February 13, 2024

The Pastor’s Pen

Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” Genesis 9:8-11

In this week’s text from Genesis 9:8-17, God established a covenant with Noah and his descendants and every living creature to never again destroy the earth by flood. What is a covenant? Merriam/Webster define it as a formal, solemn and binding agreement, or a promise. But what does it mean for God to give and eternal promise to the whole of earth? And how does this eternal promise affect a renewed relation to the post -flood world? We all know that today’s world is no Garden of Eden and that evil still exists, yet God places a rainbow in the heavens as a reminder of his promise to never again destroy the earth by water. Yet, the promise and the rainbow are not an agreement, but a reminder of God’s divine commitment to the world. God knew God must also find a new way of dealing with the problem of sin and evil that still exist in today’s world. This is why God sent his Son Jesus to live, die and to be resurrected! For sin and evil still continues after the flood! But what if we Christians took God’s promise more seriously and intentional in our daily live? And what does this look like? Join us on Sunday as we seek to imitate the promise of the rainbow in our every day life. Hope to see everyone’s smiling face as we begin our journey through Lent!

Pastor John 

Our United Women in Faith will be meeting this evening at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Kathy Sullivan will be our guest speaker.

Join us for our Ash Wednesday Service tomorrow, February 14 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary.

Our United Methodist Men's Dinner and Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 15 at 6:30 pm in the TFLC. Barbecue, baked beans, and slaw will be served. Our guest speaker will be Bumpy Walters.

February Worship Greeters and Ushers: 

Greeters: Marion Curtis and Beth Craig

Ushers: Steve Moseley, Will Moseley, Stacy Scott, and Steve Duell.

February needs at HOPE in Lancaster:

Grits, Oatmeal, Jelly, Rice, Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce, Boxed Instant Potatoes, 64 oz. Juice. Please place your donations in the vestibule collection box.

Visitors on 2/11: Debbie Owenby, Tom Moran and Carol Brown. 

Our Lenten Bible Study, “A Clearing Season” will begin on Tuesday, February 20. There will be two times offered on Tuesdays during the study, 11:00 am and 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Bible Study books are $15.00 each. You may drop your book donations in the offering plate on Sundays. Please mark your donation “Lent Bible Study”

Healthy Me Healthy SC

MUSC and Clemson University have partnered together to form Healthy Me Healthy SC. The purpose of Healthy Me Healthy SC is to offer vital health screenings, food security, health education and vaccines to the underserved in or communities. In addition to Healthy Me Healthy SC, many community partners will be participating in the event. Every attendee will receive a free water bottle and reusable shopping bag at registration.

We will be hosting a Community Health Fair March 2, 2024, 10am-1pm at the Lancaster Parks and Recreation Department Building located off Springdale Rd. 260 State Rd S 29-527, Lancaster.

This Health Clinic will be offering blood pressure checks, glucose monitoring, BMI information, sports physicals, and vaccines including HPV, Tdap, Meningitis, and FLU. We will offer fresh food boxes that are available with completion of the health screening process on a first come, first serve basis.

If you would like any more information about this event, please contact Connie Revels by email revelsc@muusc.edu or by phone 803-286-1754

We will be collecting items for the Military Easter Boxes through Sunday, February 25. We will be packing the boxes on Saturday, March 2nd.

To contact Pastor John, his cell phone is 864-770-5584, and john.david.howle@gmail.com is his email address. Pastor John’s scheduled days off are Friday and Saturday. For emergencies, please call his cell phone.

Our deepest love and sympathy are extended to Janet Webster and her family in the death of her cousin, Chuck Polston.

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Honor of:

Pat Threatt and Betty Crook by Dianne Martin

Pastor John by Carolyn Massey

In Memory of:

Margaret and Vance Threatt, Curtis, Threatt, and Sallye Estridge by Dianne Martin

Butch Ghent and Kathy Blackmon by Carolyn Massey

Special Gifts to Building Fund

In Honor of:

Billy and Dianne Sweatt by Beth Craig

General Fund Expenditures January 2024

Wespath 100.00

Constant Contact 24.84

Duke Energy

Quill (office 96.64, kitchen 335.34) 431.88

Comporium 249.96

The Upper Room (Bible study) 155.52

Food Lion (District brunch) 80.02

Jack's (District brunch) 14.05

US Treasury (federal withholding) 462.16

Wycliffe Bible Translators 333.34

Pastor John (travel) 60.26

Rural Garbage 190.00

Three Boys Lawn SVC 700.00

LCWSD 207.78

Duke Energy 607.24

LCNGA 313.87

Joe Outen Plumbing (Sanctuary) 249.63

SC Dept of Revenue 123.44

Southern Mutual Church Ins 3362.50

SC Conf Direct Billing 1777.34

Custodial 712.00

US Postmaster (stamps) 204.00

Staff Salaries 5406.23

Steve Sentz (Sanctuary doors painted) 225.00

Wells Fargo (service charge) 3.00

February 14: Kristina Ray, Tim Ray, Frances Robinson

February 15: Lee Watts

February 16: Ryan Middleton, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hinson

February 18: Becky M. Steele, Susie McDonald, Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Broome

February 19: Tabatha Steele, Danny McManus, Donnie Steele

February 20: Kristin Jordan, Jake Hall

The Record Speaks....

Present for 2/11 Sunday School: 40

Present for 2/11 Worship: 70

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,313

Received for 2/11 for General Fund: $2,019

Received for Building Fund: $35

Received for Bible Study Books: $25

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