The News of Zion
Love God
Love People
~Luke 10:27
March 18, 2021
Light . . .

“Light is not so much what you directly see as that by which you see everything else.”—Richard Rohr
“Jesus spoke to the people again saying I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won't walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”—John 8:12
 
I'm a bit finicky about light. In the mornings, I opened the curtains and blinds to allow for natural light. Once it starts to get dark, I turn on lamps and other ambient lighting. Only begrudgingly do I ever use overhead lights and then for only as long as I have to. The glare from them has hurt my eyes since my days as a graphic designer. Then again, maybe because I was a graphic designer, I learned to work without them to cut down on the glare. Chicken or egg, anyone? As quirky as I am about it, I like everyone else, need light to see. Though I prefer more limited amounts, I still need it or I can't see. No cat’s eyes in my head.
 
It's interesting to me to think about my odd habits with light in regard to the two statements above. Richard Rohr makes the argument for light as the thing which creates the conditions and environment for sight. He seems to be saying light is the thing that allows sight to happen, which scientifically, is true. Jesus comments are far more in line with another function of light, a different sort of light. In the ancient world, light was—and still is—a metaphor for personal illumination. It was not so much the light outside but the light inside the person that Jesus refers to here. This illumination allows us to see spiritually and gives us the ability—like plants—to grow.
 
Thinking of my earlier commentary on how I use light, it makes me wonder about how we prefer our spiritual light. As light in our souls allows us to be transformed and grow spiritually, how much are we letting in everyday? Are we allowing the Light of the World, The Way of Jesus, to illuminate our thinking and our understanding? Has it shaped and changed what we see and how we see when we look at the needs of those around us and the needs within us? Or have we chosen to sit in the dark?
Pastor Michael
In-person worship continues at 11:00 AM on Sundays in the Sanctuary. Also at 11:00 AM on Sundays, our children have resumed meeting in the TFLC, and our youth have resumed meeting in the Fellowship Hall. EVERYONE is invited to join us on Sundays at 11:00 AM!! We do ask everyone participating in worship to continue to wear a mask and to socially distance. We wish for everyone to remain safe as we meet in-person.
The Chancel flowers will be placed in the Sanctuary this Sunday, March 21 to the glory of God
and in loving memory of Peggy Knight
by Danny and Nancy Ackerman
The Kids of Zion will host an Easter Celebration on Wednesday March 24th on the grounds of the Family Life Center! Please plan to join us for Scripture, Games & Fun for Everyone! Feel free to Drop In 5:30-7:00 PM, The Kids will receive an Easter Treat Basket filled with activities for your family to share!
You are invited to the wedding of
Blake Bowers and Savana Burn
on Saturday, March 27 at 5:00 pm
at the Cotton Gin Barn
3714 Plyler Mill Road
Monroe, NC 28112
BOOK STUDY TO BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11TH!!
One of the things I really enjoy as a pastor is to be able to engage in deep study with parishioners. I’m looking forward to studying The Universal Christ with those of you who would like to join me. We will start our study together with an introduction on April 11th at 6:00pm in the fellowship hall. Anyone who would like to join us is welcome!                           ~ Pastor Michael
March is our month to support HOPE in Lancaster with
donations of food for those less fortunate. Particular needs in March are: Rice (1 or 2 lb. bags/boxes), dry pasta, canned pasta, grits (any size), fruit juice (canned or carton), and canned meats. Please place your donations in the vestibule collection box. Donations will be taken to HOPE weekly. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry outreach for those in need in our community. 
You are invited to a drive through baby shower in honor a Brett and Adair Craig on Sunday March 21 from 2-3 pm at the covered drop off of the Thompson Family Life Center at Zion. IT’S A BOY!!!!! 
They are registered at Babylist.com
 We hope everyone will drop by and celebrate this special addition to our church family!
Join us for our Maundy Thursday Service on April 1 at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary.
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Two opportunities for worship on Easter Sunday:
You are invited to join us for our Easter Sunrise Service at 6:30 am on Easter Sunday and also for our Traditional Worship Service at 11:00 am. Both services will be held in the Sanctuary. 
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Easter Lilies will be placed in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 4. If you would like to place a lily in the church, you are asked to purchase a lily and bring it to the church on that day. If you would like to place your lily in honor or in memory of a loved one, please contact Missy at zionumc@comporium.net, 803-804-2434, or call and leave a voice mail at the church, 803-285-3864 and let her know that information by Monday, March 29th. 
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You are invited to bring cut flowers from your yards
to place on our living cross on Easter Sunday, April 4. There will be a bucket for the flowers to be placed in on the covered porch of the Sanctuary. You may bring these anytime on Saturday or Sunday morning.
Special Gifts to Zion Church
In Honor of:
Barbara Salisbury by Tom Salisbury
MiMi on her birthday! Love, Sadie Grace Thomas
MiMi on her birthday! Love, Colton Neal Thomas
 
Special Gifts to Building Fund
In Honor of:
Joseph Morris by Libby and Alicia Morris
 
 
Special Gifts to Hope
In Memory of:
Franklin Hallman by Darlene Hallman
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 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
Scott Rape
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
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
March/April 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.
March 18: Gil Heath, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Webster
March 19: Jessica McClain, Alysssa Waters, Blake Payne, Savannah Duell, Billy Bailey
March 22: Luke Massey, Shane Love, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Moree
March 23: Mr. and Mrs. Steve Duell
March 24: Amy Wallace, Laura Everall
The Record Speaks....
March 14, 2021

Present for Worship: 55
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,350
Received for General Fund $3284
Received for Building Fund $70
Received for $100

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