Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
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Here are the latest opportunities to strengthen
your faith and connect within our community.
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Musings ~ Pacing
For the past several weeks, many if not most people, have been living within the respective four walls of their homes, some more reluctantly than others. Politics aside, it has been a difficult thing for many to deal with for any number of reasons not the least of which is the anxiety created by the looming spectre of a pandemic. This week, there are some businesses that will be opening again at limited capacity – restaurants, movie theaters, social clubs as well as other retail outlets. I have mixed feelings about this considering that we continue to have an on average increase of between one and two hundred cases per day, now closing in on six thousand cases across the state. And the truth is, at some point things will get back to a normal though what that looks like can only be a matter of speculation.
When it does get back to normal, there is one thing I hope to keep from the time under the stay at home mandate: the pace of life. At the moment, I drive Heather to and from work. There is little traffic, and fewer people out and about. I help Donovan and Avery with schoolwork. I spend more quality time with family, walking every evening, playing games, talking together more. I take better care of myself, eating better and exercising more. I have had the chance to hit a reset button for some things in my life that were cluttered or damaging. I have had the chance to take stock of some things and reprioritize.
And I see no reason to change or go back on these things.
One thing that you will find in throughout our sacred writings is the need to maintain balance. A brief glance at the fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5 shows us a list that would create a balanced person with a balanced way of life. The Sermon on the Mount is a blueprint for a life lived well internally and externally and even the greatest commandment is the balance of loving God and neighbor which can only happen when we love (not idolize) ourselves in the right way. In the story of the Exodus, Moses father-in-law comes to him and asks him to appoint judges over the people by tribe and group so that Moses can balance the spiritual tasks of the prophet with the administrative tasks of a leader. Even God rested on the seventh day, an example from the highest authority on balance.
Just don’t rush.
Whether it’s getting back into the swing of things post-pandemic or just getting things done, do it with a sense of balance. Be patient for things to happen. Be peaceful while you wait. Lean into the voice of the Spirit for direction before rushing headlong into whatever. Lean into the presence of God.
Pastor Michael
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Our suspension of church Worship Services and gatherings has been extended:
After consultation with The Cabinet, and in compliance with the most recent information shared by public health officials, Bishop Holston recommends that
we continue to suspend in person worship services, and all gatherings, meetings, and events through May 20
. Our church leaders have discussed this recommendation and are in agreement that we have to continue to suspend church activities and gatherings for now. We look forward to the day when we gather TOGETHER to worship and carry out the hands on mission and outreach of Zion Church.
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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 LIVE 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.
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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, 285-3864 and leave a message, call Missy at 804-2434 or email lmjarrell@umcsc.org or zionumc@comporium.net; these emails are being monitored daily. The answering machine will also be checked daily. During these troubling and unprecedented times, we ask everyone to pray together for each other, our church family, our community, our country, and our world. May God be with us all.
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Please remember these in prayer:
Nancy Ackerman
Angela Bailey
Francis Bell
Gene Blackmon
Marion Boswell
Carol Boyles
Randy Boyles
Caleb Catoe
Sue Catoe
Brandy Champion
Ann Chappell
Linda Coker
Sandra Cope
Bill Dingler
Sophia Dixon
Angie Dobson
Heather Elder
John Elder
Ashley Fort
Betsy Gardner
Mike Gay
Steve Ghent
Judy Goodnight
Travis Gordon
T.R. Grier
Ovedia Griffin
Catherine Hammond
JoAnn Hinson
Rev. Shelly Holder
Julia Horne
Kevan Horton
Eric Hough
Libby Hunter
Melinda Hunter
Rick Joyner
Dillon Knight
Henry Ray Knight
Mary Jane McAteer
Kevin McCorkle
Tammy McMillian
Debbie McWaters
Marie Moree
Rusty Mosier
Bell Perry
Betty Jo Phillips
Ann Powers
Vicky Pickett
Ann Reed
Kathleen Robinson
Mayme Jo Robinson
James Rushing
Nancy Rushing
Bonnie Sears
Dale Sherrin
Eva Small
Greg Smith
JoAnne Smith
Mike Smith
Freda Snipes
Billy Sowell
Robbie Stepp
Jim Thomas
Laverne Thompson
Mike Vick
Pat Vick
Ellen Walters
Megan Wilson
David Woodruff
Kim Yost
Our President & Troops
Those affected by the COVID-19 virus
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Online Worship this Sunday!!!
