Monthly News & Updates

Zion Congregational Meeting—July 14th

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our congregational meeting on Sunday, July 14th immediately following worship.

Church Council has unanimously voted to recommend Pastor Emily Hartmann to be considered for a call as pastor to Zion Lutheran Church. A proposed financial package has been agreed to by the candidate and council with the advice of the finance committee. We will hold a Meet and Greet on Sunday, July 14th, starting at 8:00 am in the FLC, breakfast will be served. We will hold a Congregational Meeting/Vote at 11:00 am after the service. Please make every effort to attend this important event in the life of our congregation. 

We will also have a congregation meeting on the 14th to vote to approve our updated church constitution. Copies of the proposed constitution are available in the Narthex or digitally by emailing ZionChurch@zionlexsc.com.

Dear Members of Zion,

On behalf of the Call Committee, we are delighted to introduce Pastor Emily Hartmann to the congregation. The Committee wanted to share some information with the congregation as to why we think she is such a good choice for Zion at this time and how God led her to us.



The Call Committee drafted a Ministry Site Profile (“MSP”), which is required by the Synod as part of the call process. The MSP is a lengthy document, and it included our ranking of the top 5 skills/attributes that Zion is seeking in a new pastor. They included preaching, pastoral care/visitation, Christian education/youth, spiritual development, and administrative skills.

Pastor Emily’s profile (which she drafted several months before we did our MSP) listed her strengths as preaching, pastoral care, interpreting/discussing theology, youth programming and administrative skill.

When we met with her, we were impressed with her open and engaging personality, her focus on building relationships, her deep knowledge of theology, her desire to have her own congregation to love and develop again, and her unique experience in youth programming/development through her work in her calls and also at the synod, where she worked statewide with ELCA congregations on youth programming.

In her work with the Synod she has had the opportunity to serve all the churches in the Synod and has preached throughout the state on a regular basis. She also developed and wrote numerous FAQ videos about different religious topics that are available on the Synod website to help churches provide a ‘plug and play’ format of programming on a variety of topics. Click here to see these FAQ videos, click here to see some of her recorded sermons, and click here to see an interview featuring Pastor Emily and Zion member Darlene Weight – we encourage all of you to review them and get to know Pastor Emily before our meeting on July 14.

Her references all praised her as caring and extremely intelligent (one said she is one of the brightest people he has ever worked with). They also highlighted her dedication to the relationships that she has built (one former congregant said Pastor Emily still keeps in touch with youth from that church and that she helped develop a lot of great programs that they still use today), as well as her ability to connect with people and understand what they need. She is a great listener and truly cares about her people. She has a strong work ethic and is very respected in all the churches she has worked as well as the Synod. They all agreed we would be lucky to get her as our pastor and that her true calling is in a church of her own. After much prayer and discussion, the Call Committee was pleased to recommend her as a candidate to Council, and we are now equally pleased to introduce her to our congregation.

We feel she will be a true asset to this congregation and will not only help us grow in our faith but will also help build new relationships and strengthen our children’s programming.

In Peace,



Betsy Burn, Call Committee Chair

The blueberries are ready!

The Riley’s Blueberries are ready to be picked! All proceeds will go to Zion, please call Ethel at 803-356-2535 for directions or more information.

Vacation Bible School July 7-11

Children and Adult Faith Formation Opportunities

Contact the office to register or volunteer!

Pray for our Youth in New Orleans July 15-20

Zion is sending 5 youth and 3 adults to New Orleans for the ELCA Youth Gathering. They will be joining around 18,000 other youth for a time of worship, learning, service, and a whole lot of fun! Pray for them as they explore their faith.

You can follow along at www.youtube.com/@ELCA. We will also be sharing pictures and updates at www.Facebook.com/zionlexyouth

Zion Lutheran Men in Mission Fall Fundraiser

Tickets available now!

Saturday, August 24, 2024 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Pork Cutlet Dinner - $10.00 per plate 

Eat In or Carry Out

Can you feel it? Can you smell it? Probably not yet, but Thanksgiving is just a few short months away. That means it’s time to start planning for the Annual Zion Community Outreach meals. If you recall last year, we were not sure until the last minute we would have the funds to cover this tradition. Fortunately, we received the funding. This year, however, we want to start fundraising for this event a little earlier. The Outreach Team, who has assumed responsibility for the Thanksgiving meal, has decided to hold a yard sale to begin raising the funds. We might not get all the money we need, but it will sure be a big step forward.

