EastminstEr UpdatEEastminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina

Volume 39 Number 23 August 9, 2015803-256-1654 / www.eastminsterpres.org

Dear Eastminster Family,

The schedule bending and travel taking of summer provide a nice reprieve from the cycle of the school year. I hope you have taken the time to pause or to play, to go or to simply be. Were just back from two wonderful weeks away and even this week its been nice to see a calendar free of evening meetings. What gifts.

As enjoyable as the coming and going of summer has been, Im also look-ing forward to the return to the rhythm and routine that I know bring growth. I look forward to teaching the next class of officers, gathering again with my small group, reading the daily devotionals you all write, meeting the men and women of our next First Steps class, and taking the next steps toward Vision 2020. Perhaps you, like me, are ready for the new beginning fall brings?

God yearns to be in communion with us. Each of us. And one of the neat things about God is that he sometimes uses the body of believers with whom we gather on Sundays to nudge us. And one way the church nudges us to turn and embrace the very Lord who embraces us is by encouraging us to step back into the rhythm and routine of life with God through worship and service and study.

So, let me ask, how is God nudging you these days? Is it to return to worship? To participate in a small group? To step out and serve with your hands? To write a devotional? To find a Sunday School class or to participate in Prayer Matters? God is calling you. Even through the information and opportunities listed in this edition of the Update, our Lord is offering an outstretched hand saying, come unto me..

In joy,

STAFFDr. Bradley D. Smith

Pastor

Dr. Mark E. DurrettAssociate Pastor

Rev. Lynn A. GrandsireAssociate Pastor

Dr. James I. St. JohnParish Associate

Mr. Croskeys RoyallDirector of Childrens Ministries

Mrs. Fredna LeeDirector of Music Ministries

Mrs. Elizabeth BowerEDS Director

Mr. William L. Collins, Jr.Business Manager

Ms. Julie McDanielMember Involvement Coordinator

SERMonSunday, auguSt 9

10:00 a.m. Jubilee10:15 a.m. - Sanctuary

Collegiate Sunday

We are the Body

SHARING HIS LIGHT1 COR. 12

Promotion Sunday August 16August 16 we will return to our regular schedule with ser-

vices in the Sanctuary at 9:00 am and 11:15 am. The Jubilee service will begin at 11:15 am with all Sunday school classes meeting at 10:00 am. Children entering 3K pre-school through youth entering 12th grade will move to their new grade level for the school year.

Steve and Kathi Amar to lead Sunday School August 16!

Join us in the adult reception hall at 10 am on August 16 as Steve and Kathi Amar tell us of their ministry to American Muslims. Kathi and Steve are members of Christar (www.christar.org), an inter-denominational faith mission. During Steves Seminary training at Columbia International Univer-sity, he and Kathi attended Eastminster Presbyterian Church and thoroughly enjoyed its ministries. The Amars have been ministering to the Iranian population in the Washington, DC, area (which is believed to number as high as 250,000), since 2001.

Regular Sunday School returns August 23All adult Sunday school classes meet from 10 to 11 am on

Sundays, August 23, 2015 through May 22, 2016. Signing up in advance isnt necessary, just come! There is always room for more. Information on specific classes is available on the church website, or on information cards distributed through the church.

Fireside Class CE Building room 353Frank Harden ClassCE Building, room 350GIFT ClassCE Building, room 356HoPE ClassCLC rooms 269-271Ichthus/DisciplesCE Building, room 355JoY ClassCE Building, room 357Parenting TeensCLC, rooms 273-275Solid RockCE Building, room 358Spiritual DiscoveriesCE Building, room 351Ted Haigler CE Building, room 352

Brad Sherrills ApostleApostle is Brad Sherrills riveting new performance

based on Pauls epic journey found in Acts along with many of Pauls most inspirational letters. Apostle is also presented with a beautiful new multimedia design featuring original videography captured in 2015 by Brads team at various Paul sites throughout Turkey and Greece. Join us September 27-28.

Collegiate Sunday August 9Hear how God is present and active on college campuses.

