March of St. Luke s Lutheran Church. ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24

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1 Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Prosperity, S.C Permit No. 4 The Lamplighter The Lamplighter of St. Luke s Lutheran Church March But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24 This Summer the Lutheran Men and the Vacation Bible School took on a challenge of raising money to drill wells in Tanzania. The cost per well was 5,000 dollars. Saint Luke s raised more than 1,500 dollars towards a well. This together with other congregations and Lutheran Men s group throughout the state, we raised enough money to drill two wells in rural Tanzania. Last week, I heard the story of why these wells were so badly needed. The government of Tanzania approached all of these small towns and told them for a fee they would drill wells and guarantee water for their community. The government took the money and years later has never taken any action to provide water for these towns. Without asking for anything, churches like ours came in and gave them the gift of clean water. I wanted to share this story of the kingdom of God at work. Thank you for taking part in the ongoing work of the Gospel. God s Peace, Pastor Jason Schafer 16

2 Editor: Donna Eustace Church Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am 1:00 pm Phone: Fax: The Lamplighter Sunday Services: The St. Luke's players are performing a 5-part drama series for Lent. This year's drama is entitled Signs of Our Times, a Lenten series by Mary Ann Smith. It is produced by special arrangement with Contemporary Drama Service, Colorado Springs, Co. Our regular Lenten services will be held each Wednesday at 7:00 pm through March 25 th. Prior to the Lenten service, a light supper will be held at 6:00 pm. All are invited. If you have any questions, contact Sandra Boozer or Cheryl Lucas. Indulge for Lent? Rather than sacrificing something for Lent especially something easy and spiritually insignificant, such as chocolate Patty Kirk, in Guideposts magazine, suggests finding new ways to indulge in God s presence. Surely one can do this by having extra devotions or attending Lenten worship services. But Kirk offers these ideas: Spend time outdoors, sensing God s magnificence. Spend time with others, extending generosity and compassion. Remember Jesus promise that when you care for others, you care for him (Matthew 25:31-46). Pray for the little things, coming before God in childlike trust and feeling peace. Watch attentively for God s answers to prayer, and receive them as reminders of his presence. Turn anxiety into prayer. As you frame concerns as prayers and entrust them to God, you sacrifice the tendency to wallow in worry. Financial Report General Funds January 2015 Income Needed to Cover Budget Year to Date: $ 21, (** assuming 1/12 of budget spent each month**) Budget Received to Date General Fund $ 14, Operating Expense Only Fund $ 1, Total Budget Received to Date: $ 16, Disbursed to Date General Fund $ 13, Operating Expense Only $ 1, Total Budget Disbursed to Date: $ 15, Balance General Fund 12/31/2014 $ 40, Balance General Fund 01/31/2015 $ 41, Worship Trends Attendance General Fund Operating Operating Expense Only Jan $4, $ Jan $3, $ Jan $3, $ Feb $4, $ Feb $3, $ Feb $3, $ Feb TBA TBA Feb. 22 TBA TBA TBA February 1 st Sunday offering of $ 1, received for parsonage improvements. Offering needed weekly to meet 2015 budget: $4, Amount due to J. C. Lester funds for Parsonage Improvements as of Feb. 1,2015 =$

3 MARCH SERVICE VOLUNTEERS SERVING GOD THROUGH SERVING OTHERS March 1 March 8 Acolytes Avery DuBose & Alana Eargle Sam Hawkins & Andrew Green Crucifer Brianna Kinard Dillon Morris Closing the Church Phil Connelly David Eargle Greeters Ronald Boozer & Carter Mays Doliene Bedenbaugh & Joe Boozer Lectors Mitzie Schafer David Millsaps Altar Flowers No Flowers for Lent No Flowers for Lent Altar Guild 2/23-3/1 Joe Kunkle & Brenda Smith Ushers Acolytes Tim Connelly Chesley Minick Casey McCarty Evan Pitts 3/2-3/8 Faye & Junior Shealy & Deann McManus Penny Ballantyne Joe Boozer Russell Hendrix Kevin Longshore March 15 March 22 March 29 Palm Sunday Makenzie Nichols & Eliza McManus Michael Fulmer & Payton Gardner Crucifer Calen McManus Aubrey Richardson Carter Mays Ella Schafer & Savannah Lever Closing the Church Henry Kunkle, Jr Byron Carr Dean Bedenbaugh Greeters Bernice Connelly & Betty Dominick Nelva Kunkle & Mike Hawkins Lectors Nikki Horne Wanda Connelly Youth Becky Kinard & Linda Kunkle Altar Flowers No Flowers for Lent No flowers for Lent No Flowers for Lent Altar Guild 3/9-3/15 Neal Lester & Laura & Adam Lester 3/16-3/22 Randy & Judy Nobles 3/23-3/29 Mitchel & Harriett Connelly & Wanda Crotwell 14 Ushers Mickey Fulmer Russell Kunkle Steven Lake Lee Livingston Reggie Beckham Andrew Green Jody Green Joey Long Tim Brandt Alvin Connelly Steven Lake Kevin Longshore 3

