February is the month of love even more so than June when lots of people get married.  This February has Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Ash Wednesday.  All of these are a celebration of love.

Valentine’s Day gives us a picture of love as an emotion, a feeling, a romantic idea.  This is how love is portrayed in books, movies and songs.  It is a popular idea of love.  We have puppy love and love at first sight.

President’s Day also shows us an aspect of love.  This might seem a little strange at first, but these men who have given their lives for their country certainly did so out of a love of freedom and of democracy and of self expression.  Both Washington and Lincoln altered our country in dramatic ways.  They served, not because of the great wealth they could amass in politics, but because of their great love of their country.

Finally, Ash Wednesday shows us the greatest picture of love.  There was no romantic concept involved in this act of love.  There was no desire to adhere to a political position in this act of love.  Jesus Christ gave up his life because of pure, overwhelming love of each of us.  This is truly the greatest sacrifice of love.

One of the things these acts of love tells us is that love is not just something you feel or think.  It is also something you do.  Love is making sure your spouse and family knows you care about them in real and tangible ways.  Love is serving others even if it is inconvenient.  Love is laying down your life for your brother or sister.

Love is concrete! 

• Creating health and baby kits to replace those that have gone to Haiti 

• Giving money to PDA to help with the long term renewal of life in Haiti.

• Looking for the good in people instead of the negative

• Encouraging others instead of tearing them down

• Being present at worship and other activities of the church

• Helping those in need instead of criticizing them

All of these and countless other ways show our love for God, the church, and all of God’s children.  Make February a month of love.

Lenten Bible Study:  “A Look at World Religions”

 Study begins Feb 17^th at Otterville, and ends March 31^st at Otterville.  Other dates are to be determined.

 We will look at the beliefs of different world religions taking one each week.  We will look at our commonalities and our dividing points.

Be sure to attend the first one, and we’ll have information on the remaining undesignated locations.  These will also be updated on the web.

This past month, our congregations lost a great leader, the Rev. Joe Trower, who will be remembered by many as an integral part of many facets of our Missouri Union Presbytery.  We will miss him.  Long live his missions.

Section L

Thanks again to everyone who has been contributing to our Sunday School’s mission project, Goats for Uganda.”  This past month, we sold sodas at the church Chili Supper, and collected $62.50.  We apologize to anyone who might have gotten a “bad” soda.  Some of our products were out of date.  Hopefully you let us know, so we could replace it with a good one.

Thanks to everyone who helped, and a special thanks to Aaron Reno and Allison Barnes for attending the table.  And, OH YES, thanks also to Kole Kenyon for helping too.  He just may have been our “ringer”.                                         J. R.

Always Give God the Honor and Glory!

This year our annual chili and soup supper was held on January 31^st, and again our friends and neighbors made it another success for us.  January weather is always questionable, and earlier in the week this year we worried about a soggy parking lot.  Not to worry, though--good Lord took care of us with a hard freeze and no one got stuck!

Our sincerely thanks go to everyone who came to enjoy good food and friendship, and to financially supported our event.  Our total income was in over $1600.00. We hope everyone enjoyed the evening.

Longwood P.W. met Wednesday Jan. 20th with Edrie Walk. There were five of us there.  Our devotional was from Luke 4:14-21.

Sharon led us in our Bible study from Joshua, chapters 3 and 4, “Entry into the Land.”  At this time the Israelites crossed the Jordan River.  Joshua consecrated the people to the Lord, and they celebrate Passover.  Now they have the Promised Land!

Our collection was $30, plus $13 for missions. Sharon took notes and she passed out year-end financial reports to all.

We are a small group, but our giving is so great.  We voted out $50 for the Haitian Relief Fund, and will go with the church giving.  We will also continue to put Health Kits together, and it seems the Dollar Tree store is the best place to find items needed.  Betty will also give Rev. Pat a check for our shut-ins.

Now that the Chili-Soup Supper is over, we want to thank everyone who helped in any way, with donations, kitchen help or anything else—it takes all of us to get the job done.  We had such a nice sunny day, despite snow in other places—what little bit Longwood had all was gone by afternoon.  God is good!

