SEPTEMBER 2017 VOLUME 18, NUMBER 9

THE WITTENBERG

1. PARISH COUNCIL & COMMITTEES

2. SERVING THIS MONTH

3. PARISH EVENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS

3. WITHIN THE WITTENBERG FAMILY

4. COUNCIL MINUTES

6. CHURCH CALENDAR

ELCA VISION:

Claimed by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we are a new creation through God’s living word by the power of the Holy Spirit; Gathered by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we will live among God’s faithful people, hear God’s word and share Christ’s supper; Sent by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we will proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, serve all people following the example of our Lord Jesus, and strive for jus-tice and peace in all the world.

233 N. Lee St. + P.O. Box 3447 + Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070 803-532-4636 + wittenberg@sc.twcbc.com

www.wittenbergleesville.org

GATHERED IN BAPTISM FED BY WORSHIP SENT OUT AS SERVANTS

The kids are back in school, the days are beginning to shorten, the heat of the summer is beginning to pass, and hurricane warnings are anticipat-ed... so, it must be September in South Carolina! But for the people of Wittenberg Lutheran Church, Sep-tember will bring about a significant change. Pastor Emily Edenfield will begin her pastoral ministry on Mon-day, September 18, 2017. On that Monday The “Coffee and Conversa-tion” gathering will be one of her first tasks. We should have a great at-tendance that day! If you normally do not attend, you are invited to come and meet your new pastor. Sunday, September 24, 2017, will be Pastor Emily’s first Sunday with the people of Wittenberg. I encourage all to attend that day and bring an-other person with you to give a grand welcome to your new pastor. I have enjoyed and appreciated the time I have been able to serve as your interim pastor. Thank you all! As I bid you farewell I am reminded of the concluding prayer from Jude

24-25. I make his words my pray for you all; “Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” God’s peace, PGB

PASTOR’S REFLECTION

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A SINCERE THANK YOU….

Pastor Gary Brandenburg’s last day with us will be Sunday, September 17. Thank you, Pastor, for: Leading our worship services, Leading Monday morning’s Coffee and

Conversation, Visiting our sick and shut-ins, Attending and being a part of our

meetings, Listening to our many concerns, And everything else, mostly unknown!

Pastor Brandenburg has certainly made an im-pression on us. We remember his sermons… Can we ever see an empty toilet tissue roll without remembering that sermon about what really matters? Can we ever eat a peanut with-out thinking of the visible and invisible never-to-be-seen-again miracles of God?

Thanks, Pastor B., for being our interim pastor and being with us as we worked and waited for God to lead us to the calling of our next pastor. We appreciate your being a part of Wittenberg Lutheran Church! Visit us any-time!

Mary Ann Shealy, Council President

PARRISH LIFE TRIP TO:

GRAND-DAD’S APPLE ORCHARD FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH

We will leave the church at 9:00 am, travel to the orchard in Henderson-

ville, NC; enjoy the orchard and their activities, have lunch in the area, then

travel back to the church. Sign up sheets are in gathering areas and the

narthex. Please contact Dean Rodgers with questions: 803-413-0924.

SERVING THIS MONTH 2

S U N D A Y , S E P T E MB E R 0 3 : Greeters .............................. Robert & Wendy Epting Altar Guild................. Connie Kramer, JoAnn Wells, Doris Antley, Diane Spradley Sunday School Nursery .......... Dawn Bedenbaugh Children’s Church......................... Josie & Don Price Nursery ................................... Toshia & Freida Banks Worship Assistant ................................ Robert Epting OSJ Advisor .......................................... Nevin Rodgers Acolyte ......................................................... Kate Shealy Almsbearer ........................................... Mason McInnis Crucifer ................................................ Brayden Patrick Ushers................... Rondoll Watson, Dean Rodgers Tellers ............. Margaret Caughman, Allie Crowley Next Week ......................... Larry Dasher, Cher Davis Altar Flowers ..... In Honor of Jerry & Tissy Price’s; 52nd Wedding Anniversary BBW .......................................... Mike & Sally Sherman Sunday School Opening ..................... Brent Shealy S U N D A Y , S E P T E MB E R 1 0 : Greeters .............................. Robert & Wendy Epting Altar Guild................. Connie Kramer, JoAnn Wells, Doris Antley, Diane Spradley Sunday School Nursery ......................... Julia Shealy Children’s Church......... Ashley & Tripp Bouknight Nursery ............................................... Rebecca Dasher Lay Reader ............................................... Kayce Shealy OSJ Advisor .......................................... Nevin Rodgers Acolyte .................................................... Susanna Reed Almsbearer .................................................. Sarah Reed Crucifer ................................................... Matthew Reed Ushers................... Rondoll Watson, Dean Rodgers Tellers .................................. Larry Dasher, Cher Davis Next Week .................. Gregory Dority, Jay Hendrix Altar Flowers ....... In Memory of Eugene & Bertha Long; By: Gerald & Letha Long BBW ............................................................ Allie Crowley Sunday School Opening ..................... Brent Shealy

S U N D A Y , S E P T E MB E R 1 7 : Greeters .............................. Robert & Wendy Epting Altar Guild ................ Connie Kramer, JoAnn Wells, Doris Antley, Diane Spradley Sunday School Nursery ................. Rebecca Dasher Children’s Church ................. Chancie & Todd Frick Nursery ........................................... Liz & Theo Walker Lay Reader ............................................... Kayce Shealy OSJ Advisor ..........................................Nevin Rodgers Acolyte ......................................................... Smith Kirby Almsbearer .................................................Pierce Kirby Crucifer ................................................. Reynolds Rawls Ushers ................... Rondoll Watson, Dean Rodgers Tellers ........................... Gregory Dority, Jay Hendrix Next Week ...................... Crissie Kirby, Ann Nichols Altar Flowers ........ In Honor of our Grandparents; By: Nevin Rodgers & Aubrey Rodgers BBW ........................................................ Debbie Sawyer Sunday School Opening ...................... Brent Shealy S U N D A Y , S E P T E MB E R 2 4 : Greeters .............................. Robert & Wendy Epting Altar Guild ................ Connie Kramer, JoAnn Wells, Doris Antley, Diane Spradley Sunday School Nursery ....... Rhonda Bedenbaugh Children’s Church ........ Betsy Dority, Kayce Shealy Nursery .................... Rhonda & Dawn Bedenbaugh Lay Reader ............................................... Kayce Shealy OSJ Advisor ..........................................Nevin Rodgers Acolyte ............................................................ Trip Smith Almsbearer ............................................ Maddie Smith Crucifer ........................................................ Reece Rawls Ushers ................... Rondoll Watson, Dean Rodgers Tellers ............................... Crissie Kirby, Ann Nichols Next Week ................... Dean Rodgers, Julia Shealy Altar Flowers ................ In Memory of Janie Rikard; By: Her Grandchildren BBW .......................................... Last Sunday Breakfast Sunday School Opening ...................... Brent Shealy

FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS: Can you spare just a few hours a month to volunteer for the Food Pantry?

Friday & Saturday mornings from 9am-12n. Please sign up on the form in the kitchen.

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PARISH EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLESSING OF THE QUILTS: Sunday, September 10, Pastor Bran-denburg will bless the quilts handmade by Dorcas’ Quilters.

COME SING WITH US!! *Seasonal Opportunities*

The adult choir is looking for voices to join us as we take part in worship on Sunday mornings. If you have ever sung in a choral group, school chorus, or just sing along with the radio we would like you to consider joining with the choir! Music reading ability is not necessary.

The choir rehearses only one hour a week on Weds. nights at 7:30pm and sings on Sunday mornings at the 11:00 service. We realize that it can be a big commitment for a year-round choir, so we are now offering seasonal attend-ance opportunities.

The choir year has three seasons: Fall/Winter, which includes Reformation, Homecoming, Chris the King, Advent, and Christmas. Winter/Spring includes seasons of Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. During the Summer season the choir gets a break from regular re-hearsals and we sing fewer choral piec-es and do more familiar traditional mu-sic from our hymn resources.

Choir Seasons this year... Fall/Winter: Sept. 6-Dec24 Winter/Spring: Jan. 10-May 27 Summer: May 30-Sept. 5

Please consider joining us for a season or two. To join, just show up to a re-hearsal. Too easy! If you have any questions, please contact Rachel or Randy. We look forward to hearing from you!

