Pilgrim’s Progress

PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF PILGRIM LUTHERAN CHURCH

Lexington, SC

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Dear Pilgrims,

A continued Happy Easter! As I journeyed last week on my tour of friends in the Philadelphia area, talk of church, faith, and family filled most of our conversations. I also toured several church buildings where my friends attend or serve on staff. One included a beautiful Quaker meeting house. I was able to re-visit my seminary, the former Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia, now United Lutheran following its merger with Gettysburg Seminary. We talked a lot about how churches seem to be experiencing some “long COVID” symptoms including the lack of interest in lay leadership and the burn-out of professional church leaders. Right before Easter, I heard the news that a wonderful pastor colleague in our synod had left the ministry all together due to burn-out following continued ministry struggles after COVID. That was a big blow to me.

These concerns are very real. Because of this reality, strong faithful leadership of both laity and clergy is essential. Our mutual ministry is key to our success when the pastor, the council, and the congregation are all rowing in the same direction and when they hold each other accountable to our common calling in Christ’s mission.

Pilgrim is now engaged in the second year of its Season of Renewal. New strong leaders are emerging around our congregation. This week, I want to highlight the ministries of three new leaders. Wally Steinhauser, as you have heard, is the chair of our new Generosity Team that combines the ministries of Finance and Stewardship. Wally brings to this ministry his experience as a former corporate executive, his present position as a local business owner of Wingard’s nursery along with Delores, and his love for Pilgrim.

Just recently, two more leaders have stepped forward. Jackie Kaminer is now the chair of the Season of Renewal Task Force and is shepherding our big task of creating a business plan for the use of our facilities for the benefit of the wider community along with the congregation. Jackie is a Site Training Manager at Michelin in Lexington, a member of the Heart of Columbia Chorus and Pilgrim’s Choir, and currently enrolled in a master’s program. She brings a wonderful set of skills and energy to this important role at Pilgrim.

Just this week, Becky Wingard agreed to serve as the chair of the 125th Anniversary Team. With the anniversary celebrations taking place in September, we are gearing up to celebrate and highlight Pilgrim’s long ministry and its assets in the Lexington community. Becky has been an active and dedicated member of this congregation most of her adult life. She brings a rich knowledge of the congregation’s history, and knows so many people who have been part of Pilgrim over the past forty years. What great assets those are!

While we often grieve the loss of leaders in our congregations who have been faithful and effective in the past, we also trust that God continues to raise up leaders among us all the time – lay leaders, deacons, pastors, and bishops. We are all church together for the sake of the world. What a gift! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!

Pastor Mary

COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S PAGE

Mary Beth Hill

It’s getting exciting!

This Sunday, April 14, we will hold a congregation meeting after Worship to choose the top three Bold Steps the congregation believes that God wants us to pursue.

We shared the final 14 Bold Steps ideas with the congregation at the Easter Worship Service and again last Sunday. Please take the time to study those 14 ideas before we vote (written ballot) right after church in the sanctuary.

Then, we head to the Fellowship Hall, where we will enjoy lunch together while counting votes. Before we finish eating, we will know our top three Bold Steps!

Congregation votes to sell 1.48 acres

On Sunday, April 7, after weeks of discussion and sharing information about a piece of property that Pilgrim Lutheran Church owns to the far left of the church, the congregation voted to approve Pilgrim Lutheran Church selling the 1.48 acres shown on a plat recorded in Lexington County Plat Book 7300, page 265, bearing Lexington County Tax Map #003400-04-015 and to authorize the Congregation and Council President Mary Beth Hill to accept the contract on behalf of Pilgrim Lutheran Church.

For your information, Pilgrim has 98 voting members. On Sunday, we had 52 members in worship, with 37 staying for the meeting and 31 voting to sell. None opposed.

The contract explains that the buyer will deposit $500 as earnest money, then pay the balance of the purchase price of $70,000.00 ($65,500.00) and make an additional cash donation of $30,000 to Pilgrim. The buyer pays the balance of the purchase price ($65,500) and the $30,000 donation at closing.

Pilgrim will pay for the preparation of the deed and deed stamps. The buyer will pay all other closing costs.

Our Hospitality Table

Thanks to Lou Galloway, who provided the Hospitality Table on Sunday. She did a great job.

As previously mentioned, we have found it hard to get volunteers to consistently cover our Hospitality Table. After talking about it in our Council Meeting, we realized that part of the reason we can’t get people to cover it consistently is that they believe they have to do a big, luxurious spread. Although some people love to go all out, we only expect volunteers to provide bought or baked cookies.

In fact, Kathleen Shutt, our Council Secretary, now provides the supplies — tablecloths, cups, paper plates, napkins, trays, coffee, and water. Anyone who signs up to bring something will add their goodies to the table and clean up after themselves.

If we don’t have a volunteer one Sunday, we will pull out some packaged cookies (a donation), water, and coffee.

We will provide lunch after our congregation meeting on April 14. Then, we still need someone to cover April 28 and all of May. If you can volunteer, please email Mary Beth Hill at mbhillmeehan@gmail.com or Courtney Coker at plc@wearepilgrim.com.

