THE UNION HERALD
October 2026
4077 Hwy. 378, Leesville SC 29070
Telephone: 803-532-3305
Email: unionlutheranchurch4077@gmail.com
Web address: unionlutheransc.org
Friends,
Recently, our confirmation class talked about the call of Moses. In Exodus 3 and 4, God tells Moses that Moses will be the one to lead the Israelites of out of Egypt. For his part, Moses comes up with excuse after excuse about why he shouldn’t be the one God chooses.
He doesn’t know God’s name. He’s a murderer. He’s got a speech impediment. They might not believe him. He tries it all, and even flat out asks God to send someone else! (Seriously, it’s in 4:13!) God doesn’t deny any of Moses’ objections. But he doesn’t take back his call, either. God has chosen Moses, even knowing all these downsides.
God is a stubborn one. And Moses, despite his flaws and track record, becomes a great leader.
The story of Moses is great because it shakes up our idea of what it means to follow God. Moses didn’t wake up one day, recruit his brother, and head out to talk with Pharaoh. Moses got volunteered for a job he didn’t want, brought the family along, and ended up changing the world.
God’s call in our lives is usually not that exciting. Sometimes it is, but there’s only so many pharaohs in this world to contend with. Most of us have callings in our lives that involve caring for our neighbors and loving the world. Your calling might be to deal with a job that supports your family or to be the person that is everyone’s unofficial cheerleader. You might be called to help plan an event or to drive someone who otherwise might not get there.
Each of us has different gifts. And even if one of us could do everything, we couldn’t do it all at the same time. We can’t cook and drive and pay the bills and check on the cleaners and sing in the choir all at the same time. God designed us to need each other. It’s only together that we get to see the depth and breadth of what God can do with us and for us.
It’s October, and the season when the church starts getting schedules and leaders lined up for next year. God is calling you. You have a role in this. Are you being called to be a council member? An acolyte or lector? An encouraging voice? What are you called to give this year? Some of you will say that you’re too old or too young to contribute. Some of you will say you are too busy or that you don’t speak well or that you don’t know enough about God. You can pray. You can read in worship. You can greet people on Sunday or call to check on them during the week. There is always something. You are not called to everything, but God is calling you to something.
How much of what God has given you—in time and money—will you give to the mission of God at Union? Where is God pulling you in to the community here? And where is God encouraging you to be the face of love out in the world?
If you’re not sure what your gifts are, there are quizzes online to help you out. An even better way to learn about your gifts is to sit down with someone who knows you well. We sometimes miss our own goodness. Running a household is administrative skills. Knowing how to talk with people is encouragement and can be evangelism. Community connections, book smarts, physical strength, creativity, memory, all these are gifts that you can use to bless the church and the world. Your faith can show up in so many ways.
We work best when we work together, combining our gifts. Not everyone is called to choir. Not everyone can make it to Bible study. But there is a place for everyone here, and a way for each of us to build up our church community. Where will you share your gifts?
Pastor Emily
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The October Newsletter is given in loving honor of our children and grandchildren by Donna Fulmer and Von Shealy.
Highlights of the Church Council Meeting — September 13, 2026
Council Approvals
- Approved Six Month Interim Contract with Pastor Emily
- Approved Nominations for the Call Committee
Other Items Discussed
- Pastor Emily’s Report
- Ministry Site Profile to be completed by Call Committee
- Council Nominations from the Council and Congregation
- Proposed 2027 Budget to be completed by October 11
- Fall Festival November 8
- Annual Congregational Meeting November 15
Classrooms in the Education Wing- Blessing of the Quilts on September 27
- Next Meeting: October 11, 2026
Respectfully submitted,
Benji Ricard
Council President
GENERAL FUND FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2026 – August 31, 2026
Beginning Balances:
CD $ 84,929.67
Checking $ 95,791.56
Sunday Offerings $ 115,786.00
Expenses Paid $ 101,566.50
Offerings Compared to Budget 2026
Year-to-date offerings $ 115,786.00
Needed offerings (35 x 3,490.14) $ 122,154.90
Difference – Deficit $ (6,368.90)
BUILDING FUND ACCOUNT – August 2026
Balance Sheet
Beginning Balance (8/1/2026) $ 13,272.44
Deposits (August 2026) $ 1,275.00
Withdrawals (August 2026) $ 117.72
Ending Balance (8/31/2026) $ 14,429.72
Deposit Details
Contributions (August 2026) $ 1,275.00
Total Deposits (August 2026) $ 1,275.00
Total Withdrawals (August 2026) -$ 117.72
Respectfully Submitted,
Leesha Hall & Gail Worrell
Choir Practice with fellowship is on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. We would love for you to join us!!!
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY CENTER
(A wooden chest is in the Narthex for donations.)
The Children’s Church Sunday will meet on Sunday, October 25th during the worship hour. All kids up to 2nd grade are invited to attend!
Kids Sunday School classes are beginning on October 4th at 9:30 am. This will be a class loaded with fun, learning about the scriptures and activities to help us GROW OUR FAITH! Look for signs to your room!
