Volume 34 Issue 12 The Liberty Hill Connection From the Desk of the Interim Pastor… One of the memories I have of growing up in a small Southern town is the ritual that many women and a few men had of watching soap operas which were called "the stories", or sometimes, "my stories". Everybody had a favorite "story" that they couldn't miss. I remember names like "The Edge of Night, General Hospital, Search for Tomorrow, Days of Our Lives, As the World Turns". Every story had good and evil characters who interacted with one another in a number of ways. Every day, there was a question of who would get caught doing what. As a young child, I didn't fully understand how people on television could become like people in the neighborhood. People talked about these television characters as though they were real. When one died in the story, people actually cried, even though the actor or actress would soon show up in another story. What caused the people in my neighborhood and neighborhoods across the country and the world to become so attached to imaginary characters? I think it was a sense of wonder. Sitting in a tiny living room looking at imaginary characters engaging in domestic and corporate disputes seemed exciting and fun. But where does this lead? After the story ends, how do we survive in the world that remains? After the fantasy is over, who is there to comfort us, and to encourage us and to assure us that even when life presents trials and uncertainty, we have been promised that these burdens are not ours to bear alone. It is at this intersection that we meet the Christ. As we wait in anticipation of the holy birth, we remember our journey through the year. For us here at Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church, it has been a tumultuous journey. We have encountered challenges, and we have experienced untold joy. We have said farewell to those who have entered the church triumphant, and we have welcomed new friends and strangers with excitement and hope. God has guided us through all of our days, and stands with us as we gaze at the wonder of the baby born in a manger "And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." We welcome the baby Jesus into our hearts and into our lives. We hear the angels singing in glorious song, “O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord". Sit for a while in wonder and amazement at the miracle that God has wrought. Give thanks to the shepherds and to Mary and Joseph. Be patient and trust that this Jesus, this child born in a stable, has come so that we might have eternal life. Merry Christmas, Dot
Transcript
Volume 34 Issue 12
The Liberty Hill Connection
From the Desk of the Interim Pastor… One of the memories I have of growing up in a small Southern town is the ritual that many women and a few men had of watching soap operas which were called "the stories", or sometimes, "my stories". Everybody had a favorite "story" that they couldn't miss. I remember names like "The Edge of Night, General Hospital, Search for Tomorrow, Days of Our Lives, As the World Turns". Every story had good and evil characters who interacted with one another in a number of ways. Every day, there was a question of who would get caught doing what. As a young child, I didn't fully understand how people on television could become like people in the neighborhood. People talked about these television characters as though they were real. When one died in the story, people actually cried, even though the actor or actress would soon show up in another story. What caused the people in my neighborhood and neighborhoods across the country and the world to become so attached to imaginary characters? I think it was a sense of wonder. Sitting in a tiny living room looking at imaginary characters engaging in domestic and corporate disputes seemed exciting and fun. But where does this lead? After the story ends, how do we survive in the world that remains? After the fantasy is over, who is there to comfort us, and to encourage us and to assure us that even when life presents trials and uncertainty, we have been promised that these burdens are not ours to bear alone. It is at this intersection that we meet the Christ. As we wait in anticipation of the holy birth, we remember our journey through the year. For us here at Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church, it has been a tumultuous journey. We have encountered challenges, and we have experienced untold joy. We have said farewell to those who have entered the church triumphant, and we have welcomed new friends and strangers with excitement and hope. God has guided us through all of our days, and stands with us as we gaze at the wonder of the baby born in a manger "And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." We welcome the baby Jesus into our hearts and into our lives. We hear the angels singing in glorious song, “O Come Let Us Adore Him, Christ the Lord". Sit for a while in wonder and amazement at the miracle that God has wrought. Give thanks to the shepherds and to Mary and Joseph. Be patient and trust that this Jesus, this child born in a stable, has come so that we might have eternal life. Merry Christmas, Dot
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My thought and prayers are with all our church members that have lost family and friends. Peggy
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34th Annual Liberty Hill Community
Thanksgiving Service
November 22, 2017
Rev. Gene Ghent leading the attendees in the singing.
Left to Right: Rev. Jerusha Gaiter, Rev. George Mingo, Dot Killian, M. Div., J.D., Rev. Eddie Moore, Rev. Howard Cureton
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Dear Church Family, I am very blessed to be part of such loving congregation who cares for others. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for all of the concern, cards, visits, food, and especially the prayers you have lifted on our family's behalf. It was a blessing to have wonderful meals delivered to us when the entire family was sick with strep throat. We love and appreciate each one of you. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I recover from this last surgery. Thanks again, Carol Ghent
Second Hour 11:15-12:15 Join us for a new and exciting ministry opportunity, Second Hour. Second Hour will feature workshops, guest artists, crafts, presentations and more. It is a time to extend our understanding of various topics and to enjoy fellowship with one another. Second Hour will begin on January 7, 2018, with a presentation by Baxter and Gwen Starnes about their recent mission trip to Honduras. Future Second Hours will feature Pat Coates who will demonstrate her amazing artistic skills, and a gospel/jazz brunch featuring saxophonist Carl Ratliff. Dates will be announced later. If you have information or skills or experiences that you'd like to share during Second Hour, please let Dot know, and we'll sign you up! "We Shall Never Forget" On December 24, 2017, during the 10:00 a. m. worship service, we will observe a memorial for the members of Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church who have entered the church triumphant during 2017. The names of these deceased members will be printed in the bulletin. We will also remember all of the saints of Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church and our families and friends to whom we said farewell during this year and throughout the life of this congregation. We invite you to be a part of this service by providing us with a small photograph of your loved one. The photographs will be placed on a table with candlelight. Please contact Peggy Sneed if you will be bringing a photograph. Remembering Our Baptism On December 24, 2017, during the 10:00 a.m. worship, we will observe a service of renewal and rededication of our baptismal vows.
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Pat Bunch Rasmus Johannsson (George Harkins) Bernice Branham Pam and Buck Warnock (Donna Hunter) Maxine Hunter (Jeanette Robinson) Carol Ghent Maureen Davis (Donna Hunter) Chuck Branham (Bernice Branham) Claudette Roberts (Lisa Knight) Ann Parker (Lisa Knight) Tommy Granger Doug Owens Lee Ann Parker (Helen Lukens)
Prayers For Our People Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
Jenny Hernandez The Family of Betty Young Kathy Blackmon (Ruby Kershner) Bob & Carole Cook Perry Watford (Bonnie Jones) Paul Appleton (Sandy Granger) Phylis Elliott Brenda Stephens (Gale Gent) The family of Gene Sheorn Lee Ann Parker (Helen Lukens) Caroline Riggan Teresa Blackmon (Lisa Knight) Marie Catoe (Sammie Catoe) Landon Hammett (Dot Killian)
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to provide coats for the children at Baron DeKalb Elementary.
We will continue to collect children's socks, underwear, gloves and toboggans throughout December. There is a collection box in the Miss Bettie Richards Fellowship Hall.
Bill Harrington would be very proud of us for continuing his children's coat ministry. Thank you, Laura
Due to the high cost of printing and mailing, beginning January, 2018, we will not be mailing out the monthly newsletters. The newsletter will be sent by email. If you do not have email and wish to have a newsletter sent to you, please contact the church office at (803) 273-9191.
Christmas Caroling:
Please join Brother Gene and the carolers as they spread joy throughout the community with song and fellowship. The carolers will meet at 6:00 PM at the Liberty Hill Presbyterian Church Wednesday, December 13 before embarking on their caroling.
Christmas Cantata:
This year’s Christmas Cantata, The Greatest Story Ever Told, will be performed Sunday, December 17 at the 10:00 am service. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served after the service in the Miss Bettie Richards Hall.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service:
The annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Service is on Sunday, December 24 at 5:30 PM. The
Church will be candlelit on this Silent Night as we prepare to celebrate the gifts of joy and grace given to the world with the birth of the Christ-child.
Poinsettia Memorials/Honorariums:
The deadline to submit Poinsettia Memorials and Honorariums is Monday, December 11. All Memorials and Honorariums will be listed in the Cantata Bulletin and the January newsletter. The cost is $20.00.
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Mr. Tom Sheridan
Paul & Arma Lee Hinson
Mr. Richard Plyler
Jim & Sylvia Hudson
Mrs. Betty Young
Jenny Hernandez Jim & Sylvia Hudson Benny & Vivian Ray George & Alexandria Harkins Walt & Betty Riggan Mickey & Melinda Clyburn Del & Jodie Elliott Donna Hunter Willis Young Baylor & Nancy Gibson Norwood & Eleanor Hall Marguerite Adams Lynda Horton
Mrs. Grace Croxton (Sylvia Hudson’s Mother)
Doris Robertson Benny & Vivian Ray
Miss Virginia MaCrae
Jim & Sylvia Hudson
Mr. Herbert Moree (Jeanette Robinson & Pat Gillis-Bunch’s uncle)
