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Sunday Mornings at Zion
9:00am Sunday School
10:00am Worship for All
Onsite and Online
11:15am Fellowship Time
| | Worship and Fellowship Opportunities this Month | | | |
HOLY WEEK
April 12th
9:00am Women's Prayer Breakfast
11:30am Children's Easter Egg Hunt
Palm Sunday April 13th
10:00am Palm Sunday Worship
11:15am Prayer Friends Lunch
April 17th
7:00pm Maundy Thursday Worship
at Zion Lutheran Church
April 18th
12:00pm Good Friday Worship
at Zion Lutheran Church
7:00pm Good Friday Worship
at Pilgrim Lutheran Church
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Women’s Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, April 12th
9:00-10:30am
The Women's Prayer Breakfast will be held April 12th from 9:00-10:30am in the Family Life Center. Deacon Kimberly Heindl, Assistant to the Bishop, will guide our worship and then we'll enjoy food and fellowship together. All are welcome! Bring a friend!
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Deepen your faith with others
with our weekly Bible & Fellowship groups:
Women’s Fellowship – Mondays, 9:30am
Chick-Fil-A Saluda Pointe
Men’s Bible Fellowship – Thursdays, 7:00am
Zion Family Life Center
High School Bible Study – Fridays, 7:30am
Lowes Foods Coffee Shop
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Easter is a time of new beginnings as well as beloved traditions. We will sing hymns that the church has held dear for generations and hear stories we’ve been telling for 2000 years. We will also celebrate that God has given us new life in Jesus Christ. No two Easters are exactly alike—we grow and age, the congregation changes, sometimes we change congregations. None of them is like the day Jesus rose from the dead, either. Each time we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, we sing the Alleluias that rang out that day. We joyfully remember what God has done for us on that day and what is possible for us because of that day.
The question, of course, is what it always is: how does Jesus’ resurrection change our daily lives?
First off, it means that we don’t have to fear death. We may not have an exact playbook for what is to come when we stop breathing, but we know that Jesus has gone there before us. God has it under control. We can be confident that because he lives, we shall live also. We can be confident that we will see our loved ones again after our time in this world has ended.
It also means that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God, as Paul says in Romans 8. In the Old Testament, we see people believing that death will separate them from God, that God is not in Sheol (the underworld). Jesus has died, gone to Sheol, and burst out again with the saints alongside him. “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39). We never have to walk alone, in this life or the next.
For this life, not having to fear death means that we are free to focus our energy on other things. We don’t have to and can’t earn our salvation, so we have the ability to love the people around us. We have the time to spend with God. We have the room to breathe freely and love the world God has made for us. As Martin Luther once said, God doesn’t need our good works, but our neighbor does. I also wholeheartedly believe that God revels in the beauty of creation and that we are made to enjoy it as well. We can delight in good food, beautiful scenery, and the joy of a conversation with people we love. God has blessed time for us to relax as well as time for us to work.
As we partner in the Christian community that is Zion Lutheran Church, I’m grateful for the ways we get to enjoy life together and the ways we serve God and our neighbor. I look forward to rich and meaningful worship, to meals and conversations shared, and to sharing our abundance with the world around us. As you read through this month’s newsletter, I invite you to see where you can connect with God and each other, and to see where you can invite a friend to join in what God is doing here at Zion.
Peace,
Pastor Emily
| | | Zion has a new blog! Ever wondered what was left out of Sunday's sermon? Each week on Zion's blog And another thing! Pastor Emily will add some extra context to the texts for the week that didn't make the sermon. As time goes on, we will expand the blog to include guest writers. Click the image to check out the first post and remember to subscribe to get updates when new posts are released. | | | |
Mark your calendar and sign up to help with Vacation Bible School July 6-10!
Contact Rebekah Cromer to signup:
rebekahwcromer@gmail.com
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SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES
Sunday at 9:00am
Nomads Class - An adult bible study group welcoming all ages. Meets in the Cathedral Room in the upper level of the Family Life Center.
