The Messenger

~ A Communication Ministry of Salem United Church of Christ ~

January, 2020

Volume 66, Issue 1

We are God’s children called to seek, share, teach, and continue to experience the Word of God.

“The 20’s are Here… Again” As the 1920’s dawned at Salem Evangelical Church, the world was in the midst of change. Following World War I, young people felt disillusioned with society and religion. Stein and Hemingway would call them the “Lost Generation.” The increasing popularity of the theory of evolution would lead to the famous “Scopes Monkey Trial” of 1925, which many felt dealt a death blow to Christianity. Within the churches, the fundamentalists and the modernists were fighting about the meaning of Scripture and the role of the church in society. The culture was changing dramatically as well. 1919 saw the end of our services and Confirmation classes in the German language. The old ways of dressing were giving way to radically new and comfortable styles. The new musical idiom of jazz, along with the invention of the microphone and the advent of the first commercial radio stations, changed the way Americans related to and enjoyed music. New feature length films (called “movies” because of the way the images moved on the screen) were displacing Vaudeville as the entertainment of choice. In the political arena, things were no less chaotic. Young women, “flappers,” began to live truly independent lives, even voting for

themselves after the 19th Amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920. President Harding’s government was wracked by scandal of unprecedented proportions as the great greed and corruption of Teapot Dome were uncovered by the Wall Street Journal. The country bristled with tension as the Ku Klux Klan experienced a great resurgence and racial violence spread, exploding in events like the Tulsa Massacre of June 1, 1921. That was the 20’s… young people that viewed life differently than their parents and grandparents, new forms of dress and music and entertainment, political corruption, racial tensions, the decline of cultural Christianity... It was a time of immense change. And it doesn’t sound so very much different from our own time, does it? All of this harkens back to the wisdom found in Scripture. The Book of Ecclesiastes was written 3,000 years ago, and in it God declares that “there is nothing new under the sun.” The struggles that we face are the same that have been faced by the generations before us. Those who endured, those who found strength in God, those who served and loved and worshiped are inspirations to us. We can do the same. And so, as we begin a new era and a new decade of service to God and man here at what is now Salem United Church of Christ, we take heart. God is still alive and still loves us. The Holy Spirit is still working in our church and world. Jesus Christ is still “the same yesterday and today and forever,” offering salvation and grace to all. This gives us hope and courage as we enter the 20’s… again. ---- Rev. Jeremy

Important Dates January 1 – Happy New Year – Office Closed January 5 – Unhanging of the Greens following Worship January 5 – Holocaust Tour 1:30-3:30 p.m. January 6 - Epiphany January 25 – 72nd Annual Sausage Supper

Holding the One We are Held By Read John 21:20 and Luke 2:25-29

In the mystery of God, we have

within us the very God which

holds all of creation! The very

powerful words of the

Christmas song, “Mary Did you

Know?” ask an intriguing

question to Mary; summarized,

“did you know the baby you are

holding is the Savior that is also

holding You?” In the awe of

celebrating the coming of

Christ, we can recognize He

comes as an infant…a very

holdable infant in all the

wonder of Mary’s love for

Christ and her infant Son. If

you or I were there and we as

Simeon had been taken in awe

by the baby Christ child, were

to ask to hold that baby, Mary

would in no way refuse. Yes,

she gave birth, yet this Child is

for everyone! This miracle is

infinitely too grand for Mary to

keep to herself. Oh, the wonder

Simeon must have been touched

by as he held the Christ Child!

The second wonder I lift up is

in the gospel of John, where

John lays his head upon the

bosom of Jesus! Oh my,

perhaps two of the greatest

moments in the existence of

humanity! To hold my Jesus; to

be held by my Jesus! In this

divine mystery perhaps lays all

the wonder of grace. The

invitation of holding the baby,

the invitation of being held by

my Savior! As to our life with

the world, how can we see

anyone as cut off from the love

of God through Christ our

Lord? If I despise my sister or

brother, in some way I am

claiming Christ for myself, but

not for the other. Mary does not

refuse to give Jesus to the

world, though it pains her heart.

We too must share Jesus with

the world. Who do we stand

against? How easily we stand

against a principle or view of

another, and in retrospect must

often admit we have cutoff the

person along with the ideal with

which we do not agree. We will

live with difference of

understanding, as we pray

together, and for one another,

the way of neither may be

unveiled, but the way of Christ.

