THE CHIMESTHE CHIMESTHE CHIMESTHE CHIMES

St. John’s Lutheran Church, ELCA 301 West Main StreetSt. John’s Lutheran Church, ELCA 301 West Main StreetSt. John’s Lutheran Church, ELCA 301 West Main StreetSt. John’s Lutheran Church, ELCA 301 West Main Street

Walhalla, South Carolina Walhalla, South Carolina Walhalla, South Carolina Walhalla, South Carolina

We are called and empowered by God to spread the Gospel and to share the love of Jesus Christ in service to all.

The Rev. Dr. Frank G. Honeycutt, Pastor Office Hours Mon.- Fri. 8:30 am - 1:00 pm Phone: (864) 638-6363 Fax: (864) 638-8238

Email: stjohnsluther@gmail.com Website: www.stjohnswalhalla.org Biggerstaff Christian Retreat: 864-882-3337 398 Biggerstaff Road; Seneca SC 29672

Email: biggerstaffctr@bellsouth.net St. John’s Pre-School: (864) 638-8099 Pre-School Email: stjohnspreschool@bellsouth.net

St. John’s Lutheran Church Advent and Christmas 2013 Schedule St. John’s Lutheran Church Advent and Christmas 2013 Schedule St. John’s Lutheran Church Advent and Christmas 2013 Schedule St. John’s Lutheran Church Advent and Christmas 2013 Schedule Sunday, Dec. 1

• Advent Wreath Making 9am (FH) ~

Monday, Dec. 2 • Men in Mission Carol Sing and

Pot Luck 6:30 pm (FH) ~

Saturday, Dec. 7 • St. Nicholas Celebration Tree Decoration and Lunch 1pm (FH)

• Walhalla Christmas Parade 5pm • Walhalla Luminary Tour of Churches 6-8pm

~ Sunday, Dec.8

• Morning Circle Cookie Sale (before and after 10:30 am morning Worship Service)

~ Sunday, Dec. 22

• “Just a Little Christmas” Christmas Play (During 10:30 am Worship Service)

• Christmas Caroling (meet at church at 3:30pm)

