Christmas Continues

We had a lovely, memorable celebration of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany this year.  We followed the star of Bethlehem along with the Wise Men.  We had a lovely musical Cantata worship led by Pilgrims of all ages.  We had a gingerbread star communion celebration.  We learned about the stars through an Ipad app.  We learned star stories from the Gospel of Matthew.  We apparently have given birth to a new tradition:  pj’s, slippers, donuts and cocoa on the Sunday after Christmas.  (of course:  pj’s optional)

As our liturgy stated last Sunday (January 1), now the work of Christmas begins.  We serve the world in Christ’s name.

I love January.  I love new beginnings.  I love clearing the decks and preparing for a new year.  I am excited about the whole mystery about what lies next.  I am excited for our church.  We have crossed into 2012 with a surge of Spirit.

This is a time of year when we often make commitments.  I hope you will commit to serving God with heart, mind and strength for a whole new year.  I hope you will commit deeply to life at church.  I hope you commit to faithful living wherever God calls you to be during the week and during the year.

If there are any matters on your heart for ways to serve, I hope you will let me or members of the Session or Deacons know.  Blessed 2012 to all!  ~ Pastor Sarah

V  Pilgrim Sacred Journey

U Welcome to the world, Sasha Kristian Moore!  Born on December 16th, 2011.

U Welcome back into membership, Linda and Allie Dorrell!

U Congratulations on Graduations or completion of Study!  

·        Tasha Newton, Benson High School

·        Kristina Workman, Kaplan University with a BS in Business Adminstration

·        Gina Meester, University of Nebraska, Omaha

V  Pilgrim Invitations

U Calligraphy –  Does anyone do Calligraphy and would be willing to use it for a church project?  Please let Deb Stanton know if you are interested.  Thank you!

U Evening Circle –  The Evening Circle meets on the third Tuesday evening at 7:15PM in the lower fellowship hall.  We take turns as hostess and bring a snack, usually dessert, for each meeting.  We encourage anyone who might be interested in checking us out to visit one of our meetings.  Deanne Grant is our lesson leader.  We are now using the book, “Encouraging One Another.”  We served a fellowship coffee hour after church, one Sunday in February, March, April, August, October and November.  Our annual summer picnic in June was held at the home of Doyle and Marilyn Kratz.  We also held 4 “Girls Night Out” meetings in the summer months, a hostess selected a restaurant of her choice where we met for dinner.  The Circle also hosted “Brownie Sunday” on September 4th and we collected $450.00 for our Blanket Sunday mission project in October.  Our first meeting of 2012 will be on January 17th at 7:15PM.  Come join us!!

~ Sheryl Scott, Circle Moderator – Ann Thompson, Secretary – Deanne Grant, Lesson Leader

U Mark Your Calendar! –  Come listen to Bruce Bender give a presentation on his trip

to Tanzania and enjoy lunch following worship service on January 22nd, 2012.  Thank you!

                                                                                                         ~ Mission Committee

U New Book Club - All Welcome!  –  A new book club met for the first time on December 18, 2011.  We gathered at the Dickinson’s home for cocoa, popcorn and a discussion of “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins.  This book was written for young adults and Rebecca Madden shared that her teacher in 6^th grade read it aloud to the class.  However, the themes of the book are very adult:  hunger, violence, death, and evil.  Despite the very dark topics the book’s hero, “Katniss” and several other characters are very likeable and convey hope.  Our book club had a very excellent and deep discussion.  We are ready to change the world!

U Next Book Club Meeting:  Sunday, January 29, 2012 at the Dickinson’s house (for more cocoa & popcorn)  –  Now this might a little off putting, but hang in there.  Our discussion of “The Hunger Games” was so excellent that we felt it makes sense to read the next book in the series, “Catching Fire” also by Suzanne Collins.  Now, if you haven’t read “The Hunger Games” or didn’t have a chance to go to the first meeting of the Book Club, this will give you one extra chance to read a valuable and pretty quick read and once you read that book you’ll probably want to read the 2^nd  book in the series.  DON’T WORRY!  We will branch out and read other books that may be more inviting to you!  We may also include some movies, too.  If you have some book suggestions, just let Pastor Sarah or anyone in the original book club know—and

feel free to ask them more about our first discussion (Mike Charleston, Jeff Dickinson, Gretchen Goodman, Kaaren Hagge, Elaine Lewis, Rebecca Madden, Angie Madden, & Lyn Schneider)

