The News of Zion
To those who have been made holy to God in Christ Jesus, who are called to be God’s people. Together with all those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place—he’s their Lord and ours! Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always for you, because of God’s grace that was given to you in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:2-4
June 17, 2020
Musings ~ You'll Never Be...

It seemed like an overcast day, or at least, that’s how I remember it. Maybe the sun was just on the on the other side of the building, out of sight. That exact detail escapes me but what I do remember is that it seemed to make the office feel shaded, like standing in the edge of a cave. I was standing in front of a desk opposite Tim. Tim was pastor at the time and through a series of resignations I had become a worship leader in the church. We were talking about services and I brought up the idea of being a pastor. For a little while at that point, I had been thinking about it and this was the first time in my adult life I seriously considered the prospect of formally going into the ministry and frankly, I was kind of nervous talking about it. I didn’t know what it meant to prepare for that as a vocation and I was looking for guidance. I told Tim what I had been feeling and thinking about and true to form, he listened, asking probing questions about my spiritual walk. When I finished, he looked at me directly and said, “I don’t think you’re a pastor. I can see you being a worship leader or doing the A/V stuff that you’ve done for us. But I don’t see you as a pastor.” We talked for a few more minutes about the service and the upcoming week and I left dejected, feeling like a balloon with a slow leak. In that moment, I felt like maybe I had it all wrong. If my pastor didn’t believe in me, why should I believe in myself?

Fast forward more than a decade I have a very different perspective on that moment. I don’t think it was that Tim didn’t believe in me. He just didn’t believe in me yet. And by that, I mean he didn’t believe I was ready to be a pastor or seriously begin that process of starting on that road. There were some rough edges that needed to be smoothed over and some internal attitudes that needed rethinking. It took a few more years after that conversation before I was truly ready, truly pliable enough spiritually, to begin the process of learning to be a pastor; a process mind you that I am still processing to this day and will probably be processing for the rest of my life. There was a spiritual immaturity in the person that had that conversation with Tim all those years ago, a need to grow up some more in the faith and really understand the level of sacrifice that comes with ministerial territory. There is a spiritual toughness that comes only through internal and external conflict that must be experienced and lived. At the time I had none of that; fifteen years or so later, I have a bit more.

The Way of Jesus is a path toward maturity. To continue walking on the path, to get closer to the goal of true presence with God, we must mature or move on to being a more complete version of the person God intends for us to be. We are like a block of marble moving along the Way and as we go, pieces are chipped off, cracked, smoothed over, chiseled, and shaped into the new creation that God would have us be. The Way of Jesus is the way of the new creation, the way toward us being truly the little versions of Jesus the name Christian implies. We are being crafted, step by step, mark by mark, into being like Jesus for the world to continue to see Jesus at work. This is the Kingdom of God at work in us, around us, through us as we grow into being the hands and feet of God.

As I often ask myself, let me ask you: where are you on the path toward the mature version of yourself? Are moving toward or away from that completeness in the Way of Jesus?


