2025-26 Eastminster Today DecJan

DECEMBER 2025/JANUARY 2026

E A S T M I N S T E R

TODAY A D V E N T

I S S U E

INSIDE FEATURES

LOOKING BACK:

Rev. Rob Schoonover’s Installation Courtyard Dedication & Stewardship Celebration

MSB UPDATE:

Advent Collections Upcoming Mission Trips

NED:

Adult PM Winter Classes

CARE:

Holistic Wellness in 2025 The Healthy Grief Taskforce: Discovery

PERSONNEL UPDATE:

Welcome Lauren Cunningham

AND THEN THERE WERE THREE Chrismon, Memory & New Jubilee Tree

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Fall First Step Class

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY UPDATE: Stefanie Hammond’s Expanding Role

2025 “I DO’s”

Weddings at Eastminster

IN EVERY ISSUE 03 Letter from Your Pastor Mr. & Mrs. Jordan Foster March 8, 2025

04 18 Articles 19 Upcoming Events

WELCOME

A Letter from Your Senior Pastor

D

ear Friends,

This time of the year when the days shorten, the temperatures grow colder, and the Thanksgiving finery is put away, is the perfect time to be still and take a deep breath. In the quiet darkness of an early morning or evening, sit covered in the veil of darkness. Sit and think about the darkness of the world. Cruel words unleashed, the cruelty of ignored needs all around us, broken dreams, broken families, fractured communities, fractured nations, physical violence, emotional violence. Lament and grieve, lifting our depravity and brokenness to God. Imagine God weeping at the sight and sound and fury of the venom being unleashed day after day. Sit in all of that for a few minutes.

Then, light a single candle. Watch in wonder as the light reaches and stretches and touches, a single small flame overcoming the darkness, illuminating so much. Then imagine Jesus reaching to people stuck in unending darkness, imagine our Lord stretching to those who perpetrate darkness, imagine him touching you and me, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Mindful of the darkness of the world, but also of the promise and power of Jesus, the Light of the world, who will be born on Christmas day, who will one day come again from on high, you are now ready to begin the journey of Advent. Day by day, bow before God with hope-filled anticipation for the arrival, “Advent,” of Christ in our world, the one born in the flesh and whose presence is with us both now and eternally.

Against the backdrop of this world that has grown too comfortable with, too accepting of, darkness, stay in God's presence through Scripture, our daily devotionals, prayer, and even the stories in this issue of Eastminster Today. For if you read with the right frame of mind, you will see glimpses of light, Christ's light, in story after story, person after person. As you read, I pray you will remember that "the light shines in the darkness. and the darkness has not overcome it," and that a smile, a smile of hope, will fill you.

In Christ's light and love,

Dr. Brad Smith, Senior Pastor, Head of Staff

“Advent” means “coming” or “arrival.” During the season of Advent, we celebrate Christ’s coming into the world and watch with expectant hope for his coming again.

LOOKING BACK - MOVING FORWARD Rev. Rob Schoonover Youth Update COMMUNICATIONS

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38-39 service, and of course, fellowship. A new class of Confirmands will soon be preparing faith statements.

Other things on the horizon are the all-youth Ski Trip January 9-11, as well as registration for another mission trip for High School Youth to the Bahamas this Summer.

While a good balance is important, Rob is most excited about the conversations that are happening with our youth about real-time challenges, like hunger. “We are Rev. Rob Schoonover was installed as Eastminster’s going through the Gospel of John, chapter by chapter, Associate Pastor for Sr. High Youth and Younger each Wednesday during Bible Study. And we are learning how Jesus moved toward people who hurt, people who Adults on September 21, followed by a reception for doubt, and people who ask questions. That's all of us, and the Schoonover family in the Courtyard. Church members of all ages were present, including many youth when we see that Jesus moves toward us in those moments, and young adults. That day was also Rob and Melissa’s we are enabled to move toward others who hurt too." son Harris’s second birthday. What a great day for the For Rob, Youth Ministry isn't complicated; it just involves Schoonovers and EPC! being honest about our world, being honest about who we are, and resting in the grace of God.... "When we do those If you ask Rob about that day, he will tell you that it seems like a very long time ago, as so many connections things, the scales fall off of our eyes, and we can actually live the lives we were meant to live." have been made through faith formation, Bible Study,

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EASTMINSTER TODAY

COURTYARD DEDICATION Stewardship Celebration COMMUNICATIONS

On Dedication Sunday, the Stewardship Committee hosted a Courtyard Celebration to thank the members of Eastminster for their commitment to giving in 2026. The First Step Class- new members who joined Eastminster later that morning during 11:15 sanctuary worship- were welcomed, and the space was officially “dedicated” via a short worship service.

If it was your first time attending a reception in the courtyard, you may have assumed the “grass” was always as lush, plaques with scriptures had peeked out of the perimeter’s greenery for years, the stone cross was well loved, and hundreds of children had sat on the benches near the bubbling fountain. However...if you have been around longer, you probably witnessed transformative work being done and new enhancements being added to make this a more welcoming and prayerful place near the EPC Memorial Garden.

This metamorphosis was made possible through the Inspirational Giving Initiative. In early 2025, gifts of $249,866.13 were utilized for a comprehensive courtyard renovation, ensuring quality upgrades, and safety for years to come. The long awaited day was a true culmination of the hard work and collaboration of multiple ministries and staff. Thanks to all who contributed to the planning, renovations and beautification of our courtyard, and to the Stewardship Team for hosting.

EASTMINSTER TODAY

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OUTREACH NEAR & FAR

Fall Collections - Being the Hands & Feet

BY LAUREN CUNNINGHAM - MSB This Fall, it has been so exciting to see first-hand the intergenerational enthusiasm over helping others, both in our own community and across the globe. You can see the excitement in the children’s faces in the photos below.

Starting with our Socks in a Box outreach, led by ACCESS and MSB Ministries in October, Eastminster has “shown up” to provide socks for Footcare Ministry. This year marks the 14th anniversary for both Socks in a Box and Footcare Ministries. EPC provided 219 pairs of socks for the cold months to come. Thank you Liggitt and Twitty families for your help again this year.

Our Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry goal was to fill 400 shoeboxes for children across the globe who may only open one gift on Christmas Day. Beth Oliver and team led this outreach again for 2025, and the tally will be announced a little later this month.

Another collection that is still underway is in partnership with Homeless No More (HNM). This year groups at EPC, including Small Groups and Seniors Ministries,

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provided shower caddies and Christmas ornaments for families. Other EPC members provided gifts for 60 adults (men and women). Homeless No More is the modern-day Circle of Giving, which means many of you have been providing Christmas gifts for over 25 years. Julie McCue and Liz Agee lead this collection each Advent.

Members not only give during the holidays. There are dedicated offerings each year, including Super Bowl of Caring, One Great Hour of Sharing, Mother’s Day for Presbyterian Communities, Migrant Ministry, and the Thornwell Home Offering in November.

Donations for Transitions Third Thursdays and Peanut Butter Sundays each fourth Sunday are ways to provide for others in our community who face food insecurity throughout the year.

Thank you, Eastminster family, for continuing to “show up” beyond what is expected, year after year- a true example of what being the hands and feet of Christ looks like in today’s world.

EASTMINSTER TODAY

ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL

Feed Hope, Fight Hunger

BY LAUREN CUNNINGHAM - MSB

HUNGER STRUGGLES IN Q4 HERE’S THE SCORE:

MEMBERS: $14,000+ MISSIONS: $20,000 MATCHING $’S: $25,000 SUBTOTAL: $59,000

Last month, Eastminster came together as ONE TEAM with ONE GOAL! The Feed Hope and Fight Hunger Food Drive was a church-wide effort in partnership with Harvest Hope, to support the needs of our community. For over four weeks, our congregation donated high-protein, non-perishable foods to support families facing food insecurity throughout the Midlands, responding with great generosity reflecting the spirit of this season of gratitude.

This inaugural drive was strengthened by a generous $25,000 matching gift from an Eastminster family, doubling the impact of every pound or dollar donated, and allowing our collective gifts to go even further in meeting community needs. A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who contributed, served, and cheered on this first Food Drive. Your compassion and teamwork made a meaningful difference—creating a strong foundation for years to come.

2026 MISSION TRIPS ARE IN THE WORKS! WESTERN NC, SOZO CHILDREN, & HS BAHAMAS TRIPS FOR STARTERS DATES AND COSTS COMING SOON...

EASTMINSTER TODAY

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COMING THIS WINTER

Sundays@5 (January 4, 2026): The Pastoral Epistles Correspondence with Servants of God’s Sovereign Word

BY DR. DOUGLASS KEY The Pastoral Epistles - 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus, together with Philemon, offer the church a rich resource for deepening our practice of the Christian faith. This correspondence between the Apostle Paul and his protégés covers a wide range of topics relevant to the Christian life in every generation. Read in the context of the New Testament church and its social location, the Pastorals invite us to think about how the gospel encounters the world with transformative power and grace. Paul’s advice to his young colleagues encourages them not to accommodate the values and abuses of the culture, but stand out, to hold firm, to the radical vision for human life that the Christian community is called to uphold.

These four epistles (because we always tend to neglect Philemon), are witnesses to what a life, surrendered to God’s Sovereign Word, offers us and expects of us, as we seek to follow Jesus, day in and day out. What does it mean to serve a different Lord, to be loyal to an alternative sovereignty, than the world around you?

Join us on Sundays at 5:00 in the Gray Music Room (choir room) starting January 4, for this stimulating and thoughtful study.

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EASTMINSTER TODAY

COMING THIS WINTER

WE@EPC (January 7, 2026): Surrendering to God in Prayer The Chief Exercise of Faith

BY DR. DOUGLASS KEY John Calvin called prayer “the chief exercise of faith by which we daily receive God’s benefits.” But what is prayer? When we pray, what exactly are we doing?

What do we expect? How does prayer convey (daily) God’s benefits?

Jesus teaches us how to pray. He gives us language, or perhaps broad subjects, on which to center our prayer (Matthew 6:9). He tells us for whom we should pray, enemies and persecutors (Matthew 5:44). He tells us how not to pray, like the Pharisees and hypocrites (Matthew 6:5). And he suggests ways to pray better, in private, out of view, so as not to exploit our devotion for public power and prestige (Matthew 6:6). The gospels show us and allow us occasionally to overhear Jesus when he prays (Matthew 14:23, 26:36). But Jesus says less (not nothing, but less) about what prayer is and how prayer conveys God’s blessings.

Reformed Christians believe that prayer is best understood as part of the doctrine of sanctification. The what and why of prayer involves the lifelong attention of the Holy Spirit as God applies sanctifying grace to sinners justified in the waters of baptism. Sanctification can be a neglected aspect of our faith. It is too often construed as a human action, or task, that seeks the approval of God. Sanctification can be seen to be the sum of all piety, all devotion and practices of faith, that constitute the Christian life. Reformed theology insists that sanctification, like justification, is primarily and essentially God’s act. Prayer, as part of that sanctifying journey, invites us to participate through conversation, selfdisclosure, and genuine transaction, with the God who made us, redeems us, and sustains us.

These five weeks will explore what the Bible teaches us about prayer and how our tradition helps us understand what happens when we pray. As Lent approaches, we apply how we understand prayer to how we practice it in our daily pilgrimage to open ourselves more fully to God’s benefits.

“Prayer is the chief exercise of faith by which we daily receive God’s benefits…”

EASTMINSTER TODAY

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HOLISTIC WELLNESS Join the Journey

BY REV. EMILY MOONEYHAN

Six months ago, Eastminster started on a journey. New to us, perhaps, but one that is deeply rooted in ancient wisdom. The journey is toward an openness to considering our wellbeing beyond simply our physical bodies, and to drawing nearer to God along the way.

Starting this past Summer, Mindfulness Mondays gatherings have engaged a myriad of contemplative spiritual practices and conversations around our holistic wellbeing: mind, body, and spirit. In Wednesday night Lectio Divina classes, God has spoken through his Word in ways we need to hear. Together, we have practiced being present in new and accessible ways, all with the intention of cultivating a deeper awareness of the One who created and sustains us, our Lord and Savior, who is always with us. We need only to tuck in, and tune our hearts to his abiding presence.

In September, our first Holy Rest Retreat welcomed time to pray, to wonder, to simply be, amongst the awe-inspiring backdrop of our beautiful South Carolina coastline. Waking up to sunrise prayer, morning worship in a rocking chair on the porch, guided meditation and lots of fellowship filled our cups to a point of overflowing with gratitude.

Since beginning this contemplative journey, we have received countless responses from participants. Here are a few: “I feel at peace,” “I didn’t realize how much I needed this,” or “The silent prayer practice has been so good for me!” Ann Cameron writes, “The contemplative practices I’ve learned through EPC’s Mindfulness Mondays and Lectio Divina classes have deepened my ability to listen to God at the beginning and end of each day. I now start and close my days with a guided spiritual meditation, and our Small Group has incorporated Lectio Divina into our study. These quiet moments have greatly enriched my awareness of God’s presence throughout each day.”

How might the frazzled days, an anxious way of being, or preoccupation with worry be transformed into a posture of peace and calm acceptance? Through intentional, still, time with God. We are just getting started. Whether you are a man or woman, young adult, millennial or retired, I hope that you will prayerfully consider joining us on this journey. Starting in January, our holistic wellness classes will be crafted in a way that you can come as you are: no need to sign up, come straight from work or a workout, and experience the restoration to wholeness that God wants for you. Winter wellness will kick off on Wednesdays as part of WE@EPC (childcare provided).

Mindfulness Mondays restart in January. And save the date for our next Holy Rest Retreat, May 1-4, in Montreat, NC. PAGE 10

EASTMINSTER TODAY

THE HEALTHY GRIEF TASK FORCE Phase II: Discovery

BY DR. CAROL BYRD The Healthy Grief Task Force continues to meet monthly to discuss how Eastminster might better meet the needs of church members who are experiencing grief. We were also tasked with a wider vision of exploring ways to

with Stephen Ministers, and pastoral visits. We also offer home communion, prayer shawls, prayer cards, Food for the Soul, the Peace Service, and Meal Trains to comfort those who grieve.

In January, we’ll survey members of all Small Groups and Sunday School Classes to assess which of our resources people have found helpful in their time of grief, as well as what was missing that would have been address the needs of others in our community, both helpful. With the same or similar survey, letters will be children and adults, who are grieving the loss of spouses, sent to all members who have lost family members children, parents, siblings, and others. Currently there is over the past three years. We encourage your feedback! no Grief Center in Columbia or the surrounding area that meets this need on a broader scale.

One of the ongoing programs we discovered in the Columbia area is the Healing Hearts Grief Program, a quarterly, four-week offering at Prisma Children’s Hospital (Richland) for children ages 5-18 who have lost a loved one. Another is GriefShare which has been an ongoing, weekly support group at Shandon Baptist Church for many years, offering care for adults going through the grief process. For children in public school settings, guidance counselors offer some support to those children who have experienced the loss of a parent or sibling. Counseling centers such as Live Oak Counseling Center, which we help to support, offer one-on-one counseling as well.

Our current thought is to strengthen our own church’s ministries for grieving members. Some of our existing Grief Care resources are: Pastoral Care, Small Groups and Sunday School Classes, Staff, Stephen Ministers and Grief Book packets. In-person resources include GriefShare, led by Rev. Emily Mooneyhan, discussions

Are you walking through a valley and need someone to walk with you and/or listen to you without judgement? Eastminster's Stephen Ministers would love to meet you. Stephen Ministers are highly trained individuals who provide care for those in crisis. Whether it is the death of a loved one, loss of a job, a divorce, issues with children, or just an overwhelming schedule, contact Rev. Emily Mooneyhan: (803) 256-1654 or emooneyhan@eastminsterpres.org.

EASTMINSTER TODAY

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Lauren Cunningham: Missions & Service Coordinator

BY CAROLINE BENNETT Since the sweet age of 16, Lauren Cunningham has been on a mission. Yet it wasn’t a mission towards personal achievement that drove her onward; it’s been a mission to seek God’s will for her life.

Then in April 2024, a week after joining EPC, she married Brian Cunningham– who encouraged her to consider the upcoming mission trip to Uganda, Africa, the first mission trip she’d attended since her teenage years.

As a teenager in Fayetteville, AR, Lauren’s faith took root.

She signed up to attend a Mexico mission trip… then another… and another. “I fell in love with the people, the language. I feel this was when God stirred my heart for missions,” says Lauren. The Lord had woven within her the desire to help people.

So in college, Lauren chose the pre-med route along with a Spanish major at the University of AR. There, she volunteered at a free medical clinic and traveled to Spain for a Summer project with Campus Crusade. Her sights were on medical school– it was her plan and all she wanted.

Then, she felt God nudging her heart in a slightly different direction and whispering, “You haven’t surrendered your plan to me, Lauren.”

The circuitous path to seek God’s plan began. After earning her degree, Lauren taught Spanish in KY, got married, then completed a second degree– nursing– in Little Rock, after which she worked as a nurse for 16 years… ending up in Columbia, SC, with their two children. An adventurous path indeed, but it wasn’t without stumbling blocks– among them, marital difficulties, single parenting, and Covid shutdowns.

A fellow parent she had befriended over children’s sports, Stacy Strong invited Lauren to join her at EPC’s field worship services. Over time, her children (Parker and Libby, now 13 and 11) began to love the children’s and youth activities, and Lauren joined a Small Group.

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“It was life-changing,” she recalls of Uganda. “It’s amazing to go half-way around the world, and we’re all worshipping the same God. To see people of different colors and languages, people you don’t think you have anything in common with, and we’re all reading the same Bible… I thought, this is a picture of Heaven.”

Reflecting on her life’s winding path and its struggles, Lauren realized, “God used that time in my life to grow and deepen my faith.”

Now, in her new role as EPC’s Missions & Service Coordinator, Lauren will be back where she’s meant to be: on the mission field and lining up service opps and trips abroad for our members. Her smile says it all, as she concludes: “I get to be a part of helping people love God and serve others. There’s nothing more satisfying.”

EASTMINSTER TODAY

ADVENT TREES OF EPC

Making Room for A New Tradition

BY FREDNA LEE - DIR. OF MUSIC “O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree, How Lovely Are Thy Branches…”

Eastminster will celebrate the season with three Christmas trees this year. The newest addition is the 12-foot Jubilee Tree, which will be located in Thompson Hall. Ornaments from the Ornament-Making Workshop, sponsored by the Eastminster Arts Academy (EAA) on November 10, will be hung on this tree. Nineteen folks lovingly created beautiful, painted ornaments, under the instruction of the talented Lindsay Cobb. Many thanks to the Worship and Music Ministry for providing guidance for obtaining this new tree and especially to Mary Frances Jowers for her leadership.

The Memory Tree will now be located in the Adult Reception Hall. This brand new, nine-foot tree will feature ornaments given in the past. Begun by former member Angie Durrett after the unexpected death of her son in 2010, ornaments on this tree have all been donated by EPC members and friends. Given in memory of loved ones, this collection ranges from airplanes and music to sports teams and hobbies, all depicting a personal aspect of the special person’s life. If you would like to donate an ornament in memory of a loved one, there is a designated box located near the receptionist’s desk in the Church Office. Each ornament is tagged to honor the person being memorialized.

Beginning the first week of December, our traditional Chrismon Tree will continue to reign over the narthex. For over 30 years, this beautiful tree, filled with ornaments of white and gold, has been the backdrop for many family photos. These ornaments, crafted and donated by church members, have special significance during this holy season.

They are beautiful symbols of Christ’s birth, life and ministry.

We are grateful for our many members who spend hours decorating our trees and campus, as well as our staff for their support during this season of hope.

EASTMINSTER TODAY

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Linda & Randy Bumgarner

Melanie Dalton

Meg & John Garrison

Cooper, Rebecca & Henry Gresham

Rebecca & Allan Hicks

Veronica & Stan Holland

Bonnie Kelly

Patrick & Kristen McLean

Phyllis & Bruce Peterson

John & Arden Riley

Elizabeth, Troy & George Riley

Melissa, Rob & Harris Schoonover

“Church is not an organization you join; it is a family where you belong, a home where you are loved and a hospital where you find healing.”

Nicky Gumbel - Alpha

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Morgan, Patrick, Anna & Wilson Scott

Gina & Wayne Staton

Evans, Anna, Henry & Stratton Townsend

Ruth & Olin Whitener

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRY AT EPC

Stefanie Hammond’s Expanding Role COMMUNICATIONS

We’re delighted to share some exciting news!

Stefanie Hammond will soon be dedicating even more of her incredible gifts to our Children’s Ministry. Up until now, about a third of her time has been spent serving with our Membership and Outreach team. In the coming weeks, that time will shift toward investing directly in the lives of our kids— continuing through EDS children’s music, EPC children’s choirs, and now helping Rev. Croskeys Royall with EPC Children’s Ministry as a whole.

KINGDOM KIDS & CLUB 345 DECEMBER DATES: 12/7: KINGDOM KIDS & CLUB 345, 5-6:30 PM

Pastor Croskeys had this to say about Stefanie’s

12/14: ABBREVIATED KINGDOM KIDS & CLUB 345 (5-5:45 PM - NO DINNER) DUE TO LIVING NATIVITY

special gifts: “We can’t wait to see the joy and creativity she brings to this expanded role! Stefanie

12/21: CLUB 345 SINGS AT THE 11:15 JUBILEE SERVICE. NO KINGDOM KIDS/CLUB 345 THAT EVENING.

has a great love for Eastminster’s children and is so musically gifted. She also has a great love for organization, and understands that preparation and

12/24: KINGDOM KIDS SING AT THE 3:00PM CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

readiness for rehearsals, dinners and events needs to be accurate and often to ensure both safety and the best environment for learning.”

Stefanie is enjoying transitioning into her expanded role with Children’s Ministry saying, “The last few years have shown us how faithfully God works through little voices. What a joy it has been to see him grow this ministry!” says Stefanie. “These children are learning to lift their voices not just in song, but in faith. It is a blessing to see how he is growing his kingdom through the hearts of our youngest worshippers.”

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The Hammond Family Above: Stefanie and Clay with their children, Vivian (4) and Ford (18 months). The Hammonds joined Eastminster in March of 2019.

EASTMINSTER TODAY

Thank you Officers‌‌ CLASS OF 2025 Deacons

Elders Bick Halligan

Kevin O’Connell

Adam Hegler

Mary McCants

Bob Staton

Lib Foster

Chesley Good

Parks Bunch

Connie Derrick

Nancy Scott

George Hutton

Simmons Purdy

Jeff Thordahl

Paul Trippe

Jay Hudson

Susan Ratteree

Judy Holmes

Tiffany Beitz

Karen Hudgens

Zack Hudson

2025 Year-end Giving: Thank you for supporting EPC in 2025. Year-end contributions can be made via the offering plate on Sundays by Sunday, December 28th, or by mail if postmarked by Wednesday, December 31st. If you are bringing your balance by the Church Office, please mark the envelope, “Attn Treasurer,” and deliver it to the receptionist by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31st. Consult your financial advisor if you would like to give a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA. To donate stock, contact Christy Rippy, Treasurer, via email at crippy@eastminsterpres.org for stock transfer instructions.

2025 “I DO’S”

WEDDINGS AT EASTMINSTER: March 8:

Ann Newsome & Jordan Foster

March 15: Caroline Price & Trey Coxe March 22: Laura Hudson and Brendon Dasher March 29: Macy Morrow and Ethan Tisdale April 5:

Lauren Ragsdale and Jamey Dye

April 12:

Caroline Chester and Harrison Long

May 31:

Natalie Gailey and Henry Tiller

August 2: Rachel Scott and Pat Frentz October 4: Heyward Clayton and Patrick Fawcett

Mr. & Mrs. Trey Coxe

SPEAKER: SOPHIE HUDSON

Mr. & Mrs. Brendon Dasher

Mr. & Mrs. Ethan Tisdale

THE COVE CHAPEL

SPEAKER SOPHIE HUDSON IS THE AUTHOR OF SEVEN BOOKS AND CO-HOST OF THE PODCAST, “THE BIG BOO.” SHE LOVES TO LAUGH AND HOPES THAT WOMEN FIND ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGH HER STORIES, AND LEARN TO APPRECIATE EVERYDAY JOY-FILLED MOMENTS....

Mr. & Mrs. Pat Frentz Mr. & Mrs. Henry Tiller Mr. & Mrs. Harrison Long

SAVE THE DATES...DECEMBER & JANUARY DECEMBER:

JANUARY:

DEC 2: DECORATING MEMORY TREE DEC 4: CLC BLOOD DRIVE DEC 5: EAA CELLO RECITAL DEC 5-7: ADVENT RETREAT DEC 7: LAST SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH DEC 8: POINSETTIA DEDICATIONS DUE DEC 8: EPW CIRCLES 1 & 3 DEC 8: SANDLAPPER SINGERS HOLIDAY CONCERT DEC 10: YOUTH CHRISTMAS CAROLING DEC 12: SALVATION ARMY SERVICE DAY DEC 13: CHAMPS CHRISTMAS PARTY DEC 13: EPW HOLIDAY SOCIAL DEC 14: LESSONS AND CAROLS DEC 14: KINGDOM KIDS & CLUB 345 REHEARSAL DEC 14: LIVING NATIVITY 5PM, 6PM & 7PM DEC 17: BIBLE DOERS DEC 17: GINGERBREAD HOUSE PARTY DEC 18: TRANSITIONS 3RD THURSDAY DEC 18: DINNER AND CAROLS & KEYBOARDS DEC 21: CLUB 345 & YOUTH LEAD JUBILEE WORSHIP DEC 21: LONGEST NIGHT PEACE SERVICE DEC 24: CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP 3PM, 5PM & 7PM DEC 24: CANDLELIGHT COMMUNION 7PM DEC 25: CHRISTMAS DAY WORSHIP 10:30AM DEC 25: SERVE LUNCH AT TRANSITIONS DEC 26: EPC & CLC ARE OPEN DEC 27: CLC OPEN DEC 28: PEANUT BUTTER SUNDAY DEC 28: 2 SERVICES (9AM & 11:15AM SANCTUARY) NO SUNDAY SCHOOL, NO JUBILEE SERVICE DEC 28: HOLIDAY BRUNCH (10AM) THOMPSON HALL DEC 28: CLC CLOSED DEC 31: NEW YEAR’S EVE - EPC OPEN

JAN 1: NEW YEAR’S DAY - EPC CLOSED JAN 4: CRADLE ROLL SUNDAY (9AM WORSHIP) JAN 4: SUNDAYS@5 CLASSES BEGIN JAN 7: WE@EPC MEALS & CLASSES BEGIN JAN 11: OFFICER INSTALLATION JAN 11: PEACE WORSHIP SERVICE JAN 11: KINGDOM KIDS & CLUB 345 KICKOFF JAN 12: EPW CIRCLES 1 & 3 JAN 14: BIBLE DOERS JAN 15: TRANSITIONS 3RD THURSDAY JAN 17: CHAMPS JAN 17-18: CLC CLOSED JAN 19: MLK HOLIDAY ALL EPC FACILITIES CLOSED JAN 25: PEANUT BUTTER SUNDAY JAN 25: COMMUNION JAN 25: TROOP 10 COURT OF HONOR JAN 30 - FEB 1: THE VINE WOMEN’S RETREAT JAN 31: PACK 10 PINEWOOD DERBY

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Eastminster Presbyterian Church 3200 Trenholm Road Columbia, SC 29204 (803) 256-1654

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

Christmas Eve Worship

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24 - SANCTUARY

PM 3:00 - Children’s Service 5:00 - Family Candlelight Service 7:00 - Candlelight Communion Service

Christmas Day Worship

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25 - SANCTUARY

AM 10:30 - Worship & Carols (Casual Dress) JOIN US AT TRANSITIONS TO SERVE LUNCH w w w .e a s t m i n s t e r p r e s .o r g