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Eastminster Update
803-256-1654 / www.eastminsterpres.org
Volume 38 Number 43
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. Lucy Corley and
Mrs. Anita Poole
EDS Co-Directors
Mr. William L. Collins, Jr.
Business Manager
Ms. Julie McDaniel
Member Involvement Coordinator
Christmas is about light coming into the darkness. I dont think its an
accident that the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World, is celebrated at
the time of the winter solstice, the darkest time of the year. After all, light
shines brightest in the darkness.
And while there is a certain beauty to the lights upon lights that dot and
decorate the landscape this time of year, by themselves decorative lights
do not and cannot produce enough lumens or candlepower to eliminate
the darkness. I am reminded of that truth as the news once again details tensions between
races, classes, cultures and creeds, both in our country and around the world. Im tempted to
hunker down, ignore the divisions, demonize the pot-stirrers and hope it all goes away. But
that wont help, will it?
Progress has been made, but a quick look around on Sunday mornings reminds me that
the division between people of different races is not just a thing of the past. And while
it doesnt correlate entirely along racial lines, reputable studies tell of a growing disparity
between people labeled haves and have nots. I wouldnt want to be a police officer for all
the tea in China. I cant imagine the stress of instantaneous decisions that might mean life
or death for me or another person. But to be transparently honest, I think being born white
in the family I was born to, with the opportunities I was given, was a far easier path than
that of many people, including some people of color or poverty.
I can feel guilty. I can become calloused. Or, alternately, opening myself to the One who
is the Prince of Peace and King of Kings, I can walk in the light of Jesus, the Light of the
World by reaching out and loving others, including people who are different from me, one
relationship at a time, right here in Columbia.
Pray? Yes, absolutely. Take the risk of moving beyond ourselves by stepping into the
world? Yes, this too. After all, isnt that what God has done for us in the birth of the Christ
child?
Blessings,
Brad
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the
house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. Luke 1:32-33
Sermon
Sunday, december 14
9:00 & 11:15 a.m. - Sanctuary
11:15 a.m. - Jubilee
Dr. Brad Smith
Big Brown is Back in Town
Luke 1:26-35, 38
176
195
48
68
Daily CALENDAR
SUNDAY, December 14
Monday, December 15
TUESDAY, December 16
WEDNESDAY, December 17
9:00
9:25
9:30
12:00
3:00
3:30
5:00
5:15
6:10
7:00
7:15
THURSDAY, December 18
FRIDAY, December 19
9:00
11:00
3:00
6:30
SATURDAY, December 20
Discovering the Bible (Kerygma): New Testament - John Arnold and John Asman
continue Discovering the Bible class. Kerygma Bible Study is a methodical introduction to the
books of the Bible. In January, the class takes up the New Testament. The class is an encounter with the texts of scripture by reading select passages and participating in class discussion.
New participants are welcome to join in. Christian Education Building, room 351. Runs
through April 26.
Pauls Letter to the Romans - Faith comes to life in this real letter to real people.
In what is called the most inspirational letter ever written, these words to the Church in
ancient Rome echo still with energy and power. Encounter theology in the making as Paul
wrestles with enduring issues: justification and grace, sin and salvation, a vision of unity, and
the faithfulness of God. Dottie Pratt and Bick Halligan will facilitate this 12-week class.
Christian Education Building, room 357. Runs through March 29.
Legacies and Gifts - Rev. Lynn Grandsire, Rev. Dr. Brad Smith and others in the congregation with particular expertise will lead the class in looking at issues of our Christian legacy
related to end of life planning. Some of the topics are powers of attorney, living wills, funeral
planning, and financial gifts as faith testimony. Christian Life Center, room 265.
Conversions - Rev. Dr. Mark Durrett will look at the stories of well-known Christians,
whose conversion accounts span 2000 years of Christian history. Learn the stories of people
including the apostle Paul, Augustine, Theresa of Avila, Billy Sunday, Dorothy Day, C.S.
Lewis, Charles Colson and others. Christian Life Center, room 263. (Also offered at 11:00 a.m.
on Wednesdays, same room.)
