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Zion United Church of Christ Weekly Newsletter
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Pastor Pete, Kellye and Melissa are seen here working with ecumenical partners at this week's
Mobile Food Market. Over 180 families received much needed fresh produce from our collaborative effort with the MidOhio Food Bank. Nancy was inside registering families!!
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Zion Sunday Attendance - Wow! 
Zion average Sunday attendance through February 17 this year is
67! Zion average Sunday attendance last year through February 19 was 54. Hmmm? We at the Zmail are pretty sure this is a good thing! We will never be a Mega-church and don't want to be; but those are great numbers for us and a pretty clear indication the Spirit is active at Zion. Amen?
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Coffee Mugs and Coffee Cups
As part of our effort at Zion to participate in the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast and our ongoing effort to make Zion more "green", we are encouraging members to bring a designated coffee/tea mug or cup to church to leave for your use during fellowship hour and at other times you are at the church.
So far, the response has been good. But we need many, many more mugs and cups. It will not be long before we stop buying paper and styrofoam cups.
The mugs will ultimately be displayed in a yet-to-be designed display on one of the kitchen walls. Even if you don't drink coffee or tea you will want your mug or cup prominently displayed to showcase and promote our effort and to make the display an accurate representation of the diversity of Zion.
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People in Need (PIN)
We, at Zion, have been consistent and long time supporters of People in Need (PIN). PIN is making a significant positive contribution to the quality of life we enjoy in Delaware County. PIN helps  Delaware County residents with immediate emergency needs created by job loss, family break-ups, illness, death, or other unexpected financial emergencies.
Did you know that last month Zion gave 24 pounds of food and paper products to People In Need? This is good. But we can do much, much better. The greatest needs currently are: canned tuna, peanut butter, pasta, and canned soups.
 Let's challenge ourselves to double our donation for this month of February. If every person would bring one item next Sunday (24th), we will meet this goal! This is not difficult to do and it will make a difference to those who will receive the benefit of  your generosity.
There was a wonderful effort made last Sunday to reach our goal. We think we are close to meeting our 48 pound February goal. With a concerted effort this Sunday (24th), we will meet or exceed our goal. A simple can of tuna or jar of peanut butter can make the difference not only in meeting our goal but to someone who is looking for a meal.
Please help if you can and thank you! |
Easter Lilies
The church will once again be offering Easter Lilies for purchase to adorn the sanctuary for Easter Sunday. In addition, hyacinths and tulips may be purchased. This is an opportunity to memorialize or honor a family member or friend. This is a time honored tradition at Zion.
The cost is $8.00 per pot and each flower has 4 to 6 blooms.
Beginning this Sunday, there will be an insert in the church bulletin with an order form. Please fill out the requested information and return it to the church office, or drop the completed form in the offering plate. We request that flower orders be accompanied by payment.
 However, if you are unable to make a payment but want to honor a family member or friend in this way, please leave a note for Beth or tell Pastor Pete and we will make arrangements for payment.
Lilies are very popular at this time of year with many churches in Delaware, not just Zion. It is important, therefore, for us to submit a timely order. Please have your order to us by March 17.
Thank you for participating in a tradition that not only beautifies our sanctuary on our holiest of days, but also honors those who have gone before us and those who hold a special place within our hearts.
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Offering for Local Missions this Sunday!!
Please consider supporting our first special offering of the year. As you know, Pastor Pete is able to respond to local needs within the community through the distribution of resources accumulated in the Pastor's Discretionary Fund (Local Missions Fund). Our pastor's ability to support emergency assistance in this way is limited by the amount of funding deposited into this fund.
Pastor Pete donates any fees he receives from officiating at weddings and funerals into this fund. You have an opportunity to support these efforts as well. This Sunday, February 24th, please consider designating a portion of your offering for this purpose.
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From the Pastor's Desk
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Pastor Vogt
Zion's longest serving pastor
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Three faith traditions trace their history and heritage to and through Abraham. Abraham figures prominently in the holy scriptures of each tradition; the New Testament, the Qur'an and the Torah. Each of these sacred texts will be used on Sunday as we explore converging and diverging perspectives related to the three traditions.
