Weekly News from Zion and our Ministries Under the Cross, especially Evergreen Academy

November 30, 2022

Thank You for Your Generosity!

Thank you to our 13 Facebook donors who completed our social media giving campaign totaling $1,500 for Nina's Place! This adds to the $1,455 also donated through by Zion members and friends through our online giving platform! You are all awesome!

(If you haven't yet, follow Nina's Place on Facebook and Instagram. Website coming soon!)

Excited & Hopeful: January is just around the corner!

So many important updates are happening behind the scenes:

• View the pictures below to see the space and furnishings coming together.
• Read under "Reverse Advent Calendar" about the planned outreach to the homeless and unhoused community.
• Give thanks for a new sign/logo created by Pam Keller, cousin to Gail Schmidt and professional graphic artist. Thanks so much, Pam!

23 Shelving Units!

Hanging of the Greens Symbolism & Understanding the End Times

Pastor Cathy's handout from last Sunday's worship service includes an explanation of our Christmas decorations (the "Hanging of the Greens") and excerpts from an article written in "Living Lutheran" about how to understand the "end times" through a Lutheran lens. Click on the graphic to view and download.

Wednesdays in Advent begin tonight!

Join us when you can from wherever you can! Soup and/or salad will be provided; please bring something to share (a side or dessert), if you can. The direct Zoom link for the book study is here; the complete Zoom information is here; and, the link to our Facebook page is here.

First Friday in December

Friday, December 2, 2022 at 6:00 p.m.

Nick's Pizza in Deerfield Beach

137 NE 2nd Avenue

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

(Nick's is located off of Hillsboro Blvd. on NE 2nd Avenue, right across from Deerfield Beach City Hall [look for the clock tower]. There is also parking and an accessible entrance in the rear of the building.) 

Preview the menu here.

Don't make dinner plans and come as you are! We enjoy 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!

Looking Ahead to the 12 Days of Christmas

and into the New Year

Mark your calendars!

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

4th Annual

Reverse Advent Calendar

A joint church, preschool, and community project to benefit Nina's Place

Thank you to everyone who contributed socks and washcloths and gave financially last week to the Reverse Advent Calendar.

Did you know? Nina's Place will always welcome individuals and families who are homeless or unhoused to receive food and supplies; but, on the last Saturday of the month, we will also have intentional outreach to our homeless and unhoused friends. We have partnered with the Task Force Fore Ending Homelessness, BSO, and others. We plan to provide a hot meal, intake for county services, the mobile shower van/bus, and food to go.

To see the full Reverse Advent Calendar, click here and scroll down.

Collection boxes are available during the week in the Evergreen Academy office and on Sundays in the Church Sanctuary. If you want us to do the shopping for you, click here to give online and choose "Reverse Advent Calendar" as the fund. Thank you for your generosity!

Week 1

November 27 to December 3

Church: Socks & Washcloths

Preschool: Socks & Washcloths

Week 2

December 4-10

Church: Cans of soup and big boxes of cereal

Preschool: Canned vegetables & fruits and cans of soup

This Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent

At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases we turn toward the approaching light of Christ. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or destruction. From the Lord’s table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist to proclaim that the kingdom of God has come near. 

Readings

Isaiah 11:1-10

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Romans 15:4-13

Matthew 3:1-12

• Two 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.

Zion is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community, and extends God's radical welcome to all people, because we're all created in God's image.