July 14, 2023

²³But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty”. Matthew 13: 23

In this week’s scripture lesson from the 13^th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel entitled “The Parable of the Sower”, Jesus speaks about the differing types of soil, their condition and the receptivity of the soil to receive the seeds that are planted by the Sower.  So, is Jesus calling us dirt? Or is he making fun of our ears? And what do these differing types of soil represent in today’s world?

 Here, the seeds are the Word of God, and the soil represents the receptivity/ or lack of receptivity of the human heart and soul to receive that Word.  Like soil, a person’s heart is always capable of improvement and bearing good fruit, but it requires nourishment, cultivation and proper care.  “Let anyone with ears listen!” Join us this Sunday, as we examine the “Parable of the Sower” and why it is “so relevant” to us today as children of God!  I hope to see all of your smiling face on Sunday!

Pastor John

July Worship Greeter and Ushers:

Worship Greeter: Marion Curtis

Ushers: Steve Moseley, Will Moseley, Steve Duell, and Steven Duell

A Meal Train for the Plyler Family!

Doug Plyler, who is the provided caregiver for Laura Plyler, recently broke his wrist at work. This family of three adults could use a little help with meals. Either home cooked, or fast food delivered to 1713 Hillside Drive between 6 and 8 pm. Gift cards are also appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact Terry Robinson, 803-283-7195.

Join our United Methodist Men for their monthly meeting on Thursday, July 20 at 6:30 pm in the TFLC. We will be serving cubed steak, rice, gravy, and lima beans. The guest speaker will be the Bass Chaplain, Chris Wells. Chris has a heart for sportsmen and students. He is a full time Evangelist and is currently the Chaplain for the Fellowship of Christian Anglers of the Bassmaster Elite Series. Chris combines a blend of humor, passion, and intensity to convey his concern for people who don’t know Jesus. His messages are exciting, expositional, and inspirational with a strong evangelistic emphasis. He speaks to a wide range of audiences, challenging them to authentic faith in the person of Jesus Christ.

Our Grief Support Group will meet on Monday, July 24 at 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall.

Hope for Grieving Parents is a support group for parents who have lost a child. We meet the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm in the social hall of Immanuel Baptist Church. Please join us, we don't want you to walk this road alone. For more information, call Janice Steele at 803-804-9120 or Tina at the church office at 803-283-8459.

Attention Church Leaders: 2023 is half complete and we have committees that have not met this year. If you are chair of a committee; Education, Children, Youth, Missions, etc., and have not had a planning meeting, please let the church office know when your committee would like to meet. Our Trustees, Council on Ministries, and Administrative Board are planning upcoming meetings so the need for planning meetings from our ministry/outreach committees is imperative. To be the hands and feet of Christ, we need to be working in and around our community, town, and country to grow the outreach of Christ and help to expand His Ministry. The Administrative Committees will plan meetings after allowing our Ministry Committees time to meet so that we can properly approve planning, facility usage and also plan for our upcoming budget and focus of the church. 

South Carolina Conference Lay Academy

August 5, 2023 Washington Street UMC Columbia

8:30-9 a.m. Registration

9-9:25 a.m. Greetings & Devotion

9:30-11:15 a.m. The Meaning of Grace (Rev. Ken Nelson) Plenary 1: Your Prayer Life Plenary 2: Discernment

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch

12:45-4:30 p.m. Course Breakout Sessions: Youth Basic (Melissa Williams and son, Bryce Williams) Discipleship Begins With Relationship (Tony Watson) God’s Mission…Our Journey (Tony Jackson) Living Our United Methodist Beliefs (UM Heritage) (Rev. Athena Cathcart & Ted Cathcart) Justice in Everyday Life (Rev. Bernie Mazyck) Ministry With The Forgotten (Rev. Steve Holler) Register online at bit.ly/LayAcademy Deadline: July 28, 2023 | Cost: $25 (+books) You must buy books for classes in advance (see next page) You spoke, we listened: Train the Trainer will be held in four different regions in September. Locations and dates will be provided at the Lay Academy. This training will be for new instructors and others who need to be updated. We suggest that you attend a site that is convenient for you.

July needs for HOPE in Lancaster: Particular needs in July: Peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, stuffing mix, canned meat, jelly, canned pasta, and green beans. Please place your donations in the vestibule collection box.

Dear Zion Church, Thank you for continuing to support HOPE in Lancaster by donating an additional 20 lbs of food donated the last two weeks of June. 

With a grateful heart,

Grace M. Lewis, CFRE Executive Director.

Our deepest love and sympathy are extended to the family of Bonnie Sears in her death.

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Honor of:

Beth Craig and Suzanne Powers and family by Judy Payne

Beth Craig by William and Brenda Robinson and Missy Snipes

In Memory of:

Ann Powers by Sonny and Marion Curtis, Judy Payne, Dennis Hall, Ryan and Miriam Griffin, William and Brenda Robinson, Danny and Nancy Ackerman, Judy Humphreys, Barbara Hall, Libby, JoJo, and Alicia Morris, and Missy Snipes

Gene Hodge by Claudia Hartley

in loving memory of Ann Powers by Max and Myra Funderburk

Special Gifts to Building Fund

In Memory of:

Ann Powers by Rhonda Waters, Sue Catoe, Renee Woodward, Mike and Diane Rape, and Rock and Karen Love

Jamie Craig by Mike and Diane Rape

General Fund Expenditures June 2023

Duke Energy.....700.26

Constant Contact.....21.60

Rural Garbage.....190.00

SC Conference Direct Billing.....1863.66

Three Boys Lawn Service......700.00

Wycliffe Bible Translators.....333.34

Comporium.....249.01

Intuit Quickbooks.....549.00 (annual subscription)

US Treasury (federal withholding).....462.12

P & J Sales (kitchen supplies).....44.82

Wanda Murphy (Annual Conference delegate expenses).....389.27

Quill (kitchen supplies).....169.53

LCNGA.....104.95

LCWSD.....151.75

Staff Salaries.....5166.38

Pastor John Howle (travel and Annual Conference expenses).....496.28

Perry's Pest Control.....125.00

SC Conference Treasurer (apportionments and designated gifts and budget for Epworth).....4127.85

Custodial.....712.00

Wespath.....100.00

HOPE in Lancaster (budget).....300.00

Sabo (hvac repairs TFLC).....85.00

Breeze.....72.00

Visitors on 7/9: Abbie Faile and Alely Faile.

July 14: Tommy Baker, Suzanne Evans

July 17: Jessica Steele

July 18: Angela Bailey, Madisson Finley

July 19: Terry Robinson

July 20: Dennis Knight

July 22: Drew Curtis, Carsten Salisbury, Mr. and Mrs. Robin Smith

The Record Speaks....

Present for 7/9 Sunday School: 47

Present for 7/9 Worship: 84

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $4,946

Received for Building Fund: $205

Received for Epworth Children's Home: $120

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