Notes from Pastor Steve


Welcome 2024! As I write these notes the new year has just begun. Even though 2023 was a good year for First Presbyterian Church in Ste. Genevieve, I look forward with great expectations to what 2024 may bring to our church in 2024. May this be a happy and productive year for you and yours and for First Presbyterian Church!


October 1st, 2023 was World Communion Sunday and we celebrated the Lord’s Supper with Christians around the world on that date. In addition to communion, we also celebrated the baptism of Nora Beth Hoisington (daughter of Krystle Brooks Hoisington) on that Sunday. Krystle still continues to feel as if First Presbyterian is her church home and she has had both of her children baptized here (Owen was baptized in 2019).


October 22nd was the date of our traditional Hayride & Bonfire. We had a large group present for the festivities with several children in attendance. The weather was perfect for this event and everyone seemed to have a good time. Thanks to Marcia, Rick, Kyle, & Rikki for hosting.


I took my annual sojourn to northern Missouri during November to spend time with my friends in the woods communing with nature (deer hunting). I greatly appreciate the church granting me regular time off during the year to fish, hunt, and vacation. Brief times away always give me the chance to clear my mind and then feel invigorated when I return to First Presbyterian.


November 19th was the date for the Presbyterian Women’s Thank Offering. This is an annual offering which supports several ministries chosen by the national Presbyterian Women. Our local Presbyterian women also sponsor a fellowship luncheon on this date where we dedicate the offering and all share in the bounty of good food and fellowship.  Thank you, Presbyterian Women!


The month of December was, as always, a very busy month for First Presbyterian Church members and friends. On December 2nd, the church’s Live Nativity was presented for the community to see and enjoy. There was some rain that evening so the crowds were not as large as they typically might be but everyone that stopped by seemed to enjoy the scene. In addition, Marcia, Sharon, and one of Marcia’s friends played and sang Christmas songs from the porch of the Silversmith’s House. Cookies and hot apple cider were also provided to all free of charge. It was a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas and Advent season. Thanks to all the children, youth, and young adults who participated in the Live Nativity and to Mike and Barb Sherry for providing the donkeys to add a special element to our nativity scene.


During worship in December we began each service with an Advent Candle Lighting Ceremony. This helps us to remember the true reason for the season:  preparing our hearts for the coming of the Christ Child into our lives. A special thanks to the Elders of the 2023 Session for presenting the Advent readings and to the children of the church who lit the Advent candles.


December 8th was the date of the church Movie Night. Games with a Christmas theme, a hot chocolate bar, cookies and goodies, and watching the movie “The Polar Express” were all on the agenda for the evening. Thanks to the Terrys for hosting this event.


The Christmas Program, led by the children and youth (and those young at heart!), was presented during worship on December 17th. We once again saw and heard a re-creation of the story of the birth of the Christ Child.


Our special December events concluded with the Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion worship service on December 24th. This service always ends with communion and then passing the light of Christ from candle to candle around the sanctuary – a beautiful sight to behold and a reminder that all Christians are called to spread the light of Christ to the world. 


January will see the installation of 2024 church officers on the first Sunday (January 7th) and then the Annual Corporate and Congregational meeting after worship on the second Sunday (January 14th). The installation of officers will take place during the worship service proper as acknowledge these leaders of our church’s ministries. The 2024 church budget and the pastor’s terms of call (contract) for 2024 will be presented at the congregational meeting – that is correct, this church has agreed to hire me as pastor for another year! We will also hear 2023 end of year reports from various church groups detailing their contributions to the ministry of the church. Both events celebrate the ministries of our church and I hope you are/were able to attend.


The Lord’s Table is the name of the devotional pamphlet we give to patrons of the Helping Hands Food Pantry each month. This devotional has a “theme” for the month and contains eight separate devotions to be used throughout the month. Each individual devotion consists of a scripture, two or three questions to “ponder God’s message to you,” space to write thoughts or responses, and a prayer. This was a new ministry developed in 2023 by Lisa Palmer who continues to write and prepare the devotional pamphlet each month. Our prayer remains that at least one person will be touched by these devotions and thus form a closer relationship to the Lord. If you would like to view one of these devotionals, there are a few available in the narthex of the church sanctuary.


I continue to serve as the Moderator for the Administrative Commission of the presbytery for the closing of the Lutesville Presbyterian Church and as Moderator for the Administrative Commission for the closing of the Affton Presbyterian Church. It is difficult to be involved in the permanent closing of a church – a part of the body of Christ on this earth. The stories told by remaining church members of their work in ministry through the years and their lives as a part of a once-vibrant congregation are always uplifting and encouraging. And yet the churches are now gone – perhaps a sign of the great changes taking place in our society and denomination in the 21st century. Please be in prayer for the remaining members of both the Lutesville Presbyterian Church and the Affton Presbyterian Church.


Ike Rutherford, a member of our congregation for 65+ years, died on November 16th. Ike was 98 years old and had a wonderful life. And yet, his passing reminds each of us that our days on this earth, regardless of how long, are numbered:   “From dust we all came and to dust shall we all return.”  But, my friends, our hope is in the Lord. So we should all have hope this day. Hope in a new life for Ike and hope in the future for each and every one of us. Our hope is in the Lord.


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. Proverbs 3: 5 & 6 (RSV)


Yours in Christ,                    

Pastor Steve