From the Pastor January 13, 2012

In 1971 I was at Florida State University finishing up my undergraduate degree. I was sharing a small two bedroom apartment with three friends so that we could all afford the rent. I worked at night at Red Lobster washing dishes and cleaning floors and usually got off work about 2:00 am.

One particularly long night I did not get home until about 4 am and having had only about 3 hours sleep the night before I took off my coat, flipped off my shoes and laid down on my bed. It was a bunk bed and my friend Duran slept on the top bunk, my other two roommates shared the other bedroom.

Have you ever awakened to discover that you have slept on one of your arms wrong and it has gone completely numb? Well that is what happened to me. I must have rolled over in my sleep and when I did my ‘numb’ arm (my right) literally flopped over my body and my hand fell on my face. Well you can imagine what happened. I was startled and in my sleep deprived state I was sure someone was attacking me. So I reached up with my ‘good’ arm (my left) and grabbed the attacker (my right arm). Then I proceeded to wrestle with myself until my roommate reached down from the top bunk and slapped me awake.

As I have looked back over the past year it has occurred to me that on a couple of occasions I have fallen asleep spiritually the wrong way.

And I have been thinking recently that maybe sometimes congregations do the same if they are not careful. We can stay in the same position for so long that we become ‘numb’ like my arm did after sleeping on it all night.

Now I am not saying that we need a slap in the head like my friend gave me to wake me up, but maybe, just maybe we need to remember to be vigilant, awake and alert. Jesus said it like this to the disciples:

Mark 13:32-334: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

How do we stay alert and keep from getting numb? Pray daily, read the Word daily, do good for others and with others, sing and worship together, live generously toward others by forgiving (even when you don’t feel like it), go out of your way to help…etc. etc.

Remember God created the local congregation to be a staging area for pioneers, not a rest home for settlers!

Steve

(Jan 13th – Youth Fellowship5:30 pmJanuary 18th – Lock-In8:00 pm Friday night – 8:00 am Saturday morningJanuary 20th - No Youth FellowshipJanuary 21st - Service Project (Details to follow)January 27th – Youth Fellowship5:30 pmWOW classes will begin again onJanuary 16th, 2013.)

Annual Congregational Meeting of Second Presbyterian Church

Sunday, January 6, 2013

1. Financial Position of the Church through December 31, 2012

a. 2012 Annual Budget: $378,197

Actual Expenses - $346,557.90

Actual Offerings - $351,467.82

+$4909.92

We finished the year in the black! It should be noted; however, that we did not spend our full budget by $31,639.10. Key Reasons: a) DCE compensation was under budget by $24,000 due to position vacancy. b) CE division spending was under budget by about $6000. c) Another $1000 net under budget with all other divisions considered.

b. Debt: none

c. Cash on Hand (Unrestricted): $26,943.60

d. Estate Gifts: $93,729.08

e. Other Restricted Funds: $88,366.10

f. Cornerstone Fund: $227,939.51

2. Stewardship Campaign Results for 2013 (as of 12/31/12)

a. Total Pledging Units: 63

b. New pledges: 7

c. Increased Pledges: 30 – average pledge increase was 14.6%

d. Pledges still to receive: 7

e. 2013 Projected $ Pledge Increase Over 2012: low end - $22,240 and high end - $ 39,435

3. New Christian Education Staffing to be Implemented in 2013 – approved unanimously by Session 11/29/12

a. one full time leader for youth and young adults

b. part-time leader for children (birth – 5th grade)

The rationale for the expansion was three-fold: a) to be able to provide the leadership necessary to accommodate the largest youth group(s) we have had in recent memory, b) to reach out to a demographic (young adults, ~18-30) whose presence has significantly dwindled from mainline churches, and c) provide for the long term growth and security of Second Presbyterian.

4. 2013 Budget – approved unanimously by Session 11/29/12 as recommended by B&F Committee

2012 Annual Budget2013 Annual BudgetChange

$378,197.00$402,427.00+$24,230 or 6%

There were increases and decreases made to numerous budget items that had an overall neutral effect. The key increase was in Christian Education to support the new staffing concept.

2012 CE Staffing2013 CE StaffingChange

$43,370.00$69,125.00+$25,755 or 59%

5. Change in Pastor’s Call

Other than a slight correction made to the Pastor’s Annuity Fund, there were no changes made to the Pastor’s compensation. No increases were made for the organist, choir director, or nursery workers. The lack of salary increases was not related to job performance. Rather the B&F Committee and the Session thought it prudent to wait and see how the 2013 budget shapes up, particularly with regard to the additional CE staffing salaries and our overall giving. It is certainly possible that salary increases can be revisited later this year pending our giving and budget performance.