This Sunday, August 9, recent college graduates and rising seniors will share God sightings from their collegiate experi-ences in both the Sanctuary and Jubilee worship services. All college students are invited to a reception at 11:00 am in the CLC 3rd floor.

Peace Service August 9, 5:00 P.M.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. If you need childcare, please contact Croskeys (croyall@eastminsterpres.org).

Cornerstone Meets August 9 Cornerstone continues to meet during the summer on August 9. All Sr. Highs are invited to attend.

Gym Closure - August 3-16The Christian Life Center (CLC) gym and game room will

be closed Monday, August 3rd through Sunday, August 16th for scheduled maintenance on the basketball floor. Also, the walking track and exercise room will be closed Monday, Au-gust 10th through Sunday, August 16th during the paint and finish applications of the maintenance process.

Drop-in Closed August 11-13The Drop-in nursery will be closed Tuesday-Thursday,

August 11-13, while the gym floors are being refinished.

Welcome Morgan MayPlease take a moment to welcome Morgan May, our new

Jubilee Worship Leader. Morgan is a student at USC ma-joring in English with a minor in Music and Vocal Per-formance. She has been working with the Jubilee band for several weeks and began her responsibilities as worship leader last Sunday.

Youth Basketball RegistrationRegistration for Eastminster Youth Basketball will begin

August 15. If you have any questions, contact Bill Ketchin at the church office (803-256-1654) or by email (bketchin@eastminsterpres.org).

EPC Lost & FoundMissing a pair of glasses? Umbrella? Jacket?Contact Shelli Knapp at the church office (sknapp@east-

minstepres.org) to claim your lost and found item.

TRANSITIONSEPC will prepare and serve dinner for the 200 residents at

Transitions Homeless Recovery Center on Thursday, August 20. Children as young as 10 are allowed to serve with their family. Make Transitions a family goal for the summer! Each month we prepare pasta salad (recipe provided), homemade pound cakes and bananas. our servers meet at the church at 4:30 p.m. and return by 6:30 p.m. Please contact Laura Long at laurapricelong@att.net to help. Thank you!

New Confirmation Class BeginsEPC has twenty-three 9th grade students that will begin

a year long journey of confirmation on August 23. Please pray for these students as they learn about God, the church, serving, and what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ! Throughout the year students will spend two weekends away learning and sharing. They will serve together on various mission projects and will spend much time in small groups learning, laughing, and praying! The class will be confirmed in April 2016.

Small Groups Restarting in AugustAre you currently a member of a Small Group? or would

you be interested in joining a new Small Group? Small Groups will kick off with a Celebration Dinner on Wednes-day, August 26, 5:15-6:45 pm. This will be the perfect time for existing Small Groups to reconvene, new Small Groups to meet new members and recruit, and others to ask questions and sign up. If you are interested in facilitating or joining a nEW Small Group this Fall, contact Small Groups Coordi-nator Caroline Bennett at cbennett@eastminsterpres.org. To RSVP for the Celebration Dinner, call at 256-1654 or go to www.eastminsterpres.org. Regular meal pricing applies.

Red Cross Blood DriveEastminster will be sponsoring a

blood drive on Sunday August 30th in the Christian Life Center gym. The Red Cross will be set up from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm to take your donation. Please come, donate and help up to four people with your donation. August is usually a critical time when donations are down due to vacations and the summer period.

Youth Kick-off Celebrations, Sunday, August 30, 5:00-6:30 p.m.

High School youth will be at the home of Emma Barr, 4809 Clemson Avenue. Remember to bring $5 for dinner. Middle School youth - Place to be announced later.

Join a musical group and praise the Lord! All ages are welcome.

The Adult Choirs, Celebration and Chancel, sing for tradi-tional worship services. Jubilee Band leads worship at 11:15 in Thompson Hall.

Angel (K5 & 1st grade) and Junior (grades 2-5) sing once a month at worship. Rehearsals for these groups are on Wednesdays beginning Sept. 2.

Memorial Handbells welcome high school students and beyond who read music. Rehearsals are on Tuesdays at 6:00 beginning September 1.

