Category: Kathy Scott, Senior Adults & Care Ministry Director

Come join us on Wednesday, February 7 at 11 am for lunch and creativity! We will be making valentines for the residents at St. Andrews and then delivering them. Lunch will be either sandwiches or soup and salad and of course, desert. The cost for lunch is $7. If you have stickers or jewels to help glamorize our valentines, feel free to bring these along.

On Thursday, February 22, we will go to the Omnimax to see “Extreme Weather” and then go to our favorite – Zia’s for lunch. Don’t forget to bring cash if you want to go across the street to Missouri Bakery for some sweet treats! “Extreme Weather” is a documentary that takes us to the frontlines of this phenomena. We will see glaciers collapsing, massive wildfires and devastating tornadoes. Created by National Geographic, this documentary will help us understand and adapt to our ever-changing weather. The ticket price for a senior is $9.50 and lunch is on your own.

Hope you are reading along with us in our church-wide Bible reading plan. We are reading only a chapter a day and have started in Matthew and will do the 3 synoptic gospels the first quarter. One thing I have discovered as I have aged, you can never know everything there is to know about God and His Word. We will finish the New Testament in one year and hopefully will have a greater understanding of our Mighty God. We are reading Monday-Friday so you have the weekend to catch up if you fall behind. This is an attainable goal for all of us. There will be a quiz at the end of the year!

Happy New Year! I always like a chance for new beginnings – a time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. Most people go on diets or start a new exercise regimen. My question for you, however, is how do you plan to grow spiritually and to serve in your church and community? I have built some opportunities for service into our first quarter plans and would encourage all of you to participate in our Bible reading plan for starters.

We will begin in Matthew the first quarter of this year and do one chapter a day until we finish the synoptic gospels. If you don’t know what that means, this is your opportunity to continue learning. Make every effort this year  to know God more intimately through prayer, Bible study, and learning.to get

On Wednesday, January 10 at 11, we will have a soup and salad lunch followed by the movie, The Hill. This is the inspiring, true story of baseball phenomenon Ricky Hill. Ricky is an extremely talented player who is burdened by leg braces from a degenerative spinal disease. Will his faith and love of the game allow him to play professional baseball? Come and find out. The movie is free but your lunch is $7.

Then on Friday, January 26, we will head to Florissant to the Shrine of St. Ferdinand, established in 1789. The shrine tells the story of St. Philippine Duchesne, the Jesuits, and the pioneer days of the Louisiana purchase. The tour itself is free but donations are appreciated. We will have lunch after at Cugino’s, home of the stuffed meatball – Yummy!

Praying you all have a blessed New Year!

Well, this certainly was a fast year. As you read this, we will be entering the season of advent and celebrating the birth of the King of Kings.

I have decided to add a trip to see the lights on Tuesday, December 19 at 4pm. We will drive to Illinois before rush hour, eat dinner somewhere yet to be determined and then go through Wonderlights. There are more than 1 million LED lights synchronized to traditional and newer Christmas music played through the car stereo. The cost will be around $5-$7 depending on how many people sign up.

Your senior adult council has planned the first quarter of 2024 and hope you will join us on our adventures.

On Wednesday, January 10, at 11 am, we will have a soup and salad lunch and then watch the movie, The Hill. This is an inspiring, true story of baseball phenomenon Ricky Hill. Ricky is extremely talented despite being burdened by leg braces from a degenerative spinal disease. Will his faith and love of the game allow him to play professional baseball? Come and find out! The movie is free but your soup and salad lunch is $7.

On Friday, January 26, we will go to Florissant to the Shrine of St. Ferdinand established in 1789. The Shrine tells the story of St. Philippine Duchesne, the Jesuits and the pioneer days of the Louisiana Purchase. The tour is free but donations are appreciated. We will follow our tour with lunch at Cugino’s, home of the stuffed meatball – YUM!

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Wednesday, February 7, 11:00, Sandwiches and valentine creations for Mizpah

Thursday, February 22, 10:00, Omnimax and Zia’s

Monday, March 4, 10:00,  Boat House Museum in St. Charles and Magpies for lunch

Thursday, March 28 St. Louis Art Museum

Pray for the church this month as we get ready to transition to our new schedule on January 7.

Can you believe how fast this year is going? While watching a TV program last night, a character commented that the days are long but the years go fast. I personally find both speeding by but I know that this is true for some of you. So, if your days are long, here are a few fun things you can do with Prime Time.

On Wednesday, November 8, we will have a movie and lunch in the dining room at 11:00. We will eat lunch first (sandwiches, chips and dessert). After that, we will watch the Sight and Sound production of David. This production was recorded on the Lancaster stage on September 2, 2022, so this is a new addition. The story of David is one of the most legendary Bible stories of all time. Hope you will join us for lunch and the movie. The cost for lunch is $7. Sign up in the connection center.

