A Message from Pastor Summer -- April 2018

I would like to share an Easter song:

Peter came in anguish on that Easter morning

Remembering that bitter night and the way he had run.

He could hear the accusations, hear himself denying,

He could hear the rooster crowing with the coming of the sun.

But on that Easter morning, a new day had begun

His anguish would be taken with the rising of God’s Son.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Mary came in sorrow on that Easter morning

Remembering that brutal hill and the way he had cried.

She couldn’t hide the tears, or the empty feeling

Or the haunting question of why he had to die.

But on that Easter morning, a new day had begun

Her sorrow would be taken with the rising of God’s Son.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Andrew came in anger on that Easter morning

Remembering the cruel way they had him crucified.

He couldn’t see their reasons or understand their fears

And he vowed that he’d never forgive their lies.

But on that Easter morning, a new day had begun

His anger would be taken with the rising of God’s Son.

 Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Thomas came with questions on that Easter morning

Remembering the dreams they shared as they walked through Galilee.

Was he the Messiah, the one for whom they waited,

The one who would truly set them free?

But on that Easter morning, a new day had begun

His questions would be taken with the rising of God’s Son.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

March Council Highlights

The Church Council met on March 15th.  Highlights include:

· Pastor Summer reported on the Town Hall meeting that was held to talk with the congregation about the results of the Council retreat. The response and conversation were very positive and the over 30 attendees were very supportive of the direction the Council is  taking.  Another meeting was requested and has been set for April 15th.

· Courtney Rzeplinski reported that the Sunday School Workshop Rotational Model is going well and that we are seeing increased numbers over the last year.  A popcorn maker has been purchased for the movie room with money from the Marguerite Durham Memorial Fund.

· The Confirmation Class students are working on giving the CEB nursery room a facelift as their project.  The hope is to unveil the nursey room on Mother’s Day to celebrate young children and mothers.  The plan is for parents/others to take turns each week staffing and leading the nursery program.  The newly renovated room will be called “The Little Luthers Room”.

· Members of the Confirmation Class will attend the Middle School Retreat at Cross Roads on April 20-21.

· Vacation Bible School will be held July 9 – 13.  The theme is “Shipwrecked – Saved by Jesus”.  

· The Council is working on getting signage for inside the CEB that will help with Zion’s hospitality to visitors.

· The Shepherding Committee is updating the “Made with Love” meals program and restocking the freezer with fresh meals.

· The Parish Life Committee is making plans for an April visit to the Grounds for Sculpture in Trenton and for the Somerset Patriots baseball game this summer.

· Thank you to:

* Joanne Rupp for organizing Rod’s 20^th Anniversary Celebration. 

* Meghan Stanski for the cake for the Anniversary Celebration.

* John Melick for taking care of downed pine trees.

* John McAleer for spending a day at the CEB dealing with the septic issue.

* Linda Held for spending over 30 hours with Family Promise guests during the recent snowstorm.

* Tony Leidner from Northern Lights for his quick response to our storm-related issues.

* Shellie Evers for taking minutes at the Council meeting.

The next meeting of the Church Council will be on Thursday, April 19th.  Meetings are open for all to attend.

Holy Week at Zion

Maundy Thursday – March 29^th

Supper at 6 p.m. (CEB)

Communion Worship at 7:30 p.m. (Church)

Good Friday – March 30^th

Prayer Service at 12 p.m. (Church)

Tenebrae Service at 7:30 p.m. (Church)

Holy Saturday – March 31^st

Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. (CEB)

Easter Vigil at 7:30 p.m. (Church)

Easter Sunday – April 1^st

Sunrise Service at 6:30 a.m.  (at Round Valley Youth Center)

Worship at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (Church)

Youth & Family Ministries

Dear Members and Friends,

You are most likely reading this in the days before Easter Sunday.  I am excited to celebrate this joyous occasion with all of you this year.  I wanted to share a short story about what Easter was like for me as a child.

My sisters and I would wake up at an obnoxiously early hour every Easter Sunday.  The  anticipation of finding our hidden baskets made us giddy.  We would rush out to the living room looking for those creatively-designed hard boiled eggs we had dyed the night before. Our baskets all looked the same, but were hidden in various nooks and crannies in the house.  After they were found, jelly beans were eaten, a chocolate rabbit or two became deaf (due to their ears being bitten of, of course!), and we got ready for church.  Dressed in our coordinating (if not identical) Easter dresses, the Norton family made their way down the center aisle and took their seats, middle way back, on the left side.  Presbyterians have the same ‘unassigned/assigned self-seating’ that you are all familiar with as well.