Family Promise Returns September 6-13Family Promise is a ministry that serves homeless families

in our community. our next opportunity to host them is the week of September 6-13. Yes, we will be hosting families on the Labor Day holiday! There are many volunteer opportu-nities, and all are family-friendly! Please contact Elizabeth Barber (ebarber77@gmail.com) or Lucy Corley (lcorley2@sc.rr.com) for any questions or sign up on the EPC website.

Memorial Gifts Supporting the Eastminster Endowment

In memory of Julian J. Nexsen, given by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, Mrs. C.H. Butler, Jr., Frank & Sarah Brown.

In memory of William W. Ketchin, Jr., given by Pine Grove Baptist Church no. 1, Susan C. Parker, Emily Derrick, Dr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Hearon III, the staff at Eastminster.

In memory of Wade Hampton Oliver, given by Rachelle & Don Tomlin, Betsy Rexroad, Dennis & Laura Rexroad, Larry & Debbie Mann, McDowell-Pearman, LLC, oliver & Mary Counts, Austin Starowicz, Frank & Sarah Brown, Dr. & Mrs. Jack Smith, Sally & Jim Kitchens, Kregg & Lisa Corley, Griffin Marketing Group, Inc., the family of Wane oneal.

In honor of Bob Davidson, given by Karen & Johnny Hudgens.

In memory of Dominick Tringali, given by Frank & Sarah Brown.

In memory of Sarah Belser Eggleston, given by Bartow & Betty Gilbert. Memorial Gifts Supporting the Missy Boyd EDS Scholarship FundIn memory of Missy Boyd, given by Drs. Bud & Sally Klein.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church3200 Trenholm RoadColumbia, South Carolina 29204

Update for August 9, 2015

nonprofit org.US PoSTAGE

PAIDColumbia, SC

PERMIT no. 27

Deadline for UPDATEDont miss out! Send your information to share with the congregation to communications@eastminsterpres.org.Please have your information in by august 16th for the September 6th update.

Key Card Access ChangesThe Key Card (FoB) Access System for the church has

been enhanced for the Christian Education Building to assist with the addition of the Afterschool Program, which will begin August 17th. An additional reader is being installed in the elevator. An individual will use the reader once inside the elevator to go to the floor desired (much like hotels use for premium floors). This enhancement will improve the safety for the church and will become active on August 3rd. This feature will only be used during the week when the EDS and Afterschool Program are in session.

Library Packed With New Books!Have you visited our Library lately? We have new selec-

tions in every category, from children to youth, from Chris-tian fiction novels to the newest non-fiction writings by well-known authors. Many of the new releases are displayed on top of bookshelves for easy viewing. Take a look at some of our newest titles:

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk KiddChasing Sunsets by Karen KingsburyThe Third Target by Joel RosenbergThe Case for Grace by Lee StrobelWhat to Do When You Dont Know What to Do by Dr. David JeremiahHosea by Jennifer Rothschild

Prayer ConcernsDeathsCongregational love and sympathy are extended to:

Mundi & Michael George on the death of her father, Kenneth Howard Long, Jr., July 16.

Sue Corky Harper on the death of her mother, Wilma Maddox Erwin, July 22.

Bob & Lucie Eggleston on the death of his mother, Sarah Belser Eggleston, July 15.

Eleanor & Gill Ellison on the death of her mother, Sarah Belser Eggleston, July 15

BirthsCongratulations and love to:

Bill & Nancy Theus on the birth of their grandson, Wil-liam Harrison Colpini, born July 25.

Ben & Miriam Covar on the birth of their daughter, Louise Herring Covar, born July 27

Mollye & Zack Hudson on the birth of their son, Henry Harris Hudson, born July 10. Sister Sara Whitley Hudson.

Mary Bett & John Thorne on the birth of their grand-son, Drayton Landrum Henderson, Jr., born July 13.

Betty & Don Barton on the birth of their great-grandson, Drayton Landrum Henderson, Jr., born July 13.

Amber & Ryan Barnes on the birth of their daughter, Emily Giles Barnes, born July 16.

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.