October 13, 2023

Pastor's Pen:

² “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. ³ He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come…

⁵ “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. ⁶ The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. ⁷ The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city…

           In this week’s scripture lesson from Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus again tells yet another parable to the chief priests and elders as they continue to question Jesus’ authority. The parable of the Wedding Banquet of the king for his son may seem a bit harsh and illogical to many, but remember Jesus is speaking about the kingdom of heaven. And for many there are more than a few elements that may seem to be over the top with all the twists and turns of this parable, not to mention the judgement and violent parts. Yet, Jesus was not only speaking to the chief priests and elders, but to us as well. And Jesus was not only speaking about inviting and sending, but about our behaviors, our virtues, our callings and our worthiness. Join us this Sunday, as we take a look at this problematic and misunderstood parable.

Hope to see you all!

Pastor John

Caroline Hope Broughton was presented for the holy sacrament of Baptism on Sunday, October 8 by her family.

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.

Visitors on October 8: Rae Ashlie and Dylan Robinson, Dana McLemore, Ryan McLemore, Kat Broughton, Tammie Broughton, and Greg Broughton.

All men of Zion are invited to our United Methodist Men’s dinner and meeting on Thursday, October 19 at 6:30 pm in the TFLC. Chili will be on the menu for this meeting. Invite your friends, family, and neighbors and join us.

Our Staff Parish Relations Committee is asked to meet on Sunday, October 22 at 4:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

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 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.

You are invited to join us for our Grief Support Group. We will meet on Monday, October 16 at 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall.

Our Church will be publishing a new pictorial directory! We want everyone to get a new picture made so that our new directory will be complete. IT WON’T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT YOU!

Photo dates are:

Monday, October 16 and Tuesday, October 17

You will have a professional photography session, see your proofs, and have the opportunity to purchase extra portraits for family and friends.

YOU CAN SIGN-UP ON OUR CHURCH’S WEBSITE, www.zionumc.com, or you can click on the Facebook link that was shared. Your participation will help the church and yourself. Every family photographed for the directory will receive a copy of the directory and an 8x10 portrait at no cost. So please, sign-up today!

Annual Missions BAZAAR

Saturday, November 4th from 8am-1pm

It’s time to begin planning for our UMF Annual Missions Bazaar. There are many ways you can help with this event. You can:

· Save your mayo jars and lids for the soup

· Make soup—we will need a lot of it! We appreciate vegetable and vegetable beef!

· Craft or help one of our crafters buy supplies

· Bake! All baked goods sell very well

· Help buy the sausage and ham

· Donate biscuits the morning of the Bazaar! Biscuits and Soup both sell very well!!

· Help with set up and clean up afterwards

· Pray! Please pray for this event! When Zion prays things happen!

Everyone is asked and encouraged to help! We also have spots available for vendors so please help spread the word! Please contact the church office by calling or email for vendor information or visit the church website, zionumc.com. All proceeds from the Bazaar will go to help those in need!

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Honor of:

Wanda Sweet by Judy Payne

In Memory of:

Sarah Prelsar by Nelson and Suzanne Wright

Sarah Preslar, Catherine Hammond, and Voncille Jenkins by Barbara Hall

Ronnie Gay by Ryan and Miriam Griffin

Voncille Jenkins by Carolyn Massey

Special Gifts to Building Fund

In Honor of:

Suzanne Evans by Marcene, Dennis, William and Mencie Plyler 

Special Gifts to Men’s Club 

In Honor of:

Dennis Hall by Stephen and Tammy Cooper

In Memory of:

Mike Vick by Stephen and Tammy Cooper

10/14: Becky Barton

10:15: Janie Brooks

10/18: Brooke Collins

10/19: Chris Steen

10/20: Wade McAteer, Renee Finley

10/21: Emma Massey

10/22: Billy Sweatt, Charles McAteer

10/23: Margie Vincent, Libby Morris, Carmen Faile

The Record Speaks....

Present for 10/8 Sunday School: 32

Present for 10/8 Worship: 82

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $4,205

Received for Building Fund: $100

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