturday, December 2 Thursday, December 7 6pm-Adult Handbell Choir 9am-Prayer Service on Racism 9am-Social Service Sewing Group 6pm-Jubilation Choir Rehearsal 9am-Sharing Meals (Ridgecrest) 11am-Bulletin Items Due 6pm-Children’s Ensemble Sunday, December 3 6pm-Children’s Ministry Meeting 6:30pm-Kid’s RAP Communion/1st Sunday of Advent 6pm-Adult Education Committee 6:30pm-Pastor Rocky Adult Ed 8am-Adult Education 6:30pm-Connections Team 6:30pm-HS Small Groups Agape Meal 9am-Worship Service 7pm-Board of Christian Education 7pm-MS Choir Rehearsal 10am-Coffee Fellowship Friday, December 8 7:30pm-Chancel Choir Rehearsal 10:30am-Worship Service Saturday, December 9 8:30pm-Chamber Choir Rehearsal 10:30am-HS Bible Study 8am-Men’s Bible, Bagel & Brew Thursday, December 14 10:30am-Confirmation Parent Class 9am-Sharing Meals (St. John) 9am-Social Service Sewing Group 10:30am-Faith Quest 9am-Cantata Orchestra Rehearsal 11am-Bulletin Items Due 11:30am-Small Group Leader Training Sunday, December 10 11:30am-Social Service Christmas Party 11:30am-150th Anniversary Comm. Family Worship/Food Pantry Sunday 7pm-Music & Worship Meeting 11:30am-Advent Potluck 8am-Adult Ed Friday, December 15 5pm-HS Progressive Dinner 9am-Circle of Prayer Monthly Messenger Articles Due 5:30pm-Connections Team 9am-New Members Received Saturday, December 16 Christmas Party 9am-Worship Service 9am-Sharing Meals (Hope) Monday, December 4 10am-Coffee Fellowship Sunday, December 17 10am-Buildings & Grounds 10:30am-Worship Service 8am-Adult Ed 5pm-Karate Class 10:30am-HS Bible Study 9am-Worship Service 7pm-Dartball 10:30am-Confirmation Mentor Class 10am-Coffee Fellowship 11:30am-Mission Trip Parent Mtg. Tuesday, December 5 10:30am-Worship Service 11:30am-Small Group Leader Training 9:30am-Archives Committee 10:30am-Faith Quest 3pm-Cantata & Tasting Party 10:30am-Staff Meeting 10:30am-Confirmation Class Monday, December 11 6pm-Stewardship Call-a-Thon 10:30am-HS Bible Study 7:30am-Coffee with Pastor Lisa 7pm-CALL (Baue Grief Group) 11:30am-Small Group Leading Training 9:30am-Pastor Parish Relations Comm. Wednesday, December 6 11:30am-Christmas Eve Pageant Practice 5pm-Karate Class 5:15pm-Youth Handbell Rehearsal 6pm-Council Christmas Party 7pm-Women of Faith 5:15pm-Community Meal Monday, December 18 7pm-Dartball 6pm-MS Small Groups 5pm-Karate Class 7pm-Advisory Board Meeting 6pm-Adult Handbell Choir 6pm-Personnel Committee Tuesday, December 12 6pm-Jubilation Choir Rehearsal Tuesday, December 19 9:30am-Staff Calendar Meeting 6pm-Children’s Ensemble 10:30am-Staff meeting 10:30am-Staff Meeting 6:30pm-Kid’s RAP 6pm-Christmas Storytelling 6pm-MSMT Planning Meeting 6:30pm-HS Small Groups 7pm-CALL (Baue Grief Group) Wednesday, December 13 6:30pm-Pastor Rocky Adult Ed 5:15pm-Youth Handbell Rehearsal 9 December 2017 Messenger Newsletter

Wednesday, December 20 5:15pm-Youth Handbell Rehearsal Friday, December 29 Staff Office Hours 5:15pm-Community Meal Office Closes at noon Sue Swisher 6pm-MS Small Groups Saturday, December 30 Office Administrator 6pm-Jubilation Choir Rehearsal 9am-Sharing Meals (Trinity) [email protected] 6pm-Adult Handbell Choir Sunday, December 31 Hours: M-F 8:00am-2:30pm 6pm-Jubilation Choir Rehearsal New Year’s Eve 6pm-Children’s Ensemble 8am-Adult Ed Julie Rhodes 6:30pm-Kid’s RAP 9am-Worship Service Financial Administrator 6:30pm-Pastor Rocky Adult Ed 10am-Coffee Fellowship [email protected] Hours: M, T, F 6:30pm-HS Small Groups 10:30am-Worship Service 7pm-MS Choir Rehearsal 9am-5pm 7:30pm-Chancel Choir Rehearsal Sarah Price 8:30pm-Chamber Choir Rehearsal Director of Music & Worship Arts Thursday, December 21 [email protected] 9am-Social Service Sewing Group FISH Food Pantry Hours: M, T, TH 9:30am-4:00pm 11am-Bulletin Articles Due December List W 3:00-9:30pm 3pm-Blood Drive toilet paper, tomatoes, chili, chick- SU 7:30am-12:30pm 6pm-Blue Christmas Service en noodle soup, vegetable soup, 7pm-Church Council Meeting snack packs, paper bags Christy Kessler Friday, December 22 Bell Choir Director Saturday, December 23 [email protected] Homeless Warming Center thru 12/24, 9pm-7am each day Amelia Lloyd 8am-Men’s Bible Bagel & Brew Director of Children’s Music 9am-Sharing Meals (Templars) [email protected]

4:30pm-CALL Potluck Pam Grooms Sunday, December 24 Church Office Organist/Pianist Christmas Eve [email protected] 8am-Adult Ed Hours 9am-Worship Service Cindy Birkner 10am-Coffee Fellowship Monday - Friday Director of Youth Ministries 10:30am-Worship Service [email protected] 4pm-Worship Service-Children’s Pageant 8am to 4:00pm TU 8:30am-2:30pm 7pm-Worship Service W 3:00-9:00pm 11pm-Worship Service TH, F 8:30am-12:30pm Monday, December 25 Pastors SU 9:00am-1:00pm Christmas Day - Office Closed Kim Hedgpeth 10:00am-Worship Service/ Rev. Dr. Lisa Martin Director of Children’s Ministries communion Senior Pastor [email protected] Tuesday, December 26 [email protected] SU 7:00am-12:00pm Office Closed Cell: 636.395.8651 M 7:00am-5:00pm Hours: M-TH 8am - 4pm Wednesday, December 27 T 7:00am-5:00pm Office Closes at Noon W 8:00am-8:00pm Thursday, December 28 Rev. Rocky Sheneman Associate Pastor Lois Feager Office Closes at Noon Sandi Robertson 9am-Social Service Sewing Group [email protected] Cell: 636.448.4277 Travel Ministry Coordinators 9am-OASIS Volunteer Day Hours: T-F 8am - 4pm [email protected] 11am-Bulletin Items Due Hours: T 10am– 3pm 10