From the Pastor

WIGHTMAN ALERT

Issued to Alert You to Church Matters

VOLUME 22 ISSUE 1

January 2018

WIGHTMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

In the days before GPS, when you took a trip you had to pull out a road map, find your starting point, find out where you were going and plot your route. Sometimes there was more than one way to get to your destination, so you had a choice to make. Often times along the journey you might stop to “sightsee” or to take a break, but because you had a plan and a destination in mind, you knew where you were going and when you would get there.

Unfortunately many people and churches don’t know exactly where they are going. They have a general idea of what they would like to accomplish (like grow spiritually or reach new people) but without a specific plan or goal they do a lot of “good” things but end up in a place far from where they hoped to be.

As Wightman enters the year 2018 I would like to present 4 goals for us to reach by the end of the year. They are purpose-filled goals, in that I think they will help us accom-plish our mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world. They are spe-cific enough that we should know by the end of the year if we have been successful. They are general enough that there doesn’t have to be only one way to accomplish them.

As you read these goals I hope you will decide to join us in the journey. No one can accomplish these goals by them-selves, but together we can not only find success, we can grow in our relationship with God and with one another in the process. You will be hearing more about these goals in the upcoming weeks and months. Please pray for these goals, please pray for our church, and please pray for our staff and volunteers. God is calling us to move forward in ministry in the upcoming year, we cannot reach our destination without his guidance and strength.

Brian

January Journey ‘18 Again this year the Newberry Area Council on Ministries is sponsoring the Janu-

ary Journey Services. Everyone is asked to gather around 5:30 for a fifteen-minute hymn sing. After the service there will be a time of fellowship and refreshments. Feel free to come in blue jeans, sweatshirts, etc. Non-perishable food items for Manna House will be collected at all services. Offerings will be split between the Newberry Free Medical Clinic and the Emergency Relief Fund.

The schedule is:

January 7 - Central UMC Rev. Dr. Steven Love, D.S., preaching

January 14 - Capers Chapel UMC George Reeder—Worship in Song

January 21 - Mt. Pleasant UMC Youth Night

January 28 - Wightman UMC Rev. R. T. Bowling, preaching

Wightman’s Goals for 2018

1. Start small groups, new Sunday School classes or Bible Studies.

2. Utilize the Langford Street property for at least one new ministry.

3. Hold three “Invite Sundays” in 2018 where we have special programs to en-courage first time guests to come.

4. Continue to further our stewardship of

God’s resources, building on the ground-

work laid by our recent series on han-

dling money God’s way.

Page 2 WIGHTMAN ALERT

Yearbook Deadline

January 14, 2018

May God Bless

Each and Every

One in 2018

I would like to thank Wightman for all your sup-port in the past few months. You all have helped with my transition into my new role. I'm truly blessed to have a wonderful church family. Thank you also for my gift card. I'm looking forward to using it soon.

Thanks again, Jennifer Boozer

Thank you so much for the gift card the church gave me for Christmas. It was very helpful over the hol-idays to have the extra amount to spend. I enjoy serving as your nursery coordinator and look forward to next year. Kristin Defreese

I just wanted to thank you so much for our Target gift card. We truly appreciated it and felt the blessing of the Father's love through that gift card! Enjoying it right now! In His love, Matthew & Amyrose Donovan

I would like to thank the church for the gift card I received for Christmas. Thank you all for the continued love and support! Chris Butler

Cassie and I would like to thank Wightman for the Christmas gift card. We appreciate your generosity and thank you for thinking of us during the Christmas season.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and we look forward to a great 2018.

Pastor Brian

Thank you so much for remembering me at Christ-mas with gift cards to my favorite stores. I am looking forward to using them during the after-Christmas sales!

It is my prayer that God will richly bless each of you during the new year. Love, Lynda Counts

I would like to thank Wightman Church for the gift card which you gave me for Christmas. It was very thoughtful for you to remember me. I enjoy being at Wightman and being a part of such a kind and friendly church family. Eddie Rivers

Thank You!

Girl Scout News

Wightman Girl Scouts will meet Sunday, January 7, and Sunday, January 21, from 3:00-4:45 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

Cookie sales will begin Janu-ary 12, so be sure to place yur order with any Wightman Scout.

Wightman was very happy to receive Mimi and Jesse Rogers into membership on December 3. We ex-tend a warm welcome to these newest members of our church family.

