January 4, 2024

The Pastor’s Pen

Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. Genesis 1:3b-5a

And God stepped out on space, and he looked around and said: I'm lonely— I'll make me a world. And far as the eye of God could see Darkness covered everything, Blacker than a Hundred Midnights down in a cypress swamp. Then God smiled, and the light broke, and the darkness rolled up on one side, and the light stood shining on the other, and God said: That's good! By-the-way, this is just the 1st Stanza of one of my favorite poems entitled “The Creation” by James Weldon Johnson describing the creation story from Genesis Chapter 1. I highly suggest you read it, or watch the video on You-tube. Join us this Sunday as we look at the words from Genesis 1:1-5 and also the importance of those words, and our words in today’s world. I hope to see you all this Sunday. An remember, “Word is the Word!”   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2nOk-50kXE 

Pastor John

January Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Kristina Ray and Adrianna Bowers

Ushers: Shawn Thomas, Dwayne Ray, Roman Phillips, and Brandon Bowers

Our Advent Bible study will resume on Tuesday, January 9 at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

All women of the church are invited to our United

Women in Faith meeting on Tuesday, January 9 at 7:00 pm in the Educational Building.

The Trustees are asked to meet on Sunday, January 14 at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Members are: Teresa Evans, Steve Moseley, Steve McDonald, Tommy Middleton, Wanda Murphy, and Tony Broughton.

The Worship Committee is asked to meet on Sunday, January 14 at 5:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Members are: Beth Craig, Judy Payne, Rhonda Waters, Carolyn Massey, Becky H. Steele, Michael Mills, and Dennis Hall.

All men of all ages are invited to our United Methodist Men’s dinner and meeting on Thursday, January 18 at 6:30 pm in the TFLC. Our guest speaker will be Paul Thompson from the Clemson Extension and will be talking about soil preparation and gardening. 

Join us!

Thank you to Nancy Ackerman for refreshing the greens in the Sanctuary during the holiday and to Nancy Ackerman and Becky H. Steele for the greenery and ribbon on the church sign. 

Going forward, you can visit the church website, www.zionumc.com and view the church calendar that will now include personal reservations of the facilities by members or groups. Reservations are made through the church office by contacting Missy, 803-285-3864 or 803-804-2434.

Visitors on 12/24: Jill Bryson, Emma Lehman, and Heather, Haley, and Dianna Boykin.

 Visitors on 12/31: Rick Hammond and William Plyler.

Our deepest love and sympathy are extended to the family of Mary (Mrs. Jack) Wright Knight, to the family of Billy Sweatt in the death of his sister, Joan Sweatt Funderburk, and also to the family of Laura Plyler in her death.

Special Gifts to Zion Church December 24

In Memory of:

in loving memory of Kathleen Robinson, Doris Starnes, and Crystal by Hazel and Terry

Special Gifts to Building Fund

In Memory of:

Joan Middleton and Shirley Payne Robinson by Doreen Catoe

in loving memory of Ralph and Jamie by Beth Craig

_____________________________________

BIRTHDAY CLUB

In Memory of Pat McAteer by Libby, JoJo, and Alicia

_____________________________________

Special Gifts to Zion Church December 31

In Honor of

Ricky and Becky M. Steele and Barbara Vick - Thank you!! by Marcene Plyler

Marcene Plyler, Barbara Hall, and Carolyn Massey by the Harris Plyler Family

In Memory of:

Laura Plyler, Joan Funderburk, and Mary W. Knight by Libby Morris

Harris Plyler by Marcene, Dennis, William, and Mencie

Loved Ones by Judy Payne

Joan Sweatt Funderburk by Judy Payne

Laura Plyler by Pat Threatt

Walter and Lorraine Knight by Kim and Lex Ford

Our mother, Mary Knight Love, Jackie and Peggy Knight

Special Gifts to the Men's Club

In Honor of:

The Men’s Club—Thank you for having the Ladies for supper by Becky M. Steele

In Memory of:

Harris Plyler by his family

_____________________________________

BIRTHDAY CLUB

RALPH MCATEER by Libby, JoJo, and Alicia Morris

_____________________________________

1/1: Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Griffin

1/2: Jimmy Neal, Hannah Steen

1/4: Butch Ghent

1/6: Caden Payne

1/7: Doreen Catoe

1/8: Jeannie Moree, Dennis Steele, Max Funderburk

1/9: Mr. and Mrs. Ricky Steele, Chris Curtis, Mary Knight, Tommy Middleton

1/10: Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Collins, Reagan Williams

1/11: Justin Haile

The Record Speaks....

Present for 12/24 Sunday School: 34

Present for 12/24 Worship: 74

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for 12/24 for General Fund: $2,599

Received for Building Fund: $118.10

Received for Bible Study Books: $30

Present 12/31 Sunday School: 35

Present for 12/31 Worship: 71

Received 12/31 for General Fund: $6,327

Received for Building Fund: $ 138.80

Received for Men's Club: $125

Received for Bible Study Books: $10

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