The Lamplighter

PASTORS PEACE
"HANGING OF THE GREENS"

Zion
United Church
of Christ
December 2016
Inside This Issue

1 Pastors Peace
2 Palm of Prayer
3 Worship Ways
4 This Months Events
5 Community & Conference Clamor
6 Butterfly Room
7 Celebration Occasions
8 Worship Whirl
United in Spirit, and inspired by God's grace, we
love all, welcome all, and seek justice for all.
We believe in extravagant welcome. This is
why we insist that God's communion table is
open, not closed, and God's gift and
claim in baptism are irrevocable. We
advocate justice for all. Our congregations extend hospitality as a sign of
God's inclusive love. We teach that
evangelism - offering bread to those in search of
it - is God's mission. Our perspective is global,
not provincial. We work with - not against - people of other faiths. Why?
Because God is still speaking!

LITANY OF THE GREENS

Danny Burgess
How can we prepare this house for the coming of Jesus, the King?
With branches of cedar, the tree of royalty.
How shall we prepare this house for the coming of Jesus, the eternal Christ?
With garlands of wreaths of pine and fir,
whose leaves are ever living, ever green.
How shall we prepare this house for the coming of Jesus, our savior?
With arrangements of holly and ivy, symbolizing His passion, death and resurrection.
How shall we prepare this house for the coming of Jesus, the Son of God?
By hearing again the words of the prophets
who foretold the saving work of God.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might
be saved.
All Glory to God in the highest!
Isaiah 40:3-5
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and
hill made low. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed.
The Advent paraments are up. They are purple
for royalty to remind us of the King of Kings, Jesus,
the light of the world.

Zion United Church of ChristEstablished 1880

105 N. Mary, Mayview, Missouri 64071-8224
Phone and FAX: (660) 237 - 4355

Jeremiah 23:5-6
The days are surely coming says the Lord,
when I will raise up for David a righteous branch,
and He shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall
execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His
days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in
safety. And this is the name by which He will be
called: "the Lord is our Righteousness."
The Advent Wreath is a vivid symbol of
preparation. The lighting of a new candle each of the
four weeks before Christmas reminds us that
something is happening, but more is yet to come.
The circle of evergreens reminds us of the
everlasting covenant offered in the birth of Jesus.
The four candles symbolize HOPE, PEACE, JOY
and LOVE.
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
The people who walked in darkness have
seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the
shadow of death, among them a light has shined. For
unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given. And
the government will be upon His shoulder, and His
name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty
God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
From ancient times, evergreens have been
considered a symbol of eternity, a sign of God's
everlasting nature. Isaiah tells us that there will be
no end to the reign of the Messiah. Therefore, we
have wreaths shaped in circles, and place garlands of
green, as a sign of everlasting life. These are
symbols of Christ's gift of eternal life and of the
celebration of Christmas itself.
Isaiah 53:3a, 4a, 5-6
He was despised and rejected by others; a
man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity;
surely He has born our infirmities and carried our
diseases. But He was wounded for our
transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; upon Him
was the punishment that made us whole. And by His
bruises we are healed. All we like sheep have gone
astray; we have all turned to our own way, and the
Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
In ancient times, holly and ivy were
considered signs of Christ's passion. Their prickly
leaves suggest the crown of thorns, the red berries
the blood of the Savior, and the bitter bark the drink
offered to Jesus on the cross.

The Lamplighter
Numbers 24:17
I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but
not near...a star shall come out of Jacob and a
scepter shall rise out of Israel.
The poinsettia speaks to us symbolically in
several ways. The star-shaped formation of ten
leaves calls to mind the star which shone that first
Christmas. In a less joyous sense, the color of the
flower is blood red, reminding us of the male
infants killed because King Herod wanted to
eliminate any threat to his throne. We sometimes
forget this part of the story, which made it
necessary for Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child to
flee to Egypt.
Micah 5:2, 4
But you, O Bethlehem, from you shall come
forth one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is
from ancient days. And He shall stand and feed
His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty
of the name of the Lord His God. And they shall
live secure, for now He shall be great to the ends of
the earth; and he shall be the one of peace.
In ancient times the cedar was revered as
the tree of royalty. It also signified immortality,
and was used for purification. The evergreen tree
is placed in the Sanctuary as a symbol of Christ,
who reigns as King forever, and whose coming will
purify our hearts.
John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God. He
was in the Beginning with God. All things came
into being through Him, and without Him not one
thing came into being. What has come into being
in him was life, and the life was the light of all
people. The light shines in the darkness, and the
darkness did not overcome it. The true light, which
enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
In this time of Advent, whenever you see a
lighted tree, let it call to mind the One who brings
light into our darkness, healing in our brokenness,
and peace to all who will receive Him. May the

trees, arrayed in beauty and splendor, remind us of

the life-giving cross of Christ, that we may always
rejoice in the new life that shines in our hearts.

