Volume 59, Issue 1
Page 9
/ EVANGELINESEVANGELICAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
Blessed to be a blessing
Volume 59, Issue 1______January 2015
“FACES TO THE COAL”
During World War II, England needed to increase its production of coal. Winston Churchill called together labor leaders to enlist their support. At the end of his presentation he asked them to picture in their minds a parade which he knew would be held in Picadilly Circus after the war.
First, he said, would come the sailors who had kept the vital sea lanes open. Then would come the soldiers who had come home from Dunkirk and then gone on to defeat Rommel in Africa. Then would come the pilots who had driven the Luftwaffe from the sky.
Last of all, he said, would come a long line of sweat-stained, soot-streaked men in miner's caps. Someone would cry from the crowd, 'And where were you during the critical days of our struggle?' And from ten thousand throats would come the answer, 'We were deep in the earth with our faces to the coal.'"
Not all the jobs in a church are prominent and glamorous. But it is often the people with their "faces to the coal" who help the church accomplish its mission. (Don McCullough, Waking from the American Dream.)
As we begin the New Year how are we going to be servants of our God? How are we going to reach out to our larger world? Jesus calls us to be people who are not afraid to wash each other’s feet. He calls us to put our “faces to the coal”. These acts of service may not be glamorous. They may not be things which give us a lot of personal attention and personal rewards, but they are vital to the growth of our community of faith. These acts of service could mean being a part of the Breakfast Brigade by working in the kitchen where nobody will see you. It could mean volunteering to be on one of our Church Boards or Committees. It could mean just greeting a guest who visits our church. It could mean working in the local food pantry or helping serve meals at a homeless shelter. These are ways that we put our “faces to the coal.”
We have much that can be accomplished at EvUCC. Jesus is alive and well and wants us to not be afraid to take some risks. So, what kind of risks are we going to take? Are we willing to be people who are not afraid to be foot washers as we work to build up God’s Kingdom on earth? We must always remember that it is not about us, it is about Jesus.
Peace in the Risen Christ!
Pastor Chris
SYMBOLS OF CHRISTMAS
I’ve noticed Christmas takes a lot of heat these days for being such a “gross deviation from its Christian traditions” (I’m not sure who I’m quoting there...). Some of this disenchantment I think rightly has its place, but I also thought it might be helpful to offer a refresher on the so-called “secular” parts of Christmas which actually come from some very religious beginnings:
*Santa Claus- Nicholas was a man living in Turkey during the 4th century. He became bishop of Myra (Byzantine Empire, if that means something to you) and later was a saint (Saint Nicholas=Saint Nick). He is famed for selflessly giving generous gifts to the people of his land, including dowries to three young ladies so that they would not have to resort to prostitution. The Dutch translation (hey, I’m Dutch!) of this man’s title is “Sinterklaas” which is where we get the title Santa Claus. This “secular figure” has extremely Christian roots and values and was an amazing evangelist for Jesus.
*Decorated Christmas trees- While Mary, Joseph, and Co. probably didn’t throw up a Christmas tree in the stable/cave, the evergreen tree is purposeful to the season. Because it is “ever-green”, it is meant to connote a sense of both everlasting life (like Christ himself) and perseverance through trial (winter- a season of ‘lack’). Candles, lights, and shiny décor have historically always been used to emphasize/celebrate the items they adorn, so if the evergreen is a symbol of Christ’s life and His perseverance through trial, the lights and ornamentation are meant to draw extra emphasis to that Christian truth. (Note: Candles + Christmas tree= 1 big candle)
*Star on the tree- This symbolizes the star that the Magi (the Bible never says there are 3 FYI, and they probably were astrologers, not kings) followed to come to Christ’s birth. The star is a heavenly symbol used in many religions as a guiding force to a greater Truth, and in this case, we place it atop a symbol of ever-lasting life (the tree). This is analogous to us putting a crown of thorns on top of the vertical post of a cross at Lent. It speaks to a consequence of the symbol on which it rests.
