EastminstEr UpdatE

Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

Volume 37 Number 30 September 29, 2013

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, September 299:00 & 11:15 a.m. - Sanctuary

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

From Wilderness to Wonder“Does God Have Favorites?”

Exodus 11:1-10

Dear Eastminster Family,

Each fall Eastminster’s officers invest a Friday evening and Saturday morn-ing, coming together to worship, to share and to plan for the coming year. This past weekend, in addition to being encouraged in Christ through the teaching of Dr. Dave Peterson, we also shared an update regarding Vision 2020. I want to share that update with you.

Many of you participated in the Vision 2020 small groups last fall. From your conversa-tions, study and prayers came 2,400 dreams and ideas. The Coordinating Team, guided by God’s Spirit, then distilled those dreams and visions in such a way that they presented both six “future stories” that describe Eastminster in the year 2020 and a substantial (25 pages) document detailing specific actions that will help us become the church God is calling us to be. Together these are the “Vision 2020 Summary and Findings” that were presented to the Session and Diaconate this past spring with the “Future Stories” being shared during worship services in May.

At that point we had a grand vision that was both exciting and, quite frankly, overwhelm-ing. What has happened since then is the all-important step of breaking “big” ideas into smaller specific action items. To do this, the “Summary and Findings” document was div-vied up with our various Session and Diaconate ministry areas, with each zeroing in on Vi-sion 2020 input pertaining to its area of our church life. The different ministry committees of the church were then charged with developing a time-line for implementing action items with particular focus on the 2013-2014 goals. This step is complete and was shared with the Officers Friday night.

You can view the “Future Story Scenarios” and the 2013-2014 Goals by visiting the church web site (www.eastminsterpres.org). Here are just a few of the 2013-2014 goals (some of which are already happening).• So that Eastminster embodies a sense of family, fellowship and community, we will offer

“Supper Six” gatherings and periodic intergenerational events, including Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

• So that we nurture one another as disciples of Jesus Christ, we will provide daily devo-tionals via email.

• So that both children, parents, and the entire church family can grow in God’s grace, we will provide weekly Sunday afternoon growth group opportunities for 1st-5th graders, middle schoolers and senior highs, while offering concurrent growth opportunities for parents and the larger church family.

• So that we experience the joy of serving, missions opportunities such as Transitions, Bradley Elementary, Foot Care and Soup Cellar will be supported even as we explore new ways for families to serve together.

If God is calling you to “step in” at Eastminster but you aren’t sure where to start, Julie Mc-Daniel at 803.256.1654 or jmcdaniel@eastminsterpres.org is ready to help.

In joy,

Brad

From WildernessTo Wonder

Exodus For FollowersOf Jesus

Daily CalENDaRSUNDAY, SepTember 29

8:00 Celebration Choir Rehearsal9:00 Worship & Children’s Church10:00 Sunday School First Step Class Generation Change 1st Grade Sacrament Training Jubilee Band Practice10:05 Chancel Choir Rehearsal11:15 Worship & Children’s Church Jubilee Worship2:00 Girl Scout Mtg.5:00 Sunday@5 Elementary Program Middle Highs Sr. Highs Childcare6:20 Closing Worship

moNDAY, SepTember 30

7:00 Men’s Prayer Breakfast9:00 Count Team Fifty Plus Exercise Class10:00 Senior Fitness2:00 Pastor’s Mtg.2:30 Program Staff Mtg.5:30 Yoga Cub Scouts Men’s B/B League6:30 BSF7:00 Sr. High Girls D-Group Sr. High Boys D-Group Troop 10 Meeting

TUeSDAY, ocTober 1

7:15 MS Prayer Breakfast9:00 Drop-In Nursery9:30 Staff Meeting10:00 Senior Fitness EPW Psalm 23 Bible Study Savvy Senior Planning Team11:00 EPW Coordinating Team11:45 Tuesday Lunch12:30 Visitation3:00 Exercising for Arthritis4:00 Grief Groups4:30 Brownies5:00 Tai Chi EPW Cookies to USC Students5:30 Zumba Fitness6:00 Handbell Rehearsal MSB Team 7:00 Zumba Fitness Scottish Country Dance WeDNeSDAY, ocTober 2

9:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class Drop In Nursery9:25 EDS Chapel9:30 Prayer Shawl Ministry11:00 Exodus Bible Study5:15 WE@EPC Dinner5:45 Childcare6:15 Officer Training Crossroads Career Ministry WE@EPC Classes Women’s Divorce Care Grief Group Angel/Junior Choir Rehearsal7:15 Chancel Choir Rehearsal

THUrSDAY, ocTober 3

9:00 Drop-In Nursery10:00 Senior Fitness3:00 Exercising for Arthritis5:00 Yoga5:30 Zumba Fitness7:00 Zumba Fitness7:30 Jubilee Band Practice

FrIDAY, ocTober 4

9:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class11:00 Support Staff Mfg.2:00 Flora Football Team Meal

SATUrDAY, ocTober 5

7:00 BSF Leader Meeting

Women’s Bible Study Beginning October 1We invite all women to attend this five-week study on the 23rd Psalm led

by Jean Padgett. Some of you may remember Jean from her “Rooms of Your

Life” class she taught at Eastminster. The class will meet on Tuesday morn-ings at 10:00 a.m. in room E-351 beginning on October 1. Childcare in the Drop-in nursery will be provided for women attending the Bible Study.

“Breakfast in the Breezeway”Please join us for “Breakfast in the Breezeway” on Sunday, October 20 from 8:30 a.m. - 8:55

a.m. Breakfast finger foods, as well as coffee and juice, will be served in the breezeway as we enjoy a brief time of fellowship together prior to the 9:00 a.m. worship service. Hosted by the Fellowship Committee.

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

(excluding holidays) as we gather in Thompson Hall for a full breakfast, for an enriching, enlightening Bible study (currently the book of Acts), 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!

Did You Know?Does the church have your e-mail address? If not, we cannot share our daily devotionals

from Exodus with you. Also, did you know that the classes on Exodus that Mark Durrett is teaching on Wednesday mornings and evenings can be viewed on line? Even if you cannot attend the class, you can watch the lesson on your computer or tablet on YouTube. Go to www.eastminsterpres.org and follow the link on the front page.

For our loved ones . . .In memory of Dorothy Virginia DuBose, given by the Sharpe family.In memory of Katherine Sawyer, given by Martha S. King.In memory of Molly Wood, given by Gary & Bea Daves, Gloria Douglass.In memory of Leland Humphrey, given by Anne McCants.In memory of Dorothy Vanderlip, given by Billie Manning.In memory of Gale Kennedy, given by E. Anne Gillespie.In memory of Ann Howe, given by Lawrence & Felicia Gressette.

Eastminster Youth Basketball 2013We are again organizing another exciting Eastmin-

ster basketball season so remember to include us in your family’s plans for this fall! Youth Basketball Registration started on September 1st. Look for your registration form in the E-News or on the web site.

Teams will be available for boys and girls in 2nd grade through high school, and will be formed based on the availability of coaches and gym space.

EPC Youth Basketball CoachesAll current EPC youth basketball coaches and anyone interested in coaching or helping

with basketball, please contact Bill Ketchin at 256-1654 or bketchin@eastminsterpres.org.

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, Carol Strasburger Hoefer, 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, Merritt Chapman

Deathscongregational love and sympathy

are extended to:

Nicole & Edgar Morris, on the death of her father, Robert G. Hoffek, September 22, 2013. Grandchildren, Jack & Lucy

Morris.

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, October 3, to be shared in our next newsletter on October 13, 2013.

