|
|
|
Weekly News from Zion and our Ministries Under the Cross: Evergreen Academy & Nina's Place
February 28, 2024
| |
|
In Case You Missed It
Equipping & Celebrating Our Young People at Zion
It has been such a quick transition from the joy of our 65th Anniversary & Homecoming Celebration to the solemnity of Ash Wednesday and Lent. So much has happened, is happening, and is going to happen in the life of the Zion community that you may have missed a few important memorable moments.
First, we want to share with you the faith essays that Estela Raphael and Morgan Clancy wrote as the culmination of their confirmation studies. They were included in the in person bulletins on Transfiguration Sunday, but not in the online version. We hope that you'll take this opportunity to get to know these two remarkable individuals. Second, we want to share with you our excitement over Shayne Clancy's acceptance to participate in Lutheran Summer Music 2024. More on this below.
What a great privilege it is to see the next generation taking up their faith in such important and meaningful ways. Estela, Morgan, Shayne and so many others are not only our future; they are our right now!
| |
|
Estela Raphael's Faith Essay
I am a daughter and an only child. I grew up primarily with my mom (Deb) and dad (Mark), in New Paltz, New York. I have a lot of friends that I grew up with and enjoyed spending time with them. I have a lot of interests, like dance, tennis, horseback riding, and swimming. I am in 10th Grade at North Broward Preparatory School. I am caring and cheerful, and God has gifted me with discernment, service, and administration. I am a child of God, and have much to learn.
My history with Zion began in elementary school when I was a student here and celebrated my first communion. It all went by so fast, but it was a great learning experience. Ever since then, I’ve been looking forward to my confirmation. I’m excited to see what’s in store for my future. My perception of the Church (and Zion) is a place where everyone is welcome and I feel grateful to be in a community with people with open arms. Nina’s Place has been an enlightening experience; it made me aware of how fortunate I am. I am grateful that Zion gave me this opportunity to see beyond myself.
Because this is how I see myself and the church, I hope and pray that my contributions to God’s church and the world will include being a good example of how to live by the Word: always making people feel wanted and accepted, spreading good will and not violence, and continuing to learn about Jesus’ life and how to follow him.
I chose Romans 8:28 as my confirmation verse: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” In my life, I have seen good things and bad things happen to people, and I know that people don’t always deserve the bad things that happen to them. When bad things happen, I know that it is important to find a resolution and ask God for help and understanding. The result of your prayers may not always be what you want them to be. If you have faith in God, then he will give you the outcome that is best for you.
| |
|
Morgan Clancy's Faith Essay
I am a brother, son, grandson, nephew, and cousin. My mother is Michele Rose Clancy and my father is David Shane Clancy. I have a brother (Cullen, 18) and a sister (Shayne, 16). I am 14 years old and was born in Boca Raton, Florida, on March 30, 2009. I spent most of my life in Deerfield Beach, but when I was nine, I moved to West Boca. I am in 9th Grade at West Boca Raton High School. I am a sharing and sweet individual. My two spiritual gifts are craftsmanship and missions. I am a child of God who grows in faith because I go to church and respect the Ten Commandments.
My history with Zion began when I was in preschool. I also attended school at Zion until it closed. Even after the school closed, I continued my relationship with Zion by attending church. My perception of the Church is that it is a loving community with friends and family.
Because this is how I see myself and the church, I hope and pray that my contributions to God’s church and the world will include helping the less fortunate by giving them clothes, tents, and food. I contribute to the church by being part of the bell choir and by helping in church community activities such as the annual community fair. One of the reasons I’ve decided to do my confirmation at Zion is because I’ve had a very positive relationship for a very long time with the church. I hope to continue this relationship with the church and help in the community. If I move away one day or go to college out of the area, I plan to find another church community to call home so I can continue with my faith. I will work to not drift from my church and faith.
I chose Proverbs 16:3 as my confirmation verse: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” I chose this verse because I feel and know I will do great things someday and become very successful because I try to keep God at the center of my life.
| |
|
Congratulations, Shayne!
One of our beloved, Shayne Clancy, has been accepted to participate in Lutheran Summer Music, the national Lutheran high school music camp, held from June 30 to July 28 at Valparaiso University in Indiana. (This is the same camp that Cantor Kurt Schmidt attended in 2000, also at Valpo.)
The cost of a student’s participation in LSM is over $6,500, more than half of which is subsidized by their generous donors. The remaining $2,750 plus airfare and incidentals is Shayne’s responsibility. We are asking, together with Shayne, for contributions toward a matching grant of $500 from Zion’s scholarship fund and $500 from LSM. To contribute, mark an envelope on Sunday morning “Shayne” and leave it in the offering plate, or give to the Peth Scholarship Fund on Zion’s online giving form.
Because of supporting Shayne in her LSM 2024 participation, Zion will be recognized nationally by Lutheran Summer Music as a Young Musicians Partner congregation.
| |
Opportunities to "Just Show Up" | |
|
First Friday in March
Friday, March 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Red Crab Seafood & Grill
3887 W Hillsboro Blvd.
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
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 | |
|
Wednesdays in Lent
February 28
March 6, 13, & 20
in Katie Luther Chapel
Dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Conversation at 6:00 p.m.
Prayer at 7:30 p.m.
Thank you to everyone who attended, helped, and prayed together for our first Wednesday in Lent. We look forward to welcoming even more neighbors in the weeks to come for our dinner and conversation. A reminder that Holden Evening Prayer is livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. (To download the worship bulletin, click here.)
| |
|
Sunday Worship Leadership
Nina's Place Prayer Teams
If you find signing up online a challenge, please reach out to Cantor Kurt Schmidt and he will reserve your spot in the online sign up.
| |
|
|
Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Third Sunday in Lent
The third covenant in this year’s Lenten readings is the central one of Israel’s history: the gift of the law to those God freed from slavery. The commandments say that because God alone has freed us from the powers that oppressed us, we are to let nothing else be first in our lives. When Jesus throws the merchants out of the temple, he is defending the worship of God alone and rejecting the ways commerce and profit-making can become our gods.
Sunday's bulletin can be found on the homepage of our website.
| |
|
Prayers of the People on Sunday Mornings
All names submitted online (click here) by Saturday at noon will be added to Sunday's prayers of the people. In order to keep our prayer list current, all names must be resubmitted each week if you desire continued prayers.
| |
The Rev's Thoughts & Recs | |
Last Sunday we talked about our priorities in relation to Jesus telling his listeners to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. This song further encourages us to ponder what do we put first in living out our faith. What prevents us from drawing closer to our Lord and Savior? | |
|
Quick Links & Contact Information | |
|
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.
| | | | |
