June 14, 2023

Pastor John will be away from the pulpit this Sunday, June 18. Mr. Steve Moseley, our Lay Leader, will lead us in worship and bring the message on this day.

 SEE YOU IN WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY!!

South Carolina Annual Conference was June 4-7, 2023. It started with lots of excitement and smiles because this was the first in person conference since June 2019. I attended the orientation for ‘newbies’ on Sunday where procedures and what to expect for the next three days explained. 

Monday started with a most inspiring worship service with Holy Communion. Pastor John was waiting for me at the door which was a relief. I also saw Pastors Michael Jarrell, Mike Burgess and Ashley Brunson. After lunch on Monday the work began. Electronic voting was to be the preferred method of voting, but it did not function as hoped. We then went ‘old school’ and raised our hands.

Tuesday started and ended with an amazing worship service. Then started another day of voting on resolutions. A number of presentations and videos were shown for organizations like Epworth Children’s Home and Global Ministries. The most somber moment of the entire conference was the vote to allow 113 churches to leave the United Methodist Church. Another three churches had to close due to low membership. The Lockhart UMC delegate gave a moving testimony to let the conference know that his church was not leaving the UMC but had only four members now and they could not function. 

Wednesday was the wind down but again started with a very awesome worship service. Then more voting on budgets and the announcement of appointments. 

As I said the electronic voting didn’t work well enough for us to use. They hope to have the bugs worked out by June 2024. Next year’s conference will be 9-12 June 2024 in Greenville, SC.

Thank you so much for allowing me to represent Zion UMC at this year’s annual conference. I’ve left the conference packet with Missy if anyone wants to see exactly the resolutions presented.

--Wanda Murphy

June Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Worship Greeters: Julie Middleton and Tonette Thomas

June Ushers: Tommy Midcleton, Danny Thomas, Steve McDonald, and Dwayne Ray.

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.

Due to Annual Conference and Pastor John being away, we will have our Grief Support Group meeting on the third and fourth Mondays in June. We will meet on Monday, June 19 and on Monday, June 26 at 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall.

Join our United Methodist Men for their monthly dinner and meeting on Thursday, June 15 in the TFLC at 6:30 pm. We will be having breakfast for dinner! Chuck Payne will be our guest speaker and the topic will be gun safety.

Our United Women in Faith will be honoring all men  present on Father's Day, this Sunday, June 18 during worship. Our appreciation to our women for this!

Tony Neal Scholarship Applications are available in the church vestibule. Completed applications will need to be turned in to the church office by Sunday, July 2 for consideration. Scholarships will be awarded on Sunday, August 13 during worship.

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 this Sunday, June 18.

One of our former pastor's,, Mike Burgess will be retiring this June. We celebrate with them in this accomplishment and our thoughts and prayers for Mike and Nancy during this time of transition. His final Sunday at his charge in Chester will be Sunday, June 25.

There are several reservations through the summer months for the TFLC. All reservations are church family but I just wanted you to be aware that we need to not assume the facility is always available so please contact Missy at 803-804-2434 if you have need to use the facilities.

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

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.

To the people of Zion, Thank you so much for the Bible you gave me for graduation! I am glad to be part of a loving church family. Thanks again! 

Sincerely, Steven Duell

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:

Ryan Griffin and Susan Duell by Barbara Vick

Becky Barton and Suzanne Evans by Wanda Faile

Pat Threatt, Betty Crook and All Fathers by Dianne

Martin

In Memory of:

In loving memory of My Dad by Frances Parris

Donnie Jenkins by Barbara Hall

Mike Vick on Father's Day. You are missed and loved! by Becky M. Steele

Sue K. Bunton, Vance and Tonnie Threatt, and All

Fathers by Dianne Martin

Special Gifts to Bus Fund

In Honor of:

The Joy Sunday School Class by Darlene Hallman

June 14: Heather Snipes Miles, Abby Conwell

June 16: Stacy East

June 18: Kaylee Snipes, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Johnson

June 20: Jerry Seegars

June 21: Scott Phillips, Eddie Bigham, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Thomas

June 22: Mr. and Mrs. Eric Broughton

The Record Speaks....

Present for 6/11 Sunday School: 45

Present for 6/11 Worship: 71

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $3,400

Received for Building Fund: $30

Received for Epworth Children's Home: $120

Received for Bus Fund: $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