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Thursday, September 10, 2026
Registration Check-In
Pizza, Planting, and Popsicles on Saturday, September 19, at 12:30 p.m. Register here.
Who Are We luncheon immediately after church on Sunday, September 20. Register here.
Question Marks: Doing Theology by Asking Big Questions, led by Pastor Mary Anderson. Register here.
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Happy Thursday, Pilgrims!
Now that the transitional holiday of Labor Day is behind us, several things are happening. The temperature is getting a little chilly, which around here means upper 80s instead of upper 90s. Fall Festivals and holidays are being planned all over the landscape. And it’s election season in our government, so now the campaigning will be in full force. It’s time to plan our votes as citizens.
Several faith formation, mission, and stewardship opportunities at Pilgrim are detailed here for you. Please register for the ones at the top of this newsletter that speak to you.
Next Tuesday and Wednesday, I’ll be traveling with Bishop Roof and 30 other people from our Synod to Atlanta. This will be an informational and planning venture around the issue of racial reconciliation and how we as a church can help our communities move forward in unity. I look forward to reporting back to you on what I learn.
Some important information was mailed to you on Tuesday. Look for it in your mailboxes soon!
Pastor Mary
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Council President’s Page
Mary Beth Hill
We are thankful for the people who serve as worship assistants, ushers, communion assistants, hospitality table providers, Children’s Time teachers or assistants, and AV and sound providers each Sunday here at Pilgrim.
To help you remember that you volunteered on Sunday and need to arrive on time, our Parish Administrator, Courtney Coker, does a lot to remind you. She usually includes at least two weeks of upcoming assignments in a list of worship assistants, ushers, communion assistants, Children’s Time teachers and assistants, and hospitality table providers that appear in the Sunday bulletins. In other words, your assignment shows up for about two Sundays before you actually serve. She also sends an email and text reminder to that week’s providers.
You can see the list for the next four weeks below.
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Hospitality Table Happenings!
There is nothing like catching up with friends over a treat after our Worship Service! Our hospitality table plays a huge role in creating a warm and welcoming environment for both our regular members and visitors.
Please consider being a part of this important ministry by contacting Kathleen Shutt, Mary Beth Hill, or Courtney Coker in the church office.
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Join us this Saturday, September 12, for a morning of sprucing up at Pilgrim. No need to sign up. Just arrive at 8 a.m., ready to work for a few hours.
If you have any questions, please contact Keith Galloway.
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Stewardship Fall 2026
Woven Together in Generosity
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Our Ministry and Mission Generosity Goals
- To increase our capacity to provide a compensation package to our new pastor that meets the SC Synod Guidelines for a full-time pastor.
- To increase our capacity to comfortably provide for the necessary repair and maintenance of our facilities that support our many ministries.
- To increase our generosity in giving to the wider church as we live out our commitment to be a connected church.
All these goals can be achieved with an overall increase of 15% in congregational giving in 2027 over giving in 2026.
Kickoff: September 8
We sent a letter with full information about this Generosity Campaign.
Temple Talks: September 13, 20, and 27
Each week, we will hear an inspirational or informational talk by one of our members. Each week, a bulletin insert will speak to one of our three goals.
Pledge Sunday: October 4
We will receive Generosity Pledges during our Offering Time in Worship.
The final deadline for turning in these pledges is Thursday, October 15.
| | Heartfelt thank yous to Pilgrim from the family of Jillian Hope Olson and Sheriff Jay Koon | | Congratulations, Elias Blake | | Pilgrim musicians celebrating the doctoral recital of our church accompanist, Elias Blake, last week at the USC School of Music. Congratulations on this milestone! | | |
Thanks to Kathleen Shutt for grabbing this photograph after Pastor Mary Anderson presented a bouquet of lovely flowers to Elias Blake in honor of his final concert that week for his doctoral degree.
Don’t worry. That’s his final doctoral concert requirement. However, Elias still has to write his dissertation. We are grateful to have him share his talent with us here at Pilgrim on Sundays. Congratulations, Elias!
| | Susan Cafferty and Carol Murray bring healing music to local patients | | |
We love celebrating how our members share their gifts beyond our doors! WIS-TV recently featured our Music Director, Susan Cafferty, and Cellist, Carol Murray for bringing the healing power of live music to patients at Prisma Health. You can watch the news feature here.