The Union Fall Festival is fastly approaching on November 8th beginning at 4:00 pm. There will be games, food, activities, BINGO for all ages and the famous cake-walk! All are invited and bring a friend!!
Bring some food items for the Christian Ministry Center Food Pantry!
The Lutheran Men will be having their annual Ladies Night at Wednesday, October 14th at 7:00 pm at St. James Lutheran Church in Summit.
The regular fall meeting of the Union Lutheran Church men will be held on Sunday, October 25th at 8:00 am with breakfast. We encourage all men to join us.
THE UNION WELCA would love for all ladies to become a part of our group. We meet on Sunday, October 18th after the worship hour. Please join us as we will be finishing preparations for the Fall Festival.
The Western WELCA Conference meeting will be on Sunday, October 18th, St James in Summit beginning at 3:00 PM. All ladies are encouraged to attend.
St. James Lutheran Church in Summit is located at 308 Church St., Leesville, SC 29070.
Thanks to our Lutheran Men here at Union for the wonderful fish fry on September 11th! The food was delicious and enjoyed by all and the fellowship was WONDERFUL!
SERVICE PARTICIPANTS FOR OCTOBER 2026
|
LECTOR |
Leesha Hall |
|
GREETERS |
Michael and Trenton Swygert |
|
USHERS |
Michael and Trenton Swygert |
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ACOLYTE |
Volunteers from Sunday School |
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COMMUNION PREPARATION/FILL CANDLES/CHANGE PARAMENTS |
Gail Worrell |
|
COMMUNION ASSISTANT |
Leesha Hall |
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TABULATORS |
Paul Bedenbaugh, Benji Ricard and Debra Smith |
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DATE |
ALTAR FLOWERS |
BULLETIN COVERS |
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE |
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|
|
|
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OCT 4 |
Carlton Shealy |
Carlton Shealy |
Ann Bedenbaugh |
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OCT 11 |
Lynette Shealy |
Lynette Shealy |
Kathy Bennett |
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OCT 18 |
Von Shealy and Donna Fulmer |
Available |
Benji Ricard |
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OCT 25 |
John and Gail Worrell |
Available |
Julie Flowers |
The average attendance for September 2025 was 52 members per Sunday. The average attendance for September 2026 was 54 members per Sunday!
Did you know? In 2025 we had one active Sunday School Class here at Union during the 9:30 AM hour. Beginning October 2026, we will have 3!!!!
Join Pastor Emily on Sundays at 9:30 AM! Come check out your new classroom! Look for signs…..
WE REMEMBER IN PRAYER CONCERNS:
PRAYER CONCERNS
When a special need for prayer arises, please call Pastor Emily Blackburn at 864-498-8558 or the church office at 803-532-3305.
Clint Attaway, Annelle Bedenbaugh, Betty Bedenbaugh, Wyman Bedenbaugh, Peggy Derrick, Joe Metts, Betty Price, Dial Shealy, and Brewston Snelgrove
and others of our special concern especially…..
Linda Adams, Bishop Ginny Aebischer, Jeff Ayer, Clint Black, Jay Black, Hunter Bledsoe, Florence Bowers, Gary Boykin, James Chapman, Linda Cockrell, Leigh Anne Crumpton, Robby Crumpton, Dena Deese, Buster and Sharon Elrod, Margie Epting, Allison Freeman, Elizabeth Jo Gibson, John Gibson, Maynard Gibson, Donna Hicks, GrayLynn Jackson, Barbara LaMotte, Lance Lowman, Bernie Metts, Wayne Metts, Roland “Boogie” Mitchum, Clinton Parnell, Ann Pilat, Ronnie Price, Brittany Rawlings, Kendall Riddle, Kay Shirey, Denise Snelgrove, Cathalee Whittle and Rick Williams.
Families of: Larry Gimbruch and Doug Oswalt (brother of Doreen Black)
Bishop Wade Roof, SC Synod
“Grace to you and peace from our God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This is one of the first things Paul says to each of the early Churches as he writes to encourage and unify them in Christ’s love, and it’s the first thing I want to say to the Lutherans in South Carolina on my first day in office as your Bishop. Full of excitement and nerves, I write to you today in hopes to bless you, as you have blessed me, with God’s grace, love, and peace for the mission we share in Christ. May we be unified, encouraged, and filled with Christ’s love as we continue to live faithfully in God’s kingdom.
Thank you, South Carolina Synod, for this opportunity to serve you and to walk alongside of you in ministry. My wife Irina and I humbly walk into this call trusting that God will lead us, and the Church, forward together. I look forward with excitement to building relationships with the rostered leaders, the congregations, and the faithful Lutheran people across this state, as we worship God, love each other, and serve the people God together.
I look around the Synod with deep appreciation for the ministry and mission of the congregations that have continued their work, in some cases for hundreds of years, faithfully teaching and leading the next generations of Lutherans to be Christ’s light for today. And I look with hope for what God has in store for the future of the South Carolina Synod, and how God might use us to bear Christ’s love for every person ever created. I cannot wait to jump into this ministry with you, and it starts today!
