❄️ We’re weather aware. Stay tuned to your phone this weekend for any church updates. ❄️ | | |
Thursday, January 29, 2026
What’s New for You?
- This Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, we hold the vote on Pilgrim Lutheran Church’s Congregation (Church) Council.
- Heroes of the Bible is tomorrow. It’s not too late to RSVP!
- Divine Echoes will meet this Sunday.
- Help us deliver smiles this Valentine’s Day.
- Red Cross Blood Drive
- Parent Pro Tip
- Super Quick Bible Study
- 2026 Wild Women retreat
- Standing With Minnesota Lutherans
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Happy Thursday, Pilgrims!
I hope you’re all doing well in these very cold days. We continue to pray for our sisters and brothers in even colder places this winter season. While the weather is difficult, the political climate is beyond discouraging for many of us. Along with the violence on our streets and protests on our sidewalks, we are coping with a sense of hopelessness in the face of the changing face of American culture. This Sunday, we’ll hear the well-loved scripture of Micah 6 in which the Lord encourages us to be transformed by doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with our God. We know what God requires of us, but it confuses us to ponder the “how” of following God’s ways. How do each of us do justice, love kindness, and take that humble walk?
Sometimes, we might choose to participate in a large crowd of protestors to call for an end to violence or injustice. That certainly has its place, and I’ve been in those groups several times. But most of the time, we follow Micah 6:8, one act of kindness, one step toward justice at a time.
Some people walk with heavy and big steps in the world, like Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Harriet Tubman, and Desmond Tutu. Most of us walk softly and rather silently on little cat feet. Don’t think the small steps don’t add up. Remember those monks walking step by step, one day at a time. So, write your Congressperson another email, make another casserole for a disabled neighbor, volunteer at Mission Lexington, and teach your grandson how to love his neighbors as himself. A little bit of justice, a little bit of kindness in God’s hands often grows beyond our imagination. Keep the faith. Be brave.
Pastor Mary
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Council President’s Page
Mary Beth Hill
Try, Try Again!
This Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, we hold the vote on Pilgrim Lutheran Church’s Congregation (Church) Council.
Your Council currently consists of Pastor Mary Anderson, Treasurer Wade Miles, Congregational President/Council Chair Mary Beth Hill, Vice President Jimmy Smith, and Members Keith Galloway, Melissa Hendrix, Joe Kaminer, Jennifer Schwabe, Kathleen Shutt, and Wally Steinhauser.
Joe Kaminer has two more years left in his current term, while Wally Steinhauser has one more year left in his.
Keith, Melissa, Jennifer, Jimmy, and Mary Beth Hill were elected in 2022, making this the last year of their 2023–2025 term. Kathleen was elected in 2024 to finish out someone else’s term (2025).
Because we believe that a council with Pastor Mary Anderson, Joe, Wally, and Peter Reinhart, who is willing to serve, is too small to provide a fair representation of the members and, quite frankly, to finish the work we have begun (eliminating the mortgage; positioning the congregation to enter the call process with more stability, financial strength, and focused mission; renewing trust in our congregational leadership, developing new leaders in the congregation, developing a deeper culture of hospitality, finishing our new constitution process, welcoming new members, and deepening our relationships with the Lexington community, Mission Lexington, the SC Synod, and our churchwide partners).
Melissa Hendrix, Mary Beth Hill, Jennifer Schwabe, and Kathleen Shutt are willing to continue for at least one more year. Our recent change to the church’s constitution (updating one paragraph of our Constitution to a paragraph, C12.02, recommended by the ELCA in their 2025 August Model Constitution) allows that to happen.
As you remember, by amending Chapter 12 (C12.02), we reduced council members’ terms from 3 years to 2 years and allowed members already on the council to serve a consecutive 2-year term while remaining in compliance with the Constitution.
On the ballot for (2026–2027) will be Melissa Hendrix, Mary Beth Hill, Peter Reinhart, Jennifer Schwabe, and Kathleen Shutt.
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Heroes and Villains of the Bible
It’s not too late to RSVP!
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Hero and Villain characters are big with Disney these days and have always been big in the Bible. Join us for a Dutch Treat dinner at O’Hara’s in a private space in this popular restaurant in Lexington.
Pastor Mary will teach us about several significant Biblical heroes in January and several villains in March to expand our repertoire of scriptural characters. For fun, participants are encouraged (but hardly required) to wear a costume reflecting a favorite hero or villain from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, history, literature, TV, movies, and more. Because seating is limited, this will be an event just for teens and adults.