Along this journey, may we

remember the one we hold in

delicate care. This baby Jesus -

do we hold all others in great

care for His glorious sake? We

remember also the arms of the

risen Lord that hold us will in

no way allow us to fail in the

very will of God. You and I are

holding love, while being held

in love. In this new year invite

in the great family of God.

Through Jesus, there is an ever-

widening circle of grace and

love. Invite everyone in; Jesus

came for us all! A Blessed New

Year to all!

---- Pastor John

CONFIRMATION NEWS

The Confirmation class will be visiting the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center in St. Louis on Sunday, January 5, 2020. Everyone is welcome to join us. Please sign up in the Narthex or contact the church office if you’d like to join us. We are in need of drivers.

In taking a respite from meetings over November-

December, Stephen Ministers will be sending

ministers to all the residents of the two nursing

homes in Alhambra over the holidays. Additionally,

we will take care that visits are made to any of our

members that are in other nursing homes or have

trouble getting out. We are asking each member of

Salem to be challenged over the holidays to make a

visit to someone who would not expect you to visit

them. Merry Christmas and God bless you all from

Salem Stephen Ministers.

New Year, New Salem Whether you participate in the New Year’s Resolution fun or not, the start of a new year brings about the sense of a fresh start. Many of us wait until the new year to make a change in our life. Often times, we say “We will start after the New Year” or “Once January 1st rolls around, I will do something different.” And whether that change lasts a full year or not, we have the opportunity to make a change.

I don’t know about you, but to me, it feels as if New Years came early to Salem. Since Reverend Jeremy’s arrival at the beginning of December, it feels as if a new life has come to Salem. A new opportunity to make a change in our faith and spirituality. For a few years now, it has felt like Salem was just “there”. You know the feeling. Where we are just going through the motions, doing what we are supposed to do because that is what has always been done. Sure, we showed up and kept going. But the life, excitement, and joy of being part of a church just wasn’t fully there. But now, like New Years, we have a new beginning! A chance to make a change! Let us not waste it! Maybe this means you make an effort to attend church more frequently. Or maybe you volunteer to serve on a committee. Maybe the start of a new year is the perfect opportunity to invite someone new to church with you. Whatever a new start means to you, take it! I don’t know about you, but I am excited to be part of Salem right now. We are at the beginning of a new journey, a new life, and I can’t wait to see what is in store for us! What will you do with your “New Years” opportunity? --- Becca Exhale Schedule for January Exciting changes are coming to Exhale starting in January! Please note the change in time for Exhale on Sundays, as well as an addition of a High School Hangout on Wednesday evenings. Just to clarify, all 6th through 12th graders are welcome to join us on Sunday evenings. Wednesday evenings are for high school aged youth only. All high schoolers are welcome to join! Please contact Becca with any questions or concerns, or if you would like more information about Exhale! 618-520-0185 or rjbraundmeier@gmail.com

• Sunday, January 5th - Exhale 6-7:30 • Wednesday January 8th - High School Hangout 6-8pm • Sunday, January 12th - Exhale Christmas Party (rescheduled from December) 6-8pm • Wednesday, January 15th - High School Hangout 6-8pm • Sunday, January 19th - Exhale 6-7:30 • Wednesday January 22nd - High School Hangout 6-8pm • Saturday, January 25th - Sausage Supper - Exhale will work the Coat Check and the Soda Table.

Please bring a 12 pack of soda. • Sunday, January 26th - Exhale 6-7:30 • Wednesday January 29th - High School Hangout 6-8pm

Looking forward!

• Exhale ushers on Feb. 2nd • Exhale Nertz/Euchre tournament will be on Saturday,

March 7th.

Sunday School News

On Sunday December 1 and 8, the children in preschool thru 6th grade made/put together care packages for Alhambra Care (37), Hitz residents (43) and the Hitz apartments (20) for Christmas. They included a card, an ornament, chapstick, Kleenex and lotion.

Notice of the 160th Annual Meeting

In accordance with the Salem Constitution, the Church Council voted and approved that the 160th Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2020, following the 10:00 a.m. worship service Annual Reports If you have not submitted your committee’s annual report, please do so as soon as possible. Deadline for Annual Meeting Reports is Monday, January 20 at 9:00 a.m. Annual Reports will be available on Sunday, January 26.

Help Needed….. Evangelism/Worship Committee is inviting

EVERYONE to help “unhang the greens” following

worship on Sunday, January 5. Please stay to

help if possible! Many hands will make the work

go faster!

