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 35 November 3, 2013

Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

Dear Eastminster Family, Every day is a holiday and every meal a banquet. At least once a week, with a twinkle in his eye, my work colleague would utter those words. What made this mans gratitude all the more noteworthy was that he had experienced a time in his life when most every day had been shrouded by a dark fog of despair. Even as his simple words appreciating the gift of the present moment were likely a reminder for himself, so they were a gift to others as well. Gratitude. The presence, or absence, of gratitude can profoundly impact how we experience life. Evangelist Henry Ward Beecher said, The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but the thankful heart will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessing. My prayer is that you and I will be people who overflow with gratitude in word and deed. After all, who has more for which to be thankful than those of us who are loved, forgiven, and made new in Jesus Christ? As we turn the calendar from October to November, the horizon is dotted with opportunities for gratitude. Oh, I said that wrong. The fact is, every single day is dotted with opportunities for gratitude. The coming weeks, however, provide some specific opportunities for us to respond. This Sunday we will celebrate All Saints Day, when we gather to remember with thanks members of our church family who have been promoted to the Church Triumphant this past year. November 10 is Dedication Sunday, an opportunity to give thanks by committing to participate in Christs work through Eastminster in 2014. Finally, November 24, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, will be Thanksliving Day when the entire church family is invited to be the hands of Jesus, delivering meals to hungry neighbors, packaging meals for families in other countries, and more. As I mentioned last week, Mark Twain, when asked by someone to give the single word he thought was the most important word in the English language, said thanks. Gratefully,

Brad Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

9:00 & 11:15 a.m. - Sanctuary 11:15 a.m. Jubilee Dr. Bradley D. Smith The Hope to Which Youre Called Ephesians 1:11-19

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Stewardship SUndaY, NoVember 10

Please bring your envelope with the financial commitment card and join us on Dedication Sunday, November 10th! This is the day we will dedicate our 2014 financial commitments to God during the worship services. You will notice that your stewardship packet does not include a time and talent commitment form. We will focus on time and talents in the spring!

DAILY CALENDAR
SUNDAY, nOvEMBER 3
8:00 Celebration Choir Rehearsal 9:00 Worship & Childrens Church 10:00 Sunday School First Step Class Generation Change Jubilee Band Practice 10:05 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 11:15 Worship & Childrens Church Jubilee Worship 12:15 Home Communion 1:30 Youth Basketball Practices 2:00 Cub Scouts 3:00 Cub Scouts 5:00 Sunday@5 Elementary Program Middle School Sr. Highs Childcare

MOnday, nOvEMBER 4

7:00 Mens Prayer Breakfast 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. Youth Basketball Practices 5:30 Yoga Cub Scouts Mens B/B League Fellowship Committee 6:00 Mens Divorce Care 6:30 BSF 7:00 Sr. High Girls D-Group

On November 24, Eastminster will do their small part in feeding the hungry with an afternoon and evening of missional activities for the whole church to fight hunger in our community and internationally during the Thanksgiving season. Option #1: Beginning at 4:00 p.m. church volunteers will deliver preassembled Thanksgiving meals to Bradley Elementary households the school has identified. This option is limited, so if you want to sign up, register now! (Note that you can join the people working on Option 2 once you have finished this if you wish.) Option #2: From 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. church volunteers will assemble 20,000 shelf-stable meals meant for international distribution coordinated by the Stop HUnger Now organization. (Minimum age requirement is 5 years old. Childcare for children infant - 4K is offered beginning at 4:00 p.m.) A donation of $10.00 would help pay for the meals locally or internationally. This is also Double Peanut Butter Sunday - please bring canned goods and peanut butter for Harvest Hope!

Thanks LIVING Night November 24

Womens Shelter Souper

You are cordially invited to the 33rd Annual Thanksgiving Souper, Thursday, November 21, 5:30 7:30 p.m. in Thompson Hall. Tickets are $2 for adults and $1 for children, and may be obtained at the Womens Shelter or at the door. Come enjoy the fellowship and a simple meal of a bowl of Chick-Fil-A soup and crackers!