~ Tuesday, Dec. 24 Christmas Eve

• Christmas Eve Meal Assembly/Delivery (Times TBA)

~~~~~~~~~~~~Christmas Eve ServicesChristmas Eve ServicesChristmas Eve ServicesChristmas Eve Services~~~~~~~~~~~~ First Service~~~ 5:00 pm Second Service ~~~ 10:30 pm

Advent and Christmas Season Happenings…..Advent and Christmas Season Happenings…..Advent and Christmas Season Happenings…..Advent and Christmas Season Happenings…..

WALHALLA

CHRISTMAS PARADE

Saturday, December 7th

5:00pm

Come out to support

St John’s Youth and PreSchool

As they travel down Main Street

After the parade…...

Enjoy the first annual

Luminary Tour of Churches

From 6:00-8:00pm

ST. NICHOLAS & TREE DECORATING

CELEBRATION Hear the true story of St. Nicholas (with a special

guest visitor)

Help decorate the Chrismon tree.

A holiday celebration for all ages

Date: Saturday, December 7th

Time: 1:00pm

Place: St. John’s Sanctuary

Light Lunch to be served

“EPIPHANY CELEBRATION”

CONGREGATIONAL

POTLUCK DINNER

&

“FIRE STAR”

Monday, January 6th

6:00pm

Sign-Up Today at the Spiritual Opportunities Table

CHRISTMAS COOKIE

SALE!!!!! The Morning Circle

is once again sponsoring a

Christmas Cookie Sale on Sun-

day, December 8, 2013. They

will be available BEFORE and

AFTER the 10:30 am ser-

vice. This is a fund raiser to

provide a special Christmas for a needy family. We’ve had a

wonderful response for the past three years, and we urge your

support again this year. Save yourself some work, and pur-

chase your cookies from the Morning Circle. (Note: if all the

cookies are not sold on 12/8, we will sell them again on Sun-

day, 12/15.)

CAROL SING AND POT

LUCK

SPONSORED BY MEN IN

MISSION

MONDAY DECEMBER 2

AT 6 PM

Come and join the men in Come and join the men in Come and join the men in Come and join the men in

mission and there wivesmission and there wivesmission and there wivesmission and there wives

for a fun evening and great food. Just bring yourfor a fun evening and great food. Just bring yourfor a fun evening and great food. Just bring yourfor a fun evening and great food. Just bring your

favorite dish.Be sure to sign up on the sheet on favorite dish.Be sure to sign up on the sheet on favorite dish.Be sure to sign up on the sheet on favorite dish.Be sure to sign up on the sheet on

Joan's table.Joan's table.Joan's table.Joan's table.

JUST A LITTLE CHRISTMAS A CHRISTMAS SKIT FOR CHILDREN AND

YOUTH

Performance date will be Sunday December 22nd

at 10:30 a.m.

Worship Assistant Schedule for December 2013

12/1/2013 Craig Schumacher-H Frieda Cobb Patty Shepard Mary Sprouse Riley Bateman

Blake Norton

Scott Sprouse-A

Blair Stoudemire-A

12/8/2013 Bob Johnson - H Sally Juhasz Paul Wilson Tina Barrett Rylan Parish

Dolly Johnson helper: Haileigh Chapman

Sally Juhasz-A

Chris Lawrence-A

12/15/2013 Betty Sosebee Trish Sears Jan Long Bill Hughes Zachary Sims

Joe Sears-H

Bill Hughes- A

Michael Gauderer- A

12/22/2013 Rudy Nothdurft-H Tracie Sims Cathy Plowden Gary Cabbage Alex Johns

Lousie Nothdurft

Gary Cabbage-A

Kenny Johns-A

12/29/2013 Terry Holcombe-H Frieda Cobb Ann Brackett Dottie Brandt Charlie Ward

Susan Holcombe

Tom Ward-A

Bill Brackett-A

**H=HEAD USHER **A=ASSISTING USHER

NURSERY SUNDAY SCHOOL ALTAR GUILD Kitchen Clean-up

December Newborn-4 yrs Ilia Schumacher K-2nd grade Carolyn Brandt Lucy Klaren Circle

Celia Cary Bill Brackett 3rd-5th grade Jeri Klaren

Kathryn Stoudemire Pastor Frank Confirmation Marcia Lyle

Rachel Norton Mark McLean Confirmation BACKPACK LUNCH DELIVERY

Cindy Honeycutt High School Tracie Sims

Patty Shepard High School

CHILDRENS SERMON ORDER OF ST JOHN'S NURSERY NURSERY HELPER OFFERING COUNTERS

12/1/2013 Mark McLean Mary Sprouse Celia Connie Addis December

12/8/2013 Dottie Brandt Mark McLean Kathryn *need Mark McLean

12/15/2013 Cathy Plowden Craig Schumacher Celia *need Dave Lewis

12/22/2013 Cindy Honeycutt Patty Shepard Rachel *need Libby McLean

12/29/2013 Pastor Frank Mary Sprouse *need 12/1 Sally Juhasz

THE WORSHIP ASSISTANT SCHEDULE IS NOW LOCATED ON THE ST.JOHN'S WEBSITE

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL

MEAL PREPARED & DELIVERED TO

SENIORS, SHUT-INS AND NEEDY

IN OCONEE COUNTY

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Prep Work on 12/23 (Monday-details to come) Meal assembly & Delivery on 12/24 (Tuesday)

