YOUTH GROUP
The youth will meet today, following the worship service. They will have a pizza party in the fellowship hall before going to Three Fountains Rink & Fun Center in West Columbia for the 2:00 to 5:00 PM skate time. They will return to church by 6:00 PM. This activity is open to all elementary through high school youth.

Next Sunday, October 25, is Reformation Day. Please remember to WEAR RED, the official church color for the Holy Spirit.

NOISY OFFERING
Today during the worship service, we will collect noisy offering for the Safe Space Dinners program, an outreach ministry of Reformation Lutheran Church in Columbia. The program offers . homeless LGBTQIA+ youth a safe space and time to rest and recharge, a home-cooked meal, and a bag of items to help in their day-to-day life.
We previously collected items and $80.00 for “God’s Work. Our Hands” day of service and $42. 49 in Noisy Offering for this program.

FUNDRAISER FOR RESTORATION CHAPEL
On Thursday, November 19, Dupre Catering and Events is hosting a fundraising dinner for Restoration Chapel in Greenwood. This $100 per plate dinner will be hosted at 300 Senate Street.
Restoration Chapel, a ministry of the South Carolina Synod, provides a 90-day recovery program for up to ten women at a time. Dupre will also be accepting donations for this important program.

Mini VBS
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, from noon to 4:00 PM, the elementary children in Lexington-Richland Five are invited to join us for Mini VBS on their early release day. We will hear the story about Jesus walking on water! We’ll have songs, games, art projects, and more! Children will receive lunch at 12:30 PM and a snack mid-afternoon.

ROSTERED LEADERS CONVOCATION
Pastor Michele will be away, next Sunday afternoon, October 25 through Thursday, October 29. That is the week of the SC Synod’s annual Rostered Leaders Convocation at Lutheridge. On Monday, before the convocation begins, there is a boundary training seminar which is required each year. Lutheridge is a two-hour drive from Newberry, and she will return in case of an emergency.

REVISED CONSTITUTION
Council has been busy this year. In addition to drafting a cemetery policy, they have also been updating our constitution, which was last revised in 1999. The updated document, which conforms to the Model Constitution for Congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as of August 2025, will soon be distributed to voting members. Please study the document and plan to attend the following meetings.
• On November 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM – An open forum for discussion and questions.
• On November 22, 2026, following worship – A special congregation meeting to approve the revised constitution.
• On December 6, 2026, following worship – The annual meeting will include ratification of the constitution.
If you are unable to attend the discussion on November 1, please contact a member of Council with your questions and/or comments prior to the November 22 meeting.

BUDGET WORK SESSION
On November 1, 2026, following the worship service, we will hold a work session to review and discuss a proposed spending plan for 2027. Please think of any special items that we should include in the budget that are not currently included. Also, please prayerfully consider if you will financially support continuing the cleaning service in 2027. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please contact a member of council prior to the meeting to provide your valuable input.

INSTALLATION OF THE REV. WADE ROOF
The installation of the Rev. Wade Thomas Roof, III as the fifth Bishop of the South Carolina Synod will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 10:30 AM at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 119 N. Church Street, Lexington, SC 29072. ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry will deliver the sermon and preside at the installation. A reception will follow the service.

The service will be livestreamed at scsynod.com/installation.