1. shopping
2. gifts

THE GRAPEVINE
THE NEWSLETTER OF OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH
DECEMBER, 2014
In This Issue
Birthdays/Anniversaries….10
Commemoration Profiles ….6
Council Notes/ Finance/
Attendance ..………….4
Ministries ……………………….3
News …………………….....2,8-9
OSLC-WELCA………………...5
Photos ….…………………....2,11
Prayer Requests...…………..10
Thank You ………………….….8
The Grapevine is a monthly newsletter
published by the staff & members of
Our Saviour Lutheran Church
1500 Sunset Blvd
West Columbia, SC 29169
Phone: 803.794.8180
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.oursaviour.net
The Rev. Lance Henderson—Pastor
Brent Holcomb—Organist/Choirmaster
Meredith Jones—Handbell Director
A Message from the Pastor
Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and our Lord
Jesus Christ.
I know you expect to read an Advent newsletter article where I
urge you to read more scripture or be more diligent in your
prayer life. And I know you would read an article like that
and think, “yeah, I really should” and then get sidetracked
with decisions about gifts, travel, guests, and meals. So I’m
not doing that this year. You are free from my urging for such
things (call it an early Christmas gift!). However, I am going
to urge you—without taking a moment of extra time on your
part—to use these weeks before Christmas to go on a little
ADVENTure. (See what I did there?)
Advent is a dual purpose season. It prepares us to celebrate
that moment when God became man in Christ Jesus, but it is
also a time when we remember that our Lord is coming again.
And to that end, we are reminded to keep awake. So here is
how the ADVENTure begins (see, I did it again!). It will cost
you nothing. It won’t take a moment of your time. You will
not have to lift an extra finger. Just be awake and share the
hope, peace, joy and love that Christ brings.
“That sounds like an awful lot,” you might be saying, but it is
actually pretty easy. It goes like this—imagine you are stuck in
traffic headed to the mall.
It is bumper-to-bumper on
Harbison and there is probably not a space available in the
mall parking lot. You could say to yourself, “oh, this is awful”
or you could say to yourself “even though many of these
people out here may not fully realize it, look at the excitement
the world makes to celebrate Jesus”. Being awake lets you
change your attitude.
cont’d on page 3 —>
OSLC
NEWS &
NOTES
DIRECTORY INFORMATION
Take a moment to stop by the Cameron Hall
and check your address and contact
information and make any necessary
corrections.
If the information is correct
place an OK next to the listing.
NEW BANNER
On All Saints’ Sunday, we were presented
with a new All Saints banner from the Gary
Raszewski Memorial Fund. Together, and
with the consent of our congregational
council and Caroline Raszewski, we
dedicated this gift with joyous thanksgiving
to the glory of God and in memory of Gary.
STEWARDSHIP SUCCESS
Another great stewardship Sunday this past
November 16. A great breakfast and lots of
people signed up to share their time and
talents among God’s people.
There are still opportunities available. Sign-up
sheets for all the teams and various duties
regarding Altar Guild, flowers, nursery
attendants, Sunday School/VBS Teachers,
tellers, Community Lunch, etc. all have
available dates. It’s a great time to sign up to
become an active member of the Women or
Lutheran Men in Mission groups. Prayerfully
consider serving as a team leader in the 2015
year. Visit the Cameron Hallway in early
December to share YOUR gifts!
WHERE’S MY PLEDGE CARD?
MEMORIALS AND GIFTS
The Memorial and Gifts Team will meet on
December 9, 4:00-5:30 pm in the conference
room.
2
Missing your pledge card this year? The
Stewardship & Finance team has opted not
to send out pledge cards this year. It is a
bit of an experiment. Plus, we will be asking
for commitments in early 2015 to pay off our
building loan. Yes, it’s that close! More on
that to come.
If it is beneficial for you as a giver to make a
formal pledge, please contact the pastor
and he will happily accept your pledge and
offer it up in prayer.
Pastor’s Message (cont’d)
Imagine you are in line at the
grocery store and there are lines
of people with baskets full of food
for celebration and the woman
next to you sneeringly says, “this
is the WORST!” And you being a
polite person, respond with nod
and smile.
But then be
ADVENTurous, and sneakily
pray—yes, right there in the
store—that this woman might
find a bit of peace and joy in her
day. Being awake lets you see
others as Jesus sees them.
Imagine your friend posts online
about how they are ready to
punch the next person who
wishes him “Happy Holidays”
rather than “Merry Christmas”.
This happens right after you read
about a lawsuit in California
where some jackwagon is suing
to have the nativity scene taken
down from in front of the public
library. And in the background,
there is more news blaring about
ISIS and whatever. And you start
seething. Wake up and take a
mini-ADVENTure. Turn off the
TV (you can turn it on later), go
look at the nativity scene in your
house. Think about the faith of
that young nervous woman
named Mary following the
promise of God two thousand
years ago, and suddenly “Happy
Holidays” sounds fine. Being
awake lets you participate in
hope, peace, joy and love.
Now you only have twenty four
days to be on this ADVENTure,
so wake up and get going.
Pastor Lance
DECEMBER MINISTRIES
FLOWERS
Dec. 7 Ilmars & Faith Birznieks
GREETERS
Blenda & Kathy Rhoden
14 DeLeon & Jane Wallace
Bill & Linda Hill
21 Pastor Lance & Robin
Henderson
24
28 Bill Hill
Isma Boland
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
Bill Hill
Alan Hunter
Isma Boland
Loleta Keitt
Loleta Keitt
LAY READERS
Dec. 7 Wayne Lybrand
Dec. 7
14
21
24
28
14
21
24
28
Barbara Hunter
Bill Hill
Loleta Keitt
Linda Hill
DECEMBER
Barney & Loleta Keitt
NURSERY KEEPERS
Patsy Horton
Sandra Hughes
Robin Henderson
Brenda Tisdale
CHAT & SNACK
Francis & Rebecca
Fingerlin
The Bolands
Available
None
Heyward & Doris
Wessinger
JANUARY
USHERS
Wayne Lybrand, Chief
Chris Boland
Jason Powell
NURSERY MONITOR
Jean Hopkins
ALTAR GUILD
Isma Boland & Melba
Murphy
ACOLYTE
Evan or Madison Dawkins
CRUCIFER
Alan Hunter
OFFERING PICKUP
Dec. 7, 24 David Griffith
Dec. 14, 21 Jean Hopkins
David Griffith
Dec. 28
Available, Chief
Jason Powell
Bill Hill
Mary Withrow
Beth Boland & Karen
Dawkins
Claire Fingerlin
Adam Fingerlin
Open
TELLERS
Dec. 7, 14 Ben & Judy Lemons
Open
Horace Meetze & Doris
Dec. 21
Wessinger
Linda Griffith & Frank Yonce
Dec. 28
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
Open
Albert Drafts
3
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
Ann Satterwhite, Council Secretary
November 2014

