Church News

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Calhoun Community Church
Welcome to the Good News from the Calhoun Community Church, “The Historical Church on the Square”. We gather as a Multi-Denominational Congregation at 9:30 AM for pre-church food and fellowship. This is a special time for visiting and welcoming guests as they arrive for worship. We sign cards of encouragement for our card ministry. Brother Reed rang the bell at 9:45 to call our church family to worship at 10:00 AM.
It was looking like a very mild winter day for February 02. Then Reverend Reed relayed the message of prediction from Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania. The famous Ground Hog saw his shadow, meaning 6 more weeks of winter. (What would you say if someone woke you up before you were ready)?
We extend our Sympathy and Christian Love to the family of Janice Moore, who passed into the arms of Jesus last week. Our encouraging prayers go out to Floyd Joy; Treasa Stockwell; Barbara Sales; Sondra Short and Amber, Patrick and Brecklynn Dittmer. We pray for our military men and women and their families, as well as others in service jobs that we depend upon daily. Prayers go out to the families of the victims of the plane crashes in Washington DC and Philadelphia.
Joys to Celebrate: We were happy to see the return of Matt Snorgrass and Shirley Cardwell, who has been iced in from our winter storms. We were happy to hear Tawnya Conner and Debbie Joy’s plane landed safely; Ms Carol shared snickerdoodle cookies with us this morning; Steve Siercks lit the Altar Candle, Gary Conner and Steve Siercks served as ushers for collecting the offering and we all took Communion; Linda Hawkins told of her family’s Blessing of the arrival of her Great Grandson, Remi Cox. We sang Happy Birthday to him; The Congregation was Blessed with the joyful sounds of Ms Verna singing “I Can’t Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand” and Jeremy Reed singing “Just As I Am, Without One Plea”; Jeremy Reed had an experience. He was driving along a country road when he was greeted by a friendly deer with a bandana tied around his neck. Jeremy, being an avid animal lover stopped and spent some time with him. The Congregation sang, an old favorite, “Sweet By And By” out of an antique “Brown Cokesbury” hymnal.
This was Reverend Jerry Reed’s first official Sunday as our Pastor. On our Christian Journey, we may say “Are We There Yet” On this Journey we will be asked to step out of our Faith. We must step out in the Darkness and know that God is there for us.
We invite you to “Our Little Church On The Corner”, any Sunday, to receive a blessing for your effort. Come dressed as you are comfortable and bring the children to join in the Sunday School Class during the service.

Church of Jesus Christ (of Latter Day Saints)
FREE Family History and Genealogy training and support to the local Clinton community, and the surrounding counties of Henry, Benton, Johnson and St Clair.
When: Every Wednesday beginning January 22, 2025 -
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: 297 NW 40 Rd, Clinton, MO 64735
We provide FREE access to the following ancestorial databases and websites:
Ancestry, American Ancestors, Family Search, FindMyPast, Geneanet, MyHeritage
We have access to a huge archive of historical documents, a record of key life events of your ancestors, to help you find and tell the story of your family.
Including: Cemetery records, Birth, death, and marriage records, Census Records, Obituary records, And much more.
We will have trained Genealogists on hand to answer any questions and guide you through the process. Contact info is below should you have questions or need help.
Caiden Wilkins (660) 351-4322, caidenwilkins14@gmail.com
Bodey Paulson (208) 217-0574, bubbaman2224@gmail.com
Sister Box (816) 812-2434, katlen124@gmail.com
Join us for a fun and inspiring evening as we explore the fascinating stories of your ancestors and discover more about who you are and where you come from.
In these uncertain times, what better way to find joy, comfort, and a sense of belonging than by connecting with your family history?

