Zion Lutheran Church

Stephen Ministry Congregation                                                                             ChristCare Congregation

UPCOMING EVENTS

Don't forget to turn your clocks AHEAD 1 hour before going to bed Saturday, March 13th

JOIN US ON OUR LENTEN JOURNEY!

Mid-Week Services are held every Wednesday in Lent at 10:30 AM and 7 PM.

This year we will examine our fears and think about how our lives would change if we could live fearlessly.  We will be using Max Lucado's new book, Fearless.  If you are interested in purchasing a copy, the price is $15.  Please call the church office at 412-881-5512 or email at zlcbrentwood@juno.com so we can order a copy for you.

Join us each Wednesday in Lent as we take a hard look at our fears and a harder look at the One who makes it possible to overcome our fears.

• February 17 -- Fear Filled or Faith Filled? (Chapter 1)
• February 24 -- Fear of Not Mattering (Chapter 2)
• March 3 -- Fear of Disappointing God (Chapter 3)
• March 10 -- Fear of Running Out (Chapters 4 and 9)
• March 17 -- Fearing the Worst (Chapters 5, 6 and 7)
• March 24 -- Fearing the End (Chapters 8, 10 and 11)
• Maundy Thursday, April 1 -- Be No Afraid! (Chapter 15)
• Good Friday, April 2 -- Fear of Being Forsaken (Chapters 12, 13 and 14)
  • Good Friday Services at 10:30 AM (Children's Service); Noon to 3 PM (Tre Ore Service) and 7 PM (Tenebrae Service)

This year Zion will be hosting the Wednesday Noon Lenten Lunches for the community churches, beginning Wednesday, February 24.  Each Wednesday, there will be a lunch prepared by a Brentwood church, followed by a Lenten meditation presented by that church's Pastor.  On March 3, the women of Zion will be preparing the lunch and Pastor Riesen will deliver the Lenten meditation.

Meager Meals will be held during Lent in Fellowship Hall every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 PM before the start of the 7 PM worship service.  Members are asked to bring a soup or salad or rolls or dessert to share.  A monetary gift is appreciated if you can't bring a food item.  The money will be used to purchase items, if needed, for the next meal.

There is a sign-up sheet in the Narthex for the Meager Meals.  If you would like to help set up before the meal or clean up afterward, please call Diane DeBor at 412-714-4715.

ZION SUPPORTS THE STEWART AVENUE FOOD PANTRY

Zion is pleased to support the Food Pantry at Stewart Avenue Lutheran Church.  After all services the first weekend of each month, volunteers will be standing at the exits with plastic bags, which serve as a gentle reminder to bring non-perishable food items to church the next week.  Donations can be dropped off in the baskets under the table in the Narthex or under the coat rack next to the Heritage Chapel.  All non-perishable food items are welcome donations, but the clients at the Pantry especially appreciate cereal, tuna/salmon, peanut butter and jelly, packaged pasta and sauce, Campbell's soup, canned spaghetti, fruit and vegetables.  Food bags will be distributed the weekend of March 6 and 7 and we ask that you bring your donations the weekend of  March 13 and 14.  Each month, the Food Pantry helps more and more individuals who are unable to put food on the table for themselves or their families.  Your donations are GREATLY appreciated--every month more and more people in need are coming to the Food Pantry for assistance.  If you are interested in helping to distribute the reminder bags, please contact Lou or Vicki Flotta at 412-466-9108 or click here to complete the on-line opportunities form.  Remember--Hunger doesn't take a vacation for the summer!  Thank you for your support!

ALPHA IS BACK!

What is Alpha?  It is a 10-week course which will run every Tuesday from April 6 through June 8 from 6 to 8:15 PM in Fellowship Hall, and you're invited to join us for food, fellowship and conversation centered around the Christian faith.  Alpha begins with an informal dinner, followed by large group learning, and ends with small group discussion and interaction around a series of topics such as "Who is Jesus?" and "Why and how do I pray?"  Alpha is relaxed, non-threatening, low-key and fun.  It's an opportunity for you to get to know others, listen, learn, discuss and discover.  And ask anything.  Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile.

The first night isn't a commitment.  It's simply a chance for you to see if Alpha might be for you.  You're invited to bring a friend.  Alpha is great for those wanting to further investigate Christianity, new Christians, newcomers to Zion and those who want to brush up on the basics.

If you attended Alpha the last time Zion offered it, you are encouraged to attend again.  The program has been updated and we think you'll benefit from a "refresher."  If you have never attended Alpha, we encourage you to join us.  Our first topic will be "Is There More to Life Than This?"

