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The Lamplighter November 2017 • Salem United Church of Christ • Higginsville, Missouri

Dear Friends,

For several weeks now we have been seeing a lot of very large machines moving across the fields bringing in the harvest of mostly corn and soybeans. Along with these large machines and the dust that they throw into the air, most of which seems to land in my sinuses, we have seen a lot of very large trucks carrying the harvest along the roads to the very large grain stor-age facilities. It is a great deal of work that signals the end of the growing season and the approach of colder weather.

That idea of work has been on my mind quite a bit lately. A few weeks ago, for no conscious reason, a saying popped into my head. It is a saying that comes from Mother Ann Lee, the founder of the United Society of Believes in Christ’s Second Appearing. You probably know her church by the name that outsiders gave them after seeing their religious dancing in wor-ship: The Shakers.

The Shakers, which still exist as far as I know, were known for a number of things. They were known for a such a serious commitment to the Christ’s Second Coming that they prohibited marriage and all sexual activity. A look at most churches in the Antebellum period show us that they grew in two primary ways: evangelism and family growth. You all know from Salem Church’s history that family growth brought many members to the church. The Shakers did not allow for that sort of growth, which meant that their only option for gaining members was evangelism. They tended to settle, however, in uninhabited plac-es, forming their own separate communities. They did take in orphans and raise them and educate them within the communi-ties, but not all of those orphans stayed to become members.

Apart from their commitment to the Second Coming, the Shakers are also known for their commitment to hard work and craftsmanship. Shaker furniture, Shaker tools, Shaker brooms, and other products were a significant source of income for the communities and everyone worked, women and men alike. Responsibilities for community leadership were shared by women and men, and the members of the communities rotated from job to job, always working to the best of their abilities. Which leads me to the saying that we attribute to Mother Ann Lee:

Hands to work and hearts to God.

I have always thought that the saying is quite powerful. It is also sometimes an indictment of our culture and society. Many of us, especially in my generation and older, are more likely to think that the saying should be “Hands to work and hearts to work, too.” We have too easily and too often given ourselves so completely to our work that it seems that God only gets whatever we can spare. Mother Ann Lee reminds us of a more proper order for things.

Hard work is not the problem. Hard work is a good thing. When we can see the fruits of our labors, we can gain a great deal of satisfaction and a deep sense of accomplishment, whether those fruits are literal or metaphorical. Hard work brings rewards far beyond the financial realm, but it can also sometimes provide financial security. No, hard work is not the problem. The problem is that hard work, and its concomitant rewards, too frequently becomes the focus of our attention and adora-tion.

One corrective to the problem, a corrective that Mother Ann Lee’s words present to us, is to see everything we do as an offering to God. If our hearts move constantly toward God, then the work of our hands, or of our minds, can also draw us toward God. I have mentioned before Brother Lawrence, who lived his life in a monastery, working always for God, and striving to make his life a prayer, whether he was working in the kitchen or repairing sandals. [You can read briefly about Brother Lawrence at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brother_Lawrence, and you can read his words, collected in a book called The Practice of the Presence of God online at Project Gutenberg, at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5657 .]

Along those lines, I came across another quote that I find very insightful It is from Denise Levertov (1923-1997), an Eng-lish-American poet, who said, “I am not very good at praying, but what I experience when I am writing a poem is close to prayer.” In a similar way, whatever we do, whatever work we undertake, when we give our hands to work and our hearts to God, then our work becomes something very close to prayer.

Grace and Peace

Tommy

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OUR FRIENDS AND CHURCH FAMILY

IN CARE FACILITIES Listed below are our members and friends (at the time of printing of the Lamplighter) now residing or recovering at our local and sur-rounding community nursing homes and care facilities. A card or visit from a church family member would be a delightful surprise! Meyer Care Center, 1201 W. 19th St., Higginsville, MO 64037 Wilma Dieckhoff Glenn & Shirley Nowack Pat Pence Anna Marie Rinne Grace Schemmer Robert “Cobb” Souder Earl Struchtemeyer Bob Tankesley New Haven Living Center, 609 Golf Street, Odessa, MO 64076 Myrna Fette Lutheran Good Shepherd Home, 202 SW St., Concordia, MO 64020 Winnie Knehans Jake Stoecklin Ann Nuelle Country Oak Village, 101 Cross Creek Drive, Grain Valley, MO 64029 Viola Meinershagen Riverbend Heights Rehab & Health, Lexington Nursing Home, 1221 South Highway 13, Lexington, MO 64067

Mark Gieselman

Addington Place of Lee’s Summit, 2160 SE Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063

Roberta Summers (Apt. 212)

(Roberta’s mailing address is Rob-erta Summers, C/O Carrie Tunison, 1207 SE Brookwood St., Lee’s Sum-mit, MO 64063.)