Through Susan’s community outreach leadership with the SC Philharmonic and Carol’s beautiful cello performances, they are bringing peace, comfort, and hope into hospital spaces for patients, families, and healthcare staff.
Thank you, Susan and Carol, for using your talents to shine a light in our community!
| | Fourth Annual Dove Hunt is a Flying Success | | |
The Pilgrim Men held their fourth annual Dove Hunt on September 5, with McLeod Farms generously providing and preparing the fields.
Special thanks to this year’s volunteers: Courtney Coker, Walt Hallman, Wade Miles, Terry Shell, Jimmy Smith, Wally Steinhauser, Jamie Wingard, Olivia Wingard, Ricky Wingard, and Tyler Wingard.
Current estimates show the event cleared at least $7,800, bringing our four-year total across all hunts to approximately $25,000 raised.
The Pilgrim Men’s organization uses these funds to help pay down the church’s mortgage, send youth to church-affiliated camps, support local charities, and cover ongoing maintenance and equipment replacement costs at Pilgrim.
We are deeply grateful to Kemp McLeod, McLeod Farms, and all the congregation members who supported us through prayer and financial contributions!
If you would like to express your gratitude, please send a postcard or thank-you note to the McLeod family, who have consistently supported us by providing land for the hunt as well as peaches and strawberries for past fundraisers:
Kemp and Gaye McLeod
P.O. Box 439
McBee, SC 29101
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Join us for a luncheon immediately after church on Sunday, September 20. During this session, we will reflect on the mission and vision developed during our previous two meetings.
This is a vital step in our church transition as we:
- Review key items for the Ministry Site Profile required for the call process.
- Evaluate if our objectives align with our stated mission and vision.
- Pray together about the future direction of our ministry.
Please come be a part of this important conversation as we discern who we are and where we believe God is calling us.
| | Question Marks: Doing Theology by Asking Big Questions | | |
We’re diving deep this fall with Question Marks: Doing Theology by Asking Big Questions, led by Pastor Mary Anderson.
In-Person: Tuesdays, 10–11:30 a.m., in the Prayer and Share Room of the Pilgrim Administrative Building
On Zoom: Tuesdays, 7–8:15 p.m. The Zoom link will be in Pilgrim’s Progress and on Facebook.
Any Time: Watch the recorded Zoom session. The link to watch will be published in Pilgrim’s Progress, on the website, and on Facebook.
Overview: In these four sessions, both in-person and on Zoom, Pastor Mary Anderson will lead us in theological conversation about some of the big questions we have about God, Christ, the scriptures, and our contemporary lives.
We’ll combine scriptural interpretation, church doctrine, Lutheran theology, and our own experiences as people of faith and simply as human beings, as we speak about and listen faithfully to these four big questions.
For more information, click here.
| | Pizza, Planting, and Popsicles! | | |
Join us at Pilgrim on Saturday, September 19, at 12:30 p.m. for a special afternoon where families grow together!
Enjoy an afternoon filled with food, faith, and fun. We’ll kick things off with pizza before breaking into groups, and, then, we’ll all reunite at the end for popsicles and community celebration.
Children will get to explore nature, plant seeds, help our garden grow, and discover how God helps us with worry and builds our hope. Parents will connect with other parents and discuss practical ways to help kids thrive, based on the book Balanced and Barefoot.
This event is completely free, and every family will receive a complimentary copy of Balanced and Barefoot to take home! This event is sponsored by Navigating the Pressure: Helping Kids Thrive in a Stressed-Out World.
Space is limited. So, please register today.
| | Pilgrim’s Annual Garage and Boston Butt Sale | | |
Mark your calendars for Pilgrim’s Annual Garage and Boston Butt Sale on Saturday, October 10, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Pilgrim Lutheran Church.
Boston Butt pickup will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Preorder your Boston Butt’s now. Click here to order. Enter the total for the number of Butt’s purchased. Select “Lutheran Men.” Include your name and how many were ordered in the memo.
Donations are welcome, and you may drop off items starting October 6. Please contact Keith Galloway for more information.
| | Pilgrim Community Thanksgiving Dinner | | | | |
Our annual Pilgrim Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on November 22, immediately following worship.
