Love God
Love People
~Luke 10:27
|
|
|
The Struggle . . .
Over the course of my life, I have written a lot. Part of it is an occupational hazard and part of it is simply love for the written word. Over the course of many years, I have put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard more than I can remember. Between the papers, stories, plays, sermons, articles, and various other things, I can’t even guess how many pages I have written. But everything I have ever written has been born of struggle. Let me explain.
For some people, writing just happens. The words fall out of their minds and onto the page with minimal effort. They create, edit, and finalize on the fly without so much as a second thought seemingly. C.S. Lewis supposedly wrote the Narnia series as basically a first draft with minimal edits. He is what writing coaches and editors call as pantster or someone who write by the seat of their pants. I am not so lucky. I write first, second, sometimes third drafts, throw them away, start over, write a few more drafts and then halfway like the result and give up. Okay, it’s not quite that bad but it is a struggle most of the time to get things said the way I want to say them.
I think struggle is the nature of our faith as well. The things we come to believe—meaning those things we are willing to live into as a lifestyle—are things we have usually struggled with in order to come to the conclusion that they are worth the effort. I think there is a biblical precedent for this. Consider Jacob and his wrestling match, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome” (Genesis 32:28). Jacob wanted a blessing and even with a dislocated hip refused to let go. Paul says we will struggle and “…our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12) and also, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). These ideas about living in the Way of Jesus were born of wrestling, struggling with how to convey the truth of Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection to a world who had never heard of him.
What I want to encourage here is to wrestle or struggle with the things you trust in where God is concerned. Be willing to test and try the things you believe to know whether or not you really believe them. Make a point of sharing your thoughts with others and allow friends to “sharpen” you as you “sharpen” them. Never be afraid to ask the questions or wonder the thoughts as you dig into the very rich tapestry woven over the past few millennia. Pa
Pastor Michael
|
Hello Zion family!
Our state and community continue to experience large numbers of Covid-19 cases and a large percentage of people testing positive. In the interest of keeping our people safe, we are going to continue with online services again for February 7th and pray that things get better soon.
Remember, even if we aren't meeting together in a building, we are still the church: to each other, to our community, and to the world around us. Keep reaching out. Keep living the Way of Jesus. And keep safe.
Grace & Peace
Pastor Michael and the COVID Response Team
|
These Share our Love Boxes are under the bus shelter for any children willing to collect pennies for our annual Share our Love Event! More details to come but swing by and grab your collection box! |
Friends of Zion, Thank you so much for the nice gift bag you sent me for Christmas. I enjoyed it and this was so thoughtful of you all to think of me. I appreciate it very much. May God bless each of you,
~ Love, Ellen Walters
_________________________________________
Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts for our mother, Barbara EK. We are from Michigan and I tell ya we have a new family down here. Darlene Hallman is a sweetheart!
~ Thanks again, The Kneibels—Michael, Terri,
Aubrey, and Mikayla
|
Special Gifts to Zion Church
In Honor of:
Tommy Knight and Ray Vincent by Ellen, Bryan, and Donna Walters
In Memory of:
Jewel McAteer, Kathleen Robinson, and Ovedia Love Griffin by Della McManus
Ovedia Love Griffin by Barbara Hall
Jewel McAteer, Vernon Hallman, and Mike Anderson by Carolyn Massey
Special Gifts to Building Fund
In Honor of:
Tommy Knight by Ray and Margie Vincent
In Memory of:
Kathleen Robinson and Ovedia Love Griffin by Ray and Margie Vincent
|
Shiloh Zion Volunteer Fire Department
Annual Barbecue
Saturday, February 6, 2021
11:00 AM until SOLD OUT!
Tickets are $8 each and plates will include BBQ chicken, baked beans, slaw, and a roll.
Pick Up at Shiloh ARP Church, 346 Shiloh Unity Road, Lancaster
**DRIVE THROUGH ONLY**
Shiloh Zion Ladies Auxiliary raffle:
$2 ticket donation for a chance to win a
Blackstone 36 inch grill
|
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 being 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
John Elder
Myra Funderburk
Mike Gay
Catherine Hammond
JoAnn Hinson
Rick Joyner
Tommy Knight
Rev. Frank Lybrand
Bill McCorkle
Kevin McCorkle
Marie Moree
Harris Plyler
Marcene Plyler
Ann Powers
Edna Robinson
John Rollins
Virginia Rollins
Bonnie Sears
Eva Small
Greg Smith
JoAnne Smith
Billy Sowell
Becky M. Steele
Robbie Stepp
Matthew Sweatt
Pat Vick
Myrtle Walker
Donna Walters
Ellen Walters
Kim Yost
Our President and Troops
Those affected by the COVID virus
|
|
|
|
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 |
January/February 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. |
|
|
|
February 1: Brett Craig
February 2: Jack Steele, Cassie Ghent, Jon Seegars, Linda Jo Ferguson
February 5: Marie Moree, Debbie Hodge
February 6: Garrett Sweatt
February 7: Ken Preslar, Lex Ford, Steve Duell
February 8: Jody Pardue
February 9: Zach Hall, Mason Parr
|
|
The Record Speaks....
January 31, 2021
Present for Worship: 32
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,350
Received for General Fund $1450.00
Received for Building Fund $56
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 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
