The Lamplighter December 2022

Grace to you, St. Peter’s UCC members and friends

Outside as I type, it is snowing for the first time this season. I love our changing seasons, and yes, I even enjoy snow. There is something about snow that slows us down and makes all things new again. For a short while, we can look outside and enjoy the magic of God’s creation. There is such beauty as the snow drifts out of the sky and a humbling reality of God’s abundant creativity when we stop to realize that every single snowflake is unique.

Worshipping together has been such a delight and I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving Eve worship at 6pm on November 23. Taking time out of the busyness of life to gather and give thanks to God for our blessings, is part of what sets us apart as Christians.

We also celebrate things a little bit differently as we prepare for Christmas. People gather at church to decorate for Advent, Saturday November 26 at 10am. There will be trees and wreaths, candles and nativities all set out to help us tell the story of why we celebrate. The season of Advent is about waiting and preparing for the arrival of Jesus for four weeks.

One of the traditions I grew up with during December included going to people’s homes for Open houses. Sometimes, we would be invited over after a couple hours of caroling to enjoy food together and to see our hosts tree as I often heard said. There were trees we named “Pretty look no touch” where everything sparkled decorated in beautiful glass. There were trees that housed memorable ornaments from family travels and others that showcased collections themed to match the recipients. Still other trees included handmade ornaments or pictures of family throughout the years. Every tree was beautiful and unique.

I’ve been wondering as I prepare for Advent, what God’s open house would be like. I read through the scriptures, and I began to see door after door opening to invite us all in. During Advent this year, we’ll all enter the story and visit Isaiah, Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John as they offer their hospitality.

As we prepare to celebrate together, you are invited to join us for the waiting and preparing. There will be Christmas Caroling December 11 with no Packer game scheduled as reason to miss out. We will have our Children’s Program on December 18th to look forward to. On Christmas Eve there will be the traditional 4:30pm service and since Christmas is on a Sunday there will also be worship at 9am. The door is open, you are welcome to join us.

Blessings to you in Christ Jesus, Pastor Nicole

FINANCIAL STANDING

In an effort to keep the congregation informed of our financial standings, we will be including a chart each month in the Lamplighter that shows our budgeted expenses vs. our actual offerings brought in. For the 2022 year, our budget is $190,215 or $3658 weekly. This chart illustrates our October 2022 totals.

$6,000

$4,500

$3,000

$1,500

$3,658 $3,658 $3,658 $3,658 $3,875.83 $1,715.48 $2,211.58 $2,555.83 $0

$7,500 10/3/2022 10/10/2022 10/17/2022 10/24/2022 Weekly Budget Actual Giving

“I Baptize Thee in The Name of The Father” Kallie Ann Goch, daughter of Andrew Bernard Goch & Traci Ann (Ecker) Goch, on October 23rd

“I Am The Resurrection And The Life” Donna Wollersheim whose funeral service was November 16th (non member)

Christmas is coming and we are looking for volunteers!

Sign up sheets are in the back of church. You can sign up as a group or family to light the advent wreath! We are also looking for special music in church before worship on December 18th’s Children’s Christmas program, December 24 Christmas Eve service or December 25 Christmas Day! This is a great opportunity to share your talents with the congregation! Play a piece of music on the piano or an instrument! Share your Christmas recital dance! Sing a Christmas song for us. Whatever your gift, help us prepare for worship before these special services.

HANGING OF THE GREENS

Saturday, November 26, 2022 10 am (about 2 4 hours) Lunch at Noon

THANK YOU’S

• Thank you to our Trick or Treating Children! They raised $166.52 for the Kiel Area Community Food Pantry! Bravo!

• Thank you to Barry Guell, Blake Buvid and Daphne

for providing special music for worship in October. Your contributions to worship are appreciated!

• Thank you to this hardy group of St. Peter’s walkers participated in the American Cancer Society walk at Road America on Saturday, November 5th. The gusting winds, mist, and pouring rain made the event especially memorable. As the old saying goes: “A good time was had by all”. We’re going to do it again next year!!

Achter

• Thank you to all you helped tie quilts each week this fall. Even if you were able to come only one or two times, your company was enjoyed. We agreed that we all learned something new through our conversations and shared in a few laughs.

• Thank you to MariJane Weir for making the full sized quilt tops along with the twin sized ones we were still working on. Crocus Clusters

• Thanks to Susan Kissinger for decorating the Altar for Fall.

• Thank you to Jayden Richter for the donation of two laptops and a camera for use in the church.

Summary of Consistory Meeting on November 8, 2022

The meeting began with Devotions.

Secretary minutes approved

Benevolent report and Treasurer reports given. Donation of $1500 for Hurricane Relief. Additional donations were dispersed.