When Denise and I came to Zion several years ago, we were told the Thanksgiving meal was a wonderful opportunity for people, both within the church and in the community, to come together in fellowship to box up the meals and deliver them. We participated in it and found this was the case. Since COVID it seems we have lost a little of that spirit. The Outreach Team believes this yard sale will provide the opportunity to get some of that spirit back.

In that regard, we are asking you to mark your calendars for July 20, 2024, as the day for the Zion Thanksgiving Yard Sale. It will be from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center.

But the Team cannot do it all by ourselves.

First, we ask you to look through the stuff around your house to see if there is something you’d like to get rid of. I know Denise and I do. It doesn't matter what it is; someone will see it as a treasure. Second, please bring it to the church on July 13, 2024, two days after VBS is finished, so we can begin to sort, price, and get it ready for sale. Additionally, if you would be willing to help with this, please let someone on the Team know. The members are listed below. We can also use help with the setup, monitoring the floor, taking money, and cleanup.

Thank you for all your support for Zion’s ministries!

Lee Caulder

Team members: Lee Caulder, Chair, Betsy Burn, David Lever, Ron Leaphart, Janice Sult, Todd and Jenifer Elrod.

​For over 10 years, Zion's Matthew 25 volunteers have financed, prepared and served meals to the homeless and hungry at Christ Central Ministries (CCM) in Columbia. As Covid19 became a concern for both the homeless and our volunteers, we sought help from our partners at Dupre Catering (www.duprecatering.com) who prepared and packaged delicious hot meals that we delivered and served at CCM each first Saturday of the month.

With changes imposed by the City of Columbia requiring that our aging volunteers clean the entire facility after each Saturday that we served meals, we determined that we could not do this on a continuing basis. 

As we thought about how Matthew 25 could serve people or families in need, we changed our focus to identifying situations where we could make a potentially life-changing difference to a person or family. 

In short order, we found an elderly lady who was a hospice sitter for many years, who was recently hospitalized with a heart condition, whose mobile home sustained roof damage from a falling limb. She could not afford to pay the estimated cost of repair.  

This situation was referred to Zion by Dupre Percival of Dupre Catering. Dupre asked Mr. Bill Excell, Senior Estimator at Clyde Nettles Roofing for a repair estimate. We determined that the estimated cost could be covered by our current Matthew 25 funds. We decided to fund the project and within a week the lady's roof was repaired to her immense relief and appreciation.

To paraphrase Pope Francis: You pray for those in need, then you find a way to meet their needs. That is how prayer works.

To volunteer or receive more information about Zion's Matthew 25 Ministry, contact Ron Leaphart at 931-6205 (Cell Phone or Text Messages)

The Choir will resume in July on Sunday mornings at 9:15am in the choir room. We can always use more voices, so please come join us!

Handbell ringers have been gathering as needed to prepare for festival Sundays. We always need more people to ring bells with us, 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.

Music for Summer

I would LOVE to have some of you sing solos or play an instrumental solo this summer for the prelude and/or during the offering. You are ALWAYS welcome to share your musical gifts with us! Contact Julie, if you are interested.

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 June

Assisting Minister: Lee Caulder

Reader: 7th - Lee Caulder, 14th - Michael Kohn,

21st - Rayna Kleckley, 28th - Eileen Leaphart

Crucifer: 7th - OPEN 14th - Brantley/Corbin Jacobs, 21st - OPEN, 28th - Anderson McKinley, SIGNUP NOW, Anyone can Crucifer: click here to signup.

Technology Team: 7th - OPEN, Chris Bigham, 14th - OPEN, Tyler Beard,

21st - OPEN, Tyler Beard, 28th - OPEN, Robby Bigham

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

Ushers: Bert & Wanda Wingard

Chancel & Sacraments: Kathryn Barton, Steve & Kelly Jo Swygert

Fellowship: 7th - Reeside Family, 14th - OPEN,

21st - OPEN, 28th - OPEN

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 RebekahLWingard@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 MINUTES

Monday, June 10th, 2024 - 7:00 PM

1. Call to Order: 7:04PM

2. Devotions: Craig

3. Report of the Secretary: Rebekah: Approved

4. Report of the Treasurer: Roscoe

a. Audit Update: Chandler and David are working through procedures on next steps and then Bert is working on a timeline.

