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january 2018
From the Vicar : Dear Parishioners: During the Christmas season, I was surprised how much the word “advent” was used in the sea-sonal catalogues that I received. The word was used without explanation assuming that everyone knew that it was the countdown of the days before Christmas like the countdown before the open-ing of a new retail space. The advent object advertised, usually a calendar, was for a secular item. There was no mention of faith; nothing religious about this calendar at all. The whole faith and Christian aspects had been completely and safely erased. It was advent-themed but yet it wasn’t. We were to wait not for the coming of the Messiah but for the loot under the tree. This advent was-n’t advent. It was the world’s way of grabbing hold of something important and hollowing it out enabling the mundane to push aside the sacred. If the baby Jesus and his birth in the manger aren’t mentioned, then maybe the season can be celebrated without Christ appearing at all. It is an empty premise that forgets the power and dominion of God. Christ does appear and his appearing changes how people of faith view their world. It is not empty and meaningless but just the opposite: full of God’s promises and rich with hope. This hope is not just for the people who acknowledge his appearing but for everyone inside and outside the com-munity of faith. This is why the season of Epiphany is so important to our Christian faith. You and I have been given the wonderful gift of faith that is ours to share but we can never control how God enables others to use the faith that we do share. Epiphany tells us that God will use any person or any means that he wishes to spread the Good News. We are just the vessels of God’s Holy Spirit; magi of God’s heavenly good will. When the Good News of our Redemption is announced Sunday after Sunday, the Word nurtures our hearts and minds and opens us to the Grace of God. We in turn are to be the grace-filled magi of our day taking the gifts of understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness out into the world. We probably all remember this familiar quote from the Gospel of John but neglect to remember the verse which follows it, verse 17. 16 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eter-nal life. 17 ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17) This Epiphany season calls us not to condemn but to lift up. Not to hoard the Word of God but to share it. Not to lock others out but to invite them in. The Epiphany Season is not ours it is God’s and God will use his Word, his love, his redemption, his acceptance, his forgiveness, his inclusion in the way in which God wishes to use it. The first people to honor Christ were the shepherds--the outcast, the dregs of society. The magi were unclean Gentiles from afar. It is well for us to remem-ber this as we proclaim the faith of Christ. God has no boundaries and no matter how many boundaries we create God knocks them down. This is the way of God. Epiphany is God’s—The Revelation of Christ to the whole world continues with or without us. Faithfully, David Thompson
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Actual Budget Difference
Plate $ 5,290.95 $ 1,735.85 $ 3,555.10
Pledge $ 9,297.00 $ 7,607.55 $ 1,689.45
Total $ 14,587.95 $ 9,343.40 $ 5,244.55
2017 Daughters of the King Report The Daughters of the King have been busy lately. We packed food backpacks at Mt. Calvary for fif-ty children. We hosted a Halloween party for the children at Women in Unity complete with Banshe, the therapy dog and a witch in full costume who turned out to be a kind, loving witch. (aka Susie Watson). At Christmas we did the same complete with Santa Claus and a reading of the Christmas story. Members gathered before Thanksgiving to fill baskets with goodies and love for our parishioners who are unable to get out, are alone, etc. This was done at Christmas time, also. These are appreci-ated very much according to the lovely thank you notes we have received. Our blessings boxes were presented at the altar the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Seven hundred eight dollars was received in thanksgiving for all of our blessings. This will pay for almost half of the food needed for one semester in our backpack program. We had a wonderful surprise recently when The Ven. Fred Byrd sent a generous donation to DOK in memory of his mother who was a faithful member of the Daughters for many years. As many of you know we are preparing a devotional booklet to be used in Lent. To those of you who agreed to write down your thoughts for this booklet we are most grateful. We have quite a prayer list which we are faithful to each day. Several parishioners have given us notes with their prayer re-quests written on them. We add them to our list weekly. If you have a request and can't find a piece of paper just relay it to a daughter at church and it will go on our list. This is a confiden-tial list. Blessings to each of you, Daughters of The King
Receipts for November 2017
We would like to thank the entire congrega-tion for all their support of the ‘Angel Tree” this year, making it an extra special Christ-
mas for our three families. Of the three fami-lies, two were adopted through Douglas Ele-mentary and one through RSM Elementary. The Mission Council
Each year at the Annual Meeting members of the Church of the Ridge elect fellow parishioners to serve on the Mission Council, so this congregation may continue to prosper and grow. The members of the Council faithfully meet month after month to discuss and guide the congregation’s life. They also take on committee responsibilities that are often unseen by the congregation but are essential to the everyday working of the Ridge. We especially want to thank Betsy Willis and Jack Schwarz who have rotated off the Council and welcome Ray Melton and Jay Sum-mer who replace them.