Stay tuned for more details coming about donations of meats, sides, and desserts.
| | Save these December dates! | | |
Saturday, December 5, from 5 to 7 p.m., St. Nicholas Festival, at Pilgrim in the Fellowship Hall.
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Saturday, December 12, from 3 to 5 p.m., Cheers to the Years Retirement Party for Pastor Mary Anderson.
Sunday, December 27, is Pastor Mary Anderson’s last Sunday here at Pilgrim. Her last day at Pilgrim will be December 31, 2026.
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Senior Pro Tip
We’re expanding our tips series! Moving forward, we’ll feature a mix of Parent Pro Tips and Senior Pro Tips each week. This week, we’re kicking off our first Senior Pro Tip with some great neighborhood safety advice courtesy of our friends at the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department!
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Project Property Check
When you are away from your home or business, you can notify the Sheriff's Department, and deputies will come by periodically to perform a security check of the property.
This could be for a vacation, business trip, funeral, etc. You will be asked to provide the dates you will be away and an emergency contact in case something happens.
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department’s phone number is 803-785-8230.
| | Pilgrim Community Preschool | | |
Here is a project suggestion to support Lutheran Disaster Response Carolinas.
Quilts
We have an ongoing need for new quilts. We give these to homeowners after their home has been repaired or rebuilt. Use the same size and construction guidelines used for quilts for Lutheran World Relief.
Instructions are available here.
Please email Ruth Ann Sipe when you have the quilts available.
| | Honoring and Remembering at Providence Lutheran Church | | |
To help remember and honor the 2,977 people who died on September 11, 2001, from the terror attacks, Providence Lutheran Church will be placing an American flag with each person’s name written on it on the church grounds.
On this 25th anniversary, our hope is that people will come and remember these men, women, and children, as their deaths should not be forgotten.
Event Details
Location: Providence Lutheran Church, 840 Old Chapin Road
Worship Service: Healing of the Nations and Remembrance
Date and Time: Sunday, September 13, at 7 p.m.
Please come and join us in praying for peace.
| | Join us at Reconstructing Home 2026 | | |
Tickets are now available for Transitions Homeless Center’s annual Reconstructing Home Art Show and Awards!
Reconstructing Home is a special evening celebrating resilience, community, and lives being rebuilt. Attendees will enjoy a silent art auction, live entertainment from the Easy Does It Duo, local food, and inspiring stories of impact.
We are so proud to share that Pastor Mary Anderson will be honored with the prestigious Cathy Novinger Award for her outstanding service to Transitions and dedication to supporting those experiencing homelessness in our community.
Event Details
When: Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Columbia Museum of Art (1515 Main St, Columbia, SC)
Tickets: $25 per individual or $45 per couple
| | Oktoberfest 2026 is back! Mark your calendars! | | |
Join us at Incarnation Lutheran Church (3005 Devine St.) for Columbia’s original German festival!
What to Expect
Biergarten and Bites: Authentic Paulaner beer, homemade German food, and freshly baked pastries.
Music and Dancing: Live, traditional oompah bands and performance groups.
Family Fun: A dedicated Kinderzone featuring face painting, a balloon artist, and a playground.
Dates: October 9–11, 2026
Connect: Follow them on Facebook to stay updated on event schedules and announcements!
Calling all Pilgrim friends!
We would love to hang out together during the festival! A group of us will be meeting up for dinner on Saturday, October 10, at 5:30 p.m.
Look for us under the main tent to grab a table, eat some great food, listen to the live music, and enjoy time together. Bring your family and friends. Come join in on the fun!
| | A Message from Presiding Bishop Curry | | |
Presiding Bishop Curry issues his fourth in a series of monthly messages that continue through the end of this year, titled “All Together in One Place.”
Each message will share a pastoral word, rooted in Scripture, that witnesses to God’s presence today, our rich theological tradition, and the social teaching that connects us.
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Stretch, breathe, recharge, and pray with yoga led by Sister D’Etta Broam!
Details
When: Saturdays at 10 a.m. (45 minutes) on September 12 and 19.
Where: Pilgrim’s Fellowship Hall
Cost: $50 for a 5-session package or $12 drop-in (Venmo, cash, or check accepted at class.)
