One of the most amazing moments in Scripture is when Moses turns to God and asks – “Who are you?” And God responds with “I Am.” God is the one who IS. That is the concrete foundation upon which we build our faith – there is a God who exists, there is a God who has always been, there is a God who will always be.

In today’s society, there is a tendency to view God as something we decide about. You’ve probably heard it said, “Well, that’s what you believe, what I believe is something different.” But the truth is, if God exists, then we can’t decide what God will be like.

When something exists, it is real, and no matter what someone says about it, what they say is either true or untrue. They can’t make up facts to fit what an object is.  If the object is square, they can’t make it round because they want something round. If the object is red, they can’t decide that today it is blue. An object that is real is unchanging and concrete.

The same is true of God. If God exists, then God has attributes. We can seek out those attributes and try to understand them (and some of our understandings may differ), but we can’t decide what they are. We can’t make up a God that fits who we want God to be.

Some theological mistakes people make – “I can’t believe in a God who wouldn’t let everyone into heaven.” Just thinking about it logically – do you really want a heaven where everything that is forbidden by law here is simply allowed? Do you want murder and hatred and all of the turmoil of this world to exist in the next?  Or do you want boundaries where we can all live as God intended us to live.

Now, I can’t say that God will allow or refuse any individual into heaven. BUT, I can say this, that in order to live in God’s presence, all of us must be willing to be transformed into individuals who will dwell in peace with others in heaven. We need to become the people Jesus calls us to be in Scripture. The transforming begins now, in our lives today.

Instead of viewing heaven as a reward (which, by the way, we don’t deserve) for how we live today, we need to view heaven as a place that rescues us from the world we live in, the sin that has a stronghold on our hearts, and a place to be set free. For those who do not want that freedom, who turn their backs on the God who calls us from sin … they cannot be let in. It is not God so much excluding them as it is them excluding themselves.

The other comment that drives me crazy is “There are many ways to God.” Well, let’s be blunt here! If there are many ways to God, then Jesus Christ would not have had to die. Period. It would have been wasted effort. God could have just told us to use another way and skipped all of the pain and suffering and death.

But God is real – and God IS. God might be spirit, God might be all genders or no gender, God might be as tall as a mountain or as tiny as a mouse, we don’t know these things. But we do know God as God has been revealed in Scripture … and we spend all of our days trying to find out more about the One who cared enough to live and die that we might know Him and be with Him forever.

In Jesus,

Bobbie

Hopefully everyone knows by now that the date of Pastor Bobbie’s Installation Service was changed to January 15^th.  Everyone is invited to attend!  This service will be held at the Otterville Presbyterian Church this Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  We look forward to seeing you there!    

JR Greer, chair of PNC

On February 19, 12:30 p.m., Longwood Church will host a basket dinner for Pastor Bobbie’s daughter to meet the families of the Tri-County churches.  Please mark your calendars and plan to attend.  Bring a favorite dish for all to sample—Presbyterians love to eat!

Section L

Longwood P.W. met Thursday Dec. 8^th in the Fellowship Hall with three members present.  We repeated out Christ Candle Liturgy, and our devotional was from Luke.

Betty had Lesson #2, from Luke 2 and Matthew 5.  Greatly Favored are the Mourners, Jesus tells us to honor them, and also calls to account those who live in laughter and not paying attention to those in tears.

Our collection was $46, and we heard our financial report and monies spent, supplies etc. We voted out money to Stubbins Youth Home, and the Leo Birk Scholarship Fund, Joy Gift and to our adopted family for Christmas.

Thanks to all who brought gifts for the family and the food collected at church, and to Sharon for buying the rest of the food, and delivering it to the elementary school. We got a nice thank you card from the Mother, who was so grateful for the gifts bought for the children.

Now we look forward to a New Year, and our Annual Chile-Soup Lunch, hopefully the weather will be nice like last year. We have enjoyed mostly sunny weather, but this is winter and we never know when it will turn bad. We hope all will come and enjoy the Fellowship along with the good food, we miss those who have moved and haven't been to church for awhile.

Our next meeting is Wed, Jan 11^th, 1:30 in the fellowship Hall, and we will have Lesson #3.

God's Blessings to all for a great 2012.

