The church office will be closed on Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. | | |
Thursday, January 15, 2026
What’s New for You?
- Recapping our Jan. 11, 2026 Congregation Meeting
- On Sunday, we welcome Deacon Dallas Shealy as our worship leader.
- Our accompanist this Sunday is Tricia Hood.
- Help Shape the Future of Our Synod.
- Taking It Out the Door!
- Generosity Team Mortgage Update
- The Season of Lent is almost here.
- Thank you for your Christmas love offering.
- Divine Echoes children’s choir
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Happy Thursday, Pilgrims!
Well, here we go, stepping out into our fourth year as pastor and people at Pilgrim! As we know, in each new year of life, we step out into a future we cannot see. The only thing we do know is that God is already there, preparing a place for us and accompanying us in all our unforeseen joys and difficulties, our hopes and disappointments. This congregation is an embodiment of that holy promise. The ways we show up for each other, provide both silent and spoken witness to the gospel, and encourage others to “come and see” Jesus, are all the ways we let the light of Christ shine in a weary world.
I’m grateful for our work together to find a way forward with our Church Council that enables us to have strong leadership in 2026. In this next year of ministry, we will need to focus on strengthening some of our other ministry muscles to prepare us for the next chapter of our mission. As we announced previously, two members were nominated to serve on Council for new terms on Council – Peter Reinhart and Ricky Wingard. Ricky has discerned that he needs to focus on his health currently and, therefore, has withdrawn his name from consideration. We received notice of this at the beginning of the year. We thank him and all of you who were discerning service on Council for doing that faithful and prayerful work.
Stay strong in these difficult days for our country and our world. Epiphany promises us light in the darkness, even “thick darkness” as Isaiah preached. Keep supporting one another and keep being a witness to that light.
Pastor Mary
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Council President’s Page
Mary Beth Hill
Recapping our Jan. 11, 2026 Congregation Meeting
What happened?
At 11:05 a.m. on Sunday (immediately after Worship), we opened a Called Meeting of the Congregation of Pilgrim Lutheran Church to order in the Sanctuary. The Church (Congregation) Council called the meeting for the sole purpose of updating one paragraph of our Constitution to a paragraph (C12.02) recommended by the ELCA in their 2025 (August) Model Constitution.
Using C12.02 in the (08-2025) MODEL CONSTITUTION FOR CONGREGATIONS, our revision would state: C12.02 The members of the Congregation Council, except the pastor(s) [and deacon(s)] shall be elected by written ballot to serve for 2 years or until their successors are elected. Such members shall be eligible to serve no more than two full terms consecutively. Their terms shall begin at the close of the annual meeting at which they are elected.
At Worship Sunday, we had 69 attendees, including children and non-members. More than 49 members stayed for the meeting.
Fifty-three voting members completed the ballots they received. Those were collected by the ushers and taken to the narthex, where they were counted.
The congregation passed the proposed change to the Constitution with 53 in favor votes and 0 opposed votes.
By changing Chapter 12, we reduced council members’ terms from three years to two years. This change will also allow members already on the council to serve a consecutive term while remaining in compliance with the Constitution.
On Sunday, Jan. 25, 2926, we proceed with Council elections
As you know, Pilgrim Lutheran Church’s Congregation (Church) 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.
Only two of these people, Joe Kaminer and Wally Steinhauser, have not had any time left on their current council term. Joe Kaminer has two more years remaining on his term, while Wally Steinhauser has one more year remaining on his term. Keith, Melissa, Jennifer, Jimmy, and Mary Beth Hill were elected in 2022. Kathleen was elected in 2024 to finish out someone else’s term.
We believe that a council with Pastor Mary Anderson, Treasurer Wade Miles, 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).
For that reason, Congregational President/Council Chair Mary Beth Hill and Members Melissa Hendrix, Jennifer Schwabe, and Kathleen Shutt are willing to continue for at least one more year.
To recap, we’ll hold the vote on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. On the ballot will be Peter Reinhart, current members Melissa Hendrix, Jennifer Schwabe, and Kathleen Shutt, Treasurer Wade Miles, and Congregational President/Council Chair Mary Beth Hill.
| | On Sunday, we welcome Deacon Dallas Shealy as our worship leader | |
She is completing her long service as the Executive Director of the SC Lutheran Retreat Centers (Camp Kinard and Coastal Retreat Center) this spring. Pastor Mary will be away for the weekend serving as the Stewardship preacher for one of her former interim congregations, Christ Lutheran on Hilton Head Island. Thank you for welcoming Deacon Dallas back to Pilgrim!
| | Our accompanist this Sunday is Tricia Hood | | |
We are grateful to welcome Tricia Hood as our accompanist this Sunday.