HANDBELL RINGERS

Calling all Handbell ringers! We are looking for 8-10 folks who are interest-ed in ringing in the handbell choir. We will be preparing music for the Christ-mas Eve service. Handbell ringing takes a commitment to rehearse in order to make progress as a group; if someone isn’t there, then their bells are silent. We would like to have a couple

of rehearsals a month beginning in Sept. and rehearsals would probably increase during Dec. We are looking at Sunday afternoons for handbell choir rehearsals; time and dates to be determined.

Handbells are a beautiful addition to a special worship service and are incredi-bly fun to ring! It is not necessary to be able to read music, although it helps. Basically, if you can count to 4, you can learn to ring the bells. We always review basic bell ringing techniques, so no ex-perience needed.

We need to know has many are interest-ed VERY soon; hopefully by early or mid Sept. at the very latest. Please let Randy or Rachel know right away if you are interested.

Sincere Appreciation

Dear Wittenberg Members, Brent and I want you to know how much we appreci-ate the concern and support you have so freely shared with us during this cancer journey. Thank you for all the cards, phone calls, food, flowers, and most of all your prayers for strength and healing. We feel truly blessed to be a part of such a caring church. Sincerely, Julia Shealy

Thank You!

Thank you all so much for the calls, cards, and prayers during

my recovery from surgery. Everything went well and I am

doing great!

Sincerely, Tami H. Spencer Parish Administrator

LUNCHEON: You’re Invited to attend a luncheon in honor of Pastor Emily’s arri-val. This luncheon will be held after the 11:00 service on Sunday, September 24. The meat will be provided by the young adult Sunday School class. Please bring a side dish. WELCA CIRCLE MEETINGS: Morning Circle: 9/05 Leader: Helen Dasher Circle IV: 9/11 Leader: Mary Ann Shealy Hostess: Susan Shealy Where: Church Circle L: 9/11 Leader: Sue Ruff Hostess: Doris Antley Hannah Circle: N/A SOUP KITCHEN: The soup kitchen will be serving on Saturday, September 23, 10:30am - 12n. Please contact Jennifer Spradley or Jennifer Patrick with any questions, donations, or volunteer times. LUTHERAN MEN: Will have their regular meeting on Mon-day, September 25 at 7:30pm in the church fellowship hall. DORCAS’ QUILTERS: Dorcas’ quilters meet the 3rd Weds. of each month on the 3rd floor of the educational building. Join us at 10am to help make quilts for Luther-an World Relief. NOISY OFFERING: Thank you all who donated to our Noisy Offering! I know our children all enjoyed collecting change and using the “noise” to celebrate Jesus during church. Our next Noisy Offering will take place on August 20. Please remember to bring your change (or dollars) that day. All money donated will go to the food pantry. YOUTH: The youth meet every other Sunday afternoon. REHEARSALS: Band/Choir rehearsals will resume their normal schedule on September 06. COFFEE & CONVERSATION: Adult bible study group meets on Monday mornings at 9am in the fellowship hall, but will not meet on Monday, September 04.

Jerry & Tissy Price.......................... 9/03 WC & Paula Miller ......................... 9/07 John & Merlyn Watkins ................. 9/25 Billy & Lynne Rauton ..................... 9/26 Tracy & Dawn Bedenbaugh .......... 9/29

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Mary Shealy, Ray Smith, Barbara

Nivens, Jaycob Banks, Tissy Price,

F.H. Hendrix III, Ricky Leaphart, Jon

& Merlyn Watkins, Julia Shealy, Sue

Nichols, Pat Ayers, Brenda Howard,

Susan Shealy, Hazel Cooper, Sybil

Ergle, Brent Shealy, Otho Shealy,

Jennifer Mcinnis & Family, Jackie

Frick, Family of Paul Wilford

Swygert (Father of Chris Swygert),

Sheryl Price, Jeff Long, Ed Hoover

Brad Cary (brother of Ross &

Fowler Cary), Harold Stone (brother

of Sue Nichols), Samantha Ingram,

Bud & Louise Foster (food pantry

volunteers), Elizabeth McKendree

Caughman (granddaughter of Gin-

ger & Bill Caughman), David Curtis,

Family of Kate Ramlow (Connie’s

Mom), Nancy Buzhardt (friend of

Barbie Rodgers), Tami Spencer (our

Parish Administrator), Gary Barnes

(father of William Barnes), Randy

Trotter (friend of Robert Epting)

Prayer List Policy Wittenberg Lutheran Church posts prayer

requests in the weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter. Prayer requests on behalf of the families of deceased individuals appear in

publications for six months. All other prayer requests appear in publications for two months unless a longer duration is requested by the

person(s) who made the original prayer request.

