|
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF PILGRIM LUTHERAN CHURCH
Lexington, SC
Thursday, May 2, 2024
| |
|
Happy Thursday and Happy Easter, Pilgrims:
Christ is risen, indeed, and we are called to live an Easter life. In the words of Jesus, living an Easter life is made known in the love we have for one another — not just our love for Jesus but our love for one another including those who aren’t family or friends, but also love for a diversity of strangers. This is Easter life.
An Easter life is also lived in our generosity in response to God’s abundance to us. Because of Easter, we are grateful and generous stewards. As Pilgrims, we have a stewardship opportunity this season. Our Easter Stewardship Appeal – Stepping Boldly – is well underway.
This past Sunday we focused on our goal to significantly reduce our mortgage on our sanctuary. With an overall weekly increase in giving of $2,210, Pilgrim can pay its mortgage out of weekly giving and not out of its savings. This increase will also move us into a positive position to call a new pastor next year.
Did you know, Don and Jamie Kosanka moved to Chapin from Ohio in 2017? They had many Lutheran congregations around them but found our sanctuary to be beautiful from the outside, and then discovered it was even more beautiful on the inside. A building doesn’t make a faithful congregation, but it does support one. The Kosankas discovered friendly people and beautiful worship. They loved the sound of the water trickling in the baptismal fountain. Don said last Sunday, “We were drawn to this church and decided to join this family of wonderful people. This was the right choice, and we are glad we did.”
Be a part of our Stepping Boldly journey in the footsteps of Jesus,
Pastor Mary
| | |
|
COUNCIL PRESIDENT’S PAGE
Mary Beth Hill
Learning through the Bold Steps process
As we anticipated, the Bold Steps process gifted us with our three Bold Steps. What you might not know, though, is that it also delivered some unexpected benefits.
For instance, this process taught us that we haven’t communicated enough with you about what is already happening at Pilgrim for children.
Take our “Children’s Time in the Word.” You may know it as the time on Sundays when the younger members (2-through-4-year-olds) of our congregation excitedly leave Worship to join two or more adults at the back of the Sanctuary. Once everyone gathers, they leave. Then shortly after the sermon, usually during the hymn of the day, they rejoin us — enthusiastically waving their children’s bulletins or artwork of some kind.
Here’s what you don’t see. “Children’s Time in the Word” comes out of the hard work of our Faith Formation Team. They have a sophisticated Google Drive they share with guides for creating lesson plans, using the resources, and maintaining the classroom. It holds folders like Lesson Planning Resources, Previous Lesson Plans, and others.
They plan each Sunday’s lesson and activity, decide what supplies they need, and then lead our younger children through that lesson and activity each week. They also document the content they cover and share that with each other.
On Sundays, they gather the children, take them to their classroom, share highs and lows, talk about the lesson of the day, close with prayer, bless each other, get their take-home sheets, and return to worship after the sermon.
Some of the teachers are Jennifer Schwabe, Allison Hallman, Jackie Kaminer, Sheila McCullough, and Ryan Mears. You will also see Lou Galloway, Delores Steinhauser, and Becky Wingard assisting.
Our Hospitality Table
Jane Park volunteered to take Sunday, May 5, but the rest of May is open. If you can volunteer, please email Mary Beth Hill at mbhillmeehan@gmail.com or Courtney Coker at
plc@wearepilgrim.com.
| |
|
Newberry College Week
We participated in Newberry College Sunday last week and gathered $460 to support the College. If you missed worship on the 28, you will have an opportunity to make a contribution this coming Sunday. There are special envelopes for your use or simply put a check in the offering plate made out to Pilgrim Lutheran with “Newberry College” in the memo line. Thanks, everyone!
| |
|
We Now Have a Pastor’s Discretionary Fund!
Thanks to a generous donor, we have re-established a Pastor’s Discretionary Fund to support members and friends of Pilgrim who could use some extra help with food, rent, gas, or medical needs. We encourage other generous folks to contribute as well. Pastor Mary oversees the distribution of these funds and keeps a confidential record of them.
