Ash Wednesday, March 1St Jim Miller, Head Usher

www.zionspottstown.org The Tymes, March 2017 Zion’s United Church of Christ Email: [email protected] FAX: (610) 323-3426 Phone: (610) 323-3637 Those serving this month:

Altar Guild - March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26 April 2 Louise Communion Communion Griffiths Lectionary Lectionary Lectionary Lectionary Readings: Readings: Readings: Readings: Genesis 2:15-17, Genesis 12:1-4a Exodus 17:1-7 1 Samuel 3:1-7 Romans 4:1-5, Romans 5:1-11 16:1-13 Financial Romans 5:12-19 13-17 John 4:5-42 Ephesians Secretary - Matthew 4:1-11 John 3:1-17 John 9:1-41 Financial Elaine Secretary – Richards Abundant Bold Blessing Thirsty Voices Restored Julie Rhoads Grace

Financial Assistants Julie Rhoads Craig Strunk Bob Witmyer Audry Stengel Elaine Richards and Diane and Jen Young and Jim and Brenda and Dusty Andres Eschbach Ross Rhoads

Usher in Charge – Susan Embody Dusty Rhoads Craig Strunk Julie Rhoads James Miller 10:15 a.m.

Ushers – Cheryl Drake, Sharon Moser, Diane Andres, Dusty Jim Eschbach, 10:15 a.m. Sharon Moser, Nancy March, Jim Kirkhoff, Rhoads, Craig Strunk, Sandy Mary Frantz, Audry Stengel, Diane Andres, Marsha Biehl, Schollenberger Brenda Ross Dick Frantz Lu Ann Brenda Ross Yerkes

Ash Wednesday, March 1st – Jim Miller, Head Usher. Pick ushers at Service

**Please Note there are no Mid-Week Lenten Services this year.

www.zionspottstown.org The Tymes, March 2017 Zion’s United Church of Christ Email: [email protected] FAX: (610) 323-3426 Phone: (610) 323-3637 610-323-3637 and listening to the message. Consistory Highlights Cancellations will also be posted on WFMZ Channel 69 TV. Please remember, it is often Dusty Rhoads – President impossible to properly clear snow and ice from the Bob Witmyer – Vice President/ sidewalks and the parking lot in time for Sunday Worship & Ministry morning service. Louise Griffiths – Secretary/Treasurer Elaine Richards Sharon Moser Dale Drake Diane Andres Joan Miller Dick Frantz PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRIES

Consistory met Monday, February 13th in the Prayer Shawl Ministries will meet on the third Chapel. Diane Andres offered devotions to begin Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at the the Lenten season. Guest, Brian Miller attended. church. Everyone who knits or crochets or who Secretary read a letter from Pennsylvania would like to learn to knit or crochet is invited to Southeast Conference thanking Zion’s for their join us in this rewarding ministry. Knitting continued support to OCWM, Our Church’s Wider needles, crochet hooks and a variety of yarn is Mission, of $ 3,800.00 which was the amount available for your use. We look forward to seeing approved in the 2017 church budget. you on Tuesday, March 21st. Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities is celebrating 50 years of service to the community with a dinner at Sunnybrook on March 19th. Adult Sunday School Class Consistory voted to place a quarter ad in their program that evening. Dick Frantz will create the The Adult Sunday School class this year is ad. doing a lectionary based curriculum called Painting of the interior of the church began Seasons of Spirit. Each Sunday stands on its February 8th. At the same time, maintenance on own, so feel free to join us any time. organ pipes and organ chamber have begun. We will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning Walls and ceiling in chamber have been crumbling in the first classroom at the bottom of the due to water damage from the leaking church stairs. roof. Areas will be scraped, sealed, and repainted. Chimes in balcony were serviced and tested with approval from Rev. Mary Etta. Susie Embody has agreed to take charge of Women’s Fellowship News the Grocery Card program. See Susie in the upper Sunday School hallway to purchase Women’s Fellowship will meet on Tuesday, March Redner’s or Giant grocery cards on Sunday 7, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. Eleanor Mauger will lead us morning. in worship. Betty Leister and Cheryl Drake are the Emmanuel Lutheran Church requested use of hostesses. After the business meeting we will be basement area of the Chapel on March 11th from entertained by The Spring Street Songsters. All 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. for their Saturday night women are welcome to attend our meeting. Community meal. Request approved by Bring a relative, friend or neighbor for Consistory. Janet Nash has agreed to oversee as an afternoon of Christian fellowship. Zion’s representative. Women’s Fellowship will again be selling Ice Ash Wednesday will be celebrated in the Chapel, House hoagie tickets from March 1, 2017 through March 1st. There will be NO mid-week Lenten May 31, 2017. Tickets are $ 7.00 each and are services this year. Maundy Thursday will be good for one small hoagie. Tickets can be celebrated with our new part time pastor, Rev. purchased from any member of Women's Austin Chinault. Fellowship.

