Food for Thought. Giving thanks and praise for each and every one of you, Rae

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1 Second Press The Vision of Second Presbyterian Is: Through our faith in Jesus Christ we glorify God in worship and service, inviting others to join us in discipleship, mission and fellowship.

2 Food for Thought A few weeks ago, Leah Anderson and I led a "Crafting for a Cause" event where we painted canvases in Christmas themes for nursing home residents who might be lonely this time of year. The whole idea was to start preparing ourselves mentally and spiritually as we move into the busy holiday season, to remember to take a moment and redirect our focus. It's so easy to get caught up in all the to-do lists and the parties and the obligations that we find ourselves grumpy, frustrated, and maybe a little depressed when it's all over. That's because we are too focused on the wrong thing! Now that November is here, we are officially in the Thanksgiving season. Here is the devotion I wrote for our Crafting for a Cause night. I hope it speaks to you and reminds you what this time of year--and all year--should be about. Christmas is coming! Of course we have Thanksgiving first. But y'all- -Christmas is coming! Do you know what that means? CHRIST is coming! The Lord Himself--Emmanuel, God with us. I don't know about you, but that makes me very excited! It's so easy to turn all Bah-Humbug before it's even considered the holiday season. Have you ever walked through Walmart in October? It's like Christmas ate Halloween, with maybe a decent sale on turkeys. It's so easy to complain about the commercialization of the holidays. But remember, we celebrate Easter every Sunday. Our Sabbath day is meant for rest, to separate from the common a sacred time of rest, and we celebrate the resurrection of Christ--Easter! So if we celebrate the resurrection of Christ each Sunday, who's to say we can't celebrate the birth of Christ also? More than just one day in December! God gave us a great gift, God knew his good and perfect creation would fall, that we would be sinners. But hope was never lost, because God has always had a plan. God's plan to redeem creation-- to redeem us--through becoming like us in the flesh...it's amazing when you stop and think about what that actually means! Sure the stores have over-commercialized this beautiful Holy day (holiday). But instead of letting the turkey and pies and family gatherings frustrate you, or the visions of sugarplums, wreaths, and wrapping paper overwhelm you, why not stop and give thanks for this amazing gift we have in the birth of the Christchild? Take time to find the calm in the chaos. And if that happens to be saying a prayer of thanks every time you eat turkey or see a Christmas wreath, then you are taking the common and unholy and creating a holy moment--putting the focus back on the true meaning of this season. 2 nd Cathy Martin 3 rd Nathan Reynolds 5 th Velma Atkinson 11 th Bryan Coates 13 th JoAnn bishop 15 th Chantay Hannon 17 th Eden Young 17 th - Margaret Ann Greene 18 th Patrick Anderson 18 th Kaysie Brady 19 th Matthew Lee 21 st Patrick Greene 22 nd Judy McKinney 23 rd Martha Wharton 24 th Brenda Killian 24 th Sherry McGarity 28 th JoAnne Ballenger Giving thanks and praise for each and every one of you, Rae

3 Thank you to everyone who pitched in to make this year s Trunk or Treat a success! The rain kept many away but those who braved the rain and came out had a great time! NOVEMBER YOUTH EVENTS November 1 st Talent Show 6:00 pm November 8 th Movie Night 5:00-8:00 pm November 14 th Hunger Strike and Lock In November 15 th Pancake Breakfast 9:00 am November 22 nd NO YOUTH November 29 th NO YOUTH

4 Every Sunday 10:00-10:30 Every Sunday After Children s Sermon God sends the sunshine AND the rain! Get out your crayons and color the girl and her duck in the rain.

5 Greening of Second Presbyterian November 28, 9:00am Decorating our church for Advent and Christmas is more than a chore or a workday, it's a celebration of the life and seasons of the church! It's traditionally called the "Greening" because of the boughs and wreaths we'll hang, but we also love seeing our surroundings come to life with reds, golds, purples, and sparkle! (Yes, sparkle is a color.) Come join us at 9:00 am on Saturday, November 28 to kick off the Advent season together with refreshments, songs, and of course, decorating. We have a big building so we'll all pitch in wherever needed until every last corner is "Greened." If it's your first time participating in the Greening, you may win our fun door prize! Bring the whole family, kids make great helpers and there will be a nursery for the littlest elves. Seasonal Help Wanted Greening of the Church November 28, 2015 Worship and Music request three members to volunteer to help with the planning of the Greening of our church. Please contact Carole Tillotson at to have your ideas become a part of this rewarding and fun time for our congregation. Order your Christmas Poinsettias now to enhance our worship during the Advent and Christmas season. Please fill out your information below and place form along with payment made payable to Second Presbyterian Church in the offering plate or bring it to the church office. Due to the deadline given to us by the greenhouse, your order and payment must be received by November 26, Given by: Phone: In memory of: In honor of: Payment of $13.50 included check cash Please take the plants home with you after the Candlelight Service or the following Sunday.

