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 38 Number 1 January 5, 2014

Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

Dear Eastminster Family, The Christmas season moves right along! Yesterday I preached for Rev. Blaine Hill out at Cherokee Presbyterian (Gilbert). I preached on Matthew 2, the story of the Wise Men, pointing out that Matthew makes a contrast between two groups of people, the Wise Men and the People of Jerusalem. The People of Jerusalem are equipped with the Jewish Scriptures and they know whats in them! Where is the Messiah to be born? In Bethlehem, they say, quoting Micah 5:2. The telling part of the story, though, is what happens next. How to respond to the birth of Gods Messiah? The Wise Men head to Bethlehem, the People of Jerusalem give a big yawn and stay right where they are! They cant be bothered to change a thing. Gods Son has entered our world! So whats next? We can yawn and stay just as we are or we can join the Wise Men and set off to see and do things differently, shaped by our encounter with Gods Word and the Son He sent to save the world! January offers us numerous opportunities for fellowship and study, for growth and reflection around the meaning of the Messiahs ministry in our world and in our lives. Join us! Sundays@5 (Starting Sun., Jan.5) SUnday SchOOl Teachers you can do it, you should do it (maybe you are doing it!), BUT where do you start? When/how do you know enough? How do you grow your calling to teach? (Mark Durrett) BOOk ClUb this is a reading group, well read current novels, things that make for discussion; no lectures! No experts! (Tara Barr) WOrld ReligiOns we used to travel afar to find them; now the worlds exotic worshipers have settled right around us. How do Christians respond? Understand? Well explore. (Jeff Burden) PassiOn Of OUr LOrd Bible study of our four gospel authors, their distinctive ways of relating the power-packed final moments of our Lords life, his sacrificial death, from Gethsemane to the Cross. (Mark Durrett) Bible StOries fOr AdUlts and Children Join Croskeys and Jeff to explore the task we have as parents, adults whom God has charged to teach the Bible to our children. (Croskeys Royall, Jeff Smith)

WE@EPC (Wed. Supper at 5:15; Class at 6:15-7:15 p.m.; begin Jan.15)

We will have activities for Children and Youth for both time periods, please sign up at www.eastminsterpres.org! In joy,

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5
9:00 & 11:15 a.m. - Sanctuary 11:15 a.m. Jubilee Dr. Bradley D. Smith Jeremiah 31:7-14

Mark

DAILY CALENDAR
SUNDAY, JanuaRy 5
8:00 Celebration Choir Rehearsal 9:00 Worship & Childrens Church 10:00 Sunday School Class Eastminster First Step Jubilee Band Practice Officers Make Up Exam 10:05 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 11:15 Worship & Childrens Church Townsend McDowell Prevost Bapt. Jubilee Worship 2:00 Cub Scout Mtg. 3:00 Troop 10 Court of Honor 4:00 Reception for Court of Honor 5:00 Elementary Programming Middle School Youth Group Sr. High Youth Group Sunday@5 Childcare

Dont Miss Out on Savvy Seniors Events

If you havent yet discovered the fun of Savvy Seniors monthly luncheon meetings, January is a good time to begin! Theres a great lunch at noon every fourth Tuesday in Thompson Hall, followed by an interesting program mingled with lots of warm fellowship. At the January 28 meeting, scrimshaw artist Peter Driscoll will give a talk on this ancient and nearly lost art of etching on ivory. Using the traditional manner of whalers, he works completely by hand without the use of power tools or machinery and only on antique piano keys or other forms of recycled or fossilized ivory, not legally banned. Some of his pieces will be on display. Call Mary Baldauf at 256-1654 or email mbaldauf@eastminsterpres.org to make a lunch reservation ($6.00). And be on the lookout for news of other programs planned for the new year.

MOnday, JanuaRy 6

7:00 Mens Prayer Breakfast 9:00 Count Team Fifty Plus Exercise Class 10:00 Senior Fitness 2:00 Pastors Mtg. CHAMPS Tutoring 2:30 Program Staff Mtg. 3:30 Staff Mtg. 5:30 Yoga Cub Scouts Fellowship Stephen Minister Supervisors Mtg. 6:00 Mens League Game 6:30 BSF 7:00 Troop 10 Mtg.

