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Birthdays
1 Piet Strydom
1 Alison Horton
1 Meredith Hall
2 Yubo Qiu
3 Courtney Driscoll
4 Kathleen Moak
4 Wesley Bickham
5 Virginia Warren
6 Leigh Sain
7 Nicole Simon
7 Carter Sain
8 B. J. Baskin
8 Omega Bickham
8 Reagan Brandon
8 Matt Ryder
8 Mark Moran
8 Wesley McDaniel
9 Alison Cross
9 Emily Wilcox
9 Adrienne Riga
9 Jared Riga
9 Megan Jones
10 Karen Clark
10 Emma Dilworth
11 Richard Alder
11 Stan Sharp
11 Eric Horton
11 Bailey Bickham
12 Frank Byrd
13 Amy Allen
13 Joel Knight
13 Lindsey Suber
14 Reta Frew
14 Holly Meigs
15 Merrilee Morris
15 Jan Conkright
15 Denny Zollweg
15 Karen Miller
15 Gordon Carswell
16 Paul Goldberg
16 Bette Van Winkle
16 Samuel Norton
18 Judy Struk
19 Bill Allen
19 Leigh Lones
19 Alex Moyer
20 Karl Melcher
21 Dave Elkins
21 Steve Todd
21 William Meigs
22 Carolyn Keappler
22 Carol Hays
22 Garner Page
23 John Thompson
24 Bob Douglas
24 Carolyn Waters
25 Greg Peacock
25 Martha Childs
27 Tom Dilworth
27 Mary Georgia
Hamilton
27 Stratton Noland
28 Ted Wood
28 Thomas DenHaese
28 William DenHaese
29 Scott Wessner
29 Aimee Jackson
29 Caroline Warren
30 Mary Alice Phinney
30 John Bentley
31 Fran Skeeles
31 Brian Lamb
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6
Chad & Sally Ervin
21 Dick
& Eleanor
Tandy
26 Larry
& Anne
Schrock
27 Norm
& Suzie Baur
27 Ralph
& Lucy Gordon
28
Richard & Martha
Childs
29 Bill & Amy Allen
30 Hoke
& Amy Wilcox
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December 4
9:00
Teresa Roberts
Sharon Melcher
11:15
Martie Pottinger
Karen Adair
Stan Beard
December 11
9:00
Suzanne Edmond
Susan Welborn
11:15
Paul & Snookie
Goldberg
Bill & Melinda
Freeman
December 18
9:00
Sarah Nielsen
Teri Capparucci
11:15
Mike & Jennie Adams
Randy & Edwina
Sherman
Christmas Eve
5:00 TBD
7:00
Bob & Jane Douglas
11:00
Stan & Ellen Beard
December 25
11:15
John & Janie Bunch
Linda & Denny
Zollweg
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December 4
9:00
Kim Brammer
Will Page
11:15
Jim Bussart
Phillip Morrissey
Debbie Bussart
Alana Nigro
December 11
9:00
Andrew Sain
Jack Williams
11:15
Scott Wessner
Lynn Shoop
Stan Sharp
Flo Sharp
December 18
9:00
Walt Keller
Sarah Keller
11:15
Julia Gallagher
Mike Moran
Mike Adams
Jennie Adams
December 24
7:00
Candy McNair
Doug Wallace
Robert Chesser
Carol Banks
December 25
11:15
Chad Ervin
Norm Baur
Suzie Baur
Robert Chesser
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Menu for
Wednesday Dinner
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Dec. 7
Taco Bar
Chicken or Beef
Green Salad
Pound Cake
Strawberries and
Whipped Cream
Dec. 14
Ham with Pineapple
and Cherries
Green Bean Casserole
Maple Roasted Pears & Toasted Pecans over Greens
Rolls and Butter
Gingerbread
Vanilla Ice Cream
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I'm writing this article at Chick-fil-A having a coffee
in the pause before family gathers from all Georgia, Alabama, and
Chicago. This is the first Thanksgiving I've been home for a few
years, and I'm excited. Amazing, too, is that already you and I
have been together for six months, and it has been a busy season.
This morning I started reading from Colossians just as I had done
with Philippians for two months. I'm looking forward to soaking in
what God wants me to hear from that letter next!
What struck me today is that from the start Paul
assumes a thankful note. "We always thank God, the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you" (1:3). It's good
to lead off with thanksgiving. There is always something to thank
God for, though sometimes we might need to focus our attention off
what's dragging us down. I write this as I look at a hill made
brown by a long drought. I don't thank God for that, though I
recall what a farmer told me years ago. "It's not good for me,
but my friend in construction sure is happy now."
