March 11, 2023

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10

In this week’s scripture, from John 4:5-42, Jesus is in Samaria at the city of Sychar on his way from Judea to Galilee. It’s here during the heat of noon day that Jesus stops at a plot of ground, given by Jacob to his son Joseph, to rest from his journey and also encounter the Samaritan women at Jacob’s well and where Jesus asks her for a drink of water. The Samaritan women responses: ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a Samaria?” And Jesus answers her with the scripture above. But what is this Living Water? What does it mean to never thirst again?  And how about the spring of water gusting up to eternal life? And what food do you not know about? Join us this Sunday as we delve into the story of the ‘Woman at the Well’ and what it means to us today in our world of selfies and the next new thing. Hope to see all of you!!!

Pastor John

Don't forget to set your clocks ahead one hours this Saturday night so you will be on time for Sunday School and Church!!! See you Suunday!!

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, March 20. All are welcome!

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.

Lenten Bible Study continues on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

March Worship Greeters and Ushers:

Greeters: Diane Rape and Marion Curtis

Ushers: Brandon Bowers, Steve Moseley, Mike Rape, and Tommy Middleton. 

You are invited to our United Methodist Women in Faith meeting on Tuesday, March 14 at 7:00 pm in our fellowship hall. Our guest speaker will be Buford Middle School 7th grade student, Landon Bryson, who is blind. Landon will be singing and playing some music for us and telling us about his journey and how God has blessed him so far in life. Join us!

Lay Readers Needed: In order to provide opportunities for participation for the congregation, Pastor John encourages you to consider signing up to read the Old Testament Lesson during worship service. We hope to develop a list of readers and start a rotation in the coming weeks. Please contact Pastor John at john.david.howle@gmail.com if you are interested in serving.

All men of all ages are invited to our United Methodist Men's meeting on Sunday, March 19 at 7:45 am in the Men's Rec. Bldg. Join us for breakfast, a devotional, and business meeting. Also, stay tuned.....we have an exciting event for our April meeting! We hope you will join us.

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.

Thank you to each one who helped with the Spaghetti Luncheon on Sunday! After expenses, we have cleared $701.07 for the Tony Neal Scholarship Fund. Thank you to all the ones who made donations, helped with the set up, prepping, cooking, serving, and clean up! So many helping hands make hard work a blessing!

Thank you to Dennis Hall, Steve and Susie McDonald, and Pastor John for helping with the brunch and District Clergy meeting last Thursday. What a nice event this was and all the preparation was appreciated by all who attended.

Our love and appreciation to the Thomas Family (Shawn, Keli, Colton, and Sadie) for cleaning the gutters, restrooms, and grounds at the Men's Club and ballfield. It looks awesome!!

Our appreciation to Dennis Hall for donating the new Advent Wreath/Candleholder! We look forward to using this lovely addition this upcoming Advent season!!

Thank you all so much for your help during this time! Also, for your prayers! I have proof every day that God is listening! God bless you all! Love and appreciation, Wanda, Ashley, and Scott

Lilies can be placed in the church on Easter Sunday, April 9. We ask you to purchase your lilies and bring them to church on Easter Day. If you would like to place your lily in honor or in memory of a loved one, pleases give your information to Missy, 803-804-2434 or email at zionumc@comporium.net by Wednesday, April 5.

Special Gifts to Zion Church

In Honor of:

Caroline Broughton by Tommy Knight

Steven and Savannah Duell by Claudia H. Hartley

Ryan and Miriam Griffin and Michael Mills by Judy Payne

In loving honor of Mike and Barbara Vick, Ryan and Miriam Griffin, Susan and Steve Duell, Ivy and Luther McAteer, and Marcene Plyler by Hazel and Terry Robinson

Special Gifts to the Tony Neal Scholarship Fund

In Honor of:

Keli and Shawn Tomas and Teresa Evans by Darlene Hallman

Special Gifts to Bus Fund

In Honor of:

Hazel and Terry Robinson by Darlene Hallman

March is our month to support HOPE in Lancaster with donations of food for those less fortunate. Particular needs in March are 1 lb. box/bag rice, jelly, juice, canned chicken, canned potatoes, and 1 lb. bags of dry beans. Please place your donations in the collection box in the church vestibule. Thank you!!

March 11: Michael Steen

March 12: Linda J. Pardue

March 13: Dustin Sweatt, Chariti Pardue

March 14: Kyle Morris

March 15: Mr. and Mrs. Ken Preslar

March 17: Brooke Haigler

The Record Speaks....

Present 3/5 for Sunday School: 47

Present 3/5 for Worship: 84

Needed each week for General Fund: $4,182

Received for 3/5 for General Fund: $3,394

Received for Building Fund: $75

Received for Tony Neal Scholarship Fund: $350

Received for Epworth Children's Home: $120

Received for Bible Study Books: $20

Received for Bus Fund: $50

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