6 Tuesday Morning Group Tuesday November 10 th 10:30 AM Price Hall Second Pres Church Tuesday Evening Group Tuesday November 10 th 7:00 PM Residence of Lee Godfrey 465 Steward Road Spartanburg, SC Saturday Morning Group Saturday November 14 th 9:30 AM Residence of Fran Ohls 505 Summit Glenn Court Wednesday night activities 5:30 Dinner and Fellowship 6:15 Bible Study 6:15 Royal Ringers 7:15 Choir Practice There will be a CONGREGATIONAL MEETING on Sunday November 15 for the purpose of electing elders for the Class of November 4 th Spaghetti w/ meatballs Garden Salad Garlic Bread Dessert November 11 th Chicken Divan W/ Rice Mixed Veggie Roll Dessert November 18 th Vegetable Soup Grilled Cheese Fruit Dessert

7 October Session Report At its monthly meeting on October 22, 2015, the Session took the following actions. 1. Ratified the following actions taken via since September 24. a. Allowed the sanctuary to be used for a memorial service for Randy Fowler on Saturday, October 17, at 3:00 pm. This motion also includes the use of Price Hall after the service for a family dinner. b. Approved the application from First AM Church to use the CMB on October 30 for a Fall Festival. Since this is a religious organization, the $300 usage fee shall be waived but the $200 security deposit will still be required. 2. Set Sunday, November 15, as the date for electing the Session Class of Approved and signed a legal resolution stating Bryant Reeves and Bruce Tillotson were the Trustees of the church. This document was needed so that these Trustees could receive (on behalf of Second Presbyterian) the bequest from the Bob Cason estate of his former home at 102 Wrightson Ave. 4. Elected Elder Steven Epps as Commissioner to the November 10 Foothills Presbytery meeting at Limestone Presbyterian Church in Gaffney, SC. 5. Received report that the flat roofing over Price Hall and the CMB Connector had been replaced by Grier Roofing for $17,000, thus depleting the funds in the designated account (92070) for current renovation and repair whilst eliminating all known roof leaks. 6. Received report from Congregational Life that a covered dish dinner will begin at 5:00 pm on Sunday, November 1, and will be followed by the Family Fun Talent Night at 6:00 pm. 7. Approved the following 2 motions brought forth from the CE Committee. a. Move the baby nursery from the current location to the Noah s Barnyard room while the toddler nursery and Children s Church will be located across the hall in the Bait Shop. This move will consolidate all children s activities into one wing of the church and enhance the overall security of our facilities. b. Hold 2 fundraisers for youth summer mission trips and for the Montreat Youth Conference. 8. Approved a recommendation from the Personnel Committee for a financial bonus to be awarded to church secretary, Sharon Melton, in recognition of the extra load she has carried during the maternity leave of Rae Epps and since Rev. Rhodes departure. The next stated meeting of the Session will be Thursday, November 19, at 7:00 p.m. Clerk of Session David Lake Dear Friends, During the past we have experienced three deaths that asked for attention by the Second Presbyterian family. Jim and I, along with the Fowler family were on the receiving end of that loving attention. We thank all of you who made food, served, sent cards, made monetary contributions and gave hugs and comments of love and sympathy. You were God's hands, feet and loving hearts to us. Thank you for all you did and continue to do for our church family. Love and Blessings, Jackie and Jim George November 27 th NO MEN S BREAKFAST November 26 th CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED November 26 th NO WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES

8 SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH At Home and Nursing Home Members Roy Hall 6 Fort Prince Court Wellford, SC (Lives with his daughter Candy Hendrix ) Marjorie Allison 326 Lowndes Drive Martha Wharton Eden Terrace, K E. Main Street Fay Tillotson Eden Terrace 2780 East Main Street Spartanburg, SC Apartment C Christine Fowler 585 El Paso Street Spartanburg, SC Marlene Towery White Oak Manor(Rehab) 295 E. Pearl Street Spartanburg, SC Ellen Davis 66 Arbors West Lane Moore, SC Edna Joyner 900 Patterson Road Buck Joyner Rose Crest Nursing Home 200 Fortress Drive 207-A Inman, SC Bob and Rubye Haynie 36 Angela Circle Inman, SC Alice Helms Eden Terrace 2780 East Main Street S202 Everett Tillotson Eden Terrace 2780 E. Main Street R201 Pat Stephens Eden Terrace 2780 E. Main Street Apt. R206 Pat Miller 104 Pine Forest Road Spartanburg, SC Loree George Rosecrest Retirement Community 200 Fortress Drive Inman, SC

9 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sunday School 9:45 am Morning Worship 11:00 Talent Night 6:00 Sunday School 9:45 am Morning Worship 11:00 Youth Movie Night 5-8 Sunday School 9:45 am Morning Worship 11:00 Pancake Breakfast 9:00 am Sunday School 9:45 am Morning Worship 11:00 NO YOUTH Sunday School 9:45 am Morning Worship 11:00 NO YOUTH AA Meeting 7:00 Men's Breakfast 7:00 9-2pm AA Meeting 7: UKIRK 5:30 PW Tues AM 10:30 PW Tues PM 7:00 Dinner 5:30 Bible Study 6:15 Royal Ringers 6:15 Choir Practice 7:20 AA Meeting 7:00 Men's Breakfast 7:00 PW Sat AM 9:30 9-2pm JumpStart (PH) 5:30 7:30 Praise & Worship Ladies Bible Study 9:00 Budget & Finance 5:30 AA Meeting 7:00 Tues AM Circle 10:30 Tues Eve Circle 7:00 UKIRK 5:30 Dinner 5:30 Bible Study 6:15 Royal Ringers 6:15 Choir Practice 7:20 AA Meeting 7:00 Debutantes 6-9:00 Session Meeting 7:00 pm Men's Breakfast 7:00 9-2pm Ladies Bible Study 9: Ladies Bible Study 9:00 AA Meeting 7:00 NO UKIRK NO ACTIVITIES OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED AT NOON. OFFICE CLOSED OFFICE CLOSED 9-2pm Greening of the Church 9:00 am

10 LITURGIST FOR NOVEMBER 1st Jane Frost 8th Bruce Tillotson 15th Charles Baxter 22nd Nelson Jones 29th Ashley Blackwelder ELDER ON CALL FOR NOVEMBER Week of the 1st Newman McGarity / newmancone@mac.com Week of the 8th Steven Epps / steven@eppslawfirm.com Week of the 15 th George Wenger / dandgwenger@hotmail.com Week of the 22 nd Nelson Jones / bubbanj@bellsouth.net Week of the 29 th Cheri Hucks / cheriuscgal@bellsout.net USHER TEAM FOR NOVEMBER Bill Mitchell, Ann Hannon, Barbara Darwin, Manley and Crystal Christian, James Matthews, Michael Miller OFFERING TEAM FOR NOVEMBER Bill Mitchell and Ann Hannon Pray for the following people: Payton Dominick, Margie Goodwin, Pat Miller, Loree George, Marlene Towery, Ellen Davis, Fay Tillotson, Marjorie Goodwin, Jimmy Turnage, Carole Tillotson, Roy Hall, David Matthews, Everett Tillotson, Mark, Sheila and Caleb Cowen, Pat Stephens, Christine Fowler, Marjorie Allison, Katie Wall, Margaret Ann Sippola, Janice Greene, Joanne Turnage, Alexis Deal, Jeanette and Bryant Reeves, Vernon & Velma Atkinson, Carolyn Eubanks, Martha Wharton, Thomas Mitchell - friend of Nora Smith). Bill & Betty Pryor MILITARY Major Paul Atkinson Spangdahlem Air Force Base Wittlich, Germany Tech-Sergeant Adam G. Patterson Incirlik Air Base Turkey Major Sterling Anderson ll Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Florida

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