Reformation is a Reconcil-

ing in Christ Congregation.

We welcome everyone to

join with us in a journey of

faith. We are committed to

providing worship, programs,

ministries and pastoral care

to all, regardless of age, abil-

ity, gender identity, sexual

orientation, marital status,

religious background, color,

economic status, or national

origin. Everyone is welcome

in this place, where the love

of God is the foundation of

all that we say and do.

There is no longer Jew or

Greek, there is no longer

slave or free, there is no

longer male or female; for all

of you are one in Christ

Jesus—Galatians 3:28

SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

9:00 a.m. Informal Worship

9:45 a.m. Coffee/Fellowship

10:00 a.m. Sunday School

11:00 a.m. Traditional Worship

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wow! 2017! Can you believe it? We are starting another year together at Reformation. As we begin this winter’s journey, let us remember that we are called to be that light shining in the darkness, and the love of Christ is the fuel for that light.

Here are some of the ways to let our light shine in 2017. We begin with January 29th and our Welcome Weekend. We will celebrate being a Reconciling in Christ Congregation this year by looking at Transgender concerns. Kimberly Dudley and Dayna Smith will be leading us through these concerns during our Sunday School time. After worship we will share a wonderful luncheon together. This year we have another opportunity later that day to celebrate being a Reconciling in Christ congregation and join Beth Shalom synagogue for a Selma viewing and con-versation and wonderful kosher meal afterward. Let us continue to shine with the love of God.

Next opportunity of being reconciling comes with joining with a new group that is forming to show unity after such a contentious election with all its divisive and hate-filled rhet-oric. That group is called Justice For All. We’ve been meeting at Reformation with many people from various so-cial agencies and houses of faith from Christian to Jew, from Hindu to Muslim, from Buddhist to Pagan, and some I’m sure I’ve missed. We will be an action group, and plan to sponsor an event at the state house early 2017. Let us con-tinue to shine with the love of God.

There will be many other opportunities on the horizon, and we will continue to let the love of God shine! So I reiterate,

Shalom,

Pastor Tim

THE PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH are requested for our senior members and

homebound: Tetia Garren, Frances Barefoot, Elizabeth Davis, Tracy Hamiter, Louise Meetze,

Katie Westbrook, Dorothy & Landis Perry, Frances Starr and Christine White

Members & friends who are hospitalized or have special needs: Members & friends who are hospitalized or have special needs: Camak Lyles (Libbie Poole’s nephew); William Lewis (relative of Daisy Ritchie); John Roberts; Landon Derrick; Suzie Green; Libbie Poole: Bryan Burgin; Landis Perry; Laura Quattlebaum;

The Roof family and the state of SC

Christian Sympathy:

At the death of Evelyn Veronee, a longtime member of RLC. Evelyn passed away on Dec. 11th. A funeral was held Thurs-

day, Dec. 22nd at 3:30pm at Whitaker Funeral Home (Newberry).

At the death of Gary Meetze, son of longtime member of RLC, Louise Meetze. Gary passed away on Dec. 21st. A graveside

service was held on Dec. 27th at Elmwood Cemetery.

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

COUNCIL MEETING - The next Council Meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 17th at 6:30pm in the parlor.

JOIN OUR TEAM - The Outreach team will meet on Monday, Jan. 2nd at 6:30pm in the fellowship hall.

This team organizes such events as participation in Blessing of the Animals, Trunk or Treat, Welcome

Weekend and more. Everyone is welcome to join us.

HARVEST HOPE SUNDAY - Every 1st Sunday is Harvest Hope Sunday. Make an extra offering to help

the food bank ministry. Mark your gift - Harvest Hope. Your generosity will help South Carolina residents in

need.

ANNUAL REPORTS – ANNUAL REPORTS FOR 2016 NEEDED BY JANUARY 15TH.

All officers, committee or team leaders, project leaders, and conveners are asked to provide a summary of

2016 activities to be printed as a report of our ministry during the past year. This is a helpful document for

reference and history in our congregation's archives as we tell our story today for future generations. Email

reports to dotjeffcoat@aol.com

SUNDAY SCHOOL - Reformation, Martin Luther, Small Catechism, Sunday School

As we prepare to celebrate the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation in October 2017, there

will be opportunities to learn more about why this is important and more about the work of Martin Luther,

one of those whose work and writings led to the Reformation. Adult Sunday school meets in parlor

beginning January 15. Continuing book study of Luther's small Catechism. All are welcome. Plan to bring

your coffee and join others in the parlor for fellowship and learning as we explore this important resource

for Lutherans and all Christians. Contact Sarah Trani via email - strani@bellsouth.net

A PERSONAL RLC PORTAL - Coming soon

We are working to make your giving record as well as your contact information page accessible to you

through your own personal portal to our church information system. When we have all of the kinks worked

out, you will receive a message about this option. We hope you will use it to help us keep things

like addresses, phone numbers, and emails up to date and to review your giving statements through out the

year. Paper copies will continue to be available for those who need them and we will continue to welcome

any updates provided by phone or email. Stay tuned!

CELEBRATING EPIPHANY DAY – January 6: Reformation has a tradition of

several years now of gathering on Epiphany Day for a brief worship, meal, and time to

undecorate the church from the Christmas season and put away those decorations for

another year. The church also celebrates the arrival of the three kings at the

manger. The evening includes a light meal at 6 pm, worship about 7 pm. Many hands

make light work. It is also a great time for fellowship and getting to know one another. The tentative plans

also include using a favorite service at Reformation -- Holden Evening Prayer. Can't make it all, come for

what you can.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY— Our children’s ministry is growing! We have around 15-20 regular

attendees in Sunday School and Confirmation class now. With this influx, change must occur. We have a

need for at least three people to serve either as a teacher, assistant, or an as needed substitute for Sunday

School. The Sunday School program needs to add an additional class for children who are readers as soon

as possible. This involves a commitment of an hour of time each Sunday morning to serve in either the

reader or non-reader class as a teacher or an assistant. Curriculum and any supplies needed are

provided. Please pray about how you can help fill this need for RLC’s children.

The children’s ministry committee is in need of members who are willing to help plan, oversee, and carry

out the events for the children. These events include Sunday School, Easter Egg Hunt, Vacation Bible

School, PRIDE children’s activities, and other learning opportunities for RLC’s children. There is also a need

for someone to write up the bulletin and newsletter messages. If you can help with either of these needs

please contact the church office and leave a message or call or text Jill Allawos directly at (803) 331-7457.

WELCOME SUNDAY - JANUARY 29TH

Reformation joins with other Lutheran congregations and

denominations on the last Sunday in January to celebrate

the importance of welcoming and accepting all in Jesus'

name. In 2009 we started a Welcome Weekend to offer

help and support for all who are and those who would

like to be engaged in a reconciling ministry.

In 2017, Reformation celebrates its 9th year as a

Reconciling in Christ Congregation.

During Sunday school time we will have a program/

presentation about trans gender. We will have ONE

combined worship service at in the sanctuary. A meal

following worship will be held in the fellowship hall.

Sunday School - 9:00am - Worship - 10:00am

Meal - Noon

Invite someone!

FINANCIAL REPORT Sam Ruff, Treasurer

WELCOME WEEKEND

ARY 30TH

Reformation joins with other

Lutheran congregations and

denominations on the last

Sunday in January to cele-

brate the importance of wel-

coming and accepting all in

Jesus' name. In 2009 we start-

SIGHTS and SOUNDS of the Nativity Thank YOU!

Thanks to all of the contributions everyone made to our 3rd Annual

Sights and Sounds Festival. The generous sharing of time, talents,

resources (including nativity sets), and much more helped us offer this

amazing evening for about 200 from our community. We hope and

pray others will plan to participate again next year.

Save the date - DECEMBER 3, 2017.

Outreach Team of Reformation Church

Dot Jeffcoat, Action Team Leader/Project Coordinator

REUTERS

January Anniversary Celebrations January Birthday Celebrations

JANUARY CHURCH CALENDAR

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

11am WORSHIP

(1 service)

Harvest Hope Sunday

New Year’s Day

2

Conveners

6:30pm (FH)

3 4

11AM Group Bible Study

6:00PM - Choir

NAAC

5

NA - 7PM

6

Epiphany

Day

Worship 6pm

7

8 Weekly Schedule -

NA - 4PM (P)

MMC - 7-9PM (S)

9

Thrivent (FH)

Primetimers (P)

10

PFLAG 6pm

(P)

11

11AM Group Bible Study

6:00PM - Choir

NAAC

12

NA - 7PM

13 14

15 Weekly Schedule

NA - 4PM (P)

MMC - 7-9PM (S)

16

17

Council

6:30pm (P)

18

11AM Group Bible Study

6:00PM - Choir

NAAC

19

NA - 7PM

20 21

22 Weekly Schedule

NA - 4PM (P)

MMC - 7-9PM (S)

Primetimers (FH) 4-6PM

23

24

25

11AM Group Bible Study -

6:00PM - Choir

NAAC

26

NA - 7PM

27

28

29 Welcome Sunday 9am - Sunday School - Program/Presentation

10am - Worship

Noon - Lunch NA - 4PM (P)

MMC - 7-9PM (S)

30

31

Note: Missing celebration dates is likely

because the church office does not have the

information. Call to update.

1/1 - Thout Ksor

1/1 - Christa Willoughby

1/1 - Edward Shealy

1/2 - Floyd Dinkins

1/3 - Jayden Westbrook

1/6 - Sebastian Cuadra

1/6 - Rev. Eric Wolf

1/9 - Dr, Dorothy Jeffcoat

1/10 - Bonnie Nelson

1/11 - Alicia Brewer

1/11 - Brian Derriso

1/12 - Aiden Proper-Miles

1/17 - Avery Bartlett

1/18 - John Palmer

1/25 - Ginny Eiwen

1/26 - Carrie Rachel Dean

1/26 - Michael Reames

1/27 - Sam McNutt

1/31 - Clay Carlisle

1/1 - Thout and Hbrang Ksor

1/1 - Jill & Vince Allawos

1/14 - Michael Watson and Bryan Burgin

FAIR TRADE: We’re looking forward to another year of support from Reformation with Fair Trade. Fair trade is

now sold between the services in the Fellowship Hall every Sunday. Start the New Year off right with a great tea or

coffee from our Fair Trade Store. Contact Nell Orscheln (nellorscheln@gmail.com) or Wendell Gulledge

(wendell.gulledge@gmail.com). We are thrilled about our December sales. Stop by and tell us what you liked so we

can include those items in our next order.

COUNCIL UPDATE—GLORIA PRESLAR, COUNCIL PRESIDENT

After a delicious dinner provided by Gloria Preslar, the meeting was call to order by

the President, Gloria. Attendance and prayers and concerns were shared.

Sam Ruff went over the financial reports and reported the finances are good. At

the end of November 23 we were a little over $2000 from reducing the 2016

deficit. There have been some special gifts during the first part of December so

prayerfully hoping that all the gifts will help to cover the deficit.

The 2017 Housing Allowance was approved.

The busiest months for Out Reach have come and gone. They have had very successful events -

Blessing of the Animals, Trunk and Treat, and Sights and Sounds. Thanks to this team for all the events.

Team Conveners will meet January 2, 2017, to begin plans for the year. All conveners are asked to be

present at 6:30 for the meeting.

Sam Ruff and Dorothy Jeffcoat reported on a very successful campaign of the first phase of the window

replacement project. Generous giving has helped to contribute to complete the first phase which is the

fellowship hall and the church administrator's office. The windows were ordered yesterday and there is

about a 6 week turn around time. If you are interested in making a contribution on the remainder of the

windows, please see Sam Ruff or Dorothy Jeffcoat. Each single window is $545 and this includes the

blind. A whole window is $1,090. You will be hearing more about this project in the very near future.

The Service Team is asking for our members to "adopt" a senior member. Members who are 75 or

older are considered as senior members. We have two members who have adopted. Won't you

consider this. Cards, phone calls and/or visits are ways to share they are thought about by

someone. Let Caroline Kearns know if you are interested in participating in this project.

Pastor is asking for our members to volunteer to be mentor's to our new members. If you are

interested in this, please call the church office and let Mikita know.

The biggest item of business in December is the election of officers for the following year.

The Congregational Officers for 2017 are:

President: Gloria Preslar, Vice President: Wendell Gulledge, Secretary: Chelsea Morton, Treasurer: Sam Ruff

Thanks to all these members who are willing to serve in these leadership positions for 2017. All council

members will be installed at both services on January 8, 2017.

Cale Peake will be out for approximately 4 weeks due to surgery. Every Sunday morning he arrives

about 7:45, unlocks the church, turns the lights on, puts the banners out and makes coffee. While he is

out, Sam Ruff and Paula Prosser have volunteered to do these tasks. Please pray for Cale.

Next meeting January 17, 2017, at 6:30.

Meeting was adjourned with prayer by Pastor Tim.

Pastor’s Lament (not this time):

To start the year, I will not begin with a lament, but a celebration. The

ancient Hebrews would lament, but they would also celebrate and praise

God as well. This year I wish to begin with a praise. Praise to God and to

this congregation.