Pastor Michael
Our Continued Return to Worship

 It is in God’s grace that we were brought together at Zion and by God’s grace that we have continued for 150 years. It is also grace that has seen us through this most recent moment in history. We have faced life under the specter of SARS-CoV2 or Covid-19 for most of the year. This has led to the monumental closure of nearly all aspects of life and has changed our way of life, perhaps permanently. 
During this time, we have had to make the very difficult decision to halt our in-person worship services. We have been fortunate to be able to worship using the technological tools of the internet and social media. Your willingness as a church body to embrace a different way as we have engaged in this new form of worship has been both gracious and encouraging. Though we have spent the last few months apart due to this unprecedented pandemic, we now can begin coming together to worship again.
This brings about new challenges as we try to develop the safest practices for those who gather with us. Using the guidance of the South Carolina Conference, the CDC, and SCDHEC, we are suggesting a format for worship that will, by God’s grace, keep people safe if we are willing to follow a new method for gathering.
  1. If you are sick or have been sick in the last week before the gathering, please stay home. We want to see you but more importantly we want to see you get better.
  2. If you are immune-compromised or part of an at-risk group and concerned about your health, we suggest you consider staying home for your safety.
  3. All worship services will continue to be broadcast and recorded on Facebook Live in order for people to stay home but still be part of the service if they wish.
  4. We will be practicing social distancing as we gather, worship, and depart.
  5. We will gather underneath the awning that leads into the family life center nearest the children’s classrooms and nursery.
  6. The ground will be marked by at least six-foot intervals to keep people separated as we enter. Once inside, there will be more markers as you enter the gymnasium.
  7. Once inside, an usher will lead you to a table or chairs that will be at least six feet from any other table or chairs. Please stay in these areas during the service.
  8. Please do not hug, shake hands, or make physical contact with others gathering, for their safety and yours.
  9. When the service is over, we will file out one area at a time, going out the doors nearest the area where the buses are parked.
  10. We will be implementing safe practices to prevent the potential spread of the virus.
  11. There will be hand sanitizing stations at the entrance for people to clean their hands. Please do not wear gloves as they simply move things from one place to another.
  12. We will be giving out masks for people to wear during the service. These are not optional. Please expect to wear a mask if you join us for worship.
  13. We will not be singing during the service. Singing produces something called the aerosol effect that spreads fine particles through the air, potentially spreading any contagion that a person might have.
  14. There will be one marked designated bathroom between two of the Sunday school classes. Please use this only if it is absolutely necessary.
  15. There will be no nursery during the service.
  16. We will continue our prohibition on all other activities other than worship for now.
For the safety and well-being of each person that gathers with us, I pray that you will be willing to abide by these safety measures. It will be different, perhaps uncomfortable but it will allow us to gather together and worship with one another again. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Pastor Michael
Kathleen Robinson has a big birthday on June 19! She is turning 100!! We would love for her to receive 100 (or more) cards for her special day. If you would like to send her a card, we know she would be so appreciative. As we are sure you are aware, White Oak is quarantined. NO VISITORS SINCE MARCH. The address is 253 Craig Manor Road. ~ Love and prayers, Hazel and Terry Robinson
There will be a called Charge Conference this Sunday, June 21 following the worship service. The Charge Conference will be for the purpose of voting on Tom Salisbury to be elected as our lay delegate to Annual Conference this year.
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.
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.
Please remember these in prayer:
Nancy Ackerman
Angela Bailey
Francis Bell
Rick Black
Gene Blackmon
Marion Boswell
Carol Boyles
Randy Boyles
Caleb Catoe
Sue Catoe
Carol Cauthen
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
Kevan Horton
Eric Hough
Libby Hunter
Melinda Hunter
Rick Joyner
Henry Ray Knight
Mary Jane McAteer
Kevin McCorkle
Ann McManus
Tammy McMillian
Debbie McWaters
Marie Moree
Rusty Mosier
Bell Perry
Betty Jo Phillips
Ann Powers
Vicky Pickett
Ann Reed
Kathleen Robinson
Mayme Jo Robinson
Nancy Rushing
Bonnie Sears
Eva Small
Greg Smith
JoAnne Smith
Mike Smith
Billy Sowell
Robbie Stepp
Jim Thomas
Laverne Thompson
Mike Vick
Pat Vick
Ellen Walters
David Woodruff
Kim Yost
Our President & Troops
Those affected by the COVID-19 virus
Even as we begin in-person worship, our services will still be made available online on our Facebook page. Log in to our Zion United Methodist Church Facebook 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
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.
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.
June 18: Kaylee Snipes, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Johnson
June 19: Kathleen Robinson
June 20: Jerry Seegars, Mrs. and Mrs. Mike Vick
June 21: Scott Phillips, Eddie Bigham, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Thomas
June 22: Mr. and Mrs. Eric Broughton
June 25: Tim Mackey, Mr. and Mrs. Cody Haigler
June 26: Susan Lindsey, Mr. and Mrs. Butch Ghent
June 27: Missy Snipes, Mr. and Mrs. Butch Ghent
June 28: Caleb Payne
June 29: Dianne Sweatt
June 30: Gabriel Salisbury, Mr. and Mrs. Rock Love
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 again be able to honor reservations. As it is, gatherings inside our facilities is not possible.
The members of Zion ARE CONTINUING
to support the ministry and outreach
of the church!!!
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!!
Special Gifts to Zion Church
In Honor of:
David Hayes Love, Cheré, Maegan, Jamie, Bethany and our families
Happy Birthday Mrs. Kathleen and Lisa by Wanda Murphy
My Mother on her 100th birthday June 19 by Hazel and Terry
In Memory of:
Joe Humphries by Barbara Hall
Julia Horne, Bennie Moseley, and Dillon Knight by Margie Vincent
Gene C. Hodge on his birthday by Claudia Hartley
Bennie Moseley, Julie Horne, and Dillon Knight by Hazel and Terry Robinson
My daddy, Horace Small- I miss you so much Love, Cheré Hayes
Buddy Love, David Hayes
Our Loved Ones Love, David, Cheré, and Family
 
Special Gifts to Building Fund
In Honor of:
Carol Cauthen by Susie and Steve McDonald
Mashalle Bailes and Family, Becky Barton and Family, the family of Dillon Knight, and all fathers and men everywhere on Father’s Day Love, Eva Small and Family
In Memory of:
Robbie Knight on her birthday by Margie Vincent
Julia Horne, Bennie Moseley, and Dillon Knight by Eva Small and Family
Horace Small, Jesse Plyler, and Joseph Small on Father’s Day Love, Eva Small and Family
 
Special Gifts to Altar Cloth/Banner Fund
In Memory of:
Franklin by Darlene Hallman
Our deepest love and sympathy are extended to the family of Lou Bundy in her death on June 17, 2020
Our seven confirmands, who have concluded their classes online with Pastor Michael, will be joining the church in the next few weeks. We look forward to rejoicing in these new members of our church!!
The Record Speaks....
June 14, 2020

Present for Worship: 51
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,360
Received for General Fund $4,278
Received for Building Fund $435
Received for Needy Fund $15
Received for Altar Cloth/Banner Fund $50
Received for Epworth Children's Home $15
Received for Community Meal $15

"...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
285-3864 - www.zionumc.com