5. Report of the Pastor: Pastor Kathleen

6. Report of the Chair/Executive Committee: Steve

7. Ministry Team Reports:

Christian Education: Geri Nilsestuen

- VBS in preparation, still need volunteers

- Graduation Sunday was a success

- Sunday School is paused for the summer and will start back in the Fall

Christian Life: Chesson Merritt: no report

Mutual Ministry: Chris Ellisor: no report

Outreach: Rayna Kleckley

- Met in May and changed the yard sale date to July 20th

- Looking for volunteers to help sort through all items

- Accepting donations until July 13th

Property: Roger Anderson: Consultant has quoted us on replacing the A/C

Stewardship: Craig Balch: Denise is recruiting folks to do temple talks

Technology: Ross Hunter: We need more support during church services Worship & Music: Linda Hendrix: looking for a new chair to take over

Youth: Jamie Fite: At GraceWorks this week and going to confirmation camp

8. Business/Action Items:

a. Old Business

i. Call Committee Update: Steve spoke with Betsy and the process is moving forward well and on track.

ii. Review of Recent Online Meeting as to FLC Rental: Chris would like to take an initial stab at reviewing our constitution regarding future opportunities similar to this one.

iii. Church Directory: Chesson talked with Redeemer and online platforms in regards to data breaches and security. Consider doing a free month. Linda moved that we start the free trial; Ross asked if Walt would spearhead this; Roscoe volunteered to help; All in Favor.

iv. Constitution/Audit Updates: Discussion about creating an audit committee; Motion made by Craig to include page 6 (C13.03) of the audit guide to create a committee of three voting members elected by congregation council and add it into the constitution; second by Rayna; All in Favor.

v. Garage Sale for Thanksgiving Funds: how can we get the congregation involved? Rayna to work with Lee to create a FB event, get a sign made, and maybe get a signup list.

vi. Other: Walt and Rebekah working to have all of our minutes from over the past 5 years in a local system to organize it all in a searchable location. Congregation council needs to be announced three weeks prior to the meeting. Council checking for dates for a congregational meeting. Steve motioned to have a congregational meeting on July 14th to review the constitution; Roscoe second; All in favor.

b. New Business

i. Stewardship for all Seasons: Contract was originally $1,800; second

year is $2,400; they felt like they didn't get a lot out of the money we previously spent. Denise doesn't believe this expense is worth it at this

time, Craig agrees, and the group agrees to not move forward.

ii. Welcome Ministry Update: keep reaching out to new people as they come to church and looking to have a more critical path when it comes to

people visiting.

iii. Church Funeral Responsibilities: discussion about overflow projection and possible online streaming for services we host. Possibly have a group of specific people who help with hospitality and ushering. Interested in updating funeral and wedding policies.

iv. A/C Replacement: Property team received a quote to replace the A/C unit. Michael Kohn has offered to waive the fee regarding preparing the drawings and other documentation to share with the engineer. Average cost for everything was $85,000-over $100,000. Have Chip review the legal components of this document? Possible recommendation come from Michael, Steve, and Bert for council.

v. Copier Replacement: Roger made a motion to accept Julie's motion; Chesson made a second; All in Favor

vi. Security Review: Russell Kleckley has worked with the County to review this. Christian Life is working on a kitchen checklist.

