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Sunday Mornings at Zion
9:00am Sunday School
10:00am Worship for All
Onsite and Online
11:15am Fellowship Time
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Worship and Fellowship Opportunities this Month | | |
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9th
SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
Our youth will join our children as we collect money to feed our neighbors. During worship look for the soup pots as our children and youth collect change (or however you'd like to give) for Mission Lexington.
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All are welcome Wednesdays in February for food, faith, and fellowship!
Come on out at 5:45pm for a fellowship meal and stick around for faith formation for all ages from 6:30-7:30pm. A great meal and learning time with great people!
Wednesday Night Live schedule:
5:45 pm Community Meal
6:30-7:30 pm Faith Formation Opportunities, details below
Children - PreK-5th Grade
Back to the basics, together let's explore some of the most well-known bible stories from beginning to end.
Youth Group - 6-12th grade
Get to know each other with games and discussion about living a life of faith.
Adults - All ages welcome
Prepare for Sunday Worship with Pastor Emily as we study the Gospel reading for this week.
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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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LOOKING AHEAD:
The Season of Lent begins Wednesday, March 5th
Ash Wednesday Worship
11:00am in the Cathedral Room,
followed by Hilltoppers Lunch
6:30pm in the Family Life Center,
preceded by Wednesday Night Meal
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are living in the time between the times. We are between Jesus’ first steps on Earth and the time when he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead. We are between Christmas and Easter. We are between the darkest day of the year and the brightest. And we are in between the times of renovating the Sanctuary and of being able to worship there comfortably.
We have waited and we continue to wait. For Jesus, for light, and for a functioning heating and cooling system. Lately, I’ve been hearing more frustration with the wait, and I get it. I hear you and all of our council leaders do, too.
Our leaders are working on this diligently and as quickly as they can. We wait for companies and people to call back with answers to questions. We sit and ponder the best ways for things to work, the pros and cons of each option. As we move forward, we’re able to do it with confidence.
We cannot make the time move faster, but we can keep everyone at Zion up to date on where we are in the process. We are in the middle, with a lot of work done and a lot of work yet to do. Here’s the big picture.
The Saga So Far: When Zion realized that our sanctuary’s existing heating and cooling systems weren’t working, we moved worship into the Family Life Center. We also consulted with a well-respected engineer about the best materials and process for updating the HVAC in that space. His recommendations were given to companies, so that their bids would be for the same specifications.
Where We Are Now: The bids came in higher than we expected. We went back to the engineering company to see where we might be able to reasonably cut some costs, and we have put out another call for bids. When those arrive, the Property Team will evaluate those options and make a recommendation to Council.
What’s Next: Once Council chooses a plan, the Finance Team will work on options for funding. Again, they will make a recommendation to Council.
Once Council has a plan to recommend to the Congregation, we will have a Congregation Meeting. Per our constitution, the meeting will be announced at least two weeks in advance. The Congregation has final authority to enter into such a large contract and to arrange for a loan, if necessary.
After the Congregation Meeting, the HVAC professionals can order the parts and install them when they arrive. We expect installation to take approximately five weeks. Worship and Music is already thinking about how we will transition smoothly back into the chancel and pews. We want to make sure that we land well as we come back to our worship home.
What You Can Do: Pray. Pray that the teams get the information they need quickly. Pray that God would make the way clear for our Ministry Teams and our Council. Pray for the funds to become available and about how you can contribute generously. Pray for Zion that, above all, we continue as a congregation worshiping Jesus, growing in love, and serving in God’s name.
This is a major endeavor. Where we worship is a part of our congregation’s identity. It is not the only part of who Zion is. We are God’s people, gathered in this place to carry out ministry for God’s sake.
Thank you for your patience and for your partnership in the work we are called to do.
Pastor Emily
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Book Study Opportunity at Zion
Our new book study started in January but it's not too late to jump in. We are reading Manna and Mercy, an illustrated and brief history of God's unfolding promise to mend the entire universe, by Pr. Daniel Erlander. All are welcome to join the study at noon at Zion or on Zoom on 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, 3/24, and 4/7. Bring your lunch and join the conversation!
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Synod Youth & Family Ministry Opportunity
for Elementary Students
LEGO AND LET GOD! Elementary Retreat at Camp Kinard for Children in Grades 1-5. February 8-9, 2025 - Cost is $105
Join us for fun, fellowship and learning! here will also be a track for parents, so come with your kids and learn from seasoned teachers.
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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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Coming to Zion soon:
Lenten Contemplative Prayer Classes
Have you felt a hunger for a deeper prayer life with God? Are you interested in learning an ancient prayer practice that is spreading faster today than ever before? Have you realized that you don’t yearn for more head knowledge about God but rather a deeper relationship with God? If so, then you are invited to a six week course taught on Sunday afternoons at Zion, March 9 – April 13. These classes will be taught by retired SC Synod Bishop Herman Yoos who is a certified Spiritual Director and a 20 year practitioner of Centering Prayer.