Clean-up on 12/24 (Tuesday)

“Divine and Drunken Love” by Pastor Frank After 32 years of marriage, Cindy and I still spend at least one weekend alone each year in a place where no one knows our faces. Relationships desper-ately need the gift of presence and uninterrupted attentiveness, especially in lives where we might not have time to truly listen to those we love for more than a few minutes per day.

I also realize that my (our) relationship with God often suffers from acute fragmentation. The spark is sometimes missing. It’s easy to go through the motions of faith for years. In Advent, we celebrate the coming of a God who is “drunk with love,” according to a 14th-century poem by Saint Catherine of Siena. One of the abiding truths of the Bible reveals God’s infatuation with creatures like us. Another side of God (divine disappointment) surfaces when we fail to acknowledge that love. One of my favorite stories of the season (Luke 1:39-56) finds Elizabeth and Mary, both pregnant, one old and one young, engaged in unhurried conversation around the kitchen table. Mary stays three solid months for a good, long visit. The two women are completely attentive to one another and to the presence of an inventive God who has brought new life in mysterious ways—pregnancies neither planned nor expected. We are in deep need of such unhurried time to celebrate and ponder the unusual advent of God in our own lives, the new birth brought forth in baptism. How shall we resolve to spend time with Jesus in the coming church year? Spirituality with any depth to it is frankly a lot of work and will require plenty of time. Just like any good relationship. John Leax, in his excellent book Out Walking, reflects on the holy vow for couples who pledge to be faithful until separated by death: “This promise is not demanded by sentiment; it is demanded because everyone present at the marriage knows the truth of human nature. Both bride and groom will change. Ambitions, new dreams, and other bodies will attract them. Their only hope for success will be the reach of their vow.” In Advent, we celebrate how God has vowed to reach us with a “drunken love.” It’s only fitting that we also get specific as to how we might regularly reach back.

BIGGERSTAFF MEMORIAL PROJECT A wonderful way to honor or me-

morialize a loved one …. There are several large windows and me-morial stones still available for dedication. All windows and doors have a custom plague recognizing your memorial. Stones will be inscribed with your dedication. The cost of a large window is $500. Granite stones for the memorial walkway are available for $100 each. Windows and stones make a wonderful, forever, holiday gift for someone special. Order forms are on the bulletin board behind the spiritual opportunities table or see any Biggerstaff committee member for more information.

FOR CHRISTMAS…

Are you looking for the perfect gift for someone special? Do you want to give a gift with meaning that makes an impact on this world and brings true

joy? Look through the ELCA Good Gifts catalogue and honor the peo-ple you love with gifts that will last for generations. Join your St. John’s family as we give the “gift that can’t be wrapped” this holiday season. Browse through more than 50 giving options in the Good Gifts catalogue, choose the one that best suits your friend or family member, and remove the “gift tag” for that item from the Good Gifts tree. Give your donation (checks made payable to St. John’s) to Joan Lewis- she will give you a gift card and send your donation for you. It’s that easy- you will make a difference in someone’s life this holiday season and you will make a difference in your own life as well! Deadline for donations will be Sunday, December 15th.

December Birthdays

December

Wedding Anniversaries……. Bill and Laura Mathis 12/02

Keith and Patty Shepard 12/09

Horace and Tina Barrett 12/11

Blake and Jean Norton 12/11

Bobby and Julia Ballenger 12/17

Bill and Jean Hughes 12/17

Jamie and Erin Garland 12/20

John and Lynne Williams 12/22

Ryan and Mary Somerville 12/23

Nelson and Elaine Griesheimer 12/24

Marty and Liz Kuemmerer 12/26

Bill and Ann Brackett 12/27

Ed and Ruth Pekarek 12/28