I trust that those of you who wanted to go on the Branson trip, November 29-December 1 have already contacted me and paid your deposit. We might go to a light display in December if I can find a good one and work out the details.

Finally, I would like to talk about the deacon recommendation that we go to one service beginning the first of the year. The reasoning behind this is two-fold. Candidates for a pastor have pointed out that Fee Fee has 2 separate services which feels like 2 separate churches. This lack of unity in the church is a division that they were unwilling to address as a new pastor. Because of this, the deacons recommended that we be proactive and go to one unified service with blended music. Also, since our total attendance is about 225 per week, this will encourage us to see a more full church and will naturally build a connection between those who attend.

We recognize that this will require compromises from all. There is a committee of staff and deacons that is working on decisions about when to have worship service and when to have Bible study. These decisions have not yet been made but whatever the decision is, it will require compromises and flexibility by all for the good of and the unity of the church. Please pray for us to come together for the glory of God. While there are a multitude of verses on unity in the church, I’m going to just remind you of Romans 15:5-6 (NLT): “May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ.”

As I am writing this, it is technically not fall yet but I love it so much, I start early.  I love everything pumpkin spice food created and the beauty of the changing leaves.  Are you ready to have some fun in the last quarter of this year?  The senior council has come up with some excellent events.

October 6, we will travel to Foristell to Rush Acres.  This is a small family farm with 23 acres of cozy woods, pasture, a beautiful lake, a rustic farmhouse, a unique family store and a whole bunch of critters! We will eat lunch that day at the Wentzville Family Diner.  The bus will leave at 10:00 am.

I need 8 of my prime timers to help pack meals for Feed My Starving Children from 3- 5 pm on Thursday, October 12. The bus will leave at 2:15 p.m.  Please sign up.

On Monday, October 23, we will visit the First State Capital in St. Charles and then walk across the street for lunch at Lewis and Clark.  The cost for the Capital museum tour is $5.  There might be a little time for shopping!  The bus will leave at 10:00 am.

Other events to look forward to and mark your calendars include:

Wednesday, November 8, the Sight and Sound stage production of David with lunch at 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday – Friday, November 29-December 1, trip to Branson including Thursday night at Silver Dollar City to see the lights.  Cost TBD 

We have 2 events this month.  On Wednesday, September 6, we will head to Sikeston, MO for a stop at the Sikeston Depot lunch after at Lambert’s Café.  Get ready to catch a throwed roll!  The bus will leave at 9 a.m.  (Note that this time is earlier than usual). This is a permanent historical exhibit that combines history, art, and special exhibits. The museum is free but donations are accepted.  Lambert’s café is an unique experience if you have never eaten there.  They throw you a homemade roll, you order off the menu and there are lots of pass arounds including fried okra and fried potatoes.  Expect to get filled up.  The bus ride is $5 and you will buy your own lunch!

On Monday, September 25, we will go to the Missouri Botanical Gardens to view the Chihuly exhibit.  There are thousands of pieces of blown glass forms in 20 dramatic installations throughout the garden’s grounds.  Because we are going during the day, admission is included in garden admission. Garden admission is $6 if you are a STL county resident. Lunch will be at Joey B’s.  To see all of the Chihuly glass is a long walk  but you can choose to see as little or as much as you want.  The bus will leave at 10 a.m.

September also includes Impact Week.  I hope that you will participate in some of that week’s projects and attend the celebration at Redemption ranch on Sunday, September 24.  It is always a good time with great worship, good food and great fellowship with the entire church family.  There will not be services at the Fee Fee building on that day.

Loaves and Fishes

We need to start the sign-up cycle for this ministry again.  If your small group, Bible study class, or any other group would like to provide a meal, please let Gloria know.  We provide a meal for the residents each 3rd Tuesday of the month.  This meal should feed approximately 29 residents which includes children and families. Thanks in advance for your help!

I can’t believe I’m already writing my August Forerunner.  Time flies when you’re having fun.  I’ve got a couple of things to add to your summer fun so here goes.

We have had to make a change of plans for our Monday, August 7 trip.  During the flooding last July, Old St. Ferdinand had a lot of water damage and it has not yet opened back up.  So instead we are going to the Omnimax to see Ocean Odyssey.  The cost for a senior is $8.95.  This is the story of one of the flows within the ocean called the East Australian current.  This is a massive oceanic river that stretches the length of Australia’s east coast.  I didn’t even know that the ocean had rivers in it.  Should be interesting to see how it affects us.

