Dr. Timothy McConnell

BY THE NUMBERS

Your session, including your pastor, is engaged in study reacting to recent changes in the polity of the Presbyterian Church, USA. Having just returned from a visit with the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, I feel compelled to share some thoughts with you…in the form of stats! Mathematicians, CPA’s and Engineers…enjoy!

The PCUSA reports at the close of 2010 to have 2,016,091 members and 10,560 congregations. In 2000, there were 2,525,330 members and 11,178 congregations. That is a ten-year decline of 20%. There are 13,264 ministers in our denomination.

The PCEA (Presbyterian Church of East Africa) based in Nairobi, Kenya, totals between 4-6 million members, with only 500 or so active ministers—growing too rapidly to keep pace with statistics or ministry needs. Each ordained minister can expect to care for a parish of three to ten congregations. The Presbyterian Church of Africa based in South Africa numbers at 3.4 million members. The Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) reports 2,489,717 members in 7,158 congregations. These are modest estimates from a few years ago.

The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) split with the denomination over the ordination of women—which they do not accept—and totals 346,814 members. The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) where some churches from our denomination have recently migrated numbers 115,000 members in over 300 congregations.

The time has come for us in the PCUSA to recognize where the church of Calvin, Knox, and Westminster is today. It is much larger than our “mainline” branch. The Lord is doing great work in many countries! By his grace we pray to continue the work in Marietta, and we celebrate our connections and partnerships. Yours in Christ, Dr. Timothy McConnell

Volume XX, Issue 8 August 2011

UPCOMING WORSHIP

August 7, 2011 “Eating Your Fill” Dr. McConnell

Communion

August 14, 2011 “From the Heart” Dr. McConnell

Fall Kick-Off Sunday

August 21, 2011 “Renew Your Mind” Dr. McConnell

August 28, 2011 “Overcome With Good” Dr. McConnell

NEW SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE BEGINS AUGUST 14

The Road 9:00 am

Christian Life Training 10:00 am

Sanctuary Worship 11:15 am As summer draws to a close and another school year begins, we will be moving to our revised Sunday morning schedule beginning August 14. All the ministry teams have been working diligently throughout the summer to prepare for the shift of The Road to an earlier start time and enhanced Christian Education offerings during its dedicated time slot between the worship services. We are looking forward to the continued growth of Eastminster as we work together to embrace this time change and our year of worshipping God and learning to be the disciples that He has called us to be. The Worship Team would also like to ask that you prayerfully consider becoming a part of their team and serving in any of the numerous volunteer opportunities (ushers, greeters, music, audio/visual, nametags, set-up/clean-up) to help with the transition to the new schedule. Please contact Bobby Ryder (rryder@bellsouth.net) or Andrew Sain (asain@sdlal.com) for more information.

FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR ALLISON AND DREW SCHOLTENS

Please come to a Farewell Dinner and Reception for Allison and Drew Scholtens on Wednesday, August 10 at 6:30 pm in the Great Hall. We will have a potluck meal, with baked and fried chicken, dessert and drinks provided. Please bring a side dish, with enough to serve approximately 6 people. This will be a great opportunity to show Allison and Drew our sincere appreciation for all of the hard work and love they have invested in our congregation over the past 5 years!

Page 2 Volume XX, Issue 8

Wednesday Night Dinners

Come join us for good home cooking and great fellowship in the CLC at 6 pm every Wednesday night. Cost:

$7.50 Adults $6.50 (65+) 4.50 Children under 10 $22.00 Family of 4 (Please pay at the door)

To make reservations, sign up on the blue form in the friendship pad on Sundays, at www.epres.org/dinner or call the office (770-977-2976). Reservation deadline is Tuesday noon.

