Weekly News from Zion and our Ministries Under the Cross: Evergreen Academy & Nina's Place

March 15, 2023

Blink and You'll Miss Out!

As we look back on just the last 7 days of ministry at Zion, we are amazed at the vibrancy of this community. Pictures only tell part of the story, but here's what we've been up to:

We are so excited to welcome Amelia Grace and her parents, Nick and Chelsi, to God's family at Zion!

This is especially wonderful because Chelsi is a graduate of Zion's school.

Following worship, our council met with Good Shepherd's council and Pastor Khader el-Yateem from the synod staff to discuss the next steps of our shared ministry agreement. We are excited about new opportunities for ministry together!

Thanks be to God for restoration efforts that will breathe new life

into our sanctuary and correct years of water damage to the wooden walls from a leaky roof, which (as we know) has also been replaced.

All of these wonderful moments, in addition to all the weekly work of ministry (Evergreen Academy, Nina's Place, exercise classes, Confirmation classes, Wednesdays in Lent, First Fridays, Third Tuesdays, etc.), Zion is a place where the Holy Spirit is moving mightily!

If you're not plugging in and showing up, you're going to blink and miss all of the amazing things God is doing here. As members of Zion Church, families at Evergreen Academy, and friends in our community, we have a vested interest in the success of God's mission and our ministry here at Zion. The best way to demonstrate that interest is by being present in any way that you can.

In Christ,

The Zion Leadership Team

Sunday's Sermon Handout & Song Inspiration

In case you missed it – here is Pastor Cathy's sermon handout from Sunday, including the steps to a conversation stack that teaches us to have a smooth and open-ended conversation with a new acquaintance or friend, as well as a video to the lyrics included in the handout for Casting Crowns's song "Nobody."

Celebrate Holy Week & Easter with Us

In an awesome expression of collaboration and being the Church together for the sake of the world, please plan to be present for our Holy Week services, which will take place at Zion and our two closest sister congregations.

Good Shepherd: 6301 SW 18th Street, Boca Raton, FL 33433

St. Stephen: 2500 NE 14th St. Causeway, Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Don't forget about tonight's conversation on "Substance Use & Recovery" with Susan Nyamora from the South Florida Wellness Network. If you're unable to join us in person, the conversation will be livestreamed and archived to the Deerfield Beach Community Cares website.

If you're planning to attend in person, please follow the link below to register for each week. Following the Q&A, our evening will end with Prayer at the End of the Day in person and on Facebook Live at 7:30 p.m.

Confirmation Classes

All are welcome to attend and participate!

Sunday, March 19th – 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 23rd – 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 30th – 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Friday, May 12th – 7-9 p.m.

Friday, May 19th – 7-9 p.m.

Free Exercise Classes

Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to Noon in Katie Luther Chapel

Those who wish to participate should wear comfortable clothes and sneakers and bring a bottle of water.

Opportunities to Serve Joyfully & Give Selflessly

Nina's Place: Community Partnerships

We are looking for volunteers during the week who would be able to contact (by phone and/or email) and visit potential business partners in the community. If this sounds like something you can help with, let us know!

Thank you again to Cullen Clancy for the addition of a beautiful and functional counter in Nina's Place. Our friends that come to receive food and supplies were so happy to see such a dignified and respectable addition to our space.

This Sunday: Fourth Sunday in Lent

Note: We are meeting for worship & all events in Katie Luther Chapel.

Baptism is sometimes called enlightenment. The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. “I was blind, now I see,” declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are: God’s beloved children. As David was anointed king of Israel, in baptism God anoints our head with oil, and calls us to bear witness to Christ in our daily lives. 

The Rev's Thoughts & Recs

Last Sunday, we talked about Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well. Afterwards, she exclaimed to the townsfolk, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” I recommend Beth Moore's book, All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir, where she describes her life and the impact God has had every step of the way. It is the funniest Christian book I have ever read which is best listened to instead of read to get the full effect of her Arkansas accent. The humor is interspersed with poignant observations of life and faith in a God who never let her down.

Zion is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) community, and extends God's radical welcome to all people, because we're all created in God's image.