Women’s Fellowship Circle

Schedules for November

Esther Circle – November 1, 10:00 a.m., at Vida Mehrhoff’s home, Vida Mehrhoff hostess, Wanda Niemeier program.

Mary Martha Circle – November 2, 1:30 p.m., at Magnolia Manor, host-ess Barbara Bottemuller, Pearl Luehrman, program.

Ruth Circle – November 1, 2:00 p.m., at Pat Haston’s home, hostess Pat Haston, program Arlene Long.

Eve Circle – November 7, 7:00 p.m., in the Salem Board Room, hostess Carlene Buchanan, program Rita Wallpe.

Special Days in November

November 3: World Community Day at the Corder Baptist Church

November 5 Daylight Saving’s Time ends Harvest In-Gathering Heart Works Sheets Dedicated Fall Fest Dinner

November 12: Recognition of Veterans

November 19: Thank Offering Dedicated Fall Congregational Meeting

November 21: 7:00 p.m. Community Thanksgiving Service at Central Christian Church

November 23: Thanksgiving Day

November 26: Memorial Sunday First Sunday for Angel Tree

November 29: Please return your Heart Works Sheets by this date

The Annual Fall Fest Dinner

will be held Sunday, November 5, immediately following the 10:30 morning worship service. The dinner will be held in the church Dining Room. Everyone 55 years of age and over is invited to come and enjoy good food, fellowship and entertain-ment. Janice Hoefer will have the program. There is no charge to at-tend. Please join us.

WE EXTEND OUR

SYMPATHY TO:

The family of Dot Renno-Nadler. Dot passed away Friday, October 6, 2017, her funeral was held here at Salem on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.

ALSO

Louise Salyer and family. Louise’s son, Jack E. Wade, passed away October 12, 2017, his funeral was held October 17, 2017, at Kaiser-Wiegers Funeral Home.

Daylight

Savings

Time

Ends,

Sunday,

November 5.

“Time to Thank, Time to Share” Thanksgiving is a time to share. A roasted turkey stuffed with care, potatoes, yams and buttered rolls are passed around in festive bowls. But first we thank our God above and share with others his great love. The dish served last is always best — a slice of pie for every guest. —MaryAnn Sundby

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November 2017 The Lamplighter

Tricia Dierking

Grace Schemmer

Mary Ann Fisher

Dawson Goetz

Charlie Thaller

Roger Homfeld

Megan Reno

Harvey Erdman

Bob Schroer

Pat Haston

Arlene Long

Weston Ventura

Mark Emison

Wes Homfeld

Doug Short

Nicholas Catron

Don Nieman

Nicole Vowels

Stanton Thompson

Nick Camp

Kirstie Fiene

Allison Starke

Paul Warren

Rosa Lee Starke

Justin Salyer

Sharon Knehans

Michelle Alumbaugh

Harold Salyer

Sandy Riekhof

Mary Ann Vorwark

Loren Dickmeier

Sara Schoppenhorst

Cherri Wilson

Lynna Good

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Best Birthday Wishes in November go to...

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FOOD RESOURCE BANK

Fall is upon us and with good weather, harvest will soon be completed around the area. We should take time to give thanks for our many blessings and be mindful of others who are less fortunate. To that end, the Salem Men’s Fellowship is again collecting and coordinating donations for the Foods Resource Bank program, which Salem has supported for sev-enteen years.

This past year Foods Resource Bank added five new Growing Projects and nine new overseas pro-grams. This progress is made in part by our dona-tions.

I would like to share a quote from Torrey Peace, “One of the best aspects of FRB support is that it is flexible to respond to actual community needs.” If you care to be a part this year, please drop your check by the church office before November 30, 2017.

To learn more about FRB, their mission, overseas programs and reports, go to www.foodsresourcebank.org

Thank you, Dennis Knipmeyer

Autumn wardrobe The leaves fall, the wind blows and the farm country slowly changes from the summer cottons into its winter wools.

—Henry Beston

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From the Church Records

Financial Report:

General Fund Balance 9/01/17

Current deposits

($13,598 Church Deposits)

($96,000 Endowment Fund Deposits)

Current expenses

($14,990 Church Expense)

($96,000 Endowment Fund Expense)

Current Fund Balance 9/30/17

$ 5,581

$109,598

$110,990

$ 4,189

Building Fund:

Current Fund Balance 9/01/17

Current deposits

Current expenses

Current Fund Balance 9/30/17

$18,885

$ 1,327

$ 6,412

$13,800

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O.C.W.M. (Member Contributions for Sept.) $401

November 2017

8:30 a.m. September Attendance 10:30 a.m.

38 9-3-17 61

33 9-10-17 79

60 9-17-17 116

31 9-24-17 71

41 Average

Total Average 123

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COMMUNITY NEWS: JOHN KNOX VILLAGE AND MEYER CARE

CENTER BIBLE STUDY John Knox Village and Meyer Care Center have a weekly Bible Study that is led, on a rotational schedule, by the Ministerial Fellowship. Greg Fine (Baptist) will be leading Bible Study during the month of November and Liz Lindsey (Presbyterian) during the month of December. The Bible Study is held every Wednesday, 10:15-10:45 a.m. in the Gathering Room.

HARVESTERS SCHEDULE First Assembly of God Church of Higginsville hosts a Harvesters Community Food Network distribution of food on the third Thursday of every month. The date in November is Thursday, November 16. The work day be-gins at 8:30 a.m. and ends approximately at Noon. After the food is distributed, volunteers are asked to stay and help clean up the area. Anyone willing to help is asked to call 660-584-3372, (First Presbyterian Church), and leave your name, phone number, and mailing address. Wear comfortable clothes.

HIGGINSVILLE PROJECT CONNECT: This event is a one-day public health service event for adults that are uninsured and underserved in the area. There is no cost for any service received at this event. They would appreciate volunteers to help at this event, Saturday, November 4, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the East Gym of Higginsville’s High School (Lafayette County C-1.) There is a sign-up sheet outside the church office for volunteers.

WORLD COMMUNITY DAY: The Church Women of Higginsville & Corder will meet Friday, November 3, for World Community Day, at the Corder Baptist Church. Fellowship time starts at 9:30 a.m. and the program begins at 10:00 a.m.

SERVICE OF INSTALLATION: The Western Association of the Missouri Mid-South Conference of the United Church of Christ and Ebenezer United Church of Christ, 206 W. Old Lexing-ton Road, Levasy, Missouri, invite you to a service of In-stallation for the Rev. Jeanne D. Lischer as Pastor and Teacher. This will be held Sunday, November 12 at 4:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE:

The Ministerial Fellowship Community Thanksgiving service will be held Thursday, November 22, 7:00 p.m. at Central Christian Church.

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CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 21, 2017, – 7:30 pm

The regular meeting of the Salem Church Council was held Thursday, September 21, 2017 at 7:30 pm in the Board Room. The members present were Keri Borchers, Felicia Leonard, Janice Hoefer, Delbert Goetz, David Starke, Kevin Berry and Peggy Prag-man. Pastor Tommy and Ronnie Bergsieker were unable to attend.

President Keri Borchers called the meeting to order. Keri, in pastor’s absence, led the group in devotion. Keri used Luke 5: 1-11 from “My Daily Bread” and followed with pray-er. Minutes were read, and approved. Felicia gave the treasurer’s report with balances of $5,581 in General Fund and $18,885 in Building and Grounds Fund. The Pastor’s mileage of 757 miles (including mileage for annual retreat at Lake of Ozarks) for $405.00 was presented for payment. Motion was made and seconded to approve the treasurer’s report and motion to pay mileage also made, seconded, and approved. Selective Insurance-Property: $12,592 total Premium/ $6,302 minimum is due. Motion was made, seconded, and approved to pay minimum amount from the Building and Grounds. The Hartford-Work Comp; $2,210 total premium/ $1175 minimum is also due. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to pay total amount from Corder Money Market Acct.

Tommy reported that on Sept. 3, while Crystal and he were away, Rev. Dale Parson preached a well-received sermon. Dale was grateful for the reception held after the service, even with a small attendance he enjoyed sharing with members. The 2 events, one in Sedalia and one in Columbia, in Dale’s honor were well attended and Salem was represented at both.

The Sunday School program for this year has begun. Plans are being made for Sunday School program, which will be on Dec. 10th at the 10:30 service. Confirmation instruction for this year has also begun. We have two second-year confirmands and three first-year confirmands. June and Pastor are lead-ing the class. Mentors for the second-year confirmands are Amy Goetz and Ken Green. Pastor will be conducting a wedding for Jessica Cole on Oct. 12. The wedding will be at the Anderson House in Lexington. The Fall Gather-ing of the Western Association will be Sat., Oct. 14th at St. John’s Chapel UCC in Springfield. Tommy will be attending and hopes for some Salem members to attend with him. Tommy attended the annual Persons in Minis-try retreat earlier this week at the Lake of the Ozarks. The keynote speaker for the event was the Rev. John Thomas, former General Manager and President of the UCC. Crystal and Tommy will be taking some time next week to go to southern Indiana to attend a wed-ding in Ohio. They will be away from Sept. 25th to Oct. 2. Bruce Pilcher will be preaching on Oct. 1st. That day is also World Wide Communion Sunday and Bruce will lead the communion service also.

Correspondence: Keri read a Thank you from Dale Parsons and also a Thank you from the Show-Me for our donation of $150.

Christian Ed: Delbert reported plans for children for “Trunk or Treat” for Halloween. They are planning a float for the Christmas Parade. Christ-mas Program will be Dec. 10th at 10:30 Service, and discussion about a possi-bility of a Lock-In with all the kids. Building and Grounds: David reported on a possibility of having a meeting in Oct. with members involved about the

Kitchen project. David is hoping the bat problem around the church will be

taken care off with cooler weath-er coming and they will be mi-grating. Cemetery: Mo-Dot has done some work on the South entrance to the cemetery. Memo-rial: Peggy reported no meeting. Stewardship: Ronnie reported no meeting. Evangelism: Felicia re-ported that this year there will be no Turkey Run Walk because of lack of participants. Instead they will have tables set up at both Grocery Stores and Wal-Mart for donations, which will give the entire community a chance to donate. Worship: Janice reported no meeting. Ushers: Kevin re-ported well thru Nov.

Unfinished Business: Equity Bank CD’s. Keri, Felicia, and Ronnie need to stop by bank for copy of driver’s license, SS #’s. Vacation for office staff: Tommy-Sept. 21-Oct. 2. A big Thank You to Lowell for taking care of the leak in the basement. Dennis sent an email to Chris Kaiser, to inform him entry has been fixed by State.

New Business: Western Asso-ciation Fall Meeting, Oct. 14th at St. John’s Chapel UCC from 9:30 – 3:00 in Springfield. Anyone in-terested in attending, we are al-lowed 4 representatives. Dates for Budget Committee Meeting, Oct. 22 @ 2:00; November 19 for Fall Congregational Meeting to approve Budget. Security Sys-tem installed and doing well.

Next Council Meeting Date: October 19, 2017, 7:30 p.m.

There being no further busi-ness, the meeting was adjourned by saying the “Lord’s Prayer”.

Respectfully submitted

Peggy Pragman,

Council Secretary

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November 2017 Page 6

Veteran’s Sunday (Nov. 12th) A couple of years ago our church did not have a record of members who served in our Armed Forces. Now we have information on 80 members. The names of the service members in our database are included in this Lamp-lighter. That said… the list is incomplete.

Ainsworth, John

Ainsworth, Robert

Ainsworth, Thomas E.

Alexander, Dean

Baker, Carl Dean

Begemann, Martin

Bergsieker, Ernst F.

Bodenstab, Robert Lee

Bruening, Carl H.

Buchanan, Kenneth

Busch, Gustav "Babe" John

Conzelman, Arthur

Dickmeier, Hubert

Diekhoff, Alfred

Echelmeier, Herbert

Erdman, Harvey

Erdman, Roger

Fasse, John August

Fisher, Howard

Fizer, John E.

Freese, Edward H.

Gadt, Donald

Gadt, Keith

Goetz, John

Green, Kenneth

Harris, Cole

Haston, Frank

Hilgedick, Wilbert

Hoefer, Maurice H.

Hoefer, Robert Sevier

Hoelscher, Gustave

Homfeld, Cleo

Hook, C.W.

Iles, Kenneth R.

Kirchhoff, Rodney

Kirchhoff, Wilbert W.

Knehans, Homer

Kumm, Andy

Kuschel, Alfred G.

