Advent Devotional Resources

Posted on December 1, 2014 by blund

Four Sundays before Christmas marks the beginning of Advent, a season where we focus on the first and second coming of Christ. This is a great time to start family devotions, rekindle your own meditation on divine truth, or do something different in your routine. We want to provide a few resources for you in this worthy endeavor! All recommendations below will be provided also on the back table of the Narthex at the church building, and if you would like copies made contact Pastor Brian. Now grab an Advent resource and may Christ reign among us!

Advent Family Devotions

Here is an equally biblical and fun exercise for the whole family this December. Download the PDF file here that explains not only the biblical story with readings for kids and adults, but also has cut out “ornaments” that you can decorate, color, and make crafts with. The entire exercise will be fun for the family together, yet always pointing us to Christ! (The PDF says 2013, but can be used in any year.)

Scripture Readings for Advent
The following charts out readings from God’s Word that you can do individually, with a loved one, or as a whole family. Morning and evening readings are provided. Continue reading →

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Advent 2014

Posted on November 22, 2014 by blund

Advent 2014: Gifts From the Father

We are so excited to celebrate Christ, the ultimate gift our Heavenly Father gives us! The brother of our Lord Jesus Christ told us in James 1:17, “Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Lights, in Whom there is no shadow of change nor turning.” This Christmas, remember that whatever gifts you might count special, you have them because the Father God has given them to you by His grace!

Advent Devotional Resources Here

Keep this list of dates handy, because there are so many things that we want you to be present with us as we receive presents of grace through Christ by His Spirit!

Date	Event
November 30^th	Advent Party Meet at the church at 3p.m. for caroling, decorating, Christmas carols, and a light supper. Fun for the whole family!
December 6^th	Women’s Fellowship Christmas Brunch Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m., for a hosted brunch and program. Invite your friends and get your tickets!
December 14^th	Zion Christmas Cantata Join us Sunday evening for a special Zion tradition, and stay after the beautiful music for refreshments and fellowship. Begins at 7p.m.
December 21^st	College Christmas Parsonage Party All college aged students are invited over to the parsonage for food, fun & games! Come from 7 – 10p.m. RSVP to Pastor Brian & Sam.
December 24^th	Christmas Eve Service The prelude begins at 6p.m., and you won’t want to miss hearing our youth recount the meaning of the Christmas story!
December 25^th	Christmas Day Service Service begins at 9a.m. with Holy Communion.

Questions? Contact us or email us. Check back frequently for updates, and we hope to celebrate the gifts of our Lord together with you!

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Preparing for Worship Nov 23

Posted on November 22, 2014 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:
I Timothy 1:17
Micah 6:6 – 8
Micah 7:18 – 20
I Corinthians 12:1 – 13
Numbers 6

Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs:
Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise
My Heart is Filled with Thankfulness
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Our God Reigns
Now Thank We All Our God

Means of Grace:
Sermon: “Gifts For One Another”

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Thankful For Thanksgiving

Posted on November 21, 2014 by blund

Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart!

We have so much to be grateful for! No matter what life is like for you this Thanksgiving we can all celebrate what God has granted us – whether our nation, our families, our lives, and most of all… Jesus Christ! Join us at Zion in giving thanks this year, and show your gratitude in Christ-like sacrifice.

Keep reading about serving through our Community Thanksgiving Dinner, how to Spiritually Feast this Thanksgiving, and more from our church epistle! Want to receive those emails yourself? Subscribe here.

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Preparing for Worship Nov 16

Posted on November 15, 2014 by blund

The Word of the Lord:
Ephesians 1:4-13
Ephesians 2:1-10
Psalm 32:1-5
Exodus 36:1-7
Numbers 6

Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs:
Come People of the Risen King
Doxology
There Is Joy in Serving Jesus
Take My Life and Let It Be
Now Thank We All Our God

Means of Grace:
Sermon: “Giving For One Another”

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Operation Christmas Child Returns

Posted on November 14, 2014 by blund

We will be asking for all shoe boxes to be returned for our Operation Christmas Child project. Thank you in advance for giving a shoe box in Jesus’ Name!

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Weather Cancellation & Notices

Posted on November 13, 2014 by blund

If church services should ever need to be canceled in the event of inclement weather, such notices will be announced on: KJCY & KGLO (Mason City), KIOW (Forest City), KIMT (Mason City), and on the church website, Twitter, and Facebook. This is also a great reason to make sure your email account is current with the church! Want to check? Contact us!

In the event that school is canceled due to weather, Confirmation, New Life, and any other ministries of the church will be canceled for that day as well.

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Are Christians On the Wrong Side of History?

Posted on November 12, 2014 by blund

We have all heard it before: Christians are on the wrong side of history, their beliefs outdated and relegated to a by-gone era. Is that true? How should Christians think about and respond to that claim? Watch Dr. D.A. Carson, John Piper, and Tim Keller discuss this important concept, especially to understand how biblical truth changes the way we see this!

This video was created by The Gospel Coalition; click here for more video resources.