The Lamplighter   of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church

February 2020

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they re-turned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the Child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon Him. (Luke 2:39-40) For the most part in the Gospels Jesus shows up on the scene as a grown man speaking truth to those in power, healing the sick, and proclaiming the kingdom of God. We only have a few hints of what his childhood years were like. Chances are good that the reason we have nothing written about Jesus' early years is because they were pretty or-dinary—no miracles, no strange family arrangements, no bus tours to "come and see the wunderkind of Nazareth!" As far as we can tell, Jesus worked in Joseph's carpentry shop, helped Mary around the house, went to Hebrew school, and did all the things a normal boy does. It was a long, quiet time. With the season of Christmas behind us and the cold days of winter visiting us life seems to fall into a pattern that is familiar at this time of the year. There is less daylight to be outside and it’s often been too cold or wet to enjoy many activities outside. Dur-ing this time I am reminded of the quiet days that Jesus and his family had together. I wonder if those days of simple meals and rewarding work were able to give him strength for the challenges of ministry that he faced. I pray that this season brings you a time of quiet that gives you strength for the chal-lenges that we face in life. If it isn’t a quiet time in your life, I pray that the peace that passes all understanding will be known and bring comfort and hope. God’s Peace, Pastor Jason Schafer

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Contact us: Editor: Elizabeth Vassar Church Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-1:00 p.m. Office closed on Fridays Phone: 803-364-4093 Fax: 803-364-5150

Sunday Services: Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m.

Volunteers’ schedule p. 3 Prayers needed 4 Celebrating Our Members 5-6 G.A.L.S 7 Calendar of events 8-9 Announcements 10

Odds and Ends 11 New Horizon 12-13 Thank you notes 14 Financial Report 15

Visit us online at: www.stlukesprosperity.com

Table of Contents

Scouts Sunday will be Sunday, Feb. 2. During worship (10:30 am), we will recognize the contributions of our young people and adults in Scouting.

You guessed it. It's once again time to get out those crock pots and ladles and share a meal with your St. Luke's family. Our annual Souper Bowl of Caring will be held on Sun-day, February 2, in the fellowship hall im-mediately following our worship service. Everyone is invited to bring a pot of your fa-vorite soup for sharing if you'd like, or simply join us for some good eats. Last year's use of "sampling cups" was so successful, that we will offer the same option this year. Drinks, condiments, toppings and sides, including corn bread and chips, will be provided. So make plans to join us for a warm bowl of soup and some great conversation. As part of the event, we will once again collect a love offering for Lutheran World Hunger Relief and, as always, appreciate your support of this important effort. See you then!

TURKEY STEW Stoney Hill Center will cook Turkey Stew on Friday, February 28th. Price is &7.00 per quart. Pick up on Friday, February 28th between 3:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m. Please place orders with any center member no later than February 23rd.

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FEBRUARY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

  Feb. 2 (Communion Service)  Feb. 9 

Acolytes   Scouts  Zachary hunter & Micah Schafer 

Crucifer  Scouts  Baylee Kinard 

Church Closing  Enoch Boozer  Russell Hendrix 

Greeters  Scouts  Teresa & Paul Hunter 

Lectors  Scouts  Michelle Long 

Altar Flowers  Vickie Koon Zobel  Rosemary Bedenbaugh, Karen Steele, Virginia Cannon, and Sandra & Laurie Lominack 

Altar Guild  

Jan. 27– Feb. 2  Neal Lester, Laura Lester & Adam Lester 

Feb. 3—Feb. 9 Randy & Judy Nobles 

Ushers     

Nursery  Allison Hunter & Elizabeth Hunter  Robin Brandt & Samantha Brandt 

  Feb. 16  Feb. 23 

Acolytes   Gage Hunter & Braedon Cockrell  Gracen Green & Kayley Minick 

Crucifer  Marc Hunter  Jerran Long 

Church Closing  Mike Cousins  Jody Green 

Greeters  Fran Merchant & Jane Caulder  Gina Mays & Charles Fulmer 

Nursery  Dena Whitesides  Makenzie & Makayla Nichols 

Lectors  Carolina Brandt  Becky Kinard 

Altar Flowers  Sheila & Reggie Beckham and  Pat & Randy Arehart 

Henry Kunkle, Sr., Jane e Vaughn, and Do e Jean Fulmer 

Altar Guild  Feb. 10—Feb. 16 Mitchel & Harrie  Connelly & Wanda Crotwell 

Feb. 17—Feb. 23 Joe & Linda Kunkle 

Ushers     

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Marcos Millan* Calvin Morris Daisy Morris Larry Morris Jane Pitts Linda Pitts Shelvie Shealy Brandon Shives* Jeff Singley Howard Smith*

Margaret Boozer* Jacob Bundrick Sherry Dominick Janna Felker Kerry Franklin* Travis Gilliam* Blake Hendrix* Ricky Jones* Peggy Killian Shirley McRacken

Steve Williams* Scott Wyllie* *Family/Friends Prayer requests will be listed for 4 weeks.

Nursing Home

Carol Brandt (Saluda Nursing Center) Pastor Henry Brandt (Clinton Presbyterian Com-munity)

Jacob Bundrick (Lowman Home) Myra Sue Chapman (Louisa Health & Rehab, VA)

Susan Connelly (White Oak Manor) Alberta Dominick (White Oak Manor)

Faye Long (Springfield Place) Barry Sebaugh (Springfield Place)

Billie Shealy (Springfield Place) Alma Staub (LMC Extended Care, Lexington)

All care givers and others who have experienced pain, disappointment, anger, and grief in this congrega-tion and elsewhere, our prayers are with you all.

Lent, the church-year season that begins on Ash Wednesday, is a time of penitence and spiritual renewal. Some people give up a luxury or vice during Lent as a form of self-denial; others under-take a project that benefits others.

The point isn’t to denigrate ourselves or to see how much we can do without. Instead, Lent helps us reflect on Jesus’ death. As Timothy Keller writes in The Reason for God: “The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself nor less of

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We’re so accustomed to hearing the Bible’s “love chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13, at weddings and other occasions that we may not really hear its meaning anymore. It can help to listen to something familiar said in different words. What new understandings of love does this paraphrase from The Message Bible reveal to you?

“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always ‘me first,’ doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, al-ways looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end. Love nev-er dies” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, MSG).

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04 Bobby and Julie coats 08 Danny Jr* and Alyssa Jesttes 14 Bruce and Lisa* Shealy 21 Dean and Cindy Bedenbaugh 22 Ben* and Paula Hammett 23 Ronald and Catherine Boozer 24 Dennis* and Michelle Long 29 Russell and Cathy* Kunkle

1 Margaret Koon

2 Victoria Bates James Enlow Tyler Kesler*

3 Matthew Barnett Michael Connelly Marshall Horne

5 Jacksen Long

7 James Salter III

8 Justin Dickert James Kesler

11 Vicki Maddalena

12 Katherine Barnett Michelle Pugh

13 Allen Bickley Alexis Sodlink

14 Eliza Gayle Hammett

15 Adam Bedenbaugh Ava Grace Barnett

17 Susan Connelly

21 Cathryn Kunkle Janette Vaughn

22 Kaylee Nobles

25 Chad Hawkins Patrick Livingston

26 Mike Horne Braylen Long

27 Alvin Connelly

28 Linda Kunkle Ben Lake

Clemson University held their fall graduation ceremony on December 29, 2019. Duncan Crotwell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Criminal Justice. Jay-den R. Peel graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

Calen L McManus named to Wofford College's Fall 2019 Dean's List!   To be named to the Dean's List, a student must be en‐

rolled for at least 12 semester hours of graded courses and a ain a se‐mester grade point average of 3.6 or higher. 

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The G.A.L.S. gathered in the assembly room for their January meeting. Vicki who is our helper and fifteen members were present. Helen presented an inspiring devotion titled “ You Are Not Alone”. Some-times we are lonely but our friends love us and most importantly God loves us. Jim Caulder was our guest speaker. He reminded us of the benefits of Social Security. He told interesting stories of his experiences with Social Security. Thanks, Jim! Doliene read a Christmas letter from Nora Sharpe. She always remembers us even though she can’t be here. It’s a new year and if you are a widow, we would like for you to join us.

God’s Amazing Love Sustains (G.A.L.S)

January 14, 2019

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Scout Sunday Souper Bowl of Caring

Brown Bag Bible Study 12 noon

Essie Hawkins 10:00 am Seeking God’s Faith— Going Deeper 5:30 pm

Brown Bag Bible Study 12 noon

Brown Bag Bible Study 12 noon

Brown Bag Bible Study 12 noon

B. Richardson Circle 6:00 pm Picture Day

ASH WEDNE

Eagle Scout Ceremony 2:30 Sanctuary 3:30 Fellowship Hall

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Day Picture Day Picture Day Picture Day

Yearbook Info Due

New Horizons 3:00 pm Kids Club Party 6:30 pm

EDNESDAY Turkey Stew

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Scouts Sunday is Feb. 2. We will recognize the contributions of our young people and adults in scouting during worship ser-vice. Souper Bowl of Caring—Immediately following service on Feb. 2, join us in the Fellowship Hall for our annual Souper Bowl of Caring. Bring your favorite soup or just stop by and get a big belly full of the finest winter feast available (aside from Gramma’s Sunday Dinner, of course!)

Essie Hawkins will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 10:00 a.m.

On Tuesday, Feb. 4th, the Stoney Hill Center will meet at 7:30 p.m.

The WELCA statewide retreat will be Feb. 7 & 8 at Camp Ki-nard.

St. Luke’s Lutheran Men in Mission and Stoney Hill mem-bers will be holding an ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY on Saturday, Feb. 8th. Meet at the church at 9:00 a.m. All needed supplies will be provided. We will clean the highway from SC 391 to 395. Come help beautify the roadway to our church.

The Kid’s Club will have a special screening of Frozen in cel-ebration of Valentine’s Day between 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm on February 14th.

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New Horizons members will meet on Feb. 15 at 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We are in for a wonderful treat! Mitchel Con-nelly has made pictures of NH activities through the years and has agreed to show them on screen for our February meeting. Come and share in this looking back. Our meal will be soup and des-serts prepared by the NH Committee. Everyone is invited.

Picture Day—Feb. 19 through Feb. 22 we will be taking individ-ual and family pictures for our Pictorial Directory. Reservations for time slots can be made online by going to https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b66gb194 or contact the office during normal business hours and we can assist.

Stoney Hill Center will cook Turkey Stew on Friday, Feb. 28th. Price is $7.00 per quart. Pick up on Friday, Feb. 28 between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Please place orders with any center member no later than Feb. 23.

The St. Luke’s LMM have been busy this month! They collected 58 bags for the Manna House containing 405 items total! Way to go Men! This is a terrific example of Serving God Through Serv-ing Others.

Please note—The Thomas Suber Circle WILL NOT be collect-ing card fronts this year. Becky Pugh has received as many cards as she needs.

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January’s Gathering The New Horizon members and friends met January 18, 2020. The Fellowship Hall was filled with decorations for our new year 2020, thanks to Cheryl Lucas and Carolyn Shealy. The food table’s centerpiece was very inspirational, reminding us to “Speak God’s Word with peace and Love”. Catherine Boozer, our leader, welcomed everyone, and after which Emily Lake led the group in devotions. It would be good to make fulfilling resolutions for the new year—like: smile a little bigger, laugh a little louder, give a little more, forgive a little quicker, love a little deeper, ride through life a little slower, and Enjoy God’s World! It was a pleasure to welcome Pastor Ernie Worman and his wife Annie and hear about past, present and future happenings at Newberry College. Pastor Worman has been a pastor for 31 years and the Campus Pastor at Newberry College for 11 years. He told interesting sto-ries about his life and also how he became a pastor. He indeed loves his work at the college and all who know Pastor Worman love and respect him. He told of the many improvements the college is implementing and thanked everyone for our continued support. During our business part of the meeting, Catherine told of a Christmas card and note from Nora Sharpe to her New Horizon friends. She is doing well and sends her love to all. Members were given sheets listing the year’s meetings and activities. Keep check with the church’s weekly bulletins for further announcements, reminders and/or changes, ect. to plans. We remembered in our prayers several friends who were ill: Virginia Cannon, Margaret Koon, Doliene Bedenbaugh, Charles Huggin, Scott Hunter and Susan Connelly. Also, we remembered the members of Colony Lutheran Church, who lost their pastor this week. Pastor Jerry Trantham’s funeral plans are incomplete as of the date of this writing. Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Larry Lake, who celebrates a January birthday. After Pastor Jason gave the blessing, everyone enjoyed a delicious covered dish meal. St. Luke’s folks really know how to cook and for that we are always thankful! What a wonderful way to begin a new year—good friends, interesting program, delicious food and wonderful fellowship! No matter how stressed we are, let us remember how blessed we are. Let’s start off the new year with a shout of praise and sing for joy!

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General Funds: December 2019 Income Needed to Cover Budget Year to Date: $ 270,606.78 (** assuming 1/12 of budget spent each month**) Budget Received to Date General Fund $ 234,095.94 Operating Expense Only Fund $ 27,384.00 Total Budget Received to Date: $ 261,479.94 Disbursed to Date General Fund $ 214,614.12 Operating Expense Only $ 30,451.95 Total Budget Disbursed to Date: $ 245,066.07 Balance General Fund 12/31/2018 $ 73,943.20 Balance General Fund 12/31/2019 $ 93,425.02

Worship Trends Attendance General Fund Operating Operating Expense Only

Dec. 15 204 $ 4,102.00 $ 495.00 Dec. 22 216 $ 4,871.50 $ 600.00 Dec. 24 119 $ 865.00 $ 20.00 Dec. 29 151 $ 5,251.00 $ 1,500.00 Jan. 5 188 $ 4,311.50 $ 690.20 Jan. 12 172 $ 4,172.50 $ 480.00 Jan. 19 187 $ 3,686.00 $ 570.00 Jan. 26 TBA TBA TBA January 1st Sunday offering for future capital projects, $ 576.00 Offering needed weekly to meet 2020 budget: $5,395.06 For simplicity, please do not combine donations to multiple funds (I.e. General and Fellow-ship Hall) on the same check. Write a separate check for each fund and remember to in-clude your offering number on each check as they get separated in processing. We are grateful for your ongoing support! As a reminder, the Operating Expense Only fund was established in 2010 to allow those who desire to do so, the ability to designate their offerings solely for the operating funds of St. Luke’s, including expenses such as utilities, repairs, maintenance, insurance, and lawn care. No portion of OEO funds is used to pay the congregation’s yearly apportionment for the synod or ELCA, nor are the funds accounted for in determining the apportionment amount for the congregation. If you have any questions about the fund, please see Treas-urer Dana Green, or Council Chair Wanda Crotwell.

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