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

May 10, 2023

Strength for Today & Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Zion is first and foremost a church — a community of faith gathered and scattered. We are also a preschool (Evergreen Academy), a food market and pantry (Nina’s Place), and deeply embedded in the community with Deerfield Beach Community Cares. Our ministries together and in the world are making a difference. And our identity is rooted in the cross, especially at our location “under the cross.”

Those who joined us for worship this morning kicked off our anniversary celebration year by rededicating our 10th Street sign (with a brand new sign front and a fresh coat of paint)! Pictured below are those who made the walk with us in spirit.

On Saturday morning, Robin Larson and Lynne Getch, the council presidents of Zion and Good Shepherd, met to sign the parish ministry agreement to forward on to the synod for ratification. We give thanks for the unanimous votes that gave consent and blessing for a new chapter and new opportunities for shared ministry.

In Case You Missed It

This past week, the City of Deerfield Beach featured Cantor Kurt Schmidt on their social media with a video highlighting him as an outstanding resident of Deerfield Beach. Here is what they shared about Kurt:

We spent some time with Kurt Schmidt who was born and raised in Deerfield Beach! Kurt is a Cantor at Zion - Ministries Under the Cross and super involved in helping to fill the needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our community. When a need arises, Kurt is usually one of the first residents to respond with a solution.

He has a heart to serve and that is exactly what he did when he realized there were many hungry families in our community. He helped organize a group of volunteers with a willingness to serve to launch Nina’s Place – a food pantry for those families who need the help. Thank you, Kurt for all you do, you are a blessing to Deerfield Beach!

Third Tuesday in May

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at Noon

Sicilian Oven

2486 N. Federal Highway

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

(Sicilian Oven is located in the Beacon Light Shoppes just south of Copans Road on the east side of Federal Highway.) 

Don't make lunchplans 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!

Confirmation Classes

All are welcome to attend and participate!

Friday, May 12th – 7-9 p.m.

Friday, May 19th – 7-9 p.m.

Upcoming from Deerfield Beach Community Cares

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

Updates from Nina's Place

Thank you to Southern Chute for sponsoring two weeks of food and for volunteering Saturday at Nina’s Place!

Southern Chute is a locally-based company that works with commercial trash and dryer chutes for high rises, improving lives by improving odors.

Joanna Ribner, the CEO, is a JMI colleague and friend of our Cantor Kurt Schmidt. We are indebted to Joanna, Sean, and all of our business partners and friends who contribute to the sustainability of the market.

Through our partnership with Deerfield Beach Community Cares, Nina's Place has been accepted as a partner agency with Feeding South Florida!

We will be working diligently to transition to their online client management and ordering systems, but thank God for this opportunity to secure the sustainability of Nina's Place!

This Sunday: Sixth Sunday of Easter

Note: We are meeting for worship & all events in Katie Luther Chapel.

Jesus does not abandon his followers. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus comes to abide with his disciples of every generation. As Pentecost draws near, we are reminded that the risen Christ dwells in us as the Spirit of truth. We receive this Spirit in baptism and pray that in our gathering around the Lord’s table the Spirit will transform us to be the body of the risen Christ in the world.

Please join us as we celebrate and give thanks for mothers and offer prayers and anointing for healing of body, mind, and spirit!

The Rev's Thoughts & Recs

Last Sunday, we read from the New Testament book of 1 Peter where the apostle described Christ as a cornerstone: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

A cornerstone is defined as a stone which forms the base of a corner of a building, joining two walls.  When we live with our beliefs in Christ as the cornerstone of our lives, our faith will be edified through the power of the Holy Spirit to withstand our earthly struggles. Be blessed and inspired by Toby Mac's song entitled Cornerstone.

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.