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Pilgrim’s Progress
The weekly newsletter of Pilgrim Lutheran Church
Thursday, December 18, 2025
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What’s New for You!
- Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m., we need three “new visitor greeters.”
- Advent and Christmas at Pilgrim
- Pilgrim Community Preschool
- Super Quick Bible Study
- Thank You from Richland County CASA
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Happy Thursday, Pilgrims!
Oh, my goodness, it’s only a week until Christmas Day! As I look at my December calendar for the first 21 days, it’s packed with commitments of all sorts. The last two weeks of this month have lots of white space in most of my calendar squares. I’m looking forward to this sabbath time to enjoy the Twelve Days of Christmas. I hope you’ll have some sabbath moments as well with family, friends, or just some quiet reflection time for yourself. It’s both spiritually and physically healthy for us all.
I’ll be enjoying Hilton Head Island from December 29 to January 3. Some young friends from Pennsylvania will join us part of the time on their way to Disney World. At church, we will pause a few normal activities during the Christmas season. There will not be Bible Study on Tuesday, December 23, but it will resume on the 30th with Peter Reinhart leading it. Confirmation Class will pause during this time while our students are on Winter Break. Pilgrim’s Progress may just be an electronic Christmas card to you next week.
For all who continue to struggle with seasonal illnesses and those with some difficult medical conditions, our prayers are with you this holiday for renewed health and wellness. Continue to pray for our country and our world as divisions, conflicts, and traumas of all kinds are epidemic. Seek ways you can advocate for the ethics of the Prince of Peace in the places where you live, work, and serve. As one of our old hippie songs once sang: Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!
Blessed Advent, Merry Christmas,
Pastor Mary
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For our Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m., we need three “new visitor greeters” to identify and hand out a special welcome gift we have for each one. Doing this is part of an outreach project in partnership with the SC Lutheran Synod and WIS-TV. It’s helpful if these greeters have a good knowledge of our current congregation and can easily recognize those who are new and are not accompanying any of our members. If you are interested, contact Pastor Mary for more details!
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Put Pilgrim Lutheran on your Christmas list with an end-of-the-year gift. Consider a gift to the mortgage pay down, to our General Fund, and/or to one of our many ministry partners like Lutheran Disaster Relief, World Hunger, Mission Lexington, or Newberry College.
Let us know how to divide or distribute your gifts, and we’ll be glad to do that for you! Many thanks for your partnership all throughout this year!
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Council President’s Page
Mary Beth Hill
Pssst! This is the worst-kept secret.
“I’m whispering. Can you hear me? Lean in and listen closely.
“We’ve been trying to keep this a secret. And, well, maybe we’ve done that terribly or even too well. We are planning a love offering for our wonderful staff, and we would love for you to participate. Just give your contribution to Angie or Jimmy Smith. Or, drop it in the offering plate or by the office with a note that it is for the Love Offering.
“Tell others. But remember to whisper!”
Recapping our Annual Congregation Meeting
What happened?
At 11:16 a.m. on Sunday (immediately after Worship), we called the Annual Congregation Meeting of Pilgrim Lutheran Church to order in the Sanctuary. At Worship Sunday, we had 73 attendees. Forty-three members and two non-members stayed for the meeting.
Forty-three members completed the ballots they received. Those were collected by the ushers and taken to the narthex, where they were counted.
The congregation approved the proposed 2026 Ministry Plan (budget) with 43 in favor votes and 0 opposed votes, passing the 2026 Ministry Plan (budget).
You can see the plan here.
Prior to the meeting
A lot of work goes into preparing for and holding our annual meeting and the two information sessions (November 30 and December 7), where attendees heard Melissa Hendrix present the proposed 2026 Ministry Plan (budget) and had the opportunity to ask questions.
Although she distributed copies of the 2026 Ministry Plan (budget) at each meeting, we also included a link to her entire presentation in several weeks of Pilgrim’s Progress, our weekly newsletter.
Thank you!
As you know, information as detailed as the information provided in the Ministry Plan would not be possible without the hard work of Melissa Hendrix and the help of the other Generosity (finance) Team members: Wade Miles (treasurer) and Wally Steinhauser, your church Council, Courtney Coker, and Pastor Mary Anderson. Thank you for everything!
Dismissal
We declared the 2025 Annual Congregation Meeting adjourned at 11:21 a.m.
A reminder!
We have set another congregation meeting for 30 days from the date of our first information session, November 30, 2025. This makes that second congregational meeting take place on January 11, 2026. Giving the congregation the same 30-day period to consider the change before voting.
During that 30-day time, we will revisit the constitution, amend the section (Chapter 12.01 and 12.02) on council elections, and hold two information sessions (Sunday, Dec. 28, and Sunday, January 4).
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!
Mark your calendars! 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.
Get your competitive spirit on!
| | Advent and Christmas at Pilgrim | | |
As we continue this beautiful Advent season, we give thanks for the many musicians and artists who bless our worship with beauty, joy, and reverence. Their gifts, offered through voices, instruments, movement, and creativity, help prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ, and we are deeply grateful for each one who contributes to our worship.
A special word of gratitude goes to Lou Galloway, our Bearer of the Light, whose graceful and elegant dance continues to enrich our Advent services.
