To those who have been made holy to God in Christ Jesus, who are called to be God’s people. Together with all those who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place—he’s their Lord and ours! Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always for you, because of God’s grace that was given to you in Christ Jesus.
1 Corinthians 1:2-4
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Musings ~
SIMPLICITY
B
efore I started seminary, I was talking with a friend about theology. Not that I knew a lot about it at the time, I was just starting my journey or eight years toward what would be my ordination. Nonetheless, we sat around talking about it one night after our families had dinner together. He told me that his theology was simple and could be summed up in the words from the Eucharist liturgy of the church—Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. At the time, I thought the idea of reducing theology down to a simple statement was cheapening the gospel, the Bible, the saints, and everyone else that had ever had given serious consideration to our understanding of the being and doing of God. Even now, writing this, I bristle inside at the thought of reducing faith down to simple platitudes, because frankly, I see the danger of oversimplification leading to what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called ‘cheap grace,’ a lax and lazy version of The Way of Jesus.
But now, after much study in seminary and since, I see the value in using these simplified statements as springboards to deepening faith. For instance, I was having a conversation with someone yesterday about the general state of the world, specifically the protests that have arisen since the death of George Floyd. After a great deal of discussion, she reached the conclusion that we needed to start with seriously trying to love God and love neighbor, a simple statement with a big message, and even deeper call to discipleship. You cannot truly love God—regard God with contented affection—unless you engage and know something personally about God. You cannot extend this kind of love to someone else if you cannot love yourself. If we do not love our brothers and sisters and those around us (according to the author of 1 John), we cannot claim to love God. So loving God requires us to love neighbor or we truly do not love God. There is so much more in that little four-word phrase that I could probably write a book on just that subject.
My point is this, there can be a depth in simplicity that gives it a weight and deep meaning but only if we look beyond the simplicity of words and chose not to cheapen them by making them a platitude to throw out when we want to seem like a good person. The true power of these words and many others like them are in the weight of being beneath the words. So, look deep and don’t settle for what seems to be the surface meaning. See the riches beneath.
Pastor Michael
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A farewell letter from Rev. Joe Long, RH District Superintendent from 2012-2020:
Friends,
It has been an honor to serve with you as the Rock Hill District Superintendent since September 2012. Thank you for the kindness and support you have shared with me and Kathy Jo.
God has blessed the sixty-nine churches of this district with many fine people. I have been constantly amazed at your creativity and energy. Much good is being accomplished for the cause of Christ Jesus.
I am delighted that the Rev. Dr. Anthony Hodge will be leading you as your District Superintendent. He is good man, effective minister, and capable leader. May God empower you to work together and enable vital ministry on the rich mission field of the Rock Hill District.
As I move to serve Central UMC, Newberry, I wish you well. Please forgive my failure, build on whatever good I have done, and move forward to greater service in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Grace and Peace,
Joe
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Springdell Baptist Church in Lancaster is hosting a drive through Covid 19 Testing Clinic sponsored by MUSC on Friday, June 26th
from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. No appointment or doctors
order is needed.
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Our Continued Return to Worship
As we continue to gather for worship together, we ask everyone to continue practicing social distancing as we gather, worship, and depart.
Just a few reminders.....
- Everyone is reminded that if you are sick or have been sick in the last week before gathering, please stay home. We want to see you but more importantly we want to see you get better. If you are immune-compromised or part of an at-risk group and concerned about your health, we suggest you consider staying home for your safety.
- All worship services will continue to be broadcast and recorded on Facebook Live in order for people to stay home but still be part of the service if they wish.
- We will continue to gather before 11:00 AM on Sundays underneath the covered walkway that leads into the family life center from the sanctuary. The ground will be marked by at least six-foot intervals to keep people separated as we enter. Once inside, there will be more markers as you enter the life center. Once inside the gym, an usher will direct you to chairs that will be at least six feet from any other chairs (allowing a few for family members to sit together). Please stay in these areas during the service.
- Please do not hug, shake hands, or make physical contact with others gathering, for their safety and yours. When the service is over, we will file out one area at a time, going out the doors nearest the area where the buses are parked.
- We will continue implementing safe practices to prevent the potential spread of the virus and removing some of the extra seating that was not being used to allow for more spacing between chairs.
- Masks will continue to be available for folks to wear during the service. These are not optional. Please expect to wear a mask if you join us for worship.
- We will not be singing during the service. Singing produces something called the aerosol effect that spreads fine particles through the air, potentially spreading any contagion that a person might have.
- There will be one marked designated restroom between two of the Sunday school classes. Please use this only if it is absolutely necessary.
- There will be no nursery during the service.
- We will continue our prohibition on all other activities other than worship for now.
For the safety and well-being of each person that gathers with us, we pray that you will be willing to abide by these safety measures.
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Our life center is being cleaned and sanitized weekly and the other buildings are being cleaned infrequently as well. We ask that no one enter the life center other than for worship on Sundays. With no other activities being held, there should not be much need to visit any of the buildings however, if you feel you absolutely HAVE to visit any of the buildings, please take as much care as possible, lock back up when you leave and Please DO NOT turn off the ice makers in the facilities. These operate much smoother continuing to run than to turn them off. When turned off, our workers are tasked with cleaning mold and mildew that grows when the appliances are off. Thank you!!