Lamb, Angelica

Lefman, George

Lefman, Ralph

Marth, John

Meinershagen, Lawrence

Meinershagen, Wilbur

Miller, Wayne

Neher, John B. , Jr.

Neher, John B. , Sr.

Nieman, Max

Niemeier, Curtis Hayes

Niemeier, Richard C.

Nolte, Roger

Opfer, Carl Lawrence

Paul, Ray Don

Peck, Clifford

Pragman, Robert

Renno, Billy G.

Ridder, Alvin Edward (Sr.)

Riekhof, Gary

Rinne, Kevin

Schemmer, Kenneth

Schloman, Alan Henry

Schloman, Max T.

Schneider, Edsel Charles

Schowengerdt, Delmar L.

Schowengerdt, Melvin O.

Schowengerdt, Richard

Siegfried, Donald F.

Starke, David

Starke, Ernest Harlan

Starke, Herbert William

Starke, J.W.

Stoner, James H.

Struchtemeyer, Earl

Tempel, Raymond

Thaller, Arthur

Thompson, Stanton

Tyler, Clark W.

Woods, Wilburn "Pee Wee"

If you know of a member not listed who was (or is) a veteran, please help us by providing the following no later than November 5:

Photo of veteran in uniform. Name. Branch of Service. Dates of Service (date enlisted and date discharged). Final rank/designation attained (i.e. Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Petty Officer).

Veteran information can be submitted by contacting Stanton Thompson at 660-584-2922 (Home); 816-225-9515 (Cell); or jsthomps@ctcis.net (email).

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STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

“Stewardship is Heart Work” Inven-tory (formerly known as the time and talent sheet) have been mailed to each individual.

We will dedicate the inventories dur-ing worship on November 5. If you are unable to bring them on November 5, please mail them or bring them to the church office by Wednesday, Novem-ber 29.

Thank you,

The Stewardship Committee.

Evelyn Sander, Abby Oelrichs, Ray Don Paul, Ronnie Bergsieker, Mary Dickmeier

Thank Offering

Thank Offering envelopes will be collected on Sunday, November 19. The collection will be divided evenly between the Higginsville Heat and Hunger Fund and the Food Pantry.

An envelope is enclosed in this Lamplighter for your use. Contributions may be made with cash, or a check made to Salem UCC Thank Offering. You may put your contribution in the collection plate, mail them or drop them by the Church office.

This annual collection benefits area families through the Heat and Hun-ger Fund and Food Pantry. Both chosen recipients are managed by volunteers providing their talent to sustain the charity.

When deciding whether to contrib-ute, please consider the positive im-pact you will have on your local community with your donation.

-Stewardship Committee

TURKEYS FOR

HIGGINSVILLE/

CORDER FOOD PANTRY

The Evangelism Committee is doing a different project to purchase turkeys for the Food Pantry, it is called Turkeys for Higginsville/Corder Food Pantry. This is to benefit fami-lies in need in the Lafayette County C-1 School District. The committee is accepting monetary donations on the following dates and at the fol-lowing locations:

November 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Piggly Wiggly and Moose's, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wal-Mart

November 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Piggly Wiggly and Moose’s

You may also give a monetary donation by placing it in the offering plate or bringing it to the church office. Please have donations to the church by November 12, checks may be made out to Salem UCC and in the memo line please write “Turkeys.”

CHRISTMAS PARADE FLOAT

June Howell and Sarah Berry are plan-ning a Salem Float for the Christmas Parade, Friday, November 24. We would love to have our Salem kids ride on the float (Of course if any adults want to ride, we would love that too!) Please call the church office by Friday, November 17, if you are inter-ested. We are making sheep costumes for anyone riding, so we would appre-ciate a count.

If anyone would like to donate chil-dren's zip-up hooded sweatshirts you no longer need or white cotton balls to help us with this project, that would be amazing!

The parade starts at 6:00 p.m., if you want to ride on the float, please be on the north side of the church by 5:15 p.m., Friday, November 24. Please dress for the weather.

2018 ENVELOPES Will be available in the back of the

sanctuary beginning Sunday, November 5.

Counting blessings

Numbered lists grab our attention. In the checkout aisle or on the in-ternet, we gravitate toward headings such as “10 ways to lose weight by summer!” or “3 simple steps to acing that test!”

Ancient Jewish sages urged people to count out and speak at least 100 blessings, or statements of gratitude, each day. What would happen if we intentionally listed 100 blessings daily? Can you imagine?!

