The Open Door. december Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. Revelation 3:8

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1 The Open Door Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. Revelation 3:8 december 2018 Volume 29 Number 12 Summer Memorial Lutheran Church 1609 Milligan Street Newberry, SC Church Phone (803) Web-site Worship Schedule 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Service of Holy Communion Pastor James Henricks Amy Frick, Director of Music Director of Family Ministry Cell (803) frickamydee929@aol.com Sunday, December 16, at 4:00 p.m. Following the play, light refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall. Please make plans now to attend and support our church children in these Christmas festivities. Phyllis Suber, Office Administrator (803) office@summerlutheran.org summermemorial@bellsouth.net We plan to go Christmas Caroling on December 16 following the Christmas Program. Lutheran Men Von Metts, President Women of the ELCA Laura Kay Rumfelt, Convener Monday, December 24 at 8:00 p.m.

2 Is it the end or the beginning? Advent, which starts December 2, marks the beginning of a new year according to the church calendar. At the same time, the new calendar year doesn t start until January 1. For the month of December, we are simultaneously in the beginnings in our church year and the end of the calendar year. It can be confusing, particularly as we talk about the new year in congregations. Are we in the beginning or the end? This time between, where we inhabit both the beginning in the end, summarizes our season of Advent. In this season, we are in both the beginning and the end of the Christian story. On the one hand, this beginning has already happened. On December 25, we will gather with family and celebrate the incarnation of God in the world in the person of Jesus Christ. It is a celebration of the workings of God which began in the person of Christ and continue in our lives through the working of the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, with every Advent season since Christ s death, we wait for the final days and Christ s return. We know the beginning, and we await with hope Christ s return. Advent, in addition to a season of preparation, is a reminder that we are in this in-between time in history. We live knowing that Christ has died and risen; we live knowing that Christ will come again. Living with what has begun yet in expectation of the end and bearing the tension of the two is what we are prepared for in Advent. Though waiting is often a struggle, we are assured we are able to live here and now because of what God has already done for us, yet we await what we know will be accomplished for us through his mercy. Pastor James Christmas Cantata Sunday, January 6, :30 a.m.

3 Lutheran Men in Mission NO LMM MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETING IN DECEMBER! Our annual LMM Ladies Night will be Sunday, Dec. 2 at 6:00p.m. in the fellowship hall. The evening of fun, food, and good fellowship is open to all men and women. Hope to see you there. Three of our men and their lovely ladies were able to attend this year s Heartland Conference Ladies Night held at St. Luke s on Nov. 15 th. Pastor Ernie Worman, Newberry College Campus Chaplain, was guest speaker. During the evening, Rick Caston was awarded the 2018 Heartland Conference Man of the Year award. Mr. Caston is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church. He currently serves as the Heartland Conference LMM Treasurer and a Sunday school teacher in his church. The 2018 Heartland Conference Young Man of the Year award was presented to Chris Shealy of Grace Lutheran Church. Chris is currently a seminary student at the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia. Congratulations are extended to both of these men. AMEN FOR LUTHERAN MEN! Von Annual Turkey Stew Fundraiser Coming in Jan Look for more details to come.

4 Birthday Party for Jesus Friday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m. December Manna House Needs Macaroni/cheese Milk (canned, dry) Each month we focus on a particular need for the Manna House emergency food bank, but donations of any kind are always accepted. Collection bins are located both upstairs and downstairs for your convenience. Your gifts of prayer, time and food items are always appreciated. Play will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the birthday party. Dear Friends, The love of Christ has shown brightly through your many acts of kindness given during Mom s illness and passing. Each thought and hug, each card and prayer, the memorials and words of concern have been and continue to be a source of strength and hope as we journey ahead. We are ever thankful for you, our church family. Thank you again. God s blessings be with each of you. Von and Khristie Metts and Family * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To My Church Family, Many thanks for all the thoughts, prayers, cards, visits and phone call during m recovery from my accident. Gus Franklin