New Members

Mimi and Jesse Rogers

JOY Group The JOY group will meet on January 8. This will be a planning meeting. Bring any ideas for programs, places to eat out, and themes for meetings. Soup and sandwiches will be provided for lunch at 12:00.

"All the Single Ladies" are invited to have lunch together on Sunday, January 21, following Sunday School. If you would like to go, meet the mini-bus in the church parking lot.

Single Ladies Lunch

Wightman will observe the Souper Bowl on February 4. Please come prepared to contribute $1 which will be forwarded to a local soup kitch-en or food pantry.

Souper Bowl

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Jan. 1 - Darly Bernardo, David Richardson 2 - Camryn Butler 3 - LaDonna Bowers, Chuck Higgins, Colie Kinard, Rhonda Koon, Rebecca Myers 4 - Anna Wicker 5 - Nick Dudek, Sam Gause, Jeff Shacker 6 - Evan Lovelady, Peggy Shuler, Marie A. Johnson 7 - Marie Carter, Wayne Rouse, Norman Way 8 - Glenn Hamm, Barry Harley 9 - Dorothy Rayfield 10 - Beverly Heinly, Joan Mills, Shirley Taylor, Wayne Perry 11 - Robin Morris, Will Stewart 12 - Kimberly Bartley 13 - Landon Allison, Drew Higgins 14 - John Garner, Chloe Kirkland, Betty Walker, Kylie York 15 - Donnie Long, Patti Suber 16 - Wayne Bannister 17 - Amy Bartley, Blake Richardson, Peyton Butler 18 - Jennifer Boozer, Brooks Cannady, Lynda Counts, Jan Rowe, Candice Counts 19 - Stephanie Likes, Marvin Smith 21- Kaye Thomas 22 - Elijah Abrams, Maloree Grimsley, Chris Mitchell, Jenny Sanchez 23 - Samantha Brandt 24 - Patrick McDuffie 25 - Finley Garvin, Michelle Drumm, Cindy Sue Remirez, Ernie Parks, Rebekah Smith 26 - Tina Brown, Brent Caldwell, Molly Dennis, Nancy Gause, Jimmy Hazel, Therry May 27 - Gary Hooker 28 - J.C. Hazel, Ceile Kempson, Alan Longshore, Josh Meetze, Jacob Shealy, Bryan Winfree 30 - Emily Cope, Bowen Davis, Braxton Kinard, Becky Rude 31 - Brenda Clapp, Hannah Davenport

Happy Anniversary! Jan. 6 - Kenny and Nora Sanders 17 - Frank and Kim Sligh 19 - Kenneth and Aubrie Bundrick 21 - Jerry and Lynn Nielsen 24 - Larry and Emily Graham 25 - Justin and Crystal Cassada 26 - Jimmy and Karon Hazel 28 - John and Rebecca Myers

Honorariums and Memorials

Budget In honor of Ron Charette by Ned and Ann Wallace. In memory of Dot Conklin (Gary Hooker’s mother) By: Larry and Emily Graham Lynn and Martha Waller Rosemary Bowers Christy Bouknight In memory of Jimmie Davenport (Kim Sligh’s father) by Rosemary Bowers. In honor of Nolan and Eli Amick by Donald and Diane Amick.

Music Fund In memory of Dot Conklin by Ron and Jan Wood.

WARM Project In memory of Adam Felker By: Chuck and Debra Weatherly Ronnie and Devonna Summer In memory of Dot Conklin By: Leonard and Therry May Mollie Graham

Youth Ministry In memory of Adam Felker By: Ted and Madison Graham David and Annie Livingston Linda W. Lomas Ellen S. and Fred Blackstone Kevin and Johnette Kinard Randy and Kim Bradfield Boyd and Cheryl Parr Shelby and Wilson Felker Ron and Carol Charette Lawrence and Mary Ann Beuttner Mr. and Mrs. Boise Shelton Avaria Suber Mary Ann Wasilka

ABC Fund

In memory of Dot Conklin by the Asbury Bedenbaugh Sunday School Class.

Praise Band In honor of Glenn L. Hamm by Hamm Hardware Em-ployees.

Loaves and Fishes

In honor of Glenn L. Hamm by Hamm Hardware Em-ployees.

Page 3 VOLUME 22 ISSUE 1

ALTAR MINISTRY No one has signed up for altar flowers during the month of January. If you would like to provide flowers for the traditional service, please contact the church of-fice (364-2340).

