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

December 14, 2022

Evergreen Academy Christmas Program Tomorrow Evening

Everyone is invited at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow evening to attend the annual Evergreen Academy Christmas Program in the church sanctuary.

We can't wait to see all of our precious students celebrating the joy of the season and the birth of Jesus! You won't want to miss it.

2023 Ministry Emphasis: Faith & Work

You matter to God.

What you do matters to God.

You are making a difference.

In 2023, we will be focusing on the intersection of faith and work in our ministry programming. Martin Luther emphasized a concept he called "the priesthood of all believers," which says that we all have a role to play in bringing the kingdom of God into our world. God does not call all of us into "THE ministry" to be pastors and deacons, but God does call us all into ministry.

Our ministry, our purpose, and our life's work all meet where passion, profession, mission, and vocation intersect. What do you really love? What are you great at doing? What do you get paid for? What does the world really need?

Those are all meaningful and important questions, but what if you've lost your passion? What if you don't like your paying job? What if you feel like you're not making a difference? The truth is that we all struggle with whether we are making a difference in our daily life and work.

In addition to important pieces like "The Prayer of Good Courage," we are going to gather small groups each month, by occupation/profession. Click the links below for more information and a short survey. If you don't fit neatly into one of these four professions, pick the closest one.

Remember: Every person, indeed every creature, matters to God; and, you ARE making a difference. We look forward to the opportunity for mutual encouragement and fellowship in the new year!

In Sure & Certain Hope of the Resurrection

We received word in the last week that two long-time members of Zion entered eternal life. We join the friends and family of Ron LaVergne, who died on December 2nd, and Diane Lomatch, who died on December 12th, in their grief. We hold Mary Louise, Ron's wife, and Beth & Randy Loren and Diane's larger family especially close in our thoughts and prayers. May Ron and Diane rest in peace and rise in glory!

Sneak Peek This Sunday!

Immediately following Sunday's worship, we will walk over and take a look at the progress in Nina's Place. We will be opening for the community on Saturday, January 7th, but we want to give our larger Zion community a chance to see the new space and catch the vision to make a kingdom impact!

Third Tuesday in December

Tuesday, December 20th at Noon 

Sicilian Oven in Lighthouse Point

2486 N Federal Highway

Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

(The restaurant is located on Federal Highway in Beacon Light Shoppes, north of Copans Road, on the east side of the street.)

Don't make lunch 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!

Wednesdays in Advent continue tonight!

Join us when you can from wherever you can! A main course will be provided; please bring something to share (a side or dessert), if you can. The direct Zoom link for the book study is here; the complete Zoom information is here; and, the link to our Facebook page is here.

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! 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.

Week 3

December 11-17

Church: Granola/cereal bars, Pop Tarts, cans of tuna/chicken, and Vienna sausages

Preschool: Single-serve applesauces and single-serve puddings

Week 4

December 18-24

Church: Single-serve crackers (cheese and peanut butter), pasta, and spaghetti sauce

Preschool: Pasta, spaghetti sauce, and boxes of mac & cheese

Poinsettias for Christmas Eve

All contributions for poinsettias on Christmas Eve must be received no later than Sunday, December 18th at Noon. Please contact Cantor Kurt Schmidt for more information.

As a more permanent gift, we invite everyone to also consider a contribution to Nina's Place. All donors and their dedications will be recognized on a gratitude wall inside the market/pantry.

Renovation & Restoration Updates

Merry Christmas to Zion!

The Roof Replacement Has Begun!

Thanks to Kris Konstruction for taking the lead on replacing the church sanctuary's roof! We apologize for any inconvenience this causes; but we can't contain our joy at this progress!

This Sunday: Fourth Sunday of Advent

Isaiah prophesies that a young woman will bear a son and name him Emmanuel. The gospel is Matthew’s account of the annunciation and birth of the one named Emmanuel, God-with-us. We pray, “O come, O come, Emmanuel,” a beloved hymn based on the O Antiphons, ancient prayers appointed for the seven days preceding Christmas. On this final Sunday of Advent we prepare to celebrate the birth of the one born to save us from the power of sin and death. 

Readings

Isaiah 7:10-16

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Romans 1:1-7

Matthew 1:18-25

• 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.