6. Decision Regarding Foothills Presbytery PSA House (formerly Long/West Building)

Due to budget shortfalls at the Presbytery level, the Presbyterian Student Association moved out of the PSA house in 2012. Subsequently, our church welcomed PSA back to Second Presbyterian where their meetings are once again being held. Presbytery has let it be known that they are interested in selling the PSA house. Our church holds the first right of refusal to repurchase the PSA house for the sum of $100,000. A joint committee composed of B&F and Operations will take up this matter for consideration beginning this month.

The congregation’s input is welcome as to how this building may or may not be used to expand our ministry.

7. JumpStart Update – lease agreement unanimously approved by the Session on September 29, 2012

Renovations continue on the Harris Building. Second Presbyterian’s contributions toward the renovations consist of HVAC, water heaters, and termite treatment. These renovations will come in under the $25,000 cap that was previously set. All are done except for installation of the outdoor AC units. Carpenters for Christ have done a lot of work restoring the original woodwork in the house. JumpStart personnel have also provided a lot of labor in renovating the building. New floor coverings are next on the list. JumpStart’s goal is to have the building ready for occupancy by the end of January. It should be noted that the building will first need to pass several city inspections before occupancy can begin.

More information will be forthcoming on how we may grow our partnership with this new ministry.

8. CMB Renovations

Cal Cannon reports that everything has been done except for restoring the upstairs loft area. The whole area was steam cleaned and painted. The tile floors were repaired and polished. We have new ovens and new kitchen cabinets. The front entry has been repaired and upgraded. GO SEE IT. LET’S USE IT. Share your ideas!

9. Thanks to the Class of 2012

Ashley Anderson Blackwelder - Outreach - Chair Joe Corpening - Outreach - Soup KitchenMargaret Ann Cunningham - Christian Education - Chair Allen Hinson - Christian Education Fran Ohls - Administration - Personnel Committee

10. Other Topics / Questions / Adjournment / Closing Prayer

Note: The full 2013 budget and the 2012 year-end financial report are available upon request.

Send your request to david.lake@milliken.com if you would like a copy.

(Fellowship ClassThe Fellowship Class will be going to Montreat on November 8th- 10th. The deadline for reservations is February 28th. If you are planning to go please contact Buddy Greene at 431-7407.) (New Temporary AddressRichard and Dianne Jones110 Southport Rd.#90Spartanburg, SC 29306) (The prayer room is always open. Bring your burdens and your praises.God will meet you there!) (The 2013 Flower Calendar is now available… please sign up to put flowers in the church in honor of your loved ones and friends!FlowerCalendar) (There is a purse hidden in the Newsletter! Can you find it?Let me know Sharon) ( We want to say thank you so much to everyone for all the cards, calls, visits, gifts of clothing and other necessities and especially your prayers since the fire burned our home on Christmas Eve. Your love and support have meant so much to us during this difficult time. We are so wonderfully blessed to belong to such a loving and caring church family and we thank God for you! Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to recover.Richard & Dianne Jones) (De-Greening of the ChurchSaturday, January 12, 2013 - 10:00 amPlease come and we will share doughnuts, coffee and juice as we remove our Christmas decorations. We are looking forward to seeing you there!“A Few Good Men” are needed to ensure the Christmas trees are taken down and stored correctly, along with the items that need to be carried back in the bird's nest.  )

(2nd –Lily Allison3rd – Ron KillianRhonda LegoRoy Bishop6th –Ashley Blackwelder9th – Angela Harley10th – Jimmy TurnageShannon Bishop12th – Debra WilliamsonShannon Williams13th – Irene OaklanJulie TillotsonKen Childress14th – Ann Hannon15th – Zach HughesJonathan Loftis16th – Danny Rhodes) (17th – Betty DealRoger Lee18th – Tori Lego19th – Jackie GeorgeSandy LathanCheryl Witherspoon21st – Carter SmithCrystal Christian23rd – Dale Wenger24th – Martha Waters30th – Alex EricsonLouise Ericson31st – Mike Rhodes)

