Sunday Mornings at Zion

9:00am Sunday School

10:00am Worship for All

Onsite and Online

11:15am Fellowship Time

Monthly News & Updates

June 2025

Worship and Fellowship Opportunities this Month

Join us in Worship Sunday, June 8th

CONFIRMATION & PENTECOST SUNDAY

Worship at 10:00am will include Baptism, Confirmation, and celebration of Pentecost. Remember to wear RED. Reception to follow.

From the Pastor's Desk

June is a big month!

This June, Zion will have baptisms and confirmations, a wedding and a funeral. Those are milestones in lives and families, places where God’s thumbprint is a little clearer in this world. Zion should have one more milestone: if all goes according to plan, we will make the big move back into the sanctuary halfway through.

As I write this, the contractors are in the boiler room running pipes and getting the big new machines going. For months now, the Property Team and the Worship and Music Ministry Team have been making plans. We’ve been looking at what needs to be done, prioritizing and timing out the list, and checking off what we’ll be bringing back into that space. There’s vacuuming and tidying and physical furniture moving to be done, along with organ maintenance and changing how we prepare for weekly worship.

For my part, I’ve been doing some wondering about worship in the sanctuary. Although I’ve been the pastor here for 10 months, I’ve never worshiped with Zion inside those hallowed walls. I wonder about the flow of worship and where people sit. I also wonder how things will change. Some people have mentioned to me that they’ll dress more nicely in the sanctuary, or that they won’t bring their coffee into worship in there. I wonder if people will be less chatty or more reserved. Some things will be the absolute same, while others will look quite different.

In some ways, we think about what we bring into worship each week that we arrive. What version of ourselves do we want to present? We are more or less aware of this sort of decision when we get ourselves dressed on a Sunday. We also make decisions about what face we’re going to wear and what we’ll share about our week. Some highs and lows are for the public to know; others are for ourselves alone. Sometimes we can’t help what we show. Sometimes bandages advertise that we’ve had a rough week or family squabbles air themselves without our permission. Whatever we bring, we know that God knows it all anyway.

As we go through life’s milestones and moments this summer, I hope that you’ll take some time to be your full self with God. Maybe it will be in the sanctuary or walking among the saints in Zion’s graveyard. Maybe it will be on a beach, or a sunporch, or in your shower. Wherever it is you let your metaphorical hair down, make some time to stay there a while. Sit in the light of the God who knows you best and loves every bit of you. Grieve the things that you need to grieve. Rejoice in the things worth celebrating, whether or not anyone else will ever know about them.

Bring that joy and truth back with you when you come to worship here at Zion. We aren’t whole without each other. We can’t see God’s fullness without God’s people. Bring your passions and your wounds. Bring your loves and your worries. Bring yourself and your people, especially if you’re not having a perfect day. Don’t make me be imperfect alone! Come and live in the love of God together.

In God’s Peace,

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! Parents are welcome Thursday night for a final Summer Bash 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

Lutheran Men in Mission Monthly Meeting is Tuesday, June 10th at 6:00pm

in the Family Life Center.

Monthly Ministry Highlight

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT: Worship & Music

The Worship and Music Ministry Team is responsible for seeing that services are held regularly and properly. We work with the Pastor, Music Director and other staff and ministry teams to see that Zion has all the things needed to conduct Sunday (and any other) services. This includes all worship materials, sanctuary flowers and decorations, ushers, readers, lay assistants, acolytes and crucifers, along with preparation and distribution of communion. The Music Program, which includes the choir, bell choir and organist and choir director are also part of our team. Our team only functions with the help and dedication of its many volunteers. Currently we could use more participation in our music program. We need more choir members and bell ringers. You do not need to know how to read music or have prior experience but only a heart for serving our Lord in worship. If music is not your calling, we could use more acolytes and crucifers, ushers/greeters, and readers. If you have any questions about what we do and how you can help, please contact Sue Anderson or the church office.

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: Canned Tuna and Chicken

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 on Sunday mornings, June 1st & 8th, at 9:00am in the choir room. There will not be rehearsals for the remaining weeks of June. (July is currently TBA.) 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!

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

How to Use a Hymnal

It’s been nearly a year since we’ve been able to worship in our sanctuary. With the HVAC being installed in June, we’ll be without the screen we use in the Family Life Center and back to using bulletins and hymnals. Here’s a little hymnal humor to get you ready!

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 June

Assisting Minister: Janice Sult

Reader: 1st Heath Branham; 8th Sue Anderson;

15th Chuck Dickson; 22nd Caylan Bigham; 29th Will Cohoon

Crucifer:

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

Technology Team:

Anyone can help: click here to signup.

