The story of our faith - the testimony of the Good News - is revealed to us through a rich collection of diverse voices. The four gospels are written decades apart in very different contexts and the 21 letters (or epistles) are attributed to the Apostle Paul, his missionary associates, and seven other apostles! Hearing the Gospel in different voices and contexts is always a valuable opportunity.

This February we will be treated to such a blessing as four guest preachers join us on Sunday mornings. February 13th we welcome Duane Lahti. Duane is in his third and final year at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. February 20th we welcome St. Paul's own Rev. Melanie Werner. Melanie is a chaplain at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL. Finally, February 27th we will celebrate Seminary Sunday with St. Paul's own Gay Bouwmeester and Linda Schambach. Gay and Linda will begin courses in March at Phillips Theological Seminary toward licensed ministry in the United Church of Christ. Please join me in welcoming Duane, Melanie, Gay, and Linda to the pulpit this month.

- Peace, Pastor Liz

The meeting agenda includes voting to approve the 2022 Church Budget, Church Council officers, and the call to Rev. Liz Patz to be our full-time Settled Pastor. One of the responsibilities of church membership is voting on major financial and leadership decisions. A quorum of 41 members is needed to conduct the meeting. The weather is holding steady in our favor.

Essentials that we use every day like a Band-Aid, new socks, or a simple tissue are luxuries for someone without permanent shelter. We know our homeless neighbors gather in Tent City and we reached out to the Elgin Police with an idea: a blessing bag. You can help. Pick-up a drawstring bag from the hall table, fill it with items listed, and return it filled by Sunday, February 20th when we’ll write notes of encouragement for each bag. The bags will be distributed at The Vineyard Church during their breakfast program. Our goal is to fill 60-70 bags. If shopping for the items isn’t possible, monetary contributions are also welcome.  Thank you!

The total receipts for the month of December was $36,685.00 which includes $375.00 for OCWM, $120.00 for Building and Maintenance, $595.00 in Memorials, $37.00 for Coffee Hour, $220.00 for One Hour of Sharing, $191.00 for Strengthen the Church, $200.00 for Neighbors In Need, $487.00 for the Christmas Fund, a generous gift of $20,000.00 and $479.00 in loose offering. We also had $138.00 contributed to the J dollars in December.

We finished 2021 ahead of what was budgeted. The 2021 pledged amount was $145,610.00 and we brought in between the pledges and the contributions $165,728.00. The annual budget amount was $186,646.00 and the year to date spendable income was $211,616.08. We went over our pledged OCWM for the year.

A big thank you for all who have given in 2021. God Bless you! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions on your statements.

Karen Westerman,
Financial Secretary