The News of Zion
Love God
Love People
~Luke 10:27
May 5, 2021
Fear Not . . .

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love.”—1 John 4:18
 
When we think of the opposite of love, we almost always think of hate. It seems to be embedded in our social DNA. Recently, I have come to think of this in a different way. I was reading a book recently by Benjamin Corey called Unafraid. In the book, Corey writes,
 
… when the Bible describes the opposite of love, it doesn't describe hate. The Bible says that the opposite of love is actually fear—meaning where there is love there cannot be fear. They are adversaries.

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1 Corey, Benjamin L. Unafraid, HarperOne Publishing, New York copyright 2017, p. 27
 
Reading the text above from 1 John 4 makes the idea pretty clear. The writer says love and fear are at odds with each other, that love drives fear away, that the mature person is not a person of fear. If we look too at the life of Jesus, when he was acting in perfect love he wasn’t acting in a fearful manner. Love drove him to feed the hungry, to heal the sick and mentally suffering, to break the laws of Pharisees that hurt or demeaned those less fortunate. Jesus love for the people he came to serve and heal drove out any fear of what others might say or do. His love overcame not only any fear he may have had but at times even the fear others might have had about what he was doing (see the healing of the blind man, John 9).
 
For many of us though, we live our lives in fear. We live our days wondering what other people will think of us, whether or not we will lose friendships or family. We think others will look down on us or think us weak for choosing to set aside fear to love, to risk living a way that can be hard, yet a way that is worth so much more.
 
Knowing this, the issue becomes are we going to be ruled by fear or by love? For many of us, the answer unfortunately will be fear. We will allow the opinions of others, even those who don't know us, to dictate and decide how we should live. We will choose to go along and get along rather than live lives of extravagant love in imitation of Jesus. Our fear will keep us from following in the way of Jesus.
 
But it doesn't have to. We are called to something more, something greater. We are called to live lives of extravagant love and grace. We are called to demonstrate the love and grace Jesus demonstrated and the love and grace that God continues to demonstrate through the Holy Spirit.
 
The question is will we? Will we be willing to set aside fear for love in order to live into this?
 
 Pastor Michael
In-person worship continues at 11:00 AM on Sundays in the Sanctuary. Also at 11:00 AM on Sundays, our children have resumed meeting in the TFLC, and our youth have resumed meeting in the Fellowship Hall. EVERYONE is invited to join us on Sundays at 11:00 AM!! We do ask everyone participating in worship to continue to wear a mask and to socially distance. We wish for everyone to remain safe as we meet in-person.
The Chancel flowers will be placed in the sanctuary this Sunday, May 9 to the glory of God and in memory of Evelyn Curtis and Jessie Rae Threatt on Mother's Day and in memory of Bill Threatt on his birthday by Pat, Marion, and Sonny.
Our United Methodist Women will honor all women
present at worship on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9. Our appreciation to our women for this outreach to the women in our church.
Our Sunday evening Bible Study class will not be held this Sunday, May 9 because of Mother's Day. We will resume on Sunday, May 16 at 6:00 pm in the fellowship hall. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Our United Methodist Women are hopeful that our monthly UMW meetings will resume in the near future, possibly after summer. We have remained physically (when able) and financially faithful in our outreach to local and global missions and look forward to possibly beginning to meet again in person. We would like to possibly consider another meeting day and time to invite and accommodate those who have so many activities throughout the week so if you have ideas or thoughts, please contact one of our officers: Sharon Haile, Pres., Darlene Hallman, Vice Pres., Terry Robinson, Secretary, or Missy Snipes, Treasurer. We would greatly appreciate your input on our planning on re-engaging with the church family and community!!!  We cannot do this without each one’s efforts!!!   Thank you!
Vacation Bible School is scheduled at Zion for June 20-25. We invite you and your children to join us as we find a new way forward this year and offer Bible School to our children to move them forward in their faith walk with Christ!!! 
Unfortunately, Salkehatchie camps have been canceled for this summer. Their hope and prayer is to be back in service helping families next summer.
High school and college graduate recognition will be held on Sunday, June 6. Please contact the church office if you have a graduate so that we can compile their information. You may call the church office at 803-285-3864 and leave a voice mail or call/text Missy at 803-804-2434 with your young adult’s information.
Special Gifts to Zion Church
In Honor of:
Jamison and Bryant Craig Love, Nana
Blakely Elizabeth Morris by Beth Craig
Mike and Diane Rape, Tommy Knight, Nancy Ackerman –Thank you! By Beth Craig
Kristina Ray by Mike and Diane Rape
 
 
In Memory of:
Mama by Nancy and Danny
 
 
 
Special Gifts to Needy Fund
In Memory of:
Billy McAbee by Mr. and Mrs. Mike Vick

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BIRTHDAY CLUB
In Memory of Eddie Mitchell
by Libby Mitchell Morris
Thank you so very much for the cards, calls, visits, and most importantly for your prayers for our family in the death of Perline Polston Garris Moseley. The meal for the family before visitation was delicious and very appreciated. Thank you for each act of kindness in the death of our loved one!  - The family of Perline Moseley
Pastor Michael continues to offer morning prayer and Bible study. Join us each morning at 7:00 AM for Prayer and meditation. Join us, also on Thursdays at 12:00 Noon for Bible Study. Pastor Michael is hosting these from our Facebook page. If you are unable to log in LIVE, these offerings remain available for viewing after on our website and FB page.
While the church office remains closed, you are encouraged to reach out if you have a need or know of a need. You may call Pastor Michael at 1-859-475-8800, call the church office, 803-285-3864 and leave a message, call Missy at 803-804-2434 or email lmjarrell@umcsc.org or zionumc@comporium.net; these emails are monitored daily. The answering machine will also be checked daily. During these times, we ask everyone to pray together for each other, our church family, our community, our country, and our world.
Morning Walking Club: 
Our weekday morning walking group has resumed meeting in the life center Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM. Church members are welcome to come out and enjoy getting in some exercise out of the elements and in a secure location!
Please remember these in prayer:
Nancy Ackerman
Angela Bailey
Francis Bell
Phillip Bell
Sue Catoe
Carol Cauthen
Angie Dobson
Debbie Drost
John Elder
Myra Funderburk
Mike Gay
Catherine Hammond
JoAnn Hinson
Rick Joyner
Tommy Knight
Bill McCorkle
Kevin McCorkle
Della McManus
Marie Moree
Joe Morris
Ann Powers
Scott Rape
John Rollins
Virginia Rollins
Bonnie Sears
Eva Small
Greg Smith
JoAnne Smith
Billy Sowell
Becky M. Steele
Robbie Stepp
Matthew Sweatt
Mike Vick
Pat Vick
Myrtle Walker
Donna Walters
Ellen Walters
Kayla Strait
Richard Thompson
Kim Yost
Those affected by COVID19
 
Even as we offer in-person worship, our services will still be made available online on our Facebook page. Log in to our Zion United Methodist Church Facebook page this Sunday for our service if you are unable to make it to church!! The service will also be available on our website at www.zionumc.com
May/June 2021 Upper Room Daily Devotionals are available for pick up at the church! We will place some of these in the church vestibule on the table and some in the plastic communication box outside of the life center doors where the buses are for those who do not attend worship or have access to the church for you to pick up. There are large and regular print copies available.
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
The Record Speaks....

Present for 5/2 Worship: 69
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,350
Received for General Fund $5,542
Received for Building Fund: $117.40
Received for Needy Fund: 10

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
803-285-3864 - www.zionumc.com