August 17 Baked Potato and Salad Bar

Tuna Salad Chicken Salad Egg Salad

August 24 Baked Chicken Sliced Pork

Sweet & Sour Cucumber Salad Fresh Tomato with Basil Green Beans Buttered Corn

August 31 Fried and Roasted Chicken

Mashed Potatoes Peas Carrots Caesar Salad Kids: Corn Dogs and Mac & Cheese

Leaps & Bounds Page 3

GREETERS

August 7August 7August 7August 7

10.00 Sara Dilworth 11:15 Stan & Ellen Beard Chris & Aimee Jackson

August 14August 14August 14August 14

9:00 TBA 11:15 Jan Sherman Bob & Emily Gilbert

August 21August 21August 21August 21

9:00 TBA 11:15 Mark & J J Griffin Mike & Jeanie Adams

August 28August 28August 28August 28

9:00 TBA 11:15 John & Janie Bunch Barbara Bodenheimer

Support the Fellowship Team!

Do you enjoy Fellowship activities, like Fellowship Time on Sundays and Wednesday Night Suppers? If so, then please consider volunteering for one or both of these activities. It wouldn’t take much of your time, and you wouldn’t even need to do it every week! Here is what we need:

♦ Several people to help set up and/or clean up before or after Sunday Fellowship Time ♦ Several people to alternate picking up the bread from Panera Bread on Friday nights ♦ Several people to help set up and/or clean up before or after Wednesday Night Suppers (will start back on

August 17th)

We really enjoy our fellowship time together as we are doing these volunteer activities. If you have any interest in any of these activities, please email or call Sharon Melcher (770-509-1456 or sharon@melch.net) or Sarah Nielsen (770-321-5476 or sjhran@aol.com).

18 David Brentzel 19 Don Fifield 20 Grant Ramsay 21 Elizabeth Ramsay 21 Marge Thomson 21 Paul West 22 Connie Scott 23 Paul Denison 23 Karl Touset 23 Mike Hays 23 Jessica Welborn 24 Parker Morris 24 Kevin Wang 24 Renske Strydom 25 Sally Stebbins 25 Chelsea Darling 26 Russ Eckerman 27 Merrilyn Burke 27 Anderson Taylor 28 Adrian Barrios 28 Tanya Rizk 29 Diane Black 29 Jim Huckaby 29 Joe Arcuragi 29 Reston Goodwin 29 Tyler Sphar 30 Liam McConnell

BIRTHDAYS for August

2 Robert & Erica Jansen 3 Stan & Merrilee Morris 5 Mike & Jennie Adams 5 Jack & Cathy Clark 5 Hal & Ellen Parkerson 7 Lee & Nancy Smith 10 Stan & Flo Sharp 10 Lewis & Myrall Wiggins 11 Roger & Suzanne Yates 12 Karl & Sharon Melcher 14 Harry & Merrilyn Burke 14 Stan & Judy Parkinson 15 Todd & Shirley Byrd 15 Tom & Sara Dilworth 15 Kevin & Christi Laverty 16 Dave & Carolyn Bigler 16 Dick & Cathy DuBose 19 Rod & Karen Clark 20 Chris & Kendra McQueen 25 Al & Dottie Cass 25 Dick & Elaine Crock 26 Cliff & Barbara Lowery 27 Barry & Beth Gannon 27 William & Cindy Moran 27 Tom & Marge Thomson 29 John & Janie Bunch 31 Tom & Jane Baskin 31 Pat & Leila Ramsay

ANNIVERSARIES

2 John Buchanan 2 Todd Byrd 4 Helen Moran 4 David Pirlot 4 Wonyean Gaye 4 Noah Hammett 5 Paige Hammett 5 Daniel Jones 5 Sherry Benton Stone 6 Anders Dickerson 8 Jane Kennedy 8 Randy Tahsler 8 Reed Goodwin 9 Dan Wolfram 11 Judy Humphreys 11 Michael Dembski 12 Lynne Segars 12 Roger Stringer 12 Peter Sullivan 14 Dave Boyenga 14 Valerie Bailey 14 Wendi Shreiner 15 Kathy Wolfram 17 Debbie Bussart 17 Patrick Melton 17 Ella Starnes 18 John Brady

Page 4 Volume XX, Issue 8

REASONS TO VISIT EPC ONLINE

To submit Prayer Requests To Sign up for Wednesday Night Dinners To Register for Upcoming Events To Review Sunday School Opportunities To Find out How to Get Involved at EPC

www.epres.org

TO OUR EASTMINSTER FAMILY: Thank you so much for your cards, e-mails, concern and especially prayers while Vicky was going through a difficult time these past few weeks. She in on the road to a great recovery.

