Don’t miss all the

information on our

expanded Youth

and Family pages.

Lot’s of new and

exciting events for

our youth will be

found on pages 9

thru 16!

Share. Grow. Serve.

Zion Lutheran Church, Middletown, MD

Message from Pastors, p.2

Mid Week Lenten Series

p. 3

Easter Lily/LWR info p.4

Cemetery p.5

Welcome Center p.6

Zion Quilters p.7

Youth Events, p. 9-16

Break away Day p.8

Day Off Programs p.14 - 15

Golf Tournament info p.20-21

Frederick Symphony

p.24

Zion Music Calendar

p.25

SERRV p.28

Lenten Mid-week at Zion

Join us for our midweek meal and learning series starting February 21

See page 3 for

complete Details

Holy Week Events Palm Sunday, March 25

services at 9 & 11 a.m.

Maundy Thursday, March 29

services at 12:30 & 7 p.m.

Good Friday, March 30

services at 7 p.m.

Holy Saturday, March 31

services at 6 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 1

services at 6:30, 9 & 11 a.m .

2

Pastoral Letter – Lent 2018

I am looking forward to our 2018 Lenten season at Zion. Lent is a very special time of the year for people of faith. It is a season of the year when we experience a time of preparation and time of spiritual joy.

Historical Footnote

What is the meaning of Lent? Traditionally it is a period of fasting, prayer, and self-denial observed by many people of faith. It begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday. The length of the Lenten fast was established in the 4th century as 46 days (40 days, not counting Sundays). During Lent, participants ate sparingly or gave up a particular food or habit. It was six weeks of self-discipline. The purpose of the Lenten disciplines was to draw the faithful into a time of spiritual renewal.

Preparing for Easter

The word used for Lent is tessarakonta (in the original Greek), which means ‘forty’. The Forty days of Lent is the period of preparation for Easter. Holy Week is a period of two or three days preparation specially commemorating Christ’s passion and death – the ‘Holy Week’ is part of Lent today. The length of time (40 days) was adopted in imitation of the forty days that Jesus spent in the desert at the beginning of his public ministry:

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights and afterwards he was famished. (Matthew 4:1-2)

We will be using “The Easter Experience” as our Lenten preparation and worship theme. The Easter Experience is, as its name implies, a truly spiritual experience. Our Lenten journey will feature weekly videos on the passion and resurrection of Jesus. This video series brings to life the forty days of Lent through dramatic storytelling and challenging teaching. Continuued >>

3

“During the Easter Experience we will feel, meet, and enter the last few hours of Jesus’ natural life as well as the first few hours of His resurrected life. This video series is great for families and individuals during the Lenten season. Join us for a journey back to examine what was happening in the hours leading up to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion.

Each week in Lent we will gather for a meal at 6 p.m., brief worship followed by a showing of the Easter Experience video at 7 p.m., and small group discussion and reflection at 7:30 p.m., ending by 8 p.m. I look forward to our “Easter Experience” Lenten journey as we experience together the gift of joy filled lives!

Grace and Peace - Pastor Marv **********************************************************************

Zion Lenten Schedule February 14 Ash Wednesday - Worship 7 p.m.

Wednesday, February 21, Mid Week – Session 1: My Life Has A Purpose

Wednesday, February 28, Mid Week – Session 2: My Life Can Change

Wednesday, March 7, Mid Week – Session 3: My Pain Is Understood

Wednesday, March 14, Mid Week – Session 4: My Life Has A Plan

Wednesday, March 21, Mid Week – Session 5: I Have the Promise of Eternal Life

Wednesday, March 28, Mid Week – Session 6: My Hope Is Secure

Schedule - Wednesdays in Lent:

6 to 6:45 p.m. Meal 7 to 7:30 p.m. Worship & Video 7:30 to 8 p.m. Small Group Discussion and Reflection

4

Attention All Young Adults! You Are Invited to the

2018 Practice Discipleship Retreat

It’s a safe place to consider questions like, “What challenges do you face? Where is the opportunity? What are your fears and anxieties? What are your joys? How are you living into your calling as a disciple of Christ.

