Senior High Youth Pasta Dinner - St. Paul United Church …yahoo.com / [email protected] ; Jay...

St. Paul United Church of Christ, 200 N. Main Street, Waterloo, IL 62298 www.stpaulonline.org, (618) 939-7123 / Fax: (618) 939-7144

February 2017

Volume 222, Issue 145

IIIINSIDENSIDENSIDENSIDE THISTHISTHISTHIS IIIISSUESSUESSUESSUE Leaves from James’ Notebook 2-3

Piecing Together the Sacred Threads 4-5

Notes from the Music Staff 6

Messy Church Is Coming! 7

Serving Others through Literacy Event 8

The High School Buzz / Book Bunch / Social 9

Child’s World / Thank You’s 10

Mission News 11

Consistory / Treasurer’s / Attendance / Life 12

Caring Ministries Afternoon Tea 13

St. Paul Fine Arts Concert Series 14

Women’s Retreat Registration 15

CCCCONTACTONTACTONTACTONTACT UUUUSSSS Senior Pastor, James Watson [email protected]

Associate Pastor, Merlyn Lawrence [email protected]

Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries, Jill Mayer, [email protected]

Administration Coordinator, Linda Mueller [email protected]

Office Coordinator, Angie Mertz [email protected]

Facilities &Tech Coordinator, Steve Crook [email protected]

Custodians, Dean Hirsch, Lori Weltig, Mark Blevins (Sundays)

Director of Music, Gary Humphrey [email protected]

Music Staff, Sandy Hamby, Linda Mueller, Betty Rockford, Bob Rockford, Joe Kurtz

SPLASH Music Assistant, Kathy Perkins

Child’s World Preschool Staff, Director/Teacher, Sarah Karban; Teacher, Theresa May-Harwell; Teacher’s Aides, Karen Erb, Jennifer Nolte, Jamie Brown [email protected]

Youth Directors, Michael Jones and Sasha Watkins, High School Youth Leaders, [email protected] / [email protected]; Jay Tyson, Jr. High Youth Leader [email protected]

Nursery Supervisor, Nicole Koch, Jennifer Lich

Presidents of Boards, Consistory: George Obernagel, Cemetery: Tom Nobbe

Cemetery Secretary, Joan Wiegreffe [email protected], 618-939-2931

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Men of St. Paul All men are invited to breakfast at Denny’s on the first Saturday of every month at 8:00 a.m.

Anointing of the SickAnointing of the SickAnointing of the SickAnointing of the Sick Join Pastor Merlyn in the narthex the first Sunday of every month

between services at 10:15 a.m.

St. Paul Annual Meeting, Part 2

Part 2 of St. Paul’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 12, at 1:00 p.m. During the Annual Meeting, Part 2 we will review the work of the church from the past year, accept annual reports and make plans for the future

programs of the church. St. Paul’s Evangelical−Conrad Kolmer Memorial Cemetery Annual Meeting will be immediately after the Annual Meeting.

Women of St. Paul Birthday Potluck—Tuesday, February 7 at noon in the Fellowship Hall. ALL are invited for an afternoon of great food and fellowship. Our guest speaker will be Pastor Merlyn. For more information please call Kathi Emery at 458-7186.

Senior High Youth Pasta

Dinner

The 2017 Pasta Dinner will be Sunday, February 12 at 11:45 a.m., ONE SEATING ONLY. The Annual Meeting, Part 2 follows this event. All proceeds will go to the Youth Scholarship Fund and will be used to help send high school youth on their mission trip. Buy your ticket today!

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Leaves from James’ Notebook Pastor James Watson

January may have seemed like somewhat of a down time for many in the congregation, especially right after a very busy Advent and Christmas season. As a staff team, we have been busy both debriefing Christmas and planning for Easter. Advent and Christmas Wrap-Up On the Christmas front we tried th i s pa st year to g ive contemporary worship a significant voice within the variety of services offered, but it did not work out as well as we had hoped for a number of reasons. We have since played out a number of scenarios and keep coming back to the idea that if we really want to offer a contemporary Christmas Eve service with integrity, we may be looking at offering four distinct services on Christmas Eve and restoring the 7:00 p.m. service to a traditional format of lessons and carols. Looking forward, the big challenge for this year is that Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday, which means that we will have r e g u l a r c h u r c h s e r v i c e s celebrating the 4th Sunday of Advent in the morning and Christmas Eve services in the evening, making a very full day of worship activity. Obviously, this needs some careful thinking through as we assess the needs of the congregation.

