Prepared for the members & friends of:

St. John’s United Church of Christ(Huntersville)

300 N. Huntersville RoadBatesville, IN 47006

(812)934-4144, Church Office(812)933-9000, Church Fax

www.stjohnsuccbatesville.orgwww.facebook.com/sjuccbatesville/stjohnsuccbatesville@etczone.com pastorjoeystjohns@etczone.com Rev. Joseph Feldmann, Pastor

“And there, ahead of them, went the star they had seen at its rising. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were over whelmed with joy.”- Matthew 2:9b- 10

The magi from the East followed the star. It was the Christmas star; the star that appeared over Bethlehem. It led them to a different country, (Israel as over seen by the corrupt Herod the Great) and to the place where the child lay. The house, really, as by the time the magi arrived there was no manger. But it led them to the child nonetheless. And there, they offered him gifts of homage and praise. This is the Epiphany story that so many of us know. Even though it could have taken place as much as two years after the birth of Christ, it is how many of us envision the end of the Christmas story. And, frankly, not without cause. For the coming of Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season. After the coming of the Magi come the weeks of Ordinary Time that lead us to Lent.

But a star’s glow is meant to last for longer than a day. The light of a truly bright star can light the darkest of nights. And the Christmas star is meant to give us light and guidance all year round. That reminder, too, is a part of the story. It is a part of the message of Christmas… and Epiphany.

This Epiphany Sunday (January 5), we will be trying a new thing to help us keep the light of the Christmas story with us through all of 2020. We will be having “star words.” These are literal cut-outs of a star. Each of which will have a word printed on it (along with a Scripture reference.) The congregation will be invited to choose a word from the basket after each of the worship services to be “their” star word for the year. Choose one, ponder on the word, and wonder what meaning God might have for you in that word in the year to come. I believe that this will prove to be a meaningful new adventure in mindfulness. At the very least, it should be fun.

I hope you will be able to join us at either service on January 5. But even if you cannot, you can still get a star. Simply let me or the office know and we will pick one for you and hold in the office with your name on it. A new year waits. New movements of the Spirit are coming. And the star of Christmas guides us once again to the light of the World. Let us journey once more in the light of that star.

Shalom,

I want to thank the “Growing Servants Youth Group” for the Christmas basket that they brought to me. It is very appreciated.

Ruth Thie**************

Dear St. John’s United Church of Christ, I wanted to thank you for giving me a scholarship this year to help with my college expenses. It was generous of you and it helped me pay for my textbooks and other college supplies.Sincerely,

Kyle Emsweller

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month – January

Kimberly Hill, a Motor Carrier Inspector with the Indiana State Police, will lead a presentation and discussion on Human Trafficking Thursday January 9th, and the entire community is invited to attend. It will take place at 7PM in the Parish Hall at St. John United Church of Christ, 300 N. Huntersville Rd, in Batesville. Kimberly is passionate about this topic; she will review the basics and provide new insights, including a victim perspective that was part of recent training she attended. Unfortunately, Human Trafficking not only remains an issue, but continues to grow around the world. In support of January being National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, Kimberly's presentation will raise awareness on how to recognize indicators of human trafficking and how to protect the young people of our community. We appreciate Kimberly taking the time to continue to educate the community on this important issue, and look forward to seeing as many citizens as possible in attendance.

The Middle School/ High School youth group will have a “game day” after second service worship on January 19. Bring your favorite board game and join us for lunch, light conversation, and a lot of fun. Plus, we will be unveiling the calendar for the rest of the program year. It’s the perfect activity for a cold January day, so be there!

The Annual Congregational meeting has been set for Sunday, January 26, starting at 9:05 AM. Please note on this Sunday that due to the Annual Meeting, second service will not begin until 10:30 am.   Thank-you, and looking forward to seeing the entire congregation at this meeting.

VOLUNTEERS TO STAFF FOOD PANTRY

There will be a sign-up sheet in the Commons in January for volunteers to staff the Food Pantry during the month of March. As you may remember, St. John's is responsible to staff the Food Pantry during its regular noon to 4PM hours on Wednesdays each March. Several folks have indicated their interest in this community service as well as many who continue to volunteer each year. Volunteers signing up will be called in late February with a courtesy reminder. Our goal is to get eight volunteers for each of the four Wednesdays in March so you are encouraged to sign-up for this worthwhile community service opportunity!

Put on your best attire, grab your daughter, and come join us for a night of dancing. The Growing Servants Youth Group is sponsoring a Father-Daughter Dance on February 8 from 5:30pm- 8:00pm at church. Tickets cost $45/ couple (with $15 for each additional child) and include dinner, a “couple” picture, plus a fun night of dancing. It is sure to be a great night of fun and making memories. Any father figure is welcome to bring a “date,” so grandparents, uncles, etc. you are not off the hook. Plus, all the proceeds will be used to replenish the maintenance fund at St. John’s (for things such as the AC unit, the furnace, and the elevator.) It will be a great night for a good cause. Come join us! For tickets, call 812-212-5568.