As part of these classes there will be assigned readings from the book, Centering Prayer and Inner Awareness by Cynthia Bourgeault available at most bookstores and on the Hoopla library app. There will also be weekly readings in class of original prayer material around the key words of Silence, Seek, Set, Let, and Ask. In addition to exploring how and why this method of silent meditative prayer is so helpful amid our noisy 24 hour a day news world, we will also have the opportunity to practice what we are learning. In order to have enough material for each person, please let the church office know if you plan to attend. Hope you can join us at 4:00pm Sunday afternoons. Each session will last 45-60 minutes.
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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
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16th Annual Prayer Friend Project
It’s time for Zion’s annual Prayer Friend Project! 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.
Each participating Youth will need to fill out an information sheet and return it to Walt by February 26th. Please attach a photo to your form, or send one to Walt (walt@zionlexsc.com). Please answer the questions clearly with as much info as you can. This is how your prayer friend will get to know you and what to pray for. Forms will be available at church and during Youth group.
We will once again be writing notes from our youth to our prayer friends. Each youth will be required to write back to their prayer friend with at least 4 notes. These notes can be updates on their life, prayer requests, or just a paragraph or two about what happened in their world that week. I will have notecards, envelopes, stamps, etc. available at Youth Group every Wednesday. This is super easy to accomplish by just being at youth group each week.
Every year we hear how important this project is to our Youth and our adults. I am confident we will see this in real time 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:
Sunday February 2nd, Confirmation will meet from 1-4pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 525 St. Andrew's Rd. Please bring Bibles! Last month, we talked about the Gospels. This month, we're moving ahead in the New Testament and learning about the early church.
Sunday School Small Catechism Review continues to roll along.
We have introduced the Small Catechism and talked about prayer, and spent some time with the Ten Commandments. Here are the dates and topics coming up:
2/9: Apostles’ Creed
2/23: Lord’s Prayer
3/9: Confession and Forgiveness
3/23: Baptism and Communion
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.
| Thanks for supporting Will Cohoon's Eagle Scout Project: Fill the Pack 5k | | |
Hilltoppers: Zion's Retiree Group | | |
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Hilltoppers, this is going to be a good one! We enjoyed our game of Swap Bingo last March so much that we’re playing again at our next meeting on February 18th at 11:00 a.m. For Bingo, bring something nice from home that you no longer want and wish to donate. Bingo winners will select from these treasures. Items left orphaned may be taken home or donated to Mission Lexington. In honor of Valentine’s Day, bring a picture of your sweetheart. It can be your spouse, pet, grandchild, or any of God’s creations you cherish. We will share these gifts while enjoying a fabulous potluck lunch. We will have lots to catch up on due to January’s cancelled luncheon. Everyone is invited to join us for a time of fun, reminiscence and good food.
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Walking with our neighbors | | | |
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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.
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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 currently meet as needed for festival worship services. It won’t be long until we start preparing music for Easter. Please let me know if you are interested in playing on Easter Sunday. We are always happy to have more ringers!
*Call the church office at (803)356-2297 or email Julie at julie@zionlexsc.com for more info
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Love Songs
It’s almost Valentine’s Day, so I’m sharing some hymns songs to remind you of God’s love!
- Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - ELW 631
- O Perfect Love - LBW 287 (not in ELW)
- Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love - ELW 708
- The King of Love My Shepherd Is - ELW 502
- What Wondrous Love Is This - ELW 666
- O Love That Will Not Let Me Go - LBW 324 (not in ELW)
- Jesus Loves Me! - ELW 595
- You Are Mine - ELW 581
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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 February
Assisting Minister: Bridget Ridgell
Reader: 2nd - Amanda Farwick; 9th - Susan Shumpert;
16th - Anna Reeside; 23rd - Craig Balch
Crucifer:
SIGNUP NOW, Anyone can Crucifer: click here to signup.
Technology Team:
2nd - Tyler Beard, OPEN; 9th - OPEN, Tyler Beard; 16th - OPEN, Chris Bigham, Mary Beth Bigham; 23rd - OPEN;
Anyone can help: click here to signup.
Ushers: Mary & Walt Hampton
Chancel & Sacraments: Steve & Janice Sult
Altar Flowers: 2nd - OPEN; 9th - OPEN;
16th - Evelyn Varn and Anna Wingard, 23rd - OPEN; Signup in FLC gym
Cookies & Fellowship: 2nd - OPEN; 9th - OPEN;
16th - Burns & Jan Corley, 23rd - OPEN; Signup in FLC gym
Offering Counters: Janice Sult, Evelyn Varn
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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 NOTES
Monday, January 13th, 2024, 7:00PM
Council Members: Steve Hendrix, Rebekah Cromer, Craig Balch, Roger Anderson, Pastor Emily, Russell Kleckley, Jessi Hampton, Betsy Burn, Nikki Harmon, Paula Carlson, and Jason Wetzel in attendance. Jamie Fite and Chesson Merritt not in attendance.
