The News of Zion
Love God
Love People
~Luke 10:27
May 19, 2021
Body Positivity . . .

Part of my wife’s job as a dietitian is teach classes. Most of the places she has worked, she has been asked either by the medical facility or the community, to teach classes on various dietetic issues. The place she works now has her teaching classes several days a week and one of these is a class on body positivity. The gist is for people to see the good in their bodies, even they fit the stereotype society says they should. It’s a way of encouraging a better view of the self so patients have a chance to let go of certain negative ideas they may have about themselves.
Personally, I think the Body of Christ might be in need of some body positivity classes. The Body is taking a rather negative view of itself at the moment, and it might be good to have some reminders.
We are one body in Christ. The idea here is Jesus never intended denominations. He called his disciples to unity in following the way of life he taught them and the way of life the Holy Spirit continued to teach after he was gone. In what is often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer in John, Jesus says,
I’ve given them the glory that you gave me so that they can be one just as we are one. I’m in them and you are in me so that they will be made perfectly one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you have loved them just as you loved me. — John 17:22-23
Notice the world will see the love of God and bear witness to the truth of Jesus when we are “made perfectly one”; Not the 200 or more in the US and certainly not the 45,000 or so globally. We are called to be one, something we failed at a long time ago.
We have one mission: make disciples who follow the Way of Jesus. It’s not to make everyone believe what I believe or make everyone feel miserable for disagreeing with me. It is to make disciples who follow the Way of Jesus. Notice that, to make disciples who follow the Way of Jesus, not our way, not the way of political parties, not certain ideologies, not certain talking heads or pundits.

We are called to know the Way of Jesus as taught by Jesus and passed to us through the Holy Spirit and then teach the Way to others. And we must read and know the life and teachings of Jesus (start with the gospels) in order to do this.
We will not find the abundant life in Jesus or be able to help others find it until we get these ideas deeply rooted into ourselves. May each of us strive to be one body with one mission in order to change the community around us to reflect the true nature and being of the Jesus Way.
 
Pastor Michael
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:
 
Based on increased vaccination levels and decreases in the spread of Covid 19, the CDC has issued some new guidelines. New guidance from the CDC suggests that those who have been vaccinated and are two weeks past their final vaccination are safe to return to normal activities in church such as singing and Sunday school. They recommend that those have not been vaccinated continue to wear a mask and remain cautious about removing it in public situations around other people.
 
Our church leadership, in considering those guidelines, would encourage those who have been fully vaccinated to take part in church activities as normal without masks. Those who have not been vaccinated may chose to continue wearing masks or not. We advise you to consider your own health and the health of those around you before you take off your masks but the decision is yours.
 
Our school system had given parents the option to have their children wear or not wear masks at their own discretion. We are following their guidelines and giving you the choice as well. In the same way we ask those who have not been vaccinated to consider their health and the health of those around them, we encourage you to have the same considerations where your children are concerned.
 
As always, if you feel sick, please stay home and enjoy the service online on our Facebook page.
 
Pastor Michael
Our children and youth will continue meeting for Sunday school at 10:00 am and our Young Adult Sunday School class will begin meeting for Sunday School this Sunday, May 23 at 10:00 am. Hope to see everyone Sunday!!
Our Sunday evening Bible Study class continues to meet on Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm in the fellowship hall.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Our United Methodist Women Executive Committee and our Bereavement Committee Chairs are asked to meet this Sunday, May 23 at 4:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Members are: Sharon Haile, Darlene Hallman, Terry Robinson, Missy Snipes, Dianne Sweatt, Mary Knight, Diane Rape, Doreen Catoe, and Myra Funderburk. 
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:
To the glory of God and in honor of our grandson, Andrew Dillon Broughton by Max and Myra Funderburk
 
 
 
In Memory of:
Peggy Knight on Mother’s Day by Tommy Knight
In loving memory of Crystal Fields, Doris Starnes, Kathleen Robinson, and Karen Starnes on Mother’s Day by Hazel and Terry Robinson
My Dad on his birthday May 17 and Geraldine Osborne by Frances Parris
In loving memory of Mildred H. “Granny” Evans on her 100th birthday! By Darlene Hallman
Geraldine Osborne by Wanda Murphy
Helen Couick, Geraldine Osborne, and Perline Moseley by Ellen Walters
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
Ben Chapman
Angie Dobson
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
Graham Thomas
Lauren Thomas
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 19: Debbie Waters, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Parr
May 21: Karen Love
May 22: Brittany Jordan Montgomery
May 23: Sue Catoe, Meredith Steen, Cheryl Catoe
May 24: Tonda Wallace, Donna Conwell, Randy Cauthen, Mr. and Mrs. Steve McDonald
May 25: Colton Thomas, Joey Morris, Mr. and Mrs. Todd Finley
The Record Speaks....

Present for 5/9 Sunday School: 5
Present for 5/9 Worship: 61
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,350
Received for General Fund $3,674
Received for Building Fund: $40
Received for reimb. for Bibles $30

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