EastminstEr UpdatEEastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

Volume 39 Number 18 May 10, 2015

803-256-1654 / www.eastminsterpres.org

STAFFDr. Bradley D. Smith

Pastor

Dr. Mark E. DurrettAssociate Pastor

Rev. Lynn A. GrandsireAssociate Pastor

Dr. James I. St. JohnParish Associate

Mr. Croskeys RoyallDirector of Childrens Ministries

Mrs. Fredna LeeDirector of Music Ministries

Mrs. Lucy Corley andMrs. Anita Poole

EDS Co-Directors

Mr. William L. Collins, Jr.Business Manager

Ms. Julie McDanielMember Involvement Coordinator

SERMonSuNday, May 10

9:00 & 11:15 a.m. - Sanctuary11:15 a.m. - Jubilee

Dr. Bradley D. SmithFanning the Flame

Unison:Psalm 98:1-3

Scripture Focus:2 Timothy 1:3-10

We are the Body

SHARING HIS LIGHT1 COR. 12

Dear Eastminster Family,

Did you know that Eastminster has an Endowment? When I asked that question this past Sunday, about one-fifth of the congregation raised their hands. When I asked how many had received a phone call from the development office of a college or university in the past year, it

looked like nine-tenths of the hands went up.

While universities make a very positive impact on young peoples lives over the four or so years of higher education, I ask you to think and pray about supporting the Eastminster Endowment. The Church of Jesus Christ is the only institution that walks with people, week by week, literally from birth to death. Its the only institution that positively impacts quality of life both now and for eternity. And, the Church is the only institution that encourages people to love one another, to help the hungry and hurting, and to forgive one another.

If you are fortunate enough to receive a financial inheritance (most people in the world do not), I encourage you to tithe as a way of giving thanks and of joining in Gods work. Have you experienced a windfall or are materially blessed beyond your financial needs? If so, invest funds in Kingdom work that will make an impact both now and beyond your lifetime. Are you reluctant to give for fear that you might outlive your resources? Then write your will so that your first estate gift is for Christs work. Give a tithe to the church as a way of giving thanks to God for Gods blessings in your life. At the same time, such a gift will set an example for your heirs while also helping them remember that life is not about money, but about the Lord our God.

To make a gift or to learn more, please contact Business Manager, Bill Collins, or myself at 256-1654. You can also pick up a brochure located at the Welcome Center.

On a different note, let me invite you to read our 2014 Annual Review, which provides a wonderful overview of Gods work in and through Eastminster. Simply click on http://eastminsterpres.org/2014-annual-review or pick up a copy, also at the Welcome Center.

Lastly, join us this Sunday as we celebrate Mothers Day and Baccalaureate Sunday.

Blessings,

Brad

Daily CalENDaRSuNday, May 108:00 Celebration Rehearsal9:00 Worship & Childrens Church Elizabeth Mae Bradley Bapt.10:00 Jubilee Band Practice Baccalaureate Breakfast Sunday School10:05 Chancel Choir Rehearsal11:15 Jubilee Worship Worship & Childrens Church12:15 Congregational Meeting5:00 PEACE Service5:30 Small Group

MoNday, May 117:00 Mens Prayer Breakfast9:00 Count Team Fifty Plus Exercise Class10:00 Circle #312:00 Worship Ministry Mtg.1:30 Pastors Mtg.2:30 Program Staff3:10 Full Staff Mtg.5:30 Yoga CABL B/B Stephen Ministry Leaders Mtg.6:00 Stephen Ministry Mtg.7:00 Small Group

TuESday, May 129:00 Drop-In nursery10:00 Senior Fitness Small Group11:45 Tuesday Lunch12:00 Property Mtg. nED Mtg.12:30 Bradley Lunch Buddies1:00 Footcare Ministry3:00 Exercising for Arthritis5:00 Tai Chi CHAMPS Steering Committee6:00 Handbells Small Groups7:00 Scottish Country Dancing WEdNESday, May 137:00 Lowrey/Fuller Small Group9:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class Drop-In nursery9:25 EDS Chapel9:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry4:00 Helfer/Cox Small Group5:30 Henderson Small Group6:00 Small Group6:15 Burns/Burden Small Group THuRSday, May 147:45 Small Group9:00 Drop-In nursery9:15 Small Group10:00 Senior Fitness12:00 Small Group3:00 Exercising for Arthritis5:30 Yoga6:00 Magnum Volleyball Evangelism & Membership Mtg.7:30 Jubilee Band Practice

FRIday, May 159:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class CHAMPS Activity12:30 Staff Appreciation Luncheon

SaTuRday, May 16

New Members Join May 3, 20105Branford and Rebecca Breland join by transfer of letter, Branford from Mt. Carmel United Methodist in Varnville, SC, and Rebecca from Trin-ity United Methodist in Sumter. Branford is a design engineer with the SC Department of Transportation, and Rebecca is a manager, also with SCDoT. They live on Mosshill Road.