Ushers: 8th Wetzels; 15th Steve Sult, Russell Kleckley;

22nd Wetzels; 29th Steve Sult, Kelly Jo Swygert

Chancel & Sacraments: Steve & Janice Sult

Altar Flowers: 1st James & Iris Harman; 8th Bakers; 15th OPEN; 22nd OPEN;

29th OPEN; Signup in FLC gym

Cookies & Fellowship: 1st OPEN; 8th Confirmation Reception; 15th OPEN; 22nd OPEN; 29th OPEN; Signup in FLC gym

Offering Counters: Betsy Burn, Jamie Fite

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, May 12^th, 2025, 7:00PM

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

Call to Order: 7:00PM
Devotions: Russel Kleckley
Consent Agenda Needs Approval
Paula made a motion to pass; Second by Jamie; All in Favor; Motion Passes
Business/Action Items:
Pastor Updates:
Looking to discuss the new Bible translations and updates at Sunday School
Potential Film Crew to utilize the sanctuary in July; rather than them pay for the use of the property, we are looking for them to provide us two videos to develop for Zion. Motion for approval presented by Pastor Emily; motion moved by Craig; Second by Jamie; All in Favor; Motion Passes.
Mission Statement: Growing together in Faith while serving others to glorify God OR Glorifying God while growing in faith and serving others together; Final Mission Statement: Glorifying God + Growing in Faith + Serving Others
Treasurers Report: discussion regarding the total remaining budget and how there are concerns of dipping into the reserve fund at some point this year. Maybe finance committee can provide a budget update in the coming months. Jessi to talk with Julie and Finance Committee. Requests to have the treasurers report sent earlier for all to read through.
Corley Mill Road Update: Steve mentioned the flow of water running off of the road and how we need to get with property to talk to SCDOT about resolution.
St. Katherines Academy: PE spoke with Amelia regarding DHEC regulations and how she doesn’t anticipate any property concerns for the program. Would like to look into state tax exemption to ensure we will not have an increase in taxes by hosting the academy here. The max they can do right now is $700 a month but they can increase as their revenue increases. A rough draft agreement is being organized and will be finalized soon. Need to consider the costs of repairs and potential cost of additional cleaning. Adding a damage clause or safety deposit.
Note that we should have the kitchen professionally cleaned
HVAC Update: part of the HVAC is held up but should be delivered soon
Reminder to complete safe gatherings
Upcoming Dates:
May 28^th Women’s Fellowship Paint and Pour
July 6^th-10^th VBS

6. Joys and Concerns

7. Lord’s Prayer and Adjournment: 8:28PM

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

Next Devotions: Craig Balch

Giving & Generosity

Giving Info as of May 31, 2025

Budgeted 2025 Offering: $447,000

Offering received YTD: $142,170

Budgeted offering YTD: $180,519

2024 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: ($38,349)

Facilities Fund Balance: $137,544

GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR

Mission Lexington: $954 + 445 pounds of food

Snack Packs Ministry: $6,764 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $575

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: $820,687

Total remaining: $82,451

In Our Prayers

Current Needs

Burns Corley

Jerald Drafts

Norene Drafts

Barry Granda

Janet Green

Rayna Kleckley

Wyman Kleckley

Eileen Leaphart

Ron Lindler

Charles Richardson

Evelyn Varn

Kay Waites

Homebound

Betty Jo Corley

Ed Corley

Melba Ivey (Spring Oak)

Wyman Keisler

Gege Kimball

John Shotts

Margaret Sox

Darlene Weight (Tennessee)

Friends of the Congregation

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)

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)

Jack Elrod (alzheimers, father of Todd Elrod)

Getta Sturkie Bachman (cancer, friend of Carla Fallaw)

Rana Hammami (cancer, friend of the Leapharts)

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)

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)

Grady Shelley (health, brother of Iris Harman)

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)

Kaye Whitley (health, sister of Iris Harman)

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 Larry Grant, brother of Kent Grant, who passed away on May 7th.

Family and friends of Gene Grant, brother of Kent Grant, who died May 29th.

Family and friends of church member Charley Hendrix who died May 31st.

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

June Birthdays

4^th - Joel Kleckley, Benjamin Edenfield, Olivia Edenfield;

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, Zach Ledford

17^th - Bob McCombs, Corbin Jacobs

18^th - Michael Williamson

20^th - Stefanie Wingard, Merritt Wingard, Essa Coggins

21^st - Ronald Lindler

25^th - Brantley Williamson

26^th - Lee Dickson

27^th - James Harman, Adalynn Melonas

29^th - Phoebe Higgins

June Anniversaries

2^nd - Russell & Sherie Grant

6^th - Al & Carla Fallaw

12^th - Steve & Janice Sult

22^nd - Hal & Carolette Turner

24^th - Chris & Jenny Ellisor

26^th - Thomas & Ginger Sox

26^th – Jamie & Walt Hampton

28^th – Matt & Jade Mayer