A Word from Wendy
He went trudging through the leaves of mid-November, struggling to stay on his feet as the damp leaves clung to the hem of his pants and his shoes. The leaves were beautiful this time of year, but he knew that the piles around his feet indicated that soon the trees would be bare again. He trudged on, never stopping, ever vigilant.
He knew he seemed to be walking fast to the older generations, and he seemed to move ever so slowly to the younger generations, but in reality, he walked steadily, never changing his course, neither speeding up, nor slowing down. His job was to march on – ever diligent – ever faithful.
As he hit December he knew he had arrived in winter, not just by the sharpness in the air, but because of the decorations he saw on all the street lamps and store windows. A thousand lights were everywhere he looked. He knew it was time for the birthday of the world’s Savior again.
He did something then that he only did in December…he looked back. He didn’t stop, or even break his stride, but as Time looked back over his shoulder, he saw the moment that everything had changed for him. He smiled thoughtfully, then continued his march.
Time was a friend to some, and considered an enemy by others. He hadn’t done anything in particular to hurt anyone, but some found him vile just the same. It was only in God’s hands that he became perfected. It was only in God’s hands that everything fell into place at exactly the right time. It was that way over 2,000 years ago when God’s Son had been born – the timing had been, oh so right, and God made Time perfect again each day in the lives of all who trusted God with their whole lives. In God’s hands, he was no longer enemy or foe, friend or relative…he just was. People didn’t seem to find him distressing any more once they put God in charge. They didn’t seem to worry if he was running, walking, or limping. They were just content with whatever came their way, because they knew it was in God's timing and God’s plan.
Just as God had changed Abram to Abraham, Peter to “the rock,” and Saul into Paul, in God’s hands his name changed from Time to Providence (aka Divine Direction). His name had changed at the birth of God’s Son so long ago. So, in honor of the child, each December since the birth, he looked back, thought of that moment when everything changed – when he had become perfected through God – smiled, and walked on.
Time is always perfect in God’s hands.
Peace & Cookies, Wendy
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Congregational Meeting
There will be a congregational meeting immediately following worship service on Sunday, December 3, 2017 to elect elders and to approve the salary changes for Pastor Wendy.
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Holiday Worship
Advent/Christmas Theme – Angels Among Us: #DoNotBeAfraid (Flying in the Face of Fear at Advent!)
Sunday, Dec. 3 – “Make Ready A People: #morehope”
Scripture Drama: Zechariah/Solo – Lanin Thomasma; Elizabeth – Jean Thomasma; Angel Gabriel – Bill Cape
Sunday, Dec. 10 – “Nothing Is Impossible: #morepeace”
Scripture Drama: Mary/Solo – Becky Daniels; Elizabeth – Jean Thomasma; Angel Gabriel – Bill Cape
Sunday, Dec. 17 – “Don’t Be Afraid: #morejoy”
Scripture Drama: Joseph – Alex Settles; Angel – Rob Bowness
Sunday, Dec. 24 – “This Will Be A Sign: #morelove”
Scripture Drama: Narrator #1 – Wendy Downing; Narrator #2 – Caroline Viehman; Shepherds – (not yet cast); Heavenly Choir – Presbyterian Singers; Angel – Rob Bowness
Sunday, Dec. 24th/Christmas Eve Service –
“The Lullaby of Christmas: #heishere”
Scripture Drama: Angel #1 – Bill Cape; Angel #2 – Rob Bowness; Soloist – Claire Settles; Nativity: Claire, Aiden & Maddie Settles, Kate & Trevor Bell, Sela & John Henry Bell, Riley Bouse, Chase & Emma Labbee, Sarah Hajek, (this may not be a complete list!)
Sunday, Dec. 31 – 1st Sunday after Christmas
“Get Up And Go: #morelife”
Scripture Drama: Joseph – Alex Settles; Angel – Rob Bowness; Wise Ones: (not yet cast); Herod: Rob Viehman
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Presbyterian Women
The Steelville Presbyterian Women will meet on Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 2 p.m. for our Advent program and cookie party. All women of the church are invited to bring two-dozen of your favorite cookies and help us assemble and distribute them to our local first responders after the meeting. Please contact Shirley Stulce or Lisa DuLany with any questions.
