come celebrate the freedom to imagine at st. stephen s
TRANSCRIPT
May 2021 Newsletter
Come celebrate the
Freedom to Imagine
at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church
Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 5 PM
Join us for a congregational dinner in the Family Life Center to learn more about our capital campaign to eliminate our building debt!
Attendance is in person or by Zoom.
All newborns – 8th graders are invited to an event of their own at
the same time in the Social Hall.
If you plan to attend in person, please RSVP to [email protected] with the number attending (including number and ages of children)
and any dietary restrictions or food allergies.
If you plan to attend by Zoom, please RSVP to [email protected] with the email address where we should send the Zoom link and the
number zooming.
Preschool Newsletter Info. May 2021 Registration going on now for Summer Day Camp
Super Sleuth Summer Camp: June 21 - 24
Camp runs from 9am – 12pm and the cost is $65 which includes a t-shirt.
Come sleuthing with us and prepare to go undercover this summer! Think
like a detective, solve mysteries with clues and have fun!
Very limited availability - Children ages 12 months thru
entering kindergarten are eligible to attend.
Forms available on the church webpage! We would love to
have you join us!
Join Pastor Pat for an Adult Bible Study on Wednesday Evenings
This will be a survey study of the New Testament with Bishop N. T. Wright and Michael F.
Bird, entitled: The New Testament in it’s World: An introduction to the history,
literature, and theology of the first Christians. Our Adult WNL! Classes have enjoyed
the great Biblical scholar Bishop Wright over the years and we look forward to journeying
with him and Dr. Byrd through the New Testament.
May 5 Johannine Letters, 1, 2, & 3 John and Revelation
May 12 Intro to Textual Criticism and Canonization of the New Testament
May 19 Bringing It All Together
Wednesday lunches have returned! A light
lunch will be offered in the Social Hall at
11:45 AM. The cost of the lunch will be $5.
Enjoy lunch and then worship with us at our
12:30 Eucharist Service.
Operation Inasmuch Service Day – Sunday, May 2nd
On Sunday, May 2nd, St. Stephen’s will participate in a day of outreach called Operation Inasmuch. We are going to reach out to folks in the congregation
who are in need of some spring cleaning yardwork. We might also have a group
stay on the church campus to do a project. All skill levels are needed!!
Anybody with yard equipment is encouraged to bring it with them!
Please contact Pastor Jason if you are interested in serving those in need in our
congregation!
VBS - 2021
Join us on Adventure Island as we discover God’s great
light! Registration forms are available at www.sslc.org and
outside the Narthex.
We are planning to have a “regular” VBS, while still
keeping safety measures in mind. If you are interested
in helping, please let Shannon know.
We need leaders for:
Crafts
Games
Snacks
Bible Story Time
All age groups (Nursery, 2’s-3’s, 4’s & 5K,
1st-2nd, and 3rd-5th)
Also, if you are interested in helping with decorations, please let Shannon know.
An art gallery has been created with
Dawn Corley’s original artwork. That
artwork can be purchased with all
proceeds going to debt retirement.
This artwork will only be available at
St. Stephen’s and benefitting the church
only. The gallery is located across from
the Preschool Office.
MISSION LEXINGTON UPDATE Our Easter to Reformation food drive
continues with 765 lbs. toward a goal of 6,000 lbs. between now and Reformation Sunday. Food total for the year is 4,656 lbs. Our goal for the year is 15,000 lbs.
Please place your food donations in the food barrel next across from the elevator
in the admin wing or in the container outside the Men’s Sunday School
Classroom.
All food items and pet food are being accepted.
Mission Lexington is also in urgent need of plastic bags. Bring your used plastic or paper bags to the church and Mr. Ron
will deliver to Mission Lexington.
If you prefer to make a monetary donation toward the purchase of food,
please make your check payable to St. Stephen’s. In the remarks section
write for Food purchase Mission Lexington.
Remember even one can of food will feed someone who is hungry
Thank you again for your support. Point of contact:
Ron Redd 803-360-0241 [email protected].
Needed items: Canned Fruit
Canned Chicken
Beef Stew
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Mac & Cheese
Pork & beans
Chili
Canned Vegetables
Rice
Canned Soups
Coffee
Oatmeal
Grits
Dog food/Cat food
Sealed silverware sets
(from carryout)
May Love Offering
Youth and Children’s Ministries
Youth and Children’s ministries at
St. Stephen’s are a pivotal part of our
mission to make our church a place
where people of all ages develop and
nurture their faith in Christ so that
they can make a difference in the
world around them. All love offering
donations during the month of May will
go towards fundraising efforts to
support our youth and children’s
ministries including summer mission
trips, monthly activities, special camps,
etc. Thank you for giving to this hugely
important ministry over and above
your regular giving!