In memory of Judge Walter Bristow, given by J. Calhoun & Kimberly Land, Ron & Trudy Wilson, Eunice Fowler, Jonathan Harvey. In memory of Peggy Lewis, given by Frank & Sarah Brown, M/M Lloyd Liles, Helen Childers. In memory of Guy Lewis, given by Village Farm Road Association, Mark McGregor. In memory of Dorothy Hundley, given by Mary & William Keenan. In memory of Rhett Barker, given by Bartow & Betty Gilbert. In honor of Sharon & John Derham, given by Mrs. W.S. Shipp. In honor of Clarke & Foster Anderson, given by Carol & Joe Anderson. If you are the parent of a baby born in 2013, please note that Eastminster will celebrate Cradle Roll Sunday, January 12, at the 9:00 a.m. service. The church has sent letters to each family with a baby born in 2013, 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 31 new babies on the rolls at Eastminster, and we dont want to miss anyone. 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 worship service. The program starts Sunday, January 12, at 10:00 a.m. in the Adult Reception Hall and continues through Sunday, March 30, at that same hour. The class ends with a graduation and the presentation of a study Bible at the 9:00 a.m. service on April 13, Palm Sunday. Students who complete 7 of the 10 sessions will receive a study Bible. If you would like to register your 2nd grader, please e-mail croyall@eastminsterpres.org or sign up in the E-News. 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.

For our loved ones . . .

Cradle Roll

TUESDAY, JanuaRy 7

9:00 Drop In Nursery 10:00 EPW Coordinating Team Savvy Seniors Senior Fitness 11:15 Tuesday Lunch 12:30 Visitation 1:00 Footcare Ministry 3:30 Youth Basketball Practice 5:00 Tai Chi 5:30 Zumba Fitness 6:00 Handbell Rehearsal MSB Team 7:00 Scottish Counry Dancing Zumba Fitness

Worship Discovery

WEDNESDAY, JanuaRy 8
9:00 9:30 10:30 11:35 3:15 3:30 5:00 6:00 7:00 7:15 9:00 10:00 3:30 6:00 7:00 7:30

PeAce Service, January 12, in the Adult Reception Hall

Drop-In Nursery Fifty Plus Exercise Class Prayer Shawl Ministry Supervisors Timeclock Training Sanders Lunch Buddies Brownie Scouts Youth Basketball Practice Angel & Junior Choirs Circle #6 Senior High Guys D-Group Chancel Choir Rehearsal Drop-In Nursery Senior Fitness Youth Basketball Practice Evangelism Committee Zumba Fitness Jubilee Band Practice

Trinity Presbytery Seeking Part-time Treasurer

THURSDAY, JanuaRy 9

FRIDAY, JanuaRy 10

9:00 Fifty Plus Exercise Class 11:00 Support Staff Mtg. 6:00 Officers Reception

Trinity Presbytery is seeking an experienced person to fulfill a part-time (approximately 16 hours per week) position as its Treasurer. The successful candidate will provide for management and oversight of all financial and accounting functions of Trinity Presbytery, as well as managing all vendor relations and contract commitments. The person filling the position will have skills and experience in accounting, finance, strong interpersonal skills and strong computer skills. The successful candidate should possess a degree in accounting or business with a strong accounting work experience. Please send resume by Monday, January 6, 2014 either to: Trinity Presbytery, c/o Personnel Committee, 554 DaVega Drive. Lexington, South Carolina 29073 or e-mail TrinityPersonnelCommittee@gmail.com.

Junior and Angel Choirs Return with an Epiphany Party!

SATURDAY, JanuaRy 11
7:00 8:00

BSF Leaders Federation of Womens Clubs

On Wednesday, January 8, 2014 from 5:00 - 5:45 p.m. Angels in room E-253, Juniors in E-255. Join us for Songs, Games, Food, and Crowns. ALL aRe weLcOme. Please email flee@eastminsterpres.org to register. Come be a King for a Day!

A New Year

With NEW Opportunities

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, Bill McInnis, those serving in our military, Stephen Ministers & their care receivers and all those in need of Gods special care. Hospitalized this week Jim Crosby, Jean Winter, Vicky McGahee Births Congratulations and love to: Kristin & Jenkins Williamson, on the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Mercer Williamson, December 24, 2013. Deaths Congregational love and sympathy are extended to:

SUNDAYS@5 resumes on Sunday January 5, 2014, from 5:00 - 6:30 p. m. Classes will not meet on February 2 Fun Night. Details to follow. Sunday SchOOL TeacheRs - A class for Adult Sunday School Teachers, or those whove thought, Id be willing to do it, but I dont know enough How much Bible is enough? Where do I look to find things? Is there just one way to teach these things? Led by Mark Durrett in E-356.