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Congratulations To
Becca, Nick & Lilah Altman on the birth of their daughter/sister, Evelyn Kate, born November 8, 2017. Evelyn weighed in at 8 lbs. 4 oz. and was 21” long! She is named after her 2nd great grandmother and her aunt Katy with whom she shares a birthday!
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A BIG Thanks To
Rob Bowness for playing the part of the potter in the Jeremiah sermon for the Community Thanksgiving service!
All who got Operation Christmas Child Boxes ready for Christmas. We had 40 boxes! Thanks to Linda Hawthorne for heading up the project, to Rob Viehman for getting all the boxes ready, to Judy, Alexis, Spencer Parkinson, & Phoebe Henson for delivering the boxes!
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Christmas Poinsettias
We are planning to have poinsettias on display in the sanctuary for the Christmas season. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory or in honor of family members or other loved ones, please pick up an order form from the library table and place it in the offering plate along with your check. Red and white poinsettias will be available for $12 each.
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Youth News
A BIG thanks to the following people for providing snack suppers/helping during meetings for the month of November: Kim Zeiss, Janice McMillen, and Elaine Bell
Upcoming Sunday Events
Dec. 3 – Christmas Lessons: Saying Yes!
Dec. 10 – Christmas Lessons: Spreading Joy!
Dec. 17 – Christmas Lessons: December 26th & Beyond!
Dec. 24, 31 & Jan. 7 – Christmas and New Year’s Break (no youth group meetings)
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Yes, it is true
The Adams family west of Steelville has left Crawford County. George and Sharon were just passing through. They had lived in Columbia for 42 years and they have returned to within six miles of their original home. They lived in Crawford County for eleven years, and in that length of time they watched the 4th generation of the Adams family that had lived four miles west of Steelville on Highway 8 for approximately 170 years dwindle to only the two of them. Their new contact information is: George & Sharon Adams, 3750 Miller Dr. Apt 1318, Columbia MO 65201. Telephone: 573 607-9266. Email: adamsrib@misn.com. If you are going to Columbia, let them know. They would love to see you!
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Christmas Joy Offering
Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we turn our eyes to Bethlehem and celebrate the wondrous gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior. By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, you honor this gift by providing assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and developing our future leaders at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges.
Please use the special envelopes that have been placed in the pews to contribute to this special offering throughout Advent. By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, we can share in the hope of Christ and celebrate his leadership.
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October Treasurer's Report
| Balance at First of Year |
$13,884.60 |
| 2017 Revenues |
$93,692.85 |
| 2017 Expenditures |
($90,097.75) |
| Balance at End of Month |
$17,479.70 |
**Restricted contributions not included in receipts and expenditures.
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Meals of Love
The December Meals of Love will be served on December 30th. The ladies on point to bring desserts in December are Carol Banta, Lisa DuLany, Amy England, Jodie Cottrell, Kim Zeiss, Mary Lou England, Deloris Bell, Carol Halbert, Susan Bell, Tena Slovensky, Shirley Stulce, and Colleen Schmidt. Desserts need to be at the Community Building by 11 a.m. If you are unable to bake, please find someone to bake in your place so that we have enough. If you have any questions, contact Shirley Stulce at 775-2785.
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Food Pantry
The Food Pantry donation for December is canned corn and for January is canned fruit. The Food Pantry is in constant need of items such as laundry soap, dish soap, shampoo, and other personal items. Please consider making these items part of your regular donation to the Food Pantry.
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Cookie Walk & Holiday Bazaar
Cuba United Methodist Church will hold their annual Cookie Walk & Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, December 2nd, 8 a.m. - noon. Proceeds will send children to Christian camps. Purchase cookies for $7 per pound and do a little Christmas shopping. All items are handmade by church members.
