Monthly News & Updates

CHRISMONS & COOKIES

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1^st

Special Advent event for all ages Sunday at 2pm. Come create Chrismons for Zion and home as we learn about their meaning. We will nibble as we craft; bring your favorite cookies to share!  

Come and Walk! Pastor Emily will be walking the dam every Tuesday morning starting October 1. Early birds are welcome to meet her in the parking lot on the Lexington side at 7:30am.

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

Long, long ago, in a small town outside a big city, a baby was born. This baby came along sooner than his parents could have imagined, but his birth had been planned out for ages. There weren’t any baby showers. His parents could surely have used a crib, since the first place they laid him was a manger. A food trough for animals was the best they could do in the moment. It doesn’t seem like a great start in life.

We celebrate that baby’s birthday now with parties and lunches, gifts and generosity. We often spend time and money trying to make everything perfect. We want the most festive outfit, the perfect present, and to make magical memories with family and friends. There’s nothing wrong with that.

I wonder, with all the time in the world to plan, how the first Christmas came together the way that it did. From a human perspective, it looks like a mess. A brand-new couple gets to know each other while she’s pregnant. Mary has to travel right before her due date. The baby comes when she’s not with her side of the family, and on a night when they can’t even get a hotel room.

From God’s perspective, things unfolded the way they were meant to. The newborn king lay in his straw throne in Bethlehem, home of King David. The skies filled with angels to sing his welcome to this world. Shepherds were the first to welcome the Lord, while wise men from far away took their time traveling to meet him. The gifts were strange, but they were for a king, not a baby boy.

Jesus was born at the right point in history. The Roman road system was being built that would carry the good news to all parts of the world. The Jewish people, the chosen ones, had their communities together and had enough contact with the world around them to share the blessing God gave them. People were eager for a word of hope and willing to stand for hours to listen to a sermon. If humans were left in charge, we might have waited for a point in history with cameras and indoor plumbing. God’s timeline had other priorities.

The birth in Bethlehem was just the beginning of a life and death that didn’t look too impressive from a human point of view. Jesus never owned much or had a big family of his own. But his teaching, preaching, living, dying, and rising were the turning point in the history of the world. God’s salvation came through him. Jesus conquered death for us. Jesus gives us hope beyond death.

May your Christmas this year be full of joy and wonder. May you have time to soak in the memories and to ponder in your heart what God has done for us. And, when things veer off course in ways you didn’t plan, may you remember that God has already blessed this world of perfect imperfection.

Pastor Emily

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.

Book Study Opportunity at Zion

Lunchtime Book Study! Falling Upward is Richard Rohr’s book about the two halves of the spiritual life. It discusses the richness of spiritual maturity and the quest that the second half of life brings to us. He invites us into the topic this way: “The first half of life is discovering the script and the second half is actually writing it and owning it.”

Book Study last meeting is December 2, at noon in the Cathedral room. Bring your lunch and join the conversation!

Watch for more details in Youth update emails.

Hilltoppers, join us December 17^th at 11:00 a.m. in the Family Life Center. All Zioners are invited to join us for our annual Christmas party, where someone will be declared the most flamboyant “Ugly Sweater” Contest winner. And who knows what “unique treasures” will be revealed with our Gift Exchange? Appetites are encouraged as we will enjoy a catered lunch. An array of special desserts will complete our festive time of fun, fellowship and food. RSVPs are requested to the church office (803-356-2297) by December 10^th. Please wear Christmas attire, and bring a wrapped gift and a dessert.

The Choir meets for rehearsals on Sunday mornings at 9:00am in the choir room. Choir will not rehearse on Sunday, December 29th. We can always use more voices, so please come join us!

Handbell ringers will be working on music this month to play at our Christmas Eve worship service.We are always happy to have more ringers, so let me know if you’re interested! 

*Call the church office at (803)356-2297 or email Julie at julie@zionlexsc.com for more info.

Wanted: Singers & Instrumentalists

Christmas is just around the corner, and that means Christmas Eve worship is coming soon! If you would like to share your musical gifts by singing with the choir, singing a solo, or joining us as an instrumentalist, please contact Julie so that we can get you plugged in as soon as possible. Thank you!

You are appreciated!

As we are approaching the end of 2024, I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has participated in our music programming in some way this year. From choir to handbells, solo & ensemble instrumentalists to solo singers, we are truly blessed that you are willing to share your talent with us here at Zion. I absolutely could not do it without each of you! Merry Christmas to all!

Julie

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!

Serving in Worship for November

Assisting Minister: Janice Sult

Reader: 1st - Paula Carlson, 8th - Susan Shumpert,

15th - Roscoe Nesmith, 22nd - Denise Caulder,

24th - Anna Reeside, 29th Craig Balch, Caylan Bigham

Crucifer:

SIGNUP NOW, Anyone can Crucifer: click here to signup.

Technology Team: 1st - Ross Hunter, Tyler Beard; 8th - Roscoe Nesmith, Tyler Beard; 15th - Ross Hunter, Chris Bigham, OPEN; 22nd - OPEN; 29th - OPEN

SIGNUP NOW, Anyone can help: click here to signup.

Ushers: Farwick Family

Chancel & Sacraments: Steve & Janice Sult

Cookies & Fellowship: 1st - The Merritt Family; 8th - OPEN;

15th - Mary & Walt Hampton, 22nd - OPEN; 29th - Cohoon Family

Signup in FLC gym

Offering Counters: Shawn Cromer, Lee Caulder

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

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 NOTES

Monday, November 11^th, 2024, 7:00 PM

Council Members: Steve Hendrix, Roscoe Nesmith, Rebekah Cromer, Rayna Kleckley, Linda Hendrix, Craig Balch, Roger Anderson, Pastor Emily, Geri Nilsestuen, Jamie Fite, Chris Ellisor, Ross Hunter, and Chesson Merritt in attendance. All new council members attended, as well.

1. Call to Order: 7:02PM
2. Devotions: Rayna
3. Report of the Secretary: Rebekah                        Needs Approval
4. Consent Agenda Questions
5. Review of Consent Agenda:
6. Remove the History Report from the consent agenda
7. Edit to page 5 regarding snack packs; minor typo
8. Motion to accept minutes after discussion; second by roscoe; all in favor
9. Misc. Discussion
10. Decision made to have all ministry reports to Executive Committee by the end of the month
11. Formal Year-End Report: Tackle in January
12. Added information from Worship and Music:
13. Nov 27th: Thanksgiving Eve service in FLC at 6:30PM
14. Dec 1st: First Sunday of Advent
15. Christmon Ornaments being made at 2:00PM
16. Dec 24th: Christmas Eve Service will be in the FLC at 7:00PM
17. Report of Treasurer
18. Currently paying the exact amount of the loan statement rather than additional funds like we have previously to ensure we have funds for the facility
19. Thanksgiving is currently at $8,058, roughly $2,000 short
20. Report of the Chair: No report
21. Business/Action Items:
22. Old Business
23. History Report: Ross suggest the history team comes together to review the boxes and decide how many to give them; we can either pay them roughly $2,000 to organize them or we can have her come in and advise how we should organize/clean it up.
24. Motion from Jamie to hire Shannon Smith to meet with the history committee for $250 to begin a plan to start organizing the archives; second by Linda; discussion regarding fire protection; all approved.
25. Church Directory: Rebekah and Rayna to review the families in the directory; and then Chesson will send out mid-week this week.
26. FLC Document Update:
27. Item 2: Guests and Visitors: Item a: Discussion; Linda to reword this and present to council next month.
28. Remove lines regarding guidelines under J
29. Emergency Procedures were updated
30. Table this until next month
31. Sanctuary HVAC:
32. One contractor showed up for the tour; seven were supposed to show up; they are the ones who currently maintain it
33. Property team is to meet and review the bids next week and bring that decision to council to vote
34. Congregational Meeting Notes:
35. Steve mentioned that there is discussion between finance, treasurer, Steve, and Pastor Emily regarding finance organizing restricted funds being more accessible to members
36. Roscoe to present measures to organize this by next month
37. Upcoming Dates:
38. 11/10: Annual Meeting
39. 11/28: Thanksgiving Meals
40. 12/1: Christmon Ornament Making
41. 12/24: Christmas Eve Service
42. Joys and Concerns
43. Lord’s Prayer and Adjournment

