friend, you are invited to a life-changing encounter with the Lord

Cross Connections

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

March 27, 2024

A Life-Changing Encounter with the Lord

Dear Beloved of Zion, Evergreen Academy, Nina's Place, and Our Community,

As we prepare for the holiest days of the church's year, I am encouraged by the kind words from Palm Sunday's worship service. I am excited for the voices and energy of our youngest little lambs at tomorrow's special preschool chapel. I am inspired by words I read from Father Tim Schenck, rector at the Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea in Palm Beach:

When you hear clergy strongly encouraging you to attend the services of Holy Week, especially the Great Three Days (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil), it’s not just because they like to see more people in the pews, or it’s good for their egos, or they want parishioners to see how much effort goes into these liturgies.

It’s because they believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the transforming power of the Christian faith. It’s because they love you and want nothing more than for you to have such a moving encounter with our Lord, that it will change your life. It’s an invitation rooted in profound love, and a recognition that there is literally nothing more important in the entire world than to participate fully as we collectively journey from the Upper Room to Calvary to the Empty Tomb.

God's love and mine,

Cantor Kurt R. Schmidt

Opportunities to "Just Show Up"

Conversations

Continue

As a very worthy way to continue the Community Conversation series co-hosted with DBCC, there is an opportunity tonight to attend a conversation on preventing drug use in children and teens at 5:30 p.m. in Katie Luther Chapel.

The conversation will be facilitated by Gretchen Rovira De Courceuil, the community outreach program manager with the local office of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Our preschool students have been working very diligently to get ready for this special chapel service. You won't want to miss this as they share the story of Jesus' passion, crucifixion, and resurrection in scripture and song. Everyone is invited to attend!

Spring Concert

We have been the host site for the New Directions Chamber Wind Ensemble since January 2024. Their spring concert is coming up on Sunday, April 28th at 4:00 p.m., and we are all invited and encouraged to attend. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students. 50% of the ticket sales from the concert at Zion will come back to us as a contribution to our mission and ministries. For more information or to receive flyers for distribution, please reach out to Cantor Kurt Schmidt.

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

2024 Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly Service Project

Every year, the congregations of our synod participate in a service project benefitting the local community of the host site. This year, we will be collecting boxes of mac and cheese, toothbrushes, and toothpaste for the Orlando Union Rescue Mission.

As one of Central Florida’s oldest and largest homeless services providers, the Orlando Union Rescue Mission remains committed to helping the hungry, hurting, and homeless by providing programs and services designed to transform lives. Through short-term provision of basic needs, Christ-centered care, discipleship, and education, OURM aims to lead the homeless to permanent independence built upon a personal relationship with Christ.

Gail & Kurt Schmidt will be bringing items to the Synod Assembly on Zion’s behalf. All items must be brought in by Sunday, May 26th. We are the Church together!

Let's Get Shayne to LSM

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. 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.