U Per Capita - As in years past, we are once again asking our members to contribute to the Per Capita assessment for the coming year.  The Per Capita payment is used to pay administrative expenses for the Presbytery, the Synod and General Assembly.  This year the assessment is $31.24 per member.  Please use the marked envelope and also indicate “Per Capita” on your check.  We are most appreciative of your support.  Thank you!                               ~ Your Finance Committee

U Youth Groups – 2^nd & 4^th Wednesdays – We have a group for 7^th graders and another group for 8^th grade and older.  In between their meetings they share a meal together (which they prepare!)  Both groups are awesome and are studying Ecclesiastes.  Our next meeting is January 11th, 2012!  If you have a 7^th-12^th grade youth in your life who would appreciate being part of such a group, please let Pastor Sarah know.

V  Pilgrim Journal

U Greetings to all the Mosher-Pilgrim Saints! –  Once again your Session had a productive meeting on January 3, 2012.  We welcome two new elders:  Jeff Dickinson and Ruth Goodman.  We had a very full docket, but we completed our work with good energy and effort.  We endorsed the Fellowship Committee’s tweaking of the Alphabetic Flocks.  (We’ll now have 8 flocks instead of 9).  And each elder adopted a flock.  (The Deacons will do the same at their meeting.)  We discussed protocols for 2012 and readied ourselves for “Visioning” at the Session-Deacon retreat at the end of January.  We celebrated the past month’s many delightful activities and looked ahead to our Lent-Holy Week-Easter plans.  We adopted a Child Protection policy and decided to financially support Jeff Dickinson as a leader in training for the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators conference in Grand Rapids, MI.  Sue Barrett will serve as our commissioner to a Special Presbytery meeting on January 5.  That meeting will “dissolve” our Presbytery’s executive presbyter Kevin Keaton as he heads into other service to our denomination.

Our Stewardship results are being finalized.  We give thanks for sound financial health, the fruit of our God working through all of you!  The Session now plans to meet on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month this year.  Keep the faith & let Christ’s faith keep you!    ~ from the Mosher-Pilgrim Session

U The Sudanese American Presbyterian Fellowship was invited to worship in our building for three Sundays.  After their span of time worshiping here, they have been invited to worship at Faith Presbyterian Church in La Vista.  Their pastor is Michael Kuach, a commissioned ruling elder.  It has been a gift to get to know them a little bit better.

V  Pilgrim Mission                                                                                       

U Thank You Snow Removal Warriors! – December 4th, 2011 -  All cleared for the 9:15 AM Sunday “Wisdom for the Fantastic Journey” Class!  December 9th, 2011 – All cleared for the 1:30 PM Friday Bible Study (and earlier!).

U What Do You Do With Your Aluminum Cans?  Did you know that some people from Mosher-Pilgrim bring their empty aluminum cans to the church, where Doyle Kratz picks them up.  He, in turn, takes them to a recycling center to sell.  The recycled aluminum sells for 25 to 50 cents per pound depending upon the market.  The Deacons then forward the money received to the Presbyterian Food Pantry.  This year the proceeds from your recycling efforts have been $45.50.  As a further mission effort, the pull-tabs from the cans are collected.  These tabs are then taken to the Ronald McDonald House.  The proceeds from these tabs, along with those collected from other organizations, pay the annual Ronald McDonald House electric bill of approximately $12,000.  If you are interested in helping with this mission project, please save your cans, bring them to the church and deposit them in the barrel in the lower level store room.  The pull-tabs can be given directly to Doyle.  Your recycling efforts are important to many people!

U – Just a little reminder that Mosher-Pilgrim’s next Blood Drive will be held on March 11th, 2012 – the last day you can donate blood and still give at our Blood Drive is January 16th.  We will be contacting you soon to set up a donation time.  Thank you & God Bless for supporting this life-giving and important event!     ~ Mission Committee

U Reading the Liturgy – A part of the Deacon Ministry is asking a member of the Congregation to read the liturgy for the Sunday morning Worship Service.  A word of thanks to these individuals for serving as Liturgists in 2011:

          Sue Barrett, Vicki Barnes, Bruce and Phyllis Bender, Tom Benkis, Sue Caviness,

          Mike Charleston, Jeff Dickinson, Jean Fritsch, Madeline Geldis, Ruth Goodman, John and           Deanne Grant, Marilyn Kratz, Tim and Angie Madden, Bill Madden, Frank Martincek,

          Paul Mason, Larry and Mary Lou Melton, Gene and Stephanie Moore, Larry and Kay Moore,           Tracey Newton, Jerry Rushlau, Vicki Rushlau, Vonnie Rushlau, Helen Ryan, Lyn Schneider,           Larry Scott, Bob Shere, Byron and Helene Simmons, John and Debbie Stanton,

          Gregg Wallick, Paul Woodward, Dave Workman, Kristina Workman and Jeff Zdan. 

