We  recognize many of our church family will be severely impacted financially during this time of crisis. We encourage you to utilize the many resources available as far as food and financial help and know that our members will continue to support and look out for our neighbors, families, and community.

It is also critical that we continue to contribute financially to Zion during these stressful times.



Anyone would like to receive the Sacrament of Home Communion who is not a regular recipient, or anyone who would like to have a home visit is asked to contact the church office (724-3502), and the necessary arrangements will be made.




Donations of canned goods to support Operation Help are collected the first Sunday of each month. A collection bin is provided in the dining room. Help reduce hunger by donating nonperishable items.


Weekly practice for both choirs has resumed. There is always room for more members!


Our Neighbors In Need offering will be received on October 2nd.The Neighbors in Need offering supports the UCC’s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects. Working with members of the UCC Justice and Peace Action Network. (a network of thousands of UCC justice and peace advocates), Justice and Witness continues its strong policy advocacy work on issues such as the federal budget, voting rights, immigration, health care, hate crimes, civil liberties, and environmental justice. Neighbors in Need also supports our American Indian neighbors in the UCC. One-third of the offering supports the UCC’s Council for American Indian Ministries (CAIM).


The 2023 Confirmation class will be commissioned next Sunday during worship. Class will begin after worship at 11:30 a.m. and will be taught

by Barb Engle


We will meet October 8 at 9 a.m. for our Adopt-A-Road project. Please meet at our location on 900N.



B



O God of all nations

image bearer of every living soul,

We turn our hearts towards you

in this hour of yet another step

towards the alluring love for power

and military might over peace,

compassion, or justice.

We have been here before, God…

on the brink of human lives

created in your image

being destroyed.

We have been here before, God…

where attempts to work

towards peace and diplomacy

have been met

with defiance and violence.

We have been here before, God…

where children will grow up

without parents,

where families will be displaced,

and where trauma will live

in memories and bodies

for generations to come.

It is not enough for us

to express to you

our being brokenhearted…

Even though we are.

It is not enough for us

to shed our genuine tears

on behalf of those living in Ukraine…

Even though we do.

It is not enough

to offer a post on social media…

Even though solidarity is needed.

We need a true Just Peace

that begins with our lives.

Use us in our communities,

Empowering God,

To embody justice, compassion,

and peace in our relationships.

Embolden us to urge

those with influence

in our global policies

To embrace a vision

of liberation and hope

that will ensure the safety

and peace of all.

O God,

Make us instruments of your peace,

In our lives, in our churches,

in our conferences,

our ecumenical partnerships,

in our global missions,

And in all of our relationships.

Through your ways of peace

made known in Jesus,

We are called

as the author of Ephesians reminds us

To live “with all humility and gentleness,

with patience,

Bearing with one another in love,

Making every effort

to maintain the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.”

Let there be peace on earth

and let it begin with us.

May it be so. Amen.



/
Lightbox image