Zion info and activity update

The following will appear soon in the upcoming Burlington Area Council of Churches tabloid in The Hawk Eye. Read it here first.

• • •

Zion United Church of Christ, founded in 1864, is a welcoming congregation led by the Rev. Jane Willan that offers transforming worship, enriching Christian education, exciting outreach and meaningful fellowship for all ages.

Zion UCC welcomes all who welcomes everyone else. These include persons of every gender; sexual orientation; gender identity and expression; mental and physical ability; age; ethnicity; nationality; economic and social status; faith background; marital standing and family structure. We invite them to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings and joys of our congregation as we seek to grow together in faith and love.

A Declaration of Open and Affirming, adopted June 9, 2011

Zion United Church of Christ opens its doors in welcome to those in our community who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered, and affirms their right as Christians to share in the love and teachings of Jesus Christ.

By this statement, Zion UCC (declares) that our LGBT sons, daughters, friends and neighbors are welcome in the full life and ministry of the church.

Bridging the Gap, a program supported through a Strengthen Rural Iowa grant from the state of Iowa, provides free food, clothing and job assistance to people in need.

Upcoming events and activities at Zion:

• Senior Women’s Bible Study is 11 a.m. every Thursday.

• Coffee and Scripture is at 7:30 a.m. every Tuesday at Digger’s Rest.

• Choir practice resumes Aug. 31.

• Back-to-Church Sunday is Sept. 11. Our theme will be “Let Your Light Shine,” and children will study lighthouses.

• The Adult Sunday School program on Sept. 11 begins its study of “Grief: How We Cope With Loss.”

• NOIZ Nites for Children are the first Wednesday of each month, starting again for the fall in October. Bring your children at 5:30 p.m. for supper, followed by a fun, Scripture-based activity.

• Top-of-the-Hill fellowship group picnic for church members and friends age 35 to 65 is Sept. 17.

• Confirmation classes begin in October. The theme will be “Relationship Building.”

For more information about Zion, visit the website at www.zionuccburlington.com, or connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/zionuccburlington.

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This week at Zion

What’s Happening at Zion this Week

· There are lots of reasons to come to worship this Sunday (actually every Sunday), but this week you should come for the singing. Janice has chosen three hymns that are wonderful to sing: “Joyful, Joyful”; “Child of Blessing, Child of Promise”; and my personal favorite “Here I am, Lord”. I like learning new songs, but I have to admit– I like singing my old favorites. For me, this Sunday is all “old favorites”. We will also have beautiful special music brought to us by members of the Kellar family as they celebrate both Don and Vivian’s 60th wedding anniversary and the baptism of the newest family member, Jenna Rose.

· This Sunday Jenna Rose Gibson, granddaughter of Janice and Lyle, will be baptized into family of our church. In the UCC, baptism is the moment we welcome the child into the church with the promise of “love, support, and care.” Let’s all be there to show an extravagant welcome to Jenna and her parents Justin and Lizzie.

· My sermon is called “Where are Your Loaves and Fishes” and challenges us to think about the feeding of the 5000. The text is Matthew 14: 13-21. I would recommend this link if you want to read up on the text:
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/You-Want-Us-To-Do-What-Alyce-McKenzie-07-25-2011

· Next Sunday is a “Join the Church Sunday”. Anyone want to take the plunge? Give Jane a call, she’ll be glad to discuss the details.

· And don’t forget to save the date:
August 4 The Silver Seniors Victorian Tea (2:00-4:00) at the church (which will be cleverly disguised as a 19th Century Tea Room).
All Over-the-Hill and Silver Seniors are invited (RSVP please)
August 5 Relay for Life. Come and support Team Zion.
August 12 the All-Church Garage Sale (bring your treasures/junk and drop off in the youth room)

Pastor Jane

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What’s Happening at Zion this Week?

What’s Happening at Zion this Week

· There are lots of reasons to come to worship this Sunday (actually every Sunday), but this week you should come for the singing. Janice has chosen three hymns that are wonderful to sing: “Joyful, Joyful”; “Child of Blessing, Child of Promise”; and my personal favorite “Here I am, Lord”. I like learning new songs, but I have to admit– I like singing my old favorites. For me, this Sunday is all “old favorites”. We will also have beautiful special music brought to us by members of the Kellar family as they celebrate both Don and Vivian’s 60th wedding anniversary and the baptism of the newest family member, Jenna Rose.

· This Sunday Jenna Rose Gibson, granddaughter of Janice and Lyle, will be baptized into family of our church. In the UCC, baptism is the moment we welcome the child into the church with the promise of "love, support, and care." Let’s all be there to show an extravagant welcome to Jenna and her parents Justin and Lizzie.

· My sermon is called “Where are Your Loaves and Fishes” and challenges us to think about the feeding of the 5000. The text is Matthew 14: 13-21. I would recommend this link if you want to read up on the text:

http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/You-Want-Us-To-Do-What-Alyce-McKenzie-07-25-2011

· Next Sunday is a “Join the Church Sunday”. Anyone want to take the plunge? Give Jane a call, she’ll be glad to discuss the details.

· And don’t forget to save the date:

August 4 The Silver Seniors Victorian Tea (2:00-4:00) at the church (which will be cleverly disguised as a 19th Century Tea Room).
All Over-the-Hill and Silver Seniors are invited (RSVP please)

August 5 Relay for Life. Come and support Team Zion.

August 12 the All-Church Garage Sale (bring your treasures/junk and drop off in the youth room)

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Food Pantry – urgent need again

Dear Friends,

The food pantry here at our Zion Church Bridging the Gap mission office has an urgent need again. We have provided assistance to many families this month (3 just today), and our supplies are getting extremely low. Could you help by donating food and/or paper products, or make a monetary donation to Bridging The Gap (checks payable to Zion UCC) and we’ll make the purchase? We are especially in need of food at this time, but can always use paper products, too.

Some suggestions are:

Cereal – Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Corn Flakes, oatmeal, etc.
Soup – chicken noodle, tomato, vegetable beef, etc.
Crackers
Peanut butter
Jelly
Tuna Helper or Hamburger Helper
Brownie or cake mixes
Cans of tuna, ravioli, corn, green beans, peas, pork & beans, peaches, pears, pineapple, fruit cocktail
Applesauce
Spaghetti or other pastas
Spaghetti sauce

Toilet paper
Soap
Kleenex
Paper Towels
Detergent

If you can drop your donation off at the church sometime this week, that would be very helpful. Otherwise, please bring it on Sunday. The Bridging the Gap food pantry thanks you in advance for any help you can provide!

Deb Ruble

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This Sunday at Zion!

So what’s happening at Zion this Sunday?

Well, worship is going to be excellent. We have been getting large summer crowds and making the energy in the sanctuary inspiring. My sermon is called "The Kingdom of God is Like the Seventeen-Day Diet". http://www.the17daydiet.com/ (turn your volume off). Find out what Jesus meant by "Kingdom of God" and why it’s relevant us for today. If you want to read the scripture ahead of time, it’s Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52.

There will be a children’s sermon and activity bags for each child. Never worry that your child is too loud or disruptive in church– at Zion we think that the sound of children is a good thing!

Our special music is going to be beautiful with two local vocalists. You don’t want to miss it.

Following worship we will have a pizza lunch for anyone who wants to attend the workshop dealing with youth in today’s church. It will be led by Reverend Nicole Havelka, Associate Conference Minister of Youth and Young Adults. Nicole is a talented minister and dynamic speaker. This workshop is not just for "youth leaders"; it is for any church member who thinks we should promote the presence of youth in church. Come to the workshop and learn how you can be supportive.

See you in the Pews!
Jane

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