E Update

EASTMINSTERPRES.ORG

VOLUME 39 N UMBER 37 | NOV E MBER 22 , 2015

Dear Eastminster Family,

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. ELIZABETH BOWER
EDS Director
MR. WILLIAM L. COLLINS, JR.
Business Manager
MS. JULIE MCDANIEL
Member Involvement
Coordinator

This Sunday is Dedication Sunday. To encourage you

to be intentional in your response to Gods blessings in
your life and so that our church can plan wisely for the
coming year, would you please submit an estimate of
your 2016 giving this Sunday?
While some of you have been hard hit by the flood
or other challenges, I hope the rest of us will seize this
opportunity to step up and to increase our giving, so that our shared witness to
Jesus Christ might be strengthened even during this time of challenge in our
community.
Eastminsters Operating Budget funds the ministry and mission of the church.
Your giving is essential for our church family to have staff members who encourage and equip members to grow in Christ. Your giving is essential for this
church to be able to bear witness through our giving and serving in the community and beyond. And your giving is necessary for Eastminsters facilities to
be available for ministries such as the Day School, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts,
studies, small groups, sports activities, funerals, weddings, worship, Wednesday
classes, AmeriCorps volunteers and so much more.
Throughout history, Gods people have committed the first fruits of each seasons harvest to the Lord. Giving this offering provided a tangible way for the
people to remember that all we have ultimately comes from the hand of God.
Additionally, the act of giving beyond ourselves to join in Gods work reminds
us of our unique identity as Gods chosen people.
As followers of Jesus Christ, you and I are blessed so that we will be a blessing.
Let each of us remember and respond, respond by giving generously and joyfully. Dedicate yourself and your resources to Christ this Sunday.
In joy,

Last Sunday, Nov. 15 - Take a Look

Annual Thanksgiving
Souper - Nov. 19

On Thursday, Nov. 19,

from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.,
come and support the
Womens Shelter by purchasing a bowl of
Chick-fil-A soup. The cost
is $5/person. Enjoy fellowship with others in the
community again this year.
Eat in or take out.

This Sunday, Nov. 22 = Dedication Sunday

and Loaves & Fishes Luncheon

Bring a side and join us for a holiday luncheon this

Sunday. Eastminsters extended family will gather
in the CLC after 11:15 a.m. worship. Chicken and
ham will be provided. Bring your favorite side and
a Thanksgiving story to share. Call the church office
(Shelli Knapp) and make your reservations. This is always a FUN, comforting time of fellowship together.

Operation Christmas Child (Cont.)

Above: The serving table before the lunch crowd &
EPC Sunday p.m. Jesus Rocks! Operation Christmas Child Shoebox fellowship & MS youth enjoying Human Foosball - Send pictures of your
ministry to blewis@eastminsterpres.org.
Middle and High School Ski Retreat
January 8-10, 2016
Winterplace, WVA

Cost: $290.00 - Stay tuned for details.

If your child was unable to

pack a shoebox last Sunday
night with Croskeys and team
(thanks volunteers), you can
still pick one up at the church
office. We need you to return
your packed and labeled boxes
with a check for $7/box, made
out to Samaritans Purse by
this Sunday, Nov. 22nd, to
arrive by Christmas morning. Youth will pack

OCC boxes this Sunday night at 5 p.m.

Chrismons will be on display in the Welcome

Center on November 22nd & 29th. Dont miss this

beautiful display created by Carol Anderson & team.

Christmas Dinner & Concert Wed., Dec. 9, 5:15 p.m. - Special dinner in

Thompson Hall, followed by a Christmas concert

in the Sanctuary. Reservations are a must for this
dinner. All meals are $6 each. The concert will
begain at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Call the church
office for dinner reservations (Standing reservations
do not apply.) Concert Admission = Peanut Butter

The Flower Guild is accepting memorials and

honorariums for decorating the sanctuary and other
areas of the church with live wreaths, greenery and
poinsettias. Please send your verbiage for the Christmas bulletins with a check for $20 to the Eastminster
Flower Guild. Payments can be mailed to the church,
or placed in the Flower Guild box in the workroom.
The deadline is Friday, December 4.

Memorial Gifts Supporting the Eastminster

Endowment:

In memory of Julian J. Nexsen, given by

Lucie & Bob Eggleston.
In memory of Patty Tuite, given by
Lucie & Bob Eggleston.
In memory of Jonathan Gates Williams, given by
Sandra & Bob Bethea.

Memorial Gifts Supporting the Disaster

Relief Fund:
In honor of Jason Burbage, given by
Correll Insurance Group.
In honor of Dr. Buddy Cullum, given by
Ashley & Ashton Cullum.

EPC Business Office - Stewardship in Motion - Did You Know?

Lessons & Carols - Sun., Dec. 20

9:00 & 11:15 a.m. Worship EPC Choirs & Orchestra

On Monday, October 26th, Eastminster Presbyterian

Church purchased the approximately 3-acre tract of
land across from the church from the Carolina Childrens Home. This land is used by Eastminster and
Trenholm Road UMC for additional parking and
other events. The congregation approved this purchase
back on September 20, 2015.

Congregational Care & Concern

Hospitals:
Franklyn Owen - Baptist

Staff Love Offering: Each year, we have an op-

portunity to contribute to a love offering which will

be distributed to all members of our staff during the
holiday season. We invite you to participate as we
express our corporate gratitude for the dedication
demonstrated by our entire church staff throughout the year. You should indicate on your check or
envelope, Gift to Staff and mail, or place in the
offering plate by Sun., December 13th.
In His service,
The EPC Personnel Committee

Reminder: November 22nd is Peanut Butter

Sunday!

Dont forget to bring in

Tube Socks through the
end of this year. Look for
this logo and receptacles
around EPC to donate.

Deadline for UPDATE:

Send your information to share with the congregation to communications@eastminsterpres.org.
Please have your information in by November
29th for the December 13th Update.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church

3200 Trenholm Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29204

PEP Christmas Luncheon:

Dec. 1
Christmas Tree Pick-up:
Begins Dec. 1
Advent Retreat:
Dec. 4-6
$20 due for Flower Guild
Dec. 4
No Youth Group (Youth Retreat): Dec. 6
Joy Gift Drop-in:
Dec. 8
Christmas Dinner & Concert:
Dec. 9
Circle of Giving:
Dec. 12
CHAMPS Christmas Party:
Dec. 12
PEACE Service:
Dec. 13
Youth Christmas Parties:
Dec. 13
St. Lawrence Place Dinner:
Dec. 14
Childrens Gingerbread Houses: Dec. 16
Dayschool Christmas Program: Dec. 18
Lessons and Carols (Worship):
Dec. 20
Living Nativity (5, 6 & 7 pm):
Dec. 20
Christmas Eve (5, 7 & 9 pm):
Dec. 24
Christmas Day (10:30 am):
Dec. 25
Sunday after Christmas (10:30 am) Dec. 27

December Dates to Remember:

Buy Your Tree at EPC - Support

Youth Ministry! Now through 11-22

Update for November 22, 2015

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