Volume 26, Issue 11

The Liberty Hill Connection

On Thursdays, December 1-15, Pastor Dot will host “Chat &

Pastries with Dot.” This will be a time for members to sign up to

come and ask questions as well as share concerns and hopes for the

future of LHPC. We will meet from 11:15 AM until 12:30 PM.

Please call the church office to sign up for a particular date so that

Pastor Dot will know how many pastries to bring!

Brother Gene and the LHPC Carolers invite you to join them on

Wednesday evening, December 14 at 6:00, to sing carols to

homebound members of the church and the Liberty Hill

community. We will meet at the church before embarking on our

caroling journey. We will return to the church for hot cocoa and

Russian tea waiting to warm us up before heading home.

The LHPC Cantata Choir has been tirelessly preparing since September for this

year’s Cantata, Then Came the Light, under the direction of Brother Gene. We

invite you to celebrate with us as the choir expresses the JOYS of the season

through music and song during both services on Sunday, December 18 (at 9:00

AM and 11:00 AM). Please join us in Miss Bettie Richards Hall after each service

for heavy hors d’oeuvres. There will be no Sunday School on this date.

On Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24 at 5:30 PM, we will enter the candlelit calm of the

sanctuary to receive communion and blessings from Pastor Dot. Please join us on this Silent

Night as we quietly enter and wait before proceeding (individually or with family) to join

Pastor Dot in the front of the church where she will serve communion and say a prayer with

each of us. The sanctuary is at its most beautiful during this service as we are reminded to

slow down, listen to Carol gently play carols, and rest in the peaceful darkness.

There will be one service on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25 at

10:00 AM. Communion will be served. There will be no Sunday School on

Christmas Day.

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Dear Liberty Hill Family and Friends:

During the last few days, I have taken some time to look at the trees in my back yard and to marvel at the brilliance of the colors

of the leaves. Many have fallen to the ground and, even there, they generate great beauty. Some of the trees are almost bare, and I

thought about how different the trees look without their colorful leaves. But, I was also reminded that, in due season, these same trees will sprout green leaves and stretch toward God’s heaven.

So it is with us. As we prepare to shed the burdens and cares of the past, the leaves of grief, and conflict, and suffering, we are invited

to walk in the light of God. In due season, we, too, will see the new kingdom that Jesus Christ has promised.

Advent is a time for contemplation and introspection. It also gives us an opportunity to take a closer look at our world and what

Jesus will bring to the world. In the world, there is brokenness and fear; there is misunderstanding and blaming; there is war; there is strife; there is hunger and homelessness; there is disease of body, mind and spirit. Yet, we look beyond the darkness and we see the hope that is in the Lord Jesus Christ. We put aside the barriers and cling to the hope that comes in the person of a newborn baby. We

watch and wait with assurance that the reign of God will surely come. It is not yet, but it will surely come.

Take some time during this season to see. See the earth and all the people. See the children. See those who are nearing the end of their lives. See those who are celebrating. See. See the coming light that will cover all of us. Walk in the light of the Lord and be blessed.

May the grace and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and your family this Christmas and always!

Dot

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T here is a popular song that states, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” and I couldn’t agree more. We think of family gatherings, good food, happy children, gleeful shopping, decorations everywhere,

music celebrating this season from the malls to the radio and the web to our churches. There are the thoughts of the playful myth of Santa and his elves and reindeer to the wonderful reality of the celebration of the Savior of the world, Jesus, the Christ.

I love the Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday season. It is a time of proclaiming good tidings of great joy and a remembrance of spreading peace on earth and goodwill toward all people. Even world wars have paused in reverence during this very special season. The word Christmas, however, with everything else it represents, centers and focuses on the celebration of the birth of the Messiah… It is the mass of Christ, thus Christmas. It is not just a holiday… wars do not cease, and men and women of all races, nationalities and creeds do not come together to celebrate just any holiday; but they do to celebrate this remembrance of the birth of Christ. In spite of all the other things that we do this season, Jesus truly is the reason for the season…in his name we gather; in His name we celebrate; peace is recognized in His name; brotherhood is lifted up in the name of Jesus. This is the reason for the music and the singing, for the decorations and the feasts, for the gatherings and the unity. Christmas is the pause for brotherhood and peace and the proclamation of joy to the world. May the Christ of Christmas be the center of your celebration this season and may you all be blessed with peace, joy, and love.

