Monthly News & Updates

MEET & GREETS with Pastor Emily

Pastor Emily wants to get to know us. We are asking for small groups (8-12 people) to sign up to have dinner or dessert with Pastor Emily. Sign up now a for a one time "supper club meet and greet" on Sundays or Thursdays through November. It can be as simple as dessert and coffee, a potluck dinner at someone’s home, or meet at a restaurant. It is totally up to your group. Please let Pastor Emily know where and when.

The sign up sheet will be in the FLC during church or you can call the church office during the week to schedule a date.

Come and Walk! Pastor Emily will be walking the dam every Tuesday morning starting October 1. Early birds are welcome to meet her in the parking lot on the Lexington side at 7:30am.

Deepen your faith with others

with our weekly Bible & Fellowship groups:

 Women’s Fellowship – Mondays, 9:30am

Chick-Fil-A Saluda Pointe

Men’s Bible Fellowship – Thursdays, 7:00am

Zion Family Life Center

 High School Bible Study – Fridays, 7:30am

Lowes Foods Coffee Shop

“Thank you” is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding. – Alice Walker

Take a moment, right now, to name three things that you’re grateful for. Look around the room where you are if you need to. What are three things (or people) that make your life better right this second?

As we weathered Hurricane Helene recently, many people in our area had storm damage. Trees came down, blocking driveways and roadways. Electricity went out, and sometimes cell service was spotty. All of a sudden, many of the basics of our lives were missing from us. Our connected world was separated, and we couldn’t even make a cup of coffee while we figured out what to do about it.

The media let us know, when we were able to check it, that we were far from the center of the storm. Whole downtowns were washed away in Western North Carolina. Upstate South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee will have work to do for months to get back to anything that looks like normal. Some people were hurt. Others have died. Some were unable to be in touch with anyone for days, leaving friends and family wondering what had happened to them. We still had our struggles, but we also had some perspective on them.

When we found out that our loved ones were safe, we gave thanks. When the lights came on, we gave thanks. When the air conditioning got to work, we gave thanks. When things get back on a normal schedule, we will give thanks again.

So much of what keeps this world running is out of our hands. We don’t control whether we have power. We don’t control whether our friends are safe. We have so much to thank God for every day.

People of Zion, I was also grateful for you in this storm. It warmed my hearts when people checked on the church and checked on each other. Our ushers for Sunday worship were both people who had had to clear their driveways on Saturday so they could get to church on Sunday. When I came to open the doors so people could charge their phones, someone else came and set up water for our guests. We got a chance to show God’s love to our neighbors and to each other.

I hope that your week has filled you with things to be grateful for. I hope that you’ve had time with people you care about, food to fill you up, and relief from some of your aches and pains. I hope, too, that as we gather this month, we’ll give thanks for the opportunities we have to be together and to share in what Zion Lutheran Church is doing in God’s name.

Gratefully,

Pastor Emily

First Communion Class



A First Communion Class will be offered on Saturday, October 19, from 10-2 at Zion. All children who are interested in learning more about Holy Communion and/or beginning to receive communion are welcome to come and bring a parent. Please RSVP to Pastor Emily (pastor@zionlexsc.com).

Wednesday Night Live

We hope you’ll join us at 5:45pm each Wednesday for a fellowship meal and stick around for faith formation for all ages from 6:30-7:30pm. A great meal and learning time with great people!

Wednesday Night Live schedule:

5:45 pm Community Meal

6:30-7:30 pm Faith Formation Opportunities

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR ALL AGES

Sunday at 9:00am

Nomads Class - An adult bible study group welcoming all ages. Meets in the Cathedral Room in the upper level of the Family Life Center.

Grateful Hearts Class - An adult bible study group welcoming all ages.

Meets in the Sonshine room in the upstairs of the Family Life Center.

CSI Class - An adult video based bible study group welcoming to all ages. Meets in education building downstairs.

Children’s Sunday School - Pre K - 5th grade, bible stories and fun! Meets in the reception area in the downstairs of the Family Life Center.

Youth Sunday School - Group for youth grades 6-12, currently discussing scripture and justice. Meets in the Youth Room in the upper level of the Family Life Center.