*Presents- Not only is this symbolic of the Magi’s gifts to Christ’s family, but also the idea that Christ is the Ultimate Gift to us from God, and so we should “pay it forward.” We give gifts as if to say, “because God has given me a gift [Jesus], I want to give you a gift, so that you know that He’s done the same for you.” In this vein, the Christian understanding of gift-giving at Christmas is TRULY and TOTALLY about the “thought that counts”, not the actual present. So the hideous pink bunny suit from Aunt Clara means, “Jesus loves you.”
*Xmas- This is not a secular way of avoiding the word, “Christmas”. The word Christmas is a combination of 2 words, “Christ” and “Mass” (our Catholic brothers and sisters still call worship, “mass”). In Greek, the word “Christ” is spelled, “Xpristos”, so the “X” is just a shortened Greek way to say “Christ”. Xmas is still “Christ’s worship.”
*Stale Fruit Cake- Biblical scholars have discovered that both fruit and cake do just fine on their own and don’t need to join forces.
Love your hearts,
Pastor Will
NEW SPARK CLASSES TO BEGIN
As we begin the New Year the following “Spark” Classes will begin Sunday, January 11, 2015. They are: “Deuteronomy: A Challenge to a New Generation” taught by Lynn Beil; “Balancing Life’s Demands taught by Darrell Johns; “Grace” taught by Donna Plocher; and “The Purpose Driven Life” taught by Laura Foerster. Please consider beginning the New Year by taking advantage of this opportunity to learn more about our God. Descriptions for these classes and sign-up can be found on the card table in the Narthex of the church.
“NEEDED: Birds and Bees Stuffed Animals”
January’s sermon series at ignite1015 is called the “Spiritual Birds and Bees”, and Pastor Will is requesting any stuffed animal birds or bees that could be borrowed for a few weeks in January be brought into the church office. Thanks so much!
BLESSING BOOKLET
In November, the Stewardship Board began a year-long project that reflects the 2015 stewardship theme of BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING. We are compiling a book that will contain various reflections on ways our members have been BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING. Each month, we will present a specific question about BLESSINGS, and will then ask each of you to submit your completed answer on the supplied paper and turn it in so we can include the submissions in the book. The first Sunday of each month is when a different question will be presented, but the submissions can be turned in at any time in the offering plate or dropped in the little wooden church that sits in the narthex.
In addition, we would like to include sections in the book of submitted prayers and short stories that are reflective of the theme, BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING. Can you think of a particular time when you used your blessings to bless someone else? How about a time you felt blessed? The short stories should be no longer than 2 pages. These items can be turned in to the church office at any time; please mark STEWARDSHIP BOARD on the items so they are directed to the appropriate place. Thank you for your work on this project already and please continue to participate in the upcoming months. I think we will all be amazed at how the members of EvUCC have been BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING. Once complete, the books will be given out to members of the congregation.
January’s Question: “This year I will be a blessing to someone by……”
KINDERCOTTAGE COLLECTION
During the month of January, the Stewardship board will be collecting underwear and socks for the children at KinderCottage. There will be a collection box in the narthex from January 4 - February 1. Various sizes of the items are needed. This is a much needed ministry, and the staff and children of KinderCottage are much appreciative of our generous donations.
Thank you.
You are BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING. ;)
THE CHURCH OF “WHAT IF”
WHAT IF you had approximately three hours to spare on Wednesday evening, January 28, 2015? WHAT IF you spent those three hours making a difference in the lives of some homeless men? Forty-four homeless men will check in for the night at the Sunshine Ministries Shelter that evening for a meal, fellowship, and a bed for the night.
Since January of 2013, members of our Men’s Fellowship Group have been going to St. Louis one night every other month and serving the evening meal at the Shelter. Six times a year – three hours each time. We do not prepare the meal, just serve and help clean up floors and tables. Other volunteers prepare the food and wash dishes. We have the easy job!