Throughout time, humanity has searched for the meaning of existence. We continue to search. One expression of that meaning is found in the beautiful inspired words of these three monotheistic religions. In our search for meaning, we find understanding in a divine reality when we begin to understand the powerful presence of God in the world and begin to comprehend the extent and nature of our own individual relationship with God in our lives.
All three religions call for the unity of humanity as a manifestation of God's love for the world. Yet, it is clear, throughout history we have witnessed what amounts to a Family Feud between and among believers of each tradition. We are certainly far from unified. We will explore that notion more deeply on Sunday. There will be no pretense that our reflection on Sunday will yield a solution to the crisis in the middle-east or anywhere else where tensions run high (even in our own backyard).
However, it will be an opportunity for us to think about how this family feud on the largest of scales might be the mirror image of many of the strained relationships we find in our own personal lives. Why is reconciliation and understanding moved by God's love so hard to realize in our own lives and on an international scale? The power of love seems so obvious! Yet the coming kingdom of God is stymied by these family feuds, estrangements and damaged relationships.
Let's pray on these matters during these days of Lent and come together on Sunday to be in a spirit of introspection and reflection in order that God's Spirit might bring us to a deeper and fuller understanding of what we are called to due to bridge, what appear to be, insurmountable obstacles to peace.
In Christ,
Pastor Pete
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Sharon, Lorna and Greg
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From the Zmail Desk
Sharon Patterson sends a big thank-you to all who came out to
support the family in the recent production of Fiddler on the Roof . . . . "to everyone who made it out to see "Fiddler!" It meant so much to us that you came, and you helped us make the biggest box office in the history of our winter musicals... 10 years... that alone was worth all the long nights and hard work! And when folks are thanking you for a great performance while you're thanking them for coming... well that's when you know you were part of something great!!
Greg directed and Sharon and Lorna starred in what was a fabulous production of a popular favorite. Congrats from your friends at Zion.
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MOMs To Meet at Zion
Our Ministers of Mission (MOMs) will meet at the church on Wednesday, February 27 at 7:00 immedidately following Voices of Zion rehearsal.
If you are or would like to be one of our MOMs, engaged in meaningful mission within this church and in this community, please attend. Discussion will focus on new and ongoing mission efforts at Zion. Please contact Mike Newcomb if you have any questions in this regard. (740) 363-2917 or msn51@frontier.com
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ACH Deductions?
Some persons like the ease of making automatic donations to the church by designating a weekly or monthly recurring deduction to their bank account. This method helps ease any worry you may have of missing donations to your church when you are unable to worship on Sunday. If you are interested in this alternative, please contact Carrie and she will assist you set up this method of supporting Zion.
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** Happy Birthdays to Juliet Stout & Rusty Lundy!! **
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Immediate Prayer Concerns
Kay Lundy Jeff Burkam
Lowell Allen Donna Jarrell
Lucas Sandy Nichols
Charlotte Randolph The Families of Newtown
Tom Bordner
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This Week at Zion
Join us for worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. We will reflect on scripture texts from the Torah (Genesis 15:1-6), the Qur'an (Sura 6:83-87), and the Gospel of Matthew (1:1-2, 10-11, and 16-17). The message for this week is titled Family Feud.
No reason to be any place but Zion Sunday morning, we'll be looking for you!!
Voices of Zion Zion Handbell Choir Rehearsal at 6:00 Wednesday Rehearsal after worship on Sunday Thank you for serving Zion this Sunday
Liturgist
Susan White
Ushers/Greeters
Bob & Betsy Johnson
Acolyte
C.J. Abahazi
Nursery Care
Melissa Peterson & Sarah Newcomb
Sunday School Sharon & Lorna Patterson Fellowship Jon & Melissa Peterson
Office Hours for Beth
Monday, Wednesday. & Thursday 10-2
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