When? 6pm February 23-1:30pm February 25 Where? Mar-Lu-Ridge Inn at 4341 Mountville Rd. Jefferson, MD 21755 Who? Post High school 18 through 30

How much? $50.00 for Zion members and friends. The fee should be made out to Zion with “PD Retreat” in memo line. (you can pay by smartphone too. text 77977, then zionmiddletown. And indicate it as fee for pd retreat.)

For more information and to sign-up contact Karl Muhlbach at karlmuhlbach@gmail.com or talk to him at church!

Clothes Closet News: Clothes Closet News: It has

been a busy start to 2018 at the Closet. We have greeted our regular clients and helped a family who lost everything to a house fire. It is being able to help these individuals that make this ministry worthwhile! Thank you to everyone who has cleaned out their closets and donated to us. We especially continue to have a need for shoes/boots and children's clothing. Thank you in advance!

Easter Flowers and Lutheran World Relief ( LWR)

Members of the Altar Guild will be available to take orders for

Easter flowers and Lutheran World Relief (LWR) gifts after the Sat-

urday evening and Sunday services on February 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24

-25, and March 3-4. Lilies and tulips will be $10 each. Please indi-

cate on your order form whether you are picking up the plant or

taking the plant to a homebound member of Zion. Plants may be picked up after the

11:00 a.m. worship service on Easter Sunday, April 1. All orders must be received by Sun-

day, March 4. No orders after that date as our supplier needs to know our total number

in order to meet our request. LWR gifts must also be received by March 4. Forms are

found on pages 18 and 19.

5

Stewardship in Action

The responses to the INvitation by the members of Zion have been generous and enthusias-tic. Most active members returned pledge cards for their financial support of Zion’s continu-ing ministries. The pledges also show commitments to share time and talents in a variety of ministries and faith activities at Zion and in our community. The Congregation at Zion Lutheran Church is blessed to have individual members who have devoted decades of service to the ministries and the church’s faith community. It brings everyone great joy to see the new faces and hear new voices of those who have accepted the INvitation and who have joined to commune at the table. The INvitation is continually open and all are welcome. The Stewardship Team will meet regularly in 2018 and Team members welcome any feedback that members of the congregation can provide about Stewardship Ministry Team activities and events. Please send any questions or comments to Bruce Albright, Team Chair, via e-mail to Bal-bright123@comcast.net or Ike Ahalt, Council Member, ikeahalt@msn.com

Greetings from Zion's Prayer Team,

We meet on Monday morning at 9am in the Garden's Edge. We would like to invite you to join us. All prayer requests are kept confidential. There are different ways to make a prayer re-quest: Our prayer wall, located in the front right side of the sanctuary, is always here for you to write down your request and place in a slot. You can call the church office, 301-371-6500, and they will call us with it. You can contact anyone of us on the prayer team. Our contact information is in the church directory. When a request comes in during the week, we notify all the team members to start praying immedi-ately. We love getting feedback on requests we have prayed for. Please consider joining us on Monday mornings. We would love to have you. Karen Hollis, Linda Huckleberry, JoAnn Poffenberger, Trish Tollefson and Victoria Breeden.

Important Message from the Cemetery Committee All Flowers and decorations on and in the ground at and around headstones MUST be

removed by March 1st. This rule has been in place for years, but must be enforced to allow

proper maintenance for the continued excellence of the cemetery caretaking.

All items remaining will be removed. All gravesites must remain clear of items in or on the

ground during the mowing season.

Thank you for your understanding, The Cemetery Committee

6

GriefShare Support Group

GriefShare is a support group that meets weekly for 13 weeks. The program is nondenominational and features biblical concepts that help you to find healing through your grief journey. There are three key parts to the GriefShare program:

Video seminar-Encouraging information provided by grief recovery experts. Support group-Small group discussion about the video content. Workbook-journaling and personal study exercises that reinforce the weekly sessions. Our next 13 week session begins Monday, February 26, and meets from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The meeting is held in the Living Library at Zion. For additional information please contact the church office (301-371-6500) and you will be connected with one of the GriefShare leaders.

