Grab your lederhosen and come out for Zion's first annual Oktoberfest. There will be classic German food, live music, and beer for sale outside in the beer garden. Chicken finger plates will be available for children. Proceeds from this event will go towards paying for the Thanksgiving meals that we deliver on Thanksgiving Day. 

Purchase your tickets in advance here: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/octoberfest--2025

Ticket price covers one plate of German food and iced tea.

Music and activities are free.

Adult Oktoberfest plate is $20

Childs chicken tender plate (12 and under) is $5

Thank you for supporting our mission,

Zion Lutheran Men

Youth Group activities at Zion are in full swing!

We hope your youth will join us as we seek to be disciples and have some fun along the way:

Youth Group - Wednesdays 6:30-7:30pm

Family Life Center

Following the Meal, 6-12th graders gather for a game and discussion about how our faith impacts our daily life.

High School Bible Study - Fridays 7:30-8:15am

Lowes Foods Coffee Shop

High School Youth gather over breakfast treats to discuss the assigned gospel reading for the week. Rides to River Bluff HS available, please let Walt know in advance.

Sunday School - Sundays 9:00-9:45am

Zion Youth Room

Before Sunday Worship, 6-12th graders gather for bible study and conversation.

The Lutheran Men will have

their monthly meeting on September 9th.

Keep an eye out for more details coming soon!

Remember to invite friends and family to Oktoberfest and sell advance tickets.

Hilltoppers will resume their monthly luncheons Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. There will be devotions and a time for reflection of the summer months. Lunch will be Potluck. All ages are welcome, unless you are skipping school, to enjoy a time of fellowship and delicious food.

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 ITEMS OF THE MONTH:

Ramen Noodles

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 help those in need.

The Choir rehearses in the choir room each Sunday morning starting at 9:00am. We can always use more voices, so please come join us!

Handbells currently meet on an as-needed basis for festival worship services. We always welcome new ringers! Talk to Julie if you’re interested.

Solo singers or instrumentalists would be great ANY time 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.

Music for Homecoming Worship

Have you sung in the choir before? 

Did you sing in the school choir or chorus? 

Do you love singing with the radio? 

Do you sing to or with your kids? 

See the theme here? 

Homecoming at Zion will be Sunday, September 14th. It would be AWESOME if we could add more voices to the choir for this service. If you’d be interested you can contact Julie or just show up for rehearsals on Sunday morning at 9:00am. I hope to see some of you there!

Have a great idea for a homecoming vocal solo?

A fun instrumental solo?

A duet with your friend or sibling?

Share your musical talents with us for Homecoming!

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 September

Assisting Minister: Paula Carlson

Reader: 7th Katie McKinley; 14th Amanda Farwick;

21st Will Cohoon; 28th Roger Anderson;

Crucifer:

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

Technology Team:

Anyone can help: click here to signup.

7th Ross Hunter, Robbie Bigham; 14th OPEN, Tyler Beard;

21st OPEN, Tyler Beard; 28th OPEN;

Ushers: Steve Wingard, Russell Wingard

Chancel & Sacraments: Lee and Denise Caulder

Altar Flowers: OPEN - Signup in the Narthex

Cookies & Fellowship: 7th OPEN; 14th Homecoming Lunch;

21st OPEN; 28th OPEN; Signup in Narthex

Offering Counters: Betsy Burn, Jamie Fite

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

CONGREGATION COUNCIL MINUTES

Monday, August 11^th, 2025, 7:00PM

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

1. Call to Order: 7:00PM
2. Devotions: Jamie Fite
3. Consent Agenda Needs Approval
4. Motion made by Rebekah to pass the consent agenda; Second by Paula; No Discussion; All in Favor; Motion Passes
5. Business/Action Items:
6. Consolidation of G&R/Facilities/HVAC all under Facilities: Recommendation to combine all donations given to Grow and Renew, Facilities, and HVAC into the Facilities fund to remove any confusion for counters. One payment left on the HVAC, we have enough money to pay that but not much reserve after. Motion to combine the funds/line items by Executive Committee; Second by Steve; Discussion regarding creating a capital equipment fund; Rather than moving money around a new motion was presented. Decision made the decision to hold off on moving funds and we circle back once the G&R is complete. Then, all funds that are leftover in the G&R are moved to the facilities page.
7. Monthly Synod Benevolence Amount: Currently at 8%, Bert Wingard recommended we switch it to 6% given our giving is low. Overall goal is to meet 10% total by the end of the year.
8. Motion made by Roger to keep the benevolence at 8%; Second by Jessi; Minor Discussion; 5 in favor, 6 not in favor; Motion Denied.
9. Motion made by Rebekah to move forward with the 6% and to use EOY funds to meet the 10% total. Then move the monthly giving back to 10%; Second by Russell; 6 in favor, 5 not in favor; Motion Passes.
10. Pastor Health Insurance Change:
11. Paula made a motion to make up the payment from Jason’s insurance; Second by Chesson; All in Favor; Motion Passes.
12. Motion from Steve: Request from Steve to update council terms from 2 year terms to 3 year terms as done in previous years. Discussion was had and the group decided to table until we are prepared to move forward with the remaining constitution updates.
13. Fiber/Property:
14. Motion from Russell to move forward with the Fiber Drops between the buildings to alleviate lightening strikes and growth with cameras and other items as needed, for about $6,000: Second by Steve; No Discussion; All in Favor; Motion Passes
15. Upcoming Dates:
16. Golden Age Sunday: 08/17
17. Fellowship Picnic: 08/27
18. Homecoming: 09/14
19. Oktoberfest: 09/20

