THE HE GRAPEVINE - Our Saviour Lutheran Church

THE GRAPEVINE
THE NEWSLETTER OF OUR SAVIOUR LUTHERAN CHURCH
A Message from the Pastor
FEBRUARY 2015
In This Issue
Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Birthdays/Anniversaries….10
Commemoration Profiles ….6
Council Notes/ Finance/
Attendance ..………….4
On January 25th, we began the push to pay off our building
loan. We included an informational brochure in that meeting.
Here are the contents of that brochure.
Questions & Answers about the plan to pay off our
building debt.
Ministries ……………………….3
News …………………….........2,9
OSLC-WELCA………………….5
Over 6 years ago, our debt was over $300 K. We have made
significant progress over the past years. This brochure answers
questions regarding the plan to retire this mortgage in one last
push.
Photos ….………………….......11
Prayer Requests...…………..10
Thank You …………………..….8
Why now?
 The current mortgage will end its generous interest rate in
November of 2015 and will need to be renegotiated. Even if
we could secure a decent rate for whatever remains, we
would still be looking at fees and the work of securing a new
loan.

Several members of the congregation have expressed the
desire to make a push to pay off the loan.

It is doable. Even at current giving levels, any mortgage
would be paid in full by late 2016.

It is an obstruction to other ministries. We have examined
potential ministries for this congregation. Resistance to
new ideas often prudently looks to existing debt as a reason
not to move forward.
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
cont’d on page 2 —>
CAMERON CIRCLE
Cameron circle has changed our meeting time
to the 2nd Monday of each month at 10:00 am
at the church. Our first meeting at this new
time is on February 9 at 10:00 am in the
fellowship hall. We invite all ladies of the
congregation who prefer a morning meeting to
join us at that time. You will certainly be
welcome!
RAZBERRIES
Join Us For a Special
Razberries Valentine Celebration Dinner
On Friday, February 13, 2015 at 7:00 PM
DeLucca's Italian Grill
1720 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC
We've made arrangements with Chef/Owner
Michael Hicks to accommodate our group in
tables of 4/6 for a special Valentines
Celebration. In addition to their alreadystunning menu items and WORLD-CLASS
pizzas, Chef Mike will be delighted to offer a
number of "Valentine's Day Weekend Food &
Wine Specials"!
After dinner, join us for the perfect ending to a
perfect meal at Dan & Pam's home at 105
Woodcock Trail (Quail Hollow), West Columbia
29169, featuring dessert, coffees and cordials.
Plan to make this the BEST Friday the 13th
ever with your Razberry friends in celebration
of the "Holiday of Love"!
IMPORTANT!! We need to let Chef Mike know
how many of us to set up for, so PLEASE...
R.S.V.P. no later than Tuesday, February 10
to Pam Hanfland at [email protected].
LOVE to see you there!
Dan & Pam Hanfland
2
Pastor’s Message (cont’d)
What is the current situation?
Remaining debt ……….... ~$78,000
Building fund balance…..~$22,000
Current due monthly.…...~$ 2,300
Average payments…..…...~$ 5,000
Past 24 months, excluding months with large gifts.
Minimum payment ………$ 4,700
Past 24 months, months falling short of $4700 have
been supplemented by the building fund.
At current average payment rates, minus
the balance of the building fund, the
mortgage to be renegotiated in November
would be ~$11,000.
At minimum payment rates, minus the
balance of the building fund, the
mortgage to be renegotiate in November
would be ~$13,700.
What is the plan?
The plan is to ask you—the
congregation—to increase your giving so
that we may achieve an average monthly
payment of $6700/month. This would
allow us at the end of October (or before if
giving exceeds $6700/month) to remove
all funds from the building fund and pay
off the mortgage.
Many council members have been
approached by giving members to be
assured that giving to the building fund is
and will be used to pay off the mortgage.
It is. No money in the building fund now
will be held back until we pay off our
debt.
Once the building is paid in full, giving
may be directed to a new fund—the
Building Maintenance & Property
Improvement Fund.
cont’d on page 3—>
Pastor’s Message (cont’d)
FEBRUARY MINISTRIES
What can I do?
If you were planning to make a gift to
the building fund as we were coming
close to pay-off, now is the time.
If you can, increase your monthly
giving to the building fund without
decreasing monthly giving to the
general fund.
Consider giving earlier this year the
money you may have planned to give
in November and December.
Offer memorials or honoraria to the
building fund.