The piano teacher and yoga instructor explained how they use our rooms in the church.

Staff and Ministry Team reports:

Pastor Nicole went over the proposed 2023 2024 church calendar. Sign up sheet in the lounge for lighting the Advent wreath. Looking for those who would like to share their music talents with pre service music. Discussion on the procedure and fees when booking a wedding in church. Changes will be finalized and for approval at the next meeting. Increased responses on Facebook posts. Communion classes will be offered for children so they can understand and participate in Communion. Abundance Cancer Walk went well and will participate next year. Veteran pictures and memorabilia will be displayed for Veteran’s Sunday.

Christian Education Collected $230 at Halloween for food pantry. Arranging to sing in church for services and Christmas pageant. Confirmation class will be sorting food at the Food Pantry.

Building & Grounds Copier contract will be extended month to month until possibly June.

Budget Next year budget has started.

Membership New envelopes will be available in church soon.

Memorial New Communion Pitcher and Plate will be blessed in December.

Nomination Search for potential Consistory candidates.

Cookie Walk is December 3 rd .

The next Consistory meeting is December 13, 2022 at 6:30pm. The meeting was adjourned and ended with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Nominating Committee is hard at work looking to find three new Consistory members. Voting for these members will take place at the Annual Meeting in January. If are interested or would be willing to serve, please contact “Fitz” Fitzpatrick

"Stuff the Snowman" Stuff the Snowman is back! Looking for kids' mittens, gloves and hats. Please contact Tammie Vollrath Boo or Diannne Vorpahl with questions. Collections will go til the New Year. Last year we filled the snowman 1 1/2 times.

"

The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas "Thank You" gift checks each December to our lower income retirees. This year, as we anticipate the hope and joy of the Advent and Christmas seasons, we also know that challenges remain for many of our pastoral leaders who continue to experience loss of income as congregations struggle with budget shortfalls.

Christmas Fund envelopes can be found on the table in the Lounge. THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT!!

If you have been wondering what to give for Christmas this year? Here it is: A personally engraved paver for our Church courtyard. Contact the Church Office at stpetersucckiel@gmail.com or David Stoelting at dstoelting@tcei.com 920-286-1148. Thank you – and Merry Christmas!

1980 History Church News

By Dolores Schulz

Rev. John Baumann was beginning his 13th year as St. Peter’s U.C.C. pastor. Seminary student David Voll served as pastor’s assistant. Consistory president was William Hermanson. Sunday school superintendent was Warren Kuester.

Congratulations were expressed to Ken Herberlein for raising the largest amount of pledging money for the volleyball marathon held February 16th. All together area churches raised $4,500.00 for CROP.

Two music groups from Milwaukee presented special music at St. Peter’s in March and April. St. Matthew Christian Methodist Episcopal Choir sang a Lenten concert on Sunday, March 9th at 7:30 p.m. The Pilgrim People of around 50 members brought a program of modern music April 13th at the 10:00 a.m. worship service. The Youth Fellowship sponsored this group.

Rev. John and Doris enjoyed a trip to Florida at the end of April to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. They received a beautiful centerpiece from the Women’s Guild and a beautiful striking wall clock from the congregation.

After receiving three roofing bids in May, the Roger Wordell Roofing bid was accepted by the consistory. Work began in September. Rain damage to the interior occurred during roof repairs costing $820.00.

Ceiling fans were installed in the sanctuary for better air circulation.

A young Sunshine Choir, consisting of 21 children, Kindergarten thru 4th grade was organized by Jack and Germaine Lechler, who served as directors.

The Women’s Guild purchased new Communion Linens and Service and new Paraments from their funds and memorial funds given for that purpose. They also provided handrails for all women’s and men’s restrooms.

The average attendance at the 24th annual Wednesday morning Lenten workshop sponsored by the Women’s Guild was 25 busy ladies completing the following projects for Church World Service: sewing kits, school bags, children dresses and shorts, receiving blankets, baby gowns, tummy binders, hospital gowns, rolled and knit bandages, quilts and blankets, baby bibs and health kits. A total of 551 items.

In October the Women’s Guild sponsored a Blanket Sunday receiving $469.00, which will provide 117 blankets. Later in October they prepared and served a delicious meal for the Senior Social group and their guests, the Merry Hearts group from St. Paul U.C.C. in Sheboygan. The proceeds from their November 13th chili supper, bazar and bake sale were donated to the roof fund.

The S.S. Peter and Paul women’s group invited the women at St. Peter’s to join them on October 21st at 8:00p.m. to hear Rabbi Nathan Barack of Sheboygan.