      Margaret

Here is a good prayer to remember:  “Lord where we are wrong, make us willing to change; where we are right, make it easy for us to live with.” -- Peter Marshall

Please continue to keep the following folks in your prayers: 

Larry Thomas, as he continues his treatments.

Ann Cave, as she recovers from a stroke. 

Pastor Bobbie as she leads three churches.

We wish to express our deepest sympathy to Becky Manual and her daughters from the passing of her husband, Paul this past month.  Our prayers are with her and her family.

January

February

Section O

By M. Goode

Again our best news is having Pastor Bobbie with us.  She has wonderful sermons and we enjoy her so very much.  I hope we will all support her and the work she will be leading us to do! Almost every Sunday we have had some new people come.  If you are thinking about returning or coming for the first time, please do it NOW.  I think you will find her ways of leading us enjoyable and worthwhile. -- Mg

Please be patient until we can get our church back on schedule with some of the things that usually occur during the first part of the year.  The session hasn’t met for some time as it was expected that Pastor Bobbie would be on board to moderate a session meeting in December, but her installation had to be postponed due to the holidays, so it was not possible.  It will take a while to get things back on the schedule to which we are accustomed, but eventually we will be back into our usual routine.

The Otterville Boys Basketball team and the Otterville Girls Basketball team each won 1^st place at the Northwest Tournament the first week of December.  Congratulations!

We are still struggling with the music for our worship service somewhat.  The Gulbransen is working out pretty well, but takes some adjusting by the ones who operate it and the ones who are singing with it! We will be so happy to have Ann back with us someday!  We really do appreciate the gift of the Gulbransen from money given from the estate of Nellie Jenkins.

Souper Bowl Sunday is Feb. 5^th and the Food Pantry would appreciate having soup donated for Souper Bowl Sunday!  The soup may be donated anytime during the month of January and up to Feb. 5^th.  This is an item in great demand so please be generous with your gift. It can be left on the front pew at the church.

We have been happy to welcome some of our old members back recently, especially at the Christmas Eve Candlelight service.  Ann Cave returned to play a couple songs on the organ for us! What a joy!  Johnnie Mae Kreisel was able to join us along with all of her family as they brought her from Tipton Oak Manor for the service.  Zetta Dowdy was back with us again and we enjoy seeing her back in her pew!  We are so happy to see improvement in these who have been struggling with health issues.

The Deacons were able to buy 36 Turkeys that were distributed along with food boxes to families in need for the holidays!  They reported some very happy faces when they arrived with the food!

Our “thanks” goes to all those who helped with the decorating the church for Christmas!  We are lucky someone feels it is important to have it done. We are hoping someone feels it is important to un-decorate and put all the things away for next year!  The beautiful poinsettias used to decorate were given in memory of the following: Albert Kreisel by Johnnie Mae Kreisel; John & Hat Glenn by Johnnie Mae; Sue Glenn by Johnnie Mae; Burf & Nellie Jenkins by Johnnie Mae; Marvin & Erbie May by Connie Ehlers; Their family by Jim and Martha Lu Young. Thanks to all of you for making a beautiful contribution to the church for our services!

Our Sympathy goes to the Carrie Castle family.  She passed away in early November and was a longtime member of our church.  Any donations in memory of Carrie were donated to the Window fund for the church. (I apologize for being late with this announcement. Mg)

On Dec. 29th, Jack Carollo, of Sullivan, Missouri passed away.  Many will remember Kim Burnett Carollo, his wife, who often played the piano at our services many years ago. Our sympathy to Kim and the families.  A message may be sent to Kim on Facebook.

Ann Cave continues to improve from the results of her stroke in late Oct.  It was so great to have her at the organ again on Christmas Eve.  We hope she can soon be with us again even if she can only play for part of the service!

Johnnie Mae Kreisel is also improving and was slated to come home from the nursing home at Tipton on Dec. 31st.  We are so thankful she will be able to enjoy her home again. 

Zetta Dowdy seems to be doing some better.  At least we have been happy to see her in church several times in the last few months!  We are SO glad to have you back with us even part-time, Zetta!

This month we had 43 families or a total of 133 people served.  We added 7 new families to our roster to make a total of 55 families and 166 people.  The majority of families are from Cooper County but we do have a few from Morgan, Moniteau and Pettis counties.  We have had articles in the Otterville and Tipton papers and have sent flyers to various churches in the area.  We hope to add volunteers and get help from other churches in the community.