As we walk together in the days and weeks ahead, we will look for ways to live into the unity and love of the very Church Jesus calls us to be. Where there is opportunity to partner and share ministry, we will bravely come together on the common ground of Christ’s love. Where there is need and vulnerability, we will bravely show up for each other and serve one another. And where we see division and discord, we will bravely look for God’s image in the face of those around us and stand beside one another to build up of the body of Christ for the sake of the world.
I am looking forward to being the Church together! Thank you for this opportunity to serve you and the congregations of the South Carolina Synod. Thank you for the support and encouragement you have given my family, and thank you for doing the hard work of ministry for the sake of God’s kingdom and God’s people.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Wade Roof
OCTOBER 2026 
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
|
|
|
|
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1 |
2 |
3
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4 9:30 AM SS CLASSES 10:30 AM WORSHIP WITH HOLY COMMUNION |
5
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6 9:30 AM QUILTING
1:00 PM BIBLE STUDY |
7
CHOIR PRACTICE 6:30 PM |
8 |
9 |
10 CAMP KINARD ELEMENTARY RETREAT FAITH LUTHERAN FALL FESTIVAL |
|
11 9:30 AM SS CLASSES 10:30 AM WORSHIP CHURCH COUNCIL MTG |
12 |
13 9:30 AM QUILTING
1:00 PM BIBLE STUDY |
14 LMM WESTERN LADIES NIGHT 7:00 PM
CHOIR PRACTICE 6:30 PM |
15 |
16 |
17
|
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18 9:30 AM SS CLASSES 10:30 AM WORSHIP WELCA MTG/ WESTERN 3:00 |
19
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20 9:30 AM QUILTING
1:00 PM BIBLE STUDY |
21
CHOIR PRACTICE 6:30 PM |
22 |
23 |
24 RITE OF INSTALLATION 10:30 AM BISHOP ROOF |
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25 8:00 AM LMM 9:30 AM SS CLASSES 10:30 AM WORSHIP CHILDREN’S CHURCH |
26 |
27 9:30 AM QUILTING
1:00 PM BIBLE STUDY |
28
CHOIR PRACTICE 6:30 PM |
29 |
30 |
1 |
OCTOber BIRTHDAY october ANNIVERSARY
5 - Cristy Fink 2- Mr. and Mrs. Brian Shealy
7 - Remi Hall 5- Mr. and Mrs. Sid Pratt
10 - Marvin Bryant 29- Mr. and Mrs. Joe Metts, Jr.
12 - Todd Hall
17 - Chris LaMotte
20 – Doris Gimbruch
23 - Debra Smith
28 - Brian Bennett
Our church family rejoices with you!
WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY! A weekly Bible study is on-going here at the church in the ACTS Sunday School room on Tuesdays at 1:00 PM. Pastor Emily is continuing the study of the Book of James and will be then beginning with the book of Isaiah. Please come join us!
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The Quilters of Union Invite You! |
Last year, our wonderful group of ladies made 52 quilts, a new record!
Please join us on Tuesdays at 9:30 am for fellowship and
designing quilts for Lutheran World Relief. What a
giving of your time and talents!!
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CONGRATULATIONS to Jesse Hall and Brittany Rawlings on the birth of their daughter, Paige Brynleigh Hall on September 22nd. Paige weighed 6 pounds and 11 ounces. Brittany and Paige are doing well. Paige was welcomed home by her sister, Addi Hall, and brother, Cameron Hall.
Proud grandparents are Todd and Leesha Hall.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS for annual Union meeting on Sunday, November 15th after the worship service. We will be voting on important items for our church family.
CAMP KINARD, LEESVILLE SC NEWS
CAMP KINARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RETREAT:
October 10-11, 2026, at Camp Kinard in Batesburg-Leesville, SC
WHO ATTENDS: The Elementary Retreat is open to children in Grades 1-5 and their adult leaders/parents. For more information, go to sclrc.com
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ADULT PROGRAM:
LAUGH, LEARN AND LUNCH: An event at Camp Kinard on Unsung: A Chronicle of Black Lutherans will be held on Tuesday, October 13th. Please go to sclrc.com/programs for more information.
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH invites you to their Fall Festival on Saturday, October 10th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. There will be hot dogs, inflatables, fire truck, face painting, live music and MORE!!!
Your prayers and presence are requested on Saturday, October 24th, 2026 at 10:30 AM for the Holy Eucharist with the Rite of Installation of the Fifth Bishop of the South Carolina Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The Reverand Wade Thomas Roof III
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church
119 North Church Street
Lexington, SC 29072
A reception will follow.
We will be ordering poinsettias for the Advent season.
Deadline for ordering is November 8th. Forms will be available in the narthex beginning on October 11th.
Cost is $11.88 each.
Colors available are red, white and pink.
PICTURES OF BLESSING OF THE QUILTS:
