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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 | | | |
Sunday, August 3 – Back to School Sunday
During worship we’ll recognize and pray for all students and teachers who are beginning a new school year. Children and youth are also invited to bring their school bags for the Blessing of the Backpacks.
More info below.
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Golden Age Sunday, August 17th
On this special Sunday, we will honor
Zion members aged 70 and older.
10:00am Worship in Sanctuary
with special recognition of Golden Age members
11:15am Golden Age Luncheon in Family Life Center
for the Whole Congregation
| | | Wednesday Night Live will return for our fall semester September 3rd! | | |
Generous Stewardship:
God’s Story and Our Story
Join us for this exciting opportunity
Saturday, September 6, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church
Join us for this Synod Stewardship event at Zion. We’ll do Storytelling and Story gathering 101, On Crafting a Narrative Budget, and Intergenerational Storytelling with The Generosity Project. Congregations will take away the tools to write or update a narrative budget that can be used in addition to a congregation’s line-item budget. A narrative budget tells how your congregation practices good stewardship of gifts entrusted to it and provides a vision of ministry. Participants will walk away knowing how sharing stories engages the generosity of their congregation to fulfill “God’s mission.”
We encourage any congregational leaders to come: pastors, deacons, council, stewardship team, treasurers, communications directors…all of them will benefit from the day, and bringing more than one person from a congregation is advisable, though even one can make a difference.
CLICK TO REGISTER
Lunch is included with your registration. Registration is FREE!
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JOIN US FOR HOMECOMING SUNDAY!
Sunday, September 14th
Worship 10:00am
Lunch to follow.
Join us as we welcome home all those who have loved Zion over the years. In worship we will welcome back Pastor Bill Milholland who will be preaching. Following the service we will share stories and enjoy pictures over a meal. Look for more info and a lunch RSVP coming this month.
Spread the word, invite friends and family!
The planning team is looking for photos from the history of Zion.
Please share what you have with the church office by Sunday, August 24th.
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Zion Lutheran Church
Glorifying God + Growing in Faith + Serving Others
From the start of this year, your 2025 Church Council has been praying over who Zion is as a church and what it is we are called to do. From that prayer and several conversations, we present our new mission statement. Zion Lutheran Church is Glorifying God, Growing in Faith, and Serving Others.
We felt that it was important to put together a new mission statement so that we are all clear on the priorities for scheduling, programming, and finances as a congregation. As leaders, we wanted to make sure that we had put in the time listening to God and to each other. These words will help guide us in making decisions for this season of Zion’s life.
We started by praying over Zion’s values. We listed what we thought was most important to us as a community of Christians. We connected those values, grouped them together, and prayed some more.
These phrases come from multiple sessions of wordsmithing and conversation to keep them short and memorable, but also meaningful for this congregation at this time in history. I suspect that as we keep them in front of us, their meanings will deepen, but here’s how I interpret each phrase.
Glorifying God: The heart of Zion Lutheran Church is worshiping the Triune God. We have the ability to worship God anywhere, and in many ways, but no matter where we are, there’s an emphasis on doing things well. We want to give our best to Jesus. We also believe that glorifying God takes place beyond 10am on Sunday mornings, that our lives as disciples show God’s glory to the world.
Growing in Faith: Organisms that aren’t growing are dead, and Zion is most certainly alive. Zion hosts classes on topics of faith, but that’s just the start. Every time we gather, we strengthen our ties as a community. We grow closer to God as we grow closer to each other. We are also able to adapt our ways of following Jesus, keeping what works and putting aside what doesn’t suit right now.
Serving Others: Thanksgiving. Snack Packs. Mission Lexington. The noisy offering. The South Carolina Synod and our Lutheran institutions. Zion loves to help others and sees it as part of how God calls us to be in the world. It’s not just the official ways, either. I see Zion serve each other in the ways you care for one another, pray for each other, and help with daily life.
As we live into this mission statement, we’ll spend time doing what Zion has always done and is called to do: Glorifying God, Growing in Faith, and Serving Others. I’m excited to be part of this journey with Zion. Let’s see what God will do!
Pastor Emily
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Zion has a 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.
Check it out by clicking here!
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Back to School Sunday is August 3rd
During worship we’ll recognize and pray for all students and teachers who are beginning a new school year. Children and youth are also invited to bring their school bags for the Blessing of the Backpacks.
At 9:00am we will kick off our fall semester of Sunday School. Children, Youth, and Adults of all ages will gather for a time of fellowship and learning.
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Scroll to the end of this newsletter
to see pictures from this year's Vacation Bible School!
A BIG thank you to Rebekah & Shawn Cromer
and all who helped make it special!
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Youth @ GraceWorks Service Week
In July, 28 youth and 12+ adults gathered at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Columbia to serve their neighbors. Working with 12 different agencies they fed the homeless, maintained buildings for schools and shelters, helped care for underserved children at summer camps, collected food for food banks, and many other service projects. Zion’s youth were present and influential in the planning and implementation of this direct expression of God’s Love. Lutheran Youth in our community care deeply about worshiping together and walking alongside those in need.
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The Lutheran Men will have
their monthly meeting on August 12th.
Keep an eye out for more details coming soon!
| | | Walking with our neighbors | | | |
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 ITEMS OF THE MONTH:
Deodorant & Toothpaste
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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 help those in need.
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The Choir will continue meeting each week during August at 9:30am in the Choir room for a short rehearsal before worship. In September, our rehearsals will go back to starting at 9:00am. We can always use more voices, so please come join us!
Handbells currently meet on an as-needed basis for festival worship services. I would like to include handbells for Homecoming, so if you’re interested in playing for Homecoming on September 14th, please let Julie know. We always welcome new ringers!
Solo singers or instrumentalists would be great ANY time of year! If you’d be interested in singing or playing a solo during worship, please let me know!
*Call the church office at (803) 356-2297 or email Julie at julie@zionlexsc.com for more info.
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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 August
Assisting Minister: Craig Balch
Reader: 3rd Caylan Bigham; 10th Janice Sult;
17th Anna Reeside; 24th Paula Carlson; 31st Mary Nell Panyard
Crucifer:
SIGNUP NOW, Anyone can Crucifer: click here to signup.
Technology Team:
Anyone can help: click here to signup.
3rd OPEN, Chris Bigham; 10th OPEN, Tyler Beard; 17th OPEN;
24th OPEN, Tyler Beard; 31st OPEN;
Ushers: Burns & Jan Corley
Chancel & Sacraments: Steve & Janice Sult
Altar Flowers: OPEN - Signup in the Narthex
3rd Hendrix Family, 17th Jill Beck
Cookies & Fellowship: 3rd Reeside Family; 10th Shannon Richardson;
17th Hamptons; 24th OPEN; 31st OPEN; Signup in Narthex
Offering Counters: Steve Hendrix, Steve Sult
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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, June 14th, 2025, 7:00PM
Council Members: Steve Hendrix, Rebekah Cromer, Roger Anderson, Pastor Emily, Russell Kleckley, Jessi Hampton, Betsy Burn, Paula Carlson, Jason Wetzel, and Chesson Merritt in attendance. Craig Balch was not in attendance. Nikki Harmon joined via phone.
- Call to Order: 7:04PM
- Devotions: Jessi Hampton
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Consent Agenda Needs Approval
- Motion made by Paula; Second by Jamie; No discussion; All in favor; Motion Passes
- Business/Action Items:
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Pastors Report: Roger asked if there was anything we needed to discuss regarding Chuck Dickson; Chuck has indicated that he is not coming back to Zion.
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Treasurers Report: Steve asked where are we with payments on the HVAC; three payments have been made and remaining in listed on the treasurer’s report.
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Slate Audit Committee: Providence Lutheran Audit swap; current members of our committee include Patrick Merritt, Chandler Lamb, and Roscoe Nesmith. A fourth member may be added. Motion to approve slate made by Jamie; second by Paula; No Discussion; All in favor; Motion Passes
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Directory Review Committee: Rebekah Cromer to help with the committee to review. Paula Carlson to help 😊 Anyone who would like to join please let her know!
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Extras for Christmas Film: looking for extra men to help with the scene on Tuesday at 5:00PM; Thursday at 6:00PM they would like as many people as they can get.
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Request from Lutheran Men for an Oktoberfest: Saturday, September 20th, 5:00PM-8:00PM; Meal, Band, Events for the kids; Lutheran Men asking to have this event to raise money for the Thanksgiving Meals; this in replacement of the August meal; Second request is to ask for approval for the Lutheran Men to offer beer for sale in the yard behind the FLC; Sales would be in cash; Lutheran Men are looking into regulations and the Town to see what all we need to do safety-wise; looking to get event insurance; Jamie to provide the Lutheran Men the Point-of-Contact for insurance. Tickets will be used. Motion made by Russell to pass the Oktoberfest event with the sale of beer; second by Jamie; Is the event going to be congregational only? Congregation and friends, not promotional. Also, question regarding thanksgiving meal funds. Proceeds from the event, if any, will benefit the Thanksgiving meal funds. Mention of event registration and checking of IDs; all in favor; motion passes.
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Johnson Controls Update: $2,800 expense to have the elevator service for a state inspection; Motion to pay servicing fee by Steve; Second by Paula; No Discussion; All in Favor; Motion Passes. $4,820 to repair the fire alarm system with Johnson Controls (likely to cost less); Motion to pay servicing fee by Steve; Second by Russell; No Discussion; All in Favor; Motion Passes
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Work Day: spent $817.90 for painting supplies and lawn care. Great day!
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Property/DOT Info: See handout; issues include shoulder, grass and topsoil, shoulder isn’t graded, broken sprinkler systems, retaining wall erosion control, sediment runoff. Steve to initiate a meeting with SCDOT. Betsy and Pastor Emily to attend meeting with Steve. Margie with the Arc would like to join us in speaking to SCDOT.
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River Bluff Women’s Basketball Team: Vaughan Dozier has reached out to Steve to see if the Women’s Basketball Team can utilize the gym. Motion made by Steve to host the River Bluff team as-needed and alongside the church calendar; Second by Jamie; No discussion; 10 in favor, 1 opposed; Motion passes.
- Upcoming Dates
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August 3rd: Sunday School Kickoff / Blessing of Backpacks
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August 17th: Golden Age Sunday
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September 14th: Homecoming
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September 20th: Oktoberfest
6. Joys and Concerns
7. Lord’s Prayer and Adjournment: 8:45PM
Next Council Meeting Date: Monday, August 11th at 7:00PM
Next Devotions: Jamie Fite
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Giving Info as of July 30, 2025
Budgeted 2025 Offering: $447,000
Offering received YTD: $220,313
Budgeted offering YTD: $257,885
2024 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: ($37,572)
Facilities Fund Balance: $70,402
GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR
Mission Lexington: $954 + 806 pounds of food
Snack Packs Ministry: $7,139 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $1225
Recent Memorials Given
To the Facilities Fund in memory of Tim Driggers by Charles Gatch, Linda Westbrook
To the Building Fund in memory of Charles Hendrix by Jo & Charlie Mayer, Paul & Mary Hook, Joan Maruskin & Family, Myron & Linda Corley, Lexington Women's Club, Alva & Carla Fallaw and Greg & Melanie Webb
To the Facilities Fund in memory of Charles Hendrix by Frank & Patricia Chapman, Team IA, Inc., Betty Rose Smith, Clayton Rawl Farms, Inc., Jerald & Margaret Drafts & Family, Wayne & Gail Buff, James & Carol Metts, Camille Jones, and Kent Grant
To the Facilities Fund in honor of my parents, James & Iris Harman
by Cynthia & Thomas Black
To the Facilities Fund in honor of Pastor Emily's & Jason's wedding
by Steve & Janice Sult
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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: $824,282
Total remaining: $79,156
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Current Needs
Burns Corley
Jerald Drafts
Norene Drafts
Barry Granda
Janet Green
Eileen Leaphart
Charles Richardson
Judy Shotts
Evelyn Varn
Kay Waites
Homebound
Betty Jo Corley (Wellmore)
Melba Ivey (Spring Oak)
Wyman Keisler
Gege Kimball
John Shotts
Margaret Sox
Darlene Weight (Tennessee)
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Friends of the Congregation
Getta Sturkie Bachman (cancer, friend of Carla Fallaw)
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)
Steve Burn (cancer, father of Chip Burn)
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)
Mandy & John Derrick (friends of Zion)
Jack Elrod (alzheimers, father of Todd Elrod)
Rana Hammami (cancer, friend of the Leapharts)
Samuel Harman (health, brother of Ethel Riley and James Harman)
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)
Davis Locke (health, nephew of Rebekah & Shawn Cromer)
Liz Mangan (cancer, friend of the Branhams)
Bill May (stroke, uncle of Mary Hampton)
Faye O’Neal (health, friend of Carla Fallaw)
Shirley Parker (cancer, aunt of Kimberly Rauch)
Donna Riggins (cancer, sister in law of Rachael Rhoden)
Coach Rhodes (cancer, friend of the Clarks)
Sharon Moore Robison (stroke, friend of Bridget Ridgell)
Gabe Salinas (military, boyfriend of Riley Burn)
Tyler Shotts (military, grandson of the Shotts)
Keith Shotts (military, grandson of the Shotts)
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)
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Family and friends of Zion member Wyman Kleckley upon his death on July 24th.
Family and friends of Zion member Ed Corley upon his death on July 28th.
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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August Birthdays
1st Kathy Bigham, Bob Wertz
2nd Rob Bigham, Wyman Kleckley, Matilda Wingard
4th Chasen Williams
6th Wayne Keisler, Beckett Owens
7th Kimberly Sims
8th Kevin Keisler
12th Emma Bateman, Matt Rymer, Denise Caulder
13th Peggy Baker
14th Amy Coggins
15th Hailey Wingard
16th Jamie Addy
17th Riley Burn
18th Suzanne Riley Whyte
19th Al Fallaw, Christy Jacobs
20th Nikki Harmon, Isaac Hampton
22nd Hannah Elrod
23rd Pastor Emily Hartmann
24th Michael Kohn, Bryson Scott
25th DeAnna Granda, Mason Drafts
26th Chris Harmon, Hollis Grant
27th Will Cohoon
28th Karen Keisler, Jennifer Elrod
31st Christian Ridgell, Rachael Rhoden, Bransyn Williams
August Anniversaries
1st Michael & Jane Kohn
4th Frank & Kaye Waites
15th Mark & Karyn Stoneberg
19th Thom & Janice Stoudemire
19th Mary& Walt Hampton
30th Paul & Mary Hook
| | | Vacation Bible School 2025 | | | | |
