We are the

Body

Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

Eastminster Update
803-256-1654 / www.eastminsterpres.org

Volume 39 Number 1

January 4, 2015

Dear Eastminster Family,

This winter Eastminster is offering multiple opportunities for you to
grow as a person. In addition to the following opportunities, we will be rolling out a church wide small group Lenten opportunity (mid February to mid
April). Details coming soon. Please look over the offerings below, choose
one and sign up.

SHARING HIS LIGHT

1 COR. 12

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
Mr. Croskeys Royall
Director of Childrens Ministries
Mrs. Fredna Lee
Director of Music Ministries
Mrs. Lucy Corley and
Mrs. Anita Poole
EDS Co-Directors
Mr. William L. Collins, Jr.
Business Manager
Ms. Julie McDaniel
Member Involvement Coordinator

Sermon
Sunday, january 4
9:00 & 11:15 a.m. - Sanctuary
11:15 a.m. - Jubilee
Dr. Bradley D. Smith

SUNDAYS@5 - January 4, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Discovering the Bible (Kerygma): New Testament - John Arnold and John Asman continue Discovering the Bible class. Kerygma Bible Study is a methodical introduction
to the books of the Bible. In January, the class takes up the New Testament. The class is
an encounter with the texts of scripture by reading select passages and participating in class
discussion. New participants are welcome to join in. Christian Education Building, room
351. Runs through April 26.
Pauls Letter to the Romans - Faith comes to life in this real letter to real people.
In what is called the most inspirational letter ever written, these words to the Church in
ancient Rome echo still with energy and power. Encounter theology in the making as Paul
wrestles with enduring issues: justification and grace, sin and salvation, a vision of unity,
and the faithfulness of God. Dottie Pratt and Bick Halligan will facilitate this 12-week class.
Christian Education Building, room 357. Runs through March 29.

WE@EPC - January 7 - February 11, 6:15 - 7:15 p.m.

Legacies and Gifts - Rev. Lynn Grandsire, Rev. Dr. Brad Smith and others in the
congregation with particular expertise will lead the class in looking at issues of our Christian
legacy related to end of life planning. Some of the topics are powers of attorney, living wills,
funeral planning, and financial gifts as faith testimony. Christian Life Center, room 265.
Conversions - Rev. Dr. Mark Durrett will look at the stories of well-known Christians,
whose conversion accounts span 2000 years of Christian history. Learn the stories of
people including the apostle Paul, Augustine, Theresa of Avila, Billy Sunday, Dorothy Day,
C.S. Lewis, Charles Colson and others. Christian Life Center, room 263. (Also offered at
11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays, same room.)
Marriage Study - Christian Marriage in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a sixweek study published in 2013, which is organized around the Statement of the Gift of Marriage from the Book of Common Worship. We will look at Scripture, the Book of Confessions,
the Book of Order, and the Book of Common Worship as we discuss the following topics.
Week 1 - The Gift of Marriage,
Week 3 - The Expression of Love,
Week 5 - A Holy Mystery,

Week 2 - God Created Us

Week 4 - The Well-Being of Society
Week 6 - A New Way of Life

Lucie Eggleston and Emma Bryson, two members of the Clerks Committee, will facilitate
this class. The Clerks Committee has studied denominational issues on marriage for the past
three years. In November, the Session adopted the recommendations of the Committee, one
of which was to offer a class on Christian marriage. Christian Life Center, room 261.
See you Sunday,

Brad

Daily CALENDAR
SUNDAY, January 4
8:00
9:00
10:00


10:05
11:15

1:00
3:00
4:00
5:00

Celebration Choir Rehearsal

Worship & Childrens Church
Jubilee Band Practice
Sunday School
First Step
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Jubilee Worship
Worship & Childrens Church
Basketball Practices
Cub Scout Mtgs.
Greece/Turkey Trip Mtg.
Circle #6
SUNDAYS @5
Cub Scouts

Monday, January 5

7:00 Mens Prayer Breakfast

9:00 Count Team

Fifty Plus Exercise Class
1:30 Pastors Mtg.
2:30 Program Staff Mtg.
3:00 Basketball Practice
4:00 CHAMPS Tutoring
5:30 Yoga
6:30 BSF
7:00 Troop 10

TUESDAY, January 6

7:15 Jr. High Prayer Breakfast

9:00 Drop-In Nursery
10:00 EPW Coordinating Team

P.E.P. Planning Team
11:45 Tuesday Lunch
12:30 Visitation
1:00 Footcare Ministry
3:00 Exercising for Arthritis

Basketball Practice
5:00 Tai Chi
6:00 Handbell Rehearsal
6:30 Troop Committee Mtg.
7:00 Scottish Country Dancing