For me the big s u r p r i s e w a s Christmas Day worship. Worship attendance on Christmas Day was far stronger than I anticipated, and came close to the last time we held Christmas Day services a few years ago when it fell on a Wednesday. Consequently, we will very likely restore Christmas Day services for the foreseeable future. Add into the mix that this coming year Christmas Day falls on a Monday, and we will be looking at hosting Martha’s Kitchen/Mary’s Heart on that evening, as well. I think that particular confluence poses a special opportunity for us to shine with true Christmas Spirit. So . . . we have our work cut out for us in planning a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day experience for 2017 that is both touching and meaningful for as m a n y s e g m e n t s o f t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n a n d w i d e r community as possible and is at the same time not completely overwhelming for our volunteers and staff. Lent and Easter Looking forward we have been planning our Lent and Easter experiences. Ash Wednesday falls on March 1 this year, kicking off Lent, when we will hold the Service of the Ashes and the first celebration of communion for

the season. During Sundays in Lent w e w i l l b e fo l l owi ng the gospel readings f r o m t h e lectionary that

begins with Matthew’s account of the temptations of Jesus in the w i l d e r n e s s , f o l l o w e d i n subsequent weeks by significant readings from the gospel according to John. For Wednesdays during Lent we are going to follow two tracks. The first is a Messy Church experience, where we will gather for a meal, engage in creative thematic crafting for all ages and wrap the evening up with a M e s s y C h u r c h w o r s h i p experience. See more about that in Jill Mayer’s article. The second track will involve a more traditional approach with traditional worship. While each track is designed to have its own integrity, we do not want you to feel as though you have to stay with the track in which you started. If you prefer the traditional experience, please feel free to drop in on Messy Church and participate at the level with which you are comfortable. Same goes for Messy Church folk: if you find the Messy Track to your liking for the most part but want to experience traditional worship, please feel absolutely free to do so. Holy Week is still under

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Leaves from James’ Notebook Pastor James Watson

construction. Right now we are looking at a significant musical experience for Palm Sunday during traditional worship. On Maundy Thursday we are playing with the notion of putting on a Passover Seder meal. We are thinking that this will be largely a potluck experience with the church providing some roasted lamb in order to make the meal a little more authentic. The complete Passover liturgy can often be overwhelming for those not familiar with it, so we are looking at intentionally making it both simple and kid-friendly, lifting up the key components of the traditional Jewish celebration. After the Passover meal, we will invite folks up to the sanctuary for a simple and more somber communion service followed by Tenebrae readings ending at the burial of Jesus. As the sanctuary portion of the evening may be less suited for children, we will be providing children’s activities during that segment and will completely understand if families with children wish to go home after the Seder meal. We are still in the early planning stages for Easter Sunday, so stay tuned for developments there. Housekeeping Issues As we brought in the new Consistory, we tripped across a couple of ambiguities in our Bylaws that need to be addressed. We are forming a Bylaws Committee to look at

clarifying and tightening language to clarify areas of confusion. The new Budget and Finance Committee will be getting together soon in order to begin to grasp its scope of work, and a number of church policies are currently under review. The reality is that there has been a revolving door on the senior pastor’s office for some time, which has inevitably debilitated the regular processes of policy review. At the same time, the congregation and its ministries have continued to evolve over the last decade and a half. What policies do for us is to define healthy boundaries between what we are about and what we are not about as a congregation. So, properly understood, church policies should reflect the deep seated values and priorities of the congregation. They guide us in our behavior with each other and with our wider community. I will be the first to confess that policy work can often be boring work, but it is necessary work for a continued healthy congregation, in that it lays a firm foundation on which to build a viable future. Pasta Dinner and Annual Meeting The Annual Pasta Dinner is s l a t e d t o f o l l o w t h e contemporary service on February 12. The Senior High Youth Group is going to use the proceeds for its mission trip to

D e n v e r t h i s s u m m e r . Historically, we have held the A n n u a l M e e t i n g o f t h e congregation afterward in the sanctuary. Last year we switched the venue of the Annual Meeting to the Fellowship Hall while people were finishing up dessert, and that worked very well, so this year we will do the same thing. For those who do finish dinner earlier, the senior high youth have a couple of amusing diversions to keep people entertained in order to raise additional funds before the Annual Meeting starts. So . . . bring your checkbooks or some additional cash. You have been warned! Closing Thoughts As we move through this liminal time between the seasons of Advent and Christmas and the seasons of Lent and Easter, may the Spirit be at work in you, planting provocative seeds that will germinate into new and vital spiritual growth. God bless you all! James