The Ryders (Vicky, Bobby, and Ryan)

Page 5

WOMEN’S CORNER

SHARIN ‘N CARIN CIRCLE

The Sharin 'N Carin Craft circle is taking August off. We completed 24 Wheel Chair and Walker caddies to be delivered to Presbyterian Village in August and will begin a great new project in September (stay tuned). Any questions, call Lynn Hall (770-552-0949) or Lynne Buchanan (404-234-5063).

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!! and the trees are bare. The Sharin 'N Carin Craft Circle will be

putting up Christmas trees again this year to collect Hats/Mittens/Scarves for MUST Ministries. These can be knitted, crocheted or purchased; they'll be warm all the same. For those who would like to make hats with the Knifty Knitter frames, please contact Lynn Hall or Lynne Buchanan. If you've been thinking about a great Christmas project for your children, this could be the one; earning money, collecting and

donating these items to provide warmth to many children and adults in the cold winter months.

LADIES LUNCH BUNCH Ladies Lunch Bunch will meet August 18 at 12 noon at Ritter's, 4919 Lower Roswell Road. Directions from the church: Go Sewell Mill Road until you reach Johnson Ferry Road. Turn right and continue on Johnson Ferry until you reach Lower Roswell. Turn right on Lower Roswell, Ritter's will be on your right (in a small shopping area) just past Longhorn Steak House. RSVP to Sandra Allen (770-977-8742 or allen47680@bellsouth.net). Advise if you will need a ride.

SAVE THE DATE!!!! The Eastminster Craft Circle will host a church wide mission event on:

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

More exciting details will be coming very soon!!!!

LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BEAT THE HEAT? Join us for Popsicles in the Park! Who? You and your family, neighbors and friends Where? East Cobb Park, Performance Pavilion, Roswell Road When? Friday, August 12th from 5 to 8pm What? Our accomplished praise band, The Curb, will be performing live throughout the evening to give us a flavor of what is to come as we prepare to kick off our new worship schedule on August 14th. And, of course, we will have POPSICLES! Bring a blanket or some chairs, and spend the evening at the park. Questions? Please call Sarah Nielsen 770-634-1734 or Andrew Sain 678-560-414

Leaps & Bounds

Christ as Savior and Lord; confident in the authority of

the Word of God to direct the life of the Christian and the church; prudent and wise; gentle and self-controlled; generous and not greedy; well-respected within and without the church; agreeable and not

contentious or quick-tempered; a lover of what is

good, beautiful and true; Behavior:

Temperate; not subject to drunkenness; just and

devout; true to one’s word; hospitable; able to teach

and pray; able to inspire and correct with love and

clarity. Family Life: Monogamous, faithful in marriage or chaste in singleness; caring manager of one’s household;

children who respect and obey; spouse is not a gossip;

leans on the grace of Christ at home.

CANDIDATE NOMINATION

I have prayerfully considered the requirements of officers, and Spiritual walk of the following candidates. I believe the following individual(s) to be qualified as an Elder/Officer. Therefore, I present their name(s) as candidate(s) in nomination. ELDER (6) ___________________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

TRUSTEE (1)

__________________________________________ NOMINATION TEAM (2) __________________________________________

__________________________________________

** Nominations will be received from 8/1 - 8/25, 2011**

(Please Tear Off & Place in Offering Plate Or email to one of the co-chairs:

Chuck Frew at cf@frewtravel.com Tom Nickles at tomnickles@comcast.net)

CALLED TO SERVE: What do we value in an elder?

