Friends,

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.” (Isaiah 42:1)

Greetings in the Lord. In preparation for the First Sunday after Epiphany also recognized as Baptism of the Lord Sunday, our music, prayers, responsive readings, Scripture readings and message will correspond to the biblical themes of the day as we also look forward to the ordination & installation of new church officers (elders and deacons), Class of 2025, at the 10:30 am worship service. The service bulletin is available for review by way of the below attachment.

Following the sprinkler head issue in the Christian education wing and pending repair, rooms 201, 202, and 203 are presently unavailable. Until further notice, the 9:30 am Children and Youth Sunday School Classes in addition to the 10:30 am Children’s Church will be conducted in the Day School building. Access to the Day School Building is through the double glass doors in the office reception area that lead to the courtyard and playground area. A church representative in the office reception area will be available to guide you.

This Sunday, there is one 9:30 am adult Bible study group this Sunday morning. Grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee and maybe a donut or piece of fruit and see you in Room 208. The Sunday evening children’s ministry (MADD, Music, Art, Drama & Dance with Bible study and Recreation) resumes in one more week on January 15. In the meantime, Mid and Senior High Youth are gathering for Mexican cuisine at a local restaurant this Sunday. For more information you may call Susan Seckinger at 843.812.0432.

The monthly stated monthly meeting of the Session Council convenes at 6:15 pm, Monday evening, in Room 208. Thankful for the faithful service of elders Colleen Bible, Johnny Harvey, Clara Partridge, and Billy Seckinger as they rotate off the Session Council and grateful for their wise counsel as they helped lead us through the recent pandemic, we will look at committee assignments for 2023 and discuss various areas of work and ministry in the life of the church.

The after school tutoring ministry gets going again Monday at 3:30 pm with students from area schools along with our 30 adult volunteers as they pick up where they left off prior to the Christmas and New Year break. This ministry operates Monday thru Friday, 3:30 to 5:30 pm.

In addition to Wee Kirk Night with soup and sandwich at 5:30 pm in Room 208 followed by a discussion of particular themes from daily life and the Bible, Presbyterian Women Small Groups start the New Year with the Tuesday and Thursday morning circles meeting at 10:00 in Room 208 followed by the Thursday evening circle (small group) at 6:00 pm also in Room 208.

For your information, offering envelopes will be available next week and year end giving statements will be available before the end of January. Please contact Trish Wescott – 843-526-0696 – if you wish to have your year end giving statement before the end of January.

In closing, the gospel tells us that as Jesus was baptized the Spirit of God descended like a dove and settled on Jesus while a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” In our experiences and relationships with friends and neighbors, may God be pleased with us, too. In Christ +