August 16, 2023

¹⁵But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.” ¹⁶Then he (Jesus) said, “Are you also still without understanding? ¹⁷Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? ¹⁸But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander. ²⁰These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.” Matthew 15:15-20

In this week’s Scripture Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees and Scribes about the disciples breaking the purity rituals, and tradition of the elder, by not washing the hands before eating. Jesus uses the moment to not only challenge the Pharisees, but also to teach the disciples and crowd through a parable. Peter asks Jesus to explain the Parable, but what does it mean to us today and our hearts in the world today? And what does verse 19 mean?   Join us Sunday for worship, and for an ice cream social.  Hope to see all of you there!

Pastor John

Our United Methodist Men will meet on Thursday, August 17 at 6:30 pm in the TFLC. Menu will be cube steak, rice and gravy, and lima beans. Our guest speaker will be Reverend Ted B. Wilson of God’s Great Outdoors. Rev. Wilson is a Pastor, Musicianary Evangelist, Outdoorsman, and Wild Game Storyteller. JOIN US!!!

August Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Judy Payne and Becky Barton

Ushers: Brandon Bowers, Eric Broughton, Dwayne Ray, and Shawn Thomas. 

Congratulations to our 2023 Tony Neal Scholarship Recipients: Steven Duell, Cierra Hartley, Elizabeth Moseley, and Hannah Steen.

Thank you to our Joy Sunday School Class for the wonderful luncheon on Sunday. The food was delicious and everyone enjoyed fellowshipping and sharing a luncheon together.

School Supply Drive - We are collecting school supplies (wide-rule notebook paper, 24-pack crayons, glue sticks, pencils, pink erasers, etc.) for the next week. Drop off your donations at the church collection box in the Vestibule, the Toddler classroom in the TFLC, or bring them to the Back to School Ice Cream Social on Sunday, August 20th.

Our Grief Support Group will not be meeting in August. Meetings will resume in September. 

There will be a Benefit Fundraiser for

STUART (DENISE) MORGAN

Saturday, August 19, 11:00 am until

Drawings start at 3:00 pm, you do not need to be present to win.

Rich Hill Community Center,

2891 Rocky River Rd.

Bar-B-Que Pork and Chicken Plates $10.00 and include

Potato Salad, Slaw, Baked Beans, Rolls, and Dessert

Chicken Bog Plates $10.00 and include

Green Beans, Slaw, Rolls, and Dessert

Cake Raffles, 50/50 Drawing, and $5 Raffles for Gift

Baskets

T-Shirts for Sale $20.00

Pre-Sale Tickets are available for plates and shirts.

Contact Lane Morgan at 803-320-9816 for more

information or to make donations.

You are invited to a baby shower in honor of Savana Burn Bowers on Sunday, August 20 from 2:00-3:30 pm in the TFLC. They are registered at Amazon and Walmart. It's a girl!!

Join us for our Back To School Ice Cream Social THIS Sunday, August 20th at 5:00 PM in the TFLC. Come and enjoy some cool treats.

It’s Apple Picking Time!! Our Senior Adults are planning a trip to Grandad’s Apples in Hendersonville, NC on Tuesday, August 29. We will leave the church at 8:00 am. Eat breakfast before you come. We will have lunch at the Moose Café. Let Terry know if you wish to go, 803-283-7195.

Dear Zion UMC and the family of Tony Neal, Thank you so much for your generosity and for the Tony Neal Scholarship! This will greatly aid me in my academic progress. I am so proud to be a part of such a loving congregation.         

-Love, Elizabeth Moseley

Charge Conference is scheduled for Sunday, October 1 at 3:00 pm. Nominations will begin meeting soon. If there is a specific committee you would like to serve on, please let a member of the Nominating committee know. 

_______________________________

2024 Budget Requests are being mailed to committee chairpersons. Completed budget requests are due to the church office by Sunday, September 10 for consideration. 

Homecoming 2023 will be held on Sunday, September 17.   We will be welcoming Rev. Frank Lybrand back to bring the message on this special day. A church wide covered dish meal will follow worship in the life center.

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Honor of:

Corey, Chad, and Caleb by MawMaw Judy

Wanda Murphy on her birthday by Faye, Lisa, and Rusty Murphy

Happy Birthday Anna, Austin and Will by Wanda Murphy

Pat Threatt, Betty Crook, and Ronald Threatt by Dianne Martin

In Memory of:

Bonnie Sears by Judy Payne

Walter and Lorraine Knight by Lex and Kim Ford

Ronnie Threatt, Margaret Threatt, Herb Martin, Clyde Walters, and Junie Sweatt by Dianne Martin

Mike Vick, a long time friend who is missed by David M. McCombe

Special Gifts to Tony Neal Scholarship Fund

In Honor of:

JoJo and Alicia by Libby Morris

Visitors on 8/13: Kaegan Reeves, Tim Steen, Faye Murphy, and Lisa Murphy.

General Fund Expenditures July 2023

Duke Energy...........................................................................720.02

Constant Contact…………............................................……….....21.60

Lancaster Fire Extinguishers.................................................173.84

Wycliffe Bible Translators……...............................................333.34

Comporium.............................................................................249.01

US Postmaster……………............................................………....132.00

SC Dept of Revenue.................................................................123.57

LCNGA.....................................................................................111.87

LCWSD....................................................................................171.75

US Treasury……………...........................................………….....466.14

Staff Salaries……………...…............................................…....5170.34

Pastor Howle (travel)…..........................................………......180.78

The Upper Room.....................................................................101.20

Rural Garbage.......................................................................190.00

Three Boys Lawn Service…..........................................……...700.00

State Farm……………………...........................................…….....587.47

Kristina Ray…………………..........................................………...251.24

Hazel Robinson (bus repairs)…............................................368.66

Breeze.......................................................................................72.00

Wells Fargo (service charge)..................................................23.00

Wespath.................................................................................333.34

Southern Mutual Church Ins..............................................2702.00

SC Conference Direct Billing...............................................2250.66

Custodial………………………............................................……....712.00

8/18: Will Moseley

8/19: Walter Couch

8/20: Shirley Hunter

8/21: Bryan Walters, Tracey McManus, Mr. and Mrs. Todd Hall

8/22: Mr. and Mrs. Butch Williams

8/24: Alex Heath

The Record Speaks....

Present for 8/13 Sunday School: 41

Present for 8/13 Worship: 71

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $3,861

Received for Building Fund: $10

Received for Tony Neal Scholarship Fund: $120

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