The Presbyterian Church is governed by elders (presbyteroi in the Greek New Testament). The minister is also simply an elder who has been trained to teach the scriptures and administer the sacraments. The scriptures outline the qualities for these church leaders, and those qualities still stand today. When we watch for the Lord to call a new class of elders to serve on our session each year, along with all the characteristics of a mature and solid Christian, we look for these particular qualities to emerge. Biblical teaching about the office of elder:

1 Timothy 3:1-10 (some excerpts): “… must be above reproach, [monogamous], sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well…must not be a recent convert…must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, … must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first…”

Titus 1:5-9 (some excerpts): “…hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

1 Peter 5:1-5: “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ… shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering

over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

From these and other scriptures, we elevate the

following qualities for elder:

Character: Spiritually mature, with a demonstrable faith in Jesus

NOMINATION REQUEST

Page 6 Volume XX, Issue 8

SUPPERS OF EIGHT The third Saturday is suggested to be set aside by the participants of Suppers of Eight. For those who are not acquainted with this program, it is a wonderful way to meet and get to know other members or visitors. Participants spend one evening in September, October and November with three other couples. Each couple brings one food course to help the host family with the meal! Singles are welcome to sign-up also. Please complete the form below and mail to the church, place in the offering plate, or call Reta Frew at 770-955-0588. The deadline to sign up is August 21.

Name:___________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________________________

Please indicate here if you wish to participate only as an alternate (on a periodic basis if a primary participant is not available). �

STEPHEN MINISTRY

IT'S OKAY TO BE HUMAN . . .

We’re brought up to be strong, self-sufficient, independent people. We tend to think that if we ask for help, it is a sign of weakness. So we try to keep our struggles hidden, stuffed deep inside. However, that's not God's plan. Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." God wants us to care for others and allow others to care for us in our time of need. If you're sad or struggling inside, you don't need to bear your burden alone - ask for help. To find out more about Stephen Ministry for you or someone you know, talk with Dr. McConnell or one of our Stephen Ministry leaders (Mike Hays, Kevin French, Melinda Freeman) God is always with you.

ART MINISTRY For current church art missions and activities, please visit the Art Ministry website that can be found under Fellowship at http://www.epres.org. Community and surrounding area art information: FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK Art walk is a free self-guided tour of the Marietta Square’s eclectic art scene. Galleries, museums, cultural venues, restaurants and boutiques host artists within their businesses from 5 to 9 P.M. on the first Friday of every month, rain or shine. Look for an official Art Walk banner in the window to identify the participating venues. Remaining dates for 2011 are August 5, September 2, and October 7. There is no admission charge. www.artwalkmarietta.com

Page 7 Leaps & Bounds

We are happy to announce our next New Members Class! If your Christian walk is just beginning, if you have questions about what it means to be a Presbyterian, or if you want to learn more about Eastminster, we invite you to join us in the upcoming “New Members/Starting

Points” class. This class will begin at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, August 21st and continue for five consecutive Sundays. Please come to the church library, located in the Christian Life Center, on Sunday, August 14th at 10:30 AM to register and ask questions. You may also call the church office to let us know of your interest in participating in the class. If you have any questions, contact Evangelism team elders, Cindy Moran (whmracer99@aol.com) or Dick Dubose (mtns2beach@bellsouth.com) We look forward to meeting you!

DEAR EASTMINSTER FAMILY, Sunday, July 24, was a remarkable day at Eastminster. We welcomed Pastor Tim McConnell and the Kenya mission team back, baptized a child and an adult into the life of the church, commissioned the youth mission team and heard a wonderful sermon. It was a privilege for me to have a small part in that service. As I stood there Sunday morning, I had some wonderfully exciting thoughts going through my head and I should have shared them with you. Allow me share a summation of those thoughts: Since my retirement in 2004 Carol and I have looked unsuccessfully for a congregation to call our home. We have now found it, and feel the welcoming spirit of the Eastminster congregation. Since January 1st of this year Eastminster has been blessed by God’s calling the Rev. Dr. Tim McConnell to be its pastor. Since his arrival we have noticed a wonderfully thrilling excitement and warmth come over the congregation which has spoken to us that we have found a home for our spirits to dwell. For the first time in a long time, Carol and I can genuinely say we feel we at home and look with anticipation to Sunday worship. We both continue Eastminster in our prayers and offer our prayerful support and friendship to Dr. McConnell, his family and his ministry among us.