5 Want to share the Christmas Spirit? Or Looking for the special gift to give the one who has everything. Then try one of these gift suggestions. 1. SECRET SANTA FOR SENIORS (also called Angel Tree for Seniors) Dates: Now Monday, December 17 Recipients: Financially needy and/or isolated seniors in Newberry County A. Location: WENDY s of Newberry. Stop by and get an ornament from the tree. Ornaments will have a first name and gift suggestion. B. DO NOT WRAP GIFT. Return gift to WENDY s or drop off at the church in the Senior Christmas bag located in the narthex by DEC. 17. Newberry High school students along with Secret Santa volunteers will wrap and deliver gifts. Monetary donations, generic gift items, and wrapping paper, gift bags and tissue paper are also being accepted. Generic Gift Items Kleenex Paper Towels Canned food - Soap Blankets Socks Robes Slippers Toilet Tissue Project Coordinators Erin M. Willis: Anita Fulmer: LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF KITS DUE DECEMBER 30, 2018 Drop Off Location Christmas Bag in Church Narthex A. Personal Care Kit contains: light-weight bath towel (20 x40 or 52 x27 ); dark color recommended 2-3 bars of gentle bath soap equaling 8-9 oz. in original wrapping No mini/hotel soap 1 adult sized toothbrush in original packaging 1 sturdy comb, remove packaging 1 metal nail clippers (file optional) B. School Supply Kit contains: 1 sturdy draw-string backpack style cloth bag (14 x17 ) with shoulder straps 4 70-sheet notebooks; college or wide-ruled paper; no loose-leaf paper 1 box of 16 or 24 crayons 1 30-cm ruler (may also have inches on other side) 1 pencil sharpener 1 pair blunt scissors C. Fabric Care Kit contains: 2 spools natural colored thread, yards each 2¼ yards of 60 wide 100% cotton/cotton blend fabric. NO Knit. No 100% polyester 3 yards of 44 wide 100% cotton/cotton blend fabric. NO Knit. No 100% polyester 4 yards of 36 wide 100% cotton/cotton blend fabric. NO Knit. No 100% polyester

6 3. INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES (ICS) OF NEWBERRY Recipients: Citizens of Newberry County; screened for financial need Donation paid directly to utility company, never given directly to recipient. ICS functions with all volunteer services. Only administration monies are to purchase bank checks as needed. Donations sent to: ICS Sarah Smith, Treasurer 412 Backwater Court Chapin, SC LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE Helps people around the world in times of disasters. Funds may be designated for a specific disaster if desired; otherwise, funds are used where needed the most. Checks payable to LUTHERAN DISASTER RESPONSE ELCA Gift Processing Center P O Box 1809 Merrifield, VA WEBSITE - ELCA.org/goodgifts Many other meaningful gifts that reach out to transform lives through the church can be found on this website of the ELCA. Monetary donations for these projects can also be given to the church through your regular offering envelope. Mark the dollar ($) amount given and WRITE the specific project you would like to support. Those monies will then be forwarded to the proper contact person to purchase needed items as requested. December Summer Memorial will staff Manna House at least 3 days this week from 1:00-2:00 pm. Previous volunteers (2-3 per day) may be asked to help again. OUR CHURCH FAMILY CONTINUES TO BLESS OTHERS Thank you for so generously giving to our Backpack Ministry. As to date, we are about $115 short of our goal of $2700. And I am confident that those funds will be supplied by the end of May, And more thanks for your support to our Operation Christmas Child Shoebox project. Not only did we send 15 completed boxes, but we were able to send some additional money to be used specifically for shipping costs of the boxes to children around the world. Please note that although our Social Ministry team has several ongoing outreach opportunities at times, never feel compelled to give. If any of the ministries really touches your heart and you are able to support, we welcome that. If you prefer not to contribute for whatever reason, that is also welcomed. We do ask that if possible, you might lift our work and these recipients up to our Lord in prayer. That support from our church family is most needed. Those interested in sharing social need ideas are invited to join together on the 1 st Wed. of each pm at the church. Contact Faye Halfacre, Robbie & Harold Hunter, Melissa Sheppard, Mary Susan & Kenny Mazza, & Khristie Metts for more info.

