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
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Musings ~ The Pain of Change...
I recently read a quote from Richard Rohr who said, “Hurt people, hurt people.” When you first look at this it looks kind of strange. It almost seems like he’s saying we should hurt people. But if you pay close attention, I think you’ll realize that he's saying people who are hurt will hurt other people because they’re hurting. The pain they feel—a lot of which is horrific and unbearable—becomes the driving force for why some people cause the harm they do to others and why some cause harm to themselves. Alcoholism, physical abuse, addictions, I see all these things coming out from the pain of the things people experience. I am in no way excusing negative behavior. I believe we must be responsible for our actions and try to act accordingly but I think we can have a better perspective on why people hurt others if we see past what they are doing to see why they do it.
But pain is not the only reason people hurt each other. I think the other big reason is fear. When people are afraid, they try to protect themselves by going into fight or flight mode. People who chose the fight response lash out at those around them, quite often causing damage in their relationships and sometimes to others without meaning to. People who chose the flight option when afraid run away from or avoid those things that cause them pain or make them uncomfortable. I think recognizing what we are afraid of and moving beyond fight or flight to a place of seeing the situation as it is without letting our emotions get the better of us is the better option. It’s harder to do but in the long run, I see it as a more Jesus like perspective.
Why am I talking about what seems to be a lesson in pop psychology? Right now, the world is changing. People are speaking out about injustice. People are dividing up along political lines. People are protesting, counter protesting, meeting violence with violence whether in the body or the spirit. People are not only at war with one another but with themselves. People are hurt, scared, and acting out accordingly. They are turning to escapisms (alcohol, drugs, social media, binge watching TV, etc.) to avoid the troubles of the world. People are withdrawing into their homes and away from their friends and families to avoid confrontation. People are running out or running to their smartphones and computers to protest and counter protest, attack and counterattack. In the process, no one is hearing the pain and fear behind the voices being raised. We are just fighting what we think is the good fight for our side, whatever side that is.
But what if we stopped? What if we turned off the news, put away social media? What if we listened to those we disagree with—actively and without a spirit of defensiveness? What if we quit thinking about what we might win or lose an argument, or get hurt? What if we stopped looking at who was on whose side and assumed for the sake of argument that were all on the same side, that the goal was to create a world where everyone had what they needed no one went without what they needed for their mind, soul, or spirit? What if we lived for each other instead of against each other’s ideas? Sound a little too utopian, a little too pie in the sky? Already thinking of exceptions for why it won’t work?
Consider this:
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Paul says where the gospel is concerned there is no Jew or Greek only those who believe in the Way of Jesus (Romans 10).
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Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount illustrated the kingdom of God as a place that was socially and economically topsy turvy to the Roman world (and the modern Western world). (Matthew 5-7)
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The Prophet Micah says that true worshipers do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6)
What am I saying? I’m saying that we are doing life wrong. We are doing faith wrong. We are acting out of our hurt and our fear and we are hurting people and creating a fearful world around us. It is time to stop. For the follower of Jesus, there is no political party, there is the Kingdom; there is no them, there is all of us; there is no way forward unless we choose to go together. How do we start? Start by learning to let go of hate, fear, division, and pain and embrace love, courage, unity, and healing.
Easy to do? No.
The right thing to do? I believe so.
Worth it? For the sake of the kingdom, absolutely.
Pastor Michael
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Our Continued Return to Worship
As we continue to gather for worship together, we ask everyone to continue practicing social distancing as we gather, worship, and depart.
Just a few reminders.....
- Everyone is reminded that if you are sick or have been sick in the last week before gathering, please stay home. We want to see you but more importantly we want to see you get better. 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.
- 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.
- We will continue to gather before 11:00 AM on Sundays underneath the covered walkway that leads into the family life center from the sanctuary. 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 life center. Once inside the gym, an usher will direct you to chairs that will be at least six feet from any other chairs (allowing a few for family members to sit together). Please stay in these areas during the service.
- Please do not hug, shake hands, or make physical contact with others gathering, for their safety and yours. 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.
- We will continue implementing safe practices to prevent the potential spread of the virus and removing some of the extra seating that was not being used to allow for more spacing between chairs.
- Masks will continue to be available for folks to wear during the service. These are not optional. Please expect to wear a mask if you join us for worship.
- 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.
- There will be one marked designated restroom between two of the Sunday school classes. Please use this only if it is absolutely necessary.
- There will be no nursery during the service.
- 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, we pray that you will be willing to abide by these safety measures.
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Annual Conference has been rescheduled
for Saturday, August 1 at the Florence Center and will be live streamed at www.umcsc.org
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Our life center is being cleaned and sanitized weekly and the other buildings are being cleaned infrequently as well. We ask that no one enter the life center other than for worship on Sundays. With no other activities being held, there should not be much need to visit any of the buildings however, if you feel you absolutely HAVE to visit any of the buildings, please take as much care as possible, lock back up when you leave and Please DO NOT turn off the ice makers in the facilities. These operate much smoother continuing to run than to turn them off. When turned off, our workers are tasked with cleaning mold and mildew that grows when the appliances are off. Thank you!!
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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.
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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 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
Phillip 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
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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
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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 life center foyer 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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July 2: Missy Parker
July 3: Hazel Robinson
July 4: Annette Couch
July 5: Susan Scott, Milburn Small
July 6: Cameron Moree
July 9: Ashley Thomas
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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 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!!!
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!!! 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. 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 Zion Church
In Memory of:
Lou Bundy
by Ryan and Miriam Griffin and Barbara Hall
In loving memory of Jamie Craig on his birthday
by Beth Craig
Special Gifts to Building Fund
In Memory of:
Julie Horne and Lou Bundy
by Carolyn Massey
Lou Bundy
by Becky Barton and Family
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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!!
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The Record Speaks....
June 28, 2020
Present for Worship: 36
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,360
Received for General Fund $1,534
Received for Building Fund $65
"...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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