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

August 9, 2023

Sabbath Rest

We are only a few weeks (if that) from the start of school, major events for our community are on the horizon, and my brain is going 24/7 with new ideas and my ever-growing to-do list. Perhaps you can relate. It's a lot.

We are all in desperate need of rest, whether we realize it or not. In creating the world, God actually built in the rhythm of rest. And while we don't observe the Jewish sabbath on the seventh day as they do, we still need to find time to rest. Those who observe Sabbath know that, in order for it to be genuine rest, they must cease from all activities that feel like work and replace that time with nourishing activities – reading, board games, eating, walks in nature, or a good old nap. Those of us who make church a priority might add attending worship to that list.

I'm traditionally bad (like, really bad) at Sabbath. I try to take a weekday as my Sabbath and I really have to force myself to not open my laptop, respond to emails, or work on any lingering projects. But, if I'm going to have any energy to give to you and to this community, I need to rest. If you're going to have any energy to give to the people and things that matter to you, you need to rest.

There are many things coming up that will deserve our focus and energy, but Sabbath is there for us. "Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest..."

Resting with You,

Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt

Thank you to Robin, Gail, and Beverly for volunteering at Saturday's Back to School Block Party. Thanks also to all of the organizations also present, including our friends from Deerfield Beach Community Cares.

We gave away all 500 backpack tags, 3 boxes of glue sticks, and 6 bags of smarties to local students of all ages. We are blessed to be a part of such a caring and interconnected community invested in each other’s well being!

Opportunities to "Just Show Up"

Third Tuesday in August

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at Noon

Seaside Subs

1645 SE 3rd Court

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Don't make lunch 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!

Evergreen Academy's End of Summer Concert

Join our Associate Cantor Peter Rizzo and the summer campers at Evergreen Academy for their End of Summer Concert on Thursday, August 17th at 3:00 p.m. in Katie Luther Chapel. It promises to be a fun afternoon, filled with joy, singing, and dancing. You won't want to miss it!

Community Fair

Saturday, September 9th

Our annual Community Fair has become a signature event. Last year's fair featured almost 90 non-profit organizations, community businesses, and government agencies) and 700-1,000 local residents in attendance.

Please save the date/time and plan to volunteer. We will have opportunities for all ages/abilities to make this event a success again.

If you know a business that would be interested, we have sponsorships for as low as $500 available.

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

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: Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Second Sunday Healing Service

Elijah finds the presence of God not in earthquake, wind, or fire, but in the sound of sheer silence. When the disciples face a great storm on the sea, they cry out with fear. Jesus says: “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Amid the storms of life, we gather to seek the calm presence of Christ that soothes our fears. In comforting words of scripture and in the refreshing bread and cup of the eucharist, God grants us peace and sends us forth to be a sign of God’s presence to others.

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.