Sunday Mornings at Zion

9:00am Sunday School

10:00am Worship for All

Onsite and Online

11:15am Fellowship Time

Monthly News & Updates

July 2025

Worship and Fellowship Opportunities this Month

From the Pastor's Desk

There is always something more to do. Always another dirty sock to be washed, always another phone call to make, always another email to send, always someone more to pray for, always another thing that could be done and maybe should be done that won’t get done because we just can’t.

I used to try to get it all done and then feel guilty when I couldn’t. I thought I was supposed to be able to do it all.

I’m not sure when my perspective changed, but I know that it had to do with God. Now I see that we aren’t built to do everything. I can’t move most couches by myself, hard as I might try. I can’t work 80 hours a week and be a good wife and mom. Honestly, if I’m working 80 hours in a week, I can’t be a good pastor or human being, either. God has built into each of us, including me, the need for rest.

We need to spend time doing nothing. We need to spend time enjoying the world God has made, instead of trying to shape it or shape ourselves.

“Most of the things we need to be most fully alive never come in busyness. They grow in rest,” writes Pastor Mark Buchanan in his book The Holy Wild: Trusting in the Character of God. He’s got a point. When we don’t rest, we don’t have the clarity to see ourselves or other people as we are. When we’re busy, we can miss out entirely on the small joys of life and the people around us. When we take time off from being productive, we can enjoy the arts and the beauty of the world around us.

More than that, taking time to do nothing reminds us that the world keeps on spinning without our help. God is the one who makes the world go around. We have our jobs to be done, but ultimately, our rest is our trust that we don’t have to be in charge of everything. When we rest, we let God be God.

So go ahead and squish some sand between your toes or read another chapter of your book. Take a walk or call a friend. Notice the striped leaves of a plant or read a chapter of your Bible. Take a breath and rest. It’s part of God’s plan for your life, as surely as work and service are.

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful July,

Pastor Emily

And another thing!

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.

Check it out by clicking here!

Christian Education

Join us this summer as we travel North to Alaska!

Sunday, July 6th – Thursday, July 10^th

Programming starts at 6:00PM every night!

There will be no meal served this year.

Pastor Emily will be leading an adult class.

The whole congregation is invited Thursday night for a Summer Bash, dinner, and celebration!

A staffed nursery will be available!

Want to help? Contact Rebekah Cromer to signup: rebekahwcromer@gmail.com

Youth Ministry

GraceWorks 2025 + Searching

July 13^th– 18^th

The GraceWorks Leadership Team is incredibly excited for our 12^th annual GraceWorks Youth Servant Camp here in the Midlands!

What is GraceWorks? GraceWorks is a local servant camp for Midlands Youth who are rising 6th graders through recently graduated 12th graders. GraceWorks develops servant leaders as these youth serve various agencies around the Columbia area. Most of these agencies serve vulnerable children or adults. In addition to doing physical labor like painting, cleaning, yardwork, and organizing, youth also learn about the ministry of these agencies and often have opportunities to interact with those they are serving.

What does it cost: This year’s cost will be $50 per youth, this covers supplies, snacks, and our recreation day for all our participants.

Where is GraceWorks this year? Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1301 Richland Street, Columbia, 29201. This will be our home base; most of our service experiences will involve traveling offsite via bus or by foot.

When is GraceWorks this year? This year GraceWorks begins Sunday July 13^th with a meal and worship. We will gather at Ebenezer from 5:00-7:00pm to get to know each other, learn about our service agencies for the week, and worship together. Monday through Friday, July 14^th-18^th, we will gather between 8:00 and 8:15am to start our day and will be finished and ready for pickup at 5:00pm. Your congregation youth leader will make sure you arrive and depart on time.

For more Info contact Walt@zionlexsc.com

www.facebook.com/GraceWorksSC

Lutheran Men in Mission

The Lutheran Men will not be having a normal monthly meeting in July. Instead, we will be serving the meal at the end of VBS celebration on July 10th. Hope to see you there!

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 ITEM OF THE MONTH: Peanut Butter

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.

Music Notes

The Choir will meet each week during July at 9:30am in the Choir room for a short rehearsal before worship. We can always use more voices, so please come join us!

Handbells currently meet on an as-needed basis for festival worship services. If you’re interested in playing handbells, please let Julie know. We always welcome new ringers!

Solo singers or instrumentalists would be great anytime 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.

Click for more info or to offer your musical talents!

Serving in Worship

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!

Click to volunteer

Serving in Worship for July

Assisting Minister: Sue Anderson

Reader: 6th Amanda Farwick;

13th Roger Anderson; 20th Katie McKinley; 27th Susan Shumpert

Crucifer:

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

Technology Team:

Anyone can help: click here to signup.

6th Russell Kleckley, Chris Bigham; 13th Jason Blackburn, OPEN

20th Jason Blackburn, Tyler Beard; 27th Ross Hunter, Chris Bigham

Ushers: Bert & Wanda Wingard

Chancel & Sacraments: Steve & Janice Sult

Altar Flowers: OPEN - Signup in the Narthex

Cookies & Fellowship: 6th Betsy Burn; 13th Dale & Donna; 20th OPEN; 27th OPEN; Signup in Narthex

Offering Counters: Shawn Cromer, Lee Caulder

Council Update

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 MINUTES

Monday, June 9^th, 2025, 7:00PM

Council Members: Steve Hendrix, Rebekah Cromer, Roger Anderson, Pastor Emily, Russell Kleckley, Jessi Hampton, Betsy Burn, Paula Carlson, Jason Wetzel, Chesson Merritt, Craig Balch, Nikki Harmon, and Walt Hampton in attendance. Jamie Fite not in attendance.