Nominations for church Council were
discussed.

The Kitchen/Fellowship team has
purchased a new microwave for the
kitchen.
STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE
REPORTS
No Report This Month

The Council voted to approve the
hanging of a wall mounted magazine/
brochure rack in the Cameron
Building. This is a WELCA project.

The church will be helping with food
delivery for God’s Helping Hands in
September of 2015.
ANNUAL MEETING
HIGHLIGHTS
November 16, 2014

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
From November 2 through November 23
Sunday School—30
Sunday Worship—84
Thanksgiving Worship— 36
ATTENDANCE NOTE
Advent is the beginning of the church year.
Make a New Year’s pledge to be more
diligent in your attendance to worship
4


Elected to 2 year term for
Congregational Council: Bill Aull,
Pam Hanfland, Floyd Hanna, and
Charles Nicholson .
Proposed Constitutional
amendments—PASSED
Proposed Budget for 2015—PASSED
LYDIA CIRCLE COMMUNITY
PROJECT
President—Caroline Raszewski
Secretary—Helen Puckhaber
Treasurer—Ann Satterwhite
Circles
Cameron
first Tuesday evening
Lib White
inactive
Lydia
second Monday evening
Rebekah
third Monday evening
2015 WELCA RETREAT
Cameron Circle is excited to announce that
the 2015 retreat will be held April 24-26,
2015 at Lutheridge, NC. Deposit of $50.00
was due June 1, 2014. 2nd payment of $50
was due October 5, 2014 and last payment
is due February 1, 2015. Please make your
check payable to OSLC WELCA, mark "2015
Retreat" on the memo line and give to Doris
Wessinger.
Our community project this year is to assist a
Lexington 2 school, Davis Elementary. In
speaking with the school nurse, it was found
that there is a need for new (or very gently
used) clean T-shirts, elastic waist sweatpants,
and athletic shorts in sizes from 3/4 to 15/16
for students in Pre-K to 5th grade. Please
check your local clearance aisles and sales.
You may donate clothing by putting it in the
box by the adult Sunday School room. The
box is labeled “Davis Clothes”.
REBEKAH CIRCLE
The ladies of the Rebekah Circle will be
meeting at the home of Patsy Horton, 149
Cherokee Shores Drive, Lexington, for their
annual ornament exchange. We will gather
on Saturday December 13 at 11:30 a.m.
Lunch will be provided.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Linda Griffith who is the
new editor and circulation manager of The
Ripple, the newsletter of the SC Women of
the ELCA.
2014 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Action
Community
Growth
Outreach
Rebekah
Lydia
Cameron
Lib White
DATES TO REMEMBER:

December
11,
2014—Executive
Committee Meeting, 6:00 pm

April 24-15, 2015— WELCA Retreat,
Lutheridge, Arden, NC.
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COMMEMORATION PROFILES
Ruth Nicholson
The Lutheran Church, as part of its worship,
celebrates the lives of notable Christians of
the past. Our hymnal provides a calendar
(pp. 15–17) for us to follow which recognizes
these individuals on the anniversary of their
deaths.
Ambrose agreed; his baptism, ordination and
consecration (on December 7) soon
followed.
As bishop, Ambrose faced
heresies as well as a flood of recent converts
needing instruction.
He was a skillful
preacher, teacher, and hymn writer (see
ELW 263, 559, 571) and possibly the author
of the Athanasian Creed.
December 14
John of the Cross,
renewer of the church
(1542-1591)
December 3
Francis Xavier,
missionary to Asia
(1506-1552)
Francis Xavier has been called the Apostle
of the Indies and Japan. He was born into a
prosperous Spanish-Basque family and
studied in Paris. In 1534, Xavier, Ignatius
Loyola, and five others took vows of poverty
and chastity, dedicating
themselves to
preaching to non-Christian peoples. These
men formed the nucleus of the new Jesuit
order. After his ordination, Xavier traveled to
India and preached there and in Ceylon for
seven years. In 1549, he went to Japan to
set up missions. He fell ill and died before
he could enter mainland China on yet
another missionary journey.
In all his
evangelizing endeavors, Xavier’s attention to
local languages and customs contributed to
his success in making converts, as did his
efforts to train a native clergy.
John was born into a poor family with roots in
nobility. He joined a Carmelite monastery
and became a priest in 1567. Because he
favored stricter adherence to the rules of the
order, John urged reform similar to that being
undertaken with the women of the order by
Teresa of Avila. His superiors had him
imprisoned, but he escaped.
John is
remembered as a founder of the reformed
Carmelites and also as a poet and Christian
mystic.
ELCA PRESS RELEASES
The ELCA issues several news releases
every month. Below is a partial listing of the
releases issued during the last month. The
full story may be read at www.elca.org. No
web access? Contact the church office if a
story interests you.
December 7
Ambrose,
Bishop of Milan
(c. 339-397)
Son of a Roman official, Ambrose began his
professional life in government.
His
steadiness, modesty, and skill in public
speaking made him popular with his
subjects. When the local Christian bishop
died in 374, the people of Milan requested
Ambrose as his successor. Even though he
was only a catechumen at the time,
6
11/04 ELCA malaria campaign reaches 13 million
milestone
11/12 ELCA Church Council implements youth and young
adult, disability ministries to campaign
11/21 ELCA bishops support Obama’s immigration reform
announcement
11/24 International women leaders discuss Lutheran
identity, leadership
11/25 ELCA presiding bishop offers prayer, hope in wake
of Ferguson decision.
GRAPEVINE QUIZ
Answers on page 10
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE
QUIZMASTER
In a recent conversation, the quizmaster
discovered that some people take the quiz
while never looking at their bibles. So while
they enjoy the quiz, their scores are often
low. The quizmaster wants you to know that
he certainly uses the bible to make the quiz
and gives you the chapters so that you can
use your bible as you solve.
Merry
Christmas and Happy puzzling! --QM
Celebrating Christmas wouldn’t be the same
without giving gifts. Here are some biblical
stories about gift giving.
1. In Genesis 32, we read that Jacob sends
an enormous gift of livestock to his brother
Esau before they meet for the first time in
many years. Jacob was trying to appease
Esau because he imagined Esau was mad at
him for something that transpired back in
Genesis 27. What was it?
A. Jacob had run off with Esau’s fiance
B. Jacob had refused to work 7 years for
Esau
C. Jacob had tricked Esau and their
father Isaac out of Esau’s birthright
D. Jacob hadn’t let Esau join in any
reindeer games
2. In Judges 14, there is the gross little story
where Samson comes to his wedding
intending to bring gifts for all the
attendants.
Instead, he offers to give the
attendants the gift only if they can solve a
riddle he created after witnessing this
disturbing roadside scene. What did Samson
see?
A. A beehive made in a lion’s carcass
B. The head of a man that still had a hat