This was how it was, for years and years, more like decades really. It was a chance to be together with our church family to  celebrate a major event in our Christian practice.  Slowly but surely, things changed for us Nortons.  We started getting married, started having kids, and started what seems to be the unavoidable in-law shuffle that accompanies larger families with young kids. We have spread out to new churches, seeking a meaningful relationship with God.  This year, like many others, we will not be worshipping together.

I tell you this memory not as a sad story, but as one to be celebrated.  The presence of children and their families in our worship services is an unimaginable blessing. So many children never attend a worship service in their young lives.  Others are only able to celebrate at holiday times when attending church is a forced tradition.  This Easter, we get to welcome in all of the families who are looking for an invitation to God’s Kingdom.  We know that everyone is welcome to His table, but we may be hesitant to actually send out the invitations ourselves.  You have the power to make lasting memories in the world of our young children.  Please don’t hesitate to say ‘hello, nice to see you” to that family who may (or may not) be new to church.

This Easter Sunday, it is my joyous hope that I can start a new tradition with my daughter, Lillian, and my husband John.  We look forward to worshipping with you!

Blessings,

Courtney Rzeplinski

Director of Youth and Family Ministries

Social Ministry update

Tag Sale - Saturday April 28th (rain date May 5th)

It's time to clean out your closets!  We are collecting items to sell during our annual Tag Sale to raise funds to send children from Family Promise to summer camp at Cross Roads.  Last year we raised over $2500, enough for five weeks of camp.  This was a huge success and greatly appreciated by the children who were able to attend. 

What are we looking for?  Anything that someone would buy!  In the past, kitchen items, chachkies, lawn, garden, pet, children or baby items, furniture that is not too big, wall hangings, working electronics, sporting equipment, costume jewelry, even seasonal holiday items.   Please no books or clothes, hazmats such as paint or anything that is not saleable as is. 

Collections are on Sunday 15 and 22nd from 11 - 1, and during office hours Tuesday through Friday 9:00 - 2:00 beginning Tuesday, April 17th.    

Spots are still available in the CEB parking lot if you would like to set up shop and sell your own items for a $25 donation.  Please pick up a registration form at the CEB. 

Family Promise

Thank you for everyone who volunteered with Family Promise in March.  The support was unbelievable, covering shifts over two weeks despite having lost one of our partner churches and a number of experienced Social Ministry volunteers.  Thank you!  Our next hosting period is during the last two weeks of August.    

Second Sunday Sermon Secrets -- April 8

Have you ever wanted to do Bible Study, but didn’t have the time?  Well, Second Sunday Sermon Secrets is for you.  In conjunction with Second Sunday Single Service, Pastor Summer is providing a Bible Study prior to the 10 a.m. worship service, starting at 9 a.m. at the General Store.  Grab a coffee or tea and pull up a chair.  He will be discussing the day’s lessons as they apply to life and the world.  Come join the conversation!

Publicity coordinator needed

Are you a good writer? Can you help spread the word of what we do at Zion?  We are looking for someone to become our  Publicity Coordinator.  This person would write articles and send them to all local newspapers to help publicize news and events of the church.  He or she may also post pictures and updates from these events to our social media sites.  Most of the work can be done online or by phone. Please contact Pastor Summer or Judy Formalarie if you can volunteer for this bite-size ministry!

Looking for a church librarian

Zion is in need of someone to take control of the church library on the top floor of the CEB.  Duties would include sorting and cataloging books as they come in, promoting materials, and tracking the lending.   Please contact Pastor Summer or Judy Formalarie if you are interested.

Vespers -- April 5 and 19

This month, Vespers will meet on April 5th and 19th.  There is a Soup Supper at the CEB at 6 p.m. followed by Vespers at 7 p.m.  This worship experience has been deeply meaningful to many people.  Please join us!

Lunch Bunch -- April 19

The Lunch Bunch will be going to The Rail in Whitehouse Station on April 19.  The phone number is 534-0001.  Join the fun.  We’ll be looking for you!

Book of Faith -- Noon on Wednesdays

The Book of Faith will continue to explore the Acts of the Apostles this month, meeting on April 18 and 25.  Come join the conversation.  You won’t be disappointed.  We are on chapter 16.  The adventure continues! 

Discipleship -- April 26

Discipleship will be meeting on April 26.  It will begin with a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. and move to discussion at 7:30.  The theme will continue to be “interpreting scripture”.  All are invited.  We would love to see you there!