Congratulations to Chris and Karen Lawrence upon the birth of their first grandchild, Maximus John Lawrence, born to Nick and Jessy Law-rence Nov. 12 2013. Max weighed in at 8 lbs. 14oz. He already has biceps! Strength and

honor, Maximus! Congratulations to the entire Lawrence clan.

Congratulations to Deb and Ron Blackmore upon the birth of their new grandson, Lucas John Edwards, born Nov. 8, 2013 to their daughter and her husband, April and Kelly Edwards. Lots of happiness

in the Blackmore home this week!

John Chmelar 12/01

Alexander Mitchell 12/01

Terry Stephens 12/01

Sandra Yuda 12/02

John Hawbecker 12/04

Lindsey Simmons 12/06

Mickey Ward 12/06

Larry Brandt 12/10

Eliza Davis 12/10

Mary Hill 12/10

Scott Albertson 12/11

Fredricka Hallman 12/11

Sheila Niemeyer 12/11

Glen Brolander 12/14

Gene Burnside 12/15

Julie Corbett 12/16

Richard Klaren 12/16

William McMahan 12/16

Sarah Voss 12/16

Cheryl Rupprechet 12/17

Thelma Miller 12/19

Lynne Williams 12/19

Kenneth Burnside 12/21

Alice Campbell 12/22

Zachary Mitchell 12/22

Jason Wilson 12/22

Beth Davis 12/23

William Hughes 12/24

Bobbie Finkenstadt 12/25

Elizabeth Neal 12/25

Shannon Somerville 12/25

Mary Somerville 12/27

Anna Zelaya 12/27

Maggie Winchester 12/28

Tres Workman, III 12/28

Albert Pittman 12/30

Louis Rimrodt 12/30

Laura Sloan 12/30

Christen Mathis 12/31

Wishing you all joy and peace for the Advent and Wishing you all joy and peace for the Advent and Wishing you all joy and peace for the Advent and Wishing you all joy and peace for the Advent and

Christmas Season. Christmas Season. Christmas Season. Christmas Season.

The St. John’s StaffThe St. John’s StaffThe St. John’s StaffThe St. John’s Staff

Pastor FrankPastor FrankPastor FrankPastor Frank

AnnaAnnaAnnaAnna

JoanJoanJoanJoan

RayRayRayRay

ElizabethElizabethElizabethElizabeth

CindyCindyCindyCindy

Reminder….

Knitters-Crocheters meet Dec. 11th 10:00am in the Fellowship Hall. Come enjoy the fellowship and click your needles. Plan to stay for lunch, too….

Join us for Wednesday Lunch !

Wednesday Lunch is the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.

Wednesday Lunch

December 11th only...due to Christmas Holidays

We gather for lunch at 11:30 am. Sign up today or speak with Libby McLean at 638-7070

PRIMETIMERS: : In order to attend church sponsored and other festivities during the month of December, our group will NOT be meeting in December. We will resume our normal schedule on January 14, 2014.

MORNING CIRCLE: : In order to attend church sponsored and other festivities during the month of December, our circle will NOT be meeting in December. We will resume our normal schedule on January 21, 2014.

The Gloria Shealy Circle will have their December meeting on

Tuesday, Dec 17th @ 6 PM @ the home of Mary Alice Waldt

We will bring finger foods and a homemade gift to exchange(don't spend over $10 making it).

the DSS donation will be whatever you want to bring (toilet

paper, cleaning supplies, canned food, etc.)

ST. LUKE FOOD PANTRY continues each week… St. John’s has committed to working with the St. Luke Method-ist Church Food Pantry by collecting non-perishable food items

on a weekly basis. Your cash donations go even further- purchasing perishable items at a discounted price through Golden Harvest. There is a flyer at the Spiritual Ops table list-ing sample items that each box contains. Take this list with you to the grocery store to guide you in your choices.

For the past month our congregation has been very generous with donating. God bless all of you for your continued commit-ment to helping those less fortunate. Remember that the need continues. On Wednesday, December 11th from 4:00 – 6:00pm St. John’s volunteers will meet at St. Luke to distribute 125 grocery boxes. If you are available to volunteer on this Wednesday, please sign-up at the Spiritual Opportunities table.

WYFF Meteorologist, Chris Justus, visited St. John’s on Nov. 21st Chris and his team were work-ing on a story that aired later the same evening about Weather Myths and Legends. The St. John’s weather vane has always been a local legend. “If the weather vane on the Lutheran Church points toward the Post Office (North) ...snow is predicted.” Chris took a minute to have his picture taken with Parish Secretary, Anna Zelaya and St. John’s own

St. John’s Knitters & Crocheters: Our ladies were really creative to knit/crochet new items for St. John’s Craft & Mar-