Next meeting, Wed. Feb. 10^th, with Edrie Walk, 1:30 pm. and we will have lesson #4.

Remember World Day of Prayer this year at Range Line Church, March 5^th.  More later on this.

God Bless All                    Margaret Schlomer

“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer someone else up.”  Mark Twain

Please continue to keep the following folks in your prayers (cards and letters help, too): 

Eddie Walk, Edna Lea, Karen Chamberlin, as she recovers from surgery,  Jim Reid, as he recovers from surgery, Mida Robb, as she recovers from falls, John and Kay Tevis, as they are home-bound, and all the victims of the earth quake in Haiti.

February

March

Section O

By M. Goode

The regular meetings of the session will be held the first Wed. of each month.

There is a great need to have the “Health Kits” given to the Haiti victims replenished.  Church World Service gave out all that they have.  The Otterville Presbyterian Women have more than a dozen ready to take in a few days.  More will be accepted at any time.   Money can be given to the Presbyterian Women and they will purchase the items for you.  The amount needed to purchase each bag is $12.  Checks can be mailed to Otterville Presbyterian Church/Presbyterian Women, P. O. Box 66, Otterville 65348.  No gift is too small.

The yearly Congregational meeting was held on Jan. 24.  Mary Goode and Gary Jones were elected for the Elders class of 2012.  Janet Jones and David Griffin were elected for the Deacons class of 2012.

Tri-County representatives were elected.  Mary Goode will serve a one year term and Virgil Meyer will serve a two year term.

Those chosen from the floor to serve on the nominating committee for next year were Rita Henson, Marsha Dowdy, Connie Ehlers and Jim Young.  They were all elected by the group.

Presbyterian Women met on Jan. 18th at 1:00 p.m. at Wear Hall with Martha Lu Young, Rita Henson, Rev. Pat and Marilyn Meyer present.  Rita served as hostess.  Martha Lu led the group in Lesson #3, Entry into the Land, Joshua 3 – 5.  Rev. Pat opened in prayer and the P W Purpose was read in unison.

Marilyn, who is the treasurer, reported balance of $637.58 in the PW account.  $259 of that amount is for the Heifer Project which actually leaves the PW with a balance of $378.58.

Jonnie Mae Kreisel advised Martha Lu that she had sent 13 cards this month.  She had sent some Christmas cards to shut-ins.  She did not know how many cards Sue Glenn had sent.

It was reported that the church fed 13 or 14 families for Christmas with the help of FBLA’s collection of food and the food our church members donated.  One poinsettia was given. 

The Festival of Sharing is asking for Health Care Kits due to their whole supply being sent to Haiti.  Rita made a motion that the group take $100 from the treasury to buy items for the Health Care Kits and announce to the congregation that we will accept supplies/kits/or money to buy the supplies so they can put together as many as possible to help.  Marilyn seconded the motion and the motion carried.

It was decided that each member would furnish 3 dozen cookies on February 16^th and again on Feb. 23^rd that will be given to the Prison Ministry in Sedalia.  Marilyn will get the cookies to them.

Rev. Pat read information about “One Great Hour of Sharing” and where the money is sent.  She advised the group she will be gone to Nashville on study leave on Sunday, Jan 31, and Rev. Alex Wales will be taking her place in the pulpit.

Marilyn read from the Mission book about Washington Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania taking God’s Word to two recovery houses and giving hope to alcoholics and people addicted to drugs that are trying to recover. 

The Westminster Group met on Thursday, Jan. 21, at Wear Hall.  Jim and Martha Lu Young were hosts for the meal.  Rev. Pat opened with a prayer.  Minutes of the last meeting were read and corrected.  The treasure reported a balance of $268.31.  Ava and Otis Henson were guests. 

In old business Jim and Rita Henson reported they took the gift cards from the group, 6 Bibles from Jim and Martha Lu, and some other things to the Stubbins Youth Home at Moberly before Christmas.

In new business, Martha Lu reported on the plays at Branson.  “Noah” plays from March to October and in November and December.  “The Miracle” is playing.  Tickets are approximately $50 each. 