I want to thank everyone who helped make our Thanksgiving celebration so special, including the Holiday Meal and preparations for the Community Thanksgiving Service. It was all glorious. I also want to thank you for the generosity you demonstrated as you provide the materials for the back packs that the Bible Study Girls distribute and a special thank you to those who provided coats to the Children of Baron DeKalb School through our annual coat drive. I invite everyone to join us for two Christmas musical experiences: First, we will go Christmas caroling on Wednesday December 14

th at 6:00 pm and share the joy of

Christmas carols with several of our homebound members. In this small way we share our love for those who were faithful to our church for so many years. Secondly, I want to encourage you to invite everyone to come and hear our Christmas Cantata on Sunday December, 18

th at both the 9:00 and 11:00 am services. This year’s Cantata, Then Came

the Light, is a delightful mixture of Christmas stories and throw-back music reminiscent of 1950’s Hollywood. It will be a great time for all. I hope to see you there. Going Forward in Jesus Name, Brother Gene

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Josh Kershner Harold and Ruby Kershner’s grandson

Daniel Scruggs and his shipmates on the USS Carl Vinson Neal and Delisa Clark’s son

Joan Allen (Richard Van Ooyen)

Pam Granger Anderson (Sandy Granger)

Debbie Appleton (Sandy Granger)

Charlie Bailey

Maggie Baker

Doug and Lynn Barfield

Buddy Barrett

Susan Beth (Richard Van Ooyen)

Charles Blackmon (Lisa Knight)

Kathy Blackmon (Harold and Ruby Kershner)

Rachel Blackmon (Lisa Knight)

Cory Blackmon (Harold and Ruby Kershner)

Braylon (Ken and Elaine Maree)

Brother Gene

Pat Bunch

Chris and Brenda Burns

Rose Calder (Ed and Pat Bunch)

Daryl Catoe (Jerry and Trish Flynn)

Gladys Catoe (Carol Catoe)

Agnes Cauthen

The Crocker Family

Polly Davis (Terry Hoffman)

Bud and Arlene Eldreth

Rick Eldreth (Bud and Arlene)

Nicholas Hallman (Jerry and Trish Flynn)

Joanne Hartley (Ed and Pat Bunch)

Glenda Harper (Belle Bailey)

Frank Henderson

Nett Horton (Bob and Carole Cook)

Maxine Hunter (Bernice Branham)

Rachel Lee (Page Kardack)

Suzanne Jackson (Sandy Granger)

Allie Jeffords (Gene and Carol Ghent)

Donna Johnson (Terry Hoffman)

Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church

Angie Matthews (Caroleene Couick)

Christine McCallion (George and Alexandria

Harkins)

Susan Mosley (Harold Williams)

John Mullis (Terry Hoffman)

Deneen Neubauer and her family (Neal and Delisa Clark)

Colleen Ogburn and the Ogburn Family (Ina Horton)

David Ogburn (Ina Horton)

Darlyn Owens (Ruby Kershner)

Douglas Owens (son of Jack and Barbara Owens)

The Family of Randy ‘Rainbow’ Player (Sandy Granger)

Lisa Pratt (Joan Ward)

Lee Riffle (Chet Riffle)

Steve Rothrock (Peggy Sneed)

Nancy Silverman (Sandy Granger)

Bonnie Sullivan (Ina Horton)

The Family of Ronnie Thompkins (Sandy Granger)

Margaret Truesdale (Merilyn Roll)

Margaret Tyndall (Joan Ward)

Unspoken Request (Terry Hoffman)

Joseph Wages (Jim and Jackie Delozier)

Carol Wallace (Bonnie Jones)

Pam and Buck Warnock (Donna Hunter)

Perry Watford

Van White (Page Kardack)

Lynn Williams (Harold Williams) Betty Young

Please call the church office with answered prayers or prayer requests so that the list can be updated.

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"Long Ago at Liberty Hill"

By Sylvia Hudson

(The following are reprints of previous December articles. You may recall some of them. Hopefully, you will enjoy them again!) WATEREE MESSENGER: December 27, 1937 The year 1937 is almost gone. To our Nation, our State, and our county, it brought many things for which we should be thankful! And also many things over which we can not rejoice, but as this is the time for New Year resolutions, let us resolve first, to try to profit by the mistakes and failures of 1937; resolve, second, to turn to the new year 1938 with an abiding faith in the Giver of all good, and use our best efforts to make it better in every way than 1937.

