Lunch Bunch will be on March 12 at noon. We will be going to Gladstone Tavern, 273 Main St. Gladstone 234-9055.
Discipleship
Discipleship will be meeting on March 26 at the CEB with dinner at 6:30 and discussion at 7:30. Our focus will be the catechism and the Lord’s Prayer
Financial Notes
Zion is in need of volunteers to occasionally help count the weekly offering.
· When? Tuesday mornings
· Where? CEB
· How often? About 6 to 8 times per year
· How much time is involved? About 1 hour
· What’s involved? Work with one other person to open envelopes and record giving by envelope number. Post amounts in excel spreadsheet.
· Do I need training? Yes. Orientation/training will be provided the first time task is undertaken.
If willing to volunteer, please contact Jenny Gelson at 908-439-2040 or email parishadministrator@zionoldwick.com
· When? Tuesday mornings
· Where? CEB
· How often? About 6 to 8 times per year
· How much time is involved? About 1 hour
· What’s involved? Work with one other person to open envelopes and record giving by envelope number. Post amounts in excel spreadsheet.
· Do I need training? Yes. Orientation/training will be provided the first time task is undertaken.
If willing to volunteer, please contact Jenny Gelson at 908-439-2040 or email parishadministrator@zionoldwick.com
Youth and Family Ministry by Kathryn Schaefer
Hard to believe it is already March. Time is flying by, it seems. Warm weather will be here before you know it! Until then I am still enjoying the snow.
On February 22, we had our Parent Forum. Thank you to those who were able to make it! We had a great conversation about the future, and brainstormed some fun ideas. If anyone still had some thoughts about the meeting, please feel free to contact me so we can continue in the conversation.
The YOZ Celebration on February 22 was a big success! We had a great turnout, and the kids played games, hung out, and ate cake. I’m enjoying getting to know all of them and looking forward to more opportunities for us to grow together.
We have some exciting and new things happening this month!
Family Ministry Update
Friday, March 27: We are having a Family Night at church. Come as a family and join us at 6:30 p.m. for Movie Night! (Movie will be rated G.) Bring some “movie snacks” to share. Popcorn will be provided. Don’t forget to wear some comfy clothes and bring pillows and blankets or sleeping bags for the floor!
Youth Ministry Update
The next YOZ meeting will be on March 8 from 6-8 at the CEB. Please bring $5 for pizza. Come hang out and play games, enjoy fellowship and dig into the Word. For all 7th-12th graders.
Sunday, March 22: We will be having a YOZ Ski/Snowboard day-trip to Camelback Mountain! More details will be coming soon, including price and time. Keep your eyes open!
Sunday, March 29: Come out for our annual Easter egg dyeing at the regular YOZ time. Bring $5 for pizza and your creativity.
Saturday, April 4: 10 am Easter Egg Hunt for Sunday School youth. Come early to help hide the Easter Eggs and join in on the festivities!
Have any thoughts or questions or simply want to chat? I am always available.
Call me or Email me.
Eric and Kurt extend their stays
There is good news in connection with both of our students, Eric Johnson and Kurt Houwen. They will be extending their stay through May. Eric, who has completed his seminary education, will be continuing as a Field Education Student in preparation for ordained ministry. We have appreciated his ministry with us in worship, adult forum, Discipleship, Vespers, etc. Kurt, who is exploring the possibility of entering seminary, will be continuing as a part of Project Connect. This program is designed for college graduates to shadow ordained pastors as they consider the call to ministry. Kurt has been a welcome addition in Book of Faith, the Lock-In, Sunday mornings, Faith Kitchen, and the ongoing work of the church. We are grateful that both Eric and Kurt will be with us through the spring.
Sunday School News by Sandy Matsen
During Lent, Sunday School children have a 40 day calendar, “How does God’s garden grow?” and a related devotional Let’s Grow into Lent. The younger children planted seeds March 1 and we will be watching our garden grow until Palm Sunday.
On Palm Sunday, March 29, there will be an All School event for kids and parents in the Great Room at the Christian Education Building. We will make resurrection buns, decorate Easter eggs for Faith Kitchen and hear the passion story. Easter Sunday, April 5 there are no Sunday School classes.