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Prayer List
Cuba Manor: Ann Hodge, Bonnie Lea
Victorian Place of Cuba: Velma Allison, Ina Bouse, Camille Ogden, Elizabeth Schmidt, Mary West, Darrell WIlliamson, Jean Beasley
Life Care Center of Sullivan: Ed & Doris Lakaner
Silverstone Place of Rolla: Wanda Ransom
St. James Living Center: Ed Campbell
Becky (Perkins) Barnette, Bill Barnicle, Dawson Barr, Stephan Bass, Levi Beel, Barbara Berry, Riley Bouse, Mike Britton, Betty Bryan, Damian Bryan, Alan Bryant, Jim Cain, David Cape, Jim Chapman, Bill and Gloria Coffman, John & Mary Cox, Andy Cuba (Elaine Bell's brother), Larry Deering (member of Trinity Chapel), Kerry Downing, Paul Dunn (friend of Karin West), Billy Earney, Christy Foster, Linda Gleason (Lanin & Jean Thomasma's niece), Judy Gray, Lucas Halbert, Rodney Halbert, Russell Halbert, Rosie Hamilton, Hardin family, Linda Hawthorne, Donna Hawthorne, Bernard Mooremann, Linda Ogden, Ted Palmer, Frank Rehor (Amy England's uncle), Michael Riley, Cindy Spencer, David Starzyk, Donna Stieber, Michael Stroup, Tina Stulce, Virginia Thomasma (Lanin's mother), Brian Turner, Judy Vickers, Whitney Waller, Wayne Wecking (friend of Linda Hawthorne), Roger West (Karin's brother), Dawson Wynn, and Clay Young, Sr., families involved in Texas church shooting, and all those serving in our Armed Forces.
If you would like to add someone to our Prayer List, please email the church office at spchurch@misn.com.
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December Calendar of Activities
Click here for the event calendar on the church website.
Every Sunday
9:30 a.m. - Sunday School classes
10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship
5 p.m. - Youth Group
7 p.m. - AA Meeting
Every Thursday
4 p.m. - Cub Scouts
7 p.m. - AA Meeting
Sunday, December 3, 10:30 a.m. - We will celebrate communion during morning worship.
11:30 a.m. - Congregational Meeting
Wednesday, December 6, 6 p.m. - 4-H Meeting
Saturday, December 9, 12 p.m. - Roper Hall reserved for baby shower.
Sunday, December 10, 2 p.m. - Presbyterian Women Meeting
Wednesday, December 13, 5 p.m. - Girl Scouts
Saturday, December 16, 10 a.m. - Roper Hall reserved
Wednesday, December 20, 6 p.m. - Session Meeting
Sunday, December 24, 7 p.m. - Christmas Eve Service
Tuesday, December 26, 11 a.m. - Ministerial Alliance Meeting
Saturday, December 30, 12 p.m. - Meals of Love
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December Birthdays & Anniversaries
| 1st |
Tina Stulce |
Birthday |
| 2nd |
Carolyn Taylor |
Birthday |
| 2nd |
John Henry Bell |
Birthday |
| 2nd |
Brian & Angela Pitts |
Anniversary |
| 3rd |
Tena Slovensky |
Birthday |
| 4th |
Jacob Ransom |
Birthday |
| 4th |
Eric Schmidt |
Birthday |
| 7th |
Steve Zeiss |
Birthday |
| 7th |
Tucker Labbee |
Birthday |
| 12th |
Jacqueline West |
Birthday |
| 14th |
Emma England |
Birthday |
| 16th |
Alice House |
Birthday |
| 16th |
David & Colleen Schmidt |
Anniversary |
| 21st |
Rob Viehman |
Birthday |
| 26th |
Christy Foster |
Birthday |
| 27th |
Jim & Martha Snodgrass |
Anniversary |
| 29th |
Rob Bowness |
Birthday |
| 30th |
Ray Atchison |
Birthday |
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