4 2 Beth Fulmer 3 Carolyn Minick 8 Gina Mays 9 John W. Pugh 12 Julie Hamm 13 Payton Gardner 14 Karen Cumalander 15 Barbara Hendrix Donna Eustace* 17 Patsy Morris Travis Slice Evan Pitts Carla Livingston 20 Tamela Cohen 21 Dean Bedenbaugh 22 Scott Gardner 24 Dale Bratton 26 Aiden Gunwall 27 Ryan Koon 28 Philip Hunter 29 Ashlyn Gunwall 30 Kathy Peel 31 Kara Sheppard Happy Birthday! 14 Larry and Emily Lake 15 Jay and Wendy Connelly 19 Luke and Cheryl Lucas 26 A.J. and Faye Shealy 31 Paul and Teresa Hunter Anniversaries Happy Anniversary! Congregational congratulations to a beautiful couple, Adam and Ashley Roberts on their wedding held at St. Luke s on Saturday, January 24, Wishing you a wonderful journey as you build your new life together. Their address: Mr. and Mrs. Adam Roberts 1128 P Whisperwood Ct. Greensboro, NC Spring/Easter Photos with Crystal Crouch Photography A Holy Trinity Preschool Fundraiser. Individual or Family. Ten minute sessions for 3-5 poses on a CD with copyright for $50. March 7, 2015 at Holy Trinity from 9am-2pm. CD will be delivered before Easter. Sign up now by calling the church office at SAILOR'S BIBLE, THE (Musicals) Coming to Pomaria Lutheran Church 210 Folk Street Pomaria, South Carolina Friday, March 20, :30 P.M. This musical for all ages, includes three Bible stories: Noah and the Great Flood, Jonah and the Great Fish, and Paul's Shipwreck. Each story features the ocean as a symbol for the chaos of life and shows how only the power of God is greater than the natural forces of wind and wave. Done in its entirety, the three stories flow into and reflect upon one another in an entertaining 45-min. program. It's all done with a childlike playfulness full of humor and songs rich with catchy melodies. The theme that only God can bring peace to the hurricanes of life shines through with charm and resonance. Make plans now to attend. You will not want to miss it. Answers to Power of Prayer Puzzle on page 14 13

5 Prosperity-Rikard Elementary School s second nine weeks honor roll lists Anna Grace Morris, Braedon Connelly, Brittany Moore, Ella Schafer, Gracen Green, Sam Hawkins, Aiden Gunwall, Ben Morris, Daniel Moore, Micah Schafer and Sophia Boozer. Mid-Carolina Middle School Jr. Beta Club students Calen McManus, Alana Eargle, Ben Hawkins, and Mackenzie Crotwell attended the Jr. Beta Club State Convention held in Myrtle Beach. Eliza McManus is a member of MCMS Ambassadors. They serve as guides for new students, parents and visitors at the school. Elise Mills placed third in the 1A/2A competition in singles tennis. Parker Pitts is on the Boys Basketball roster. Christine Arehart* Clay Beck* Doris Billie* Margaret Boozer* Rudy Boozer Sophia Feid* Peggy Garrett* Judy Graham* Hattie Boozer (Springfield Place) Jacob Bundrick (Lowman Home) Nursing Home Carol Brandt (Saluda Nursing Center) Bernice Connelly (White Oak Manor) Ossian Higgins (White Oak Manor) Amanda Kunkle (White Oak Manor) Dezaree Morris (White Oak Manor) Jody Green Monty Hawkins Paige Hoover* Jenny Huneycutt* Danny Jones* Fred Kesler Kenneth Lake Billie Lindler* Allen Litz* Dwain Mayer* Suzanne Mayer* Dot Merchant* Gordon & Carolyn Minick Tom Perry* Logan Reyes* Sylvia White* *Family/Friends A reminder: Names will stay on the prayer list up to four weeks unless the office is notified otherwise. Thank you. All care givers and others who have experienced pain, disappointment, anger, and grief in this congregation and elsewhere, our prayers are with you all. Dori Pitts was recognized for Sixth Grade Principal s A Honor Roll. Andrew Green, Eliza McManus and Julia Eargle made the Sixth Grade A/B Honor Roll. Rebel-ution Awards went to Julia Eargle and Alan Pitts. Kirsten Bickley was recognized for Seventh Grade Principal s A Honor Roll. Parker Pitts and Savannah Lever made the B Average Honor Roll. Mackenzie Crotwell and Calen McManus were recognized for Eighth Grade Principal s A Honor Roll. Ben Hawkins, Elise Mills, Makenzie Nichols, Alana Eargle, Alex Lake, Makayla Nichols and Jackie Stroud made the A/B Honor Roll. Alex Lake and Carson Craven were selected for the Rebel-ution Award. Mid-Carolina High School students having Perfect Attendance for the 2nd nine weeks are Mallory Pitts, Anabel Barnett, Patrick Craven, Zachary Cumbie, Marshall Horne and Duncan Crotwell. Mallory Pitts and Aubrey Richardson are on Mid-Carolina High School 2nd nine weeks Honor Roll. Aubrey Richardson was elected Student of the Month. Mallory Pitts was chosen to participate in the 21st Annual Columbia College Women s Choral clinic. Congregational sympathy is expressed to Harriett Kesler and family for the death of her brother, Terry TC Chapman on Jan. 9, 2015 in North Carolina. Memorial services were held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015 at Mid-Carolina Country Club in Prosperity. Congregational sympathy is expressed to Helen Beebe and family for the death of her brother-in-law, Harold Beebe (73) of Columbia. He passed on February 12, 2015 at the MUSC, Charleston, SC. Memorial services will be held at Jackson Dear St. Luke s, The Manna House gratefully acknowledges your recent gift of $ Because of your generous support, this community project has been able to provide food for the people in Newberry who need it. Thank you so very much! Sue Jaeger, Treasurer 12 5

