ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
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.
There will be no choir practices until the end of August. Weekly practice for both choirs will resume August 31st.
Clothe A Child enrollment has been reopened due to high demand for help with school clothes. United Way is working with Love INC to distribute the names of children needing help and extended the deadline until September. Each child is provided with 2 outfits, shoes, socks, and underwear. Over 200 names have been received by United Way. If you are able to help, please give your donation to Jan Miller or Kacie Shaffer by September 1st.
The Men's Fellowship Golf Outing and Cookout has been rescheduled for Sunday, August 21st., with golf at 3 p.m. and cookout at 6 p.m. There is room for a few more golfers if you want to sign up on the registration sheet on the Third Street bulletin board. Please bring lawn chairs and a covered dish to share. We hope you will join us for an afternoon of fun and good food.
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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.