happenings @ the mount
TRANSCRIPT
HAPPENINGS @ THE MOUNT
Ralph G. Hill, Pastor
Joanna C. Gragg, Assoc. Pastor
Camille Joseph, Admin. Assistant
Jenny Leininger, Treasurer
WORSHIP, LEARN, WITNESS
SERVE, SUPPORT
Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church, Chapin, SC November 2021
Newsletter Dead-lines
The Monthly Happen-
ings @ the Mount dead-
line is the 18th of each
month.
A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR HILL
Dear Mt. Horeb Members:
For November, I would like to offer a prayerful share of thought. Each of you and the ministry we share at Mt. Ho-reb is a source of goodness!
First, I am so very appreciative for your patience and sup-port throughout the pandemic. It is because of you and your faithful care for Mt. Horeb that we can continue God’s work together and are in a position of possibility. You have made a difference!
Second, the connection we have as a family of faith along with the work we are called to do together is vital. It has al-so been disrupted! We have begun to return to regular practices, and we will plan more intentional activities mov-ing forward. Thank you for your patience in the decision to follow CDC guidelines. It is difficult to take a stand when surrounded by many who don’t share the same process.
Third, for those of our church family who are able but may have found yourself out of the practice of worship in per-son with your church, who are taking a break, or who might be going elsewhere – please come back. We are safely gathering! This time of separation has been stressful for all. You are loved and missed. We will be online (YouTube) if you can’t quite come back yet.
Fourth, our hope is to learn from the pandemic what is needful and important for ministry. Listening to each other and for God’s call anew for 2022 (and beyond) is key as we seek innovation in our faithful response to God’s call of
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ministry. When one person is missing, the collective light of Christ shines less brightly.
Fifth, this month, in addition to our regular Sunday Worship at 8:30 and 11:00 am, we will gather on the first Sunday (11/7) for a Budget Forum and then on the third Sunday (11/21) for our Annual Congregational meeting. Both will be at 9:45. We will talk about our journey through the pandemic along with plans for moving forward. Please take time and care to consider gathering on the 21st as a congregation. A mailing will be sent to each household with important information (along with Time & Talent and Finan-cial commitment form). Each person is asked to bring them to worship and to let your response reflect your personal stewardship response to God.
Finally, as I write this, one of the Psalms I am reading is Psalm 126:1-3: 1When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, then were we like those who dream. 2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy. Then they said among the nations: “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad indeed.
God has and will do great things for our family of faith! There is much life ahead! I am so grateful for you! Please contact me or Pastor Joanna with any questions or concerns. Blessings and Peace+
-Pastor Hill
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A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR JOANNA
Greetings to you, disciples of Christ!
My family and I love to go hiking. We have been on well-worn trails that are popular and on trails that look like they haven’t been uncovered in a while. More than once my family and I have walked by or even among an old cemetery. Has this happened to you? Maybe you have had a similar expe-rience when you just find yourself stopping to look at a few names and dates. One can’t help but wonder about the graves that you can no longer
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read the markings. Like, I wonder about those people. What were their stories? How and where did they live? Did they feel a sense of wonder about the miracle of life and faith? I hope each of them had connections while they were alive, connections that were loving and true. I also hope that they know we carry some of who they were with us too. Because we are people of God, children and saints, all of us. We share this common ground. Even when we don’t know their names because of the hundreds of years between us, we are connected. As we celebrate All Saints’ Sun-day this month, this is what I hold on to. Many people have gone before us, and many will come after us; and we are all connected through the faith we share. We are in communion with them through God, connected in God’s great story of faith. God’s faith is in us, given to us, and shared among us. For this, let us give thanks. Peace on our continuing journey,
+++Pastor Joanna
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CONFIRMATION INSTRUCTION continues for 6th through 8th grade students. It is led by Pastors Joanna and Hill in room #203 each Sunday from 9:45-10:45am. The three-year curriculum focus includes Small Catechism, The Old Testament, and The New Testament and is a part of Mt Horeb’s faith formation for all children from nursery age through High School. This year’s focus is on the Old Testament. We celebrate with Katelyn McDonald on her Rite of Confirmation last month on Reformation Sunday!