Lutheran Men:
Please join us for fellowship and a meal
Monday, May 17, 2021 at 7:00pm in the social hall.
Fellow member, David Jolly, will be our guest speaker.
The topic will be “Covid-19, My Story.”
POC: Ron Redd [email protected]
803-360-0241
Jr. and Sr. Youth Event
May 2nd - Come participate in
Operation InAsMuch; RSVP to
Pastor Jason or Mrs. Shannon if you
plan to come work!
May 9th - Youth Sunday
May 16th - Church wide event
May 23rd— End of the School Year Blowout!
at 3:30pm Where: Mrs. Shannon’s House
(120 Old Chapin Road, Lexington)
Come join us for an awesome afternoon celebrating the end of a crazy school year! We will have all sorts of games
(kick ball, wiffle ball, giant connect four, corn hole, etc). We’re even going to
have a huge slippin’ slide! Everyone is asked to bring their own chair, towel, a side, and your favorite
drink(s). Fried chicken will be provided. We hope you will come participate in what is sure to be an afternoon of
games, fellowship, food, and family fun! Please RSVP to Mrs. Shannon or
Pastor Jason by Thursday, May 21st so we know how many to prepare for!
JCREW (1st-5th grade)
SSLC End of the School Year Blowout! When: Sunday, May 23rd at 3:30pm
Where: Mrs. Shannon’s House (120 Old Chapin Road, Lexington)
Who: SSLC Families (Sr. and Jr. High Youth, Living Faith, and J-Crew)
Come join us for an awesome afternoon
celebrating the end of a crazy school year! We will have all sorts of games (kick ball, wiffle ball, giant connect four, corn hole, etc). We’re even going to have a huge
slippin’ slide! Everyone is asked to bring their own chair, towel, a side, and your favorite drink(s).
Fried chicken will be provided. We hope you will come participate in what
is sure to be an afternoon of games, fellowship, food, and family fun! Please RSVP to Mrs. Shannon or
Pastor Jason by Thursday, May 21st so we know how many to prepare for!
Community Groups:
6th grade:
Join us on May 2nd as we participate in Operation InAsMuch. You guys will be working with Mrs. Shannon here at the
church!
7th and 8th grade:
Join us on May 2nd as we participate in Operation InAsMuch
9th and 10th vs.11th and 12th:
Join us Saturday, May 15th for a friendly competition between our two Sr. High
Community Groups! We need a minimum of 16 people for the challenge which
includes a power point challenge in the arcade, 2 games of competitive bowling, a
laser tag challenge, and food! You seriously don’t want to miss this!
Cost is $10
Join us for Chat & Chew
This past year has been very difficult for all of us. With so many getting the vaccines and the Covid19 numbers deceasing we thought our Chat N Chew
night out could resume. Georgianna and Don Dukes offered to make the arrangements with the staff at the Blue Marlin to get the Vista Private Dining room. Social distancing will be observed and if you feel the
need to wear a mask that will be perfectly fine.
Place: Blue Marlin Vista Room
May: Thursday, May 20, 2021
Time: 5:30 pm
Host: Don and Georgianna Dukes
A sign up sheet is posted on the church’s bulletin board.
Please have $20 cash per person to give to Georgianna for your meal expenses.
It's time to register for 2021 Lutheroad Day Camp!
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church invites you to join us for Lutheroad Day Camp! This year, camp is scheduled for June 28 -July 2, 2021. Registration for campers entering 1st - 6th grade for next school year (2021/2022) is now open. The cost for one week of camp is $150.00 for the 1 s t child & $130.00 for siblings.
**Register now…. Only 6 spots left!
Lutheroad Day Camp is a five-day program, which allows the benefits of camp at Lutheridge to come to us! It enables children to experience a Christian camping environment without having to stay overnight away from home. Each day will be full of fun-filled activities including camp-style worship and bible study, arts and crafts, music and songs, special events and field trips! Camp will be from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Friday.
If you think your child(ren) would enjoy the fun-filled and rewarding experience of attending Lutheroad Day Camp at St. Stephen’s, please complete and return the registration form (available in the office or outside the Men’s Sunday School Classroom) and a $50.00 non-refundable deposit (per child). Receipt of this information will enable us to reserve a spot for your child(ren).
This will be our 20th year hosting Lutheroad Day Camp and we’re looking forward to an ex-citing week! We hope your child(ren) will be able to join us! If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Burnett at 359-4175 or [email protected].
