St. Peter’s Evangelical UCC Newsletter P.O. Box 250, 303 NE Pine Street, Billings, Mo 65610

Web page: www.stpetersucc.uc Pastor Kemery Baldwin—Cell phone (417) 755-1276

Fellowship Hall & Church Office 744-2701 Sunday School 9:30 AM Worship Service 10:30 AM

December 2016

This time of year is about waiting, anticipating, hoping and promises fulfilled. Yes, with presents under a tree, but for those steadfast in faith, it is the promise of the birth of a most holy child, born to set God’s people free. I share with you this Christmas Creed, a prayer that all the world may know the Prince of Peace!

A CHRISTMAS CREED WE BELIEVE in Jesus Christ and his gospel, born to us all so long ago in Bethlehem of Judea.

WE BELIEVE in Him, whose birth glorified Bethlehem, but for whom there was no room in the Inn.

WE BELIEVE in Him whose guiding Star brought together to his Manger the humble Shepherds and the Wise Ones.

WE BELIEVE in Him who walked among the common people, and who was welcomed by those with open minds and yearning hearts, whom the poor, the oppressed, the discouraged, the sick and afflict-ed welcomed and accepted as their Lord and Savior.

WE BELIEVE in Him whose life changed the course of history, over whom kings had no power, whose life humbled the proud, toppled the mighty and elevated those of low degree.

WE BELIEVE in Him whose love changed human hearts for the better, and whose life and death on the Cross proved that it is more important to serve than to be served, and that the greatest are those who give their lives in service for others.

WE BELIEVE in Him who is the Prince of Peace, whose spirit makes for justice and peace among all peoples, everywhere.

WE BELIEVE that the Christmas spirit – the spirit of Christ – is the spirit that can change the world for the better through the power of love, faith and hope.*

Amen and amen!

Rev. Kemery Baldwin

*adapted by Dr. A. Howard Gabriel, partly from a Christmas creed by Walter Russell Bowie and from an anonymous South American creed

ST. PETER’S EVANGELICAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

FINANCIAL REPORT OCTOBER 2016

CASH ON HAND OCTOBER 1, 2016 $ 41,785.44

RECEIPS: Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 TOTAL

Current Exp. 1,728.00 1,010.00 935.00 2,545.00 835.00 7,053.00

OCWM 75.00 25.00 25.00 125.00

LOOSE 2.00 30.00 5.00 8.00 20.00 65.00

CHOIR 54.00 54.00

ORGAN FUND 25.00 25.00

TOTALS 1,730.00 1,065.00 1,069.16 2,578.00 880.00 7.322.00

RENTAL INCOME 530.00

INTEREST INCOME 3.10

TOTAL CASH ON HAND AND MONTHLY RECEIPTS $ 42,700.78

ST. PETER’S EVANGELICAL UCC

Actual Analysis

ACTUAL ACTUAL

RECEIPTS DISBURSEMENTS

FOR CURRENT FOR CURRENT

EXPENSES EXPENSE

January 8,651 3,695

February 7,760 4,893

March 7,286 8,871

April 7,127 3,787

May 7,904 4,743

June 6,976 9,051

July 9,146 4,688

August 6,235 5,462

September 6,446 9,548

October 7,651 4,661

November

December

YTD 75,182 59,399

DIFFERENCE = 15,783

St Peter’s UCC Board Report – November 7, 2016

The Board met on Monday evening at 7:00 PM on, November 7, 2016 in the Fellowship

Hall. Minutes from the October regular meeting and an interim meeting held on Oct 18th

regarding rental property were reviewed and approved. The treasurer’s report was discussed

and approved as well as discussion regarding the proposed budget and salary adjustment for

the Pastor for 2017. This was followed by Pastor Kemery’s report covering events/activities

since the last board meeting in October and upcoming events.

We are entering a busy time of the Church year. Budget planning, Thanksgiving, Cantata

preparation/practice, Advent, Hanging of the Greens, Christmas Eve Service, Christmas day

(on Sunday this year), Annual Congregational Meeting planning and much more. A busy time

with lots to do and many people involved and helping out as always. Stand-by and fasten your

seat belts, because it will all come and go in what will seem like a very short period of time.

Thanks to all as we reach the homestretch of another very good year at St Peter’s UCC.

Sam S.

Brazilian theologian Rubem Alves called hope

“the suspicion … that the frontiers of the possible

are not determined by the limits of the present.”

