Dear Eastminster Family,

Prayer is a way of practicing the presence of God. Prayer can help us remember who, and whose, we are. Our Lord works though prayer by providing perspective, fostering gratitude, easing tension, and inspiring dreams.

John Wesley said, “Prayer is where the action is.” Richard Foster has written, “To pray is to change. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable character of our lives.” Prayer is an extraordinary gift, but one that is often neglected. Prayer can also be a gift we give others, both near and far.

Beginning this past week, about forty Eastminster members began a year-long prayer journey where they will pray, among other things, for each of you. What a wonder-ful gift they are giving, lifting each and every member by name in prayer for a week. In grateful response, I encourage you to join in praying by heeding the words of the Apostle Paul, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Col 4:2)

Pray simply to be in God’s presence, to dwell on who God is, what He has done, and what He is doing. Pray as a way of stepping into God’s presence, of remembering who our Lord has created you to be. Pray to give thanks, to approach God in weakness, and to lift others.

Treat prayer as an appointment with God. Every day. Every week. All the time.

Your Pastor,

Brad

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot ex-press.” Romans 8:26

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” Ephesians 6:18

‘Without prayer we have neither light nor strength to advance in the way which leads to God.’ St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Prayer is nothing else than union with God. When the heart is pure and united with God it is consoled and filled with sweetness; it is dazzled by a marvelous light.’

St. Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney

‘Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness.’ St. John Chrysostom

Prayer draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man to Heaven.’ St. Ephraem of Syria

EastminstEr UpdatE

Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

Volume 38 Number 9 February 23, 2014

803-256-1654 / www.eastminsterpres.org

STAFF

Dr. Bradley D. SmithPastor

Dr. Mark E. DurrettAssociate Pastor

Rev. Lynn A. GrandsireAssociate Pastor

Rev. Jeffrey S. SmithAssociate Pastor

Dr. James I. St. JohnParish Associate

Rev. Jonathan S. WagnerAssociate Pastor

Mr. Croskeys RoyallDirector of Children’s Ministries

Mrs. Fredna LeeDirector 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

Sunday, February 239:00 & 11:15 a.m. - Sanctuary

11:15 a.m. Jubileedr. bradley d. Smith

Questions of faith series #4“Why Does God Allow Suffering?”

2 Corinthians 1:3-11

From WildernessTo Wonder

Exodus For FollowersOf Jesus

Daily CalENDaRSUNDAY, FebrUArY 23

8:00 Celebration Choir Rehearsal9:00 Worship & Children’s Church Andrew Bryant Walker, Jr. Bapt.10:00 Sunday School Classes Jubilee Band Practice Worship Discovery10:05 Chancel Choir Rehearsal11:15 Worship & Children’s Church Jubilee Worship New Members Join2:00 Cub Scouts Mtg.3:00 Cub Scouts Mtg. Smolka Girl Scouts5:00 Elementary Programming Sunday@5 Childcare Sr. Highs MS Youth Jesus Rocks

MoNDAY, FebrUArY 24

7:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast9:00 Count Team Fifty Plus Exercise Class10:00 Senior Fitness11:45 Staff Birthday Party2:00 Pastor’s Mtg. CHAMPS Tutoring2:30 Program Staff Mtg.3:30 Staff Mtg.5:30 Yoga Cub Scouts6:00 Men’s League Game6:30 BSF7:00 Sr. High Girls D-Group TUeSDAY, FebrUArY 25

9:00 Drop-In Nursery10:00 Senior Fitness EPW Bible Study10:30 EPW Moderator Mtg.11:45 Tuesday Lunch Savvy Seniors12:30 Bradley Lunch Buddies1:00 Footcare Ministry1:30 Tweeting with Sparrow3:30 Youth Basketball Practice4:30 Stewardship Comm.5:00 Tai Chi5:30 Zumba Fitness Diaconate Mtg.6:00 Handbell Rehearsal Joint Mtg.6:45 Session Mtg.7:00 Scottish Country Dancing Zumba Fitness WeDNeSDAY, FebrUArY 26

9:00 Drop-In Nursery Fifty Plus Exercise Class9:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry EDS Chapel11:00 Passion of Our Lord Bible Study12:00 Commissioners Mtg.3:15 Ketchum Brownies3:30 Youth Basketball Practice5:00 Angel & Junior Choirs5:15 WE@EPC Dinner5:45 WE@EPC Childcare6:15 WE@EPC Classes Women’s Divorce Care Group7:00 Senior High Guys D-Group7:15 Chancel Choir Rehearsal THUrSDAY, FebrUArY 27

9:00 Drop-In Nursery10:00 Senior Fitness3:30 Youth Basketball Practice5:30 BSF7:00 Zumba Fitness7:30 Jubilee Band Practice

FrIDAY, FebrUArY 28

9:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class11:00 Support Staff Mtg.

