Post on 30-Apr-2020
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 50, ISSUE 11
December
2018
Worship Joyfully, Serve Faithfully, Give Generously
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS WORSHIP AT WESTMINSTER
During Advent, we’ll let ISAIAH get us ready for Christmas by studying some of the
prophecies that speak to the coming of the Messiah.
December 2: The First Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 7:1-14 The Immanuel Prophecy
8:45 Morning Worship; The Lord’s Supper
11:00 Morning Worship; Children Hang the Chrismons
December 9: The Second Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 9:1-7 The Kingdom Prophecy
8:45 Morning Worship
11:00 Morning Worship; Children sing
December 16: The Third Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 12:1-6 The Joy Prophecy
8:45 Morning Worship
11:00 Morning Worship
December 23: The Fourth Sunday of Advent
8:45 Morning Worship: A special “Blue Christmas” service designed for those who
aren’t feeling so joyful during the holidays. Isaiah 40:1-11, 27-31 The Comfort
Prophecy.
11:00 Morning Worship; Lessons and Carols. We’ll hear the Scriptures that point us
toward the Savior and sing the carols that proclaim his birth.
December 24: Christmas Eve
5:00 A Service for Families with Young Children. We recreate the nativity with help
from the congregation and all the children who wish to participate. It’s noisy
and wonderful.
7:00 Carols and Candlelight. A more reverent service with traditional carols, a
sermon, and candle lighting.
December 30: The First Sunday of Christmas
9:45 No Sunday School today, but interested families meet at WPC to go to
Heartland to spread Christmas cheer.
11:00 Morning Worship; One service only.
January 6: Epiphany
We gather to worship the one who is a light to the nations.
8:45 Morning Worship; The Lord’s Supper
11:00 Morning Worship; The Lord’s Supper
From Your Pastor:
In T.S. Eliot’s Journey of the Magi, he voices
what the magi might have thought years after
the journey to Bethlehem. The poem is one of
my favorites, and it helps us think about how
Jesus changes everything. The last stanza:
All this was a long time ago, I
remember, And I would do it again,
but set down this: were we led all that
way for Birth or Death? There was a
Birth, certainly, we had evidence and
no doubt. I had seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different;
this Birth was hard and bitter agony
for us, like Death, our death. We
returned to our places, these
Kingdoms, But no longer at ease here,
in the old dispensation, With an alien
people clutching their gods, I should
be glad of another death.
The birth of Jesus means death. It means our
death- dying to ourselves- for we are no longer
the king of our own lives. With the magi, we
give him our gold because he is our king. We
are sinners in need of redemption- we give him
our incense and myrrh because he is the Lamb
of God, sacrificed for our sins.
Matthew ends his description of the magi by
telling us after they worshiped Jesus, they
went home by another way. (Matthew 2:12)
That’s my prayer for us this month. We come
to Jesus and are transformed by the
experience. Coming to Jesus means we, too,
must go home a different way.
Pastor Daniel
THANK YOU to those who have already made
your financial commitments for 2019! Our goal is
100% participation, so if you have not yet turned in
your commitment card (they are available in the
fellowship pads), you may do that by placing it in
the offering plate or making your pledge online at
www.westminstercharleston.org Thank you for
your generosity and faithfulness in 2018– even as
we look forward to a fruitful year of loving God and
our neighbors just like Luke 10:27 says!