Upcoming Events: June 20: Pastor Jason’s Campfirmation Week; Youth Mission Trip to Gilbert, SC; Preschool Camp
June 26: SC Synod Assembly (one day)
June 28 - July 2: Lutheridge Day Camp
July 11-14: Vacation Bible School
July 18-21: Pastor Pat’s Campfirmation Week; Sr. High Retreat
July 28: Blood Drive 2 pm-7 pm
August 15: Bookbag and School Year Blessing
August 22: Rally Sunday/Installation of SS and Preschool Teachers
Plans for moving forward:
As you all know, we have had to modify services and events since COVID entered our world last March. Since vaccines are widely available, and many of our members have been fully vaccinated, we are making plans to move forward with hopes of being back to “normal” in late August. Here is an outline of our plan:
June:
Masks will become optional
Our pastors will begin greeting again in the Narthex after the services
We will go back to having 2 services (8:30 AM and 11:00 AM)
We will begin singing three hymns
We will have a Summer Sunday School Program for our current K-5th graders and our 6th-12th graders; Nursery is available during the SS hour
July:
Return to Communion at the head of the aisle; bread given by pastors and wine given in cups by lay assistant
Remove rubber bands
Traditional offering/passing of the plates
SSLC Freedom to Imagine Prayer Vigil – Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd at 2pm
On Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd you are invited to participate in a
Prayer Vigil for our Freedom to Imagine campaign, our church and its ministry, our community, our state, our world, and anything else that’s on your heart or mind. A signup will be available in the hallway outside the narthex to sign up for time slots starting at 2pm. Facilitators will be present that day to help you find a spot in the sanctuary to sit and spend some time in prayer. If you are interested or have questions please contact Pastor Jason, Julie Tworzyanski, or Judy Koon. We’re
looking forward to a very moving afternoon praying for God’s strength, grace, guidance, and support for St. Stephen’s, it’s members, our
neighbors, our future, and beyond!
Just a reminder that our office hours are
Monday-Thursday 8 AM-4 PM.
The office is closed on Fridays.
The Crisis Care Line (803-808-6471) will still be available at all
times. This numbers rings through to the Pastor on-call.
All high school and college graduates will
be recognized on Sunday, May 9th!
Please get in touch with Shannon
([email protected]) and let her know if
you are graduating so you can be
recognized!
Thank you to the “Rawl Clan” for bringing our amazing flowering cross to life once
again! So many families in our community appreciated the gift of your time and your
flowers! Thank you for always helping make Easter so very special!!
________________________________________________________________
We would like to extend a HUGE thank you to our COVID Advisory board who has helped make very im-
portant decisions over the last year. This group helped keep our congregation safe and active and we are so
thankful for their knowledge and input! Members of the board include: Jon Taylor, Brant Taylor, Mike
Brittingham, Matt Timmerman, Tripp Brunson, Jennifer McInnis,
__________________________________________________________________________________
To my St. Stephen’s Church Family,
There are no words to fully explain what your love and support has meant to me and my family following Warner‘s passing. Your prayers have been a constant source of peace and strength for us. We appreciate the many kindnesses shown by way of calls, texts, cards, food and visits. My family has truly been blessed by each of you for reaching out with the love of God in your hearts.
To Pastor Pat, Pastor Jason, Shannon and Tonya: Your presence in the hardest of times will never be for-gotten. You lifted us up at our lowest and met our every need. We are forever grateful to each of you.
As always - God is good in all things and at all times.
Vickie Ettenger and family
SSLC Living Faith Group This group is comprised of anyone who would consider themselves a “young adult”. The definition of “young adult” is broadly defined and within the group encompasses folks of varying ages and family contexts. In short, if you want to join a group of folks that enjoy fellowship, living out their faith, and being active with other members of the congregation please come and join us!
SSLC End of the School Year Blowout! When: Sunday, May 23rd at 3:30pm Where: Mrs. Shannon’s House (120 Old Chapin Road, Lexington) Who: SSLC Families (Sr. and Jr. High Youth, Living Faith, J-Crew) Come join us for an awesome afternoon celebrating the end of a crazy school year! We will have all sorts of games (kick ball, whiffle ball, giant connect four, corn hole, etc). We’re even going to have a huge slippin’ slide! Everyone is asked to bring their own chair, towel, a side, and your favorite drink(s). Fried chicken will be provided. We hope you will come participate in what is sure to be an afternoon of games, fellowship, food, and family fun! Please RSVP to Mrs. Shannon or Pastor Jason by Thursday, May 21st so we know how many to prepare for!
