Monthly News & Updates

Join us as we celebrate our graduates!

In worship on Sunday, June 2nd we will celebrate & bless Zion's Graduates from this school year!

We will also celebrate the confirmation of Emily Call. Join us at 10am in worship!

I’m used to feedback when I let my guitar get too close to my amp at times, but feedback is also something that is so needed – something I would like to request from someone especially important…

That’s You.

Leadership can be many things- empowering, exhausting, fulfilling, frustrating, effective, unproductive…

It is best when it serves its purpose with useful information from its constituents- the makeup of the entity it serves.

I have to tell you that sometimes I feel as council chair, we seemingly lead in a vacuum of concerns, and recommendations… they bubble up from the edges- and then disappear to be brought up at a later time. My challenge to all of us is to “reach out and touch someone"; give us your input, ideas and cares- so below is a list of the lay leaders who represent and lead our congregation:

Zion Church Council

Steve Hendrix - Chair

Chris Ellisor - Vice Chair

Roscoe Nesmith - Treasurer

Rebekah Cromer - Secretary

Roger Anderson

Craig Balch

Jamie Fite

Linda Hendrix

Ross Hunter

Rayna Kleckley

Chesson Merritt

Geri Nilsestuen

Ministry Team Chairs

Christian Education - Jamie Hampton

Christian Life - Susan Shumpert

Finance - Bert Wingard

Mutual Ministry – Troy Fite

Outreach - Lee Caulder

Property - Steve Swygert

Stewardship - Denise Caulder

Technology - Russell Kleckley

Worship and Music - Eileen Leaphart

Youth - Walt Hampton 

The church Zion - asks for your time, talent and treasure. I ask that you share your mind and heart as we work make Zion an instrument of God’s peace.

Pick up the phone… we’ll answer the call.

Yours in Christ,

Steve Hendrix

Chair, Zion Lutheran Church Council

Happy Anniversary! It seems hard to believe we have been sharing ministry together for one full year. I started on Thursday, June 1 and my first Sunday leading worship was Trinity Sunday, June 4, 2023. Together we have welcomed four children in Baptism, witnessed young ones receive their first Holy Communion, and as of this Sunday, eight youth have become members of Zion in the Affirmation of Faith. It has truly been a delight to be the Church with you all. God is here.



Have you noticed the colors of the paraments in the Sanctuary have been changing quite frequently? White for the Season of Easter. Red for Pentecost Sunday. White for Trinity Sunday. These past three weeks have been a very busy time for our Altar Guild, always working behind the scenes. Thank you for all your hard work, all year long.

This Sunday, June 2nd begins the “loooooong green season” following Pentecost, which is known as the Time after Pentecost or Ordinary Time. This is standard, normal, typical time. It lasts until the First Sunday in Advent on December 1. This is the time the church is the church; It is the time to focus on getting about Gospel business, mission and service.

So, what is Gospel business? What is our Mission and Service? Proclaim Christ. That’s It, and it is so overwhelmingly simple: Love one another as I have loved you. Repeat…

Blessings & Peace,

Pastor Kathleen

Mark your calendar for Vacation Bible School July 7-11

Registration and Volunteer Info coming soon!

GraceWorks 2024 + June 10th-13th

Have fun + Help Others

The 11th annual GraceWorks Youth Servant Camp is coming this summer to the midlands. All youth 6th to 12th grades welcome! Each day we will travel to Columbia where we will serve, worship, and have fun with other youth from around the midlands.

Registration is still open, email Walt@zionlexsc.com to sign up now.

Pray for our Youth and Children

as they head off to camp!

Once again Zion will be sending our confirmation students and children to Lutheridge this Summer.

Many will be at camp the week of June 16-22. Take a moment that week to pray for them to have a week of fresh air, new friendships, silly songs, and a lasting impact on their faith!

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department held a trailer stamping event at Zion on May 18th with almost forty trailers participating. This was a great turnout, especially considering the weather wasn’t that great.

The next ZLMM meeting will be June 17th at 6:00 pm in the FLC. Our speaker will be Ms. Robin Bowers from Mission Lexington. The meal will be cubed pork steak, rice and sausage gravy, green beans and bread. This will be a practice run for our fundraiser coming up in August. More details on this are coming soon.

All confirmed men of Zion are automatically a member so come and enjoy the fellowship. And feel free to bring a guest.



Russell Kleckley

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 a 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 themselves.

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.