Welcome Center First, the Welcome Center provides information for those who are new to our church and members as well. Having pleasant welcome center hospitality hosts is a great way we offer visitors a person to person introduction to Zion. Visitors like to receive information about Zion without overpowering them with intimidating or too much mate-rial. We stock the Welcome Center with the right informa-tion—such as Sunday bulletins, upcoming events and interest-specific pro-grams like Bible studies, youth groups, GriefShare, Day Off programs, Safe House, music ministries, Celebrate Recovery and Sunday school details.

Second, the welcome center also features information and resources for visitors and members. This past year we added the Square Register as a way to give to regular offering, special offering, or pay for registration fee. The Welcome Center also features a TV monitor with up to date information about events and happenings at Zion.

Finally, we want to thank all the Welcome Center Hosts for their service and warm presence at the Center. They are: Rosella Wilson, Carolyn Toledo, Jay Goodman, Mary Ann Marcantonio, Ed Hollis, Shelly Gladhill, and Gail Lewis.

7

Religious Coalition Initiative by Zion’s Quilters The Religious Coalition of Frederick County relies on the generosity of the people of Frederick County to help those in need. The knitters took 150+ hats, scarves and mittens as well as 25 pillowcases into the shelter before Christmas. At that time they were asking for travel size personal hygiene items to include but not be limited to: Shampoo & Conditioner, body wash, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving cream, razors, deodorant, feminine hygiene supplies, brushes and combs, hand sanitizer, lotion. Also needed is laundry detergent, disin-fectant wipes, bleach and rubber gloves. For the next four weeks we will be collecting items for this effort. A box for donations can be found on the deacon’s bench in the main hallway. Your donations

will be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please call Alexa at 301-514-4479 or email at amasser202@comcast.net.

Zion’s Celebrate Recovery The purpose of Zion Lutheran Church´s Celebrate Recovery ministry is to fellowship and celebrate God´s healing power in our lives through the "8 Recovery Principles." This experience allows us to "be changed." We open the door to change by sharing our ex-periences, strengths and hopes with one another. In addi-tion, we become willing to accept God´s grace in solving our lives´ problems. By working and applying these Biblical principles, we begin to grow spiritually. We become free from our addictive, compul-sive and dysfunctional behaviors. This freedom creates peace, serenity, joy and most importantly, a stronger personal relationship with God and others. As we progress through the program we discover our personal, loving and forgiving Higher Power - Jesus Christ. Zion’s Celebrate Recovery program meets 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at Zion. Celebrate Recovery welcomes all people to this life changing ministry!

Pill Container Initiative by Zion’s Quilters The quilters are collecting used pill bottles and vitamin bottles. In third world areas, such as Africa and other areas patients arrive at the Dr’s office for treatment with nothing in their hands. The Doctors do not have anything in which to put medica-tions so they hand the medications to the patient who may have to walk miles to get home. By the time they are home the medication has dropped on the ground or broken apart or been crushed. We are collecting used pill bottles (please remove any labels from the bottle) and vitamin bottles with lids to be sent to third world countries. The box can be found on the deacon’s bench in the hallway. If you have

any questions, please call Alexa at 301-514-4479 or email at amasser202@comcast.net.

8

BREAKAWAY DAY

We hope you can join us for this BREAK-AWAY DAY - a time to get away for a few hours and learn some soul strengthening and joy filling principles from God's Word through our featured speaker, Gwen Smith. Gwen is also an author, singer and songwriter... and we are excited to welcome her to Sis-ters In Faith on Saturday, April 14 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

We will have our usual yummy catered lunch and door prizes ... and this year there will be more shopping opportunities than ever. Along with Gwen's books, CDs and t-shirts, we'll be featuring Mary & Martha home products and more!

Are you ever sobered by the distance between where you are and where you long to be when it comes to faith? Do you ever feel like the pace of life is a quicksand that leaves you gasping for breath and straining for peace? Even if you have never come to an event like this before, please consider this relaxed, casual day where Gwen will teach us through her relatable stories and amazing musical talent.

One more bonus... this year we have a childcare option for you! The wonderful people at The Arena Indoor Sports Complex in Mt. Airy have offered to host your children (ages 3 and up) for a day full of fun while you are at Sisters In Faith. The cost is $30 for the first child and $10 for each additional child in your family. You will need to provide their lunch and snack. They will enjoy an array of activities from arts/crafts and games to an obstacle course and a moon bounce! To register your child(ren), just click on this link: http://bit.ly/2B9vXfG (space is limited.)

