Do You Hear What I Hear? 2015 1 Southminster Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Missouri, is called by God to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to minister in love to the needs

November 2015 1

Southminster Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Missouri, is called by God to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to minister in love to the needs of members of the congregation

and residents of the community, and to promote peace and justice in the world.

Issue 12 December 2015

SSSouthminster outhminster outhminster PPPresbyterian Church resbyterian Church resbyterian Church

Do You Hear What I Hear? 100 Voices celebrating the season!

This Christmas season, the Sweet Adelines, Int’l. Ozark Showcase, Queen City Sound, Springfield Metro and Sho-Me Statesmen choral groups will join together for their third annual benefit show.

December 12, 2015 Southminster Presbyterian Church

4:00 p.m.

Admission is free, but this is a benefit show so any donations will be given to benefit Mercy Kids & Isabel’s House!

Come, bring friends, enjoy the music!

A Christmas Story December: A time of real change in this part of the Ozarks. Real winter begins to set in. All the trees have gone bare and the sun hides the soft warmth of its rays that we love in the spring by 5 o’clock. Yet, for all the gloom of cold, wind, and early dark most of us find cheer in the coming Christmas season. This is rightfully so as we celebrate the coming of the Christ, He who would give His earthly life so we can have eternal life with our God. Our God. Mysterious but wonderfully in love with each of us. Creator of all the universe, blessed redeemer, wonderful savior, friend, lover of our soul, and forever protector. That is but a fraction of who our God is and we celebrate Him through the Christ-child in a spiritual warmth that many feel and recognize even if they do not know the Christ. In the forest a young boy, often doing men things at an early age, trudges through the snow. It is in the mid 1960’s, a few days before Christmas, and he has been tasked to cut a cedar tree for Christmas at home. As he walks through snow he looks carefully at each tree, thinking which one would be tall enough yet rounded well. When he chooses one, the young boy lays in the snow and cuts the tree by hand as low to the ground as he can. Happily but carefully he drags the tree home. There his mother helps put it on a homemade stand, they make popcorn balls, paper chain ropes, and icicles to go on the tree. There are nine people in the old house. Robert, the youngest, is but a few months old and sleeps in a sturdy cardboard box, snuggled in several blankets. The rest of the kids try to help put the tree together with the highlight being the plastic angel at the top. The young boy who cut the tree feels rewarded by being the one who gets on a chair and places the angel at the top of the cedar whose aroma is filling the house. After eating some homemade pie with cow’s milk the children sit at the feet of their mother who sings Silent Night. They go to sleep under heavy blankets so the cold will not bother them when the fire in the wood stove burns down. Our God, who is mysterious yet so awesome, who loves us beyond measure, still burns the love of family, simplicity, togetherness, struggle, and the satisfaction of knowing Christ in the heart of the old man who was the young boy that cut the cedar tree. Every time Silent Night is heard he sees his mother and the children sitting on the floor, listening to her sing of the Christ child, of love eternal, of life forever, in a new world without hunger or pain. Yes, Christmas is coming, and I hope it warms your very bones. May the Christ be your Christmas and may you have a very Merry Christmas indeed.

2 November 2015

B I R T H D A Y S :

4th - Jane Bogue

8th - Brenda Stone

9th - Phillip Smith

15th - Danna Lyons

20th - Alexander Jowers

20th - Todd Morriss

27th - Felicia Whitaker

30th - Judi Anderson

30th - Margaret Randall

HEALTH CONCERNS Doug Palmer, Ann (Maxine Graves’

daughter), Shannon (daughter of Nora Bur-gess’ friend), Sheila Newkirk (Duane

Robinett’s step-daughter), Jackie Finney and family

MEMBERS WITH ONGOING CONCERNS Lea Barcomb at Home

Mary Brunner at Elfindale Manor Dale McDonald at Mount Vernon

Sharol Neely at Home Margaret Randall at Woodland Manor

Maxine Graves at Home

FRIENDS & FAMILY Charles Bess, father of Jeff Bess

Mike & Bonnie Crain, Barbara Crain’s brother-in-law & wife

Carolyn Fay, mother of Felicia Whitaker Jerry Holt, brother of Don Holt

Linda Ice; Deidre, sister & niece

of Nancy Robinett Cameron Marshall, son of Denise Moll

Randy Randall, son of Margaret Maria Nelson’s parents

Doug Palmer, son of Steve & Patsy Palmer Jack Shuler, grandson of Gondy Shuler

Grant & Cece (Lumpe) Hayden Jan (John), Rich Marsh’s friend

Louise Davis, Denise Moll’s mother

Get in the Christmas mood and plan to attend our annual PW Christmas Luncheon which will be held on Saturday, December 12

at 12:00.

