Quarterly Issue Volume 1-2019
the
vine
Joy in the Journey by Robert Norris
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness.” Psalm 100:1 If you walk the halls of the church on any given Wednesday, you will hear the vibrations of joyful noise. Music makes the journey brighter and music brings us joy. Wednesday morning is Chapel Time at The Preschool. It is a beautiful thing to see our sanctuary filled with excited young children who are eager to listen and laugh and sing and learn. Some of our favorite chapel songs teach us: that God keeps his promises, God is big and strong, he made everything, he wants us to love each other, and mostly—that “Jesus Loves Me.” The staff members take turns reading Bible stories and we close in prayer together. Joy fills our sanctuary with little ears that listen, little hands that clap, and little lips that pray and sing.
After Chapel Time, The Preschool music continues with music classes. The Kindermusic curriculum encourages imagination, listening, imitation, movement and musical exploration. This month we have been discovering life “Down on the Farm” We drive down to grandpa’s farm and listen for all the animals. We pretend to be farm animals. We learn to share apples. We pretend to be the wind. And, my favorite, we get to ice skate (using paper plates) on the frozen pond. We play and explore the sounds of different instruments, and most of all, we discover the joy of music. That joyful noise really starts vibrating on Wednesday afternoon! The Children’s Choir gathers for music. Hopefully in the chaos of laughter, we manage to learn to sing and learn to love each other.
“I can do all things through Christ,” is our current theme and current anthem. We are working on the Spring Musical—”In the Image” where we learn that we are creative because God made us to be creative. While the children’s choir is tying itself in knots and destroying plastic cups — all in the name of musical learning — the youth are learning the importance of musical cooperation through handbells. Handbells teaches us that everyone is important; everyone has a part to play; and life is just better in a group. The theme of our current youth anthem is: “For Everyone born, a Place at the Table.” You will never look into the face of someone that God does not love. We need to make room for them at the table of God. The joy just multiplies when we share that joy with others.
On a Wednesday night in December, the Children’s Choir and the Youth Choir shared their talents by celebrating the joyous birth of our Savior through song.
Music makes the journey brighter and music brings us joy! Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. (Psalm 95:1) Sing to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:19)
Wednesday night concludes with the Adult Choir. This is such a wonderful group of people and I love our time together. I like to say that we take music and worship very seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We spend a good amount of time learning notes and shaping vowels and cleaning diction, but the real joy happens when we can shape a musical line and mold a phrase to express the beauty of the text. There is such excitement when a difficult passage finally clicks into place. When harmonies align and spirits combine, there is joy. When rhythms are set and hearts are one, there is joy. When voices rise and love expands, there is joy.
On this particular Wednesday, the afternoon was spent sharing joy with one of our dear Adult Choir members, Mrs. Marilyn Merritt. A group of choir members met and sang hymns together. We laughed and loved and cried and sang as we shared the joy of this journey we travel together.
Lenten Devotionals
Look for this year’s Lenten devotional — available March 3 — in the display boards located around the church. Lent begins on March 6 — Ash Wednesday.
Let the writings of C. S. Lewis lead you through Lent with this booklet of daily quotes from arguably the greatest Christian apologist of the 20th century, followed by reflections by C. S. Lewis scholar Dr. Joel Heck. The daily quotes, Scripture, reflections and prayers lead the reader from contemplations on the mercy of Christ and the Passion he suffered on our behalf to the astounding joy that is ours because of his great sacrifice for us.
Pick up a Lenten calendar for children.
Pick up a Lenten calendar for youth.
Welcome New Member!
Jean Smith
20 Duxbury Lane Easley, SC 29642 864-915-7126
Congratulations to Congratulations to
John & Kristi Dockery on the birth of their son
Jase Holmes born November 19, 2018
Sarah & George DuBose on the birth of their daughter
Elizabeth Dial “Edie� born December 29, 2018 Grandparents: Dial & Kathy DuBose
Eight members of EPC attended the luncheon for Thornwell on November 7th, 2018. The luncheon raised over $250,000 for Thornwell! The speakers were inspirational and some of the children shared their individual stories as well. Those in the picture are Phil and Tammy Darity, Joan Groome, Marcia Humbert, Wilma Shealy, Martha Daniels, Carol Ferree, and Marjorie Moon!
Amazing Grays Enjoying the Journey Amazing Grays returned to the Grove Park Inn in November to have lunch and view the Gingerbread Houses.
Amazing Grays
In January, the Amazing Grays attended the Greenville Symphony at the Peace Center after Sunday lunch at the Block House.
Coming up. . . February March April May
Foothills Playhouse to see “Steel Magnolias� $10/ticket - Dinner before TBD Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC Greenville Museum Boat Ride
look for more details soon!
PW The Sisters in Christ Circle made cute snowmen stuffed with children’s socks for United Christian Ministries during their December meeting.
Successful Poinsettia Sale!
Thanks to you, we were able to donate $500 to our EPCHigh Mission Trip to Puerto Rico this coming summer! Thanks to all who helped and supported our project!
Coming up . . . • Women’s Retreat @ Providence Presbyterian Church, March 2. (see flyer on the next page ) • Proper English Tea on Saturday, March 30 (see details on the flyer)
WOMEN’S RETREAT March 2, 2019 All Women, ages 18 and up, are invited to a one-day winter retreat on Saturday, March 2, from 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the lovely event center at nearby Providence Presbyterian Church. The cost for the day is $36 which includes catered lunch and the craft. Dr. Christie Gravely will lead us in exploring the theme of leaning in to Jesus as we find balance in our daily lives. Join us as we focus on making space to reconnect with God who waits patiently for us to breathe deeply, to savor the moment, to be centered and grounded deeply during each and every season of our lives. The day will include a variety of activities. There will be time to listen, to share, to discuss, to worship, to enjoy a catered lunch together and to chat as you create a seasonal door hanger with Toshia Leisten of Burlap and Ribbons craft store. Claim this day away from the demands of life to restore your personal balance. Ways to sign up: • Complete the forms located in the display boards and turn in with payment to the church office. Make checks payable to EPW (Memo: Retreat) • www.easleypresbyterian.org (PayPal available) Name ______________________________ Cell # __________________
Proper English Tea April Showers Saturday, March 30th, 3:00pm Plan to join us for this fun and delicious afternoon: Enjoy traditional English savories and sweets on fine china See all the pretty dresses (maybe even some hats and gloves) Ladies of all ages who are able to relax at the table for a leisurely afternoon are welcome to enjoy table conversation around tea. Treat your friends! Ticket sales will begin Sunday, March 3rd and continue through Wednesday, March 20th. Tickets must be purchased in advance - no ticket sales at the door. Single tickets are $15 per person (an envelope will be available in the church office for sign-up and payment). If you would like to host a table for 6 or 8, please contact Loraine Brockway. Proceeds will benefit the EPC Youth Mission Trip and the Samaritan Health Clinic. We have always appreciated loans of teapots and cake tiers.
This year we also need
umbrellas and wellies (English rubber boots). Volunteer to host a table, to help set-up on Friday and/or Saturday or, especially, to help clean up on Saturday. Contact any member of the “tea team” below if you can help. Loraine Brockway – 859-1852
Joan Groome – 855-9944
Wanda Hagood – 363-0233
Rosemary Holtzendorff – 859-6761
Kathy Lyles – 906-6481
Anne Seel – 859-0429
Roar into the FUN at VBS! June 2-6 5:30 - 8:30 pm To volunteer contact one of our Co-Directors: Kelli Burnett 864.884.5773 Elise Herron 864.723.3168 Kellie King 864.419.8339
Camp Fellowship
(on beautiful Lake Greenwood)
Registration for Summer 2019 is now OPEN! Summer Camp is available for all children/youth who have completed Kindergarten through 12th grade. Camp weeks begin June 10 - July 26. Foothills Presbytery Week (a week designated for children from our Presbytery) is July 14.
Check out all of the exciting programs and register HERE today! The theme this summer is Peace Works. Every culture has its own words and stories to describe peace and the work it requires. Scripture is filled with these stories, and camp is the perfect place to share them. Peace is not easy, but worth the effort because we know that Peace Works. Remember to head over to the Camp Fellowship website to see the full schedule and program descriptions. Check out our specialty camps including a NEW Music, Arts, Drama, and Dance camp.
A p r il 7 Take a @ Camp Fellowship
Email Ginna if you and your family would like to “take a peek” at Camp Fellowship. We will leave the church at 1:30 and return around 5:30. There is no cost to “take a peek”, have a tour and enjoy a few camp activities.
The Preschool @ EPC Open Enrollment for 2019-2020 School Year has begun!
Coming Up ... • Valentines Parties • Community Helpers Day • Egg Hunt • K4 Graduation
Contact Jen Willey, Preschool Director @ 859-0737 or jen@easleypresbyterian.org. Also, visit The Preschool on Facebook!
EPCHigh Mission Fundraisers EPCHigh will be traveling to Puer to Rico
Proceeds from all of these fundraisers will go to this trip. Thank you for supporting EPCHigh Mission!
Youth for Hire:
Spring cleaning is coming up! EPCHigh students have been helping church members with odd jobs this school year. In the fall, youth helped church members move, rake leaves, and clean out attics. They are continuing their task of raising money for the summer high school mission trip. If you would like to hire a youth to help with any job around the house, please call Sally Boozer 864 605-8932. All proceeds go directly to the hired youth’s mission trip balance.
Flocking:
Flock a friend or relative for their birthday or anniversary or just for FUN! Look for the bright pink forms @ the information boards located around the church. Contact the Chief Flamigo Operater, CFO Sally Boozer @ 864-605-8932!
By helping our youth go, you are also supporting the ongoing disaster relief efforts for the hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.
Coming up @ E P C February 17 February 24 March 2 March 6 March 15-17 March 24 March 30 April 7 April 13
H April 14
O April 18 L April 19 Y April 21 April 24 May 1 May 5 May 19 June 2-6 June 9-14 June 17-20 June 22-28
EPCMiddle Snow Tubing Wholeness Service @ 6:00 pm Women’s Retreat @ Providence Presbyterian Church Ash Wednesday Service @ 6:15 pm EPCHigh to Mini Montreat Confirmation Class joins the church Proper English Tea Take a Peek @ Camp Fellowship Nonagenarian - 90’s Birthday Party Special Choir Music @ 11:00 am Service Palm Sunday Lunch & Egg Hunt Maundy Thursday Service @ 7pm Good Friday Service & Lunch @ 12 pm Easter Services @ 9 & 11 am - Pancake Breakfast @ 10 am Food Trucks & Music by Take Note (Clemson University’s Female Acapella Group) Children’s Choir Musical Youth Sunday Graduate Sunday VBS EPCMiddle Mission Trip to Asheville, NC Basketball Camp EPCHigh Mission Trip to Puerto Rico
Visit www.easleypresbyterian.org for more information and to sign up.
W E E K