2020 calendars 2020 calendars are available in the Narthex and outside the Church Office. Calendars are compliments of Spengel-Boulanger/Dauderman Mortuary.

From the

Music Director…. A big thank you to all who have helped make this Christmas season special by sharing your talents with us. From the youngest to the oldest, from every choir member to every soloist, it has truly been a delight to work with all of you. I’d also like to thank those who participated in our Family Nativity Service, as well as the staff that helped make these services possible. Dawn Reinhardt, Music Director

2020 Phone Directory There is a copy of the “2020 Salem Phone Directory – PROOF” binder in the Narthex. Please look over all of your information and anyone else in your family to make sure everything is correct. Please mark any changes, deletions, and/or additions. The new phone directory will be ready for distribution by the Annual Meeting. Thank you in advance for helping Salem UCC maintain accurate records!

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72nd Annual Sausage Supper

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020

SERVING FROM 2:30 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

MENU:

FRESH HOMEMADE PORK SAUSAGE

Sauerkraut Potatoes Gravy Green Beans Applesauce Bread Dessert Coffee Milk

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Sausage Supper Committee Chairs:

Purchasing: Vernon Uhe Processing: Lawrence Henschen

Lewis Knackstedt Kitchen: Dave Renken

Brian Duncan Rhet Mansholt

Dishwashing: Jill Verson Fryers & Setup: Leon Uhe

Dennis Conrad Jim Reagan Greg Reinhardt

Sausage Sales: Vernon & Linda Uhe Charlie Brown

Carry-Out: Bill & Carol Reckman Jim & Dagmar Annable

Tables: Joe Dauderman Dean Korsmeyer

Advertising & Ticket Sales: Laverne Korsmeyer

Ron Schmidt Seating: Justin Bonnell

Michael Dauderman Jerry Frank

Public Relations: Rev. Jeremy R. Wood Carrier (Thursday): Gene Templeman Sausage Carriers: Christopher Uhe

Bryce Knackstedt Aaron Uhe

Elevator: Delmar Korsmeyer Ron Mindrup Kenneth Suhre Parking: TBD Processing Dates: January 22, 2020 January 23, 2020 Supper Date: January 25, 2020

In January, the Mission Committee will be sending out a mission survey in the bulletins. We want to know what the congregation would like to see in terms of mission for 2020. Whether that be to keep everything the same, take off some missions, or add in new ones, we want your input! Please return the surveys to the bin in the back of church by Sunday, January 25th. Have a mission idea? Have mission ideas that the whole church could get involved with? The Mission Committee is open to any and all ideas! Rebecca Braundmeier, Kathy Porter, Joye Brase, Dennis Conrad, Shane Stille, Council Rep

From The Men’s Fellowship

& Women’s Guild

Next Meeting of the Men’s Fellowship & Women’s Guild There will be a meeting on January 16, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

January Golden Agers

Lorene Uhe on January 10 Roger Reilson on January 14 Ken Suhre on January 17 Julann Hastings on January 18 Ed Layher on January 18 Bob Dauderman on January 23 Fern Scheller on January 26

Women’s Guild Report: There are pecans still available for $11/pound in halves or pieces

***Pies and desserts are needed for the Sausage Supper.***

***Items also are needed for the Country Store at the Sausage Supper.

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E-Messenger

Did you know that you can receive

The Messenger by email? The Salem E-

Messenger is a delivery system where you

would receive The Messenger by email

instead of regular mail. To sign up for the

Salem E-Messenger, please email the

church office at salemuccalh@gmail.com

Salem Wire

The Salem Wire is an email message

delivery system where you would receive

notice of events and happenings in the

church. To sign up for the Salem Wire

distribution list, please email the church

office at salemuccalh@gmail.com

Online Giving

• To give online, visit http://salemuccalh.org/

• Select “Online Giving” / Click “Create Your Online Profile”

• Enter your email address / Confirm your email address / Enter required information

• Choose “add transaction” / Designate contribution amount, frequency, and start date

• Choose account type, routing number and account number / Choose “process”

• Note: You may change your contribution at any time.

Livestream

Salem Church uses Livestream to

broadcast our worship services.

• Go to https://livestream.com/ accounts/10389497

• Click on the black and white picture of

the church “Live and Upcoming

Events”, and you will either see the live

broadcast of the worship service or you

can look for archived services (by date

on the right).