Our continental breakfast will be served between 8:00 and 8:45 am. Doors will be open for Sanctuary seating at 8:45 am. We look forward to seeing you on April 14!

Your Sisters In Faith

9

Join us for a craft, games, snacks and an Easter Egg Hunt in the Social

Room at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 31,2018. Open to all kids and their

families,

up to 5th grade ~ Invite your Friends!

R.S.V.P. to youthandfamily@zionmiddletown.org

301-371-6500, ext. 203

Zion Lutheran Church Easter Egg Hunt 2018

Family Movie Night

February 23rd March 23rd

Gnomeo & Juliet Paddington

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.,;the movie will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Popcorn, pizza and other snacks will be provided for a free will offering.

Invite your friends and neighbors!

Future 2018 Dates - April 27 - May 25- August 31- September 28

October 26 - November 30 - December 21

***************************************************************************************

10

Mar-Lu-Ridge—2018 Summer Camps Available for the Whole Family

Registrations are being received for Mar-Lu-Ridge Summer Camps

2018. Full information is online at www.Mar-Lu-Ridge.org or in the

brochures with all information available on the bookcase by the

church office. Scholarships are available (1/2 the cost of camp up to

$200.00) If you are interested please send forms to Wendi

Kishimoto (for completion of scholarship information.)

If you have questions please contact Wendi at 301-371-6500

or email office@zionmiddletown.org.

Upcoming Noisy Offering Schedule

February 18 ~ Alan P. Linton Cold

Weather Shelter

March 18 ~ Middletown Community Clothes Closet

Introducing our Co-Directors of Youth and Family Ministry In this new year we are excited about the opportuni-

ties for ministry to be growing with our children,

youth and families. We are blessed to have Debbie

Reichelt and Wendi Kishimoto move forward with

this ministry. They both have been involved with our

youth and family ministries these past few years.

Both Wendi and Debbie are excited to be our

Co-Directors of Youth and Family Ministries.

11

COMMUNITY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

2018

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

July 9th - 13th

Time: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

(Drop off between 8:50-9:00 a.m. and pickup promptly at noon.

(Supervision will not be available outside those times.)

Who: Children ages 4 through completed 5th grade

Where: Meet and dismiss in the Social room each day.

Cost: $5/child (if registered before June 30th)

12

Attention Middle School

We are going to Turner’s Skating in Hagerstown on Friday,

March 2nd for roller skating!

Be sure to invite your friends to come! We will meet at the church in

the Social Room at 6 p.m. for pizza and then head up to Turner’s for

roller skating!

The cost per person is $5.

We will return to the church at 9:30 p.m.

Sign up by calling 301-371-6500, ext. 203 or by email

youthandfamily@zionmiddletown.org

13

Safe House—Thursdays after school Join us and bring a friend or come to meet others.

Every Thursday when school is in session 3 — 5:30 p.m. at 118 Green Street

Van transportation from school is available.

After school snacks and drinks are provided at no

charge. Caring adult volunteers and high school helpers

at Safe House welcome the students and supervise. Tu-

toring/homework help is available.

A Parental Contact Form must be completed and on file

for each middle school participant. Forms are available

from the middle school guidance office or may be re-

quested from the Zion Church office (301.371.6500 ) or

register online at zionmiddletown.org

For more information, please contact office@zionmiddletown.org or 301.371.6500

Thursday, February 1 3:00 – 5:30 Social time, games, HW

room & tutoring

Thursday, February 8 3:00 – 5:30 Social time, games, HW

room & tutoring

Thursday, February 15 3:00 – 5:30 Social time, games, HW

room & tutoring

Thursday, February 22 3:00 – 5:30 Social time, games, HW room & tutoring

Thursday, March 1 3:00 – 5:30 Social time, games, HW room & tutoring

Thursday, March 8 3:00 – 5:30 Social time, games, HW room & tutoring

Thursday, March 15 3:00 – 5:30 Social time, games, HW room & tutoring

Thursday, March 22 3:00 – 5:30 Social time, games, HW room & tutoring

Thursday, March 29th NO SAFE HOUSE Spring Break begins

February & March 2018

14

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

FEBRUARY DAY OFF PROGRAM Zion is offering day programs for elementary and middle school aged children (K-8th)

on certain days FCPS schools are closed. Join us for structured games, crafts and other

activities. Bring your lunch with you!

