Pastor’s Notes - January 2026


The Year of Our Lord two thousand and twenty-six is now underway! One-fourth of the twenty-first century is now history. It is always exciting to look forward as a new year begins and this year is no different. I wish all of you and yours a very pleasant new year!


As I write these notes, I am actually on sabbatical from my church duties. After twelve and one-half years preaching and ministering here at First Presbyterian in Ste. Genevieve, our church Session has granted me a month to focus on the writing of new sermons and new sermon ideas. I feel as if I was getting a little “stale” in my sermon efforts, so I am using this time to reinvigorate my writing so that I may continue to preach for a few more years. That is the plan, anyway! My sabbatical began January 12th and continues through February 11th. I will return to the pulpit on February 15th. Our regular worship will continue at 10:45 am each Sunday during my sabbatical, with different individuals filling the pulpit in my absence. I will NOT be leaving the area for any extended period of time during my sabbatical, so if an emergency situation does arise, please do not hesitate to contact me.


A quick look back at the 2025 Advent and Christmas seasons at First Presbyterian:


The season of Advent began on November 30th and I am grateful for all of the “elves” who decorated our sanctuary and church again this year. We began our series of Advent Candle devotional readings and prayers on this Sunday with the lighting of the first Advent Candle.


On Saturday, December 6th, many of our youth and adults donned the traditional attire and presented the Live Nativity Scene outside on our church lawn. The Sherry’s once again provided a donkey to add a touch of reality to the scene. The Power of Three, the guitar group made up of John Weakly, Marcia Schaefer, and Becky Millinger, also performed Christmas music from the porch of the Silversmith’s House. This traditional activity was attended by many local people and visitors to our community. Thanks to the many members and friends of our church who participated in this event.


On Sunday, December 7th, we celebrated The Lord’s Supper, or communion during worship. We also celebrated communion on Christmas Eve.


The children’s, youth’s, and adults’ Christmas Program was presented on Sunday, December 14th during worship. This program gave us the Matthew version of the Christmas story, with Herod and the Wise Men taking a prominent role. This will make a couple of years that this program will take place at the beginning of morning worship and it seems to work well – with the bonus of increasing our attendance on those Sunday mornings! After worship on this Sunday we had a very special guest visit our sanctuary – Merry Christmas!


After worship on Sunday, December 21, there was a pizza luncheon and then Christmas Caroling at the local care centers and a few other places. Visits to the local group homes were included this year and a great time was had by all!


Our church members once again participated in the Giving Tree – gifts purchased, prepared, and presented to care center residents during this season. We also participated in the Christmas Joy offering, one of the special Presbyterian offerings available during each year.

We culminated the Advent season with a Candlelight Communion Service at 6:00 pm on Christmas Eve. This beautiful service, concluding with a candlelit circle around the sanctuary singing “Silent Night,” is always a great way to end Advent.


The First Sunday of Christmas, December 28th in 2025, is usually a “down” Sunday in terms of number of attendees. But this Sunday was a very good Sunday for all in attendance as we closed out 2025 and continued to celebrate Christmas!


An update on my work for the Presbytery in moderating the Session of the First Presbyterian Church in Perryville:  I met with the Perryville First Presbyterian Church Session for the last time in 2025 on December 9th. Their church was busy preparing for their participation in the Perry County Christmas Church Tour on December 18th & 19th. In addition to the church building being open for the tour, they had a special musical presentation each night. This church continues to search for pastoral leadership, but they do their best to continue the Lord’s ministry even in the absence of a regular pastor. I will continue to moderate their Session in 2026, however, I will not be meeting with their Session in January, as I am on sabbatical.


Our 2026 Communion Schedule is now approved and we celebrate communion on the first Sunday of most months this year, as well as on Maundy Thursday and Christmas Eve. One exception to our Sunday morning schedule: we will NOT celebrate communion in February, as I will still be on sabbatical.


Blessings to all in this new year and I hope to see you when I return to worship on February 15th!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge God and God will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3: 4 & 5


Yours in Christ,

Pastor Steve


Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  3: 5 & 6 (RSV)