Pastor’s Corner
January – A New Beginning
First of all, a SPECIAL THANK YOU – To all who did so much to make my Christmas special, your cards, your notes, your gifts, but most of all, for all of YOU. I look forward to each Sunday we are together.
We are now entering our first “ordinary” season in the Christian Year. It comes after the Advent and Christmas Season (which ends with Epiphany). It begins with the celebration of The Baptism of Christ and ends on Ash Wednesday, when we enter the season of Lent. I love this time of year because, unlike the much longer season after Pentecost, this is a time when the earth is silent. This is the time when the growth for this year is beginning, even if it looks brown for now. Here, before Spring, is where hope is born and the new awaits it seasons.
So, on January 12, we will begin a new series (lectionary based) called “New Year, Same Promises.” Every year on New Year’s Eve, we make new promises about how our lives will change. And by the end of January we have broken most of those promises. And even when we keep the promises, they aren’t that fulfilling.
So let’s begin our year, focusing NOT on our own frail promises, but on the promises that God has given to us. These promises, made by God, are unbreakable, and they are promises we can claim as our own.
Jan 12 – God’s Promise of New Life (Ps 29; Matt 3:13-17)
Jan 19 – God’s Promise of Faithfulness (Ps 40:1-11, 1 Cor. 1:1-9)
Jan 26 – God’s Promise of Ministry (Ps 27:1, 4-9, Matt 4:12-23)
Feb 2 – God’s Promise of Blessing (Ps 15; Matt 5:1-12)
Feb 9 – God’s Promise of Guidance (Ps 112:1-10, Matt 5:13-20)
Feb 16 – God’s Promise of Freedom (Ps 119, 1-8, Deut 30:15-20)
This series will give us a foundation to build on this year, remembering the gifts that God has promised are always ours. That the life we have in Christ is real, even when the world feels cold and scary, and when Spring feels like it will never arrive.
The color of “ordinary time” is green, it is a sign of growth, so here in winter, when green is hard to find, let us surround ourselves with the green growth of God’s promises.
In Jesus,
Pastor Bobbie
The Joys of Volunteering at Northwest – Pastor Bobbie
Living in Sedalia, it is hard for me to find ways to connect with the Houstonia and Hughesville community. However, I have discovered my own “special space” by using my Friday Mornings as a volunteer at Northwest Elementary. It was quite a process, I needed to be fingerprinted and approved by the board, but it is tremendous fun to see the kids. So far, I have been privileged to listen to little ones read aloud as well as work with Kindergarten on counting to ten. I joke that if I go any higher, I will have to take my shoes off to count.
I wasn’t sure how it would go. But the moment I walked in the front door, all the kids from Vacation Bible School immediately recognized me and were overjoyed to see my face. The teachers also were excited to know that we cared, not just about getting kids to come to us, but about helping them.
For many years I have had the privilege of seeing our children graduate and participating in the Baccalaureate Service and meeting them through Vacation Bible School. So, it is very special to see them at the beginning.
Camp Covenant Point
On January 2nd, Missouri Union Presbytery met at a special called meeting to accept a bid to sell the Camp Covenant Point property, in all. Meeting was opened with prayer by MUP Moderator Don Bay. The bid was presented to the group, discussed, questions answered, and motion was approved to accept the offer. Assuming the paperwork will be filed and payment is made, on January 26, 2020, the camp will no longer be in the Presbytery’s possession.
So, the Presbytery has announced that on January 18th, at 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., “to help us say goodbye, we’re inviting everyone out to spend one last afternoon with us at Covenant Point. Come join us for hot chocolate and s’mores around a camp fire, sharing fond memories about a camp that has been such a special place for so many of us. There will also be a brief service at 4:00 p.m.”
J. R. Greer, Commissioned Elder
*********************************************************************************************
Section L--Longwood Presbyterian News
Presbyterian Women
Instead of having a meeting in December PW decided to visit Bill & Margaret Schlomer. We took along cookies and most of the husbands and had a nice visit. We also purchased a poinsettia for each of our nursing home residents. We hope that everyone had a blessed holiday with their loved ones.
Our church Christmas mission this year was to put together boxes for 14 families in the community. Everyone was very generous, donating most everything needed and the PW provided a few extras to top off the box. Thank you everyone for your help and generosity. We had a whole pick-up bed full of boxes to deliver. Ho Ho Ho!