God bless Eastminster,

Dr. Larry L. Lewis

Page 8 Volume XX, Issue 8

AUGUST 2011

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 7p B&G (6)

2 7a Prayer Group (P) 4p Art Ministry (FH) 7:30p Basketball (GH)

3 10a Book Club (202)

4 7p Mission (L)

5 6 9-12n Curb (GH)

7 Communion 10a Worship (CLC) 10a Sunday School 10:45a Fellowship 11:15 Worship 1p APNC (204) 1:30p Curb (GH) 3-6p Spirituality Workshop

8 11a Pool Party at Dembski’s

9 7a Prayer Group (P) 2p Staff Mtg (P) 4p Art Ministry (FH) 7:30p Basketball (GH)

10 6p Pot-Luck Dinner for the Scholtens 7:30p Chancel Choir

11 6:50 Team Mtg. (S) 7p Worship (205), A&P (P), CE (Y) Finance (203) Evangelism (204) Fellowship (201)

12 5-8p Popsicles in the Park

13

14 Rev Up For Fall 9a Worship - Road 10a Christian Life 10:55a Fellowship 11:15a Worship - Sanctuary 1p APNC (204) 1:30p Curb (GH)

15 Back to School

6p Stephen Min (P)

16 7a Prayer Group (P) 2p Staff Mtg (P) 2p Sewing (6) 4p Art Ministry (FH) 7:30p Basketball (GH)8:30p Men’s Bible Study (Dilworth)

17 5p Cherub Choir 5:30p Junior Choir 6p Meal 6:30p Handbells 7p The Element (Y) 7p Kids (208) 7p Bible Study 7p Happy Rocks (6) 7:30p Chancel Choir

18 12n Lunch Bunch 7:30p Session (204)

19

20

21 9a Worship - Road 10a Christian Life 10:55a Fellowship 11:15a Worship - Sanctuary 1p APNC (204) 1:30p Curb (GH) 4:30p Youth Cookout at the Byrds

22 7:30p Ladies’ Bible Study (Crock)

23 7a Prayer Group (P) 2p Staff Mtg (P) 4p Art Ministry (FH) 7:30p Basketball (GH) 8:30p Men’s Bible Study (Dilworth)

24 5p Cherub Choir 5:30p Junior Choir 6p Meal 6:30p Handbells 7p The Element (Y) 7p Kids (208) 7p Bible Study 7p Happy Rocks (6) 7:30p Chancel Choir

25 6:30p Craftsmen (FH)

26 27

28 9a Worship - Road 10a Christian Life 10:55a Fellowship 11:15a Worship - Sanctuary 1p APNC (204) 1:30p Curb (GH)

29 7:30p Ladies’ Bible Study (Crock)

30 7a Prayer Group (P) 2p Staff Mtg (P) 4p Art Ministry (6) 6p Cub Scouts (FH)7:30p Basketball (GH) 8:30p Men’s Bible Study (Dilworth)

31 5p Cherub Choir 5:30p Junior Choir 6p Meal 6:30p Handbells 7p The Element (Y) 7p Kids (208) 7p Bible Study 7p Happy Rocks (6) 7:30p Chancel Choir

ATTENTION SENIORS

A handyman volunteer is available to help any of our senior members or visitors with minor home repairs. Please contact Pat Provan (770-973-2671) or Barbara Bodenheimer (770-971-3252) to make an appointment with a handyman.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The Mission Team serves dinner on the 9th of each month at MUST Ministries. We need 3 or 4 volunteers to sign up for one night. Call Patti Cosson at (h) 770-953-1895 or (c) 678-576-4607.

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