Write a testimonial note for The
Grapevine recalling the importance
our fellowship hall has been to this
congregation and urging them to give
generously.
Pray. Paul writes that we all have
gifts.
If you cannot financially
support this effort, do not feel guilty.
That is God’s call to you to support
this congregation and this effort
through prayer.
Have discussions with fellow church
members and leadership regarding
this plan. Spread enthusiasm.
Stay informed.
Many times our
anxiety over an issue is simply
because there is a misunderstanding.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Lance
FLOWERS
Feb. 1
8
15
22
Available
Gail Marcum
Ben & Judy Lemons
David & Linda Griffith
WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
Feb. 1 Bill Hill
8 Howard Hughes
15 David Griffith
22 Loleta Keitt
Feb. 1
8
15
22
GREETERS
DeLeon & Jane Wallace
Gail Marcum
Albert & Sue Drafts
Robin & Henry Henderson
NURSERY KEEPERS
Doris Wessinger
Sue Drafts
Kay Black
Anna Diggins
LAY READERS
CHAT & SNACK
Linda Hill
Howard Hughes
Ruth Nicholson
Bill Hill
Caroline Raszewski
Lance & Robin Henderson
Barney & Loleta Keitt
Wayne & Marie Lybrand
FEBRUARY
MARCH
USHERS
Floyd Hanna, Chief
Gary Black
Mark Satterwhite
Howard Hughes, Chief
Jim Garner
Barney Keitt
NURSERY MONITOR
Isma Boland
Kay Black
ALTAR GUILD
Jane Wallace & Kay
Black
Donna Stone & Anna
Diggins
ACOLYTE
Chris Boland
Anna Diggins
CRUCIFER
Beth Boland
Charles Nicholson
OFFERING PICKUP
Floyd Hanna
Judy Lemons
TELLERS
Horace Meetze & Doris
Wessinger
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
Floyd Hanna
Ben & Judy Lemons
Heyward Wessinger
3
COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS
STEWARDSHIP & FINANCE
REPORTS
Marie Lybrand, Council Secretary
January 2015


The 2015 Directory has been completed
as well as the revised Constitution.
Copies are available in the Cameron
Bldg. hallway. Pam Hanfland and the
Communications Committee were
thanked for the many hours of time and
work needed and given to complete
these projects.
The following motion was agreed to as
the plan to pay off our mortgage:
“…when
the
amount
remaining on the debt and the
amount remaining in the
building fund are equal, then
the mortgage will be paid off.
At that point, the fund will be
renamed
the
Building
Maintenance and Property
Improvement Fund.”


Lenten Service offerings will be sent to
God’s Helping Hands and the Pastor’s
discretionary fund.
Pastor Lance presented a very
informative planning session on our
church in the past, present, and where
we want to be in the future. What is God
saying? What are we as a congregation
going to do? The Gospel should be the
#1 priority.
AVERAGE ATTENDANCE
From January 4 through January 25
Sunday School—35
Sunday Worship—88
ATTENDANCE NOTE
Make a Lenten discipline to be more
diligent in your attendance to worship.
