The Search Committee wants to update you on the progress we have made recently. A contract between the Geneva UCC, Exeter UCC and Pastor Rasmussen was signed. The current contract will run from October 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026. The contract will be re-evaluated at that time.
Pastor Rasmussen will be working 9 hours a week, and will be calling on the shut-ins, people who need his counseling or guidance, or just want to sit down and visit.
Pastor Rasmussen will be leading the Worship Services 3 or 4 Sunday’s a month, depending on how many Sundays are in the month. Pastor plans to attend the committee meetings to observe and give guidance if requested.
The conference has granted Pastor Rasmussen authority to perform Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, and any other duties that may arise. While still working at Glenwood, Pastor will only be able to perform Weddings and Funerals on
the weekends.
Because this is a temporary situation, at this time we ask for your patience and God’s guidance.
Blessings to you all in God’s work.
Jim Steider, Chairman of the Search Committee
We are no longer livestreaming via Facebook. We have changed to a YouTube channel that can be found at https://www.youttube.com/congochurch906
Once there, you should see a photo of the front window of our sanctuary. If you click on "subscribe" you should be able to easily find the channel from there on. You might have to click LIVE to see the recorded services. Please note: There are many other First Congregational United Churches of Christ!!
If you would like to provide a meal for the Andrews Family, contact Karen Kohler to join the list. 402.613.7771
A mealtrain has been added to help Patsy Gewecke while she is recovering on Sundays. Contact Karen or go to https://mealtrain.com/mv2wzl
Committee chairs and others need to submit information for the newsletter by the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We need to keep communication lines open for all.
Cris's Office Hours
Cris's office hours are Tuesday through Friday 9:00 am. to11:30 a.m. and 1:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
One call is available as a text. If you are interested in this, simply text the word "ALERT" to 22300, and you will be signed up.
Our monthly newsletter is available via email. If you are interested, please contact us at congochurch@windstream.net.
It is also viewable on this website!
This Christmas, the Sunday School Children invite you to experience the Nativity story from a fresh perspective with our special program, “Manger Tales”. It’s a heartwarming and engaging look at the first Christmas, filled with the joy, wonder, and perhaps some behind-the-scenes stories you’ve never heard before. Please join us as we explore the true meaning of Christmas through the eyes of those who were
there. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s love and the Savior born for us all.
Date: Sunday, December 7th
Time: During the Morning Worship Service at 10:30 a.m.
Location: In the Sanctuary of the UCC Church, Geneva
Hope to see you all there!
Continuing with the "take out" method (orders taken at the glass doors). Fourth Tuesday of every month.
Items available to those in need:
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Deodorant
Shaving cream and razors
Feminine products
Shampoo and conditioner for adults and children
Soap, antibiotic soap, baby soap
Laundry soap
Baby wipes
Items in highest demand:
Toilet paper
Paper towels Underlined items would be appreciated
Deodorant if you're looking to donate.
Tissues We would also welcome cash donations to purchase items.
Spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, canned meat, soups, stuffing, things for Thanksgiving Dinner
Volunteers are always needed.
Please have reports to the church office by January 10th. They can be emailed to: congochurch@windstream.net
It is the committee's responsibility to find replacements for members that go off the committee.
You are invited to a Blue Christmas Service. The Holidays can be a time of great joy, but for many, they also bring feelings of sadness, loneliness, or loss. This service is for you if the season feels heavy, if you are grieving, or if you simply need a quiet space to pause and reflect.
Join us for a service that acknowledges the challenges of the season, offers a community to hold your pain, and points to the hope we have in Christ. This is a sacred time to set down your burden and find a moment of peace.
Date: December 21, 2025 at 7:00 .m. at the United Church of Christ in Geneva.
Greetings from the Mission and Outreach Committee! We send you our warmest wishes for a truly Merry Christmas! The Christmas season is a
beautiful time of celebration, but we also know that it can bring extra busyness, challenges, or moments when a helping hand makes all the difference. Please remember that our committee is herto help both for this season and beyond. Whether it’s practical help, someone to talk to, prayer, or a visit, we would be happy to help spread joy this Christmas!
Following up on last month, we approved the purchase of some copies of The Action Bible to distribute. The Action Bible takes over 230 Bible
stories and pairs it with illustrations in a comic book style (or as I have been often reminded, it’s a graphic novel). The book is recommended for ages 8 -12, and we have found that many kids see it as approachable and fun to read. These books have now arrived, and are located on the table just inside the Pastor’s office. These books will do the most amount of good if they make it out into the world, so please don’t be afraid to distribute them as you see fit! We will try to monitor them and replace them as needed.
On December 13th, there will be the 26th Annual Christmas Store at the Fillmore County Ag Hall. It will start at 8:30 a.m. Our committee has
typically provided cookies and drinks for the last few years, and we could us a little bit of help as the volume of the store grows. We will posting a signup sheet in the fellowship hall if you can help us contribute. A case of bottled water or a dozen cookies (you can never have too many cookies) would go a long way, and we would greatly appreciate it. Also, any adults ages 18+ who could volunteer to help shoppers select an item, or if you have a knack for wrapping gifts, your help would greatly appreciated. Any cookies or bottled water needs to be at the Ag Hall by 8:00 a.m. on December 13th, as do volunteers. If you cannot deliver at that time, we will arrange for a place that they can be left at the church, and we will take them. Thank you in advance for your help!
We would like to thank everyone for continuing to make us aware of any opportunities to help those in need and to help bring people to Christ.
Have a merry Christmas!
Best regards,
Daniel Andrews
(402) 759-1607
danieldandrews13@gmail.com
Worship and Music
This time of year, we want to be thankful for our many blessings God has provided for us. We need to take time to “Thank” Pastor Galen for being willing to lead us in worship, visiting the sick of our church or those in care homes and for attending our committee meetings. Pastor Galen is learning the ways of our church as well as learning what the Congregational United Church of Christ is about. Please give him grace and if you have concerns, please feel free to either speak with him or anyone on the Worship/Music Committee.
We also should give thanks to Mike Row for continuing to provide us his time one Sunday a month. We also want to thank Gail Chapman, for decorating our Sanctuary with the cornucopia that her father, Keith Eich, made. It added so much to the season.
We gathered on November 23rd, to decorate the church for the Advent Season with food and fellowship afterwards. We hope you enjoy the season with us. Advent starts on Sunday, November 30th at our 10:30 service. We are looking for families or several individuals to light our Advent candles. Please contact Cris at the church office if you would be willing to help.
Several new items that we will adding on December 21st will be an Ugly Sweater/Sweatshirt event. Please wear your ugliest and we will vote on them the first half of the service. You might win a prize and we’ll see how Pastor Galen incorporates this into his sermon. We will gather before church for a little breakfast menu provided by the Worship/Music committee.
On the evening of December 21st at 7:00 pm we will hold a Blue Christmas service. What is a Blue Christmas?
A Blue Christmas Service is offered especially for those hurting during the holidays. It’s often offered December 21st, the longest night of the year. Some come because they are mourning the death of a loved one. Some are far from home. Some
suffer from illness, addiction, or estrangement. Some are lonely, struggling financially, or in conflict with another. Some
hurt because of the great pain, need, and violence in our nation and world. The reasons for coming are many. We gather in the midst of suffering to remember God is good. God is strong. God is near. We are not alone, and we have every reason to hold on to hope.
We hope you will join for either one or both of these activities.
The Christmas Eve service will at 5:30 pm on December 24th. Once again our Bells and Senior Choir will be providing special music for your enjoyment along with the lighting of candles during the song of Silent Night.
God’s Blessings
Cheryl Myers
Chairman