TUESDAY, nOvEMBER 5

7:15 Middle School Prayer Breakfast 9:00 Drop-In Nursery 10:00 Senior Fitness EPW Coordinating Team Savvy Senior Planning Team 11:45 Tuesday Lunch 12:30 Visitation 1:00 Foot Care Ministry 3:00 Exercising for Arthritis 3:30 Youth B/B Practice 4:00 Grief Groups 5:00 Tai Chi 5:30 Zumba Fitness 6:00 Handbell Rehearsal MSB Team 7:00 Zumba Fitness Scottish Country Dance

WEDNESDAY, nOvEMBER 6

9:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class Drop In Nursery 9:25 EDS Chapel 9:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry Staff Insurance Orientation 11:00 Exodus Bible Study 11:35 Sanders Lunch Buddies 3:30 Youth Basketball Practice 5:15 WE@EPC Dinner 5:45 Childcare 6:15 Officer Training Crossroads Career Ministry WE@EPC Classes Womens Divorce Care Grief Group Angel/Junior Choir Rehearsal 7:00 Sr. High Boys D-Group 7:15 Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Please join the Fellowship Committee for a Thanksgiving Feast on Sunday, November 24, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the CLC game room. It is an intergenerational event for members who are not traveling or eating elsewhere on Thanksgiving to share a meal. Last Names: A-G bring either a salad or vegetable; H-R bring either rice, pasta, or potato dish; and S-Z bring a dessert. Please bring enough to feed 10 people. The meat and drinks are being provided by the church. Please register (Name; Phone Number; E-Mail; Food Item; Number and Names in Party) by Monday, November 18, 2013. Registration forms will be located in the Narthex on Sunday morning, and in the Church receptionists area each day. Fill out a form and leave it in the adjacent basket or sign up electronically in the E-News. The Flower Guild is accepting memorials and honoraria to cover the cost of decorating the sanctuary and other areas of the church with live wreaths, greenery and poinsettias for Christmas. Please enclose the wording you would like to have printed in the Christmas bulletins with a check for $17.00 made out to Eastminster Flower Guild for each listing. Checks and enclosed information should be mailed to the church or placed in the Flower Guild box in the workroom. The deadline is Friday, December 6. Go ahead, send in your check today! Brad Sherrills fourth biblical performance is based on the epic story of Gods deliverance found in Exodus. Drawing largely from the books of Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, the live performance and multimedia presentation will come together for one extraordinary evening of theatre. Eastminster will host Brad Sherrill on Sunday, November 10 at 6:00 p.m. and again on Monday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. The event is free, but please sign up for tickets as there is limited seating. Tickets may be obtained from Julie McDaniel in the church office (jmcdaniel@eastminsterpres.org).

NO Thanksgiving Plans? This Thanksgiving Feast Is For YOU!

Christmas Memorials and Honoraria

THURSDAY, nOvEMBER 7

9:00 Drop-In Nursery 10:00 Senior Fitness 3:00 Exercising for Arthritis 3:30 Youth Basketball Practices 5:00 Yoga 7:00 Zumba Fitness 7:30 Jubilee Band Practice

Still Time to Get Your Ticket for Brad Sherrill

FRIDAY, nOvEMBER 8

9:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class 11:00 Support Staff Mfg. 3:30 Youth Basketball Practices

SATURDAY, nOvEMBER 9
7:00 BSF Leader Mtg.

The Fellowship Committee reports that 75 members and guests enjoyed Breakfast in the Breezeway on Sunday, October 20, from 8:30 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. Members and guests enjoyed a brief time of intergenerational fellowship in the breezeway prior to the 9:00 a.m. worship service on a slightly chilly morning! The youth are selling Fraser Fir Christmas trees and wreaths again this year. SaLEs havE BEGun and wiLL Run thROuGh NOvEMBER 24, with pick-up from December 3 -5 from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the upper parking lot. Costs range from $36.00 for 5-6 ft. trees to $100.00 for 9-10 ft. trees. You may order on line at www.eastminsterpres.org and look under Quick Links! Please make your checks payable to Eastminster Presbyterian Church and include on the memo line Youth Christmas Tree Fundraiser. (Mail your check to Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia 29204, attn: Youth Office, or drop by the church.)

