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One Great Hour of Sharing
You can help to change thousands of lives by generously supporting the 2013 One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering on Sunday at Zion.
Previous giving to OGHS made it possible for the United Church of Christ to immediately provide clean water, food, medicines and shelter when disaster struck in Haiti, the Philippines and the USA as well as when conflict forced families to flee in Syria and Mali.
OGHS gifts are building schools and providing education and training for children from poor families in Laos and China.
OGHS giving equips a network of community health facilitators in Chile, orthopedic therapists in Afghanistan and missionary doctors in India.
UCC generosity empowers women in Egypt, Zimbabwe, Bosnia, and Ecuador to receive micro-credit loans to start small businesses and provide for their families.
Please give generously to the 2013 OGHS Offering on Sunday here at Zion. Thank You.
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Sandy says, "Is everyone getting enough of this great greek yogurt?"
(overheard at this week's Mobile Food Market)
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Stone Soup and Maundy Thursday
It was suggested by a friend that for our Maundy Thursday meal this year we replace our staple of onion soup with Stone Soup. We are going to honor his request.  Stone Soup is an old folk story in which hungry strangers persuade local people of a town to give them food. It is usually told as a lesson in cooperation, especially amid scarcity. Some travellers come to a village, carrying nothing more than an empty cooking pot. Upon their arrival, the villagers are unwilling to share any of their food stores with the hungry travellers. Then the travellers go to a stream and fill the pot with water, drop a large stone in it, and place it over a fire. One of the villagers becomes curious and asks what they are doing. The travellers answer that they are making "stone soup", which tastes wonderful, although it still needs a little bit of garnish to improve the flavor, which they are missing. The villager does not mind parting with a few carrots to help them out, so that gets added to the soup. Another villager walks by, inquiring about the pot, and the travellers again mention their stone soup which has not reached its full potential yet. The villager hands them a little bit of seasoning to help them out. More and more villagers walk by, each adding another ingredient. Finally, a delicious and nourishing pot of soup is enjoyed by all. 
So, beginning this Sunday, there will be "stone soup" box on the communion table at the rear of the sanctuary. Bring an onion, some potatoes, carrots, celery, peas, seasonings, parsley, or anything you think will contribute to the mix to make a delightful concoction which we will enjoy together on March 28 at our Maundy Thursday service, one of the most emotional and powerful services of the church calendar at Zion. Let's make soup!!
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 PIN Challenge
PIN POINTS for January: 1,068 persons served. 98 prescriptions filled. 32 persons
avoided eviction with PIN's assistance.
On the heels of a very successful PIN drive for February, we are "raising the bar" for the remainder of the year. We are challenging ourselves to donate 1,000 pounds (or more) of foodstuffs to PIN this year. We believe we can exceed our previous high donation of 820 pounds in 2011.
As demonstrated clearly in February, we can do it!! Beth took a mighty load of food and supplies to PIN (106 pounds) on the last day of February. If we match this amount each month for the remainder of the year we will easily exceed our goal of 1,000 pounds!
This month's food challenge items are: Macaroni & cheese, oatmeal, pasta and pasta sauce and canned chicken. Peanut butter is always in demand. Personal care items needed are shampoo, toilet paper and deodorant.
Hey! What's with the wagon? Well, a member of Zion, hearing of the new challenge, spontaneously took it upon himself to purchase this wagon to receive and display the donations at the rear of the sanctuary. You will see this new addition to the Zion family within the sanctuary in the days and months ahead. It will become a symbol of our collection efforts.
We should probably name the wagon. Fred? Shirley? Rapunzel? Anyway, please put suggested names in the offering plate and we will decide how to refer to our new friend.
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| From the Pastor's Desk
As we move toward Sunday and worship, my thoughts turn toward our brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ in situations and circumstances which cry out for our assistance. That is why I ask you to give . . . . . . . . give like there is no tomorrow . . . . . . . . because without assistance, for many, there may be no tomorrow.
"If one member [of the Body] suffers, all suffer together with it" 1 Cor 12:26
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Easter Flower Order Deadline Approaches
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.
There will be an order form insert in the church bulletin for the next several Sundays. 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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** Happy Birthday to Russ Anible!! **
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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 Gary Zicht
Tim Flahive Eldon Wigton
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This Week at Zion
Join us for worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. This Sunday we will reflect on scripture texts from the Old Testament (Joshua 5:9-12), Psalm 32 and the Gospel of Luke (15:1-3, 11-32). Pastor Pete's message this week is Pass the Bread Please.
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  | |
Great looking crew for this week's Mobile Food Market. Zion, making a difference! Thank you Sandy, Kellye, Deb, Gail, Nancy, Marty, and Konrad (our fearless leader).
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Thank you for serving Zion this Sunday
Liturgist
Greg Patterson
Ushers/Greeters
Gary & Nikol Stout
Acolyte
Lylah Stout
Nursery Care
Melissa Peterson & Sarah Newcomb
Fellowship Phyllis Brewer
Sunday School
Carrie Abahazi & Grace Fuchs
Office Hours for Beth
Monday, Wednesday. & Thursday 10-2
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