Blue Christmas Service Sunday, December 23, 8:45 am
October 2005 we had a loss in our family that broke me in more ways that I want to admit. I didn't’ realize how broken my heart was until I started hearing Christmas music playing and seeing Frosty the Snowman dangling over the freezer section of the grocery store. There wasn’t a place, not even church, that was safe from happy holiday goers anticipating a fabulous Christmas season. My heart broke again. It was later the next year I heard about Longest Night Services and Blue Christmas Services held at other churches. These services were specifically designed to honor the sacred parts of Advent and Christmas while also acknowledging the season was difficult. Safe places to worship, cry, and even heal a little. Our hopes is if you have a loss, recent or not, that makes holidays especially difficult, feel welcome to come to Westminster’s Blue Christmas Service. Our hope is if you have a friend or neighbor you think would find some healing in such a service you feel welcome to invite them and maybe even sit with them during the service. If you or friends/family have questions, please feel free to give me a call at the church and I’ll do what I can to answer any questions. In Christ’s Service Pastor Lissa
Worship Attendance
8:45 11:00 November 4 54 253
November 11 66 203
November 18 57 178
November 25 45 180
In memory of Jerry Seay For: Hands of Christ
From: Hal and Brenda Jonsson
Howard and Jenny Fulwiler
Tom and Lynda Higgins
Mike Shetler
Walter and Carole Russell
John and Fran Ligon
In memory of
Roberta Morton For: Hands of Christ
From: Jim and Shirley Seay
Howard and Jenny Fulwiler
Hooks and Needles will meet on
Monday, December 10, at 10:00 am
in Classroom 4. We are one of the
ministries in Westminster Church, and you will find the work rewarding and
rich with fun and fellowship. Please do
come and join us!
Judy Tag 843-852-9271, judyt3@bellsouth.net
November 2018 To All the Kind People of Westminster,
Thank you so much for all the cards, visits, and mostly prayers for me concerning my recent surgery. Westminster is the greatest. Love, Joan Frye
News from the Preschool
The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. December is filled with special Christmas gift projects for Mom and Dad, preparing for the Christmas program and don’t forget learning about the birth of Jesus. The teachers try to keep the children on schedule with the monthly plans and units, but it can be a challenge when the children are so excited about Christmas.
In addition to our regular activities we are looking forward to having a new tree and Shade Structure installed on the playground to replace the one that had to be removed last year. This will provide some shade in the spring when the weather warms up. The school has been blessed with generous donations from school families past and present to be able to finance these purchases. Thank you to those special friends.
Merry Christmas from the teachers and staff of the Preschool.
And a Happy New Year!
Family Advent Devotion
For Children The Family Advent Devotion for
Children will be offered again this
year. This activity is an opportunity
for parents to teach and prepare their
children for the birth of Jesus. Share
with your children short devotions
from God’s storybook, the Bible.
These stories will point the way to
the baby Jesus. This year’s activity
will be What Child is This? This
family activity will be available at a
table in the narthex for two Sundays
prior to the beginning of Advent on
December 2nd. Any questions,
please contact Robert Coker at 843-
696-7913.
Beisswenger family visit November 2018
Senior Adult
Ministries Montreat
October 2018
Men’s Bible Study Meets Thursday, December 13 Men of all ages: We meet on the second Thursday of every month
from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. in Covenant Hall. Coffee and doughnuts
provided. We are studying the sexiest book in the whole Bible:
The Song of Solomon. All are welcome!
December Birthdays
3 Dot Dangerfield
Jahrell Jones
4 Elizabeth Crosby
5 Jimmy Gibson
Ella Patrick
Nancy Plowden
6 Dan Butts
Shirley Seay
7 Rita Livingston
Carole Russell
Miles Snider
8 Frankie Earnst
Don Lundy
Bob Shepard
9 Elsie Crosby
10 Meg Powell
Bruce Yarnall
11 Emma Klingshirn
12 Mike Bruce
Jim Gill
13 Diane Doby
JoAnn Lisk
Abbie Mobley
Alex Pennekamp
Elizabeth Wade
14 Karen Dangerfield
Daniel Dounian
David Dounian
17 Judson Bazzle
18 Thomas Baskin
Chad Waldrop
19 Katie Camburn
Molly Kerr
22 Judy Tag
24 Lynn Koger
Henry Maiers
John Griggs
27 Steve Varn
Marshall Ward
28 Elayna Bobo
Kathryn Bobo
Rachel Crews
29 Megan Baker
Bill Stamper
Ellyn Winkles
31 Karen Norman
Jonathan Bazzle
We’ll receive an offering for Thornwell at the
Christmas Eve services.
