May 5, 2023

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner…  1Peter 2:4-7

     Who are you as a follower of Christ? Who are we (the body) as followers of Christ?

This week’s scripture, from the Epistle of 1 Peter 2:1-10, is loaded with metaphors. It’s a real smorgasbord of metaphors. There are babies and milk, a stone, a living stone, a precious stone, a cornerstone, a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, a chosen race, a holy nation, darkness & light, and the people of God. All are images that are used to convey a specific, spiritual truth.   Yet, the dominant metaphor, one may argue, is the cornerstone, a stone that forms the base of a corner of a building, and all other stones are set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position and strength integrity of the entire structure. Join us this week as we look at these metaphors, and what it means to be a Christ-followers.

Pastor John

May Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Barbara Hall and Beth Craig

Ushers: Dwayne Ray, Ricky Steele, Mike Rape, and Will Moseley

We will be using attendance pads again during worship to register your presence and provide a means of communication for the congregation with the church office (update contact info, request a call or visit, etc.).  As the pads are passed, please fill out pertinent information. The pads will be handed out by the ushers from the outside aisles and should be left on the top of the pew in the center aisle to be picked up after the offering.

All women of the church are invited to our United Women in Faith meeting on Tuesday, May 9 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. This will be our last meeting until August.

Our Staff Parish Relations Committee is asked to meet on Sunday, May 21 at 4:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Committee members are: Steve Moseley, Marion Curtis, Nancy Ackerman, Tammy Cooper, Ryan Griffin, Dennis Hall, and Beverly Knox.

All men of all ages are invited to our United Methodist Men’s meeting on Thursday, May 25 at 6:30 pm in the TFLC. Join us for a barbecue dinner, devotional and business meeting! All are welcome!!

Our Grief Support Group continues to meet the first and third Mondays of each month in the Fellowship Hall at 11:00 am. Our next meeting will be Monday, May 15. All are welcome!

The Chosen, Season 3

Join us on Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary for our Bible study of The Chosen, Season 3. We plan to meet each Sunday to cover the eight episodes of Season 3. We will not meet on Mother’s Day, May 14 or Memorial Day weekend, May 28.  

Hope is seeking to build their team of volunteers so that they can continue to address the short term emergency needs of our community. We have opportunities every day of the week for your people to put hands and feet to their faith. 

We invite you to drop by and visit us. Come get a tour. Allow us the opportunity to answer any questions that you might have about our programs, purpose, and passion.

-- Tim Howard

Volunteer Coordinator, HOPE in Lancaster, INC.

Office: 803-286-4673 | Cell: 803-288-7684 | thoward@hopeinlancaster.org

www.hopeinlancaster.org

2008 Pageland Hwy. Lancaster, SC 29720

Rock Hill District has scheduled a district-wide Safe Sanctuary Training Event for Saturday, May 6, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon at Woodland UMC. All Pastors, Lay Leaders, Chairs of Trustees, SPRC and Church Council as well as staff and Children and Youth Coordinators should attend. The cost of this training is free, however registration is required. Each individual person must register so we can verify participation. Please bring a copy of your policy to the training.

District Safe Sanctuary trainers will provide in-person follow up training to the local church to review, update, and train to the church’s Safe Sanctuary Policy. For questions, more information, or to schedule an in-person training, please contact Juliette Phillpot, Rock Hill District Safe Sanctuary Coordinator – jphillpotwumc@comporium.net (803) 207-0211.

Epworth Foster Care Program

Foster Parent Appreciation Month

HELP US SHOWER OUR FOSTER FAMILIES WITH LOVE!

Rock Hill District Churches

13 Baskets are needed;; deadline Monday, May 15

Deliver to Epworth’s Temporary Upstate Office at St. John’s UMC, 321 S. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29730

You're invited to assemble foster parent appreciation baskets for our Rock Hill families. (Suggested value: $50 - $75) Baskets should follow one of the themes below but do not have to contain the exact items listed.

Cozy Baskets, Activity Baskets, Family Dinner Baskets

· Home themed: Soft blanket, Amazon gift card to rent movies, candy, and popcorn and popcorn bowl

· Outing themed: Gift card for restaurant, gasoline gift card, and crayons and coloring books for the kids to take along

· Home themed: Games and/or puzzles, craft supplies with instructions, wipeable table cloth

· Home themed: Restaurant or cash gift card with take-out menus, fun-to-make family dessert with a nice dish

· Outing themed: Putt-putt passes, trampoline park passes, or bowling passes, gasoline gift card Outing themed: Movie tickets, tote bag filled with single-sized snacks, gasoline gift card.

Please call before coming, 803-540-5800

Church Coordinator: Please email Kathy James at kjames@epworthsc.org with the number of baskets your church will provide.

Dear Zion Church Family, I would like to thank each one for all the cards, food, visits, flowers, calls, texts, and especially your prayers in the passing of my mother. My family and I have been blessed and uplifted by all the kindnesses shown to us during this time.  - Love In Christ, Missy Snipes and Family

Our Adult Sunday School classes continue to meet each Sunday at 10:00 am. If you are unsure which class would better suit you, please contact the church office, 285-3864. Our Youth and Children’s Sunday School classes will be meeting at 10:00 am as well, youth and children in the family life center.

Collection For Our Local Animal Shelter

Used blankets, towels, and hand towels are being collected for the Lancaster Animal Shelter. Please place your donations in the collection box in the church vestibule.

Special Gifts to Tony Neal Scholarship

In Honor of:

 Susan Duell on her birthday by Claudia Hartley

May 5: Susan Duell, Judy Humphreys

May 6: Michael Mills

May 7: Cheryl Hayes, Emerie Parr, Ella Parr, Mr. and Mrs. Danny McManus, Mr. and Mrs. William Snipes

May 9: Tammy Mackey

May 10: Adair Craig

May 11: Courtney Marshall, Mallory Cauthen

May 12: Tobias Salisbury

The Record Speaks....

Present for 4/30 Sunday School: 42

Present for 4/30 Worship: 83

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $3,665

Received for Building Fund: $10

Received for Epworth Children's Home: $120

Received for Tony Neal Scholarship Fund: $260

There are many 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 everything you put your hand to."

Deuteronomy 15:10