THE UNION HERALD
September 2026
4077 Hwy. 378, Leesville SC 29070
Telephone: 803-532-3305
Email: unionlutheranchurch4077@gmail.com
Web address: unionlutheransc.org
Dear Friends,
One of the joys of getting to know the folks at Union is getting to talk with you about your faith questions. It’s an honor to be trusted with the things you wonder about, and I love sharing what wisdom I’ve gotten from my training and experience. I also love to learn what you’ve heard from God over the years; there’s a lot of life wisdom right here at Union.
It is always true that there is more to learn about the Bible. This month, I thought I’d share some resources with you. These are things I use in my own devotions and study. If your favorite isn’t on the list, please share it with me!
The first and best thing you can have is a Bible with good footnotes. The Lutheran Study Bible from Augsburg Fortress is what I use for myself and what we use in confirmation class. That said, any Bible you will read is a good Bible for you to read. Audio Bibles count, too, and can be a great way to hear God’s word while you drive, exercise, or get ready for your day! You can find them online, on CD, or in podcasts. For example, check out the Bible in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz. It’s exactly what it sounds like and is a great place to listen your way through the Bible or dip in and out.
Two websites I use are The Bible Project and Enter the Bible. The Bible Project does summaries of each book of the Bible at bibleproject.com. They also have studies of topics, a podcast, and videos. I use it when I’m studying a passage to help me remember how one story fits into the bigger story of the book it’s in and the Bible as a whole.
Enter The Bible is a ministry of Luther Seminary. EnterTheBible.org has articles and videos about topics and books written by seminary professors. Don’t let that intimidate you! These are skilled teachers who share their knowledge in easy-to-understand pieces.
If books are more your thing, I’d recommend the Gospel for Everyone series by Tom Wright. Tom Wright is also known as N.T. Wright. He’s a retired scholar and bishop in the Church of England. Daniel Erlander’s books aren’t in-depth Bible studies, but they are fantastic hand-drawn overviews of the Bible story and what God is doing in the world.
This is only a start on the good things that are out there to help us understand God’s word. The best thing I can recommend is doing this together in worship and Bible Study on Sundays and Tuesdays. I’m definitely biased, though.
I look forward to seeing what God is going to do with us and through us this month!
Peace,
Pastor Emily
*************************************************************************** The September Newsletter is given in loving honor of our Loving Savior and also to the wonderful church family here at Union Lutheran Church, by Marvin and Ruth Ann Bryant.
Highlights of the Church Council Meeting — August 2, 2026
Council Approvals
- Approved facility usage request (Bedenbaugh)
- Approved designating receipt of monetary gift to Memorial Fund
Other Items Discussed
- Pastor Emily’s Report
- Start date for new Housekeepers
- Homecoming
- Bookshelves/books in hallway
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- Next Meeting: September 13, 2026
Respectfully submitted,
Benji Ricard, Council President
GENERAL FUND FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 2026 – July 31, 2026
Beginning Balances:
CD $ 84,929.67
Checking $ 95,089.33
Sunday Offerings $ 99,079.00
Expenses Paid $ 101,566.50
Offerings Compared to Budget 2026
Year-to-date offerings $ 99,079.00
Needed offerings ( x 3,490.14) $ 104,704.20
Difference – Deficit $ (5,625.20)
Respectfully Submitted,
Leesha Hall & Gail Worrell
BUILDING FUND ACCOUNT – July 2026
Balance Sheet
Beginning Balance (7/1/2026) $ 12,697.44
Deposits (July 2026) $ 575.00
Withdrawals (July 2026) -$ 0.00
Ending Balance (6/30/2026) $ 13,272.44
Deposit Details
Contributions (July 2026) $ 575.00
Total Deposits (July 2026) $ 575.00
Total Withdrawals (June 2026) -$ 0.00
Respectfully submitted,
Tim Derrick, Building Fund Treasurer
Choir Practice with fellowship is on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM. We would love for you to join us!!! Summer is a great time to be with us!
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY CENTER
A wooden chest is in the Narthex for donations of needed items.
The need is great for ready-to-eat items also.
Items currently needed: Eggs, Oil, Flour, Sugar, Cereal, Canned meat, tuna, canned chicken, SPAM, Rice, Pasta Sauces, Laundry Detergent and Dishwashing liquid, Shampoo and Conditioner,
Also, they have a blessing box. You can drop by and add items to the blessing box on your way by.
EVERY DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!!
The Children’s Ministry will meet on Sunday, September 27th during the worship hour. We will be studying again on the Light of Jesus as we talked about during Bible School! Please join us! There are also now children’s bulletins in the narthex every Sunday (colored paper). Also, there are new little workbooks in each red bag. Check it out!!
KIDS SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS COMING SOON! LOOK FOR DETAILS!!!
The Lutheran Men will be sponsoring a fish-fry here at the church on Saturday, September 12th at 6:00 pm. There are currently sign-up sheets in the narthex to attend and if you would like to bring a side dish or dessert. The men just need an approximate number to prepare for. Please all join us for fun and fellowship!
THE UNION WELCA would love for all ladies to become a part of our group. We meet the third Sunday of every month immediately following the service. This month it will be SEPTEMBER 20th.
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.
SERVICE PARTICIPANTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2026
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Did you know? The average attendance for July 2025 was 45 members per Sunday. The average attendance for June 2026 was 56 members per Sunday!