NEW: Book Study Opportunity at Zion

Lunchtime Book Study! Falling Upward is Richard Rohr’s book about the two halves of the spiritual life. It discusses the richness of spiritual maturity and the quest that the second half of life brings to us. He invites us into the topic this way: “The first half of life is discovering the script and the second half is actually writing it and owning it.”

Book Study will meet on Mondays, October 7 and 21, November 4 and 18, and December 2, at noon in the Cathedral room. Bring your lunch and join the conversation! Falling Upward is available online or in your local bookstore. We’ll be working from the 2024 edition, but the 2011 is also fine.

*If you would like to participate by Zoom, please speak with Pastor Emily.

CONFIRMATION CLASS

This month, Confirmation class will meet on Sunday, October 6, from 1-4pm at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 525 St. Andrew's Rd. 

Reach out to Pastor Emily for more details. Emily@Zionlexsc.com

Our youth had a wonderful time in New Orleans!

We joined over 16,000 other Lutherans for worship, service, learning, and fun. We are so thankful for Zion's support for our youth. We shared our stories and what we learned in worship on September 22nd click below to watch.

Click to watch our youth Share about the Youth Gathering

Hilltoppers are having a Fall Picnic at the Gibson Pond pavilion Tuesday, October 15th at 11:30. Chicken and drinks will be provided. Please bring picnic sides & desserts. All are welcome to come and enjoy a beautiful setting with good food and fellowship. 

The Zion Lutheran Men in Mission met on September 16th in the FLC. We had a great meal of chicken stew and green beans. Our speaker was Kevin Burke with the national Lutheran Men in Mission.



Our next meeting will be October 21, and we will hear a presentation from representatives from Restoration Chapel. If you are a confirmed male at Zion, you are automatically a member so, please come out and join us for some good food, fellowship and information.

Russell Kleckley

ZLMIM President

Partnering with the Community to support Mission Lexington

Meadow Glen Middle School is on a mission to teach their students about serving others. In September, Zion helped them with that goal. Meadow Glen sponsored a project making hygiene kits for our neighbors at Mission Lexington. When they reached out to Zion, looking for supplies, we didn’t have enough turnaround time to get supplies donated. Instead, we shared the Noisy Offering.

A quick email vote from Executive council authorized a check of $500 to go to Meadow Glen so that they could pack kits for Mission Lexington. The extra supplies meant more kits, which meant that more students could have a hand in the project.

The Noisy Offerings Zion collected in July, August, and September more than covered the donation. We’re excited that this money could help two organizations at once! Your change is making a positive change for our community.

Thanksgiving Meal Ministry!

Our annual Thanksgiving Meal Ministry will be here before we know it! As many of you know, for many years Zion has taken over for Meals on Wheels in Lexington County on Thanksgiving Day as no food deliveries are made on Thanksgiving. We have held two fundraisers the past few months which have helped get us started, but we will need additional contributions to fund the purchase of the meals again this year. Please prayerfully consider what you are able to contribute to this very worthwhile ministry. Additionally, we are LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS to assist our team (Betsy & Chip Burn, Ron Leaphart and Roscoe Nesmith) that coordinates the meal ministry. We need folks to help deliver the meals, some folks to help load meals into cars on Thanksgiving morning, and some volunteers to assist in coordinating drivers/routes/etc. If you are interested in assisting, please reach out to the Church office or email Betsy at betsyjburn0205@gmail.com.

The Choir meets for rehearsals on Sunday mornings at 9:00am 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 special & festival Sundays. I’d like to get together by the end of October to start preparing music for Christmas Eve (and maybe Advent), so watch for more info. We are always happy to have more ringers, 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.

