April 2021

A Note From Our Pastor

Like so many people, I watched Bridgerton on Netflix.  In fact, at the end of Season One, I went to the library (via my kindle app) to read more from the Bridgerton series.  While I was number 118 in line for one for the 10 copies of the ebook (the first three stories in one book), I was notified last week that the book was available.  As such, I have spent my past few evenings reading about the Bridgerton family and their romances.

The love interest in the third book (as I said, I have spent the past few evenings reading) has a very interesting description.  Although she is the unloved step-child in the model of Cinderella, she has a persona of happiness and glows from an inner joy.  What a wonderful description to have!

Happiness and joy…  While there are some similarities, joy is the deeper of the two emotions and is more internal (e.g., an inner joy) and is more personal.  Worldly possession, personal accomplishments, even the people in our lives, are blessings that can make us feel happy, and happiness does fuel joyfulness.  But happiness is fleeting and can be based on circumstances.  Joy is a feeling that is both steadfast and sustaining.  When we think about steadfast and sustaining, we realize the source of all joy comes from Christ with his steadfast love and sustaining spirit.  Joy is rooted in who God is and much of our own joy comes from worshipping God.

Rejoice this Easter Season and let joy be a part of our lives! Rejoice in Jesus’ sacrifice to take away the punishment for our sins!  Rejoice in Christ’s resurrection to demonstrate that God’s love is greater than death!  And let our faith in Christ lead us to a glorious joy that touches our inner self and allows the joy in our life shine so that others may see!

Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

THIS and THAT

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU

We would like to extend a special thank you to Libby Hall for making the covers for our Crismon Bible case.  Not only does the cover assure that the restored Bible is not damaged by sunlight, but the fine material and exquisite workmanship highlights the place of honor for the Bible and case in the sanctuary.

Also thank you to the team that restored the historical Zion placards outside the church near the cemetery, slave door, and church office.  Thanks to Dennis Gallahan and Walter Rawls for resubmitting the history, Debra Paytes for re-typing and formatting the information, and Dale Rauch for re-building, painting, and sealing the information in the frames.

Sue Rauch

Administrative Council Chair

USHERS NEEDED

It has been an incredible joy to be back in worship at Zion!  The Healthy Church Team (HCT) has done a wonderful job of preparing and maintaining the protocol for in person worship.  The members of the HCT have not only prepared the church to welcome back its members, but has also taken on the role of ushers for the first 4-5 weeks.  Because it has been over a year since we gathered in the sanctuary, there has been a need to re-establish the volunteer list of ushers.  The duties are light and we are hoping to schedule each person once a month or less.  We need you!

If you are interested in helping Zion as we get back into our weekly worship services, please contact Christine Braxton at cabraxton57@gmail.com.

STAFF/PASTOR PARISH RELATIONS

The Staff/Pastor- Parish Relations Committee (S/PPR) is awaiting the announcement from the District of the new pastoral assignments.  Once the announcement is made, we will be passing this on to our church family.  Please continue to keep Zion in your prayers.

Pastor Barry will be having knee replacement surgery on May 18th.  With recovery time and vacation time between mid-May and the end of June, Pastor Barry has offered to video-tape the sermons and prepare the worship services and bulletins ahead of time.  We expect to gather on the last Sunday of June to celebrate Pastor Barry’s time here at Zion and his retirement.  Please keep June 27th on your calendars.

A donation has been offered to invite a guest pastor to speak one of the Sundays in June.  The Committee has reached out to Rev. Barbara Jacobs and she has graciously accepted our invitation.  Rev. Jacobs will be our guest on Sunday, June 13th.

The S/PPR Committee will be coordinating the welcoming of our new pastor.  Because the first Sunday in July is the 4th, we are considering spreading this welcoming over the first two Sundays of July.  We encourage all members to gather together those days to share in the celebration. Additional information will be forthcoming.

Christine Braxton

S/PPR Chair

TRUSTEES AND PROPOSED UTILITY EASMENT

The Trustees met on April 11th to review the utility easement in front of the church proposed by Development Consulting Services (DCS).  DCS is the developer for the project proposed on Courthouse Road.  The meeting was open to members of the congregation and was attended by about 10-12 members of the congregation who had an opportunity to express their views on the proposal.  After considerable discussion, the trustees voted to reject the contractor’s proposal and not grant the easement.

SPRING CLEAN-UP

Zion UMC is having its annual Spring Clean-up.  The period for the clean-up is scheduled for April 24th – May 8th.  There is a sign-up sheet in the back of the sanctuary if you are available to assist/accomplish a task. Below is a list of proposed tasks.

Outside

1.     Clear debris from roof of fellowship hall

2.     Paint trim on outside of Office door

3.     Reposition parking lot markers

4.     Paint old shed

5.     Powerwash and stain deck behind fellowship hall

6.     Powerwash and stain (waterproof) deck to food pantry trailer

7.     Stain cemetery benches

8.     Stain bench in front of fellowship hall

9.     Clean up leaves in front of food pantry trailer

Inside

1.     Scrub carpets: classrooms, nursery, fellowship hall

2.     Clean kitchen floor

3.     Clean oven and microwave

4.     Clean kitchen windows

5.     Clean classroom windows

6.     Clean fellowship hall windows

7.     Paint vent cover in sanctuary balcony

If you need to purchase supplies to accomplish a job and would like to be reimbursed, save your receipts and submit your request to one of the Trustees or to the Church Office.

Dale Rauch

FINANCE CORNER

March Operating Expenses:  $8,704

March Income:  $10,179

YTD Operating Expenses:  $19,564.09

YTD Tithes/Offering: $19,782

Weekly Average: $1,521

Weekly Needed:  $1,600

Any questions please contact:  Betty Carter-Gelfuso, Finance Chair