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Some of you may know that I have only in recent years learned to quilt, bringing to fruition a yearning that I had for many of my adult years as I admired quilts wherever I saw them. My mother worked in a clothing factory all of her working life, and that’s where she learned to sew. She made all our clothes, and as a child I would have to succumb to her measuring and fitting and watching her make magic as she made that special dress for me at Christmas, the only new dress I would get for the year. I loved the clothes my mother made, preferring them to store-bought clothes that everyone else wore. Midwife Nurse Barlow said of my mother and her sewing skills, “Why, Mrs. Jeftha, your babies are the best dressed babies ever!” I watched my mother sew little items of clothing, and when we were in need, my mom sent me out to sell the little garments to neighbors so we would have food at our table. Those years of watching my mother sew paid off in my later years, for I was able to pattern and hand-sew beautiful stoles. All those years of watching her sew, I was taking in her methods and her values, seeing how it is done. “What you see on the outside of the dress, Merlyn, is the way it should look on the inside. No wayward

threads should be seen. Everything must be neat and tidy.” My mother, indeed, was my very first role model! As I learned to quilt, I was fascinated not

only by the process but by the hundreds of quilters, mostly women, who quilted to keep their families warm, quilting together in quilting bees, learning techniques from each other, all the while having fellowship with each other and sharing their pains and struggles and life stories, healing as they went along. In my own process of learning friends have offered me their expertise, brought out my creativity and shared their skills in creating a quilt. For those mentors, I am grateful. The church, our community of faith, is like that! We are piecing together the fabrics of our lives in all we do. Some Upcoming Programs Monthly Saturday evening communion services: On each first Saturday of the month at 5:30 p.m. you are invited to join us for a time for quiet reflection as we worship together in spirit and in song. Come and see how we are knit together in God’s universal sanctuary. Join us on February 4 at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome. Women of St. Paul Birthday Luncheon: The Women of St.

Paul will host a birthday luncheon at 12 noon on February 7. Women have been the backbone of the church since biblical times. The theme of the day will be “Piecing Together the Sacred Threads of Our Lives.” At this luncheon I will facilitate discussion with some quilters in our congregation who will share the process of quilting as metaphor, not only in our own lives, but how quilting encompasses so many aspects, including expertise and fellowship of friends, in its making. We will celebrate our own birthdays, but also as we look back to when and how the Women’s Guild of St. Paul was birthed, how different fabrics of women’s lives were patched together, serving as foundation for our Women of St. Paul today and continuing to serve as a reminder of all the ways we will move forward as women here at St. Paul. Ongoing Caring Ministries Tea: Sunday, February 19 at 3:00 p.m.: In previous Messengers I mentioned our many ongoing caring ministries at St. Paul and the “village” that makes these vital ministries happen. There are so many caring persons in our congregation who provide love and care to members in our congregation and to families, offering time, efforts, resources in their caring. On Sunday, February 19 at 3:00 p.m. we will be hosting a special Caring Ministries Tea Extravaganza for all

Piecing Together the Sacred Threads of Our Lives Pastor Merlyn Lawrence

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involved in these caring ministries and for all who wish to be. This afternoon tea is being hosted in your honor to say thanks and to celebrate your ministries. All are welcome. At the tea we will share information about each caring ministry and network among ourselves. We have a fantastic team planning this event. Everyone is invited to this event and specifically our St. Paul Caring Ministry teams are invited: • Care team members who visit

folks in nursing homes • Prayer Team • Greeting Card Ministry Team • Compassionate Caring Team • Funeral Hospitality Team • Ministry of Meals Team • Martha’s Kitchen/Mary’s

Heart Team • Ministry of Diverse Abilities

Team • Welcome Table Ministry

Team • Stephen Ministries Team Friends interested in being part of our caring ministries are welcome also. If I have inadvertently left out any group, kindly contact me and know you are welcome. Please RSVP by February 9. There will be sign-up sheets at the Welcome Table. Adult Bible and Book Study in January and February: Our 4-week study focusing on the book Blessed Are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence about Mental

Illness, Family and The Church by Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund got off to a great start on Wednesday, January 18. Several themes emerged in our discussion. We looked at scripture, specifically Psalm 22:1–5, and noted how the psalmist moved from despair to a place of hope and how likewise the author, having experienced a horrific childhood of abuse, domestic violence, mental illness and abandonment, has been able to heal through the use of testimony and sharing what she held secret for so many years of her life. We marveled at her resilience. We noted that many people feel isolated and alone because of the stigma and shame of mental illness. However, we are striving to make St. Paul a safe place for truth-telling and sharing so that no one has to go it alone. Do join us our remaining sessions on February 1 and February 8 at 9:30 a.m. Our Lenten Bible Study will meet for five Wednesdays during Lent and will focus on “Grappling with Difficult Scriptures.” Overnight Women’s Retreat at Ruma Convent, February 24 and 25: All women are invited to our overnight retreat entitled “In the Company of Women: Eat, Care, Live!” We will begin our overnight women’s retreat with dinner and

will spend time in fellowship with each other, feeding on God’s love for us individually and for each other. In the company of our sisters we will focus on our need as women to love and care for ourselves, self-care so vital in the busyness of our lives. Only with self-care intact are we strengthened and empowered to love others, love God and live fully for God. Please sign up at church or on our website by February 20. Scholarships are available. Fees will cover lodging and meals at Ruma. Checks are to be paid directly to “Adorers of the Blood of Christ.” For more information, contact me. To register online, go to http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=6xsb55qab&oeidk=a07edq9upqf643fc296 Let’s continue piecing together the sacred threads of our lives. Thank for the opportunity to serve. Peace and Blessings, Pastor Merlyn