6 I take this opportunity to thank my caring church family and other community friends for remembering me with prayers, visits, cards and calls during my recent hospitalization. Special thanks to Pastor Jason for his dedicated care. Sincerely, John V Pugh Dear St. Luke s Family, Thanks so much for the delicious Thanksgiving meal that was prepared for us. The cooks did a good job. It was nice not to have to cook. Randall and I are continuing to enjoy our Christmas goodies. We also enjoyed visiting with Faye Hawkins when she delivered them. As we opened each card, it was a joy remembering each one of you not only now but in days past. Last, but not least, we can t forget being serenaded by the angels, both big and small. The songs touched our hearts and made us happy. We remember what Christmas is all about not just presents and December 25, but having Jesus in our hearts every day throughout the year! With Christian Love, Randall and Kathy Minick Dear Friends in Christ, It is with grateful, thankful hearts that we say a genuine, Thank you for everything you have done for our family during the last 5 months. We have been overwhelmed with prayers, cards, phone calls, and visits. All signs of Christian love. We are indeed humbled. Our family has made tremendous improvements and continues to do so. We ask for your continued prayers and support as our journey to good health continues. A special thanks to Pastor Schafer for visits, prayers and words of comfort. With the love of God, family and friends, we will overcome. God is Good! Sincerely, in Christian Love, Fred and Harriett Kesler and family Thanks to all who donate their aluminum cans to the church. We raised $72.15 for 111 pounds of aluminum cans at $0.65/lb. Please continue to share your aluminum trash with the church. 6 Don t forget to bring foods for Manna House. Items needed at this time are small bags of flour, sugar, cornmeal, and grits; peanut butter, canned meats, fruits, tomatoes, tomato sauce, meats and jelly. Paper towels and toilet paper are always needed, as well as dish and laundry detergents. Get your filled, red bag back as soon as possible. It may be placed in the upper room, the assembly room or at the desk between the pastor s and secretary s office doors. A New Member into the life and ministry of this congregation On Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, Makayla Renee Connelly, daughter of Jay and Wendy Connelly, was received into the family and fellowship of St. Luke s Lutheran Church by holy baptism. She was born Dec. 9, 2014 at Palmetto Richland Hospital. The proud grandparents are Philip and Wanda Connelly from Prosperity and Larry and Betty Ann Derrick from Greenwood, SC Edna Stuck is the honored great-grandmother. Walker Gaskins is the delighted brother. We welcome Makayla to our Christian fellowship and church family! How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103, NRSV). Recently I was confronted with this question: If you fed yourself with food the way you feed yourself with God s Word, would you still be alive? It gave me pause. Do I eat enough spiritually? feast regularly enough on Scripture to keep up my energy and the health of my soul? Do I eat nutritiously? take in a balanced meal of law and gospel, comfort and commandments, prophecy and promise? Do I pass up spiritual junk food? set aside empty calories that lead to disease, in order to hunger for what truly gives life? Do I drink enough Living Water to avoid faith dehydration? And once in a while, do I splurge on dessert? savor the sweetness and joy of belonging at God s table? What abundance God sets before us. May we never skip a meal! Heidi Mann 11