ZION UCC WORSHIP WAYS

TREASURERS TWITTER

(Parts taken from A Service of Hanging of the Greens)

Joy to the World!

Pastor Kristin
Pastoral Visits and Prayers Please feel free to
contact me at any time if a pastoral care visit or
prayer request is in your heart. The best way to
reach me is at the parsonage, 660-237-4902, and
the next best option is my cell @ 660-6411038. Blessings! Pastor Kristin

PALM of PRAYER 10 And the angel

said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of
great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10 (KJV)

Concerns Please continue to surround in love

and prayer, those experiencing health difficulties &
or recovering from surgery, the loss of family and
friends, & those adjusting to new seasons in their
lives: Roger & Mary Ellen Thomson, Cheryl Yount,
Ron Begemann, David Thaller, Samuel
Burroughs, Dr. Dal Singh, Ethel Johnson, Josh
Wagner, Wayne Hoefer, Bill Wright, Kyle Bentson,
Julie Begemann, Ann Johnston; Family and
friends of Richard Vorwark, Ray Burkhart, Roger
Nolte, Ashley Waddell; police officers and first responders; victims of random acts of violence; military personnel and their families; families around
the world that are in the midst of tensions, conflicts, acts of violence and wars.

Joys
The joy of family and friends and a beautiful Community Thanksgiving Service; birthdays, anniversaries, expectations and explorations. The birth of
our Savior.

MUSIC OF THE SEASON

On Sunday, Dec. 11th Zion will be
showered with joyful music of the
Christmas season. Adam Hoefer and
Zach Runyan will play a trombone
duet, followed by the choir cantata.
The choir will perform O Holy Night,
A Musical for Christmas, created and
arranged by Craig Adams.
The Zion choir will be going Christmas Caroling on
Saturday, December 3 meeting at the church at
3pm. If you know of someone who needs some
Christmas cheer, please contact Teresa Begemann. Everyone is invited!
O Holy Night
The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of
Our dear Saviors birth.

COUNCIL CORNER

Christmas Eve Service will be Saturday,

December 24, at 6pm.

The annual meeting for Zion will be on January

22, 2017, with an inclement weather alternate date
of January 29. The youth will be providing a meal.
Please complete and submit to the church office
all Annual Reports by January 8 . Christmas day
worship will consist of a hymn sing and favorite
carols.

The Lamplighter

Sunday School9:30 A.M.

Worship10:30 A.M.
December 3, 2016 (Saturday)
Christmas Caroling 3 PM
December 4, 2016 (Sunday)
Second Sunday of Advent
Pageant practice 9:15am
Habitat Family Shares
Vespers John Knox 3:45pm
December 11, 2016 (Sunday)
Third Sunday of Advent
Pageant practice 9:15
Hit & Run Gifting after worship
Angel Tree gifts due
Special Music and Choir Cantata during worship
December 14, 2016 (Wednesday)
Council 7pm, choir 7pm
December 15, 2016 (Thursday)
SAIL Luncheon 12 PM Martha Hawthorne Home
December 17, 2016 (Saturday)
Newsletter due date
Pageant practice dress rehearsal 9:30am
11:30am
December 18, 2016 (Sunday)
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Birthday Party for Jesus
Youth Christmas Pageant
Confirmation
December 24, 2016 (Saturday)
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 6 PM
December 25, 2016 (Sunday)
Birth of our Savior
No Sunday School
Hymn/Carol Sing 10:30 AM
January 1, 2017 (Sunday)
Pastor Kristin on vacation
January 8, 2017 (Sunday) ANNUAL REPORTS
DUE
Taking Down the Greens after worship
January 15, 2017 (Sunday)
MLK Jr. Event 3pm
January 22, 2017 (Sunday)
Annual Meeting After Worship

Copyright 2011 The Zondervan Corporation

SAIL
SAIL is having a Christmas luncheon at Martha
Hawthorne's home on Thursday, December 15 at
noon. All women of Zion are invited. Please let
Martha Hawthorne know if you plan to attend.
SAIL will be providing the meal.

YOUTH YAK
Hit and Run Gifting is for everyone and will take
place after church on Sunday, December 11th.
A Birthday Party for Jesus and the Youth Pageant
will be so much fun on December 18! The children's pageant will take place during worship.
The Youth will provide the meal for the Annual
Meeting on January 22, 2017.

