May 12, 2023

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you.”  John 14:15-21

This week’s scripture lesson from the Gospel of John is part of a larger section known as the Last supper, or Farewell discourse. Starting in chapter 13-17, Jesus is speaking to his disciples about his departure from this world and return to his Heavenly Father. Here Jesus’ remarks encompass a number if themes, including exhortation, encouragement, predictions and promises. Yet, in this week’s text Jesus speaks about keeping his commandments: To love God and to love one another as I have loved you. Jesus tells us that he will ask the Father to send an Advocate (the Paraclete), the Spirit of Truth to help us. Jesus also states that many will not recognize, or know the Advocate a.k.a., the Holy Spirit. Join us this week as we look at what it means to be a follower of Jesus and how the pandemic has affected many in their daily walk, ministry, and outreach to the world, and what the Lord is saying to us today in this week’s scripture lesson.

 Pastor John

May Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Barbara Hall and Beth Craig

Ushers: Dwayne Ray, Ricky Steele, Mike Rape, and Will Moseley

Our United Women in Faith will be honoring all women of the church this Sunday, May 14 during worship. We appreciate the women for sponsoring this outreach!

We will be using attendance pads again during worship to register your presence and provide a means of communication for the congregation with the church office (update contact info, request a call or visit, etc.).  As the pads are passed, please fill out pertinent information. The pads will be handed out by the ushers from the outside aisles and should be left on the top of the pew in the center aisle to be picked up after the offering.

Sunday, May 21, we will recognize our High School and College graduates at the beginning of the worship service. If your young adult is graduating, please make sure that Missy is aware, 803-804-2434 so that we can properly prepare to honor them during the service.  

Our Staff Parish Relations Committee is asked to meet on Sunday, May 21 at 4:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Committee members are: Steve Moseley, Marion Curtis, Nancy Ackerman, Tammy Cooper, Ryan Griffin, Dennis Hall, and Beverly Knox.

All men of all ages are invited to our United Methodist Men’s meeting on Thursday, May 25 at 6:30 pm in the TFLC. Join us for a barbecue dinner, devotional and business meeting! All are welcome!!

Our Grief Support Group continues to meet the first and third Mondays of each month in the Fellowship Hall at 11:00 am. Our next meeting will be Monday, May 15. All are welcome!

Join us on Sunday, June 4 at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary as we welcome Disciple Dogs Ministry with Bliss and Jessica Steele. For more information about Disciple Dogs, please visit their website www.discipledogs.org

“You Will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

May needs at HOPE in Lancaster County

Grits Juice, Oatmeal, Stuffing Mix, Canned Meat, Pasta (any kind), Mixed Beans, and Canned Fruit. You may place your donations in the church collection box.

The Chosen, Season 3

Join us on Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary for our Bible study of The Chosen, Season 3. We plan to meet each Sunday to cover the eight episodes of Season 3. We will not meet on Mother’s Day, May 14 or Memorial Day weekend, May 28.  

Hope is seeking to build their team of volunteers so that they can continue to address the short term emergency needs of our community. We have opportunities every day of the week for your people to put hands and feet to their faith. 

We invite you to drop by and visit us. Come get a tour. Allow us the opportunity to answer any questions that you might have about our programs, purpose, and passion.

-- Tim Howard

Volunteer Coordinator, HOPE in Lancaster, INC.

Office: 803-286-4673 | Cell: 803-288-7684 | thoward@hopeinlancaster.org

www.hopeinlancaster.org

2008 Pageland Hwy. Lancaster, SC 29720

Epworth Foster Care Program

Foster Parent Appreciation Month

HELP US SHOWER OUR FOSTER FAMILIES WITH LOVE!

Rock Hill District Churches

13 Baskets are needed;; deadline Monday, May 15

Deliver to Epworth’s Temporary Upstate Office at St. John’s UMC, 321 S. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29730

You're invited to assemble foster parent appreciation baskets for our Rock Hill families. (Suggested value: $50 - $75) Baskets should follow one of the themes below but do not have to contain the exact items listed.

Cozy Baskets, Activity Baskets, Family Dinner Baskets

· Home themed: Soft blanket, Amazon gift card to rent movies, candy, and popcorn and popcorn bowl

· Outing themed: Gift card for restaurant, gasoline gift card, and crayons and coloring books for the kids to take along

· Home themed: Games and/or puzzles, craft supplies with instructions, wipeable table cloth

· Home themed: Restaurant or cash gift card with take-out menus, fun-to-make family dessert with a nice dish

· Outing themed: Putt-putt passes, trampoline park passes, or bowling passes, gasoline gift card Outing themed: Movie tickets, tote bag filled with single-sized snacks, gasoline gift card.

Please call before coming, 803-540-5800

Church Coordinator: Please email Kathy James at kjames@epworthsc.org with the number of baskets your church will provide.

Our Adult Sunday School classes continue to meet each Sunday at 10:00 am. If you are unsure which class would better suit you, please contact the church office, 285-3864. Our Youth and Children’s Sunday School classes will be meeting at 10:00 am as well, youth and children in the family life center.

Collection For Our Local Animal Shelter

Used blankets, towels, and hand towels are being collected for the Lancaster Animal Shelter. Please place your donations in the collection box in the church vestibule.

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Honor of

Barbara Vick on Mother's Day. We love you! By Rick and Becky M. Steele

In Memory of

Mike Vick by the Steele Families (Rick's siblings); Jane Lucas, Emily Stacks, Susan Jenkins, and David and Julie Steele

Diane Robinson by Judy Humphreys

Special Gifts to Building Fund

In Honor of:

Kristina and Dwayne Ray by Darlene Hallman

May 12: Tobias Salisbury

May 13:Barbara Vick

May 14: Adrianna Bowers, Jamie Hayes, Stanley Knight

May 16: Zach Taylor

May 17: Sharon Haile

May 18: Jeffrey Thomas

The Record Speaks....

Present for 5/7 Sunday School: 34

Present for 5/7 Worship: 57

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $3,118

Received for Building Fund: $195

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