So, I thought I'd share with you a few items about
which I'm thanking God during these days between Thanksgiving and
Christmas.
I'm thankful for (or I'm thankful that):
- I'm
able to read God's Word this morning because I know some
can't;
- I
am breathing in and breathing out;
- Several
Eastminster families are celebrating new arrivals this Advent;
- Our
oldest daughter's wedding went off without a hitch;
- A
terrific leadership team with whom I'm partnered during this
transition. It is the best transition team with whom I've ever
worked;
- The
Tide is rolling strong (let's be nice);
- People
at Eastminster have found new employment;
- At
least one daughter among us took a big step toward healing. A
HUGE praise God on this one!
- We
have amazing Veterans among us;
- The
sky has been so beautiful lately. God is an incredible artist!
- The
Father's gift of His Son to us and the salvation we have
because of Him.
Let's add to this list. This month we're going to put
out some pads and markers for you and your family to write down
things you're thankful for right now. Then we're going to publish
the list. Let's spend some time thanking our Heavenly Father, not
just one day, but throughout Advent. Then on Christmas day, which
is a day of worship at Eastminster, I'm going to read a lot of
them. I look forward to what we'll be lifting up!
Grace and peace,
Tom
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Advent Sermon Series Notes
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The four Sundays of Advent begin on November 27 and
this year the staff has come together around a wonderful theme. Advent
2016: Celebrating Christ, Faith, and Family.
Using the common lectionary readings for this year, we
will be celebrating how God has come near to us by entering a
family. The family God chose was far from perfect, and quite common.
Through His incarnation, God sanctified the human family in a
significant way as He did from the start in Genesis 1 and 2. God
not only created a man and a woman, but brought them together as a
family, commissioning them to be one flesh, be fruitful, and
multiply. Eastminster expresses God's design for family in
marriage, adoption, fostering relationships, and Eastminster
grandparents stand with their grandchildren nurturing them into
faith and maturity.
You will hear from the staff this Advent, each one
sharing God's Word and reflecting their perspectives on the meaning
of God entering family through Jesus.
- November
27: Rev. Katie Hudson will share a mother's perspective
- December
4: Rev. Trent McEntyre will share a
father's perspective
- December
11: Hubie Mann will share a grandfather's perspective
- December
18: Dr. Boone will share a blended family's perspective
May God enrich each of us and our families this Advent
through encountering His Word.
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Christmas Day
Join us for a combined worship experience on Sunday,
December 25 at 11:15 am in the Sanctuary. A Family Christmas
Lessons and Carols Service. There will be NO Sunday school classes.
New Year's Worship and Sunday School
On New Year's day, Sunday, January 1, we will follow
our normal Sunday schedule with worship at 9:00 and 11:15am
and Sunday school classes at 10:15am.
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Wednesday Night Dinner & Programs
Wednesday Night
Dinner, Youth Bible Studies, and Adult classes will conclude for
the first semester on December 14 and then start back up on January
11 with dinner and a concert by Tom Conlon.
The Christmas Eve Nativity Pageant is coming!
Rehearsals
will be on Sunday afternoons on December 4th (from 3-4:15pm), Dec.
11th (from 3-4:15pm) and Dec. 18th (from 3-4:30 pm) so parents
please mark your calendars now. Middle school/High school
actors will rehearse all 3 Sundays. Members of the angel choir and
Elementary school actors will rehearse on December 11 and 18,
and Pre-K4 /Kindergarten actors will just come from 3:30-4:30
for the final rehearsal on Dec. 18. Contact Hubie Mann (hubie.mann@epres.org) to sign-up your kids to
participate.
VBS 2017 - Save the Dates!
Next summer's
VBS is scheduled for June 19-23. Mark your calendars now and
plan to join us for "Rome: Paul and the Underground
Church" for another awesome week of VBS! Online registration will
begin in March. Every year, it takes more than 80 volunteers
to staff our VBS program and we'll need just as many this
summer! If you'd like to be a part of this incredibly fun
outreach to the children of our community, please contact Hubie
Mann at hubie.mann@epres.org.
Small Groups
We believe
that meeting regularly with a small group of Christ followers is
vital to growing in your faith. That's why we offer many
opportunities throughout the week for members of EPC to meet
together in small groups for fellowship, caring, and Bible
study. Contact Hubie Mann (hubie.mann@epres.org) if you have questions or need
additional information.