RetirementBecky Schutte has announced to the Council that she plans to retire from the Secretary position on March 31st. We are grateful for her many years of service to this congregation. (When she retires, she will have worked as our Secretary for almost 18 years when her two stints in the role are combined.) We will immediately begin the process of hiring a new Church Secretary. (And in fact, have already begun.) We will also begin immediately the process of thanking Becky for her dedication to our congregation and ministry. Please stay tuned for more information about how we can celebrate her gift of time to us. In the meantime, be sure to stop in the office and thank her for her service.

January Benevolence CalendarJan.05 – Batesville Area Food PantryJan.12 – Cemetery Fund (Memorial Sunday)Jan.19 – Merom Conference CenterJan.26 – Safe Passage

WOW!What an amazing congregation! What a generous couple of months. This fall, YOU as a congregation donated over 700 boxes of potatoes to the BAMA Food Pantry holiday baskets. You gave $2,477 to CROP Walk to support the important work of Church World Service. You brightened the Christmases of multiple families through the Families Helping Families program. And your youth (and assorted others) gave a great Christmas to three foster care sisters. All of this was on top of normal offerings, of the special offerings to the family of Emily Prifogle, and our weekly benevolences. What a great display of generosity this month. Give yourselves a pat on the back!

A page from the hymnal…THE HANDS THAT FIRST HELD

MARY’S CHILD#237

Thomas H. Troeger is the author of this relatively new hymn, first published in 1985. Troeger, who was born in 1947, is professor of Christian Communication at Yale Divinity School. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church in 1970 and the Episcopal Church in 1999, and has led international conferences and lectures on worship and preaching, and has written 22 books on preaching, poetry, hymnody and worship. The text captures some of the weight Joseph bore and the worship he experienced in his journey of faith. Joseph was trusted of God and was also faithful to God to bring the Prince of Peace into the world. The tune, KINGSFOLD, is thought to go back to the middle ages and was introduced as a hymn tune in 1906 in the English Hymnal by Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872 – 1958.

David W. Hanson, organist/choir directorSt. John’s (Huntersville) UCC

PLEASE REMEMBERTHESE FOLKS IN PRAYER

Please keep these members and friends in your prayers. These folks are in nursing/retirement homes:St. Andrews: Carol Maple, Willis RouseThe Waters: Toni Frye

GREETERS DURING JANUARY 05 – Christina Robbins 12 – Jeremy & Charrel Raver 19 – Jim & B.J. Bauman 26 – Cindy & John Wilhelm

LITURGIST DURING JANUARY05 – Dan Narwold (8:00 AM)

Jeremy Raver (10:15 AM)12 – Mike Schumacher (8:00 & 10:15 AM)19 – Nikki Sarringhaus (8:00 AM)

Laura Vest (10:15 AM) 26 – Joan Westerfeld (8:00 AM)

Bev Schwier (10:30 AM) note time Change

ACOLYTES DURING JANUARY05 – Luke Sarringhaus (8:00 AM)

Gwen Haakinson (10:15 AM)12 – Addyson Weiler (8:00 AM)

Kaylie Raver (10:15 AM)19 – Volunteer needed (8:00 AM)

Anna Mauer (10:15 AM)26 – Volunteer needed (8:00 AM)

Gwen Haakinson (10:30 AM) Note time change

NEXT MESSENGER DEADLINEJanuary 19, 2020

Please note: The newsletter is typed on Tuesday following the deadline date. Any items submitted after 9:00 A.M. on that day will be TOO LATE to be included in the Messenger!

02 - Greg & Linda Hellmann07 - Jim & Jane Link10 - Mark & Michelle Wheat14 - Preston & Jessica Richards20 - Rick & Carol Dial29 - Howard & Bea Wessel

1 - Chantel Weiler 2 - Jaxon Kyle Welborn 3 - Dorothy Thielking, Shawn Riehle 4 - Quinn Foster 5 - Paul Borchelt 6 - Addyson Weiler 7 - Michelle Wheat, Sophia Wittkamper,

Kyle Emsweller10 - Sheryl Voss, Michelle Voss, Jim Wintz11 - Connie Moody, Jason Emsweller12 - Janet Wirth, Randy Riehle13 - Sean Thie, Grace Sarringhaus, Greg Westrup14 - Sam Sitterding15 - Elizabeth Vest, William Jaisle16 - Luke Kuykendall, Cole Nunlist17 - Vicki Wilhelm18 - Rebecca Thie, Katie Vonderheide, Zach Frye19 - Cameron Gehl, Kristina Frye21 - Lane Westerfeld22 - Florence Meyers, Alec Brebberman23 - Jane Riehle, Sam Hoegeman24 - Loren Richards, Ed Lochard26 - Ian Prickel, Lillie Sitterding28 - Matt Weberding, Kohlson Voss,

James Spurlock29 - Owenita Grubert30 - Ricky Meyer, Randy Meyer,

Madelyn Pohlman31 - Blair Becker, Collin Becker

Changes or Additions for Birthday/AnniversariesIf there are any changes or additions to the Birthday and/or Anniversary list, please call the church office. We appreciate your phone calls, they are a big help in keeping us up to date on our list. Thank you.