First Baptist
In a special service on Sunday, Celebrate Recovery (CR) celebrated 15 years of changing lives and families throughout our community. CR Leader, Darren Huey, emphasized that there is no better place to be on a Tuesday night for anyone with hurts, hang-ups and habits. In a powerful message titled ‘Pride Vs. Humility’, Pastor Pat Findley reminded members and guests that we are all in recovery from sin. Jesus was a master storyteller and His favorite way to tell stories was through parables. In Luke 18:10-14, He tells a parable of a self-righteous Pharisee and a tax collector, each praying in the temple. The Pharisee prays with pride while the tax collector, shunned for the sinfulness of his profession, prayed with humility. Christ used this parable to point out that God frowns on the proud but smiles on the humble. We should all rejoice in recovery of sin, but we must remember that God is still working on us and that we can do nothing without Him. CR is a safe place for all types of sin, but it is God who changes peoples’ lives. Jesus is the standard. When we trust in Christ, God’s gift of salvation, we are saved by grace through faith! Praise the Lord that God is at work in your life!
First Baptist Church services are streamed live on our Facebook page (FirstBaptistChurchClinton) at 11:00. You can also view services from our website www.firstbaptistclinton.church, and our app, which is available for Apple and Android products. For anyone with hurts, habits, or hangups, Celebrate Recovery is on Tuesday evenings at the Vansant location, following dinner served at 5:30 pm. For those mourning the death of a loved one, GriefShare is on Thursdays at 6pm at the Vansant location. Worship service times are 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and Sunday School is offered at 8:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
For more information and upcoming events, please visit www.firstbaptistclinton.church or find us on Facebook at ‘First Baptist Church – Clinton, MO’. We invite those without a church home to join us in worship of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. First Baptist Church exists to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) by loving people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

First Presbyterian
Gathering together on a beautiful February morning, we came to seek our Lord as the way, truth and life. In listening to Jesus, you will be guided and cared for. Place your trust in him for his ways are the ways of forgiveness and hope. We welcomed Dr. David Maggi as he brought the message Just Too Chancy using scripture John 4: 25 – 30. Our choir presented the anthem “O Come, Thou God of Grace” by Jay Althouse.
Presbyterian Women will meet Friday, February 7 at 1:30 pm in Fellowship Hall. The lesson will be #6 “Climate Change” from the Bible Study Book “Let Justice Roll Down: God’s Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation.” All women of the church are invited to come join in the study, missions and fellowship.
Brightly colored jump ropes are on display in the foyer. These items have been braided from repurposed tee shirts and will be presented for distribution in Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes. Be sure to keep an eye on them as they grow in numbers. Presbyterian Women are also requesting canned soup of any size and variety. This collection will be donated to the Samaritan Center and will be delivered at the end of February. Let’s work together and fill up both foyer shelves to overflowing.
We are updating our church directory. If you need to make changes to your information and have not had the opportunity to do so the last two Sundays, please call the church office @ 660-885-5181 with corrections.
The winter season may bring inclement weather. Our services will be canceled in the event of dangerous conditions of snow, ice or unsafe freezing cold. Members need to watch for a text or call to alert them if services are canceled. If the church is open but the weather turns “iffy” please only use the south parking lot door. As always, use your best judgment to stay safe and healthy.
Tai Chi classes continue on Mondays and Wednesdays (weather permitting) at 10:00 am in our Fellowship Hall. Join in the fun while you are strengthening your core and improving your balance.
An open invitation is always extended for you to come be a part of First Presbyterian Church. A warm, friendly atmosphere will welcome you. Worship begins at 10:30 am. Check out our website fpcclintonmo.net. where you will find the monthly newsletter and calendar of happenings.

Redemption Point Apostolic Church
115 W Henry St. Clinton, MO. 64735
660-386-0690
573-378-9251
Website: www.rp.church
Bible Study - Come and hear the truth of Gods word, the teaching of the plan of Salvation Gods plan for Man.
Service starts Sunday at 3:00 pm and Wednesday at 6:30 pm.

Trinity Lutheran
Mark your calendars now. Ash Wednesday is March 5th. Pastor Smith will conduct Ash Wednesday service with Holy Communion and the imposition of ashes at 4:30 pm.
Lutheran composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) composed and conducted hundreds of Cantatas and other pieces of religious music during his lifetime A cantata is a vocal composition with orchestral accompaniment, usually involving a choir, and performed in several movements. Bach, who had an unshakeable Christian faith, typically signed all of his compositions “Soli Deo Gloria,” or “To the Glory of God alone.”
Cantatas are musical selections performed during regular and special church services each week. As the director of music for Saint Thomas Lutheran Church in Leipzig, Germany for nearly 30 years, it was one of Bach’s responsibilities to write a new cantata each week!
The cantatas were based on the liturgy readings for a particular Sunday, and were performed prior to the reading of the Gospel. For those who think church services are too long today, keep in mind that many of Bach’s Cantatas were over 30 minutes long!
Unfortunately, only 209 of Bach’s cantatas have survived. Paper was scarce in those days, and many were thrown away, or used for mundane purposes, like wrapping fish! Another reason these treasures were lost is that during his lifetime, Bach was best known as the greatest Harpsichord player ever. Only after his death did he become a famous composer.
In addition to church cantatas, Bach also composed, wrote and performed hundreds of other sacred and secular orchestral musical pieces for weddings and funerals, and secular events for own council meetings, academic functions at the University of Leipzig, and for anniversaries and the entertainment of the nobility and patrons of high society. Despite his prodigious musical output. Bach also managed to spend quality time with his wife and 20 children!
There is no doubt that Johann Sebastian Bach was a very busy and productive man who loved God, had a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, and a sincere dedication to the Lutheran Church. Praise God!
Divine Service 1 pm. SS Noon. Ch. phone 660-885-4728.

Urich Baptist
What a fantastic warm day as we gathered to worship the Lord. Clint Keeney rang the church bell. Mrs. Julia Klinefelter led in the congregational singing with Mrs. Dixie Collins playing piano. Randy Vogt and Clint Keeney collected the offering.
Steve Sowell filled in for Pastor Joshua Sowell to bring the sermon. The scripture passage from his sermon was from Matthew 3: 1-6. This passage tells about John the Baptist who was the last of the prophets. John was born with the Holy Spirit for God’s purpose. We aren’t born with the Holy Spirit but we each have a purpose.
John the Baptist was to prepare the way for the coming Messiah, Lord Jesus.
John was the first of the evangelists. Like Him, we are to tell the saving grace of Jesus to others. Challenge yourself to read the Bible and be blessed and read the truth of Jesus and His saving Grace. Have a blessed week.

Valley Center United
We are an open and affirming church and welcome all to come and worship with us next Sunday morning at 9 am.
Valley Center had their annual church meeting today. We thank Christy Maggi, Andy Lasswell, Kim Meszaros, Donna Hughes, Jim Switzer and Dylan Wirsig for their dedication for being faithful members on our Consistory Church Board as Deacons and Elders. Christy Maggi has fulfilled her time on the board and Theresa Mahan graciously accepted the position of Deacon for the coming year. It was decided that the date for the annual Oktoberfest will be on October 18th, 2025. We celebrate and congratulate our Minister Dane Sommer for being our preacher, teacher and friend for 37 years!! The St. Clair County Food Bank sent a thank you card to our church and its members for all of their donations for this past year. It is one of our missions here at Valley Center to help the local food bank. Each year their need for help grows.
Our ladies of the church will meet in the beautiful home of Debi Reed next Sunday for their Valentines Day Party.
Faith, hope and love, the greatest of these is love.
We hear the same wonderful message again and again. It is all about the love that is revealed to us in so many ways by the living, dying and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This is the kind of love that lifts us up and surrounds us with goodness, conviction and joy. It brings us hope and the courage to do what we can do to help others. It gives us purpose and the promise of his grace and forgiveness.
God loves us, Jesus loves us and we are to also love one another. Love is not just an emotion, it is a way of life. If you really think about it, it tells us what to do or not to do. It guides us in so many ways. It helps us to reach out to others and serve all those in need.
As a church, we are to work hard to keep our doors open wide for all to come in without judgement.
We would not be here today if it wasn’t for the love that Jesus extended to everyone.