Participants may contact Sister D’Etta directly with any questions.
| | Pastor’s Discretionary Fund | | A reminder that our church maintains a Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, which is used to provide confidential assistance when needs arise within our community. If you would like to contribute, please note “Pastor’s Discretionary Fund” in the memo line of your check or on your envelope. Thank you for your generosity and care for one another. | | Stay updated with Lutheran publications | | | | If you’re looking for inspiring stories and updates about the ELCA and happenings around the world, be sure to check out the Living Lutheran magazine. Just click here. | | |
If you’d like to stay connected with what’s going on in South Carolina, don’t miss the weekly newsletter from the South Carolina Synod, the Lutheran Living in South Carolina eNews. Just click here to read it. Enjoy!
| | How Can I Give to Pilgrim? | | |
We offer multiple ways to give that make supporting us easy and convenient. You can give in person or online. Send your donation by mail to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 N. Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072. Or, set up recurring giving with Simply Giving, our electronic automatic giving program.
As you think about your contributions, please consider electronic giving. It’s simple, reliable, and helps us plan better for the future. With Simply Giving, your donation is ready to go toward our ministry needs right away, and it also involves fewer fees than online credit card donations.
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Worship Service Volunteers, please read!
You can view the 2026 list of Worship Volunteers in the schedule here. It is always a work in progress. If you notice an error or suspect a conflict, please notify us. We need your help keeping up with them.
Remember, if you can’t cover your assigned job, please find someone to take your place. If you ask, other volunteers will swap weeks with you. Then, once you’ve found someone to take your place, call or text Courtney Coker in the office, and she can make those needed changes online, in Pilgrim’s Progress, and in the Sunday Bulletin.
September 13, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Ryan Mears
Ushers — Jimmy Smith and Wally Steinhauser
Communion Assistants — Carl and Debra Richardson
Counters — Melissa Hendrix and Scott Grosse
Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer
Children’s Time — Need Volunteers
September 20, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Peter Reinhart
Ushers — Don and Jamie Kosanka
Communion Assistants — Kathy Boivin and Lou Galloway
Counters — Don Kosanka and Delores Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Cathy Hope
Children’s Time — Need Volunteers
September 27, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Kathleen Shutt
Ushers — Scott Grosse and David Marshall
Communion Assistants — Jane and David Park
Counters — Melissa Hendrix and Wally Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Amber Marshall
Children’s Time — Allison Hallman
October 4, 2026, 10 a.m.
Worship Assistant — Lou Galloway
Ushers — Mary Beth Hill and Tyler Mears
Communion Assistants — Ricky and Becky Wingard
Counters — Scott Grosse and Wally Steinhauser
Hospitality Table — Need Volunteer
Children’s Time — Need Volunteers
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Pilgrim’s Prayer List
Our prayers continue for our brother in Christ, Rick Harris, as his treatment for blood cancer continues. He wants you to know that he will go to Greenville Hospital for several weeks of treatment and recovery in early October. While he’s too vulnerable to receive visitors, Rick would love to hear from you by mail.
Rick’s address in the Yacht Cove community is:
147 Seafarer Lane
Columbia, SC 29212
Alan Addy
Myra Boyd
Norma Drafts
Rick Harris
Jimmy Metts
Bill Sanders
Greg Sommer
Friends of Pilgrim
Joyce Czarnecki
Diana Davis, sister of Lisa Davis
Ben Green, Greg Sommer’s brother-in-law
Nadine Greene, friend of Karl and Carolyn Horner
Joanna Kirkland, sister-in-law of Debra and Carl Richardson
Lars, Brenda Sommer’s Nephew
Eileen and Ronnie Leaphart, dear friends of Myron and Linda Corley
LeMaster Family, family of Melissa Hendrix
The family, friends, and colleagues of Master Deputy Jillian Hope Olson, as they mourn her death.
Jill Sanders, Wally and Delores Steinhauser’s cousin-in-law
Heidi, Wolfram Schwabe’s sister
Trey Soud, friend of Wally and Delores Steinhauser
Louise Velky, the newest member of Mary Beth Hill’s family, as she is facing a rare genetic diagnosis.
Pastor Carl and Debra Yost, as his health struggles continue.
Please contact the church office if you would like someone added or removed from the prayer list.
| | Worship is at 10 a.m. each Sunday. | | |
Scriptures for this Sunday
First Reading: Genesis 50:15-21
Second Reading: Romans 14:1-12
Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:21-35
| | Worship Service replay from Sunday, September 6, 2026 | | | | |
