The News of Zion
Love God
Love People
~Luke 10:27
October 22, 2020
Musings ~ To Defend or Embrace
    Three weeks ago, I started a series of articles to ask some questions about what we are doing as a church in both the local congregation and in the greater church beyond. I presented the idea that as a church, we are failing at the mission of the church and in all honesty, I think that has to do with paradigm shifts that have happened through the centuries that have drawn us away from the original mission and intent of the church. I posed three questions that I hope might help us to consider a different perspective for looking at what it means to embrace a form of discipleship which will help us become and grow into a better expression of what I see as Jesus’ vision for the Church.
The third and final question is how do we move from defending creeds, declarations, and confessions to embracing a way of life? First off, let’s define what we mean when we talk about creeds, confessions, and declarations. The creeds are ancient documents—going back to the first century after Jesus—which defined what a group of theologians believed about a particular subject. Confessions and declarations are statements made by specific groups of people that speak to their understanding of Christianity within their group and those that agree with them. While all of these are based on biblical ideas and interpretations of scripture, none of them are scripture. They are simply a way to teach the basic ideas about Christianity within a given group of people. They were not all agreed upon though most came into being because of majority votes at church councils and general practice in the church, especially after Christianity became the official state religion of Rome. There is considerably more to this but we a limited number of words to work with.
Because there were things about the creeds, confessions, and declarations that taught basic ideas about Christianity, they eventually came to be among the main teaching tools of the church. Honestly, it’s easier to memorize the Apostle’s Creed or Nicene Creed than it is to memorize a book of the bible and books worth of commentary on them. And given the fact that the average person could not read until the last few centuries, these short statements were and still are easy ways to teach basic Christianity.
Take for instance the Nicene Creed. It was put together during two church councils in the fourth century (Nicea in 325 CE and Constantinople in 381 CE). The first council hammered out that Jesus and God were made of the same stuff and connected to one another in a divine way. The second one added the Holy Spirit to that and the Trinity as we know it was made official church doctrine. Before this, there were a number of views on the matter but after the councils, the official position of the Western and Eastern church (what would split off and become the Orthodox Church in 1054 CE) was the Trinity as it is generally taught today. Oddly enough, the word Trinity is not found directly in scripture. It is a theological creation inspired by the bible and developed by early church fathers in certain cultural circumstances, at a certain place in history. They felt led by what they believed was the Spirit and their circumstances (now becoming the main state religion of an empire that once persecuted them) to create an official church and state doctrine that they did not have before.
The problem is that we have decided these creeds, confessions, and declarations are worth defending in a way that gives them greater importance than they should have, sometimes to the point of worshiping the creeds rather than the God they point to. While creeds and the like do have teachings that have been central to Christian teaching that does not always mean they should remain
 central, especially if the Holy Spirit leads us correct our understanding. Jesus himself practiced this with the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said to the those listening, “You have heard it said…” meaning the written or oral law of the Jews teaches this. But Jesus reinterpreted it with, “But I say to you...” meaning this is a better understanding. Also, in the book of Acts, Peter and the Jerusalem Christians are convinced, based on their tradition and upbringing that new converts to Christianity were to follow not only the teachings of Jesus but also practice the basic teachings of Judaism as had those who came before them. Paul’s converts were mostly Greek speaking Gentile converts who had ever heard of these laws and had become disciples of the teaching of Jesus not Judaism. The clash of these two ideas created the need for what theologians call the Jerusalem Council. This council discussed the matter and came to this conclusion which they sent in a letter to the churches outside Jerusalem,
The Holy Spirit has led us to the decision that no burden should be placed on you other than these essentials: refuse food offered to idols, blood, the meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid such things.
This process would be repeated during many church disputes and set the stage for how the great church councils would operate.
The greater point is this, Jesus called us to live by the Spirit and “God’s Spirit blows wherever it wishes. You hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. It’s the same with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). We should be bound not by creeds but by the leading of the Spirit. And yes, I know that some of you will say, “But we need some guidance to tell us when it is the Spirit and something else. We need something define to ourselves and others that it really is the Spirit. If we don’t have the creeds, confessions, and other things like that we can’t test the Spirit.” My answer: Abraham didn’t have any of those things. Moses didn’t have any of those things. Elijah didn’t have any of those things. Paul didn’t have those things. Jesus didn’t have those things. In fact, what they did have, they redefined by the leading of God’s Spirit and those redefinitions we accept now as parts of the Bible. Jesus told his disciples, “…when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you in all truth. He won’t speak on his own but will say whatever he hears and will proclaim to you what is to come.”
So, what do we use as tools to discern whether the Spirit is speaking to us? I think the practice of prayer and the teachings of Jesus. I think if we learn well the practice of opening ourselves up to God, both in speaking and listening, we will learn to truly commune with God through the Holy Spirit. I think also if we are attentive and obedient to the words of Jesus, most of which are reiterated in both Old Testament teaching and the teaching in New Testament letters, we will find ourselves able to discern well our circumstances and direction. These are the practices of the Apostles and early disciples of the church and I believe these are the practices that will help the church return to a place of impact on the world.
I believe it is time to revisit our ancient roots and live our faith by the Spirit as a way of life without so much dependence on the creeds, confessions, and declarations of schools of thought and denominations. It may be uncomfortable. It may create a bit of chaos at times when people disagree. But when people are truly immersed in the Spirit (say at Pentecost), there is the opportunity for making true disciples and changing lives.
 