ACOLYTES Jan. 7 - Kyle Graham 14 - Wesley Fowler 21 - Noah Davenport 28 - Kimberly Graham

CROSS BEARERS Jan. 7 - Christy Bouknight 14 - Helen Mitchell 21 - Janet Davenport 28 - Madison Graham

USHERS Lonnie Finley, Ed Skinner, Jeff Murray, Ron Charette

NURSERY MINISTRY Kristin Defreese will also serve in the nursery.

Jan. 7 - Debra Weatherly – 9:00 Melinda Sease – 10:00 Madison Butler – 11:00 14 - Melvin Dominick – 9:00 Traci Bouknight – 10:00 Connie Johnson – 11:00 21 - Heather May – 9:00 Traci Bouknight – 10:00 Lauren Cope – 11:00 28 - Amanda Finley – 9:00 Becky Steen – 10:00 Emily Cope – 11:00

GREETERS Cody and Neva Caldwell

Shelby Felker

LAY READERS Jan. 7 - Lonnie Finley 14 - Sandy Horne 21 - David Mitchell 28- Jackie Bowers

TRUSTEE Kirk Atwood

January Assistants Traditional Service (9:00)

GREETER

Joe Miller

USHERS Frank Sligh, David Liptak, Lee Boozer, Charlie Sease

COFFEE AND JUICE Chris, Brenda and Madison Koon

January Assistants Contemporary Service (11:15)

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE FOR DECEMBER 9:00 Worship - 151 11:15 Worship - 135 Christmas Eve - 269 Church School - 126

Monthly Financial Summary General Funds (total) $ 65,160.78 Designated Funds 61,363.54 General Funds Available 3,797.24 Capital Improvement Fund 202,040.20 Total Funds $ 267,200.98

United Methodist Women

The Clarkson-Counts Circle will meet January 9 at 3:00 p.m. Jackie Birchfield will have devotions and Jewel Garner will provide the snack. Someone will be on hand to talk with the group about the UMW reading program. Members are reminded to bring paper prod-ucts/cleaning supplies for the House of Sweet transition.

WIGHTMAN ALERT Page 4

The Christmas decorations will be removed from the church on Sunday, January 7, immediately following the 9:00 service. Every-

one who can is asked to please remain following the service to help out or come early to the 11:15 service and lend a hand. Please see Christy Bouknight or Cathy Dubiel and offer your help. Thanks so much!

Please Note!

Baptism

The sacrament of Holy Baptism was administered to Liam Henry Domi-nick, son of Henry Lee and Kimberly Dominick, on De-cember 10.

On December 28-29, Wightman once again spon-sored the WARM Project to repair and weatherize homes in the Prosperity/Newberry area. The following letter of appreciation was received in response to our help.

Dear Pastor and Congregation, What an amazing and Godly group of people you

have at your church! Because of your congregation, we will be able to have full use of the facilities in our home. The difference you have made in our day-to-day lives is astounding and our gratefulness is immense. With this small token of thanks our family would like to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Deuteronomy 15:10—”Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart: then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”

With much appreciation and glad hearts, Luth Escobales & I. Medina

Local Outreach

Page 5 VOLUME 22 ISSUE 1

Our Tuesday evening studies will begin on January 9. Pastor Brian will be teaching a 12-week series on the Gospel of John, utilizing the 2003 film on the gospel where the complete script

of the movie was taken directly from the Good New Version of the Bible. In addition to the Pastor’s study, we will be starting a GriefShare Class on Tuesdays. GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk together following the loss of a loved one. Both classes will be held on Tuesday evenings at 6:30. There will be a meal (donation only) served from 5:45-6:30 p.m. to make it easier for people attending these classes.

Tuesday Evenings Start January 9

Do you seek . . .

• Spiritual Renewal • A new understanding of God’s grace and love? • Worship and community with other believers? • Answers to questions about your faith? • A new dedication of your everyday life to God?

If you do, then the Walk to Emmaus is for you! The Walk to Emmaus seeks to inspire, challenge,

and equip leaders for Christian action in their homes, places of work, and communities. On an Emmaus week-end you will sing, reflect, pray, learn, share Holy Com-munion, participate in small groups, experience God’s grace in community and in the world, and understand Christian love in action.

The Walk to Emmaus is based on Luke 24:13-35.