WATEREE MESSENGER: December 5, 1938 In a recent issue of the Messenger we had something to say in reference to the sale of Christmas Seals, but we got our lines a little mixed by putting Miss Lal Richards as manager of the sales here - it should have been Mr. C.D. Cunningham. Miss Richards was Captain of the Red Cross drive here. But both objectives are so worthwhile and so near akin - being intended for the alleviation of pain and suffering that you can't go wrong in supporting either one, or both. But the Seal Sale affects our Kershaw County home folks more definitely in aiding the discovery and treatment of those affected with tuberculosis. The Seal Sale will continue to Christmas, and as everybody is more or less interested in stamping out communicable diseases we feel that a liberal response is assured. CAMDEN CHRONICLE: December 12, 1939 The Duke Power Company, who own much land adjacent to the Big Pond near here, on which many people lived, has decided to discontinue renting their lands, and are having all houses torn down and removed. CAMDEN CHRONICLE: December 9, 1941 We have just heard the able and inspiring address of President Roosevelt, full of hope and confidence that the United States and allies will win the war, notwithstanding the great advantage and serious loss of life gained by the treachery of the inhuman attack without warning while peace negotiations were still being considered. Such is the custom of Hitler in all of his many victories over the small nations he has so ingloriously subdued and was doubtless the cause of his Japanese ally adopting the same cruel and inhuman plan. CAMDEN CHRONICLE: December 10, 1954 An epidemic of bad colds has affected many of Liberty Hill's residents for several weeks. Mrs. E.L. Jones, who is suffering from the after effect of a cold, is having to take a ten day rest in bed. The weather was the chief topic of conversation Monday. Pulpwood and other out-of-doors workers were unable to work on account of the freezing rain and cold wind. Later in the day the skies cleared, but the wind was terrific all day. The thermometer registered 30 degrees Monday morning and 18 degrees Tuesday morning.

If you missed the opportunity to donate a coat this year, please consider donating gloves, mittens, scarves or toboggans to the children of Baron DeKalb Elementary. Please place your donation in the collection box in the Gene Rollins Ministry Library by Monday, December 5. All donations will be delivered on Tuesday, December 6.

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Thank you all for the prayers, cards and phone calls during Emerson’s stay in the hospital in October. And, thank you so much for your hard work in taking care

of us during our time of distress! Your care gave us the strength we needed to push forward during this difficult time. We are so grateful for the best possible

outcome and for our LHPC family.

Love to you all, Emerson and Pat Coates

Dear Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church,

During this time of Thanksgiving, we pause to count our blessings and to remember those who have been so generous to the students and families at Baron DeKalb Elementary. We are very grateful for your support and we want you to know how much we appreciate your contributions. Thank you for the love and support you have given us all these years. You are a blessing!

Sincerely, Betty Turner and the BDK Family

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. George Carlin

I never thought that the musical journey I embarked upon in August of 1958 would lead me to this milestone moment in my life some 50 years later. My mother was my greatest encourager, sitting beside the piano and listening to me practice every day in my early years. As I grew in my musical ability, I became a church musician at the age of sixteen. I realized that music played a very important role in the Worship Service. I dedicated my life to making sure that my musical offering to God each week would bring Him praise, honor, and glory. I have strived to keep that promise for 50 years. There have been times that I felt God take over and “pour out the music through my fingers.” Those are truly God moments.

My breath was taken away on Sunday, October 30th when you, the Church, honored me with recognition and a reception to celebrate my fifty years in the Music Ministry. From the beautifully decorated Fellowship Hall to the food, the beautiful keyboard cake, the monetary gifts presented by the Choir and the Session, the cards, gifts, and especially to friends and family who spoke such kind words of support and encouragement. Sunday, October 30th, was “a perfect day” to make special memories that I will forever cherish. Thank you for all of the hard work that went into making this time so memorable. May God bless our church as we continue to praise Him in song and move forward in His name. Carol W. Ghent

Friends at Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church,

On behalf of the riders of the STIHL Tour des Trees and the TREE Fund I’d like to extend our heartfelt

thanks for your hospitality on October 14, offered under some VERY extenuating circumstances. A tree on

your roof would have been a very credible reason to beg off on hosting our rest stop. Instead, you conjured

one of the best stops of the Tour with delicious food, cheerful volunteers AND shopping opportunities!

We’re impressed. Please pass along our thanks to your volunteers and everyone who helped make our riders

feel welcome. We’ll remember Liberty Hill not just for the huge tree on its roof but for the sterling character

of its congregation.

With warm regards, Mary DiCarlo, TREE Fund

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Jo Ann Julian Guinn Del and Jodie Elliott

Betty Holland Bonnie Jones & Perry Watford

Tony and Millie Plyler

Dana Couick McGuirt Baylor and Nancy Gibson

Marvin L. ‘Chip’ Smith

Bob and Karen Deaton

Sheryl McLeod Sweet–Miller Bonnie Jones & Perry Watford

Richard ‘Rock’ Thompson Bonnie Jones & Perry Watford

Gene Ghent Carol Ghent

Rob Jones Mica Jones

Lorraine Medlin

Poinsettia Memorials and Honorariums

Poinsettia Memorials/Honorariums are $20.00 and may be submitted by including payment with this form and dropping in the offering plate or by bringing to the church office. All proceeds will go to the General Fund. Deadline for submission is Monday, December 12.