Next Council Meeting Date: Monday, December 9th at 7:00PM

Next Devotions: Chesson Merritt

Giving Info as of November 27, 2024

Budgeted 2024 Offering: $373,066.20

Offering received YTD: $355,736

Budgeted offering YTD: $339,394

2024 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: $16,342

GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR

Mission Lexington: $3,686 + 1098 pounds of food

Snack Packs Ministry: $5,507 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $1,485

Thanksgiving Meal Ministry: $8973

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: $902,088

Total received so far for this work: $793,092

Total remaining: $108,996

Memorials & Honorariums generously given last month:

To Snack Packs in honor of Troy Fite on his 60th birthday

by Betsy & Chip Burn, Lee & Denise Caulder, Steve & Susan Shumpert, Brenda Smith, Cassandra Bowman, Kenneth Phillips, Taylor Mouzon, Sheri & James Messick, Joseph & Katharine Hunter, Walter & Mary Hampton

To the General Fund in memory of Wayne Corley

by Jerald & Margaret Drafts & Family

Current Needs

Air Conditioner

Sydney Branham

Jerald Drafts

Norene Drafts

Tim Driggers

Barry Granda

Kay Waites

Homebound

Betty Jo Corley

Ed Corley

John Drafts (Wellmore)

Melba Ivey (Spring Oak)

Wyman Keisler

Gege Kimball

Wyman Kleckley

John Shotts

Margaret Sox

Darlene Weight (Tennessee)

Friends of the Congregation

Lynn Balch (health, wife of Craig Balch)

Kimberly Bollinger (health, sister of Barry Granda)

Rick Bollinger (health, brother in law of Barry Granda)

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 & Everett Crafts (health, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)

Adam Demars (stroke, friend of Christy Jacobs)

Jeri Dickson (health, wife of Chuck Dickson)

Jack Elrod (alzheimers, father of Todd Elrod)

James Hampton (surgery, son of Walt & Mary Hampton)

William Harman (health, brother of James and Ethel Harman)

Sarah Harmon (cancer, friend of the Harmons)

Carly Huggins (friend of Stefanie Wingard)

Kathy Killian (cancer, friend of the Levers)

Shelly Koenig (cancer, daughter in law of Mary Nell Panyard)

Phyllis Livingood (cancer, cousin of Al Fallaw)

Bill May (stroke, uncle of Mary Hampton)

Jim Mayer (health)

Donna Riggins (cancer, sister in law of Rachael Rhoden)

Adrienne Rutledge (cancer, friend of Chuck Dickson)

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)

Jamie Whitlock (surgery, nephew of Carla Fallaw)

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) 

  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.

December Birthdays

1^st - Matthew Prosser, Ginger Sox; 2^nd - Kelsey Gorman, Huntington Cotten; 4^th - Peyton Grant; 5^th - Landon Williamson, Hal Copple; 6^th - Amy Ellisor, Todd Elrod; 11^th - Riley Steele, Mary Hampton; 14^th - Lorraine Partsinevelos; 16^th - Carolette Turner; 17^th - Russell Wingard, Duane Smith, Bryson Wetzel; 20^th - Callie Simpson; 21^st - Jeffrey Keene, Thomas Sox; 22^nd - Dale Driggers; 26^th - Bob Keene; 28^th - Kayla Drafts; 29^th - Brent Wingard

December Anniversaries

7^th - Chris & Mary Beth Bigham; 12^th – Cameron & Chandler Lamb, Steve & Kelly Jo Swygert; 20^th - Warren & Donna Keisler; 21^st - Ronald & Eileen Leaphart; 29^th – Charles & Dianne Richardson; 30^th – Robby & Kathy Bigham; 31^st - Jeff & Britt Collins