October 20, 2023

Pastor's Pen:

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. ²We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly ³remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that God has chosen you, ⁵because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake. Thessalonians 1:1-5

In this week’s scripture lesson from the Epistle of Thessalonians 1:1-10, Paul is writing to members of the Church of Thessalonica, giving thanks for their growth in Christ, their works of faith, their stellar reputation and example among all believers in the region of Macedonia and Achaia.  It’s not only a letter of praise and encouragement to the Thessalonians, but also a letter written to us today about the important of our faith and works in Christ Jesus. Just like them, we became believers not only by persuading words, but also “in power and by the Holy Spirit and with full conviction”. Here, Paul acknowledges not only the power and presence of God working among and through them, but also that they were chosen by God for this work, like us.  Yet today, we find many within the church with harden hearts, seeking to find excuses and loopholes to avoid doing the work of serving God and our neighbors. Are we living in an age of shrinking faith and belief? And what are we to do? And what about the triad of faith, hope and love? Join us as we look at what this all means to us in these uncertain times, hope to see you all on Sunday!



Pastor John

October Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Susan Scott and Diane Rape 

Ushers: Stacy Scott, Jeffrey Thomas, Jimmy Neal, and Mike Rape

Join us on Sunday, October 29th during 11:00 AM worship for our 5th Sunday Singing featuring The Harvells. Kelly and Susan Harvell are natives of Fort Mill. Kelly and Susan were saved in a revival with Dr. J. Harold Loman at the Fort Mill Church of the Nazarene in September of 1973. The Harvell’s have served in many different areas of the church ministry. Their focus is on the message, not the messengers. Kelly is a registered song Evangelist with the Church of the Nazarene. The Harvells are available for revivals, camp meetings, banquets, and rallies. We will receive a love offering for the Harvells at the close of the service on Sunday, October 29th.

Our Staff Parish Relations Committee is asked to meet on Sunday, October 22 at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Members are Nancy Ackerman, Marion Curtis, Tammy Cooper, Ryan Griffin, Dennis Hall, Beverly Knox, Steve Moseley, Wanda Murphy.

Join us on Sunday, October 29 from 4-6 pm for our Annual Fall Festival!!! We will have yummy food, tons of fun, lots of games, and inflatables!!!! We will also have our super awesome Trunk or Treats!!! Join us for Great Fun for the Entire Family!!!

Sign up here to help with donations for our youth and children's event!

Prayer Requests: In order to communicate your praises and concerns more efficiently, we offer the option of writing your requests. Our prayer request box will be placed in a convenient, visible location in the vestibule. Please print your praises and concerns, place them in the box and they will be given to Pastor John just prior to the beginning of worship service. Besides this option, there will still be an opportunity to express your requests during the service if you choose to do so.

Lay Servant Training- Fall 2023

Rock Hill LSM is offering multiple sites and courses to allow more opportunities for involvement in ministry.

PLEASE NOTE: MULTIPLE LOCATIONS AND MULTIPLE DATES REGISTRATION LINK: https://www.umcsc.org/rockhillonlineregistration/

Contact: Lynne Tyner, Lay Servant Ministries Director, kassgrandma16@gmail.com, 803-517-6596 or Jerry Newlon, Associate Director, jnewlonjr@gmail.com, 803-370-0965

You are invited to join us for our Grief Support Group. We will meet on Monday, November 6 and Monday, November 20 at 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall.

Annual Missions BAZAAR

Saturday, November 4th from 8am-1pm

Our Annual Missions Bazaar is fast approaching!  We hope you have been crafting!!! We will also need plenty of soup the day of the Bazaar and biscuits the morning of the Bazaar. Please bring your warm, sliced biscuits to the kitchen door so that they can be filled with sausage or ham and wrapped. Please pray for this event that helps those in need! When Zion prays, great things happen!

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Memory of:

Franklin on our anniversary 10-12 by Darlene Hallman

Ed Everall by Claudia Hartley

Special Gifts to Building Fund

In Honor of:

Ryan Collins and Brooke Collins on their birthdays by Stephen and Tammy Cooper

In Memory of:

Peggy Knight and Ralph Craig by Tommy Knight

10/20: Wade McAteer, Renee Finley, Mr. and Mrs. Brad Bridges

10/21: Emma Massey, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Davis

10/22: Billy Sweatt, Charles McAteer, Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Thomas

10/23: Margie Vincent, Libby Morris, Carmen Faile, Mr. and Mrs. Lex Ford

10/24:Debbie Melvin, Zachary Bailes

10/25: Sonny Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. Sonny Curtis

10/26 Jeffrey Moree, Leslie Jenkins, Chris Massey, Katie Knox

10/28: Erin Payne

10/29: Larry Craig, Myrtle Walker, Claire Payne

10/30: Pat Threatt, Micah Seegars

10/31: Jonathan Mackey

The Record Speaks....

Present for 10/15 Sunday School: 27

Present for 10/15 Worship: 65

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $2,218

Received for Building Fund: $150

Received for Epworth Children's Home: $120

Received for Fall Festival: $191

There are several 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 you put your hand to."

Deuteronomy 15:10