Over the past two years, we have been working diligently as a congregation to get our name out into the community in positive ways and to improve our engagement with community organizations. We are doing that, and it is making a difference in the life of our congregation.

At the same time, it's clear (at least to me) that we've neglected our own self-care — as both individuals and as a community when it comes to following Jesus. And that's okay. In fact, it's what happens when you focus on others. But, 2022 is where we begin to correct that.

We are launching a year of discipleship emphases, which is a fancy term that refers to following. It's in our mission statement, and we're on a mission to make ourselves stronger and more capable followers of Jesus.

We begin with prayer, and the exhortation to Pray Daily. If this is already a practice of yours, great! If not, this is the time to experiment with new ideas and ways of praying to find what works for you. On our website, you'll find a new Prayer Playlist (on Spotify and YouTube) consisting of songs about prayer that may help to motivate and refresh your thinking on the subject, as well as a Top 5 list of apps for your smartphone or tablet that relate to prayer.

What are you praying for today? This week? What can we be praying for, for you? I sincerely hope that you are including Zion and Evergreen Academy in your daily prayers.

I am intentionally praying every day that God would lift up leaders from within our congregation to serve on our council. I'm praying for our next pastor, whoever he or she may be, because God already knows. I'm praying for those who can't make it to worship because of their age or health. I'm praying for our new faces and new members that are looking for ways to make their imprint on our community. And, I'm asking you to pray for all of this with me. Every moment of the day is the right time, so why not right now?

Let us pray...everywhere and every way — together,

Cantor Kurt

Thanks to your generosity, we have the supplies! Now, we need to come together to pack the 200 bags of food we have pledged to HOPE South Florida. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening for this annual opportunity to serve!

Next Council Meeting on Sunday

The next meeting of the Congregation Council will be this Sunday, January 16th at 12:30 p.m. in the Church Sanctuary immediately following worship. All Zion members are invited to attend.

We are still seeking fellow members of Zion to serve on the Congregation Council. This is an opportune moment for you to be a part of guiding our next steps. A great way for you to understand what is involved is to attend the meeting on Sunday.

God has richly blessed this congregation and we need to steward these gifts with a variety of voices, new perspectives, and creative ideas. If you believe God has a future planned for Zion, then this is an opportunity for you to serve in an important way!

511 NE 44th Street

Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Dinner will be served.

Presented by FLIPANY and sponsored by Deerfield Beach Community Cares, this gathering will explore the connections between what we eat, when we eat, how we eat, and the impact on our overall wellness.

Register for the event by clicking here. Everyone who preregisters and brings at least 1 nonperishable item for the food pantry will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Target gift card.

2500 NE 14th Street Causeway

Pompano Beach, FL 33062

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a global opportunity to pray for the unity of Christians. As we face new challenges and struggles today, "we know that Christ's light has not left us; it shines as brightly as ever, calling Christians everywhere to come together and follow the path of Jesus."

All those interested in worship, prayer, and fellowship around the theme of Christian unity are invited to attend with Cantor Kurt Schmidt. A reception for all in attendance will follow in the Parish Hall.