Log in to our Zion United Methodist Church Facebook LIVE service at 10:55 AM this Sunday for our service!!
Worship will begin
at 11:00 AM.
If you are unable to join us live, the service will be available online on our FB page or on our website at www.zionumc.com
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The Upper Room daily devotionals are available for pick up at the church. We will place some of these in the church vestibule and some in the plastic communication box outside of the life center doors where the buses are for those who do not have access to the church for you to pick up.
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While our United Methodist Women will not be meeting for now,
our thoughts and prayers remain with each one of you and with all in need during these trying times! If you know of a need that our women can help with, please contact an officer in the women’s group so that we can try and meet any needs! Executive officers are Sharon Haile, Darlene Hallman, Terry Robinson, Missy Snipes, Dianne Sweatt, and Mary Knight.
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Thank you to Sonny and Marion Curtis, Jimmy Neal, and Rock Love who have all joined together to take care of the church lawn and the parsonage lawn. Their love and devotion to our church is quite apparent and very much appreciated.
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April is our month to support HOPE in Lancaster with donations of food for those less fortunate.
Particular needs are grits, cereal, spaghetti sauce, canned beef stew, and canned chicken. Even though we are not having church services, if you would like to drop off donations, arrangements can be made to accept your donations and your willingness to help those less fortunate is greatly appreciated!! Please place your donations in the collection box in the vestibule or if you are unable to access the building, you may drop donations off at the double doors under the covered porch where the buses are. They will be collected daily from that location as well.
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April 28: Melissa Payne, Mr. and Mrs. Shane Love
April 29: Leslie Mills, Carol Cauthen
May 1: Gina Burn, Lynn Craig
May 3: Ashley Cauthen
May 4: Tonette Thomas
May 5: Susan Duell, Judy Humphreys
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Our United Methodist Men's third Sunday meeting and our weekly Saturday Bible Study meetings have been suspended
until the stay at home order has been lifted and we are told that we can begin to gather again.
To all church members:
please understand that we are unable to allow folks to meet inside the buildings at this time. If you had a reservation for personal use inside of one of the buildings over the next few weeks, we are unable to honor those reservations at this time and will announce when we will be again be able to honor reservations. As it is, gatherings inside our facilities is not possible.
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The members of Zion ARE CONTINUING
to support the ministry and outreach
of the church!!!
Let me just say, the folks of Zion are FAITHFUL!!!! Thank you to each one of you who have adjusted to this change in our lives and have continued to support the ministry and outreach of Zion UMC and for your continued presence at online worship!!! Each ONE of you ARE the CHURCH! You can continue to give online through the website, www.zionumc.com by clicking on the donate tab. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use this option, simply click on the donate button and follow the prompts, you can text your giving to 803-525-1834 and follow the secure link, or you may give by mailing your tithes to the church at 1665 Zion Road, Lancaster, SC, 29720. Pastor Michael is also available on Sunday afternoons at the church from 2:00-3:00 PM to accept your donations and have a word of prayer with you! If you have misgivings about online donations or mailing your donations, a locking mailbox has been installed under the covered carport where the buses are. You may place your contributions in the box and it will be checked daily.
Together
we can move forward.
Together
we can continue and make a difference!
TOGETHER, WE ARE the CHURCH!!
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Special Gifts to the Building Fund
In Honor of:
Christian Griffin on is 13th birthday by Ryan and Miriam Griffin
In Memory of:
Ralph Craig with love by Mike and Diane Rape*****
Ralph Craig by Ken and Lib Preslar*****
***** Please note: These memorials were received on March 29. That was the first week that we changed our newsletter mailing format. For those who have email, you receive this electronic version of the newsletter however, those who do not use the internet receive a mailed newsletter. These two versions are being done to cut expenses while still keeping our members informed. The cost of the combined mailing and emailed versions are significantly less than we were paying to bulk mail our newsletters to 200 people. With that being said, I need to apologize to this family as I placed the memorial in the printed/mailed version however, omitted to add the memorial in the electronic version and I do apologize. Our thoughts and prayers remain with this family!! Much love to each one - Missy
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Our seven confirmands, who have concluded their classes online with Pastor Michael, will join the church on our first Sunday worshiping together as a church family of Christ in His house! We look forward to that day and pray it will be soon!!
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The Record Speaks.....
April 19, 2020
Present for online Worship: 34
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,360
Received for General Fund $4518
"...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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285-3864 - www.zionumc.com
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