A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND CONGRATULATE LEXINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ON THE OCCASION OF ITS HISTORIC 175TH ANNIVERSARY AND TO COMMEND THE CHURCH FOR ITS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO GOD AND THE COMMUNITY.

 

Whereas, having been founded in 1850, Lexington United Methodist Church (LUMC) is celebrating its historic 175th anniversary in 2025, with a special time of celebration set aside for Sunday, September 7, when the church will enjoy a festive homecoming under the theme "Serving God as a Family for 175-Plus Years"; and

 

Whereas, over the years of its service to the Lord, LUMC has established a long and rich history of serving the community with open hearts, minds, and doors at 309 East Main Street in Lexington. The church has maintained an emphasis on inviting people to experience God's grace while growing in their knowledge and love of God through disciplined Christian living, with a primary emphasis on putting faith and love into action; and

 

Whereas, under the leadership of its present senior pastor, the Reverend Mack McDowell, LUMC currently serves 1,165 members in the Greater Lexington area. The church holds several weekly worship services and provides a preschool for eighty children in the community; and

 

Whereas, as a founding member of Lexington Interfaith Community Services, now known as Mission Lexington, LUMC continues to support the organization actively with volunteers and donations. LUMC also sponsors Shepherd's Center for the entire community (over two hundred senior adults and a variety of classes) each Thursday; and

 

Whereas, the LUMC Blessing Box feeds at least fifty homeless and needy folks a week, and the Snack Sack mission packs at least eight hundred twenty bag meals for hungry school children in Lexington schools to take home each weekend. LUMC delivers these meals weekly to over fifteen schools; and

 

Whereas, numerous other LUMC activities bless the church's community, including regular blood drives, leadership of Soccer Superhero sports events and Special Olympics events, Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon biweekly meetings, the Salkehatchie Summer Service at Baker Creek Camp, weekly Boy Scout and Girl Scout events, and a cancer survivor and caregivers group for the community; and

 

Whereas, further, LUMC has a very active youth and children's ministry and hosts a weekly morning men's prayer breakfast, Walk to Emmaus events, and the Mock Trial (biannually). The church moreover offers a Prime Timers luncheon once a month, as well as GALS (God's Amazing Love Supports) and widow/widower gatherings. For Holy Week and Advent, the church offers a community labyrinth walk, and the congregation continues to sponsor Habitat for Humanity; and

 

Whereas, for 2025, LUMC is leading the planning of an ecumenical service for the community that will benefit Mission Lexington, and its United Methodist Women group supports local missions and an annual women's retreat. The church sponsors Killingsworth Mission for Abused Women, Epworth Children's Home, and Angel Tree (for children of incarcerated parents) each month, and it partners with two other churches to maintain Lexington Memorial Cemetery. After Hurricane Helene, LUMC provided critically needed items that were delivered to Asheville, North Carolina; and

 

Whereas, Lexington United Methodist Church has been a beacon of light and a community worship center in the Lexington area for nearly two centuries, and, God willing, will continue its godly heritage for many more years of worship and service. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and congratulate Lexington United Methodist Church on the occasion of its historic 175th anniversary and commend the church for its many years of service to God and the community.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Lexington United Methodist Church.

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