Zion Evangelical & Reformed Church

Creation/Evolution Seminar at Zion and N Iowa!

Posted on April 18, 2023 by blund

On April 22 – 23, we are pleased to have Joel Tay, a representative of Creation Ministries International, speaking on the biblical account of creation, how it relates to science, the dinosaurs, human ethnic/racial diversity, and more!

Meeting at the USDA building in Garner on April 22, there is a full day’s worth of seminars, teaching, and resources! On Sunday, April 23, Joel will speak at Peace Reformed Church first, and then at Zion at 7pm. Go to our “creation” page for more details.

God’s truth about how He sovereignly created us, according to Scripture, is a truth that we desperately need today! Our young people need to know they are uniquely made in His image. Older students need to know how to relate Scripture to science. We all need to be reminded of the importance, stewardship, and mandate of God’s creation! Would you pray about who you can share this conference with, and invite them?!

Registration helps the organizers plan for the day, but is not required.

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Passion 2023: Join us For Easter!

Posted on March 24, 2023 by blund

Passion 2023
“The Blood of the Lamb”

“Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” Very soon, we will once again be celebrating a central event for our faith and the blessed hope of believers – the Resurrection! To help us prepare for this exciting time, we want to make sure we “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). As we ponder our the last day of Jesus before He died as an eternal sacrifice, we will ask God to bring us deeper into Christ by faith, especially for some of the upcoming events.

Events

Confirmation Sunday
As we move into the Passion season, our Confirmands present their memory work, and we look ahead to what Christ has done in worship.
Sermon: “Preparing For Easter” from Exodus 12:1-8

Palm Sunday
Our Sunday school students lead us in palms and singing “Hosanna!” from Mark 11, there will be professions of faith, and we look for how Jesus’ blood brings its power in worship.
Sermon: “How the Covenant Is Confirmed” from Zechariah 9:11

Our Community Worship service will be at 7pm, with Pastor Clevey Ragsdale sharing in worship. All are invited!
Sermon: “Christ Our Passover Lamb” from I Corinthians 5:7

Maundy Thursday
At 7pm, our church family will remember the Last Supper, Christ’s new commandment, and worship in the Word and Communion.
Sermon: “Blood of the Covenant” from Exodus 24
Sermon: “A New Love” from I Corinthians 13:4-8

Good Friday
Our community CrossWalk service is held at noon, meeting at St. Paul’s Lutheran church and concluding at Zion. The entire community is invited.

There is no evening service planned, but digital resources will be offered.

Easter Sunday
Jesus is alive, and we will celebrate! Our Youth Group will lead the SonRise service, followed by breakfast, an egg hunt for children, and our worship service with Holy Communion.
8:00 a.m. SonRise Service
9:00 a.m. Breakfast and Egg Hunt
10:00 a.m. Worship & Communion

Resources

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Reformation Sunday 2022

Posted on October 27, 2022 by blund

On Sunday, October 30th, we will remember how the Lord worked in the Reformation!

This year, we join Christians and churches around the world to remember God’s grace during the time of the Reformation, to purify and prune the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Historically, God used a monk named Martin Luther when he nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517. From this event, and the Spirit’s leading of women and men in several different countries, the Lord brought about the Protestant Reformation, including Lutheran, Reformed, Presbyterian, Anglican, Congregational, Baptist, and Free Churches. Tracing our spiritual heritage back to the German and Genevan Reformation, our congregation rejoices soli Deo gloria!

Events
At 9:15, all are invited to a special Adult Sunday school program entitled, “Standing Firm In Grace & Faith.”

Our covenant worship service will follow for families and all ages at 10:30 a.m., using our Reformation Sunday liturgy. The sermon will be from Ephesians 3:19 and Colossians 2:9, entitled “Solus Christus: Indwelling Fullness.”

We are pleased to invite you back Sunday evening at 7pm for our Reformation Pie Social! We will serve various kinds of pie & ice cream, and offer a special teaching program entitled “Denominations: Is the Refomration to Blame, and How to Unite.” Invite a guest and join us!

Reformation Sunday Resources

You can find more information about Reformation Sundays across America here.

Thanks to Ligonier Ministries, the award-winning Luther is free to watch for the month of October:

“Remembering The Reformation” and “Reformed Ethics” are just two of the other free resources availabe at Ligonier. Meanwhile, you can find “Reformation Sunday” resources, especially the free Here We Stand: 31 Day Journey of the Heroes of the Reformation, are all available through Desiring God. Last, but certainly not least, see all the free resources from Zion here.

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Preparing For Worship Oct 16

Posted on October 13, 2022 by blund

We will be using the following songs and passages from the Word of God in our corporate gathering this Lord’s Day. Please prayerfully use these resources to prepare your hearts to “come into His gates with thanksgiving and enter His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4).

The Word of the Lord:
Galatians 2:19–21
Exodus 20
Zechariah 13:1, 6–7
Psalm 61
Ephesians 3:14–21
Numbers 6:24–26

Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs:
Yet Not I, But Christ In Me
There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood
Doxology
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Gloria Patri

Means of Grace:
Congregational Prayer
Sermon: Ephesians 3:14
Rev. Brian J. Lund “Satisfying Supplication”

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Outerwear Drive: Faith in Action!

Posted on October 10, 2022 by blund

We have a wonderful opportunity to bless others as we serve in Jesus’ Name!

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:15 – 17

This winter will – like all Iowa winters – be cold. This winter clothing/outerwear drive will be a blessing to local kids and families to get through the bitter temperatures. Zion is partnering with 5 Loaves for their outerwear drive.

From now until November 6th, please bring new or gently used clothing, such as hats & gloves, scarves & socks, winter coats, snow pants, waterproof boots, or blankets. A large collection box provided by 5 Loaves is in the narthex just outside the sanctuary. Distribution will take place Nov 8th from 4:30 – 6pm. If you need help with delivering your outerwear, please contact Pastor Brian.

Whether you help with this outerwear drive, or pursue good works at your job, in your home, or elsewhere, make sure to do so trusting in Jesus! It is only through His atoning sacrifice that our works can be accepted by God, as even our evangelical obedience is justified in Christ’s righteousness and sanctified by His Spirit. Please pray for the individuals who will receive these articles of clothing; intercede for other Christians, that God would motivate them to generously give; and request that God’s Name would be glorified in Garner through this opportunity!

Would you like to help in other ways? Check their website, or contact 5 Loaves!

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Women’s Ministry Survey

Posted on September 23, 2022 by blund

Recently, our Women’s Ministry has been adding to and restructuring our leadership and ministry plans. To help the ladies of our church, they have put out a survey that would be a blessed assistance in planning for trusting Jesus in the future. Would you please take a few moments to fill it out if you haven’t already?

You can find the survey in the September newsletter. For an online option, you can fill out the survey here. Or, stop in to the church building and pick up a copy in the Narthex or from the church office. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

May the Lord richly bless our Women’s Ministries, our church family, and you!

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