Marriage Study - Christian Marriage in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a sixweek study published in 2013, which is organized around the Statement of the Gift of Marriage from the Book of Common Worship. We will look at Scripture, the Book of Confessions,
the Book of Order, and the Book of Common Worship as we discuss the following topics.
Week 1 - The Gift of Marriage
Week 2 - God Created Us
Week 3 - The Expression of Love
Week 4 - The Well-Being of Society
Week 5 - A Holy Mystery
Week 6 - A New Way of Life
Lucie Eggleston and Emma Bryson, two members of the Clerks Committee, will facilitate
this class. The Clerks Committee has studied denominational issues on marriage for the past
three years. In November, the Session adopted the recommendations of the Committee, one
of which was to offer a class on Christian marriage. Christian Life Center, room 261.
People Enjoying People (PEP@EPC) is having a Christmas Drop-in on Sunday, December 14, 3:00-4:30 p.m. Lisa and Madison Dye are hosting, and you are
invited! There will be bus transportation from the church available or come to
10 MacKays Point in Kings Grant. Please call Mary Baldauf (256-1654) if you are
coming. We will have a basket for receiving childrens (age 3-10) books to use
with Family Promise.
If you are interested in being a part of this mission trip group, please join us in
the Byrd Room, on Sunday, December 14, at 12:15 p.m. If you have already committed to go, we ask that you bring your checkbook, a photocopy of your passport
picture page and your birth date. If you want to get some questions answered first,
please come for that! We need to make a firm commitment by December 14. Our
partnership with the Medical Benevolence Foundation will include both nonmedical and medical work. Questions about the January trip, please contact Julie
at jmcdaniel@eastminsterpres.org.
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.
Join us on Sunday, December 21, for one of the three performances of the Living Nativity, at 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., with a cast of live animals, angels, shepherds, and wisemen! This years performance will be in the courtyard (note location
change). Hot chocolate and cookies will be available.
Join us on Wednesday evening, December 17, at 5:30 p.m., in the CLC gym for
a pizza dinner, drinks and decorating pre-assembled gingerbread house kits for
$20.00 PER FAMILY. Infants through 5th grade and their siblings are welcome.
Bring a canned good for Harvest Hope (HH) or a monetary contribution for HH
with checks made out to EPC.
The church facilities will close at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, to allow the
staff to attend their Christmas party. If you have a meeting planned that evening at
the church, please reschedule or plan to meet elsewhere.
Nonprofit Org.
US POSTAGE
PAID
Columbia, SC
PERMIT No. 27
Semih Sendur, our Jubilee worship service music leader, has graduated from
school and accepted a job in Charleston, SC. December 14 will be his last Sunday
at Eastminster. Following the 11:15 a.m. worship service there will be a reception
in the CLC Game Room for Semih. Please stop by to thank him and wish him
well.
Serving on Sunday
december 14
OFFICERS PRAYER:
Deacon Jason Tompkins
DEACONS: Coke Mann & Katie Evatt
Elder Billy Newsome (Jubilee)
Deacon Jeff Burden (Jubilee)
Ushers: Steve Searcy & John McCabe
PEACE SERVICE:
Elders John Derham & Elaine Fairey
Deacons Betsy McDonald & Becky Smythe
GREETERS:
(9:00) Janet Katz
Andrew Jones
Wilson & Betsy McDonald
Jack & Marilyn Hupp
(11:15) Roy & Laura Taylor
Stephen & Holley Van Horn
Craig & Judy Stoneburner
Mark & Frances Stuckey
INFANT ROOM - CLC 115
(9:00) Joe & Julie Keenan
(11:15) Laura & Justin Self
TODDLER ROOM - CLC 117
(9:00) Staff
(11:15) Sara & David Ellison
2-K ROOM - CLC 119
(9:00) Ashley & OHara Howard
(11:15) Mollye & Zack Hudson
CHILDRENS CHURCH 102 - 3K
(9:00) Staff
(11:15) Greg & Laura Moise
CHILDRENS CHURCH 104 - 4K
(9:00) Elizabeth & George Hutton
(11:15) Bernie & Susan Kuhn
CHILDRENS CHURCH 106 - 5K
(9:00) Tommy & Heather Stallworth
(11:15) Tyler & Lesley Stone