If you would like to serve as Liturgist and have not been asked, please inform Sheryl Scott or Pastor Sarah.  Thank you!       ~ Sheryl Scott, Deacon Moderator

U The Deacons Deliver The Angel Tree Christmas Gifts! – Thank you to the Congregation for the support of the Deacon Angel Tree Project.  The Angel Tree had 20 names of children from Ashland Park Robbins School.  The names and ages of the children were put on the tree on November 19th.  Yes, all 20 of the names were taken that day!  The Deacons also provide a gift card to each family for groceries for a Christmas Dinner.  On November 27th and December 4th, small envelopes were hung on the tree, inviting those who would like to contribute to this part of the project, to enclose some money in the envelopes and sign their names.  Thank you to our generous congregation, we collected enough money in the small envelopes to provide food for seven families!  Deacons, Vicki Barnes, Edine Limpach, Tracey Newton, Jack Lucas, Paul Woodward and Sheryl Scott (plus Larry Scott) delivered the Christmas gifts and the gift cards on December 19th.  If you have not had an opportunity to participate in this wonderful event, sign up to be a Deacon.  You will be happy you did! J            ~ Sheryl Scott, Deacon Moderator

U Deacon Donations 2011 – The Deacons appreciate your generous donations to our mission.  Here you will find the totals of each month’s contributions and where those contributions were sent.  We sincerely thank you!!

January        $252.00                           July              $   648.00

February       $421.50                           August         $     31.00

March           $371.00                           September    $     47.00

April            $113.00                           October        $   101.00

May              $195.00                           November     $   538.00

June             $344.00                           December     $1,005.50

                                                               Total:      $4,067.00

Deacon Ministry:               $1,521.00                        Together, Inc.:       $     30.00

Good Samaritan Ministry:  $1,581.00                        Open Door Mission: $   350.00

Crossroads Connection:     $    38.00                        Petty Cash:             $     20.00

Food Pantry:                    $  469.00                         Total:                    $4,067.00

Homeless Shelter:             $    58.00

U Ongoing Opportunities

U Chancel Choir – Rehearsals are every Thursday from 7-8PM.  All are welcome!! 

U Wisdom for the Fantastic Journey – Ecclesiastes Study – Ecclesiastes Prayer booklets are available for everyone.  We will study Ecclesiastes through January 22, 2012.  You can study on your own and then all are welcome to the 9:15 AM Sunday discussion group for all ages. 

V  Pilgrim Communications

U Continue to inform the church office with your address, phone & e-mail updates!

Larry & Mary Lou Melton – Cell phone numbers:

                                            Mary Lou – (402) 575-8710

                                            Larry – (402) 972-5213

                                            Home phone the same (402)553-2947

U  Pilgrim Updates & Reports

U Overall Church Finances

CASHBOX Thru November, 2011-(How we finance “God’s Work” at Mosher-Pilgrim)

INCOME YEAR-TO-DATE:                                           EXPENSES YEAR-TO-DATE:

   Pledge Income  . .   $ 138,060                       Expenses  . . . . . .  . . . .   151,165

   Other Income  . .    $     8,354                             RESULTS:  Expenses 4.0% less  

    Total Income       $ 146,414                                                                     than planned                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         CASH ON-HAND:

Beginning of Year ………..    $13,387

End of November  …. . . . .   $ 8,639

RESULTS:  Income 1.0%  less than planned                Cash Reserves Reduced           $ (4,748)

Our regular budget income and expenses are almost exactly as expected.  Our church and its’ ministry is truly and richly blessed by YOUR faith and YOUR generosity.  As always ….. “We Believe” that “God’s Work” is present in our church as we continue “Living So God Can Use Us”!. . . …. THANK YOU

U Deacon’s Financial Report - The Deacon’s donations for November, 2011 were:

