Exodus For Followers Of Jesus

Dr. Bradley D. Smith Pastor Dr. Mark E. Durrett Associate Pastor Rev. Lynn A. Grandsire Associate Pastor Rev. Jeffrey S. Smith 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 Mr. William L. Collins, Jr. Business Administrator
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

From Wilderness To Wonder

STAFF

EASTMINSTeR UPDATe
803-256-1654 / www.eastminsterpres.org
Volume 37 Number 41 December 15, 2013

Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

Dear Eastminster Family, The coming weeks will mark my fifth Christmas as Senior Pastor at Eastminster. It has been a joy to watch this church family pull together through worship, prayer and study in ways that have borne fruit in witness and service to Jesus Christ. Thank you for your response to Gods grace. Now, as we approach the end of the year, I need to ask you to pull together in giving. This relates to both our end of year giving for this year and our pledging for 2014. While our 2013 expenses are in line with our pledge-based budget, our income is behind by over $100,000. Thankfully, weve not been in this situation the past few years. Perhaps our December giving will be more than usual and it will work out fine. Nonetheless, the size of the disparity leads me to both let you know and to ask for your help. Having grown so much in our capacity to proclaim the Gospel and equip disciples, even as we have substantially increased our giving beyond the church, I would hate to see us lose momentum. Would you please pray about this, and help as you are able? Let me also encourage those of you that have not yet pledged for 2014 to please do so. The Session would like to set our 2014 budget as soon as possible, but a responsible budget depends on each of you providing an estimate of your giving. Our dedication Sunday was November 10 which is a little later than usual, but please take a few minutes now and email church treasurer Christy Rippy with your estimate of giving at crippy@eastminsterpres.org. You know, even as Im thankful Ive not had to write an end of the year money Update before now, it also occurs to me that thinking about priorities is a perfect fit for the Christmas season. Even as you prepare for our Saviors birth I encourage you to plan and handle your finances so that you can participate in Christs work in the world, both now and in the coming year. In joy,

Brad

Pledge Status Report as of December 9, 2013

151 162 59 73 Pledges With No Change Pledges Increased Pledges Decreased New Pledges

For a total of 445 pledges totaling $2,354,086 121 Pledges were made for 2013, but not yet for 2014

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
9:00 & 11:15 a.m. - Sanctuary 11:15 a.m. Jubilee Dr. Bradley D. Smith Keeping Promises Luke 1:46-55

If you have not yet pledged, please join us in pledging to support Christs work through Eastminster in 2014.

DAILY CALENDAR
SUNDAY, dECEMBER 15
8:00 9:00 10:00 10:05 11:15 2:00 3:00 6:00 Celebration Choir Rehearsal Worship & Childrens Church Annsawyer Virginia Draffin Bapt. Sunday School Class Eastminster First Steps Jubilee Band Practice Parent Confirmation Class Chancel Choir Rehearsal Worship & Childrens Church Marion DesChamps Burley Bapt. Jubilee Worship Cub Scouts Cub Scouts Spiritual Discoveries Class Party

Join us on Sunday, December 22, for one of the three performances of the Living Nativity, at 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., with a cast of live animals, angels, shepherds, and wisemen! When you come, please bring a canned good for Harvest Hope Food Bank. By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering youll provide opportunities for students to attend Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges. Also, through your contributions, youll be helping the families of active and retired church workers through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions. In 2012 because of your generosity, 322 income supplements, and 301 housing supplements, as well as grants, were provided.

Living Nativity, December 22

Joy Gift Offering December 22

MOnday, dECEMBER 16

Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 22

7:00 Mens Prayer Breakfast 9:00 Count Team Fifty Plus Exercise Class 10:00 Senior Fitness 2:00 Pastors Mtg. CHAMPS Tutoring 2:30 Program Staff Mtg. 3:30 Staff Mtg. 5:30 Yoga Cub Scouts

Eastminster will have a Service of Lessons and Carols at both the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. sanctuary worship services on December 22, with the Eastminster Choirs and Orchestra providing special music. The prelude begins 15 minutes before each service.

In the spirit of giving, remember to bring your jar(s) with you to church on Sunday! Some very deserving people who have little will have more thanks, to your efforts. Remember during the holidays to pick up your peanut butter supplies! .... unto the least of these...

Double Peanut Butter Sunday, December 22

TUESDAY, dECEMBER 17

7:15 MS Prayer Breakfast 9:00 Drop-In Nursery 10:00 Senior Fitness 11:45 Tuesday Lunch 12:00 Finance Committee 12:30 Visitation 1:00 Foot Care Ministry 3:00 Exercising for Arthritis 3:30 Youth Basketball Practice 5:00 Tai Chi 5:30 Zumba Fitness CLC Ministry 6:00 Handbell Rehearsal 7:00 Zumba Fitness Scottish Country Dance 9:00 9:25 11:00 11:35 12:00 3:30 5:30 6:30 7:00

For our loved ones . . .

