God's Work. Our Hands Sept 7th

God’s Work. Our Hands.

God’s Work.  Our Hands is also a perfect way to honor our founders by bringing their legacy and vision to the forefront.

Please join us in God’s Work. Our Hands starting in less than two weeks on Sunday, September 7th following the 9:00 a.m. worship service for one hour of service to our congregation and its members. Let’s rebuild our commitment to each other so that we can better serve our community. Sign-ups are on the bulletin board in the Narthex for our first project.

· We are looking for volunteers as handyman helpers (there will be cards to fill out to suggest members who may need help with small fix it jobs. i.e. change light bulbs, batteries in smoke detectors, weed a flower bed, etc.) 

· Baking cookies and/or cupcakes for shut-ins and deliver on Sunday, September 7th. 

· Writing “miss you” notes to ‘missing’ members to encourage them to return to a caring congregation.

· Writing cards to shut-ins.

· Making packets for our families of children baptized in our church to encourage their relationship with Christ.

· Final Exam Care packages to college students from Zion.

REMEMBER TO SAVE THE DATE!

Chili Vortex ( Chili Cook off )

Chili Vortex
On one of the coldest Thursday evenings, Zion’s hearts were warmed with chili and soup as over $400.00 was raised for World Hunger. 

I would like to thank the following Chili chefs: Dave Jacobson, Lyle Lee, Melissa Bahena, Jim Roman, Mike and Cindy King, Heather Wick, Larry Brendum, Dan and Mona Druckrey and Jan Balabuszko.

Thanks to the soup chefs: Patti Lee, Cheryl Sturges, our Bread Maker Jim Tracey, and Dessert bakers: Lois Bender, Sam Larson, Lois Swenson, Tanya Hoemke, Beth McCuen, and Marilee Sellers. Thank you to John Enight for providing the drinks and Bob Brockway, who helped him serve our beverages. Thank you to Mike King and the Wednesday night youth for setting up the Fellowship Hall.

I would like to especially thank everyone who ventured out into the cold with friends and family and enjoyed our Chili Vortex. 

Dennis Sturges

2014 Mardi Gras March 2nd

Mardi Gras!
On Sunday, March 2nd, our high school youth will be hosting “Mardi Gras”. Mardi Gras will start off at 4:00 pm and end around 6:30 pm. There will be a dinner, and entertainment immediately following the dinner. The pre-sale tickets are $8.00 and at the door of the event will be $10.  If you remember the last Mardi Gras, it was standing room only. So get your tickets early and come enjoy some of the best known talent Zion members have to offer!

If you have a talent to share with us, please contact Cheryl Sturges or Michael King.

High School Youth

High School Coffee Hour

Our next high school coffee hour will be Sunday, March 9. The theme will be St. Patrick’s Day. Think “Green & Faith”. Please drop off baked goods between 8:00 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.

High School Meeting
Our next high school meeting will be Sunday, March 9th after coffee hour at 10:00 a.m. Please bring in money from the coupon books we have been selling the past month. We will discuss upcoming fundraisers and future projects. 

Lenten Services

Lenten Services
Starting on Ash Wednesday, March 5th, we will have Lenten worship at 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday through April 9th. We ask that ALL parents attend these services with their children from the KICK program.

Also during the Lenten Season, we will be having our Soup Supper at 5:30 p.m. After dinner, Pastor Nord will be holding a discussion on this year’s theme “Facing the Cross”.  Following the group discussion, worship begins.

Soup Supper during Lenten Season

Soup Supper

We are looking for volunteers to sign up for our Wednesday night soup suppers during the Lenten season. It will be begin on March 5th at 5:30 pm. On Ash Wednesday, the soup has been chosen and it’s called “Wintery Mix”. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex. Just put your name next to the available date and bring a pot of your favorite soup. If you can, please bring the soup about 15 minutes before serving so we can warm it up. Thank you!

Women of Zion - March Retreat

Women of Zion—March Retreat

Come join us on Saturday, March 15th for a luncheon and tour of the Boone County Museum.

The Retreat is open to men and women. We will meet at the museum at 10:00 a.m. and get a guided tour; then have a cold lunch of submarine sandwiches, chips, drink and dessert.

The cost is $5.00 per person to cover the cost of the meal and any extra proceeds will be donated to the museum. 

A sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the narthex. Questions? Call Cindy. 

Social Ministry

Social Ministry

The Social Ministry committee wants to thank everyone who donated jeans to Carpenter’s Place. In the month of March, we will be collecting diapers of all sizes and wipes for Remedies, formerly known as WAVE in Rockford. Look for the gray collection tote in the narthex by the bulletin board. We will be collecting the diapers and wipes March 1—March 16.

Zion will be collecting the following non-perishable foods and money to be used for purchasing hams for the Salvation Army Easter Distribution.

Items needed are: canned sweet potatoes, canned vegetables, scalloped potatoes or instant mashed potatoes, cake mix and frosting, jello, and Easter candy. Please put any monetary donations in an envelope and write “Ham” on it. Collections will be from March 23—April 13.

Thank you for helping feed those less fortunate in our community.

Fellowship Opportunities

Fellowship Opportunities
Zion’s Book Club meets on the second Monday of each month. We will meet on Monday, March 10 at 7 pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will be reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. Please join us!

The Beach Party has been re-scheduled to Saturday, March 22nd from 3–6:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Come in your beach/tropical attire for beach games, food, and to watch the newest beach movie. Please come out as a family and let the kids bring a friend. This event is open to the public. A free will offering will be collected to help offset expenses. Join us for a great time!

2014 Synod Opportunites

Synod Opportunities
The 2014 Congregational Resource Event will be held on Saturday, March 8 at Kishwaukee Community College in Malta. This event is one of the synod’s finest. Everyone in Zion’s congregation can take advantage of this learning event to strengthen skills, gather resources, network with others, and discover new ways to enhance ministries.

Come, experience and bring home new ministry tools. Registration forms are available in the church office.

David Njos Zion's New Head Usher

Zion is proud to announce that David Njos is assuming the positon of Head Usher from Bob Brockway, who had held that position since the earth cooled (well, it seems like its been forever!).

Thanks to Bob for the many years of service.

Please know David may be calling you to volunteer to user at Zion's worship services and funeral services.     

Yard of the Month

Wow! Thanks Dan, and Swanson Family for making the yard look good.

Zion Peace Garden

Have you seen the new area on the west side of the church.  Check it out.

Disaster prepardness 101 Seminar

Thanks to Joy Medrano LSSI Director of Disaster Response and Todd from CERT Belvidere Fire Dept.  for the presentation and discussion on what and how our church as a whole can respond to a local disaster in the community.  Thanks for coming.

Eagle scout project