Pilgrim Community Preschool Art Festival

We are gearing up for our third annual Art Festival next week! We welcome you to join us for an evening of fun as we celebrate local artisans, vendors, and our very own preschoolers! Come out and bid on one of the many Silent Auction Baskets and enjoy some delicious cuisine from food trucks! We can‘t wait to see you on Friday, April 19, from 5-8 p.m.

Join our USC Campus Ministry Dinner on April 28

Jimmy and Angie Smith, along with a few other folks passionate about campus ministry, prepared and served the dinner for the Lutheran Campus Ministry students at the University of South Carolina on Sunday, March 24. The students worship at 5:30 p.m. and then have dinner afterward, which is usually provided by local congregations.

Pilgrim is signed up to provide the meal for these students on April 28. Jimmy and Angie will plan the menu and coordinate the event. Let them know if you would like to cook and drop off your food at church, or if you would like to go to the campus ministry center to serve the students and get to know them. You can also cook and serve! Contact the Smiths at amsmith52700@gmail.com.

Sermon on the Mount study meets Tuesdays,10:30–11:30 a.m.

We have a regular group of 10–12 people who have been coming for our Bible study on the Sermon on the Mount for the past few months. Jesus’ teachings are so rich in Matthew 5–7 that we are moving slowly through his words. New faces are still welcome!

April Food Pantry Update

Thank you for your continued generosity in supplying our Community Food Pantry.

During the month of April, our focus will be on toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, and deodorant. Meats and chunky soups continue to be in high demand.

Many thanks for supporting this outreach ministry.

If you know someone who could use a homemade comfort casserole, please feel free to take it out of the freezer.

Here’s how Holy Casseroley works:

The casseroles are in the white freezer in the Kitchen in the Fellowship Hall. They are labeled with names, ingredients, and cooking instructions. All the ingredients are pre-cooked, so reheating in an oven or microwave is easy.
If you take a casserole, there is a legal pad on the counter to the right of the freezer. Please write the name of the casserole you are taking, date, and recipient’s name.
If you would like someone else to deliver the casserole for you, please email delores@wingardsmarket.com with the recipient’s name, address, and telephone number.

Worship Service Volunteers

April 14 at 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Ricky Wingard

Lector — Greg Sommer

Ushers — Scott Grosse and Joe Kaminer

Communion Assistants — Kathleen Shutt and Wally Steinhauser

Children’s Time in the Word — Jennifer Schwabe

Hospitality Table — There is no hospitality table this Sunday. Our congregation meal takes

place in the Fellowship Hall after the congregation meeting.

April 21 at 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Kristen Dashiell

Lector — Bill Spires

Ushers — Don and Jamie Kosanka

Communion Assistants — Carl and Debra Richardson

Children’s Time in the Word — Allison Hallman

Hospitality Table — Debra Richardson

April 28 at 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Carolyn Horner

Lector — Delores Steinhauser

Ushers — Carl Richardson and Ted Wingard

Communion Assistants — Mary Beth Hill and Kathy Boivin

Children’s Time in the Word —

Hospitality Table —

May 5 at 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Lou Galloway

Lector — Ryan Mears

Ushers — Wally Steinhauser and Ricky Wingard

Communion Assistants — Carolyn Horner and Dot Tunstall

Children’s Time in the Word — Jackie Kaminer

Hospitality Table —

May 12 at 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Nich Godfrey

Lector — Kathy Boivin

Ushers — Kim Shealy and Jimmy Smith

Communion Assistants — Peter Reinhart and Delores Steinhauser

Children’s Time in the Word — Jennifer Schwabe

Hospitality Table —

May 19 at 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Kristin Dashiell

Lector — Mary Beth Hill

Ushers — Carl Richardson and Brenda Sommer

Communion Assistants — David and Jane Park

Children’s Time in the Word — Allison Hallman

Hospitality Table —

May 26 at 10 a.m.

Worship Assistant — Carolyn Horner

Lector — Peter Reinhart

Ushers — Charlie Godfrey and Wolfram Schwabe

Communion Assistants — Kristen Dashiell and Joe Kaminer

Children’s Time in the Word — Jackie Kaminer

Hospitality Table —

PRAYERS

Alan and Karen Addy

Neil Avery

Friend of Bill and Jan Sanders, Kirby Bishop

Ron Davis

Walt Hallman

Yvonne Isola

Rev. John Kallerson

Pastor Mary’s sister-in-law, Marla

Mary Beth’s sister, Nancy

Vivian Rikard

Bill Sanders

Pastor Carl Yost

CLICK FOR A 10-DAY CALENDAR

Worship is at 10 a.m. each Sunday.

Worship Service replay from Sunday, April 7, 2024.

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You may also mail your gift or offering or deliver it in person to:

Pilgrim Lutheran Church

1430 N Lake Drive

Lexington, SC 29072

Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CONTACT

Office Hours

Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Telephone: (803) 359-9421

Staff

Rev. Mary Williams Anderson

Interim Pastor

mwanderson140@gmail.com

Courtney Coker

Office Administrator

plc@wearepilgrim.com

Susan Cafferty

Music Director

susan@wearepilgrim.com

Pilgrim Lutheran Church | plc@wearepilgrim.com | (803) 359-9421 | wearepilgrim.com