• To view an archived service,

click on the date of the

archived service you want to

view (listed by date on right).

Did You Know? Why was the name "The German Evangelische Salems

Gemeinde at the Silver Creek and near Greencastle"

chosen when Salem was established in September of

1860? Answer: The small church, without tower or steeple,

was built near a stagecoach trail north and east of

Silver Creek. Greencastle had just been platted in

1859.

Salem received acknowledgement from Highland Area Christian Service Ministry for the collection of food pantry items totaling 75 pounds received on November 18, 2019.

Global Ministries – Child Sponsorship Program thanks Salem United Church of Christ for the $170 gift.

Salem UCC received a thank you from Bread of Life Food Pantry for our support. In November, the pantry helped 47 families.

Thank you to our Salem church family for your love and support during Carla’s death. Alhambra was well represented by those who attended the wake and funeral service. Thanks also to Rev. Jeremy for the visit with Kent and Carla before her passing. – Lewis & Lorene Knackstedt

Be of Service to Others……

If you are sad or struggling inside, do not

suffer alone. Ask for help. We have a team of

Stephen Ministers who are ready to listen,

care, encourage, pray, and Stephen Ministry

by talking with one of our Stephen Leaders

listed below. Our Stephen Ministers are there

to care!

Pastor John Mindrup: (C) 618-409-3941

Betty Imboden: (C) 618-973-0572

*************************** The Warm Line is for persons with mental health challenges and their families to receive support by phone. Peer and Family Support Specialists are professionals who have experienced mental health recovery in their own lives as an individual or family member. They have been trained in recovery support, mentoring, and advocacy and are ready to listen and help you. The warm line is not a crisis hotline, but is a source of support as you recover or help a family member to recover.

Illinois Warm Line 866-359-7953

2020 OFFERING ENVELOPES Be sure to check the passageway for your 2020 offering envelopes.

Please contact the church office…. • If there are no envelopes with your name on

them, and you wish to receive the envelopes; • if you would like your envelopes mailed out to

you; • if you no longer wish to receive the envelopes.

Messenger Dates

Messenger Articles due January 17

Messenger Assembly

Thursday, January 23 - 10 a.m.

Sausage

Sales Thursday, January 23 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 25

9:00 a.m. - ??

Worship Ministry Schedule

Date Acolyte(s) Greeter(s) Liturgist Nursery Ushers

January 5 (10 am)

Hadyn Jackson Jayden Henschen

LaVerne Bloemker

Sayde Hogg Haley Basler

Sydney Basler Taylor Ernst

Confirmation Class

January 12 (10 am)

Sayde Hogg Erin Brown

Ken Gehrig Bradley Doubet

Patrick Stille Emily Stille

Shirley Gall / Richelle Braundmeier Shannon Hogg / Becca Braundmeier

Cindy Henschen / Jordan Braundmeier

January 19 (10 am)

Hailey Quade James Quade

Jim Annable Alison Brase Emily Uhe Patty Uhe

Exhale Youth Group

January 26 (10 am)

Cassidy Eyman Adam Eyman

Donna Merkle Irving Gray Gale Bolen

Reese Bolen

Bill & Carol Reckman Dave & Ronna Renken / Tess Renken

Worship Schedule

Date

Scripture Readings Worship Leader

January 5 – 10 a.m. Worship with Communion

Jer 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-12 / Ps 147:12-20 or Wisd of Sol 10:15-21 / Eph 1:3-14 / John 1:(1-9), 10-18

Rev. Jeremy R. Wood

January 12 – 10 a.m. Worship

Isa 42:1-9 / Ps 29 / Acts 10:34-43 / Matt 3:13-17 Rev. Jeremy R. Wood

January 19 – 10 a.m. Worship Isa 49:1-7 / Ps 40:1-11 / 1 Cor 1:1-9 / John 1:29-42 Rev. Jeremy R. Wood

January 26 – 10 a.m. Praise Worship Isa 9:1-4 / Ps 27:1, 4-9 / 1 Cor 1:10-18 / Matt 4:12-23 Pastor John Mindrup

Communion Schedule for Hitz Home

January 5 – 10:00 a.m.

Leon Uhe

If you would like someone to be on the prayer list, please contact the church office. Names listed on the prayer list will not carryover from month to month.

