Pastor s Page. December What s Happening? What s in a Meal? Next Deadline: December 17, Joyful Noiz December May Page 16 16

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1 Joyful Noiz December May Page What s Happening? Please note that there will be NO Sunday School or Children s Church on December 17 & December 24. Mark your Calendar for these important dates: Sunday, January 14 ~ Budget Meeting Sunday, January 28 ~ Annual Meeting & Brunch Joyful Noiz December 2017 Pastor s Page What s in a Meal? This month many of us will join with family and friends to celebrate Christmas together. We ll open presents and probably also have some sort of special meal together. For some, it s oyster soup on Christmas Eve. For others, it s ham on Christmas Day. The biggest problem some of us have is figuring out which side of the family to join on the 25th. When I came to Zion, I heard a lot about our Table of Plenty and how it serves meals weekly and on Thanksgiving and Christmas. After experiencing first-hand our Thanksgiving Dinner, I see how this holiday meal serves a vital need in our community. The holidays are hard if your family situation has changed, if you are alone when you re usually together with others, or if your family doesn t get together any more. Families come in many shapes, sizes and configurations, and they don t always get together happily at the major holidays. Table of Plenty meals provide the warmth of community without asking why are you here this year? Both serving as a volunteer and joining in the meal as one served are good for our community. Each gives people a place to be welcomed and cared for without questions. Both serving and being served says you matter! It allows us to be part of something bigger and more meaningful. This is a real ministry that Zion and community volunteers have been offering for many years. The Joyful Noiz is published monthly by Zion Mennonite Church. The editor is Jennifer Moyer. Contributors this month included: Yvonne Detweiler, Lori Groff, Tim Groff, Sonya Stauffer Kurtz, Mike Landis, Laura Martin, Judy McVaugh, Barb Musselman, Eric Musselman. Stories and information for the newsletter can be submitted to Jennifer via <jenn@zionmennonite.org> or left in the mailbox marked Joyful Noiz in the church office. Next Deadline: December 17, 2017 Due to shifts in the lives of current volunteer cooks and coordinators, the Table of Plenty will take a one-year hiatus from serving on Continued to page 2 Zion Mennonite Church Cherry Lane Souderton, PA Fax:

2 Joyful Noiz December May Page 2 Pastor s Page, continued from front cover. Christmas Day. In conversations with other pastors at the Indian Valley Ministerium, I found that there may be interest in joining together to host a Christmas meal next year. The agricultural practice of allowing a field to lie fallow a year to comes to mind. I am very hopeful that in consultation with other congregations we may be able to offer a Christmas Table of Plenty again in future years. Having the meal on Christmas Day is important because that day is one of the hardest days if your family situation doesn t match the idealized picture of family. Please join me in praying and brainstorming about how we can continue this ministry for our community! Table of Plenty News Sonya Stauffer Kurtz Table of Plenty has been a fixture among outreach ministries offered at Zion over the past 27 years, offering soup, sandwich and conversation on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for anyone who cared to come in. Janet Hartzell is retiring from her longstanding role with Table of Plenty at the end of this year, but Zion Outreach Committee is committed to continuing to offer the fellowship and sustenance of the Table of Plenty on a regular basis for those who need it. What is needed to keep this ministry going is a coordinator who is able to be the communicator between volunteers who work on different days, and who is able to give time on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. Donna Baum has volunteered with this program and would be happy to talk to you about it. Better yet, please consider coming to the meals one day in December or January to see if helping out would be something to which you are called! Contact Pastor Sonya or Donna Baum for more information. Library News Be sure to stop by the library to check out a Christmas book (or two)! We have stories for children and novels for adults to get you into the Christmas spirit! Joyful Noiz December 2017 Page 15 The Property Line As the Summer of 2017 came to an end, the Property Committee wrapped up the final Memorial Endowment Fund Project for the year. The Memorial Endowment Fund Committee allocates a predetermined amount for Property Committee use annually. This year the Property Committee used these funds for two projects. The first project was to seal coat and reline the middle parking lot area. The second project was for a total replacement of the Administration Wing air conditioning system. The AC unit which was replaced was original to the building (1968), 49 years old. This week long project included replacing the indoor and outdoor units. We weighed the option of replacing an older working unit versus that of replacing one which has not yet completely failed. We felt the benefits of replacement now possibly outweighed the disadvantages of waiting. Not to mention just the possibility of the unit failing in the middle of summer during use, causing inconvenience to staff. The short - and long-term financial savings with a more energy efficient unit was a very compelling benefit. The property committee looks forward to financial savings on our electric bill next summer. Church Directory Updates Sue Moyer suemoyer74@gmail.com Mike Landis January we will be working on updating the phone directory. Please contact the church office with any changes to your address, phone or address.

3 Joyful Noiz December May Page December Birthdays & Anniversaries Joyful Noiz December 2017 Page 3 Birthdays 1 - Abul Deng 1 - David Koehler 1 - Laura Martin 1 - Ron Schmittinger 2 - Betty Bergstresser 2 - George Lauderback 4 - Aaron Ziegler 4 - Sherri Gill 7 - Irma Scheetz 9 - Clyde Moyer 10 - Ella Bohrer 10 - Amy Cummings Leight 11 Michelle Gerjovich 12 - Audrina Hagan 13 Dan Bencsik 13 - Chris Francis 13 - Teena Krieble 13 - Jennifer Landis 14 - Ashton Fox 14 - Krystal Picon 14 - Carole Scholl 14 - Esther Stoudt 15 - Ron Price 16 - Willis Delp 16 - Polly Moore 18 - Cheryl Liddle 18 - Don Norris 21 - Pauline Landis 21 - Eleanor Norris 22 - Scott Class 22 - Judy Francis 22 - Kyra Gehringer 24 - Liz Nyce 26 - Barry Halteman 27 - Pat Oelschlager 28 - Jim Delp 30 - Eric Borisow Anniversary 1 - Sean & Molly Hagan 1 - Brooke & Kerrie Ziegler 11 - Rod & Pat Kratz 12 - Scott & Ashley Class 20 - George & Rhoda Gaugler 20 - John & Michelle Gerjovich 21 - Art & Judy McVaugh 23 - Victor & Esther Rampogu 31 - Josh & Jamie Worman 31 - Brent & Nanci Ziegler If your birthday or anniversary is incorrect or missing, please notify the office. Friendly Reminder: 2017 Financial Contributions are due to the church office by Sunday, December 31, 2017.

4 Joyful Noiz December May Page 4 Joyful Noiz December 2017 Page 13 Zion Youth Spotlight Nolan Watkins Children s Christmas Program Be sure to join us on Sunday, December 17 at the 9:00 a.m. worship service for this year s children s Christmas pageant Twas the Night Before Christmas. Mr. Mouse is not feeling the holiday spirit. To him, Christmas is all about kids wanting presents and to-do lists and stress. Join the children as they try to convince Mr. Mouse that Christmas is so much more than that it s how we celebrate Jesus birth. Age: 10 Parents: Mark & Trish Watkins Grade/school: 5th grader at Franconia Elementary Activities at Zion: Sunday School, Youth choir Activities you are involved in outside of church: Student Council, Safety patrol, Band (trumpet), Travel Basketball, Travel Baseball, Soccer Things you like to do for fun: go on vacations, jump at Rebounderz, play video games, watch sports, play sports Favorite vacation spot: Ontario, Canada Betsy Musselman Join Us Crossroad Christmas Party Saturday, December 16 at 10:00 a.m. Come for a morning of games and fellowship. Volunteers are needed to make the event a success. Signup outside the Fellowship Hall. RSVP to your EVITE that was ed. If you did not receive one, contact the church office. Age: 5 Parents: Eric & Katie Grade/school: Zion Mennonite Nursery School; pre-k Activities at Zion: Wednesday Night Races, Kid's Club Activities outside of church: Tae Kwon-Do Things you like to do for fun: Crafts, baking, playing with our chickens Favorite vacation spot: the beach

5 Joyful Noiz December May Page Zion Youth Spotlight Juliana Borisow Joyful Noiz December 2017 Page 5 November Church Board Highlights 2017 year-to-date giving totals through the end of October are $14,255 behind budget. Associate Pastor Search Committee members Sonya Stauffer Kurtz and Josh Landis briefed the Board on progress of the committee. Age: 17 Parents: Eric and Heidi Borisow Grade/School: Senior at Souderton Area High School Activities at Zion: Youth Group Activities outside of Church: Playing field hockey and lacrosse. Coaching both as well. Referee for field hockey in the fall. Things you like to do for fun: Hang out with friends. Playing sports. Taking hikes. Spending time with family. Going on runs or bike rides. Favorite vacation spot: The beach Erica Gunden Age: 17 Parents: James & Suzanne Gunden Grade/School: 12th grade at Dock Mennonite Academy Activities at Zion: Bell Choir Activities outside of church: Cross Country, Work & Volunteer at Ten Thousand Villages Things you like to do for fun: Read, Draw, Play Guitar, Attend Concerts Favorite vacation spot: Boothbay Harbor, Maine Katie Musselman reported on the Ad Hoc Security committee recommendations. Board and Staff Christmas Dinner scheduled for January 6, Tim Groff, Church Chair The Gatherings News The Gatherings will be meeting on Tuesday, December 5. Due to the holidays, we will not be meeting again until January 2, Looking forward to seeing all the kids ages 4 5th grade at Kid s Club. Remember friends are always welcome. Be sure to sign up for the meal outside the Fellowship Hall.

