233 N. Lee St. … P.O. Box 3447 … Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070 803-532-4636 … wittenberg@sc.twcbc.com

www.wittenbergleesville.org

SEPTEMBER 2016 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 9

THE WITTENBERG

GATHERED IN BAPTISM FED BY WORSHIP SENT OUT AS SERVANTS

1. SERVING THIS MONTH ORDER OF ST. JOHN MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT 2. REMINDERS OTHER NEWS FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS PRESCHOOL NEWS 3. WITHIN THE WITTENBERG FAMILY 4. PARISH COUNCIL & COMMITTEES 5. CHURCH CALENDAR 6. ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Nowadays, you hear people talking about their mantras. A simple definition of “mantra” is: a word or phrase that is repeated often or that expresses someone’s be-liefs. Take it a step further and say that it’s a sentence or so that is repeated often ex-pressing our beliefs. Now, look at these verses from the fourth chapter of Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus.” As we begin our quest to call a pastor, it is necessary for each of us to live these verses. We as humans are impatient, uneasy, dictatorial, territorial, aggressive, and so on. We would like a perfect person to be nudged by the Holy Spirit to immediately come to us as our pastor. And with patience and prayer, we will be led to the right person for Wittenberg. Bishop Herman Yoos of the Lutheran Synod of South Carolina is meeting with the church council on August 28th to lead us through the call process. We must first secure an interim pastor and then proceed with the steps to carefully move forward in calling a pastor. Be assured, you’ll hear about the process as we move forward. Let these verses from Philippians be your mantra. Please pray fervently for us not only to be led to the right person for our pastor, but to be given the courage and tenac-ity to continue to harmoniously grow in our mission. ~ Mary Ann Shealy

Please make plans to attend a special worship service on SEPTEMBER 11,

2016 to celebrate the debt retirement of the new addition to the church.

We are pleased that we have paid off the entire building fund balance

well ahead of schedule and invite you to celebrate this monumental occa-

sion with the Wittenberg family. Bishop Yoos will lead the 11 o’clock ser-

vice as we thank God for all of the ministries that have been, and will be,

carried out in and through the congregation in the new addition to this

building. After worship, please plan to celebrate over a catered meal for

lunch in the fellowship hall. Thanks be to God!

ELCA VISION:

Claimed by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we are a new creation through God’s living word by the power of the Holy Spirit; Gathered by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we will live among God’s faithful people, hear God’s word and share Christ’s supper; Sent by God’s grace for the sake of the world, we will proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, serve all people following the example of our Lord Jesus, and strive for justice and peace in all the world.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 04:

Greeters ............................................. Freida Banks, Allie Crowley Altar Guild ............. Connie Kramer, Joann Wells, Doris Antley, Betsy McEwen

Flower Chairperson .................................................... Marti Burns Sunday School Nursery .............................................. Julia Shealy Children’s Church ............................... Debra & Grant McDonald Nursery ................................................ Betsy Dority, Kayce Shealy Worship Assistant .................................................. Connie Kramer OSJ Advisor ............................................................... Torry Dickey Acolyte .................................................................................... TBD Almsbearer .............................................................................. TBD Crucifer ................................................................................... TBD Ushers ............................................ Rondoll Watson, Dean Rodgers Tellers ............................................... Gregory Dority, Crissy Kirby Next Week ............................ Debra McDonald, Catherine Oxner Altar Flowers ......... In Memory of EW & Bertha Long; By: Gerald & Letha Long

BBW ......................................................... Sonya Cary, Doris Antley Sunday School Opening .............................................. Tom Sawyer First Sunday Lunch ................................................................ TBD

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11:

Greeters ............................................. Freida Banks, Allie Crowley Altar Guild ............. Connie Kramer, Joann Wells, Doris Antley, Betsy McEwen

Flower Chairperson .................................................... Marti Burns Sunday School Nursery ............................................ Toshia Banks Children’s Church ...................................... Chancie & Todd Frick Nursery ...................................................... Toshia & Freida Banks Lay Reader ................................................................ Larry Dasher OSJ Advisor ............................................................... Torry Dickey Acolyte .................................................................... Sophia Dickey Almsbearer ............................................................ Mason McInnis Crucifer ................................................................... Matthew Reed Ushers ............................................ Rondoll Watson, Dean Rodgers Tellers ..................................... Debra McDonald, Catherine Oxner Next Week ........................................ Dean Rodgers, Julia Shealy Altar Flowers ............................. In Memory of Beth Long; By: Charlie Long

BBW ........................................................................... Wendy Epting Sunday School Opening .............................................. Tom Sawyer