Louise Griffiths, Secretary

Music Report from Cancellations Rev. Mary Etta We are still in the season of snow and ice. If church has been cancelled you can check Choir Schedule for March, April, by calling the church phone number May, June 2017

www.zionspottstown.org The Tymes, March 2017 Zion’s United Church of Christ Email: [email protected] FAX: (610) 323-3426 Phone: (610) 323-3637 Handbell Choir The dry goods department is continuing the Ringing: March 12, April 9, May 14 implementation of SmartChoice for personal Rehearsals: care items. They are always in need of Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. except personal care items such as soap, shampoo, Ash Wednesday (3/1) deodorant etc. Last Rehearsal - Wednesday, May 10 UP3 workshops started on February 8th with Polishing Party - Wednesday, May 17 l5 people registered. The Trauma workshop for UP3 grads, participants, volunteers and Senior Choir staff was held on Feb, 13th. Jenn Brown is Singing: every Sunday; maybe Ash now in charge of this program since the Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday; resignation of Amy Rossman who is pursuing Last Singing: June 4 her education. Rehearsals: every Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. The Housing Resource Center reported that Last Rehearsal: Wednesday, May 31 6 families were rapidly rehoused with kits, and 20 families were counseled and diverted Invitation: On Wednesday, May 17, come at from shelter. Thanks was extended to those 7:00 p.m. to join the Handbell party who donated sheets, blankets and pillows. These items are no longer being accepted as Summer Special Music they have quite a large supply on hand at the Please choose a Sunday between present time. Wendy Gaynor who was in June 11 and September 3. charge of this program has resigned and is Tell Rev. Mest (610-659-2775, now working with the Chester Co. food [email protected]). program. Please ask your children and grandchildren. Kim Dent, Development Dir,, is now working on activities for 2017. Bingo will be held at the Coventry Mall food court on the third Monday of the month at 9:00 a.m. The 50th Redner’s and Giant Market Anniversary Party will be held on March 19th at Sunnybrook Ballroom. Tickets are $25.00. Gift Cards Members and friends may purchase a Giant Joan Clouser, Delegate and/or Redner’s Gift card to use for groceries or gas. Denominations of cards come in $25, $50, or $100. There is no charge to you but our church receives 5% of the grocery card purchase price. Gift cards to Redner’s or Giant are available Sundays in the Christian Education building or during the week through the church office.

I would like to thank everyone for their Support, Cards and Flowers. Your words of encouragement and friendship along with all the Cluster News hugs are very much appreciated. Again, let me say thank you for remembering us in your prayers The monthly Cluster Delegate meeting was at this very difficult time for us. held on February 2nd at First Presbyterian Sharon Moser & Family Church. The food pantry is doing well with the SmartChoice program. New pantry hours will Dear Zion's Family, start in Feb. and doors will open at 10:30 Thank you for your cards, phone calls, and a.m. for shoppers. Foods needed are kindnesses during Doris' illness. She appreciated canned soup, mac and cheese, jelly, hot and all of your thoughtfulness. We also appreciate all cold cereals, pasta, canned meats, canned of your expressions of sympathy upon her fruits, rice and stuffing mix. No egg cartons passing. Your caring thoughts are comforting to are being accepted at this time. us. Love,

www.zionspottstown.org The Tymes, March 2017 Zion’s United Church of Christ Email: [email protected] FAX: (610) 323-3426 Phone: (610) 323-3637 Jim & Joan Miller 11 - Eric Albitz

12 - Shirley Witmyer

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE 16 - LuAnn Yerkes Jim Demeter Sunday, October 1, 1:30 p.m. Pottstown CROP (Communities 17 - Stephanie Miller Responding to Overcome Poverty) Michael Albitz Hunger Walk 18 - Samantha Lewis

Starting at First Presbyterian Church, 23 - Norma Bechtel 750 N. Evans Street, Pottstown 28 - Jim Whisler Watch for the Pottstown PA page at Scott March www.crophungerwalk.org Amanda March (Facebook available there also) Use the website to gather sponsors for 31 – Krista Yerkes yourself. Rewards are given to you for stated number of sponsors. Have a fun afternoon walking through Pottstown with friends! Start inviting friends now! ZION'S PHILIPPINE STUDENT MISSION Member’s Directory For several years Zion's has been supporting Nikki Jhan and Charlyn from a program in The 2017 Member Directory is now available at Damaguete City, Philippines. Tricia Heydt and the church office. Kaaren Steiner exchange letters with the teenagers. Charlyn is 14 and has three sisters. Her mother accepts dressmaking jobs to help support the family and her father is a delivery truck driver. Charlyn is learning to play the guitar and works hard at her studies. Nikki Jhan just turned 15 and lives with his parents and two brothers. He also works hard in Gene and Tina Weaver school and enjoys soccer, volleyball and biking. 35 years on March 27 April and May is summer vacation for him and Charlyn and they attend camp every year. In Michael and Jean Gauger 2016 the theme was "Good Leadership-our 30 years on March 28 offering to God." The last day the campers presented songs, memory verses, skits, drama and dance. Letters from both students express Thank you's for the support and blessings from Zion's. We as a congregation are very fortunate to be able to March 1 - Julie Rhoads play an important role in their lives. Betty Hawthorne In the Chapel Building near the water fountain is a map, letters and photos of Nikki Jhan and 3 - Mary Frantz Charlyn. Take time to learn more about them.. 4 - Nathan Camacho

7 - Chris March Gene Weaver SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS 10 - Doris Evenstad

www.zionspottstown.org The Tymes, March 2017 Zion’s United Church of Christ Email: [email protected] FAX: (610) 323-3426 Phone: (610) 323-3637 Thank you to Kaaren Steiner, Tricia and Travis When the early followers of Jesus suffered a Heydt for sharing information in church on famine in Jerusalem, the Apostle Paul organized February 19th about our children we sponsor in an appeal to respond to their needs. Christian the Philippines. We thank them for the ongoing communities in distant places contributed to this correspondence with the children on our behalf as ecumenical offering, just as we do all these well. The children are given the opportunity to centuries later through One Great Hour of pursue an education as a result of our Sharing. sponsorship and we know they are very grateful The One Great Hour of Sharing offering reaches for that. Thank you to Zion's members that those near and far, sometimes changing the life of contributed $157.51 on February 19th to help us someone in distress in your own community, while continue this mission. at other times impacting the lives of those we may never meet. God provides the resources so that SAVE THE DATE--Zion's Egg Hunt will be we can give back. United in Christ, we help Saturday, April 15th from 9-10:30 a.m. (More provide access to healthy food, good education, information to follow in the April Newsletter) health care and shelter after devastating storms. Our abundance becomes their need and their need becomes our abundance. What if we all lived as if this is our call? We would change the world. Thank you for your generous support! This special offering is on March 26th. Envelopes will be in the Bulletins. Souper Bowl of Caring

We received $ 158.00 in the soup pots on Redner’s Receipts! February 5th (Super Bowl Sunday). Thank you to all for your generosity to tackle hunger. The Please place your Redner’s Save-a-Tape donations will be sent directly to The Pottstown receipts in the box in the lobby of the Sunday Cluster of Community Churches. School building. Remember to use your Gas or As of this date, for 2017 the event has had 4,928 Save-a-Tape card (they are the same) when participating groups and the total donations so far making your purchase. We need the entire are $ 7,530,184.00. register tape in order to get credit. Also it has to It is a blessing that so many are able to share have the words Save-a-Tape on it. Redner’s will their gifts. donate 1% of sales to our church. These funds are deposited in the General Fund.

One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering

March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4

Ash World Day of Wednesday Prayer Service, 7:00 pm

Choir Rehearsal Wednesday Crew Quilters

www.zionspottstown.org The Tymes, March 2017 Zion’s United Church of Christ Email: [email protected] FAX: (610) 323-3426 Phone: (610) 323-3637 March 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 5 6 7 8 Int'l. 9 10 11 Women's Day Communion Women’s Fellowship Wednesday Meeting, 1:30 Crew pm Quilter Handbell/Choi r Rehearsal

12 Daylight 13 14 15 16 17 Saint 18 Saving Begins Patrick's Day Consistory Wednesday Handbells Meeting, 7:00 Crew Ringing pm Quilters Handbell/Choi r Rehearsal

19 20 Spring 21 22 23 24 World 25 Begins Tuberculosis (Northern Prayer Shawl Wednesday Day Hemisphere) Meeting, 1:00 Crew pm Quilters Community April Tymes Handbell/Choi Meal at Deadline r Rehearsal Emmanuel, 12:00 pm

26 27 28 29 30 31 Notes:

OGHS Special Offering

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Zion’s United Church of Christ 209 Chestnut Street Pottstown, PA 19464

Newsletter

www.zionspottstown.org The Tymes, March 2017 Zion’s United Church of Christ Email: [email protected] FAX: (610) 323-3426 Phone: (610) 323-3637 Potato Filling Sale We are going to bring back an old tradition here at Zion’s and offer potato filling for sale for Easter. We will be taking orders for pans of potato filling to be picked up between noon and 2:00 p.m. on Maundy Thursday, April 13th or that evening after 5:00. The filling will be sold in 13 x 9 inch pans at a price of $10.00 each. If you would like to have a pan, or pans, of filling; please fill out the order form below and send it with your payment to the church office. The deadline for ordering will be Sunday, April 2nd.

*Pick up will be between noon and 2:00 p.m. in the dining room Thursday, April 13th.

Thanks for your support of this project. Elaine and Julie

Potato Filling Order Form

Name: Phone Number: Pans ordered: @ 10.00 each Total Cost:

*Please note estimated time you will be able to pick up your pans of filling. Noon – 2:00 p.m. 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. After Maundy Thursday Service Other

www.zionspottstown.org The Tymes, March 2017 Zion’s United Church of Christ Email: [email protected] FAX: (610) 323-3426 Phone: (610) 323-3637