NEWS & NOTES

Preschool is in full swing as summer winds down! Our stu-dents have started learning about the creation of the world and Adam and Eve. We wel-comed two new staff members, Autumn Bedenbaugh and Joy Burge. We are so excited to have them as part of the Wit-tenberg Preschool family. We have 12 new children that have joined us this month that we are grateful for the opportuni-ty to minister to these families and love on them. Fall is quickly approach-ing and the weather has cer-tainly felt like it rather than summer. Fall is a change of seasons and a season of change as our children move up one more grade. With the leaves falling, cool weather, and high school football we are reminded that things never stay the same. In this world there is on-ly one thing we can always count on to stay the same, and that is God’s love, grace, and mercy for us. I am so thankful in this season of change that this one important thing remains the same. For the Children, Lacye Oswalt Preschool Director

Jay Hendrix ................................ 9/02

Ginger Caughman ..................... 9/03

Dwight Price .............................. 9/04

Rondoll Watson ........................ 9/05

William Black ............................ 9/06

Lu Bickley .................................. 9/08

Hope Cook ................................ 9/08

Betsy McEwen .......................... 9/08

Chris Miller ................................ 9/08

Helen Cook ................................ 9/09

Ashley Bouknight ...................... 9/10

Jim Shealy ................................. 9/10

Jerry Shealy ............................... 9/11

Torry Dickey .............................. 9/13

Melissa Halsey .......................... 9/14

Susie Hendrix ............................ 9/14

Jan Long .................................... 9/14

Scott Hunter .............................. 9/17

Gregg Long ................................ 9/17

Ricky Leaphart .......................... 9/19

Morgan Summers ..................... 9/19

Meggie McDonald .................... 9/21

Courtney McInnis ..................... 9/22

Boddie Rhinehart ...................... 9/22

Russell Rhinehart ...................... 9/23

Rebecca Dasher ........................ 9/24

Tom Sawyer .............................. 9/24

Ian Ruff ...................................... 9/25

Mary Ann Shealy ....................... 9/27

Debbie Reynolds ....................... 9/28

Nelle Rhinehart ......................... 9/29

Tate Feaster .............................. 9/30

WITTENBERG LUTHERAN CHURCH + COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES + JULY 09, 2017 Members present Larry Dasher, Cher Davis, Gregory Dority, Ann Nichols, Dean Rodgers, Julia Shealy, Allie Crowley, Crissie Kirby, and Chip Spradley. Also present Brent Shealy. Absent were Pastor Gary Brandenburg, MaryAnn Shealy, Jay Hendrix, and Connie Kramer. Call to Order: Cher called the meeting to order at 7 pm in MaryAnn’s absence. Dean Rodgers provided the devotion. Approval of Minutes: June minutes were corrected and approved. Treasurer’s Report: Deposited all of the Endowment offerings into the Edward Jones account. There was $2300 remaining from the Pew Kneeler donation and the donor has been informed and asked what they would like to do with this overage. Food Pantry ac-count has $2,152.70 in it and the Soup Kitchen account has $2.414.97. Financial Secretary’s Report: Received and approved. Pastor’s Report: This was a busy month with VBS and attending to the pastoral needs of the congregation. He asked that God bless all who participated in VBS. Rev. Eric Wolf with be our pulpit guest on Sunday, July 16th and Rev. Carroll Robinson will be our pulpit guest on Sunday, July 23rd. Coffee and Conversation will resume on Monday July 24th. . President’s Report: A Synod Communicator needs to be selected from Wittenberg. After discussion it was decided that we need clarification on what this is and then decide who will need to do it and if they have to be a council member. Committee Reports: A/V & Technology: Chris Smith has been doing youtube streaming of our church services and by 7 pm we already had 31 views. A streaming licensing has been obtained. Christian Education: Bible school went well with over 40 children attending. Rally day for 2017-2018 Sunday school year will be August 27th. Evangelism: Are currently working on the idea of small gifts for first time church attendees. Mutual Ministry: Met 15 June had a