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 AUGUST 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 9:00am Summertime Worship Sunbury, PA Address Service Requested 12 THE MESSENGER Sunday, August 5th 11th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, August 12th 12th Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, August 19th 13th Sunday after Pentecost WORSHIP at the RIVER Blended Worship Style Scenic Worship in our City within our Community Sunday, August 26th 14th Sunday after Pentecost ansunbury.com

2 Zion Book Club will meet on Wednesday August 8th at 1:30pm Discussion will be on our latest selection: Most Wanted by Lisa Scottoline Zion regularly participates in ongoing, short term and annual donation drives, in support of neighbors and our community at large. Now, an area at the back of the Nave is designated as donation central! Look for the logo above in the Market and 5th corner when you take part in upcoming projects, such as Box Tops for Education and Day of Service Drives for September 9th. Zion In Our Neighborhood Second Sunday Fellowship Group will meet at the Welcome Area at the back of the nave after the 9AM service on August 12 to go to brunch at Jay's Tiffany's North Side. This will be the last outing this summer, since the 2nd Sunday in September is Day of Service. Second Sunday Group will resume in October after the 10:30 AM service. Any questions please talk to Cindy Spang. Wednesday Night Discussion Group 4:30pm Room 203 Worship 6:30pm Chapel will resume on Wednesday August 15th Birthday Blessings to... August 1 Debra Moyer Wendy Steiner August 2 Quinn Hunt Jeff Walter August 3 Pam Barni August 4 John Apple Barry Keefer August 7 Taunda Snyder August 9 Michael Keeley Melissa Shaffer August 10 Julie Eister Jean Schreffler Robert Wendt August 11 Amanda Benner Gage Weisen August 13 Marilyn Brose Jennifer Hunt Deborah Smith August 14 Tyler Lordeon August 17 Bob Bussey Janis Knauer Carole Misheck Kristy Sands August 18 Joyce Fenstermacher Aja Pyers August 19 Steffran Neff August 20 Jim Conrad, II Stevie Eister Sonja Shambach August 21 Amy Minnich August 23 Zach McAllister August 24 Herman Leitzel Wayne Sampsell, Jr. Zion Congregation Council August 25 Melvin Moyer August 26 Cheryl Edwards August 27 Trent Stoneroad Sam Wolfe August 28 Shelby Beck August 29 Nicholas Kistner August 30 Cynthia Walter August 31 Miriam Auten Joan Mertz Jesse Pyers Cathy Zimmerman President Chris Minnich Secretary Kim Crissinger Vice President Ben Heim Treasurer Cheryl Beeler Kristina Blessing Steve Dagle Larry Herrold Marianne Menapace Sue Phillips Georgena Smith Ned Swank Bob Zimmerman, Jr. Melanie Fouts Youth 2 11

3 Reserve these dates for September H.O.P.E. CONTINUES Helping Other People Everyday Seeking to inspire youth to reach out and help those around them on a daily basis. Middle/High School Youth Entering 7th-12th grade in the Fall. Dates of Our Service Projects: Saturday, August 11th Wednesday, August 15th Meet at the church at 9:00am (Lunch will be provided) Sunday, September 9: 9:15am Growing In Faith Together begins 10:30am Worship Outside in the Garden (weather permitting) 11:45am Lunch and Day of Service If you have a service project or other idea for Day of Service or simply want to find out more, please attend a planning meeting following worship on Sunday, August 5th in Room 203 Sunday, September 16: 5:30pm Youth Olympics 2018 Open to anyone in 6th 12th grades 10 I am a "big picture" kind of guy. My mind naturally makes connections, and seeks context for, the things I see. I try to make sense of individual events by viewing them from a larger perspective. I ve always done this. While I was at Penn State (a few decades ago), I remember doing a presentation in which I used a copy of the Centre Daily Item newspaper. Above the fold on the front page was a picture of local children going trick or treating in elaborate costumes, with bags full of candy. Below the fold, about 10 inches away, was the story about a famine in Africa, complete with a picture of three starving children. For most of the people I showed this to, they saw two separate stories on that front page. For me, and for a few others, the connection between those two pictures couldn't have been more obvious. You may be wondering why am I sharing all this? It is because I feel myself getting worn down by the world today. It seems harder, on a daily basis, for me to identify events as they relate to the big picture. The pace of our lives seems to be increasing. With technology changing so rapidly, we are bombarded by more information, more interactions, more opportunities to like something or friend someone. There are more things spoken today that conflict with one another than anytime I can remember, while our ability to agree upon what is true is all but gone. Our culture today seems to encourage us to move from day to day as if each moment were independent of one another, not linked by a greater inspiration, a bigger truth, a higher calling. Without the big picture to provide guidance and direction, life becomes simply acting on emotions and what feels good. Our higher angels, our lofty goals, simply die. At the beginning of his ministry (Mark 1:35), Jesus got up while it was still dark, and went to a deserted place, where he prayed. It was there, away from the pressing crowds of people in need, that Jesus was revitalized by the big picture; the Grace and the Love of his heavenly Father. This is what enabled him to heal the leper, deal with the crowds, forgive the sinner, and challenge the Pharisees. I am convinced more than ever, that in our fast-paced society, living moment by moment, worship each week is crucial. It is here that we once again get the big picture, and place our lives and our world in the context of our Creator s love. It is here that we discover what makes a nation great, a church grace-filled, and a life worth living. Join us for worship this Sunday as we take the time to listen to the truth of God s grace, peace and love and begin, once again, to see the gift of life in a whole new light. 3 -Pastor Rich