- January 30 at 6:30 p.m. for Heroes of the Bible
- March 27 at 6:30 p.m. for Villains of the Bible
O’Hara’s Restaurant, 131 E. Main St., Lexington, SC 29072
Hero and Villain costumes encouraged!
Click here to RSVP. There are still five seats available!
| | The Festival of Candlemas is February 1 | | |
We will celebrate this festival in the traditional way by bringing candles from home to be lit and blessed. During worship, we will bless all the candles (and oil) used to bring light to our sanctuary for the coming year. You are then encouraged to take your candle home and use it throughout the rest of the Epiphany season as a reminder of Christ’s light in your daily life.
This festival, held on February 1, marks the church’s official end of the Christmas season.
| | Divine Echoes children’s choir | | |
The Divine Echoes children’s choir will continue and expand under the leadership of Music Director Susan Caffety and Laura Hibbs.
They will meet this Sunday, February 1, after the quick Congregation Meeting which follows Worship.
| | Help us deliver smiles this Valentine’s Day | | |
The Visitation Team is collecting Valentine cards for our shut-ins and just older youth on February 1 and February 8.
Bags for the cards will be on the table in the Narthex next to the Hospitality Table. We invite everyone to help brighten someone’s day by writing a card and placing it in the bag by February 8.
These friends truly appreciate our visits, and your thoughtful messages mean so much to them.
With many thanks,
The Visitation Team
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Pilgrim Lutheran Church is excited to host a blood drive on February 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you there!
| | Souper Bowl Sunday: A little rivalry, a lot of love | | |
It’s been chilly! But, let’s talk CHILI.
A bright Golden Ladle hangs on the wall just inside the Narthex. Last year, the Golden Ladle honor went to Becky Wingard for her outstanding chili.
Who will take that honor on Super Bowl Sunday, February 8? Will Becky repeat? Or, will another PLC member intercept that award with their stupendous chili moves?
Just bring a crockpot or other container of your homemade chili for the congregation to sample!
Please use this link or the sign-up sheet in the Narthex to sign up to bring Chili.
February 8 is also our PLC’s “Souper Bowl.”
We will be gathering cans of soup and other substantial foods for our PLC Food Pantry in the weeks leading up to February 8.
Seahawks vs. Patriots! Bring your donations, choose your side, and help us see which team can score the most cans for our pantry. A little friendly rivalry for a great cause.
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Here are two tips, one for parents of preschoolers and one for parents of adults. Remember, parenting is a life-long vocation!
- Parents with children under six hopefully know how important it is to read to their children every day. Here’s one important reason why: Children whose parents read to them know 1.4 million more words than their peers who haven’t had this reading advantage by the time they begin first grade. Encourage your friends and family to read to their young children, too!
- Parents, especially moms with adult children, need to call them often. Why? Because neuroscience shows your mother’s voice lowers cortisol levels and releases oxytocin faster than meditation, exercise, or therapy. Often, a mom’s voice does this because our brains are hardwired to recognize our mom’s voices as safety before we could even walk. She could regulate us when we were 3 years old and even when we’re 33. Here at Pilgrim’s Progress headquarters, we’re convinced that caring and attentive dads have the same effect. Keep those lines of communication open!
| | Looking Ahead with Mission Lexington | | |
Pictured (left to right): Ron Williams, Pastor Mary, and Nikki Smith. Pilgrim recently hosted a Lutheran Men’s gathering with leaders from Mission Lexington, who shared plans and answered questions about the new Mission Lexington building being constructed next door. We are grateful for their time, openness, and partnership as we continue serving our community together.
Founded in 1978 by four churches, including Pilgrim, Mission Lexington serves as Lexington County’s central resource for crisis assistance, providing food, clothing, shelter, and supportive guidance. In 2025 alone, Mission Lexington addressed more than 39,161 needs. Mission Lexington is supported by local partners and 63 member churches, and is headquartered at 216 Harmon Street in downtown Lexington.
| | 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. | | The Season of Lent is almost here | | |
Please mark your calendars as we prepare to enter the Season of Lent. Our Ash Wednesday worship service will be held on February 18, at 7 p.m., a meaningful time to begin this sacred season of reflection and renewal.
This Lent, Jane Park and Pastor Mary are teaming up to offer Lenten Suppers and a discipleship-building program on Sunday evenings at 5 p.m. Together, they will focus on strengthening both body and spirit. Jane will nourish us with delicious meals, and Pastor Mary will lead a program designed to help us build and strengthen our “disciplining muscles.”