1. Call to Order: 7:02PM
2. Devotions: Paula
3. Consent Agenda Needs Approval
a. Motion from Betsy; Second by Nikki; All in Favor; Motion Passes
4. Report of the Pastor
a. Mention of New Member Class; Would like Council Members to attend
b. Contemplative Prayer event is March 9th through the April 13th
c. Building Dynamic Ministry Class is encouraging a Mission Statement
5. Report of the Chair/Executive Committee
6. Business/Action Items:
a. HVAC Update
i. Betsy asks that property/finance have a recommendation by next month
ii. Steve provided handout on three possible deductions:
1. Simplify controls and no Wi-Fi: Deduct $33,800
2. Install the VRF and air handler now and gas later: Deduct $27,260
3. Install a straight AC 2-stage cooling unit and matching air handler with hot water heating coil: Deduct $40,515
b. Review Council Meeting Dates
i. April 7th instead of the 14th
c. Safe Gatherings
i. Background check program; all of council to complete as well as any personnel working with youth, VBS teachers, and Sunday School Teachers
d. Pastors Compensation:
i. Betsy made a motion to adjust pastors’ compensation to reflect the offer package, less than $3,000, to correct an error in the amounts listed in the 2025 budget approved by the congregation and we are directing Finance to update the 2025 budget to include the corrected figures; Nikki seconded; All in Favor; Motion Passes
7. Upcoming Dates:
a. 01/18: Fill the Pack
b. 01/26: New Member Class at 2:00PM
c. 02/21-02/22: Council Retreat
d. 03/5: Ash Wednesday
8. Joys and Concerns
9. Lord’s Prayer and Adjournment: 7:59PM
Next Council Meeting Date: Monday, February 10th at 7:00PM
Next Devotions: Rebekah Cromer
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Giving Info as of January 26, 2025
Budgeted 2025 Offering: $447,000
Offering received YTD: $23,051
Budgeted offering YTD: $34,385
2024 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: $11,334
Facilities Fund Balance: $75,310
GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR
Mission Lexington: $135 + 75 pounds of food
Snack Packs Ministry: $575 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $75
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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: $803,531
Total remaining: $99,607
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Memorials & Honorariums generously given last month:
To the Facilities Fund in memory of Tim Driggers by Scott & Debbie Houston, Shirley Derriso, David Spinazzolo, Zion Lutheran Men in Mision, Azmi & Beth Jebali
To the Facilities Fund in memory of John Drafts by Susan & Frank Boatwright, John Robson & Family, Wayne & Gail Buff, Rebecca Bouknight, Kregg & Lisa Corley, Thom & Janice Stoudemire, Shirley Derriso, Steve & Janice Sult, James & Iris Harman, Azmi & Beth Jebali
To the Building Fund in honor of James & Iris Harman by Cynthia & Thomas Black
To the Building Fund in memory of John Drafts by Michael & Jane Kohn
To Snack Packs in honor of Brantley & Corbin Jacobs by Kenneth Butera
To the General Fund in honor of James & Iris Harman by Michael & Helen Hinton
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Current Needs
Roger Anderson
Sydney Branham
Jerald Drafts
Norene Drafts
Barry Granda
Charley Hendrix
Charles Richardson
Ethel Riley
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)
Kimberly Bollinger (health, sister 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 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)
Sarah Harmon (cancer, friend of the Harmons)
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)
Phyllis Livingood (cancer, cousin of Al Fallaw)
Bill May (stroke, uncle of Mary Hampton)
Shirley Parker (cancer, aunt of Kimberly Rauch)
Donna Riggins (cancer, sister in law of Rachael Rhoden)
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)
Mayme Sult (hip fracture, sister-in-law of Janice & Steve Sult)
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)
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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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February Birthdays
1st - Connor Burn; 2nd - Hayden Ellisor, David Lever; 3rd - Edith Clark; 4th - Geri Nilsestuen; 5th - Rebekah Cromer; 7th - Thom Stoudemire; 10th - Nora Jebali, Russell Melonas; 11th - Margaret Drafts, Christopher Turner; 17th - Ada Willis; 18th - Jody Kleckley, Beth Lever; 20th - Roger Richardson; 22nd - Virginia Wetzel; 23rd - Betty Smith, Jamie Fite; 24th - Peyton Conn, Sydney Branham; 26th - Marion Clark; 27th - Russell Grant, Karey Hendrix, Karyn Stoneberg, Mary Alice Leaphart, Gregory Wingard, Brian Higgins; 29th - John Call, Cameron Lamb
February Anniversaries
1st - Chris & Kimberly Rauch; 13th - Larry & Stacey Hook; 27th - Michael & Heather Williamson
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