Called to

Serve

The LUTHERAN MEN OF WITTENBERG invite all men to join and attend meetings which are held the fourth Mon-day of each month in the church fellowship hall. Meetings typically begin with a song under the direction of our Parish Musician, Mrs. Rachel Young. This song is then sung as the offertory anthem when the Lutheran men serve as the choir. In addition to serving once a month as the choir, the Lutheran men take a very active part in a wide variety of Church missions. The Lutheran men of Wittenberg continue to contribute to Boy Scout Troup 29 which they have supported for over sixty years. Lutheran Men contribute to the work of South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission which has as its primary mission to “strengthen the spiritual development and witness of men and to provide financial and other support to mission congregations in the South Carolina Synod”. South Carolina Lu-theran Men provide financial support for mission congregations through three programs: Gift Fund, Loan Fund and New Mission Start Program. Wittenberg Lutheran men served as the host for the quarterly meeting of the Western Conference of Lutheran Men in January of 2015 with approximately 70 men attending. Wittenberg Lutheran men provided the B&L Football team with their pregame meal on October 16, 2015 feeding over 50 members of the team including coaches and managers. With your help and participation, the Lutheran Men of Wittenberg look forward to increased activities and mission support.

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18:

Greeters .............................................. Freida Banks, Allie Crowley Altar Guild ............. Connie Kramer, Joann Wells, Doris Antley, Betsy McEwen

Flower Chairperson .................................................... Marti Burns Sunday School Nursery ........................................ Rebecca Dasher Children’s Church ............................... Betsy Dority, Kayce Shealy Nursery ....................................... Rebecca Dasher, Barbie Rodgers Lay Reader ................................................................ Larry Dasher OSJ Advisor ............................................................... Torry Dickey Acolyte ....................................................................... Smith Kirby Almsbearer ................................................................ Pierce Kirby Crucifer ................................................................. Reynolds Rawls Ushers ............................................ Rondoll Watson, Dean Rodgers Tellers .................................................. Dean Rodgers, Julia Shealy Next Week ............................ Mary Ann Shealy, Jennifer Spradley Altar Flowers ............. In Honor of all of my Grandchildren; By: Benjie Rikard

BBW.............................................................. Mike & Sally Sherman Sunday School Opening ............................................. Tom Sawyer

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25:

Greeters .............................................. Freida Banks, Allie Crowley Altar Guild ............. Connie Kramer, Joann Wells, Doris Antley, Betsy McEwen

Flower Chairperson .................................................... Marti Burns Sunday School Nursery ............................................. Toshia Banks Children’s Church ...................................... Chancie & Todd Frick Nursery ....................................................... Toshia & Freida Banks Lay Reader ................................................................ Larry Dasher OSJ Advisor ............................................................... Torry Dickey Acolyte .................................................................... Susanna Reed Almsbearer ................................................................ Elle Quarles Crucifer ..................................................................... Taylor Davis Ushers ............................................ Rondoll Watson, Dean Rodgers Tellers ..................................... Mary Ann Shealy, Jennifer Spradley Next Week ............................ Margaret Caughman, Allie Crowley Altar Flowers ............................. In Memory of Beth Long; By: Charlie Long

BBW.............................................................. Last Sunday Breakfast Sunday School Opening ............................................. Tom Sawyer

Ministry Spotlight

NOISY OFFERING: Thank you all who

donated to our first Noisy Offering! I know our children all enjoyed collect-ing change and using the “noise” to celebrate Jesus during church. Our next Noisy Offering will take place on SEPTEMBER 18TH. Please remember to bring your change (or dollars) that day. All money donated will go to the food pantry. Thank You, Liz

SOUP KITCHEN SERVICE: The next soup kitch-en will be serving on

Saturday, SEPTEMBER 24T H from 10:30am - 12:30pm.

The annual OWLS

(older, wiser Lutheran servants) luncheon will be held on October 9th after worship service. The event is to show our appreciation and to thank individuals for their untiring work to further the mission of Witten-berg.. The Social Ministry and Par-ish Life Committees sponsor this event. As last year, Chefs Allie and Chris Crowley will prepare the meal. If you're an OWL, plan to at-tend! (There is no age set for OWLS.)

WELCA CIRCLE MEETINGS:

Circle L - Sept. 5th Leader & Hostess: Sonya Cary at her home

Morning Circle—Sept. 6th. Leader: Helen Dasher Location: Wiz’s Circle IV - Sept. 12th Leader: Mary Ann Shealy Hostess: Susan Shealy Location: Church Hannah Circle - None

CONTACT INFO: While we are without a pastor and until we have an interim pas-tor, please contact the

church office with information regarding sicknesses or other concerns. You may also contact the council president, Mary Ann Shealy at anytime on her cell phone: (803) 271-2191. If you do not reach her, you may leave a message or text her. Please do not hesitate to keep us posted.