Pastor Michael
We are going to begin this Sunday, October 25th with worship services socially distanced but in the sanctuary at 11:00am. We will continue with the service in the same way we have been worshiping but we will be moving out of the Thompson Family Life Center. The children will begin having activities in the Life Center at the same time, also socially distanced. We will be using a format like Lancaster County Schools.
  • Children will be dropped off at the front door entrance of the Family Life Center to be assessed.
  • Children will have their temperature checked as they enter and any child with a temperature above 100.4 or with any cold or flu like symptoms will need to stay home
  • Children will be socially distanced during activities
  • Children will be required to wear a mask
  • Parents must wait until their children are cleared before the parents leave
Youth will also be meeting at the same time but in the fellowship hall.
  • Youth will wait outside the fellowship hall door until they can be assessed
  • Youth will have their temperature checked as they enter and any student with a temperature above 100.4 or with any cold or flu like symptoms will need to stay home
  • Youth will be socially distanced during activities
  • Youth will be required to wear a mask
We look forward to the opportunity to see everyone joining us for worship and activities on Sunday morning. We hope to have a great and safe time worshiping together.

OUTDOOR FALL FESTIVAL
 
Wednesday, October 28 from 5:30-7:-00 pm
Join us and bring a friend for an amazing Scavenger Hunt and socially distanced Truck or Treat!!! We are planning for some Fall fun, a meaningful message and there might even be a pumpkin waiting for you!!!  We hope to see you then!!!!
Our Annual Bazaar to benefit Missions will be held on Saturday, November 7 from 8am-12pm. The bazaar will be a bit different this year…there will be crafts, canned goods and baked goods but on a much smaller scale. We also hope to have vendors available but the number will also need to be limited so that we will be able to socially
distance. Everyone coming in will need to wear masks which will be available at the door. We also reserve the right to limit numbers in the facility. There will not be
biscuits and drinks served for breakfast however, there will be soup available for purchase by the quart TO GO but quantities will be limited so come early to get yours!!. We invite you to come out and enjoy shopping with us!! For our crafters, we understand this is late notice but If you have completed any crafts for the bazaar, we will greatly appreciate your donations!!! Donations of baked goods for the event would also be greatly appreciated as well. We realize that this is very late notice however, we only recently received approval from the Administrative Board and the COVID Response group to move forward with a smaller event. Please remember that all the proceeds go to help those in need!!! As soon as a list of our vendors is
available, we will advertise this.     
It’s time for completing Christmas Shoe Box gifts for Samaritan’s Purse. Please prayerfully consider completing a box (or more)! Brochures with labels, packing suggestions & instruction are available in the church vestibule. Please have your completed shoebox gifts to the church by Sunday, November 15.
How to pack your shoe box gift:
1. Find an empty shoe box. You can wrap it—lid separately– if you would like, but wrapping is not required.
2. Decide whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl and the age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Cut out the appropriate label from the back of the brochures, tape it on top of your box, and mark the correct age category.
3. Fill the box with a variety of gifts. In a separate envelope you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family (If you include your name and address, the child may write you back)