I’m not a numbers type of person. I don’t believe in nitpicking over num-

bers, not attendance nor finances, but I do pay attention to trends be-

cause they can reveal the pulse, the health of the congregation. Like a pulse, it goes up and down, but if the

trend continues down, there could be some health concerns. Reformation has experienced some ups and

downs since I’ve been here, but the trend has been up more than down. This past year has revealed that

beautifully.

Our attendance has been trending upward in a wonderful and slow climb. We have not experienced an

explosion in anyway, but as a healthy babe, we have grown at a nice healthy rate. I want to lift up praise of

that gift of growth we have received from God. Lord in your mercy…

Also we have experienced a wonderful financial growth as well. Again, it is not an explosion, but a wonder-

ful slow climb. 2014 saw us experience an increase in giving by about 10% and 2015, even with our experi-

ence of being taxed on the parsonage and first steps rental, we have experience about a 15% in giving. We

are slowly moving towards meeting budget for the first time in many years. Lord in your mercy…

In this time of uncertainty, we need to be healthy for the community, and especially our LGBTQ brothers

and sisters, so the good news of Christ love can shine forth from this place. I praise God that I have been

called to be the pastor here at Reformation. Kathy and I have been blessed in so many ways by the love and

care of our faith family here, and we look forward to many years growing in faith with all y’all.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,

Pastor Tim

REFORMATION CHURCH BENEFITS FROM THRIVENT FINANCIAL

During 2016 Reformation has enriched its ministry by about $1500 in Thrivent Action Team projects led by

Thrivent members Sarah Trani, Gloria Preslar, and Dot Jeffcoat plus additional amounts in Thrivent Choice

Dollars directed to Reformation by Thrivent members. This is the way the non-profit Financial company

gives back to the community (instead of paying taxes). Thrivent members each have two $250 Action Team

options each year and most have Choice dollars to designate. A modest product with Thrivent makes one a

member. If you want to find out more speak with one of our advocates (listed above) or check the

Thrivent.com web site. If you are a member of Thrivent and are not using your Action Team options or

Choice dollar options, consider doing that now as together we find ways to help and support Reformation's

ministry.

NON-PROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGE

P-A-I-D

PERMIT NO. 4

COLUMBIA, SC

1118 Union Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Address Service Requested

Ph: 803.252.1507

Fax: 803.252.1508

Email: officeofreform@gmail.com

Web: ReformationLutheranColumbiaSc.com

Pastor Tim Bupp A Reconciling in Christ Congregation

January 2017 WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS

Jan. 1 - 11AM Jan. 8 Jan. 15 Jan. 29 - 10AM Jan. 22

9AM Asst. Minister/Lector Paula Prosser Lindsay Hawkins Keith Adams

11:00AM Asst. Minister Paula Prosser Jim Prater Rev. Karin Culp Meg Hazel Rev. Jenn Casey

11AM Lector Paula Prosser Colleen Clark Julia Prater Luis Guzman Meg Hazel

Opener

Closer

Cale Peake

Sam Ruff

Cale Peake

Cale Peake

Cale Peake

Ben Bullock

Bill Baldwin

Sam Ruff

Cale Peake

Jim Prater

9AM Ushers Luis Guzman

Andy Miles

Sam Ruff &

Raymond Cook

Sam Ruff &

Raymond Cook

Cale Peake

Caroline Kearns

9AM Offering Assts. Bill & Sharon

Baldwin

Cale Peake

Sarah Trani

Gloria Preslar

Marie Pearson

11:00AM Ushers & Offering

Assts.

Sam Ruff

Raymond Cook

Sam McNutt

Ross Jolly

Gloria Preslar

Jim Prater

Ross Jolly &

Sam McNutt

Sam McNutt

Ross Jolly

Acolyte/Crucifer –9am Aco-

lyte/Crucifer - 11am

Danielle Ritchie 9 - Kyra Ritchie

11 - Ben Bullock &

Caleb Sommer

9 - Pam Wise & Family

11 - Meg Hazel

Danielle Ritchie 9 - Denise & Jane Derriso

11 - Jim Prater

Altar Guild - 9am

Altar Guild - 11am

9 - Jill Allawos

11– Ben Bullock

9 - Cale Peake

11 - Meg Hazel

Ben Bullock

January 1st and January 29th are one WORSHIP service Sunday’s. Please note times of worship.