Our Sympathies to the Family of:

Joseph Whitworth

Who died on November 27, 2019

Carla Knackstedt

Who died on December 8, 2019

Dan Tharp

Who died on December 17, 2019

Baptism Jack Leland Menendez was baptized in a private baptism at Salem UCC on Sunday, December 8, 2019 by Rev. Jeremy R. Wood. Jack

was born on January 10, 2019, to parents Jacob and Katie Menendez. His grandparents are Larry Menendez, Darcy

Menendez, and Roger & Marianne Long. His great-grandparent is Marie Jones. His godparents are Amanda Riechmann, Lisa Hill,

and Jordyn Alford.

SALEM CHURCH COUNCIL – December 12, 2019

MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Reckman, Emily Uhe, Jerri Riechmann, Jerry Frank, Steve Roper, Sharon Capstick, Nancy Zweck, Ron Schmidt, Judy Zimmerman, Rev. Jeremy. EX-OFFICIO STAFF: Kerri Reilson CALL TO ORDER, by President Carol Reckman at 7:00 pm. DEVOTION and prayer led by Rev. Jeremy. PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES: Motion by Jerri Riechmann, 2nd by Nancy Zweck to accept the previous meeting minutes as printed. Motion Carried. TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Jerry Frank, 2nd by Steve Roper to accept the treasurer’s report as printed. Motion Carried. OUTSTANDING BILLS: Motion by Steve Roper, 2nd by Ron Schmidt to pay the outstanding bills. Motion Carried. PROPERTY COMMITTEE: Motion by Ron Schmidt, 2nd by Judy Zimmerman to retain our present lawn mowing service. Motion by Jerry Frank, 2nd by Emily Uhe to accept the Property Committee’s recommendation to replace all the thermostats to be the same. TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE: Motion by Judy Zimmerman, 2nd by Jerri Riechmann to accept Ron Schmidt’s request to rent another router from Alhambra Grantfork Telephone Co. for the livestream system. Motion Carried. PASTOR’S REPORT: Rev. Jeremy is glad to finally be here. Attendance has been good and he hopes it continues. He is working on putting the church’s priorities in order and is ready to move forward. Motion by Jerri Riechmann, 2nd by Nancy Zweck to review job descriptions for staff members during the 2020 year. Motion Carried. Motion by Jerry Frank, 2nd by Emily Uhe to continue the Ambassador’s sermon service until other options are explored. Motion Carried. Motion by Judy Zimmerman, 2nd by Emily Uhe to adopt the funeral policy as printed. Motion Carried. Motion by Steve Roper, 2nd by Jerry Frank to adopt the wedding policy as printed. Motion Carried. Motion by Judy Zimmerman, 2nd by Steve Roper to pay the annual maintenance fee of $230.00 for Church Windows, software used for membership and financial reporting. Motion Carried. Motion by Jerri Riechmann, 2nd by Ron Schmidt to adjourn to Executive session. Motion Carried.

Motion by Judy Zimmerman, 2nd by Emily Uhe to adjourn back to regular session. Motion Carried. ADJOURNMENT: Motion by Emily Uhe, 2nd by Shane Stille to adjourn the meeting. Motion Carried and ended with the Lord’s Prayer.

NEXT MEETING: January 9, 2020.

Blessings, Sharon Capstick

2019 MESSENGER BOX SCORE

November YTD

GENERAL FUND

Offering - $16,710 $181,462

Expenses - $20,401 $188,598

Difference - $(3,691) $(7,136)

Other Income i.e. facilities rental, etc. $59 $6,318

Net change-Operations $(3,632) $(818)

BENEVOLENCE

OCWM - $136 $2,577

Other Benevolence - $210 $7,031

Total - $346 $9,608

2019 SALEM

CHURCH COUNCIL:

President Carol Reckman

Vice-Pres Judy Zimmerman

Secretary Sharon Capstick

Treasurer Ron Schmidt

Financial Secy Emily Uhe

Jerry Frank

Nancy Heidbrink

Derik Payne

Jerri Riechmann

Steve Roper

Shane Stille

Nancy Zweck

Pastor/Parish/Personnel

Relations Committee The Pastor/Parish/Personnel Relations Committee (PPPRC) is always ready to hear ideas and suggestions. If you have a concern that you feel is not being addressed, please feel free to contact a member of the PPPRC. All concerns expressed will be held and addressed in confidence. Please refrain from contacting staff members at home.