In memory of Louisa Ellerbe Tobias, given by Joe & Carol Anderson. In memory of Rhett Barker, given by Sally & Bill McWilliams. In memory of Frank (Jack) Brown, given by Trudy Bates. In honor of Ben & Miriam Covar, given by Joni & Drew Richardson.

Your contributions must be received in the church by Tuesday, December 31, or postmarked by Tuesday, December 31 in order to receive a tax deduction in 2013. Stock gifts must be transferred into the churchs account by this date, also. If you are sending stock, please notify the treasurers office so that you will receive the proper credit. Many people in Columbia dont have warm clothes for cold weather. Do you have gently usedor better yet, new items you can share with those who need them? We are collecting blankets, coats, jackets, sweaters, denim work clothes, and thermal underwear for men and women (new only please!) for Transitions, Oliver Gospel Mission, the Salvation Army and Gods Storehouse. Items are being accepted now through December 18 in boxes in the CLC and the Habitat lobby adjacent to the main reception desk. Our collection, part of a larger effort by Spring Valley HS, is organized by Grace Smith. We have TWO opportunities this month to share the joy of the season with our friends at Transitions. The regular Third Thursday meal on December 19 has been completely filled, THANK YOU! However, we are going back on Christmas night at 5:30 p.m. to take a special meal of macaroni and cheese, sausage rolls, bananas and chocolate chip cookies. Please contact Laura Long at laurapricelong@att.net to see how you can help. On Monday, December 16, at 7:00 p.m. the Sing-Along Messiah will be held at the Washington Street United Methodist Church. Diana Amos, Eastminster choir soprano soloist, will be featured along with volunteers from the Eastminster choirs. Audience participation will be welcomed.

Tax Donation Notice

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18

Share the warmth of the season

Drop-In Nursery Fifty Plus Exercise Class EDS Christmas Program 3s EDS Chapel EDS Christmas Program 4s & 5s Sanders Lunch Buddies EDS Council Youth Basketball Practice Gingerbread House Event Homeworks Mtg. Chancel Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19

9:00 Drop-In Nursery 10:00 Senior Fitness 3:00 Exercising for Arthritis 3:30 Youth Basketball Practice 4:30 Transitions Meal 5:00 Yoga 7:00 Eagle Board of Review Zumba Fitness 7:30 Jubilee Band Practice

Serve at Transitions on Christmas Night

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20

9:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class 9:30 Support Staff Mfg. 11:00 Sanctuary Renovations Committee

Sing-Along Messiah

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21

10:00 Choir & Orchestra Rehearsal

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 Boots Fuller, Remer Waguespack, Dr. Mary Tobin, Bill McInnis, those serving in our military, Stephen Ministers & their care receivers and all those in need of Gods special care. Hospitalized this week Ann Josey, Carol Tanner Deaths Congregational love and sympathy are extended to:

SUNDAYS@5 resumes on Sunday January 5, 2014, from 5:00 - 6:30 p. m. Classes will not meet on February 2 Fun Night. Details to follow. Sunday SChOOL TEaChERs - A class for Adult Sunday School Teachers, or those whove thought, Id be willing to do it, but I dont know enough How much Bible is enough? Where do I look to find things? Is there just one way to teach these things? Led by Mark Durrett in E-356.