6 Joyful Noiz December May Page 6 Recipes Worth Sharing Ingredients Pumpkin Pie Crunch 16 ounces canned pumpkin 12 ounces evaporated milk (not sweetened condensed milk) 3 eggs 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 box yellow cake mix 1 cup butter, melted 1 cup chopped pecans (opt) Instructions Lightly grease a 9 x 13 pan, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, salt and pumpkin pie spice until smooth. Spoon evenly over bottom of pan. Sprinkle cake mix over pumpkin layer, then pecans. Pour melted butter over top of cake mix/pecans. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for minutes, until top is golden brown. Let cool completely before serving. Yvonne Detwiler Joyful Noiz December 2017 Page 11 ]âáà t aéàx Éy g{tç~á "Many hands make light work!" That was definitely the case for this year s Table of Plenty Thanksgiving Meal! Whether it was making pies, food prep, set-up, transportation, take out delivery, serving, clean up, etc., the meal could not have happened without everyone coming together! Thanks to Tina Rhoads for her leadership and Stefanie Dockery for the delicious meals! Thanks also to Jenn Moyer for taking all the phone calls and reservations! What a blessing this meal is to our community! Erin Saunders Greetings in Jesus' name to all of you. Lenore and I once again thank your church for the donations of yearly calendars and religious literature you give to the men of Graterford Prison. Gratitude is the greatest and only gift the men can give you for what you have done for them. We are collecting 2018 calendars, so we hope you can continue this ministry. While it might seem men with long sentences would have little need for a day-by-day calendar, their lives--like ours-- are measured by each new day. The calendars and devotional booklets are wonderful spiritual food for their difficult journey. God bless you in your ministries. Chaplain Russ and Lenore Gates The Protestant Church in SCI Graterford Note: Place 2018 calendars (pocket or wall size with no spiral bindings) and used or new devotional booklets (mark out or clip off any names/ addresses) in the box in the office. Thank you! Thank you for all the DVD s people have delivered. It really helps us stay connected to Zion. Dot & Jim Greene

7 Joyful Noiz December May Page Creati n Care Tidbits Preserving Nature's Bounty Joyful Noiz December 2017 Page 7 Kid s Korner The Creation Care Committee was brainstorming possible projects for next year and a suggestion came to mind to have canning and freezing classes. Of course, we will be using locally grown foods. It's well known these days that eating local produce has many benefits: it tastes better is more nutrient rich because it's fresher. it supports the local economy provides seasonal variety ecological impact. The average produce item travels an average of 1500 miles before it finds its way to our plates. That's a huge carbon footprint. These classes would be an opportunity for teaching and learning together as well as for intergenerational fellowship. Also, for those who don't have the space or supplies to 'put up' quantities, but would really like a few containers of, say, homemade applesauce (yum!), come on out and join us - and take some home with you. We hope to start with a monthly get-together throughout the growing season doing things like strawberries and jam, peaches, pears, corn, salsa, applesauce, etc. So if you have supplies such as canners and jars that you no longer use (or are thinking of getting rid of), we would love to put them to use! Please contact Barb Musselman, , if you would be interested in participating or if you have supplies to donate. Barb Musselman

8 Joyful Noiz December May Page 8 December Children s Ministries Joyful Noiz December 2017 Page 9 January Children s Ministries Bible Mania Children s Church Bible Mania Children s Church December 3 Heidi Borisow Sherry & Ben Russell Laura & Matt Musselman January 7 Heidi Borisow Sherry & Ben Russell Stephanie & Mike Helfrich December 10 Heidi Borisow Sherry & Ben Russell Erin & Andy Constanzer January 14 Enjoy Time in Worship Lori Groff & Dawn Repsher December 17 Enjoy Time in Worship No Children s Church January 21 Enjoy Time in Worship Andy & Erin Constanzer December 24 Enjoy Time in Worship No Children s Church January 28 Heidi Borisow Sherry & Ben Russell Brad & Susan Schanz December 31 Enjoy Time in Worship Katie & Eric Musselman Infant & Toddler Nursery December 3 December 10 Sunday Morning Child Care Worship Service Lori & Tim Groff Katie & Eric Musselman Sunday School Amy Cummings Leight & Wendy Levin Judy McVaugh & Barb Schanz December 17 Bekki & Nate Dibble No Sunday School Infant & Toddler Nursery January 7 January 14 January 21 Sunday Morning Child Care Worship Service Andy & Erin Constanzer Terri Musselman & Sue High Laura & Matt Musselman Sunday School Donna Halteman & Suzanne Gunden Mark & Trish Watkins Amy Cummings Leight & Wendy Levin December 24 Betty Bergstresser & Edie Landis No Sunday School January 28 Stephanie & Mike Helfrich No Sunday School December 31 Nancy Detwiler & Judy Francis Ashlen Godshall & Eric Musselman