Who: Elementary School and Middle School Youth

Who else: YOUR FRIENDS!

When: Monday, February 19, 2018

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $20/Child

(Checks payable to Zion Lutheran Church)

RSVP: Advanced sign-ups are REQUIRED by February 11th for this event

because we will be traveling off-site to I Made This! to paint our own pottery

Kids will be going to I Made This! to paint their own pottery. Make sure to

dress in play clothes that can get messy. We will be eating lunch at the

church after our pottery painting, please bring a bagged lunch.

Please return forms and money to:

Zion Lutheran Church

Attn: Day Off Program

107 West Main Street

Middletown, MD 21769

Contact the church office with questions (301-371-6500 )

15

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

APRIL DAY OFF PROGRAM Zion is offering day programs for elementary and middle school aged children (K-8th)

on certain days FCPS schools are closed. Join us for structured games, crafts and other

activities. Bring your lunch with you!

Who: Elementary School and Middle School Youth

Who else: YOUR FRIENDS!

When: Tuesday, April 10th

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $10/Child

(Checks payable to Zion Lutheran Church)

RSVP: Advanced sign-ups are REQUIRED by April 6th for this event

because we will be traveling off-site to Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia, for a

scavenger hunt.

Kids will be hiking in Harper’s Ferry. Make sure to dress in play clothes and

closed toed shoes. We will be eating lunch at Harper’s Ferry; make sure

to pack a lunch and extra water.

Please return forms and money to:

Zion Lutheran Church

Attn: Day Off Program

107 West Main Street

Middletown, MD 21769

Contact the church office with questions (301-371-6500 )

16

Beginning February 11th

On the Second Sunday of each month we will offer

faith-based activities during worship services at

9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Kids of all ages are welcome, nursery care will be

available for little ones!

After the activity kids will join their parents in

worship! If you have any questions please contact Deb or Wendi

at youthandfamily@zionmiddletown.org

17

18

Zion’s Memorial Garden needs gardeners!

If you have ever taken the time to stroll though

Zion’s Memorial Garden you know what a

wonderful place it is. I often walk out and just sit on

one of the benches and enjoy the flowers, shrubs,

plants and other flora. It is a wonderful spot.

For this garden to continue to prosper we will need

some volunteers to help with the planting, upkeep,

and maintenance required.

Please consider joining this ministry! Your help will

be appreciated, and will keep the Garden open for

the community and will continue to touch all who

enter it.

Spring is right around the corner!

Contact the church office for more information at

jhoover@zionmiddletown.org or 301-371-6500

19

I was Wondering: What was accomplished by Zion’s Property

committee in 2017?

There has been much accomplished in 2017. New windows were installed in the lower floor of the

original church, resulting in reduced heating costs and a reduction in drafts in the lower Faith Forma-

tion classes. It also did away with the expense of replacing the deteriorating storm windows as well.

The repairs to the clogged drain on the east side were completed and several sections of side

walk had to be replaced. This work was done with the help of Eddie Main, Dixie Eichelberger, and

Keller Dean. The wall on the east side has since dried out to a point where the dampness of the inside

walls has dissipated.

The 8000 gal fuel oil tank was removed per direction by the Maryland Department of the

Environment. This was accomplished at a cost $10,000 to $11,000 under the other bids, with the

removal being done by Floyd Cramer and Sons. The removal received a clean bill of health showing

no contamination, and the ground has settled enough for them to come back and add topsoil and

reseed this spring.