Girls Senior High Small Group

Guys Senior High Small Group

WEDNESDAY, January 7

9:00 Drop-In Nursery

Fifty Plus Exercise Class
9:25 EDS Chapel
9:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry
3:00 Basketball Practice
3:30 CHAMPS Tutoring
5:15 Angel Choir, Junior Choir
5:15 Wednesday Evening Dinner
5:45 Childcare
6:15 WE@EPC
7:15 Chancel Choir

THURSDAY, January 8

7:00
9:00
3:00

6:00
7:30

Jr. High Prayer Breakfast

Drop-In Nursery
Basketball Practice
Exercising for Arthritis
Evangelism & Membership Mtg.
Jubilee Band Practice

FRIDAY, January 9

9:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class

11:00 Support Staff Mtg.
3:00 Basketball Practice
6:30 Officer Reception

SATURDAY, January 10

6:30 Community BSF Leaders Mtg.

9:00 Youth Basketball League Games

Family Promise at Eastminster

Family Promise is an exciting new ministry that will serve homeless families. Eastminster
is joining 13 area churches to host these families four times a year, one week at a time. There
are many volunteer opportunities, and all are family-friendly! Please contact Elizabeth Barber
(ebarber77@gmail.com) or Lucy Corley (lcorley2@sc.rr.com) for any questions, and look for
more information to come soon!

JESUS Rocks, January 11

Jesus Rocks returns in the new year at 5:00 p.m. for dinner (dont forget your $3.00 for dinner)
with activities in the gym following, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Keep watching for all the details
and remember, friends are always welcome!

Eastminster Approved Holidays for 2015

The following holidays for 2015 were approved by the Personnel Committee, and then by
the Session on October 28, 2014.
Thursday, January 1, 2015, New Years
Monday, January 19, 2015, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
Monday, April 6, 2015, Easter Monday
Monday, May 25, 2015, Memorial Day
Friday, July 3, 2015, Independence Day Observed
Monday, September 7, 2015, Labor Day
Thursday & Friday, November 26 & 27, 2015, Thanksgiving
Friday, December 25, 2015, Christmas
Thursday or Monday, December 24 or 28, 2015, floating holiday for staff (EPC open with reduced staff)

January Circles Schedules

Circle #1
Circle #2
Circle #3
Circle #6

Monday, January 13 @ 10:00 a.m., Church Parlor

Monday, January 13 @ 10:30 a.m. (Location to be announced)
Monday, January 13 @ 10:30 a.m., 1401 Adger Rd. (Margie Brown)
Sunday, January 4 @ 5:00 p.m., E-252

Need Help, Moms?

To moms looking for help in the new year: Dont forget that the
Drop-In Nursery is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from
9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to help with your childcare! If you have
any questions, contact Francine Berry at 256-1654 ext. 161.

Worship Discovery

Worship Discovery is a 10-week program designed to teach 2nd grade children the parts
of worship so they will be able to participate in a Reformed worship service. The program
starts Sunday, January 11, at 10:00 a.m. (during the Sunday School hour) in the Adult Reception Hall and continues through Sunday, March 15, during Sunday school. Students who
complete 7 of the 10 sessions will receive a study Bible presented at the 9:00 a.m. service on
Palm Sunday, March 29. If you would like to register your 2nd-grader, please e-mail croyall@eastminsterpres.org or sign up in the E-News.

Please Help Us Stay in Touch!

Have you moved, changed your phone number, disconnected your land line, or have a
new e-mail address, had a baby, gotten married? Please notify the church of these changes as
we need to keep our data base up-to-date and current! We cannot do it without your help!
Either call the church at 256-1654 or e-mail receptionist@eastminsterpres.org. We want to
stay connected with you!

Pardon Our Dust

The church is in the process of renovating and turning room E-250 into two
offices and a reception area. These offices
are in preparation for the two Youth
Directors that the church hopes to have on
staff soon. Construction began this week
and will last approximately 3 - 4 weeks.

For our loved ones . . .

In memory of Riley A. Bradham, Jr., given by Constance S. Parramore.

In memory of Adair Crawley, given by Dr. & Mrs.
William E. Plyler, Jr., Wayne & Melissa Fritz, Dorothy Helms & Marshall Colcord,
McNair Law Firm, SC Student Loan staff, Debra & Charlie Roundtree, Carol, John,
Danner, and Bratton Benfield, Jeanelle McCain.
In memory of Lucy Hedden, given by Don & Darla Helms, Sabin Peterson, Dr. &
Mrs. J. L. McNeill.
In memory of Betty Miller, given by Janet & Larry Miller.
In memory of Henry Sherrill, given by John Hart.
In memory of Ted & Alma Haigler, given by Peggy & Ted Haigler, Jr.
In memory of Dr. R. MacDonald, given by Caroline H. Stephenson.
In honor of Croskeys Royall, given by Wendy Cartledge.
In honor of Pat Pollard, given by Pat & Jerry Fuller.

