Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
Zion Lutheran Church - Building on the First 100 Years
Years!
41 Whitmarsh Avenue
Worcester, MA 01606-3296
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A RECONCILING
ECONCILING IN CHRIST COMMUNITY
NEWSLETTER March 2015
TIME SENSITIVE
SUNDAY HOLY COMMUNION 9:00 AM (Nursery Available
Available)
WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER W/HOLY COMMUNION 7:00 PM
PLEASE DO NOT DELAY
nd
2 THURSDAYS REJOICING SPIRITS CONTEMPORARY W/HOLY COMMUNION 5 PM
Love is spoken here!
Be the living Eucharist!
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Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
The Pastor’s Corner
Jesus’ feet got dirty, his tunic too, as he and
his crew walked the dusty pathways getting to
and from the villages, towns, cities and
hillsides of the ancient Levant getting the Good
News out about the reality of God.
Rob Bell talks about Hebrew people who
took their religious understanding seriously as
being covered in “the dust of their rabbi”:
following the teaching and life example.
As our winter precipitation begins to melt our
streets, yards, vehicles, even our shoes and
clothing are covered with the dust of melting
products. Not quite the same thing. However, if
you think about it, it could be a reminder for us
in considering our walk with God, how we are
or are not following Jesus.
Approaching Maundy Thursday in the
Lenten cycle thoughts of the many-times foot
washing ritual in our services may come to
mind: us imitating the ancient act of cleaning
up from the day’s journey that scripture reports
Jesus enacted for his followers.
God manifest in the person of Jesus is
depicted serving us in the washing of his
disciple’s feet; the people who are coated in
the dust of following.
That serving includes bearing with us when
we forget God, yet still holding outstretched
arms ready to hold us (catch us), ready to
wash us clean from the dust of distractions
when we let it be so.
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Jesus’ walk toward the cross, his death,
rising and ascending to God’s right hand are a
clear model to us in following for the living out
of our lives: not breaking under the load of
cares and concerns, but willing and able
through a centering in faith (with the Spirit’s
power) to continue movement forward, onward
and upward!
Our separateness (each of us embody this
from time to time) from God, our sin, has been
taken away through Jesus’ perseverance in
loving us; standing up for right-living in the
midst of secular empire and dying to make the
point and prove God’s earnestness in holding
fast through love with us.
The walk we take in faith will likely be
covered in the dust of our Rabbi, Jesus the
Christ. Yet, blessed is this covering that we
hope fills our every pore with life-giving
hopefulness and peace!
May our journey toward the Easter
celebration of conquering sin and death
witness our deepening awareness for the love
that is eternally extended. May our ability for
the Spirit manifesting the hands and feet of
Christ through us gain ground in our homes,
communities and the world!
Your grace is eternal as is Your reign, O God. This
simple understanding, and it’s manifestation through
followers in faith, can be a game-changer for Your
creation.
May our willingness to be encased in the dust of
Jesus’ ministry bring honor to Your name, enliven our
pilgrimage on earth and by the Spirit’s leading bring
light by our witness into the dark corners of this earth as
we imitate the serving nature that is You.
In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.
Peace & grace +
Pastor Andrew
Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
Don’t be shy, stop on by!
God in the Public Space
put’s
Zion’s face forward outside of the church walls as a nonanxious presence as Pastor Andrew holds office hours
at the Gold Star Panera Bread location. Thursdays
from 2-4PM
Birgit Landgren
c/o Lutheran Healthcare
26 Harvard St., Worcester, MA 01609
Doris Brick
c/o Oakdale Nursing & Rehab.
76 No. Main St., W. Boylston, MA 01583
Howard Safstrom
c/o Worcester Health Center (formerly Autumn Village)
25 Oriol Drive, Worcester, MA 01605-1984
Irene Osterlund
c/o The Health Center
@ The Willows of Worcester
101 Barry Rd, Worcester, MA 01609
@ Carty Cupboard
Nancy Person
c/o Overlook masonic Health Center
88 Masonic Home Rd., Charlton, MA 01507
Thyra Steelman
Holy Trinity Nursing & Rehab Center
300 Barber Ave., Worcester, MA 01606
Jeff Moody
c/o Sandalwood Care & Rehabilitation Center
3 Pine Street, Oxford, MA 01540
…and those on our prayer list:
Elaine Henderson, The Wilders, Marshall
Tourtilotte, Karen Hanson, Liesl Voosen Fields,
Alex House, Judi Nelson, David Boyce, Knute
Ogren, Patrick Horgan, Dolares Carr, Karen
Kent-Hopkins, Emelia Quist, Dana Jolin,
Evelyn LaMonatagne, Sara Dalzell, Christine
Oldenburg, Erik Breitenfeld, Dick Farrar, Robin
Johns, Ray Odgren, Vanessa Terriault, Mark
Buckley, Beatrix Davis, Edith Henderson
Have you engaged with the prayer wall?
