January 31, 2024

The Pastor’s Pen

 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” Mark 1: 35-39” 

In this week’s lectionary text from Mark 1:29-39, Jesus continues his ministry after the exorcism of the “unclean spirit” from the man in the Capernaum Synagogue, as he and his four disciples visit the house of Simon Peter and Andrew. One may divide this text into three parts: the healing of Simon Peter’s mother-in-law (a private healing), the healing and casting out of demons of those who were brought to Jesus by the towns people (these are public healings), and finally Jesus going into the dark, to a deserted place to pray and the disciples eventually searching for Jesus. But why does Mark put all of these together? Not to mention that the first person to be healed in Mark’s Gospel is woman, which is very significant and that Jesus heals many of the towns people on the Sabbath, which is also significant.  And what does all of this have to do with us today? And are there still people today who Jesus has given the power to heal others? And why is it so important to have alone time with God in prayer? Join us Sunday as we delve into these questions and more! Hope to see you all Sunday!

Pastor John

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.

Thank you to all the ones who have cleaned up the flowers that were on the cemetery wall! We will wait another week or so and then discard the ones left. Thank you!

It's Girl Scout Cookie Time!!!

Cheryl Hayes would be glad to take your order!! Cookies are $5 a box except for Toffee, which is $6. They have Adventurefuls (brownie inspired cookies with caramel creme), Lemon-Ups, Trefoils (shortbread), Do-si-dos (oatmeal sandwich with peanut butter filling), Samoas (caramel, coconut and dark chocolate stripes), Tagalong (peanut butter filled with chocolate coating), Thin Mints, Girl Scout S'mores (graham cookie with chocolate and marshmallow filling), and Toffee-tastic (buttery cookie with crunchy toffee bits). Give Cheryl a call if you would like to order, 803-235-9082. Checks can be made payable to GS Troop 2339. Cookies will be delivered the week of February 12-15.

Shiloh Zion VFD Annual BBQ

and Ladies Auxiliary Bake Sale

THIS Saturday, February 3, 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Plates are $10 each and include a half of a chicken, baked beans, and slaw. 

Pick Up at Shiloh ARP Church, 346 Shiloh Unity Road, Lancaster.

Must purchase tickets from our firemen or Ladies Auxiliary. Some tickets will be sold at the door for purchase. 

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.

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.

Youth night with Hopewell was a great event! 26 youth and 9 adults were in attendance. They enjoyed a meal together, played, did trivia, learned about Jesus, and worshiped through song. Join us next time! Thank you to Susan Scott for bringing the message and Dennis Hall for helping us with audio visuals.

A special thank you to Steve McDonald and Beth Craig for sharing your church family stories Sunday morning with our Youth Sunday School class. It is always important to learn the stories that have built our church! 

Zion Church Family,

We want to thank you for your prayers, calls, visits, food and monetary gifts. This week marks the two year anniversary of Ryan’s cancer surgery. It has been a rough road for him. Many of you know that his last scan was clear of cancer. He is still on immunotherapy every other week. This makes him weak, but we are happy he is still here on earth. He has to have dental surgery now and we have had to buy him a new hearing aid (he is deaf in his left ear and only hears in his right ear with the hearing aid). All his teeth need to be pulled and replaced with dentures. All of this is due to the radiation he had early in his treatment. We are so proud to call y’all our church family! May God bless all of you as much as He has blessed us. - Love, Ryan and Miriam

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Honor of:

Barbara Hall on her birthday by Carolyn Massey

In Memory of:

Tony D. Hicks by Yvette Jordan

Mike Payne and Aunt Lucille Rollins by Ryan and Miriam Griffin

Curtis Threatt and Dennis Driver by Judy Payne

Gifts to Building Fund

In Honor of:

Ryan and Miriam Griffin by Doreen Catoe

Caroline Broughton on her first birthday on January 26, 2024 by Tommy Knight 

February 1: Brett Craig

February 2: Jack Steele, Jon Seegars, Linda Jo Ferguson

February 5: Debbie Hodge

February 6: Garrett Sweatt

February 7: Ken Preslar, Lex Ford, Steve Duell

The Record Speaks....

Present for 1/21 Sunday School: 43

Present for 1/21 Worship: 90

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,313

Received for 1/14 for General Fund: $3,150

Received for Building Fund: $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