Our Christmas Program was very touching and prepared us for the real reason for this season. Our young ones did a great job with a short play documenting the birth of Christ with lots of angels, wise men, animals and of course Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. Thank you to all the ladies helping to organize and produce this fine program. It is always so touching to take communion, and sing Silent Night by candle light. We would like to especially thank David Schlomer for playing our piano, so good to hear the piano again. Andromeda had a little stage fright but as we were partaking of our usual finger foods after the program we could hear her playing her Christmas songs on the piano, good job Andromeda.
PW would like to wish everyone a prosperous and blessed New Year in 2020.--Sharon
Retrieving Freedom (Repeat article):
I am Andromeda Brouillette. I’m working on my silver award for Girl Scouts. I’m doing a supply drive for Retrieving Freedom. Retrieving Freedom is a program for service dogs that are in training and the service dogs are for people who military and veterans and people who have Autism. They are opening a facility in Sedalia. I’m trying to get the supplies by January 12, since the dogs will be arriving in mid-January. They will be moving into the facility before then, so we can take donations before then as well.
Some of the supplies we are collecting are: cleaning supplies, paper supplies, towels, kitchen supplies, queen bed sheets, toiletries, blanket/throws, pillows, laundry supplies, pet supplies and toys, raised water bowl platforms, fabric treat bags (easily cleanable), collar bandannas, lint roller hooks.
We can also take: cash donations and gift cards from Walmart, Pet smart and Amazon.
Our Sympathies
Please keep the family of Bill Ficken in your prayers. Bill passed away this past week and his funeral will be on January 9. We extend our deepest sympathies to Thelma Ficken and Debbie Brown, and their families.
Charles and Barb Lawrence’s friend Virginia Dekle passed away December 29th. Please keep her husband, Charles, and her friends and family in your prayers.
Cares and Concerns
Please keep these folks in your prayers. Some are in nursing homes and would also enjoy your visit:
Chili & Soup Supper
Longwood Presbyterian Church
January 25th 2020
Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00
(or when we run out of Chili & Soup)
Cost: $8.00 adults, $4.00 children 6-12
*********************************************************************************************
Section R--Range Line Presbyterian News
Submitted by Pastor Bobbie
on behalf of Georgia Reid
News from RLC
We had a wonderful Advent Season, with families from the church taking turns with our Advent Wreath. With the candles getting down so low, it will be important to replace them for next year. But new this year was a gift by Faye. When she and JR Chamberlain went back to visit her family over Thanksgiving, she discovered a gorgeous china Nativity Set, which she carefully brought to us, and which made Christmas even more meaningful.
We culminated the season with a wonderful Christmas Eve Together as a family. Pastor Bobbie planned the event this year. She “busted her buttons” when her granddaughter Andromeda B played Jingle Bells on the piano after the prelude. Jennifer, as always, had special music as the prelude, and touched our hearts. The Ricky Alexander Family read a poem based on the Leo Tolstoy story of the Cobbler and the Visit on Christmas day. Based around the Advent Wreath, we told the story of Jesus as the Hope of the World. The children had their turn, as they received finger puppets to tell the Christmas Story. We closed with candles in cupcakes, singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, followed by Silent Night.
This would have been a wonderful month, however Georgia Reid developed the flu the Sunday after Christmas and was hospitalized with pneumonia.
Deacons
Christmas is always busy for the Deacons. They prepared 11 boxes of cookies, with the Sunday School kids decorating the boxes, as well as collecting a multitude of jackets for those in need. The jackets we given to Open Doors. They send a special thank you to all who participated.
CARES AND CONCERNS
Ted and Helen Coffelt
Bill and Margaret Schlomer
Elijah Johnson
Alan Meyer
Kenny Reid
Esther Brown
Georgia Reid
The family of Bill Ficken
DATES AHEAD
Jan. 1--Welcome 2020
Jan. 12--Called congregational meeting following worship (snow date 1-19)
Feb. 2--First Communion of 2020
*********************************************************************************************
From the Internet:
Thanks to everyone who provides us with the material in this section of our newsletter.—editors
Have you heard the story of Jim Smith and Ron Jones? Jim went to church one Sunday morning. He heard the organist miss a note, and he winced. He saw a teen talking when everyone else was praying. He felt certain the usher was watching to see what he put in the offering plate, and it made him boil. Five times, by actual count, he caught the preacher in a slip-of-the-tongue mistakes.