Tricia, niece of Ted Wingard, taught music in Lexington School District One for 28 years and is a member of St. David’s Lutheran Church, where she serves on the council, sings in the choir, and plays handbells. She enjoys supporting other congregations through her music, and we are truly blessed to have her with us.
Our interim accompanist, Elias Blake, is in Houston, Texas, this week presenting at the College Music Society’s 2026 Think-Tank Summit, a national conference dedicated to advancing career-centered curricula, fostering innovation, and supporting diverse pathways for today’s music students. Elias is offering an Innovation Presentation exploring the use of generative AI in collegiate group piano programs.
| | Help Shape the Future of Our Synod | | |
After nearly 18 years of faithful leadership, Bishop Ginny Aebischer has announced she will not seek reelection. A new bishop will be elected at the 2026 South Carolina Synod Assembly.
The Bishop’s Election Committee invites all members of the synod to participate in an online survey to help shape a Synod Profile that will guide this important discernment process. Your input will help identify the hopes and needs of our Synod for the future.
Please complete the survey by the end of the day today.
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Stay tuned to this space for a new occasional feature in Pilgrim’s Progress. Taking It Out the Door! will feature a member of our church community and the volunteer work they do during the week.
Pastor Mary will be contacting some of you whose work in the community is known to her, but we invite you to tell us your own volunteer story. Doing that helps us encourage one another and gives us all ideas of how we can serve, too.
Oh, and what’s the “it”? That would be Jesus, your faith, and the gospel, as you live out the Word you have heard in worship with the Service you do in the world.
| | Generosity Team Mortgage Update | | |
Thanks to everyone who contributed toward our mortgage principal in December and January. Together, we raised $9,500. As of this week, our mortgage with First Community Bank stands at $133,000. This will drop our monthly payment by $500 to $1,130. As a point of reference, in 2019, our monthly payment was $20,000. In 2023, our mortgage stood at $919,000.
We continue to pay on our interest-free loan with the SC Lutheran Men in Mission, and that loan stands at nearly the same amount as our bank loan. We are going to refinance this bank loan with a 20-year note, so the numbers above are expected to drop somewhat.
With amazing generosity and smart financial stewardship, we have accomplished great things here. Your continued contributions to this loan and your financial stewardship to our on-going ministry needs is encouraged. Thanks be to God for all good gifts!
| | 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, 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 “disciple 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.
| | Thank you for the Christmas love offering | |
Thank you so much for the Christmas love offering. Your generosity and kindness truly mean a lot to us. We feel incredibly blessed to be part of such a thoughtful and caring church family, and we are grateful for the love and support you share with us, not just at Christmas, but all year long.
With heartfelt thanks,
Pastor Mary, Courtney, Susan, and Ruthie
| | Divine Echoes children’s choir | | |
The Divine Echoes children’s choir will continue and expand under the leadership of Director Susan Caffety and Laura Hibbs. They will meet on January 25, following the 10 a.m. worship service.
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The AV Team needs you!
Keith Galloway, who leads the AV Team, is looking for volunteers to help on Sundays. They need folks willing to run the camera at the back of the church during the service, to change the slides on the screen during the service, to prepare the slides each week, etc.
He promises that it is not complicated. I promise that the folks already volunteering are a great group and lots of fun.
If you are curious about these opportunities, please reach out to Keith. Thanks!
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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.
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Heroes and Villains of the Bible
A New Bible Study Adventure!
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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. Seats are limited!
| | The Festival of Candlemas is February 1 | | |
Epiphany is the Season of Light as we give thanks for Christ, the Light of the World, and our call in baptism to share that light with all whom we encounter. An ancient festival in the church is celebrated 40 days after Christmas, commemorating the story from Luke 2 of Baby Jesus’ presentation in the Temple. There he encountered the prophetess Anna and Simeon, who on taking the baby in his arms, declared, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
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.
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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!
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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 | | 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 currently 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.
January 18, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Kathy Boivin
Ushers — Scott Grosse and Brenda Sommer
Communion Assistants — Carl and Debra Richardson
Counters —Don Kosanka and Wally Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Laura Hibbs and Laney Strickland
Children’s Time — Ryan Mears and Amber Chavis
January 25, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Lou Galloway
Ushers — Joe Kaminer and Ted Wingard
Communion Assistants — David and Jane Park
Counters — Melissa Hendrix and Delores Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Debra Richardson
Children’s Time — Terri Lemke
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
Children’s Time —
February 22, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Kathleen Shutt
Ushers — Don and Jamie Kosanka
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
Wally Steinhauser
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: Isaiah 49:1-7
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9
Gospel Reading: John 1:29-42
| | Worship Service replay from Sunday, January 11, 2026 | | | | |
