A Message from Pastor Summer -- February 2016

Last weekend, 30 inches of snow blanketed our community.  The storm was everything the news predicted and a little more.  What is amazing, with a storm of that size, is how the world stops.  Life is going a thousand miles an hour and then everything comes to a halt.  Your work and calendar have to take a backseat.  You look out your window and everything is different.  The snow adds a beauty to the barrenness of winter.  The browns become white.  The trees, bushes, and stones become decorated.   There is not a car on the road and the world becomes silent.    And as you watch, you find yourself taking a deep breath.  You know that there is shoveling and work in your future, but for a time, you are still.  The silence is inviting.  You see the world in a different way.  You realize that you are not in control.  You never were.  All the urgent matters that govern your life are not nearly as urgent.  You curl up with a loved one by the fire.  You go sledding with your children.  You take a walk in the stillness.  You ponder the beauty that surrounds you.   You are at peace, even if it is only for a little while.  You are grateful for that time.  You rediscover the gift of Sabbath. 

In many ways, Lent invites us into such an experience.  We are invited to turn down the volume on the world to listen to the voice of God.  We are invited to be still and in the silence to take a look at our lives and the grace of God that continually breaks in.  In that grace, we see the world and our lives in a very different way.  We can own our struggles and embrace the gift of forgiveness.  The barrenness we experience gives way to something extraordinary.   In that grace, we give up the control we never had.  We rediscover what is truly important.  We find time for the people we love.  We find time for worship, prayer, and service.  We find time for contemplation and joy.   We rediscover the gift of Sabbath.  May this time of Lent be a time of Sabbath for us. 

Peace,

Pastor Summer

Lenten Opportunities

ASH WEDNESDAY

Imposition of Ashes

February 10

12 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Church

SUNDAYS IN LENT

Communion Worship Services

February 14 – March 20

8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Church

Family Worship Service

March 13

9:45 a.m. at the Christian Education Building

WEDNESDAYS IN LENT

Book of Faith – Lenten Bible Study

February 17, March 2 – March 23

12 p.m. at the Christian Education Building

THURSDAYS IN LENT

Lenten Vespers

February 18 – March 24

7 p.m. at the Christian Education Building

(Preceded by Soup Supper at 6:00 p.m.)

Ecumenical Lenten Series -- Journey to the Cross

Wed. February 10     7:30pm Ash Wednesday Service

Zion Lutheran Church

Rev. Cathy Gumpert, preaching

Wed. February 17      Soup at 6:30, Learning at 7:15pm

Whitehouse United Methodist Church

73 Old Hwy 28, Whitehouse

Wed. February 24      Soup at 6:30, Learning at 7:15pm

Rockaway Reformed Church 

115 Main Street, Whitehouse Station

 Wed. March 2       Soup at 6:30, Learning at 7:15pm

Church of the Holy Spirit

3 Haytown Road, Lebanon

Wed. March 9       Soup at 6:30, Learning at 7:15pm

Stanton Reformed Church 

1 Stanton Mountain Rd., Stanton

Wed. March 16     Soup at 6:30, Learning at 7:15

Fairmount Methodist Church 

228 County Road 517, Califon

Social Ministry Update, by Rebecca Melick

Coffee Drive for Faith Kitchen

The coffee drive to benefit Faith Kitchen is going on through the end of February.  Please take advantage of the coffee sales at area super markets and help us exceed last year's collection of 140 pounds. 

Family Promise

Guests from Family Promise will be staying at the Christian Education Building from Sunday February 7th - Sunday February 21st. Family Promise is the only organization that provides shelter to families with children in Hunterdon County and has been supported by the congregation at Zion for over 25 years. If you haven't already signed up to volunteer, please see the weekly email messages with the link to our sign up tool.

Save the Date!  April 1st & 2nd - Feed My Starving Children 

Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God's children in body and spirit.  Their approach is simple: volunteers hand-pack meals specially formulated for malnourished children and send them to partners around the world where they are used to operate orphanages, schools, clinics and feeding programs.  FMSC food has reached more than 70 countries.  99.6% of packed meals make it safely to their intended locations. 

On April 1st and 2nd we will need 500 volunteers from our community to help pack 100,00 meals!  We will also need additional volunteers from our congregation for help with set up, clean up, volunteer registration, hospitality and forklift operation.  In early February, registration will be opened initially to Zion members before being opened to the wider community.  Based on interested from other organizations, some shifts may fill very quickly.  Please look out for email messages with further information.    

The Church Gathered, by Pastor Summer

Initially called “The Gathering”, this change in format on Sunday morning has been well received and is suggestive of where we are heading in the future.  The intent was to address some specific desires on the part of the congregation.  People have been saying that they want more fellowship and music.  I was interested in more conversation around the faith.  Out of those desires, The Church Gathered was created.  There is an intentional time for fellowship between the 8:30 service and the start of Sunday School.  We are using music as the bridge to classes.  As the young people head to class, adults are invited to be in conversation about our life of faith.  In those conversations, we have explored teaching our children to pray, when and where God has been present, what to do when God seems silent, and witnessing to our faith.  The conversations have been rich and meaningful.  We have just begun and some suggestions have been made to tweak our efforts, but we seem to be headed in a good direction.  I’m hopeful that more people will participate in The Church Gathered. 

Vespers -- Every Thursday evening at the Christian Education Building

Vespers continues in the season of Lent.  There is a Soup Supper at the CEB at 6:00 followed by Vespers at 7:00.  This worship experience has been deeply meaningful to many people.  Please join us!

Lunch Bunch -- February 11

The Lunch Bunch will be meeting on February 11 at noon.  We will be going to King Tut, 1271 Rt. 22, Lebanon.  The phone number is 908-840-4668.  Join the fellowship.  We’re looking for you!

Book of Faith -- Noon on Wednesdays at the CEB

The Book of Faith has moved into studying the Gospel of Matthew.  We will be exploring how Matthew tells the story of Jesus.  How is the same as the other gospel writers?  How is it different?  What is Matthew’s witness?  Come join the conversation.  You won’t be disappointed.  The adventure continues! 

Discipleship Group -- The Popes and the Reformation (February 18)

Join us in Discipleship.  Discipleship will be on January 18 at 7:30 following Vespers at the Christian Education Building.  People will gather for a soup supper at 6:00.  Vespers will be at 7:00.   For the past couple of months, we have been discussing the early church and the emergence of the Pope.  We have explored the split of the church of the west from the church in the east.  We have learned about the conflict between the Pope and the Emperor.  We have followed the rise in power and wealth of the church.  We have talked about the crusades and the inquisition.  We have witnessed the faithfulness of God even in the dark times.  All of this has led us to now discuss the Pope and the Reformation.  Join us this month we discover the roots of the Reformation and the Reformation’s significance in the life of the whole church.  Everyone is invited to come.  We always enjoy new people.  Remember, you do not have to commit to the whole year.  You can drop in any time and find a warm welcome, delicious food, and great discussion.  We hope to see you the next time we meet, February 18.