Love God
Love People
~Luke 10:27
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Practice . . .
Last week, someone asked me how long I had been playing guitar. I had to think a minute before I remembered, seventeen years. When the conversation was over, I got to thinking about how well I play (or don’t) and I came to a realization—I am not a very good guitarist. I can do a few things and I know a few tricks, but for someone who has been playing as long as I have, I would think I can do more than play rhythm and a few arpeggios here and there. It didn’t really take much to know why my skills are as limited as they are: I don’t really practice.
I pick up my guitar for may an hour or two a week, usually to get ready for playing at church or for the ministry I do at Rebound. Otherwise, my guitar stays tucked away nice and safe and quiet in its case. I don’t play scales. I don’t try to learn and practice new chords. I know enough to play a dozen or so chords in about three keys and really, that’s as much as I have put into adding to my musical repertoire.
Thinking of that made me think about how we usually practice our faith: we don’t. We know a few basic things we learned in Sunday school. We lean into the memory of a few times when we felt the Spirit of God move or when we had a spiritual epiphany but generally, we stick with the basic stuff we have always known. The truth is, most of us know what we know because it was all we were taught and the greater church (denominations, etc.) usually leaves it to us to fend for ourselves. Until I went into ministry, even with a college degree in religion, it was difficult at times to scratch the surface. Now as a pastor, I feel some guilt over this. I have spent nearly thirty years between college and seminary and ministry learning things that I have never even thought to teach in a church class.
With that in mind, I am hopeful that when 6:00p on April 11th rolls around, I’ll have some people eager to get into some serious practice. The book we are going to study may be challenging. It may well stretch the idea of faith for some people. And then it may open some doors that people have never thought of or never knew were there.
So, join me this Sunday as we begin our study of The Universal Christ by Richard Rohr with an introduction to the book and author. I’m looking forward to it.
Pastor Michael
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Thank you to all the families who supported the Easter Lilies on Sunday during worship! What a wonderful day celebrating our Risen Lord!!! |
Thank you to each one who brought flowers for our
living cross on Sunday! The cross was beautiful!!!
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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 Administrative Board is asked to meet this Sunday, April 11 at 4:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Members are: Steve Moseley, Steve Duell, Jeffrey Thomas, Tommy Middleton, Keli Thomas, Jimmy Neal, Missy Snipes, Judy Humphreys, Max Funderburk, Hazel Robinson, Libby Morris, Brooke Collins, Cierra Hartley, Dianne Sweatt, Terry Robinson, Diane Rape, Earl Hinson, Pastor Michael Jarrell, and Sharon Haile.
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BOOK STUDY TO BEGIN THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 11TH!!
One of the things I really enjoy as a pastor is to be able to engage in deep study with parishioners. I’m looking forward to studying The Universal Christ with those of you who would like to join me. We will start our study together with an introduction on April 11th at 6:00pm in the fellowship hall. Anyone who would like to join us is welcome!
~ Pastor Michael
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Special Gifts to Zion Church
In Honor of:
Tommy Knight and Danny and Nancy Ackerman by Eric and Courtney Broughton
Our Risen and Living Lord by Tom and Barbara Salisbury
In Memory of:
Donald Jenkins and Gene Bowers by Hazel and
Terry Robinson
Lillie Mae Godfrey and Gilbert Godfrey by Wanda Murphy
Mom and Dad by Frances Parris
Abigail Salem Wheeler, 1 1/2 year old cousin of JoAnne Smith by JoAnne Smith
Special Gifts to Building Fund
In Memory of:
Gene Bowers by Carolyn Massey and Mary P. Knight
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General Fund Expenditures: March 2021
Duke Energy………………………………………….523.82
US Postmaster (stamps)…………………...…...165.00
LCWSD………………………………………………....153.40
LCNGA…………………………………………………..731.05
Comporium…………………………………………...216.72
US Treasury (Federal withholding)…………..145.86
Staff Salaries…………………………………..…....4174.49
SC Conference Direct Billing……………..…...2407.16
Wycliffe Bible Translators…………………...…..333.34
Rural Garbage……………………………………......165.00
People Facts………………………………………….....16.20
Pastor Jarrell (worship, cont ed.)………….....122.88
Wespath………………………………………………....49.00
Cokesbury (Children, Easter)…………………...329.50
Lancaster Co. Treasurer (bus tag)……………...40.00
Keli Thomas (Children, Easter)………………..203.58
Custodial………………………………………………..712.00
Chris Massey (lawn care)………………..…..….600.00
Driver Support…………………………………..……....9.99
Constant Contact………………………………..…....21.60
Wells Fargo (service charge)…………………..…..2.00
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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. |
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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!
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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
Rev. Frank Lybrand
Bill McCorkle
Kevin McCorkle
Della McManus
Marie Moree
Perline Moseley
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
Kim Yost
Those affected by the Covid Virus
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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 |
March/April 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. |
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April 6: Steve Salisbury
April 8: Blake Finley, Anna Hill, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Salisbury, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Bailes
April 10: Ethan Woodward
April 11: Ryan McManus
April 12: Mr. and Mrs. Dustin Sweatt
April 13: Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Steele, Jr.
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The Record Speaks....
Present for Maundy Thursday: 11
Present for 4/4 Sunrise Service: 16
Present for 4/4 Worship: 75
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,350
Received for General Fund $3,553
Received for Building Fund $55
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
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803-285-3864 - www.zionumc.com |
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