We have added volunteers.  Margot Evans is our registrar.  She makes sure all families are registered and signed in as they arrive.  As the guides are ready, she assigns a guide to each family who tells them how many of each item they may choose.  Our head guides are Sue Nace, Lisa Cooper, and Mary Ann Keating.  Other guides who have recently joined us are John Robertson, Teresa Young, and Efrie Sinclair.  Sue has been taking food to the homebound clients.  The FBLA students helped unload and sort food this month.  John Robertson has been a great help to us as he travels to Sedalia to help us pick up the food at Open Door and has also helped pickup and construct our new shelving we obtained from a special donation from Mr. and Mrs. Porter of Smithton.

Food donations of 38.2 pounds of mostly meat products were received from the Senior Citizens of Otterville and 240.4 pounds of goods was received from Family Medicine in Sedalia where Margaret Walje works.  Brenda at B & L Market graciously allowed us to store meat in her freezer when our freezer quit working.  We collected 18.6 pounds of food in the bin at B & L Market.  190.7 pounds of food was purchased with the money that was donated at our Fall Tea.  The Henson's donated another 173.10 pounds of food and goods that were purchased at a discounted price from Mr. Schrock's business that he closed.  This month we had a total of 760.11 pounds of food donated above what we received from Open Door and the Food Bank.  The Food Bank sent a truck to the pantry again this month with venison, carrots, potato chips, misc. other items, and white and chocolate milk.

Our freezer has broken and it appears it will cost more to fix than buy another one so now we are on the lookout for another freezer.  Does anyone know of anyone who would like to donate a freezer or maybe buy a share to purchase a new one?  We spent the $100 that was donated at the Fall Tea on additional needed food.  We spent the $100 that was donated to purchase shelving on the shelves.  Another donation of $100 was spent on food and additional shelving.

January

February

Section R

By Georgia Reid

 “Happy New Year!”  Yes, we are beginning another year, and what lies ahead for us, we are all anxious to know.   As we make plans for this year, we must remember to make plans that we can measure and that we are capable of completing.  Many times we are content to just do the same things the same ole way and as you and I know that gets us to the same ole place.   In Sunday School recently we were asked to write down our New Year’s resolutions—I couldn’t think of any at the time, but have thought of several since.  One of them would be to keep in touch with family, not only those who live close to me, but those that I don’t see very often and may be going through rough times.  The rough times may be health issues, financial difficulties, which can be caused by loss of a job, weather conditions, an accident, or other causes beyond their control.  It only takes a few minutes to call them or write a note.  Yes, people still like to get a letter in the mail.   And as we are keeping in touch it may mean that we will need to learn a new skill – that thing called a computer or the cell-phone!!!  I hope you will join me as I try to make myself learn to better use some of the new things on the market.  As we learn we will have a Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Eve found people gathered at the Church for the Christmas story and Communion.  We were happy to have Rev. Bobbie with us to help with the program. A special part of the Christmas season is the lighting of the Advert candles and especially the Christ candle.  Ricky and Tosha Alexander portrayed Joseph and Mary and little Emmett Alexander played baby Jesus.  Angels were Brianna Elling and Gabby Hudson. Shepherds were Cole and Cade Hudson and Kasey Elling, while Tiffany Elling and Caitlin Alexander were wise men.  Each group entered the stable as the appropriate scripture was read or songs sang. The program ended as Communion was served.  A time of fellowship followed with treats being distributed to everyone attending.

School resumed Jan 3^rd after a 2-week vacation.  Most of the time was spent getting ready for Christmas.

All the college students were also enjoying some down time and visiting with family. Some of them don’t get home very often, and we were glad to see them and wish them luck as they start another semester,

Thank you, to all the young people and Ricky and Tosha for taking part in the Christmas pageant.  You did a great job.

The Deacons were especially busy during the Advent season. They asked church members to provide cookies and were able to deliver a total of 17 baskets of cookies to people in the community.  They also adopted two families for Christmas. They bought each family member a gift and food for the family’s Christmas dinner.  Proceeds from the Ice Cream supper were used for this project.

They want to remind everyone that they are still collecting “gently used” clothing for the area clothes closets.

