March 3, 2023

Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’^{* 4}Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’

           In this week's text from John 3:1-17, Nicodemus came to Jesus in the night in search of answers. It is here Nicodemus begins the conversation with a statement based on evidence. “We know” that Jesus is a teacher come from God.  But how do we know?  Obviously, by observation, logical deduction. Though Nicodemus is not wrong in his conclusion, he is not right either. Yet, Nicodemus’s perception is partial and incomplete.  For “many” mentioned in John 2:23-24 believed in Jesus because of what they had seen, the signs Jesus did. Yet, Nicodemus comes himself to question Jesus about his identity.

           Jesus’ responses to Nicodemus’ opening statement and cuts straight to the heart of the matter: no one can see God’s reign without being born again/from above (the Greek word anothen means both “again” and “from above,” and both senses are important here). Unless Nicodemus allows God to change his whole way of being in the world, he will not be able to perceive God at work. Join us Sunday as we delve into this week’s text with all of it Christian-ese (Christian code words) and also most quoted and popular Bible verse!

Pastor John

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, March 6. All are welcome!

Senior Adult Outing: Saturday, March 11. Join us for a trip to Florence, SC. We plan to leave the church at 10:30 am. Lunch will be at Woodstone. After lunch, we will visit Daisy Brunson at Heritage Home. Daisy is in therapy five days a week which is the reason for going on a Saturday. Please sign up with Terry Robinson, 803-283-7195 if you would like to go.

2023 Informational Directories are available in the church vestibule. Please add Luke Massey, 2396 Great Falls Hwy., Lancaster, SC 29720, phone 803-246-0966. His information was left out of the book in error. If there are any other corrections, please let Missy know at 803-804-2434. Thank you!!

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.

Lenten Bible Study continues on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Cost of each study book is $10.00 You may just mark your donation Bible study and Pastor John will make sure you receive a book.

March Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Diane Rape and Marion Curtis

Ushers: Brandon Bowers, Steve Moseley, Mike Rape, and Tommy Middleton. 

Spaghetti Luncheon

Sunday, March 5 following worship in the TFLC

Eat in or take out, plates are $10 for adults and $6 for children under 10. Proceeds to benefit the Tony Neal Scholarship Fund.

Rock Hill Charge United Methodist Church Women’s Conference, 1222 Ogden Road, Rock Hill, SC 

Join the Women’s Ministry

Connect, Encourage, and Empower

Jeremiah 29:11 

March 18, 1am-3pm

Dynamic speakers on prayer, health, finance, and growth in your gifts. This is a no Charge Conference

You must register your name via email at rhwomenconfeerence@gmail.com Athena Dickey-Cathcart Host pastor: New Hope and Mt. Olive UMC

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.

Greetings Church Leader,

The Rock Hill Connectional Ministries Team invites you to consider being a part of our upcoming C3 Workshops on April 15th at Mount Holly UMC from 9-Noon. Based on feedback we received during our Town Hall meetings last spring, we have created the C3 Workshops with a two-fold goal. First we hope to offer churches the opportunity to share with those in attendance information about one successful ministry at their church in order to encourage other churches to think outside the box and possibly to foster collaboration to expand the impact of said ministry. The second goal of the event is to allow those in the local church to connect with others around specific conversations to enhance connections across the district. To that end we titled the event C3 Workshops – Connect, Converse, Collaborate.  

We will be sending out more details about the event including registration information for those that wish to be a part. At this point, we are looking for churches that would like to share your most impactful ministry with others in the district at a ministry fair. Those that take part in the fair will have an opportunity to share an “elevator pitch” (90-second description) of the ministry to all in attendance and then have an opportunity to engage attendees at a booth at the end of the event. IF you are interested in hosting an informational booth and information about your ministry at this event, please complete the online ministry form NO LATER than March 1, 2023. After March 1st, one of our Connectional Ministries team members will be in touch with more information about the event. Thanks so much.  

The Rock Hill DCM

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Honor of:

Kim Yost by Judy Payne

Lib Preslar by Marcene Plyler

Special Gifts to the Building Fund

In Honor of:

Darlene Hallman by Marcene Plyler

March 2: Warren Woodward, Mr. and Mrs. Joe East, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Waters

March 4: Schaline Salisbury, Hayden Capra

March 5: Jackie Knight, Julie Middleton

March 6: Mr. and Mrs. Billy Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Salisbury

March 7: Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Mathews

The Record Speaks....

Present for Ash Wednesday Service: 17

Present 2/26 for Sunday School: 44

Present 2/26 for Worship: 86

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for 2/19 for General Fund: $2,979

Received for Building Fund: $60

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