Zion Messenger. A Christmas Reflection. February 2018

Transcription

1 Zion Messenger Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 100 West Main Street Hummelstown, PA website: February 2018 A Christmas Reflection Holiday music tends to put us in the Christmas spirit. Most of us can quickly list a favorite Christmas song or two without much hesitation. Music uplifts and gives strength, provides serenity and comfort, and even moves us to tears. Some people in this world have that same wonderful gift. Something in them is magnetic. Their words carry weight and pull us in like the words of a favorite song. When the words are simple and meaningful, they simmer inside us and slowly creep into our thoughts long past the time when they were once spoken. What s wonderful about life is that we are given such gifts when we least expect. On December 10 th, four girls from Zion set out to sing some Christmas carols to a few homebound members. While we hoped more carolers would have been able to join us, we also understood the holiday season pulls folks in a variety of directions. So, we agreed that it was important to keep this commitment and off we went. At each door, these words were spoken, We re from Zion and we d like to sing to you. Ten. That s all it took was ten simple words for doors to open and welcome us inside. However, the real gift is what we received in return. For each of us, that day remains meaningful and memorable. We found joy in the home of our first homebound member and her appreciation for the sunlight that streams into her living room enabling flowers to bloom beyond expectation. Her gift was to allow us to see that we live in an indescribably, wonderful world as seen in the beauty of flowering plants. The slow smile that started in the eyes of the man as his wife welcomed each of us into the room in which he was sitting. He and his wife shared the gift of the importance of listening to each other in a marriage. How glad we were that she had listened to him and prepared that bowl of Hershey chocolates! The warmth in the eyes of a woman who made great effort to get to the door with her walker. The gift of appreciation for the simplest things in life shone on her face, and tears weld in our eyes watching her. We waited as one of our visitors had to secure her protective, four-legged companion who calmed only after we started singing. The gift of determination to find a way to let us enter without her buddy exiting this house which sat beautifully on the hillside. The gift of good fortune to see the delight coming from the lips of a woman who was so pleased to have been in her room near the door enabling her to hear us knocking. The smile on the face of the man that opened the door even though he didn t have the ability to see each of our faces. He trusted, because he heard, We re from Zion. Three. Three simple yet powerful words heard by all of our visitors - a marvelous gift we have among us. We are thankful for this community of faith, the kind and generous people of Zion, and for the beautiful memories of that December day. We look forward to those unexpected surprises that are waiting in the wings of God s love and pray that we are all able to appreciate them throughout the year. Enjoy a New Year filled with God s blessings! Your sisters in Christ, Shannon Bastian and Beth Rager 1

2 Worship News Worship Services of Holy Communion All services are in the main worship area. 8:00 am Music Liturgy 9:45 am Spoken Liturgy 10:45 am Music Liturgy Epiphany Comes to a close Fifth Sunday After Epiphany February 4,2018 The Healing of Peter s mother-in-law. Come to hear Cynthia Young share her experiences of healing others on a mission trip last fall. February 4, Souper Bowl Sunday ZYG + ZYG Minis are collecting cans of soup at all worship services for the Hummelstown Food Pantry. Let s exceed last year s collection at 75 cans! Donations may be placed on the table in the narthex. Thank you! The Transfiguration of Our Lord February 11, 2018 Lent begins on Ash Wednesday The Sunday scriptures focus on the five covenants God makes in the Hebrew Scriptures and use them as lenses through which to view baptism. Ash Wednesday February 14, :15 pm and 7:00 pm Service of Holy Communion with the Imposition of Ashes First Sunday in Lent February 18,2018 The rainbow, a sign of God s covenant. Genesis 9:8-17 Second Sunday in Lent February 25,2018 God blesses Abraham and Sarah Genesis 17:1-7,

