Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor, radiant in the brightness of your Sovereign! 

Christ has conquered! Glory fills you! Night vanishes forever!

Rejoice, O servant church!  Exult in glory! 

The risen Savior shines upon you! 

Let this place resound with joy, 

Echoing the mighty song of all God's people!

This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave.

Therefore, gracious Creator,

In the joy of this night,

Receive our evening sacrifice of praise,

Your church's solemn offering.

Accept this Easter candle, a flame divided but undimmed, a pillar of fire that glows to your honor, O God.

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven and continue bravely burning to dispel the shadows of this night!

May the Morning Star which never sets find this flame still burning: Christ, that Morning Star, who came back from the dead,                                                                                                                 

And shed your peaceful light on all creation, Your only begotten one

Who lives and reigns forever.  Amen.

(Traditional 6th Century. excerpts from 2012 UCC Book of Worship found at ucc.org)  

Many of you have heard the phrase "Christmas and Easter only Christians" (CEOs).  This characterization is used to refer to those who attend church very infrequently, but usually manage to make it to church on these two occasions

But, according to recent observations, that may not be the case with Easter. Recent studies actually indicate that most who attend church on Easter are fairly regular attendees. They just happen to all come together on the same day. On Easter, those who attend one, two, or three Sundays a month join those who attend nearly every Sunday. In reality then, the CEO Christian is likely more myth than reality.

As your Pastor, my instinct tells me this is probably true but I am not so sure that it matters. What I do believe is important is that on this day, during this particular service, is that all who do come together do so to celebrate the living Christ in our lives.  Increasingly, at Zion, those who worship on a regular basis rival our Easter "crowds".  The number of persons worshipping at Zion last Sunday handily exceeded the number worshipping at our Easter Service in 2010. Good News indeed!

There is much about our Easter Service that stimulates reflection upon the living Christ.  The Zion Handbell Choir will be treating us to two special selections including the always popular opener Christ the Lord is Risen Today.  The Voices of Zion will share with the congregation our rendition of He Is Risen! The service will close with our traditional singing of Handel's Hallelujah Chorus.  Join in the chorus!!

I look forward to seeing you on Easter Sunday.  He is Risen!  He is Risen, indeed!

In Christ

Pastor Pete

Family Promise is selling brick pavers to raise money for the final stage of renovating the new Family Promise home located two blocks from Zion. The pavers will decorate the walkway surrounding the home.  Zion Church is a covenant partner with Family Promise which provides emergency services to homeless families in the Delaware area.  Each paver is $100.  

The church is purchasing pavers which will read In Memory of Dick Ellis.  Dick Ellis was a strong and passionate voice for Family Promise at Zion in the earliest days of our connection with these efforts. His sudden passing was a great sadness to the Zion family. Contributions for the bricks can be made to Zion UCC with brick mentioned in the memo space.  Any amount, no matter how large or small, is welcome.

Members and friends will remember that, shortly after Dick's passing, collections were made to replace tables in the fellowship hall (Dick wanted this done!).  The tables we use today are a testament to Dick's love and caring attitude for his brothers and sisters.  The Memorial Service at Zion for Dick remains, to this day, a lasting and fitting tribute and testimonial to what God's love can and will do in the world. These gifts in his memory will provide another memorial to the time he                                spent with us sharing his gifts to God's glory.

      Tom Bordner                          Gary Zicht 

      Tim Flahive                            The Family of Eldon Wigton

      Irma D'Epifanio                      Jill Glass and Family                       Pat Pressler                            Lisa Parks