April 14, 2023

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25

           This week’s scripture lesson continues from the 20th chapter of John’s Gospel.  In many of our Bibles, it’s entitled Jesus and Thomas, but many of us may know it as the story of “Doubting Thomas”. However, I believe that Thomas gets a bad rap. For this scripture speaks not only about Thomas and the disciples, but also relates to many of us in today’s world especially when it comes to photos, and stories on the internet.  Or as the saying goes, “Seeing is Believing”. But is that true?  Obvious, not in all cases. Yes, some of us need proof, and not from a photo that could have been edited or a story that has been altered or embellished, in other words we want to see it with our own eyes before we will believe, like Thomas!  But what about the other disciples on that particle day?  Join us this Sunday, as we delve into this lesson and seek to believe as Thomas.  For Jesus says, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”

Pastor John

Our Grief Support Group continues to meet the first and third Mondays of each month in the Fellowship Hall at 11:00 am. Our next meeting will be Monday, April 17. All are welcome!

Epworth Foster Care Program

Foster Parent Appreciation Month

HELP US SHOWER OUR FOSTER FAMILIES WITH LOVE!

Rock Hill District Churches

13 Baskets are needed;; deadline Monday, May 15

Deliver to Epworth’s Temporary Upstate Office at St. John’s UMC, 321 S. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29730

You're invited to assemble foster parent appreciation baskets for our Rock Hill families. (Suggested value: $50 - $75) Baskets should follow one of the themes below but do not have to contain the exact items listed.

Cozy Baskets, Activity Baskets, Family Dinner Baskets

· Home themed: Soft blanket, Amazon gift card to rent movies, candy, and popcorn and popcorn bowl

· Outing themed: Gift card for restaurant, gasoline gift card, and crayons and coloring books for the kids to take along

· Home themed: Games and/or puzzles, craft supplies with instructions, wipeable table cloth

· Home themed: Restaurant or cash gift card with take-out menus, fun-to-make family dessert with a nice dish

· Outing themed: Putt-putt passes, trampoline park passes, or bowling passes, gasoline gift card Outing themed: Movie tickets, tote bag filled with single-sized snacks, gasoline gift card.

Please call before coming, 803-540-5800

Church Coordinator: Please email Kathy James at kjames@epworthsc.org with the number of baskets your church will provide.

Our deepest love and sympathy are extended to Missy Snipes and her family in the death of her mother, Diane Robinson on April 11.

Our Adult Sunday School classes continue to meet each Sunday at 10:00 am. If you are unsure which class would better suit you, please contact the church office, 285-3864. Our Youth and Children’s Sunday School classes will be meeting at 10:00 am as well, youth and children in the family life center.

April Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Susie McDonald and Susan Scott

Ushers: Jimmy Neal, Steve McDonald, Stacy Scott, and Steve Duell

All men of all ages are invited to join us for our Men's Club meeting that will be held on Tuesday, April 18 at 6:30 PM in the Thompson Family Life Center! Join us for a delicious dinner, devotion, and business meeting. Please text or call Steve, 803-288-2892 if you will be attending so we can get a head count for food quantities.

Collection For Our Local Animal Shelter

Used blankets, towels, and hand towels are being collected for the Lancaster Animal Shelter. Please place your donations in the collection box in the church vestibule.

Zion will be hosting the Annual Cosmetology Continuing Education Event on Monday, April 24. This event is sponsored by the Tony Neal Scholarhip Committee. PLEASE NOTE, we will not be able to host the walking club on this day.

The Wesley Foundation at Winthrop University has long proclaimed "Welcome!" to students - but it's front door, directly across the street from campus, has said "Welcome if you can use steps." One of our core values is including people often excluded, and after meeting students on campus using wheelchairs, Director Charlie Farnum realized we needed a ramp for our front entry. The Board quickly agreed and voted on a new brick and cement ramp that will last the life of the building. We have covered 75% of the cost via grants but still have a remaining balance of over $4,000. Donations from local churches are requested to help us cover the balance without dipping too far into our general fund. Gifts may be sent to Winthrop Wesley, 1400 Stewart Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29730. If you have any questions, please reach out to Charlie Farnum at cfarnum@umcsc.org

Rock Hill District Salkehatchie Youth Rally Agenda

Saturday, April 22 Registration 10:00 – 10:30

Registrants will be given a “Tool Identification sheet” to complete a Tool Scavenger Hunt (instructions provided when handed out) Welcome and General Information 10:30 – 10:45 Music 10:45 to 11:00 Salkehatchie Video 11:00 – 11:15 Speaker – Pastor Robby Lybrand from St. Mark UMC Greenwood 11:15 – 11:45 Robby has participated at several Salkehatchie Camps across SC Prepare for lunch 11:45 – 12:00 Lunch 12:00 – 12:45 Announce Scavenger Hunt winners and award prizes 12:45 – 1:00 Hear from Salkehatchie Camps 1:00 – 1:45 Registration overview and questions 1:45 – 2:00

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Honor of:

Pat Threatt and Betty Crook by Dianne Martin

In Memory of:

Mike Vick, Margaret, June, and Ronnie Threatt, and Ellen and Clyde Walters by Dianne Martin

Chandler Payne by Maw Maw Judy

Peggy Knight by Tommy Knight

In loving memory of Peggy Knight by Nancy and Danny

Mike Vick by Wanda Faile

Special Gifts to Building Fund

In Memory of:

Caleb Love by Rock and Karen Love

Special Gifts to Men’s Club

In Honor of:

Tommy Middleton by Marcene Plyler

In Memory of:

Mike Vick by Marcene Plyer 

April 14: Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Hayes, Mr. and Mrs. David Hayes

April 16: Susan Broughton, Jacob Conwell

April 18: Jenna Vaughn

April 20: Christian Griffin

April 21: Jerry Stogner

The Record Speaks....

Present Good Friday Service: 18

Present Easter Sunrise Service: 35

Present for 4/9 School: 42

Present 4/9 for Worship: 103

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for General Fund: $3,618

Received for Building Fund: $20

Received for Bible Study Book: $20

Received for UMM: $100

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