November    5th     $   57.00                                                                                        Designated to: 

November    13th   $   34.00                                   Deacon Ministry               $   400.00

November    20th   $  200.00                                  Good Samaritan               $   116.00   

November    27th   $  247.00                                  Crossroads Connection     $      0.00

          Total:          $  538.00                                  Food Pantry                     $    22.00

                                                                             Homeless Shelter             $      0.00

                                                                             Together, Inc.                 $      0.00

                                                                                       Total:                    $   538.00

U Deacon’s Financial Report - The Deacon’s donations for December, 2011 were:

December    4th    $  110.00                                                                                      Designated to: 

December    11th   $  299.50                                  Deacon Ministry               $   412.00

December    18th   $  366.00                                  Good Samaritan               $   450.00   

December    25th   $  230.00                                  Crossroads Connection     $      0.00

          Total:          $1,005.50                                 Food Pantry                     $    23.50

                                                                             Homeless Shelter             $      0.00

                                                                             Together, Inc.                 $      0.00

                                                                             Petty Cash                       $    20.00

                                                                             Open Door Mission $   100.00*

                                                                                       Total:                    $ 1,005.50

                                                                             * The $100.00 donation to the Open Door                                                                               Mission was in Jonathan Lopez’s name

V Body of Christ notes

WThank you!  Thank you  for all the prayers and thoughts for my family during the past couple of months.  My Dad is doing much better and we continue to pray his cancer does not return.  God Bless!                     ~ Tracey Newton

Happy Birthday to Nell Weaver

who turned 93 years young on December 26th!!

She is pictured here with her daughter Marilyn,

and one of our church bulletins.

                                                          ¯         JANUARY 2012        ¯

SUNDAY MORNINGS

9:15 AM “Wisdom for the Fantastic Journey” Communal Study (Lower Fellowship Hall)

                10:30 AM  WORSHIP & Fellowship Following Worship

MID WEEK BIBLE STUDY

Thursdays – 12 PM - 1:00 PM  &   Fridays – 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

YOUTH GROUP -  2^nd & 4^th Wednesdays

CHOIR REHEARSAL – Every Thursday at 7:00PM

PRAYER & DISCIPLESHIP –   Every Day

          01/01           10:30 AM -  HAPPY NEW YEAR WORSHIP! 

                              Congregational Meeting                

          01/03           7:00 PM –     Session meets

                01/08           9:15 AM –   “Wisdom for the Fantastic Journey”

                             10:00AM -    Youth Choir

                             10:30 AM -  Worship –  Baptism of the Lord

                                                                   Ordination and Installation

                                                                   Christian Formation meets

          01/10                     3:00PM -      Evangelism & Discipleship Presbytery Meeting

                             6:00 PM –     Finance Meeting

                             7:00 PM –     Building and Grounds

          01/11           Youth Group Meets:    5:30-6:30 PM        7^th Graders

                                                                             6:30-7:15 PM  Shared meal-7^th-12^th Graders

                                                                                 7:15-8:30 PM    8^th-12^th Graders

          01/15           9:15 AM –   “Wisdom for the Fantastic Journey”

                             10:00AM -    Youth Choir

                             10:30 AM -  Worship

                                      Deacons Meet following Worship

          01/17           7:15 PM  -   Evening Circle Meets

          01/19           6:00 PM  -   Worship Committee

          01/22           9:15 AM –   “Wisdom for the Fantastic Journey”

                             10:00AM -    Youth Choir

                             10:30 AM -  Worship 

          Following Worship please come and listen to a  presentation by Bruce    

          Bender about his recent trip to Tanzinia and enjoy lunch

          01/25           Youth Group Meets:

                                      5:30-6:30 PM         7^th Graders

                                                6:30-7:15 PM         Shared meal  - 7^th-12^th Graders

                                                          7:15-8:30 PM         8^th-12^th Graders

          01/27           6:00 PM to 9:00 PM          Session/Deacon Leadership Retreat

          01/28           8:30 AM to NOON             Continuation Session/Deacon Retreat

          01/29           9:15 AM –   “Wisdom for the Fantastic Journey”

                             10:00AM -    Youth Choir

                             10:30 AM -  Worship 

            4:00 PM Book Club meets at the Dickinson’s house 

Heads Up –  FEBRUARY 2012!

February 5th – Annual Meeting & Souper Bowl Sunday!

February 22nd  – Ash Wednesday