4 Zion is At Riverfest: Come represent Zion at this year s Riverfest! We will be joining other groups in the festivities on Saturday, August 18th, providing complimentary bottles of water (and kale smoothies) to those who stop by. We will also have information on our church, worship services, the vegetable garden, and forthcoming events. If you would like to volunteer at the stand and represent Zion for an hour or two, please reach out to a member of the Missional River team (Kim Crissinger, Kristina Blessing, Larry Herrold, Mike Dock, or Pam Barni). Outdoor Worship in August... We hope to see you at Riverfest! Invite a friend! 4 Riverfront Park Ampitheater Sunday, August 19 9:00am Stephen Ministry Corner Greetings Zion Family: We are beginning a new visitation program for members of our church family who can t worship with us as frequently as they once did. Maybe it s a new situation, health, weather or otherwise, maybe just loneliness. Two or more volunteers from the church, will schedule time just to come and visit, maybe share a prayer or quiet conversation. No commitments, no invasion of privacy, just sharing Christian love among our family. You may have already been considered for a visit or offered to be a visitor if you would like to learn more or be added to our lists (as a visitee or as a visitor) please call the church office. God Bless! Dear people of Zion- So great to be with you on June 24. Thank you for the support of my ministry in Liberia. Blessings on your ministry in Sunbury! - Linda Johnson Seyenkulo Zion, Thank you for your gift. I will keep it in my dorm- Hail Pitt! -Kiley Robatin Thank you very much for the generous donations of toiletry items for the Day Camp service project. We received enough items to completely stock 23 bags with a few items leftover. The congregation's response of item and cash donations was great. The children made "cheer" cards to include in the bags. It was significant for the children to realize how Christians are called to share their abundance with those in need. -Mike Dock, coordinator Thank you to everyone who donated supplies or monetary gifts for Arts & Crafts for Day Camp Also, a big thank you to all the volunteers who helped with crafts during camp. - Siri Dock, Craft Leader 9

5 Be a Singer! Be a Ringer! CHOIRS BEGIN AGAIN WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 22nd Did you sing in high school or did you sing in the shower this morning? Maybe you hear bells! If so, or if not, consider making a joyful noise to the Lord. Singers and Ringers are needed in Zion s Chancel and Bell Choirs. All abilities are welcome. Ability to read music is helpful, but not necessary. Singers rehearse Wednesdays at 7:30pm in the chapel. Ringers rehearse at 6:30pm in Room 109 on the ground floor. Come experience the fun that is had in music making! Back to School/Movie Night: Join us at dusk on Saturday, August 25th, for a movie night under the stars here in Zion s garden! We will be showing the newest version of The Lorax for all to enjoy! Even if you ve seen the movie before, it has a timeless message and never gets old. Popcorn and beverages will be provided, as well as some seating. You are welcome to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets as well. We d especially like to invite all families with children heading back to school this year. Basic school supplies will be distributed to help our youth get the most out of their education. Members of the congregation are welcome to donate crayons, notebooks, pens, and pencils for this mission. We hope to see you all there for a fun night of fellowship at the movies! 8 Zion s Veggie Garden: Sowing Seeds for Community It s August, and the harvest is now fully upon us! We hope you re taking advantage of the open-garden hours and the produce table. Our most popular crops (cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, etc.) are all readily available. It won t be long until fall planting is underway, so if you d like to join our group of volunteers we d love to have you! This month we will be distributing our produce to various locations in Sunbury in an effort to provide fresh food to those in need or who cannot get to market as often as they d like. We will be visiting Memorial Acres, Chestnut Tower, River Front Tower, and Scott Tower. You are very welcome to join us in this ministry as we care for our neighbors and meet some truly wonderful people. Contact Kristina Blessing or Larry Herrold for details. Box-Tops Zion s Missional River Team is initiating a Box-Top for Education Collection Project to benefit schools in the Shikellamy School District. The congregation is asked to save Box-Tops (found on many brand-name foods and other items) and bring them in throughout the year, as an ongoing way to support education locally. Look for collection boxes placed in the new Helping Our Neighbors area of the nave* and outside the church office. We thank you for your continued commitment to the school district and the education of our youth. 5 American Red Cross Blood Drive Friday, August 10th 1-6pm First Reformed UCC 160 Chestnut Street, Sunbury Please visit or call Red-Cross to schedule your appointment.

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