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 October

Assisting Minister: Craig Balch

Reader: 6th - Sue Anderson, 13th - Steve Shumpert,

20th - Paula Carlson, 27th - Will Reeside

Crucifer:

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

Technology Team: 6th - Carla Fallaw, Chris Bigham, Lee Dickson; 13th - Ross Hunter, Tyler Beard; 20th - Ross Hunter, Tyler Beard; 27th - OPEN, Walt Hampton

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

Ushers: Troy Fite, WIll Reeside

Chancel & Sacraments: Steve & Janice Sult

Cookies & Fellowship: 6th - Jan & Burns Corley; 13th - Hendrix;

20th - OPEN, 27th - OPEN

Signup in FLC gym

Altar Flowers: 6th - Jan & Burns Corley; 13th - OPEN;

20th - OPEN, 27th - Mary Beth Bigham

Signup in FLC gym

Offering Counters: Jamie Fite, Betsy Burn

As many of you know, Zion is unable to worship in our sanctuary until the heating and air units are replaced. The Property Committee and Council have been actively working on this matter and would like to share an update.

This past week, Zion received a preliminary engineering report with suggested designs and specifications for the new HVAC system in the sanctuary. The Property Committee along with representatives from council and finance met to review the information and discussed the plan with the hired design engineer. The team was pleased with the initial report and will receive a final report addressing the comments and questions from the review meeting within the week.

The next step will be a bid process by qualified contractors based on the design. We expect that process to take 3- 4 weeks. A winning bid will be recommended by the property team, reviewed by church council and submitted to the congregation for approval and funding. From there, the selected contractor will be charged with delivering a quality system in a reasonable construction timeline.

While time is of essence, church representatives are confident in the path we are taking to equip our sanctuary for the future in a quality and prudent manner. While we will not know the exact financial cost of the project until we accept a bid, we do know continued financial support for this effort is needed.

If you have specific questions, please contact a council member or member of the property ministry team.

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, September 9^th, 2024, 7:00 PM

Council Members: Steve Hendrix, Roscoe Nesmith, Rebekah Cromer, Rayna Kleckley, Ross Hunter, Linda Hendrix, Chesson Merritt, Craig Balch, Roger Anderson, Geri Nilsestuen, Chris Ellisor, and Pastor Emily in attendance. Jamie Fite, not in attendance.

1. Call to Order: 6:59PM
2. Devotions: Roger
3. Report of the Secretary: Rebekah: Second by Roger; Passed           Needs Approval
4. Report of the Treasurer: Roscoe
5. Budget Requests due by October Meeting
6. Income is ahead of budget
7. Expenses were over our budget given full-time pastor
8. G&R loan is on track to be complete early
9. Steve asked Roscoe to look into getting a CC reader for WNL/QR code
10. Report of the Pastor: Pastor Emily
11. Held Confirmation last Sunday
12. Would like to have a council retreat
13. Dinner meal sign up is open
14. 6-Month Synod Seminar: Building Dynamic Ministry:
15. $150 for three Zoom logins; proposed by Pastor Emily to have her, Rayna Kleckley, and a third to join this seminar; Rayna to discuss with group
16. Report of the Chair/Executive Committee: Steve
17. Pastor Kathleen sent a card of Thanks <3
18. Ministry Team Reports:

Christian Education: Geri Nilsestuen

-      We are still looking for volunteers to teach Sunday school as the year goes on. We will be doing a simple curriculum that follows along the same theme as our VBS from the summer.

-      Wednesday programming has been going well, will continue to reach out to families about joining us for all the children’s programming opportunities.

Christian Life: Chesson Merritt

-      Golden Age Sunday was a success

-      Reception for Pastor Emily’s Installment

-      Trunk or Treat coming up next

Mutual Ministry: Chris Ellisor: no report

Outreach: Rayna Kleckley

-      Snack Pack resumes in October; always need Volunteers; packing food on the last Wed in September

-      Thanksgiving is coming up; they need assistance to train people for the future; encourage volunteers

Property: Roger Anderson: no report

Stewardship: Craig Balch: no report

Technology: Ross Hunter

-      Monitor ”speaker” and cables were purchased for choir area in sanctuary. When it’s cooler in there I will change cabling and set it up. [This is so choir members can hear themselves.]

-      We are assessing our software used on office computers and looking to move stored data to the cloud and remove the network storage device currently being used. Financial data is already in the cloud through ACS financial software.

