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WITTENBERG WITNESS

PO Box 3447 + Batesburg-Leesville, SC 29070 803-532-4636 + wittenberg@pbtcomm.net Visit our website: wittenbergleesville.org

PLEASE NOTE THESE IMPORTANT DATES:

February 3 Souper Bowl Of Caring

February 3 KICS

Valentine’s Party Noon - 2 :00 p.m.

February 5 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

6:00 p.m.

February 23 Lasagna Dinner

6:00 p.m.

February 29- March 2

Coastal Retreat At Isle of Palms

February 2008 Volume 9, Number 2

People of Wittenberg:

The number “forty” is prevalent in the Bib-

lical witness: Moses spent 40 days on Mount

Sinai with God; Elijah spent 40 days and

nights walking to Mount Horeb; God made it

rain for 40 days and 40 nights in the days of

Noah; the Hebrew people wandered 40 years

traveling to the Promised Land; Jonah in his

prophecy of judgment gave the city of Nineveh

40 days time in which to repent.

About a week from now we will gather for

Ash Wednesday and begin a 40-day journey of

our own. The 40 days of Lent are symbolic of

the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert.

The devil tempted Jesus during this desert

retreat; but the Lord was sustained by the

Word, by the ministry of angels, and by the

care of the Father.

May your Lenten disciplines provide you

with opportunities for reflection, study of the

Word, and meaningful sacrifice. God is with

us!

Peace be with you. Pastor Sherman

ALTAR FLOWERS

2/3 — Mrs. Eva Watson 2/10 — Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Howard 2/17 — Debbie Black 2/24 — Mr. & Mrs. Todd Davis

ALTAR GUILD Annette Caughman

Marti Burns Dawn Bedenbaugh

Wendy Epting Crissie Kirby

GREETERS Marti Burns, Dannie Kaiser

WORSHIP ASSISTANT Catherine Oxner

LAY READER Michael Kramer

NURSERY— SUNDAY SCHOOL

2/3 — Jennifer Patrick,

John Oxner 2/10 — Catherine Oxner, Debbie Black 2/17 — Julie Price, Sue Riff 2/24 — Connie Kramer, Tissy Price

TELLER

2/3 — Debbie Sawyer 2/10 — Brian Shealy 2/17 — Ginger Caughman 2/24 — Robert Cook

NURSERY Torry Dickey, Chairperson

2/3 — Elwanda & Larry Lorick, Debbie Sawyer 2/10 — Cher & Todd Davis, Betsy Shealy 2/17 — Lisa & Robert Cook, Crissie Kirby 2/24 — Emily & John Leaphart, Betsy McEwen

USHERS Sammy Barnes, Chairperson

Jan Barnes, Todd Davis, John Mullins, Tom Sawyer

SUNDAY SCHOOL OPENING Jerry Price

CHILDREN’S CHURCH

2/3 — Dawn Bedenbaugh, Rhonda Bedenbaugh, Tracy Bedenbaugh 2/10 — Rebecca Reed, Jennifer Patrick, Toshia Banks 2/17 — Doris Antley, Debbie Black, Joan Caughman 2/24 — Sonya Cary, Todd & Cher Davis

