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“Open for Business”
Saint Paul UMC in Florence, South Carolina is “open for business.” You should notice that more activities have restarted at the church. We had almost 180 people in worship on Easter Sunday. We were blessed with 26 chil-
dren hunting for Easter Eggs. We have restarted our Nursery. We have restarted Sunday School classes for youth and children. We have moved from one unified Sunday School class for adults and now offer four options.
We continue to social distance and require masks when in close proximity to others. We have resisted fellow-ship meals but plan to restart meals and fellowship in September with a restart of Wonderful Wednesdays. We never
shut down worship, even when we were prohibited from in-person worship, we offered (and continue to offer) Face-book Live.
The pandemic required us to modify business as normal but we have continued to offer worship and Bible study opportunities. In short, I say “We have continued to be church” even during difficult days. We have been be-
hind on our financial budget but have still managed to pay 100% of our Conference Apportionments and because of generous donors have significantly paid down our mortgage debt.
At our last Church Council meeting, we discussed what it means to be church and how we are positioned to grow the church. That conversation needs to continue. We should continue to evaluate how our “business is doing”
and strive to make improvements. About twenty years ago, I had a friend who ran a manufacturing facility that pro-duced metal hands for analog clocks. I imagine the company is out of business today because who needs analog clock hands.
But I write to you today saying “We all need Jesus and the church is open for business.”
In Christ’s Name,
Scott
Pastor Scott
Would you like to hear bells ringing from
our steeple at St. Paul UMC?
Would you like to hear your favorite
hymns being played by these bells?
The Jimmy Griggs Memorial Bell Fund has
been established to purchase a system to make this
happen. If you would like to contribute, please make
your check out to Saint Paul UMC and note Memorial
Bell Fund.
With your support we can make this happen!!
Memorial Garden
Many of you are aware that we have a beautiful memorial garden
and fountain area on our church grounds containing pavers with
the names of Saint Paul members. As a reminder, donations can
be made to purchase a paver in honor or memory of individuals.
Costs are:
$150 Large Engraved Paver $100 Small Engraved Paver
Forms and additional information are available in the church
office.
Under Special Care
Myrtle Lowman Home Mayo Collier Home Mary Dickens Benton House
Irma Tanner Home Lieze McDaniel Presbyterian Home Jo & Aubrey Snipes Methodist Manor
James Stewart Jr. Home Lou Hanna Pee Dee Gardens
MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS
Memorials were given in memory of Doreen Copeland by Elizabeth Liebenrood
Memorials were given in memory of Ellison Messick by Carole & Glen Neil, Janet & Rick Howell, Kathy Andrews, Nucor Steel South Carolina, Gail Creel
Memorials were given in memory of Hazel Magee by Faye Higgs
Memorials were given in memory of Jimmy Griggs by Gail Creel, Faye Higgs
Memorials were given in memory of Sarah McNeil by Janet & Rick Howell, Kathy Andrews, Virginia Baird, Deborah James, Diane & WP Scarborough, Gladys Hodges, Carole & Glen Neil, Dotty & Wade Dickens,
Rosemary Ellis, Bettie & John Carmichael, Jane & Hugh Westbury, Frances Johnson
Honorariums were given in honor of Skylar Grace Shealy by Deborah & Phil Ruff
Tithes & Offerings Attendance
March 21, 2021 $ 10,482.00 68 March 28, 2021 $ 6,932.00 84 April 4, 2021 $ 16,198.00 178
April 11, 2021 $ 6,779.00 68 April 18, 2021 $ 9,260.00 86
Needed Weekly: $13,000.00
Tithes Given YTD: $157,806.06 Budget Needed YTD: $208,000.00
Stewardship
To give online, go to our website www.stpumcflo.org and click
on the give online tab. This takes you to the giving page. Click
on the give online tab and follow the instructions to set-up one-
time or recurring giving.
STAY CONNECTED
If you have special needs let us help you. Please e-mail the prayer chain at [email protected] or call the church office for assistance.
Thank You
Thank you to my Church family for all of the get well cards as well as birthday cards received during my period of re-
covery. I have 6 more weeks of therapy and 3 months of observation by the surgeon. Then we will have to make some
decision regarding my kidney cancer, so please continue to pray for my decision making and recovery.
Thank you, James M. Stewart
Thank You from Epworth Children’s Home: St. Paul has been designated as a Sustainer Congregation during 2020
Letter from Reverend Terry Fleming, Florence District Superintendent
Dear Reverend Bratton, Please allow me to express my most sincere appreciation to you and the members of St. Paul
for the hospitality that was shared during Bishop Holston’s visit on Tuesday, April 13. Every person who participated
in the preparation and filming processes spoke of how graciously they were greeted and made welcome during the day.
We all look forward to seeing the daily prayers our bishop recorded in St. Paul’s beautiful sanctuary! Personally, I can-
not decide if the icing on the day’s cake was the wonderful strawberry shortcake dessert in the mason jars or the Unit-
ed Methodist Church cross and flame bookmarks that were given as hospitality gifts. Please share my thanks with eve-
ry person who was involved in making this such an enjoyable day.