6.   Joys and Concerns

7.   Lord’s Prayer and Adjournment: 8:40PM

Next Council Meeting Date: Monday, September 8^th at 7:00PM

Next Devotions: Roger Anderson

Giving Info as of August 28, 2025

Budgeted 2025 Offering: $447,000

Offering received YTD: $256,742

Budgeted offering YTD: $292,269

2025 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: ($35,527)

Facilities Fund Balance: $76,922 

GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR

Mission Lexington: $1054 + 840 pounds of food

Snack Packs Ministry: $7,299 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $1298

Recent Memorials Given

In memory of Wyman Kleckley & Ed Corley to the General Fund

by Kregg & Lisa Corley, Geri Nilsestuen, Frank & Susan Boatwright,

Hal & Carolette Turner, Terry D Murphy, Russell & Rayna Kleckley, Dianne Byrd, Linda Gordon & Patty Heck, Myron & Linda Corley, Warren & Margaret Christmus, Paul & Mary Hook, Wayne & Gail Buff, Burns & Jan Corley, Rev. J. Hilton Roof, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Lewis, Shirley Derriso, Albert & Sue Drafts    

In memory of Wyman Kleckley & Ed Corley to the Facilities Fund by Steve & Janice Sult, Ron & Janice Lindler, Robert & Kathy Bigham

In memory of Charles Hendrix to the General Fund by Ervin & Betty Shaw

In memory of Charles Hendrix & Tim Driggers to the General Fund by Ethel Riley

In honor of Pastor Emily's & Jason's Wedding to the General Fund by Geri Nilsestuen

In memory of Ed Corley to the General Fund by Richard T Martin, Reyna & Gene Shuping, Derrick Jackson, Charlotte & Jimmy Compton,

Tillman & Beth Mathias, Gerald & Peggy Sox, Kent Grant, Haigh & Betsy Porter

 In memory of Wyman Kleckley, Ed Corley & Ben Speares to the General Fund

by Thom & Janice Stoudemire

In honor of the Jason Wetzel Family to the General Fund

by Russell & Rayna Kleckley

In memory of Charles Hendrix to the Facilities Fund by Mary Elizabeth Monts

In memory of Charles Hendrix, Ed Corley & Wyman Kleckley & remembering

Bruce Corley's birthday to the General Fund by Ron & Eileen Leaphart

In memory of Wyman Kleckley, Ed Corley, Charles O'Neal's father & Mandy Derrick

and in honor of Pastor Emily's & Jason's wedding by James & Iris Harman

In memory of Wyman Kleckley to the General Fund by The Jerald Drafts Family  

In memory of Charles Hendrix to the Facilities Fund

by Walter P. Rawl & Sons, Inc., Otis & Melissa Rawl  

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: $827,991

Total remaining: $75,147

Current Needs

Jerald Drafts

Norene Drafts

Barry Granda

Janet Green

Wyman Keisler

Eileen Leaphart

Charles Richardson

Judy Shotts

Evelyn Varn

Kay Waites

Homebound

Betty Jo Corley (Wellmore)

Melba Ivey (Spring Oak)

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)

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)

Mark Durham (kidney failure, BIL of Craig Balch

Jack Elrod (alzheimers, father of Todd Elrod)

Rana Hammami (cancer, friend of the Leapharts)

Don Hampton (heart attack, nephew of Walt Hampton)

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)

Davis Locke (health, nephew of Rebekah & Shawn Cromer)

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)

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)

Bob Wall (cancer, friend of the Andersons)

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)

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.

September Birthdays

2^nd Suzette Porth, Randy McCoy, Liam Flashnick; 3^rd Katie McKinley, Matt Mayer; 8^th Anna Reeside, Mark Sanford; 9^th Jill Wertz; 11^th Frank Boatwright; 12^th Charles O'Neal; 13^th Karen Drafts; 14^th Dawn Keene; 15^th Wilson Farwick; 16^th Wyman Keisler; 17^th Bonnie Phillips; 19^th Tallie Rauch; 20^th Chris Rauch, Hampton Lamb; 23^rd Ethan Higgins; 25^th Jamie Hunt; 26^th Laura McCombs; 28^th Warren Keisler; 29^th Madison Claire Rauch; 30^th Kiley Cohoon

September Anniversaries

5^th James & Iris Harman; 9^th Todd & Jennifer Elrod; 17^th Bob & Dawn Keene