November 30, 2023

The Pastor’s Pen

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down, so that the mountains would quake at your presence— 2as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, so that the nations might tremble at your presence! Isaiah 64: 1-2

Yes, it’s Advent! And there are songs in the air, the vestments colors have been changed, the church has been decorated, and a fresh selection of scripture lessons announce the beginning of a new liturgical season, as we celebrate both the birth of Christ, and anticipate Jesus’ second coming. Advent derives from the Latin adventus, which means “coming.” Advent is a season of both preparation and celebration for these two comings through Word and Spirit. Historically, it’s a time of preparation with scriptural study, prayers, fasting, and meditation with reflection, as we learn to “wait on the Lord.” Join us this Sunday as we explore a moment of Israel’s rife and struggles of the earliest returnees after the Babylonian exile and how that relates to us today! Maranatha! Hope to see you all Sunday!

Pastor John

December Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Julie Middleton and Tonette Thomas

Ushers: Tommy Middleton, Steve McDonald, Ricky Steele, and Danny Thomas

Going forward, you can visit the church website, www.zionumc.com and view the church calendar that will now include personal reservations of the facilities by members or groups. Reservations are made through the church office by contacting Missy, 803-285-3864 or 803-804-2434.

The Staff Parish Relations Committee is reminded to meet this Sunday, December 3rd at 3:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.

Members are Nancy Ackerman, Marion Curtis, Tammy Cooper, Ryan Griffin, Beverly Knox, Dennis Hall, Steve Moseley, and Wanda Murphy.

Our Grief Support Group will have their final meeting of the year on Monday, December 4th at 11:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall.

Our Country Christmas planning meeting will be held on Monday, December 4 at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We are so excited about how this event is coming together and pray you will join us on December 9th!!

Our United Women in Faith will not be meeting in December. Meetings will resume on Tuesday, January 9 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

Lancaster County Council on Aging

Shoeboxes for Seniors

It’s time for Shoeboxes for Seniors! Please join us in bringing Holiday Cheer to our senior clients! See below for guidelines and items requested by our seniors! Please have your donations to the church vestibule by Sunday, December 10. 

Suggested items: scarves/gloves, non-slip socks, small blanket or throw, lotion, shampoo, Vaseline, toothpaste/toothbrush, efferdent/fixodent, chapstick, towel/washcloth, bath soap, dryer sheets, small laundry detergent, dish soap, Kleenex, paper towels, toilet paper, pre-packaged snacks, sugar-free candy, microwave popcorn, fruit cups, pudding cups, claw reacher/grabber, 2024 calendar, word puzzle book, puzzles, envelopes, pens/pencils, cards.

Toys for Tots

Our JOY Sunday School Class will be collecting toys for needy children. Donations can be placed in the last SS class on the right in the Educational Building  For toy suggestions, please contact Dianne Sweatt, 803-804-1602. Toys need to be brought to the church by Sunday, December 17th. 

United Methodist Men’s Dinner

and Fellowship

All men and women of the church are invited on Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30 pm in the TFLC. We will be serving chicken and dumplings, green beans, and salad. There will be hamburgers available for those who don’t enjoy chicken and dumplings. Please text or call Steve McDonald, 803-288-2892 if you would prefer a hamburger so that we can purchase enough.   

Poinsettias will be placed in the Sanctuary on Sunday, December 17 and Sunday, December 24.  You are invited to purchase a poinsettia to be placed in the church on these special days. If you would like your poinsettia placed in honor or in memory of a loved one, please turn in that information to the church office by Sunday, December 10.

Dear Zion Church Family, Thank you so much for the prayers, cards, memorials, and the delicious meal during the loss of our mom. It's great to belong to a loving church family. 

- Tommy and Julie Middleton and

        Eugene and Lynn Chapman

_________________________________

Thank you to those who came out and decorated our Chrismon Tree and helped prepare the sanctuary for Advent. A special thank you to the Moseley Family and Moseley Old Time Christmas Tree Farm for the beautiful tree!

Special Gifts to Zion Church:

In Memory of:

Joan Middleton and Wanda Sweet by Barbara Hall

Crystal Fields by Judy Payne

12/2: B.J. Griffin, Amanda Johnson

12/3: Nancy Ackerman, Mr. and Mrs. Jackie Knight

12/4: Sherri Whitley

12/7: Sadie Thomas

12/8: Brandon Belk, Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Griffin

The Record Speaks....

Present for 11/26 Sunday School: 41

Present for 11/26 Worship: 75

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $2,568

Received for Building Fund: $10

Received for Epworth Children's Home: $120

There are several 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 you put your hand to."

Deuteronomy 15:10