May each of you recognize our God’s great blessings today and every new day to come!
Reverend Terry Fleming
Please Pray for our Outreach Ministries & Ministers
Lou Jordan, Francis Marion Wesley Foundation
John and Susan McGee, The CRU Foundation
A. J. and Rachel Hanke, Youth with a Mission
Non Profit org.
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit # 48
Saint Paul United Methodist Church 1629 West Palmetto Street Florence, SC 29501 Phone: (843) 669-3134 Fax: (843) 669-5676 Email: [email protected]
Submit News Articles & Pictures for the June Epistle by May 15th to: [email protected] (please indicate EPISTLE in the subject line)
New Office Hours
For the safety of everyone, we ask that you continue to wear face masks and practice social distancing while in the
common areas of our facilities. ************************
Our expanded office hours are:
Monday—Thursday
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
WORSHIP SERVICE HELPERS
May 2 - Liturgist: Don Walter
Head Ushers: Howard Cross/Tom White
Monday Counters: Janet Howell/Judy Smith
May 9 - Liturgist: Jay Beck
Head Ushers: Barry Hodges
Monday Counters: Virginia Baird/Pat Willis
May 16 - Liturgist: Michael Grady
Head Ushers: Ross Huggins
Monday Counters: Janet Howell/Judy Smith
May 23 - Liturgist: Patsy Slice
Head Ushers: Danny Braddock/Johnny Hamer
Monday Counters: Virginia Baird/Pat Willis
May 30 - Liturgist: Rick Howell
Head Ushers: David Saleeby
Monday Counters: Janet Howell/Judy Smith
Corners of Your Field
Cleaning out closets, drawers, garages or spare rooms? Be sure to take the things you are giving away to one of the House of Hope Mission Marts and tell them you are from Saint Paul UMC. We will receive gift cards to give to those in need, because of your generosity.
Worship Service and Sunday School Schedule
9:30 am: Sunday School Hour Adult classes resume in the FLC
and Admin Building
Children in the CCC
Youth in the Youth Building
10:30 am: Worship Service In the sanctuary or watch us on
Facebook Live.
6:30 pm Youth In the Youth Building
Covid-19 Guidelines Please wear a facemask while in the
facilities. Please practice social distancing.
A monthly publication of Saint Paul United Methodist Church - Florence, South Carolina, 29501
The Epistle May 2021
Kids Corner Bible verse: “The LORD is good to all “ Psalm 145:9
Please continue to collect Piggly Wiggly receipts! Melody [email protected]
Youth @ St Paul May 2021. This year seems to be flying by. Sunday School classes have returned back to their
normal locations and no longer combined. The youth are on a modified schedule for Sunday
nights, every other Sunday for now. Starting to look at potential activities and events that the
youth can do this summer. As I’ve said before most of the normal trips and events have al-
ready been canceled for the year but I’m hoping that the “Rooted Retreat” will still be possi-
ble. Masks are still encouraged for the added safety and precaution. Covid is still out there and
still potentially dangerous. Protect yourselves and others. The youth had a great time helping
with the Easter egg hunt Easter morning. It was great to see them so involved with helping at
the church. We were also able to serve at Help4Kids in April and that was a great opportunity and time for the youth. We will be schedul-
ing another time to serve in the near future. I am proud of our church family for bringing in so many donations. I encourage you to contin-
ue to bring items and I will make arrangements to deliver. It is a great local ministry to support. Continue to do good and share Jesus with
your friends and family! May God bless you and keep you. Amen!
Keep up with your daily Bible reading and looking out for messages on Groupme Jay [email protected]
Meet Evelyn:
Evelyn is a smart, loving, sweet girl who will be turning 13 in August. She is currently attending Lester
Elementary, but will start Middle School at Sneed next year. Evelyn has CHARGE Syndrome which in-
volves many different disabilities including Deaf/Blindness. Watching how far she has come you can see
that God has given her so much strength and ambition. She has also been blessed with an amazing heart
and love for people, especially her church family, which anyone will feel if they are lucky enough to get
one of her famous hugs! She enjoys swimming, music and playing Miracle League baseball!
St. Paul Easter
Hunt on Easter
morning was
wonderful. We
had a fun filled
morning with
crafts, baby
chicks, Picnic,
prizes and of
course a egg
hunt. We had
26 kids hunting
eggs and enjoying fellowship. Thank you to all the
youth that helped set up and hide eggs and to
everyone that donated eggs and candy.
Easter Sunday we had five confirmed in to the church
Caroline
Alex
Skylar Grace
Evelyn
Anna
What a wonderful blessing!
Epworth’s Annual Mother’s Day Offering
May 9th is Epworth’s Annual Mother’s Day Offering day. 100% of your Mother’s Day Offering provides com-
prehensive care for the Children at Epworth Children’s Home. Informational brochures and giving envelopes
are available in the narthex. Please see the one of the ushers for assistance.