Weekly News from Zion and our Ministries Under the Cross, especially Evergreen Academy

December 28, 2022

Happy New Year!

Our prayers and hopes are with you and your families for a happy, healthy, and blessed new year!

We will be worshipping on New Year's Day as we bless this time in our lives and recommit ourselves to God and our community for 2023. All are welcome to this festive worship!

Christmas Eve & Casual Christmas Day

Thank you to all who participated in our Christmas Eve & Christmas Day worship services, especially our worship leaders, singers, and bell ringers!

70 people attended Christmas Eve at Zion in person, and more than half were first-time visitors – exceeding even pre-pandemic attendance records! 15 people braved the elements to attend our Casual Christmas Day service (pictured above) and had a marvelous time singing praises to the newborn king.

Finally, if anyone has pictures from Christmas Eve worship to share, please send them to Cantor Kurt Schmidt.

Another Thank You to the Zion Community

During the week before Christmas, the drama class at Somerset Academy Key, led by their teacher Mr. Claudy Nonome, presented their annual Christmas play in the church sanctuary.

In Mr. Claudy's words: "The Grinchmas Carol starts off with the Grinch expressing how much he hates the holidays. The head Who takes it upon himself to make the Grinch realize the joy of the season. Through the means of classic holiday songs, he and his friends journey through different emotions and experiences in hopes of making the Grinch's heart grow 10 times bigger."

Thank you to this drama class for bringing even more joy to Zion this season!

Baptism & Anointing

There is a powerful scriptural connection between baptism and the anointing with oil for healing: the same sign of the cross that was made on the day of our baptism is traced as we cry out to God for healing and wholeness. On Sunday, January 8th, we will celebrate the liturgical day the Baptism of Our Lord and, because it's also the Second Sunday, offer prayers & anointing for healing.

Faith & Work Small Groups

Everyone experiences challenges specific to their occupation or profession. Even being "retired" is a challenge as you look for new and different ways to make a difference.

If you are looking for a cohort of like-minded people for fellowship, prayer, and mutual encouragement, look no further! Click one of the options below for more information.

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

4th Annual

Reverse Advent Calendar

A joint church, preschool, and community project to benefit Nina's Place

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! We will be collecting items until Sunday, January 1st.

To see the full Reverse Advent Calendar, click here. If you want us to do the shopping for you, click here to give online and choose "Reverse Advent Calendar" as the fund.

We Need Volunteers at Nina's Place

We're opening on Saturday, January 7th, and we need your help! No experience necessary, just a willing heart to welcome and assist those in need as they "shop" Nina's Place. Volunteer opportunities for the 4 Saturdays in January are currently posted.

Begin the Year in Prayer

In this first mark of discipleship, there's nothing to show up for, except with God.

• Two AA Groups meet weekly in Katie Luther Chapel: Women's AA (Mondays at 7:00 p.m.) and Old Timers AA (Saturdays at 7:00 p.m.).
• To claim a special date for altar flowers on a Sunday morning, contact Cantor Kurt Schmidt. The cost of the arrangements is $40 and you may take the flowers home after Sunday morning worship.

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.