Bring along your guests and favorite salad which will be served along with the furnished ham, rolls, and drinks. The cost is $1.00 per person. Make your reservations at your December circle meeting or call Phyllis Feyh

or Randi Laves by Dec. 9.

Hope to see all you ladies in attendance to enjoy a program on

"Damsel in Defense".

Sharon Marsh was honored by UMHE (United Ministries in Higher Education) with the Carter Award. Sharon was a Board Member for UMHE for several years representing our church. She was instrumental in UMHE’S transition from The House to The Monroe, and with the early development of the student housing project. A “Robert’s Rules of Order” extraordinaire, Sharon guided a major revision of the governing documents of UMHE. A reception and award presentation was held Sunday, November 8 at National Avenue Christian Church. CONGRATULATIONS SHARON!!!

November 2015 3

The celebration concluded with a tour of the water building. In the June 2015 Peace Notes, I explained that my brother and I were going to Honduras to teach and lead local people in the installation, operation, and maintenance of a solar system to power the water purification system. We were blessed with eager participants who followed our lead as we took them through the process. This picture shows the solar array, raw water and clean water tanks on top of the building. The remaining components of the solar and water systems are inside the building. Included are inverters that, in addition to providing ozone to purify the water, are used by the community to charge automobile batteries that provide the sole source of lighting for the villagers’ homes. The Chaparro, Honduras project is just one of more than 750 Living Waters for the World installations. So many more are needed. A team from the John Calvin Living Waters committee will be working on the installation of a LWW system in the Dominican Republic during the first half of 2016. Southminster was one of the first churches in the Presbytery to provide support to JC Living Waters. Thank you! In Matthew 25, Jesus calls us not only to provide drink to the thirsty but to welcome strangers into our homes, feed the hungry, provide clothing, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. How will we at Southminster respond to his call?

Richard Marsh

“. . . I was thirsty and you gave me a drink . . .”

Matthew 25:35

Celebration!!! A Celebration marks the conclusion of every Living Waters for the World and Solar Under the Sun installation. This past August in Chaparro, Honduras, the entire community of about 100 people came to worship and celebrate the installation of the water and solar systems. The church was full to overflowing with many joining the service from outside through the open windows and doors. A worship service in the small church next to the water building was followed by a blessing of the building, the solar system, the water system and the installer/operators. The children of the local school sang songs and put on a play demonstrating the effects of drinking raw water versus the improved health obtained from drinking purified water. Then water from the new system was distributed and everyone joined in drinking the purified water.

Thanks for Giving! Thank you for your participation in Consecration Sunday. Your giving makes possible at least all the programs and activities as we were blessed with last year.

At the Choir Fest on Sept. 13th, 185 people attended with choirs from Southminster, Westminster, Woodland Heights, and First and Calvary PCUSA, participating. There were also some choir members from Forsyth who participated in the mass choir. The offering totaled $531.80. Director and Pianist were paid from proceeds $250.00. We then had $281.80 to donate to Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services and the mission trip of Rodney Dreier to Peru. Musicians used for Southminster Choir and instrumentalists were paid from the Music Honorariums Fund which had a balance of $1235.00. The total for that this year was $520.00 so that fund balance is now $715.00.

Christmas Joy Offering On December 20 we will have an opportunity to support retired (Board of Pension) Presbyterian ministers and spouses, and also Presbyterian schools/universities that help racially disadvantaged youth who seek higher education. You will hear about the Joy Gift Offering during Advent.

4 November 2015

Notes from the Called Congregational Meeting of 11-8-2015

The Congregation met following morning worship on November 8, 2015. The two items on the agenda were the election of ruling elders for the Session class of 2018 and to survey the congregation regarding preferred times for Sunday school and morning worship.

Following all polity necessary, Kathy Morriss and Sue Moore were elected to the class of 2018.

The survey ballots were collected to be reviewed by Session. [See Session actions below]

Notes from the Session Meeting of 11-8-2015

The Session met on November 8, 2015 with all members present except Nora Burgess who was excused.