Pastor’s web page
http://GodTalk-Worcester.ning.com
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On the Wednesday of MA February school
vacation a large number of our youth, and
others from LIPY, served those in need
through Wesley United Methodist’s food
pantry.
This ministry of our UMC sisters and
brothers has been ongoing for 33 years and
serves a growing need in our city.
Our young people are continuing to learn
about reaching out through love, embodying
Christ as his hands and feet in action.
Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
Agency Focus this Month:
ZION OUTREACH
What a winter! Hopefully all of us are
coping without adverse incidents. There are
many people who have problems due to the
severe conditions—unable to get to work (no
paycheck) or out to shop for food, etc. It is
important to keep up our outreach programs—
the food for Abby’s House, warm clothing for
the homeless veterans. perhaps something for
IHN. If you have ever made a delivery to any
of the shelters we support, you know how
appreciative they are to receive the goods.
Also, don’t forget to check on your neighbors
who might need a helping hand. Spring
comes March 20!
The youth are certainly engaged in
outreach by working at the Carty Food Pantry.
Thank you LIPY-CM!
Take note of the opportunities discussed at
the annual meeting and listed also in Pastor
Andrew’s E-Updater of February 17. How can
you help? Give it some serious thought and
action.
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IHN – Interfaith Hospitality Network – is
currently providing food and shelter for 12
children and 8 adults. IHN does this by
partnering with local religious congregations,
such as Zion. The Greater Worcester chapter
manages a home on June Street in Worcester,
where the volunteer organizations donate gift
cards for residents to purchase groceries,
diapers, medicines, cleaning products, etc.
Each congregation also provides the
volunteers who serve as Early Evening and
Overnight
Hosts.
Ideally,
twenty-six
congregations each provide volunteers for 2
weeks every year. IHN not only provides food
and shelter to homeless families, but guests
also receive case management, assistance
with housing and employment search, and
accessing other support services.
Guests must qualify for the program, which
supports them while they are working toward
independent living. Some may have jobs;
some may even own a car. Guests cook their
own meals, unless a volunteer provides the
evening meal. No drugs, alcohol, or weapons
are allowed, and a curfew is strictly enforced.
Early Evening Host volunteers are
encouraged to join the families at the dinner
meal and to provide hospitality to the guests,
such as doing activities with children or
socializing with guests in the shared living
rooms. Sometimes just being available to
listen or to dispense needed medications is all
that is required. An attitude showing respect
and compassion for the guests is more
important than any other service you could
provide.
Overnight Hosts may also socialize with
guests. The host sleeps on the 1st floor to be
available in case of emergency or to dispense
any pre-approved medication. Families each
have their own bedroom. Staff will normally
arrive before 7am, when you can discuss any
issues that may have arisen during the night.
A log book is also there for volunteers to record
any events, good or bad.
Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
All Hosts, much like staff during the day,
provide support, comfort, and assistance to
families and to be there in the event of an
emergency.
Given the very small budget and staff at
IHN, they surely get a lot accomplished! Their
partnerships are critical to their success.
Zion’s next scheduled volunteer week begins
Sunday, July 5th. Save the date.
OPENINGS FOR FLOWERS
The following dates are available for flowers. Please
see the flower sign-up sheet on the bulletin board
outside of the Office . Thank you!
MARCH
03/01 – Open
03/08 – Open
03/15 – Donna Hayes
03/22- Open
03/29 – Doreen Hayes-Abbe
COFFEE SERVERS
MARCH
MARCH
03/01 – Altar Guild
03/08 – The Toombs Family
03/15 – Fellowship
03/22 – Mission Trip
03/29 – Palm Sunday
Everyone enjoys the Coffee Hour, it’s a
wonderful time to socialize with friends and
catch up on news. Anyone interested in signing
up for a Sunday please see the Sign-Up sheet in
the Palmer Room. Thank You!
Also, if you bring in any items, please make
sure that they labeled and dated. Thanks, Again!
