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Thought for Today
Not all who wander are lost.
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From the Pastor's Desk
There are two flags displayed within the sanctuary at Zion. They are displayed in the northeast corner of the sanctuary. The flag of the United States is displayed and represents that we are blessed to be able to gather and worship God in a free country. We are thankful for those freedoms. The other flag, less well known even to those of us who see it within the sanctuary, is the flag of the United Church of Christ, the denomination to which we belong. On this flag you will see the words "that they may all be one". Where do these words come from? They come from this week's focus text, John 17:21.
This is the motto of the United Church of Christ and represents that, within our denomination and in our lives as Christians, we bear witness to a guiding principle that "in essentials-unity, in nonessentials-diversity, in all things-charity,"
This verse, from a prayer of Jesus, emphasizes unity. Unity and uniformity are not synonymous terms. Unity in Christ does not mean uniformity of life, faith, or even worship experiences. Each of our life experiences and our experiences of God are different. The prayer Jesus prays in these verses does not emphasize or seek a world where we are all alike. It seeks a world where we are all together as one; united, not uniform.
In my view, the Christian unity we seek at Zion, is grounded in a respect for different ideas, beliefs, and concerns of Christian faith. It is a "big tent". This is a diversity we celebrate at Zion. When we worship, we bring to our communal acts of singing and praying the joys and sorrows of our individual lives which are lived in particular times and places. There is no pressure at Zion or within the United Church of Christ to homogenize each other's faith.
We are free to walk our own faith journey yet we are unified in one Body of Christ. We will explore these ideas in greater depth and detail on Sunday. We will ask ourselves what Christian unity means today as we struggle to respect diversity while, at the same time, honoring our tradition?
I can't wait until I see you on Sunday when we will worship together in community once again.
Happy Mother's Day.
In Christ
Pastor Pete
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 Pentecost Sunday - Wear Red
Sunday May 19th is Pentecost Sunday. It is the Sunday we remember the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the twelve Apostles of Christ and we are reminded of the power of the Holy Spirit in our individual and collective lives today. Our texts for this day, appropriately, focus upon God's Holy Spirit and we are free to represent God's Spirit in different ways. One traditional way to represent that God's Holy Spirit is active within our lives is to wear red to church on Pentecost Sunday. We are asking you to do that next Sunday! Wear something red and let's celebrate God's Spirit in our lives with a lively worship service filled with color, music and drama! |
 Our Second Special Offering
Each year at Zion and throughout the United Church of Christ we share four special offerings for specific and particular ministries. On Pentecost Sunday, we will be wearing red and we will also share the opportunity to show our support for strengthening the church. Our Strengthen the Church offering is the second special United Church of Christ offering of each year.
Your gift on Pentecost Sunday to Strengthen the Church will awaken new ideas in existing churches and help develop spiritual life in our youth and young adults. Your gifts help us to answer God's call to us to be "church" in new ways.
God is still Speaking! Since 2004, the Stillspeaking campaign within the United Church of Christ has worked with thousands of UCC churches and individuals across the country to make religion relevant again and to extend an extravagant welcome to all because no matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.
Please give as you are able and as you are willing to support these meaningful ministries.
Thank you! |
 Free Summer Lunch Program
Once again this year, Andrews House is partnering with the Woodward Family Resource Center and Delaware City Schools to offer the Free Summer Lunch Program. Volunteers are critical to making this program successful. Without volunteers, this important summer program would not be possible.
Last summer, Zion volunteers were an important part of the volunteer force. We plan to be onsite again this summer. Please help if you can. Last year, we selected one day a week which was "Zion Day" at Woodward.
Beginning June 3, 2013 and running through August 2, 2013, a free lunch will be offered to anyone, ages 18 and younger, who shows up under the covered part of the playground at the Woodward Elementary school between 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm.
For more information, please contact Pastor Pete or one of our Ministers of Mission (Mike, Nancy or Konrad). Thanks in advance for your help and support. It is really appreciated!
Volunteers will help with such things as setting up and tearing down the lunch tables, opening difficult to open items, keeping the lunch tables clean, conducting lunch counts, sanitizing hands, and on Fridays, passing out backpacks full of food for the weekend. Volunteers are also needed to do activities with the children. Last year Pastor Pete brought his guitar and sang with the children. Lunch setup begins around 11:30 and cleanup is usually completed by 1:15.
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Feed the WOW Wagon!!
In April we had another very successful collection; 67 pounds of food and other items donated on behalf of Zion to People In Need (PIN). We say "keep doing what you're doing" and we will handily exceed our goal of 1,000 pounds in 2013. Currently, we have collected 325 pounds!
Our newest addition to the PIN family, the WOW (Wheels of Warmth) Wagon, awaits your donation at the rear of the sanctuary. Fill up the WOW Wagon! She is starting to fill up but there is much room for more! As we start a new month, let's make her smile and fill her up! Please be cautious when donating liquid items! Make sure lids are screwed on tightly. Thank you.
A list of the most needed food and taxable items are posted on the sanctuary bulletin board. Most needed food items include canned meats, canned fish, and, always the popular favorite, peanut butter. Most needed taxable items include toothpaste, shampoo, laundry detergent, bar soap and diapers.
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Immediate Prayer Concerns
Pat Pressler Jeff Burkam
Lowell Allen Donna Jarrell
Lucas Sandy Nichols
Charlotte Randolph Jill Glass and Family
Tom Bordner Gary Zicht
Tim Flahive Irma D'Epifanio
Marylou Smith Lisa Parks
Caroline Walker Katie Cahil
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This Week at Zion
Our scripture readings this week will be Psalm 67 and selected verses from the Gospel of John (John 17:20-26). Pastor Pete will deliver a message entitled, "Unity or Uniformity".
 Voices of Zion Rehearsal at 6:00 Wednesday.
Handbell Choir Immediately after Voices rehearsal on Wednesday.
Mid-Ohio Foodbank
Monday, May 20, 11:30 @ Eagle's parking lot.
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