Our Sunday evening gatherings will take place on:
- February 22
- March 1
- March 8
- March 15
- March 22
We hope you’ll join us for this time of fellowship, learning, and spiritual growth as we journey through Lent together.
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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.
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A Retreat for Women!
The theme for the 2026 Wild Women retreat will be “So She Laughed,” from Genesis 18:12. The retreat will be at Lutheridge in Arden, N.C. During the weekend, we will explore the spirituality of joy and laughter through Bible study, workshops, and joy-filled fellowship. With an optional afternoon outing to LaZoom Comedy Bus Tours, this weekend is sure to put the “wild” in Wild Women and make you LAUGH!
The program will begin on Friday at 7 p.m. and conclude by 11 a.m. on Sunday.
Pastor Mary will be one of the leaders the second weekend, March 13-15. She’ll be doing a workshop titled “Complete Joy for Incomplete People.” She’d love to have some Pilgrim people join in this year. Her daughter, Pastor Elise Anderson, will also be leading that weekend.
Dates
- March 6-8, 2026
- March 13-15, 2026, Pastor Mary will be one of the leaders this weekend.
Cost
- Double Room: $265
- Single Room: $325
- Commuter: $205
- Extra Night Stay: $40 (Thursday Night)
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Standing With Minnesota Lutherans
If you know Minnesota, you know it is the Land of Lutherans. In that one state, there are six synods! ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry and the Minnesota bishops came together in this video message, calling us all to hold fast to the promises of God.
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Cookie Season has arrived! | | |
When placing an order on the troop website, please use Pilgrim Lutheran Church’s address instead of your own. This helps the Troop Cookie Manager identify and approve church orders.
Once the cookies arrive, they may be delivered to your home or to the church. The Troop Cookie Manager will contact you by text to arrange delivery.
If you need help placing an order, please contact Troop Leader Amber Chavis at 803-238-3237.
| | Stay updated with Lutheran publications | | Click here to read the latest edition of the ELCA Seeds Monthly emailed newsletter. | | |
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.
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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 for our ministry needs right away, and it also involves fewer fees than online credit card donations.
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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 the column is colored, it is finished. 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 Courtney Coker in the office, and she can make those needed changes online, in Pilgrim’s Progress, and in the Sunday Bulletin.
February 1, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Carolyn Horner
Ushers — Tyler Mears and Ricky Wingard
Communion Assistants — Lou Galloway and Kathy Boivin
Counters — Jamie Kosanka and Scott Grosse
Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer
Children’s Time — Allison Hallman and Lou Galloway
February 8, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Jackie Kaminer
Ushers — Carl Richardson and Brenda Sommer
Communion Assistants — Carolyn Horner and Margie Bundrick
Counters — Melissa Hendrix and Wally Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — No Table (Chili Cookoff)
Children’s Time — Ryan Mears and Sheila McCullough
February 15, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Ryan Mears
Ushers — Rick Harris and Wally Steinhauser
Communion Assistants — Wally and Delores Steinhauser
Counters — Todd Hendrix and Don Kosanka
Hospitality Table — Lou Galloway
Children’s Time — Jackie Kaminer and Amber Chavis
February 18, 2026, Ash Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Worship Assistant — Peter Reinhart
Ushers — Mary Beth Hill and Brenda Sommer
Communion Assistants — Myron Corley and Kathy Boivin
Counters —
Hospitality Table — No Table
February 22, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Kathleen Shutt
Ushers — Scott Grosse and Stephen Mears
Communion Assistants — Jamy Claire Archer and Jackie Kaminer
Counters — Jamie Kosanka and Delores Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer
Children’s Time — Terri Lemke
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Pilgrim’s Prayer List
Anne Addy
Myra Boyd
Linda Corley
Mary Ann Crawshaw
Tonya Creamer’s mother, Linda Townsend
Marty Dashiell
Norma Drafts
Claudine Hope
Jimmy Metts
Bill Sanders
Joan Trawick
Mark Weaver
Friends of Pilgrim
Bishop Ginny Aebischer
Friend of Mary Beth Hill, Geena Beerman
Greg Sommer’s brother-in-law, Ben Green
Friend of Karl and Carolyn Horner, Nadine Greene
Brenda Sommer’s Nephew, Lars
David Marshall and Susan Cafferty’s Aunt Nancy
Wally and Delores Steinhauser’s cousin-in-law, Jill Sanders
Friend of Wally and Delores Steinhauser, Trey Soud
| | Worship is at 10 a.m. each Sunday. | | |
Scriptures for this Sunday
The First Reading: Micah 6:1-8
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:1-12
| | Worship Service replay from Sunday, January 18, 2026 | | | | |
