The Disciple. January loud and say, "After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?" (Genesis 18:12b, NIV)

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1 The Disciple A Monthly Publication of St. Jude's Church "The purpose of St. Jude's Church is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ by proclaiming through words, actions and love the Good News of God in Christ; to provide for spiritual growth and to minister, with love, to the needs of this congregation and to all people. 907 Wichman Street Walterboro, S.C The Rev. Bob Horowitz, Rector stjudes@lowcountry.com online: (843) January 2018 I rec ently came across this devotional about God's timing and would like to share it with you: I had just pulled into a fast food drive-thru and now realized the cause of the long line and delay. There was a man driving a tractor ordering at the speaker! Those of us who've lived in rural areas know tractors on the road are a fact of life. However, just being "the norm" doesn't make them any less irritating if you're in a hurry. Recently, I was in a rush as I followed a tractor down a narrow two-lane road. Once my patience was stretched to its limit, I completely lost it and started yelling, "Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" Amazingly, my impatience didn't speed up the procession at all. How many times have I approached God's timing the same way? God rarely operates at a pace that pleases me, and I want Him to hurry, hurry, hurry! I've prayed impatient prayers for a job, for marriage, for children and even a greater understanding of His Word. Just this week, I found myself reminding God that I'm about to have a significant birthday as if He'd forgotten. There's a dream in my heart that feels like it has an expiration date, so I was pleading with God to fulfill it quick ly, before my bones are too creaky to do what I know He's called me to do. There was a woman in the Bible who also felt past her prime and had trouble with God's timing. Sarah, Abraham's wife, felt impatient just like I feel impatient. After waiting 10 years for the baby God had promised her (Genesis 12-21), Sarah decided to help God hurry. Surely 10 years was too long for anybody to wait, she likely reasoned. So Sarah gave her maidservant Hagar to her husband, and the two of them had a child. Even our modern-day television dramas don't hold a candle to what ensued! It turned out "helping" didn't help, and the promise still wasn't fulfilled. Fourteen years later, Sarah and Abraham had a visitor who reminded them of God's promise, causing Sarah to laugh out loud and say, "After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?" (Genesis 18:12b, NIV) Do you hear your disbelief and questions about God's timing echoed in Sarah's? I hear mine. Now, Lord? I thought this would happen years ago. Aren't You just a little late? God answered Sarah's question in a way that answers ours, too. "Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son"(genesis 18:14). Less than a year later, Isaac, the child whom God had promised 25 years before, was born. God was not late. His timing was perfect. It was Sarah who had been in a hurry, but God called Isaac's birthday "the appointed time." Ac c ording to the dictionary, "appointed" me a ns "predetermined; arranged; set." Isaac's birth came at the exact time God had planned all along! God may seem like a tractor in the road, slowing down our dreams, but He knows the e ntirety of our story from beginning to end. He also knows how our story weaves into the lives of others. We may be tapping our watches, but He is never late. He may seem slow, but He's always right on time. God Himself holds the appointed time in His hands. Has God made a promise to you that seems delayed? Has He planted a dream in your heart that has not yet come to pass? You can see I've struggled with impatience too, but let's stand together in confident hope! God is faithful, a nd we can rely on His perfect timing. Dear God, sometimes I don't understand Your timing. It's hard to wait, but I trust You. I want to rely on Your ways, Your thoughts and Your perfect timing. Help me learn what I need to learn as I wait, and help me resist rushing Your plan. In Jesus' Name, Amen. Faithfully, Bob+

