Church Happenings

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.

Our Operation Help products for May are toothpaste, toothbrushes, and deoderant.The Food Bank serves a growing number of local families and help is vital to keeping up each month. Collection bins are in the dining room and the west vestibule.

The “Big Reveal” of the SPIRIT Pal program is May 5th. Pizza will be served at 5 p.m., followed by the revealing of the secret pals to the young people. Please see Jan Miller if you have any questions.

Those who are interested in learning more about the Middle East crisis currently going on in the Gaza Strip are invited to a series of video presentations on four Thursday evenings in May. This is presented by the United Church of Christ Palestine-Israel Network. The meetings will take place in the lounge at 7 p.m. on May 9th, 16th, and 30th. There will be no presentation on May 23rd due to Pastor Allen’s vacation. All are invited to come and get some insight into the issues behind this conflict. Thank you to Rev. Kahler for facilitating this event.

We will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Communion on Pentecost Sunday May19th. Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Christian Church. Our “Strengthen The Church” special offering will also be received that day. This offering supports the expansion of ministry and growth of UCC local congregations.

Special music is needed for the upcoming summer months while the chancel choir is on hiatus. Please sign up on the schedule posted in the choir area. Thank you to our choirs for their hard work all year.

Creator God, maker of all that is good.

Comforter God, restorer of peace between all peoples.

Redeemer God, healer of wounds that inflict trauma and chaos:

We turn to you this day crying out for an end to a war that rages across the land of Ukraine,

threatens the lives of its inhabitants, and displaces millions of children no longer able to sleep in their beds,

attend their schools, or play with their friends.

May your Spirit of peace soften the hearts of the politicians who rattle their sabers

and threaten nuclear annihilation.

May your vision of a just world thwart the ambitions of dictators who are thirsty for conquer

and lusting for lands over which to rule.

May your hope of shalom engender within our own hearts the call to let there be peace on Earth,

and let it begin with us.

Help us find the pathway to peace, a Just Peace, built on human rights and equity not just in Ukraine

but in every land where bombs and guns are the sounds to which children fall asleep and from which families flee.

You are the source of our peace.

You are the horizon of our hope.

You are the author of our love.

May the promise of your enduring peace, your abiding hope, and your everlasting love sustain us all

and bring the promise of a new and better day to the people of Ukraine.

Amen

ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST