Chimes 2012-12-01 - St. John`s Evangelical Lutheran Church
Transcription
Chimes 2012-12-01 - St. John`s Evangelical Lutheran Church
THE CHIMES St. John’s Lutheran Church, ELCA 301 West Main Street 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: [email protected] Website: www.stjohnswalhalla.org Biggerstaff Christian Retreat: 864-882-3337 398 Biggerstaff Road; Seneca SC 29672 Email: [email protected] St. John’s Pre-School: (864) 638-8099 Pre-School Email: [email protected] DECEMBER 2012 St. John’s Advent and Christmas 2012 Schedule Sunday, Dec. 2 9am…...Advent Celebration (FH) ~ Thursday, Dec. 6 6:30pm…...St. Nicholas Day Celebration (Sanctuary) ~ Saturday/Sunday Dec. 8-9 2-5pm…...Tour of Homes at St. John’s ~ Sunday, Dec. 16 3pm .…..Christmas Caroling ~ Monday, Dec. 24…...Christmas Eve Meal Assembly/Delivery (Times TBA) Christmas Eve Services First Service~~~ 5:00 pm Second Service ~~~ 10:30 pm +++++++++ “Member Expectations” by Pastor Frank Many of you know that I grew up in Chattanooga, across the east Tennessee mountains from here. What you may not know is that I have no idea (from a rational perspective) how I landed at Clemson University. Both brothers attended UT in Knoxville. No one from my high school chose to attend Clemson but me. Seminary was not even on my radar screen back then. I wanted to be a chemical engineer and was not even remotely involved in church at the time—had all sorts of questions; still do. Without this choice in schools I would have never met two Lutheran campus pastors who shaped my decision (“I’ll try it for one year”) to enter seminary. I would have never worked at Lutheridge where I met a young woman named Cindy. I would have never become a passably-acceptable writer nor serve churches in settings ranging from the Virginia mountains to one of South Carolina’s inner cities. All of this (trust me) would have been different had I not landed at Clemson. Each of us, to a degree, can look back on the decades and do this. Tinker with just a couple details from your past and everything is different. We can assign these historical reflections to chance, as many do. Or (by contrast) to God’s providence—interesting word, by the way, from the roots “pro” and “video”; literally, “to see ahead.” Says St. Paul in Ephesians: “He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world” (1:4). Wrap your head around that sentence for a second or two. Paul never claims that we’re unable to reject God’s intentions. We do this all the time. But he is suggesting that God has something in mind for each of us—turns in the road, details, bits of bread on the path—that we should be watching for (and responding to) in this life. All of this assumes the reality of a God who sees and acts in our lives. These ponderings lead me to address a new ministry initiative by our church council titled “membership expectations.” Expectations are different than requirements. Lutherans have always been a little nervous about the latter word. Jesus “requires” relatively little of a disciple, according to our Bible, but “expects” quite a lot. The expectations you’ll be hearing about are meant to do two things: 1) Give the Holy Spirit room in our lives to change and transform us over time; and 2) Help us make specific connections from our past to give us courage to embrace new directions of the Spirit in the present. What sort of “expectations” are we talking about? Well, things like weekly attendance at worship; daily prayer and reading of scripture; regular service in the community; sacrificial giving and striving towards the tithe (10%). These are basic, time-tested “disciplines” that strengthen our common discipleship. Note the similarity in those two words. Without these disciplines, it is highly unlikely that we will see much spiritual growth in our lives over time. You’ll be hearing more about church member expectations from the council leadership in the new year. This Advent, please ponder with Mary (Luke 2:19) the nature of change in our lives with God—how God gets at us; how God brings us to spiritual maturity. MUSIC NOTES FOR ADVENT How many Advent hymns are in our Evangelical Lutheran Worship (ECW) hymnal? Write the answer on a page from your bulletin, sign, and place in my mailbox - I will draw the winner for a special prize! Is this little game a theological conflict for anyone? How do we rationalize the solemnity and quietness of Advent with the busyness of the Christmas scurry? How do we caress our Advent hymns with “Jingle Bells” running around in our head? mCounting the number of Advent hymns is a start. Read the titles and themes will stand out. The Latin word “adventus” means coming. Look for: coming, waiting, hope, love, angels, Mary, John the Baptist, voice in the wilderness, highway, peace etc Look at the tune name under the music on the bottom right. Many of these are the same tunes we sing to other hymns. (Forest Green #250 is the same tune as familiar Saints of Old #695.) Did you know Joy to the World #267 is an Advent hymn? It’s a given that everyone sings Christmas carols with gusto! We have a long life history of hearing and singing carols. Can we ponder building our Advent singing history in a similar way? Let’s count, read, digest the words like scripture and anticipate “aha” moments this Advent! Above all - sing with gusto. 10:30am DATE 11/4/2012 GREETERUSHER GREETER LAY ASSISTANT LECTOR ACOLYTE Susan Holcomb Lib Seigler Julai Ballenger Mikayla Kreuzberger Rylan Parish Holt Ann Brackett David Holt Derrick Lee Ken Johns Patty Shepard Bob Johnson Riley Shepard Ilia Schumacher Cathy Plowden Mary Sprouse John Sprouse ALTAR GUILD Kitchen Clean-up Terry Holcomb 11/11/2012 Dave Lewis (with Alex Sharpe) Chris Lee 11/18/2012 John Hawbecker (with Catherine Lee) Millie Hawbecker 11/25/2012 Bob Johnson Dolly Johnson NURSERY Ilia Schumacher K-2nd grade Sandy Yuda Lois Sharpe Gloria Shealy Bill Brackett Pastor Frank Mark McLean Cindy Honeycutt Patty Shepard 3rd-5th grade Confirmation Confirmation High School High School Stephanie White Circle CHILDRENS SERMON ORDER OF ST JOHN'S Pastor Frank Mark McLean NURSERY Celia November Newborn-4 yrs Celia Cary Kathryn Stoudemire Rachel Norton 11/4/2012 SUNDAY SCHOOL Lois Sharpe Allkison Sims 11/25/2012 Cathy Plowden 11/11/2012 11/18/2012 ADULT NURSERY WORKERS NEEDED A NEW YEAR BEGINS….there are many openings for Sunday nursery helpers…Celia Cary, Rachel Norton and Kathryn 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. BACKPACK LUNCH DELIVERY Marcia Lyle OFFERING COUNT- Mary Sprouse Kathryn Patty Shepard Celia Craig Schumacher Rachel NURSERY HELPER ERS Judy Roth Patty Stoudemire Stephanie White TBD November: Doug/Ginny Deane Bill Hill St. John’s would like to take the opportunity to thank and recognize the following people for serving on the Altar Guild this year. Carolyn Brandt – Chairperson Jeri Klaren – Co-chair Martha Murtiashaw Jenine Baldus Jean Norton Julia Ballenger Louise Nothdurft Ann Brackett Cathy Plowden Dottie Brandt Sandra Pruitt Pat Burnside Grace Schmelke Josi Busch Lois Sharpe Nancy Carter Joyce Shirey Jane Harris Andrea Stroud Susan Holcombe Stephanie White Jean Hughes Sandy Yuda Delores Kruger Karen Lawrence Marcia Lyle The Altar Guild would especially like to thank Betty Mantell for using her talent to make sure we always have a beautiful arrangement of flowers for the altar. St. John’s Knitters & Crocheters: St. John’s Knitters & Crocheters: We gave a prayer shawl to Dottie Brandt. From the Craft day on November 17 we donated a total of $182 from sales plus table rental of $25 to Our Daily Bread. We will again donate baby items to the Foothills Pregnancy Center on InAsMuch day next spring. Unsold dish cloths and leprosy bandages will be sent to Food for the Poor on Dec. 12. Ongoing projects are prayer shawls. Caps for adults for DSS for Christmas are due by Dec 5th. Four seaman scarves will be sent to Seamens’ Org. in NY. Special rainbow blankets are being made for 2013. If you cannot attend meetings, please leave your labeled items in the church office with your name. Want to learn how to make the new frilly scarves? Next meeting will be on Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. Want to learn how to knit or crochet? Or just want to renew your skills? Come join our fellowship. For more info call Barbara Wilson, Coordinator, at 638-8818. God’s work. Our hands. PS Thanks for all donations of yarn and supplies. CHRISTMAS COOKIE SALE!!! The Morning Circle is once again sponsoring a Christmas Cookie Sale on Sunday mornings, December 2 and December 9, 2012. They will be available from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM before church service; and following church service. This is a fund raiser to provide a special Christmas for one or two needy families. We had a wonderful response last year, and we urge your support again this year. Save yourself some work and purchase your cookies from the Morning Circle!! 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 8, 2013. Morning Circle: The Morning Circle will NOT be meeting during the month of December. Instead all ladies are encouraged to attend the WELCA Christmas Party to be held at Betty Mantell's on Saturday, December 15, 2012. OCONEE A.I.D.: The Men in Mission are asking for donations to Oconee A.I.D. for the month of December. Items needed are: warm clothing, adult gloves, hats, soup, fruit juice. These items or cash donations would be very much appreciated. MEN MISSION MONDAY DECEMBER 3, 2012 SIX OCLOCK This will be a pot luck with carol singing afterward to bring in the Christmas season. Marsha Cabbage will provide the piano and we will be using the church hymnal. Wives and anyone who would like to attend will be welcomed. If you are coming for the meal please sign up below. If for the singing come about 6:45. The next Bible Study is Dec 2nd from 4-6pm. Prayer and Share dinner will be at Pete's Drive In from 6-7pm on Nov 28th and on the first two Sundays in December. We will meet to work on the Christmas float on Dec 1st from 10am - 1pm at the church. The parade begins at 5pm. December Birthdays John Chmelar Alexander Mitchell Terry Stephens Susan Long Sandra Yuda John Hawbecker Lindsey Simmons Mickey Ward Vern Stratman Larry Brandt Eliza Davis Mary Hill Scott Albertson Fredricka Hallman Sheila Niemeyer Nancy Harper Glen Brolander Chadwick Hurst Gene Burnside Julie Corbett Richard Klaren William McMahan Sarah Voss Catherine Goss Cheryl Rupprechet Jo Oliver Thelma Miller Lynne Williams Kenneth Burnside Alice Campbell Zachary Mitchell Jason Wilson Beth Davis William Hughes Bobbie Finkenstadt Elizabeth Neal Shannon Somerville Judith Burnett Haynes Joshua Gaines Alexandria Gydesen Alexus Gydesen Mary Somerville Anna Zelaya Maggie Winchester Tres Workman, III Albert Pittman Louis Rimrodt Martin Sloan Laura Sloan Christen Mathis Kimberly Meeuwsen 12/01 12/01 12/01 12/02 12/02 12/04 12/06 12/06 12/09 12/10 12/10 12/10 12/11 12/11 12/11 12/12 12/14 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/16 12/16 12/16 12/17 12/17 12/18 12/19 12/19 12/21 12/22 12/22 12/22 12/23 12/24 12/25 12/25 12/25 12/26 12/26 12/27 12/27 12/27 12/27 12/28 12/28 12/30 12/30 12/30 12/30 12/31 12/31 December Wedding Anniversaries……. Bill and Laura Mathis Keith and Patty Shepard Horace and Tina Barrett Blake and Jean Norton Bobby and Julia Ballenger Bill and Jean Hughes Jamie and Erin Garland John and Lynne Williams Ryan and Mary Somerville Nelson and Elaine Griesheimer Marty and Liz Kuemmerer Bill and Ann Brackett Ed and Ruth Pekarek 12/02 12/09 12/11 12/11 12/17 12/17 12/20 12/22 12/23 12/24 12/26 12/27 12/28 ~~~St. John’s Lutheran Church gratefully acknowledges the following Memorials received recently.~~~ In Memory of Paul Brandt In Memory of Paul and Lucille Weigel Bill and Julie Corbett NWDC Experimentation Annice W. Cope/Ephriam G. Cope Jr. Rudy and Louise Nothdurft Paul and Barbara Wilson Mary Hill Mark and Libby McLean Ann and Norm Henry Brenda M. Bendenbaugh Mtn. Rest Fire Dept. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bussey Charles and Marie R. Moore Norman L. Phillip and Family William and Sue Schwartz Joel and Laura Hunkele Zion Un. Meth. Church Larry and Sandy Yuda James R. and Debra A. Gabon Craig and Stacey Gorman J. Darwin Martin Judy Roth Bob and Jane Harris Dottie and George Brandt Julia Ballenger Elinor Brown Neal and Faye Workman Bertha Circle Frances Skaggs Bob and Barb Willbrant Heidi, Terry and Pearle Googe Chris and Margaret Weigel In Memory of Cleve Phillips Bob and Barb Willbrant In Memory of Mike Hill Bob and Jane Harris Mark and Libby McLean Arthur and Evelyn Todd Judy Roth Neal and Faye Workman Paul and Carolyn Brandt A note of Thanks…. Please know how grateful I am to have a Church family like you all. I appreciated all the calls, cards, food, and visits while in the hospital. God bless each of you. Sincerely, Lib Seigler FAIR TRADE FAIR 2012 Our “Fair Trade Fair” was a complete success. Many thanks to all who purchased items- you have given back to those in need this holiday season. We sold over $1900 in handcrafted merchandise. SERRV is a nonprofit organization with a 60+ year commitment to fair trade. They ensure that the artisans are treated fairly and with the respect they deserve. A portion of the proceeds are donated back to Lutheran World Relief to further their mission to end poverty, injustice and human suffering around the world. For those of you who were wondering…YES… we will do this again in 2013! BECOME PART OF A COMMUNITY EFFORT TO REACH OUT WITH “LUNCH FOR LIFE ~ FOOD FOR THE SOUL” St. John’s is scheduled to feed lunch to those in need in Walhalla on Saturday, January 19th. We will meet at the Salvation Army Church building on South John Street. A sign-up for workers and food donations will be located at the Spiritual Opportunities table. BIGGERSTAFF MEMORIAL PROJECT WORK CONTINUES……. Our Biggerstaff Memorial Project continues. There are several large windows and memorial stones still available for dedication. All windows and doors have a custom plague recognizing your memorial. Stones will be inscribed with your dedication. Why not consider sharing the cost of a large window with another person/group- we are able to inscribe 2 plaques to place over a large window or door. The cost of a large window is $500. Granite stones for the memorial walkway are available for $100 each. Many of you were at Biggerstaff for St. John’s Day and saw the amazing transformation. If you missed that opportunity please stop by to see what has been accomplished. 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. Julie's WELCA Words The results of the Oktoberfest Bake Sale were wonderful again this year, Thrivent contributed 30% and including that, we netted over $1700.00. Congratulations! Christmas is just around the corner. We look forward to the decoration of our church and fellowship with family and friends. Our recently elected officers will begin their duties starting January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2012. We elected Jan Long, President; Sandy Yuda, Vice President; Barbara Wilson, Treasurer; and Lynne Williams, Secretary. Our annual WELCA Christmas Gathering at the beautiful home of Betty Mantell in Mountain Rest on Saturday, December 15 from noon until 2:30 p.m. Parking is somewhat limited and it is suggested that you meet at the church at 11:35 a.m. so we can carpool. Please bring a savory or sweet finger-food to share. Beverages will be provided. We always have such a lovely time at our Christmas party. Fellowship with the girls is a lot of fun. (Bill says my use of the term "girls" is quite exaggerated.) Thank you for allowing me to serve as your President for the past two years. As I continue to accumulate information for the annual report, more and more items continues to be added because of your extremely high level of participation in our ministries. I never cease to be amazed at the amount and types of activities performed in a church the size of ours. It's truly remarkable. "God's Work, Our Hands." Our prayers continue for Dottie as she recovers from a tragic fall which caused the bone in her upper right leg to be shattered. The healing process will be slow, difficult for her, and painful, but the Lord will guide her through so that this wonderful woman will be back with us and home again before too long with her precious dog, Shadow. May the Lord bless and keep you. Your Sister in Christ, Julie December Chimes Christmas Sale What a Deal!! St. John’s Watercolor Prints $25 These limited edition numbered prints make a wonderful Christmas gift! Prints are available in the Church office. We have had an awesome month talking about what we are thankful for!! Turkeys line our walls and rooms. We have enjoyed music and yoga for the month. Puerto Spirit Night is Dec 10th 5-8 pm, please join us that night. The Preschool is running very low on our wish list supplies. If you can help us with this project it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all the continued support and prayers. Blessings, Cindy and Staff Christmas Poinsettias...Now is the time to order poinsettias for Christmas, Please fill out this form and place in the offering plate with your check to St. John's ..please put "poinsettias" in memo. Or, turn form and check into the church office. Poinsettias are $10 each. I would like to order ____(quantity) poinsettias at $10 each Total $_________________ In memory of ________________________________________________________________ In Honor of __________________________________________________________________ Given by: ____________________________________________________________________ ____Will pick up plant ____Will leave plant 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: Thursday, December 6th Time: 6:30pm Place: St. John’s Sanctuary ANNUAL CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL MEAL PREPARED & DELIVERED TO SENIORS, SHUT-INS AND NEEDY IN OCONEE COUNTY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Prep Work (details to come) Meal assembly & Delivery on 12/24 (Monday) Clean-up on 12/24 (Monday) Hot chocolate and cookies to be served Sign-up today at the Spiritual Opportunities Table “My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” ― Bob Hope Upcoming for January 2013... “Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more....” ― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas The 2nd Annual Lucy Klaren Circle “EPIPHANY CELEBRATION” January Jubilee CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK LUNCH & CHRISTMAS CAROL SING-A-LONG Sunday January 6th 11:30am ~ following worship Sign-Up Today at the Spiritual Opportunities Table Saturday, January 26, 2013 7-10 pm. Walhalla Conservatory Food, Wine, Basket Auction and fun for all! $ 15.oo Tickets make a great Christmas Gift! Get your tickets from any LKC member or the Church Office. Abbreviated Cong. Council Minutes November 19, 2012----6 p.m. Opening devotion—Dave –Read poem Day by Day and ended with prayer. Oct. 22 Minutes—Motion passed to accept as corrected. Annual Cong. Meeting Minutes on Nov 11—Motion passed to accept as presented. Pastor’s Report---Thanks to Exe. Com. for evaluation and conversation. Good Senior Saints Sun. celebration and an observation that healing is happening in the congregation. Christmas Eve Services will be at 5 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Explanation of member expectations in Dec. Chimes. Treasurer’s/Finance Com. Report---Oct. report was accepted. OLD BUSINESS Church Sign---Donations are being made. Church Pictorial Directory—Some contacts wanted to be removed from membership. Complete info for directory is due in Dec. Phone System Replacement—No report. Church Brochures—Layout of new brochure is ready; copies will be made in the office. NEW BUSINESS Council Terms—Elected Council members---3-year terms: Jack Williams, Cathie Nowell, Amy Klaren, Tom Ward; 2-yr term: Joe Sears; 1-yr term: Celia Cary. Policy Manuals—for Council members Outreach Fund Disbursements-- Motion was passed to disburse from the Outreach Fund $600 each to Duke Energy Share the Warmth, Presbytery Service Fund with United Way, DSS Diaper Program, Cottingham Hospice House, Lutheridge/Lutherock, Rosa Clark Clinic, Ronald McDonald House, new brochures for St. John’s, Museum of the Cherokees, Safe Harbor (shelter for abused women). COMMITTEE REPORTS Property—Because scheduled payments of $2000 for both 2012 and 2013 were paid from the Clock Fund for the contracted repairs, the final payment of $2000 for 2014 was waived. The remaining amount will be retained in the Fund for maintenance. Dave will discuss termite damage repairs around the front church door with members of historical restoration and archive representatives. Because of safety issues the front door remains locked. Stewardship—Thirty-four pledge cards have been received. Worship & Music---Dec. 2—making Advent wreaths at 9 a.m. Cong. Christmas potluck dinner on Jan.6 after Worship. Dec. 16--Christmas Caroling 3-5 p.m. Feb. 5—Newberry College Jazz Band. During Christmas and Epiphany seasons “Glory to God” will be sung during the liturgy. Motion passed to add St. John’s website link to the Walhalla Chamber of Commerce website. Biggerstaff---Elected the same officers for 2013. Cemetery---No report. Youth--- Weekly dinners for fellowship & prayer. Will decorate float for the Walhalla Christmas Parade on Dec. 1. Lock-in on Dec. 14. Yard work for Habitat for Humanity house on Dec. 15. Christian Education---Children’ Christmas play during Worship on Dec. 16. Mutual Ministry---No report. Administrative---No report. Preschool---Enrollment is 35. Christmas program on Dec. 12 during Parents’ Chapel. Evangelism—Will have informational flyers in Oktoberfest Booth. Invitational events include Christmas Tour of Homes which includes St. John’s, Walhalla Christmas parade, St. Nicolas Day on Dec. 6. Mayfest open house and prison ministry will be explored. Hospitality---Chefs prepared 12 meals. Three grief care books were sent. Mailed care packages to students, mailed b.day cards to Senior Saints, provided food for Calendar meeting, served birthday cake during fellowship time, updated Craft Fair signs. Stewards of God’s Creation---Recycle program on-going. The cost of paper plates for meals is less than using the dishwasher. Next meeting-- 6 p.m. on Dec. 17, 2012. Adjourned 7:52 p.m. by praying of The Lord’s Prayer. Present: Pastor Frank, Lois Sharpe, Cecelia Lee, Dave Lewis, Jeri Klaren, Gary Cabbage, Bill Brackett, Dwight Addis, Bob Johnson, Barbara Wilson, and newly elected Council members Jack Williams, Joe Sears, Amy Klaren, Tom Ward, Joe Sears. Absent: Cathie Nowell Respectively submitted, Barbara Wilson, Secretary Abbreviated St. John’s Lutheran Annual Congregation Meeting November 11, 2012—9:30 a.m. Meeting was called to order by Pres. Bill Brackett by reading I Cor. 12:27 and a prayer. A quorum of 85 was present. Election of Council Members—Six seats were available—four 3-yr terms, one 2-yr term and one 1yr term. Those elected were Joe Sears, Jack Williams., Cathie Nowell, Tom Ward, Amy Klaren, Celia Cary. Operations Budget—On recommendation from Council a motion was passed to give the Sexton a 3% cost-of-living raise which would amend his salary to $15,760 and FICA to $1,206. A motion was passed to accept the Total Budget of $317,276 for 2013. Endowment Fund Report—Joe Sears reported the following disbursements for 2012: $500 to St. Matthews Lutheran Church Renovation Fund, Charleston, SC; $250 for Bibles for Female Prisoners; $400 to Food for the Poor; $450 to Our Daily Bread in Seneca, $500 to St. John’s Youth group. Members are encouraged to donate cash of noncash items to the Fund. Information Sharing—All veterans were recognized for their military service. Pastor Frank commented on the current trend in lower church attendance worldwide, encouraged members to “be in the Word daily”, and recommit themselves to regular attendance. Members made suggestions for recipients for $8500 accumulated Outreach Funds which came from offerings at special Worship Services during the last two years. Council will designate recipients and amounts. Adjournment—10:15 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Barbara Wilson, Secretary The Mission Endowment Fund…a Gift that keeps on giving. Need more information on how you can grow your gift and build a future for St. John’s? See Bob Harris or any committee member or email the church office at stjohnsluther@gmail if you would like to be contacted. FINANCIAL REPORT November 2012 Project Status Report as of October 31, 2012 Biggerstaff / SCLRC Project – In August 2006 our congregation approved, in principle, partnering with the SC Lutheran Retreat Centers, the ultimate goal to ‘make Biggerstaff a year-round destination for the faithful throughout the Synod and the nation’. Thus, Biggerstaff would become the up-state site to complement Camp Kinard in the mid-lands and Coastal retreat on Isle of Palms. Synod approved a five year, 7.5 million dollar Capital Campaign for raising funds for the three sites, the ‘Building, Renewing, Believing Campaign’. Of the total, Biggerstaff was allocated 3.7m, Kinard & Coastal 1.9 million each. First priority being Coastal followed by Kinard, with us last. The pending ‘Agreement to Lease’ will allow St John’s to retain all monies generated until such time as the actual ‘Ground Lease’ is executed, which, in turn, will not occur until the SCLRC is in position to begin construction within six months and have expectations that the project will be completed within two years. Beginning balance Received during month Ending balance $ 49,857.67 $ 20.00 $49,877.67 Bell Clock Fund: The congregation approved spending $13,850.00 to pay for costs associated with getting our Bell Clock functioning correctly. Debt incurred to date is $7,849.07. This has been paid in full!! We still have three $ 2,000 payments due in October of 2012, 2013, and 2014. Thanks to everyone who is contributing to this fund. Beginning Balance Rec’d this month Ending Balance $ 4596.80 $ 130.00 $ 4726.80 Chris Lee, Acting Congregational Treasurer St. John’s Welcomes 6 Newly elected Council members. These members were elected during the November Annual Congregational Meeting. Congratulations and may God bless you for your time and commitment to serving on this Council Amy Klaren Tom Ward Celia Cary Jack Williams Joe Sears Cathie Nowell (re-elected) General Fund: Balance Beginning Oct 1 ($16,513.13) Received, Budget Support Offerings $22,798.00 Disbursed, Expenses $24,286.77 Balance, End of Oct ($18,001.90) Req'd giving for 2012 $324,374/yr. $6,120/wk Budgeted Contributions Through Oct $275,414.00 Amount Actually Received $219,067.96 Dollar Surplus or (Deficit) ($56,346.04) Percentage Surplus or (Deficit) -20.46% Restricted Funds & Accounts: Altar Guild Funds $1,657.96 Bell Choir Accumulative Fund $443.30 Bell Clock Fund $4,726.80 Biggerstaff Cap Campaign $49,877.67 Biggerstaff, In/Out $1,483.38 Capital Contingency Fund $5,962.41 Cemetery Accumulative Fund $35,922.27 Choir Accumulative Fund $659.54 Cookbook Fund ($2,817.50) Evangelism, Restricted $280.52 Food Pantry $0.00 Kitchen Remodel Fund $865.00 Long Range Planning Loan $0.00 Lucy Klaren Bequest $2,872.35 LYC Accumulation Fund $3,521.66 Miscellaneous In/Out Accounts $2,040.11 Mission Endowment Fund, In/Out $1,065.00 Outreach Fund $8,677.89 Preschool In/Out $240.00 Shealy Book Fund $60.00 Stock Fund $4,144.07 WELCA Grant $74.48 World Hunger $367.00 Worship Fund $577.57 Total Restricted Funds & Accts $122,701.48 St. 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 Marsh Cabbage, Organist and Director of Music Louis Boos, Violinist Elizabeth Neal, Youth Director Cindy Kelly, SJ Preschool Director Chris Lee, Congregational Treasurer Julia Ballenger, Financial Secretary Carolyn Brandt, Jeri Klaren, Susan Holcombe: Altar Guild Brandon Shepard, Cemetery Grounds Keeper Highlights In this issue…… News and Needs… Spiritual Opportunities December Calendar Coming in January 2013……. Epiphany of our Lord TIME DATED MATERIAL ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED St. John’s Lutheran Church 301 West Main St. Walhalla, SC 29691 Non Profit Organization U. S. Postage Paid Walhalla, SC Permit No. 26