Who among us doesn’t sometimes imagine our

future based solely on present-day obstacles? Even

biblical heroes did so.

Abraham and Sarah laughed at God’s promise of a

child, seeing only their present circumstance of old

age. Only in hindsight could Joseph see how God

turned slavery in Egypt into great good.

At first another Joseph, learning his fiancée was

pregnant, believed his world was limited to two pos-

sibilities: shame Mary publicly or divorce her quiet-

ly. But his heart was open to God’s message: “What

is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [Her] son

… will save his people from their sins” (Matthew

1:20-21, NIV). How exceedingly far this future must

have seemed from the limits of Joseph’s present.

Christmas is a reminder that God calls us all into

frontiers of the future we never could have dreamed!

Present possibilities, frontiers of faith

Nothing that is worth doing can be

achieved in our lifetime; therefore we

must be saved by hope. Nothing which

is true or beautiful or good makes com-

plete sense in any immediate context of

history; therefore we must be saved by

faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous,

can be accomplished alone; therefore

we are saved by love.

—Reinhold Niebuhr

Proper perspective

+Christian Symbol+

Angel Angel, which means

“messenger” in both Hebrew

and Greek, is a spirit-being

God created to perform tasks

for him. In the Bible, angels

appear in human form (always

as men) to deliver divine mes-

sages. Angels appear separately

to Joseph and Mary, announcing Jesus’ upcom-

ing birth, and “a multitude of the heavenly

host” (Luke 2:13) tells shepherds of the Sav-

ior’s arrival. Scripture offers little information

about angels, though we know some rebelled

against God. Among the holy angels, categories

include cherubim and seraphim.

We will be taking a collection for the

Evangelical Children Home (ECH) on

December 11th and the 18th.

In the Narthex of the church.

The earth has grown old

with its burden of care,

but at Christmas it

always is young,

the heart of the jewel

burns lustrous and fair,

and its soul full of music

breaks the air,

when the song of angels is sung.

—Phillips Brooks

Christmas transformation

“The way you celebrate Christmas can be a gift

in itself,” said Fred Rogers, “handing on tradi-

tions that will give your child a feeling of conti-

nuity, comfort and joy in all the Christmases to

come.” In American homes, common Advent tra-

ditions include wreaths, calendars and logs. Did

you know about these European traditions?

• In Normandy, children used to set fires in

fields during Advent. The flames killed caterpillar

eggs and drove away rodents. The tradition re-

flected good conquering evil, just as God’s per-

fect Son rescues us from sin.

• On December 13, Scandinavian countries hon-

or Saint Lucy (or Lucia), a third-century martyr

who, according to legend, brought food to people

in the catacombs during winter. For light — and

to be able to carry as much food as possible —

she wore a wreath of candles on her head. On St.

Lucy’s Day, the oldest daughter gets up early and

brings sweet rolls to family members. The tradi-

tion reminds Christians that Jesus is a gift of light

and love for our dark world.

Advent traditions

Choir News

Christmas is on its way! The choir has

been working on our Christmas cantata,

"Joy!", since the beginning of October, so

we've had a head start on the holidays. Our

Christmas choir is made up of singers from

the Assembly of God, Methodist, Full Gos-

pel, St. Peter's, and Hurley Methodist. Our

first performance will be at St. Peter's on

Friday evening, Dec. 9th, at 7PM. Refresh-

ments will be provided after the cantata by

the choir members. We will also be per-

forming the cantata at the Assembly of

God Church on Sun-

day morning, Dec.11th, at 10:45 AM. We

hope you'll be able to come to one, or both,

of our performances of "Joy!".

Cindy and the Choir

President, Diane Zell, called the November meeting to order early on Oct. 29th due to the fact

that the normal meeting day was to have been on the Ladies Guild sponsored Chili Supper

Night, Nov. 12th. Cindy Wagemann read, "God's Blessings" for the devotional. After the many

obvious blessings were mentioned, the author stated that the greatest blessing of all was, of

course, mankind's, "Salvation through Christ Jesus." The Minutes were approved as amend-

ed. Treasurer, Charleen Rumley, reported a balance of $2,940.84 as of Nov. 1st. Two Sympathy

Cards and two Thinking of You Cards were sent since October's meeting. Church Board's Guild

representative, Denise Hampton, gave the Church Board Report and agreed to remain the Guild

representative for another year.