CHURCH KEYS: If you are no longer in a position that warrants you to have a church key; we asked that

you turn it in to the church office as soon as possible so that we can update our list. Thank you!

FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEERS: Can you spare just a few hours a month? Volunteers are still needed for the Food

Pantry on Friday & Saturday morn-ings. Please sign up on the form in the kitchen.

(None available at time of printing)

Wittenberg Lutheran Preschool Program

WLPP

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3 ............... Jerry & Tissy Price

7 ........... WC & Paula Miller III

25 ........ John & Merlyn Watkins

26 ......... Billy & Lynne Rauton

29-Tracy & Dawn Bedenbaugh

29 ....... Dwayne & Katie Black

2 .......................... Jay Hendrix 3 ............... Ginger Caughman 4 ........................ James Mann 4 ........................ Dwight Price 4 ....................... Benjie Rikard 5 ............................ Fran Kirby 5 .................. Rondoll Watson 6 ....................... William Black 7 ........................ Mike Nichols 8 ............................. Lu Bickley 8 ........................... Hope Cook 8 ..................... Betsy McEwen 8 .......................... Chris Miller 9 ..................... Haleigh Brown 9 .......................... Helen Cook 10 .............. Ashely Bouknight 10 .......................... Jim Shealy 11 ....................... Jerry Shealy 13 ...................... Torry DIckey 14 ................... Melissa Halsey 14 ............................. Jan Long 17 ...................... Scott Hunter 17 ........................ Gregg Long 18 ...................... Rosalie Price 19 ................... Ricky Leaphart 19 ............. Morgan Summers 21 ............. Maggie McDonald 22 ..............Courtney McInnis 22 ................ Boddie Rinehart 22 ....................... Fairy Shealy 23 ....................... Mary Oxner 23 ................ Russell Rinehart 24 ................ Rebecca Dasher 24 ....................... Tom Sawyer 25 .............................. Ian Ruff 27 ................ Catherine Oxner 28 ............... Debbie Reynolds 29 ................... Nelle Rinehart 30 ...................... Tate Feaster

Prayer List Policy Wittenberg Lutheran Church posts prayer requests in the weekly bulletin and monthly newsletter. Prayer requests on behalf of the families of deceased individuals appear in publications for six months. All other

prayer requests appear in publications for two months unless a longer duration is requested by the person(s) who made the original prayer request.

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~ LIVING LUTHERAN ~ Every day, the “Living Lutheran” website offers a prayer for

the day from the ELCA resource “Prayer Ventures”, which

can be downloaded. These petitions are offered as a

guide for your own prayer life as together we pray for the

needs of the world and give thanks for the ministries of our

church.

EXAMPLE: Wednesday, Aug. 24: We ask God to help us be faithful followers, students and servants of Jesus Christ, bold in our faith and willing to go wherever God sends or leads us in the world, even into our own neighborhoods. Amen.

RICKY LONG

MARY & CARL COOK

TISSY PRICE

WILLS SWYGERT

SUSIE SCHAUM

SANDY SPRADLEY

RACHEL YOUNG

BENJIE RIKARD

JEFF LONG

ELIZABETH BARNES

MARY SHEALY

Calvin Berry (brother of

Freida Banks), Family of Gloria

De LaRosa (friend of Helen

Dasher), Kim Smith (daughter of

Libby Carswell), Wayne Suber

(cousin of Sue Nichols), Amy

Price, Jennifer Lineberger, The

Family of Ronnie Covington,

Family of Dan Warner (Brother

of Eva Watson), Family of Kelly

Hallman, Rachel Crowder (Sue

Nichols’ Daughter In Law’s

Mother), Flo Outen, Family of

Jade Dunbar, Family of Richard

Schaum

Monthly Witness Financial Reporting as of 7/31/16

Offering Report JULY YTD Regular Offering $19,305 $133,046 Vision 20+20 (FKA:Building Fund Offering) 6,392 50,833 Food Pantry Offering 1,620 12,340 . Total Off. to Bdgted Operations $27,316 $196,218 Other Designated Offering/Income $4,544 $34,036 Expense Report Budgeted Expenses $33,805 $209,591 Actual Expenses $26,020 $204,971 . Budget vs. Actual - Over/(Under) $7,785 $4,620 New Building Loan Report Principal Pd. towards loan 0 $50,000 Remaining Principal Balance 0 Food Pantry Report Expenses $3,004 $14,133 Balance $4,711 Preschool Report Offerings $510 $6,370 Operating Income $13,418 $97,905 Expenses $15,997 $82,406 . Net $(2,069) $21,869