4
David Griffith, Chairperson
No Report Submitted
LENTEN WORSHIP SCHEDULE
2/17
Shrove Tuesday, 6:00 pm
2/18
Ash Wednesday Service, 7:30 am
Ash Wednesday Service, 7:00 pm
2/22
1st Sunday in Lent Worship, 10:30 am
2/25
Lenten Supper, 5:30 pm
Lenten Vespers, 6:30 pm
3/1
2nd Sunday in Lent Worship, 10:30 am
3/4
Lenten Supper, 5:30 pm
Lenten Vespers, 6:30 pm
3/8
3rd Sunday in Lent Worship, 10:30 am
3/11
Lenten Supper, 5:30 pm
Lenten Vespers, 6:30 pm
3/15
4th Sunday in Lent Worship, 10:30 am
3/18
Lenten Supper, 5:30 pm
Lenten Vespers, 6:30 pm
3/22
5th Sunday in Lent Worship, 10:30 am
3/25
Lenten Supper, 5:30 pm
Lenten Vespers, 6:30 pm
3/29
Palm/Passion Worship, 10:30 am
4/2
Maundy Thursday Service, 7:00 pm
4/3
Good Friday Service, 7:00 pm
4/5
Flowering of the Cross, 9:30 am
Easter Sunday Worship, 10:00 am
DATES TO REMEMBER:
 March 6, 2015 – World Day of Prayer
 March 15, 2015 - 3 PM – Spring 2015
Saxe Gotha Conference Meeting – Faith
Lutheran Church
 March
– OSLC-Lutheran
Auxiliary Sunday
Seminary
President—Pam Hanfland
Vice President—Barbara Hunter
Secretary—Helen Puckhaber
Treasurer—Ann Satterwhite
 April 9, 2015 - 6 PM - Joint WELCA
Meeting
Devotional/Prayer - Cameron
Refreshments - Rebekah
Circles
Cameron
 April 24-26, 2015- 2015 OSLC-WELCA
Retreat at Lutheridge
Lydia
Rebekah
second Monday morning
Elizabeth Shealy & Isma Boland
second Monday evening
Caroline Raszewski
third Monday evening
Linda Hill & Jane Wallace
2015 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Action—Cameron (Nursery, OSLC Project,
2015 OSLC-WELCA Retreat)
Community—Rebekah (Local
Project, Easter Egg
Hospitality, Entertainment
Serve
Hunt,
 April OSLC-Newberry College Women’s
League Sunday
 June 12-13, 2015 - SC Women of the
ELCA Convention at St. Stephens
Lutheran Church in Lexington
 September 20, 2015 - 3 PM Fall 2015
Saxe Gotha Conference Meeting
 October 8, 2015 - 6 PM - Joint WELCA
Meeting
Devotional/Prayer - Lydia
Refreshments – Cameron
Growth—Lydia (2016 OSLC-WELCA
Retreat, Women of the ELCA
Sunday, Spiritual Gifts, Seminary
Auxiliary Sunday, Newberry
College W omen’s League
 December 3, 2015 - 6 PM - Executive
Meeting
Opening Prayer: Barbara Hunter
2015 OSLC-WELCA RETREAT
AT LUTHERIDGE
SC WELCA WEBSITE
Final Payment of $50.00 due February 1,
2015 (Total $150). Please make your check
payable to OSLC WELCA, mark "2015
Retreat" on the memo line and give to Doris
Wessinger.
SC WELCA has a new website. Check it out
for the latest SC WELCA information at http://
vherlong.wix.com/scwelca
5
COMMEMORATION PROFILES
February 18
Martin Luther,
renewer of the church
(1483 -1546)
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.
February 3
Ansgar,
Bishop of Hamburg, missionary to
Denmark and Sweden
(801-865)
Ansgar was born near Amiens,
France. After his mother’s early death, he
was sent to join a monastery.
In his
subsequent life as a monk, Ansgar became
the first Christian missionary to
Scandinavia.
His appointment as an
archbishop gave him much-needed funding
and a base of operations for his difficult
work. Just before his death, Ansgar asked
his friends not to abandon the mission to
Nordic countries, but two centuries passed
before Christianity was able to gain ground
there.
Today’s Swedish Lutherans, in
particular, hold Ansgar in high regard.
February 5
The Martyrs of Japan
(died 1597)
Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches
have chosen to remember, each February 5,
the crucifixion of twenty-six Christians in
Nagasaki, Japan. These sixteenth-century
men of faith were six Franciscan
missionaries sent from Europe, a Japanese
Jesuit priest, a Korean layman, fifteen
Japanese laymen and three young
boys. Despite the virtual banishment of
Christianity from Japan by 1630,
missionaries who entered the country in the
mid-1800’s found a community of Christians
there that had survived by hiding its faith and
worship.
6
Founder of the Protestant Reformation,
Martin Luther formulated a new
understanding of humanity’s relationship with
God. He recognized Jesus as the only
mediator between mankind and God; he
identified grace as the key element in
forgiveness and salvation; and for him, word
and sacrament were the key elements of
worship. Luther’s translation of the Bible
from churchly Latin into everyday German
was a tremendous gift to Christianity and
culture in Germany. His catechisms, tracts,
letters, sermons and hymns remain powerful
sources of education and inspiration for
Christians around the world today.
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.
01/13 ELCA provides assistance for unaccompanied
minors
01/20 ELCA response to Ebola outbreak totals $275,000
01/27 ELCA presiding bishop visits companion church in
the Holy Land
.
GRAPEVINE QUIZ
Answers on page 10
Lots of talk about buildings this month at
OSLC. Let’s have a bible quiz on buildings!
1. Why did the people begin to build the
Tower of Babel in Genesis 11?