Piecing Together the Sacred Threads of Our Lives (continued)

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Notes from the Music Staff Gary Humphrey, Music Director

Have you heard? Something really big is happening at St. Paul! We are having our first Charity Auction. Yes, there have been auctions in the past to benefit the music program. This is different. First, please mark the date—Saturday, May 6. Does that date sound familiar? Well, it might for some of you. That’s the first Saturday in May. What happens every year on the first Saturday in May? Yes, that’s right. It’s the Kentucky Derby—the Run for the Roses. So, the theme of our auction is “Run for the Roses.” This is going to be a night to strut your stuff, to hobnob with the rich and famous (well, ok, maybe not), to enjoy a wonderful night of food, drink, entertainment and fabulous auction items, both silent and oral. In the coming months you will hear much more about this, but for now we simply want to tell you how you can participate, and why you should want to. First, this auction will support three unique projects or programs. The total proceeds will be equally split between the following : 1. Community: Provide legal and aid-related

services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and provide prevention and education services within Monroe County

2. Expanding Technology in Children and Youth Ministry at St. Paul: Chromebooks (w/storage) that will be used for confirmation and Sunday School classes, tablets (w/storage) for the preschool Sunday School room

3. St. Paul Music Ministry: Establish funding for the Fine Arts Concert Series to further broaden the spectrum of entertainment offerings

How can you show your support for this wonderful night? Simple!

1. By becoming a sponsor 2. By donating items such as gift certificates, gift baskets, tickets to sporting/entertainment events, weekend getaways, collectibles or any item you may wish to donate 3. By placing an advertisement in our Auction Program Book 4. By attending this fun-filled

event for a good cause This event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the silent auction. We hope to watch the race as it happens around 5:45. We will be serving heavy hors d'oeuvres, and you will be provided with two beverage tickets that can be used for beer, wine and soft drinks. Opera House Bistro in Red Bud will be catering this event. We will hold this event in the Fellowship Hall, although you will not recognize it! The live auction will begin around 8:00 p.m., and the entertainment for this night is so fantastic that it can’t be revealed ahead of time. However, we can promise that you will not be disappointed. Think BIG! We will share more details as time goes on, but for now, here’s what you need to know: • Tickets will go on sale February 5 and may be

purchased at the church office. • Tables will seat 8, so make sure you get your

friends together so that you can make bids on group items. Tables will be reserved at the time of purchase, and there will be a seating chart available so you can find the best spot to enjoy everything that will be happening. If you don’t have a full table, we will gladly place you where we have openings after the full tables are sold.

• Tickets are $20 each, which includes hors d'oeuvres, drinks, paddles and seating. All purchases are tax deductible.

More to follow.

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Messy Church Is Coming! Jill Mayer

But first a look at all that is in store in children’s and youth programming at St. Paul prior to Lent . . .

I’m excited to announce that the series of Reading Service Events for the spring semester

funded via the Reading Changes Lives Initiative of the Deaconess Foundation has commenced. Please see the additional article in this Messenger for more information. While the first Half Day Hullabaloo was cancelled due to school cancellation/inclement weather, I have high hopes for the two remaining dates February 17 and March 17. I have numerous fun activities planned for each afternoon, including a church scavenger hunt. Give your child (in grades 1 through 5) the chance to get more familiar with St. Paul and other St. Paul children by registering them by the Wednesday before each event. The cost is $10, which includes lunch, transportation from school and a fun-filled afternoon (until 4:30). The hybrid adult education course covering the material in The Whole Brain Child has begun, but it’s not too late to join us. We still have several weeks of online material as well as one more in-person class. Let me know ASAP if you’d like more

information or are interested in joining us. This course is absolutely free, but you’ll need to procure a copy of the text and be able to dedicate about an hour a week to reading the material and working through the online activities. We’ll have several opportunities to see our children in church in the coming months. Make sure to mark your calendars now. You won’t want to miss out on hearing our children as they lift up their voices in praise. The first such opportunity will be when the SPLASH children put on a musical performance on February 19 during the traditional Message for All Ages time. The children’s choir will return to the chancel on March 19 to show us all they’ve learned during their time in the choir. If you know of a child who would be interested in joining the choir, now is a great time as there will be plenty of time to get them up to speed. The choir meets every Tuesday that school is in session at 4:30 in the Choir Room under the direction of Joe Kurtz. During Sunday School in February we’ll be leading up to Lent as we learn about the disciples and what it means to be a disciple. We’ll also be celebrating Valentine’s Day together and discussing what agape (the highest form of love) is and how we can cultivate that in

our lives. Finally, I’m very excited to take this opportunity to introduce Messy Church. Messy

