The pastor's letter discusses the importance of prioritizing time with God over other opportunities and activities. It encourages members of the church community to intentionally grow closer to God through worship, service, prayer and study. The letter announces that Sunday school classes and a new Bible study will begin on Rally Day, August 17th as the church schedule returns to its regular times.
The pastor's letter discusses the importance of prioritizing time with God over other opportunities and activities. It encourages members of the church community to intentionally grow closer to God through worship, service, prayer and study. The letter announces that Sunday school classes and a new Bible study will begin on Rally Day, August 17th as the church schedule returns to its regular times.
The pastor's letter discusses the importance of prioritizing time with God over other opportunities and activities. It encourages members of the church community to intentionally grow closer to God through worship, service, prayer and study. The letter announces that Sunday school classes and a new Bible study will begin on Rally Day, August 17th as the church schedule returns to its regular times.
The pastor's letter discusses the importance of prioritizing time with God over other opportunities and activities. It encourages members of the church community to intentionally grow closer to God through worship, service, prayer and study. The letter announces that Sunday school classes and a new Bible study will begin on Rally Day, August 17th as the church schedule returns to its regular times.
Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina
Volume 38 Number 25 August 10, 2014 803-256-1654 / www.eastminsterpres.org Dear Eastminster Family, It is time!!! That is the title of the email that came from the high school swim coach to our 16-year-old daughter, Grace. The general theme of the communication was that great commitment will lead to great results. Just a few days before that email, there was another this one from the lead teacher of the academic program in which Grace participates. It was an invitation to learn how to take advantage of the research resources at Thomas Cooper Library at the University. Seeing these made me wonder: Who advocates for God? The challenge so many of us face is not a shortage of opportunities. Having a wide vari- ety of opportunities can be good. The challenge is in prioritizing, choosing how and where to spend our time. How often it is that we let the good rob us of the best. Academics and extra-curricular activities are important, but intellectual and athletic success without an underlying foundation of purpose, direction, and identity is like having the wind fill the sails of a sailboat with no centerboard and no rudder. The boat is doomed to capsize or to be blown dangerously to and fro. There is nothing as important in all of life as knowing God. Experiencing the freedom and love of God in Jesus Christ gives us identity, direction, and purpose that will help us for a lifetime, indeed for eternity. The Holy Spirit enables us to not merely know about God, but to know our Lord and to be in communion with him. And the church is the unique gathering of imperfect people where God chooses to make Himself known and to pour Himself out. Worship, serve, give, pray, and study. Be intentional about growing in Christ. Bit by bit, week by week, for our children and for ourselves, walking with one another in good times and bad, drawn together by Gods Spirit, let us gather together to thank and serve the One who alone gives light in the darkness and life even in the face of death. Rally Day is Sunday, August 17. We will return to the 9:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship schedule, the full range of Sunday school classes will resume, and new opportunities like the Kerygma Bible Study will begin. What is important to you? What really matters in your life? Now is the time to start living it. In joy, Brad STAFF Dr. Bradley D. Smith Pastor Dr. Mark E. Durrett Associate Pastor Rev. Lynn A. Grandsire Associate Pastor Dr. James I. St. John Parish Associate Rev. Jonathan S. Wagner Associate Pastor Mr. Croskeys Royall Director of Childrens Ministries Mrs. Fredna Lee Director of Music Ministries Mrs. Lucy Corley & Mrs. Anita Poole EDS Day School Co-Directors Mr. William L. Collins, Jr. Business Manager Ms. Julie McDaniel Service Coordinator Our Missionaries: Rev. & Mrs. Donald Marsden-Virginia/Russia Steven & Natalie Hall - Alaska Sarah Snapp - Bolivia Rev. John McCall - Taiwan Steve & Kathy Amar - Virginia/Muslims in the US George & Anne Harper - Philippines Cindy Correll - Port au Prince, Haiti Dr. John and Gwenda Fletcher - Congo SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 10:00 - Jubilee 10:15 a.m. - Sanctuary, Gym Youth Sunday Walking Trough Galatians, Sermon 11 Reaping a Harvest Galatians 6:7-10 From Wilderness To Wonder Exodus For Followers Of Jesus DAILY CALENDAR SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 8:45 Choir Rehearsals Jubilee Band Practice 9:00 Combined Adult Sunday School 10:00 Jubilee Worship 10:15 Sanctuary Worship 10:30 Childrens Church 11:15 Home Communion 4:45 Childcare 5:00 PEACE Service 6:30 Youth Leader Dinner MONDAY, AUGUST 11 7:00 Mens Prayer Breakfast 7:30 Property Committee 8:00 EDS Staff Mtg. 9:00 Count Team Fifty Plus Exercise Class 12:00 Worship Ministry Mtg. 2:00 Pastors Mtg. 2:30 Program Staff Mtg. 3:10 Staff Mtg. 5:30 Stephen Ministry Leaders Mtg. 6:00 Stephen Ministry Mtg.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12 8:00 EDS CPR class 8:30 OCA Mtg. 9:00 Drop-In Nursery Youth Council 10:00 Senior Fitness 11:45 Tuesday Lunch 12:00 Communications Committee NED Mtg. 1:00 Footcare Ministry 3:00 Exercising for Arthritis 5:00 CHAMPS Steering Comm. 5:30 Zumba Fitness 6:00 Handbell Rehearsal 6:30 Congregational Care 7:00 Scottish Country Dancing Zumba Fitness
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 9:00 Drop-In Nursery Fifty Plus Exercise Class 9:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 9:00 Drop-In Nursery 10:00 Senior Fitness 3:00 Exercising for Arthritis 7:00 Zumba Fitness FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 9:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class 11:00 Support Staff Mtg. SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 RALLY DAY AUGUST 17 Worship Service Return to 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. 2014-2015 Sunday School Classes 10:00 a.m. Fireside Class The class will take a journey as disciples following the steps of Jesus and his travels, using Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus by Wayne Stiles. This class is a group of mixed ages, both single and married, with and without kids, held in room 353 of the CE building. Contact: Jeff Burden, 312-2867, or Peter Zornow, 730-7570, or email firesideclass@eastminsterpres.org. Frank Harden Class The class seeks to grow their relationships with God. The class consists primarily of older adults but is open to anyone. Held in room 350 of the CE building. Contact: Frank Brown, 776-4471, or email hardenclass@eastminsterpres.org. Gift Class Join us as we Grow In Faith Together! This class consists of young adults from college age to early 30s. Held in room 256 of the CE building. Contacts: Charlie or Laura Irick, 269-4235 or 553-5537, or email giftclass@eastminsterpres.org. Hope Class We grow spiritually through group discussion and lively teaching. The class is a mix of single and married people ranging in age from late 30s to late 50s. ALL ages are welcome! Located in the CLC building, rooms 269-271. Contact: Greg Moise, 429-3189, Jennifer Ray- field, 917-0064, or Matt Reynolds, 783-3399, or email hopeclass@eastminsterpres.org. Ichthus/Disciples Our class is dedicated to Bible study and discussion. This class is ideal for individuals and couples who want to study the Bible in a small class setting. Room 355 CE building. Contact: Della Coulter, 782-4072, or email ichthusclass@eastminsterpres.org. JOY class Our class name reflects our seeking to serve Jesus first, Others next, Yourself last. We welcome soon-to-be parents and parents (married or single) of young children to join us each week in room 357 of the CE building. Contact: John or Julie Hudson, 782-8935 or email joyclass@eastminsterpres.org. Parenting Teens We use both secular and spiritual material to guide our conversations. Parents of teenag- ers, pre-teens and anyone seeking honest discussion about living out our faith are welcome. Rooms 273-275 of the CE building. Contacts: Nancy Smith, 699-0204, or Alison McGowan, 252-3434, or email parentsofteensclass@eastminsterpres.org. Solid Rock We are trying to make sense of life and grow in the Spirit, consistently with our Reformed tradition, through study of the Bible, music and art, and social time together. Individuals and couples