There was no Old Business. Under New Business the annual disbursement of funds to fami-

lies in need was discussed. Billings Sr. High School Counselor's Office suggested a family of

five. Chris Rauch motioned to give this family a $200 Walmart Gift Card for Thanksgiving and

Mary Steinmann seconded the motion; motion carried. Kay Rill motioned to give the Driscoll

House tenants a $200 Walmart Gift Card for Thanksgiving and Denise Hampton seconded the

motion; motion carried. The specifics for the Chili Supper were discussed and volunteers were

enlisted for tasks. It was decided to pass around a sign up sheet on Sunday to the congregation

at large for food and monetary donations. Guild members were also reminded that October is

Pastor Appreciation Month.

Diane Zell read an article by the Rev. Norris Burkes entitled, "We Don't Get to Veto Difficult

Commandments" for the topic. It was a humorous satire placing the 10 Commandments on the

ballot in an election setting. The voter was of course John Doe Christian. Once can readily im-

agine the thinking of the self-indulgent, less than committed Christian. Actually, we all fall in

that category at times, but as the Rev. Burkes maintains, "We must live the 'full package deal'/do

the whole shooting match." God did not give us the 10 Suggestions; He gave us the 10 Com-

mandments.

The next meeting will be the Guild's Christmas gathering on Dec. 10th at 10:00 a.m. Snacks

are brought to share and everyone brings a Christmas reading. All ladies are cordially invited.

Respectfully submitted,

Secretary, Chris Rauch

Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in

our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope.

Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes

complete sense in any immediate context of

history; therefore we must be saved by faith.

Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accom-

plished alone; therefore we are saved by love.

—Reinhold Niebuhr

Perspective for the turning of the year

From The Bible

5 And the light shines in the

darkness, and the darkness did

not comprehend it.

6 There was a man sent from

God, whose name was John..

7 This man came for a witness,

to bear witness of the Light,

that all through him might be-

lieve,

8 He was not that Light, but

was sent to bear witness of that

Light.

9 That was the true Light

which gives light to every man

coming into the world.

NKJ John:1 5-9

Worship Schedule Change for December 11

With the enthusiasm surrounding JOY ! - this

year’s Community Christmas Cantata, there will be

two opportunities for the Billings community to

come and hear it. Friday, Dec. 9 here at St. Peter’s

Church at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11 at Billings As-

sembly of God at 10: 45 a.m.

There will be a brief worship service at St. Peter’s

on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 9: 45 a.m. to 10: 15 a.m.

The Advent season provides particular liturgy, scrip-

ture readings and music which are difficult to “double

-up” in a four-week time-frame. This is a glad com-

plement and opportunity that allows flexibility for

many people involved in the Community Christmas

Cantata. We are thankful to Cindy Wagemann and

others from our St. Peter’s Choir for their participa-

tion in the event.

N O T I C E !!!

The Almighty

appeared on earth as

a helpless human

baby, needing to be

fed and changed and

taught to talk like

any other child. The

more you think about it, the more

staggering it gets. Nothing in

fiction is so fantastic as this truth

of the Incarnation.

—J.I. Packer

Truth Incarnate

Jesus Is the Word

To say that Jesus is the Word is another way

of saying he is God speaking to us. While we

struggle with our clumsy words, God needs

only one Word to perfectly communicate the

depth and mystery, the passion and the over-

whelming grace of who he is. By that Word,

Light became a living being. Manna became

man. Wisdom became a person. In him, Life

came to life; all that God is came to us in that

One Final Word we call Jesus.

—Michael Card,

Immanuel: Reflections on the Life of Christ

“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when

I was 6. Mother took me to see him in a

department store, and he asked for my

autograph.”

—Shirley Temple

“The Word must come in human form, in God’s

redemptive plan. A Babe takes every heart by

storm, but who will heed the Man?”

—Fred Pratt Green, “The Word

Became Flesh”

Your donations to the food Pantry are

very important and St. Joseph’s would

like to thank everyone who donated. Our

next collection day will be December

4th. All donations of canned foods,

paper goods, or cash are appreciated.

