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 42 December 22, 2013

Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

Dear Eastminster Family, Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn King! SUndaY, DECEMBER 22 - Special Music at all services Sanctuary: A Service of Lessons and Carols led by the Celebration and Chancel Choirs along with the Eastminster Chamber Orchestra. Preludes begin 15 minutes prior to worship. Jubilee: A Service of Lessons and Carols led by the Jubilee Band and Jubilee Singers. TUEsdaY, DECEMBER 24 Christmas Eve at Eastminster with all services in the Sanctuary
We are doing an impromptu, interactive reading of the Christmas story this year. If your child wants to dress up to participate, please costume them as a star, a stable animal, a shepherd, or an angel and they can take part in the story.

5:00 p.m. - Childrens Service

Infant Nursery - 2K

7:00 p.m. - Candlelight Service Infant Nursery - 5K 9:00 p.m. - Candlelight Communion Service Nursery Unavailable WEdnEsdaY, DECEMBER 25 Christmas Day Worship in the Sanctuary 10:30 a.m. - Come casual and join us for a forty-five minute service of celebration and singing. SERvE dInnER at TRansItIOns CHRIstMas nIGHt 2025 Main St. 5:30 p.m. - Share the joy of the season with our friends at Transitions Homeless Shelter. Contact Laura Long at laurapricelong@att.net to see how you can help. In Joy, Brad
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 wise men! When you come, please bring a canned good for Harvest Hope Food Bank.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22
9:00 & 11:15 a.m. - Sanctuary Prelude Begins 15 minutes before service 11:15 a.m. Jubilee Dr. Bradley D. Smith Sticking Tight Matthew 1:18-25

Living Nativity, December 22

DAILY CALENDAR
SUNDAY, dECEMBER 22
8:00 9:00 10:00 10:05 11:15 5:00 6:00 7:00 Celebration Choir Rehearsal Worship & Childrens Church Sunday School Class Eastminster First Step Jubilee Band Practice Chancel Choir Rehearsal Worship & Childrens Church Jubilee Worship Living Nativity Living Nativity Living Nativity

Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 22

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! Remember during the holidays to pick up your peanut butter supplies! .... unto the least of these... The Worship & Music committee is seeking volunteers to set up luminaries on Christmas Eve at 4:30 p.m. or help pick them up after the 9:00 p.m. service. (We will not set them up in case of bad weather.) Please email Lauri Moore at laurimoore8@gmail.com if you would like to help. We are going to Transitions 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. New offering envelopes were recently mailed to you for the 2014 stewardship year. If you did not receive yours, please notify treasurer Christy Rippy (crippy@eastminsterpres. org or 256-1654), and she will gladly see that you receive a set. We would also like to remind everyone to please put your envelope number on your check. This will insure your donation is credited to the proper account. Eastminster needs a person or persons willing to welcome visitors at the reception desk and answer phones from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. during the month of January, 2014. If you have time available and are willing to volunteer on any week day during January (or any time), please contact Tricia at 256-1654. In memory of Judge Walter Bristow, given by The William C. Hubbard family, O. Stanley Smith, M/M L. Marion Gressett, III, Glen & Jeanne Craig, Peggy H. Weston, M/M Lyles Glenn, Catherine Yonce, Ann D. Lampesis, Sam & Evie Jones, James O. Kempson, Ms. Sandy Jeter, Rebecca Fouch, Ramon Schwartz, Jr., Ann Paschal, Amy Bramlett, W. H. & Pollie Bristow, Jr., Dr. & Mrs Jack Smith, M/M Edward W. Mullins, Jr., M/M Edward Mullins, III, Dr. Vick & Betty Murdaugh, Mrs. George Rawls, M/M Frank J. Brunson, Mildred B Knowlton, Page Morris, Sol Blatt, Jr., M/M Roy Taylor, Bill & Fran Gibbes, June W. Jovanelly, Turner Padget Graham & Laney P.A., Anne McCants, The Chavous family, Marsh & Lynn Willis, Elden Walker, Dr. Earl & Mrs. Mary McFadden, Betty Coggins, Beaumont Cathcart, Paul Palmer, Anne & Lana Sims, John & Gina Morris, Jeannie & Hyman Rubin, Jr., Selden & Dorothy Smith, Mitzie Trotter, M/M John Thorne II, Bill & Erin McKinney, Alexander & Maria Macaulay, Dorothy LaFitte, M/M Gaston Fairey, Dr. & Mrs. Julian Salley. In memory of Rhett Barker, given by Lucie & Bob Eggleston, Ms. Sande Jeter, Jan & Robbie Swanson, Dennis Daye, Susan Owen. In memory of Peggy Lewis, given by E. H. Fowler, Nelda T. Smyrl, Doris R. Tuttle, William & Cheryl Brearley, Jean J. Rowe, Elizabeth Addison, Addie Jo Thomas, John Tribble, M/M Ron Scott, Keith & Jennifer Littrell, Patricia Kirkland-Koty, Charles & Frances Hill, M/M Robert King, Mitzie Trotter, Bill & Elaine Littlejohn. In memory of Ann Howe, given by Mitzie Trotter. In memory of Frank Earl Brown, given by Mitzie Trotter. In memory of Louisa Tobias, given by Mitzie Trotter. In memory of Dorothy Hundley, given by Mitzie Trotter.