on it
C. A man set upon by thieves
D. A miniature sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer
3. In Mark 6, who gives the head of John the
Baptist on a platter to his young dancing stepdaughter as a gift?
A.
B.
C.
D.
King Herod
Pontius Pilate
The High Priest Ananias
The Grinch
4. In John 12, as a gift of love, Mary anoints
Jesus’ feet with something. What is it?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Myrrh
Olive Oil
Nard or ointment
Mistletoe and holly
5. In 1 Peter 4, we read that we have all
been given gifts which are to be used for
______?
A.
B.
C.
D.
The glory of God
One another
The exaltation of Jesus
Stuffing stockings
BONUS Three famous biblical gifts were
interpreted to correspond with Christ’s role as
King of All, his role as priest who stands
between humanity and God, and his atoning
sacrifice on the cross. What are those three
famous biblical gifts?
Dear Pastor Henderson,
You led a beautiful Memorial Service for
Jesse! Our prayers are for Julie now and the
family.
God’s Peace,
Rod & Elaine Krome
7
CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP
NEW TIME FOR 2014
DECEMBER 24, 6:00 pm
Special music starts at 5:45
IT’S COMING SOON! SIGN UP TODAY!
CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA
Everyone is invited to our Church
family’s Christmas celebration,
complete with music, stories, plays,
a few surprises, and even a visit
from a familiar old favorite festive
fellow from the WAY UP NORTH!
And to make our celebration even
more like a down-home family
Christmas party, we’ll sit down to a
good old-fashioned Christmas
covered dish dinner, showcasing the
incredible culinary skills of the many
talented cooks that grace our
covered dish dinners at Our Saviour.
Festive, holiday baked ham will be
provided by our extraordinary
Kitchen and Fellowship crew, so be
sure to bring all of your Christmas
finest side salads, side dishes, and
festive desserts for this Yuletide
FEAST!
8
Our Christmas festivities will
begin promptly at 5:00 pm. Be
sure to get there early to get a
good seat…you won’t want to
miss a minute of the incredible
entertainment in store for you at
the 4th ANNUAL OUR SAVIOUR
CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA!
MORE OSLC
NEWS &
NOTES
RAZBERRIES
The December Razberries will meet at Don
and Patsy Horton's home, 149 Cherokee
Shores Drive, Lexington 29072 on December
13 at 7:00 pm.
We will be serving pork loin and ask for sides
and desserts to accompany the guests. We
will also be hosting our nearly annual white
elephant gift exchange. We are certain there
are many delightful items just waiting to be
discovered, or is that rediscovered?
To find us follow Old Cherokee Road from its
beginning between Publix Shopping Center
an5d Wal-Mart Plaza in Lexington. You will go
about 5 or 6 miles to St. Peter's Church Road
and make a right and then IMMEDIATELY
make a left onto the continuation of Old
Cherokee Road. In another approximately
mile and a half you will pass CAMOPLAST
and then turn right into Cherokee Shores and
you will be on Cherokee Shores Drive. Our
home is the eighth one on your left (149). If
you get lost contact us at 803-606-1514. You
may want to carpool with two or more couples
per car as parking is very tight.
LUTHERAN MEN IN MISSION
This month Our Saviour's Lutheran Men in
Mission will host its annual Ladies Night to be
held on Monday December 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets
are $15 for one and $25 per couple. They
may be purchased from Don Horton, Bill Hill or
Barney Keitt this Sunday at the church or call
any of them to arrange to purchase. Due to
this event there will be no LMM meeting on the
third Monday of the month.
COMMUNITY LUNCH
There will
December.
be
no
community
lunch
in
HEALTHY SNACKS
We continue to support SRAA's Healthy
Snack in Pack Program.
This program
provides weekend snacks put in backpacks
for needy children such as individually packed
fruit cups, dried fruit, jello, crackers, Granola
bars, and juice boxes. Snacks are collected
on the first Sunday of each month at Our
Saviour as part of our Community Outreach.
A box will be in the Narthex on that Sunday; if
you bring them at another time during the
month the box is kept in the handbell room
against the wall. Just place your items in
there and they will be taken the next month.
Thank you for your support.
GOD’S HELPING HANDS
Pantry needs are for spaghetti sauce and
canned fruit. Items may be brought to the
