SAVE THE DATE:

2/3- FOUNDER’S

DAY

2/6- Lunch &

Laughter Seniors

2/13- Hope on the

Hill

2/24- Bowling at Jay Lanes

Zion Lutheran

Church

2019, February Dear Friends, St. Paul writes in Philippians 1: 6 – 11: 6I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. 7It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. 9And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

Zion’s 276th Anniversary brings us a time to look back at our history and toward what is coming in our future ministry and mission. By taking a careful look at where we are today, we can decide if we like who we are and how we are carrying out our ministry, and we can decide to stay the same or revise what we are doing. As you probably know, last year we began a process to interview for an additional staff position that would help us in the area of communication and adult learning. The result of our conversation led us to undertake the Missional Assessment Profile (MAP) process to attempt to measure where we are and where we are going. As a result of our findings with the MAP, the Congregation Council has proposed that we undertake a year-long strategic planning process that would review our ministry and mission. The goal would be to plan for the next decade of ministry. The planning/leadership team would report the findings, and any strategy that might arise from them, at the January 2020 Congregational Meeting. Part of that report might contain a revised or totally new Mission Statement. With the Apostle Paul and all the saints, we share in God’s grace, that blessing of love that God has reigned down upon us, love unmerited. Our love overflows more and more, all the time. And, with the Apostle, I believe that God’s love working through us will help us determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ we may be pure and blameless. May God help and strengthen us for this important venture. A very Happy Anniversary to Zion Lutheran Church and to all the saints who share her ministry.

Your companion in Ministry,

Pastor Paul

February 2019

Pastor’s Notes

Page 2 Parish Post February 2019

Social Ministry

Thank you to everyone who helped with Hope on

the Hill and Meals for Saint Mary’s in December.

We will be hosting Hope on the Hill on February 13th.

Please look for a signup paper in the Narthex.

~Susan Davis

SOCK IT TO ME!!

Throughout the month of February, we will be collecting new socks: all ages, all sizes,

all genders. Socks will be donated to In Ian’s Boots. To learn about this organization, go to

iniansboots.org Please bring all donations to the narthex.

February Birthdays 2/02 Emily Holmberg 2/03 Paul Peters Morgan Weaver 2/06 Mary Ahearn Christopher Sifford 2/09 Leigh Sifford 2/10 Jessica Acker

Jessica Hathaway 2/11 Kathy Spangenberg 2/12 Deana Cannon Brookelyn Rogers 2/13 Andrew Holmberg 2/14 Cathy Nolen 2/15 Ally Sutton 2/16 Nathan Frye 2/19 Kelly Thompson 2/22 Chelsea Saylor 2/23 Karie Walton 2/24 Monica Hall 2/26 Brittany Thompson Richard Weiss, Jr. 2/27 Joshua Ballard

Many thanks to those who contributed

goodies and helped with the First Responders

Sunday! It was wonderful seeing so many helping to

honor those who do so much for us.

Lunch and Laughter for Seniors

Wednesday February 6th at 12 noon Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches will

be provided. We are asking for donations of: crackers, fruit,

dessert and drinks. Please use the signup sheet on the table in the

Narthex to let us know if you are coming and what you will provide.

February Anniversaries 2/28 Ron & Peg Hoinowski

Parish Post February 2019 Page 3

February 24th, 2-4 pm

Join us for bowling at

Jay Lanes in Douglassville.

See Shawn Rogers for more details.