2 MUSIC NOTES Hopefully, your Christmas was wonderful and your new year of life will be one of joy, worship, and thanksgiving. So many of you have encouraged the choir and me with your kind comments. They were truly appreciated. A very sincere thank you to all of our singers for their gift of time, talent, and music! It was my pleasure to work with them in preparation for Advent and Christmas because of their joy for singing. Adult Choir rehearsals resume on Wednesday, January 10, from 6:00 to 7:00PM. New singers are most welcome. Hymn Stories William Chatterton Dix wrote both a favorite Christmas carol and hymn As with Gladness (Hymn 119) With God s help, adversities sometimes morph into blessings. That happened for William Chatterton Dix, who found himself sick in bed too sick to go to work, but not sick enough to sleep all day. For a diversion, he read the scripture for the day, which turned out to be the story of the visit of the Magi (the Greek word in Matthew 2 is magoi) to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12). As Dix rested, that story kept running through his mind. He probably slept some during the day. If so, his subconscious mind kept processing that story making it easy for Dix in his waking hours to pen the verses of this song. Before the day was over, he had completed it. Dix was ill for an extended period of time, and wrote a number of hymns in this fashion, including the ever-popular What Child is This? Interestingly for a man who wrote a hymn about outsiders (Gentiles) being brought inside the tent, Dix was somewhat an outsider himself a layman, not a member of the clergy. However, his hymns have continued to proclaim the Gospel long after his death in three Magi. They even gave them names Melchior, Balthazar, and Caspar but those are not Biblical names. The significance of the story is that the Magi were Gentiles. Matthew s Gospel is the most Jewish of the four Gospels, but Matthew brings these Gentiles into the tent as honored guests very early in his Gospel and closes his Gospel by challenging his disciples to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). That was Matthew s way of telling his readers that God had enough love to embrace all people not just Jews. The story of these Magi gives us a picture, writ small, of God s great love. Copyright 2014, Richard Niell Donovan Hymn Story: What Child is this (Hymn 115) What Child Is This? was derived from a longer poem, The Manger Song. It was first published in 1865 in Britain, and quickly became popular in the United States as well. The song begins in the manger with the child sleeping on Mary s lap, accompanied by angels and shepherds. But the second verse asks why he would be lying in such mean estate. It goes on to speak of Jesus purpose to plead for the salvation of sinners and alludes to the nails and the cross that he will face as a man. The third verse moves to a joyful tone, asking us to bring Jesus incense and gold and myrrh. The reason is simple. The King of kings has come to bring us salvation, so we should respond joyfully in his honor. Greensleeves, the tune associated with this carol, is a traditional English tune that preceded What Child Is This? by at least a century probably more. It began as a love song, and may have been used with popular drinking songs. Today we hear it sung both as a love song and as a sacred song. Greensleeves was written in a minor key, which gives it a sad feel in the first two lines. However, while the key remains minor, the last two lines take on an enthusiastic, joyful character that contrasts nicely with the earlier lines. Dix died in Cheddar, Somerset, England in 1898 and was buried in the church cemetery there. (Copyright 2008, Richard Niell Donovan) People would have thought of the Magi (magoi) as priests or wise men possibly as astrologers. They would have been powerful men the kind of people who would honor any home by their visit. Tertullian later called them kings, saying that they fulfilled Isaiah s prophecy, Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising (Isaiah 60:3). Still later, people began to assume that, since there were three gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh), there must have been 2