church and placed in the boxes, which are
located in the Cameron Hallway.
As you are considering your end of the year
donations, please remember God’s Helping
Hands. If you would like to give a monetary
donation for heating assistance, please note
that on the “memo” line on your check.
Checks may be given to Virginia Morris, Anne
Moye or sent in directly to God’s Helping
Hands.
ELDERBERRIES
Since plans to join the Community Lunch with
the Saluda River Kids happened in November,
we'll not meet in December. Plans are to go to
the Fairgrounds for the Annual Palmetto
Health's Health Fair in January. Please watch
the bulletin for updates and specifics. Merry
Christmas everyone. Linda Hill and Linda
Griffith have enjoyed working with you ALL
this year and appreciate all your support and
dedication.
9
PRAYER REQUESTS
Those listed below have special prayers needs at this time. We keep the entire congregation in our prayers at
all times, but sometimes special prayers are needed. If your name is on the list or you have added someone’s
name and they no longer need to be on the list, please contact the church secretary so the name cam be
removed.
Ilmars & Faith Birznieks
Robin Blocker
Julie Corbett
Katie Doble
Raymond Eargle
Margaret Ford (Oakleaf Village, Apt. 335)
Mickey Golden (cousin of Linda Yonce)
Clara Gregory (Harbor Chase, #203)
Kelly Hallman (friend of Steven & Kathy Hutto)
Louvenia Hendrix (sister of Jane Wallace)
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS
Lisa Sawyer
Wayne Lybrand
David Yonce
Kay Kester
Kay Black
Jerry Marcum
.
Sonya Urban
Linda Hill
12/07
12/08
12/08
12/10
12/16
12/25
12/29
12/31
Evelyn Lybrand (Presbyterian Communities,
Room 217)
Savannah McRae
Bunny Richardson (friend of the Hughes and
Tisdale families)
Pearl Richardson (The Heritage at Lowman)
Janice Satterfield (friend of the Hughes family)
Marie Shealy (Morningside Ret Ctr Apt 131)
Vera Summer (Oakleaf Village, Room 214)
Mae Wicker
DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
Pastor Lance & Robin Henderson
Cody & Meredith Jones
Frances & Rebecca Fingerlin
12/19
12/19
12/28
Please Note: if there are any errors or omissions
in birthdays or anniversaries, notify the church
office. We want to make sure our records are
GRAPEVINE ARTICLES
If you have articles, reports and/or pictures
that you or your group would like printed in the
August Grapevine, please send them to the
Church Office on or before Monday December
29.
Answers:
1. C. Jacob had tricked Esau and their father
Isaac out of Esau’s birthright; 2. A. A beehive made in a lion’s
carcass; 3. A. King Herod; 4. C. Nard or ointment; 5. B. One
another; BONUS The gifts of the magi in Matthew 2: Gold--a
symbol of royalty; frankincense--a incense used in temple
worship; and myrrh--an embalming spice
10
GRAPEVINE PICTURES!
Look at Virginia Morris signing up
at Stewardship Sunday to give of
her time! Look below at Mark
and Ann giving of their talents!
Be like Virginia! Be like Mark &
Ann!
Details on page 2!
OSLC was the site of this year’s
West Columbia-Cayce Chamber
of Commerce Holiday Expo.
Santa and the Grinch were there
and, apparently, a really BIG
chair. Either that or someone
stuck Jane Wallace and Loleta
Keitt in the dryer when they were
supposed to line dry.
You know the
holidays are
approaching when
the SRAA singers
come and practice
their winter
concert for our
Wednesday
Community Lunch.
GREAT JOB, KIDS!
11
Our Saviour Lutheran Church
1500 Sunset Blvd.
West Columbia, SC 29169
x
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U. S. POSTAGE
P-A-I-D
COLUMBIA, SC 29292
PERMIT NO. 160
Address Service Requested
living in the light
of our Saviour
x
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS
The Worship and Music Committee would like to request your assistance this year by
asking you to lend a poinsettia for our Christmas Services at a cost of $13.00
(includes tax). Your check should be made payable to the church and marked for POINSETTIA.
Please indicate in the space below the information you would want printed in the Christmas bulletin.
Please place in offering plate or mail to the church with your check BEFORE December 15.
I desire the Worship and Music Committee to order _____ poinsettia(s).
I desire the following information printed in the bulletin:
Given
___ IN MEMORY OF
or
___ IN HONOR OF
or
___ OTHER
________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By ___________________________________________
Please attach check.
12
x