2019 PPPRC members are:

Dagmar Annable Justin Bonnell

Ann Frank Jessica Iberg

Sherri Korsmeyer Jerri Riechmann

Salem UCC Treasurer's Report – Month ending November 30, 2019 Current Activity

YTD Activity

Beginning General Fund Balance

66,128.95 62,426.57 Offering-Loose

6,229.00 73,527.01

Offering-Envelopes

8,627.00 87,804.98 Offering-On line receipts

1,854.31 20,130.75

Facility Use Donations

50.00 3,610.00

Miscellaneous Receipts

- 2,603.33 Interest Income-General Fund

8.74 104.39

Benevolence Received

345.57 9,608.29

Total General Fund Income

17,114.62 197,388.75 Salaries

10,728.32 104,774.31

Employee Benefits

931.73 10,081.43 Maintenance/Property Services

1,194.56 16,858.51

Insurance

- 15,230.00 Utilities

2,048.80 19,508.41

Supplies-General

2,280.60 9,806.26 Professional Expense

1,668.62 3,937.32

Miscellaneous

651.48 Search Committee

- 405.98

Worship

772.89 2,783.23 Christian Education

624.26 2,778.41

Evangelism

- 602.46 Stewardship

46.70 679.86

Pastoral Care

104.50 500.45 Benevolence Paid

300.00 8,674.62

Total General Fund Expenses

20,700.98 197,272.73

Ending General Fund Balance

$ 62,542.59 $ 62,542.59

Beginning Memorial Fund Balance

24,040.17 23,124.32 Memorials received

40.00 13,359.67

Honorariums received

- 340.00 Miscellaneous Receipts

95.00 235.00

Memorial Fund Expense:

Miscellaneous-plaques; postage

- (398.00)

Worship (music)

(165.86) (1,501.68)

Memorial projects-courtyard

(11,150.00)

Ending Memorial Fund Balance

$24,009.31 $24,009.31

Building Fund Balance

40,926.33 42,145.25 Building Fund Offering

555.00 5,940.13

Memorials received

100.00 Building Fund Expense:

Parsonage improvements-painting

(277.09) (3,633.14) Parish Hall-men's restroom flooring

(1,448.00) Grounds-rock/expand driveway

(1,900.00)

Ending Building Fund Balance

$ 41,204.24 $ 41,204.24

Sabbatical Fund Balance

13,086.30 13,086.30 no activity

Endowment Fund Beginning Balance

62,574.64 62,274.64 Memorials-Endowment Fund

300.00

Ending Endowment Fund Balance

$ 62,574.64 $ 62,574.64

Beginning Investment Fund Balance

92,316.54 88,741.81 Change in Market Value

2,467.57 10,042.30

Scholarships Paid

(4,000.00)

Ending Investment Fund Balance

$ 94,784.11 $ 94,784.11

Beginning Mission Matching Fund Balance

119,742.82 106,105.38

Change in Market Value

2,175.39 15,174.74

Donations-mission projects

521.00

1,431.28

Mission Fund Disbursements:

Mission Projects

(272.19)

Ending Mission Matching Fund Balance

$ 122,439.21 $ 122,439.21

Beginning Reserve Fund Balance

22,351.48 22,214.52 Interest Income-Reserve Fund

17.14 154.1

Ending Reserve Fund Balance

$ 22,368.62 $ 22,368.62

Other Restricted Fund Balance

1,709.11 1,709.11

no activity

Mission Committee Minutes – November 25, 2019 Vendor Fair - Made $195.50 in the kitchen - Denny spent 86.86 on food. Hot dogs were donated to the food pantry. Mission Match - Who gets the funds? What about our local food pantries? We approve to pay to those organizations again in 2019. Donations for Paralyzed 5k - $25 raised. December Mission - Toy Drive. Poll the church - Ask the congregation what missions they would like to support. Mission Sunday - Instead of having a guest speaker, recognize the contributions of our church and the future contributions. Upcoming fundraisers - Bingo - Friday, March 27th. Possible Future Ideas - Care packages for military - February?, Bottles for change for Relevant – May. No meeting in December.

