1

The Lamplighter January 2018 • Salem United Church of Christ • Higginsville, Missouri

Dear Friends,

I went to seminary at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. While in seminary, I participated in an urban ministerial program in the city of Chicago. As a part of that program, I interned at Irving Park Baptist Church in the Irving Park neighborhood of the city. For three years, Crystal and I lived in Chicago while I worked at the church.

In one of the great blessings of my life, my mentor at Irving Park was the Rev. Michael Harvey. Michael is a bril-liant man, thoughtful and compassionate. I learned a great deal from him and I can honestly say that I would not be the person or the pastor that I am were it not for him. Michael is the one from whom I learned to think of the “kingdom of God” as the “Vision of God.” You have heard me use the term many times in sermons, and if you are uncomfortable with the term, do not blame Michael.

Early in December, Michael sent out an email message that I think captures my sense of hope and trust in the love of God. It is a powerful message for Advent, for Christmas, and for the New Year. I share it with you here, with Michael’s permission. You will know immediately the passage that Michael translates and interprets here.

Grace and Peace Tommy

Celebrate the have-nots, They own the Vision of God. Celebrate the brokenhearted, They will be comforted. Celebrate the humble, They will inherit the land. Celebrate those who hunger for justice and thirst for mercy, They will be invited to the Banquet. Celebrate the merciful, Mercy will be shown to them. Celebrate the passionately committed, God will be revealed to them. Celebrate those who build community, They will be known as God’s children. Celebrate those who are not treated with justice or mercy, They own the Vision of God. Celebrate yourself when people slander you and curse you because of me- Throw a party and dance with abandon- Your reward from God is enormous- You know that they abused the Interpreters who came before you. -Jesus

2

January 2018 The Lamplighter Page 2

OUR FRIENDS AND CHURCH FAMILY

IN CARE FACILITIES Listed below are our members and friends (at the time of printing of the Lamplighter) now residing or recovering at our local and 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 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.)

Women’s Fellowship Circle

Schedules for January

Esther Circle – Wednesday, January 3, 10:00 a.m., at Wanda Niemeier’s home, Wanda Niemeier hostess.

Mary Martha Circle – Thursday, January 4, 1:30 p.m. in the Salem Board Room, Betty Rinne hostess.

Ruth Circle – Wednesday, January 3, 2:00 p.m., at Fay Tilly’s home, Fay Tilly hostess, Annie Fieg-enbaum program.

Eve Circle – Tuesday, January 2, 7:00 p.m., in the Salem Board Room, Angie Green hostess, Rita Wallpe program.

2018 ENVELOPES

Are available in the Fellowship Hall

Special Days in January

January 1 New Year’s Day

January 6 Epiphany

January 7 The Baptism of Christ

January 14 Second Sunday after Epiphany

January 15 Martin Luther King Jr. Day observed

January 21 YOM Ham and Beans/Baked Potato Bar

January 22 Souper Supper at Salem

January 28 Annual Congregational meeting. 12:30 p.m.

YOM

GIVING TREE PROJECT: Youth on Mission again invites you to be a part of our giving tree pro-ject which offers our campers’ tal-ents to you for your chosen dona-tion. 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 Mis-sion with what you think is an ap-propriate donation. Call Delbert Goetz at 660-641-6773 and he will find a camper to do the work!

ANNUAL

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING:

Will be held Sunday, January 28, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. in the church dining room. The meeting will follow the 10:30 a.m. worship service and a lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Epiphany wonder Today the Magi gaze in deep wonder at what they see: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, hu-manity in God, God in humani-ty, one whom the whole uni-verse cannot contain now en-closed in a tiny body. As they look ... their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die.

—Peter Chrysologus (5th century)

3

7

8

10

11

11

11

11

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

18

19

20

22

23

24

26

26

27

27

28

28

28

29

30

31

31

January 2018 The Lamplighter

Judy Struchtemeyer

Delbert Goetz

Kali Rechterman

Kristen Smith

Dana Cox

Cooper Fisher

Keri Borchers

Hope Siegworth

Arthur Thaller

Kevin Alumbaugh

Kelsey Bredehoeft

Kayla Augustine

Glenda Riekhof

Herb Echelmeier

Ryland Homfeld

Brenda Goring

Bill Oelrichs

Robert Souder

Linda Dickmeier

Barbara Bottemuller

Kyle Dobson

Tara Gieselman

Kendra LaRue

Regan Wood

Ryan Cole

Pearl Luehrman

Keith Gadt

Shelby Long

Becky Bergsieker

Louise Salyer

Denise Kirchhoff

Jimmy Stoner

Danny Long

Teri Salyer

Joyce Gross

Conner Moore

Nikala Nevels

Marilyn Cole

Keaton Tracy

Alice Jarman

Angie Erdman

James Frerking

Earl Fiene

Amber Wesche

Norma Gadt

Melanie Eickhoff

Gabriel Nevels

R.J. Nowling

Page 3

Best Birthday Wishes in January go to...