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Ridge Spring 10:00 am
Edgefield 10:00 am
Children’s Sermon
2:00 pm Gravatt Convoca-
tion Meeting Graniteville
7:00 am Morning Prayer
7:00 am Morning Prayer
7:00 am Morning Prayer
Bailey Velky Jack Schwarz Hudson Jordan Carolyn Lovell Jerry Stallworth
5 10 19 20 21
Chris Covar Marshall Crocker Josh Yonce Courtenay Mims
27
30
Trenton
10:00 am
Mission Council
Installation
Mission Council Workday
8:30am—3:00 pm Trenton
Trenton 10:00 am
Adult Sunday School continues in January at 9 a.m. each Sunday Morning. The adults will con-tinue to read and discuss the book, The Parables: Understanding What Jesus Meant by Gary Inrig.
Ridge Runner Deadline
6:30 pm DOK
5:30 Choir
5:30 Choir
5:30 Choir
Occurring Regularly in Edgefield
Thursday – 12:00 noon– AA Meeting
Thursday—6:00 pm—Counseling Group
7:00 am Morning Prayer
7:00 am Morning Prayer
5:30 Choir
5:30 Choir
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JANUARY WORSHIP MINISTERS & READINGS
January 7 in Trenton
The Baptism of Our Lord Acolyte……………………………………....…Mary Charles Bledsoe Eucharistic Minister….........................................Liz Kornaus Lector……...……….…………..……..………………..…Connie Boggs Intercessor...….………………………...………………...…Kelly Vann Altar…………………………………………...Leisa Long, Cindy Vann Usher.…..........…………………………….Lee Holmes, Larry Vann Greeters..........................………Charles Bledsoe, Dick Glass Hospitality.............................................................Cindy Vann Readings…………..………………….….Genesis 1:1-5, Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7, Mark 1:4-11
January 14 in Ridge Spring Second Sunday after Epiphany
Acolyte..........................................................Joannah Thelen Eucharistic Minister…….…..………........................Ray Melton Lector...…..……………..….……..……………..........Jerrold Watson Intercessor……..…......……………………………..………Larry Vann Altar…..………………………………………………..….Gerline Counts Usher...…....………….…………………………….…..Francis Counts Greeters.....................................Sarah Schwarz, Larry Vann Hospitality............................................................Betsy Willis Readings………....1 Samuel 3:1-20, Psalm 139:1-5, 12-17
1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51
January 21 in Edgefield Third Sunday after Epiphany
Acolyte..............................................................Jack Kornaus Eucharistic Minister…......………......................Barney Lamar Lector..…..……………..….……..……….................Haigh Reiniger Intercessor…..…......……………………………….Peggy Ann Moss Altar…...………................................Jean Covar, Lady Hodges Usher.….….………….……………………Chris Covar, Bob Hodges Greeters.................................David Long, Kathie Stallworth Hospitality……..….…………………………………………Liz Kornaus Reading………....………………...Jonah 3:1-10, Psalm 62:6-14 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Mark 1:14-20
January 28 in Trenton Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Acolyte.…………..……………..................................Eliza Holmes Eucharistic Minister…..………..……………..………….Larry Vann Lector…………..…..……………..…..………………….….Scotty Scott Intercessor…..…………………..……...........................Dick Glass Altar……....…………………...Peggy Ann Moss, Penny Summer Usher....….…………………….……………Tom Long, Jay Summer Greeters.........................................Jay Summer, Ray Melton Hospitality….………………………Lynn Melton, Penny Summer Reading….………..….....Deuteronomy 18:15-20, Psalm 111
1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28
Friends and Family Art Amos Fran Beals Ron Bell Phillips Boatwright Bob Bowie Rosemary Broom Charlie Brown Helen Carpenter Caro Cassels James Courtney June Covar Carson Cox Marshall Crocker Susan Craig Mary Grace Feltham Tommy Grandy Deborah Holmes Josh Kennedy Paula LaCombe Mayrant Lojewski Carolyn Lovell Willie Mae Matheny Greg McDaniel Sarah Mills Betty Padgett Sara Powell Hadley Reahard Mary Anne Roth Liz Scheicher Tommy Stone Susie Watson Vannette Wells Military Personnel & Others Serving in Harms Way Lt Junior Grade Kevin Ginn USN Nickolas Gibson Deaths Elizabeth Anderson Liz Hughes
INTERCESSORY PRAYER LIST
Dear Lord, touch me with your Spirit of truth so I may be honest about my sins and failures. Forgive me for treating your covenant lightly and at times ignoring it completely. Help me
truly seek and know forgiveness for all the hurts I’ve caused, for harboring ill will and for any hardness of heart I may have. Please renew a right spirit within me that I may become more
