Weekly News from Zion and our Ministries Under the Cross: Evergreen Academy & Nina's Place

September 20, 2023

Let's Celebrate!

Save the Date: February 9-11, 2024

By God’s grace, Zion has moved from strength to strength for 65 years in Deerfield Beach.

You are invited to join our

65th ANNIVERSARY &

HOMECOMING CELEBRATION

as we give thanks for all that has been and look with hope for all that God will do

through our ministries “under the cross.”

The pandemic derailed our plans for an alumni event in 2020; but, it’s an anniversary year for us, and we want to celebrate. If you’re connected to Zion in ANY way (alumni, student but not graduate, family members, teachers and staff, current/former church members, Evergreen Academy families), you are invited!

We will rededicate our sanctuary and pipe organ (restored after storm damage) with a celebratory hymn festival, Bishop Pedro M. Suárez will be with us to confirm two young people in our Sunday morning worship service, alumni classes will gather in reunion, we will volunteer at Nina’s Place, and much more. The entire weekend will have activities for all!

Of course, you don't have to wait until February to reconnect with Zion, especially if you're local. Everyone is welcome to join us in worship, study, and serving our community – locally, globally, and everywhere in between.

For now…save the date and spread the word! As more information is available, it will be shared on our website, Facebook, Instagram, and in this weekly e-newsletter. And, if you have some time to help coordinate this special weekend's activities, please reach out to Cantor Kurt Schmidt.

Opportunities to "Just Show Up"

Tough Conversations continues on September 26th with a movie & discussion. "My Ascension" is a message of hope from a young woman who survived a suicide attempt. Dinner is included for those who register (click here to register). Resources for suicide awareness, mental health, and overall wellness will be available. We hope that you'll join us for this important evening.

"For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Special Congregational Meeting: Sunday, October 15th

Immediately following worship on Sunday, October 15th, we will convene a Special Congregational Meeting for the sole purpose of approving the most recent version of our Church Constitution, as authorized by the synod. In addition to required updates, this revision includes the increase of council terms and the move to a fiscal year that mirrors the calendar year.

Oktoberfest 2023

Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 5:00 PM

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

6301 SW 18th Street, Boca Raton, FL 33433

$15.00/person for all you can eat! Beer & wine will be available for purchase. Soft drinks & water are included in the ticket cost.

Tickets will be available at the door and/or before the event from Robin Larson or Gail Schmidt. Proceeds will go toward the important work of Lutheran Disaster Response.

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

Sunday at 11:00 a.m. – In Person & Online

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

Matthew narrates one of Jesus’ controversial parables in which Jesus says that the reign of God is like that of a landowner who pays his workers the same wage no matter what time of day they began to work. When God changes God’s mind about punishing Nineveh for their evil ways, Jonah is angry. Yet God is gracious and merciful, abounding in steadfast love. In baptism we receive the grace of God that is freely given to all. As Martin Luther wrote, in the presence of God’s mercy we are all beggars.

The Rev's Thoughts & Recs

[Pastor Cathy sent this article to me, and I couldn't resist sharing it with all of you. Click the link at the end to read the whole article. – Cantor Kurt Schmidt]

"Why do I still go to church? It’s a good question."

Every fall, our family returns to church. We don’t intentionally walk away during the summer months, but between vacations and camp drop-offs and lazy mornings and opportunities to see family and friends, we tend to tie our church attendance to the school calendar.

Come September, we have to remind ourselves why it’s worth it to nudge our teenagers out of bed on a day when they could sleep in. Why get dressed and head out the door to listen to a choir and hear some prayers and sit through a sermon when we could be hiking in the woods?

We keep going to church for all sorts of reasons...keep reading.

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.