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Bruno Koppetsch – 03/01
Emily White – 03/02
Sheila Harms – 03/03
Allan Wiinnikka – 06/04
John Erickson – 03/09
Raymond Bergman, Jr. 03/13
Alan Brackett – 03/17
Joseph Henderson – 03/27
Kate Henry – 03/20
Hannah Abbe – 03/29
Kristen White – 03/29
Jennifer Berglund – 03/30
Zachary Milton – 03/30
Doreen Hayes-Abbe – 03/31
Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
LENTEN POTLUCK
SCHEDULE
ASK THE PASTOR
Have you ever thought “I wonder what the
Pastor is thinking about…?” or “I wonder what
the Pastor’s thoughts are on…?”
ASK THE PASTOR in the Palmer Room
each 3RD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH at
10:30AM during the coffee hour.
Come on down, share your thoughts and
we’ll all learn something new, together ☺
MORE LIPY-CM
On Sunday, March 15th, from 3PM – 5PM the
meeting for all youth attending the April vacation
Mission Trip to DC
their parents/guardians
and chaperones will take place here at Zion!
PALM SUNDAY – Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser
Tickets available beginning Sunday, March 1st
Come, join us for food, fellowship and thoughts for
the season each Wednesday before Evening
Prayer @ 5:30PM in the Library!
As you can see in the picture, people are having
fun and enjoying good food! So, why not sign-up to
bring your “potluck” item on the sheet in the Chapel
Hallway?
DarkWoodBrew will be on tap ☺
“Busy – Reconnecting to an Unhurried God” takes it’s
cue from Phoenix Affirmation # 11 : Christian love of
self includes caring for our bodies and insisting on
taking time to enjoy the benefits of prayer, reflection,
worship and recreation in addition to work.
3/4
3/11
3/18
3/25
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Lenten Mid-Week 3
Lenten Mid-Week 4
Lenten Mid-Week 5
Lenten Mid-Week 6
Jennifer Kotzer
Cecil Prescod
Phileena Heuertz
Marci McFee
Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
ELCA presiding bishop
visits companion church
in the Holy Land
CHICAGO (ELCA) – In her first visit to the
Middle East as presiding bishop of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the Rev.
Elizabeth A. Eaton led a delegation Jan. 11-17 to
meet with leaders and members of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land – a
companion church of the ELCA. The delegation
also met with political and religious leaders,
including a meeting with the Council of Religious
Institutions of the Holy Land.
The ELCA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) are member
churches of The Lutheran World Federation, a
global communion of 144 churches representing
more than 70 million Christians in 79 countries. The
ELCA is the communion's only member church
from the United States.
During their visit, the delegation met with
students of the Evangelical Lutheran School in Beit
Sahour and Dar Al-Kalima Lutheran School in
Bethlehem. The school and educational programs
of the ELCJHL employ nearly 200 educators,
administrators, social workers and others, and
nearly all faculty and staff are Palestinians from
Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jerusalem and elsewhere.
The delegation visited Dar al-Kalima University
College of Arts and Culture in Bethlehem, and they
toured the Environmental Education Center in Beit
Jala, a ministry of the ELCJHL, to learn more about
the denomination's special ecological projects.
"The impact of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Jordan and the Holy Land upon the lives of all
people in the region is out of proportion to its size.
This relatively small church does enormous work in
education, humanitarian aid, environmental study,
advocacy, ecumenical and inter- religious relations
and peacemaking all while dealing with the difficult
and ever present reality of the Israeli occupation,"
said Eaton.
"This land has a unique beauty: green and
gentle in Galilee, severe and barren in the
mountains and hills around Jerusalem and the
West Bank. It wasn't what I expected the first time I
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saw it. It made me aware of all of the
preconceptions I bring with me to this place. That is
a dangerous thing to do," she said.
This trip marks Eaton's third visit to the Middle
East, first as ELCA presiding bishop.
The delegation visited the Aida Refugee Camp
in Bethlehem and also toured Augusta Victoria
Hospital, a ministry of The Lutheran World
Federation (LWF). The hospital offers the only
cancer facility for residents of the West Bank and
Gaza, and it employs more than 300 people. The
hospital was founded in 1950. Dr. Tawfiq Nasser,
the hospital's chief executive officer, and the Rev.
Mark Brown, LWF regional representative in
Jerusalem, accompanied Eaton on the hospital
tour.