Did you know . . . ... Eastminster Presbyterian Church’s tithes and offerings help

support the work of missionaries from Haiti to South America to the Orient. Please continue to joyfully give and know that you are allowing God’s work to be done. Jeff Burden

First Grade Sacrament Training - Begins September 29First Grade Sacrament Training is a two-Sunday special track for first graders

to learn about Communion and Baptism. Games, self-directed stations and Power Point presentations convey an age-appropriate, Reformed understanding of what the sacraments mean. This is held during the Sunday school hour, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 29 and October 6. No advance registration is required. Join us in the CE building room 251.

Trinity PresbyteryMiddle School Retreat

Middle Schoolers, please join us Novem-ber 8-10 at the Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, NC. Keynote speaker will be Steve Lindsley, the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Mount Airy, NC, and Eastminster’s Semih Sendur, Jubilee Band Director, will be the music leader. Cost for this retreat is $155.00 per person for Early Bird registration by Monday, October 14 or $180.00 per person by Monday, October 28. Contact Tricia, tmccor-

mick@eastminsterpres.org for information or to register.

NOAH’S ARKEverything I need to know, I learned from Noah’s Ark

ONE: Don’t miss the boat. TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat! THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark . FOUR: Stay fit. When you’re 60 years old, someone may ask you to do some-

thing really big. FIVE: Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. SIX: Build your future on high ground. SEVEN: For safety’s sake, travel in pairs. EIGHT: Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the

cheetahs. NINE: When you’re stressed, float awhile. TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by profession-

als. ELEVEN: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a

rainbow waiting.

Not Employed or Under-Employed?Crossroads Career Network offers programs and opportunities for job seekers,

career explorers, employers and regular church attendees to get involved. We meet most Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m. in the Christian Life Center, room C- 265. Contact Jim Hatchell for more information: jimnsc123@gmail.com.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church3200 Trenholm RoadColumbia, South Carolina 29204

Update for September 29, 2013

Nonprofit Org.US POSTAGE

PAIDColumbia, SC

PERMIT No. 27

SERvING ON SUNDAY

September 29oFFIcer’S prAYer:

Deacon Betsy McDonaldDeAcoNS: Laura Long, Kay Lydon Elder Kathie Williams (Jubilee) Deacon Scott Verzyl (Jubilee)GreeTerS:

(9:00) Bill & Linda Gillespie Lloyd Hendricks William & Kappy Hubbard Susie Horger(11:15) Mike Gorman Elizabeth Helmboldt Bill & Jane Francis Don & Darla HelmsINFANT room - cLc 115

(9:00) Mandy & Will Brawley(11:15) Joan & Brian BoyerToDDLer room - cLc 117

(9:00) Lori & Wade Douroux(11:15) Alicia & Bruce Harper2-K room - cLc 119

(9:00) Greg & Jessica Sharp(11:15) Joe & Ashley SittoncHILDreN’S cHUrcH 101 - 3K

(9:00) Kit & Amy Williams(11:15) Will & Ashley YarbroughcHILDreN’S cHUrcH 103 - 4K

(9:00) Greg & Ainsley Rhames(11:15) Mark & Christina RichardsoncHILDreN’S cHUrcH 106 - 5K

(9:00) Shelly & Scott Dempsey(11:15) Wade & Lori Douroux

Eastminster 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, De-cember 6 through December 8, and the retreat will spotlight Bob’s insights (along with his guitar skills), 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!

October Circle Meetingscircle 1 - 10:00 a.m., October 14 - Parlorcircle 2 - 10:30 a.m., October 14 - Florence Fowler’s homecircle 3 - 10:00 a.m., October 14 - Judy Small’s homecircle 6 - 6:00 p.m., October 9 - C-265

We Need YOU at the Reception Desk!Eastminster is seeking a volunteer to help answer phones and greet visitors on

Thursdays from 12:00-1:00 p.m. If you can spare just one hour each week to cover the front desk at lunch time, please contact Tricia at 256-1654.

Asheville, NC mission trip with EPC Tweens and Parents

Peace of mind comes from not wanting to change others but by simply accepting them as they are.

GREAT JOB EPC! Over 1000 emergency snack packs for Western NC school kids and their families were assembled!