"We are the Church together": God's Work is Bigger Than Only You and Me

You probably have heard me (or any Lutheran leader) use this phrase before intentionally: "We are the church together," sometimes with "for the sake of the world" tacked on at the end.

And, as we look at ways to stay connected, build relationships, and plug into ministries that are bigger than "just us," I want to share some important ministries of our church that you may want to investigate, follow, or support with a portion of your time, talent, and treasure.

A Few You Probably Know
  1. Our denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is based in Chicago, at a building often spoken of as "churchwide" (as in, the church-wide headquarters). The Presiding Bishop is Elizabeth A. Eaton, who is well known on Twitter. (ELCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram)
  2. Our geographical division within the ELCA is the Florida-Bahamas Synod, led by Bishop Pedro Suarez and based in Tampa.
  3. Lutheran World Relief is the international arm of Lutherans all over the world, responding to needs including (but not limited to) disasters. (LWR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube)
  4. Lutheran Disaster Response is the domestic arm of Lutheran social response in the United States and the Caribbean. (LDR on Twitter, Facebook)
  5. ELCA World Hunger is the ELCA's program that administers food and water programs to those in need locally, nationally, and globally.

Two You May Not Know, But Should
  1. Lutheran Services in America leads one of the largest health and human services networks in the U.S. with over $22 billion in annual revenue, made up of over 300 Lutheran social ministry organizations that touch the lives of 1 in 50 Americans each year.  (LSA on Twitter, Facebook)
  2. Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service works to protect and embrace refugees, migrants, and children seeking a new life in America. Having carried out this work for more than 80 years, LIRS is uniquely equipped to provide holistic, trauma-informed, and age-appropriate care to the vulnerable individuals they serve. (LIRS on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

These organizations and programs are really the tip of the iceberg and do not even include the myriad of locally-based partners we have. The point is this: we would not have the impact we do if not for building these relationships and partnerships. When we say, "We are the Church together," we are living into Jesus' own vision that we be "one body" doing God's work in the world.

Serving with You,
Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt
Thank You, Pastor Dave & Kathy Dangerfield!

We have been blessed with the faithful leadership, preaching, and presence of Pastor Dave & Kathy Dangerfield since December of last year. As Kathy begins her well-deserved retirement from the world of education, they have plans that have long been in place to see family and friends and travel the world.

The Dangerfields last Sunday with us will be this Sunday, April 24th. We will be hosting a special Coffee Fellowship after worship to thank them for their brief, but important, time among us. Please plan on joining us in thanksgiving for including Zion as the cherry on the sundae of Pastor Dave's ministry!
Opportunities to Invite, Equip, and Serve
Faith & Film
"Luther"
Wednesday, May 4th
6:00 p.m. in Katie Luther Chapel

2003, Rated PG-13 
The most recent widely-distributed film on Martin Luther, this production focuses on Luther's life, from his early years and vow to become a monk through the Diet of Augsburg, where the confession inspired by his life's work was presented to the emperor.

Come and enjoy fellowship and discussion! You are invited to bring anything to eat or drink – whatever you'd like to enjoy with each movie.

A Zoom link is available for those who are not local to Zion or homebound. If you are local; however, we encourage you to attend in person.
First Friday in May
Let's gather for food and fellowship!

Friday, May 6, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. 
Sicilian Oven
2486 N Federal Highway
Lighthouse Point, FL 33064 

(The restaurant is located on Federal Highway in Beacon Light Shoppes, north of Copans Road, on the east side of the street.)

Don't make dinner plans and come as you are! We enjoy some delicious food and one another's fellowship. We each pay our own way, but everyone is invited to the table — friends, family members, and neighbors!
Donate to Second Harvest for the 2022 Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly

Congregations are being asked to bring food items for Second Harvest Food Bank to the Synod Assembly this year. If each synod congregation brings 50 pounds of canned goods and other items, we could donate more than four tons to Second Harvest! 

Critically needed items: 
  • Canned fruit and vegetables 
  • Grains (rice, cereal, oatmeal) 
  • Proteins (canned meat, tuna, beans, peanut butter, canned soup) 
  • Dairy (dry or evaporated milk) 
  • Baby Food 
  • Non-Food items (these can’t be purchased with food stamps – e.g., soap, shampoo, toothpaste) 

Zion will be collecting items through Sunday, May 29th. 
Thank you for being church together for the sake of the whole world!
Notes & Reminders
  • These AA Groups meet weekly in Katie Luther Chapel: Women's AA (Mondays at 7:00 p.m.) and Old Timers AA (Saturdays at 7:00 p.m.).
  • To claim a special date for altar flowers on a Sunday morning, contact Cantor Kurt Schmidt. The cost of the arrangements is $40 and you may take the flowers home after Sunday morning worship.
Quick Links & Contact Information
Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt
954-421-3146, option 2 (Church)
954-913-2125 (Cell)