The Choir will not meet to rehearse during the month of June, but rehearsals 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: Janice Sult

Reader: 2nd - Denise Caulder, 9th - Caylan Bigham,

16th - Will Cohoon, 23rd - David Lever, 30th - Susan Shumpert

Crucifer: 2nd - Chasen Williams,

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

Technology Team: 2nd - Ross Hunter,

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

Ushers: Charles Richardson, Paula Carlson

Chancel & Sacraments: Janice & Steve Sult

Fellowship: 2nd - Graduate Sunday Reception, 9th - OPEN,

16th - Sults, 23rd - OPEN, 30th - OPEN

Offering Counters: Jamie Fite, Betsy Burn

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, May 13th, 2024 7:00 PM

1. Call to order

2. Devotions

3. Call Committee/Review of MSP

4. Report of the Secretary

5. Report of treasurer

6. Report of the Chair/Executive Committee:

Motion approved for Noisy Offering once a month on the second Sunday of the month.

7. Report of Pastor

8. Ministry Team Reports:

Christian Education:

- VBS is moving along great; need volunteers

- Sunday school is continuing through the summer and looking for nursery staff

Property: Roger asked about the Water Heater; no hot water in the youth room currently

Youth:

- Four youth and parents went to Camp Kinard

- Last High School Bible Study this Friday

9. Business/Action Items:

i. Church Directory

ii. Church Constitution

iii. Youth Sunday School Initiative

iv. Graveyard Team

vii. Motion passed for Outreach Fundraiser for Thanksgiving Meals: Yard Sale on June 8th

10. Joys and Concerns

11. Lord’s Prayer and Adjournment: 9:18PM

Giving Info as of May 29, 2024

Budgeted 2024 Offering: $373,066.20

Offering received YTD: $159,994

Budgeted offering YTD: $150,661

2024 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: $9,332

GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR

Mission Lexington: $2,466 + 634 pounds of food

Snack Packs Ministry: $2,212 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $685

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: $899,488

Total received so far for this work: $752,837

Total remaining: $146,651

Memorials generously given last month:

To the General Fund in memory of Jane Langston by Sandra & Charles Stumpf and Deborah Cromer

 To the General Fund in memory of Jane Langston by Tammy Morris

 To the General Fund in honor of David Jackson Elrod upon his confirmation by Beth & David Lever.

To the General Fund in honor of my nephew, Lee Dickson by Susan D. Graham.

To the Capital/Renovation Fund & Utilities in memory of Jane Langston & Rev. Earl McCombs by Steve & Jeannie Wingard.

 To the General Fund in memory of Jane Langston by Ethel Riley.

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

Current Needs

Sydney Branham

Jerald Drafts

Norene Drafts

Tim Driggers

Barry Granda

Mark Rhoden

Kay Waites

Homebound

Wayne Corley (Lex Ext.)

John Drafts (Wellmore)

Melba Ivey (Carolina Gardens)

Wyman Keisler

Gege Kimball

Wyman Kleckley

John Shotts

Margaret Sox

Darlene Weight (Tennessee)

The family and friends of Zion Member Les Caton upon his death Tuesday May 28th.

The family and friends of Zion Member Gene Hendrix upon his death Tuesday May 21st.

Friends of the Congregation

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)

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)

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)

Cooper & Murphy Krall (premie twins, relative of Geri)

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)

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 Wise (health, father 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.

June Birthdays

4^th - Joel Kleckley; 5^th - Amber Grant, Charles Richardson; 6^th - Kaylee Keisler, Margie Wingard, Abby Beard; 8^th - Steve Sult; 12^th - Amanda Farwick; 14^th - Shelton Rhoden; 16^th - Steve Hendrix; 17^th - Bob McCombs, Corbin Jacobs; 18^th - Michael Williamson; 20^th - Stefanie Wingard, Merritt Wingard; 21^st - Ronald Lindler; 25^th - Brantley Williamson; 26^th - Lee Dickson; 27^th - James Harman, John Sommer, Adalynn Melonas; 29^th - Phoebe Higgins;

June Anniversaries

2^nd - Russell & Sherie Grant; 6^th - Al & Carla Fallaw; 12^th - Steve & Janice Sult; 17^th – John & Norene Drafts; 22^nd - Hal & Carolette Turner; 24^th – Chris & Jenny Ellisor; 26^th - Thomas & Ginger Sox, Walt & Jamie Hampton; 28^th – Matt & Jade Mayer

Pentecost Sunday we celebrated our Confirmands:

Holly Nicole Beard

David Jackson Elrod

Beckett Wade Owens

May God’s love and blessings surround them!