October 5, 2023

 Pastor's Pen

¹⁰And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.¹¹And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:10-11

Zion, this week we will welcome our newest member, baby Caroline Hope Broughton as she will be baptized this Sunday. So, I’ve decided to preach on Mark 1:4-11 Jesus’ baptism. John’s baptism had (or has) two components, forgiveness and repentance. We Christians know that through Jesus’ baptism, the church was born as Jesus’s faith and teaching washed over the earth through those who have been baptized. We often speak of baptism as one of “the means of grace”, with communion being the other. Through Jesus’ baptism in the water, the heavens where “torn open” as Jesus received the Holy Spirit like a dove descending upon Him. Along with God’s affirmation as His only Son, which changed the world forever. To some baptism physically is only a splash of water, but yet, it marks the beginning of a whole new life. A new life of forgiveness and repentance, with the presence of Holy Spirit as one becomes part of the worldwide Christian church and its mission. But there is more to baptism, especially for us! Join us this Sunday as welcome our newest member, but also learn what baptism mean for us all!

Pastor John

All ladies of the church are invited to our United Women in Faith meeting on Tuesday, October 10 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. 

The Senior Adults are planning a trip to Florence on Friday, October 13. We plan to leave the church at 10:30 am. Ashley and Daisy are planning to meet us for lunch at Woodstone. There will be some time for shopping on the way back. Please call Terry, 803-283-7195 to reserve your seat!

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, Octotber 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 5-7 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 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 Memory of:

Sarah Preslar and Catherine Hammond by Sonny and Marion Curtis

Sarah Preslar, Catherine Hammond, and Seth Rodgers by Judy Payne

Catherine Hammond by Frances Parris and Pat Threatt

Our Aunt, Sarah Plyler Preslar from the children of Charlton Plyler: Emily Plyler Banister, Melva Plyler Hunt, and William Charlton (Bucky) Plyler, Jr.

Sarah Preslar by Douglas Plyler and Libby Morris

Joan Taylor by Wanda Faile

Special Gifts to Building Fund

In Honor of:

Ricky Steele and Mike Rape—Thank you guys! by Barbara Vick

In Memory of:

Voncille Jenkins by Libby, JoJo, and Alicia Morris

Catherine Hammond by Suzanne Evans

______________________________________

BIRTHDAY CLUB

Judy Payne

In memory of Joe Morris

by Libby, JoJo, and Alicia

_____________________________________

10/5: Darlene Craig

10/7: Mr. and Mrs. Kenny Polston

10/8: Dwayne Ray, Noah Bradley

10/9: Steve Moseley, Robert Woodward, Terri McAteer, Matthew Whitley

10/10: Diane Thomas, Brent McAteer

10:11: Michael Stogner

10/12: Jamison Craig

10/13: Mr. and Mrs. David Haile

The Record Speaks....

Present for 9/24 Sunday School: 31

Present for 9/24 Worship: 66

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $3,647

Received for Building Fund: $81.30

Received for Epworth Children's Home: $120

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