Throughout this month, I've been using this space to highlight the importance of engaging with (reading, studying, praying with) God's Word. Twenty years ago, at a Teens Encounter Christ retreat at Zion, I gave a talk about the importance of reading your Bible and not letting it become just a dusty book on the shelf. Today, I leave you with one of my favorite ways to combine the Bible and prayer. It isn't "study" persay, but it is as meaningful for me as any Bible study I've ever done.

Imagine my surprise when I found a helpful graphic (above) from a website entitled "The Awkward Mom" and a page about using this even (especially) with kids. Click here to read the article connected to this infographic. Evergreen Academy parents: if you're willing to give this a shot with a children's Bible and your kid(s), let me know. I'd love to hear how it went.

Modern-day Lutherans have been labeled as not biblically literate, in that we don't read our Bibles as regularly as our Christian siblings. This is especially ironic since Luther based his entire reformation effort on a fresh interpretation of – wait for it – the Bible, and especially God's grace given in the person of Jesus. We can change this trend, one person at a time, here at Zion. Will you join me?

God's love and mine,

Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt

Have You Signed Up to Paint? Art4Healing This Sunday!

This Sunday, March 27th, is our Easter Painting Workshop ($30 per person). This is your opportunity to let your creativity fly and paint three different canvases, one of which will be "on loan" to Zion during the Easter season as part of our Narthex decor. All supplies included. To RSVP, contact Cantor Kurt Schmidt.

Join Pastor David Dangerfield for worship on Sunday mornings as we explore this powerful prayer and grow in our walk with Jesus!

For sermon notes, visit the Worship page of our website.

5:30 pm – Potluck Supper (bring what you can, if you can)

5:45 pm – Bible Study (earlier start time for video; also on Zoom – login information here)

7:00 pm – Prayer at the End of the Day (also on Facebook Live)

For more information, the study schedule, and Zoom login information, visit the Study page of our website.

A reminder of two national and international giving opportunities during this Lenten season:

Update: A Return to Coffee Fellowship Depends on You

As we return to a "new normal," the council is aware that preventive policies that were in place can now be lifted, including our temporary hiatus of post-worship Coffee Fellowship on Sundays.

In order to reinstate this important component of our hospitality ministry, we need a team of at least three (3) individuals to take charge of scheduling, weekly set-up and clean-up (including making the coffee), and keeping the sanctuary kitchenette stocked and cleaned. This is not another responsibility that can or should fall to our council members and/or paid staff (e.g. Kurt).

Some additional notes: There are budget funds to provide for the necessities (cups, sugar, coffee, etc.) so the "team" need not bear any additional financial burden. Also, in reinstating this, it is important to remember to "keep it simple." Coffee Fellowship isn't lunch. In order for more people to participate in hosting, we need to keep a reasonable cost in mind so that hosting is not cost prohibitive. Finally, the "team" will need to discuss and be mindful of those who may need dairy-free, gluten-free, and/or sugar-free options available each week.