If someone asked you to name your Bible’s most important scriptures, what would you say?

There was a missionary named Gordon MacDonald who visited a country with strong restrictions on religion. While there, he met a Christian woman who was fascinated with his Bible, as she hadn’t seen one in 20 years. MacDonald wanted to give her his copy, but the law said that any Bible brought into the country must be carried back out.

Then he had an idea: He could tear out certain pages from his Bible for her. Surely government officials wouldn’t check to make sure every page of his Bible was there.

It had been twenty years since she’d read a Bible. What pages from your Bible would you have given her?

I’d probably include the page with John 3 to assure her of God’s love… Or the pages where the Sermon on the Mount is found (Matthew 5-7)…

She’d need some Psalms, with reassurance from God in the most difficult times…

Romans 8 is full of victory for people of faith….

And definitely at least one birth and resurrection account from one of the Gospels.

If you were in MacDonald’s situation, what scripture would you pass along?

As we go through the month of January (and always), let’s appreciate our access to scripture, and pass it along at every opportunity.

Pastor Susan

Online Giving

2021 Per Capita is $38.50

Per Person

“Scriptural Seasons” Scriptures change with the seasons of life. Points of Interest

Christmas Meals PG 2

Recipe of the Month PG 3

Blood Drive, PG4

Blanket Sunday, PG 9

2021 Voice of the Servant

P A G E 2

Thank you to everyone who donated food items, money, filled boxes, wrapped boxes, last minute

shopping and distributed the Christmas Meals. Social distancing requirements were closely followed.

We’re so happy to share a little bit of Christmas Joy with 71 families from our community! We would like to thank all the individuals and businesses that sponsored the Christmas meal boxes.

Christmas Meal Giveaway

Ann & Kevin Goy Betty Snuffin

Bill & Joni Bratney Bill & Terry Arjes

Carol Erwin Cathy Burke

Chuck & Betty Baumann Chuck & Nancy Huss

Corinne Shotliff Donald & Sandra Shultz Eric & Lauren Anderson

Greta L.S. Bates H&H Builders Jeanne Barrett

Jim Cosby Joanne Wacker

Kay & Howard Brauhn Leonard & Carol Sondgeroth

Mark & Bev Richardson Mendota Ford

Mendota Shell/Johnson Oil Kate Walter

Nightengale’s Closet Northern Partners

Paula Presley Ray & Faye Smith

Sandy Rebholz Steve & Deb Dullard

Susan Katzwinkel Wayne & Sue Whitmore

Ziggie’s Restaurant

Sponsors

P A G E 3

Check out the Facebook page: facebook.com/MendotaMicroPantry

Micro Pantry

Winter is here. Holiday is over incomes are still tight as people stay home and kids continue with remote learning. Kids are hungry ALL day long! I have made a list of a few areas I would like to focus on this month:

Sarah's Favorite Shortbread By: Sarah Dierker

1 cup room temp. Butter 2 cups of flour 1/2 cup of powdered sugar 1/4 tsp salt Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, cream the butter. Then, sift 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, and a 1/4 tsp of salt together. Knead the dry ingredients into the butter, keeping it in the bowl until the mixture forms a tough dough. Place dough in an ungreased 9x9 pan, spreading it evenly by pressing down with your fingers. Poke holes in it with a fork at 1/2 inch intervals. Lightly sprinkle sugar over the dough before baking if desired. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-30 minutes. Enjoy!

If you have a favorite recipe you would like to share, please sent it to the office.

Pancake mix Syrup Cereal Oatmeal Peanut butter Jelly— grape & strawberry Canned vegetables Canned tuna & chicken

Soups and stews Mac-n-cheese Pasta sauces Pasta spaghetti, bow tie & elbows Snack bars Pudding cups Jell-O cups Hot chocolate

Winter is here. Holiday is over incomes are still tight as people stay home and kids continue with remote learning. Kids are hungry ALL day long! I have made a list of a few areas I would like to focus on this month:

Stay tuned! In February our Evangelism and Outreach committee will distribute

warm clothing to our community. We'll be collecting new mittens, gloves, hats,

scarves, and socks. (For coats and larger items, contact the Elks or Nightengale's

Closet.) Details will follow in next month's newsletter!

P A G E 4

Auld Lang Syne Baby Ball Balloons Calendar Celebration Champagne Clock Confetti Countdown

Dancing December Eve Father Time Firecracker First Flute Games Gown Happy

Hat Hourglass Invitation January Kiss Midnight Music Noise maker Party Resolution

Sparkler Streamer Times Square Toast Tradition Tuxedo Vow Year

First Presbyterian Church of Mendota Tuesday, January 19th 3:00 to 6:00 pm MVRBC Donor Bus (1003 5th St. Mendota, IL) MASKS AND APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED.