Honorarium Information: _____________________________________________________ Memorial Information: _____________________________________________________ Donor Information: _____________________________________________________ Please make checks payable to LHPC and reference the name(s) of dedication on the memo line.

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Congregational Meeting Report

Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church’s Congregational Meeting was held on Sunday, November 6 at 10:15

AM for the purpose of: 1. Receiving the 2016 Nominating Committee report

nominating 3 members to serve on the 2017 Nominating Committee and for the congregation

to vote to accept the nominees. 2. To receive the report from the Nominating Committee presenting the slate of nominees for

(3) Ruling Elders for the Class of 2019 3. To receive and approve the 2017 Budget.

Rob Jones was elected Secretary of the

Congregational Meeting. Forty-one (41) members were present, meeting the required quorum.

Trish Flynn, Chair of the Nominating Committee, nominated the following for the 2017 Nominating

Committee: Mary Etta Taylor, Toni Kelly and Elaine Maree. There were no nominations from the floor.

The congregation unanimously elected the members presented.

Trish Flynn then nominated the following for the

Ruling Elder Class of 2019: Joan Clark, G. Moore and Millie Plyler. Each agreed to serve as Elder if elected. There were no nominations from the floor. Each was

elected unanimously.

Mike Clark, Treasurer, presented the 2017 Operating Budget to the congregation for review and approval

noting a projected decrease in expenses of $34,074.00. The Budget was accepted and approved

as presented unanimously.

Bible Study Girls Holiday Gathering

The Bible Study Girls will wrap up the fall

study Come to the Lord's Table on

Saturday December 10th at the home of

Nancy Macdonald. We'll meet from 10:00-

11:00 AM to discuss the study and then

follow with lunch at 11:15.

Please let Nancy know if you plan to

attend by email at

nancykmacdonald@yahoo.com or call at

843.621.4428. We'll also work on finalizing

plans for our study beginning in January.

And remember that any girl with a Bible is

a Bible Study Girl!

All are welcome.

It is a method and practice of entering into deeper and compassionate prayer for the [sick and suffering]. It is an

extended period of time set aside to allow the peace of God to wash over us. When the peace of God, that heavenly anesthetic falls upon us, we are able to place all fears and anxieties into

the hands of Christ and rest in Him. - Nigel D. Mumford

December Soaking Prayer Service Wednesday, December 21st

5:30-6:30 PM Liberty Hill Presbyterian Sanctuary

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Bible

Christmas Quiz Contest The first person to submit correct answers to all 25 questions will receive a Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church glass Christmas ornament. Answers may be submitted via email

or snail mail, or brought to the church office. The winner will be announced in the January newsletter. All entrants will receive a LHPC Golf Tournament gift set

(embroidered golf towel, golf balls and tees).

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Kershaw County Christmas Parades

Elgin Catfish Stomp Parade Saturday, December 3 @ 10 AM

Kershaw County Christmas Parade Saturday, December 10 @ 10 AM

Lights of Lugoff Parade Saturday, December 10 @ 6:30 PM

Bethune Christmas Parade Saturday, December 17 @ 10 AM

Boykin Christmas Parade Sunday, December 18 @ 2 PM

Please visit the Kershaw County Chamber of Commerce

website for details and locations.

Carol Ghent’s 50th Anniversary Reception

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20 Meeting Lane

P.O. Box 170

Liberty Hill, SC 29074

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Phone: 803-273-9191

Fax: 803-273-9192

E-mail: lhpc@comporium.net

Liberty Hill

Presbyterian Church S

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Nonprofit Org.

US Postage

Paid

Liberty Hill, SC

Permit #1

We're on the Web!

www.libertyhillpres.com

Christmas Shopping on the Hill

Save & $ and do your Christmas shopping on the Hill. In addition to the books, plates

and prints for sale in the library, the Bible Study Girls have beautiful jewelry for sale

(already in gift boxes).

A History of Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church (Aileen Norris) ............ $18.00

Long Ago in Liberty Hill (Mary Cunningham) ................................... $18.00

Childhood Memories (Mary Ellen Cunningham) .............................. $15.00

Cooking on the Hill (LHPC Members and Friends) ............................ $20.00

History and Homes of Liberty Hill (Louise Johnston) .......................... $10.00

Line Art Print of the Church ............................................................ $10.00

Sepia Plate ...................................................................................... $15.00

Color Plate ...................................................................................... $15.00

Plate Hanger ..................................................................................... $1.00

Glass Etched Ornament .................................................................. $10.00

Handmade Beaded Bracelets .................................................. $10 and $15

Bird’s Nest Necklaces...................................................................... $10.00

Prayer Beads with Charms .............................................................. $10.00

Beaded Necklaces .......................................................................... $25.00

Rings ................................................................................................ $5.00