3

3

3

3

4

4

4

4

5

5

5

5

6

7

7

7

SOUPER SUPPERS

In January 2009, the Churches of Higginsville began a program to provide meals for families needing to stretch their food supply. Each participating church hosted a simple meal (soup, sandwiches, drinks & dessert) one evening during the last week of the first three months of the year. Each of our congregations has great cooks!

In 2017 ministries such as the Food Pantry and the Heat and Hunger Fund have had more clients than in the past. We believe that even more families in our communities are in need of the support that Souper Suppers can provide. JANUARY SCHEDULE:

(All suppers are 5:30–6:30 pm)

Sunday, January 21-

First Presbyterian Church: Phone: 584-3372

Monday, January 22-

Salem UCC: Phone: 584-3603

(Immanuel Lutheran Church partnering)

Tuesday, January 23-

(To be announced)

Wednesday, January 24-

St. Mary’s Catholic Church: Phone: 584-3038

(New Beginnings partnering)

Thursday, January 25-

First Baptist Church: Phone: 584-7165

4

From the Church Records

Financial Report:

General Fund Balance 11/01/17

Current deposits

Current expenses

Current Fund Balance 11/30/17

$ 4,529

$22,570

$18,679

$ 8,420

Building Fund:

Current Fund Balance 11/01/17

Current deposits

Current expenses

Current Fund Balance 11/01/17

$14,737

$ 157

$ 560

$14,334

The Lamplighter Page 4

O.C.W.M. (Member Contributions for Nov.) $280

January 2018

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

36 11-5-17 108

34 11-12-17 88

39 11-19-17 72

44 11-26-17 76

38 Average

Total Average 124

86

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. Father Tom Hawkins (Catholic) will be leading Bible Study during the month of January, Terry Cook (Methodist) during the month of February, Liz Lindsey (Presbyterian) during the month of March. The Bible Study is held every Wednesday, 10:15-10:45 a.m. in the Gathering Room.

HARVESTERS SCHEDULE First Assembly of God Church of Higginsville hosts a Harvesters Community Food Network distribution of food on the third Thursday of every month. The work day begins 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 ad-dress. 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! 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

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.

TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE

Transportation is available to any worship service. Please call the church office to make arrangements, (660) 584-3603.

United in diversity

Although early Christians had much in common, they also dwelt in diversity. Each of their leaders emphasized certain parts of the gospel and favored certain worship styles. They all believed in the resurrected Jesus, and they all celebrated the Lord's Supper and baptism. But Chris-tians in Corinth had a unique approach, as did those in Ephesus, Philippi, Galatia, Rome and so on.

It might be boring if we all believed and practiced com-pletely alike. Variations don’t need to be an impediment to Christian unity. As pastor Charles Best said, “If we’re going to be in heaven together, we might as well get along now.”

5

January 2018 Page 5 The Lamplighter

CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING

November 16, 2017 – 7:30 pm

The regular meeting of the Salem Church Council was held Thursday, November 16, 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 Begsicker, and Peggy Pragman.

President Keri Borchers called the meeting to order. Pastor opened with devotion from Psalms 90 and prayer. Minutes were read, corrected, and approved. Felicia gave the treasurer’s report with balances of $4,529 in General Fund and $14,737 in Build-ing and Grounds Fund. The Pastor’s mileage of 729 miles for $390.02 was presented for payment. Motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer’s report. Motion to pay mileage also made, seconded, and approved.