4. IMPORTANT: Please enclose $9.00 or more in the brochure envelope and put it inside your box to help cover shipping and other costs. If at all possible, please send a check instead of cash. CHECKS NEED TO BE MADE PAYABLE TO OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. If you are packing more than one box, you can make a combined donation in a single envelope. Place the envelope on top of the gift items so it is clearly visible. Place a rubber band around your box and lid, then bring your shoe box to church by November 15. Items to include in the shoebox gifts are on the brochures. Please do NOT include the following items: used items, toothpaste, hard candy, war-related items (toy guns, knives, etc.), perishable food items, liquids (shampoo, lotion, bubbles, etc.), medicines (vitamins, cough drops, ointment, etc.) or breakable items (no mirrors, china dolls, snow globes, etc.).  You may bring your completed boxes and place them in the vestibule any time, but again, they will all have to be completed and turned in no later than Sunday, November 15. Thank you for your support.
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.
General Fund Expenditures: September 2020
LCNGA..................................................................97.57
LCWSD..............................................................498.05
Duke Energy....................................................1,228.29
Wespath...............................................................48.25
People Facts.........................................................16.50
Pastor Jarrell (cont ed)......................................145.87
Driver Support......................................................9.99
Constant Contact.................................................21.60
Breeze..................................................................50.00
Wells Fargo (service charge)................................2.00
Chris Massey (lawn mowing)...........................600.00
Custodial............................................................756.00
A1Wolverine (termite inspection/letter)...........175.00
Terninix (parsonage)............................................91.35
Staff Salaries...................................................3,539.80
Amazon (temp checkers & sneeze guards)..........85.76
Comporium.........................................................215.24
Wycliffe Bible Translators..................................333.34
Rural Garbage.....................................................145.00
SC Conference (Direct billing)...........................620.00
Justin Lowery (shrubbery trimming)................200.00
US Treasury (federal withholding).......................79.56
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 lmjarrell@umcsc.org or zionumc@comporium.net; 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.
Please remember these in prayer:
Nancy Ackerman
Angela Bailey
Francis Bell
Phillip Bell
Rick Black
Marion Boswell
Chance Bowers
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
Judy Goodnight
Travis Gordon
T.R. Grier
Catherine Hammond
JoAnn Hinson
Rev. Shelly Holder
Kevan Horton
Eric Hough
Libby Hunter
Melinda Hunter
Rick Joyner
Henry Ray Knight
Mary Jane McAteer
Bill McCorkle
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
John Rollings
Virginia Rollings
Nancy Rushing
Bonnie Sears
Eva Small
Greg Smith
JoAnne Smith
Billy Sowell
Robbie Stepp
Matthew Sweatt
Jim Thomas
Mike Vick
Pat Vick
Myrtle Walker
Ellen Walters
David Woodruff
Kim Yost
Our President and Troops
Those affected by the COVID-19 Virus
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
Current 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.
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.
October 23: Margie Vincent, Libby Morris, Carmen Faile, Mr. and Mrs. Lex Ford
October 24: Debbie Melvin, Claudia Hartley, Zachary Bailes
October 25: Sonny Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. Sonny Curtis
October 26: Jeffrey Moree, Leslie Jenkins, Chris Massey
October 28: Erin Payne
October 29: Larry Craig, Myrtle Walker, Claire Payne
Special Gifts to Zion Church
In Honor of:
Blessings and love in honor of Ardean Strait by Max and Myra Funderburk
Donna Walters by Danny and Nancy Ackerman
Donna Walters by Mary P. Knight
Donna and Bryan Walters, Betty Crook, Linda Pardue, and Dianne Martin by Ellen Walters
In Memory of:
Morris Sistare by Mary P. Knight
Chris Crook by Ellen Walters
The Record Speaks....
October 18, 2020

Present for Worship: 49
Needed each week for the General Fund $4,360
Received for General Fund $2,589.49

"...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