SATUrDAY, MArcH 1

7:00 BSF Leaders9:00 Youth Basketball League Games

Eastminster Day School RegistrationEastminster Dayschool Registration is March 4 - March 7. Visit the Day School website

(www.eastminsterdayschool.org) to find their registration materials, schedule for registration and answers to any questions you may have about the process or about the Day School.

EPW Bible StudySuNDAY EVENING STuDY - This evening study is entitled:

Making Room for God in our busy lives: practical ways to read Scrip-

ture and pray more meaningfully. This will be led by Lynn Grand-sire and is to be a part of SuNDAY@5 through March 30 in room E-350. This study will include the PEACE Service in the middle as part of the class.

To sign-up for the class, e-mail Mary at mbaldauf@eastminsterpres.org or call her at 256-1654.

Medical/work trip to Haiti - March 22-29Eastminster is partnering with Medical Benevolence Foundation to take a group to do

medical and construction work at Hospital St. Croix, in Leogane, Haiti. We’ll also be work-ing at the Darbonne Maternity Clinic. The trip dates are March 22-29, 2014. The cost is being finalized but will include all travel, lodging and meals. We’ll stay on site at the hospital, which is very safe and has space dedicated to house short-term mission workers. For more information, contact Jane Brissette at jane.brissette@scbtonline.com or 754-7749.

Eastminster Webelos 2The Cub Scout Webelos 2 group from Eastminster led by

Andrew Cole, attended the BowTie Event at the Convention Center on February 9 and was part of the Guinness book record-setting event.

Library Donation for Rhett BarkerThe Tuesday Morning Bible Study chose to remember Rhett,

a long time member of the study, with a donation to the Lynn Temple Jones Library of a series of Commentaries by N.T. Wright, John Goldingay and Anne Lamont. These books can be found in the library on top of the back counter. Please stop by and check one of these books out for your use.

Ash Wednesday Service - March 5The Eastminster Ash Wednesday Service with imposition of ashes will be held at 7:00 p.m.

in the sanctuary. All WE@EPC classes will be cancelled for this evening, giving everyone an opportunity to attend this service. But, there will be a meal in Thompson Hall at 6:00 p.m. (note time change). Child care will be provided for infants through 1st grade. Wednesday evening classes will resume on March 12.

Jesus Rocks the 4th Sunday of the Month - February 23!First - fifth graders, join us! Jesus Rocks is from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 23.

We will have a fun time and eat pizza! Please remember to bring $3.00 for pizza.

Men’s Monday Morning Breakfast Bible Study OpportunityCalling all men! You’re always welcome to join us at 7:00 a.m. each Monday morning

(excluding church holidays) as we gather in Thompson Hall for a full breakfast, for an enrich-ing, enlightening Bible study, for great fellowship, and for prayer. We conclude at 8:00 a.m., whether our teacher-of-the-day is finished or not, so that everyone can get on to the office or the shop or the golf course. No reservations needed. We hope to see you!

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 ConcernsBoots Fuller, Remer Waguespack, Dr. Mary Tobin, Bill McInnis, Bill Barron those serving in our military, Stephen Min-isters & their care receivers and all those in need of God’s special care.

Hospitalized this weekCarol Tanner, David Dye, Jim Crosby

Birthscongratulations and love to:

Jeff & Gay Amberg, on the birth of their grandson, Jeffrey Harrison Hicks, Feb-ruary 14, 2014. Parents, Anna (Amberg)

& Chris Hicks.

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 UPDATEDon’t miss out! Send your informa-tion to share with the congregation to tcarter@eastminsterpres.org.Please have your information in by Wednesday, February 26, to be shared in our next newsletter on March 9, 2014.

Prayer MattersIn 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Paul instructs us to ”pray continually.” Following this

command we are excited to announce a new ministry, “Prayer Matters”, at EPC. This began on February 10, with church families being prayed for, each over a period of one week during the year. You and your family will receive a note letting you know when you have been lifted up in prayer. Please begin praying now that each family experiences God’s transforming power through this new ministry!

For questions please contact: Kim Leighton (260-3548) or Carol Hill (767-6734).

CornerstoneJr. High and Sr. High Youth (Cornerstone) meets at 5:00 p.m. each Sunday

evening, unless notified, on the third floor of the CLC with a meal immediately following at 6:10 in Thompson Hall. The meal will conclude at 6:30 p.m.

It has come to our attention that the service provider we use for youth commu-nication has recently made some changes, resulting in the loss of many names and emails from our weekly youth update. If you were receiving this update and have stopped receiving them, please contact Tricia McCormick, tmccormick@eastmin-sterpres.org or 256-1654, to be re-added to our list.

