BACK TO SCHOOL BLESSING
Today, Sunday, August 9th, we will have a special blessing for our children, teachers and others who help our schools run smoothly!

COUNCIL MEETING
Council will meet today after worship. The primary items on the agenda are the cemetery policy draft and review of required and recommended changes to our constitution and bylaws to bring them up-to-date with the ELCA Model Constitution for Congregations.

NOISY OFFERING
The noisy offering collected next Sunday will be added to the $386.87 collected in July for Restoration Chapel, an outreach ministry of the SC Synod.

BIBLE STUDY
Join us on Wednesdays at 10:30 AM in the Sunday School building as we use Martin Luther’s Large Catechism to explore what the Ten Commandments mean and how they continue to shape our lives of faith today. On Wednesday we will begin studying the fifth commandment “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) using Luther’s Large Catechism.

Luther’s Large Catechism was originally written for local pastors, many of whom had little formal education, with the aim of helping them teach the Christian faith in simple and practical ways. Nearly 500 years later, Martin Luther’s words still have much to teach us.

INSTALLATION OF THE REV. WADE ROOF
The installation of the Rev. Wade Roof as Bishop of the South Carolina Synod will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10:30 AM. The installation will take place at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, with a reception to follow. 

WEEKEND RETREAT FOR ELEMENTARY KIDS
Do you have elementary kids at home? A weekend retreat for all elementary aged kids will be held on October 10-11, 2026. This is a great chance for our kids to learn more about Jesus and meet other Lutherans from across the South Carolina Synod. Stay tuned for more details—you won’t want to miss what’s in store!

BREAKERS IN ELECTRICAL PANEL
Several weeks ago, we called Wilson’s Refrigeration & Air for service, because one of the heat pumps in the sanctuary was not working. The technician found that the breaker in the Federal Pacific Electric panel had tripped, and he recommended that we contact an electrician. The electrician replaced the three 50-amp breakers for the two heat pumps in the sanctuary and the one in the Sunday School building. The new breakers should provide better protection, but both Wilson’s and the electrician advised that we replace that electrical panel in the near future. The cost for replacing that electrical panel and for other electrical upgrades is likely to be included in 2027 budget recommendations.

REVOLUTIONARY WAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Historian Steven Knapp from the Newberry Museum will talk about South Carolina’s participation, or lack thereof, in the Revolutionary War and how it affected the outcome and eventual formation of our great nation.
When: Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Where: Union Lutheran Church
4077 Highway 378
Leesville, SC 29070
Lunch will be catered by Shealy’s BBQ about noon.
Cost: $20.00 per person
$12.00 for children under 8 years old.
Please send your check by September 9 to:
Shealy Family Committee
226 Rocky Retreat Ct.
Leesville, SC 29070
Please state the number of adults and the number of children included in your payment.
Donations will be accepted at the door if you choose not to eat lunch. This will help cover the facility and mailing cost.
Please bring family members or friends, along with family photos or family history documents.
For more information, call Donna Shealy at 803-730-2116.
Sponsored by the Shealy Family History Committee 

JOINT WORSHIP SERVICE
Pomaria Lutheran Church has invited us to join them for their worship service on September 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM. During the service, our new bishop-elect, Wade Roof, who officially becomes bishop on September 1, 2026, will participate in the dedication of Pomaria’s newly completed building addition. The dedication service will be followed by a reception.

Please mark this date on your calendar and plan to attend. Not only will you get to see the new building addition, you will also get to meet the new bishop and to enjoy fellowship with members of our sister church.