Upcoming weekends are: • Men’s Walk: March 8-11 • Women’s Walk: March 15-18

For information contact Leonard or

Therry May at 803-500-8048 (home),

Leonard’s cell (924-5794) or Therry’s

cell (924-5793). There are many other

Emmaus members in our congregation

who will also be glad to help.

Walk to Emmaus

Sailing into the New Year

God built and launched this year for you;

Upon the bridge you stand;

It’s your ship, aye, your own ship,

And you are in command.

Just what the twelve months’ trip will do

Rests wholly, solely, friend, with you.

Your logbook kept from day to day

My friend, what will it show?

Have you on your appointed way

Made progress, yes or no?

The log will tell, like guiding star,

The sort of captain that you are.

For weal or woe this year is yours;

Your ship is on life’s sea

Your acts as captain, must decide

Whichever it shall be;

So now in starting on your trip,

Ask God to help you sail your ship.

— Author unknown

WIGHTMAN ALERT Page 6

UMKIDS

Children’s Sermons Jan. 7 - Christy Bouknight 14 - Cassie Rainwater 21 - Paulette Halfacre 28 - Madison Graham

We are in need of volunteers to help during the

Sunday School hour and during our worship times.

We are in need of teachers, helpers, and hall moni-

tors. Please prayerfully consider helping our children

learn more about our savior! All information and

training will be provided. To learn more, contact

Jennifer Boozer.

I need your input for

2018! Please let me know

what activities you and your

children enjoy. I would like

you to call or text me at 924

-5460 or email jsboozer74@

gmail.com with your ideas.

Sunday School Stories Holy Moly Jan. 7 Jesus’ Baptism John the Baptist Jan. 14 God Calls Samuel Calling Disciples Jan. 21 Jonah and the Big Fish Teach Us to Pray Jan. 28 Teaching and Healing Calming the Storm

Page 7

January 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28

29 30 31

VOLUME 22 ISSUE 1

Happy

New Year!

Girl Scout Cookie Sales begin.

Newsletter Dead-

line - 1:00 pm

Single Ladies Lunch—11:00 am Girl Scouts-3:00 Youth - 3-7 pm January Journey – 5:30

Undecorate Church - 10:00 Emmaus - 12:30 Girl Scouts-3:00 Youth - 3-7 pm January Journey – 5:30 pm

UMW – 3:00 pm

Meal - 5:45 pm

Grief Share-6:30

Bible Study -6:30

Sisters of Christ

- 7:30 pm

Yearbook Deadline Trustees-2:30 Girl Scouts-3:00 Youth - 3-7 pm January Journey – 5:30 pm

CARE Bible

Study - 10:00

Stephen Minis-

try - 6:00 pm

Joy Group -

11:00 am

Meal - 5:45 pm

Grief Share-6:30

Bible Study -6:30

Council - 12:30 Youth Band-3:00 RIOT - 4:00 pm Youth - 5:00 pm January Journey – 5:30 pm (at Wightman)

Men’s Bible Study - 6:30 am Choir – 6:30 pm

Men’s Bible Study - 6:30 am Handbells - 5:00 Women’’s Bible Study - 6:30 pm Choir – 6:30 pm

Men’s Bible Study - 6:30 am Handbells - 5:00 Women’’s Bible Study - 6:30 pm

Men’s Bible Study - 6:30 Newsletter Staff - 3:00 p.m. Handbells - 5:00 Women’’s Bible Study - 6:30 pm Choir – 6:30 pm

CARE Bible

Study - 10:00

Meal - 5:45 pm

Grief Share-6:30

Bible Study -6:30

Loaves and Fish-

es - 5:30-700 pm

WOW - 10:00 am

Meal - 5:45 pm

Grief Share-6:30

Bible Study -6:30

UMMen – 7:00

Men’s Bible Study - 6:30 am Handbells - 5:00 Women’’s Bible Study - 6:30 pm Choir – 6:30 pm

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Prosperity, SC Permit No. 1

Phone: 364-2340 (Church) 803-553-1444 (Pastor’s Cell Phone) Church E-Mail: unitedw@bellsouth.net

Pastor’s E-Mail: drbrianrainwater@gmail.com Web Site: www.wightmanumc.org

Dr. Brian Rainwater, Pastor P. O. Box 376

Prosperity, South Carolina 29127

WIGHTMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Sunday Schedule

Traditional Worship – 9:00 a.m. Sunday School – 10:15 a.m.

Contemporary Service – 11:15 a.m.