A.
B.
C.
D.
To make a name for themselves
To reach the heavens
To be closer to God
To keep a look out for bad guys
5. Revelation 21 says the city of God is laid
upon the 12 foundations. Why twelve?
A. One for each of the tribes of Israel
B. One for each of the twelve apostles
C. One for each of the days of Christmas
D. Foundations come cheaper by the
dozen
BONUS:
Fundraising practices for the
building of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome led to
raise the ire of what German monk?
2. In 2 Samuel 7, David decides to build a
house (temple) for the Ark of the
Covenant. What is God’s response?
A. Have I ever asked you to build me a
house?
B. I will build YOU a house, David
C. Both A & B
D. Awesome! New crib for the Lord!
3. Jesus tells a parable in Luke 14 about a
man who sets out to build a tower, but only
gets as far as the foundation. Why?
A. The man would not ask neighbors to
help
B. The man built the foundation on sand
C. The man failed to estimate the cost
D. The big bad wolf came by and blew it
over
4. In Luke 13, Jesus refers to a current event
of the day where 18 people died. What
was that event?
A. The collapse of the Tower of Siloam
B. The building of Herod’s watchtower
C. The foundation of Pilate’s Palace being
laid
D. A drunk drove his oxcart in to a
Jerusalem café
OSLC-WELCA RECEIVED
ACTION TEAM MONEY
The 2015 WELCA Local Service Project
sponsored by Rebekah Circle is ready to get
cooking. We received ‘jumpstart’ funds from
Thrivent’s Action Team Program of $250 and
with the help of volunteers, we plan to
purchase, prepare, freeze and deliver meals
to chronically ill and sick in need of
assistance in our church and community. A
notice as to when this volunteer group (open
to all) will meet and prepare meals will be in
the Grapevine and Bulletin. If you are unable
to volunteer your time and service, but want
to participate financially, contact Linda Hill. A
means for direct donations has not been
established yet since this is a new project.
OSLC CONSTITUTION,
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
& 2015 DIRECTORY AND
MINISTRY BOOKLETS
These booklets are available to members of
the congregation and may be picked up in the
Cameron Hallway.
7
Thank you for the fruit basket that Albert and
Sue brought me from the church at
Christmas. I enjoyed their visit and, of
course, Sandy and I loved the fruit. I have
missed my church and family and hope to be
back soon. Please continue to keep me in
our prayers.
Chris Keitt
We were touched by your thoughtfulness.
Your kindness lifted us. By your goodness
we were renewed. We thank you for your
many acts of love you gave us following the
death of Aunt Francis.
Together in Christ,
Chris, Loleta & Traywick
Dear Friends,
Please know how much Sistercare
appreciates your generous contribution of
$500 in support of our work.
This thoughtful gift will help Sistercare
address the needs of battered women and
their children who seek shelter and services
to escape the abuse in their lives. Your
ongoing support places us in a better
position to counteract the effect of domestic
vi9olence on victims’ lives and beak the cycle
of family violence.
Thank you for your ongoing support of
Sistercare and concern for battered women
and their children in our community. We
greatly appreciate your loyal support.
Sincerely,
Nancy Barton
Executive Director
Dear WELCA Hospitality Committee,
Thank you so very much for providing dinner
for our family this week! With the twins’ arrival,
it’s been quite busy around here! The meal
was very good and very helpful! See you all
very soon!
Amy, Trey, Camden & Gray
GOD’S HELPING HANDS
UPDATE – JANUARY 2015
Special thanks to members of Our Saviour
Lutheran Church for their generous donations
to Project Share (heat assistance).
Our
congregation donated $1,725.00, and we were
the second highest donor among the churches
who participate in the program!
Donations over the holiday season have filled
up their food bank and, at least for now, food
items do not need to be donated. Assistance
with toilet items would be appreciated to
include:
Toothpaste (not tooth brushes due to a
dentist’s donation)
Shampoo
Deodorant
Kleenex (any size)
Combs/Bushes
Razor Blades
Please see Ann Moye, our star volunteer, if
you have questions about ongoing needs.
She works at the center on Wednesdays, and
she will always be up to date on specific items.
She would also be happy to provide a tour of
the facility to anyone from Our Saviour who
would like to visit. The center is open from
9:00 to 12:00.
Thank you again for your generous donations!