7 The Sunday morning LMM meeting will be Sunday March 1 st at 8:30 am. Mike Dubose will have the breakfast and Russell Hendrix will have the program. Hope to see you there. LCY will be going to HiWire Trampoline Park in Columbia after church until approximately 5:00 pm. Cost is $ Please bring a bag lunch. Essie Hawkins Circle will meet Tuesday, Mar. 3 at 10:00 am in the assembly room. Reba Warren will have the program and Margaret Koon and Virginia Cannon will furnish the refreshments. Please join us. World Day of Prayer at Grace Lutheran Church on Friday, March 6, at 7:00 pm. WELCA Executive Board will meet Sunday, Mar. 8 th, at 5:00 pm. Congregational Council Members will meet at 6:00 pm on Sunday, Mar. 8. The G.A.L.S Group will meet on Monday, Mar. 9 th at 10:00 am in the assembly room. Plan to attend to hear Pastor Hallman and Jean tell about their recent trip to Israel. St. Luke's players will practice Sunday, Mar.1 and Mar. 8 at 4:00 pm and Mar. 22 at 3:30 pm. Cast members, please check for reminders and updates. Plans for the March meeting for New Horizons are not complete. Please watch the Sunday bulletin for further details. WELCA Joint Meeting of Circles will be after service on Sunday, Mar. 15. The Blood Connection will be here from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 22. Your donation helps to meet the local transfusion needs. Please call Fran Merchant at for an appointment. Thank you for all your support. SAVE THE DATE - Saturday, May 2, St. Luke's LCY will host a dinner and show fundraiser. The show will be a Saturday Night Live type of show with skits, music, and dancing. More details to follow. Please plan to attend and support the multi-talented youth of our congregation. A little bit of heaven just came our way... Congratulations to Hunter and Kelsey Barnett on the birth of their wonderful new blessing. Ava Grace was born Feb. 15 th. The proud grandparents are Sandra and Joel Lewis and Tim and Cindy Barnett; great-grandparents are John and Priscilla Hunter. Congratulations to Paula and Ben Hammett on the birth of their daughter. Eliza Gayle was born on Saturday, Feb. 14 th at University Hospital in Augusta. Paul and Caroline Brandt are Gayle's proud grandparents. Congratulations to Lacey and Kyle Craven on the birth of their baby girl, Elizabeth Liza Hendrix Craven. She was born on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 in Savannah, GA. The delighted grandparents are Dennis and Michelle Long. Braylen Long is Liza s very proud aunt. We ask God s blessings upon Ava Grace, Eliza Gayle, Liza and their families. 10 7

8 2015 By reading the Scriptures I am so renewed that all nature seems renewed around me and with me. The sky seems to be a pure, a cooler blue, the trees a deeper green. The whole world is charged with the glory of God and I feel fire and music under my feet. Thomas Merton Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 (2 nd Sunday in Lent) LMM 8:30 am Handbells 9:30 am LCY HiWire after service Lenten Drama Practice 4:00 pm 8 (3 rd Sunday in Lent) Lenten Drama Practice 4:00 pm WELCA Executive Board Mtg 5:00 pm Congregational Council meeting 6:00 pm 15 (4 th Sunday in Lent) WELCA Joint Mtg of Circles 12:00 pm LCY The Messiah Study 6:00 pm G.A.L.S. 10:00 am LMM 7:30 pm Thomas Suber Circle 7:30 pm Essie Hawkins Circle 10:00 am 10 Faye & Hilton Roof Circle 6:30 pm St. Patrick s Day 4 Brown Bag Bible Study 11:45 am 1:00 pm Lenten Service light supper 6:00 pm worship/drama 7:00 pm Brown Bag Bible Study 11:45 am 1:00 pm Lenten Service light supper 6:00 pm worship/drama 7:00 pm Brown Bag Bible Study 11:45 am 1:00 pm Lenten Service light supper 6:00 pm worship/drama 7:00 pm Bulletin info due by 10 am Bulletin info due by 10 am Bulletin info due by 10 am 6 AT Grace WELCA 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall reserved Girl Scouts Sleepover 22 (5 th Sunday in Lent) Blood Connection Blood Drive 1:30-4:30 pm Lenten Drama Practice 3:30 pm Brown Bag Bible Study 11:45 am 1:00 pm Lenten Service light supper 6:00 pm worship/drama 7:00 pm 26 Bulletin info due by 10 am