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

November 22, 2023

Thank You, Zion!

"Bless us with the knowing that we are never alone, bless us with love for the journey, and we say: Amen!"

Ten years ago, I never would've imagined I'd be in my home congregation engaged in ministry for the good of the community. Thank you for blessing this last decade, for embracing new ways of doing and being the church, and for supporting me as a spiritual leader among you. Sunday was a phenomenal way to mark a milestone in our ministry together, knowing that the very best is yet to come! As Paul said, "the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6b)

Keep praying for me, as I am praying for you,

Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt

New Ways of Praying in Advent

Beginning in December 2023 with the season of Advent, we will be praying for people by name on Sunday mornings. All names submitted online (click here) by Saturday at noon will be included in the prayers of the people the next day. Alternatively, those who attend Sunday morning worship in person will have the opportunity to fill out a prayer card each week to include whomever they wish in our community's prayers. In order to keep our prayer list current, all names must be resubmitted each week if you desire continued prayers.

Opportunities to "Just Show Up"

2nd Annual Santa Pub Crawl

In lieu of our First Friday in December, you are invited to join the Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach at their 2nd Annual Santa Pub Crawl on Friday, December 1st, beginning at 4:00 p.m. There will be food and drink specials available at each location, and all proceeds from the wristband sales will go toward the work of Kiwanis in our local community and other areas in need around the country.

The DFB Kiwanis meets at Zion and is a sponsor of Nina's Place and DBCC.

Wednesdays in Advent 2023

December 6, 13, and 20 in Katie Luther Chapel

5:30 p.m. Dinner & Fellowship

Soup & salad will be provided. Bring your favorite beverage and/or something else to share. We will continue to eat as we study and discuss our book, so join us when you can! 

6:00 p.m. Book Study & Discussion

What does it mean to follow Jesus together with fellow believers? How can we reflect Jesus in our daily lives? To help answer these questions, we will be reading “I Am a Christian“ by Thom Rainer.

7:00 p.m. Holden Evening Prayer

Join us in person or on Facebook Live for a Zion Advent tradition. This year, we will introduce a beloved musical setting of Evening Prayer, led by Cantors Kurt Schmidt & Peter Rizzo. 

Special Congregational Meeting

Sunday, December 10th following Worship

With our recent congregational vote to move the fiscal/financial year to a calendar year (ending December 31st), our council has called a special meeting following worship on Sunday, December 10th to approve the budget for the 2024 fiscal year. (Next year, this December meeting will become our annual meeting.)

Also on the agenda is an endorsement of the council's recommendation of a listing agent for the property to be sold. If you are a voting member, please plan to join us for this important business meeting.

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

We are so proud to be partnering for the 5th year in our Reverse Advent Calendar. Again this year, we are working to stock Nina’s Place, which continues to serve 150+ families in need every week.

If you would like to donate financially rather than shop, click here. We will do the shopping for you. Food donations can be dropped off at the Evergreen Academy office or at worship on Sunday mornings. Thank you for your generosity!

Help Restock the Pantries

We are restocking our pantries in preparation for the holidays and in order to begin 2024 with plenty of items for our neighbors of all ages. If you would like to donate, click here for the wish list and Amazon will ship the items directly to Zion. Thank you for your generosity!

Sunday at 11:00 a.m. – In Person & Online

Christ the King Sunday

On this final Sunday of the church year our gospel is Jesus’ great story of judgment. In the end, the faithful are those who served Christ by ministering to those who are poor, hungry, naked, sick, or estranged. In the first reading God is the shepherd who seeks the lost, weak, and injured and feeds them with justice. We gather this day to celebrate the reign of Christ and his victory over death, yet we await the consummation of all things yet to come. Acknowledging Christ as our merciful ruler, we go forth that his reign may be known in our loving words and deeds.

Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt

954-421-3146, option 2 (Church) • 954-913-2125 (Cell)

kschmidt@zion-lutheran.org

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.