Teresa Abramovitz; Joyce Armour

(Mary Steinmann’s sister); Bruce

Baker; Mary Beyer; Mary

Burkhardt; Joanne Coker; Julie

Cunningham (friend of Judy

Crockett), Justina Cunningham (request of Cindy

Wagemann); Anna Lea Dobbins; Jean Ebert; Tryston

Ellis; Sara & Dustin Gann (request of Cassie

Staiger); Mike Halpin(request of Bibbie Rauch); Bob

Hays (request of Becky Pannucci); Debbie (Stever)

Huffman; Jenise Huffman; Stephanie Jones (request

of Donna Zang); Matthew Logan; Michael Newman

(friend of Samuel Faris); JoAnn McGehee; Sheila

Olmstea; Becky Pannucci; Kay Rill; Roger Rill; Seth

Rumley; Marie Schaefer and Betty Oka; Charles

Schatz; Ray Schultz; Aaron and Ben Sears (request

of Denise Hampton); Cody Verch; Margie Verch;

and Mary Zoller; for all who struggle in body, mind

or spirit. We give thanks for friendship gained &

cherished; for laughter, smiles & joy.

January Newsletter Deadline

All articles must be received by noon on

December 16th to be in the January Newslet-

ter. Anything received after the 16th will be in

the February’s Newsletter.

Please send all articles for the January Newsletter to: Mary Kay Kastendieck Editor Email: msteinmann37@gmail.com

Special dates

• Bible Study, Tuesday Dec. 6th & 13th at 10 a.m. NO BIBLE STUDY ON Dec. 20th & 27th

• Choir, Every Thursday at 7 p.m.

• Communion Sunday Dec 4th, 2nd Sunday in advent, Congregational Budget meeting

• Community Christmas Cantata at Dec. 9th at 7:00 p.m.

• Friendship Guild Meeting Sat. Dec.10th at 10 a.m.

• Service TIME CHANGE 9:45-10:15 3rd Sunday in Advent, Community Christmas Cantata at

Billings Assembly of God, 10:45 a.m.

• Board meeting, Mon. Dec.12 at 7:00p.m.

• Anniversary/Birthday Fellowship (after Worship) Sunday, Dec. 18th 4th Sunday in Advent

• Christmas Eve service, at 7:00 p.m.

• Christmas Day Service, Sunday, Dec. 25

“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was

6. Mother took me to see him in a department

store, and he asked for my autograph.”

—Shirley Temple

“Christmas, my child, is love in action.

Every time we love, every time we give, it’s

Christmas.” —Dale Evans

12/04 Gale Boswell Psalms 72: 1-7, 18-19 Isaiah 11: 1-10 Romans 15: 4-13 Matthew 3: 1-12

12/11 Fred Zell Psalms 146: 5-10, Isaiah 35: 1-10 James 5: 7-10 Luke 1: 47-55

12/18 Danny Hutter Psalms 80: 1-7, 17-19 Isaiah 7:10-16 Romans 1:1-7 Matthews 1:18-25

12/25 Mary Beyer Psalms 96 Isaiah 9:2-7 Titus 2:11-14 Matthews 1:19-25

01/01 Sam Schaumann Psalms 8 Eccl 3:1-13 Revelation 21:1-6a Matthews 25:31-46

01/08 Sherry Coker Psalms 29 Isaiah 42:1-9 Acts 10:34-43 Matthews 3:13-17

Readers and Scripture Text

12/04 Jadyn Dziwanowski

12/11 Nicholas Dziwanowski

12/18 Sierra Watson

12/25 Jadyn Dziwanowski

01/01 Nicholas Dziwanowski

01/08 Sierra Watson

12/04 Mike & Bobbi Rauch

12/11 Herman & Mary Steinmann

12/18 David & Luella Thomas

12/25 Charles Wallace & Carl Kastendieck

01/04 Fred 7 Diane Zell

01/08 Sherry Coker & Nick Dziwanowski

Communion Stewards

12/09 Luella Thomas

01/01 Mary Kay Kastendieck

DVD

Recording

Schedule

12/04 John Wagemann

12/11 Amber Tinsley

12/18 Schaumann

12/25 John Wagemann

01/04 Amber Tinsley

01/08 Schaumann

DECEMBER

12-26-87 Sam and Debbie Schaumann

12-28-64 David & Judy Crockett

12-30-77 David and Chris Rauch

DECEMBER

12-04 Jonathan Luke Jones

12-08 Ross Steinmann

12-09 Jessica Verch

12-10 Samantha Nicole Williams

12-11-2009 Jonathan Alan Staiger

12-12 Jim Boswell

12-21 Carl Kastendieck

12-22 Mary Lou Hutter

12-23 Chris Rauch

12-28 John Staiger

12-30 Allan Williams

12/30 Ellias Jones