Wittenberg Lutheran Church Highlights of the Church Council Meeting Minutes

July 10, 2016 - 7:00 pm At the July council meeting members present were: Mary Ann Shealy, Julia Shealy, Larry Dasher, Gregory Dority, Margaret Caughman, Dean Rodgers, Debra McDonald, Crissie Kirby, and Catherine Oxner. Also present were Connie Kramer, Pas-tor Sherman, and Brent Shealy. Members Absent/Excused: Allie Crowley, Todd Davis, and Jennifer Spradley Celebration Sunday (debt retirement on the new building) will take place on Sunday, September 11th with the Bishop presid-ing. The Christian Education committee reminded all that VBS was starting that night and made a motion that the offerings/service project be to collect donations for the Swygert family following Wills’ recent liver transplant – this motion passed. The Christian Care committee reported having served over 120 at the June soup kitchen and noted that the time change had facilitated this and that they were planning to keep the 10:30 start time. Addendum - A special called council meeting was held on Wednesday, July 13th during which council received a letter of resignation from Pastor Sherman following his acceptance of a call to become pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church in Mauldin, SC. (The minutes you see here is a condensed version for printing purpos-es. If you’d like an emailed or printed copy of the detailed minutes;

please contact the church office.)

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CHURCH COUNCIL ACTION: By action of

the church council, the “Ricky Leaphart Fund”

has been established to assist the family with

expenses during this difficult time. The fund is

open for contributions through December, at

which time the need will be revisited.

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1. 2. 9:00am - Food Pantry.

3. 9:00am - Food Pantry.

4. 10:40am - BBW No Lunch

*COMMUNION*

5. 9:00am - Coffee & Conversation 7:00pm - Circle L

6. 11:30am - Morning Circle

7. 6:30pm - Praise Band 7:30pm - Choir

8. 9. 9:00am - Food Pantry.

10. 9:00am - Food Pantry.

11. 10:40am - BBW 12N - Celebration Lunch 6:30pm - Exec. Cmt. 7:00pm - Council Mtg.

12. 9:00am - Coffee & Conversation

13.

14. 6:30pm - Praise Band 7:30pm - Choir

15.

16. 9:00am - Food Pantry.

17. 9:00am - Food Pantry.

18. 10:40am - BBW 11:00am - Noisy Offering

19. 9:00am - Coffee & Conversation

20.

Newsletter Deadline

21. 10:00am - Dorcas’ Quilters 6:30pm - Praise Band 7:30pm - Choir

22. 23. 9:00am - Food Pantry.

24. 9:00am - Food Pantry 10:30-12:30pm - Soup Kitchen

25. 10:10am - BBW

26. 9:00am - Coffee & Conversation 7:00pm - Lutheran Men

27. 28. 6:30pm - Praise Band 7:30pm - Choir

29. 30. 9:00am - Food Pantry

EVERY SUNDAY: Holy Communion 8:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

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CELEBRATION SUNDAY

apple of your eye Proverbs 7:2

Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the

2016

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O.W.L.S Luncheon (Older, Wiser, Lutheran Servants)

When: October 9th, after worship Where: Fellowship Hall What: In appreciation and Thanks for your untiring work to further the mission of Wittenberg! How: Sponsored by the Social Ministry & Parish Life. Who: Chefs Allie & Chris Crowley will prepare the meal.

FILM REVIEW by: Living Lutheran

“FINDING DORY”

THIS SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER IS THE SEQUEL TO THE ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING 2003

ANIMATED FILM FINDING NEMO. DORY, WHO ALSO APPEARED IN THE EARLIER FILM,

IS A BLUE TANG WITH SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS. AS A YOUNG FISH, SHE WAN-

DERED AWAY FROM HOME AND NOW, AS AN ADULT, SHE BEGINS HAVING MEMORIES OF

HER PARENTS AND BECOMES DESPERATE TO FIND HER WAY HOME. NEMO AND HIS FA-

THER, MARLIN, TRY TO HELP HER, AS DO A SEVEN-ARMED OCTOPUS, A WHALE, A

BIRD, A TURTLE AND OTHER SEA CREATURES.

AS DORY UNDERTAKES THIS NOBLE QUEST, WE IDENTIFY WITH HER LONGING TO RE-

TURN TO THE PLACE WHERE SHE BELONGS, A PLACE OF PEACE AND SECURITY.

ALTHOUGH DORY IS OFTEN OVERWHELMED BY FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY, SHE MANAGES

TO PERSEVERE THROUGH THE CHAOS OF NEW PLACES AND MANY DIFFERENT FACES.

LUCKILY THIS HEROINE IS ADVISED TO ASK HERSELF: “WHAT WOULD DORY DO?”

AND IT BECOMES HER PERSONAL MANTRA AND A SOURCE OF SELF-ESTEEM (WALT

DISNEY PICTURES/PIXAR, PG—MILD THEMATIC ELEMENTS).

Wittenberg Lutheran Church P.O. Box 3447 Leesville, SC 29070 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED