Steve. August 24 th, 2014

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1 August 24 th, 2014 I have been told all my life that you cannot communicate enough. Indeed all of us have had the experience of believing that we have gotten the word out more than enough times only to find ourselves answering the question: When is that starting? or Is that next Sunday or the one after? So starting in September 2014 we will move to having a once a month newsletter and a weekly update and here is how it will work. At the end of each month, for example this month, we will send your newsletter. It will arrive before the 1 st of each month. Then each Wednesday an will be sent that will include a reminder of upcoming events, announcements of events that occur during the month (i.e. a change in the calendar, the death of one of our saints, an item of good news, ushers for the next week, a short devotional, etc. The monthly newsletter will include all the features it now has and will have a one page calendar for you to print out and put on your refrigerator, cabinet door or wherever it is you put it up. The weekly update will be printed and mailed to our home bound members. Sharon will be updating our addresses so please assist her with any changes you have had recently. Let us be clear - using is not just a modern thing, it is a cost effective thing and allows for immediate transmission of news (for example the frequent updates Sharon sends out to keep us all informed) So the deadline for submitting articles or information for the monthly newsletter will be 5 days prior to the end of the month. So the deadline for submitting articles or information for the monthly newsletter will be 5 days prior to the end of the month. So the deadline for submitting articles or information for the monthly newsletter will be 5 days prior to the end of the month. Now to address another issue that has been raised. Since moving to an electronic format the number of people requesting a printed copy has steadily increased (this by the way defeats the goal of cost savings). Some say they do not have a printer, some say it is just too difficult to print everything out, some say it s just easier to get it in the mail and I have been told by reliable sources that some people even resist change. However, the Session and I would respectfully ask that if you have the capability of receiving news by that we use that format where and when we can. Of course we will send the newsletter by regular snail mail if you request. It is our goal, intention, hope and desire to make sure as many people as possible have timely and important information. To that end we are making these important changes in our communication process. Remember, we can only communicate what we know. So if you have information please call the office, don t assume everyone knows. God bless you. Steve

2 The prayers have been prayed, the backpacks have been blessed, and as my friend's second grader wisely told her, "God's got this!" Welcome back to school, back to routines, early mornings, afternoon practices, homework, and the dreaded alarm clock. But as I said last week, it also means Youth Group is getting ready to kick off! You all should have received a list of dates in the mail, but here they are one more time! And if you are not receiving text updates but would like to, let me know and I will get you the information on how to sign up for them! THIS THURSDAY: Ice Cream Thursday! Bring a few dollars and Meet at Yogurt Mountain 4:00-5:00! BOWLING! This Sunday, August 24 6:30-8:30 Bring $15, a pair of socks, and meet at Paradise Lanes! Parent/Youth Night! September 14-5:00-7:00 This is the official first youth fellowship night of the school year! Parents and youth should all be present to get important dates for the year (like Montreat!!!), fill out important paperwork, and learn other important things (yes, it s IMPORTANT that you be there!) And watch your mailbox for more information about our SUPER SECRET YOUTH DAY on September 20!!!!! You don't want to miss it! And now, breathe a sigh of relief and start singing "everybody's working for the weekend!" the first week is ALMOST OVER! Blessings, Rae

3 Jesus Grew Luke 2:21-40 Jesus was a baby. Jesus learned to crawl. Jesus learned to walk. Jesus learned to talk. Jesus grew into a big boy. He learned to do many things. You are growing too. You are learning to do many things just as Jesus did. God made you special and beautiful. God is helping you grow. What are some things you can do? Can you hop? Can you stretch up high? Can you touch your toes? What can you do? Activity: Have your parents help you make a list of the things that YOU can do and share those things with your parents and friends!

4 RALLY DAY September 7, 2014 WEDNES NIGHT ACTIVITIES Please note: Wednesday Aug 13 th was the last Summer Vespers for this year. There will be a break for the next few weeks. On September 10 th we will resume our normal Wednesday night activities. Ladies You're invited to join the Monday Morning Bible Study which begins again on September 8. We will meet in the Forum Sunday School Classroom each Monday from 9AM to 11AM for 12 weeks. The last session will be November 24. "The Authentic Christian" is the topic for an indepth study of 2 Peter 1:1-11. Erilynne Barnum is the instructor by DVD followed by a facilitated discussion of the days teaching with fellowship and light refreshments. Blessings abound with this group study. For more information, contact Jackie George (864) There is a BARN hidden in the Newsletter! Can you find it?