Join Pastor Emily on Sundays at 9:30 AM!
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, Larry Gimbruch, 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, Peter Hartmann, Ginger Henson, Donna Hicks, GrayLynn Jackson, Barbara LaMotte, Lance Lowman, Bernie Metts, Wayne Metts, Roland “Boogie” Mitchum, Clinton Parnell, Ann Pilat, Brittany Rawlings, Kendall Riddle, Kay Shirey, Denise Snelgrove, Cathalee Whittle and Rick Williams.
Families of: Louise Oxner and Doris Smith
Dear Union Lutheran Family,
Thanks for recognizing me and all the other high school graduates back in May. I appreciated the devotional book and really enjoyed the BBQ meal and fellowship that we had after the church service.
Love, Owen Derrick
Dear Members of Union,
I would like to thank the council, Ms. Donna and Mrs. Leesha, for supporting me and financially helping me to go the Lutheridge. I have so much fun every year, learning about my Savior, Jesus Christ and the Lord our God. It helps me to learn about my independence and especially this year I learned there are many ways to worship and pray to my Lord, our God. I also learned more about how He guides us in many ways and places. He is an everlasting friend through struggles of life, and we can cast our burdens and doubts onto God and He will help us carry them. I am thankful for the strong connections through the friends I made. I truly am grateful for your support.
Respectfully, Breslyn Bedenbaugh
Dear Union Church Family,
Thank you all for the caring and concern during Mom’s decline and for the outpouring of love shown to us at her passing. Thank you to the food committee for the delicious meal you provided. Thanks also to Pastor Emily and Donna for all that you both did to make Mom’s service special.
We are truly blessed to be a part of this church family!
Love, Roger and Debra Smith
Dear Union Lutheran Church:
Thank you for your continued support to the Christian Ministry Center. The ministry bags from your Vacation Bible School are still being a big help to our clients! Thank you so much again.
Christian Ministry Center, Leesville SC
SEPTEMBER 2026
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september BIRTHDAY september ANNIVERSARY
2 - Whitney Guy 17- Mr. and Mrs. Stevie Lindler
3 - Jan Hallman 19- Mr. and Mrs. Dial Shealy
6 - Julia Norris 30- Mr. and Mrs. John Worrell
10 - Izabella Hallman
Coleman Swygert
John Worrell
13 - Peggy Derrick
16 – Charlotte Mae Strickland
17- Patricia Crouch
21 - Lynette Smith
23- Breslyn Bedenbaugh
25 - Kolby Fink
26 - Dial Shealy
29 - Landon Derrick
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 Acts. Please come join us!
The Quilters of Union invite you.... Please join us on Tuesdays at 9:30 am for fellowship and
Designing quilts for Lutheran World Relief and for others.
What a giving of your time and talents!!!
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Dear People of Union Lutheran Church and Pastor Emily,
We at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Batesburg just wanted you to know that we prayed for you and your congregation during our worship on Sunday, July 26, 2026. We prayed that the Holy Spirit would guide you and inspire you to sow seeds of God’s unfailing love in your community. We give thanks for your congregation’s gifts and for the ways you share them with your neighbors.
May God bless each of you and empower your service in Jesus’ name!
Your sisters and brothers at Faith Lutheran Church.
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The Delmar Community Center will hold a spaghetti lunch on Wednesday, September 9th at 11:30 AM. Please see Gerald for more information.
The Shealy Family Reunion will be held on Saturday, September 19th in the Union Fellowship Hall. A presentation by the Shealy Family History Committee will be on the Revolutionary War in South Carolina back country. This year is the 27th gathering and below are the details for this special day.
Registration: Begins at 10:00 am
Program: 10:30 am
Lunch: Shealy’s BBQ ($20.00 per person/$12.00 children 8-under)
Please send your check by September 9th including number of adults and children attending to: Shealy Family Committee, 226 Rocky Creek Retreat Court, Leesville, SC 29070. Please contact Donna Shealy for any more information at 803-730-3617.
The new brass flower vases are here at the church and are available for use on Sundays for altar flowers. Thanks to all who generously gave for this project. Pastor Emily blessed the gift of the vases for our church!
The annual FALL Festival in coming soon! Keep looking for more details! Anyone willing to help with this, please contact Pastor Emily or Donna.
Breslyn at Lutheridge!! We very PROUD of you!!
VIP’s
What an honor to recognize our VIP’s during the Homecoming Day at Union! We Love You!
HOMECOMING LUNCH: The food and fellowship was bountiful! The photo booth was a HIT!
Pastor Emily had a Blessing of the Bookbags here at Union during our August 2nd Worship Service. Each student and teacher received a tag that stated “God’s Got Your Back” for their school backpacks.
Union New Members!
Welcome to our new Union church members! We are happy to have you and LOVE you all as being part of our church family!
UNION ANNUAL CHURCH CLEAN-UP
Thanks to our Lutheran Men for the clean-up day and for ALL who came and participated.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL PICTURES OF ILLUMINATION STATION! Letting our light SHINE for JESUS!!!
JESUS SHINES AT UNION!
LEARNING, CARING, CREATING AND SHARING!
TEAMWORK ALWAYS!!
Thank you for the wonderful lunch and the special times shared!
We are a great family here at Union!
Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
THE MISSIONS PROJECT FOR CHRISTIAN MINISTRY CENTER
