E Update

VOLU M E 39 N U M BE R 41 | DE C E M BE R 20, 2015

EASTMINSTERPRES.ORG

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
REV. CHRIS SCOTT
Parish Associate
MR. CROSKEYS ROYALL
Director of Childrens Ministries

Dear Eastminster Family,

What will you give to Jesus this Christmas? Christmas is about
the gift of the Messiah, Jesus, becoming flesh and coming to us in
the flesh. And yet, isnt it telling that so much of our conversation
during this season is about us, our wants and desires? Think for a
few minutes about what youd like to give to God this Christmas.
Give your time by participating in a small group. Find out
about group options that fit you and your calendar by contacting
Caroline at cbennett@eastminsterpres.org. Learning to Pray will
be the focus for both small groups and sermons during February
and March. Attend a kick-off dinner Wednesday, January 13, in
Thompson Hall to learn more. Again, contact Caroline for details.
Give your energy by serving. From Footcare any Tuesday, to Bradley Elementary Lunch
Buddies, to the week-long trip to Haiti in February, find a service opportunity that fits you.
Want to rock babies, teach Sunday School, pray for other members, or help beautify the
church grounds? To learn more about all of these and more, contact Julie at
jmcdaniel@eastminsterpres.org or call 256-1654.
Give your mind by learning and sharing. Write a devotional. For well over a year, weve
all benefited from a daily devotional in our inbox each morning. Wont you please write one?
Contact Blythe at blewis@eastminsterpres.org. January class offerings are another way to grow.
Options include: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, taught by Mark Durrett; New Testament
Overview, taught by Mark Durrett and John Arnold; and Marriage Matters, taught by
Nancy and me.
Give money. Where your heart is, there your treasure is also. (Matthew 6:21) Why not
give a financial Christmas gift for Christs work? There is no better way to shape lives from
cradle to grave than through the church of Jesus Christ. Give to the Eastminster Endowment, give for flood relief, or simply make a special gift to Eastminsters ongoing mission and

ministry.
MRS. FREDNA LEE
Director of Music Ministries
MRS. ANITA POOLE
EDS Director

What will you give Jesus this Christmas? I pray that each of us, all of us even, will give our
hearts. Thank you to so many of you that have stepped up this past year. As I write each of
the above paragraphs, my heart wells with gratitude for all you who are already experiencing
the power of small groups, of serving, of learning and of giving.
See you Sunday as we sense the Saviors coming,

MR. WILLIAM L. COLLINS, JR.

Business Manager
MS. JULIE MCDANIEL
Member Involvement
Coordinator

Pledge Status Report - We Need Your Help!

(3 weeks out from Dedication Sunday for 2016)
150 Pledges With No Change
194 Pledges Increased
45 Pledges Decreased
64 New Pledges

For a total of 453 pledges totaling $2,533,553.00

164 Pledges were made for 2015, but not yet for 2016.

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Lately at EPC...Joy Gift Drop-In Fellow-

ship...Staff Christmas Lunch at Seawells...A

Homerun Dinner...EPC Choirs & Musicians Inspire...

EDS Christmas Program - 12/18 at 11:00 a.m.

THIS WEEK OF ADVENT (DECEMBER 13)

Family Gingerbread House Decorating Party December 16 - Online Reservations
CLICK HERE.
Transitions Dinner - December 17
Poinsettia Donations Due - December 18
EDS Christmas Program - December 18

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ADVENT DECEMBER 20

College Breakfast at 10:00 a.m. in CLCs
Gameroom - December 20
Lessons & Carols at 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. (Prelude music will begin 15 minutes early at each
Traditional Service 8:45 & 11:00 a.m.)
Traditional Services & JUBILEE December 20
Living Nativity - 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. December 20

CHRISTMAS EVE - DECEMBER 24

5:00 p.m. Childrens Service
(Infant Nursery - 2K)
7:00 p.m. Family Candlelight Service
(Infant Nursery - 5K)
9:00 p.m. Candlelight Communion Service

CHRISTMAS DAY - DECEMBER 25

10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
(No Childcare)
12:00 p.m. Transitions Luncheon

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 27
10:30 a.m. Worship - Sanctuary
(Regular Childcare)
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A few of our Presbyterian Women at the Joy Gift Drop-In

Memorial Gifts Supporting the Eastminster

Endowment:

Lessons & Carols Is THIS Sunday,

December 20, For All Worship Services!

(Prelude Music 15 Minutes Early - Traditional Only)

In memory of Sande Jeter, given by Susan & Franklyn

Owen III, Elden E. Walker, Dr. & Mrs. Julian Salley,
Thomas Heard III, Jean Blount, M/M Charles M. Miller,
Mitzie Trotter, Douglas & Cylvia Toy, the Stan Barnes
Family.
In memory of Patty Tuite, given by Dennis E. Daye, Dr.
& Mrs. M. Christopher Marshall, Frank & Sarah Brown.
In memory of Betty Harden, given by Frank & Sarah
Brown.
In memory of Joe Allen Wiggins, given by Kelley &
Anthony Woody.
In memory of Tom Wattenbarger, given by Ellen Schlaefer.
In honor of Kim & Billy Newsome, given by Kelley &
Anthony Woody.

SUPPORT MUSIC
MINISTRY AT EPC!

Buy a Table Blessings Cookbook

for $10, and put it under the tree.
You can buy them on Sundays at
the EPC Welcome Center, or at
the Receptionary at the Church
Business Office.

This is a great gift for youth

to give to moms & aunts.

Congregational Care & Concern

Births: Congratulations and love to
Melissa & Charlie Mimms on the birth of their
daughter, Margaret Lyerly Mimms, on
December 10, 2015.

Presenting all EPC Choirs, the EPC

Orchestra & Jubilee Band! Come To
Worship...Leave With Christmas Cheer.
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Deaths: Love and sympathy go out to

John (Kim) Leighton in the death of his grandmother.
Great grandchildren are Charles and Sanders.

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Tax Donation Notice:

Your contributions must be received in the church

by Thursday, December 31, or postmarked by
Thursday, December 31, in order to receive a tax
deduction in 2015. Stock gifts must be transferred
into the churchs account by this date, also. If you
are sending stock, please notify the treasurers office
so that you will receive the proper credit.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church

3200 Trenholm Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29204

Deadline for UPDATE:

Send your information to share with the congregation to communications@eastminsterpres.org.
Please have your information in by December
27th for the January 17th Update.

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

December Dates to Remember:

Childrens Gingerbread Houses: Dec. 16

Poinsettia Donations Due:
Dec. 18
Day School Christmas Program: Dec. 18
Lessons and Carols (Worship):
Dec. 20
College Breakfast (10 am):
Dec. 20
Living Nativity (5, 6 & 7 pm):
Dec. 20
Family Promise Starts:
Dec. 20 (NEW)
Christmas Eve (5, 7 & 9 pm):
Dec. 24
Christmas Day (10:30 am):
Dec. 25
Christmas Challenge Cards due Dec. 25
Lunch at Transitions (12:00 p.m.) Dec. 25
Sunday after Christmas (10:30 am) Dec. 27

Update for December 20, 2015

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