Everette and Sumner Livingston join by reaffirmation of faith. Everette is with First Citizens Bank, and Sumner teaches fifth grade in Richland one School District. They live on Sylvan Drive.

Susan Mazur joins by transfer of letter from McGregor Presbyterian in Columbia. She is a media specialist at Crayton Middle School and lives on Berry Tree Lane.

Rebecca McCormack joins by transfer of letter from First (Scots) Presbyterian in Charleston. She lives on Duncan Street and is a staff attorney with the SC Court of Appeals. She looks forward to growing in fellowship with

other believers and serving God as part of the Eastminster church family.

Meg and Ross oakley join by reaffirmation of faith. Meg is a school psychologist with Lexington/Richland District 5, and Ross is a civil engineer with Thomas & Hutton.

Clay and Michelle Phillips join by transfer of letter from Trenholm Road UMC. They live on Rigby Drive with their daughter, Lilly. Clay and Michelle both work for Ben

Arnold Beverage Company.

Susan Ratteree joins by reaffirmation of faith. Susan is a dosimetrist with Landauer Medical Physics. She lives on Myrtle Court with her husband Bill, and joins him here in membership.

Elliot Hong and John Sylvest join by transfer of let-ter from First Baptist in Montgomery, Alabama. Elliot

is a communication specialist with Palmetto GBA, and John is a project coordinator with the SC Department of Archives and History. They live on Columbia Avenue with their son, Thomas.

andy and alisa Wolfram join by reaffirmation of faith. Andy is an electrical engineer with Michelin, and Alisa is at home with their daughter, Piper. They live on South Saluda Avenue. They felt drawn to Eastminster through the welcome theyve received here.

Interested in membership?In June, Eastminster will offer a condensed version of our First Step class. The group will

meet on Saturday, June 20, from roughly 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in rooms C-271, 273 (lunch and childcare provided). The class will meet from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. on the following two Sun-days, June 21 and 28. Those interested in membership will join at the 10:00 a.m. service on June 28. If you are interested in being part of that class, contact Julie McDaniel at 256-1654 or jmcdaniel@eastminsterpres.org.

Breland

Livingston

Wolfram

Sylvest/Hong

Ratteree

McCormack

Mazur

Oakley

Phillips

CARE & CONCERN

EPC Prayer ListPart 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 ConcernsRemer Waguespack, Dave Steven, and those serving in our military, Stephen Ministers and their care receivers, and all those in need of Gods special care.

BirthsCongratulations and love to:Elizabeth & Ed Black, on the birth of their son, William Hamrick Black (Will), April 28, 2015. Grandparents, Bick & Pam Halligan, Great grandparents, Bill & Dot Halligan.

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.

Deadline for UPDATEDont miss out! Send your information to share with the congregation to tcarter@east-minsterpres.org.Please have your information in by Wednesday, May 13, to be shared in our next newsletter on May 17, 2015.

Our MissiOnariesrev. & Mrs. Donald Marsden-Virginia/russia

steven & natalie Hall - alaskasarah snapp - Bolivia

rev. John McCall - Taiwansteve & Kathy amar - Virginia/Muslims in the us

George & anne Harper - PhilippinesCindy Correll - Port au Prince, Haiti

Dr. John and Gwenda Fletcher - Congo

Summer worShip ScheduleMAY 24 - August 9

10:00 AM - Jubilee service10:15 AM - sAnctuArY

9:00 A.M. - sundAY school (8:45 Coffee & Fellowship Gathering)A combined Adult sunday school class will meet in the Adult reception hall. This class begins May 24, and will be held in the Adult Reception Hall from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Dr. Durrett will take us on a journey through The Life and Letters of Paul: Gospel People and Places. Some of the places well visit are Damascus, Tarsus, Cyprus, Galatia, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus and Rome. Well meet Stephen, Ananias, Barnabas, Mark, Priscilla & Aquila and others. Mark will be using information from two books, In the Steps of St. Paul by Peter Walker and The Apostle by John Pollock. At this time there is no reading schedule, but if you would like a book, please e-mail Julie McDaniel (jmcdaniel@eastminster-pres.org) or call her (256-1654 ext. 143).

Mothers Day Offeringon Sunday, May 10, Presbyterian congregations in the five presbyteries in South

Carolina will participate in a special offering benefiting Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina (PCSC). In 2014 alone this important offering, combined with other gifts received, assisted Presbyterian Communities in providing over $1.5 mil-lion in charitable care for seniors. Please use your separate pledge envelope marked Presbyterian Communities or write this offering name on the memo line of your check. Currently two EPC members, Bick Halligan and Robin Gorman, serve on the Board of Directors of the SC Presbyterian Retirement Communities Founda-tion.

Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus Was a KidJoin us the week of June 22 - 25 to experience a day at Hometown nazareth, as

we focus on Jesus as a child. Each day is filled with stations where kids and adults are transported to Jesus hometown! Kids meet Mary and see firsthand Gods Word at work in a persons life. Gods Word comes alive through engaging inter-action with Bible history! We will have VBS T-shirts for the children! A closing ceremony will take place on Thursday evening, June 25. Registration is now open and runs through June 5. Register on the church website, www.eastminsterpres.org.

Needed: Letter LadiesDo you enjoy writing notes and letters? And mailing them the old-fashioned

way? Then the Prison Ministry needs you to join a group of Eastminster members already involved. This correspondence project within the Evangelism and Mem-bership ministry seeks to match Christian letter writers with incarcerated women in U.S. prisons who are screened first for eligibility and interest. Requirements are penning a note every other week, and desiring to share in writing about the love and hope of Christ with these women in jail. Questions? Email Annie Scott (an-niescott@synovus.com). Hebrews 13:3 says, Remember those in prison as if you were together with them . . .

Congregational Meeting Called For May 10The Session has called a brief congregational meeting immediately follow-

ing the 11:15 a.m. worship service in the sanctuary on Sunday, May 10. The purpose of the meeting will be to elect the officer nominating Committee for 2015. This committee is tasked with nominating persons to serve as Deacons and Elders for the class of 2018. The nominating Committee slate includes: Chair Steve Searcy, Vice Chair Mary Bett Thorne, John Hudson, Kay Lydon, Faye Jeffcoat, at large members: Buzz Smythe, Coke Mann, Laura Irick, Betty Snyder, Matthew Burns.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church3200 Trenholm RoadColumbia, South Carolina 29204

Update for May 10, 2015

nonprofit org.US PoSTAGE

PAIDColumbia, SC

PERMIT no. 27

SERvINg ON SUNDAy

MAy 10oFFICERS PRayER: deacon: Kay LydondEaCoNS: Doris Stapel & Jeff Casto deacon: Field Wardlaw (Jubilee) deacon: Carol Hill (Jubilee)PEaCE SERVICE: deacons Brian Blackwelder, Connie Chase Elders Ginger Bates, Hank MabryuSHERS: Steve Searcy & John McCabeGREETERS:(9:00) Robert & Susi McWilliams Kit & Leigh Pound Michael & Amy Schraibman Drew Richardson(11:15) Greg & Laura Moise Patrick & Jennifer Rayfield John & Jill Skeppstrom Tyler and Lesley Stone INFaNT RooM - CLC 115(9:00) Staff(11:15) Erin & Ryan CauseyToddLER RooM - CLC 117(9:00) Sarah & Jay Draffin(11:15) Alyssa & Chesley Good2-K RooM - CLC 119(9:00) Liza & Stephen Sansbury(11:15) Jessica & Greg SharpCHILdRENS CHuRCH 102 - 3K(9:00) Ryan & Melissa Gentry(11:15) William & Angie Douglas CHILdRENS CHuRCH 104 - 4K(9:00) Alec & Rachel Chaplin(11:15) Warren & Shannon DarbyCHILdRENS CHuRCH 106 - 5K(9:00) Bryce & Elizabeth Bigger(11:15) Brian & Margie Blackwelder

PEACE Service - May 10The 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.

Early Church Closing May 15Church offices and CLC will close at noon on Friday, May 15, for a Staff Appre-

ciation Luncheon. Please make note on your calendars of the closing time.

Newsletter Published Monthly During the SummerThe UPDATE will become monthly for the summer after the May 24 issue.

Weekly issues will resume on August 16. Deadline dates are as always, ten days before the publication date. We will remain in touch weekly over the summer with E-news. Please send us your information!

Let Your Light Shine Through Your Service!Like the varied shapes and colors of stained glass, our talents and spiritual gifts

are all different. Yet each piece is so important in reflecting Gods Light. Mark your calendar for May 17, Service Commitment Sunday, when you can submit the service form recently mailed to you and commit your piece in Gods great works. Service commitment forms will be collected during all three services, 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. For the on-line form and complete list of all EPC service opportunities, go to eastminsterpres.org under Quicklinks. Questions: Call or email Julie Mc-Daniel at 256-1654 or jmcdaniel@eastminsterpres.org.

One Lady, Many Hats - May 26Join PEP@EPC Tuesday, May 26, for lunch 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. in Thompson

Hall, and enjoy an unusual performance by Columbias own Chrystal Danker. Meet an array of characters she brings to the stage, through a clever changing of hats! $6 per person; pay at the door; call Shelli (256-1654) for reservations. Bring a friend! This luncheon program is presented by People Enjoying People, an adult ministry for fun, fellowship and education.