Flowers for May
Congregation Council Members: Class of 2021
Paulette Shealy (803) 465-0942
Steve Fowler (803) 360-5605
Ivan Black (803) 513-7486
Sandy Dawkins (803) 606-1072
Mary Elizabeth Windham (803) 351-6572
Class of 2022
Craig McFarland (803) 360-7310
Evelyn Temple (706) 436-3052
Brian Paeth (803) 529-6117
Stephanie Jones (803) 606-3814
Mike Brittingham (803) 760-3219
Class of 2023
Michael Jebaily (843) 617-3147
Allison Van Cleef (803) 447-3002
Brian Lackore (803) 351-2585
Mike Burgess (803) 238-7426
Jessica Maxheimer (803) 422-5747
Youth Representatives:
Abby Burnett and Carlee Tworzyanski
Mary Keisler, Treasurer (803) 960-9155
Bill Mathias, Treasurer Emeritus
Family Sunday School:
We will continue offering families
the opportunity to gather in the
classroom beside the Chapel where
we will have time for
Family, Faith, and the Father.
Ms. Shannon will be leading the
sessions.
We have 2 sessions:
9:30-10 AM and 10:15-10:45 AM.
Snacks will be provided.
Come and Join us!
2 Marie Juhl
9 Christie and Heyward Addy
16 Paula Calhoon
23 Ivan and Michelle Black
30 Jerry Redman
Please contact the office if you’d
like to provide flowers for one of
the available dates!
Ushers for May
Odie Rawl and Randy Huber will be
coordinating ushers for May.
Office Hours:
8 AM-4 PM Monday - Thursday
To Reach us:
Phone: 803-359-6562 FAX: 803-951-0738 Crisis Care Line: 803-808-6471 Website: www.sslc.org
Pastor Patrick W. Riddle [email protected]
Pastor Jason T. Antley [email protected]
Pastor for Welcome & Visitation Dennis R. Bolton [email protected]
Director of Family Life Ministries-Shannon Burnett [email protected] 359-4175
Parish Administrator Tonya Reynolds [email protected] 359-6562/808-6489
Director of Music Bailey Parker [email protected]
Assistant Director of Music/Organist Tyler Meade [email protected]
Preschool Director Beth Haggard [email protected] 803-359-4369
Sexton Eric Abramson [email protected]
Organist Emeritus Sylvia Looney
Congregation Council Officers President - Mike Brittingham Vice President - Steve Fowler Secretary - Allison Van Cleef Treasurer - Mary Keisler Treasurer Emeritus - Bill Mathias
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church place
119 North Church Street stamp
Lexington, SC 29072 here
"Return Service Requested"
========================================================== For our guests (during normal times) our Ministry includes. . .
Sunday School: Classes for Nursery age-adults; meets at 9:45 each Sunday
Wednesday Night Live! (WNL!): 2’s-5th grade choirs and Intermediate Ringers (6th-12th grade) meet at 5 PM; meal at 5:15PM; Confirmation class, Adult class, and JCREW Tone Chimes meet at 6 PM
The Balcony Choir: Rehearsal on Wednesday at 7:00PM.
Handbell Choir: Rehearses on Wednesday at 6 PM in the balcony
Wings of Worship: Meets at 6:45 on Wednesdays
Prime Time Adults: Adults 55 and older meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 11:30AM for food, fellowship and fun. This group is a wonderful mix of people who also travel for day and overnight trips.
Junior High (6th, 7th & 8th grades) & Senior High Youth (9th - 12th grades): meet regularly for planned activities
J-Crew: (1st - 5th graders) meet monthly
Lutheran Men: Meet on the 3rd Monday each month at 7:00PM in Social Hall for a meal and informative speaker; Men’s Bible Study meets on 1st and 3rd Mondays at 8:45 AM
WELCA: Various groups of women meet monthly, commit themselves to grow in faith, affirm their gifts, and support one another in ministry and action.
Scouting: Boy Scouts (contact David Loney); Juniors and Brownies (contact Ashely Lackore, Jennifer Howell, Erica Waites, Nina Tansey); & Jr. Girl Scouts (contact Missy Moore).
Preschool: An extension of our ministry for our church & the community for children 12 months to 4 years of age. Class hours are 9:00AM - 12:00Noon with extended care 12:00 Noon to 2:00PM. Early drop-off is available Contact Beth Haggard.
Living Faith: This group is comprised of folks somewhere between our Sr. High Youth and our Crossroads group, encompassing people of varying ages and family contexts. Activities alternate between adult only and family friendly.
Crossroads: This group is comprised of folks that fall in between our Living Faith group and our Prime Time adults. This group meets on the 4th Saturday of the month to prepare PB&J and snack bags for the hungry and participates in other events throughout the month.