who prefer a smaller class setting attend this class. Room 358 of the CE building. Contact: Bick Halligan, 254-4035, or email solidrockclass@eastminsterpres.org. Spiritual Discoveries We are a hands-on group, with lively, class-led discussion being a key part of our class time. We are a group of folks ranging from 40 and up, but all ages are welcome. Held in room 351 of the CE building. Contacts: Jeff and Martha Casto, 776-7407, Ron and Winnie Dew, 691-3765, Herman and Betty Snyder, 776-4086, Anne and Wendle Snapp, 787-8158, or email discoveriesclass@eastminsterpres.org Ted Haigler This class is ideal for men who desire a traditional Sunday school format in a smaller setting, with ample time given for discussion questions. Men of all ages are welcome. Held in room 352 of the CE building. Contacts: Bill Tarrant, 791-0054, or John Hart, 787-8731, or email haiglerssleaders@eastminsterpres.org For additional information about classes please go to www.eastminsterpres.org. Organizational Meeting for 2014-2015 Cub Scouts Jason Anders, the new Cub Scout Master, is seeking parents with sons in the first - fifth grade interested in participat- ing in Cub Scouts this year! If you are inter- ested in attending an organizational meeting, please contact Jason at janders115@sc.rr.com or call at (803) 467-7781. CARE & CONCERN EPC Prayer List Part of what it means to be a Family of Faith is to be in prayer for one another. Contact the church office at 256-1654 to be included on this Prayer List. EPC Special Concerns Remer Waguespack, Bill McInnis, Dave Steven, and those serving in our military, Stephen Ministers and their care receivers, and all those in need of Gods special care. Births Congratulations and love to: Duncan & Cade Coggins, on the birth of their daughter, Amelia Ann Coggins, July 29, 2014. Grandparents, Frances & Tommy Coggins. Great grandmother, Ann Duncan. Deaths Congregational love and sympathy are extended to: Allison & Louie Harrison, on the death of her mother, Peggy Seigler, July 24, 2014. Grandchild, Kathleen Grace Harrison. Family & friends, on the death of, Win- feld Phillip Boots Fuller, August 1, 2014. On weekends a minister is on call. If you have a crisis which one of the ministers needs to know about, phone 256-1654 and leave a message. A minister will return your call. What we are is Gods gift to us. What we become is our gift to God. Deadline for UPDATE Dont miss out! Send your informa- tion to share with the congregation to tcarter@eastminsterpres.org. Please have your information in by Wednesday, August 13, to be shared in our next newsletter on August 24, 2014. New Members join July 20 CHARLIE AND MEREDITH SPIRES join by reaffirmation of faith. They live on Brentwood Drive. Charlie is an investigator, and Meredith is a broker for Keenan Suggs Insurance. ANSLEY WHITESIDE joins by reaf- firmation of faith. She lives on Hagood Avenue and is a specialist with Columbia Property Management. She joins husband Brooks Whiteside and many other family members at East- minster. For our loved ones . . . In memory of Virginia McCracken, given by Coleman Chambliss. In memory of Toby Cassels, given by Mark & Carolyn McClam. In memory of Mary Ann McGee, given by Mary Bull Benton. In memory of Jerry Foster, given by Lock & Tracey Reddic, Phyllis Walker. In memory of Walter Hayden given by Joseph W. Layton, Carrol Josey & Linda Bush, Edward & Josephine Laney, Coleman Chambliss. In honor of Robbie & Lib Foster given by Jim Hudson Lexus. In honor of Brad Smith, given by Amy, Edwin, Katie, Andrea & Edwin Martin. In honor of Kathy & Simpson Fant, given by Amy, Edwin, Katie, Andrea & Ed- win Martin. KERYGMA Bible Study This introductory course is an encounter with scripture texts by reading select passages and then participating in discussion about what you have read. Class begins Sunday, August 17, from 5:00-6:30 PM with teachers, John Asman and John Arnold, facilitating the discussion and provok- ing probing questions. The class will be held in room 351 in the CE building with childcare for ages 5K and under in the drop-in rooms. Cost of the student book is $30.00. To register for the class, email Julie (jmcdaniel@eastminsterpres.org) or call her 256-1654 ext. 143. Adopt-a-Flower Bed Program A group of dedicated ladies have been weeding and edging the flower beds along the front walkway and around the Eastminster sign. Our goal is to make the outside look as good as the inside is going to look