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

January 4, 2023

How Will You Grow?

At Zion & Evergreen Academy, we are focused again this year on growing in our discipleship as followers of Jesus.

• Resources for praying daily can be found here or in hard copy in the church office or at worship on Sundays.
• Worshipping weekly can be done in person or online.
• Serving joyfully can be done by volunteering at Nina's Place, which opens this Saturday!

However you choose to follow, may you be challenged and blessed by choosing Jesus again and again!

Updating Our Liturgical Language

Since the publication of our hymnal, Evangelical Lutheran Worship, we have had available to us two versions of the Lord's Prayer. The first is the familiar one: "Our Father, who art in heaven..." made popular from the King James Bible translation, first published in 1611. The second is the result of the English Language Liturgical Consultation, a group of liturgists from many denominations that met in the late 1980s/early 1990s to promote the use of common liturgical texts across the Christian church. The Revised Common Lectionary pattern of readings that we use at Zion is a centerpiece of their work.

In addition to the RCL, the ELLC updated liturgical texts like the Creeds, the Lord's Prayer, and pieces of the Communion Liturgy to reflect more accurate and easier to understand translations of the original texts. So, we're going to try this "new-old" Lord's Prayer for a season.

On Sunday, you'll see and hear three major differences.

1. "Thy" is replaced with "your," as in "your kingdom come." Easy enough, because our Bibles have done the same thing since 1611.
2. "Trespasses" is replaced by "sins." This removes the confusion created by not knowing what trespasses and debts/debtors (another variant) mean.
3. "Lead us not into temptation" is replaced by "save us from the time of trial." This is interesting, because the updated version positions God as the savior from temptation, as God should be. The Roman Catholic Church made a similar update just recently: "do not let us fall into temptation."

This alternate version will give us a more easily understandable text of the Lord's Prayer for our common worship together. Certainly, whatever version you pray in private is your choice! We appreciate the wisdom of scholars that work to bring renewal to our historical texts and breathe life into our liturgy and worship!

Remembering Our Beloved Sister in Christ, Janet Harrison

In sure and certain hope of the resurrection promise, Janet L. Harrison entered into eternal life on Sunday, January 1st. A long-time member of Zion, Janet will be remembered for her selflessness, generosity, and kind spirit.

Even as we prepare to open Nina's Place, we remember that Janet coordinated the operation of our Care Cupboard, a Zion food ministry, for many years.

A visitation for Janet will be held Friday, January 13th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.at Kraeer-Becker Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 217 E. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441. A graveside service will occur Saturday, January 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Boca Raton Mausoleum, 451 SW 4th Avenue, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

Janet has requested that no one wear black to either the visitation or graveside service; instead, please dress in your favorite colorful outfit. Pastels were her favorite. We send our prayers to her children Kim and Chris and their families, and we rejoice that she has reunited with her husband Duane and rests now in the arms of Jesus.

Baptism & Anointing

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. This 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.

Zion Is Invited!

The REFUEL 1-Day Conference is coming Thursday, January 19th, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.! The event is FREE, including all sessions, lunch, and resources!

Join pastors, staff, and volunteers from all denominations for a time of worship, encouragement, discussion, networking, and training on how to be more effective in fulfilling our mission of making disciples.

Gail & Kurt Schmidt attended this conference last year, and found it especially valuable for encouragement and networking in the local community. Everyone who is able is invited to attend with them! To register, click here.

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

We Need Volunteers at Nina's Place

We're opening this Saturday, 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

Sometimes, the easiest way to begin a habit of praying daily is to use someone else's words. For this, we suggest Martin Luther's Morning & Evening Prayers, taken from his teaching manual for parents, the Small Catechism.

Physical prayer cards are available by contacting Cantor Kurt Schmidt or in the narthex (gathering space) on Sunday mornings.

This Sunday: Baptism of Our Lord

In the waters of the Jordan, Jesus is revealed as the beloved Son of God. Through this great epiphany, Jesus fulfills all righteousness and becomes the servant of God who will bring forth justice and be a light to the nations. In the waters of baptism we too are washed by the Word, anointed by the Spirit, and named God’s beloved children. Our baptismal mission is to proclaim good news to all who are oppressed or in need of God’s healing.

• 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.