Double Peanut Butter Sunday, December 22 Christmas Eve Luminaries

MOndaY, dECEMBER 23

9:00 Count Team Fifty Plus Exercise Class 10:00 Senior Fitness 2:00 Pastors Mtg. 2:30 Program Staff Mtg. 3:30 Staff Mtg. 5:30 Yoga

Serve at Transitions on Christmas Night

TUESDAY, dECEMBER 24
3:00 5:00 7:00 9:00

Youth Basketball Practice Childrens Service Family Candlelight Service Candlelight Communion Service

Offering Envelopes

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25
10:30 Christmas Worship CHURCH FACILITIES CLOSED following worship

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27

9:00 5:30 6:00

10:00 Senior Fitness 3:00 Youth Basketball Practice Fifty Plus Exercise Class Brown/Halligan Wedding Reh. Brown/Halligan Wedding

Morning Volunteer(s) Needed in January for the Reception Desk

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28

For our loved ones . . .

From the Staff of Eastminster

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 Carol Tanner, Bill Barron 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. 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 Multi Purpose Room 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 parents attending classes. Sign-up on the web at www.eastminsterpres.org

Gwen & Bill Pruett, on the death of her father, James Gressette Holliday, Sr., December 6, 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

Circle 6 Annual Christmas Cookie Swap Margaret Smolka, Susan Laird & Kathy Winterhalter

The UPDATE will not be published the week of Christmas. This is the last issue of the year. The next issue will be on January 5, 2014.
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 22, 2013

Pledge Status Report as of December 16, 2013

159 170 66 80 Pledges With No Change Pledges Increased Pledges Decreased New Pledges

SerVInG on SundaY December 22

OFFICERS PRAYER: Deacon Becky Smythe DEACONS: Katie Evatt, Carol Hill Elder George McCutchen (Jubilee) Elder Alison McGowan (Jubilee) UsHERs: Eddie Laney & Joey Copley GREETERS: (9:00) Bill & Linda Gillespie Lloyd Hendricks William & Kappy Hubbard Susie Horger (11:15) Ross & Happy Holmes John Hart Mike Gorman Elizabeth Helmboldt Don & Darla Helms INFANT ROOM - CLC 115 (9:00) Joni & Drew Richardson (11:15) Melissa & Ryan Gentry TODDLER ROOM - CLC 117 (9:00) Staff (11:15) Andy & Courtney Delaney 2-K ROOM - CLC 119 (9:00) Matt & Ashley Jeffords (11:15) Trae & Brie Judy CHILDRENS CHURCH 101 - 3K (9:00) Stephen & Holley Van Horn (11:15) Kit & Amy Williams CHILDRENS CHURCH 103 - 4K (9:00) Lee & Danielle Dixon (11:15) Brian & Ashley Fitzgerald CHILDRENS CHURCH 106 - 5K (9:00) Rodney & Marcy Swan (11:15) David & Mary Wells

For a total of 475 pledges totaling $2,426,082 98 Pledges were made for 2013, but not yet for 2014

If you have not yet pledged, please join us in pledging to support Christs work through Eastminster in 2014.
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. 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. 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. (CLC) 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 Challenge Financial Gifts

Tax Donation Notice

Christmas 2013 - Church Facilities & CLC Holiday Hours