The News of Zion
Love God
Love People
~Luke 10:27
January 12, 2021
Sleeping In a Storm. . .

“But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow.” – Mark 4:38
 
When I was younger, I had trouble sleeping—for about 10 years. I would go for a few days off and on every few weeks without much or any sleep. When the insomnia was at its worst, I might miss entire nights of sleep. The absolute worst was a week where I had only a couple of days worth of sleep for the entire week.
 
In the passage above, Jesus doesn't have any issue with sleep at all. And no wonder, Jesus had been teaching all day by the lakeside and was exhausted. Like anyone else putting in a hard day's work, Jesus needs a break, some sleep. So he does what anyone would, he gets a pillow, finds a comfortable place, and goes to sleep.
 
Or at least he tries to get some sleep.
 
A short time later, certainly not long enough for Jesus to be rested, Jesus is awakened by frightened screaming disciples,
 
“Teacher, don't you care that we're drowning?”
 
I imagine Jesus getting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, looking around to see the situation, and then,
 
“Silence! Be still!”
 
Everything calms and a boat of amazed disciples are left to wonder what's going on. So, what does Jesus do after? I imagine he goes back to sleep. He still needs rest so why wouldn't he.
 
For times of chaos and uncertainty, we get a couple of good responses from Jesus. One, take care of the problem if there is a problem. Things happen in life and usually when we are not expecting them to. Stuff breaks. People break. Situations break. When it happens, we address it the best we can and go on. Second, take care of yourself so you can take care of these things when they happen. You never know when these things will happen, so take care that your mind, body, and spirit are healthy. Eat well. Rest well. Pray hard. Seek God. Keep your mind engaged. All of this is necessary for life and life that is abundant.
 
And when in doubt, take a nap.
 
Pastor Michael
A Break From In-Person Worship:
Over the past several weeks, our state and community have experienced a record surge of Covid-19 cases and an alarming percentage of people testing positive. In the interest of keeping our people safe, we are going to begin with online services again for January 17th and 24th. Lord willing, the numbers will subside and people will start having the opportunity to be vaccinated.
 
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.
 
Pastor Michael and the COVID Response Team
Announcement from our Youth and Children's Leaders:
The Children and Youth Teachers of Zion UMC have decided with increased Covid-19 concerns, to return to NO in-person meetings for our age groups at this time.
Brooke and Keli will remain committed to checking in on our students and children and their families via text, email, and social media.
And as always, please let us know if there is anything we can to better serve you as the family and community of Zion UMC.
Hello everyone!! I am working on a printed
informational directory that should be completed within the next few weeks. If you have any phone numbers or other changes you would like included, please call me at 803-804-2434 or email me at zionumc@comporium.net I have tried to keep up with the posted changes through out the year however if you have had recent changes, please send those to me! 

Thank you!! Missy
Our deepest love and sympathy are extended to David Lindsey and his family in the death of his father, John Thomas Lindsey on January 8, 2021 and also to the family of Ovedia Love Griffin in her death on January 11, 2021.
Special Gifts to Zion Church
In Honor of:
Ellen, Bryan, and Donna Walters, Pat Threatt, and Matthew and Ernest Sweatt by Dianne Martin
Mary Knight on her birthday by Missy, William, Matthew and Kaylee Snipes
 
In Memory of
Kathleen Robinson by Ryan and Miriam Griffin, Missy Snipes and Family, and Polly Haigler
Walter and Lorraine Knight by Lex and Kim Ford
In loving memory of our Mama by Hazel and Terry  Robinson
Margaret Threatt, Sadie Rape, and Jeff Martin by Dianne Martin
 
 
Special Gifts to Building Fund
In Memory of:
Kathleen Robinson by Judy S. Humphreys
 
 
Special Gifts to Needy Fund
In Memory of:
A dear friend, Barbara Ek by Darlene Hallman
In loving memory of Kathleen Robinson by Sue Catoe, Rhonda and Renee
2021 Offering Envelopes are available in the church vestibule. As we are not meeting for Sunday school, the vestibule will be the best collection site for your yearly envelopes. As in years past, assigned numbers are not necessary. Thank you!!!
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
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 H. 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.
January 12: Wayne Fields, Candy Pardue
January 13: Kenny Polston, Annemarie Salisbury
January 14: Jennifer Burrack, Gracie Knox, Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Baker
January 16: Jeremy Haile
January 18: Donna Smith
January 19: Joseph Morris
The Record Speaks....
January 10, 2021

Present for Worship: 24
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,350
Received for General Fund $4,731
Received for Building Fund $25
Received for Needy Fund $160

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