The meeting was opened with a devotion of thanksgiving and prayer by Ted Scott at 6:30 PM.

The agenda was approved with minor additions and the minutes of the Session Meeting of October 11 and the Congregational meeting of November 8 were approved as presented.

Rich Marsh presented the Treasurer’s report. Income for October: $12,221.25 YTD: $115,357.22

Expenses for October: $13,610.05 YTD: $108,662.49 He also gave the following summary of the Estimates of Giving received on November 1. More may be received, but as of now: 38 giving units completed estimate of giving cards pledging $112,337. 12 of these were increases from last year and 4 were new pledges. After we add: money from folks who give but don’t pledge; Sunday school; loose offering; and use-of-the-church donations our total anticipated income for 2016 is $144,101. Total income for the last 12 months was $142,549. So we expect an increase of 1% in the income for 2016.

Pastor Charley summarized his activities for the month which included Sunday Worship, Wonderful Wednesday, Monday night Football, meetings, and greeting students on Wednesday morning at Holland School. He asked Session approval to get involved with a group hoping to identify and curtail incidents of human trafficking in our area. Session gave approval.

Clerk’s report—Correspondence: Jim and Judi Anderson requested to be placed on the inactive list—approved with regret. Ellen Knox responded to our letter about Consecration Sunday. [see elsewhere in this Scroll] Rodney Dreier thanked us for our assistance with his mission work in Peru. [See report on Choirfest below.]

The Clerk also reported the results of the survey taken at the Congregational meeting.

49 Surveys were received. 25 surveys favored Sunday school at 9:30 am, Worship at 10:45 am 13 surveys favored Sunday school at 9 am, Worship at 10 am 3 surveys said they were happy with either. Write Ins: 6 surveys favored Sunday school at 9:30 am, Worship at 10:30 am 1 survey favored Sunday school at 9 am, Worship at 10:30 am 1 survey favored Sunday school at 10 am, Worship at 11:15 am

Based on this information, a motion was made and passed to begin Sunday School at 9:30 am and Worship at 10:45 beginning on November 29. Committee Reports: for those that reported

Christian Education has submitted their budget request for 2016 and will host Wonderful Wednesday on November 11. Dottie also reported on Choirfest. Four choirs participated. Attendance was 185, and the offering was $531.80. After expenses we netted $281.80. [In October Session voted to split the net income from Choirfest between Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services and Mr. Dreier’s mission work.]

November 2015 5

Congregational Care reported on prayer chain calls and that 20 people enjoyed the fall foliage tour. At Pastor Charley’s suggestion and the committee’s concurrence, there will be a two times each week starting in December to come together and pray for our church--Tuesday at 10 am and Thursday at 1:30 pm. Subway gift cards will be sent to our 10 college students in place of college care kits.

Mission reported that our team at Crosslines served 67 families—150 individuals in September and 99 families—245 individuals in October. We provided a pizza lunch for the winners of the Holland first quarter attendance contest on Thursday, October 29. Nineteen people came – seventeen students and two adults.

Nominations completed their work with the election of Kathy Morriss and Sue Moore as ruling elders—class of 2018.

Property: The work on flashing around the chimney and the new WiFi system has been installed at the church.

Stewardship will be putting the 2016 budget together for Session approval at the December meeting.

Worship reported on Advent plans and Communion dates for 2016. The committee agreed that the pastor has the right to choose any creed approved by PCUSA for use in our worship service.

Organizations: Seekers is planning for the hanging of the green on November 28.

Old Business: Jane, Ted, and Pastor Charley continue to work on the feasibility of providing an after school program for some children at Holland School. Ted agreed to spearhead the decorations and purchase a cake for the “thank you” reception for Susan Rosenbaum on December 13

New Business: We set January 3, 2016 for the installation of Kathy Morriss and Sue Moore to the Session class of 2018.

Next meeting: Will be December 13, at 5 PM in the Southard Room.

The meeting was closed with prayer at 8:15 PM

[The minutes of the October Session meeting have been approved and are available upon request from the church office]

November Session Notes continued

2015 POINSETT IA ORDER FORM

Everyone is welcome to provide a poinsettia for the church this Christmas. This bank of color will be beautiful in our sanctuary on December 20th. They may be picked up after Morning Worship on the 20th. We will list the names of the donors and for whom they are provided. Please complete this form to place your order. Cost is $10 each.

