'Hanging of the greens,' other activities at Hiattville UMC

Visitors at worship Nov. 11 were Jennifer and Stephanie Eastwood and Mike and Colby Page. Mike gave a birthday offering. Pastor Andy Smith's sermon was titled "Take Courage." Scripture was read from Haggai 1:15b- 2:9 and Luke 20: 27-28.

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Miller enjoyed attending the plays put on by the Drama Department at Uniontown recently. They had grandchildren participating in the plays. Beverly Davis and Lynda Foster attended a luncheon Nov. 11 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Don Adams in Yates Center. This was a fall get together of the 2006-07 Grand Family of Nancy Zook and Don Flickenger.

Pastor Smith took the items that had been collected for the Bishop's Round-Up when he returned to St. Pauls Sunday evening. If anyone is interested in contributing to Heifer Project International contact Beverly Davis.

Dale Maloney of Iola visited with his mother, Opal Maloney Nov. 13 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Maloney.

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Miller visited his sister Ruby Harper in Fort Scott Nov. 14.

Mr. and Mrs. Dean Mitchell were callers at the home of Pat Cook and Ben Mitchell Nov. 14. Pat is recovering from her recent surgery and stay in St. John's at Joplin, Mo.

The Hiattville Unit of United Methodist Women met Monday night Nov. 12. Beverly Davis presided at the meeting due to the absence of both the president and the vice-president. The meeting opened with all repeating the Purpose. Clara Brewer was acting secretary. Roll call was answered by six members telling their plans for Thanksgiving. Mabel Miller gave the treasury's report.

Judy Tripp gave a devotion titled, "Be faithful for God," based on Colossians 1:9-10.

Clara Brewer was in charge of the lesson for the evening. The worship center was arranged in the center of the large table where members were seated. A colorful scarf in fall colors was the focus with an open Bible, a basket, holiday corn, beans, squash and a lighted candle. The title of the lesson was "Sustainers of Life."

This being the annual Thank offering lesson the theme of the lesson was on giving. The group was reminded that God is the sustainer of all life, and we are sustainers for others. Also, we should be thankful for whatever part we play in that support.

The opening prayer was paraphrased from the Choctaw Tribal Hymn. During the readings and prayers about the four directions, the group learned about how much the Lakota Tribes depended on nature. The vegetables used on the worship center were basis of the food supply for the Iroquois Confederacy and brought the gift of agriculture to their nation. The lesson closed by the group depositing their thank offering in the basket as it was passed around the table and prayer was said.

Dora Page gave the Response moment telling about the "Shawl Ministry."

Clara Brewer gave a report from the prayer calendar, telling about missionary work in Alaska and asked the group to keep all global missionary work in their prayers during the rest of November and through December.

All yearly reports are due in to the district officers. Pastor Smith took things from the church to the church to Bishop's Round-Up.

It was decided to have a $1 gift exchange at the Dec. 10 meeting. Glenda and Mabel Miller will present the lesson. Members are to bring Christmas goodies to share for refreshments.

The group will again select some families to adopt for Christmas. This is a project all church members get involved with.

Lorna Slater volunteered to have the lesson in January, which will be the Prayer and Self-denial lesson.

There were many listed on the prayer concerns. The meeting closed by all joining hands and praying the Lord's Prayer. Refreshments of fresh apple cake with whipped topping and hot chocolate was served by Clara Brewer.

Beverly Davis and Clara Brewer attended the Friendship meeting at Amy Chapter Thursday, Nov. 15.

The Pastor Parish Relations committee met with Pastor Smith Thursday evening.

Lavone Page has returned from Florida where she visited with her son Steve and family and helped Steve celebrate his 60th birthday.

Lorna Slater helped other members of the Garden Club clean out the planters on Main Street Friday.

Julie and Hannah Fry along with Cindy and Cassie Schwalm are participating in the Community Choir at Uniontown. The choir will be at Hiattville church and the choir members will sing for worship on Dec. 9.

Jonathan Gauthier spent Saturday night with his grandparents and was a visitor at church on Sunday morning.

Pastor Smith's sermon was titled, " The Faith to Share." Scripture was read from Isaiah 65:17-25 and Luke 21:5-19. Hannah Fry gave a birthday offering. Several announcements of up-coming events were made. The hanging of the greens service will take place on Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. There will be a Pastor Parish Relations meeting on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve services will be conducted Dec. 24. The Christmas program is tentatively set for Dec. 16.

The annual church conference was conducted Nov. 18 following the worship service. Rev. Ron King, Superintendent of the Five Rivers District presided over the annual church conference. Cindy Schwalm was recording secretary. Reports from various committees were reviewed and accepted. The pastor's salary and the church budget for 2008 were accepted after some adjustment was made on the Pastor's salary.

The Rev. King showed a video on the Wesley Share Plan and also presented some guidelines or ideas to help improve the life of the Church. The meeting closed with prayer.