|
Thursday, May 14, 2026
What’s New for You?
- Our Congregational Sympathies to the family, friends, and former parishioners of Rev. Lavaughn Keisler.
- Pentecost and Confirmation on May 24
- New banner system improves safety.
-
Parent Pro Tip shared by Laura Hibbs.
- Our May food drive is off to a wonderful start!
- Pilgrim Community Preschool 4K Baccalaureate Service
| | |
Happy Thursday, Pilgrims!
Alleluia, Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed, Alleluia!
Today, May 14, is the 40th day after Easter. That means it’s the Day of Ascension. On this day, we remember the end of Christ’s time on earth with us and his return to “the right hand of God.” Our seven weeks of Eastertide conclude this Sunday. The Festival of Pentecost will be the 50th day after Easter on May 24.
Most protestant congregations in America have paid little attention to this church festival. Few are the congregations that will have a special service of worship today. We give thanks for our Catholic and Orthodox siblings who will worship on our behalf this Ascension Day. In largely secular Europe, cultural Ascension Day traditions are still present in various ways. Some countries will observe a holiday today and tomorrow. Some old family customs will keep going, too, such as the German tradition of also calling this “Father’s Day” that includes boys gathering with their dads, grandfathers, and godfathers for a hike and picnic. Sounds fun to me!
In worship on Sunday, I’ll preach about how the story of the Ascension supports our faith and deepens our experience of our crucified, risen, and ascended Lord!
Blessings on this Festival Day,
Pastor Mary
| | |
Council President’s Page
Mary Beth Hill
Keeping you in the loop!
By the end of the month, you should receive our second “Pastor Transition Update” letter by mail and by email. We write these letters solely to keep you informed as we prepare not only for Pastor Mary’s retirement on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2026, but also as we begin working with the Synod Office to find our next pastor.
The second letter talks about the impact of a new pastor on our operating budget and gives you lots of other financial information.
Remember that Pastor Mary’s last Sunday with us is Dec. 27. The “Cheers to the Years Team,” led by Kathleen Shutt, Council Secretary, asks that you mark your calendars and save Saturday, December 12. On that Saturday, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, we will celebrate Pastor Mary’s retirement and her time with us.
In our first “Pastor Transition Update” letter, we answered some of your questions about what comes next, including our plan to have a Call Committee in place by September 1. If you would like to serve on that committee, please reach out to any member of Church Council (Melissa Hendrix, Mary Beth Hill, Joe Kaminer, Wade Miles, Peter Reinhart, Jennifer Schwabe, Kathleen Shutt, or Wally Steinhauser) and let us know you are interested. The committee will be diverse and about six people. This is an important assignment and will require a real commitment to the process.
In our first letter, we also told you that we must complete and submit paperwork to the Synod Office. Some of you asked what that paperwork looks like. The South Carolina Synod has information on its website dedicated to the Call Process. I think you would find it informative. Here’s a link to it.
We need YOU!
We are always looking for individuals willing to serve as worship assistants, ushers, communion assistants, hospitality table providers, children’s time teachers or assistants, and AV and sound providers. We teach you all you need to know, and we aren’t looking for perfection. We are looking for those willing to serve.
If you are interested in serving as one of these, please reach out to Courtney Coker or me, and we will get you on the calendar.
| | Rev. Frank Lavaughn Keisler | | | | |
Our Congregational Sympathies to the family, friends, and former parishioners of Rev. Lavaughn Keisler. Pastor Keisler was the seventh Pastor at Pilgrim from 1963 to 1966.
Read the Obituary of Rev. Frank Lavaughn Keisler here.
| | Pentecost and Confirmation | | |
On Pentecost Sunday, May 24, we will celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit 50 days after Easter. Everyone is encouraged to wear something red to mark this day.
We will also celebrate two of our teenagers who will be confirming their faith, Caleb Sease Hendrix and Sylvia Kay Francis. Caleb is a rising 10th grader, and Sylvia is a rising 8th grader. Both have been attending confirmation weekend camps at Lutheridge and have been meeting every Wednesday for conversation about and instruction on our faith.
| | New banner system improves safety | | |
Many Thanks to Keith Galloway for redesigning our display of seasonal banners that adorn the back wall of the sanctuary, with assistance from Greg Sommer and Will Shealy.