To schedule, please contact Susan Presley at susan.presley@gmail.com or online at www.bloodcenter.org.

Please eat before donating and bring Photo ID.

Group Sponsor Code: 4002

Advent Bible Study

Our weekly Bible Study will take a break from the book of Acts during the season of Advent. This year we’ll look at a four-week study called Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Christmas. The study is specifically geared to online classes, so it’ll work perfectly for our Zoom meetings. Join us at our Zoom link the first four Wednesdays in December!

Session 1: Presidents and Kings Session 2: The Savior and Our Need for Saving Session 3: Emmanuel in the Midst of a Pandemic Session 4: Light of the World, Word of God, and Lord

P A G E 5

Featured Library Section

Sometimes reading scripture in a format that is unfamiliar can help us understand the passage in a new light. Our church library features over 20 different biblical interpretations, paraphrases, and translations. Stop by and check one (or more) out! If you don't see the one you're looking for, ask Pastor Susan about it. She may be able to get hold of a copy!

We would like to have a monthly book review, poem

or inspirational writing in the newsletter, by a church

member. It does not need to be long and fancy or worthy

of the NY Times; we’re just looking for your two cents

on. Just something that touched you or

inspired you to share.

Did you like it?

Hate it?

Tell us about it, and why?

Something Inspiring

Aunt Safiyya and the Monastery By Bahaa’ Taher, translated by Barbara Romaine

“In this brief, beautifully crafted novel, the distinguished Egyptian novelist Bahaa’ Taher tells the story of a young Muslim who is given sanctuary in a Christian monastery when the widow of a man he killed in self-defense demands vengeance. Set in a village in Upper Egypt, where Muslims and Christians had lived together peacefully for centuries, the novel presents a compelling portrait of a traditional society caught up in the process of change.” (From book jacket) Paula Presley I’m happy to pass this along to whomever might want to read it.

Book Review

Jr. Book Review

Simon and the Solar System Written by: Derek Taylor Kent

This story is about a child named Simon who falls asleep and an alien takes him on a tour of the solar system. Simon learns that the Earth is tilted on a magnetic pole and changes seasons, Pluto is too small to be called a planet now. Mars appears red and is all dried soil of iron oxide, it is so far from the sun the air leaked away, and has a marina valley that makes the Grand Canyon look like a puddle. Jupiter is red as an apple, WAY Bigger than Earth, with a giant red spot storm and poisonous liquid and gasses. The story is exciting and a little hared to read but with an adults help you’ll want to reread it.

Submitted by Keagon Cox

P A G E 6

Session 2021

Moderator

Rev. Susan Presley

Clerk

Kim Van Rheenen

Elders Class of 2021

Peggy Etheridge

Gary Stevens

Deacons 2021

Denise Woods

Debbie Stevens

Betty Baumann

Elders Class of 2022

Joni Bratney

Jessica Cox

Kim Van Rheenen

Deacons 2022

Paula Presley

Jamie Rodriguez

Lucille Barkowski

Elders Class of 2023

Don Barkowski

Chuck Baumann

Andra Goy

Deacons 2023

Kevin Goy

Carol Erwin

Sandy Rebholz

Auditor: Bill Bratney

Session Highlights

Your Session met for its regular monthly meeting on December 17, 2020 via Zoom. The meeting was opened with a reading from John 21, a devotional about feeding Christ’s sheep, and prayer.

The following were discussed and approved:

• The agenda and minutes were approved. The calendar was amended and approved.

• The financial report was reviewed, discussed, and accepted into the record.

• Communications: Cards and notes from members of the community thanking us for our online services were read.

• Clerk’s report: The Clerk of Session reported the passing of Jim and Betty Jamison, Phyllis Thompson, and Norma Buster.

• Pastor’s Report: Ecumenical activities in the past month have

• included Thanksgiving Eve worship and Blue Christmas (pre-recorded services) and the Salvation Army bell ringing. Pastor Susan reported all funerals performed in the last month, and re quests for her to preside at two weddings in Fall 2021. Pastor up dated Session on the planned blood drive in January.

• Worship and Music: Session agreed to continue to meet via Facebook Live and Zoom. The Christmas Eve service was discussed.

• Evangelism and Outreach: The upcoming Christmas dinner distribution was discussed.

• Missions: The Christmas Joy Offering continues.

• Memorial Committee: New paraments were purchased via the committee.