Four electrical outlets were added to the modesty rail at the front of the Sanctuary per the

Fire Marshall’s recommendation. These now power the video monitor, the climate control system in

the grand piano, and the new audio monitors used by the Worship Team and Worship choir. We also

had new twilight sensors installed on the rear parking lot lights, and installed a ground on the new

natural gas meter on the west side of the building by the Garden’s Edge entrance. This work was

done by Allen Coblentz Electric. We also replaced the security lights in that location with LED fix-

tures, and added a timer to the newly installed LED lights under the front portico (Thanks Eddie

Main)

Painting work completed were the lower outside entrances, and the outside of the Living Li-

brary windows off the old handicap ramp. (Thanks Lee Ropp and Blaine Shatzer)

The conversion to Natural gas is complete with the cost of just over $11,000 funded by the

building fund. We converted the main furnace in the old section, as well as the smaller furnaces in

the new section that were previously fueled by propane. Mark Ahalt charged us no labor, and dis-

counted the parts. After receiving our first monthly bill, it appears we should recoup our expense in

15-18 months.

Work completed in the kitchen included replacing the leaking faucets in the kitchen, repair-

ing the latch on the storm door, and fixing the Commercial Dishwasher. We also replaced the dam-

aged rug at the inside entrance to the kitchen. We also replaced a faulty Water Heater in the Men’s

bathroom by the Conference Room.

Jim Hoover On behalf of The Property Committee

20

A message from Bishop Gohl:

Our sisters and brothers in Puerto Rico continue to be

devastated by the effects of hurricanes earlier this season. Half

the island is still without electricity and there is widespread

need for food, potable water, and dependable internet/cell

phone service. Our desire to “go” to help is hampered by a lack of infrastructure for which to

receive us. With other synods in the church, we are working together to raise an offering for

the Caribbean Synod to help with material goods that can help the congregations continue the

important work of recovery. On Sunday, February 11 (Transfiguration), I am asking all of our

congregations and ministries to receive a special offering for Puerto Rico. I will share that gift,

on our behalf, in the ways the Caribbean Synod Bishop and Synod Council think best for help-

ing our sisters and brothers in Puerto Rico. I will announce the total received on March 11 and

send the funds in time for Holy Week and Easter.

To read weekly updates from Bishop Felipe, you can follow the Caribbean Synod at https://

www.facebook.com/elcalcs/.

21

22

Members of the Altar Guild will be available to take orders for Easter flow-ers after the Saturday 6:00 p.m. and Sunday 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services February 3-4, February 10-11, February 17-18, Febru-

ary 24-25, and March 3-4. The cost is $10 for lilies and $10 for tulips. Please be sure to indicate on your order form whether you are picking up a flower(s) or taking a flower(s) to a homebound member of Zion. If you wish to leave your flower(s) to be delivered by the Altar Guild to homebound members of Zion, please mark your form accordingly. If you indicate on the form that you will pick up your flower(s), please remember to do so after the 11:00 a.m. worship service on Easter Sunday, April 1.

All orders must be received by Sunday, March 4. No orders after that date, please! Our supplier needs to know our total number early in order to meet our request.

Orders will also be accepted by completing the form below and mailing with a check to Zion Lutheran Church, 107 West Main Street, Middletown, MD 21769. Please mark

your envelope “Easter Flowers”. Orders must be received by Sunday, March 4.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2018 Order Form for Easter Flowers

Total Amount Enclosed $__________

______ Lily ($10.00) ______ Tulips ($10.00)

In Memory of: In Honor of:

__________________________________ __________________________________

__________________________________ __________________________________

__________________________________ __________________________________

__________________________________ __________________________________

Given by

____________________________________________________________________________

_______ I will pick up _____tulip _____lily (Put in number you are picking up)

_______ Please deliver to the sick or homebound

_______ I will deliver to

____________________________________________________________

(Please put in name if member of Zion.)

Time to Order Easter Flowers

23

Zion is providing an opportunity to remember or honor a loved one with a monetary gift to Lutheran World Relief (LWR)—an alternative to purchas-

ing a lily or tulip. All gifts will be combined to make a purchase from the LWR gift cata-log to help a family and/or a community in need.

Members of the Altar Guild will be available to take donations the same days that the Easter flower orders are taken: February 3-4, February 10-11, February 17-18, Febru-ary 24-25, March 3-4. Monetary gifts will be accepted no later than March 4.