Christian Education

We are now halfway through the Epiphany season and are remembering all the wonderful things that Jesus has done for us! The Sunday School children are learning some of his amazing stories - his disciples in Luke and the Beatitudes are just some of the stories that they are learning in the month of February. Thank you to everyone who came out on January 20th for Zion’s birthday party. It’s a celebration of everybody’s birthday on one special day with 12 cakes (one for each month) and the singing of happy birthday to each and every one of us! Thank you to everyone who sponsored a table, made a cake or came up with a theme for each table. On January 27th, we went ice skating from 2 to 4 pm at Center Ice in Oaks and once again, what a great event we had on the ice. The Sunday School children are collecting nonperishable food items from now until Super Bowl Sunday, February 3rd. The food items will go to the Spring City food pantry. We thank everyone for helping to support our good cause. On February 10th, the youth group will be going to Coventry Mall to the escape room. Hopefully they will all make it out! On February 24th from 2 to 4 pm, the youth will be hosting bowling at Jay’s Lane in Douglasville. All are welcome to join us. Please let me know if you would like to join us for this fun event so I can reserve enough lanes. Please mark your calendar with some upcoming events: March 24 Youth Group Cook-off 6pm April 20 Easter Egg Hunt 11am May 5 Youth Sunday and Pancake Breakfast June 17 - 22 VBS July 19 Christmas in July July 29 Whitewater Rafting Trip All are welcome to join us on these special events! God Bless, Shawn M. Rogers Christian Education Director

Souper Bowl Sunday

February 3rd is Souper Bowl Sunday! Zion’s Sunday School Children will be

collecting non-perishable food items which will benefit the Spring City Food Pantry.

On Souper Bowl Sunday, we will also collect your Financial Contributions in soup pots.

Please drop off your food donations in

the Narthex.

Page 4 Parish Post February 2019

February 3 8:15am 10:45am

February 10 8:15am 10:45am

February 17 8:15am 10:45am

February 24 8:15am

10:45am

Assisting Minister

Bruce Wilson/ Tony Mandik

Mindy Swartley/ Ron Hoinowski

Paul Condrack/ Paul Peters

Cristal Cloud/ Debbie Batten

Lay Reader Brian Mickiewicz/ Josh Ballard

Steve Batten Jr./ Peg Hoinowski

Jena Dietrich/ Jody Cannon

Dan Bauman/ Amy Kirk

Acolyte(s) Riley Shillinger/ Kyle Nolan

Maggie Mastrangelo/

Hayden Siedlecki

NEEDED/ Paul Florio

Lucas Synder Christopher Kirk

Usher Leigh & Ruth Sifford/ S. Silvestri/M. Shaw

B. Grubb/ C. Davis/ Don & Kathy

Shaner

Moore Family/ NEEDED

Statzell Family/ Paul & Cathy Peters

Communion Assistants

Amber Statzell/ N/A

N/A/ Doris Bauman

Shawn Rogers/ N/A

N/A/ Lisa Ashburn

February 2019

Founders Day/Time After Epiphany

The month of February begins with Founder's Day. It was 276 years ago that Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg crossed into Chester County to establish Zion's Lutheran Church. 276 years later we are still bringing the good news of our living Lord to our community in word and song. Worship with us on the first Sunday, February 3rd, and be part of the “joyful noise” as we sound our trumpets and sing to praise the Lord. The time after Epiphany is a time of revealing. And just as Jesus was revealed to His disciples through His words and deeds of love, we strive to reveal Jesus in our words, spoken and sung, and through service in our community. There can never be too many voices to deliver the message we bring. If you're not already participating in our music program, now would be a great time to get involved. With or without a knowledge of music, there are ways to be a part of Music at Zion. I'm particularly interested in finding new members for our bells choir. Ringing is something that can be taught quite easily to anyone with the desire to just give it a try. If you ask me, I'll be happy to show you. Or maybe I'll come looking for you; don't be surprised if you see me coming your way. Blessings to all as together we venture into the 277th year of “joyously proclaiming the good news of God's love”. George Herbert Director of Music

Parish Post February 2019 Page 5

Ash Wednesday 3/6 Ashes only at 9:00 a.m.,

Worship Noon and 7:00 p.m.

Mid-Week 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10: Noon Worship

6:30 p.m. Dinner & 7:15 p.m. Worship

Maundy Thursday, 4/18: Noon & 6:30 p.m. Worship Good Friday, 4/19: Noon & 8 p.m. Worship

EASTER SUNDAY, 4/21: 6:00 a.m., 8:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Worship

2019 Lenten Mid-week Series: “Reading the Holy Bible with New Eyes”

Half off for 50 Years of Marriage Encounter In honor of 50 years of Worldwide Marriage Encounter, Lutheran Marriage Encounter is offering 50% off on all registration fees for 2019! Whether your marriage is practically perfect or whether you have some struggles, couples overwhelmingly report that the Weekend is the best thing they have ever done for their relationship! The 2019 Northeast US spring Weekends are: April 5-7, 2019 at Country Inn & Suites just off of Hwy 99 in State College and April 26-28, 2019 at Heritage Hotel Lancaster in Lancaster, PA.