Virginia Morris
8
MORE OSLC
NEWS &
NOTES
AUTOMATED EXERNAL
DEFIBRILLATOR
The AED (Automated External Defibrillator) is
here! We need volunteers who are willing to be
trained and certified in CPR and use of the
AED. We are also looking for a health care
professional (or professionals) willing to serve
as our AED liaison. If you are willing to serve
in either capacity, please notify the church
office. We will set up a training session asap.
ELDERBERRIES
The Elderberries have planned a trip to the
Newberry Opera House on Thursday,
February 24 for an 8 PM performance by
the "Women of Ireland." Group ticket price is
$31 per person which includes a dollar facility
fee. We must have at least 15 for this
price. In order to get our tickets together, we
need to place our order by February 2nd.
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION: 'Women of
Ireland' is an innovative and exciting full stage
concert production, which showcases the next
generation of Ireland's leading female
performers. The show demonstrates the well
of talent that exists within Ireland's traditions of
music, song and dance. The common theme
inherent in all performances is the
presentation of the most revered qualities of
Ireland's ethnic music. Special significance is
placed on depicting the pure qualities of Irish
music in a contemporary setting. Experience
the talents of some of Ireland's finest female
performers....the 'Women of Ireland'.
Sponsored by The Dufford Institute for Cultural
Diversity. Please make checks payable to
Newberry Opera House and give to Jane
Wallace. Plans are to carpool.
VALENTINE GIFTS – SOCIAL
MINISTRY
Valentine’s Day is sneaking up on us! Since
the 14th is a Saturday, we hope to have the
bags out by Sunday the 1st, so that we have
two Sundays before Valentine’s Day to add
our goodies. The following members are on
our list to remember:
FAITH AND ILMARS BIRZNIEKS
GREG CHAPMAN
KATIE DOBLE
RAYMOND EARGLE
MARGARET FORD
CLARA GREGORY
CHRIS KEITT
EVELYN LYBRAND
JANIE MCRAE
PEARL RICHARDSON
WILLETTE & JOHN SATTERWHITE
MARIE SHEALY
VERA SUMMER
MAE WICKER
If there is anyone else you would like to add to
the list, please contact me as soon as
possible! Thank you, once again, for your
generosity.
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.
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
Chris Boland
Wally Core (friend of Howard Hughes)
Randall Culp (brother-in-law of Don Horton)
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)
Brian Herring
Patsy Horton
Chris Keitt
Evelyn Lybrand (Presbyterian Communities,
Room 217)
Savannah McRae
The family of 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)
Paul Shealy (friend of the Hughes family)
Vera Summer (Oakleaf Village, Room 214)
Shane Thackston
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS
Troy Norris
Merebeth Adams
Robin Henderson
Brantlee McRae
Jack Hopkins
Judy Lemons
Sadie Gregory
Ashley Meetze
Betty Meetze
Karen Dawkins
Willette Satterwhite
Bryson Raszewski
Don Horton
02/02
02/04
02/05
02/07
02/08
02/08
02/13
02/13
02/13
02/14
02/17
02/20
02/27
GRAPEVINE ARTICLES
If you have articles, reports and/or pictures
that you or your group would like printed in the
March Grapevine, please send them to the
Church Office on or before Friday February
20th.
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 correct.
Answers: 1. A. To make a name for themselves; 2. C. Both
A & B 3. C. The man failed to estimate the cost; 4. A. The
collapse of the Tower of Siloam; 5. B. One for each of the
twelve apostles; BONUS Martin Luther, of course!
10
Elderberries attended
the Palmetto Senior
Show on January 15th.
After the show they
enjoyed
lunch
at
DOC’S BBQ.
Preparing for
Souper
Bowl.
11
Our Saviour Lutheran Church
1500 Sunset Blvd.
West Columbia, SC 29169
x
Address Service Requested
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U. S. POSTAGE
P-A-I-D
COLUMBIA, SC 29292
PERMIT NO. 160
living in the light
of our Saviour
x
MINISTRY IN THE LIGHT
It’s that time of year! We hear that there
is a football game being played on
February 1st, but we also know that
around OSLC, Super Bowl Sunday is
Souper Bowl Sunday. The youth have
made Beef Vegetable, our famous
Chicken Noodle and New England style
Clam Chowder.
All proceed will go to
God’s Helping Hands.
Quarts…..$8
Pints…….$4
On sale after Church in the fellowship
hall.
12
x
Many thanks to Thrivent for matching
funds and defraying costs!

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