Church is a way of being church for families and individuals of all ages that involves fun and play. Although started in Britain, it is found around the world. The goal of the program is to help individuals of all ages not only learn about God but encounter Him through their time of fun and fellowship. The values for the program are Christ-centered, all-age, creativity, hospitality and celebration. In order to achieve these values, each Messy Church session is composed of a welcome, an activity time, a shared meal and a celebration (group worship). One of the tenets of Messy Church is that it is changing often to meet the needs of those it intends to serve. Thus, we’ll be modifying the traditional Messy Church model to best fit our congregation and the community. Messy Church is meant to be inclusive so start getting the word out to everyone you know that Messy Church is coming and they are welcome to attend. For more information about Messy Church feel free to check out their http://www.messychurch.org.uk/, or stop by my office to check out my rather extensive collection of

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Messy Church books. Hopefully, this introduction has struck a chord with some of you, and you’re now hooked on the idea. If that is the case (or even if it is

not), please let me know if you’d be willing and able to help out with the planning, preparation and execution of Messy Church. Our Messy Church meetings will

occur on the Wednesdays of Lent, March 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 5:45 until 8:00 p.m.

Messy Church Is Coming! (continued)

Join Us in Serving Others through Literacy Events Jill Mayer

We’re thrilled to announce that the Reading Changes Lives Grant Program is underway in Waterloo, IL. This program is grant funded t h r o u g h t h e D e a c o n e s s Foundation, specif ically the Reading Changes Lives Initiative. St. Paul’s contribution to the program is composed of two components: school year reading service events and a summer reading camp. (Look for more information on this following Lent.) If you aren’t familiar with Reading Service Events, they are opportunities for children in kindergarten through 5th grade to gain practice reading while in service to others. The “others” may be animals or other humans depending on the event. Thus, if you know of a child who loves to read or one who needs more practice reading (so that they’ll learn to love it) or is anywhere in between, please let Jill know at [email protected] so she can get you more information and get you RSVP’d. During their time at each reading service event, each child will pick out a FREE book that they get to keep to read to whomever or whatever. There will also be a light snack and additional activities

depending on the location of the event. Each event will last approximately an hour. However, if needed, families can come and go as needed. We do ask that at least one

parent remain to assist with supervision as needed. The calendar of reading events for spring semester is:

• January 28, 11:00 a.m., Monroe County Humane Society

• February 11, 10:00 a.m., Garden Place Senior Living

• March 25, 11:00 a.m., Monroe County Humane Society

• April 22, 10:00 a.m., Oak Hill • May 13, 11:00 a.m., Monroe County Humane

Society Space is limited at the events, so do let Jill know if you’re able to attend so that additional shifts can be scheduled at each location, if necessary.

Lunch with Pastor MerlynLunch with Pastor MerlynLunch with Pastor MerlynLunch with Pastor Merlyn Wednesday, February 15Wednesday, February 15Wednesday, February 15Wednesday, February 15

Our Coffee House and Café, Columbia, ILOur Coffee House and Café, Columbia, ILOur Coffee House and Café, Columbia, ILOur Coffee House and Café, Columbia, IL

We will meet in the church parking lot at 11:45 to carpool. Please sign up on the Welcome Table or contact Pastor Merlyn, 939-7123. This event is not only for women! Everyone is welcome.

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A big thank you to all of the congregation and staff for your support. Because of you the youth programs at St. Paul keep getting stronger! Don’t forget to add your friends, loved ones and practical jokers to the list for the Cock-a-Doodle-Do Fundraiser to support youth ministries. To prevent the rooster from showing up in your yard, sign up for insurance. There will be a 2017 summer mission trip informational meeting in February for youth and families. Please keep an eye out for details. In the meantime feel free to get in touch with Jill, Mike or Sasha. We need to know all youth who are interested by March 1. The 2017 Pasta Dinner will be Sunday February 12 at 11:45 a.m., ONE SEATING ONLY. The Annual Meeting, Part 2 follows this event. All proceeds will go to the Youth Scholarship Fund and will be used to help send high school youth on their mission trip. There is a new twist this year—youth staff and youth have volunteered to get a pie in their faces! You may buy tickets January 22 up through the raffle drawing at the Pasta Dinner. Tickets are 1 for $1 or 15 tickets

for $10. Winners will spin the wheel of pie to determine the lucky recipients. There will be 3 winners. Buy your tickets to the pasta dinner ahead of time to guarantee a seat and to give the chefs an idea of how many to cook for.