LET US DWELL IN THANKSGIVING — VIDEO DWELL-
ING IN THE WORD CONTINUES EACH WEDNESDAY! In November we celebrate Thanksgiving Day - a day of the year set apart for thankfulness. But re-member, God comes to us each day … and God’s benefits and blessings surround us. God’s power is evident in the changing of the Seasons,
the rising and setting of the sun. Peace and joy are gifts from God’s hand. Salvation and unmerited love come to us from God. Let us make each day Thanksgiving Day. Spend time in a spirit of gratitude for all the goodness and love that daily surrounds you. In-vite a neighbor or friend and watch Pastors Joanna or Hill lead a Weekly/Wednesday Dwelling in the Word video. They will be up-loaded on Mt. Horeb’s FB page or YouTube channel. A special dwelling will be held on Thanksgiving Eve. Make a joyful noise to the Lord. - Psalm 100:1
COMMUNITY GARDEN “Thanks” to our members for giving Mt Horeb’s Community Garden a Fall “makeover!” All the boxes have been weeded, tilled, and planted. Hopefully, there will be pumpkins, soon!
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PROGRAM is in need of canned pasta. Please leave your donations at the Welcome Center in the Nar-thex. Mt. Horeb has committed to provide 184 cans per week! If you have questions, contact Barry McCall. Thank you!
A BUDGET FORUM will be held Sunday November 7, 2021, 9:45am.
THE ANNUAL CONGRETATIONAL MEETING will be held Sunday November 21, 2021, 9:45am.
OFFICE HOURS Office hours are Monday 9am-Noon and Tues-Fri 8:30am-4pm.
POINSETTIAS FOR CHRISTMAS Poinsettias are available for order now. The cost is $10.50 per plant and the deadline is November 3rd. Order forms are available at the Welcome Center. NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION If you are looking for a church home, you are welcome at Mt. Horeb! We invite you to contact a pastor to learn about Mt. Horeb’s history, our Vision for Mission, and God’s call to ministry rooted in Baptism. Mt. Horeb mem-bers are also encouraged to extend an invitation to anyone seeking a church home (neighbor, co-worker, friend, acquaintance).
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DON’T FORGET ABOUT WE CARE, our community outreach agency! Collection boxes can be found both upstairs and downstairs. Here is a list of constant needs: +Peanut butter / jelly +Spam +Chili, soup +Canned chicken +Dried beans +Pasta, spaghetti sauce +Grits, rice +Turnip / collard greens +Mac & cheese +Laundry detergent +Canned tuna / salmon +Pork & Beans +Personal hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.) ALTAR FLOWERS American Floral, the vendor we use for Altar Flowers, will no longer bill our members individually. Beginning December 1st, they will be send-ing one invoice per month to Mt. Horeb that will include all the weekly church orders from the month before.
You may still continue to use this vendor and we will still order the flow-ers for you. The difference will be you will now pay Mt. Horeb directly. The church office will keep a spreadsheet of the orders and payments. We ask you to make your payment by the 5th of the month in the month you have signed up for flowers. ($50 per arrangement). This begins in November. You can deposit this in the offering plate and designate it to the Altar Flower Fund.
COVID-19 UPDATE In response to new CDC guidelines regarding the Covid-19 rise in cases, Council has recommended the following: 1-suggest mask wearing for all people indoors, 2-return to the practice of communion in the pew, and 3-designate the Fellowship Hall as a ‘mask only’ space during worship. We all seek to provide a safe environment. Masks and hand sanitizer are available at each entrance. “Getting the vaccine is safe, effective, and free. They reduce your risk of getting the virus, particularly in severe forms” – SCDHEC.
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YOUR RESPONSE OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT to Mt. Horeb continues to be a blessing! Offerings may be sent in by mail, placed in the drop box near the portico, or provided online through PayPal
and Tithe.ly (look for the red ‘Donate Online’ button). We are thankful for everyone’s prayerful support, and your offerings are greatly appre-ciated.
WE JUST GO NUTS FOR WE CARE! Sunday, November 7th, right after the second service we are having a “Pecan Picking Party” for We Care. We have been blessed with numerous Pecan trees on our property. It is a perfect opportunity to provide these
favored holiday nuts to We Care to share with their families. So, mark your calendars and plan to join us. Of course, we plan to have some treats and drinks to reward our efforts. YOU ARE INVITED! The Fellowship Team invites you to add this date and activity to your calendar: December 19 (Sunday), 4-6pm: Christmas Caroling There will be more information provided as the event approaches. The more the merrier! Thank you for all the prayers, cards, phone calls and visitations. I am truly grateful for such a loving family in Mt. Horeb’s congregation.
Brady Amick
It is with deepest love that the family of Albert Shealy expresses it’s appreciation. Thank you for all the cards and visits during our recent bereavement. It means so much to us.