Please pray for:

Larry Thomas

Steve Coffelt

Darlene Lewis

Cornine family – loss of Lona Mae, their sister

Rev. Bobbie as she serves Tri-County

John Williams family – former Superintendent of R-5

Family, friends and neighbors

January

February

I have always had a fondness for the true farmer and believed him or her to be a true Christian, even though a little unvarnished at times.  The first requirement in farmer-hood is to have faith, otherwise what’s the use in planting the seed in the first place, or feeding any livestock.  Once he has faith, the farmer can feel comfortable about sharing his or her own beliefs, hopefully Christian based.  The following is a list of such beliefs that a friend from Ohio sent me—you be the judge of their base and think about someone you know (or have known) who might have made these same comments. Thanks Denny—JR

 “Life from the Tractor Seat—by Canman”

·   Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.

·   Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

·   A bumble bee is considerably faster than any tractor.

·   Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.

·   Meanness don't just happen overnight.

·   Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.

·   Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.

·   It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge.

·   You cannot unsay a cruel word.

·   Every path has a few puddles.

·   When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.

·   The best sermons are lived, not preached.

·   Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.

·   Don't judge folks by their relatives.

·   Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

·   Live a good and honorable life, then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

·   Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none.

·   Timin' has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

·   If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

·   Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.

·   The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.

·   Always drink upstream from the herd.

·   Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.

·   Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.

·   If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.

Everyone is invited to attend the installation service for our new pastor, Rev. Roberta “Bobbie” Karchner.  This event will be held at the Otterville Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 11, at 3:00 p.m.  It is appropriate that this event will happen in the season of Advent, as we have been waiting for this for some time.  Please spread the word and let everyone know about this date.  We look forward to seeing you there! 

JR Greer, chair of PNC

This past week in December, Pastor Bobbie and Gary left an early winter storm on the western edge of Kansas and arrived safely in sunny Sedalia.  Well maybe not completely sunny, but at least not ice covered.  They are now in the process of unpacking in their new home in Elm Hills, in Sedalia—address, 1203 Elm Hills Blvd, Sedalia, MO 65301.  Their phone will not be connected until Monday 12-6, and their new number is 660-851-0067.  Please welcome them into our communities, and attend worship at any of our three churches on Sunday mornings.  We look forward to this new opportunity.

In last month’s newsletter, Otterville’s section was printed from a one-year old document.  We would like to apologize to Otterville and their readers for this mistake, and sincerely hope there weren’t too many problems as a result. I did check to make sure there were no rebirths, but I was worried that Charlie Goode had had another stroke.  We’ll try to keep this from happening again!    --JR Greer

Section L

Longwood P.W. met Tues. November 8^th in the Fellowship Hall with six present.

Sharon had our first lesson from our new study book, “Greatly Honored Are the Poor,” from Matthew and Luke. Jesus calls his disciples to honor the poor while he calls the wealthy to account. I think history is repeating itself today, sounds very familiar.

The financial and other reports were presented and our collection was $70. Sharon reported on what was taken to the Festival of Sharing this fall; thanks to her the kits and other things were delivered. There were 18 Personal Hygiene kits, and money for 4 trios of rabbits. Also there were some best choice bar codes and money for some of the shipping costs. Thanks to all who participated. Always a great project as the kits we assemble stay in Mo.

There were expenses for the Lord's Acre sale and also reported $65 went to the Thank Offering program. We voted out $100 for the Leo Birk Scholarship fund. Our PW mission is helping others.

Advent season is here, and on Dec. 4^th our new pastor will be in all three pulpits.  Let us all support her; we need to build our congregations back.

I received the report from what the Festival of Sharing did in October. Quilts did well as usual, and this time the list of Missouri Packs and kits is listed.  That will give us an early start on getting items—they stress the best Choice bar codes, so please remember to save them.  It’s difficult to collect these, as the schools encourage students to bring them to school, which helps them out, too.

We wish all of you a very Blessed and Merry Christmas and also a good 2012.  We will have family get-togethers and pray all will have good health and good weather.  The December meeting will be Thurs. Dec. 8^th, at the Fellowship Hall at 1:30 p.m. We will study lesson #2.         God Bless All                        Margaret

Miracles are marvels that defy all explanation and Christmas is a miracle, not just a celebration.