BOARD OF CHRISTIAN ED
The BCE has once again adopted a family and
are asking the congregation to help with this mission. Please select an ornament from the tree,
wrap your gift, attach the original ornament and
return it to the tree no later than Dec. 11th.
There will be no Sunday School classes on
Dec. 18th or 25th.
Taking down the Greens will be January 8.
A child is born to us!
A son is given to us!
And he will be our ruler.
He will be called,
Wonderful[a] Counselor,
Mighty God, Eternal Father,
Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (GNT)
6

Recycled Card Program

MISSION COMMITTEE
Zion continues to provide 8 back packs of
food per week to the Odessa Upper Elementary
school. These are distributed by the school
counselors to children who are in need.
Sunday, December 4, Habitat for Humanity
Family Bryan and Ashley Hilburn will share during Worship about their experience of home.
OCWM CHRISTMAS FUND OFFERING
Our joy at Christmas is a response to God's
promise of new life through the birth of Jesus. It
is a joy we are called to
share widely, through our
witness and gifts, both to
loved ones and to distant
neighbors.
You have the opportunity
to be a part of this ministry
that cares for the active
and retired clergy and lay employees of the
United Church of Christ through your participation in this year's Christmas Fund Offering
on December 24th.
This is your opportunity to participate in God's
promise of renewal by enabling this ministry of
compassion and care.
What did the big angel say to the
little angel? Halo there!

COMMUNITY, COUNTY
&
CONFERENCE CLAMOR
MAYVIEW MO FOUNDATION
At the recent Mayview School Carnival
Remembered, our own Marvin and Joyce
Schemmer, nominated by the Lions Club, were
crowned king and queen. Austin Aardema
Faigh, nominated by Mayview MO Foundation,
was co-crowned prince! The event was fabulous and we are honored by the royalty in our
congregation and town!

Chorus of Friends Holiday Tour

12/9/16
12/11/16
12/15/16
12/16/16
12/17/16

Waverly Christian
Immanuel Lutheran - Higginsville
Wellington United Methodist
Concordia Baptist
Zion Lutheran - Corder

St. Judes Ranch for Children recycles your used

greeting cards and creates new holiday and alloccasion greeting cards. Recycled cards are sold
to support our programs and services for abused,
neglected and homeless children, young adults
and families.
Year-round, we happily accept used all-occasion
greeting cards. Please review the following tips
before sending in your cards.
Only the card front can be used (please check
to be sure the backside of the front of the card
is clear of any handwriting, etc.)
We can not accept Hallmark, Disney or
American Greeting cards
5 x 7 size or smaller is preferred
To mail large quantities in the least expensive
way, use a USPS (United States Post Office)
Flat Rate Box (available at your local Post
Office), which holds up to 70 pound
Mail cards to: 100 St. Jude's St.
Boulder City, NV 89005
For more information - https://
www.stjudesranch.org/contribute/recycled-cardprogram/

EXPRESSION SESSION
Thank Yous
Dear Zion Friends,
Thank you for your continued prayers. The card
you sent was a definite 'pick-me-up' for both
Norm and I. We all know that God is in control,
but we also believe in the power of prayer.
Norm continues to battle. No mention of a possible discharge date yet, but he continues to take
'baby steps' forward (and some backward). But
always keeping the faith.
Thank you for everything!
Dawn & Norm Stuart
THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for your encouraging
thoughts, words and prayers for us during our
health issues. Zion has a special place in our
hearts.
God's blessings to each of you.
Sincerely,
Wendell & Sandy Starkebaum
Always believe that something magical
is about to happen.

The Lamplighter

BUTTERFLY ROOM

3 And

if I go
and prepare a place for you, I will come again,
and receive you unto myself; that where I am,
there ye may be also. John 14:3 (KJV)

HANGING ON THROUGH
THE HOLIDAYS
The music, smell of gingerbread, and shimmering
lights usually stir up warm holiday memories, but
this year something is missing. Actually someone
is missing, and the holiday cheer seems to be
making things worse.
My most intense journey of grief came suddenly,
beginning weeks before the holidays with the
death of my mom. Beazy was more than a
mom; she was my best friend. The thought of
Christmas without her was impossible to imagine.
If youve lost someone close this year, you may
understand. Maybe youre wondering
how youll be able to hang on through
the holidays. If youre tempted to pull
the covers over your head and hibernate through December, dont give up. Hopefully
one of these tips will bring a smile this season.
Keep it fresh.
You may have seen Beazy on the interstate. She
was the cautious driver with loud Christmas music playing and a wreath on her blue Honda. After
her death, some of the most comforting moments
I recall were spent writing in my journal, remembering her hilarious stories. The journal was also
a safe place, somewhere I didnt have to pretend
everything was okay. You might want to consider
creating a place to keep your memories, photos,
and special recipes. Telling the classic stories of
the person youre missing this holiday season
and in years to come is a beautiful way to
honor their memory.
Keep it Simple.
Can you imagine December without a manic
pace of cooking, decorating, entertaining, shopping, and events? Would you consider taking a
break from the insanity this year, and experiencing the parts of the holidays you love? With the
hard work of grief, this is a perfect time to think
about letting stressful holidays go, maybe forever. Whether youll be celebrating Christmas or
Hanukkah, simplifying your schedule can create
a little calmness during a chaotic season of life.

