Love God
Love People
~Luke 10:27
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The Process . . .
When I was a kid, my father bought a set of Collier encyclopedias complete with a two-volume dictionary. The books were dark green, and the set took up the entire bottom shelf of one of our bookcases. Before the encyclopedias I would ask my dad whatever off the wall question I had—What color is mercury? How does light work? Was Napoleon really short? After we got the encyclopedias, the answer was always the same: go look it up. It got to the point that I would ask a question and my father would simply point in the direction of the bookcase and then, I just skipped the asking part and went to the bookcase. Reading these books, I learned to trust the word of the editors of Collier Encyclopedias and their writers for my information.
When I started my faith journey, my Sunday school teacher told me I only needed one book: the bible. Of course, the church was an independent, fundamentalist, King James Only kind of church, so that was the official answer from all the ministers and teachers. Later, I learned they actually had certain teachers whose books they studied and certain reference books they trusted so the truth was a bit more nuanced. They weren’t just using the bible; they were using books that reinforced their view of the bible and listened to preachers who did the same.
As I moved along in my journey, every leader and teacher I have had since did the same. It was always the bible and teachers and certain books and certain lenses to view those things through. As a Methodist, I use the lenses of scripture, tradition, reason, and experience (thought truthfully, they are just various forms of experience) but that is tempered by the teachers I have had and writers I have read. Even now, when I try to study the bible, I find myself thinking:
When was the part I’m reading written? Who was the author?
What was the cultural circumstance of the writing?
Does the translation change the meaning? Is it Greek? Hebrew? Aramaic? How would I translate it?
What have my teachers said about it through the years? Who agrees? Who disagrees?
All these thoughts fly through my head every time I hear something from the Bible. I have heard other people say similar things. They think about what certain Sunday school teachers, preachers, relatives and other trusted people have said. Some offer better answers than others but then that’s my assessment based on my experience and my circumstances. Like the encyclopedias I had as a child, we all have those places we go to for knowledge and understanding.
Regardless of you process, good discipleship is going back to those places with an open heart and mind. It is being aware of the Holy Spirit and listening, responding to the leadings and prompts the Spirit offers. It is continually taking the next step, and the next, and the next, so we are never standing still in our faith but always learning and growing. Your journey isn’t my journey, but we are all trying to get to the same place: healing and wholeness in God. Whatever steps your journey takes, they should be steps that move you toward those goals.
So, step on and keep stepping.
Pastor Michael
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In-person worship continues at 11:00 AM on Sundays in the Sanctuary. Also at 11:00 AM on Sundays, our children have resumed meeting in the TFLC, our youth have resumed meeting for Sunday school at 10:00 AM in the Youth Room downstairs of the sanctuary. Everyone is invited to join us on Sundays! |
The Chancel flowers will be placed in the sanctuary this Sunday, May 16 to the glory of God and in honor of Lynzi on her 5th birthday by MawMaw and PawPaw (Janet and Wayne Webster). |
Our youth will be meeting for Sunday school beginning this Sunday, May 16 at 10:00 am in the youth room. Hope to see everyone Sunday!! |
Our Sunday evening Bible Study class will resume this Sunday, May 16 at 6:00 pm in the fellowship hall. ALL ARE WELCOME! |
Our United Methodist Women Executive Committee and our Bereavement Committee Chairs are asked to meet on Sunday, May 23 at 4:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Members are: Sharon Haile, Darlene Hallman, Terry Robinson, Missy Snipes, Dianne Sweatt, Mary Knight, Diane Rape, Doreen Catoe, and Myra Funderburk. |
Vacation Bible School is scheduled at Zion for June 20-25. We invite you and your children to join us as we find a new way forward this year and offer Bible School to our children to move them forward in their faith walk with Christ!!! |
Unfortunately, Salkehatchie camps have been canceled for this summer. Their hope and prayer is to be back in service helping families next summer. |
High school and college graduate recognition will be held on Sunday, June 6. Please contact the church office if you have a graduate so that we can compile their information. You may call the church office at 803-285-3864 and leave a voice mail or call/text Missy at 803-804-2434 with your young adult’s information. |
Special Gifts to Zion Church
In Honor of:
Ellen, Bryan, and Donna Walters, Pat Threatt, Betty Crook, and All Mothers by Dianne Martin
Barbara by Tom Salisbury
In Memory of:
Margaret and “Ronnie” Threatt, Helen Sweatt
Couick, and All Mothers by Dianne Martin
Geraldine Osborne by Beth Craig
Emily by Tom Salisbury
Special Gifts to Building Fund