Property Committee Minutes – December 2, 2019

Ceiling tile and painting in Parish Hall to be done on schedule. Printed items for annual report presented and ok’d. Batteries in upstairs parsonage thermostat changed. Thermostats for Educational Building discussed – agreed to change out for updated ones. Parsonage water softener – will get price on replacement. Lawn mowing services discussed. Rejected Kone Inc. extra maintenance proposal

Board of Christian Education Minutes – December 5, 2019

Patty Uhe called the December 2019 meeting of the Board of Christian Education to order with 9 members present. Those in attendance were: Paige Basler, Rebecca Braundmeier, Sharyn Gieseking, Ronald Mindrup, Mary Reinhardt, Emily Uhe, Patty Uhe, Jill Verson, and Reverend Jeremy Wood. Reverend Jeremy Wood led us in a devotion and a prayer. Patty Uhe reported that in November, Preschool averaged 5 out of 8 students, Kindergarten through 5th grade averaged 9 out of 20 students, 6th grade through 8th grade averaged 13 out of 19 students, the Youth averaged 4 out of 19 students, and the Adults averaged 7 out of 10 students. Students will collect money in love baskets following the Christmas Program on December 22, and the money collected will be sent to Uni-Pres Kindercottage. The Christmas Gift Shop will be on Sunday, December 15, following worship. Students Preschool through 5th Grade will be putting together care packages for Alhambra Care and Hitz on Sunday, December 8. Rebecca Braundmeier stated that the Exhale Christmas Party will be on December 15. Reverend Jeremy Wood reported that Pastor John Mindrup will be teaching the Confirmation class the rest of December, and Reverend Jeremy Wood will begin teaching the Confirmation class beginning in January. Reverend Jeremy Wood stated that he and Pastor John Mindrup are looking for another helper with the Confirmation class. Reverend Jeremy Wood reported that Thirtysomething will meet after the holidays. The Holiday Food Baskets and Giving Tree Committee reported that the committee prepared 12 baskets. The Giving Tree Committee stated that Paige Basler delivered the gifts to Hoyleton on Monday, December 2, and that Emily Uhe and Patty Uhe will be delivering the gifts to Uni-Pres Kindercottage on Monday, December 9. The Christmas Eve Program Committee reported that the Christmas Eve Program will be on Sunday, December 22, at 10:00. The committee stated that 39 Preschool through 8th Graders will be participating. The committee reported that there will be practices on Sunday, December 15, Wednesday, December 18, and Sunday, December 22. The Board of Christian Education closed with the Lord’s Prayer.

Salem’s Procedures for Church Cancellations Since we are entering the season of possible inclement weather, here is a reminder of the church cancellation procedures: 1. During the week, if Highland School District cancels school, all activities at Salem Church will also

be cancelled for that day.

2. Decision to cancel the worship service will be made by the Senior Pastor.

3. Salem Church has registered with Fox2 News, KMOV, and KSDK to be able to post church cancellations.

4. Announcements of church cancellations will be aired on WSMI.

5. Salem Wire will be sent by the Office Coordinator.

6. Church cancellations will be posted on Facebook.

Our hope is that with these procedures in place, every member of the congregation will have sufficient notification of church cancellations.

Love in action Martin Luther King Jr., whose life and legacy we honor this month, spoke often about the power of love. In

fact, he equated the practice of nonviolence with “absolute commitment to the way of love.”

Love, declared the minister and activist, “is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”

And, he said, anyone who’s “devoid of the power to love” is “devoid of the power to forgive.”

King distinguished between true love and “empty sentimentalism,” however. He taught — and showed — that

love is “the active outpouring of one’s whole being into the being of another.”

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate “active outpouring” of love, and we can choose to follow his

example daily.

“Because of Calvary I’m free to choose,” writes Max Lucado in When God Whispers Your Name. “No occasion

justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.”

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Salem United Church of Christ 1117 West North Street Alhambra, Illinois 62001 Phone: 618-488-3215 Fax: 618-488-3212

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Rev. Jeremy R. Wood, Senior Pastor Pastor John Mindrup, Assistant Pastor Kerri Reilson, Office Coordinator Becca Braundmeier, Youth Director Dawn Reinhardt, Music Director

The Messenger ~ A Communication Ministry of Salem United Church of Christ ~

Church’s Email: salemuccalh@gmail.com Web Address: www.salemuccalh.org

Would You Like

Home Communion or a Visit

From Rev. Jeremy?

If you would like or know of someone who would like home communion or a visit from Rev. Jeremy

in your home for conversation and prayer, please contact the church office at 618-488-3215 to

schedule a time.

NON-PROFIT ORG.

BULK RATE

U.S. POSTAGE PAID ALHAMBRA, IL

PERMIT NO. 2