Janet Jones gave information to the group about a play at the Liberty Center and Rita said the Community Café in Sedalia needs volunteers.  She will get more information about that for the group.

It was decided to leave the officers the same as they were last year.  For the program, Jim Henson showed a video called “Apostle Comedy.”

The next meeting will be Feb. 18th at 6:30 with Connie Ehlers as hostess.  Martha Lu will have the program.

Albert Kreisel remains in the nursing home Versailles and is doing about the same.

Sue Sponcler, Sr. was moved Bothwell Hospital to the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia on Jan. 18^th and one of her kidneys was removed two days later.  She is doing better and is at Tipton Manor Nursing Home doing re-hab at the present time.

After some time in the hospital at Warrensburg, Lula Mae Aldrich moved to Tipton Manor Nursing home toward the end of January.

Walter Dowdy recently received a good report from his doctor and doesn’t have to deal with chemo treatments for a while.  Way to go Walter!  

Please keep those mentioned above in your prayers!

February

March

Section R

The congregation welcomed Rev. Alex Wales as guest pastor on Jan. 31^st as Rev. Roller was attending a Christian Education Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.  Rev. Wales recently retired from 1^st Presbyterian Church in Warrensburg and will be interim pastor at Broadway Presbyterian Church in Sedalia.   Rev. Roller reported a very good meeting, BUT the weather was worse than what she has been experiencing here in Central Missouri.

Range Line has three members serving on Presbytery committees- Ted Coffelt is serving on the Budget and Finance committee, Karen Chamberlin is serving as Moderator of the Presbyterian Women and is their representative on the Presbytery Council and Georgia Reid is a member at large on the Council assigned to the Mission Team committee and liaison on the Christian Education Mission team. Rev. Roller is moderator of the Christian Education Mission Team and Tri- County Specialized Ministry is represented by several members on various committees.  We may be small churches, but we are making our presence known.  Karen, as Moderator of the P W, is also a member of the Synod P W Council.

World Day of Prayer will be held at Range Line on March 5^th with women from the area invited to join us in the program planned by Christian women living in Cameroon, which is a small country in Africa.  There will be coffee and fellowship beginning at 10:00 and the Bible study starting at 10:30 followed by lunch (bring a salad, veggie, or desert) and the afternoon program.  Everyone is welcome to join us for the day.

Some words to live by shared with me recently included :  “A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you are in deep water”, and  “wisdom is to speak your mind and to mind your speech”!

The one that fits me at this time is, “even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there”- so J R, here is the news from RLC.

Congratulations to all the students who made the High School and Jr. High honor roll for their class work at Pettis Co. R-5 over the past few months.  Those from our area on the “A” roll for the quarter were: Britney Bales, Quentin Johnson, Shaina Chamberlin, Caitlin Alexander and Cameron Bales.

Those on the “B” roll were: Rachel Blackburn, Emily Reid, Elijah Johnson and Trey Green. 

Those listed on the semester rolls were: “A” roll: Britney Bales, Quentin Johnson, Emily Reid, Shaina Chamberlin, Caitlin Alexander, Cameron Bales, Trey Green, and Tori Shireman.

The “B” list included: Cole Alexander, Rachel Blackburn, Taylor Slaughter and Elijah Johnson. 

It was great to see several graduates for Pettis Co RV listed on the Central Missouri University Dean’s List—among them was Andrea Reid.

Congratulations again to each of you.

Remember the “JAM” meetings will resume on every other Sunday afternoon, the first being on Feb. 14^th at 3:00 pm.  Each session includes, study, something to take home and refreshments.  SO encourage your young people to join in the fun and learning about Jesus; as the name of the group implies, “Jesus and Me”.

Check the RV school newsletter for activities that are being held at the high school and elementary buildings.  The Student Council is sponsoring a “Blood Drive” on Feb. 24th at the High School Cafeteria – you might consider giving a pint of blood to save lives!

The Presbyterian Women are collecting items for Hygiene kits.  If you would like to contribute a kit or items for a kit, bring them to the church or let Betty Lou Dotson that you are interested.  The “Jam’s” will be putting them together.