ket Day on Nov. 9. We were able to donate $332 to Safe Harbor from our sales and table fee. Our next project is to

complete caps for adult DSS clients. Please leave any in the office or on Joan’s table by Dec. 4th. They will be taken im-mediately to DSS to get ready for distribution. Lapghans for Lakeview Assisted Living will be our InAsMuch project for 2014. Ongoing projects are prayer shawls, leprosy ban-

dages, and special blankets. Only meeting in Dec. is the 11th at 10 a.m. Come join us to learn or refresh your skills. We have a wonderful time sharing patterns, techniques, and

helping each other. God’s work. Our hands.

SCRAPBOOK LEADER NEEDED to continue work

on our church scrapbook. See Joan Lewis or Dolly Johnson to volunteer or for more details. SUNDAY FELLOWSHIP HOUR SNACKS NEEDED. Sign-up on bulletin board behind Spiritual Opportunities table. OFFERING COUNTERS & LAY ASSISTANTS NEEDED. Training will be provided to those interested. GARDENERS who like to dig in the dirt! There are lots of opportunities at St. John’s to plant and spruce up things. The first project- the new garden around the church sign. See Grace Schmeelcke if interested. ALZHEIMERS RESPITE CARE LIASION NEEDED. An effort has begun to create a local respite care program to pro-vide respite care to the caregivers of patients suffering from Alzheimers and Dementia related diseases. Local churches are being asked to provide leaders and volunteers. If you are interested in becoming part of this ministry please contact Joan Lewis for additional information. ALTAR GUILD HELPER needed to set and clear the altar one Sunday a month. See Jeri Klaren if you are willing to make this commitment. Training will be provided. .

ADULT NURSERY WORKERS NEEDED DECEMBER- We are in need of nursery workers during the month of December. Please sign-up on the bulletin board behind the Spiritual Ops table. A NEW YEAR BEGINS….there are many openings for Sun-day nursery helpers…Celia Cary, Rachel Norton and Kath-ryn Stoudemire serve as our new nursery caregivers. We must have an adult (over the age of 21) in the nursery to continue to offer this service. There is a sign-up sheet/calendar on the Spiritual Opportunities table for volunteers. PLEASE sign-up today.

First Friday Ladies Dinner Night will be doing a little something different for December....

On Friday, December 6th at 5:30pm

Ladies of St. John's are invited to eat dinner at Puerto Nuevo Mexican restaurant in WESTMINSTER and then walk a few doors to the Westminster Music Hall to see

Jacob Johnson "Neo-Acoustic Folk/Funk".

Jacob Johnson, the 2012 Nashville Connection Winner -- whose aggressive style on the acoustic guitar has led to tours with Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel; bassist

Victor Wooten; and Tim Reynolds (of Dave Matthews fame) -- stops by on his CHRISTMAS TOUR 2013.

The concert will feature some of Jacob’s original music, plus he'll be focusing on music from his new Christmas album, “Wild and Sweet” that includes traditional tunes

such as “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” to modern classics like “The Christmas Song”.

Tickets are $15 each. Sign-up sheet will be at the Spiri-tual Opportunities table- tickets must be paid for in ad-vance- no later than December 1st. Checks payable to

Joan Lewis.

Check out the Westminster Music Hall website for details on the concert

http://www.westminstermusichall.com

Hannah Honeycutt, daughter of Pastor Frank and Cindy, was sworn in by the SC Bar Association to begin her career as a practicing attorney in ceremonies held in

Columbia in November. Congratulations to Hannah! What an accomplishment. She is shown above with her

husband, Teddy; proud parents Frank and Cindy Honeycutt, brother Lukas, and grandfather,

Bill Christmas. Best wishes to Hannah as she begins her career.

Music Notes As a child I could hardly wait for Christmas. Each day I cut a little cartoon from the front page of The Atlanta Journal that announced how many days were left to wait, and posted them on my own makeshift Advent calendar. Those days were long. I got more excited each time the paper came and my calendar grew. I learned some patience and how to get ready. Advent, this Year A of the Lectionary Cycle, begins our year focusing on "hopping up the hope" and endurance reflected especially from Isaiah, the Gospel of Matthew, Romans,