Tickets go on sale Sunday, January 22. High school youth plan to help serve at an area soup kitchen Saturday, March 18. Further details are coming. Lastly, a big thank you to the congregation for all the Care Kits donations we have received. They are already out there making a difference! The youth have compiled 20 care kits so far from your donations. Please keep donations coming as you are

able! We especially request any ready to eat, non-refrigerated food items, wet wipes, notebooks, refillable bottles and any other items you think might be appreciated by people in need. There is a box underneath the Welcome Table with

assembled kits. Feel free to take a couple and pass them on to those who need them. Green ribbons are for male kits and red ribbons are for females. Remember all are welcome at youth group Wednesday nights 6:30-8:30 p.m. Bring a friend! We look forward to an awesome 2017!

The High School Buzz The High School Buzz The High School Buzz The High School Buzz Mike Jones and Sasha Watson

St. Paul Book Bunch

The Book Bunch will meet on Tuesday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the East Room. The book for discussion is America’s First Daughter: A Novel by Stephanie Dray and Lara Kamboie.

Adult Social GroupAdult Social GroupAdult Social GroupAdult Social Group The Adult Social Group will meet on Thursday, March 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Annbriar Smokehouse. All are welcome to come for an evening of food and fellowship.

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Child’s World News Sarah Karban, Director/Teacher

It’s hard to believe we’re in the month of February already! Time sure does fly when we’re having fun learning, working and playing. Before we know it, it will be May and time to end our school year. I hope we’ll have snow days instead of ice days this month! But, which do you think will happen—Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow and we’ll have 6 more weeks of winter, or Punxsutawney Phil will not see his shadow and spring will come soon? During February, we will be learning about the number seven, the color pink, the nursery rhyme “1, 2 Buckle My Shoe,” and the shape of the heart. We will also be learning our addresses. In the 3- and 4-year-old classes they will be learning the let-ters Q, R and S. In the 4- and 5-year-old class they will be learning the letters Bb, Rr and Kk. Our monthly themes for February are Groundhog Day (where we will make predictions on whether or

not Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow), Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day (where we will learn about two of our greatest presi-dents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln), and dental health (since February is Dental Health Month). We will also have our picture day toward the end of the month where Images 4 Kids comes in and

takes individual and class pictures. The 4- and 5-year-olds who will be graduating this May will also have graduation pictures taken. It’s always fun to see how grown up the kids look in a cap and gown. We will have fun-filled Valentine’s Day parties planned by our parents near or on the holiday. They will plan all of the different activities—games, crafts and snacks that each class will enjoy. Thank you to all of our parents who volunteer, donate items and help plan the parties; we can’t wait to have a blast at them! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Oak Hill Oak Hill (cont.) Magnolia Terrace Legacy Place Garden Place

Connie Atchley Marian Maag Beverly Hirstein Charlie & Janice Clark Bob Buettner

Gloria Aycock Ruth Matzenbacher Norma Pepmeier Shirley Hesterberg Dorothy Jaenke

Marjorie Bottiaux Ardell Mueller Leota Roider Harold Hirstein Imogene Yarbrough

Dorothy Dodge Lettie Noelke Ruth Stumpf Howard Ludwig Reflections

Gloria Eidmann Paul Stiening Lucy Van Scoyk Roger Nottmeier Violet Kueker

Don Gleiber Bertha Washausen Helen Werling Imogene Schmeltz Charles Gardens

Rich Gleiber E. John Schaller

Our Members in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Centers

Thank You’s We thank all the ministry volunteers who usher, greet, serve communion, read scriptures, lead music, drive the van and so much more. Thank you, Georgia Borcharding, Marlene Buettner, Viola Frank, Louise Gremmels, Eileen Hoffman, Delores Reifschneider and Audrey Rodenberg, for preparing our January Messenger for mailing.

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Our February mission is to support The Covering House. The Covering House provides refuge and restoration, using the least restrictive environment, for sexually exploited and trafficked children and teens, providing safety, dignity, and freedom utilizing top level staffing and oversight. We will be helping by assisting

their Stock our Shelves program. The items below are their most needed items at this time and can be dropped off in the tub labeled The Covering House. They will also accept monetary donations to put funds where they are most needed. A general donation list is also posted on the Missions Bulletin Board (across from the water fountain).

• 3-Ring Binders (2 ½ –3 inches)

• Cleaning Products (Pine-Sol, Windex, Multipurpose Cleaner, etc.)