SERVING IN FEBRUARY WITHIN THE WITTENBERG FAMILY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

1 — Jessica Rish

2 — Fowler Cary, Jr.,

Woogie Dachenhaus

3 — W.L. Jones

6 — James Ray Smith,

Aubrey Rodgers

7 — Lisa Cook

8 — Robert Frick, Violet Watson,

Charlene Oswalt,

Myra Cantrell

9 — Emily Leaphart

13— Randy McGill,

Charles Nichols

14 — Barbie Rodgers

17 — Dawn Bedenbaugh

19 — Robert Epting,

Chloe Osment

20 — Anne Shealy

21 — Wills Swygert, Crissie Kirby

22 — Bob Wiley

23 — Evetta George, Bobbie Smith,

Taylor Davis

25 — Alley Dachenhaus

27 — Freida Banks, Barbara Nivens

28 — Emily Davis

29 — Pam Taylor

LET US PRAY In our prayers let us remember: Rusty Akins (brother-in-law of Ervin & Annette Caughman), Margaretta Beckham, the Father of Debbie Black, the Family of Scott Black (Freida Bank’s niece), Peggy Buzhardt, Jane Speaks Co-chet, Lisa Cook, the Family of Taylor Cox, Dorothy Curran, Kathy Derrick (wife of Randy Der-rick), Joanne Feaster (mother of Jason Feaster), Ed Hoover, Leila Hoover, Dr. Jim Crumley, Mae Keisler, Ramona Langford, Samantha Leaphart, Carla Long, Letha Long, Ricky Long, Thelma Lorick (Larry Lorick’s mother), Sharon Cook Lowe, Eileen Mitchell, Brady Nichols, Mike Nichols (son of Brady & Sue Nichols), Ann Oswald, the Mother of Landis Price, Sue Ruff, Leon and Bobbie Shealy, the Fam-ily of Joe Shealy, William K. Shealy, the Sister and Brother-in-Law of Stacey Sherman, Kim Smith (daughter of Libby Carswell), Ray Smith, the Family of Dr. William Speaks, Pauline Steele, the Steele Family (relatives of Sybil & Dean Ergle), Aaron Stewart, Wills Swygert, the Tracy Waters Family, Merlyn Watkins, Eva Watson, Benjy Watson, Sarah Wiley, Vera Worley (Margaret Caughman’s mother) and mem-bers of our Armed Forces.

2/3 — Acolyte: Emily Miller Almsbearer: Harlee Miller Crucifer: Perry Barnes

2/6 — Ash Wednesday Summer Burns

2/10 — Acolyte: Sydnee Patrick Alms: Rebecca Leaphart Crucifer: Perry Barnes

2/13 — Wednesday Nevin Rodgers

ORDER OF ST. JOHN

2/17 — Acolyte: Haven Banks Almsbearer: Trey Book Crucifer: Perry Barnes

2/20 — Wednesday Rebecca Leaphart

2/24 — Acolyte: Wills Swygert Almsbearer: Camby Reep Crucifer: Perry Barnes

2/27 — Wednesday Haven Banks

Cher Davis, Advisor

Thank you all so very

much for the cards, calls,

food, and words of con-

cern and encouragement

during my recent surgery.

So many of you have

touched us in so many

ways that thanks would

never be enough.

We are so fortunate to have Wittenberg as a congregational

family.

We also owe you thanks for the many hugs and smiles we have

received while Ricky is on school break and we have had the op-

portunity to come back to our home church. Even though we are

just down the road, it sure is nice to come back home.

Love always,

Ricky, Cricket, Samantha, and Rebecca Leaphart

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

We are pleased to welcome to Wittenberg Grant, Debra, and Abby McDonald; Furman and Myra Cantrell; and Scott and Erin Thomas. They joined our congregation on New Member Sunday, Jan. 27.

KICS PARTY

KICS will have a Valentine’s Party Feb. 3 from Noon until 2:00 p.m. in the Social Hall. Bring a valentine or a surprise to share.

FEBRUARY CIRCLE MEETINGS

The Hannah Circle will meet at Dawn Bedenbaugh’s home at 10 a.m., Feb. 2.

The Circle IV meeting has been changed to Monday, Feb. 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the church social hall.

PANCAKE SUPPER

Circle L will hold the second annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, in the fellowship hall. We will take donations to give to Relay for Life for cancer research. If you wish to attend, please sign up on one of the sheets in the Narthex or on the table next to the Senior Adult Sunday school classroom.

LASAGNA DINNER

The Hannah Circle will host a lasagna dinner in the social hall from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23. We will also have bingo and a silent auction. Proceeds from the dinner will support the Play-ground Project. Please contact any Hannah circle member for more information and tickets.

SIGN UP NOW FOR COASTAL RETREAT

The Parish Life Com-

mittee is sponsoring a

Coastal Retreat from Feb.

29 through March 2 at Isle

of Palms. Sign-up sheets are

in the Narthex, fellowship

hall, and by the Senior

Adult classroom. Ques-

tions? Contact Jerry Price.

