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

August 30, 2023

God's Work, Our Hands Weekend

This year marks the 10th anniversary of “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday. The ELCA’s first dedicated day of service, in September 2013, was held to celebrate the church’s 25th anniversary. Through the years we have embraced “God’s work. Our hands.” Sunday as a way to be church together.

At Zion, we do this work every day — loving our neighbors and improving our community. These acts of service allow us to explore one of our most basic Lutheran convictions: All of life in Jesus Christ — every act of service, in every daily calling, in every corner of life — flows freely from a living, daring confidence in God’s grace.

We have participated formally in this annual service event since 2016 by preparing care packages for seafarers through the Seafarer's House and blessing bags for the unhoused through HOPE South Florida and – for the last three years – hosting our community fair.

We will celebrate our call to service on Sunday, September 10th. Please wear your yellow "God's Work, Our Hands" t-shirt if you have one. We will actually do the work on Saturday, September 9th at our Community Fair. On that day, we will wear our new Zion shirts and work to connect our neighbors to the services they need in order to live healthy and well.

Welcome Kohle & Hammer Families!

On Sunday, in addition to installing our directors and teachers of Evergreen Academy and blessing all teachers and students, we welcomed two new families to God's family at Zion.

Danielle and Kurt Kohle brought their daughter Emma to the font to be knit into God's family. Danielle is the COO for her family business, Coastal Energy, Water, and Air, and Kurt is the technical sales representative for Timet, a titanium milling company. They live in Deerfield Beach. Stephanie and Matt Hammer brought their son Nixon to the font to be knit into God's family. Stephanie is the CFO for her family business, Coastal Energy, Water, and Air, and Matt is the regional sales director at Flora Foods & Wine. They live in Pompano Beach.

Danielle and Stephanie (sisters, if you didn't catch that) attended Zion for elementary and middle school, and Emma and Nixon attend Evergreen Academy. Kurt is the nephew of Mark and Diana Kohle, who were members of Zion for many years with their children, Brian and Amanda. We are so blessed to have another generation of families being raised up at Zion and to see our faith being passed "from generation to generation."

Opportunities to "Just Show Up"

First Friday in September

Friday, September 1, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

Duffy's Sports Grill

401 N. Federal Highway

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Don't make dinner plans and come as you are! We enjoy delicious food and one another's fellowship. We each pay our own way, but everyone is invited to the table — friends, family members, and neighbors!

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

Get Ready for the Community Fair!

We are counting down the days until our Community Fair on Saturday, September 9th.

We will need volunteers to help with many areas.

We know you've saved the date; now, plan to be there to serve (see above!) and don't forget to invite a neighbor, family member, friend, or coworker to attend!

This Sunday: Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

The prophet Jeremiah speaks of the incurable wound of his suffering yet finds in God’s words the delight of his heart. When Peter doesn’t grasp Jesus’ words about suffering, Jesus tells the disciples they will find their lives in losing them. Such sacrificial love is described by Paul when he urges us to associate with the lowly and not repay evil with evil. In worship we gather as a community that we might offer ourselves for the sake of our suffering world.

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.