Zion Lutheran Church - Sunbury, Pa Called by faith to share Christ s Love with all people

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1 ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH 15 S. 5th St. P.O. Box 605 OFFICE HOURS- Mon- Fri. - 9am- 4pm. Phone (570) zionsunbury@ptd.net NOVEMBER 2018 NON-PROFIT.ORG. U. S. POSTAGE PAID Sunbury, PA. PERMIT No 167 Zion Lutheran Church - Sunbury, Pa Called by faith to share Christ s Love with all people Sunday Ministries Sunbury, PA Address Service Requested 12 THE MESSENGER 8am- Worship in the Chapel 9:15am-School Age & Adult Sunday School 10:30am- Worship in the Nave w/preschool Sunday School Midweek Ministries 4:30pm Bible Study/ Supper 6:30pm Midweek Worship ansunbury.com Sunday, November 4th All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 11th 25th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, November 18th 26th Sunday after Pentecost CONFIRMATION SUNDAY Annual Sunbury Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner Zion Social Hall November 22nd Noon til 4 Sunday, November 25th Christ the King Sunday

2 All Saint s Sunday- November 4th We will remember those members who have died this past year, give thanks for the life they shared with us, and for their new life in Christ. We will remember: Zion s turn at Elijah s Bowl is Saturday, November 17th 9am- Food prep begins 10am- Table Set Up Take part in this outreach in our community! Paul C. Pollard Ruth Ann Bromfield Bonnie Underkoffler Shirlee Ballantine William Bill Boyer Harold M. Everitt First Presbyterian Church, Market Street, Sunbury. 2 William Shambach Patricia Williams Zion Book Club Meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 1:30pm in the parlor! New members always welcome! Upcoming meeting dates & reading selections: November 14th- The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Mike Dock-Discussion Leader December 12th- Sourdough by Robin Sloan. Discussion follows our Christmas Luncheon in Rm 203 at 12:pm January 9th- Solomon's Oak by Jo-Ann Mapson Birthday Blessings to... November 1 John Conrad William Klock November 4 Mary Ellen Mackert November 5 Abby Higley November 7 Alicia Kucik Melissa Phillips Nikolas Troupe November 8 Elizabeth Geiser November 10 Linda Lytle November 13 Lystra Beck Carl Pollard Susan Trometter Lisa Walter If you are a member of the congregation, have a birthday in this month, but are not listed, please or call the church office. Thank You Notes November 14 Kathy Knoebel Julie Ranck November 15 Riley Hunt Robert Walter November 16 Isla Mielke Robert Murphy November 17 Seth Burk Jenna Erdman Barry Conrad Lindsay Gunn Troy Zimmerman November 20 Joshua Phillips 11 November 21 John Auten, Jr. Tom Sands,II November 23 Cole Campbell Dave Hummel November 25 Alexander Geiser Norma Wendt November 26 Ryan Brouse November 27 Ron Holub Clayton Pollard Kerry Trometter November 30 Robert Neitz Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ- Thank you for honoring me on the 25th anniversary of my ordination with a gift to ELCA World Hunger & a reception after worship. Ruth and I thank you for welcoming us into Zion Lutheran Church. We are happy to be here. Yours in Christ, -Pastor Pete Bergstresser Dear Zion friends- Thank you for the lovely birthday card and the tasty dinner. -Nancy Burns

3 2nd Sunday Fellowship Group will meet up at the Welcome Area of the Nave on November 11th after the 10:30 AM service to go to Timber Creek Family Restaurant in Elysburg for lunch. Come join us for food and fellowship! Any questions? Please see Cindy Spang. If you are in 6th 12th grade, please come and take part in our fellowship and activities. Your friends are always invited, as well! You may be very busy with extra-curriculars and/or work, or maybe unsure you want to get involved. But, youth group provides opportunities in you won t find anywhere else: having fun while serving others in a safe place to talk about life & faith, where you can be yourself, and where we value each other as children of God. We want you to join us with your unique perspective, personality and gifts! Youth Group Meeting: Sunday, November 11th 6:30pm:Games, Conversation, Future Planning Saturday, November 17th: 10am 12pm: Help Elijah s Bowl We help prepare & serve food at our local community meal. Zion, 9:45am It won t be the same without you! 10 Hayden Russell Scholl became a new member of Zion through the sacrament of Holy Baptism on Sunday, September 30th. Hayden is the son of Gene and April Scholl. Cole Duncan Campbell became a baptized member of Zion on Sunday, October 14th. Cole is the son of Duane and Jennifer Campbell. Welcome to our family of faith! Why do we baptize infants? It is a question I often get from Christians with a more Evangelical background. For them, belief comes first, and baptism is a sign of their faith and trusting God. For youth and adults baptized in a Lutheran congregation, faith is also important. We don t go out and hose people down on the street in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The difference, however, is who we see as the main actor in Baptism. As Lutherans, this sacrament has at its heart, the mercy and love of God- which gives us a new birth into a living hope, rather than, our faith. As we are claimed by Christ, we become a child of God, and therefore, a member of a faith community. Faith comes in as we simply trust God to do, what God has promised to do, through water and the Word. If God is the main actor in baptism, then the life-long relationship established by God is not dependent upon our ability to comprehend or believe what is happening to us. For an infant or young child, it is the parents faith, and desire for their son or daughter to enter this relationship with God, that brings them to the waters of baptism. It is there that they are united with all the baptized in the one body of Christ, anointed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, and joined in God s mission for the life of the world. (ELW p. 227). In that moment of incredible grace, we promise as parents, sponsors, and congregational members to help this child understand this new life in Christ, and to trust God in all that life will bring them. I hope that you can join us for worship at 10:30am on Sunday, November 18th, as three of our youth are confirmed. On that Sunday morning, Dilan Campbell, Alex Geiser, and Abby Higley will not only confess their faith in our loving and gracious God, but also say yes to the relationship that our Lord established with them so long ago in the waters of baptism. It is right here at Zion, that they have lived among God s faithful people, heard God s Word and celebrated the holy supper. It will be right here that they will affirm a journey that began with the love of God and the faith of their parents, and will continue with their trust in a gracious and loving savior. People of God, continue to support and pray for them as they prepare for their confirmation on November 18th and for a life of faith, hope, and service. Peace, 3 -Pastor Rich

4 Zion has become a licensed faith community with the Open Table ministry, and is hoping to begin a Table with other faith communities. So what is Open Table? Over the next 5 months, we will explore the fundamentals of this ministry through its 5 core elements. Open Table is about a faith community(ies) being in direct relationship with those in poverty. The relationship between Table Members (6-8 supportive people) and the Brother/Sister (the one in transition) is at the heart of the effectiveness of the Model, and the ability of the Brother/Sister to establish long lasting relationships with their table and with other members of the community is crucial to success. Are you a supportive, caring person with good listening skills; who wants to make a difference in the life of someone transitioning out of foster care? This ministry may be for you. Contact Pastor Rich if you would like to learn more. CAP ITAL CAMP AIGN U P D ATE The Congregation is now benefitting from the renovations made to our 27 rank organ and two energy efficient gas furnaces installed last summer in the building. These renovations will benefit not only the congregation in terms of our worship experience and mission activities all week long, but will also serve our community by providing an enduring facility to further God s work for years to come. We are now approaching the conclusion of the pledge period. Your faithfulness with pledged and unpledged support to our Capital Campaign has been admirably generous. With Faith and Prayers we ask that you fulfill the mission Called by faith to share Christ s Love with all people by completing your pledge in this final leg of the campaign. Thank youzion s Capital Campaign Committee 4 9

5 Annual Free Thanksgiving Dinner sponsored by Rhonda Fisher & Angels at Zion Lutheran Church, 5th & Market St. Sunbury November 22nd Noon til 4pm A continental breakfast will be held from 8-11 a.m., Dinner served noon to 4pm with free delivery within a 10 mile radius call (570) (Thanksgiving day only) This annual event is now being held at Zion and also features a free blanket and clothing giveaway. Meaningful holiday gifting Zion s Mission Mall Sunday December 2nd The annual opportunity to shop charities: a unique way to gift during the holidays. Unified Worship at 10:30 After the Service, a dinner will be served with menu items of various prices. Bake sale and craft sale will be held. All proceeds from sales divided among the represented charities. Watch for the detailed charity gift list that will be available at the back of the Nave and Chapel in mid-november and prayerfully consider gifting others at Christmas in this benevolent way. If you can't attend, but wish to participate in alternative gift giving, please call the church office and we will send you a gift list. If you desire to help at the event contact Cheryl Beeler We need help in several areas: kitchen, promotional, and bookkeeping to name a few. Mission Mall - a meaningful way to get in the true spirit of Christmas and make a most impactful gift this year! 8 An envelope is enclosed in this issue to make your donations for Christmas Poinsettias Poinsettias will adorn the Chancel and Narthex and be notated in a special bulletin insert on Christmas Eve. A contribution in memory or in honor of a loved one will place a plant on the altar. CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS 2018 Please have your plant reservation to the Church office by Friday December 7th so that your plant can be ordered. We continue collecting new winter hats, mittens, & gloves-to donate to local elementary schools. Items can be handmade or store bought. Look for the laundry basket in the Nave to place your items. Christmas Stockings to fill for residents of local nursing homes will be available outside the Chapel in November. Please take a stocking and fill with items such as those suggested below. Stockings should be returned to the church no later than Monday, November 21st. Women Suggested Items for Stockings: Knee Stockings Shampoo Body Powder Toothpaste Hand /Body Lotion Soap Deodorant Tissues Stamps Pens Note Paper Candy (Wrapped) Fuzzies (Pull-on-sockies) 5 Men Socks Aftershave Pre-shave Tissues Handkerchiefs Deodorant Soap Shampoo Pens Stamps Note Paper Combs Toothpaste Candy (Wrapped)

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