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Weekly News from Zion and our Ministries Under the Cross: Evergreen Academy & Nina's Place
January 24, 2024
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Fishing for People
A Message from Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt
At worship this past Sunday, I was inspired both by Pastor Julie's sermon and by the symphony of names being read/spoken during the Prayers of the People. One of the themes of the Sundays after Epiphany (in addition to joy and light) is how we are called to follow Jesus and serve others. The gospel lesson ends with Jesus' invitation to follow, and the new disciples respond immediately. What can we learn from this?
As followers of Jesus, we are called to fish for people by going to where they are, showing and sharing the good news, and letting God do the rest. How can we build each other up at Zion? How can we show up for our families at Evergreen Academy? How can we support our friends at Nina's Place? Our new prayer ministry (below) is just one example and the perfect opportunity to meet people where they are, talk about Jesus, receive their prayers, and invite them to more of what God is doing at Zion.
Gone are the days when a pastor did the lion's share of the work of fishing for people – in any community. Statistically, 82% of people would show up for worship or a church-related activity if invited by a friend or family member. Joel Smith, our friend and the CEO of Deerfield Beach Community Cares, often says, "people don't care what you know until they know that you care."
Ways You Can Fish for People at Zion
- If you received a heart or two with names on them on Sunday, please pray for them throughout the week.
- Sign up to meet people and receive prayers at Nina's Place on Saturday mornings. It's an easy way to volunteer with such a gratifying return on your investment of time.
- Invite a friend or family member to First Friday and Third Tuesday.
- Invite a friend to worship on Sunday mornings.
- Reach out to your Zion friends from the past and present and invite them to our anniversary events on Sunday, February 11th.
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Opportunities to "Just Show Up" | |
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RIC Sunday at Zion
We invite you to join us this Sunday, January 28th for Reconciling in Christ Sunday at Zion. Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Sunday is an annual celebration created to share in the commitment Zion and partnering faith communities have in the ongoing work of welcome, inclusion, celebration, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ people in the life of the church. We will join over 1,050 partners in the United States and Canada in celebrating this commitment.
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First Friday in February
Friday, February 2, 2024
6:00 p.m.
Cove Brewery & Won-Toms
1500 SE 3rd Court
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
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!
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Eat Ice Cream & Decorate Alleluia Banners on Sunday, February 4th
Two Zion traditions converge after worship on Sunday, February 4th: an ice cream social and arts & crafts! Did you know Alleluia means "Praise the Lord" and we do not use that word in worship during Lent? Join us for a delicious fellowship hour in Katie Luther Chapel as we celebrate praising our Lord in creative ways!
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Celebrating 65 Years of Zion
Morning Worship with Confirmation Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Rededication Hymn Festival
Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Young people from our congregation are being confirmed, our bishop will be with us, and the entire day will be filled with amazing music, all to the glory of God!
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Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly | |
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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, 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.
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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, active presence at Nina's Place on Saturdays. Our prayer 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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Due to our growing partnership with the Store Pickup Program (Publix and Feeding South Florida), we are now picking up from five different Publix stores five days a week. Depending on what is available, this can mean thousands of additional pounds of frozen and grocery items for our friends at Nina's Place.
If you are available to help sort and store these deliveries on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of any week, please reach out to Gail Schmidt to be connected with the volunteer crew.
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Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
RIC Sunday
Amos was the prophet whose message is that God calls us to let “justice roll down like waters.” Worship without justice is unacceptable; our music, liturgy, and prayers must move us to action on behalf of the oppressed.
The first reading and worship theme comes from Amos 5, which turns our minds and hearts in prayer toward injustice and turmoil in our world. The second reading from Romans 8 focuses on a world that seems obsessed with who is "right and wrong," "good or bad," "in or out," or on "this side or that side.” It is a radical endeavor to name each person as a "child of God" — no matter what. Finally, our gospel is Luke's familiar story of the Good Samaritan and how Christ calls us to radical hospitality.
Sunday's bulletin can be found on the homepage of our website.
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New Discipleship Resources for 2024 | |
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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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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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