3 Worship News Midweek Lenten Dinners February 21, 28 March 7, 14, 21 and 28 Midweek Lenten Services of Evening Prayer February 21, 28 March 7, 14 and 21 5:30 pm Dinner 6:15 pm Evening Prayer You Shall Love the Lord Your God February Hear, O Israel February with All Your Heart March 7... with All Your Soul March with All Your Mind March with All Your Strength 5:30 pm Dinner You are invited to join your brothers and sisters in Christ for a delicious meal, served before Evening Prayer. Dessert served with all meals. Sign up in the Narthex. February 21: Pork BBQ, salad, chips February 28: Chicken pot pie, cole slaw, bread March 7: Baked Spaghetti, Salad March 14: Meat loaf, baked potato, green beans March 21: Split Pea & Chicken Noodle Soup, grilled cheese sandwich March 28 (Holy Wednesday): Chicken Corn Soup, wraps March 29 (Maundy Thursday): Seder Meal liturgy will include stuffed chicken breast with two vegetables. Lay Voting Member 2018 Synod Assembly May 31 June 1, 2018 Messiah College Each congregation of the Lower Susquehanna Synod is encouraged to send two lay voting members to the Annual Assembly one male and one female. Nancy Weikel has graciously volunteered to represent Zion. A male lay voting member is needed. Please contact President Peggy Wilson to let her know of your interest in this very important lay leadership position. The business meeting of the synod will be conducted on Thursday and Friday. A meal packing event will take place on Saturday, June 2,

4 Council News The Congregation Council met on January 18, Following is a summary of significant discussion and actions. The meeting began with Pastor Van Orden introducing Healthy Congregations by Peter Steinke. The Council will follow Mr. Steinke s exploration of congregations as emotional systems. Each month the Council will dive deeper into a chapter that outlines the factors that put congregations at risk for anxiety and conflict, ten principles of health, how congregations can adopt new ways of dealing with stress and anxiety, and how spiritually and emotionally healthy leaders influence the emotional system. The topic of viewing a congregation as a whole system, instead of individual parts, was presented this time. Treasurer Lynn Knepp presented the financial report. He reported that the loan from the Mission Investment Fund (MIF) was settled earlier in the day, and that the arbitration with Howard Hanna regarding rents and other outstanding expenses was still pending. Council approved disbursing all budgeted amounts to the agencies listed under Ministry to Others that had not been disbursed in the 2017 budget year. Pastor Van Orden presented her report. She asked for Council action on two requests from nonmembers to have weddings at Zion. Council decided not to approve the requests. President Peggy Wilson presented the invitation to the Annual Assembly for the Lower Susquehanna Synod on May 31 and June 1, 2018 at Messiah College. A meal packing event will take place on Saturday, June 2. Each congregation of the Lower Susquehanna Synod is encouraged to send two lay voting members one male and one female. Nancy Weikel has graciously volunteered to represent Zion. A male lay voting member is needed. Pastor Van Orden will include an announcement in the newsletter and bulletins. The Youth Advisory Committee presented a proposal to buy-in to a youth minister position with the Harrisburg Area Youth Initiative (HAYI) for one year, with Zion s contribution of $6,000. Zion youth have been attending the HAYI monthly meetings. This action is to provide leadership for Zion youth during the interim period, for reconsideration once a permanent pastor is called. Council approved the proposal. Christian Education asked Council to approve $ for each child/youth who attends an overnight camp this summer, and $50.00 for each child attending a day camp. This scholarship does not include Confirmation Camp as the congregation pays a buy-in fee which results in a lower camp cost for the week. Council approved the request. President Peggy Wilson reported that she is nearly finished with organizing the Call Committee. She needs to speak with one more individual and then, will announce the members of this committee. The meeting adjourned with expressions of appreciation for everyone s leadership. Membership News No updates this month. 4