Want to give? Use your online giving, a check, or cash, and indicate your gift is for this Fund.
| |
|
Theology on Tap Was Fun
Pastor Mary, Jamy Claire Archer, and Jackie Kaminer traveled up to Lutheridge for a weekend of fellowship, spiritual conversation, and a tour of several of the 28+ breweries in the city. Check out the creative names of some of the local beers available.
Lutheridge and the other camps of Novus Way have many camps and programs for adults and children all year long. Take a breath and take the opportunity to refresh yourself with these offerings.
| |
|
Pilgrim Serves at USC
Last Sunday evening several folks from Pilgrim (Jimmy and Angie Smith, Todd Hendrix, Linda Corley, and Pastor Mary) joined the Lutheran Campus Ministry at USC (served by Pr. Jesse Canniff-Kuhn) for worship. After the service, they served a great Sunday dinner to the students. The video here captures their closing song accompanied by student musicians.
| |
Preschool Sunday is May 5
As we celebrate our students, especially our graduating 4-year-olds, 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!
| |
|
Confirmation Sunday on Pentecost, May 19
On this Sunday celebrating the coming of the Holy Spirit, we will also celebrate the confirmation of Charlie Godfrey as he affirms his baptism this day. Charlie is a rising high school senior and is a regular worship assistant as an usher or helping with the live streaming of the service. He is also a member of our Faith Formation Team. God’s blessing on this faith milestone!
| |
|
Celebrating Graduate Sunday on May 26
In worship, we will celebrate Will Kollmansberger graduating from Irmo High School, Garrett Sanders graduating from River Bluff 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!
| |
|
Prayer and Share Bible Study
In May, this group will study the scriptures for the coming Sunday at the 10:30–11:30 a.m. time. Pastor Mary will lead this study to prepare us for Sunday worship through May 21. Since each session is a stand-alone study, feel free to come and go as your schedule allows.
| |
|
Pilgrim Community Preschool
The staff and students of Pilgrim Community Preschool had a wonderful time at our annual Art Festival! We raised nearly $4,000!
We are so grateful to our surrounding community who helped make this happen. We can't wait to do it again next year.
| |
|
May Food Pantry Update
Did you know that we will shop for you? Sometimes it’s hard to remember to pick up items for our food pantry when you’re at the store or to remember to drop them off on Sunday mornings. So we’re offering another option to help keep our food pantry stocked. We will gladly shop for you. You can give a monetary donation in your regular offering by designating: Food Pantry. You can also give through our Noisy Offering collection each week — or better yet — make it a Silent Offering by placing cash or a check in the buckets.
As always, you can continue to leave food and toiletry items in the narthex or church office. Thank you for your continued generosity.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
The Betty & Beau Wedding Show
Absolute Theatre Company presents Columbia’s premiere of “The Betty & Beau Wedding Show,” a 1933 madcap comedy wedding show featuring 1920-30’s music by “The Toasters,” Ed McCravy and Kevin Borgstedts, at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. This historic venue, built in 1921, sets the perfect backdrop for the wild and fun action that unfolds throughout the “Wedding Guest’s” experience.
Reserved tickets for this unforgettable experience are $20 and can be purchased by calling 839-849-1036 any day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
St. Michael’s Lutheran Church is located at 400 River Road, Irmo, 29212
| |
MARK ALLAN POWELL SESSIONS
Dr. Mark Allen Powell presents a Bible study series around our theme, ”Like Good Stewards.” The first session will be pre-recorded and shared online on Tuesday, May 7, at 7 p.m. Dr. Powell will present his study live via Zoom on the following three Tuesdays (May 14, 21, and 28), allowing for questions and interactions. While this is an opportunity related to our theme, you don't need to be registered for Assembly to participate!
Click here for more information.
| |
Skeet Shoot coming Saturday, May 11 | |
|
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
| |
|
Worship Service Volunteers
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 — Jane Park
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 —
| |
|
PRAYERS
Alan and Karen Addy
Neil Avery
Friend of Bill and Jan Sanders, Kirby Bishop
Ron Davis
Norma Drafts
Karl Horner
Vivian Rikard
Bill Sanders
Pastor Carl Yost
| |
Worship is at 10 a.m. each Sunday. | |
Worship Service replay from Sunday, April 28, 2024. | |
|
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.
| | | | |