We also look forward to the celebrations still to come this month.
| We welcome new members on Advent 4, December 21, 2025 | |
Pilgrim is honored to welcome Irmo residents David and Amber Marshall. They first came to Pilgrim at the invitation of David’s sister, Music Director, Susan Caffery. Amber is a physician with Prisma Health at Richland Hospital. She also volunteers with the Good Samaritan Clinic in Chapin, which provides healthcare to the uninsured. David is a licensed realtor and has volunteered in the past with the S.C. Department of Juvenile Justice. He was raised in Lexington United Methodist Church, and Amber has been part of the Baptist denomination previously. We’re glad they are here and look forward to our partnership in the Gospel we share!
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On this day, we’ll also happily welcome Johan and Hestermarie Jansen van Vuuren. They have been visiting with us for several months since their move to Lexington. They moved to the U.S. a few years ago from South Africa, where he was raised in the Dutch Reformed Church Pretoria. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church. Johan is a businessman in Columbia, and Hestermarie is an interior designer. They volunteer in the biker community and with animal rescue. As newcomers to Pilgrim, to Lexington, and to the United States, they appreciated the welcome they received here from their first visit forward.
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On December 28, we will welcome through the waters of Baptism, Tilman Stefan Walter Marcus Schwabe, son of Wolfram and Jennifer, brother to Erika, Clara, and Wilhelm. His baptismal sponsors are Aunt Astrid Hoffmann and Cousin Julianna Smith. His grandparents are Walter and Kelly Hallman, Mark Link, and Stefan and Maria Schwabe. Tilman was born on January 5, 2025, the Twelfth Day of Christmas!
| | Thank You from Richland County CASA | | |
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Richland County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for their kind words of gratitude following our recent toy drive. The SALT group collected wonderful toys for the children served by this program.
In their message to Pilgrim, CASA shared that these gifts helped bring joy and a sense of normalcy to the children they serve, reminding them that their community cares deeply about them, especially during the holiday season.
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We are especially proud to note that Peter Reinhart, a member of our congregation, served as one of CASA’s Guardians ad Litem, for 24 year advocating for the best interests of children in the court system. He just finished his last case.
Thank you, SALT family, for helping make Christmas brighter for these children.
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St. Nicholas (Bishop of Myra in modern Turkey, March 15, 270 – December 6, 343) was an example of generosity to those who have little in this world. Teach generosity at home in all sorts of ways.
This Christmas season, when you are shopping with your kids for food or gifts, encourage them to pick out one thing that can be given to others, such as a food item to put in the Pilgrim Food Pantry or a pair of gloves to donate to Mission Lexington or elsewhere. Focus on gratitude on a regular basis, and generosity will naturally follow.
Teens and Screens will probably be together a lot during the school winter break. Maybe they can use those phones to make a family Christmas movie and then let them show it to the gathered family during the holidays (with hot chocolate and cookies, of course!).
| | Pilgrim Community Preschool | | |
It’s been a joyful and busy week at Pilgrim Community Preschool! Our preschoolers have been hard at work preparing for their Christmas play, which they’ll share tonight at 6 p.m. Their excitement, singing, and practicing have filled the building with holiday cheer.
Adding to the fun, the Grinch paid a surprise visit on Wednesday, stopping by both the preschool classrooms and the church office. Smiles, laughter, and a little mischief followed wherever he went!
We’re so grateful for the teachers, families, and children who make this season so special at Pilgrim.
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Those who own a square(s) in the Cemetery are reminded that the annual contribution of $50 per square is now due. These contributions help ensure the continued upkeep and care of our Cemetery grounds.
Please make checks payable to Pilgrim Lutheran Church Cemetery.
If you have any questions, please refer to the Cemetery Rules and Regulations, or contact a member of the Cemetery Committee.
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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.
| | Stay updated with Lutheran publications | | | | |
Have you ever heard a whisper?
View and share Presiding ELCA Bishop Yehiel Curry’s Christmas message.
| | 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. | | 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 currently a work in progress. If the column is colored, it is finished. Using Worship Assistant as an example, you will see it is not 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.
December 21, 2025, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Lou Galloway
Ushers — Joe Kaminer and Tyler Mears
Communion Assistants — Kathleen Shutt and Mary Beth Hill
Counters — Jamie Kosanka and Delores Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Melissa Hendrix
Children’s Time — Volunteer Needed
December 24, 2025, 5 p.m.
Worship Assistant — Kathy Boivin
Ushers — Mary Beth Hill and Jimmy Smith
Communion Assistants — Carl and Debra Richardson
Counters — Volunteers Needed
Hospitality Table — No Table on Christmas Eve
Children’s Time — Volunteer Needed
December 28, 2025, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Lou Galloway
Ushers — Carl Richardson and Volunteer Needed
Communion Assistants — Carolyn Horner and Kathy Boivin
Counters — Melissa Hendrix and Wally Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Volunteer Needed
Children’s Time — Volunteer Needed
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Pilgrim’s Prayer List
Anne Addy
Myra Boyd
Wayne and Gail Buff
Mary Ann Crawshaw
Tonya Creamer’s mother, Linda Townsend
Marty Dashiell
Norma Drafts
Walt Hallman
Claudine Hope
Jimmy Metts
Bill Sanders
Wally Steinhauser
Joan Trawick
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
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: Isaiah 7:10-16
The Psalmody: Psalm 80
Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
| | Worship Service replay from Sunday, December 14, 2025 | | | | |