Monetary gifts will also be accepted by mailing the completed form below with a check to Zion Lutheran Church, 107 West Main Street, Middletown, MD 21769. Please mark your envelope “Monetary Gift for LWR”. Monetary gifts must be received by March 4.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2018 Monetary Gift for LWR

Each gift is $10.00 Total Amount enclosed $________

In Memory of: Given by:

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

In Honor of: Given by:

__________________________________

__________________________________ __________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Monetary Gift in Memory or Honor of Loved One

24

The Frederick Symphony comes to Zion on February 11, 2017 at 3:00p.m.

Join the Frederick Symphony for our second FSO Symphony Spotlight

Series chamber concert, performed by musicians from the Frederick

Symphony Orchestra, as well as guest artists. Featured on this program are

chamber works by Mozart, Beethoven and Saint-Saens, as well as a selection of songs from the Civil War for brass

ensemble – and a special presentation commemorating Zion Church’s role as a Union field hospital.

Tickets are $15.00 in advance, and $23.00 at the door

For more information visit: http://www.fredericksymphony.org/concerts/mozart-on-the-civil-war-trail

Hope in Faith

If you have experienced a loss recently or at any time in your life, please know that you are welcome to attend. Contact Dixie Eichelberger at 301-371-4232 for more information. We meet on the last Monday of the month at 2:45p.m. in the rear parking Lot. The next meeting will be held on Monday, February 26th.

Are you interested in joining

this Ministry?

An opportunity to Serve

Others . Do you have some

time available to visit

someone who is

homebound? Contact Fran Taylor via the

church office at 301-371-6500

Caring Ministries

25

Zion Music Winter- Spring 2018 CHILDREN’S CHOIR /CHILDREN’S HANDBELLS: pre-K to grade 5

Rehearses every Sunday, 10:50 - 11:30 am lower level of sanctuary Programs: select Sunday mornings through the year

See Director, Dana Lichtenberger HANDBELL CHOIR: grades 6 to adult, every other Tuesday, 6:45 - 7:45 pm

Rehearsals: Jan. 16, 30 Feb. 13, 27 March 13, 27 April 17 May 1, 15, 29 Programs: Sun., March 4, Sun., April 8, Sun., June 3

See Director, Jim Dent LITURGICAL DANCE: rehearsal times/locations/programs to be announced See Director, Anna Beth Fowler ORCHESTRAL ENSEMBLE: grades 6 to adult; any orchestral instrument; reads 3 sharps / flats Rehearsals: 7:30 – 8:00 pm on: Thursdays, March 8 & 22, and Tuesdays, March 13 & 27 Program: Easter Sunday, April 1, 11:00 am Rehearsals: 7:30 – 8:00 on: Thursdays, May 17 & 24 and Tuesday, May 22

Program: Sunday, May 27 offertory for 9:00 am/opening anthem-hymn 11:00am See Director, Jim Dent RAINBOW CHOIR: adults sing for select Wednesday 7:00 pm Lenten worship

Rehearses 6:45 pm on Thursdays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 Programs: Wed., March 14, 21, 7:00 pm Lenten worship & Good Friday, March 30

See Director, Jim Dent

WORSHIP CHOIR: grades 9 to adult, minister in 3 & 4 part voices for Sunday 11:00 am worship Rehearses every Thursday, 7:15 - 8:45 pm See Director, Jim Dent

WORSHIP TEAM: Contemporary Worship Music ministry on Sundays, 9:00 am

Rehearses every Wednesday, 7:00 - 8:30 pm sanctuary See Director, Matt Puziss YOUTH ENSEMBLE: grades 6 thru college, worship and singing/playing techniques emphasized. Rehearses every Sunday, 10:45 - 11:30 am in music room

Programs: Sunday morning 9:00 & 11:00 am services on: Feb. 25 & April 29 and

Good Friday evening, March 30

See Director, Jim Dent or Assistant Directors, Jim Moler or Kurt Witt

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CareNet Annual Dinner If anyone is interested in attending CareNet’s annual Dinner on March 24, 2018 at the Clarion

Inn Frederick Event CDoors will open at 5:00 pm with light appetizers. Seating will begin

at 6:00 pm. We are excited to share that our guest speaker this year will be Abby John-

son. Abby has always had a fierce determination to help women in need. It was this desire

that both led Abby to a career with Planned Parenthood, our nation’s largest abortion pro-

vider, and caused her to flee the organization and become an outspoken advocate for the

pro-life movement Contact CareNet at 301-662-5300

CareNet Pregnancy Center Campaign for Lent

Zion again participates in the CareNet Pregnancy Center "Change for

Life" during Lent (February 14th to April 1st, 2018) Empty baby bot-

tles will be available to pick up in the side windows of the sanctuary or

outside the church office. Please take your bottles home or to work

with you and toss your spare change in the bottles each day. Remember

to bring your filled baby bottle/bottles back to church with you anytime

on or before Easter Sunday. Drop off bottles in the boxes located out-

side of the church office or in the front windowsills of the sanctuary.

Thank you for your help in supporting the Care Net Pregnancy

Center. Questions? Please contact the church office

301-371-6500 or office@zionmiddletown.org

Thank You! Many thanks for your generous dona-

tions toward the Adopt a Family with

MVPHP at Christmas. Many faces wore

big smiles all because of your generos-

ity. May God continue to bless each of

you here at Zion.

Thanks again Donna Jean Brandenburg.

Thank you for the gifts your church

provided that funded my scholarship for

Seminary which made my education for my

future call in word and sacrament more

attainable. It is through your gracious gift

that I am able to attend Seminary at

United Lutheran Seminary.

With many Thanks,

God’s Peace and Blessings,

Leandra A.

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Middletown Food Bank

All canned items are needed,

toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant,

toothbrushes, disposable razors,

soap, toilet paper, and detergent. Please give

whatever you can. Just place the items in cart

located in the hall.

With our deepest sympathy we keep in our thoughts and

prayers the family and friends of:

Steve Riggs

Mel Dageforde

Donald Keller

Barbara Sparkman

James "Fred" Alexander

Evelyn Kee

Herb Dumars

Betty Jane Reaves

Congratulations on the birth of:

Tate Ryder Knox, born on January 5th, son of Dustin and Sarah (Huffer) Knox.

Valley Seniors and Friends Lunches & Fellowship

1st & 3rd Thursdays: March 1st & 15th

April 5th & 19th

11:30a.m. to 1:00p.m.

See you this Spring! Reserve your meal!

Please call Terry Shafer, 301-371-8837, by the Monday before the luncheon to reserve your meal.

Dear Zion Members, Thank you for your prayers and support

during the illness and death of our sister,

Barbara Sparkman. The cards, emails, and

many expressions of sympathy are greatly

appreciated and have been a comfort to us

during this difficult time.

Thank you and God Bless,

Shirley & Mike Ferguson, Ruth and Hal

Warnock, Nancy and Wayne Bagent

Thank you to so many Zion friends who

sent cards, sent Email, called and expressed

condolences at the death of my mother,

Betty Jane Reaves. Your expressions of care

and comfort helped our family through the

holidays. I am blessed by this church family

and staff.

Pastor Ron

Thank You!

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Non-Profit Org.

U.S. Postage PAID

Frederick, MD Permit No.

2205

Evangelical Lutheran Church Zion

107 W Main Street Middletown MD 21769

ZION BEACON Phone: 301-371-6500; FAX 301-371-8100

office@zionmiddletown.org.

Are you or a family member celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary? Let us know

and we will include it in the newsletter.

SERRV Volunteers: Thank you for your support! Here is an opportunity to volunteer for “Material Resources” in the New Year.

1. A Workday at Material Resources, to once again check those vital hygiene kits:

Wednesday March 21, 8:30 to 3:30, with a complementary lunch provided.

2. A Workday at SERRV: to once again check those beautiful carvings, weavings, paintings, or other such lovely work by very gifted Third World artists, and artisans, thus providing for them a market they otherwise would not have: Friday, March 16 8:30 to 3:30, with a complementary lunch provided.

For more information please contact Roger Burtner at 301-432-5772 or reb21756@msn.com. 35 Mt. Hebron Rd, Keedysville, MD 21756. He will provide the Parental Permission Forms.