January 19, 2024

The Pastor’s Pen

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James, son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. Mark 1:16-20

This week’s lectionary text from Mark 1: 14-20 not only marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, but also the call of Jesus’ first four disciples to follow Him. These four men (Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John would later be referred to as Jesus’ inner-circle, with James and John being named the “sons of thunder”, while Simon Peter and John would later become known as “pillars’ of the Church by the Apostle Paul. But how does this story relate to our call today? And what does this story of “fishing” have to do with us? And lastly, what does this all have to do with liberating and changing our world?  Join us Sunday! Hope to see all of your smiling faces.

Pastor John

January Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Kristina Ray and Adrianna Bowers

Ushers: Shawn Thomas, Dwayne Ray, Roman Phillips, and Brandon Bowers

Our Joy Sunday School Class is collecting used eye glasses. Please place your donations in the basket in the church vestibule.

Please recycle your old Sunday school books and not place them in the vestibule collection box. These are no longer being collected for the Prison Ministry.

January is our month to support HOPE in Lancaster with donations of food for those less foretunate. Particular needs in January are: Jelly, Spaghetti Sauce, Grits, Oatmeal, Canned Fruit, and Canned Beef Stew. Please place your donations in the vestibule collection box.

It's Girl Scout Cookie Time!!!

Cheryl Hayes would be glad to take your order!! Cookies are $5 a box except for Toffee, which is $6. They have Adventurefuls (brownie inspired cookies with caramel creme), Lemon-Ups, Trefoils (shortbread), Do-si-dos (oatmeal sandwich with peanut butter filling), Samoas (caramel, coconut and dark chocolate stripes), Tagalong (peanut butter filled with chocolate coating), Thin Mints, Girl Scout S'mores (graham cookie with chocolate and marshmallow filling), and Toffee-tastic (buttery cookie with crunchy toffee bits). Give Cheryl a call if you would like to order, 803-235-9082. Checks can be made payable to GS Troop 2339. Cookies will be delivered the week of February 12-15.

Dear Zion United Methodist Church, 

Thank you so very much for supporting our Senior Shoebox Christmas Project! Once again our community has shown their loving and compassionate serving hearts by donating hundreds of gift bags, boxes, and supplies. Your generous donation allows us to give all of our seniors a Christmas gift this year. That is more than 400 seniors in Lancaster County that will feel so loved and appreciated when they receive their gift that you all so kindly filled with surprises. 

Our precious seniors look forward every year to receiving this Christmas gift. For some it may be their only gift this holiday, for others this gift will contain the necessities that they have been desperately hoping for all years, and all will respond with the sweetest smile of gratitude and thankfulness. They know that these gifts did not come from us but from all of you who took the time to remember them and share a little of what you have been blessed with to bless them. 

From all of us here at Lancaster County Council on Again, Thank you so very much for making this Christmas so Merry!!     

Love, LCCOA Staff, Debbie, Jessica, David, and Kylie

You are invited to the Rock Hill District Bishop’s Day.

"Strengthening The Soul of Your Leadership"

Keynote: Bishop L. Jonathan Holston

St. John UMC (321 South Oakland Ave. Rock Hill, SC 29730)

February 3, 2024

9:00 AM- NOON

Pastors plus 5 key leaders from your church are invited to attend.

Please register here by Wednesday, January 31: https://forms.gle/piwhCAYSU82DePXTA

Shiloh Zion VFD Annual BBQ

and Ladies Auxiliary Bake Sale

Saturday, February 3, 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Plates are $10 each and include a half of a chicken, baked beans, and slaw. 

Pick Up at Shiloh ARP Church, 346 Shiloh Unity Road, Lancaster.

Must purchase tickets from our firemen or Ladies Auxiliary. Some tickets will be sold at the door for purchase. 

Cornerstone UMC's United Methodist Men (2697 Heckle Blvd., Rock Hill) will be having a Barbeque and Bake Sale on Saturday, Jan. 27th from 4-7 p.m. It is carry-out only, with barbeque provided by locally well-known pit master Raymond Lewis. Plates include barbeque, coleslaw, baked beans and roll for $12.00. Barbeque will also be available for purchase by the pound for $15.00. Proceeds will benefit Cornerstone's United Methodist Men and their projects.  The bake sale goods will be provided by Cornerstone's United Women in Faith. We hope you will stop by for some delicious barbeque! 

Visitors on 1/14/2024: Tom Moran, Carol Brown, Josh and Kim Anderson, Emma Lehman, and Fletcher Humphries.

Our deepest love and sympathy are extended to the family of Curtis Threatt in his death on January 14, 2024.

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In honor of:

Pat Threatt, Marion and Sonny Curtis, and Ernest "Sonny" Sweatt by Dianne Martin

In Memory of:

Mike by Judy Payne

Mary W. Knight and Laura Plyler by Carolyn Massey

Laura Plyler and Mary W. Knight by Barbara Hall

Margaret Threatt, Sadie Rape, and Joan Funderburk by Dianne Martin

Special Gifts to Building Fund

In Honor of

My brother, Kenny Polston on his birthday by Janet Webster

General Fund Expenditures December 2023

Constant contact 24.84

Duke Energy 537.18

US Postmaster 198.00

Comporium 249.96

Lifeway 47.97

US Treasury (federal withholding) 462.12

Perry's Pest Control 125.00

Quill (kitchen 150.20, ofc 74.41) 224.61

LCNGA 277.76

LCWSD 302.02

Sam's Club (children's ministry) 240.45

Lynn McCray (HVAC) 300.00

Pastor John (travel) 134.15

State Farm (trailer) 4.00

SC Conference (direct billing) 1863.66

Rural Garbage 190.00

Three Boys Lawn Service 700.00

Staff Salaries 5170.37

Keli Thomas (children's ministry) 64.53

Beth Craig (Country Christmas) 94.78

Custodial 712.00

Staff Christmas gifts 600.00

The Upper Room 23.85

State Farm Insurance 582.47

SC Conf Treasurer (apportionments) 3077.85

Terry Robinson (Senior Adult Ministry) 250.00

Quill (kitchen) 91.35

Duke Energy 537.18

Breeze 72.00

Wells Fargo 6.50

1/19: Joseph Morris

1/20: Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Morris

1/21: Erika Steele Capra

1/24: Doug Plyler

1/26: Tyler Broome, Linda Patchus

The Record Speaks....

Present for 1/14 Sunday School: 41

Present for 1/14 Worship: 78

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,313

Received for 1/14 for General Fund: $3290.87

Received for Building Fund: $50

Received for Directory Submissions: $40

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