and James. Themes are Hope, Endurance, Grounded Faith, Stay Awake, Be Watchful, and Proclamation of The Messiah's Birth. Hymns and Anthems will reflect these themes. The Handbell Choir will be playing the Of-fertory on December 1, at Duke Energy on December 3, and for The Luminary Tour of Churches on December 7th. In "Sundays and Seasons" it is emphasized that "preparation for worship is itself part of wor-ship." So, during the Prelude, focus on those people whom you lift up in prayer as you still your own thoughts and prepare for worship. (Take notice of the Prelude Name as it should tie in with the readings or season.) Make a joyful sound! By now, it's time for the whole congregation to be singing the Psalm every Sunday. (It's like reading the Psalm to a simple tune-just change pitches at the little hash marks.) Make a joyful sound!

If you would like to sing with the choir for Christmas, it's not too late. Please let me know so I can prepare mu-sic for you. We rehearse Wednesdays from 6:16-7:45PM and will sing at both services Christmas Eve. If you can go Christmas caroling to our shut-ins on December 22, please sign-up: it's a very special Christmas gift that's well appreciated. (Speaking of gifts, The Handbell Choir would be happy to accept contributions for the costly music we need to purchase and practice for the upcoming Lutheridge workshop.)

WOW!!! We can’t believe it’s Christmas time already. The Children are all excited about the coming event. We have thoroughly enjoyed the previous month making turkeys, leaves, Indian Corn and talking about what we are Thankful for. The Chil-dren had fun learning about Fire Trucks and the safety they provide with an actual tour of a Fire Truck. The Preschool has the following events scheduled for De-cember: Walhalla Parade December 7th; Christmas Program will be December 18th during Parents Chapel 11:30am everyone is welcome to attend and watch

our preschoolers perform. Subway Fundraiser Night will be December 10th and Puerto Fundraiser Night will be December 16th please come out and help support us these evenings. Below is a list of items that the preschool could use, the items that have an *** by them are extremely needed. We are very thankful for all the continued support and prayers that you give us. Merry Christmas, Mrs. Cindy and Preschool Teachers. Wish List: Sewing Materials (yarn, fabric, buttons, etc.) Dress up clothes with buttons and zippers Children’s books Children’s board puzzles Crayons, Markers, Dry Erase Pens Plastic storage containers (ex kool aid containers, coffee cans, etc.) EXTREME NEED FOR ITEMS THAT ARE *** Kleenex *** Clorox Wipes*** Baby Wipes Lysol Spray***

St. John’s Lutheran Annual Congregation Meeting November 10, 2013---9:30 a.m. Prayer by Pastor Frank Honeycutt. Meeting opening—Congregation viewed the video “Where is God at Work in SC Synod?”, and Cong. Pres. Bill Brackett called the meeting to order. A quorum of at least 75 members was present. Election of Council Members-- The nominations from Council, Allen Harding, Chris Lawrence, Tiffany Chapman, and Blair Stoudemire were elected by acclamation for the four 3-yr terms. Operating 2014 Budget—The budget of $324,328.00 was pre-sented. Discussion: The reduction in sexton’s salary was re-quested by the sexton because someone else should be hired for the care of the church grounds. A contract of $4200 has been made to take of the property. The sexton’s pay was decreased by less than the $4200. The Spiritual Gifts Coordinator’s salary had been increased. The greatest increases were in the amount for Pastor’s insurance and property insurance for the entire campus. Research is on-going for lower rates. The benevolence for 2014 to the Synod will be 10% of the giving in 2013. Motion to accept was passed unanimously. Endowment Fund Report—For 2013 the committee will give $450 to Youth, $500 to the local GED program, $500 to St. Mat-thew Lutheran Church, Charleston, SC (mother church for St. John’s) towards their Renovation Fund, $500 for Cemetery plan for restoration of landscape, $500 to Water Ministries Interna-tional, $500 to United Way Family Friends, and $500 to St. John’s handbell choir for workshop fees for a total of $3450. Members are encouraged to donate cash or noncash items to the Fund. Information Sharing—Thanks to: Bill Bracket for his service through conflicts during his terms, out-going Council members Bill Brackett, Jeri Klaren, and Celia Cary for their service during 2013, and congregation for increasing donations during the summer and fall. Slight change in beginning of service: announcements—10:25 a.m. with prelude to follow to prepare for worship. Adjournment—at 10:10 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Wilson, Secretary

