No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome at Zion!  Sunday Worship 10:00am 51 W. Central Ave Delaware
 Zion will continue the tradition of collecting cold-weather items for our "Mitten Tree" 
All items will be donated to the Common Ground Free Store. Thank you!
Happy Birthday! 
Sarah Newcomb
December 16
Rev. Bob Johnson
December 18
Mary Ufferman
December 21
Happy Anniversary!
Jason & Carrie Abahazi December 21
Immediate Prayer Concerns
Sandy Nichols
Kay Lundy Ellen Richardson Charlie Hill Jeff Burkam Wendy Bell Lowell Allen Linda Fields Donna Jarrell Alice Hagelgans
Simply Christmas DCC will perform their Christmas concert this Sunday, Dec.16, at St. Peter's Church 45 W. Winter, Delaware 3:00pm & 5:00pm 
Tickets are $7.50 and can be purchased from any chorister or online at www.delawarechorus.org.
Partnership Pilgrimage Nicaragua June 12 - 22, 2013 
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This Week at Zion
Join us for worship this Third Sunday of Advent at 10:00am!
Pastor Pete will bring us the message, "Part 2 on Day 3" focusing on texts from Philippians and Luke.
We will again be treated to special selections from Handel's "Messiah" sung by Amy Fields, Sharon Patterson, Greg Patterson & John Miller. The Zion Handbell Choir will also be making a joyful noise! Plan to be with us.
Thank you for serving Zion this Sunday:
Liturgist: Mike Newcomb
Ushers/Greeters:
Kellye Powell & Chad Allen
Acolyte: Jason White
Nursery Care:
Melissa Peterson & Sarah Newcomb
Sunday School:
Sharon & Lorna Patterson
Fellowship: Andy & Erin Meyer
Office Hours
The week of December 17, Carrie will be in the
church office on Mon., Wed., & Thurs. from 10:00am-2:00pm.
Zion Happenings:
THIS SUNDAY, December 16:Congregational Meeting following worship to approve the 2013 budget.Wednesday, December 19: Voices of Zion @ 6:00pm Sunday, December 23:
Children's Christmas Program
Christmas Fund UCC Special Offering
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
7:00pm Musical Prelude
7:30pm Worship Service 
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From the Pastor's Desk
 Another Reason To Smile!
What a pleasant surprise awaited Carrie this week when she went to retrieve our mail at Zion and found $120 in loose bills in the mailbox.
A mystery? Maybe not. That money, like the "turtle on the fencepost" you hear me speak of on occasion, didn't get into our mailbox by accident. This was an intentional act. But what was the intent of the giver?
Perhaps this person had come to Zion at some time in the past for assistance in the face of a desperate situation. As you know, we periodically take up a collection for our efforts in local mission. We are able, on occasion, to give small stipends for food or shelter to those in need. We often can't do much but we can do something. Maybe someone was "repaying" Zion for lending assistance; for a past kindness.
Perhaps this giver was overwhelmed by the Christmas spirit and knew of Zion's reputation in the community for extending a helping hand and wanted to assist in that effort. Maybe the giver, by placing these bills in the mailbox, was confident that the money would be applied in such a way that would reduce someone's suffering.
Whatever the intent, we know that such giving is firmly embedded within the Biblical tradition. In Matthew 6:3-4 we read "when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret". We find Christ when we help our neighbor. It is not necessary to receive public acclamation for the act itself.
Regardless of the giver's intent, please know that these funds have been deposited into our Local Mission fund and will be applied as situations occur where a need is evident and immediate.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
In Christ,
Pastor Pete
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UCC Christmas Fund 
Special Offering
Sunday, December 23 For 110 years, the Christmas Fund has been a way to bring help to those who have so faithfully and selflessly served.
In 2011, nearly 1,600 clergy and lay employees and families were helped by the Christmas Fund.
One of the recipients, Rev. Bob Ruse, says "The Christmas Fund was life-changing for me, and now I know it has been for others, whether they are facing disasters of health or financial difficulty". Bob received a $2,500 Emergency Grant from the Christmas Fund to cover his after-care for a kidney transplant. He says the surgery was "truly a total rebirth".
Thank you for supporting this special UCC offering!
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Mobile Food Market
Monday, December 17
A reminder that this new mission opportunity, started by our own Konrad Young, begins THIS MONDAY! Zion is working with Andrews House and other community churches supporting this program.
Volunteers are needed on the first & third Mondays of each month from 11:30 - 2:00. The Mobile Food Market will take place at the Eagles' parking lot (weather permitting) or inside their meeting room, located at 127 East William Street.
If you are able to volunteer, please let Konrad Young, Mike Newcomb or Pastor Pete know of your interest. Thank you!
Pastor's Match for Andrew's House
And, speaking of Andrews House, December 30 has been designated by Church Council as this year's Pastor's Match Sunday. This continues a tradition started last year by Pastor Pete and Melissa to match the amount of offering given on the last Sunday of the year during worship and to forward the entire amount to Andrews House. As you know, we are a community partner with Andrews House (see story above) and our covenant agreement provides for the sharing of our treasure to the extent we are able. Thank you for helping in this important and significant effort.
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