During the invitation, he slipped out the side door, all the while muttering to himself, “What a waste of time!”
Ron went to church, also. He heard the pianist play an arrangement of, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” and he was stirred to worship by the majesty of it. A special missions offering was received, and he was glad his church was doing what they could for people around the world.
He especially appreciated the sermon that Sunday; it really spoke to a need in his life. He thought, as he shook the preacher’s hand and left, “How can anyone come here and not feel the presence of the Lord?”
Both men were in the same church the same day. Each found what he was looking for. It has been said that churches and banks are much alike in one respect: “What one gets out is, for the most part, dependent upon what one puts in.” (copied)
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each one of us has cause to think deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
He cried. He knew Lazarus was dead before he got the news. But still, He cried. He knew Lazarus would be alive again in moments. But still, He cried. He knew death here is not forever. He knew eternity and the kingdom better than anyone else could. Yet, He wept because this world is full of pain and regret, and loss and depression and devastation. He wept because knowing the end of the story doesn’t mean you can’t cry at the sad parts. (shared by Dianna Marcum on Facebook)
Someone, somewhere, is depending on you to do what God has called you to do. Clergy Coaching Network.
I never knew how strong I was until I had to forgive someone who wasn’t sorry, and accept an apology I never received.—Clergy Coaching Network
It is not happy people who are grateful—it is grateful people who are happy.—(shared by Renee Moore, FB)
Apologizing doesn’t always mean you’re wrong and the other person is right. It just means you value your relationship more than your ego.—Clergy Coaching N.
God sometimes takes us into troubled waters, not to drown us, but to cleanse us. –Unknown
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.—Carl Bard
Pretty words aren’t always true and true words aren’t always pretty.—(shared by Dianna Marcum, FB)
January – A New Beginning
First of all, a SPECIAL THANK YOU – To all who did so much to make my Christmas special, your cards, your notes, your gifts, but most of all, for all of YOU. I look forward to each Sunday we are together.
We are now entering our first “ordinary” season in the Christian Year. It comes after the Advent and Christmas Season (which ends with Epiphany). It begins with the celebration of The Baptism of Christ and ends on Ash Wednesday, when we enter the season of Lent. I love this time of year because, unlike the much longer season after Pentecost, this is a time when the earth is silent. This is the time when the growth for this year is beginning, even if it looks brown for now. Here, before Spring, is where hope is born and the new awaits it seasons.
So, on January 12, we will begin a new series (lectionary based) called “New Year, Same Promises.” Every year on New Year’s Eve, we make new promises about how our lives will change. And by the end of January we have broken most of those promises. And even when we keep the promises, they aren’t that fulfilling.
So let’s begin our year, focusing NOT on our own frail promises, but on the promises that God has given to us. These promises, made by God, are unbreakable, and they are promises we can claim as our own.
Jan 12 – God’s Promise of New Life (Ps 29; Matt 3:13-17)
Jan 19 – God’s Promise of Faithfulness (Ps 40:1-11, 1 Cor. 1:1-9)
Jan 26 – God’s Promise of Ministry (Ps 27:1, 4-9, Matt 4:12-23)
Feb 2 – God’s Promise of Blessing (Ps 15; Matt 5:1-12)
Feb 9 – God’s Promise of Guidance (Ps 112:1-10, Matt 5:13-20)
Feb 16 – God’s Promise of Freedom (Ps 119, 1-8, Deut 30:15-20)
This series will give us a foundation to build on this year, remembering the gifts that God has promised are always ours. That the life we have in Christ is real, even when the world feels cold and scary, and when Spring feels like it will never arrive.
The color of “ordinary time” is green, it is a sign of growth, so here in winter, when green is hard to find, let us surround ourselves with the green growth of God’s promises.
In Jesus,
Pastor Bobbie
The Joys of Volunteering at Northwest – Pastor Bobbie
Living in Sedalia, it is hard for me to find ways to connect with the Houstonia and Hughesville community. However, I have discovered my own “special space” by using my Friday Mornings as a volunteer at Northwest Elementary. It was quite a process, I needed to be fingerprinted and approved by the board, but it is tremendous fun to see the kids. So far, I have been privileged to listen to little ones read aloud as well as work with Kindergarten on counting to ten. I joke that if I go any higher, I will have to take my shoes off to count.