The Blessing Box

Is there a gift your loved one gave you, not a tangible gift but something else? Think about something
you received, because they were part of your life.
Maybe it was the gift of laughter or compassion.
Darcie D. Sims, Director of the American Grief
Academy, suggests writing whatever comes to
your mind on small strips of paper and putting them
in a box. Keep the box somewhere close. Whenever you open your blessing box, youll be reminded of the person youre missing and the
unique gifts they gave you. One of the treasured
gifts in my blessing box is the unconditional love
Beazy gave me. Im smiling right now just thinking
about her gift.
Hold your priceless gifts close this holiday season.
Beth Marshall is the author of A Time to Heal, a grief
journal. Learn more at http://atimetohealjournal.com/.

INSPIRATION STATION
Reverse Advent Calendar
Reminding kids of all ages
that giving is more rewarding
than receiving. Starting on
Dec. 1, add something to the
box/basket every day. When
the "calendar" is full (Dec.24),
donate to the organization/
family/person of your choice. In terms of the countdown, it's fun to put something in the box every
day, and think of what someone might enjoy, find
useful or need. Food banks can always use healthy
and practical donations but remember its fun to
receive some chocolate Santas or sweet treats
along with other staples. Baby-care items, personal
-care items and feminine hygiene products are also
in high demand, as are pet-supplies. Other recipients may include: homeless shelter or a known
homeless camp/person in your area domestic violence shelter half-way house SPCA/pet rescue
organization school, library, daycare center or
retirement community hospital or cancer center
veterans organization active military personnel
shut-in members or an elderly person in the community a family in need. The possibilities are
endless. You can gather your gifts to meet the
needs of your recipient. No matter what or to whom
you gift, your heart will be filled with joy!

The Lamplighter

Celebration Occasions

Office Hours

December Birthdays
Date

Birthday

Bill Bainbridge

Trinity Alvested

11

Carolyn Bayless

16

Carla Struchtemeyer

17

Lucas Bayless

20

Tim Wright

21

Mark Fiegenbaum
Tresina Alvested

29

Rachael Begemann

Pastor

Admin. Assistant

Tuesday
8:00 AMNoon
Wednesday
6:008:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AMNoon

Thursday
10am2pm

Serving Souls
D e c

ACOLYTES

GREETERS

Brooklyn Murry

Carrie Begeamann & Elaine

Hudson

11

Austin Faigh

Mike & Amy Burns

18

Donovan Faigh

Dwight & Denise Dickmeyer

25

Trinity Alvested

Darrell & Lori Fiegenbaum

Administrative Affairs
Reverend
Kristin Aardema Faigh

Reminder!
The deadline for submissions for the
January newsletter is
Fri, Dec 17, 2016.
Send your submissions to:
jennyholt14@gmail.com or
zionuccsecretary@hotmail.com
Or Call (660) 237-4923

Home(660) 237- 4902

Church (660) 237-4355
pastorkristinatzion@yahoo.com
Cell (660) 641-1038

Council President

Juanita Wright
(816) 633-8818
wanitaright@gmail.com

Cole Courtway
Admin. Assistant

(660) 237- 4355

zionuccsecretary@hotmail.com

Jenny Holt
Newsletter

(660) 237 - 4923

jennyholt14@gmail.com

Teresa Begemann
Organist

(816) 633 - 4133

tjbegemann@yahoo.com

Dawn Stuart
Custodian

(660) 237 - 4355

Zion United Church of Christ

105 North Mary St.
Mayview, Missouri 64071-8224
Generous - Loving - Dedicated Christians
Sunday School 9:00 am
Worship at 10:00 am
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

December 2016

Zion UCC Mission Statement

The avowed purpose of our church shall be:
To worship God, to proclaim and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the Sacraments; to experience Christian fellowship, to build unity, and to practice charity within this congregation and the wider church; and to share this witness of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Worship Whirl
Traditional Worship

10:30 AM

Sundays

Come As You Are Service

10:30 AM

Monthly - 3rd Sunday

Sunday School

9:30 AM

Sundays

Communion

10:30AM

Monthly 1st Sunday & Special

Holidays

Church Council

7:15 PM

Monthly

Board of Christian Education

7:15 PM

Monthly

SAIL (Serving All in Love)

7:00 PM

Monthly - 4th Tuesday