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

December 27, 2023

Happy New Year from Zion Church, Evergreen Academy, and Nina's Place!

We hope that your Christmas Eve & Day celebrations were especially joyful and peaceful, surrounded by family, friends, and the love of God in the Christ Child. It is our heartfelt prayer that this new year be overflowing with God's abundant blessings for all of us, our community and those we love, and the world.

Eternal God, you have placed us in a world of space and time, and through the events of our lives you bless us with your love. Grant that in the new year we may know your presence, see your love at work, and live in the light of the event that gives us joy forever – the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Highlights from Our Candlelight Christmas Eve

There is nothing quite like Christmas Eve by candlelight at Zion! Thank you to everyone who joined us near and far for our celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord, and especially to those who made our worship possible:

• To our musicians & worship leaders, especially Pastor Cathy Lauterhahn, Cantor Kurt Schmidt, Cantor Peter Rizzo, Shayne Clancy, and all of our bell ringers;
• To those who helped to set up and clean up our worship space, especially Robin Larson, Gail Schmidt, Shelly Tahal, and Scotty Mac;
• To all who invited friends and family members to attend, both in person and on our livestream;
• To all who made our Candlelight Christmas Eve a part of their evening celebration. We were so blessed by your presence!

Christmas Continues on Sunday!

Casual Christmas has become such a beloved Zion tradition and an opportunity to give our worship leaders a “Sunday off” from their set up and clean up responsibilities.

Wear your favorite Christmas pajamas and come for Christmas carols, cookies, and hot cocoa. (We worship outside under the portico. Last year, it was *really* cold, so check the weather before you come.)

Opportunities to "Just Show Up"

As the next step of the process of selling the school property, the council has called a special meeting on Sunday, January 14th immediately following worship for the sole purpose of approving the recommended listing agreement with our realtor. This will allow him to list the property publicly and receive bids for sale on our behalf.

According to our governing documents, a contract of this nature requires congregational approval. We hope that you'll come for worship and stay for the very brief meeting.

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!

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

Thank you to everyone who has given so generously. We are still in need of more pancake mix, syrup, and condiments (mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, peanut butter, and jelly).

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!

Sunday at 11:00 a.m. – In Person Only

3rd Annual Casual Christmas (see above for more details)

New Ways of Praying

This month, we renewed a practice of praying for people by name on Sunday mornings. 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.

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.