Sundays @ 5 - WinteR teRm - JanUARY 5 - ApRiL 6

BOOk CLub - Discussions of current good books, hot books, fun books. We will focus on non-academic, pleasurable, personal enjoyment reading. (January - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce; February - Serena by Ron Rash) This class will be conducted by sharing and conversation. Led by Tara Barr in E-357. This class will end March 16. (Attendees bring a copy of The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry to the meeting on January 5. Please begin reading chapters 1-3?) WORLd ReLiGiOns - People practicing faith traditions from all over the world are now our neighbors! How do we as Christians relate to members of Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism? Led by Jeff and Ellen Burden in E-351. WeekLy smaLL GROups fOR GRades 1-5, including Jesus Rocks on the last Sunday of each month. Meets in C-269, 271, 273, 275. MiddLe SchOOL YOuth meets in the Arts and Crafts Room. hiGh SchOOL YOuth meets in the Multi-Purpose Room. Childcare for infant - 5K in C-115, 117, 119 for parents attending classes. WE@EPC resumes on Wednesday January 15, 2014, with dinner beginning at 5:15 p. m. and the classes following at 6:15 p. m. Classes will not meet on March 5 due to the Ash Wednesday service. The PassiOn Of OuR LORd - Our four Gospel authors provide a symphonic account of the last days of our Lords life and ministry, in the hours from the Garden of Gethsemane to the death of Jesus Christ upon the cross. Led by Mark Durrett. (Wed. mornings from 11:00 a.m. -12 noon; repeated Wed. evenings in C-271-273.) BibLe StORies fOR AduLts and ChiLdRen - This introductory class for adults will deal with familiar and unfamiliar Bible stories and how we can communicate them to our children. You do not have to have children to participate in the class. Led by Jeff Smith and Croskeys Royall in the Arts and Crafts Room. NOOMA Video Series - Jesus lived with the awareness that God is doing something, right here, right now, and anybody can be a part of it. NOOMA is a series of short contemporary films designed to promote discussion by exploring our world from a biblical perspective. NOOMA is an invitation to search, question, and engage in the discussion Rob Bell introduces. Rob is the pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Led by Mark Rosenberg in the Multi Purpose Room and ending February 26. ELementaRy PROGRamminG meets in C-261, 263, and 265.

Steve & Debbie Hamm, on the death of his sister, Sally Jo Hamm, December 23, 2013.
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.

WE@EPC - WINTER TERM - JANUARY 15 - APRIL 9

MiddLe SchOOL YOuth Bible study and homework, led by Joey and Tonia Cochran in C-277. Childcare for infants - 5K in C-115, 117, 119 for parents attending classes. Sign-up on the web at www.eastminsterpres.org

Dont miss out! Send your information to share with the congregation to tcarter@eastminsterpres.org. Please have your information in by Wednesday, January 8, to be shared in our next newsletter on January 19, 2014.

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 January 5, 2014

Check out the NEW & IMPROVED WEBSITE

www.eastminsterpres.org

SerVInG on SundAY January 5

OFFICERS PRAYER: Elder Liz Agee DEACONS: Susan Laird, Laura Long Elder Clay Robinson (Jubilee) Deacon Matt Reynolds (Jubilee) UsheRs: Bill Coggins & Randy Liggitt INFANT ROOM - CLC 115 (9:00) Rebecca & Josh Gault (11:15) Robert & Beth Shuler TODDLER ROOM - CLC 117 (9:00) Staff (11:15) Staff 2-K ROOM - CLC 119 (9:00) Reece & Lauren McWilliams (11:15) James & Julie Moss CHILDRENS CHURCH 101 - 3K (9:00) Drew & Taylor Babcock (11:15) Aaron & Katie Barthel CHILDRENS CHURCH 103 - 4K (9:00) Forrest & Ginny Hairston (11:15) Natalie Quinn-Hall & Daniel Hall CHILDRENS CHURCH 106 - 5K (9:00) Drew & Taylor Babcock (11:15) Jonathan & Kelly Barbrey

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. For those who have experienced the interrupted and dropped calls when calling the church, we have great news! We are installing new phones and switching over our data services on January 10, 2014. Due to the size of the project, there will be some interruption in calls, internet access and incoming e-mail. We are working ahead to alleviate as much downtime as possible. Please make a note that on January 10 there may be longer than usual response times to messages, e-mail, etc., coming to/from the church. Thank you in advance for your patience as we work to improve the churchs communication infrastructure.

With Thanks . . .

New Phones and Data Lines for Eastminster

If youre looking for the Music Ministry, it has moved!

Due to upcoming sanctuary renovations, the sanctuary basement has been vacated. Pianos, offices, and music library were moved to various locations on campus. Our Organist, Josh Evanovich, and Director of Music, Fredna Lee, now share an office in room E-258 in the Christian Ed building. The Music Library has been moved next door in room E-256. The Angel and Junior Choirs meet down the hall in rooms E-253 and E-255, and the Handbells rehearse in E-354. The Chancel Choir rehearses in E-357 on Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m. but rehearse in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings. The Celebration Choir also rehearses in the sanctuary on Sunday mornings.

Eastminster will be closed on Monday, January 20, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Facilities will reopen at their normal operating times on Tuesday, January 21.

Church Closing January 20 for MLK Holiday