What if the first blessing we counted was simply the day itself? “Thank you, God, for this brand new day!” “Bless my use of this day, Lord, that I might glorify you.” Scripture encourages such awareness and promises an additional blessing in return: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12, NIV).

—Heidi Mann

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NOVEMBER IS ANNUAL FOOD PANTRY MONTH

The Food Pantry continues to serve those in our community who need assistance putting food on their ta-bles. November is the month we dedicate toward restocking the shelves with food products. We have assigned specific foods or food types to each Sunday during the drive. If you would prefer to make a cash do-nation, please mark a plain envelope “Food Pantry” and drop it in the of-fering plate or bring it by the church office. All donations will be used 100% for purchasing food items as they are needed.

Nov. 5 – Peanut butter, non-cream soups (chicken noodle, vegetable, etc.), ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, noodles

Nov 12 – Canned meat (ravioli, canned spaghetti, stew, chili, tuna, chicken)

Nov 19 – Canned fruit (peaches, pears, fruit cocktail, applesauce)

Nov 26 – Canned vegetables (corn,

green beans, peas, carrots, mixed veg-

etables, tomatoes, canned or boxed

potatoes.

Salem Angel Tree 2017

Our Salem Angel Tree will be standing in the sanctuary early this year, a week before Advent, which actually begins Decem-ber third. The fourth Sunday of Advent falls on Christmas Eve, this year. Our Tree will be ready for you to select your tags to “adopt” on Sunday, Novem-ber 26th. Our committee would like to have your wrapped and tagged gifts returned to the An-gel Tree no later than Monday, December 11th, at Noon. That will allow us the rest of the week to shop or wrap for those not adopted and to organize the gifts into family groups for de-livery on Saturday, December 16th. Thank you, in advance, for understanding our need to “bump up’” the calendar and for your generous support of this program for children of the Higginsville and Corder area. Angie Green, chairman CHURCH INFORMATION

Tommy’s email: tlfaris@ctcis.net Tommy’s cell phone: 816-352-2052 Church Telephone: 660-584-3603 Church Email: salemucc@ctcis.net Church Website: salemucchigginsville.org Fax number: 660-584-5666

TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE

Transportation is available to any worship service. Please call the church office to make arrangements, (660) 584-3603.

PASTORAL VISITS OR PRAYERS

Anyone who would like a pastoral visit or are in need of prayers, please call the church office, (660) 584-3603.

Thank you, veterans! On Veterans Day, we honor men and women who’ve served and sac-rificed in one of America’s armed services. On November 11, 1918, America and her allies signed a truce with German leaders, ending World War I. In 1919, President Wilson decided the United States should remember with gratitude the end of that war and honor military members by marking Armistice Day, or “truce” day. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans Day, honoring veterans of every era. Veterans Day highlights our coun-try’s quest for peace, justice and freedom throughout the world. Fol-lowers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, pray for unity among all nations and for the day when “nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any-more” (Isaiah 2:4, NIV).

A wake-up call

The good God permits such small evils to befall us merely in order to arouse us snorers from our deep sleep and to make us recognize, on the other hand, the incomparable and innumerable benefits we still have. …

With [our misfortunes], God gives us a light by which we may see and understand his goodness and kindness in countless other ways. Then we conclude that such small misfortunes are barely a drop of water on a big fire or a little spark in the ocean. Then we understand and love the words: “O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever!”

—Martin Luther

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Salem United Church of Christ

1500 Main Street

Higginsville MO 64037

Non-Profit Organization

POSTAGE PAID

Permit NO. 104

Higginsville MO 64037

Return Service Requested

The Lamplighter

November • Salem United Church of Christ • Higginsville, Missouri

The Lamplighter

Is a monthly newsletter of :

Salem United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. Tommy Faris Keri Borchers, President

1500 Main Street Pastor Church Council

Higginsville, MO 64037 Sarah J. Berry Mark Gross, President

(660) 584-3603 Secretary Board of Elders

Fax: 584-5666 Doris Jane Stoner Judi Knipmeyer, President

E-Mail: salemucc@ctcis.net Organist Board of Christian Education

Early Worship Jamie Smith June Howell

8:30 a.m. Music Director Christian Education Coordinator

Sunday School Anne Iles Lindsey Rolf, Volunteer

9:15 a.m. Youth Music Director Assistant Church Secretary

Worship Lowell Grumke

10:30 a.m. Custodian