Sharon Shealy
To the folks of Mt. Horeb, Thanks for cards and notes we received during my absence from church. Thanks to Pam for the pie, even though Cathy didn’t let me eat all of it, and much thanks to Pastors Hill and Joanna for prayers...as Catherine Gates would always say,
“God Bless!” John Rodgers
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Highlights of Congregational Council Meeting
for October 2021
The council met on Sunday, October 10, 2021 via Zoom. The council took action on or discussed the following items:
The council had the Second Reading of the 2022 Ministry Plan as presented by the Finance Team and approved a motion to accept the plan for presentation at the Annual Congregational Meeting on November 21 at 9:45 am in the sanctuary.
The council approved a motion to replenish any capital improvement funds spent in 2022 from the Council Discretionary Fund (funds refunded to Mt. Horeb through the Payroll Protection Program).
The council approved a motion to approve the final council nominee secured for the 2022-2024 term. The four nominees approved and to be presented for election are: Heather Adams, Rae Davis, Trina Free and Lisa McDonald.
The council approved a motion to set the agenda for the Annual Congregational Meeting: 1) Election of new members, 2) Approval of the 2022 Ministry Plan, and 3) An update on ministry successes and concerns.
The council approved a motion to approve Katelyn McDonald for confirmation. The Youth Team reported that the youth will be participating in the Marty Party
to be held at Zion Lutheran on October 17 and will help with the Trunk or Treat to be held at the church on October 31.
The Serve Team reported that the weekly contribution for the snack pack pro-gram for this school year is 184 cans of pasta. The team continues to ap-preciate the wonderful support of this program by the congregation. A total of 500 pounds of produce was donated to We Care from the Community Garden from the summer season plants and an additional $610 was donat-ed from collections of sales from the Chapin Farmers Market this year. Col-lards, cabbage and pumpkins are currently planted and should be harvested for donation in the coming weeks. A pecan harvest of the Beaufort Street property will be held on November 7. The team is also planning to help with the HUB Thanksgiving and the We Care Angel Tree.
The Fellowship Team will be sponsoring a Trunk or Treat for the community on Sunday, October 31 from 4:30-6. Members are encouraged to participate by decorating their car trunks to give out candy and also to donate candy for distribution and canned goods to be donated to We Care.
The Finance Team reported that for the month of September, revenues totaled $43,930 and expenses totaled $44,208 for a net loss of $298. Year-to-date revenues through September were $388,056 and expenses were $395,901 for a year-to-date net loss of $7,845.
The Ministry Review Team met with Pastor Hill in September and will meet with Pastor Joanna in October. A final report will be made to council in Novem-ber of the strategic objectives for the upcoming year.
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PRAYING FOR:
+Annette Stuck +Jane Ramsey +Don Ramsey +Vie Wilmot +Henri Bishop +Miller Lindler +Ron Stockman +Jim Johnston +Aubrey Metts +Patsy Comalander +Mary Kern +Ginny Hatfield +Carolyn Bishop +Brady Amick +Nancy Crogen +Charlie Shealy +Gayle Wicker +Billy Rauch +Margaret Greene +Bonnie Counts +Brian Comalander +Jim Pope +Tess Wessinger +Fred Stuart +Family of Albert Shealy on his death +Billy Morgan and Family on death of his mother, Harriett Morgan PRAYING FOR FRIENDS OF OUR CHURCH FAMILY: + Sonny Blocker, brother-in-law of Robbie
Koon DeFreese + Cindy Heming, Gavin Wells’ godmother + Perry Barton, brother of Bill Barton + Melissa Smith, sister of Dean Smith + Ronnie Chapman, nephew of Rosemary
Frick + Sadie Gillian, friend of Jennifer Wells + Marie Fulmer, niece of Loretta Griffin &
family + Amelia Kinard, sister of Billy Griffin + Sarah Grace Jerkins, great-niece of Anne
Wessinger
+ Linda Floyd, friend of John & Cathy
Rodgers + Sue Carver, friend of Joanne Wessinger
Hill + Tyler Grubbs, friend of Lillie Free + David Owens, friend of Edward Neeley,
Fred Garren and Tommy Hill + Lorraine Revels, daughter of friend of JoAnne Hill + Marie Syrett, sister-in-law of Mary Kern + Al Zaback, cousin of Jerry & Vicky Shealy + Sally Thompson, sister-in-law of Susan
Addy + Diane Nichol, friend of Susan Addy + Keith & Bonnie Maddox, Cindy Rego’s
parents + Evren Ray, great-niece of Susan Addy + Chris & Eddie Shealy, sons of Gene &
Ann B. Shealy + Sherri Adams, Paul Rego’s sister + Tommy Ward, friend of Jim Pope + William Eckley, cousin of Vicky Shealy + Payton Dominick, great-nephew of Glenda Lindler + Tyler Richardson, son-in-law of Pastor
Dick & Jeannie Webber + Heidi Smith, Lew’s wife + Todd Buehler, Debbie Hjelseth’s brother + Landon Derrick, Wes Hill’s classmate &
friend + Jimmy and Liane Talbert, uncle and aunt
of Mattie Smith + Richard Gregerson, son of Vie Wilmot + All those serving in the military
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If you do not see your birthday or anniver-
sary (or if our info is incorrect), please con-
tact the church office so we can add you to
our birthday and anniversary lists or correct
our information.