Today marvel at the significance and meaning of the miracle of Christmas.   Helen Steiner Rice

Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 11

Please continue to keep the following folks in your prayers: 

Larry Thomas, as he continues his treatments.

Paul Manuel, suffering with colon cancer.  

Ann Cave, as she recovers from a stroke. 

Pastor Bobbie & Gary Karchner, as they unpack and settle in their new home in Sedalia.

It was great to see Esther Brown in church last Sunday!

Good health, prosperity, and Blessings to All as we enter into the holiday season of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

December

January

Section O

By M. Goode

Our most exciting news this month is that by the time you read this, our new minister will have already arrived and preached in each of our churches.  What a joy to have her and her husband with us for the Advent and Christmas season.  With many this will be one of the most joyful gifts they receive this holiday season! To once again have a full time pastor to lead our churches will be a gift we enjoy all year long!

The Gulbransen machine has arrived (Nov. 26^th) and it was used for the first time on Sunday, Nov. 27^th.  It isn’t like having Ann back at the organ, but works pretty well, although it’s only as good as the one operating it! J   We had some “tempo” problems the first day, but everyone seemed to adjust by singing right along with it!  Of course, we did have a few laughs about our songs that day!  So far Mary Goode has pushed the buttons, but the coming week we hope to enjoy a better sound as Debbie Lake has it connected to our sound system now.  Thanks to both of you for helping us to have some sort of music for us to sing with in Ann’s absence.

On Sunday, Nov. 27^th, Rev. Williams last day to regularly preach for us, a soup and sandwich dinner was held at Wear Hall with a good attendance.  There were 30 at the worship service on that day and it made for a nice good-by to Mary.  We tried to express to her how much we appreciate all she had done for us since we’ve been without a full time minister.  Our attendance has increased and she helped us in so many ways.  We wish her the best in her continuing endeavor to serve our Lord.

There was a nice Community Thanksgiving service on Sun. evening, Nov. 20^th, at the First Baptist Church.  Mary Goode (the only one present from Otterville Presbyterian) filled in by reading the scripture and having a prayer for the group due to the absence of Rev. Mary. She was off due to illness in her family.  The service was well attended by the other two Otterville Churches and the community.  Come on you Presbyterians…..where is your support?

Our “thanks” go out to Gary Jones, Martha Lu Young and Debbie Lake for their help with the beginning of our worship service during the time before Rev. Mary arrived from the other churches.  We do appreciate that someone took the responsibility to lead us for those few minutes and sometimes even for the whole service when Rev. Mary had some time off!  

Our sympathy goes out to Sue Nace and her family at the loss of her step father recently.

Ann Cave came home on Sat. before Thanksgiving and is doing very well.  She has therapists who come to the house and her friends and family have been so good to her.  She will be up and out before we know it, but she still needs our prayers, of course.

Johnnie Mae Kreisel is doing very well or at least much better and was home for Thanksgiving.  She also continues to need our prayers.

We were so happy to have Zetta Dowdy join us at worship a week or so ago!  It was so good to have her back in her pew again!   We are hoping she will someday be able to join us more often again. She still needs lots of prayer for her health and for the changes she has had to adjust to because of her illness.

Charles Goode has recently returned to occupational therapy for his left hand.  He has a new therapist and she has some new ideas!  Keep him in your prayers as he strives for more use of that arm and hand.

Martha Lu, Rita, and Marilyn met on Nov. 1st at Wear Hall.  Martha Lu opened in prayer and read an article "This man sure has a good view of what's happening to our country."  We had snacks that were left from our Thank Offering that was held the day before.  Rita led us in lesson #3.

Marilyn gave the treasures report. 

Thirteen women attended the Thank Offering that was held on Oct.31.  Women attended from Marshall, Sedalia, Longwood, and Otterville.  Joan Erickson and Mary Williams also joined us.  Health reasons kept some women away as well as it not being a good day for others to attend due to prior commitments.  $192 was collected for the Thank Offering.

Martha Lu, Janet, and Rita attended the Fall Gathering that was held at Mexico.  The guest speaker was from Russia.

We need to keep Ann Cave in our prayers.  She is now at home and striving to recover from her stroke.  Johnnie Mae is doing better and is now at Katy Manor in Pilot Grove.  She hopes to be home again soon.

