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Thursday, February 26, 2026
What’s New for You?
- Service for Joan Trawick
- Divine Echoes Update
- This week in Lent at Pilgrim
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Happy Thursday, Pilgrims!
The Season of Lent is fully underway in the Church Universal and at Pilgrim Church. It’s been gratifying and exciting to see the interest in our Lenten events and activities. Below you’ll find again the information about each of these and ways to register.
This Sunday, the gospel for the Second Sunday in Lent is the story in John 3 of Nicodemus, a Pharisee, visiting Jesus by night. It is in this story that we have two famous statements by Jesus that many Christians have embraced as the core of their evangelical theology. Those two statements are “you must be born again” and “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…” [If all goes well,] I’ll use the sermon to drill down into the context of these beloved sayings to see what we can discover. We’ll also trace the other appearances of Nicodemus throughout John’s gospel. Apparently, he made more appearances in the light of day than he did in the dark of night.
And lastly, because some folks over the length of my ministry have told me they never open any mail that comes from the church, I’d like to alert you that an important letter was mailed to you today. Thanks for opening and reading it!
I’ll see some of you at birdwatching on Saturday morning, at Joan’s funeral on Saturday afternoon, worship on Sunday morning, or the Lenten supper and teaching on Sunday night. Some of you might be at four. What a blessing that would be!
Pastor Mary
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Council President’s Page
Mary Beth Hill
Reflecting on last week
On Ash Wednesday, I noticed that we had almost as many visitors join us for our evening service as we did members, which heightened my sense of “feelings.” I felt all around me a peaceful “called to come,” “all are welcome,” “we’re glad you’re here,” and “let’s share this somber and moving event.”
It was a beautiful service. Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make it happen.
Pilgrim’s new Congregational “Church” Council will have the installation of Council Members this coming Sunday during Worship.
We finally got to hold our retreat this past Sunday after Worship. It included lunch, an explanation of the values we hold dear, some monthly reports, a review of our 2025 goals and accomplishments, and an in-depth conversation about the challenges and goals ahead.
It is a great group of intelligent, calm, and out-of-the-box thinking people. I look forward to working with them.
It was another nasty, rain-pouring, wind-blowing kind of morning. But we still got our sandwiches, our fresh vegetables, a platter of fresh fruit tarts, paper goods, and tea and lemonade set up before Worship.
After our retreat ended, I hung around the church for our first Sunday night Lenten supper and Pastor Mary’s first Fasting and Embracing lesson. Our supper was wonderful thanks to Jane and David Park, while we joyed soul-filling conversations with each other and Pastor Mary’s lesson. If you’ve been toying with the idea of coming, you should come next Sunday. You won’t regret it.
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Service for Joan Trawick
Joan C. Trawick, age 95, passed to eternal life on February 17, 2026, with family by her side.
Visitation is scheduled at Pilgrim Lutheran Church on Saturday, February 28, at 2 p.m., with a funeral service at 3 p.m., and will be followed by burial in the church cemetery.
You can view her obituary here.
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Divine Echoes Update
Please note that Divine Echoes will not rehearse this week. Our handbell choir will be attending a special handbell retreat.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement!
| | This week in Lent at Pilgrim | | |
Sunday, March 1, 5 p.m. dinner and 5:30 p.m. reflection
Gather with us for a warm, welcoming evening as our Pilgrim Chef, Jane Park, treats us to a delicious Lenten dinner:
- Maple-glazed pork tenderloin
- Cheesy potatoes
- Green beans
- Cornbread
- Dessert
After dinner, Pastor Mary will lead our Lenten reflection, Fasting from Holding It All Together.
Please RSVP here so we can plan dinner and prepare accordingly. We look forward to having everyone join us!
Saturday, February 28, 8–10 a.m. Birdwatching 101
Step into the great outdoors and discover the joy of birding with John Tjaarda!
We’ll meet at the Environmental Center at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212, and enjoy a guided morning walk. There are only 4 spots left. RSVP here to reserve your spot.
Details:
- Bring your own binoculars.
- Pay the $5 park entrance fee.
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A Lent of Fasting and Embracing
A Different Kind of Fasting
On Sundays in Lent, we will gather at 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and will begin with a delicious dinner hosted by our Pilgrim Chef, Jane Park.
At 5:30 p.m., Pastor Mary will lead us in a different kind of fast each week. Using scripture, wisdom from ancient desert mothers and fathers, and spiritual practices, we’ll examine some of the behaviors that distract us from the things that can lead us to the true fullness of life God desires for us.
March 1
Fasting from Holding It All Together
March 8
Fasting from Multitasking
March 15
Fasting from Certainty
March 22
Fasting from Consuming
| Please RSVP here for Lent Fasting and Embracing so we can plan dinner and prepare accordingly. | | |
Embracing Spiritual Practices
These four events at the end of each week embrace a practice that supports our fasting from the many behaviors that weigh us down. We hope you’ll take advantage of one or all of them!
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February 28 Birdwatching 101 with John Tjaarda
Meet at the Environmental Center at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212, at 8 a.m. The walk ends at 10 a.m. The maximum group size is 12 persons. All will be responsible for paying the park entry fee and bringing their own binoculars.
John has been birding since 2012, when he taught the Bird Study Merit Badge for the local Scout Camp. He’s been leading bird walks for Historic Columbia for two years now and has assisted Zack Steinhauser in leading some walks for Carolina Safari.
When not watching our fine feathered friends, John is the Director of Development at The Big Red Barn Retreat. Previously, he was the Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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March 7 Practice “Shinrin Yoku” (Forest Bathing) with Pastor Mary Anderson at Saluda Shoals Park. 20 people maximum
Pastor Mary is serving at Pilgrim Lutheran and has been intrigued by this spiritual practice from 1980s Japan to relieve stress and anxiety. Forest Bathing is not a hike or an exercise routine but involves slow walking and sitting combined with an awareness of what we are seeing, hearing, and smelling. There will be some suggestions of scripture, prayer, and making of an earth mandala (circle) with found objects in nature to guide your trip through the park. We will start at 9 a.m. and end at 11 a.m., closing with a Tea Ceremony.
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March 20 (March 21 rain date) Viewing God’s Majesty and Mystery: A Stargazing Adventure with Astronomer Dr. Brian Peterson. 15 people maximum
Gather at Camp Kinard in Leesville, S.C., at 8 p.m. at the Big Pavilion. Those who desire are invited to meet at Shealy’s restaurant for dinner at 6:30 p.m. and are welcome to do so at their own expense.
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March 28, 10 a.m. Beginner Yoga with Sister D’Etta Broam in the Pilgrim Chapel. 12 people maximum
The ancient prayer practice of yoga has been used by many around the world to strengthen their physical, mental, and spiritual selves. This time together will let participants experience some easy ways to enter this beloved practice.
Sister D’Etta Broam was ordained as a minister of Word and Service in September 2024 and consecrated as a deaconess in the ELCA Deaconess Community in November 2024. She is a certified yoga therapist with the International Yoga Therapists Association and currently serves as a Deacon for Health and Wholeness for the SC Synod of the ELCA.
| | RSVP for all these activities this Lent. Doing so helps us plan and prepare for you! Go to this link. |
| 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. | | |
Pastor Mary is registered for all Tuesday afternoon sessions.
Please register 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, North Carolina. 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)
| | 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 | | |
Video from the South Carolina Synod, ELCA
Unity vs. Uniformity: How Do We Keep It All Together?
Featuring Rev. Dr. Chad Rimmer and Dr. Susan McArver
| | | 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 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.
March 1, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Greg Sommer
Ushers — Scott Grosse and David Marshall
Communion Assistants — Peter Reinhart and Margie Bundrick
Counters — Jamie Kosanka and Scott Grosse
Hospitality Table — Laura Hibbs and Laney Strickland
Children’s Time — Ryan Mears and Lou Galloway
March 8, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Ricky Wingard
Ushers — Joe Kaminer and Rick Harris
Communion Assistants — Darlene Clark and Kathleen Shutt
Counters — Melissa Hendrix and Wally Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Girl Scout Sunday — Scouts will provide.
Children’s Time — Allison Hallman
March 15, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Jamy Claire Archer
Ushers — Mary Beth Hill and Ted Wingard
Communion Assistants — Ricky and Becky Wingard
Counters — Don Kosanka and Melissa Hendrix
Hospitality Table — Lou Galloway
Children’s Time — Jackie Kaminer and Amber Chavis
March 22, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Kathy Boivin
Ushers — Carl Richardson and David Marshall
Communion Assistants — Lou Galloway and Carolyn Horner
Counters — Don and Jamie Kosanka
Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer
Children’s Time — Terri Lemke
March 29, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Kristen Dashiell
Ushers — Jimmy Smith and Wally Steinhauser
Communion Assistants — Carl and Debra Richardson
Counters — Delores Steinhauser and Todd Hendrix
Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer
Children’s Time — Need Volunteers
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Pilgrim’s Prayer List
Anne Addy
Myra Boyd
Mary Ann Crawshaw
Tonya Creamer’s mother, Linda Townsend
Kristin Dashiell
Marty Dashiell
Norma Drafts
Claudine Hope
Jimmy Metts
Bill Sanders
Kathleen Shutt
Brenda Sommer's family grieving the death of her father, Ron Erickson
The family and friends of Joan Trawick. Peace to her memory!
Mark Weaver
Friends of Pilgrim
Bishop Ginny Aebischer
Friend of Mary Beth Hill, Geena Beerman
Joyce Czarnecki
Greg Sommer’s brother-in-law, Ben Green
Friend of Karl and Carolyn Horner, Nadine Greene
Tina Krause, friend of Pastor Mary
Peggy Kubic
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
Louise Velky, the newest member of Mary Beth Hill’s family, as she has been in and out of the hospital.
| | Worship is at 10 a.m. each Sunday. | | |
Scriptures for this Sunday
The First Reading: Genesis 12:1-4a
Second Reading: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
Gospel Reading: John 3:1-17
| | Worship Service replay from Sunday, February 22, 2026 | | | | |