Loan from Cemetery Fund: Due to shortfall in offering compared to budgeted expenses the general fund started borrowing money from the Cemetery Fund early in 2012 to meet expenses. The current balance is shown below: Balance at beginning of Sept 2013 $26,088.30 Paid against loan in Sept $4626.86 Balance of loan: $21,461.44

Abbreviated Council Minutes November 18, 2013----6 p.m. Opening devotion—Cathie read a prayer for veterans from 1942 and verses from Ps 9 and Matt 8 for giving thanks. October 2013 Minutes—Motion was passed to accept as corrected. 2013 Annual Congregational Meeting Minutes—Motion was passed to accept as corrected. Pastor’s Report---Pastor Frank will have additional back surgery on Nov. 27 and will be recovering Nov. 27-Dec 11. Pastor Schmeelke and another supply pastor will be available. Treasurer’s/Finance Com. Report---Oct. Treasurer’s reports were accepted. Funds borrowed from Cemetery Fund are being paid back. OLD BUSINESS Biggerstaff Retreat Center— Letter to SCLRC will be in Dec. Chimes. Sign Landscaping—Grace Schmeelke will have quotes from Zone 7. A brighter light will be installed behind the Luther rose glass. Narcotics Anon—Motion passed to provide Dec. rental for this group to join Christ Central Ministry. Staff Evaluations—One remains to be completed. Front door weather stripping—Contractor will be contacted. NEW BUSINESS Fire Protection System in the Sanctuary—Request to explore use of Halon to protect sanctuary. Hymn Selections for Worship—Request to have input from congre-gation. New Council Members—Will attend Dec. meeting, and new officers will be elected. COMMITTEE REPORTS Stewardship—No report. Worship & Music— No community Thanksgiving Service this year. Handbells will play at Duke Energy—Dec. 3. Christmas Eve Ser-vices will be at 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. On Nov. 18 there was a more worship-ful atmosphere with announcements at 10:25 a.m. followed by the prelude. Biggerstaff--- An out-of-town non-member donated stock to Bigger-staff. New rate structure is completed. Property—New campus grounds keeper will begin in Jan. 2014. Cemetery---Two sections of walkways have been leveled and re-paired because of root push-up. Youth—Prayer and Share Wed. dinners continue. Worked on Christmas float, skating outing. Christian Education---No report. Mutual Ministry---No report. Administrative---No report. Preschool---Enrollment to date: 48. Concerns about damage in rooms over the previous weekend. Hope to have a float in the Christmas parade. Outreach—Exploring outreach to families of prisoners of Oconee Co. jail. Christmas Eve meal will be distributed to needy. ELCA Good Gifts envelopes are available on the tree in the sanctuary. Give Tom updates/info for webpages. Check out St. John’s website. Will make donation to Walh. Pres. Church after needs are determined. Hospitality---Chefs meals (32) were delivered. Packed and deliv-ered student care packages. Evangelism—Hot chocolate during Christmas parade. Sponsors introduced new members on Nov. 10. Evaluating current contact packets for visitors/new members. Next meeting—Dec. 16, 2013, at 6 p.m. Adjourned at 7:20 p.m. by praying The Lord’s Prayer. Present: Cathie Nowell, Jeri Klaren, Bill Brackett, Barbara Wilson, Celia Cary, Amy Klaren, Lois Sharpe, Allen Harding, Dave Lewis, Tom Ward, Jack Williams, Joe Sears. Absent: Pastor Frank Newly elected Council members: Blair Stoudemire, Chris Lawrence Respectively submitted, Barbara Wilson, Secretary

FINANCIAL REPORT December 2013

