E Update

VOLU M E 4 0 N U M BE R 2 | JA N UA RY 10, 2016

EASTMINSTERPRES.ORG

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
REV. CHRIS SCOTT
Parish Associate
MR. CROSKEYS ROYALL
Director of Childrens Ministries
MRS. FREDNA LEE
Director of Music Ministries
MRS. ANITA POOLE
EDS Director
MR. WILLIAM L. COLLINS, JR.
Business Manager
MS. JULIE MCDANIEL
Member Involvement
Coordinator

New Beginnings. Interested in an overview of the New

Testament? Curious to learn how Islam differs from
Christianity? Want to zero in on particular books of the
Bible? Desiring to make the most of your marriage, or
thinking about the legacy you will leave? Seminars on all
these topics will be offered at Eastminster in the coming
months. Look inside for start dates, duration, and steps
to sign up.
Eastminster Prayer Journey:
Over the past year as our Small Groups have lifted off
the ground, we have heard time and again how relationships have been strengthened
through conversations among members. They talk with one another about their daily
studies and struggles. However, when it comes to sharing in prayertalking openly to
God-- the conversation seems to stop. Honest sentiments like, I dont feel comfortable praying out loud, or I dont know how to pray, or I wish I knew the right way
to pray, have been confessed by many. And they are not alone. When it comes to
prayer, we all have questions, inhibitions and stumbling blocksno matter the depth
of our faith. Even Jesus disciples asked, Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1). More
than anything, God wants a relationship with us, and the best way to deepen our relationship with Him and know Him intimately is through prayer. (From EPCs Lord
Teach Us to Pray Resource Booklet)
Beginning with a Wednesday, January 13, Kick-Off Celebration Dinner, through
small group studies, Sunday sermons, and a specially developed Prayer Resource
Booklet, the Eastminster family will explore and experience prayer more deeply this
coming Lenten Season.
Join us for dinner January 13, sign up for a small group, write a devotional, and make
Sunday worship a priority. For more information, or to sign up for dinner, a small
group, or a devotional, contact Caroline Bennett at cbennett@eastminsterpres.org or
call 256-1654.
In joy,

Pledge Status Report - We Need Your Help!

(6 weeks out from Dedication Sunday for 2016)
165 Pledges With No Change
208 Pledges Increased
48 Pledges Decreased
75 New Pledges

Recently at EPC...Youth
Perform Random Acts of Kindness for a Day...
Then Get LOCKED-OUT Anyway...
Fredna Leads Music Ministry...
Cheerful Volunteers...
Sound Checks No One Hears...

LORD TEACH US TO PRAY

LUKE 11:1

YOU ARE INVITED...

TO DRAW NEARER TO GOD
THROUGH PRAYER

SMALL GROUPS
KICK-OFF DINNER
FOCUSING ON CHURCH-WIDE
LENTEN STUDY: PRAYER
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13
5:15 PM BUFFET LINE OPENS,
6-7 PM PROGRAM
THOMPSON FELLOWSHIP HALL
For 8 weeks, EPC will dive into a churchwide study of Prayer. All Small Groups will
be joining in this study, January - March.
If you are currently in a Small Group, or
interested in joining one, this event is for
you! Come see what Small Groups and our
church-wide study are all about.
Cost: Only $6*
RSVP: Anna Bower, 256-1654, or
abower@eastminsterpres.org
*childcare and pizza dinner for children available: $3/child
Questions about Small Groups:
Caroline Bennett,
cbennett@eastminsterpres.org or 238-6052
MENU:
Winter Root Vegetable Soup with Ham, OR
Broccoli Cheddar Soup
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Caesar Salad
Crusty Bread
Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Glaze

A Few Additional Reminders:

MEMORIAL GIFTS 2015 (CONT)

Memorial Gifts Supporting the
Eastminster Endowment:
In memory of Patty Tuite, given by West, Jr., & Freda
Summers.
In memory of Roy Strasburger, given by Carol & Ted
Hoefer.
In memory of Jon Hugh Ryall, Jr., given by
Beth Chaplin.
In memory of Sande Jeter, given by
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Foster.
In honor of Lynn Grandsire, given by Mary McCants.
In honor of May, Luke & Alec Chaplin, given by
J. Dennis & Shelagh North-Coombes.
Memorial Gifts Supporting the General Fund:
In honor of Mick & Susan Zais, given by Michael,
Ashley, Culhane & Fincher Harper.
In honor of Lynn Grandsire, given by Peggy Spann.
In honor of Louise Herring Covar, given by
Joni & Drew Richardson.
Memorial Gifts Supporting the Flower Guild:
In honor of Bill Coggins, given by Susan Coggins.
In honor of the EPC Choir & the Music Ministry
Leaders, given by Susan Coggins.
In honor of David & Dalton Massey, given by
Denice R. Rowell.
In honor of Summer & Riley Tompkins, given by
Denice R. Rowell.
Memorial Gifts Supporting the Missy Boyd EDS
Scholarship Fund:
In memory of Missy Boyd, given by Mary Gaynor.
Memorial Gifts Supporting the Local Missions
Fund:
In memory of Tom Wattenbarger, given by
Lynn W. Cromer.
Memorial Gifts Supporting the Joy Gift:
In memory of Wade Hampton Oliver, given by Mr. &
Mrs. George Dean McDaniel.

Congregational Care & Concern

Circles 1 & 3 BOTH meet on Monday,

January 11, at 10:00 a.m., at respective
locations. (See above.) Forgive the previous misprint
regarding Circle 1s meeting time.

Deaths: Love and sympathy go out to Elizabeth (George)

Hutton in the death of her father, Henry Spann Lafitte on
December 31.
Hospitals:
Will Black, son of Elizabeth & Ed Black Home
Jim Crosby - Home

February 17: Marriage Matters, a returning favorite for couples, will be led by Nancy
& Dr. Brad Smith in Room E-351.

January 27: Legacies & Gifts will be led

by Rev. Lynn Grandsire in Room E-259.

January 20: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus

will be taught at both *11 a.m. & 6:15 p.m.,
and will be led by Dr. Mark Durrett in
Room E-357.

Wednesday Night Classes

Jan/Feb - *6:15 p.m.

February 7: EPW Bible Study The Love Letters: John 1, 2 & 3 will be led
by our gifted teacher, Rev. Lynn Grandsire
in Room E-350. (Girls Night!)

January 10: Discovering the Bible - New

Testament, led by Dr. Mark Durrett &
John Arnold in Room E-351
Join us for the The Good News! We will
be studying the New Testament on Sunday
evenings from 5-6:30 pm in the Discovering
the Bible Class.

Sunday Night Classes Jan/Feb 5:00 p.m.

Deadline for UPDATE:

Send your information to share with the congregation to communications@eastminsterpres.org.
Please have your information in by January17th
for the January 31st Update.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church

3200 Trenholm Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29204
Nonprofit Org.
US POSTAGE
PAID
Columbia, SC
PERMIT No. 27

Update for January 10, 2016