Sundays @ 5 - WintER tERM - JanUARY 5 - APRiL 6

BOOK CLuB - Discussions of current good books, hot books, fun books. We will focus on non-academic, pleasurable, personal enjoyment reading. (January - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce; February - Serena by Ron Rash) This class will be conducted by sharing and conversation. Led by Tara Barr in E-357. This class will end March 16. WORLd RELiGiOns - People practicing faith traditions from all over the world are now our neighbors! How do we as Christians relate to members of Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism? Led by Jeff and Ellen Burden in E-351. WEEKLy sMaLL GROuPs fOR GRadEs 1-5, including Jesus Rocks on the last Sunday of each month. Meets in C-269, 271, 273, 275. MiddLE SChOOL YOuth meets in the Arts and Crafts room. hiGh SChOOL YOuth meets in the Mulit-Purpose room. Childcare for infant - 5K in C-115, 117, 119 for parent attending classes. WE@EPC resumes on Wednesday January 15, 2014, with dinner beginning at 5:15 p. m. and the classes following at 6:15 p. m. Classes will not meet on March 5 due to the Ash Wednesday service. ThE PassiOn Of OuR LORd - Our four Gospel authors provide a symphonic account of the last days of our Lords life and ministry, in the hours from the Garden of Gethsemane to the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross. Led by Mark Durrett (Wed. mornings from 11:00 a.m. -12 noon; repeated Wed. evenings in C-271-273.) BiBLE StORiEs fOR AduLts and ChiLdREn - This introductory class will deal with familiar and unfamiliar Bible stories and how we can communicate them to our children. Led by Jeff Smith in the Arts and Crafts Room. YOuR Faith LEGaCy - A two part course. The first five weeks will address managing our own personal resources in such a way that they will continue to express our faith commitments in our family, community and church after we are gone. Led by Butch Jones in C-269. The second portion will address the special issues related to caring for elderly members of our own families, Honoring Father and Mother. Led by Parker Sparrow, in C-269. NOOMA Video Series - Jesus lived with the awareness that God is doing something, right here, right now, and anybody can be a part of it. NOOMA is a series of short contemporary films designed to promote discussion by exploring our world from a biblical perspective. NOOMA is an invitation to search, question, and engage in the discussion Rob Bell introduces. Rob is the pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Led by Mark Rosenberg in MPR and ending of February 26. ELEMEntaRy PROGRaMMinG meets in C-261, 263, and 265. MiddLE SChOOL YOuth Bible study and homework, led by Joey and Tonia Cochran in C-277. Childcare for infants - 5K in C-115, 117, 119 for parent attending classes.

Ann & Jim St. John, on the death of her mother, Dorothy Hundley, December 7, 2013.
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.

WE@EPC - WINTER TERM - JANUARY 15 - APRIL 9

The Tringalis enjoy the Savvy Senior Christmas Luncheon at the McCutchen House Dont miss out! Send your information to share with the congregation to tcarter@eastminsterpres.org. Please have your information in by Wednesday, December 18, to be shared in our next newsletter on January 5, 2014.

Deadline for UPDATE

Eastminster Presbyterian Church 3200 Trenholm Road Columbia, South Carolina 29204

Nonprofit Org. US POSTAGE PAID Columbia, SC PERMIT No. 27

Update for December 15, 2013

CHRISTMAS EVe WORSHIP - DeceMBeR 24 5:00 p.m. Childrens Service

Infant Nursery - 2K Infant Nursery - 5K

SerVInG on SundaY December 15

OFFICERS PRAYER: Deacon Steve Searcy DEACONS: Simpson Fant, Robbie Foster Deacon Peggy Spann (Jubilee) Deacon Katie Evatt (Jubilee) UshERs: Don Helms & Milton Moore GREETERS: (9:00) Ginger Foster Alex & Sarah Dillard Simpson & Kathy Fant Paulette & Buddy Freeman (11:15) Bill & Jane Francis Craig Freeman Boo Griffin & Pat Fuller Stewart & Maria Harvin INFANT ROOM - CLC 115 (9:00) Courtney & Dean Givens (11:15) Mary Catherine & Rob Arthur TODDLER ROOM - CLC 117 (9:00) Staff (11:15) Elizabeth & Ed Black 2-K ROOM - CLC 119 (9:00) David & Suzanne Hicklin (11:15) Eliza & Tyler Hudson CHILDRENS CHURCH 101 - 3K (9:00) Michael & Carter Scott (11:15) Nick & Beverly Steinhaus CHILDRENS CHURCH 103 - 4K (9:00) John & Chris Carrington (11:15) Ronnie & Theresa Dennis CHILDRENS CHURCH 106 - 5K (9:00) Wade & Lori Douroux (11:15) Joe & Ashley Sitton

7:00 p.m. Candlelight Service 9:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP - DeceMBeR 25 10:30 a.m. Worship Service
No Childcare

Trying to think of creative, non-monetary ways to share love with family and friends? Eastminster will again offer The Christmas Challenge. Honor Cards that can be used to tell others that a gift has been made in their honor are available in the Narthex, Reception Area, and at the back of Thompson Hall. Honor Cards will also be available at the church office during the week. Christmas Day will be the last day to support the Christmas Challenge.

Christmas Challenge Financial Gifts

Classes Coming in February - Make Plans Now!

PREsBytERian WOMEns BiBLE Study - Begins at 10:00 a.m. on February 4 - details to follow. REsuRRECtiOn hOPE GRiEf RECOvERy - Coming on Wednesday evenings in February. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. (WORshiP SERviCEs: 5:00, 7:00 & 9:00 PM) Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013 10:30 a.m. Worship Service ALL FaCIlITIES ClOSE FOllOWING SERVICES Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, 2013 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 Regular Worship; 1:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m (CLC) Monday, Dec. 30, 2013 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014 Closed - New Years Day Holiday

Christmas 2013 - Church Facilities & CLC Holiday Hours