Presbyterian Women
Moderator, Kendall Ramsay
Treasurer, Mona Gilbert
Dec. 5- PW Council, 6:45 pm (in the parlor)
Dec. 7 -Circle 6, 7:00 pm Dee Bee Wright’s home
Dec. 10- Circle 1, 6:00 pm Taffy Tamblyn’s home
Dec. 11 - Circle 4, 10:00 am Covenant Hall, Room 4.
Circle 5, 10:00 am - Parlor
Get Ready
Advent is Coming Daily devotions will be sent to the
congregation again this year
during Advent. Members of the
Session and congregation will be
contributing these devotions that
will be emailed to you each day.
Let us use these devotions to help
us prepare our hearts and minds
for the greatest gift, the birth of
our Savior.
Highlights from the Session Meeting
I. DEVOTIONAL
II. CLERK’S REPORT Priscilla Holtzclaw
A. No Change in Membership October 18, 2018 – November 14, 2018.
B. Births
i. Whitney Lyle Morgan born November 7, 2018 to Catherine and Marvin Morgan.
C. Baptisms
i. Grey Sterling Maki, Griffin Stuart Maki, and Graeme Sullivan Maki on November 11, 2018,
11:00 am service, parents Meredith and Bob Maki, Dee Bee Wright, assisting Elder. Pastor
Daniel Smoak
D. Communications: Thank you from Water Missions; Invitation from La Patria School for a ESL
teacher to travel to Coban and teach during the school year.
III.CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of minutes from the Session’s stated meeting on October 21, 2018.
B. Approval of the minutes from the meeting of the Diaconate on October 21, 2018.
C. Approval of the October 2018 Financial Statements.
IV. COMMITTEE ACTIONS
A. Christian Education: Enhance security during Sunday School and worship by closing and locking
interior doors. Will contact a professional for a security audit.
B. Finance: Funding from Drainage repair to come from Session Designated Fund.
C. Preschool: A modest tuition increase approved for the 2019-20 school year. “Spirit Night”
fundraisers @ Chick fila and Jason’s Deli approved.
D. Worship: Baptism for Quinn Anderson approved: January 13 at 11:00 am.
V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Scout Ad Hoc Committee: enthusiastically approved re-chartering the scouting ministry with new
guidelines for scouting to be an intentional outreach of Westminster Presbyterian.
VI. REPORT FROM THE PASTORS Daniel Smoak and Lissa Long
VII. ADJOURN WITH PRAYER
November 18, 2018
Oct 2018 Jan – Oct 2018 Jan – Oct 2017 Jan – Oct 2016
Contributions Budgeted 60,458.56 578,811.04 508,720.22 491,657.44
Contributions Actual 50,632.89 564,475.54 508,877.52 504,015.38
Expense Budgeted 62,478.19 586,343.56 568,678.34 535,006.27
Expense Actual 48,370.85 553,302.74 504,935.00 483,216.29
If you would like to help beautify our sanctuary for this year’s
Advent and Christmas season through the gift of one or more
poinsettias, please complete the information on this form and
place it and your payment in the offering plate, or return both to
the church office.
The deadline for ordering is Sunday, December 16. Your Name: ______________________________________________________________________
In Memory of: ____________________________________________________________________
In Memory of: ____________________________________________________________________
In Honor of: ______________________________________________________________________
In Honor of: ______________________________________________________________________
Please attach payment for ___________ at $18.00 each. Total: _______________
________Poinsettias will be picked up following the 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service.
________Please give my poinsettias to a shut-in.
Darkness to Light Child
Protection Training
If you work with young children, such as at
Mary Ford Elementary School, our Youth
Groups, or in other youth programs, Mary
Ford Elementary School is offering a no cost
Darkness to Light Training session on
Wednesday, December 12, from 3:30-5:30
PM, in the Family Resource Room. A light
sandwich and chip snack will also be
provided. You are invited to attend.
