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Weekly News from Zion and our Ministries Under the Cross: Evergreen Academy & Nina's Place
January 10, 2024
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One Year of Nina's Place
155,500+ pounds of food distributed
5,000+ records of assistance
1,000+ households helped
3,000+ volunteer hours
2,500+ staff work hours
Infinite Amounts of HOPE
ONE COMMUNITY TRANSFORMED!
Numbers and statistics are wonderful things, if only because they prove that something is making a difference. The first year of Nina's Place has been statistically astonishing, especially when you consider that we weren't sure before we opened that we would serve even 50 households each week! As concerning as it is that the needs in our community have not diminished – and are, in fact, increasing – it is so gratifying to be able to come together and help to meet this need and to inspire hope in some pretty dark places.
The relationships that we've built with our community, our incredible volunteer crew, and our friends/clients have made Nina's Place so incredibly worthwhile. We've been able to help a young mother and son with special needs move from being "motel homeless" into their own apartment. We've assisted more than a few homeless individuals and families with emergency food and supplies. We've become a gathering place for resources like Broward Health, the South Florida Wellness Network, the Center for Hearing and Communication, and others to bring much needed programs and services to this community.
Nina's Place is growing exponentially, and we are working very diligently to keep up with the growth. That's why it may seem like we are always asking for your contributions, both financially and in-kind. As you read this newsletter, you will see a new opportunity to serve by being at Nina's Place on Saturdays to get to know our friends/clients, gather prayer requests, and invite them to Zion's activities. This is not a physically demanding task, so I hope that some who have shied away from volunteering for that reason will step up to serve. We are in this together; and for us who are Zion, this is truly God's work.
To God be the glory,
Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt
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God's Promises for the New Year
As part of Pastor Cathy's message on Casual Christmas, we remember God's promises from the Bible, especially as we begin a new year. We pray that, just as God is faithful to us, that God would provide for us and bless us so that we can let our lights shine by blessing others.
Read the Bible in One Year
It’s a great goal for the new year, and only a few chapters a day! This plan from the Blue Letter Bible does not read straight through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Rather, these readings are 10 compiled according to recent historical research, taking into account the order in which the recorded events actually occurred. Click on the graphic with an open Bible and blue light to view or download.
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New Discipleship Resources for 2024 | |
Opportunities to "Just Show Up" | | |
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Meeting This Sunday
A final reminder about the special meeting on Sunday immediately following worship for the purpose of approving the recommended listing agreement with our realtor, in order to list the property publicly and receive bids for sale on our behalf. We hope that you'll come for worship and stay for the very brief meeting.
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Third Tuesday in January
Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at Noon
Sicilian Oven
2486 N. Federal Highway
Lighthouse Point, FL 33064
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!
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65th Anniversary Celebration
Registration Links Are Live: Please Register & Help Us Spread the Word to the Zion Family, Near and Far
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Our schedule for February's anniversary & homecoming celebration is now live on our website! It includes an opportunity to volunteer at Nina's Place, an alumni cookout and game afternoon, class/decade gatherings, the confirmation of two young people in our congregation, and the rededication of our church sanctuary and pipe organ. We hope that you will plan to join us!
It takes a team to make something like this happen. We are also looking for volunteers to help us plan the following events that weekend:
Friday evening's Welcome Reception
Saturday afternoon's Alumni BBQ & Game Day
Saturday evening's Class/Decade Gatherings
Sunday's dessert reception after the Hymn Festival
If you're willing to help with the details, please reach out to Cantor Kurt Schmidt.
Thank you for your willingness to help make this a memorable weekend!
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Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly | |
Returning to Online Sign-Ups for Church Community | |
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For more than a year, we have relied on an in-person sign up sheet for sharing worship leadership on Sunday mornings. As we expand our opportunities to serve at Zion beyond Sunday mornings, we are returning to our online sign-up platform. One of the many advantages is that it automatically sends you an email reminder before you are scheduled to serve. The picture above, which takes you to the sign-up page when you click on it, is also found on the homepage of our website (look for the "SERVE" graphic).
Sunday Worship Leadership
At Zion, worship is "the work of the people," not just the pastor and cantors. In other words, we're all in this together when we worship on Sunday mornings. There's a place for everyone to serve in a variety of ways. You can be a Greeter (welcoming people to worship, beginning at 10:30 a.m.), an Assisting Minister (reading prayers and assisting with communion), a Reader (reading the lessons), or host Coffee Fellowship after the worship service. Your involvement ensures that it's not "the same two or three people" every week.
Prayer Teams for Nina's Place
As we look for ways to show and share the Good News of Jesus, we are committing to be a regular and active presence at Nina's Place on Saturdays. Our prayer team volunteers will be stationed in Room 516, closest to the 6th Avenue parking lot. Your primary goals are to engage the Nina's Place friends/clients in conversation, get to know them, ask them for any prayer requests, and invite them to Zion's activities (including Sunday worship). You will be indoors (air conditioning!), can be seated or standing, and everyone is welcomed and encouraged to serve!
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Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Second Sunday after Epiphany
All the baptized have a calling in God’s world. God calls not just pastors and deacons but also the youngest child, like Samuel. The story of the calling of Nathanael plays with the idea of place. Nathanael initially dismisses Jesus because he comes from Nazareth. But where we come from isn’t important; it’s where—or rather whom—we come to. Jesus refers to Jacob, who had a vision in a place he called “the house of God, and...the gate of heaven” (Gen. 28:17). Jesus says he himself is the place where Nathanael will meet God.
This Sunday is also a Second Sunday Healing Service.
Sunday's bulletin can be found on the homepage of our website.
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Save the Dates — Upcoming Sundays
January 28th — Reconciling in Christ Sunday and Celebrating the First Communion of Karina Prang & Jillian Prang
February 11th — 65th Anniversary and Celebrating the Affirmation of Baptism (Confirmation) of Estela Raphael & Morgan Clancy
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Pray for Loved Ones
All names submitted online (click here) by Saturday at noon will be added to Sunday's prayers of the people. In order to keep our prayer list current, all names must be resubmitted each week if you desire continued prayers.
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The Rev's Thoughts & Recs | |
On Sunday we talked about the Holy Spirit being ever present in our lives. The same Holy Spirit who was present at Jesus' baptism was present at our baptism. When Jesus ascended to heaven, his Spirit came to offer us comfort and to remind us of Christ's teachings for us to better live out our faith. Through the Holy Spirit we can overcome whatever challenges we face. This song reminds us "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) | |
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Quick Links & Contact Information | |
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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.
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