• Electric Razors

• Gift Cards (Amazon, Target, Wal-Mart)

• Hand Dishwashing Liquid (like Dawn)

• Hypoallergenic Laundry Detergent

• Journals/Notebooks (no metal spirals please)

• Liquid Body Wash

• Nair

• Paper Towels

• White Copy Paper Reminder—the tab top collection is an ongoing mission. Please save your tab tops and drop them in the tub located in the entryway. The tab tops are donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. Did you know Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis provides a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children traveling to St. Louis for medical treatment? The organization has grown from an eight-bedroom facility to now include three Ronald McDonald Houses, eight extended-stay apartments and three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, which are located inside Mercy Children’s Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Childrens’ Hospital. Thank you to those who have already donated! The tub was recently emptied at Mercy Children's' Hospital and is ready to be filled again. February’s food pantry theme is “Share your bountiful heart!” Items include:

canned meat canned vegetables canned fruits peanut butter jelly

boxes of cereal breakfast bars granola bars cookies

hamburger/tuna/chicken helper meals

ST. PAUL MESSENGER

Consistory Report George Obernagel, President

Happy New Year! As we fight the winter weather, spring will be here soon. At the January 10 meeting the Consistory had to re-elect new 2017 officers. This was done due to clarification of the Bylaws. They are:

• President, George Obernagel • Vice-President, Tim Berg • Treasurer, Chuck Holmen • Secretary, Karen Schrader

The second part of the Annual Meeting is Sunday, February 12 at 1:00 p.m. I hope to see you there. At the end of 2016 we had a negative General Fund balance of $25,606.72. This is the result of

expenses exceeding income. The Consistory voted to begin the year with a zero balance with a transfer being made to the General Fund. We are continuing to work on the Family Emergency Fund and Gift Usage policies and breaking down the expenses of Child’s World. The new Finance and Budget Committee will be getting together soon. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Thanks to all who serve on committees and/or volunteer here at St. Paul.

Congregational Life

MEMORIALS: Building & Accessibility Family Emergency Fund Imogene Ries Imogene Ries

January Mission—Oak Lodge, DuBois General Fund Rev. Max Pepmeier Michael Nobbe; Imogene Ries BAPTISMS: Oscar Erwin Widmann, January 15, 2017 FUNERALS: Imogene V. Ries, January 7, 2017

Church

Sunday

School Nursery TOTAL

December 3 & 4 306 84 7 397

December 11 388 92 4 484

December 18 163 31 3 197

December 25 601 0 0 601

Total 1,458 207 14 1679

Average 365 52 4 420

Att

en

dan

ce

Balance December 1, 2016 (7,015.55)$

Income 48,734.72

Total Balance and Income 41,719.17$

Expenses (67,325.89)

Balance December 31, 2016 (25,606.72)$

General Fund Giving (Member Contributions) 33,460.17$

Monthly Budget 33,333.33$

Over/Under Budget 126.84$

OCWM 1,753.67

Christmas (UCC Christmas Fund) 2,162.00

Waterloo Help Network 45.00

Domestic Violence Prevention Advocate Appeal 100.00

December Mission (Giving Tree & UCC XMas Fund) 1,959.00

The Treasurer's Report

December 2016

ST. PAUL MESSENGER

Caring Ministries Afternoon TeaCaring Ministries Afternoon TeaCaring Ministries Afternoon TeaCaring Ministries Afternoon Tea

What:What:What:What: You are invited to an afternoon tea for all our ongoing caring ministriesYou are invited to an afternoon tea for all our ongoing caring ministriesYou are invited to an afternoon tea for all our ongoing caring ministriesYou are invited to an afternoon tea for all our ongoing caring ministries....

When:When:When:When: Sunday, February 19Sunday, February 19Sunday, February 19Sunday, February 19 at 3:00 p.m. in the St. Paul UCC Fellowship Hallat 3:00 p.m. in the St. Paul UCC Fellowship Hallat 3:00 p.m. in the St. Paul UCC Fellowship Hallat 3:00 p.m. in the St. Paul UCC Fellowship Hall

Why:Why:Why:Why: We will gather to celebrate our ministries. We will gather to celebrate our ministries. We will gather to celebrate our ministries. We will gather to celebrate our ministries. We will share and learn about each We will share and learn about each We will share and learn about each We will share and learn about each

other’s ministries and will give thanks for all that is done in Christ’s name.other’s ministries and will give thanks for all that is done in Christ’s name.other’s ministries and will give thanks for all that is done in Christ’s name.other’s ministries and will give thanks for all that is done in Christ’s name.

Who:Who:Who:Who: Persons and caring ministry teams being invited to tPersons and caring ministry teams being invited to tPersons and caring ministry teams being invited to tPersons and caring ministry teams being invited to this event include, among his event include, among his event include, among his event include, among

others:others:others:others:

Care Team

Prayer Team

Greeting Card Ministry

Compassionate Caring Team

Funeral Hospitality Ministry Team

Ministry of Meals Team

Ministry of Diverse Abilities Team

Martha’s Kitchen/Mary’s Heart Team

Stephen Ministries Team

Welcome Table Ministries Team

Persons interested in any of these ministries are also invited to attend.

For more information, please contact Pastor Merlyn.