From: St. John’s Church Council To: Members of the Congregation As most of you know, the agreement between St. John’s and the SCLRC to build a year-round retreat facility at Biggerstaff will expire in February of 2014. The decision to allow its ter-mination was not made lightly nor quickly. The reason for this change in direction is that not enough money was raised for the project. The partnership agreement stipulated that before SCLRC began construction on the new project any improvements paid for by St. John’s would count toward its share of the pro-jected cost of $3,700,000. As St. John’s stewards of the facil-ity, the Biggerstaff Committee initiated and completed many projects to enhance the Retreat. A partial list appears below. • To prevent erosion all shoreline was rip rapped and bap-

tismal stairs to the lake were added. • A new irrigation system with lake pump was installed.

• A deck was installed behind the stone altar at the lake-side cross.

• Electric lines were installed all the way to the lakeside altar.

• The dock was resurfaced • General and Handicapped parking areas were added.

• The gazebo was enclosed with screens, vinyl window panels and French doors.

• A closet and counter cabinets with electricity and a sink were added to the gazebo.

(For the full list, please ask a Biggerstaff Committee mem-ber.) Many of you answered the call for the Biggerstaff facility, and all donations that you designated for its development were placed in a separate account here at St. John’s. Since 2007 when collections began, more than $120,000 was raised lo-cally. From this account $67,000 was invested in the rip rap project, and the gazebo enclosure, which cost $12,000, needed to use $2,000. All other improvements at Biggerstaff have been accomplished using current income and proceeds from the annual Low Country Boil. With the knowledge that the SCLRC will not exercise its op-tion to develop a year-round facility, the Biggerstaff Commit-tee, when it sees fit, will continue to improve the Retreat Cen-ter. If and when current income is not sufficient for these fu-ture improvements, money from the Biggerstaff fund will be used to complete them. Suggestions for improving the Biggerstaff Christian retreat

Center are always welcome. Although all ideas may not be

implemented, the Biggerstaff Committee encourages a cul-

ture of improvement.

General Fund:

Balance Beginning Oct 1 ($21,461.44)

Received, Budget Support Offerings $26,300.00

Disbursed, Expenses $24,838.43

Balance, End of Oct ($19,999.87)

Req'd giving for 2013 $309,780/yr. $5,957/wk

Budgeted Contributions Through Oct $256,151.00

Amount Actually Received $256,835.40

Dollar Surplus or (Deficit) $684.40

Percentage Surplus or (Deficit) 0.27%

Restricted Funds & Accounts:

Altar Guild Funds $4,018.21

Bell Choir Accumulative Fund $663.30

Sign Landscape Fund $500.00

Biggerstaff Cap Campaign $50,112.67

Biggerstaff, In/Out $135.00

Capital Contingency Fund $6,856.41

Cemetery Accumulative Fund $33,305.89

Choir Accumulative Fund $659.54

Cookbook Fund ($1,342.50)

Front Door Fund $0.00

Evangelism, Restricted $0.00

Food Pantry $150.00

Kitchen Remodel Fund $865.00

Long Range Planning Loan $0.00

Lucy Klaren Bequest $0.00

LCY Accumulation Fund $3,647.52

Miscellaneous In/Out Accounts $499.40

Mission Endowment Fund, In/Out $120.00

Outreach Fund $2,481.89

Preschool In/Out $0.00

Shealy Book Fund $25.00

Stock Fund $0.00

Saint's Softball $74.48

World Hunger $100.00

Worship Fund $577.57

Total Restricted Funds & Accts $103,449.38

St. John’ s StaffSt. John’ s StaffSt. John’ s StaffSt. John’ s Staff

Rev. Frank G. Honeycutt, Pastor Bill Brackett, Congregational President Anna T. Zelaya, Parish Secretary Joan Lewis, Spiritual Gifts Coordinator Ray Burroughs, Sexton/Biggerstaff Christian Retreat Marsha Cabbage, Organist and Director of Music Elizabeth Neal, Youth Director Cindy Kelly, SJ Preschool Director Chris Lee, Congregational Treasurer Mark McLean, Financial Secretary Carolyn Brandt, Jeri Klaren : Altar Guild Cory Drennon, Cemetery Grounds Keeper

Highlights

In this issue……

News and Needs… Spiritual Opportunities Holiday Happenings... December Calendar Coming in January 2014…..

The Lucy Klaren Circle presents…..

January JubileeJanuary JubileeJanuary JubileeJanuary Jubilee Saturday, January 25, 2014

7pm

Tickets go on sale soon!!

St. John’s Lutheran Church 301 West Main St. Walhalla, SC 29691

TIME DATED MATERIAL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Non Profit Organization U. S. Postage Paid Walhalla, SC Permit No. 26