Grateful Hearts Class - An adult bible study group welcoming all ages. Meets in the Sonshine room in the upstairs of the Family Life Center.
CSI Class - An adult video based bible study group welcoming to all ages. Meets in education building downstairs.
Children’s Sunday School - Pre K - 5th grade, bible stories and fun! Meets in the reception area in the downstairs of the Family Life Center.
Youth Sunday School - Group for youth grades 6-12, currently discussing scripture and justice. Meets in the Youth Room in the upper level of the Family Life Center.
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Youth Group every Wednesday
Zion is proud to have a very active youth group. Our youth are dedicated and excited to share their group with friends. Join us, all 6th to 12th Grade students are welcome. We often have new faces or visiting friends. Youth Group is a time of fun and fellowship while growing together in faith.
Every Wednesday 5:45 pm Community Meal
6:30-7:30 pm Youth Group for 6th to 12th graders
NO Wednesday Programming April 16th
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16th Annual Prayer Friend Project
Zion’s annual Prayer Friend Project is in progress now! Each year on Ash Wednesday we pair our youth with an adult that will anonymously pray for them throughout Lent and then be revealed in person on Palm Sunday. Our big reveal lunch will be Sunday, April 13th after church.
Adult Prayer Friends: Thank you for participating and writing notes to your prayer friend. Keep up the good work, we look forward to our big reveal lunch on the 13th. We are missing 1 pink card and do not know who this youth's prayer friend is. If you haven't turned in your card, please reach out to Walt.
Youth Prayer Friends: Please confirm with Walt that you are attending the meal on April 13th. Thank you for writing notes back to your adult prayer friend. If you haven't done that yet, now is the time.
Every year we hear how important this project is to our Youth and our adults. I am confident we will see this again this year as we try to make a positive change in our youth and in our congregation. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Walt Hampton
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Confirmation Class this month:
Confirmation Class will meet from 1-4pm on April 6 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Columbia. This month's topic will be the book of Revelation.
Summer Camp is coming up! We will be heading to Lutherock this year. Tentative dates are Sunday, June 15 through Friday, June 20. More details coming soon.
| | | Hilltoppers: Zion's Retiree Group | | | |
Hilltoppers, join us for a Holy Week luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 16th. As we continue our Lenten journey, there will be no program but a time of fellowship reflection and sharing a potluck meal.
| | | Walking with our neighbors | | | |
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: Technology
Greetings from Zion’s Ministry of Technology. Our group works in the background at Zion, but our actions are seen and heard by many people due to our livestream and online presence.
One area of our responsibility is assisting in obtaining and maintaining our computers and infrastructure that we use across Zion’s campus. Some of these responsibilities are managed by third-party companies now since they stay more up to date with changes in hardware and software and are better equipped with personnel.
Our most visible and critical area of responsibility is operating and maintaining our audio/video equipment. We have volunteers who run the sound system and camera equipment each Sunday and on other occasions as well. We are extremely fortunate to have this equipment and are grateful for our volunteers. Our livestream goes out on Facebook, and livestream recordings can also be found on our YouTube channel. These are valuable tools to reach out to the community for those who are unable to attend in person and for those who may be searching for a church home. Our livestream broadcast and other social media platforms are Zion’s widest outward reaching face to the community and beyond.
We are a small group and could really use more volunteers. Please contact me for more information on how you can help to support this ministry. I encourage everyone to sit with us one Sunday and see firsthand what takes place during Sunday service. Even if you just want to see everything in action, you are welcome to sit in and observe.
Respectfully submitted,
Russell Kleckley
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Mission Lexington Donations
We support Mission Lexington to support our neighbors in need. Can you help feed a neighbor this week? Drop items in the bin inside the Family Life Center, church narthex, or in the office.
NEEDED ITEM OF THE MONTH: PASTA
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BRING YOUR CHANGE TO MAKE A CHANGE!
Each month we will be having a “Noisy Offering” for feeding ministries. The second Sunday of each month our children will walk the sanctuary filling up cans with change to feed those in need.
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The Choir meets for rehearsals on Sunday mornings at 9:00am in the choir room. We can always use more voices, so please come join us!
Handbell ringers, it’s time to start preparing music for Easter. If you’ve already agreed to play, you will receive an email to finalize a rehearsal schedule. If you’re interested in playing in the future, let Julie know.
*Call the church office at (803)356-2297 or email Julie at julie@zionlexsc.com for more info.
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Hymn Spotlight: How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
We rarely sing contemporary music at Zion, but as we approach Holy Week and Easter, I’m reminded of the worship song How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townend. Hymns and songs can evoke powerful emotions, and this is one that does that for me.
Below are the lyrics. Listen here: How Deep The Father's Love For Us
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How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.
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I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.
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We need your help to make Worship
happen at Zion. We are looking to fill
in a few serving roles this month. Click the button to volunteer now!
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Serving in Worship for April
Assisting Minister: Craig Balch
Reader: 6th Sue Anderson; 13th Palm Sunday Passion;
20th Amanda Farwick; 27th Susan Shumpert
Crucifer:
SIGNUP NOW, Anyone can Crucifer: click here to signup.
Technology Team:
6th Chris Bigham, OPEN; 13th OPEN;
20th OPEN, Walt Hampton; 27th Tyler Beard, OPEN;
Anyone can help: click here to signup.
Ushers: Althea & Steve Hendrix
Chancel & Sacraments: Shirley Derriso, Mary Beth Bigham
Altar Flowers: No Flowers in Lent, Easter Flowers 4/20, 27
Signup in FLC gym
Cookies & Fellowship: 6th - OPEN; 13th - OPEN;
20th - Easter Breakfast; 27th - Donna & Dale; Signup in FLC gym
Offering Counters: Troy Fite, Chip Burn
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Below are the abbreviated minutes from our most recent meeting. If you would like a copy of the full minutes reach out to the church office or our Council Secretary Rebekah at RebekahWCromer@gmail.com
Rebekah Cromer
Council Secretary
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Strategic Outlook: Our Big Picture Goals
Goal 1 – Welcoming and Connecting
Be a place of welcome where people can know God and connect to one another.
Goal 2 – Worshipping with Purpose
Offer meaningful worship that is creative, engaging, and God-centered.
Goal 3 – Nurturing Faith and Discipleship
Provide pathways for each age to grow in faith and be nurtured to live as disciples of Jesus.
Goal 4 – Sharing Gifts and Passions
Encourage all people to know their gifts and passions and to share them at church and in the community.
CONGREGATION COUNCIL MINUTES
Monday, March 10th, 2025, 7:00PM
Council Members: Steve Hendrix, Rebekah Cromer (via Phone), Roger Anderson, Pastor Emily, Russell Kleckley, Jessi Hampton, Betsy Burn, Nikki Harmon, Paula Carlson, Jason Wetzel, Jamie Fite, Chesson Merritt in attendance, and Craig Balch in attendance.
- Call to Order: 7:01PM
- Devotions: Steve Hendrix
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Consent Agenda Needs Approval
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Adjustment: March 18th is the next meeting for Christian Education
- Motion made by Paula; Second by Jamie; No Discussion; All in Favor; Motion Passes
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Motion to Pass Congregational Meeting Minutes Needs Approval
- Motion made by Craig; Second by Steve; No Discussion; All in Favor; Motion Passes
- Report of the Pastor: See attachment
- Report of the Chair/Executive Committee: see attachment
- Business/Action Items:
- Treasurers Report Question: Steve raised a question regarding the donation to Grow and Renew; Renovation and Renewal is Grow and Renew; Facilities Fund is separate which is what we are utilizing for the HVAC
- Safety Team Update: Shoutout to Rayna Kleckley; How will the team be operational back in the sanctuary? We currently have folks waking the campus during church; Russell used the grant Julie received last year to purchase walkie talkies; Steve Sult is taking point on medical; Denise Caulder is in charge of getting Red Cross Training set up; Request to add entrance signs for A, B, and C
- Motion to add Entrance Signs to include A, B, and C to each entrance of the church; Jamie Second; No Discussion; All in Favor
- Property Update: Lights in the parking lot need to be fixed also the sign on the tracks need to be fixed; Steve Hendrix is coordinating with Steve Shumpert a cleanup day for the sanctuary prior to Palm Sunday
- Designation of Lenten Offerings: Betsy recommended we give Lenton offerings to the Synod
- Steve made a motion; Craig made a second; No Discussion; All in Favor; Motion Passes
- Name tag proposal from Kregg Corley: Recommendation to have name tags ordered from previous company used; $8 a name tag; Jamie to pull together quote for $3 name tags and bring back for approval next month.
- Archivist Expense Approval: Shannon Smith; Question is what line item does this $2,000 come from? Utilize what is remaining in the Anniversary fund.
- Motion made by Jamie to request that anonymous donor line be used; Second by Ross; No Discussion; All in Favor; Motion Passes
- Chair Yoga Classes: We can’t have her advertise but we can bring her in as a guest speaker and a group would need to sponsor her; Would hilltoppers be willing to sponsor this? Once a week for five weeks; charging $300 for a minimum of 6 people.
- St. Katherines Homeschool Co-op: Requesting the sanctuary Sunday school rooms twice a week; they will pay the same fee to the church as they have previously been paying to their current seminary space; 14 children; group agreed to move forward to get more information
- Yard Sale Approval: Have the yard sale in the FLC and letting all fundraising go to the Thanksgiving ministry; Paula to circle back with Lee about dates and overall decision to move forward with the yard sale
- Upcoming Dates:
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4/12: Women’s Prayer Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt
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4/13: Palm Sunday
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4/17: Maundy Thursday
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4/18: Good Friday
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4/20: Easter Sunday
9. Joys and Concerns
10. Lord’s Prayer and Adjournment: 8:27PM
Next Council Meeting Date: Monday, April 7th at 7:00PM
Next Devotions: Nikki Harmon
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Giving Info as of March 29, 2025
Budgeted 2025 Offering: $447,000
Offering received YTD: $80,612
Budgeted offering YTD: $103,154
2024 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: ($22,542)
Facilities Fund Balance: $139,373
GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR
Mission Lexington: $704 + 273 pounds of food
Snack Packs Ministry: $6,124 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $375
Lutheran Services Carolinas: 158
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GROW & RENEW CAMPAIGN
We celebrate the gifts and commitments received from members and friends of Zion for our Grow & Renew Campaign.
Total committed to the Grow & Renew Campaign: $903,138
Total received so far for this work: $813,659
Total remaining: $89,479
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Memorials & Honorariums generously given last month:
To the Facilities Fund in memory of John Drafts by Zion Hilltoppers, Linda Hendrix
To the facilities fund in celebration of my wife's & daughter's birthdays by James Harman
To the General Fund in honor of Margie Carter by Ethel Riley
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Current Needs
Burns Corley
Jerald Drafts
Norene Drafts
Barry Granda
Janet Green
Charley Hendrix
Charles Richardson
Kay Waites
Homebound
Betty Jo Corley
Ed Corley
Melba Ivey (Spring Oak)
Wyman Keisler
Gege Kimball
Wyman Kleckley
John Shotts
Margaret Sox
Darlene Weight (Tennessee)
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Friends of the Congregation
Lynn Balch (health, wife of Craig Balch)
Beth Bolt (health, mother of Mary Beth Bigham)
Mitchell Bowman (health, cousin of Nikki Harmon)
Linda Branham (health, mother of Heath Branham)
Jackie Brock (mother-in-law of Chuck Dickson)
Joyce Carter (cancer, friend of Zion members)
Juliett Collins (cancer, niece of David and Beth Lever)
Glenda Crafts (health, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)
Adam Demars (stroke, friend of Christy Jacobs)
Jeri Dickson (health, wife of Chuck Dickson)
Mark Durham (heart surgery, brother-in-law of Craig Balch)
Jack Elrod (alzheimers, father of Todd Elrod)
Carol Funk (health, mother of Shannon Richardson)
Rana Hammami (cancer, friend of the Leapharts)
Janice Hine (surgery, friend of Carla Fallaw)
Carly Huggins (friend of Stefanie Wingard)
CJ Keathley (health, brother of Denise Caulder)
Kathy Killian (cancer, friend of the Levers)
Shelly Koenig (cancer, daughter in law of Mary Nell Panyard)
Bill May (stroke, uncle of Mary Hampton)
Shirley Parker (cancer, aunt of Kimberly Rauch)
Donna Riggins (cancer, sister in law of Rachael Rhoden)
Coach Rhodes (cancer, friend of the Clark’s)
Sharon Moore Robison (stroke, friend of Bridget Ridgell)
Adrienne Rutledge (cancer, friend of Chuck Dickson)
Gabe Salinas (military, boyfriend of Riley Burn)
Tyler Shotts (military, grandson of the Shotts)
Keith Shotts (military, grandson of the Shotts)
Greg Sommer (health, friend of the congregation)
Peggy Sox (health, mother of Evelyn Varn)
Gary Swancey (health, nephew of Shirley Derriso)
Gary Tilley (health, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)
Ronnie Tunstill (cancer, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)
Jenny Westfall (health, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)
Ron White (cancer, friend of the Caulders)
Sarah White (homebound, girlfriend of Clayton Hendrix)
Don Wilson (Health, father of Laura McCombs)
Carroll & Helen Wise (health, parents of Julie Branham)
Melissa Wise (health, sister in law of Julie Branham)
Asher Woodall (health, great-nephew of Chuck Dickson)
Family and Friends of Sarah Harmon upon her death (friend of the Harmons)
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Please help us keep the list up to date by adding or removing names when the time is right. To make
or update a prayer request email or call the church office at ZionChurch@zionlexsc.com or 356-2297.
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THANK YOU TO THE CONGREGATION
Dear friends,
Thank you for the many cards, gifts of food, emails, telephone calls, text messages, visits and especially prayers Dianne and I were the beneficiaries of following my surgery and convalescence. All were greatly appreciated and helpful during my recovery. It is very consoling to know that others are thinking of you and praying for you during such a time.
Thanks again.
Charles Richardson
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April Birthdays
2nd - Jerald Drafts, Brett Flashnick, Jason Blackburn; 3rd - Carol Sandusky, Jason Wetzel; 4th - Lee Caulder; 5th - Ryan Stoudemire, Frank Waites; 7th - Olivia Beard; 8th - CJ Harmon, Eleanor Reeside; 11th - Nolan Phillips, Shannon Bateman; 12th - John Knauff; 13th - Brandon Coggins; 14th - Mae Wetzel; 15th - Kerry Armbruster; 16th - Rene Higgins; 20th - Susan Shumpert, Chris Ellisor; 21st - Elizabeth Grant, Kameron Keisler, Sue Anderson; 23rd - Emma Blackburn; 26th - Charley Hendrix, Walter Hampton; 27th - Russell Grant; 28th - GeGe Kimball; 30th - Savannah Wingard
April Anniversaries
2nd - Frank & Kathryn Barton; 5th - Roger & Traci Hanna; 11th - Russell & Rayna Kleckley; 16th - Randy & Beverly McCoy; 17th - Frank & Susan Boatwright; 19th - Dave & Katie McKinley; 20th - Azmi & Beth Jebali; 23rd - Steve & Jeannie Wingard
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