• Personnel and Pastoral Relations: With regret, Session accepted the resignation of Bill Arjes, as they Arjes’ plan to move to Texas soon. Vacation schedules were discussed and approved.

• Nominating Committee: Joni Bratney has agreed to fill in for Personnel and Pastoral Relations duties until the vacant slot is filled during the next round of nominations. A motion was made to adjourn and Pastor Susan closed the meeting in prayer. Submitted by: Pastor Susan

Income and Expenses at First Presbyterian

November 2020 MTD YTD Budget $11,070 $121,770

Income $9,584 $104,557

Expenses $10,615 $118,562

Reserves $ 2,000 $16,000

P A G E 7

Sun

Sun

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Office Closed

News Years

Day

2

3 10a Worship-Communion

11a Fellowship

4 5 6

7p Bible

Study

7 8

Pastor &

Donna’s Day

Off

9

10 10a Worship-

11a Fellowship

11 12 13

7p Bible

Study

14 15 Pastor’s Day

Off

16

17 10a Worship

11a The Annual

Congregational and

Corporation Meeting

18

MLK

Office

Closed

19 3-6 PM

20

7p Bible

Study

21

7p Session

22

Pastor &

Donna’s Day

Off

23

24 10a Worship-

11a Fellowship

25 26 27 7p Bible

Study

28 29

Pastor’s Day

Off

30

January 2021

Barb Christopher

Carol & Don Gooden

Cera, Carlos and Baby Max

David Erwin

Jessica’s Parents

Jason

Margo Lewis

Mike Boyle

Robert “Doc” Krenz

Tim Rebholz

Tim Sondgeroth

Mission Statement

Empowered by the Holy Spirit through every aspect of our lives, We strive to become more like

Christ. Our purpose is to praise and worship

God, Support each other as a family, and reach out to others to spread the good News

of our salvation through Jesus Christ!

P A G E 8

As always, send your prayer

requests to us! Susan.presley@

gmail.com

Continued Prayers

January Birthdays

01 Tess Heckert

09 Kim Van Rheenen

12 Bill Arjes

12 Joy Mincer

12 John Pohl

15 William Etheridge

19 Kevin Kalinowski

22 Debbie Stevens

27 Terry Arjes

30 Roger Moore

31 Ray Smith

“My most heart-felt thanks to all who sent cards, made memorial donations, called, texted, brought us food, and, most of all, prayed for us at the death of my mother. Your kindness is so appreciated! I am so blessed to have you all as my faith family! - Kim Van Rheenen”

12 Curt & Nelda Marcum

18 Gary & Judy Holland

25 Howard & Kay Brauhn

28 Larry & Kay Christen

Would You Like to Be Liturgist

or

a Reader On Sunday Morning?

If you would like to be the liturgist or just read scripture on Sunday, please contact the church or Pastor Susan.

There are approximately 3 people present in the building , masks are worn, social distancing is followed.

P A G E 9

Missions

We Have a Lending Closet

Did you know that we have a closet in the basement with

supplies like: wheel chairs, walkers, canes, crutches, walkers

with trays and many other items that you can borrow or if you

know of someone who would like to borrow.

It is as easy as filling out a piece of paper and off you go.

Call the office or ask Pastor Susan.

MMM Marion Medical Mission Wells collected $270. Thank you for supporting this life saving ministry.

January Lectionary Readings

January 03—Jeremiah 317-14 & Psalm 147:12-20; Ephesians1:3-14; John 1 (1-9) 10-18

January 10—Genesis1:1-5 & Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11

January 17—1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) and Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51

January 24—Jonah 3:1-5, 10 and Psalm 62:5-12; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20

January 31—Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 10 and Psalm 11; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Mark 1:21-28

Bible Study

January Mission Focus Blanket Sunday, January 24

Please make checks out to First Presbyterian, memo Blanket Sunday.

Our Wednesday night Bible studies are a time to dig deeper into God's Word, but also a time for fellowship and connections. Our study of the Book of Acts will resume on January 6 at 7 PM. We'll take up where we left off before Advent at chapter 11. See you there on Zoom! (If you don't have electronic access, feel free to dial in on your phone to join in the conference call.)

First Presbyterian Church

1003 5th Street

Mendota, IL 61342-1911

Website: www.fpcmendota.com

(815) 538-5603

Sunday Morning Worship 10 AM: www.facebook.com/fpcmendota

Label

Join Zoom Meetings & Gatherings: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86402369150 Or dial in for voice only: 1-312-626-6799

Meeting code 8640 236 9150

Sunday Fellowship live zoom 11 AM Wednesday gathering/Bible Study 7PM All Meeting: Session, Special Session, etc.

2021

January

Happy New

Year