The bus will leave church at 10 am, we will watch the movie at 11 and then have lunch at Favazzas on the hill.  I’m excited to try a new restaurant since Zia’s is closed on Monday.  Thanks to Gloria Young for noticing this and researching what was open!

Adult VBS begins Monday, August 21st and runs though Thursday, August 24 from 9:30-noon.   Note we are starting one half hour later than we have in the past.  We will be meeting in the rafters as we did last year – that is the youth area on the third floor.  Ronna will start us off with some music and we will have a snack time of muffins and fruit about half way through.  This year’s topic is “Stuff you should know and share with others”.  We are going to talk about the real Christmas story, love languages, the Mona Lisa and other assorted topics that will intrigue you and you will want to share your wisdom with others!  Mark your calendars.

Hope you are enjoying your summer so far.  I wish I could take you to the beach but … how about these activities instead.

On Friday, July 7 at 10 a.m., we will go to the Miniature Museum.  This museum has an extensive display of tiny objects.  There is everything from room boxes, to dollhouses and all sorts of displays.  There are 2 floors of exhibits that range from 1:6 to micro-scale.  The museum costs $5.50.  After the museum, we will eat at Hodak’s!

On Monday, July 24, we are going to stay at church in the air conditioning.  We will gather at 11 for lunch which will consist of sandwiches, chips and dessert.  The cost of lunch is $7.00.  Then we will watch the Sight and Sound production of Joseph. This production was filmed in 2010 in front of a live audience and tells the story of dreams and the power of forgiveness.

A final reminder to join me in an in-depth Bible study August 21-24 from 9:30-noon at Adult VBS.

Summertime, summertime, sum, sum, summertime!  Time for trips, pool parties, graduations, BBQ.  I love the summer and we have one packed with adventure for our prime timers!

We finally were able to arrange to go to the newly renovated Holocaust Museum but had to adjust the schedule a little.

We will leave church at 10:45 on Wednesday, June 7 to have lunch at Grassis which opens at 11.  We need to make our lunch somewhat quick as we should arrive at the museum by 12:15 for check in.  We will listen to a Holocaust survivor from 12:30-1:30 and then go on a guided tour from 1:30-3:00pm.  The cost of the tour is $10 each and I must pay this in advance.  If you sign up and don’t come, you will still have to pay for your ticket.

On Thursday, June 22, we will leave for a tour of historic homes in St. Genevieve.  We will eat first at the Brickhouse.  We do not yet have a price for the homes we are going to tour but it appears that admission is generally $3-$5 with some places being free.  The Brick House Restaurant is the oldest brick building west of the Mississippi River.  It was built in 1780.  According to their website, they have a lunch buffet for $11.75.  They feature American food.

Below are upcoming events for the next quarter so mark your calendar:

Friday, July 7 Miniature Museum and Hodak’s for lunch

Monday July 24 Sandwiches /movie.  Joseph produced by Sight and Sound

Monday August 7 Old St. Ferdinand Shrine and Cugino’s for lunch

Mon-Thur., Aug 21-24 Adult VBS

Wednesday, Sept 6 Sikeston Depot and Lamberts for lunch

Monday Sept 25 Chihuly at the MO Botanical Garden and lunch at Zia’s

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for these events and sign up.

Wow.  I can’t believe it is already May.  May has lots of adventures for the Prime Timers.  First and foremost is the Banquet on Saturday night, May 13, at 6 p.m.  Just like the restaurants, we have had to raise our price a little to cover the expenses, but it is still a very good deal for good food, good fellowship, and great entertainment.

The cost this year is $15/person and includes salad, main course, and dessert.  Our entertainment will include 50’s and 60’s songs and Ronna assures me that we won’t be disappointed.  There will also be a brief devotional and an opportunity for photos.  The sign-up sheet are in the Connection Center, and you must sign up by Sunday, May 7 so we can order the food!

The second event is a 2-nights/3-day trip to the Creation Museum and Noah’s Ark in Kentucky.  I have not booked a hotel, but rooms range between $130-$150.  Since we will be there 2 nights, your room would be a maximum of $150 for 2 nights if you have a roommate to share the cost.  If you want your own room, your hotel for 2 nights would be a maximum of $300.

We will get a combo ticket for the Ark and Creation Museum and that cost is $84.95 but if we have enough people, that might be discounted.  Your transportation cost is $40/person.

So, if you have a roommate, your maximum cost will be about $275.  If you want your own room, the cost is $425.  Breakfast is included at all the hotels I am looking at so that is 2 less meals to buy.

We will leave at 8 am on Wednesday, May 24 and be home by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 26.  You will need to turn in a $100 deposit by Sunday, May 7 but you need to sign up by April 30 so I can get our reservations.  Hope you will plan to join me to have Genesis come to life.