(Jan 30thBeef Tips w/ Egg NoodlesGreen BeansRollDessertJan 9thBaked ZitiGarden SaladGarlic BreadDessertJan 16thFried ChickenMacaroni & CheeseGreen BeansRollDessertJan 23rdMexican ChickenSteamed RiceMexican SaladChips & SalsaDessert)

(Circle #1Tuesday, Jan 8, 201310:00 amCircle #2Monday, Jan 1411:45 amCircle #3Tuesday, Jan 8, 20137:00 pmAmanda Bennett Residence34 Woodwind DriveSpartanburg, SC 29302Circle #4Monday, Jan 14, 20135:30 pm)

(SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF Jan 13th – Jan 19th SUNDAY – January 13th 9:45 am – Sunday School11:00 am – Worship Service 5:30 – Youth FellowshipMONDAY – January 14th 9:00 am – Ladies Bible Study 11:45 am – Circle #2 Meeting 5:30 pm – Circle #4 Meeting 6:00 pm – FYCBTTUESDAY – January 15th 10:00 am – Circle #1 Meeting6:00 pm – FYCBT 7:00 pm – AA closed7:00 pm – Circle #3 Meeting WEDNESDAY – January 16th 5:45 pm – Church Supper6:15 pm – Royal Ringers6:15 pm – WOW6:30 pm – Bible Study7:15 pm – Choir PracticeTHURSDAY – January 17th 6:00 pm – FYCBT6:00 pm – Debutantes FRIDAY – January 18th 7:00 am – Men’s Breakfast 9:30 / 11:00 am – FYCBTSATURDAY – January 19th 7:00 pm – AA Open Meeting) (People with Special Needs to Pray For: Dawn Lowe, Payton Dominick, Margie Goodwin, Mary Lee Hayes, Pat Miller, Anslie Waters, Ava & Garrison Williams (grandchildren of JoAnn & Roy Bishop), Juanita Smith, Rachel Hart, Loree George, Sandra Sweet, Marlene Towery, Pat Stephens, Nell McPherson, Betty Taylor (Jan Sumeral’s Mother), Fran Ohls, Beth Reece, Ellen Davis, Agnes McElrath, Allison Dominick’s mother, Katherine Sippola, Richard and Dianne Jones In Assisted Living or Nursing Home:Eden Terrace – Martha WhartonEden Terrace – Pat StephensEden Terrace – Mattie AllenMountainview Nursing Home – Janet Baker (Loree George’s sister-in-law) Presbyterian Home – Jackie Parris (Clinton)Skylyn Place – Rachel Hart (Assisted Living)Skylyn Place / Skilled Nursing – Lowry Outz (Vicki Rhodes father) Summitt Hills – Sandra SweetWhite Oak Estates – Agnes McElrath (Assisted Living)At-home Members:Marjorie Allison, Agnes McElrath, Roy Hall, Nell McPherson, Everett Tillotson, Fay Tillotson, Grady Towery)

(Liturgists for January13th – Katy Ballard20th – Leroy Moore27th – Betty PryorUshers for JanuaryMargaret Ann Cunningham, Chris Frye, Ann Hannon, Allen and Sarah Hinson/David, Chad Greene, Bill Pryor, Curt and Molly McPhail(children)Offering Team for JanuaryBarbara Darwin / Allen HinsonElder on call for the week of December 30th Barbara Darwin. She can be reached at:579-3961 (H) 415-7703 (C)January Nursery Volunteers13th – Kristen Smith / Holly Hartell20th – Beverly Reynolds / Barbara Darwin27th – Sarah Hinson / Martha Waters) (Second Presbyterian Church Contact InformationPh: 864-583-6696 Fax: 864-585-8828www.secondspartanburg.org) (Paul AtkinsonAdam Patterson )

(It takes about 7 minutes for the average person to fall asleep.) (APPETIZERSBABIESBALLOONSBANNERSBUFFETCELEBRATECHAMPAGNECONFETTIDANCEDAY ONEDECORATIONSEND OF DECEMBEREVENTSFAMILYFATHER TIMEFEASTFESTIVITIESFIREWORKSFIRST OF JANUARYFRIENDSHATSHOLIDAYHORNSKISSMIDNIGHTMUSICNEW YEARS DAYNEW YEARS EVENOISEMAKERSOCCASIONPARADESPARTYPUNCHRESOLUTIONSSINGINGSTREAMERSTHIRTY FIRSTTIARASWINEYEAR IN REVIEW) (Happy New YearFind and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell the name of a popular location for celebrating New Years Eve.)