We now have the ability to change out our banners each season without someone needing to climb a 10-foot ladder. This new arrangement is beautiful and much safer for our Altar Guild volunteers.
| | |
Special thanks to Laura Hibbs for sharing this meaningful video from Linda Desjardins.
In it, Linda shares heartfelt wisdom and encourages all of us to embrace the small moments that often become the most meaningful parts of life.
| | |
Kids, cool off with a Creek Walk with park rangers at Saluda Shoals. We’ll gather at 9 a.m. on July 18. The program is designed for children ages 3-8. At least one parent must also attend. Children must be at least 30 lbs. More details and registration coming later.
This awesome program is fully sponsored by Pilgrim through a grant from our denomination, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, to support our “Helping Kids Thrive in a Stressed-Out World” initiative.
| | Saturday Morning Yoga at Pilgrim | | |
Pilgrim is excited to introduce a new wellness opportunity for our community, yoga sessions led by Sister D’Etta Broam. This program is designed to be accessible to all, offering a chair and mat combination to support a variety of comfort and ability levels.
| |
Classes will be held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. in the chapel (as space allows), beginning May 30. Additional session dates include June 6, June 20, June 27, and July 18. Each gathering will last 45 minutes.
The cost is $50 for the full five-session series or $12 per drop-in session. Payments will be made directly to Sister D’Etta, who is leading and organizing the program.
16 individuals are already committed to getting things started, and we look forward to welcoming others as the program grows.
If you are interested in participating, please contact the church office to sign up or learn more. We hope you’ll join us for this time of movement, reflection, and community.
| | |
Throughout May, Pilgrim’s Leah Circle has been collecting individual fruit cups and juice drinks for our food pantry. Thanks to your generosity, the box is already nearly full!
These easy-to-pack items are a great help to families and children in our community. As we continue through the month, there’s still time to add a few more donations. Thank you for your continued support of our food pantry!
| | Pastor Mary’s retirement celebration | | |
The “Cheers to the Years Team” invites everyone to mark their calendars and save the date!
We will celebrate Pastor Mary’s retirement and her time with us on Saturday, December 12, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall here at Pilgrim Lutheran Church.
Stay tuned to Pilgrim’s Progress for more updates!
| | |
Pastor Mary Anderson has published her newest Super Quick Bible Study. These short, faith-filled reflections are perfect for carpool lines, lunch breaks, or quiet moments when you need a reminder of God’s love. Read it here.
| | Pilgrim Community Preschool | | |
As another school year comes to a close, we are grateful for the opportunity to gather with our 4K students and their families for a special baccalaureate chapel service and picnic lunch. It is always a meaningful time of celebration, reflection, and blessings as we honor this important milestone together.
Pictured: Pastor Mary Anderson with the preschool children during the baccalaureate chapel service in the sanctuary; Delores Steinhauser looking through her grandchild’s memory book; and one of the preschool students, Ellie, proudly showing her artwork.
| | Emergency Contact Form Reminder | | |
Thank you to everyone who has already submitted your Emergency Contact Form. We appreciate it!
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please take a moment to complete it. Having updated information helps us care for one another in case of a medical emergency or natural disaster.
You can fill it out online using the link here, pick up a copy in the Narthex, or contact the church office for assistance.
| | Pastor’s Discretionary Fund | | A reminder that our church maintains a Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, which is used to provide confidential assistance when needs arise within our community. If you would like to contribute, please note “Pastor’s Discretionary Fund” in the memo line of your check or on your envelope. Thank you for your generosity and care for one another. | | |
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church is hosting a 6-week Savvy Seniors Summer Camp this summer for seniors who enjoy learning, staying active, and fellowship! Classes will include a variety of historical and community-centered topics, and lunch is included each week.
The camp will be held on Wednesdays at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 400 River Rd., Irmo, on the Irmo side of the dam. The cost is $45, and seating is limited.