Caring Hands was given to Ann Cave and also to Dianna Marcum who recently had shoulder surgery.

The Fall Tea was held on November 13th at Wear Hall.  PW contributed $50 towards food and supplies for the event.  The PW women furnished some of the food items.  Most of the food was prepared by the Food and Nutrition class at the high school under the direction of Rose Homan.  The students also provided help with the set up and prep of the food on Saturday and Sunday prior to the event.  Mrs. Homan was a great help during the event and after with the clean up.  Twenty eight people attended the event and sampled scones, sandwiches, fruit, muffins, and desserts.  The Otterville Food Pantry was gifted with 133.8 pounds of food and $100 in cash donations.

We discussed giving Christmas Stockings to shut ins for Christmas.  We will not have our regular meeting on December 5th but will make and deliver the stockings during our meeting time.  We will fill the stockings with fruit and candy.  We will attempt to get a list of the Otterville people who are at Katy Manor and Tipton so we can deliver the stockings to them.

Martha Lu gave a report about Mission-in-a-Weekend that was held at the Agape House in Jefferson City.  Our PW group along with several other churches sent money and supplies to help with the event.  Fire extinguishers, curtains, paint, and other supplies were purchased with the money.  Volunteers helped clean and paint, wash windows and clean the flower beds around the building.  Emergency clean up buckets were assembled to be delivered to Festival of Sharing.  The PW Synod has agreed to reimburse $1000 of the money spent on each Mission-in-a-Weekend event.

November was a record month in receipt of food and items for our pantry.  The school held two food drives for us which netted us 2084.9 pounds of food.  We also received 133.8 pounds and $100 from the Fall Tea.  The Girl Scouts of Smithton helped serve at the tea and along with the Sedalia Girl Scouts donated another 35.6 pounds of food.  Shrock Country Market went out of business so we received another 1051.4 pounds of food/goods as a result of their closure.  The McKinney's gave us shampoo/lotions/soap that amounted to 32 pounds.  The grand total for the month was 3337.7 pounds of food and goods as well as the $100 donation that will be spent on needed items.

We added two more families to our roster this month so now we have 48 families registered with a total of 143 people being served.  This month we served 44 families and 143 people.  The families are allowed to come both days the pantry is open.

Flyers are being sent to churches in Florence, Clifton City, Syracuse, and Tipton to make them aware of our Food Pantry.  Those areas do not have a close food pantry so we hope we can serve people in need of food in those areas.  Brenda Turpin at the B&L Market has agreed to have a food pantry collection bin placed at her business so people can drop off food any time.  Margot Evans will also have a collection bin on her porch at the corner of BB Hwy and Montgomery so people can drop food there as well.

As more people are becoming aware of our needs we have benefited from more community support and volunteers.  The students at the school are helping unload and sort the items on the distribution days prior to the open hours of the pantry.  Volunteers are serving as guides and checking in the clients.  Students are helping as guides and helping people carry their items to their cars.  Volunteers are also helping deliver food to shut-ins.  We are still in need of more volunteers.  We would like to have a representative from each church that would help keep their members informed and possibly recruit more volunteers for us.

Even though we have received an abundance of food and items this month we are still in need of several items.  We need more canned meat, canned fruit, tomato products, pasta, cereals, paper products, cleaning supplies such as dish soap, laundry soap, and household cleaning supplies.  People who are on food stamps can not buy non food items with their food stamps.

We would like to be able to handle more items.  It would help a great deal if we had shelving instead of the tables which tend to give under the weight of the cans.  We cannot have anything sitting on the floor.  Mr. Shrock has agreed to sell us his grocery store type shelving for $25 per 4 feet.  This is a great deal for us as other shelving has been priced form $40-$60 per 4 feet.  We pray and hope that churches, organizations, or individuals will help us secure the needed shelving.

The Missouri Food Bank of Columbia sent a truck to our pantry on Nov 22 with grapefruit, bags of hot dogs and 100s of pounds of ground "Share the Harvest" venison.  Clients were allowed to take as much as they wanted of this meat.  Anthony did not want to take any of the meat back with him so we filled all the freezers at the church and our home freezer with what he left for our pantry.  We need to clear some of this so we will have room for the new frozen items we will receive on Dec 13th.  If there is anyone you know who needs meat, please contact Rita or Jim Henson at 660-366-4988 to pick up some of this meat.  Anthony advised he will be bringing another truck load of items on Dec 27th.  He will not know until that day what he will be bringing.

The recipients of the food have been very grateful for all they are receiving and the volunteers are being blessed knowing they are helping other people.

December

January

Section R

By Georgia Reid

CHRISTMAS is in the air—Christmas is everywhere!  As we prepare for the season, let us remember the reason (for the season)!  We can make things easier for ourselves if we just slow down and not try to do everything.  Select the things you really want to do, or need to do and don’t feel guilty about the things that must be left undone.  Some would call it their “bucket list”—the things that they want to do before - - (Christmas, Easter, school is out, spring – the list goes on and on)!!  On your list you might want to take time to attend some of the many Christmas programs to start celebrating the season. It would also get you involved in community activities and bring smiles from the grandchildren, teachers, or neighbor children when they see you in the audience at their program.  It might mean getting in touch with someone you have been thinking about for some time and just haven’t taken the few minutes it takes to follow through.  Maybe your “bucket list” includes sitting down and reading a book – why not take the time for yourself?  Sometime when we take time to do the things we have been putting off other things fall into place and we actually get more done and have that warm fuzzy feeling!  This year let Christmas be EVERYWHERE!

If you would like to send Mida Robb a card – her address is: 701 Homestead, % NNC – Marquette MI 49855.  She would appreciate hearing from all her ole neighbors.

To everyone, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Northwest announced the names of students named to the honor roll for the first quarter – those from the area listed on the “A” roll are: Seniors- Shaina Chamberlin and Megan Locke; Juniors – Caitlin Alexander and Paige Norfleet; Freshmen- Tori Shireman and Jessi Zimmerman; Eight grade – Ali Chamberlin and Hanna Gregory; Sixth grade – Marissa Cornine; Fifth grade – Rylan Chamberlin and Remingtin March; and Fourth grade – Emily Gregory and Jonathan Slaughter. Those on the “B” honor roll are: Juniors- Elijah Johnson; Sophomores – Matthew Locke; Freshmen- Trey Green and Seventh – Caitlyn McQueen.  Congratulations to those listed and all students for their hard work.

Tiffany and Kasey Elling each made the “B” honor roll at Concordia – Keep up the good work girls ! !

Congratulations to Hayleigh, Kendall and Elijah Marlin for making the honor roll at Sweet Springs –

Football and Volleyball seasons are over and everyone is practicing for Basketball season now.  Caitlin Alexander will be playing with the Lady Mustangs – so go to some of the Northwest games and watch her and the teams play ball.

Tiffany Elling is team manager for the Concordia Junior High team.

Cole Alexander has been busy practicing for the State Fair Community College Music department Christmas presentation.  They put on a great program. If you missed this one they will present a Spring concert – watch for the date!!!   He is also busy studying and will be ready for winter break.

All the schools will be presenting Winter concerts – check for those dates and support our young people as they perform.

The Deacons are adopting two small families this year, and would appreciate all the assistance you can give them in helping to make this a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year for those families.  If you can help, contact Betty Jane Reid at 879-4484.

To help our neighbors in Joplin, the Deacons voted to send $100.00 to the First Presbyterian church “Disaster Fund” to help them provide hygiene item for the volunteers who are staying on church property and helping with the clean-up after the tornado.  They also voted to send money to the disaster fund of the Joplin church for the purchase of trees to replace those lost to the storm.

On December 18^th they will be making up boxes of Christmas cookies for shut-ins in the community.  If you can help, please have your cookies to the Church by the 18th.

The first Sunday of each month the Deacons will be serving “Coffee, juice and rolls” at 8:00 am (yes, Sunday morning before Church).   So put that on your calendar for January 1, 2012.

The Session will also be making a cash donation to the Show Me Youth home to help with their annual New Year’s celebration.

Please keep the following in your PRAYERS

Bill Meyer – surgery

Bob Wiskur family

Sharon Dial Gaddy

Larry Thomas

Steve Coffelt

Rev. Bobbie as she comes to Tri- County Specialized Ministry

All who travel during the Holidays

JR and Sharon Greer as they labor monthly to put out the Newsletter

Work of the Church everywhere

December

January