The Pastor’s report mentioned the possibility of investigating online giv-ing, which he mentioned last month, also the possibility of getting wireless internet throughout the building. He feels both of these investments should not be large and both could be very beneficial to the church. He asked that this be something to con-sider carefully and prayerfully. June Howell began practice for Sunday School Christmas Program. Also June and Pastor took our confirm-ands to the Festival of Sharing in Se-dalia Oct. 20 and 21. Need to look for another service project to replace this event, since this was last state-wide Festival held. Tommy officiated at the marriage of Jessica Cole and Jeremiah Pressley in Lexington. Pas-tor also attended the ordination and installation of Bethany Meier on Oct. 29th. It was a good service but be-cause it was held at the same

time he sadly missed the KC Metro Men’s Chorus. Pastor announced there is another installation coming soon and hoping to see some Salem members present. Last weekend, at Ebenezer UCC, Levasy, the Western Assoc. installed the Rev. Jeanne Lischer as pastor and teacher there. This coming weekend Nov. 19th at Central UCC in Jeff City, we will install the Rev. Jody Furnas-Wright as the associate pastor of faith formation. These services are very important in the life of our association. Our polity dictates that the association is the body that authorizes minsters, and conducts ordinations and installations, and I want you to know that I take this re-sponsibility very seriously. The Hig-ginsville Ministerial Fellowship will hold a Thanksgiving service on Tues-day, Nov. 21st, at the Central Christian Church at 7:00 p.m.

Correspondence: Thank You read from the 2016 Christmas Fund (Retired Ministers).

Christian Ed: Delbert reported set-ting up things for YOM. Cookie sale after 10:30 service on Dec. 3rd. Thir-teen have signed up for YOM so far. Working on float for Christmas pa-rade, and planning movie for Jan. or Feb. Building and Grounds: David: Reported house numbers on parsonage still needs to be taken care of and Alumbaugh’s needs to be called about locks. Bats gone, possible screens put into place next spring. Cemetery: Kevin Berry no meeting. Memorial: Peggy reported meeting held to plan Memorial Service at both services. There are 6 that will be remembered and plans are made. Stewardship: Ron-nie reported no meeting. Evangelism: Felicia reported monetary collection for turkeys was a big success with rais-ing $1,043.99. Ladies Lions made do-nation as well as members of our church, and community. The two lo-cations used were Moose’s Market and Piggly Wiggly.

Worship: Janice reported no meeting. Ushers: Kevin reported Dec. complete and working on Jan. and Feb.

Unfinished Business: U.S. Bank Credit card was taken out for Sa-lem UCC with 3 cards issued one for Sarah Berry, secretary, June Howell Christian Ed. Coordina-tor, and Lowell Grumke, custodi-an. Kitchen Meeting Report: David reported that he and Peggy had met with Lance Tieman prior to the council meeting to get esti-mated bid for painting. David has meet with several people for esti-mates and ideas and he is moving forward with getting proposal ready for Congregational meeting in Jan.

New Business: Light fixtures in office need to be replaced. Will call G and S Electric. Discussion about custodian for large events. Council voted to inform those wanting to use the building for such events, that there will be no Custodian on duty, and it will be their responsibility for clean up. A suggestion was made to a council member about the possi-bility of sending out quarterly financial statements to members as a way to remind them of their offerings. After a discussion about approximate coast of the mailings, a decision was made not to follow through at this time. Annual reports are due in the church office by Jan. 5, 2018.

Next Council Meeting Date: December 14, 2017, 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held earlier because of Christmas week.

There being no further busi-ness, the meeting was adjourned by saying the “Lord’s Prayer”.

Respectfully submitted

Peggy Pragman,

Council Secretary

6

The Lamplighter

January 2018 Page 6

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.

Church Council Report-President

Pastor’s Report

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:

Judy Struchtemeyer and family. Judy’s mother, Geraldine Fauss, passed away Thursday, December 7, 2017. Her funeral was held Satur-day, December 16, at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

ALSO

Mary and Lester Homfeld and fam-ily. Mary’s brother-in-law, Donnie Hendricks, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2017. He resided in Carson, Iowa.

ALSO

The family of Grace Schemmer. Grace passed away Saturday, De-cember 16, 2017. Her visitation and funeral were held at Salem Friday, December 22, 2017.

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.

