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PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF PILGRIM LUTHERAN CHURCH
Lexington, SC
Thursday, April 18, 2024
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Dear Pilgrims,
Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Easter (4 out of 7). Unlike the first three Sundays of Eastertide, there will not be a story about the risen Christ meeting, greeting, teaching, and amazing his disciples. Now we shift our memories to other cherished beliefs about who the risen Christ is for us as we live together as Easter people.
This fourth Easter Sunday is often called Good Shepherd Sunday because we always hear Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd), and we read part of John 10 where Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd.” As Easter people, we believe Christ holds us in his protective arms and at the same time believe that he is commanding us to hold our neighbors in need just as protectively. The one who was raised up on the high bar of the cross sets a high bar for our discipleship.
This is the way we follow. This is the way we lead. A continued blessed Eastertide. Alleluia, Christ is risen!
Pastor Mary
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COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S PAGE
Mary Beth Hill
We debut three new Bold Steps!
On January 13, 2024, we began our Bold Steps program by asking ourselves, “What does God want Pilgrim Lutheran Church to be and do now?”
Over the last few months, we have discussed this process extensively and invited the congregation to submit ideas that they felt answered that question. We ended up with 14 final ideas, which we provided on Easter Sunday and the Sunday after that.
For several weeks, we shared those 14 ideas, and on Sunday, we held a congregation meeting after Worship where we used a written ballot to choose their top three Bold Steps. For your information, Pilgrim has 98 voting members. On Sunday, we had 72 in worship and more than 48 votes cast during the meeting.
Then, we headed to the Fellowship Hall, where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch together while counting votes. Before we finished eating, we knew our top three Bold Steps!
Bold Step 1 — Form a visitation committee to visit home-bound and elderly members.
Warren and Margaret Christmus suggested this idea and explained how it would impact our congregation and/or neighbors. “This brings these members a ray of sunshine and reminds them they are an integral part of Pilgrim. It shows our respect, thanks them for the time, talents, and resources they have given to Pilgrim.”
Bold Step 2 — Host community events (movies, music ensembles, lectures, etc.) in the sanctuary.
Melissa Hendrix suggested this idea and explained how it would impact our congregation and/or neighbors. “This would increase learning, fellowship with our neighbors, and the vibrancy of the church and introduce Christ to others.”
Bold Step 3 — Create an outstanding Children’s Ministry.
Jane Park suggested this idea and explained how it would impact our congregation and/or neighbors this way. “This would allow children from the congregation and the neighborhood to enhance their faith journey. It would attract young families and eventually lay the groundwork for a vital youth ministry.”
Our thanks to everyone who made this day possible. Courtney Coker coordinated the meal’s ordering and payment. Jane and David Park set up and made the Fellowship Hall warm and welcoming with flowers, placemats, and so much more. Jerry Shutt and Jimmy Smith picked up the food, took it to the Fellowship Hall, and set it all up. Melissa Hendrix counted the votes. Carolyn Horner and all the others stayed to clean up.
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Our Hospitality Table
This Sunday Debra Richardson provides the Hospitality Table on Sunday. Thanks, Debra!
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.
If we don’t have a volunteer one Sunday, we will pull out some packaged cookies (a donation), water, and coffee.
Council Meeting Reminder
Council meets on Sunday, April 21, at 11:30 a.m. in the Prayer and Share Room.
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Pilgrim Community Preschool Art Festival
We welcome you to join us tomorrow 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.
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Prayer and Share Bible Study
On Tuesday, April 23, we will conclude our 12-week study on the Sermon on the Mount. The group will decide with Pastor Mary what they will do together the next four weeks. Stay tuned!
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We recognize Newberry College, one of our Lutheran schools in worship on April 28 | |
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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.
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Preschool Sunday is May 5
As we celebrate our students, especially our graduating 4s, our teachers, and our staff, the children will sing a few of their songs from chapel. This includes their fan favorite, “This Little Light of Mine.”
The class with the most Sunday attendance will have a popsicle party!
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Celebrating Graduate Sunday on May 26
In worship, we will celebrate Will Kollmansberger graduating from Irmo High School, Savannah Turbeville graduating from River Bluff High School, and Will Godfrey graduating from Lander University.
We will offer them a blessing during worship. The Faith Formation Team will host a banquet afterward for their families.
Congratulations!
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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.
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We are in need of more casseroles! We are planning a casserole making party soon, so stay tuned for the details! In the meantime, if you would like to provide some comfort food for this ministry, we could use a casserole or two. The pans, lids and labels are in the fellowship hall kitchen on the counter to the right of the white freezer. Please use our standard recipes. If you need a copy, email delores@wingardsmarket.com.
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.
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Skeet Shoot coming Saturday, May 11 | |
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Wizarding Week July 28 - August 2
It is Lutheridge tradition to have a fun theme for the final week of summer camp. This year, that theme will be Wizarding Week!
During this final week of camp, campers will have all the fun of a week of camp with some fun Harry Potter-themed activities, including being sorted into houses, playing Quidditch, and a Triwizard Tournament to end the week.
Your camper won't want to miss this! So if you haven't already registered, choose from one of our exciting camps happening during the final week of camp: Pioneers, Climb High, or Cave & Wave!
Dates
July 28-August 2, 2024
A NEW SPECIAL 50/50 FRIENDS OFFER!
Invite a friend to attend camp, and you could both receive $50 off your registration fee.
Register here
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Worship Service Volunteers
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 — Kathy Boivin 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 —
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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
Vivian Rikard
Bill Sanders
Pastor Carl Yost
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Worship is at 10 a.m. each Sunday. | |
Worship Service replay from Sunday, April 14, 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.
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