5 Christian Education Small Groups Adult Sunday School Class 9:30 am - Demey Library The group continues to enjoy Rob Bell videos which prompt discussions to explore the teachings of Jesus. Watch the weekly announcements for a special Lenten study to begin on Sunday, February 18 and continue through Palm Sunday. Children & Youth Classes Sunday, February 11, Transfiguration 9:30 am in Leatherman Hall Join Pastor Van Orden for a special class about Ash Wednesday. Then, go to the church parking lot to burn palm branches from Palm Sunday 2017 so that we have ashes for Ash Wednesday, February 14, Ash Wednesday February 14, 7:00 pm All children and youth are encouraged to attend the worship service on Ash Wednesday, 7:00 pm, to receive ashes and to experience the start of our Lenten Journey. Youth & Confirmation Retreat February 23 25, Camp Nawakwa Registration and information forms have been distributed and are due by Sunday, February 11. The Grateful Ladies of Zion Sunday, February 18, 2:00 pm Lunch Country Meadows The Secret Garden 2:00 pm Hershey Area Playhouse RSVP - Sunday, January 28, 2018 Ladies, let s get together for an afternoon to escape the Winter blues by enjoying a show at the local theatre. We have 12 people confirmed so far and can certainly add additional seats as long as seats are still available. Regular tickets are $23.00 if we pay the Playhouse directly. If paying by check, make it out to Jill McGrorty and give either your cash/check payment to Jill Sunday, January 28, 2018 during church. Checks may also be dropped off at the church office. A credit card can also be used if you d like but need to provide Jill with this information. Keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks. Wonderful Women of God Wednesdays at 11:00 am - Parlor Bible Study What lessons can we learn from The Bad Girls of the Bible? Join your sisters in Christ to find out! If you need a copy of the book by Liz Curtis Higgs, please see Pastor Van Orden. There are few copies remaining or download an electronic copy to your device. 5

6 Outreach Ministries Youth Ministry Calling ALL Zion Youth Save these dates: GLOVE, HAT AND SCARF DRIVE Now through February 2018 Look for sales, make your purchases and bring in your donations, adding them to the glove tree in the Chapel alcove. Let s beat last year s record of 115 gloves! Lent Sock Drive Ash Wednesday Palm/Passion Sunday Remember our sock drive last year? First, our goal was to collect 500 socks 250 pairs of men s socks to honor the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation. Then, you were so generous, that we changed the goal to 500 pairs of men s socks! We learned that socks are one of the items most needed by the homeless and transient population, so we are repeating this drive. Bring your donations to the narthex and Parlor and place them in the large sock! We ll keep you informed of the donations and how well we are working toward our goal! Socks will be divided between Christ Lutheran Harrisburg and the Bethesda Mission. February 4, Souper Bowl Sunday ZYG + ZYG Minis will collect cans of soup at all worship services for the Hummelstown Food Pantry. Let s exceed last year s collection at 75 cans! February 11: Valentine Cards for Senior Members. ZYG + ZYG Minis Stay after the 10:45 am worship service to make Valentine s Day cards for our homebound and senior members. ZYG Minis please note that this is your gathering for February. 6:00 8:00 pm HAYI (Grades 6 12) at Messiah Lutheran, Harrisburg. Racial Reconciliation facilitated by Ann Van Dyke. (was to be last month but due to a scheduling conflict, was postponed to February). February 18 ZYG Minis at Zion Gathering is February 11 to make Valentine s Day cards. PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Tuesday, February 13, :00 pm Parlor 6

7 FEBRUARY CALENDAR Ten days of Prayer for our Capital Campaign: Monday, January 22 31, 2018 Are you praying? Additional devotional guides are available. 7

8 Zion Messenger Worship Services of Holy Communion 8:00 am Music Liturgy 9:45 am Spoken Liturgy 10:45 am Music Liturgy The Rev. Lois K. Van Orden, Interim Pastor Church Office: (717) Office Hours Monday Thursday 8:00 am 3:30 pm Website: Facebook: March Newsletter Deadline is: Thursday February 19, Offering Envelopes pick up your box on the table outside the church office. Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 100 W. Main Street Hummelstown, PA February 2018 If you would like to receive the newsletter by , please call the church office at (717)