Christ-like and that my life may daily reveal your love and light. In your name. Amen
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Food Bank Report Thank you for continuing to support the food bank outreach ministry! In November we raised $380 in the collection plate. We have started a new ministry to the Edgefield Seniors Citizen Council of pet food for their Meals on Wheels program. All pet food brought to Trinity (Edgefield) will then be taken to the Senior Citizens Council. The collection plate donations are sent to the food banks quarterly to purchase food to dis-tribute to their participants. We have continued distributing food (for both humans & pets) to Johnston, Salu-da and Ridge Spring food banks. We divide monetary donations between the 2 large food banks on a 2-1 ra-tio, since we have 2 churches in Edgefield County and one in Saluda, and distribute food to the small Ridge Spring food bank once a month. Thanks to Ric Vann and Jerrold Watson for helping transport the food to the food banks and to Father David, Helen Feltham and Liz Posey for helping transport to Edgefield Senior
Center. Bring your food donations (non perishable items, no glass please) to church each Sunday! The food banks can also distribute items such as toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, etc.) and don't forget spices! We also make a point of including pet food (dog & cat) to help people keep their pet animals, often their only source of companionship. If you would like to participate in this exciting outreach ministry but are unable to attend church, you may make a do-nation and mail to our church office address! (Make check out to Church of the Ridge with 'food bank' in the subject line)
Mary Lou Seymour 803-334-1219 or
Christmas Hayride & Caroling
What a wonderful evening!! Thank you to all who helped; espe-cially, Bailey Pendarvis our driver, Liz Kornaus our navigator, Jean Covar & Cindy Vann our choir leaders, and Leisa Long &
Kathie Stallworth our kitchen staff. But most importantly, our chil-dren and parents for participating! Enough can’t be said for the
fun and cheer had by all.
Ridge Spring 10:00 am
Edgefield 10:00 am
Children’s Sermon
2:00 pm Gravatt Convoca-
tion Meeting Graniteville
7:00 am Morning Prayer
7:00 am Morning Prayer
7:00 am Morning Prayer
Bailey Velky Jack Schwarz Hudson Jordan Carolyn Lovell Jerry Stallworth
5 10 19 20 21
Chris Covar Marshall Crocker Josh Yonce Courtenay Mims
27
30
Trenton
10:00 am
Mission Council
Installation
Mission Council Workday
8:30am—3:00 pm Trenton
Trenton 10:00 am
Adult Sunday School continues in January at 9 a.m. each Sunday Morning. The adults will con-tinue to read and discuss the book, The Parables: Understanding What Jesus Meant by Gary Inrig.
Ridge Runner Deadline
6:30 pm DOK
5:30 Choir
5:30 Choir
5:30 Choir
Occurring Regularly in Edgefield
Thursday – 12:00 noon– AA Meeting
Thursday—6:00 pm—Counseling Group
7:00 am Morning Prayer
7:00 am Morning Prayer
5:30 Choir
5:30 Choir
Post Office Box 206Trenton, South Carolina 29847
Mission CounCil MeMbers CharlesBledsoe................................................ 803-673-6999 DickGlass......................................................... 803-341-9070 JoannahHolmesThelen................................... 843-810-7007 DavidLong....................................................... 803-275-7952 SarahSchwarz..........................803-685-7961,803-480-4820 KathieStallworth............................................. 803-279-8463 JaySummer..................................................... 803-991-3157 LarryVann........................................................ 803-341-0880 BetsyWillis....................................................... 803-275-3811viCar................................................. DavidThompson,803-215-3226senior Warden........ SarahSchwarz,803-685-7961,803-480-4820Junior Warden................................... JackSchwarz,803-640-1056Treasurer......................................... JerroldWatson,803-685-7881ass’T. Treasurer...................................... DickGlass,803-341-9070Clerk To MC.......................................................................LeisaLongPubliCisT............................................EmilyBull,[email protected]
ChurCh [email protected]
WEBSiTEwww.churchoftheridge.orgThe Mission sTaTeMenT
TobeawelcomingChristiancommunityofworship,learningandoutreachempoweredbythegraceofGod.
Post office box 206Trenton, south Carolina 29847