9. Upcoming Dates:

a. VBS: July 7th-11th

b. Congregational Meeting: July 14th

c. Garage Sale: July 20th

d. Blessings of the Backpacks: August 4th

e. Lutheran Men Steaks and Grits: August 24th Steve made a motion; Ross made a second; all in favor.

f. Golden Age Sunday: August 25th

10. Joys and Concerns

Giving Info as of June 26, 2024

Budgeted 2024 Offering: $373,066.20

Offering received YTD: $187,373

Budgeted offering YTD: $179,358

2024 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: $8,015

GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR

Mission Lexington: $2,804 + 722 pounds of food

Snack Packs Ministry: $2,312 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $810

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: $901,588

Total received so far for this work: $761,897

Total remaining: $139,691

Memorials generously given last month:

To the Building Fund in memory of Gene Hendrix by Geri Nilsestuen

To the General Fund in memory of Gene Hendrix by Jerald & Margaret Drafts

To the General Fund in memory of Gene Hendrix by James & Iris Harman

To the General Fund in memory of Gene Hendrix & Les Caton

by Kregg & Lisa Corley

To the General Fund in honor of Tallie Rauch by Hannah Elizabeth Underwood     

To the General Fund in memory of Murphy Krall by Geri Nilsestuen

To the General Fund in memory of Gene Hendrix by Thom & Janice Stoudemire

To the General Fund in memory of Gene Hendrix & Les Caton by Paul & Mary Hook

To the Building Fund in memory of Gene Hendrix by Myron & Linda Corley

To the General Fund in memory of Les Caton by Alva & Carla Fallaw

To the Building Fund in memory of Gene Hendrix by Paul & Gale Harman

To the Building Fund in memory of Gene Hendrix by Alva & Carla Fallaw

To the Building Fund in memory of Gene Hendrix by Mary Elizabeth Monts

Current Needs

Sydney Branham

Jerald Drafts

Norene Drafts

Tim Driggers

Barry Granda

Mark Rhoden

Rachel Rhoden

Kay Waites

Homebound

Wayne Corley (Lex Ext.)

John Drafts (Wellmore)

Melba Ivey (Spring Oak)

Wyman Keisler

Gege Kimball

Wyman Kleckley

John Shotts

Margaret Sox

Darlene Weight (Tennessee)

Friends of the Congregationkson)

Lynn Balch (health, wife of Craig Balch)

Debby Bearden (health, friend of Mary Alice Leaphart)

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)

Jackie Brock (mother-in-law of Chuck Dickson)

Celeste Carlson (health, sister of Paula Carlson)

Juliett Collins (cancer, niece of David and Beth Lever)

Johnny Corley (heart issues, brother of Burns Corley)

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)

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

Sarah Harmon (cancer, friend of the Harmons)

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)

Cooper Krall (premie, relative of Geri Nilsestuen)

Phyllis Livingood (cancer, cousin of Al Fallaw)

Jim Moyer (health, brother in law of Mary Hampton)

Libba Rhoad (cancer, friend of Janice Sult)

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)

Roger Spires (cancer, friend of the congregation)

Gary Swancey (health, nephew of Shirley Derriso)

Gary Tilley (health, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)

Ronnie Tunstill (cancer, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)

Edith Wessinger (health, sister in law of Ethel Riley)

Ron White (cancer, friend of the Caulders)

Sarah White (hospitalized, girlfriend of Clayton Hendrix)

Carroll & Helen Wise (health, parents of Julie Branham) 

  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.

July Birthdays

2^nd - Mary Lynn Sox, Casey McIntosh, Janssen Ellisor; 3^rd - Dylan Granda; 4^th - Tristin Secoy; 5^th - Janet Green, Roger Anderson, Cannon McKinley; 6^th - Caylan Bigham, Ernest Beck, Hannah Higgins; 7^th - Ansley Secoy, John Shotts; 9^th - Luci Hanna; 11^th - Madelyn Ellisor; 12^th - Hal Turner, Zach Willis, Julie Branham; 14^th - Macy Hunt; 15^th - Lisa Lorick, Kara Willis; 16^th - Ronald Leaphart, Jill Beck, Jack Cohoon; 18^th - John Drafts; 19^th - Stacey Hook; 22^nd - Ethel Riley; 25^th - Jamie Hampton; 26^th - Addison Corley, Mary Nell Panyard; 27^th - Jenna Hobbs, Brenda Smith, McKenzie Flashnick; 31^st - Burns Corley, Althea Hendrix, Walter Hendrix, Jessica-Anne Stoudemire

July Anniversaries

2^nd - Lisa & Kregg Corley; 2^nd – Courtney & Zack Grant; 19^th - Anna & Gregory Wingard; 22^nd – Susan & Steve Shumpert; 30^th – Chesson & Patrick Merritt