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December
Calendar
Sunday, Dec.
4 Reindeer Games
(Regular Youth Time)
Sunday, Dec.
11 Youth Christmas Parties
Wednesday
Dec.
7 5pm Fellowship Time
6pm Dinner
7pm
Bible Study
Dec. 14
- this is the last meeting until January
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The Family and Worship Ministries are excited to help you
move into the spirit of Christmas by giving you a special evening
full of Christmas music and delicious treats on Saturday, December
10, at 7:00 pm. The concert will feature music by J.S. Bach,
G.F. Handel, Dan Forrest, and our Director of Worship and Music
Chris Owenby, all of which will be performed by a professional
String Quartet, Chancel Choir, Eastminster Ringers, KidChoir, and the ReSound
youth chorus and praise team. Don't miss out on this special
worship experience!
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We are accepting dedications for poinsettias to be
placed in both the sanctuary and the great hall this Christmas
season. The cost of the poinsettias is $8.00 per plant. Please fill
out the form below and return to the church office. The deadline is
December 4.
Total # Plants___________
In loving memory of ____________________________
____________________________________________
In honor of ___________________________________
____________________________________________
____Presented to Eastminster Presbyterian Church
Name of Donor ________________________________
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Ladies, we are still looking for bridge players!
All levels are welcome, even if you haven't played for a while and
would like to get back into the game. We would like to have a group
of 8 players who are willing to commit their time once a
month. (Of course, we would be thrilled with 12 or more.)
We play on the 3rd Monday of each month, at 10am. We have
been playing at our homes but are considering playing at the
church, let us know if this appeals to you more. We are
taking a slight break while searching for more players and
will resume on Monday, January 16, 2017. Nancy Speiser
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Operation Christmas Child
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Want to help behind the scenes of OCC? Volunteer at
the OCC Processing Site! Join us for a morning or night of working,
praying and fellowship as we help process shoeboxes before they get
shipped out all over the world. There are two dates to choose from
- Monday, December 12 from 6 - 10pm, or Wednesday, December 14 from
9am - 1pm. Space is limited, so sign up now at www.epres.org/shoebox.
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It will soon be time to decorate the Hat/Scarf/Mitten tree(s)
with all the items you've been working on throughout the year (or
purchased). These items will be donated to MUST Ministries,
providing warmth for many children and adults for the cold winter
months. This is a wonderful opportunity to allow your children
or grandchildren to participate in this wonderful ministry.
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Craft Circle
Craft Circle will take the month of December off and
resume January 9th to continue work on the Feminine Hygiene Kits (DfG kits) for Days for Girls
International. Merry Christmas to you all.
Sonflower Sisters
Calling all elementary-age girls and their moms!
Sonflower Sisters will have our next
meeting on December 9, in Room 206 (upstairs in CLC) from 7-8:30
pm. Please join us as we continue our study of the Fruits of
the Spirit with the theme of Joy. We'll also have a Christmas
celebration, so look for the evite for details and ways to
contribute. Contact Lara Atalla at lara_atalla@yahoo.com with questions, or to make sure
you are on the email list!
Spunky Spirits
Spunky Spirits will be meeting
Tuesday, December 6, to do our annual
Christmas shopping for our adopted families. We will meet at
IHOP on Johnson Ferry at 8:30 for breakfast and go on to
Walmart for shopping. It is not to late
to donate if you haven't had a
chance. Our meeting will be Thursday, December 8, and we
will meet at 10:30 to wrap our gifts then have our lesson and
lunch. Our study is "Worshipping God". What a
wonderful season to be worshipping God and to be thankful for our
blessing and thankful for the strength that we are given to get
through our trials. Look forward to seeing you there.
Lunch Bunch
The Ladies Lunch Bunch will not meet as it was felt with
everyone's schedules for the month, attendance would be rather
small.
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Atlanta Dream Center Christmas Toy Giveaway
In a nutshell, the Christmas Toy Giveaway involves 700
volunteers, handing out 10,000 toys
to nearly 3000 children in at-risk communities in Atlanta. They
still need 500 volunteers and LOTS of toys. Each toy donated
is more than just a toy, because it helps families and communities be open to hearing the gospel.
TO DONATE A TOY, bring a new, unopened, unwrapped toy for a child
aged 1-12 to church by Sunday, December 11th. There will be
marked collection sites in the CLC lobby and alcove.