Under Construction!
The Memorial Garden with
Columbarium and Memorial Wall
Alternative Christmas Giving
Ideas
Wondering what to give someone who has everything? Maybe you want to do a little something for someone, but want it to be personal? Have you thought about Alternative Gift Giving? Here are some ways you can not only give a gift to a friend, family member or colleague, but how you can let your gift give twice! You may write checks to Westminster Presbyterian Church, with memo of where you would like your gift sent or give your gift directly to the organization. WPC will have cards available you may use to "give" your gift to friends, family or colleagues. Gifts may be of an amount listed or of your choice.
Food Pantry at Westminster Presbyterian Church Westminster gives out 36 bags of food a week. $25 per bag.
Hands of Christ Children's Bibles-$7 New Uniform for a Child-$20
Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center Camp Supplies (first aid kits, crafts, etc.)-$50
Send a Kid to Camp-$475 La Patria School Scholarships Any amount will help build scholarships for children. $600 cost for one student for one year Some Other Missions Supported By WPC Mary Ford Elementary Thornwell Home for Children Back Pack Buddies Water Missions International Tricounty Family Ministries
Westminster Food
Pantry Drive
The Food Pantry at Westminster Presbyterian
Church is a program where those who need
groceries can come once a month for help. A
total of 36 bags are given out each week. Twelve
bags are given out Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday. People often line up at 8:30 am to get
a bag before they are all gone. This service to
the community is funded 100% by donations
from members. The Food Pantry is not included
in the annual budget and relies on the marked
donations of Westminster’s members. Marked
donations are additional contributions beyond
your pledged giving. Without your donations the
Food Pantry will not be able to continue in 2019.
Make your checks out to Westminster
Presbyterian Church and put Food Pantry in the
memo line. Please make
a monetary donation
today to keep this
ministry of our church
viable.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid
Charleston, SC Permit No. 48
Westminster Presbyter ian Church 1157 Sam Rit tenberg Bou levard Char leston, South Carol ina 29407 Elect ronic Serv ice Requested
Westminster Presbyterian Church (USA) www.westminstercharleston.org
843.766.8311
Rev. Dr. Daniel L. Smoak, Pastor
dsmoak@westminstercharleston.org
(843) 872-1001
Rev. Lissa Long, Associate Pastor
mlong@westminstercharleston.org
Robin Zemp, Director of Music
rzemp@westminstercharleston.org
Janie Bruce, Director of Youth and Children’s Ministries
jbruce@westminstercharleston.org
Nita Rushton, Office Administrator
office@westminstercharleston.org
Anne Camburn, Business Administrator
acamburn@westminstercharleston.org
Alicia Crosby, Preschool Director
preschool@westminstercharleston.org
Joan Foster, Childcare Coordinator
jmf0305@ymail.com
Carol Smith, Church Hostess
SUNDAYS AT WESTMINSTER
8:45 a.m. - Worship Service
9:45 a.m. - Sunday School
11:00 a.m. - Worship Service
COMMUNION is celebrated the fir st Sunday of every month.
2ND SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH
12:00 noon Second Sunday Luncheon
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY
CHURCH FAMILY DINNER
6:00 p.m. Dinner
WESTMINSTER SESSION
CLASS OF 2019 CLASS OF 2020 CLASS OF 2021
Ann Froneberger Robert Coker Allyn Bruce
Nancy Parrish Eric David John Dounian
Rita Livingston Brenda Haile Norman Hook
Henry Shepard George McAbee Dale Norman Chuck Towne David Purcell Paul Patrick
John Wright Sally Rogers Betsy Williams
Clerk-Priscilla Holtzclaw Treasurer-Betsy Williams
Assistant Clerk - Rita Livingston Assistant Treasurer-Patty Stokes