"Augusta Victoria Hospital is a vital ministry"
said Eaton. "It is something that The Lutheran
World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America are committed to supporting,
have been, are now and always will be."
"We were very honored by the visit of Bishop
Eaton and her delegation," said the Rev. Munib
Younan, bishop of the ELCJHL and president of
The Lutheran World Federation.
"We arranged a program where she could meet
all concerned parties, all ecumenical parties,
representatives from all of the Abrahamic faiths,
and the work of Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Jordan and the Holy Land and The Lutheran World
Federation in Jerusalem. Through her visit, this
accompaniment relationship that started in 1988
was strengthened even more. It has helped us to
see that we both in the ELCJHL and ELCA have
been called together for a common mission for the
love of God in the Middle East and the United
States."
The ELCA delegation met with representatives
of the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy
Land – established in 2005 to ensure the ongoing
engagement of the leadership and representation
of the official religious institutions of the Jewish,
Christian and Muslim faith communities in the Holy
Land.
In addition to the council, the delegation met
with Patriarch Theophilos III, the Patriarch of the
Orthodox Church of Jerusalem; Patriarch Fouad
Twal, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church
and Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem; and Archbishop
Nourhan Manougian, Patriarch of the Armenian
Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
Eaton and others from her delegation met with
Palestinian Authority officials, the mayor of
Bethlehem, the Israeli Ministry of the Interior, Israeli
deputy foreign minister officials, the
e U.S. Consul
General and others.
Eaton addressed a gathering of ELCJHL pastors
and the denomination's Church Council. The
relationship between the ELCJHL and ELCA "is
deeply important to us," she said, adding that she
sees hope
pe for the land through the ministries of
ELCJHL. "When I think of people, Christian
brothers and sisters, who are in situations that
seem hopeless and they have hope, they give me
hope. This church is a source of hope for me when
I think there can be no hope," she said.
Images of the ELCA delegation's visit are
available at http://www.elca.org/LivingLutheran/Photos.
Renewing efforts for a two-state
state peace
agreement
In a Jan. 21 letter to President Obama, members
of the National Interreligious Leadership Initiative
for Peace in the Middle East urged the president –
in coordination with the Quartet (the United
Nations, United States, the European Union and
Russia) – to work with Israel and the Palestinian
Authority to renew efforts and achieve a negotiated
two-state
state peace agreement "before it is too late."
Eaton is among the Christian, Jewish and Muslim
endorsers of the letter.
In their letter, the religious leaders wrote that "the
Gaza war demonstrated once again that there is no
military solution to the conflict" and "given
developments on the ground, including dangerous
new violent clashes in Jerusalem, simply urging the
parties to return to negotiations is no long
longer
sufficient."
The leaders said that "the outline for a two
two-state
peace agreement is widely known and would likely
be accepted by majorities of Israelis and
Palestinians if presented by their leaders as the
only viable alternative to more violence and war."
The leaders urged the president to authorize U.S.
Secretary of State John Kerry – coordinating with
the Quartet and "drawing on internationally
accepted principles and practical ideas from
previous official and informal negotiations" – to
offer a balanced and fair framework to the
government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority
as the basis for negotiating a two-state
state peace
agreement to end conflict. Religious leaders also
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offered to meet with Kerry to discuss ways they can
be helpful.
- See more at:
http://elca.org/News-andEvents/7721#sthash.qEKcp06R.dpuf
For information contact:
Melissa Ramirez Cooper, Manager, Public
Relations
773-380-2956 or email
ELCA News: www.ELCA.org/news
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lutherans
Living Lutheran: www.livinglutheran.com
- See more at: http://elca.org/News-andhttp://elca.org/News
Events/7721#sthash.qEKcp06R.dpuf
Sunday School
Just a reminder that education takes place
EACH Sunday EXCEPT:
1) When church is cancelled due to
weather.
2) When advance notification has been
posted of holiday observances.
Join with us Thursday, March 12th for our
typically vibrant worship and receive renewal in
the true body and blood of the Christ in the
Eucharist as together we lift each other up
through our community in faith!
Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
Our youth, with LIPY-CM, are working to raise $s for a fresh drinking water well in sub-Saharan Africa.
Stop by the “well” in the narthex to make your donation today ($5/person recommended minimum)!
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Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
We are followers of the Way of Jesus, our rabbi!
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Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
$5/person for dinner
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Zion Lutheran Church – March 2015
Check here for any cancellations!
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