NOISY OFFERING
Council has designated that the Noisy Offering collected today be given as offering at the SC Synod Assembly next month. Offerings collected at the Assembly have been designated to the Bishop Ginny Aebischer Fund, a new fund at the SC Synod which honors the lifelong ministry of Bishop Aebischer, who is retiring this year.

The June Noisy Offering will also be donated to the SC Synod’s Bishop Ginny Aebischer Fund.

CONFIRMATION CLASS
Confirmation class will meet this afternoon from 12:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. The youth will prepare for the rite of confirmation, which is scheduled for next Sunday, May 24.

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
Next Sunday, May 24, is Pentecost, and we are asking people to wear red. Also, four of our youthful members (Andrew Bateman, Paige Koen, Alaina Matthews, and Caleb McKinney) will be confirmed. Following the worship service, Tara and Bryan Bateman will provide a reception catered by Dupre Catering and Events. Two sheet cakes (one chocolate and one vanilla) will be provided,.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Vacation Bible School will be held on Monday, June 1, 2026 through Thursday, June 4, 2026. The times will be from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Monday through Wednesday, and from 6:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. on Thursday, when we will conclude with a hotdog supper. Registration is open until next Sunday, May 24, 2026. Older children are invited to participate as helpers with various activities. We need people who can help with snacks, games, arts and crafts, and decorations. Please speak with Jan Samson or Pastor Michele if you would like to help!

As part of our preparation for VBS, we are taking a collection of snowflakes! Can you make a paper snowflake or two and place them in the offering plate or leave them in the church office? They can be of any size!
 
FORMER PASTOR FRANK KEISLER
Bethlehem-St. John’s Parish (1956-1961)
The Reverend Frank Lavaughn Keisler died on May 8, 2026, and funeral services were held at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, West Columbia SC on May 13, 2026. He was the first child of Frank Lever and Geneva Fraley Keisler of Lexington, South Carolina. His parents had him baptized the day of his birth, February 7, 1930. Those promises made and received remained with him until life’s end.

Pastor Keisler loved his churches and members. Newberry College was especially supportive of him. He began college with pocket change and completed his college and Seminary education with only a $400 debt. After graduating from Newberry College, he continued his education at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. He was ordained in 1954 and began his ministry as a mission developer at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina.
He continued his parish ministry at Bethlehem-St. John’s Parish, Irmo, SC; St. Luke’s Monroe, NC; Pilgrim, Lexington, SC; St. Paul’s Hamlet, NC; Mt Hebron and Union, Leesville SC. Following his retirement, he served 10 appointments as an interim pastor and visitation pastor for Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church. He enjoyed both fishing and gardening and always shared with his neighbors and friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 72 years, Elizabeth Haigler Keisler, two sons, three granddaughters and two great grandchildren.
 
HEARTLAND LMM MEETING
The Heartland Lutheran Men in Mission’s quarterly meeting will be held at Pomaria Lutheran Church at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The meal will be catered by Wise’s Bar-B-Q House. The cost of the meal is $16 per person. Please let John Boozer know if you will be attending. You may contact him at (803) 924-5629.

HOMECOMING
This year homecoming will be observed on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

This year will be the 112th anniversary of the founding of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Irmo on Saturday, July 4, 1914. Coleen and Homer Thompson will provide lunch (including desserts) for us following the worship service. We have invited Pomaria Lutheran Church to join us for worship and lunch.

We hope you will mark this day on your calendar and plan to join us! Invite your friends and neighbors, too.