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

July 5, 2023

Taking Faith Home: A New Resource

Thanks to a Thrivent Action Team grant that helped to purchase resources for our new Prayground, we are excited to also begin sharing a new resource with the entire community. Taking Faith Home (TFH) provides a weekly guide for faith formation based on the series of readings we use in worship on Sunday mornings. These conversations are based on four key faith practices: caring conversations, devotions, service, and rituals and traditions. Each week’s one-pager includes a weekly prayer, Bible verse, mealtime prayer, and blessing, as well as suggested daily Bible readings.

Not every part of TFH needs to be used by everyone. Here are some ideas:

• Adults tend to use the daily Bible readings—though few do it without fail. One day is better than nothing and two is better than one.
• Parents and grandparents use the weekly blessings and mealtime prayers with their children. Sometimes they even add the weekly prayer at bedtime.
• Families like to use the conversations and devotions to hear and discuss how God’s love is with them always.
• People on the go (most of us!) grab a prayer, a Bible reading or something that connects them with God’s living Word as part of their journey of faith.

Those who were in worship on Sunday received a printed copy of the insert. To view, download, or print a PDF, click on the picture above.

We hope and pray that this resource will be a blessing for our church members, our preschool families, and everyone who is a part of the Zion community.

Opportunities to "Just Show Up"

First Friday in July

Friday, July 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

Bonefish Mac's

2002 E. Sample Road

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

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!

One of the easiest ways to promote Zion and let people know what God is doing here is through your social media platforms. If you believe in the mission of Zion (and Evergreen Academy and Nina's Place), this is one way to show your support!

If you're on Facebook or Instagram and still not sure how to "share" our posts, give Cantor Kurt Schmidt a call, and he'll walk you through it.

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

The new sign-up sheets for July, August, and September are available in the narthex (gathering space). If you are interested in greeting before worship, reading the lessons (which can be sent in advance), or hosting coffee fellowship, please sign up on Sundays or contact Gail Schmidt (954-254-7430) to sign up for a particular Sunday.

We receive weekly deliveries from Feeding South Florida on Thursday mornings between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. and from Farm Share on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. If you're able to volunteer and assist with unloading, unpacking, sorting, and shelving the goods and groceries, please sign up!

In partnership with Zion and Healthy Start, Deerfield Beach Community Cares is hosting its 2nd Annual Community Baby Shower for new and expecting mothers on Saturday, July 22nd in the Gym. There will be community providers, vendors, raffles, giveaways, and food.

If you know of any mothers or families to invite, please let them know about this event. If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to DBCC Director of Operations, Jarvis Brunson by email.

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Good Shepherd in Boca Raton

Our ministry partners at Good Shepherd are planning to host their first Oktoberfest since COVID, and we are invited to attend!

If there are any Zion community members who would love to assist in the planning and preparation, there are opportunities to serve in every aspect of the event, from publicity to raffles, food and drink to the clean-up crew. To sign up, add your name to the sign-up sheets on Sunday or contact Cantor Kurt Schmidt.

This Sunday: Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

The mystery of God’s ways is sometimes hidden from the wise and intelligent. Jesus associates with those often excluded from the religious community. Like Paul, we struggle with our own selfish desires and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. We gather to be refreshed by Christ’s invitation: “Come to me, all you that are weary.” Gathered around word and meal, we find rest for our souls.

The Rev's Thoughts & Recs

Last Sunday, we read Jesus' words to prepare his disciples to carry out his mission on earth after our Lord ascended to heaven. Our Savior summons us to do the same even if it means a simple kind gesture of sharing a cool cup of water to a parched soul. As you listen to this soothing song, allow the Holy Spirit to inspire your heart to eagerly respond to our Lord's summons.

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.