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St. Elmo News

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Wednesday, Dec. 21
• The Fayette County Extension Foundation, 6 p.m., Vandalia Extension Office.
Saturday, Dec. 24
• The First Church of God will have a candlelight come-and-go Communion from 5-7 p.m.
• The First United Methodist Church will have a candlelight come-and-go Communion from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Freedom Reigns in Christ Church will have a Communion service at 6:30 p.m.
• The St. Elmo Christian Church will have a candlelight Communion service at 6 p.m.
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church Christmas Mass at 4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 25
• A very, Merry Christmas to everyone!!
• The First Assembly of God Church will have a worship service and children’s church at 10 a.m. There will be no Sunday school.
• The First Baptist Church will have a worship service at 10 a.m. There will be no Sunday School.
• The First Church of God will have a worship service at 9:30 a.m. They may or may not have Sunday School at 10:30 a.m.
• The First United Methodist Church will have a worship service at 10:35 a.m. There will be no Sunday school.
• Freedom Reigns in Christ Church will have Sunday school at 9 a.m. and a worship service at 10 a.m.
• The First Christian Church will have only worship service – it will be at 9:30 a.m. There will be no Sunday school.
• The Ministerial Alliance-sponsored Christmas plates will be delivered to shut-ins at about 4 p.m. The Royal Neighbors of America is furnishing the ham for sandwiches. Churches providing other food items for the plates are to take them to the Freedom Reigns in Christ Church that will be preparing them.
Tuesday, Dec. 27
• The St. Elmo Masonic Lodge, 7:30 p.m., Masonic Temple.
Fayette County Department of Human Services Office Needs Help
The Fayette County Department of Human Services office at Vandalia is slated by the state to be closed on Dec.27. Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman is asking the public to help in efforts to try and prevent the closure. Gottman said that the elderly, disabled and low-income people in Fayette County will suffer if the office closes.
To try to keep the office open, you are asked to call Gov. Pat Quinn’s office at 217-782-0244 or fax them at 217-524-4049.
St. Elmo HCE
Seven members of the St. Elmo Unit of Home and Community Education went to lunch on Dec. 13 at Richard’s Farm at Casey – Karen Denning, Joyce Drees, Goldie Harris, Loretta Heischmidt, Mary Myers, Anna Jean Rhodes and Karen Wegscheid.
They originally had planned to go for an evening meal, but decided to go for lunch.
Because it was a Christmas social, they didn’t have a business meeting, but the January, February and March newsletters were passed out.
Rhodes read an article, “Twas the Month Before Christmas.”  They arrived at Richard’s Farm at 11:30 a.m. and, with much visiting, didn’t leave until 2 p.m. Wegscheid and Rhodes were the drivers.
American Legion
The St. Elmo American Legion Post #420 opened the Dec.13 meeting at the Legion Home with the pledge of allegiance, and they voted to donate $100 to Caring and Sharing program and $100 to the Secret Elves program that helps buy Christmas gifts for children in need.
They also discussed who would help present the colors before the championship game of the St. Elmo Holiday Tournament.
Legion members who have not paid their dues for the 2011-12 year are reminded to do so soon.
Two more names have been submitted to put on the stones at the Veterans’ Memorial.
Those present were Chuck Bosomworth, Doyle Beck, Xon Hanna, Clement Lilly, Ernie Myers and Max Watson.
Avena Park Board
There was a good turnout when Santa Claus was at the St. Elmo Community Park on Dec. 11. The Centennial Building was festively decorated, and Lori Mitchell took pictures of the children with Santa.
The Avena Township Park Board appreciates those who made donations of cookies, etc. to help with the refreshments for the Santa visit.
The board met the evening of Dec. 13 in the Centennial Building, but not much business was transacted, because the swimming pool has been winterized. Those present were Daryl Calvert, Jim Caraway, Greg Haslett, Buddy Mitchell, Ro Mars and Janice Russell.
Some may need a place to take the family for a Christmas/New Year’s get-together sometime during December, and the Centennial Building is available for rent for $50. You may call Bradford Supply to rent the building.
Caring and Sharing
St. Elmo Lions Club was in charge of the Caring and Sharing program this year and on Dec. 17, there were 62 boxes packed that contained food and gifts for children.
The food included ham and all the trimmings for a Christmas dinner.
The Lions Club appreciates the individuals, organizations, churches, businesses, etc., who made contributions of non-perishable food items, hats, gloves, mittens, toys, etc., and also money used to help purchase perishable foods for the boxes.
United Methodist Children’s Christmas Program
A Children’s Christmas program was held the morning of Dec. 18 in the First United Methodist Church sanctuary.
After the Rev. John Eisfelder opened with announcements and joys, Kathy Spitler played the prelude.
Following was the hymn, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” the lighting of the Advent candle, prayer concerns and pastoral prayer and receiving of tithes and offerings.
After singing the Doxology, the congregation didn’t sit until they had extended greetings with other members of the congregation.
Next was the children’s program.
The program started with nursery through third-graders ringing and singing “Christmas Bells.”  “Santa’s Christmas Prayer” was given by the grades 4-7. Next was “Silent Night,” with special helpers Sierra Triplett and Karlie Fasnacht, who signed the words to the song as the congregation sang.
“Twinkle, Twinkle Little Christmas Star” was presented by nursery-grade three. “Candy Cane Poem” was given by grades 4-7, who then presented a small candy cane to each member of the congregation.
The chancel choir and high school students sang “Mary Did You Know?”
The high school students were Haley Fasnacht, Savannah Feezel, Megan Maxey and Sarah Maxey. This was followed by “The Christmas Story,” read by David Maxey, and the children presenting the nativity.
“Away in the Manger” was sung by the congregation and children, and the program ended with “Christmas Wish.”
In addition to Sierra Triplett and Karlie Fasnacht, the children in the program were the following:  Kyle Behl, Kinley Carson, Madison Carson, Odie Heltsley, Amber Johnson, Zephaniah Johnson, Gavin Koontz, Brady Maxey, Colin Maxey, Katelyn Maxey, Cassidy Moss, Kelly Moss and Sydney Moss.
Wheatland HCE Christmas Social
Members and guests of the Wheatland Unit of Home and Community Education ate lunch Dec. 16 at the Vandalia Ponderosa:  Joan Aderman, Karen and Noel Hyde, Sandra and Wayne Lovett, Fern and Mick Moore, and Ethelyn and Melvin Williams. They reported having a good time just visiting.
 

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