Please bring these types of toys:
Age appropriate board games
Basketballs/footballs
Jewelry making/craft/coloring kits,
Legos
Action figures
Science kits/puzzles
Hotwheels/toy cars
Please do NOT donate:
Anything involving wizardry or witches
Open or used toys
Food items
Stuffed animals, cloth toys
Anything war related, or that promotes violence
Anything electronic or anything that needs batteries
TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME: Notify Mary Lynne Nielson so that she can
pre-register you with the group of volunteers from
Eastminster. There is no age restriction on volunteering as
long as children are accompanied by an adult, 21 years or
older.
Here is the schedule for Saturday, December 17th:
9:00AM-9:30AM - Registration
9:30AM - Orientation
10:15AM- Volunteers disperse to assigned communities
to
distribute gifts
1:00PM- Clean up and conclusion
For more detailed information about volunteering to hand out toys
on December 17, contact Mary Lynne Nielson at MLNIELSON925@msn.com
Princess Night
Out of Darkness seeks to rescue and restore victims of
Sex Trafficking in Atlanta. Its Princess Night outreach
builds relationships with these women by offering roses, prayer,
and cards of encouragement. EPC has the opportunity to
participate Friday, December 23. Contact Mary Lynne Nielson (MLNIELSON925@msn.com) by Monday, December 5th to
sign up.
Child Sponsorship
There's a gift you can give this holiday season that
reflects the true meaning of Christmas - child sponsorship. For
just $30 a month, you can provide food, clothing, shelter, school
fees and healthcare for a child living in the Tumaini
or Huruma Children's Home. Knowing that
you are the hands and feet of Christ to your sponsor child is a
meaningful and lasting gift for both you and that child. If you
would like more information on how to sponsor a child at Tumaini or Huruma,
please contact Beth Hartt - beth.hartt@gmail.com.
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Breakfast with Santa is December 3 at 9 AM in the
Great Hall. Tickets will not be sold at the door so please
deliver your ticket order with payment to Preschool Director Cathi Cahn
by Friday, December 2, at 12PM in order to attend. There will
be pancakes, Christmas crafts, and a photo session with
Santa! Why wait in line at the malls when Santa will be right
here at Eastminster!
Registration for the 2017-18 school year
will open on January 23 for current students and members of
Eastminster. We will open to the public on February 1 and
spaces usually fill up fast. Check back often at www.epres.org/preschool
for more information regarding school tours and registration.
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November Session Meeting
Highlights
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Session approved the examinations of Elders-Elect Rich
Atalla, Norm Baur, Janie Bunch, Alana Nigro, and Carolyn Waters, and of Deacons-Elect
Ian Cross and Wendy Brodrick.
Deacon-Elect Kathy Schuette will be examined on December 4, 2016.
Session approved the baptism of Charli Ann Gunter,
daughter of non-members Matthew & Lindsay Gunter, date TBD, at
the 11:15am service. The grandparents are Members Sonny & Lynn
Hall. Dr. Boone will officiate.
Session approved the baptism of Josie Lynn, daughter
of Member Diane Zimmerman and Brice Zimmerman, on January 1, 2017,
at the 11:15am service. The grandparents are Members Jeff & Karen
Jones. Rev. Blake Hudson will officiate.
Session approved the removal of Dave & Carolyn Bigler from the membership roll at their
request. They have moved to Florida and joined another church.
Session approved a motion to increase the number of
total deacons from nine (9) to fifteen (15) over the next two
years. Three additional deacons will be added for 2017 for a total
of 12, and another additional three will be added in 2018 for a
total of 15. The terms will be staggered as necessary to balance the
number of deacons rolling off each year.
Session approved John Speiser to serve as Lay Pastor
for Visitation for 2017 with no salary.
Session approved Rev. Katie Hudson to serve as
Assistant Pastor for 2017 with no salary.
Session approved Valerie Mote to serve as Commissioned
Lay Minister for 2017 with no salary.
Session approved the following A&P Team members
for 2017: Edwina Sherman, Michele Simon, Janet Warren, and Ray Westerlage.
Session approved Linda Delbridge and Julia Owens to be
the designated personnel responsible for the routine counting and
depositing of the offerings for 2017 as part of their normal
duties.
The next Stated Session meeting will be held on
Thursday, January 19, 2017, at 7pm in Room 204.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane L. Brock
Clerk of Session
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Eastminster Presbyterian Church
info@epres.org | www.epres.org
3125 Sewell Mill Rd, Marietta, GA 30062
770-977-2976
Rev. Dr. Thomas Boone, Transitional Pastor
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