You Were Real Angels! Thank you for making our Salem UCC Angel Tree a success. We were able to assist eighty-nine chil-dren from thirty-nine families. All but two tags were adopted and your financial donations easily covered the cost. I would like to thank all the members of the Angel Tree Com-mittee for their great work. Jeannie Fleischmann prepared tags and inventoried the gifts. Sharon Hoefer shopped for the un-adopted tags. Our team assembled on Saturday, December 16, at 9:00 a.m. Many thanks to Keri Borch-ers, Amy and Delbert Goetz, Sha-ron Hoefer, and my husband, Ken Green, for making time on that Saturday to deliver our bags of gifts. We appreciate everyone who helped spread caring and generosi-ty through the Higginsville com-munity. Angie Green, Committee Chairperson

A penguin “parable” During storms, emperor penguins huddle for warmth, taking turns at the center and on the perimeter of the group. While incubating eggs, up to 6,000 male penguins have been observed clustering for shelter against the harsh Antarctic winter. Partially grown chicks gather in protective “crèches” (French for “cribs”); often surrounded by a colony of adults, these groupings ward off predators and cold. In stormy times, humans also need supportive groups; we can’t survive alone. A church family allows us to take turns giving and receiving care. Amid social upheaval, injustice, illness, natural disaster and any loss or cri-sis, God invites us to gather for protection and warmth. In the church community, we support and strengthen one another and are empowered to go out again into the less-sheltered world.

7

January 2018 The Lamplighter Page 7

Youth on Mission News

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 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

Taking down Christmas decorations

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

YOUTH ON MISSION

HAM AND BEAN DINNER

JANUARY 21, 2018 immediately fol-lowing the 10:30 a.m. worship service will be a homemade HAM AND BEAN DINNER with cornbread muf-fins, plus a BAKED POTATO BAR with chili, cheese, and all the fixins! The Youth on Mission is sponsoring the event and baskets will be available for your donation to our youth who will be attending their mission trip to Imperial, PA, July 28-August 4, 2018. Invite your family and friends to share this wonderful meal to help support our youth! Watch for more infor-mation in weekly church bulletins.

8

January 2018 The Lamplighter Page 8

Salem’s Veteran Honor Role 3 years ago we didn’t have any information about members of Salem who served in our Nation’s Armed Forces. Today we have accumulated data on nearly 100 veterans who we individually recognized in a slide presentation during church services on Veteran’s Sunday. That said… our mission has not ended. Below is a listing of another 76 members known to be veterans. We have their names, but don’t have their branch of service; years of service; rank/rate; duty stations/wars; where buried (if deceased); or a photo in uniform. If you know anyone who can help us capture information about these veterans, please have them contact Stanton Thompson (816-225-9515; jsthomps@ctcis.net) or Dennis Knipmeyer (660-641-0346; djknip@ctcis.net.

Albers, Red

Alberswerth, Carl H.

Bergsieker, Lois

Boedeker, Delmar

Boedeker, Ernest

Boedeker, Oscar O.

Brackman, Joseph

Buist, Burk

Ehlebracht, Frank

Engelbrecht, Marvin

Fasse, William H.

Fisher, Gene

Fox, Eldred

Freese, Siegmund

Freund, Richard

Frevert, William H.

Fuffner, Calvin

Gieselman, Lambert

Gladish, Gilbert

Halford, Orville

Hauck, Theophil C.

Held, Henry R.

Heldt, Harold

Hilgedick, Norman

Hillebrenner, Emil

Huscher Edward

Knehans, Marvin

Knehans, Maurice

Koenig, William E.

Lefman, Ray

Lefman, Rudy

Lineback, Edward

Meinershagen, Clarence

Meinershagen, Lawrence

Meinershagen, Leroy

Mensenkamp, Raymond

Morstain, Wilbur H.

Niemeier, Herman

Niemeyer, Edward

Oberhelman, Otto

Opfer, Albert

Opfer, Delmar

Opfer, Ferdinand

Pevestorff, Charles

Rabshal, John

Redeker, Burnett

Rehsmeyer, Herman

Ridder, William A.

Ruffner, Calvin

Sander, Robert

Schaefer, Emmett

Schaefer, Gilbert

Schaefer, Paul

Schierioh, John

Schindler, Oliver

Schlomann, Harold A.

Schneider, Herman H.

Schoppenhorst, Clarence

Schroeer, Martin

Smith, Walter

Starke Henry

Stockman, Elmer

Stockman, Rov

Stoecklin, Melvin

Struchtemeyer, Keith

Stuerke, Marvin

Tagtmeyer, Gilbert

Tempel, Roy A.

Vahrenberg, Edwin

Vahrenberg, Louis

Voss, Leonard A.

Wegner, Charles E.

Wehmhoener, Emil

Werning, Elmer

Woltemath, Garret

9

Salem United Church of Christ

1500 Main Street

Higginsville MO 64037

Non-Profit Organization

POSTAGE PAID

Permit NO. 104

Higginsville MO 64037

Return Service Requested

The Lamplighter

January • 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