— KIDS’ PAGE —

JANUARY STATISTICS

Date SCS Worship 1/6 89 188 1/13 92 154 1/20 85 147 1/27 81 139 YTD Budget Giving - $15,073.00 Needed for Budget - 19,212.52 Difference - - 4,139.52 YTD B.F. Receipts - 5,509.00 Building Fund Bal. - 510,472.69

MEN’S SERVICE GROUP

The Men’s Service Group will meet at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Jola Lodge. Contact Todd Davis for more information.

HABITAT BLITZ

The Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build in Gilbert is underway. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex.

BIBLE SCHOOL

An organizational meeting for Vacation Bible School will be held on Feb. 17 at 4:00 p.m. in the Choir Room.

LENTEN WORSHIP

Join us for these upcoming Lenten fellowship and worship opportunities:

Ash Wednesday Worship – 7 p.m.

Wednesdays in Lent Dinner – 6 p.m.

Worship – 7 p.m.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

A semi-annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, March 30, after the 11 a.m. service. A covered-dish meal follows the meeting.

ELCA

HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT

Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) provided $50,000 to sup-port humanitarian efforts in Dar-fur, Sudan, and $50,000 to sup-port continued earthquake recov-ery in Peru through the church's International Disaster Response on Jan. 17. "The civil war in Darfur contin-ues to be a major humanitarian crisis," said Dr. Belletech Deressa, director for international develop-ment and disaster response, ELCA Global Mission.

SC SYNOD RALLY 2008 "Growing in God's Mission ... With Glad and Generous Hearts"

Sunday, March 30, 2008

3:00-5:00 p.m. (reception following) (displays open at 2:30 p.m.)

Wiles Chapel, Newberry College Campus

Entertainment and exhibits for all ages.

LOOK WHO'S COMING

FOR THE SC SYNOD RALLY 2008 "Growing in God's Mission … With Glad & Generous Hearts" :

• Rev. Ruben Duran, director for New Congregational Develop-

ment in the Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission

unit of the ELCA, and

• Ken Medema, nationally known musician, composer and song-

writer, blind from birth, who will share his songs, stories and

improvisational skills with us. He has performed for numerous

ecumenical and ELCA events in recent years.

Make plans to attend — and bring a group.

Let’s make this the biggest Rally yet!

Sun Mon Tue We

3 4 5 6

10 11

12 13

17 18

19 20

24 25 C&C—9 am

26 27

Februar

Souper Bowl of Caring KICS Valentine’s Party— Noon-2 pm Teens—6 pm

Choir— 7:30Dinner—6:30Worship—7

Coffee & Conversation—9 am Circle L—7 pm

Alzheimer’s Support—no

Choir—7:30

EVERY SUNDAY: Worship—8:30 a.m. Sunday School—9:30 Worship—11:00 a.m. Teens—6:00 p.m.

Choir— 7:30Dinner—6:30Worship—7

Morning Circle—10 am Circle V—1 pm Pancake Supper—6 pm Th. Downtown—7 pm

Teens—6 pm

C&C—9 am

Dinner—6:30Worship—7 Choir— 7:30MSG—7:30

Lutheranism 101—4 pm Teens—6 pm Handbells—7 pm

Theology Downtown— 7 pm

C&C—9 am Circle IV—7 pm

Catechism—3:30 pm Teens—6 pm Council—7 pm

ASH WEDN

JOY Lu

ed Thu Fri Sat 1 2

7 8 9

14 15 16

21 22 23

28 29

ry 2008

0 pm 0 pm pm

oon

pm

0 pm 0 pm pm

0 pm pm

0 pm pm

Teen Bible Study— 7 am at Hardee’s

Teen Bible Study— 7 am at Hardee’s Grief Support — 4 pm

Teen Bible Study— 7 am at Hardee’s

Hannah Circle— 10 am @ Dawn Bedenbaugh’s

Lasagna Dinner—6 pm

Teen Bible Study— 7 am at Hardee’s

Grief Support — 4 pm

Coastal Retreat through March 2—Isle of Palms

NESDAY

unch—Noon