5 KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY Fall, 2014 Kairos Retreat No. 20, October 30 November 2, 2014 Tyger River Correctional Institution / Enoree, South Carolina The 35 volunteer team members for this retreat have begun the initial stages of training, and Chaplain Edmiston will be selecting the 30 inmates that will attend this 4-day weekend. We again ask for the support of 2 nd Presbyterian Church. Congregation members can assist us in several ways: 1. Prayer is the foundation of the Kairos weekend retreats. We have placed 72-hour Prayer Vigil forms at various locations in our church facilities. You may select a time that you will be in prayer for us. The vigil starts at 6:00 PM Thursday, October 30 and ends at 6:00 PM Sunday, November Cookies are delivered by volunteers to each of the 1400 inmates during the weekend. Normally about 2,000 dozen cookies are consumed. The accompanying information sheet provides details about cookie preparation and delivery. 3. Financial support is another option. You can purchase an inmate meal for $5.00. Cards are placed at the inmates table setting indicating that the meal has been provided by (church or first name of contributor). 4. We need assistance preparing weekend meals. The meals are prepared by volunteers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 31 November 2, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Simpsonville. The prepared meals are then delivered to the prison by volunteer runners. If you would like to assist with a meal preparation please contact MaryAnne or myself. ( , maragab@chesnet,net). COOKIES FOR KAIROS TYGER RIVER CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION October 30 November 2, 2014 Tyger River Correctional Institution is located in southern Spartanburg county, about 4 miles north of Cross Anchor on Highway 56. At Tyger River, about 2,000 dozen cookies are needed for a Kairos Prison Ministry 4-day weekend retreat. At the end of each of the first two days the residents and volunteers participating in the Kairos weekend take a bag of homemade cookies to each person in their dorm, cottage, or cellblock. Residents who have already experienced a Kairos weekend bag the cookies each day and enclose a scripture verse in each bag. These cookies tell the residents that someone who doesn t know them still cares enough to give a part of their life the time it takes to bake the cookies without wanting something in return. Such selflessness is often a unique experience for them. It teaches them to trust. They learn we mean it when we say they will get more the next day. Most inmates in our prison system are takers, not givers. This brief experience of sharing something of value often with those they do not like has a powerful effect. Suggestions for Cookie Preparation The cookies can be dropped cookies, rolled cookies, or bar cookies. Small cookies do not break as easily so please keep the dropped or rolled cookies less than 2 inches in diameter. Also, oatmeal and peanut butter cookies do not break as easily as other kinds. Please use no raisins, powdered sugar or frostings. Let the cookies cool completely and bag in zip-lock bags. You can make the cookies ahead of time and freeze them, once cooled, in zip-lock bags. While you are preparing the cookies, we ask that you pray for the people who will eat them. Please bring your cookies to church on Wednesday evening, October 29 or Sunday, October 26, There will be labeled boxes in Price Hall. Kairos volunteers will transport the cookies to Messiah Lutheran church in Simpsonville for delivery to Tyger River Correctional on October 30. Gabe Stoeppler: Home / gstoeppler@limestone.edu

6 2 nd Leroy Moore 4 th Judi White Jared Young 10 th Carolyn Eubanks 11 th Laura Deal 14 th Marjorie Allison 16 th Quin Holden 18 th Dylan Lego 19 th Melvin Norwood 20 th Cindy Witherspoon 21 st Elaine Pruitt 27 th Marianna Davis Bert Sippola Kristen Smith Katy Ballard Nursery Volunteers for August 3 rd Beverly Reynolds (baby) / Crystal Christian (2-5) 10 th Joanne Ballenger (Baby) / Barbara Darwin (2-5) 17 th Margaret Ann Cunningham (Baby) / Crystal Christian 24 th Ashley Blackwelder (Baby) / Nan Lake (2-5) 31 st - Dale Wenger (Baby) / Barbara Darwin (2-5) Usher Team for August Richard Faust, Skip and Chris Frye, Paul and Elaine Pruitt, George and Dale Wenger Offering Team for August Newman McGarity / Manley Christian Liturgist for August 3 rd Michael Bennett 10 th Fran Ohls 17 th David Lake 24 th Cheri Hucks 31 st - Steven Epps Elder on Call for August Week of the 3 rd Michael Bennett Week of the 10 th Jeanette Reeves / jdreev@charter.net Week of the 17 th Steve Reese / enreese@windstream.net Week of the 24 th David Lake / david.lake@milliken.com Week of the 31 st Bill Mitchell / bmitchell@firehousesubs.com

7 Dawn Lowe, Payton Dominick, Margie Goodwin, Pat Miller, Anslie Waters, Ava & Garrison Williams (grandchildren of JoAnn & Roy Bishop), Juanita Smith, Rachel Hart, Loree George, Sandra Sweet, Marlene Towery, Betty Taylor (Jan Sumeral s Mother), Ellen Davis, Fay Tillotson, Baby Royce, Chris Frye, Beverly Reynolds, Marjorie Goodwin, Betty Deal, Jimmy Turnage, Carole Tillotson, Bob Cason, Roy Hall, David Matthews, Carolyne Coates, Everett Tillotson, Jan Goodman, JoAnne Bishop, Sterling Anderson, Ray Eubanks, Mark, Sheila and Caleb Cowen, Jim George, Pat Stephens, Ruby Greene, Jimmie Hill, Annie Roper The prayer room is always open. Bring your burdens and your praises. God will meet you there! Major Paul Atkinson Spangdahlem Air Force Base Wittlich, Germany Staff Sergeant Adam Patterson Air Force Base, Tacoma, Washington Major Sterling Anderson ll Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City, Florida Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

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