I wasn’t sure how it would go. But the moment I walked in the front door, all the kids from Vacation Bible School immediately recognized me and were overjoyed to see my face. The teachers also were excited to know that we cared, not just about getting kids to come to us, but about helping them.
For many years I have had the privilege of seeing our children graduate and participating in the Baccalaureate Service and meeting them through Vacation Bible School. So, it is very special to see them at the beginning.
Camp Covenant Point
On January 2nd, Missouri Union Presbytery met at a special called meeting to accept a bid to sell the Camp Covenant Point property, in all. Meeting was opened with prayer by MUP Moderator Don Bay. The bid was presented to the group, discussed, questions answered, and motion was approved to accept the offer. Assuming the paperwork will be filed and payment is made, on January 26, 2020, the camp will no longer be in the Presbytery’s possession.
So, the Presbytery has announced that on January 18th, at 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., “to help us say goodbye, we’re inviting everyone out to spend one last afternoon with us at Covenant Point. Come join us for hot chocolate and s’mores around a camp fire, sharing fond memories about a camp that has been such a special place for so many of us. There will also be a brief service at 4:00 p.m.”
J. R. Greer, Commissioned Elder
*********************************************************************************************
Section L--Longwood Presbyterian News
Presbyterian Women
Instead of having a meeting in December PW decided to visit Bill & Margaret Schlomer. We took along cookies and most of the husbands and had a nice visit. We also purchased a poinsettia for each of our nursing home residents. We hope that everyone had a blessed holiday with their loved ones.
Our church Christmas mission this year was to put together boxes for 14 families in the community. Everyone was very generous, donating most everything needed and the PW provided a few extras to top off the box. Thank you everyone for your help and generosity. We had a whole pick-up bed full of boxes to deliver. Ho Ho Ho!
Our Christmas Program was very touching and prepared us for the real reason for this season. Our young ones did a great job with a short play documenting the birth of Christ with lots of angels, wise men, animals and of course Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. Thank you to all the ladies helping to organize and produce this fine program. It is always so touching to take communion, and sing Silent Night by candle light. We would like to especially thank David Schlomer for playing our piano, so good to hear the piano again. Andromeda had a little stage fright but as we were partaking of our usual finger foods after the program we could hear her playing her Christmas songs on the piano, good job Andromeda.
PW would like to wish everyone a prosperous and blessed New Year in 2020.--Sharon
Retrieving Freedom (Repeat article):
I am Andromeda Brouillette. I’m working on my silver award for Girl Scouts. I’m doing a supply drive for Retrieving Freedom. Retrieving Freedom is a program for service dogs that are in training and the service dogs are for people who military and veterans and people who have Autism. They are opening a facility in Sedalia. I’m trying to get the supplies by January 12, since the dogs will be arriving in mid-January. They will be moving into the facility before then, so we can take donations before then as well.
Some of the supplies we are collecting are: cleaning supplies, paper supplies, towels, kitchen supplies, queen bed sheets, toiletries, blanket/throws, pillows, laundry supplies, pet supplies and toys, raised water bowl platforms, fabric treat bags (easily cleanable), collar bandannas, lint roller hooks.
We can also take: cash donations and gift cards from Walmart, Pet smart and Amazon.
Our Sympathies
Please keep the family of Bill Ficken in your prayers. Bill passed away this past week and his funeral will be on January 9. We extend our deepest sympathies to Thelma Ficken and Debbie Brown, and their families.
Charles and Barb Lawrence’s friend Virginia Dekle passed away December 29th. Please keep her husband, Charles, and her friends and family in your prayers.