Call to Order: 7:02PM
Devotions: Craig Balch
Consent Agenda Needs Approval
Motion made by Paula; Second by Jessi; no discussion; all in favor; motion passes
Business/Action Items:
Homecoming September 14^th: Worship and Music need help with the event. Nikki to help get a committee together. Suggestions include Linda Hendrix and Ross Hunter. Lunch event and history/entertainment plan. Suggestion for preaching is Bill Mulholland and Ron Brown.
HVAC Update: System is pressurized but still waiting on the refrigerant.
Technology: Given the copper wiring of the church and the thunderstorms recently, our WiFi has been down. This typically happens with larger storms. A rough estimate to update this wiring to fiber is $5,800. Russell is looking to get surge protectors in the meantime, given property concerns that may need attention. Also, looking to have all electrical equipment/software organized and have one person manage it all.
Property: Steve has presented a document from Johnson Controls to repair the fire alarm system; the max labor is $4,800 and materials $230. Russell recommends we research for additional servicers for future issues to help eliminate costs. Steve to talk with Steve Shumpert about presenting additional information for Council to further discern. Second item Steve Shumpert brought to Steve Hendrix is the servicing of the elevator which would be a minimum expense of $1,200 to service it.
Road Construction: Steve provided key topics from property of concerns for the roadwork for SCDOT. Betsy asks that property move forward with items and bring any updates or requests to council as needed.
Mutual Ministry Update: Need to discuss our options regarding Julie’s resignation. Do we need to separate her two roles of organist and bookkeeper? Nikki Riley would be a good person to assist in the interim.
Grow and Renew Follow-up: Thank you, congregation, for your continued support of grow and renew. June 30^th is the end of the three-year term since the campaign started. Betsy and Chip Burn plan to give a temple talk to provide an update. Roughly $80,000 remaining in the campaign. Potentially sending individuals letters with their remaining balance. Letters will be a thank you plus a summary of your individual giving to the campaign.
Mission Statement: Looking to get the mission statement out to the congregation. Pastor Emily has sent an initial email to get a team together and help with the rollout. Recommendation to have Anna Reeside to help. Considering asking James Harmon to help get a new sign up.
Kyzer Membership Status: see Pastors report.
Proposed Budget Process Needs Approval
Suggestion made by Nikki to run it past finance and confirm they don’t have any additions to the sheet. Steve made a motion to approve sending the drafted Budget Form to finance and move forward with its finalization; Second by Craig; Recommendation from Walt to add the budget line items for each team; All in favor; motion passes.
St. Katherine's Update: After running a poll with council, there was an 8 to 4 vote to pause on the St. Katherines school. Pastor Emily to communicate with the school to let them know.
Upcoming Dates:
July 6^th-10^th VBS
July 23^rd Camp Summer Fun

6. Joys and Concerns

7. Lord’s Prayer and Adjournment: 8:18PM

Next Council Meeting Date: Monday, July 14^th at 7:00PM

Next Devotions: Jessi Hampton

Giving & Generosity

Giving Info as of June 21, 2025

Budgeted 2025 Offering: $447,000

Offering received YTD: $176,172

Budgeted offering YTD: $206,308

2024 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: ($30,136)

Facilities Fund Balance: $125,294

GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR

Mission Lexington: $954 + 648 pounds of food

Snack Packs Ministry: $6,889 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $998

Recent Memorials Given

To the Building Fund in memory of Charles Hendrix by David Monts, Roger & Shannon Richardson, Blake & Heather Cromer, Keith & Brenda Dooley, Frank & Susan Boatwright, Burns & Jan Corley, Ron & Janice Lindler, Mike & Cathy Herndon

To the Facilities Fund in memory of Charles Hendrix by Rev. Kathleen Miko, Russell & Rayna Kleckley, Thom & Janice Stoudemire, Jimmy & Charlotte Compton, David & Cheryl Ballentine, Ann Clark, William & Janice Scircle, Steve & Janice Sult, James & Iris Harman

To the General Fund in memory of Charles Hendrix by Susan Price

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: $822,452

Total remaining: $80,686

In Our Prayers

Current Needs

Burns Corley

Jerald Drafts

Norene Drafts

Barry Granda

Janet Green

Rayna Kleckley

Wyman Kleckley

Eileen Leaphart

Charles Richardson

Judy Shotts

Evelyn Varn

Kay Waites

Homebound

Betty Jo Corley (Wellmore)

Ed Corley (Wellmore)

Melba Ivey (Spring Oak)

Wyman Keisler

Gege Kimball

John Shotts

Margaret Sox

Darlene Weight (Tennessee)

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)

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

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)

Jeri Dickson (health, wife of Chuck Dickson)

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)

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)

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)

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 Jessica Kuet, classmate of Jack Hampton, upon her sudden death.

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.

Celebrations this Month

July Birthdays

2^nd - Jessica Senn, Mary Lynn Sox, Casey McIntosh, Janssen Ellisor

3^rd - Dylan Granda

5^th - Janet Green, Roger Anderson, Cannon McKinley

6^th - Caylan Bigham, Hannah Higgins

7^th - 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

17^th - Bev Gunter

19^th - Stacey Hook

22^nd - Ethel Riley, Cia Coggins

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 - Kregg & Lisa Corley

2^nd - Zack & Courtney Grant

19^th – Greg & Anna Wingard

22^nd - Steve & Susan Shumpert

30^th - Patrick & Chesson Merritt