There is no cost to participate in Alpha, but we do ask that you register so we know how much food to prepare.  You can fill out the registration form in the March Gazette or call the Church Office at 412-881-5512 or email us at zlcbrentwood@juno.com by Tuesday, March 23.

There will be two classes offered--one for adults and one for students in grades 7-12.

Free babysitting will be provided.  When you register, please let us know how many children will need child care and their ages.  Dinner will be provided for the children as well.

So what are you waiting for?  Join us!  You'll be glad you did! 

Rev. Dr. Eric M. Riesen, Pastor

VISIT OUR "SECRET" PARKING LOT!

Well, it's not really a secret, but many first time visitors to Zion wonder where everybody parks, since our church parking lot isn't large enough to accommodate all of of our weekend worshippers.  Zion uses the parking lot for the Greater Beneficial Union Building (GBU), which is across the street from the church.  The parking lot can be accessed from Brownsville Road by turning onto Old Clairton Road and then making a right into the GBU parking lot!  You're welcome to park there for any worship service!  Now that you know our secret, we hope you'll spread the news!

NOTE: Please do NOT park on the long driveway leading up the hill beside the building to Brownsville Road, because this is a fire/ambulance lane and cars that are parked there could be towed away.

NURSERY AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN AGE 5 AND UNDER

Zion has a Nursery adjacent to Fellowship Hall for children age 5 and under.  The Nursery is lovingly supervised by our Nursery Staff and Volunteers for the Saturday evening and Sunday 11 AM services (9:30 AM service in the Summer).  If you choose not to use the Nursery, but during the worship service your child becomes fussy or crying, please feel free to go to the Narthex or down to the Nursery with your child.

Activity Bags are available for children who do not use the Nursery.  The bags are located in the Narthex.  Each week the bags contain a coloring sheet depicting the sermon theme.  Parents, it is important that the used papers are taken home and the pencil and crayons are placed back in the bags and returned to the Narthex so they can be updated and ready for use the following week.  Thank you for your help!

Parents, there is a blue bulletin board in the Narthex for you to display your children's artwork made from the inserts in the Zion Kids Activity Bags.  Please feel free to post your child's artwork on the bulletin board after the service.

SERMON CDs AVAILABLE

Copies of the weekly sermons are available to those who would like them.  They are available in the Narthex after every service.  Suggested donation, $2.  We also have CDs from our two Adult Forums, packaged in a 2-CD package.  Suggested donation, $4.

FEBRUARY MISSION OFFERING--HAITI RELIEF

Our Mission Offering for February will go to Lutheran World Relief to be sent to the earthquake-ravaged country of Haiti.

SAVE YOUR GENERAL MILLS POUND FOR POUND SEALS

If you eat General Mills foods such as Cheerios, Total, Fiber One, Green Giant, Chex Mix, 100 Calorie, Nature Valley, Warm Delights, Bisquick, Cascadian Farm and Yoplait, please help feed the hungry by clipping the "Pound for Pound" seals from the boxes and depositing them in the collection boxes located in the Narthex and the Fellowship Hall foyer.  If you eat yogurt, the seals will be the gold lids on the containers.  Please wash and dry before donating.  We will collect these seals through October 31 and send to General Mills, which will donate 10 cents for every seal to the Feeding America program, which suports over 50,000 agencies across the United States, including the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.  If you have any questions, see any member of the Ministry of Christian Life.  Thank you for your help.

SAVE YOUR CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS

Please save your Campbell Soup Labels and deposit them in the special box located in the Narthex.  These labels support the Navajo Mission Outreach.  The labels MUST include the bar code.  Thank you!

UPDATED CHURCH DIRECTORIES AVAILABLE

Updated Church Directories are available in the Narthex and at the side entrance for our members and friends.  Please, one per family.  Thank you.

2010 OFFERING ENVELOPES AVAILABLE

You can pick up your 2010 offering envelopes in the Narthex.  The 2010 envelopes have been re-numbered, so it is important that you do not use them until the new year.  Also, please don't use your 2009 envelopes in 2010.

YEAR-END 2009 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AVAILABLE

Your 2009 Financial Statements are available in the Narthex.

ORDER YOUR EASTER FLOWERS BY FRIDAY, MARCH 12

The deadline to order Easter flowers is Friday, March 12.  This year we will be adorning the altar with lilies, tulips, hyacinths and daffodils.  Orders can be placed in honor and/or memory of loved ones.  Order forms are in the bulletin each week or picked up in the office.  Payment must accompany the order form.

Map