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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.
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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, 285-3864 and leave a message, call Missy at 804-2434 or email [email protected] or [email protected]; these emails are being 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. May God be with us all.
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Please remember these in prayer:
Nancy Ackerman
Angela Bailey
Francis Bell
Phillip Bell
Rick Black
Gene Blackmon
Marion Boswell
Carol Boyles
Randy Boyles
Caleb Catoe
Sue Catoe
Carol Cauthen
Brandy Champion
Ann Chappell
Linda Coker
Sandra Cope
Bill Dingler
Sophia Dixon
Angie Dobson
Heather Elder
John Elder
Ashley Fort
Betsy Gardner
Mike Gay
Steve Ghent
Judy Goodnight
Travis Gordon
T.R. Grier
Ovedia Griffin
Catherine Hammond
JoAnn Hinson
Rev. Shelly Holder
Kevan Horton
Eric Hough
Libby Hunter
Melinda Hunter
Rick Joyner
Henry Ray Knight
Mary Jane McAteer
Kevin McCorkle
Ann McManus
Tammy McMillian
Debbie McWaters
Marie Moree
Rusty Mosier
Bell Perry
Betty Jo Phillips
Ann Powers
Vicky Pickett
Ann Reed
Kathleen Robinson
Mayme Jo Robinson
Nancy Rushing
Bonnie Sears
Eva Small
Greg Smith
JoAnne Smith
Mike Smith
Billy Sowell
Robbie Stepp
Jim Thomas
Laverne Thompson
Mike Vick
Pat Vick
Ellen Walters
David Woodruff
Kim Yost
Our President & Troops
Those affected by the COVID-19 virus
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Even as we begin in-person worship, our services will still be made available online on our Facebook page. Log in to our Zion United Methodist Church Facebook 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
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The Upper Room daily devotionals are available for pick up at the church. We will place some of these in the church vestibule and some in the plastic communication box outside of the life center doors where the buses are for those who do not have access to the church for you to pick up.
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While our United Methodist Women will not be meeting for now,
our thoughts and prayers remain with each one of you and with all in need during these trying times! If you know of a need that our women can help with, please contact an officer in the women’s group so that we can try and meet any needs! Executive officers are Sharon Haile, Darlene Hallman, Terry Robinson, Missy Snipes, Dianne Sweatt, and Mary Knight.
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June 25: Tim Mackey, Mr. and Mrs. Cody Haigler
June 26: Susan Lindsey, Mr. and Mrs. Butch Ghent
June 27: Missy Snipes, Mr. and Mrs. Butch Ghent
June 28: Caleb Payne
June 29: Dianne Sweatt
June 30: Gabriel Salisbury, Mr. and Mrs. Rock Love
July 1: Bryson Sweatt
July 2: Missy Parker
July 3: Hazel Robinson
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Our United Methodist Men's third Sunday meeting and our weekly Saturday Bible Study meetings have been suspended
until the stay at home order has been lifted and we are told that we can begin to gather again.
To all church members:
please understand that we are unable to allow folks to meet inside the buildings at this time. If you had a reservation for personal use inside of one of the buildings over the next few weeks, we are unable to honor those reservations at this time and will announce when we will again be able to honor reservations. As it is, gatherings inside our facilities is not possible.
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The members of Zion ARE CONTINUING
to support the ministry and outreach
of the church!!!
Thank you to each one of you who have adjusted to this change in our lives and have continued to support the ministry and outreach of Zion UMC and for your continued presence at online worship!!! You can continue to give online through the website, www.zionumc.com by clicking on the donate tab. You do not need to have a PayPal account to use this option, simply click on the donate button and follow the prompts, you can text your giving to 803-525-1834 and follow the secure link, or you may give by mailing your tithes to the church at 1665 Zion Road, Lancaster, SC, 29720. If you have misgivings about online donations or mailing your donations, a locking mailbox has been installed under the covered carport where the buses are. You may place your contributions in the box and it will be checked daily.
Together
we can move forward.
Together
we can continue and make a difference!
TOGETHER, WE ARE the CHURCH!!
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Special Gifts to Zion Church
In Honor of:
Tommy Knight
by Danny, Nancy, Courtney, and Eric
Kathleen Robinson
by Doreen Catoe
In Memory of:
Lou Bundy
by Doreen Catoe, Beth Craig, and Sonny and Marion Curtis
Paul Funderburk, Colon Williams, Sr., and Keith W. Stacks
by Max and Myra Funderburk
Julia Horne and Lou Bundy
by Dennis Hall
Special Gifts to Building Fund
In Honor of:
Kathleen Robinson on her birthday
by Margie Vincent
In Memory of:
Lou Bundy
by Margie Vincent and Mike and Diane Rape
Pat Barton, Pete Evans, and my Daddy, “Bennie” Moseley on Father’s Day Love you ALL!
by Becky Barton
Ralph Craig
by Ken and Lib Preslar
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Our seven confirmands, who have concluded their classes online with Pastor Michael, will be joining the church in the next few weeks. We look forward to rejoicing in these new members of our church!!
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The Record Speaks....
June 21, 2020
Present for Worship: 38
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,360
Received for General Fund $4,094
Received for Building Fund $130
"...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
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285-3864 - www.zionumc.com
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