 Pentecost Sunday -
Wear Red! - This Sunday
Sunday 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 this on 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! |
Transportation Ministry?
Please let us know if you are experiencing transportation challenges in your life or if you know of someone else who is. Having a hard time getting to church on Sunday? Is it difficult for you to get to the market to do some grocery shopping? Need to get to the doctor and just don't have a way to get there? We can help.
Let us know of your need or the need of others. We will be surveying church members and others to help us determine needs which exist in the community. We need your help! Please see our Ministers of Mission (Donna, Nancy, Konrad or Mike) if you have information to share with us in this regard. Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration of this request and for your assistance!!
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Congratulations Jennifer and Nathan!!!
Many blessings to you from your friends at Zion on the occasion of your wedding.
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From the Pastor's Desk
What was it that he said? What did Jesus suggest that I do in this situation? I know one or more of his teachings must be appropriate to help me in this case but I just don't know which! I wish he were here now to help me! These were questions and concerns the disciples certainly had when Jesus was no longer with them. They are questions that remain with us today.
The disciples were now alone. Jesus had told them he was going away. Now they see he is gone. Who will care for them now? How will they carry on?
Then they(we) remember. Didn't Jesus say something about sending someone to help them (us)? Didn't Jesus mention to them(us) someone would come to be with them(us). What was it? The Advocate! The Holy Spirit would teach them(us) everything and the Holy Spirit would remind them(us) of what the Lord had said to them(us).
Please excuse my liberal insertion of substitute pronouns in the preceding paragraph. Their use is an attempt to make this point. We find ourselves in precisely the same position and situation as the first disciples. Jesus is no longer physically with us. But God's Spirit is always here to remind us of God's presence in our lives. God's Spirit is always with us to nourish us, sustain us, guide us and strengthen us during our earthly pilgrimage. The Holy Spirit reminds us of what it is that Jesus said(says) to us that our darkness might turn to light and that new life might come out of the death inducing sufferings of this world.
"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you." (John 14:26 NRSV).
Pentecost Sunday is a day when we are reminded of God's powerful presence with us; that we are not alone. By the power of the Holy Spirit, God is Still Speaking to us in ways that comfort us and reassure us in a troubled world. And just as the disciples went forth into the world to spread God's Word, so too do we continue to bear witness to God's Word in our daily lives.
Don't forget that red blouse, dress, or jacket! Let's make sure the sanctuary is full of color! I look forward to seeing you once again on Sunday!
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Pete
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 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. This Sunday, we will be wearing red and we will 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 help to awaken new ideas in existing churches and help develop spiritual life in our youth and young adults. Your gifts help us 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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Don't Forget - 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
Family of Bob Miller JoAnn Benseler
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This Week at Zion
Our scripture readings this week will be Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-4 and selected verses from the Gospel of John (John 14:8-18, 25-27). Pastor Pete will share a message entitled, What Did He Say?
 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. Acolyte David Powell  Liturgist Susan White Greeters
Bob and Shirley Irvin
Sunday School
Nikol Stout and Grace Fuchs
Nursery
Sarah Newcomb and Melissa Peterson
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