Attach payment and return to the Church Office NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 16th!

Your name: _____________________________________________________________________

Number of flowers desired: _______ Amount of check or cash attached: ___________

Flowers given: You may wish to state the relationship of the person to you.

In honor of (living): _______________________________________________________________

In memory of (deceased): _______________________________________________________

Be sure to pick up your flowers after the service on December 20th. If you would like

us to deliver the flowers to shut-ins, PLEASE CHECK HERE. __________

6 November 2015

December is finally here. Advent has begun and churches look absolutely beautiful. One advantage of serving 52 churches is that you get to see so many sanctuaries as they transmit the beauty of the season. In John Calvin Presbytery, we have one church that leaves their tree up all year. While this is for practical reasons, I have to say that every time I see it, it reminds me of the joy of our Savior. To say that I love this season is an understatement. I love it more since I have changed my attitude a bit about how the focus in our society has changed. It used to irritate me that the commercialism hijacked a Christian celebration, but then I realized that our society does that to all holidays and even invents holidays so we will spend money. So, what would happen if we just ignored the commercialization and concentrated on the good that comes out of our commitment to Jesus? Instead of grinching about how early the stores promote buying, what if we took time to refocus that energy into living out our faith? How would it change our attitudes? It might help us be more focused on what is important. Another thing that may happen is that people might notice that we are different when it comes to the Advent season and that difference may touch their lives and bring them closer to God. As we celebrate this time of preparation and anticipation, may we transmit God’s love through everything we do.

Pastor Susan

Rev. Susan Rosenbaum Pastoral Presbyter John Calvin Presbytery P.O. Box 787 Shell Knob, MO 65747 620-674-1844 - cell

FROM

Thank you very much for your kind words and prayers for Jocelyn in the aftermath of the attacks in Paris, France. Jocelyn is fine. She doesn't live in Paris, but lives several hours away in the French Alps. Here is her address if you would like to contact her. She loves receiving cards and letters. Jocelyn Bogue 180 Rue de la Tuilerie 74370 Pringy, France

We’re loving the cooler days and the blessings of God’s grace in our lives. We hope the gratitude we have lingers in the halls when we’re not there! Your New Beginnings Al-Anon Family

Thank you for letting me know about Sunday Nov. 1st at Southminster. I would like to come but won’t be able to. I’m doing well and attend church every Sunday if the weather is favorable. Give my greetings to everyone. I miss you all. I think Loren takes care of my commitment to Southminster. God bless you all at Southminster. Love, Ellen Knox P.S. My 73rd wedding anniversary is October 24. I still miss Leonard.

Thank you for all your cards and letters. I really appreciate it. I am enjoying my time in France, but it is nice to hear from people at home. Please continue to keep me in your prayers.

Love, Jocelyn Bogue

Dear Southminster Friends, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. You made October 18th one of the happiest, but also one of the saddest days of my life. It was extremely happy because of the outpouring of your love in the presentation of the carefully worded plaque and the beautiful Waterford Crystal bowl. The cards you presented have been read again and again, and the kind words you spoke will sustain me when I think of you and the 24 years I spent as your Director of Music. It was a sad day because our relationship from Sunday to Sunday terminated. There will be, hopefully, times we will meet and keep the many friendships among us active. Also, thank you for the many cards and words that were given on my mother’s death. Phyllis Feyh was a thoughtful shepherd, and the attendance of Nora Burgess, Bonnie Hunter, Ted Scott, and Rich and Sharon Marsh at the memorial service for mother was very special. I shall miss the choir and Lynda Crowder so very much. They were faithful through the years where there were many changes and challenges. Blessings to all of you, Rose Mary Owens Emeritus Director of Music