Worship & Music: Linda Hendrix: no report

Youth: Jamie Fite: no report

1. Business/Action Items:
2. Old Business
3. Ministry Fair/WNL Council Meal/Spiritual Assessment:
4. Motion from Steve to have the Ministry Presentation on October 23rd; Second by Craig; suggestion to address is on Sunday too; possible spaghetti; Passed
5. Church Directory: Rollout at the end of September via email and in church
6. Prayground/Nursery: signups are starting for nursery and a temporary nursery for the FLC
7. Corley Mill Road: been in contact with DOT (James Todd) and contractors
8. Safety Team: SLED presentation coming up
9. FLC Review of Policies: need to review and open up to the community; table until October; Steve to make an announcement on Sunday: Motion made by Steve for Linda/Emily/Chip to work together to build a committee to review policies of the FLC and have recommendations for the october council meeting; Roger second; all in favor
10. Constitution: Rev. Ozzie Herlong sent a letter saying the new amendments are now on file
11. New Business
12. Church History: Ross is working with the Boltjes family to gather information; Also, working with Shannon Smith, Crumley Archives; Send all materials for archiving ($1,000) or Shannon come to Zion and have a consultation ($250)
13. HVAC: we will find out about the quick fix on Tuesday
14. Child Protection Policy: Safe Gatherings Next Month: Emily to spearhead
15. Youth Group Sunday School: Walt has put something together
16. Nominating Committee: we need to get a group together; be on the lookout from and email from Steve
17. Upcoming Dates:
18. 10/20: Marty Party
19. 10/23: Council WNL
20. 10/27: Trunk or Treat
21. Joys and Concerns
22. Lord’s Prayer and Adjournment: 9:09PM

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

Giving Info as of September 28, 2024

Budgeted 2024 Offering: $373,066.20

Offering received YTD: $285,876

Budgeted offering YTD: $272,625

2024 Excess (shortfall) offering YTD: $13,251

GIFTS FOR OUTREACH MINISTRIES GIVEN THIS YEAR

Mission Lexington: $3,536 + 1034 pounds of food

Snack Packs Ministry: $3,004 + Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $1,185

Thanksgiving Meal Ministry: 6310

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: $902,088

Total received so far for this work: $782,975

Total remaining: $119,113

Memorials & Honorariums generously given last month:

To the general fund in memory of John Corley by David & Beth Lever

Current Needs

Air Conditioner

Sydney Branham

Jerald Drafts

Norene Drafts

Tim Driggers

Barry Granda

Kay Waites 

Homebound

Betty Jo Corley

Ed Corley

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 Congregation

Bill Adams (health, friend of Branham Family)

Lynn Balch (health, wife of Craig Balch)

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)

Joyce Carter (cancer, friend of Zion members)

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

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)

Kathy Killian (cancer, friend of the Levers)

Shelly Koenig (cancer, daughter in law of Mary Nell Panyard)

Phyllis Livingood (cancer, cousin of Al Fallaw)

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)

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)

  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.

October Birthdays

1^st - Chandler Hendrix, Kelly Jo Swygert, Chris Bigham; 3^rd - Brandon Keisler; 5^th - Norene Drafts; 6^th - Claire Owens; 11^th - Beth Jebali, Grace Lankford; 13^th - Mary Hook; 15^th - Sara Rymer; 16^th - Carole Murphy; 17^th - Betty Jo Corley; 20^th - Marshall Grace Fite, Keith Bacon, Chancelor Cotton; 22^nd - Carla Fallaw, Beverly Kleckley, Brad Ledford; 23^rd - Anna Wingard; 25^th - Beverly McCoy, Mark Rhoden, Foster Hanna; 26^th - Roger Hanna; 27^th - Mary Beth Bigham, Ben Cohoon; 28^th - Steve Swygert, Megan Granda; 29^th - Susan Boatwright, Bryleigh Tanner; 30^th - Kimberly Rauch

October Anniversaries

1^st - Mark & Margie Wingard; 10^th - Zach & Kara Willis; 14^th - Chip & Betsy Burn; 15^th - Evan & Nora Barnett; 24^th – Troy & Jamie Fite; 26^th – Ed & Betty Jo Corley;