Monthly News & Updates

Thanksgiving Meal Project 2022

It has been our tradition for many years at Zion to prepare and deliver Thanksgiving meals to those in need in our community. Last year over 1100 meals were packed and distributed! You have been very generous in donating your time and energies to this project in the past and we’d love for you to be involved again to help deliver these dinners in 2022.

This year and the challenges throughout it have inspired us even more to be the hands of Christ in this world. This year’s meals will again be prepared by Dupre Catering. We will then load them into volunteer vehicles to be delivered. We need your help to make this project possible. First, similar to last year we are in need of $8500 to fully fund enough meals. Second, we will need deliverers to deliver a warm meal and a smile Thanksgiving morning. As a community we can pull together to make sure our neighbors have a warm meal this Thanksgiving.

Donate or Volunteer - If you feel called to help us feed our neighbors this year

click the links below. You can also call the church office at (803) 356-2297.

We hope you will be able to join us this Thanksgiving. Many thanks! 

Wednesday Night Live is an important fellowship and learning time for our congregation. The evening includes a Fellowship Meal from 5:45-6:30pm then grow as disciples of Jesus with Faith Formation opportunities from 6:30-7:30pm.

Opportunities for Faith formation

Children – Children’s activities will be available in gym during and after the meal or to take home. Contact: Jamie Hampton JHampton229@gmail.com

Youth – Youth Group will meet in the Youth Room from 6:30-7:30pm for games and Bible study. Contact: Walt Hampton Walt@zionlexsc.com

Adults – Adults will have table topic conversations in the Family Life Center gym after dinner. Leader: Pastor Nathan

Thanksgiving Eve Meal and Worship Service

Wednesday, November 23 in the Family Life Center

5:30pm Youth hosted Soup Supper

6:30pm Thanksgiving Eve Worship with Holy Communion

and Blessing of Thanksgiving Meal Deliverers

The Hilltoppers (Zion's retiree group) will gather at Zion in the Family Life Center at 11:30 am on November 9th. Together they will share a potluck meal and fellowship. Please call (803) 791-9692 if you have any questions or need a ride. All are welcome to come and enjoy this special time of fellowship.

Youth Ministry at Zion

Zion’s Youth has a lot going on this fall!

If your youth hasn’t noticed yet it may be time to see what’s happening. 

ALL Youth 6-12th grade are welcome!

Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm

Youth Group games and bible study

Fridays 7:30am

High School Bible Study at Lowes Foods

Wednesday November 23rd, 6:30-7:30pm Thanksgiving Eve Worship and Meal.

The youth will be hosting our annual Soup Supper on Thanksgiving Eve. We ask that each family bring 1 crockpot of soup and a dozen corn muffins. Watch your Youth Update emails for more details or click below to contact Walt. 

The Choir is currently meeting for rehearsal each Sunday morning at 9:00am in the choir room. Please note the location will need to change during construction, so watch for further information. Please lend your voice to this wonderful group! 

Handbells: If you would be interested in ringing handbells on Christmas Eve, please let Julie know as soon as possible for planning purposes. It’s impossible for this group to happen without volunteers!

If you have any questions, or if you’d like to share your musical talents in some way, please contact Julie at julie@zionlexsc.com. 

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises! Psalm 57:7

We need your help to make Worship

happen at Zion. We are looking to fill

in a few serving roles this month. See below

and click the button to volunteer now!

Congregation Council Meeting Highlights



Zion’s Congregation Council met on Monday, 10th. Here are some of the highlights of the meeting:

+ Welcomed Zion’s 9^th grade Confirmation students and heard about their confirmation experience

+ Heard reports from officers and Ministry Team liaisons

+ Reviewed and approved a proposed 2023 Ministry Budget

+ Received a report of the Nominating Committee in preparation for Annual Congregation Meeting

+ Set the Annual Congregation Meeting for Sunday, November 13 at 11:00am in the Family Life Center

+ Approved conducting fundraising for Zion’s Thanksgiving Meal Ministry

2022 Congregation Council members are: Lee Caulder (chair), DeAnna Granda (vice chair), Kimberly Rauch (secretary), Janice Sult (treasurer), Sue Anderson, Kathryn Barton, Ernest Beck, Betsy Burn, Rebekah Cromer, Ross Hunter, Suzette Porth, Bridget Ridgell, and Pastor Nathan Gragg.