The Youth Fellowship and their leaders Bob and Linda Halfmann prepared and served the annual Easter Breakfast and shared the statistics on the quantities of food consumed: 40# of breakfast sausages, (500)40 dozen eggs, 12 dozen loaves of bread, 14 large cans of orange juice, 4 large boxes of pancake mix, 6# of butter, 3# of jam, 12 gallons of milk and a large container of coffee. Assisting them were Bill and Chris Daskam and David and Janice Voll.

December 2022

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 10:30 2:30 Cookie Walk drop off in Office

2 1 2 pm Cookie Walk drop off in Kitchen

3 9 11 am Cookie Walk 4 9 am Worship with Communion

5 7 pm Mendelssohn Choir

6 7 10 am 1 pm Food Pantry donations accepted 6 pm Confirmation

8 9 10 11 9 am Worship with Archer Holschbach baptism

12 13 6:30 pm Consistory Meeting

3 pm Caroling with Potluck to follow

9 am Worship with Sunday School Christmas Program

10 am Abundance Team Meeting

25 Christmas

8:30 am Gifts of Music before Worship

9 am Christmas Day Worship with Communion

14 8:30 am Staff Meeting in person 10 am 1 pm Food Pantry donations accepted 6 pm Confirmation

19 20 21 10 am 1 pm Food Pantry donations accepted 6 pm Confirmation

15 4:30 6 pm Food Pantry Distributions

16 2:30 4:30 pm Food Pantry Distributions

17 9:30 11 am Food Pantry Distributions 18 8:30 am Gifts of Music before Worship

22 23 24 Christmas Eve

4 pm Gifts of Music before Worship 4:30 pm Candle Light Worship with Communion

26 27 28 10 am 1 pm Food Pantry donations accepted

29 30 31 New Year’s Eve

St. Peter’s United Church of Christ

424 Fremont Street Kiel, Wisconsin 53042

Please pray for those in our prayer corner:

Thank you for remembering to pray for those in our Prayer Corner. If you are hospitalized, please contact the church office. We’d like to keep you in our thoughts and prayers!

As faithful disciples, we remember “The Kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21) Therefore, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me!” (Philippians 4:13)

Arlyne Collin

Ethan Dezwarte (and his Mother and Father, and Ellison)

Daniel Gierke (Rosie Bub's Son-in-law)

Kathy Henschel

Jessica Horneck (daughter of Mark & Robin Kaufmann)

Jen Jaschob (Marilyn Jaschob’s daughter-in-law)

Marilyn Jaschob (Barb Groh’s Mother)

Darwin Kanz

Leroy Koch

Asher Koeser (son of Alexander & Alicia Koeser) Jeanette Miller

Kathy Rabe

Bob Thome (friend of Cassie Vollrath) Janelle Wagner

Those of our church family, who are in assisted living & nursing homes:

Sycamore Lodge Senior Living (formerly Oak Creek) (Kiel) Jeanette Miller

Field Of Dreams (Kiel) – Robert Horst, Joyce Kraemer, Virginia Klemme

Willowpark (New Holstein) – Bonnie Cesar

The Waterford at Plymouth Janelle Wagner

Pine Haven- Twilite Schroeder

Terrace Place (Sheboygan) Darwin Kanz, Adeline Schmitz

Sheboygan Senior Community Kathy Henschel

Contact Information: Church Phone: 920 894 2404 Church Fax: 920 894 7725

Church’s Email: stpetersucckiel@gmail.com Church’s Web Site: http://www.stpetersucckiel.com Church’s Facebook Webpage: http://www.facebook.com/stpetersucckiel

Pastor Nicole Herda pastornicoleherda@gmail,com 920 242 8308

Leslie Copeskey / Diane Schulz Office Administrators

stpetersucckiel@gmail.com 920 894 2404

MariJane Weir Co Music Director ajweir50@hotmail.com 920 904 4922

Scott Weir Co Music Director saweir77@hotmail.com 920 980 8247

Allan Utecht Consistory President Allanutecht07@gmail.com 920 286 2170

Jon Weir-Media- Communications jonweir@hotmail.com 920 279 2421

Laura Mannenbach General Treasurer stpetersucctreasurer@gmail.com 920 838 2938

Amy Endries- Financial Secretary stpetersuccfinancial@gmail.com 920 980 7393

Ifyouarehospitalized , please contact the Church Office. We’d like to keep you in our thoughts and prayers!

Electronicfundstransferprogram Have your offering deposited electronically! Authorization forms are available in the Lounge or on the Church’s website, www.stpetersucckiel.com

The Church Office Hours are:

Mondays 8:30 am 12:30 pm and Thursdays 10:30 am 2:30 pm

Outside of these hours, you can always email stpetersucckiel@gmail.com or call 920-894-2404 and leave a message (which will be returned during office hours).

St.

United Church of Christ