Cradle Roll

If you are the parent of a baby born in 2014, please note that
Eastminster will celebrate Cradle Roll Sunday, January 11, at the
9:00 a.m. service. The church has sent letters to each family with
a baby born in 2014, but if you did not receive yours, please e-mail
croyall@eastminsterpres.org or call Croskeys at 256-1654 to be
added to the list. We currently have 28 new babies on the rolls at
Eastminster, and we dont want to miss anyone.

peace Service, January 11, in the Adult Reception Hall

The PEACE Service offers you a place to come away and be quiet before the
Lord. It is a service where we pray for all kinds of needs and celebrate the Lords
Supper together. If you desire a quiet place of worship, join us at 5:00 p.m. in the
Adult Reception Hall. A nursery is available in the Drop-In nursery rooms in the
CLC.

The Body at Work

Your time, talent, and treasure at work in Gods Kingdom

Over the years, Eastminster has provided more than $1 million
of support to Hope Unlimited, an organization that provides a
residential school for homeless and troubled youth in the suburbs
of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Hope Unlimited works to have these
children graduate with government documentation and skills that
will allow them to break the cycle of living lives of crime in the
streets of the slums.

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:
Mick & Susan Zais, on the birth of their
Granddaughter, May Rives Zais, December 18, 2014. Parents, Brad & Susanne
Zais.
Deaths
Congregational love and sympathy
are extended to:

Diane & Doug Ryan, on the death of her

father, John Moses, December 22, 2014.
Brian & Tennille Straka, on the death of
his father, Dr. Keith Straka, December
23, 2014. Grandchildren, Bryce & Taylor
Straka.
Michael & Aimee Schraibman, on the death
of his step-mother, Sally Schraibman,
December 23, 2014. Grandchildren,
Caroline & Grace Schraibman.
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.

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

Deadline for UPDATE

Dont miss out! Send your information to

share with the congregation to tcarter@eastminsterpres.org.
Please have your information in by Wednesday,
January 7, to be shared in our next newsletter
on January 18, 2015.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church

3200 Trenholm Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29204

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

Update for January 4, 2015

Offering Envelopes

New offering envelopes were recently mailed to you for the 2015 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.

With Thanks . . .

Eastminsters employees wish to express their gratitude to the congregation for

the Christmas bonus each received. Every staff member extends a heartfelt Thank
You for your loving generosity. Your thoughtfulness, as always, makes it a pleasure to serve this church. The Staff of Eastminster.

Parent Meeting: January 11 at 5:00 PM

All junior and senior high parents are invited to hear about planned summer mission trips, summer conferences, and future planning for the EPC youth
program. The meetings will be on the 3rd floor of the CLC.

Junior Highs Save the Date!

Trinity Middle School Conference: February 20-22: Look for more information soon.
Trip to Harvest Hope Food Bank: Saturday, March 28
CROSS Mission Trip in Charlotte: August 2-7

Senior Highs Save the Date!

Home Works Summer Mission Trip, Charleston, SC, June 14 -20.

Summer Youth Retreat to Montreat, NC, July 26 - August 1.

Follow Our Youth . . .

Join our youth on social media - Please follow us and like us on the following:
Twitter: EPC Youth @YouthEPC
Instagram: EPCYOUTH_COLUMBIASC (Eastminster Youth)
Facebook Page: EPC Youth

Childrens Choir Resumes

Childrens Choir resumes on January 7 with an Epiphany

Party at 5:15 p.m. in the Don Gray Music Room. All children
are invited and welcome!

Serving on Sunday
january 4
OFFICERS PRAYER:
Elder John Barr
DEACONS: Sharon Besley & Jeff Burden
Elder Ginger Bates (Jubilee)
Deacon Carol Hill (Jubilee)
Ushers: Bill Coggins & Randy Liggitt
INFANT ROOM - CLC 115
(9:00) Staff
(11:15) Mallie & Gabriel DiBiase
TODDLER ROOM - CLC 117
(9:00) Mandy & Will Brawley
(11:15) Joan & Brian Boyer
2-K ROOM - CLC 119
(9:00) Muffet & Josh McCain
(11:15) Kim & Bill Osborne
CHILDRENS CHURCH 102 - 3K
(9:00) Jonathan & Kelly Barbrey
(11:15) Trippett & Lindsay Boineau
CHILDRENS CHURCH 104 - 4K
(9:00) Michael & Carter Scott
(11:15) Nick & Beverly Steinhaus
CHILDRENS CHURCH 106 - 5K
(9:00) Scott & Elizabeth Barber
(11:15) Bryce & Beth Bigger