First Friday: Food & Fellowship
NEW in August!

Let's gather for food and fellowship!
Friday, August 6, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Tijuana Taxi in Deerfield Beach
(located in the Winn Dixie shopping center across from the church)

Get in on the ground floor of this brand new monthly fellowship event! The goal is to gather at locally-owned and operated restaurants to enjoy some delicious food and one another's fellowship. We will also be blessing our neighboring businesses simply by being there! We each pay our own way, but everyone is invited to the table -- friends, family members, and neighbors! (This is a great opportunity to invite.)

Each month will feature a different restaurant, determined by your feedback. See you there!
Youth Empowerment Project Update

Just yesterday, YEP enjoyed a fun afternoon of bowling, pizza, and ice cream on the home turf of Pastor Jonathan Gantt and Living Faith Lutheran Church in Pembroke Pines. They talked about their upcoming work and school plans, discussed upcoming learning and fun events, and even planned their next outing: to help at the food distribution of another sister Lutheran congregation, Redeemer Lutheran in Lauderdale Lakes, and come back to lunch and a beach day together in Deerfield Beach!

This really is an exceptional group of young people, and they are always looking for new participants. YEP includes high school and college aged members from Zion, Living Faith, and St. Stephen in Pompano Beach. All young adults of the same ages are invited to participate.

Thank you to those who have already donated generously to YEP! You made this outing possible. If you are reading this and would like to help fund future YEP service projects and fun outings because you believe in the power, presence, and potential of young people, please click on "Give Online" below and choose "Youth Empowerment Project" as the designated fund.
Make Connections: Invite, Equip, Serve
Acts in August

The Book of Acts is "a bit of a romp...as much entertaining and provocative as it is informational." 

When was the last time you heard that about a book of the Bible?

Ignite your imagination as we wrestle with the story of the ancient church alongside our own. What is God like? What do we do in response to God's mercy? How do we live generously with our neighbors?

In preparation for our inaugural Bible study of the program year, join Pastor Potter in reading Acts in August. We will be reading one chapter each day. Also, stay tuned for details about the weekly Bible study, beginning in September: "Acts: Catching Up with the Spirit."
Tech Classes for Seniors
Reboot Begins August 5th

August 5th - iPhone Tips & Tricks
September 2nd - iPad Tips & Tricks
October 7th - Digital Safety
November 4th - iCloud Explained

All classes begin at 3:00 p.m. and are limited to 15 participants in person. Classes are filling up; so make sure to reserve your spot (or a spot for someone you love) very soon!

The Oasis Institute is a national organization specializing in improving the lives of seniors.
Our sponsor for the entire series of technology classes is Medicare Dave and the Senior Healthcare Team, based right here in Deerfield Beach. Dave and his team are passionate about helping seniors make educated and well-informed choices about health insurance (Medicare).

We are grateful for their sponsorship and want to do our part by spreading the word about the good work the Senior Healthcare Team is doing in our community. To learn more about what they do, visit www.MedicareDave.com.
Back to School Blessing 2021

Join Us for a Zion Tradition (plus Ice Cream!)

Students, school staff, and teachers: we want to see you in worship on Sunday, August 15th.  

It doesn't matter where you teach or what you teach. It doesn't matter where you go to school. We want to celebrate those people who have dedicated themselves to careers in education, as well as bless all of the students who are beginning another year on their journey of learning!

We will also be blessing and installing our Evergreen Academy teachers and administrators during worship. We celebrate the partnership that Zion shares with this extraordinary group of educators!

We will have a special gift for all students, school staff, and teachers who come to worship on that day, and everyone is invited to gather in Katie Luther Chapel following worship for a Zion-style "Sundae Sunday" (a.k.a. ice cream social). What's not to love?!
Connect Wider: Conference/Synod Opportunities
Synod-Wide Book Study Begins August 4th

The synod's Just Love Team invites you to join an end of summer six-week book discussion on Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary-Frances Winters. Winters has a distinguished history of helping organizations of all kinds address diversity, equity, and inclusion. Black fatigue is about how history, policy, practices, and unaddressed disparities generate cycles of weariness and stress that take a heavy toll on people.

The online sessions will run from August 4th through September 8th on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 pm via Zoom. A special Facebook group will also be created on the synod page for ongoing discussion. The Zoom format will include a brief presentation on the weekly reading, breakout groups in chat rooms, and a plenary sharing session.

The book can be purchased at Amazon or any bookseller. Registration is required by August 3rd. To register, click here.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Lutherans across the state to discuss issues that are important to our society, culture, and church. We hope you'll plan to attend!
"One Year to Live" Men's Retreat

An Experience That Meets Men Where They Are
Sponsored by Lutheran Men in Mission

September 3-5, 2021
Casa San Carlo Conference Center
Delray Beach, Florida

Let's say you have one year to live. What would you do? How would that change your priorities? Join us for the first annual South Florida "One Year to Live" Retreat!

At the "One Year to Live" Retreat, you will learn about what is really important in your life and what is holding you back from living in Christ. You will be able to form a closer relationship with Christ, and build real friendships with men of all ages.

For an informational brochure, click here. To register, click here. For more information, contact Aaron Forde at (507) 402-8721 or alforde98@gmail.com.
Notes & Reminders
  • Two of our AA groups have resumed meeting in person recently: Women's AA (Mondays at 7:00 p.m.) and Old Timers AA (Saturdays at 7:00 p.m.). AA Groups meet in Katie Luther Chapel.
  • We are continuing to accept donations to help the recovery efforts in Surfside. You can donate through our online giving page (choose "Disaster Relief" as the fund), or give through the synod's disaster fund.
  • 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.
Connect Virtually
Pastor David E. Potter
954-421-3146, option 1 (Church)
954-297-3665 (Cell)
Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt
954-421-3146, option 2 (Church)
954-913-2125 (Cell)