Cares and Concerns
Please keep these folks in your prayers. Some are in nursing homes and would also enjoy your visit:
- Esther Brown, at Pilot Grove
- Bill & Margaret Schlomer at Golden Oaks
- Marjorie Haley at Sylvia Thompson, Sedalia
- Helen Coffelt (and Ted)—Helen is at Sylvia Thompson, Ted has been in the hospital
- Calvin (and Mary) Kirchhoff at Golden Oaks
- Georgia Reid, at Fitzgibon with pneumonia
- Renee Moore
- Scott Moore
Chili & Soup Supper
Longwood Presbyterian Church
January 25th 2020
Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00
(or when we run out of Chili & Soup)
Cost: $8.00 adults, $4.00 children 6-12
*********************************************************************************************
Section R--Range Line Presbyterian News
Submitted by Pastor Bobbie
on behalf of Georgia Reid
News from RLC
We had a wonderful Advent Season, with families from the church taking turns with our Advent Wreath. With the candles getting down so low, it will be important to replace them for next year. But new this year was a gift by Faye. When she and JR Chamberlain went back to visit her family over Thanksgiving, she discovered a gorgeous china Nativity Set, which she carefully brought to us, and which made Christmas even more meaningful.
We culminated the season with a wonderful Christmas Eve Together as a family. Pastor Bobbie planned the event this year. She “busted her buttons” when her granddaughter Andromeda B played Jingle Bells on the piano after the prelude. Jennifer, as always, had special music as the prelude, and touched our hearts. The Ricky Alexander Family read a poem based on the Leo Tolstoy story of the Cobbler and the Visit on Christmas day. Based around the Advent Wreath, we told the story of Jesus as the Hope of the World. The children had their turn, as they received finger puppets to tell the Christmas Story. We closed with candles in cupcakes, singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, followed by Silent Night.
This would have been a wonderful month, however Georgia Reid developed the flu the Sunday after Christmas and was hospitalized with pneumonia.
Deacons
Christmas is always busy for the Deacons. They prepared 11 boxes of cookies, with the Sunday School kids decorating the boxes, as well as collecting a multitude of jackets for those in need. The jackets we given to Open Doors. They send a special thank you to all who participated.
CARES AND CONCERNS
Ted and Helen Coffelt
Bill and Margaret Schlomer
Elijah Johnson
Alan Meyer
Kenny Reid
Esther Brown
Georgia Reid
The family of Bill Ficken
DATES AHEAD
Jan. 1--Welcome 2020
Jan. 12--Called congregational meeting following worship (snow date 1-19)
Feb. 2--First Communion of 2020
*********************************************************************************************
From the Internet:
Thanks to everyone who provides us with the material in this section of our newsletter.—editors
Have you heard the story of Jim Smith and Ron Jones? Jim went to church one Sunday morning. He heard the organist miss a note, and he winced. He saw a teen talking when everyone else was praying. He felt certain the usher was watching to see what he put in the offering plate, and it made him boil. Five times, by actual count, he caught the preacher in a slip-of-the-tongue mistakes.
During the invitation, he slipped out the side door, all the while muttering to himself, “What a waste of time!”
Ron went to church, also. He heard the pianist play an arrangement of, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” and he was stirred to worship by the majesty of it. A special missions offering was received, and he was glad his church was doing what they could for people around the world.
He especially appreciated the sermon that Sunday; it really spoke to a need in his life. He thought, as he shook the preacher’s hand and left, “How can anyone come here and not feel the presence of the Lord?”
Both men were in the same church the same day. Each found what he was looking for. It has been said that churches and banks are much alike in one respect: “What one gets out is, for the most part, dependent upon what one puts in.” (copied)
At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each one of us has cause to think deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.
He cried. He knew Lazarus was dead before he got the news. But still, He cried. He knew Lazarus would be alive again in moments. But still, He cried. He knew death here is not forever. He knew eternity and the kingdom better than anyone else could. Yet, He wept because this world is full of pain and regret, and loss and depression and devastation. He wept because knowing the end of the story doesn’t mean you can’t cry at the sad parts. (shared by Dianna Marcum on Facebook)
Someone, somewhere, is depending on you to do what God has called you to do. Clergy Coaching Network.
I never knew how strong I was until I had to forgive someone who wasn’t sorry, and accept an apology I never received.—Clergy Coaching Network
It is not happy people who are grateful—it is grateful people who are happy.—(shared by Renee Moore, FB)
Apologizing doesn’t always mean you’re wrong and the other person is right. It just means you value your relationship more than your ego.—Clergy Coaching N.
God sometimes takes us into troubled waters, not to drown us, but to cleanse us. –Unknown
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.—Carl Bard
Pretty words aren’t always true and true words aren’t always pretty.—(shared by Dianna Marcum, FB)