An Update about Giving and Generosity

Giving Info as of October 30, 2022

Offering anticipated year to date: $343,412

Offering received year to date: $289,938

Gifts to Zion and Partner Feeding Ministries this Year

Mission Lexington: 152 pounds of food

Snack Packs Ministry: $1731

Matthew 25 Lunch Ministry: $1230

Recent Memorials Given



To the Building Fund

In memory of Thomas Lee Kleckley by Rev. & Mrs. J. Hilton Roof, Geri Nilsestuen, Grateful Hearts SS Class, Frank Yonce & Family, Ervin & Betty Shaw, Albert & Sue Drafts, Mr. & Mrs. Warren H. Christmas, Jr., Gail & Wayne Buff, George & Laura Owen, and Francis & LaVera Corley

In honor of Ron & Eileen Leaphart by Joseph & Mary Slade

In memory of Thomas & Thelma Kleckley by Clay Kleckley & Nancy Kleckley Hughey

To the General Fund

In memory of Thomas Lee Kleckley by Kent Grant, John & Norene Drafts, Al & Carla Fallaw, Paul & Mary Hook, Reggie & Heather Corley, and Thomas & Janice Stoudemire

In honor of Hal & Carolette Turner by Robert H. Turner, III

To Scouts

In memory of Thomas Lee Kleckley by Ervin & Betty Shaw and Mr. & Mrs. Franklyn D. Owen, III

GROW & RENEW CAMPAIGN

We celebrate the gifts and commitments received from

members and friends of Zion for our Grow & Renew Campaign.

Number of households completing an Intent Card: 80

Total committed to the Grow & Renew Campaign: $883,200

Total received so far from these commitments: $398,183

Current Needs

Jerald Drafts

John Drafts

Madelyn Ellisor

Barry Granda

Melba Ivey

Ethel Riley

Becky Saville



Homebound

Betty Baker (Carolina Gardens)

Les Caton (Brookdale Harbison)

Gene Hendrix (Westminster)

Wyman Kleckley

Jane Langston (Oakleaf)

Warren Peebles (Lex Extended)

John Shotts

Margaret Sox

Darlene Weight (Tennessee)

Military

Brett Creasman (Army)

Matt Mayer (Air Force)

Chris Rauch (Army) 

Tristin Secoy (Marine Corps)

Friends of the Congregation

Felicia Ajibade (health, friend of the Branham Family)

Ed ‘Chuck’ Baker (cancer, son of Betty Baker)

Lynn Balch (health, wife of Craig Balch)

Paul Bessinger (health, Al & Carla Fallaw)

Ron Byrd (friend of Al & Carla Fallaw)

Glenda & Everett Crafts (health, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)

Pastor Derald Edwards (cancer)

Greg Hash (cancer treatment, cousin of Janice Sult)

Esther Hempel (health, mother of Carol Hunter)

Pam Holladay (health, mother of Bonnie Phillips)

CJ Keathley (health, brother of Denise Caulder)

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

Jack Landers (health, friend of the Caulders)

Ruth Lingle (health concerns, sister of Bob McCombs)

Sarah May (health, aunt of Mary Hampton)

Donna Oneal (health, cousin of Marsha and Charlie O’Neal)

Rev. & Mrs. Poteat (friends of Cheryl Ann & Tim Driggers)

Donna Riggins (cancer, sister in law of Rachael Rhoden)

Sylvia Ruff (cancer, aunt of Julie Branham)

Greg Sommer (health, friend of the congregation)

Ronnie Tunstill (stage 4 cancer, friend of Geri Nilsestuen)

Edith Wessinger (health, sister in law of Ethel Riley)

Ron White (prostate cancer, friend of the Caulders)

Sarah White (cancer, friend of the Hendrix family)

Lee Wolford (health issues, Friend of the Leapharts)

The family and friends of Carol Saari who died on October 21st.

 The family and friends of Guy Kimball who died on October 24th. 

 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.

November Birthdays

2^nd Tim Driggers

     Clyde Baker

4^th Zach Jebali

    Addie Phillips

    Mark Wingard

8^th Anderson McKinley

10^th Janice Lindler

     Troy Fite

13^th Laura Beck

14^th Betty Baker

18^th Kregg Corley

21^st Sherrie Tanner

     Heather Williamson

24^th Bridget Ridgell

26^th Betsy Burn

28^th Tyler Beard

30^th Morgan Nesmith

      Joe Rymer

November Anniversaries

5^th Marion & Edith Clark

7^th Chris & Nikki Harmon              

16^th Bert & Wanda Wingard

18^th Craig & Lynn Balch

The family of Thomas Kleckley would like to thank everyone for the kind thoughts, prayers, phone calls, cards and especially the visits during Dads decline in health and passing. He loved his Zion family and really missed coming to church regularly, like he did all of his life. We take comfort in knowing that he has been reunited with Mom. We also know that we will all be together again one day. and what a "mighty fine" day that will be. 

With Love, 

Russell & Rayna Kleckley and family

Every day, every time I get in my truck, I look at the sky. Every day it looks so different, amazing, beautiful, even when there are clouds, storms and rain. These are the moments I see God and marvel at the enormous power and creativity, the strength, the peace, the compassion God has for all; to provide for all creatures such a beautiful place to dwell for a while.  I feel God’s presence in Church, but also when friends and family are all around having fun, or consoling each other because of loss, pain or heartache.  

I also see God when people help each other, have compassion for others, care for each other in times of need, even when they do not know each other. It is not always an easy task, so when I see these situations, I see God.