For information visit www.godlovesmarriage.org

Thank you to the members of

Zion for your thoughts and prayers for me

while I was convalescing after my surgery.

Kathy Spangenberg

Page 6 Parish Post February 2019

December 11, 2018 Council Action Items Approved Brian Mickiewicz and Diane Sakal to be representatives at the Chester

Conference meeting on February 19th

Agreed to recommend to the congregation a follow up to the M.A.P. process. This

would be a year-long small-group process that would seek to envision ministry for

the coming decade.

1st Responders – agreed that (1) police officers could wear weapons in church and

(2) that we would fund a luncheon for up to $1,000.

Agreed that an excused absence at council meetings would require prior notification

except in the case of an emergency.

January 8, 2019 Council Action Items Voted to accept new members Mary Ahearn and John & Maureen Jacobsen, Grace

and baby into the Zion congregation

Annual Congregational Meeting set for Jan. 27th. Committee chairpersons and/or

members are encouraged to attend to present reports and answer any questions

and also to improve communication with the congregation.

Recipient(s) of the 2019 Richard G. Nelson Award discussed and chosen.

Recipient(s) will be announced on Founder’s Day, Feb. 3rd.

Approved George Detwiler to be another check signer for Zion.

Discussion on the need for more committee members, especially for the Finance

committee and for reforming the Mutual Ministry committee.

Voted to reimburse Andrew Fatula for $400 that he lost when the pallets that the

bricks for the walkway are stored on could not be returned in a timely fashion. The

delay was due to weather and drainage issues. This will be paid from the Capital

Campaign.

Voted to approve a youth group event at the “Escape Room” at the Coventry Mall.

Church Council Meeting Minutes The minutes from the monthly meeting of Church Council are available to all church members.

Email is the preferred method of communication so please provide your email address to Cathy Peters if you haven't already done so.

If you don't have email, a copy can be mailed to you, or you can pick up a copy from the table in the Narthex.

Any questions regarding the minutes should be submitted to Cathy

and they will be answered by a member of the appropriate committee.

Office contact information: Email: church@zionofspringcity.org

Phone: 610-948-3323

Parish Post February 2019 Page 7

Notes From the Preschool

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

Services are Sunday 8:15 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.

Sunday School 9:30am

Email: church@zionofspringcity.org

Office Phone: 610-948-3323

Website: www.zionofspringcity.org

Facebook Page: Zionofspringcity Group Page: Zion Of Spring City

Friends

Greetings from the Preschool! Did you know that we are now accepting registrations for September 2019? At Zion Lutheran Preschool, we welcome children ages 2-5 in our programs. If you or someone you know is looking for a quality preschool program, please feel free to give us a call at (610)948-3440. I would be happy to take our on a tour to meet the teachers and see our program in action. Also, visit our website at www.zionlutheranpreschool.com for more details about our classrooms. We do provide priority placement and a monthly discount to families from Zion Church! I hope you will decide to come visit us and see what makes our program so special! Although it has been cold outside, our days are full of fun and excitement to keep us all warm. In January, the children had a wonderful time watching a winter magic show performed by Tom McDonnell. They also have been busy making many snow themed art projects, hearing winter stories, acting out nursery rhymes, and learning new songs. Our afternoons have been busy with Playball (a fitness program), Science and Technology Club, and our Winter Enrichment Club. Coming up in February, we are looking forward to parent/teacher conferences, and Valentine’s Day parties. Also, we will be inviting our preschool families and staff to attend Preschool Sunday here at Zion on February 10th! Have a great month! Sincerely, Dawn Platchek

Preschool Director