November 2015 7

December 6 December 13 December 20 December 27

Liturgist Liturgist Liturgist Liturgist

Todd Morriss Brenda Stone Jim Moore Phillip Smith

Head Usher Head Usher Head Usher Head Usher

Nora Burgess Nora Burgess Nora Burgess Nora Burgess

Ushers Ushers Ushers Ushers

Kathy Miller,

Nancy Wageman

Bill Crighton,

Kay Vergien

Denise Ashley,

Madeline Ashley

Dee Diehl,

Mike Lyons

Greeters Greeters Greeters Greeters

Jim & Gladys Jester,

Dee Diehl

June Meyer,

Carolyn Mitchell

Roberta Nicholson,

Barbara Crain

Skeeter Harbaugh,

Kathy Miller

Head Counter Head Counter Head Counter Head Counter

Rich Marsh Todd Morriss Ted Scott Brenda Stone

Counter Counter Counter Counter

Charles Newton Jim Anderson Denise Moll Bonnie Hunter

Child Care Worker Child Care Worker Child Care Worker Child Care Worker

Tami Lyons Dee Diehl Phyllis Feyh Tami Lyons

8 November 2015

2 0 1 5 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 9:30 AM - PWCT Meeting 10:30 AM - Tuesday Prayer 1:30 PM - Congregational Care 6:00 PM - Overeaters Anonymous 6:30 PM - New Freedom Group 7:00 PM - Bethany Evangelical Church 7:30 PM - New Freedom Group

2 12:00 PM - Free Lunch, No Questions 1:00 PM - Property Meeting 5:00 PM - Parkcrest AA Group 5:00 PM - Wonderful Wednesdays - Potluck 6:30 PM - Choir

3 1:30 PM - Thursday Prayer 5:30 PM - Debtor’s Anonymous 7:00 PM - Bethany Evangelical Church 7:30 PM - New Freedom Group

4 7:00 PM - Parkcrest AA Group 7:00 PM - New Beginnings Al-Anon Alateen Family Group

5 8:00 AM - New Freedom Group 12:00 PM - Free Lunch, No Questions 12:00 PM - Overeater’s Anonymous 7:00 PM - Bethany Church

6 9:30 AM - Sunday School 10:45 AM - Worship Service 12:30 PM - Bethany Evangelical Church

7 10:30 AM - Bible Study (Westminster) 6:00 PM - Parkcrest AA Group 7:00 PM - Bethany Church 7:00 PM - New Beginnings Al-Anon Alateen Family Group

8 9:30 AM - Morning PW Circle 10:30 AM - Tuesday Prayer 1:00 PM - Afternoon PW Circle (meet at Sharon Marsh’s home 6:00 PM - Overeaters Anonymous 6:30 PM - New Freedom Group 7:00 PM - Evening PW Circle 7:00 PM - Bethany Evangelical Church 7:30 PM - New Freedom Group

9 12:00 PM - Free Lunch, No Questions 5:00 PM - Parkcrest AA Group 5:00 PM - Wonderful Wednesdays - Dinner Provided 6:30 PM - Choir



12 8:00 AM - New Freedom Group 12:00 PM - PW Christmas Luncheon 12:00 PM - Free Lunch, No Questions 12:00 PM - Overeater’s Anonymous 4:00 PM - Barbershop Christmas concert 7:00 PM - Bethany Church

13 9:30 AM - Sunday School 10:45 AM - Worship Service Reception for Susan Rosenbaum Christmas Cantata Blood pressure checks after worship 12:30 PM - Bethany Evangelical Church 6:30 PM - Session Meeting

14 10:30 AM - Bible Study (Westminster) 4:30 PM - Mission Committee 6:00 PM - Parkcrest AA Group 7:00 PM - Bethany Church 7:00 PM - New Beginnings Al-Anon Alateen Family Group

15 10:30 AM - Tuesday Prayer 6:00 PM - Overeaters Anonymous 6:30 PM - New Freedom Group 7:00 PM - Bethany Evangelical Church 7:30 PM - New Freedom Group

16 12:00 PM - Free Lunch, No Questions 5:00 PM - Wonderful Wednesdays - Potluck 5:00 PM - Holland Children’s Choir 5:00 PM - Parkcrest AA Group 6:30 PM - Choir


18 4:00 - 9:00 PM - Parkcrest AA Group 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM - Piano Recital 7:00 PM - New Beginnings Al-Anon Alateen Family Group





23 12:00 PM - Free Lunch, No Questions 5:00 PM - Parkcrest AA Group

24 Communion 5:00 PM - Christmas Eve Service 5:30 PM - Debtor’s Anonymous 7:00 PM - Bethany Evangelical Church 7:30 PM - New Freedom Group






30 12:00 PM - Free Lunch, No Questions 5:00 PM - Parkcrest AA Group


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Documents

Do You Hear What I Hear? 2015 1 Southminster Presbyterian Church of Springfield, Missouri, is called by God to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, to minister in love to the needs