In Honor of:
Tom and Barbara Salisbury by Darlene E. Hallman
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General Fund Expenditures, April 2021
Duke Energy…………………………………..…………….463.49
Winona’s (palms for cross)……………………………...10.00
Walmart (Easter flowers)……………………………..….58.56
Cokesbury……………………………………………………...83.15
Comporium…………………………………………...……..756.90
Intuit Checks and supplies……………………….…….309.93
US Treasury (federal withholding)…………………..145.86
SC Conf Direct Billing………………………………….2,407.16
Rural Garbage……………………………………………….165.00
Wycliffe Bible Translators…………………………......333.34
Staff Salaries……………………………………………...4,376.02
Pastor Michael Jarrell (travel, cont ed)……………...57.56
Jimmy Neal (Trustees)…………………………………….105.81
Cokesbury (children’s min)……………………………….89.80
US Postmaster (stamps)………………………………....165.00
LCNGA………………………………………………………….562.84
LCWSD………………………………………………………....148.88
SC Conf Treasurer (apportionments)………….....3,106.00
Southern Mutual church Ins………………………...2,702.00
People Facts………………………………………………..…...16.20
Wespath………………………………………………………....49.00
The Upper Room…………………………………...……….101.20
Custodial………………………………………………………..712.00
Chris Massey (lawn mowing)…………………………..600.00
Breeze…………………………………..……………………......50.00
Driver Support…………………………………………….…….9.99
Constant Contact……………………………………………...21.60
Wells Fargo…………………………………………………...….2.00
SC Dept of Revenue (state withholding)………….….44.73
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Pastor Michael continues to offer morning prayer and Bible study. Join us each morning at 7:00 AM for Prayer and meditation. Join us, also on Thursdays at 12:00 Noon for Bible Study. Pastor Michael is hosting these from our Facebook page. If you are unable to log in LIVE, these offerings remain available for viewing after on our website and FB page. |
While the church office remains closed, you are encouraged to reach out if you have a need or know of a need. You may call Pastor Michael at 1-859-475-8800, call the church office, 803-285-3864 and leave a message, call Missy at 803-804-2434 or email lmjarrell@umcsc.org or zionumc@comporium.net; these emails are monitored daily. The answering machine will also be checked daily. During these times, we ask everyone to pray together for each other, our church family, our community, our country, and our world. |
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Morning Walking Club:
Our weekday morning walking group has resumed meeting in the life center Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM. Church members are welcome to come out and enjoy getting in some exercise out of the elements and in a secure location!
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Please remember these in prayer:
Nancy Ackerman
Angela Bailey
Francis Bell
Phillip Bell
Sue Catoe
Carol Cauthen
Ben Chapman
Angie Dobson
Debbie Drost
John Elder
Myra Funderburk
Mike Gay
Catherine Hammond
JoAnn Hinson
Rick Joyner
Tommy Knight
Bill McCorkle
Kevin McCorkle
Della McManus
Marie Moree
Joe Morris
Ann Powers
Scott Rape
John Rollins
Virginia Rollins
Bonnie Sears
Eva Small
Greg Smith
JoAnne Smith
Billy Sowell
Becky M. Steele
Robbie Stepp
Matthew Sweatt
Mike Vick
Pat Vick
Myrtle Walker
Donna Walters
Ellen Walters
Kayla Strait
Richard Thompson
Kim Yost
Those affected by COVID19
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Even as we offer in-person worship, our services will still be made available online on our Facebook page. Log in to our Zion United Methodist Church Facebook page this Sunday for our service if you are unable to make it to church!! The service will also be available on our website at www.zionumc.com |
May/June 2021 Upper Room Daily Devotionals are available for pick up at the church! We will place some of these in the church vestibule on the table and some in the plastic communication box outside of the life center doors where the buses are for those who do not attend worship or have access to the church for you to pick up. There are large and regular print copies available. |
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May 12: Tobias Salisbury
Mary 13: Barbara Vick
May 14: Adrianna Ray, Jamie Hayes, Stanley Knight
May 16: Zach Taylor
May 17: Sharon Haile
May 18: Jeffrey Thomas, Linda Parker Horton
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The Record Speaks....
Present for 5/9 Worship: 58
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,350
Received for General Fund $3,332
Received for Building Fund: $100
There are many options available to give to the continuing ministry and outreach of Zion UMC. You may give through Paypal on the website www.zionumc.com, text your giving to 803-525-1834 and follow the secure link, or if you are not comfortable giving online, you may drop your offering in the mail to Zion UMC at 1665 Zion Road, Lancaster, SC 29720 or drop off in the secure drop box that is located beside the double doors where the buses are. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Missy at 803-804-2434 or leave a message at the church office, 803-285-3864 and your call will be returned. Thank you for your continued support of the Mission that is Zion!!
"...because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to."
Deuteronomy 15:10
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803-285-3864 - www.zionumc.com |
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