E Update

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
MRS. FREDNA LEE
Director of Music Ministries

VOLU M E 4 0 N U M BE R 1 | JA N UA RY 3 , 2016

Dear Eastminster Family,

How fitting that the new beginning of the New Year comes so
close on the heels of the God-with-us miracle of the incarnation, Jesus birth. We all need new beginnings and there is no
truer gift of new life than the cleansing, life-giving grace given
to us by our Holy God in Jesus Christ.
Even as we put away the decorations of Christmas, we should
resist the subtle temptation to put away our living Lord. In
Jesus, Immanuel, our Lord was not only born, but was nurtured and raised and lived among us, full of grace and truth.
In him was life, and the life was the light of the world.
(John 1)
As we begin this New Year, I give thanks that our God has come
to us and that he continues to be present with us today through his Holy Spirit.
I give thanks for the continued growth in faith I see in so many of you, serving beyond
yourselves, sharing in small groups, and studying in Sunday and mid-week classes.
I give thanks for the Spirit inspired response to the horror of the Emanuel AME murders. I
will never forget the strength and courage of those family members who said, if God forgives
you, so do I. It is good that the flag came down and will be even better if we all reach with
love across lines that have for too long divided us so that we together become more the people
God would have us be.
I give thanks for your growing generosity as a church family. We are blessed so that we will
be a blessing. Eastminster has joined in Gods work, giving both more time and more money
beyond ourselves than any year since Ive been here.
I give thanks for your support and prayers for me and my family all year, but especially this
past week as our son, Joshua, was in the hospital with rhabdomyolysis. Thankfully, he is home
and recovering.
I give thanks that God is still at work in the world, in this church, and in our lives. And I
give thanks that 2016 will bring opportunities to learn and grow and serve in new ways. Look
inside for details. As the year progresses, youll notice emphasis on learning to pray and also on
being welcoming people.
Gratefully,

MRS. ANITA POOLE

EDS Director
MR. WILLIAM L. COLLINS, JR.
Business Manager
MS. JULIE MCDANIEL
Member Involvement
Coordinator

P.S. If you have not yet done so, please provide an estimate of your 2016 giving to help our
planning. Simply click on the 2016 Pledge under Quicklinks in the lower right corner.
Pledge Status Report - We Need Your Help!(5 weeks
out from Dedication Sunday for 2016)
162 Pledges With No Change
206 Pledges Increased
46 Pledges Decreased
71 New Pledges
For a total of 485 pledges totaling $2,666,769.00

Recently at EPC...Circle of Giving Inspires

Our Youth....Champs Champion Again...
Transitions Assistance Received...
Josh Accompanies Beautifully...
EDS Christmas Program Fills Hearts wtih
Glee...

Sunday Night Classes in January - 5:00 p.m.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

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.
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!)

Wednesday Night Classes

in January - *6:15 p.m.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

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.
January 27: Legacies & Gifts - will be led by Rev.
Lynn Grandsire in Room E-259.
February 17: Marriage Matters - a returning favorite for couples, will be led by Nancy & Dr. Brad
Smith in Room E-351.

FOOD & FELLOWSHIP

GLIMPSE OF 2016

WE@EPC 5pm TH
JANUARY 6 GREECE &
TURKEY TRIP DINNER

Moussaka (Shepherds Pie)

Roasted Carrots with Rosemary and Sage
Okra and Tomatoes
Mixed Salad with Roasted Beets, Oranges and
Almonds
Pita Bread Wedges w/Butter
Baklava
(No Separate Childrens Menu)

JANUARY 13 SMALL
GROUPS CELEBRATION

Winter Root Vegetable Soup with Ham OR Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Caesar Salad
Crusty Bread
Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Glaze
Childrens Menu:
Pizza, Ice Cream Sandwiches

Memorial Gifts Supporting the Eastminster

Endowment: (Addl memorials for other endowments
in 2015 will be published in the next Update.)

In memory of Sande Jeter, given by Gloria Rollins, John

B. McArthur, Jeanne & Glen Craig, Sarah &
William McWilliams, Jr., Angie & George Rawls,
Margo & Mark Orlandini, the Jerry Knox Family and
Sara Buck.
In memory of Bill Barron, given by Mimi Loury &
Ned Beckes.
In memory of Tom Wattenbarger, given by Sarah &
Frank Brown and Gina Morris.
In memory of Mary Androne, given by Josephine &
Eddie Laney.
In memory of William W. Ketchin, Jr., given by Josephine & Eddie Laney.
In memory of Wade Hampton Oliver, given by Josephine & Eddie Laney.
In honor of Juda Reinhardt, given by Josephine &
Eddie Laney.
In honor of Barbara McArthur, given by Josephine &
Eddie Laney.
In honor of John & Sharon Derham, given by Mrs.
W.S. Shipp.

JANUARY 20 WE@EPC
OFFICIALLY KICKS OFF!

Fried Chicken
Macaroni and Cheese,
Marinated Green Beans
Rolls
Salad
Dessert
Childrens Menu:
Fried Chicken Leg, Mac & Cheese,
Green Beans & Rolls

Congregational Care & Concern

Births: Congratulations and love go out to Jim & Ann

Petty on the birth of their grandson, Hunter James
Sampson, on 12/28.
Hospitals & Illnesses: Prayers go out to
Josh Smith - home
Sarah Foster Lexington Hospital
PRAYER CARDS ARE AVAILABLE JAN. 3, 2016.

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.

Deadline for UPDATE:

Send your information to share with the congregation to communications@eastminsterpres.org.
Please have your information in by January10th
for the January 24th Update.

Eastminster Presbyterian Church

3200 Trenholm Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29204

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

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED

WE@ EPC DINNERS

$6.00 - Adults
$3.00 - Children 8 & under
$25.00 - Household Cap

On Wednesday, January 6, we return to

our Wednesday evening WE@EPC with a
dinner and presentation by our members
who participated in the Greece and Turkey
trip last October. Complete with wonderful slides of the places and people in two
wonderful countries, you will hear stories
of Pauls travels, Johns Revelation churches,
and the beauty of Mediterranean lands and
people. Dinner starts at 5:15 p.m.; program
will start at 6:15 p.m.

Update for January 3, 2016