For more information, click here or visit St. Michael’s website.
| | Stay updated with Lutheran publications | | | | If you’re looking for inspiring stories and updates about the ELCA and happenings around the world, be sure to check out the Living Lutheran magazine. Just click here. | | |
If you’d like to stay connected with what’s going on in South Carolina, don’t miss the weekly newsletter from the South Carolina Synod, the Lutheran Living in South Carolina eNews. Just click here to read it. Enjoy!
| | How Can I Give to Pilgrim? | | |
We offer multiple ways to give that make supporting us easy and convenient. You can give in person, visit us online at www.wearepilgrim.com, send your donation by mail to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 N. Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072, or set up recurring giving with Simply Giving, our electronic automatic giving.
As you think about your contributions, please consider electronic giving. It’s simple, reliable, and helps us plan better for the future. With Simply Giving, your donation is ready to go toward our ministry needs right away, and it also involves fewer fees than online credit card donations.
| | |
Worship Service Volunteers, please read!
You can view the 2026 list of Worship Volunteers in the schedule here. It is always a work in progress. If you notice an error or suspect a conflict, please notify us. We need your help keeping up with them.
Remember, if you can’t cover your assigned job, please find someone to take your place. If you ask, other volunteers will swap weeks with you. Then, once you’ve found someone to take your place, call or text Courtney Coker in the office, and she can make those needed changes online, in Pilgrim’s Progress, and in the Sunday Bulletin.
May 17, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Jamy Claire Archer
Ushers — Scott Grosse and Ricky Wingard
Communion Assistants — Mary Beth Hill and Becky Wingard
Counters — Don and Jamie Kosanka
Hospitality Table — Lou Galloway
Children’s Time — Allison Hallman and Shelia McCullough
May 24, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Kathy Boivin
Ushers — Tyler Mears and Brenda Sommer
Communion Assistants — Margie Bundrick and Kathleen Shutt
Counters — Need Volunteer and Todd Hendrix
Hospitality Table — Mary Beth Hill
Children’s Time — Ryan Mears
May 31, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Kristin Dashiell
Ushers — Joe Kaminer and Brenda Sommer
Communion Assistants — David and Jane Park
Counters — Jamie Kosanka and Need Volunteer
Hospitality Table — Laura Hibbs and Laney Strickland
Children’s Time — Jackie Kaminer
June 7, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Lou Galloway
Ushers — Mary Beth Hill and Ted Wingard
Communion Assistants — Carl and Debra Richardson
Counters — Melissa Hendrix and Scott Grosse
Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer
Children’s Time — Becky Wingard
| | |
Pilgrim’s Prayer List
Alan Addy
Myra Boyd
Mary Ann Crawshaw
Norma Drafts
Claudine Hope
Jimmy Metts
Bill Sanders
Greg Sommer
Friends of Pilgrim
Bishop Ginny Aebischer
Joyce Czarnecki
Pamela Francis’ mother
Ben Green, Greg Sommer’s brother-in-law
Nadine Greene, friend of Karl and Carolyn Horner
Family and Friends of Rev. Lavaughn Keisler as they grieve his death. Pastor Keisler was the seventh Pastor at Pilgrim from 1963 to 1966.
Tina Krause, friend of Pastor Mary
Lars, Brenda Sommer’s Nephew
Eileen and Ronnie Leaphart, dear friends of Myron and Linda Corley
LeMaster Family, family of Melissa Hendrix
Louise Newton, friend of Ricky and Becky Wingard
Jill Sanders, Wally and Delores Steinhauser’s cousin-in-law
Trey Soud, friend of Wally and Delores Steinhauser
Louise Velky, the newest member of Mary Beth Hill’s family, as she has been in and out of the hospital.
Pastor Carl and Debra Yost, as his health struggles continue.
Please contact the church office if you would like someone added or removed from the prayer list.
| | Worship is at 10 a.m. each Sunday. | | |
Scriptures for this Sunday
The First Reading: Acts 1:6-14
The Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11
Gospel: John 17:1-11
| | Worship Service replay from Sunday, May 10, 2026 | | | | |