Also Betty Lou has the coffee and tea for missions for sale.

As you begin spring-cleaning, remember to save your gently worn clothing for the area “Clothes Closets”, bring them to the church and they will be delivered.

The following need our PRAYERS;

Sharon Dial Gaddy- cancer

A P Reid as he starts dialysis

Norma Bales--back surgery

Mida Robb--falling

Jimmy Reid--recovering nicely from knee replacement

Marilyn Reid Harris--cancer

Karen Chamberlin--cancer

Troops everywhere

All affected by the weather conditions

Remember to be thankful for all we have.

February

March

Section MUP

(as they say on TV, this information is an encore presentation…)

In a recent posting on the Missouri Union Presbytery website (www.mupresbytery.org), Vicki Schildmeyer has a new posting, asking for prayers the Haiti earthquake victims, plus any financial contributions:

“Help people in Haiti devastated by the earthquake on Jan 12, by taking a moment to pray that God show us how to help. 

Click on this site for a prayer that God will bring wholeness from this terrible tragedy, along with a link to a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance fund (DR000064) designated for Haiti Earthquake Recovery are available.  Put your faith into action!”

On December 30, 2009, New York City observed a GOOD RIDDANCE DAY.  Several stations were set up around the city composed of paper, pens, and a paper shredder.  The point of this observance is to bid good riddance to those things that we want gone from our lives.  Participants were invited to write those things they wanted out of their lives on the paper and then to feed the paper into the shredder as a physical act of their being gone…out of their lives forever.

Now, I don’t presume that life is that easy…that a simple act of writing things down and shredding them will, in fact, remove them from our lives.  It is, however, one act in a series of acts that is necessary to remove bad habits, pain, disappointment, etc, from our lives.

I would like to suggest that as we look at our faith lives there are things we need to bid GOOD RIDDANCE to…perhaps we need to say:

·      Good riddance to doubt and fear,

·      Good riddance to inappropriate guilt,

·      Good riddance to anger, hatred, malice, greed, and other sins,

·      Good riddance to trying to keep the Law instead of living into grace,

·      Good riddance to a critical spirit,

·      Good riddance Scriptural illiteracy,

·      Good riddance to competition against one another and envying one another,

·      ????

When we get these things out of our lives, there will be room for good habits, thoughts, characteristics and re-solutions for our lives.  Since nature abhors a vacuum, we must replace these things we have said good riddance to with grace, mercy, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against such things.  If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.”  (Galatians 5: 22-24)

We received thank you notes from the Barnes brothers, Tim and Dan, for our continued financial support to their college education.  The TCSM would like to thank all of those who contribute to this very worthwhile fund, The Leo Birk Scholarship Fund.  By the way, Dan Barnes graduated this last semester from UM with a BS degree.  Congratulations Dan!

Section L

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the participants in the Christmas program for their talents and support. 

First, thanks to Amanda Kenyon for reading her popular short story about the three trees (even though I had the title wrong in the bulletin).  Next, thanks to our Sunday School class, Aaron Reno, Allison Barnes, and Colby Townlain for their readings, and to Kole Kenyon, a future member of our Sunday school, with his presentation of the star under the tree.  Marsha Scheese did a wonderful job singing O Holy Night, and Emma Greer was very impressive when she sang and signed the first verse of Silent Night.  Finally, thanks to my grandchildren, Emma, Sarah, and Isaac for their readings.  The program would not be complete without Rev. Pat delivering communion to the congregation, and then we ended with the candle light singing of Silent Night.  Thanks again to everyone who made this evening such a joyous occasion.

J. R.

Always Give God the Honor and Glory!

Dan Barnes graduated from MU in December with a BS degree.  Congratulations, Dan!!  We wish you the best of luck in the future.

My apologies to Lindsay (Tim’s girlfriend) for introducing her (under a different name) to our pulpit-supply pastor Kris Schondelmeyer.  I had Dustin Brown’s girlfriend’s name in mind.  Lindsay, I hope this puts your mind to rest—Tim doesn’t have another girlfriend named Morgan.  Kris, thanks for filling in our pulpits in Pat’s absence.  We hope she enjoyed her time off, even with the snow and ice, as we look forward to her return.

Longwood P.W. met Wed. Dec. 9^th with Edrie Walk. There were 5 in attendance.

Our devotional was from These Days devotional booklet, from Luke 1: 46-50.  Sharon led us in the 2^nd Bible study in our new book, "A Leader is Called,” from Joshua 1: 2-16, 24: 1-15.  The key idea is, when God calls us to be leaders, he also gives us the strength and courage to follow his call.

Our collection was for Missions, $18.46, and regular giving was $27. Betty gave our financial report.  Sharon reported what local mission we were doing. She will do the shopping for the family we adopted.  Thanks, Sharon--I am sure this was not an easy job to do. Thanks for all the members who donated money for the shopping of gifts and food. Bill and I took the many items we gathered for our troops to KDRO radio station, one of many places that were taking them.  I understand the members of Smith Cotton ROTC took all of the items gathered and sorted them out and boxed them up—what a job that was!  I am sure our troops were mighty thankful for anything sent to them.

We voted out money for Stubbins Youth Home; we usually send enough for them to buy one of the children a new coat for winter.  We also voted out money for the Women's part of the Joy Gift.  Also we gave Rev. Pat extra money for our shut in who is in a nursing home (for a gift).

Friday night the 18^th of Dec. we had our annual Christmas program, with our young children doing most of it.  We enjoyed the singing of our favorite Christmas carols also. We had a good turnout, and enjoyed a lovely meal after.  Thanks to all who helped out.

Weather has been a big problem the past week or more, and doesn't sound like it is going to warm anytime soon. All keep safe, and extra prayers for those who have to be out in this weather.  I feed the birds daily, and have a good number of them out there.  It takes a lot to keep those small bodies warm!

Next meeting Wed. Jan. 13th, weather permitting!  Our prayers to all for a wonderful and joyous 2010!                         Margaret Schlomer

The New Year: What will you do with this year that's so new?  The choice is yours. God leaves that to you!

“You crown the year with your bounty.” Psalm 65: 11.

Today accept the challenges and the possibilities of the year ahead.                     Helen Steiner Rice

Please keep the following folks in your prayers: 

Eddie Walk, Edna Lea, Karen Chamberlin, as she recovers from surgery,  Jim Reid, as he recovers from surgery, and all the victims of the earth quake in Haiti.

January

February

Section O

By M. Goode

…our Scrapbooking Day on Jan 16^th from 9 to 12.  

All ages are welcome.  Those who want to participate should bring photos, an album and any other materials they have and may want to use to design their pages.  There will be paper, stickers and die cuts available for individuals to have.  The program is open to adults, youth and children.  If they do not have an album, we will show them how to make an “explosion book”. 

Any questions, call Traci Schoen at 366-4241

Rev. Pat has photos of those who participated in the Children’s Christmas Program.  She will have them available at the Scrapbooking Day for anyone who wants them.

Holy Communion will be served on the first Sunday of each month unless otherwise announced.

The Annual Congregational Meeting will be held immediately after worship service on Jan. 24!

Thanks to Traci Schoen and Medena Draffen for spearheading the Children’s Christmas Program this year. It was held on Sat., Dec.19.

We had a nice Candlelight Service on Christmas Eve again.  Thanks Rev. Pat for planning such a nice service for us.

Jalal and Amy (Young) Nabiyev are the parents of a baby girl born on Dec. 20, birthday of the late Glenn Nelson.  She has been named Noah Elif Nabiyev.  Jim and Martha Lu Young are the proud grandparents!

Albert Kreisel remains in the nursing home Versailles and is doing about the same.

Sue Sponcler, Sr. has been quite ill at Bothwell Hospital since Dec. 30.  She is fighting an infection in her blood stream.  On Jan. 5, she was moved from CCU to Progressive Care so she is improving.

Carrie Sponcler’s father has had his second leg removed and is now at the home of Johnnie and Carrie.  He family needs our prayers.

Please keep those mentioned above in your prayers!

January

February

Section R

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  The year 2010 promises to be interesting as we deal with the first few days.  In past years we have had cold spells, and snow ---but it has been several years since we had them both at the same time.  I hope that this is like the old saying; this too shall pass!!!

As we look forward to the year 2010 may we remember the many blessings we received in 2009.  Sometimes they are hard to remember, but if we stop and think about the many good things that happened, we can see that the glass is half-full.

The following article was shared with me and we would like to pass it on.  If you see yourself (as I did), we have the whole year to work on the fault.  It comes from Rapps Mill Church in Rapps Mill, VA.

CHURCH MEMBER ALERT

Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches.  They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin.  Their leader, Osama Bin Lucifer, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ.  The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy!  However, there have also been reports of a sixth group.  A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is the only effective form of counter terrorism found in the church.  Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin' team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along.          Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to lift up and encourage the Body of Christ.  We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristic than the others.  They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin for their Master, Jesus Christ to return.

Which group do you belong to?  In God We Trust!

The Deacons would like to thank everyone who donated to their Christmas project.  They were able to take two large boxes of clothing, food, and toys to the family in time for Christmas.  The family sent a “Thank You” note saying how much they appreciated the help to make a very Merry Christmas for their family.

The basketball season got off to a good start for the Lady Mustangs, as they placed 1st in their home tournament.  Emily Reid, Shania Chamberlin, and Caitlin Alexander are members of the team.  The boys placed 4th in the tournament.  This was the 33^rd year to host the tournament.  Congratulations, Mustangs.

Congratulations to Jonathan Slaughter for reading 20 Caldecotts.  Keep up the good work.

The congregation at Range Line enjoyed the Trumpet solo by Quentin Johnson as part of the worship service recently, Mrs. Helen Coffelt accompanied him.  Thank you, Quinton and Helen. Do it again soon.

The “JAM” group and Betty Lou Dotson presented the pageant on Christmas Eve.  Those taking part in the pageant were: Joseph (Cole Alexander), Mary (Ellie Ballenger), Angles (Caitlin Alexander, Hayleigh and Kendall Marlin), Shepherds (Elijah Marlin, Kade and Cole Hudson), and The Wise Men (Tiffany, Kasey and Brieanna Elling), and Betty Jo Minor reading the Scripture.  The congregation joined in singing many of the familiar tunes.  The “JAM” group sang “Mary, Mary, What Are You Going to Name Your Baby”, accompanied by Karen Chamberlin.  As part of the Communion service, Ellie Ballenger did a very impressive presentation of “Mary” as she welcomed the baby Jesus, admired him and then presented him at the Communion table.  After the Communion service everyone joined in singing “Joy to the World” and enjoyed a time of fellowship with cookies, coffee and chocolate milk.  The evening concluded with everyone wishing each other a Merry Christmas and the best in the New Year.

“JAM” will not be meeting in January.  Their next meeting will be February 14th at 3:00 pm.  Please encourage you young people to come out for that meeting.

Do you like good Coffee and Tea?  Do you like freshly ground Coffee and Tea?  Do you like to take part in a Mission project?  If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, you need to contact Betty Lou Dotson about the Fair Trade Products which she is selling as a mission project.  The products are ordered directly from the Country of origin and the proceeds go directly to them.  Call her today!!!

Please keep the following in your PRAYERS!

Karen Chamberlin--surgery

Jimmy Reid--knee surgery

AP Reid--health problems

Mandy Gibson--health problems

Mida Robb, as she lives at Golden Oaks

All those who have to go out in this winter weather

May everyone have a HAPPY NEW YEAR

January

February

Section MUP

In a recent posting on the Missouri Union Presbytery website (www.mupresbytery.org), Vicki Schildmeyer has a new posting, asking for prayers the Haiti earthquake victims, plus any financial contributions:

“Help people in Haiti devastated by the earthquake on Jan 12, by taking a moment to pray that God show us how to help. 

Click on this site for a prayer that God will bring wholeness from this terrible tragedy, along with a link to a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance fund (DR000064) designated for Haiti Earthquake Recovery are available.  Put your faith into action!”