Peanut Butter Sunday - February 23YOu can join others to help fight hunger in your Midlands with your donations

to Harvest Hope Food Bank. Remember your peanut butter on Sunday, Febru-ary 23. Nutritious, delicious and always appreciated! Harvest Hope Food Bank is always in need of plastic grocery bags used to fill food orders for families and indi-viduals in need. Donate yours in the bins marked “Harvest Hope” in the Christian Education Building lobby. THeY No loNger AccepT egg cArToNS.

Reserve the Date for the Sportsman BanquetThe Sportsman Banquet is planned for Thursday, April 3. This year’s speaker,

Dan Reeves, spent 23 years coaching for the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons. He played or coached in a record nine Super Bowls – five with the Dallas Cowboys, three with Denver and one with Atlanta. Prior to coaching, he also spent 16 years in the Cowboys organization – five as a player, three as a player/coach and eight as an assistant coach. He attended the university of South Carolina, where he played quarterback from 1962-1964 and was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977. Keep watching for all the details.

Eastminster Day School Spring Arts AuctionMarch 13, 7 - 10 p.m. at Leaside (100 E Exchange Blvd )

The Eastminster Day School Parents Organization invites all adults to attend the EDS Spring Arts Auction for a fun evening to benefit the Day School. This event features a silent auction with fantastic prizes, a live auction, entertainment, and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $35 before March 1, and $40 March 1 and after. To purchase a ticket, contact Melissa Gentry at mfgentry@hotmail.com or 803-546-1803. If you or your business would like to sponsor the event or donate an item for the silent auction, please contact Jenny Brown at jennybrown@synovus.com or 803-622-7207 by March 1st. Thank you for your support!

“Looking at the way some people live, they ought to obtain eternal fire insurance soon.”

ServiceMarch 57:00 PM

Eastminster Presbyterian Church3200 Trenholm RoadColumbia, South Carolina 29204

update for February 23, 2014

Nonprofit Org.uS POSTAGE

PAIDColumbia, SC

PERMIT No. 27

SERviNg ON SUNDAy

February 23oFFIcer’S prAYer:

Elder Michael SchraibmanDeAcoNS: Katie Evatt, Jeff Burden Elder George McCutchen (Jubilee) Deacon Jim Hatchell (Jubilee)USHerS: Eddie Laney, Joey CopleygreeTerS:

(9:00) Coleman Chambliss Alex & Sarah Dillard Mark & Laurie Childress Sara Davis(11:15) Don & Betty Barton George & Phyllis Beighley Dina Boorda, Craig Freeman Joe & Jane AndersonINFANT rooM - clc 115

(9:00) Mary Catherine & Rob Arthur(11:15) Joni & Drew RichardsonToDDler rooM - clc 117

(9:00) Elizabeth & Christian Rasor(11:15) Emily & Spencer Lindsay2-K rooM - clc 119

(9:00) Bryan & Amy Wates(11:15) Kalen & Richard KloskycHIlDreN’S cHUrcH 101 - 3K

(9:00) Marshall & Mary Kirk Morton(11:15) John Michael & Joslyn OtiscHIlDreN’S cHUrcH 103 - 4K

(9:00) Mark & Christina Richardson(11:15) Betsy RoofcHIlDreN’S cHUrcH 106 - 5K

(9:00) Tim & Blythe Lewis(11:15) Laine & Taylor Ligon

Family PromiseFamily Promise is an exciting new

ministry for EPC that will serve homeless families. Eastminster is joining other 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) with any questions, and look for more information to come soon!

Please Help Us Stay in Touch!Have you moved, changed your phone number, disconnected your land line,

changed your email address, had a baby, or 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 email epcreceptionist@eastminsterpres.org. We want to stay connected with you!

Savvy Seniors - February 25Dr. Warner Montgomery will be our featured speaker! He is a graduate of the

university of South Carolina and the university of Michigan and began his profes-sional career as a teacher and coach at the new A.C. Flora High School in 1960. After teaching in Thailand, Michigan, Ohio, Africa, and Canada, he returned to Columbia in 1989 as owner-publisher of the Columbia Star newspaper. He is now retired and writes and teaches about the history of Columbia. He is author of co-

lUMbIA reVISITeD. Remember to make your reservation for lunch by calling Mary, 256-1654 or e-mail mbaldauf@eastminsterpres.org.

Following the program, Parker Sparrow, our parish nurse, will be in the Byrd Room if anyone would like to speak with her.

vBS 2014 is ComingSave the dates of June 16-19 for your 4k-rising 6th grade

child. We will be visiting “Son Treasure Island!” Stay tuned for further details.