You will serve the food and have an opportunity to visit with some of the residents. The Shelter is very accessible – just two blocks off the new Stan Musial/Veterans Bridge. It takes about 30 minutes to get there. We leave the church parking lot around 4:45 pm and usually return before 8:00 pm. It takes about six people at the most. Men or women are invited to serve.
To learn more about Sunshine Ministries, check out their website - Sunshine Ministries.org. If you are interested in going with us in January or another time, contact Gene Redman at 654-3647 or . We’d love to have you join us!
Gene Redman
CHURCH BREAKFAST
The next Church Breakfast will be Sunday, January 25th from 9:00 to 10:30. Please join us between services for fellowship, fun and of course, breakfast!
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Our next Men’s Breakfast is Saturday, January 10th at 8:00 a.m. Our discussion topic will be “Living in the Spirit”. Please join us for breakfast, fellowship and conversation.
WOMEN’S GUILD
The Women's Guild will not be meeting in January. We hope to see all of you in February when we will be going to Faith Countryside to entertain the residents with Bingo and Ice Cream Sodas. Wishing all of you a Christmas filled with love as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Betty Tschannen, President
VALENTINE BOXES
It will soon be Valentine Box Time. The Board of Christmas Education is looking for addresses of college students and military personnel who are members (or friends) of Evangelical UCC so that we may send care packages to them. Please call the church office or email with addresses by February 1.
UNHANGING OF THE GREENS
The Un-Hanging of the Greens is planned for Sunday, January 4th following the second service (approx. 11:00 a.m.) Anyone who can help us pack-up the Christmas tree and decorations, your help would be greatly appreciated.
GIVING ENVELOPES AVAILABLE FOR PICK-UP
Offering envelopes are available for pick-up in the Narthex of the church until December 28th. Please save the church postage by picking them up if you are able. If you are interested in switching to automatic withdrawal to avoid the inconvenience of writing checks, please contact the church office for information about signing up for ACH.
HELLO from PEPPERMINT PRESCHOOL
We have been hearing Christmas music in our classrooms and all through the halls of EvUCC as everyone prepares for this glorious time of year. We want to thank the church and congregation for allowing us to use the beautiful sanctuary for our annual Christmas Pageants.
Creating Peppermint’s version of the Nativity is a highlight of the Christmas season for our entire Peppermint staff & school. Our story is a simple portrayal of the Birth of Jesus and it truly touches ones heart and soul. Presenting our story in the sanctuary is the most perfect setting. For many students, it is their first time performing in front of an audience. Even though there are no speaking parts, except the baaing lambs, each child has been cast in an important role. Every child expresses their unique personality and shines in their role. A precious holiday portrait of our students is revealed at the conclusion of our program as Silent Night plays in the background. Each year we look forward to sharing our Nativity pageants with others. It’s a meaningful way to view the true message of Christmas.
We hope you, your family and friends enjoy the season and keep the spirit of Christmas in your heart throughout the whole year.
Wishing a very Merry Christmas to All!! God Bless
Miss Beckie and the Peppermint Staff
CAUGHT IN THE ACT…Thank you for your service!
Ø The tireless efforts of our Investment Ministry Team: Bob Kruse, Denny Foehner, Marla Baer, Dwain Chapman and Steve Thiems.
Ø The December 14th Breakfast Crew! Well done good and faithful servants!!
THANK YOU’S
A thank you to everyone who joined us on the chilly evening and walked in the holiday parade.
Membership Board
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Thank you Santa’s Helpers –
A huge thank you to all who helped make Christmas brighter by purchasing and wrapping gifts for our Angel Board. Your thoughtfulness brought the light of Jesus to the homes of many families in need. A special thanks to Melissa Reinarman for designing and producing our beautiful board and organizing the tags and to Marla Baer and Karla Zurliene for being our “personal shoppers”. They took our cash donations and shopped for the items left unclaimed from our board. Great job, ladies! Your expertise is greatly appreciated!!