3 NOVEMBER VESTRY NOTES November 13, 2017 Treasurer s Report: Actual Budget Actual Budget Income Open Plate 1, , , , Pledge 14, , , , Other , , Bob Smith presented the Treasurer s report. Bob stated that Open Plate is still under budget $6, year-to-date and Pledges are under budget $14, year-to-date. Total Income is under budget year-to-date. Expenses are also under budget year-to-date. Stewardship Report: Bob Smith stated that so far, 41 pledges had been received for a total of $154,914. He stated that we are still short approximately $30,000 to meet the current budget. Senior Warden: Marvin Jones stated that the legal mediation had been postponed until December. Junior Warden/Buildings and Grounds: Jack Jackson reported that the painting had been completed. Outreach Marilyn Peters reported that the committee had met on October 16th and decided that St. Jude s would not be cooking the Thanksgiving Dinner this year due to limited manpower. Marilyn also reminded Vestry members that Empty Bowls was the next day, November 14th at St. Anthony s. Proceeds from this event will go toward the Food Pantry. Fellowship Kathie Smith reported that the Good Friday event at Rick and Barbara Hawkins was wonderful. Kathie also stated that Homecoming on October 29th was a success. Susan Martin stated that the next event will be a Hayride/Caroling on December 17th. Lessons and Carols and the Christmas Party will be held on December 10th. Church Women Gilda Barnwell reported that the church women had participated in Operation Christmas Child packing shoe boxes with gifts for children. Gilda Barnwell presented the slate of Vestry nominations as follows:ann Hughes, Patti Lohr, Gary Brightwell, Sue Yin Hinson Vestry elections will take place on Sunday, December 3rd immediately following the 10:30 a.m. worship service. Outgoing Vestry members are Gilda Barnwell, Anthony Herndon, Byron Lee and Charlotte Valentine. PARISH ANNUAL MEETING The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 21 st, immediately following the 10:30AM service with a covered dish lunch. All committees are asked to have their reports in the office no later than Thursday, January 4 th. 2 Erin Nichols 9 Justin Gravano 3 Debbie Jones 12 Ann Walters 5 Charles Lucas 21 Michael Priebe 6 Charles Bridges 25 Andy Harrison 7 Julia Causey 28 Steve Cinader THANKS TO the DCW committee for putting on a splendid evening for the Annual Adult Christmas Party, and Matt & Holly Mardell for hosting....to David and the Choirs for magnificent music throughout Advent and Christmas....To all those who do diligently buy groceries, make pantry bags to give out the food to the many who frequent the Food Pantry. As well as, hearty thanks to those who have made financial contributions or given food to the pantry....everyone who helped with breakfast in December: Paul & Fran Pye, Marvin Jones; Erwin & Martie Hooker, Harper Downey; David & Susan Martin, Tracy & Johnny Johnson....Those who volunteered to cook meals for the Youth Group: Gilda Barnwell, Cindy & Charles Lucas and Marianne & Don Holmes. 3

4 SUNDAY BREAKFAST at ST. JUDE S Y O U T H VOLUNTEERS S U P P E R Would like to thank everyone in advance for taking time to help out with this ministry. Also remind them to pick up key for building sometime during the week before they need it. THANKS, Dana JANUARY 7st 14th 21th 28nd Dana Cheney Jack Jackson Ben Harrison Marilyn Peters Patti & Tom Lohr Diane & Dave Mathews Ben & Susan Harrison Marianne Holmes Paul & Fran Pye Marvin Jones GOOD FRIDAYS Friday, January 19 Jamey Copeland s Farm 6PM The following parishioners have volunteered to prepare supper for the Youth group on Wednesday nights during the month of January 3 Harper & J P Downey Charlotte Valentine Laura Reasonover Patti & Tom Lohr Kathie & Bob Smith If you would like to volunteer to prepare a meal for the Youth group please contact Marianne Lowcountry Empty Bowls 2017 was a success! This fundraiser for local food pantries is a project of five churches: Bethel Methodist, Cottageville Methodist, Good Shepherd Lutheran, St. Anthony's Catholic, and St. Jude's churches. Professional and student potters county-wide provided an impressive selection of hand-crafted soup bowls and congregation members provided delicious soups, chowders and desserts. Thanks go out to the following for their generous spirits and their willingness to help: Scott Harvin, Sue Hinson, Diane Mathews, Ileen Grange, Anne Everett (X2), Marnie Smith, Gilda Barnwell, Dana Cheney (X2), Gale Doggette, Heather Tuten, Cindy Lucas, Kathie Smith, Martie Hooker and Marilyn Peters. The event cleared just over $2, $500 to help support the food pantries of each church. Thanks be to God! The 227 th Convention of the Diocese of South Carolina will be held March 9-10, 2017 at Christ Church, Mt. Pleasant. P A R I S H F A M I L I E S M I N I S TER ED TO TH I S MONTH......Eve & Billy Richardson...Gary & Charlie Brightwell...Fran Pye...Father Bob...Jimmy Skardon We try to have an ongoing Food/Flower/Card/Soup Ministry and we feel bad when we do not know or find out late about a need in our church family. Please be certain to contact the church office and let us know of a need in our parish family whether it s a meal or a visit from the Rector. 4