Look for My Easter Surprise a booklet of stories and activities for preschoolers through second graders. It will be distributed at the Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4 and at Easter Sunday worship.
Help needed!
· Two adults to supervise the making and baking of resurrection buns at the Palm Sunday All School event. All supplies will be provided.
· Individuals to help plan the All School Pentecost event on May 24
On Palm Sunday, March 29, there will be an All School event for kids and parents in the Great Room at the Christian Education Building. We will make resurrection buns, decorate Easter eggs for Faith Kitchen and hear the passion story. Easter Sunday, April 5 there are no Sunday School classes.
Look for My Easter Surprise a booklet of stories and activities for preschoolers through second graders. It will be distributed at the Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 4 and at Easter Sunday worship.
Help needed!
· Two adults to supervise the making and baking of resurrection buns at the Palm Sunday All School event. All supplies will be provided.
· Individuals to help plan the All School Pentecost event on May 24
Evangelism News by Donna Hunter
Invite a Friend Sunday
The Evangelism committee would like to make March 29 (Palm Sunday) Invite-A-Friend Sunday. You’ll be given an invitation at church service in the two weeks prior to Palm Sunday. Please consider giving it to a friend, neighbor or co-worker. Since most visitors come to a new church because someone invited them, we hope you’ll take this opportunity to share Zion with your friends.
New Member Classes
If you’re interested in joining Zion OR just want to learn more about our congregation and ministries, join us for our upcoming Spring New Member class “Everything You Wanted to Know About Being Lutheran” on March 22 between services at 9:45 in the Christian Education Building. Please call the church office (908-439-2040) to register.
Calling All Knitters by Kay Beagle
Do you like to knit? Crochet? Have extra yarn? We need YOU!
A teenager in Morristown likes to knit, but how many scarves does she need? She took extra hats and scarves to local food pantries and shelters and “Hats for Emily” was born. She is now in college and still very involved. People around the world are making hats and scarves for her which are being distributed in many states and overseas. Would you like to be included in this knitting and crocheting group? One perk is that we can bring the items to Morristown for distribution. Call or e-mail me for more information.
A Message from Pastor Summer
“Leaving our nets and following Jesus” was the theme of my sermon on January 25, the Sunday of our congregational meeting. There are times when I feel especially moved by God when preaching and that Sunday was one of those times. The council retreat had just ended on Saturday and I was excited about the conversation. I always leave space in my sermon after the council retreat to include, in some way, what happened. This year, our retreat had my sermon preaching itself. With the snow falling at Cross Roads, the council gathered to discuss the challenges facing the church-at-large and Zion in particular. The times have changed. The church is no longer at the center of our culture, our communities, or even our families. We live in an increasingly secular and unchurched world. Across all denominational lines, there has been a slow but steady decline in attendance, participation, and commitment. The question has become what does it mean to be the church in our day and age? At the retreat, we talked about the need for a Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit. The good news is that the Spirit has already been sent into the life of the church and into our own lives. The issue is be open to what the Spirit is saying, courageous enough to follow that call, and patient enough to let God’s purpose unfold. As we talked at the retreat, we channeled Bishop Eaton’s sermon at Reformation as she called us to remember that we are so loved by God that we’re not afraid to fail. As we face the challenges before us, we will need to be open to different ideas. We will travel new roads. We will be asked to leave what is known and comfortable. Like the disciples of old, we will need to leave our nets to follow Jesus.
With open hearts and minds, the council embraced that idea. The idea can be a little scary, but we were not detoured as a council and were soon off and running. Leaving our nets, we talked about Heart for Africa as our new focus for outreach in the world. Heart for Africa is a non-denominational effort in Swaziland, Africa, addressing the critical needs of orphaned children left behind because of the devastation of AIDS. We talked about finding ways to partner as we did with Oasis Village. The door is open to filling containers again, writing cards and letters, opening up communication, and even sending our own mission teams. Beyond Heart for Africa, we left our nets and talked about social media as a real and needed part of our work and witness. If people are not coming to us, how do we bring the good news to them? How can we build community and relationships through social media? How can we have people support and participate in our ministry? Social media is the communication tool of our times; how can we, as the church, be in the conversation? For the sake of Christ, we have something important to say, but our message is not being heard. Social media provides that opportunity. Leaving our nets, we talked about engaging the community in a community-wide garage sale to raise money and awareness for Family Promise. Zion is seen as the community church. How can we build on that connection? How can we invite participation? We have already left our nets as we added staff this year. We talked about Kathryn Schaefer, our new Director of Youth and Family Ministry, as someone who will help us step out in our ministry as a congregation. She brings a new set of eyes and a passion for the work we are called to do. The retreat only added to her excitement. Finally, we really left our nets and talked about what happens on Sunday. We want everyone engaged, but not everyone is. How can we make that happen? Do we need to look at what we do in Sunday School? What about our worship services? We will always be a church of word and sacrament, but there is no set pattern. In what ways will we be leaving our nets in this area? As you can see, the conversation has begun.
As I preached on Sunday, leaving our nets is sometimes the hardest part of following Jesus. It’s not easy and I wouldn’t do it for just anyone. But, for the sake of Christ, I would; and, as a church, we will. May God continue to bless our ministry together!
Peace, Pastor Summer
With open hearts and minds, the council embraced that idea. The idea can be a little scary, but we were not detoured as a council and were soon off and running. Leaving our nets, we talked about Heart for Africa as our new focus for outreach in the world. Heart for Africa is a non-denominational effort in Swaziland, Africa, addressing the critical needs of orphaned children left behind because of the devastation of AIDS. We talked about finding ways to partner as we did with Oasis Village. The door is open to filling containers again, writing cards and letters, opening up communication, and even sending our own mission teams. Beyond Heart for Africa, we left our nets and talked about social media as a real and needed part of our work and witness. If people are not coming to us, how do we bring the good news to them? How can we build community and relationships through social media? How can we have people support and participate in our ministry? Social media is the communication tool of our times; how can we, as the church, be in the conversation? For the sake of Christ, we have something important to say, but our message is not being heard. Social media provides that opportunity. Leaving our nets, we talked about engaging the community in a community-wide garage sale to raise money and awareness for Family Promise. Zion is seen as the community church. How can we build on that connection? How can we invite participation? We have already left our nets as we added staff this year. We talked about Kathryn Schaefer, our new Director of Youth and Family Ministry, as someone who will help us step out in our ministry as a congregation. She brings a new set of eyes and a passion for the work we are called to do. The retreat only added to her excitement. Finally, we really left our nets and talked about what happens on Sunday. We want everyone engaged, but not everyone is. How can we make that happen? Do we need to look at what we do in Sunday School? What about our worship services? We will always be a church of word and sacrament, but there is no set pattern. In what ways will we be leaving our nets in this area? As you can see, the conversation has begun.
As I preached on Sunday, leaving our nets is sometimes the hardest part of following Jesus. It’s not easy and I wouldn’t do it for just anyone. But, for the sake of Christ, I would; and, as a church, we will. May God continue to bless our ministry together!
Peace, Pastor Summer
Lenten Schedule
ASH WEDNESDAY
Imposition of Ashes
February 18
12 pm and 7:30 pm at the church
(7:30 pm service preceded by Soup Supper
at 6:30 pm at the Christian Education Building)
SUNDAYS IN LENT
Communion Worship Services
February 22 – March 29
8:30 am and 11 am at the church
Family Worship Service
March 8
9:45 am at the Christian Education Building
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT
Book of Faith – Lenten Bible Study
February 25 – April 1
12 noon at the Christian Education Building
Lenten Vespers
February 25 – March 25
7 pm at the Christian Education Building
(Preceded by Soup Supper at 6:00 pm)
Imposition of Ashes
February 18
12 pm and 7:30 pm at the church
(7:30 pm service preceded by Soup Supper
at 6:30 pm at the Christian Education Building)
SUNDAYS IN LENT
Communion Worship Services
February 22 – March 29
8:30 am and 11 am at the church
Family Worship Service
March 8
9:45 am at the Christian Education Building
WEDNESDAYS IN LENT
Book of Faith – Lenten Bible Study
February 25 – April 1
12 noon at the Christian Education Building
Lenten Vespers
February 25 – March 25
7 pm at the Christian Education Building
(Preceded by Soup Supper at 6:00 pm)
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