at the end of construction. There are many more beds to weed and edge! If you can help with this project, please call or e-mail Sharon Derham at 803-787-2690, or derham@earthlink.net Meet Linda Stefey, Angel Choir Director Linda has been a music teacher for over 15 years. She has taught all age levels and currently teaches at Conder ES in Richland District Two. She has two children, a cat and a puppy. Son, Tyler, will be heading to college in Northern Virginia, and daughter, Cara, will be starting Middle School. Linda looks forward to making music with some of the youngest members in the church! Angel choir begins on Wednesday, September 3, from 5:10 - 5:55 PM in E-253 Junior choir (Grades 2-6) begins on Wednesday, September 3, from 5:10 - 5:55 PM in E-255, with Fredna Lee as director. Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group Do you have Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or know someone who does? Would you like to have support? Eastminster is forming a support group for RA with others at EPC with RA. If you would like to be a part of this group, contact Lynn Grandsire at lgrandsire@eastminsterpres.org or 256-1654 ext. 163. Once the response to the group is known, an initial meeting will be scheduled. SPIRES WHITESIDE Eastminster Presbyterian Church 3200 Trenholm Road Columbia, South Carolina 29204 Return Address Requested Update for August 10, 2014 Nonprofit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Columbia, SC PERMIT No. 27 SERVING ON SUNDAY AUGUST 10 OFFICERS PRAYER: Deacon Caroline Bennett DEACONS: Alec Chaplin & Jeff Casto Elder Paul Eaddy (Jubilee) Elder Pam Halligan (Jubilee) PEACE SERVICE Deacon Anne Kleitches, Field Wardlaw Elder Tara Barr, Jane Brissette USHERS: Steve Searcy GREETERS: (10:15) John & Mary McCants Sam & Liz Agee Suzie Wattenbarger Charlie Weston Joe & Carol Anderson Stephen & Holley Van Horn INFANT ROOM - CLC 115 (9:00) Staff (10:00) Meredith Cristenberry TODDLER ROOM - CLC 117 (9:00) Staff (10:00) Staff 2-K ROOM - CLC 119 (9:00) David & Susanne Hicklin (10:00) Eliza & Tyler Hudson CHILDRENS CHURCH 101 - 3K (10:00) Jim & Jennifer Bowie CHILDRENS CHURCH 103 - 4K (10:00) Kalen & Richard Klosky CHILDRENS CHURCH 106 - 5K (10:00) Bernie & Susan Kuhn Israel Through the Eyes of Eastminster Make plans to attend dinner and an Israel Trip presentation on Wednesday, August 27, in Thompson Hall from 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. Hear from the trip partici- pants who journeyed to Israel in January 2014. Save the date! TRANSITIONS EPC will prepare and serve dinner for the 200 residents at Transitions Home- less Shelter on Thursday, August 21. Children as young as 10 are allowed to serve with their family. Each month we prepare pasta salad (recipe provided), homemade pound cakes and bananas. Our servers meet at the church at 4:30 and return by 6:30. Please contact Laura Long at laurapricelong@att.net to help. Thank you! Eastminster Youth Basketball 2014 We are looking forward to organizing another exciting Eastminster Bas- ketball season. Be sure to include us in your familys plans for this fall. Teams will be available for boys and girls 2nd grade through high school, and will be formed based on the availability of coaches and gym space. Registration will be held from September 1- October 1. EPC Youth Basketball Coaches All current EPC youth basketball coaches and those interested in coaching or helping with basketball, please contact Bill Ketchin at 256-1654 or bketchin@ eastminsterpres.org. Eastminster Hymnal Campaign (August 1 September 1) The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation has published a new hymnal, Glory to God! containing 800 hymns. In addition to our current hymns, this book will include beloved older hymns and inspirational new hymns. This is a wonderful way to honor or remember someone by placing a new hymnal in the sanctuary. It was 1993 when we last purchased new hymnals for the church. A plate will be placed in each book with the name of the person being honored or remembered. This would be a wonderful tribute to a child just baptized, being confirmed or completing Worship Discovery. Pick up an order form from the reception area, welcome Desk in the CLC, or download from the E-News. Eastminster Day School The Eastminster Day School is now accepting applications for part-time teachers and substitutes - mornings and afternoons. Interested applicants, please call 771-1512.