discussion on new pastor and would like to initiate email communication with her. They are scheduling a meet and greet with her and the congregation on July 29th. They will hold a special meeting to set this up. Preschool: Are in the process of looking for an assistant director and are interviewing for a teacher for the 4 year old class. They will be contributing $2000 to the church this month. They are considering forming a committee to determine the feasibility to start plan-ning for a preschool building. Property: The youth assisted with painting on June 11th of painting three red doors on the educational building, the office entrance and the two doors on the rear of the basement. They met June 17th for a work day at the parsonage. They would like to thank John Leaphart, Ervin Caughman, Todd Davis, Jeff Long, and Gregory Dority for all of their hard work. Tami and Jay met with Jan-Pro rep on June 19th. He took pictures of several problem areas and agreed that we weren’t getting a top notch product. He has concerns about whether the “franchisee” is capable of such a large project. They are still working under the 2014-2015 contract which might mean an increase in cost. Perhaps it is time to look for a different cleaning service. There has been discussion among property committee members regarding the thermostats within the building. On numerous occa-sions Ervin has found the thermostats set around 72 when the building is unoccupied. They would like to set a 4 digit code in the thermostats for limited access. Based off the May financials we are at 41.6% of the utilities budget and 41.6% of the year. Training is needed for how to adjust the building thermostats for the preschool staff – Cher will discuss with Jay. Social Ministry: Good attendance at the Flight Deck dinner. The next outing is July 15th to the Abbeville Opera House and maybe a meal at Yoder’s which would have to happen before the play. Stewardship and Finance: The Budget Process is about to start and they need input from each committee. They will also be working on 20/20 talk. They are working on a project for children in Sunday school call “Spend, Save, and Share” Youth Ministry: Met today and on July 22-23 going to the Fire Department campground on the lake and will attend Sunday services at Macedonia Lutheran Church. On August 3-5 the will be going river rafting on the Nantahala river. They would like permission to sell Krispy Kreme doughnut card to raise money for next year’s youth trip to be determined. Approved. On the 14th of October they like permission selling grilled chicken plates between 12 and 2. Approved The following committees did not have reports: Worship and Music, Strategic Planning, Endowment, Cemetery There being no further business the meeting was closed with the praying of the Lord’s Prayer and adjourned. Respectfully submitted by Margaret Caughman Council Secretary

Layout revised by Parish Administrator to fit into the newsletter… these are the full minutes as

published by the Council Secretary.

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1. 9am - 12n - Food Pantry

2. 9am - 12n - Food Pantry

3.

*COMMUNION* 6:00pm - Youth

4. Office Closed No Coffee & Conversation

5. Morning Circle

6. 6:30pm - Band Rehearsal 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal

7. 8. 9am - 12n - Food Pantry

9. 9am - 12n - Food Pantry

10. 11:00am - Quilt Blessing 6:00pm - Preschool Cmt. Mtg. 6:00pm - Exec. Cmt. 7:00pm - Council Mtg.

11. 9:00am - Coffee & Conversation Circle IV Circle L

12.

13. 6:30pm - Band Rehearsal 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal

14. 15. 9am - 12n - Food Pantry

16. 9am - 12n - Food Pantry

17. 11:00am - Noisy Offering 6:00pm - Youth

18. *Pastor Emily’s first

Day in the office* 9:00am - Coffee & Conversation

19.

20. 10:00am - Dorcas’ Quilters 6:30pm - Band Rehearsal 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal Newsletter Deadline

21.

22. 9am - 12n - Food Pantry

23. 9am - 12n - Food Pantry 10:30am-12n - Soup Kitchen

24. 10:10am - Last Sunday Breakfast

**LUNCHEON** Honoring Pastor

Emily

25. 9:00am - Coffee & Conversation 7:30pm - Lutheran Men in Mission

26. 27. 6:30pm - Band Rehearsal 7:30pm - Choir Rehearsal

28.

29. 9am - 12n - Food Pantry

30. 9am - 12n - Food Pantry

Holy Communion Service - 8:30 a.m. + Sunday School - 9:30 a.m. + Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice.

~Psalm 96:12 KJV~

Wittenberg Lutheran Church P.O. Box 3447 Leesville, SC 29070