7 OFFERING REPORT - MONTH OF OCTOBER 2018 GENERAL OFFERINGS OFFERINGS BUDGET Weekly Envelopes & Loose Offerings $ 13,858 Sunday School Offerings $ 46 Interest $ 24 Thrivent-Dividends $ - General Fund Memorials $ 50 Facility Use $ 250. TOTAL GENERAL OFFERINGS $ 14,228 $ 11,916 GENERAL OFFERINGS vs EXPENDITURES General Offerings for OCTOBER 2018 $ 14,228 Operating Expenses for OCTOBER 2018 $ 11,079 Giving Above (Below) Monthly Operating Expenses $ 3,149 SPECIAL MISSIONS OFFERINGS SEPTEMBER 2018 YTD 2018 ELCA Disaster Relief $ 1,160 $2, ELCA World Hunger $ - $ 410 SC SYNOD-ELCA-Cristo Ray $ $ 100 Interfaith Community Services $ - $ 818 Manna House $ - $ 861 LMM Water Project $ - $ 698 TOTAL SPECIAL GIFTS $ 1,160 $ 4,967 For electronic giving please visit our church web page ( and click on the e-giving tab or use the qr code for a quick link to our giving page.

8 Ushers/Greeters Scott Moore, Ashley Moore Lector Norma Price Betty Franklin Gene Shealy Makayla Moore Tripp Werts David Pursey Corey Sease Abby Kinard Steven Wilhelm Wayne Golden Birthdays Baptismal Celebrations Mac Werts Amanda Kirkland Hunter Werts Connie Kesler Ann Shealy Susannah Price Betty Jean Wallace Tim Langford Wayne Kesler Chris Bennett Mary Beck Bailey Clark Madison Rivers Holly Golden Barbara Stribble Cadie Shealy Jennifer Shealy Stephanie Shealy Leah Blackmon Shaun Kesler Communion Assistant Norma Price Altar Guild Shirley Aughtry & Carol Bickley Acolyte 2 Noah Mills 9 Thomas Sheppard 16 Abigail Sheppard 23 Mason Mills 30 Jorja McGee Crucifer 2 Liam Davenport 9 Evelyn Sheppard 16 Elsie Sheppard 23 Khristie Metts 30 Sydney McGee Chancel Flowers 2 poinsettias 9 poinsettias 16 poinsettias 23 poinsettias 30 poinsettias Anniversaries Thad & Samantha Werts Benji & Nikki Morris Harold & Robbie Hunter Offering Tellers 2 Michael Mills & Lee Werts 9 Milton Price & Ricky Jones 16 Sharon Golden & Caroline Fulmer 23 Shirley Aughtry & Carol Bickley 24 Wanda Amick & Nikki Morris 30 Michael Mills & Lee Werts Visitation Teams 2 Norma Price & Shirley Mills 9 Khristie Metts & Laura Kay Rumfelt 16 Caroline Fulmer & Peggy Bedenbaugh 23 Vernon Hawkins & Jerry Martin 30 Betty Smith & Margaret Sligh Please note: If you will not be here to serve in the capacity that you are designated, please find someone to serve for you. Thank you for your assistance!

9 December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 5:00p Christmas play 6:00p LMM Ladies Night 3 4 7:00p Handbell 5 7:00p Cantata 7:45p Choir 6 6:30p Berry Patchers :00p Christmas play :00p Handbell 12 7:00p Cantata 7:45p Choir :30p Christmas play 6:00p Birthday Party for Jesus :00p Christmas play Christmas Caroling Council meeting :00p Handbell 19 7:00p Cantata 7:45p Choir :00p Christmas Eve Service