BIRTHDAYS 1 Janelle Turner-Barrett
Randy Addy
2 Danny Marks Carolyn Miller
3 Kathy Curry Harriet Hatchell 4 Faye Hawkins
Ed Neeley Robby Shealy Dave Rube
5 Sandra McKie 6 Brian Comalander
Laurie Schmidt Britt Stockman 7 Peggy Miller 8 Kristi Soderlund 9 Jeffrey Griffin
Hal Hutchens
11 Matt Dukes 13 Jim Fiber
Karl Fulmer Lew Smith Stephanie Stoudemayer
14 Susan Crabtree Georgie Fulmer Phillip Griffin Megan Luck
16 Sherri Derrick
17 Marion Frick
21 Billy Morgan
Wanda Rister
22 Legare Shealy
23 Wayne Hollis
Rachel Morgan
25 Mary Ruth Shealy
28 Will Morgan
29 Jerry Bundrick
Kimberly Bolen
Gayle Wicker
30 Pam Shear
Sandra Ayoub
ANNIVERSARIES 6 Brett & Kelly Gowans–28
10 Ed & Ann Neeley–32
11 Harvey & Shirley Fulmer–66 Berley, III & Brittany Rister–9
12 Wayne & Andrea Hollis–50 Bill & Linda Moser - 55
14 Dan & Crystal Campbell–34 Charlie & Ann Shealy–-57
16 Tommy & Joann Hill–-19
20 James & Wanda Rister–45 Skip & Janelle Barrett–-23 29 Billy & Connie Griffin–-46
NOVEMBER 2021 CALENDAR
Pastor Joanna’s Day Off—Thursday Pastor Hill’s Day Off—Saturday
Wed, Nov 3 11:00 Dorcas Circle Sat, Nov 6 SCLCY Retreat (Mauldin) Sun, Nov 7 8:30 In-person & (White) Livestream w/ Holy Communion 9:45 Budget Forum 11:00 In-person w/ Holy Communion 4:00 LCY Mon, Nov 8 6:30 LMM Wed, Nov 10 8:00 LCY Donuts & Devotions 10:00 Miriam Circle Thu, Nov 11 7:00 Finance Sat, Nov 13 SCLCY Retreat (N. Chas.)
Sun, Nov 14 8:30 In-person & (Green) Livestream w/ Holy Communion 9:45 LEARN 11:00 In-person w/ Holy Communion 5:00 Worship Team 7:00 Council Meeting Tues, Nov 16 6:00 LutheReaders Wed, Nov 17 8:00 LCY Donuts & Devotions Thur, Nov 18 6:30 Agape Circle
Sun, Nov 21 8:30 In-person & (White or Green) Livestream w/ Holy Communion 9:45 Congregational Mtg 11:00 In-person w/ Holy Communion 3:30 LCY at the Miller’s Wed, Nov 24 8:00 LCY Donuts & Devotions
Sun, Nov 28 8:30 Outdoor service (Blue) w/ Holy Communion 9:45 LEARN 11:00 In-person w/ Holy Communion Wed, Dec 1 8:00 LCY Donuts & Devotions
Contact Us
Mt. Horeb Lutheran
101 East Boundary St.
Chapin, SC 29036
(803) 345-2000
mthoreb.net
Ralph G. Hill, Pastor
Joanna C. Gragg,
Associate Pastor
Camille Joseph, Admin Asst
Jenny Leininger, Treasurer
UPCOMING LCY EVENTS
November’s Youth Calendar at a glance: This year, SCLCY’s annual service
retreat will take place on November 6 in Mauldin and on November 13 in North Charleston. Activi-ties will be held outdoors as much as possible on these single-day service retreats. Youth from every South Carolina Synod congregation are welcome to lend a hand to our neighbors. More information coming soon!
On November 21, The youth will gather outdoors
at the Miller’s home for some hiking, hot chocolate,
and hayride fun. Check your email for
more details.
MHLC
101 E. Boundary St.
Chapin, SC 29036
Experiencing and Sharing God’s Presence
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CHAPIN SC
PERMIT NO. 9