Breakfast in the Breezeway Recap

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, those serving in our military, Stephen Ministers & their care receivers and all those in need of Gods special care. Hospitalized this week Frank Godfrey Deaths Congregational love and sympathy are extended to:

Christmas Tree Fundraiser

The youth will be heading to Winterplace, West Virginia, for two nights at the Glade Springs Resort. In addition to lodging, the trip includes lift tickets, ski rental, ski lessons and all meals (except traveling). The trip is $290.00 per person, and the registration and payment are due by Monday, December 9. The students will be taking a charter bus. If you need information or a registration form, contact Tricia, tmccormick@eastminsterpres.org or 256-1654. Eastminster Presbyterian Cookbooks make perfect gifts for only $15 each! Email Fredna Lee at flee@eastminsterpres.org to place an order or come by the receptionists desk at EPC to purchase your copies. Checks payable to EPC and note: Cookbooks.

Youth Ski Trip (Jr. & Sr. High) February 7 - 9, 2014

Mark Hoffman, on the death of his father, Bill Hoffman, October 21, 2013. Grandchildren, Addie, Pearce, Lana Cate & Pate Hoffman.
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.

Christmas Shopping?

thursDAY - A DAY IN THE LIFE OF EASTMINSTER!

Church Yard Maintenance

Jubilee Band Practice Transitions Meal

Dont miss out! Send your information to share with the congregation to tcarter@eastminsterpres.org. Please have your information in by Wednesday, November 6, to be shared in our next newsletter on November 17, 2013.
Choir Moving Day EDS Fall Festival

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 November 3, 2013

Eastminster will be lighting the Advent candle at the beginning of each Sunday service during Advent. We will need candle lighters at both the 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. services (Sanctuary & Jubilee) on December 1, 8, 15 and 22, as well as candle lighters on December 24 at the 5:00, 7:00, and 9:00 p.m. services. If you would like to volunteer do this, please contact George McCutchen at 803-463-9040 or gmccutchen@wilsonkibler.com.

Advent Candle Lighters Needed!

SerVing on Sunday November 3

OFFICERS PRAYER: Deacon Matt Reynolds DEACONS: Patrick Turner, Jason Tompkins Elder Steve Bryant (Jubilee) Elder Anne Bristow (Jubilee) ushERs: Bill Coggins & Randy Liggitt GREETERS: (9:00) Michael & Aimee Schraibman Shelley Ray, Drew Richardson Gregory & Ainsley Rhame (11:15) John & Jill Skeppstrom Tyler & Leslie Stone Margo Orlandini Connie Parramore Patrick & Jennifer Rayfield INFANT ROOM - CLC 115 (9:00) Kim & Bill Osborne (11:15) Mandy & Danny DAlberto TODDLER ROOM - CLC 117 (9:00) Laine Ligon (11:15) Liza & Stephen Sansbury 2-K ROOM - CLC 119 (9:00) Jonathan & Kelly Barbrey (11:15) Trippett & Lindsay Boineau CHILDRENS CHURCH 101 - 3K (9:00) Warren & Shannon Darby (11:15) Wade & Lori Douroux CHILDRENS CHURCH 103 - 4K (9:00) Alice Whiteside (11:15) Scott & Elizabeth Barber CHILDRENS CHURCH 106 - 5K (9:00) Tim & Blythe Lewis (11:15) Taylor Ligon

Advent Retreat - December 6 - 8

Go Tell It on the Mountain The Story Behind the Story is the theme this year. Our speaker is Dr. Robert Fuller, pastor and head of staff at Fairview Presbyterian Church in North Augusta. We are once again at Blue Ridge Assembly, December 6 through December 8, and the retreat will spotlight Bobs insights (along with his guitar skills), to bring us a return of our own terrific Appalachian Band, grant us incredible opportunities for fellowship, and help prepare all of us for Advent. Grab a brochure when you are at the church and sign up!

November 3

Plan Ahead for Christmas Donations . . .

OpERatiOn ChRistMas ChiLd is HERE! Shoe boxes are located in the Christian Education Building lobby during the week and in the Narthex or Thompson Hall on Sunday. Pick one up with the instructions on how to package. If you have any questions, please contact Harper James at harperajames@ yahoo.com or (803) 238-2502. Shoe boxes need to be returned to the church by November 22. sOcks in a BOX is returning this year with Kent Liggitt and Mary Curtis Twitty collecting new pairs of white tube socks to be donated to those in need. Please place your donation in the designated boxes located around the church and in the CE building lobby. Donations will be accepted through November 25. Thank you for supporting this project! If you are headed in the wrong direction, God allows Uturns!