The News of Zion
Love God
Love People
~Luke 10:27
April 21, 2021
Paths . . .

I love hiking. One of my favorite things is to wander off into the woods. Sometimes I choose walking along a well-worn path, something akin to walking marked state park trail. The walking is usually easy. The trails are usually gently sloped, easy to travel and give me a chance to think or let me mind go. Other times, I like walking where there is no trail, across wooded areas beneath trees stepping where there is little more than an open space. Which I choose is a matter of mood, whether I am going with the intent of getting my mind on or off something particular.
Often, I find attempting to follow the Holy Spirit is similar. Sometimes I find myself going to places, people, ideas I have already encountered. I ruminate on thoughts I have had before. I talk with people I am comfortable with and visit places I know well. In these places, I find old friends, old ministries I can pick back up with and enjoy ministry I am comfortable with.
Other times, I find myself led to people, places, ideas I am not at all comfortable with. As a seminarian, I found myself in one of these places. At the time, I thought of it like a crucible, a place where I was being burned, shaped, molded and in a way which I didn’t expect and was not comfortable with. Things I had been taught were called into question, refined, and called into question again. Ideas about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the church, salvation, and many other things I thought were settled from my former understanding as a layman were now being sifted, shaken.
When all was said and done, I realized all was not said or done. I continue to learn, continue to be shaped, molded. I have not found where the Holy Spirit has left me passive, but I am continually having to deepen and learn new paths. Some of those paths are comfortable and easy. They crisscross things I have seen and places I have been. Other things, lead me out to paths I have not tread and find somewhat difficult terrain to navigate.
 
What am I saying with all this? I am saying following the Holy Spirit as guide and teacher is not a static, uneventful way of discipleship. In the words of Peter, “I really am learning…” Note, Peter is speaking in present tense, am learning, still learning, continuing to learn. To quote someone else, a seminary professor of mine, “If you have it figured out, you have nothing figured out.” Never assume you have the Christian life and all its intricacies sorted. None of us do or ever will. It will always be humble walk down a variety of paths leading deeper and deeper into the great mystery we call God.
 
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, April 25 to the glory of God and in
loving memory of Janie and Frank Thomas
by Jeffrey Thomas
Congratulations to proud new parents Joseph Morris and Tristian Ewing in the birth of a baby girl, Blakely Elizabeth, on April 19 weighing 8 lb., 5 oz., 20 inches long. 
Our United Methodist Women will honor all women
present at worship on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9. Our appreciation to our women for this outreach to the women in our church.
The Administrative Board met on Sunday, April 11. 
The overwhelming hope is to resume in person
Sunday School. We need feedback from teachers and Sunday school members as to their willingness to resume Sunday School and their comfort levels in/with in the classrooms. This applies to our Sunday school classes but also applies to our youth and children and the possibility of resuming Children’s Church during the worship hour. We would need volunteers for our Children’s Sunday School and Children’s Church. We are not sure how the teachers feel with attending in person Sunday School.  There will be a Sunday school teachers meeting on Sunday, May 2 at 4:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Teachers are asked to begin contacting their class members before May 2 to get an idea of how they feel about attending in person Sunday School.
 Sunday School is an integral part of church where bonds are formed that last a life time. We would love to see many join us in resuming Sunday School over the next few months!
Our Bible Study class began on Sunday, April 11th. We are studying the book “The Universal Church”. You are welcome to join us each Sunday at 6:00 pm in the fellowship hall. All are welcome!!!
Our United Methodist Women are hopeful that our monthly UMW meetings will resume in the near future; possibly after summer. We have remained physically (when able) and financially faithful in our outreach to local and global missions and look forward to possibly beginning to meet again in person. We would like to possibly consider another meeting day and time to invite and accommodate those who have so many activities throughout the week so if you have ideas or thoughts, please contact one of our officers: Sharon Haile, Pres., Darlene Hallman, Vice Pres., Terry Robinson, Secretary, or Missy Snipes, Treasurer. We would greatly appreciate your input on our planning on re-engaging with the church family and community!!!  We cannot do this without each one’s efforts!!!   Thank you!
Vacation Bible School is scheduled at Zion for June 20-25. We invite you and your children to join us as we find a new way forward this year and offer Bible School to our children to move them forward in their faith walk with Christ!!! 
Our United Methodist Women will be hosting the Lancaster Salkahatchie luncheon on Wednesday, June 23 at noon for the Lancaster campers. 
Our deepest love and sympathy are extended to Becky Moseley Barton and her family in the death of her step mother, Perline Moseley.
Special Gifts to Zion Church
In Honor of:
Mrs. Carolyn Love, Sadie Grace
Ellen, Bryan, and Donna Walters, Pat Threatt, Betty Crook, Marion and Sonny Curtis, and Kathy and Tod Snipes by Dianne Martin
 
 
In Memory of:
In loving memory of Clyde Walters, Wayne Pardue, and Gladys Jones by Dianne Martin
In loving memory of W. Colon Williams, Sr. by Max and Myra Funderburk
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
Debbie Drost
John Elder
Myra Funderburk
Mike Gay
Catherine Hammond
JoAnn Hinson
Rick Joyner
Tommy Knight
Bill McCorkle
Kevin McCorkle
Della McManus
Marie Moree
Joe Morris
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
Richard Thompson
Mike Vick
Pat Vick
Myrtle Walker
Donna Walters
Ellen Walters
Kayla Strait
Kim Yost
Those affected by COVID19
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
May/June 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.
April 22: Ellen Walters, Savana Burn Bowers
April 23: Becky H. Steele, Wanda Faile
April 24: Renee Woodward
April 25: Cameron Faile, Mr. and Mrs. Steve Moseley
April 27: Luke Broughton, Melissa Payne, Leslie Mills
April 28: Carol Cauthen, Mr. and Mrs. Shane Love
April 29: Mary Williams, Greg Smith
April 30: Poppy Simpson, Michelle Hall, Ivaly Ingram
The Record Speaks....

Present for 4/18 Worship: 70
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,350
Received for General Fund $2524

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