5 1 New Year s Day, office closed. 4 Deadline for reports for Annual Meeting 7 Open Plate offering goes to Rector s Disc. Fund 6 Vestry Retreat at Rectory, 9:30-11:30AM 7 1st Sunday Open Plate offering goes to Rector's Disc. Fund. 7 Daughters of the King, 9 AM 7 First Sunday After Epiphany Prayer Walk and Covered Dish after 10:30AM Service. 10 Adult Choir resumes, 6-7PM, in the choir room 16 Church Women Supper, 6PM. Speaker: Caroline Hooker (Haiti ministry sponsored by Truth Evangelistic Ministries) 19 Good Fridays, Jamey Copeland s Farm, 6PM 21 Parish Annual Meeting, with covered dish l u n c h e o n following 10:30Am Service. 20 Deadline for submissions for February Disciple The DOK meets on the first Sunday of each month at 9AM in the Vestry Room in Skardon Hall. The only requirement for membership is a commitment to prayer and serving our Lord! If you are interested in learning more about DOK, a study/training for new members is currently underway. If you have an interest and would like to begin the discernment process please join us at the January meeting which will be on Sunday, January 7. For more information, or contact Ann Walters (843) , or Marianne Holmes, (843) CHURCH WOMEN SUPPER Tuesday, January 16, :00pm Speaker: Caroline Hooker (Haiti ministry sponsored by Truth Evangelistic Ministries) COMMITTEE: Susan Martin, Marilyn Peters, Laurens Hall, Ann Hughes, Heather Tuten Celebrating our Heritage- Securing Our Future 2018 Stewardship Campaign Report With respect to our stewardship campaign and the current state of our parish finances, we enter 2018 with severe budgetary challenges. To date, as a result of the Celebrating Our Heritage - Securing Our Future campaign, we have received 51 pledges totaling $173, We welcome 3 new pledging members and are gratefully appreciative to the 19 parishioners who have continued to increase their pledges for While we give thanks for all the commitments that have been made, this number represents less than 50% of our parish roll. We must develop a budget for 2018 with approximately $12,000 less pledge income; a significant blow to already stretched church finances. Consequently, we are being forced to evaluate how we can fund the Rector position going forward. The primary contributing factors to these circumstances are attrition of our parish membership as well as an overall reduction in the number of pledges. This is a trend that has been developing over the past 8-10 years. We continue to operate with a minimal, but essential, church staff. All are dedicated to the work of our parish along with numerous faithful parishioner volunteers who conduct or support our various programs and ministries. Needless to say, they are most watchful stewards of our limited resources. Remember, it is never too late to make a pledge, and if you make one, above all honor it. While these are challenging times no doubt, now more than ever is the time for us to come together in the spirit of our parish family, and preserve our little church. 5

6 St. Jude s Church The Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina St. Jude's has worship services Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist 9:30 a.m. Christian Education 10:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist Wednesdays at 12 noon Holy Eucharist 5:30 p.m. Youth Group St. Jude's Church 907 Wichman Street Walterboro, South Carolina Return Service Requested The Disciple is published monthly by St. Jude's Church 907 Wichman Street Walterboro, SC and can be found online at Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9AM-2PM The Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church The Rt. Rev. Mark Lawrence, Bishop The Rev. Bob Horowitz, Rector David Martin, Organist/Choirmaster Bob Smith, Parish Treasurer Lisa Marsh, Parish Administrator Vestry Members Marvin Jones, Senior Warden/Memorial 18 Jack Jackson, Junior Warden 18 Kathie Smith, Fellowship 18 Julia Waddell, Youth 18 Madison Utsey, Fellowship 19 Susan Martin, Pastoral Care 19 Marilyn Peters, Outreach 19 Rick Hawkins, Christian Education 19 Gary Brightwell, 20 Sue Hinson, 20 Patti Lohr, 20 Ann Hughes, 20 SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 First Sunday After Epiphany Prayer Walk and Covered Dish after 10:30AM Service. 6