May 15, 2024

The Pastor’s Pen



When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2: 1-21

This Sunday is “Pentecost”, known to many as the birth of the Christian Church. The day that the “Advocate”, the Holy Spirit, descended from heaven like the sound of a violent rush of wind and filled the entire house where they were gathered. It was the Holy Spirit who had gathered 120 people in anticipation of it’s coming and enabled each to speak in a language other than their own. And it was the Holy Spirit that not only enabled Peter to speak to the masses gathered for Pentecost, but also for 3000 people to make the decision to follow Jesus that day. Yes, on that day the Holy Spirit transcended multiple layers of differences to accomplish God’s purpose through Jesus Christ for the world. That’s the power of Holy Spirit! So, what does this mean for us today? And how and where is the Holy Spirit working in today’s world? Join us Sunday as give praises and thanksgiving for our “Advocate” the Holy Spirit!  Oh, and don’t forget to wear red!

Pastor John

May Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Steve Moseley, Will Moseley, Steve Duell, and Steven Duell.

Our Administrative Board will hold a churchwide meeting following worship this Sunday, May 18 in the Sanctuary. The purpose of the meeting is to vote on a new name for our church. As we move forward with disaffiliation, we will need to change how we are recognized in the community as a church. The Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC) was the oldest and largest Methodist denomination in the United States from its founding in 1784 until 1939. In 1939, the MEC reunited with two breakaway Methodist denominations (the Methodist Protestant Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South) to form the Methodist Church. In 1968, the Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form the United Methodist Church.  Our church was known as Zion Methodist Church until the 1968 merger; presently we are officially known as Zion United Methodist Church of Lancaster. Churches that disaffiliate from the UMC are no longer able to use “United” in their name. They have to legally form a new church, with new tax id numbers, bank account numbers, etc. Many of the churches that disaffiliated in the South Carolina conference simply removed the word “united” from their name and reformed using "their previous name” Methodist Church. Others kept their previous name and added other descriptive words to it. We are asking for your vote.  The current motion is for Zion Crossroads Church. You are invited to share your thoughts this Sunday!

Our New Bible Study began on Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Join us as we delve into Adam Hamilton’s Revival—Faith As Wesley Lived It. The study will last six weeks. Books are $10 each!  Please mark your donations for the books “Bible Study”. 

Our United Methodist Men's Dinner and Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 16 at 6:30 pm in the TFLC. Plan to join us for a great BBQ meal and program! 

Graduates will be recognized this Sunday, May 19 during worship. Roman Phillips (Fort Mill) and Abby Conwell (Buford) will be graduating from high school and Hannah Steen (Winthrop) from college.

All youth are invited to

METHODIST YOUTH

This Sunday, May 19 from 5-7 at Hopewell UMC

3734 Heyward Hough Road, Lancaster

The Committee on Lay Leadership (Nominations) is asked to meet on Monday, May 20 at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Members are: Susan Broughton, Dennis Hall, Courtney Broughton, Diane Rape, Jeffrey Thomas, Tonette Thomas, and Pastor John. 

Beginning on Sunday, June 2, Sunday School will be held at 9:00 am and Worship will be at 10:00 am. The Administrative Board approved the time change following the results for the recent church survey. This schedule will be in place until Homecoming in September. 

Hope has been incredibly blessed with a mountain of food collected at Stamp Out Hunger. And more food is coming in. We believe we are going to top 25,000 pounds of food. All of it needs to be processed and put in storage. For the next 6 - 8 weeks on Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 1-4 PM, Hope is inviting groups and individuals to come help move that mountain. We would consider scheduling a Saturday or two, if a group will commit to come. If your group is interested, contact Tim Howard at the email address below to set up a time. - Tim Howard

thoward@hopeinlancaster.org

Our United Women in Faith will not meet in June or July. Monthly meetings will resume in August.

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Our United Women in Faith will be hosting lunch for the Lancaster Salkehatchie campers on Wednesday, June 19 at noon. Our appreciation to our women for this outreach.

Visitors on 5/12: John Sistare, Heather, Haley, and Diana Boykin, and Mencie McGinnis.

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Honor of:

Tonette Thomas, Karen Thomas, Teresa Evans, and Keli Thomas on Mother’s Day by Jeffrey Thomas

In Memory of:

In loving memory of Lillian McAteer by Judy Payne

Special Gifts to Building Fund

In Honor of:

Barbara Vick by Mike and Diane Rape

In Memory of:

Peggy Knight on Mother’s Day by Tommy Knight

Special Gifts to Epworth Children’s Home

In Memory of:

Mildred H. Evans by Darlene Hallman

In loving memory of Crystal Fields by Mama and Daddy

Special Gifts to Men’s Club

In Honor of:

Earl Hinson –Thanks! by Darlene Hallman

Special Gifts to our UMF Bereavement Meal Fund

In Honor of:

Terry Robinson –Thanks! by Darlene Hallman

A Special Gift was given to Saint Jude’s in honor of  Steven Duell on receiving his Eagle Scout Award by Darlene Hallman

May 16: Zach Taylor

May 17: Sharon Haile

May 18: Jeffrey Thomas, Linda Webster

May 19: Debbie Waters

May 21: Karen Love

May 22: Brittany Montgomery

May 23: Sue Catoe, Meredith Steen, Cheryl Catoe

The Record Speaks....

Present for 5/12 Sunday School: 55

Present for 5/12 Worship: 93

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,313

Received for 5/5 for General Fund: $1,705

Received for Building Fund: $135

Received for Epworth Children's Home: $340

Received for Bibly study books: $80

Received for St. Jude: $20

There are several 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 you put your hand to."

Deuteronomy 15:10