RSVP by February 8RSVP by February 8RSVP by February 8RSVP by February 8.... Please sign up at the Welcome Table or contact Pastor Merlyn at

[email protected] or (630) 890-6814.

Gary Humphrey and FriendsGary Humphrey and FriendsGary Humphrey and FriendsGary Humphrey and Friends Sunday, May 21, 2:00 PMSunday, May 21, 2:00 PMSunday, May 21, 2:00 PMSunday, May 21, 2:00 PM Just when you thought you’d heard EVERY good song from the 40’s through the 70’s, our music director is back with his friends to show you there are LOTS MORE! Featuring many of the musicians from St. Paul, this is an event NOT to be missed! The finale of our concert series is one you will want to put on your calendars.

ST. PAUL MESSENGER

Gateway RingersGateway RingersGateway RingersGateway Ringers Sunday, March 26, 3:00 PMSunday, March 26, 3:00 PMSunday, March 26, 3:00 PMSunday, March 26, 3:00 PM The Gateway Ringers, St. Louis’ Premier Handbell Group, will take us on a musical journey of the history of St. Louis through handbells. The concert will feature selections from their upcoming CD, including songs by Scott Joplin & W.C. Handy and songs with ties back to the 1904 World’s Fair. The group, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, prides itself on excellence in musical performance under the direction of Charles Peery.

ST. PAUL FINE ARTS ST. PAUL FINE ARTS ST. PAUL FINE ARTS ST. PAUL FINE ARTS

CONCERT SERIESCONCERT SERIESCONCERT SERIESCONCERT SERIES

St. Paul Orchestra Spring St. Paul Orchestra Spring St. Paul Orchestra Spring St. Paul Orchestra Spring ConcertConcertConcertConcert Sunday, April 2, 1:00 PMSunday, April 2, 1:00 PMSunday, April 2, 1:00 PMSunday, April 2, 1:00 PM If you missed the orchestra's Christmas concert in December, you now have another chance, because the St. Paul Orchestra will present its annual Spring Concert on Sunday, April 2 at 1:00 p.m. Lots of new music plus some "oldies but goodies" will be included in the concert. The piano quartet is also practicing a new eight-hand arrangement for your enjoyment. Hope to see you there!

ST. PAUL MESSENGER

In the Company of WomenIn the Company of WomenIn the Company of WomenIn the Company of Women ““““Eat, Care, Live!Eat, Care, Live!Eat, Care, Live!Eat, Care, Live!””””

Friday, Friday, Friday, Friday, February 24February 24February 24February 24, , , , 2017201720172017,,,, 6666::::33330 p.m0 p.m0 p.m0 p.m.... –––– Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, Saturday, February 25, 2017February 25, 2017February 25, 2017February 25, 2017, , , , 3:30 p.m.3:30 p.m.3:30 p.m.3:30 p.m.

Registration: Friday, 5:00 Registration: Friday, 5:00 Registration: Friday, 5:00 Registration: Friday, 5:00 –––– 6:306:306:306:30 pppp.m. .m. .m. .m. RumaRumaRumaRuma Convent:Convent:Convent:Convent: Adorers of the Blood of ChristAdorers of the Blood of ChristAdorers of the Blood of ChristAdorers of the Blood of Christ

We will begin our overnight women’s retreat with dinner and will spend time in fellowship with each other, feeding on God’s love for us individually and for each other. In the company of our sisters we will focus on our need as women to love and care for ourselves—self-care so vital in the busyness of our lives. Only with self-care intact are we strengthened and empowered to love others, love God and live fully for God.

Name: ____________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Phone: ____________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________

Emergency Contact: ___________________________________________ Name & Phone Number Registration Fee: $40

Checks payable to “Adorers of the Blood of Christ” Scholarships available: Contact Pastor Merlyn Lawrence at [email protected].

Send completed registration forms to Pastor Merlyn Lawrence. Must be received by

February 20, 2017. Pastor Merlyn Lawrence

St. Paul UCC 200 N. Main Street Waterloo, Illinois 62298 We will begin our time together with dinner. Bring a dish to share.

St. Paul United Church of Christ 200 N. Main Street Waterloo, IL 62298

Office Phone: (618) 939-7123 Office Fax: (618) 939-7144 Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Monday thru Thursday Child’s World Preschool: 939-7125 Prayer Requests: [email protected] Website: www.stpaulonline.org

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

Waterloo, Illinois

Permit No. 10

Change Service Requested

Worship Services 9:00 a.m. Traditional

10:30 a.m. Contemporary (Nursery & Preschool Available)

Sunday School 9:00 & 10:30 a.m.

(3-year-olds through 8th grade)

Adult Bible Study 10:15 a.m.

All submissions for the next Messenger are due to the church office by 2/15/17. We reserve the right to edit submis-sions for publication.

Next Deadline: 2/15/17

Next Issue: 2/23/17

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