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

December 3, 2025

Wednesdays in Advent Begin Tonight

As we journey through this holy season, we invite you to three special Wednesday gatherings—tonight, December 10th, and December 17th—in Katie Luther Chapel. Each evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a community potluck dinner (bring a side or dessert to share). At 6:00 p.m., we’ll engage in meaningful conversation and study around the theme “Being Faithful to Jesus in a Fractured World.” We close the night at 7:30 p.m. with the peaceful beauty of Holden Evening Prayer.

Come for one Wednesday or all three and join us when you can during the evening—this is a gentle midweek pause to reconnect with God, with one another, and with the hope Advent brings.

First Friday in December

Friday, December 5th at 6:00 p.m.

The Cove Waterfront Restaurant

1754 SE 3rd Court

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Please RSVP to Kurt or Gail so that we can ensure a big table. It is "the season," after all.

Everyone pays their own way, but there's always more room at the table. If you can make it one month but can't make it the next, that's okay!

Annual Meeting This Sunday

Join us this Sunday in Katie Luther Chapel for our congregation’s annual meeting and a shared potluck meal—a celebration of the diversity of the body of Christ at Zion. This is an important moment in our life together as we review required updates to our constitution, ratify our 2026 ministry budget, and reflect with gratitude on all God has done in the past year.

Your presence, voice, and vote matter as we shape the year ahead in faith and partnership. Bring a dish to share and come be part of the conversation!

Save the Date

You’re invited to join us for one of the sweetest celebrations of the season! Our 3s and VPK classes will share holiday songs and tell the Christmas gospel from Luke in song, reminding us of the wonder and joy of Jesus’ birth through their voices and smiles.

Bring your family, your camera, and your Christmas spirit—this is a program you won’t want to miss!

Have You Entered Your Business into Our Directory?

Thank you to those who have already entered their business details into our new Community Business Directory for our Zion and Evergreen Academy families! This resource will provide a simple way for us to connect with and support one another by highlighting the gifts, skills, and businesses within our community.

If you would like to be included in the directory, please take a few minutes to enter your business information in the shared Google Sheet by clicking the link below. You can share your business name, contact information, and a short description of the products or services you provide.

The Reverse Advent Calendar is a signature ministry-wide project for our community, flipping the traditional idea by giving instead of receiving each day of Advent. As in previous years, we are collecting shelf-stable items during each week in Advent to stock Nina’s Place for the first quarter of 2026.

Items can be brought to the Evergreen Academy Office, individual classrooms, or worship on Sunday morning. Alternatively, you can give using the online giving platform and we will do the shopping.

Christmas Poinsettias, etc.

The time has come again this year to dedicate poinsettias in memory or in honor of loved ones, or to the glory of God. If you wish to dedicate a poinsettia, please use an envelope on Sundays or click here to give online using the "Christmas Poinsettias" fund. Each poinsettia is $20. All contributions must be made and dedications emailed to Kurt by Sunday, December 14th.

Thanks to Generous Givers!

We need to replace both of the AC units in the sanctuary and we’re asking every household in the Zion community to make a special gift toward the cost of this replacement. If you give online, choose the "Capital Improvements" fund. Together, we can meet this need!

Thank you to those who have given so far toward the completion of this project:

Maureen Anderson

Silda Ellison

Jackie & George Maxwell

Scott McElroy

Lydia Rosenfeldt Waring

The Family of Pat Rush

Ann & Doug Schley

Drew Shimkus

Amber Sutliff-Mann & Drew Mann

Beverly Swanson

Norma Vasquez

This Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Second Sunday of Advent

At the heart of our Advent preparation stands John the Baptist, who calls us to repent and make a new beginning. As the darkness increases we turn toward the approaching light of Christ. For Christians he is the root of Jesse, the righteous judge who welcomes all, especially the poor and meek of the earth. We wait with hope for that day when the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and there will be no more hurt or destruction. From the Lord’s table we are sent in the spirit of John the Baptist to proclaim that in Christ the kingdom of God has come near.

Sunday's bulletin can be found here.

Kurt R. Schmidt

Synodically-Authorized Minister

954-913-2125 (Cell)

kschmidt@zion-lutheran.org

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.