Archive for the ‘Help Needed’ Category
Relief Fund established to help Ethiopia
The Rev. Dr. Wakseyoum Idossa, President of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (the Lutheran church in Ethiopia), has reported that 57 churches and 45 individual homes have been destroyed. More than 3,600 people have been displaced from their homes and some have been badly beaten and killed.
The Rev. Dr. Gemechis D. Buba, Missions Director for the North American Lutheran Church and a native of Ethiopia, reported that these brutal acts are not the first of their kind. Three years ago Muslim fundamentalists burned down several churches, killed evangelists, pastors and lay leaders. They are now repeating the same attacks. Today thousands have lost their homes, churches, family members and their rights to safely worship and conduct their ministries.
Persecution is not new to Lutherans in Ethiopia. “However, every time it happens it opens up old wounds and breaks the hearts of many. In the middle of all this our brothers and sisters are walking into this holy Lenten season not with ashes on their forehead but carrying the cross of Christ and confessing their faith in the words of Psalm 23:1, ‘The Lord is my shepherd!’” Dr. Buba said.
Two weeks ago we called for a day of prayer, and continued prayer for our brothers and sisters who have suffered for the faith. Now we are also offering a chance to contribute financially to help those affected recover.
An Ethiopia Relief Fund has been established to help Christians in Ethiopia who have recently experienced persecution by Islamic radicals. The Ethiopian Church Relief Fund is a joint effort by Lutheran CORE, Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), and the North American Lutheran Church (NALC).
Please send gifts to Ethiopian Church Relief Fund; 2299 Palmer Drive, Suite 220; New Brighton, MN 55112. Please make checks payable to Ethiopia Relief Fund. All funds received will be forwarded to the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus.
You may also give online by clicking on the following link:
We are reminded by the apostle that it has been granted to us on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since we are going through the same struggle we see (Philippians 1:29-30).
“I would like to thank God for God’s protection and the grace and courage that God is giving his chosen people to suffer for the sake of Christ! There is hope for them and for all of us. Christ is alive and will always remain Emmanuel for us in times of our joys and difficulties. We highly appreciate your concerns and prayers in such a difficult situation. It is our sincere hope that you will continue to pray and accompany us. May the almighty God bless you all!” EECMY President Idossa.
Zion will soon be participating in the fundraising efforts sponsored by the Northwest Ohio Scrip Association. This organization provides our families with Scrip, or gift cards for area merchants at a discount. We will make a percentage from each Scrip card that we sell, but the best part is that if you spend $25 for a gift card for a restaurant, grocery store, gas station or other merchant, you get $25 worth of product!
The earning potential is huge, and the earnings can be used for any of our outreach, families in need, or other ministries.
For example, if you like to go out to eat and purchase on Scrip for $25 for the cost of a meal for two, the potential earning at 10% is $2.50. If you spend $100 at the grocery store and the earning is 5%, that totals $5. If you purchase gas for your vehicle at 3%, $100 of Scrip will earn $3. That is a total earning of $10.50 for Zion ministries with just those three purchases! And, you get the benefit of the total amount of the gift card for things you'd purchase anyway. If only half of our families participate, EVERYBODY WINS!
Our challenge to you will be to purchase gas and groceries for only one month using Scrip. You won't believe how much Zion will earn.
To get started, it will work like this. We will have order forms available for everyone on Sunday that lists the Scrip offered, the denomination, and the percentage we will earn. You order and pay for your Scrip on Sunday, and it will be waiting for you the following Sunday. You can enjoy the benefit of the cards, and Zion enjoys the earning. Eventually we will have enough earnings so the most often used Scrip can be purchased and picked up immediately on Sunday.
More details to follow, but look forward to this fantastic program!
Remember the 150th Anniversary this year. We ask for your ideas and suggestions for our Church celebration on October 16.
Please see Pastor Ron
Did you know that Zion has a Quilting Group? Every Thursday (from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.), our quilters work their magic to create beautiful works of art to give to others in need. Come and give it a whirl! Making beautiful things for a just cause – while socializing – is FUN!
Monroe County Habitat for Humanity dedicated another new home on December 12th. Plans for two more homes in 2011 are in the works.
Zion Thrivent will again help with breakfast for workers; they will actually help in the construction this year!
We will donate $200 (or more), so please sign the 2X4 and donate $2 to this program. The 2X4 is used in the house construction!
Zion’s Food Pantry
Thanks to everyone who helps support our families in need by bringing in extra food. Food may be left in our kitchen or in the shopping cart at any time.
The committee is looking for members with history at Zion:
Oldest living, long-time member
Oldest living member
Longest living married couple
Information about Zion in the past 50 years
Dates for improvements, like the paving of our parking lot, etc.
General, fun information
We are planning a book for our last 50 years . . . we will need your help! How, you may ask? We need you to add your memories to the “I Remember When” chapter of the book. EX: “I remember when Ruth & Kenneth Olrich sang duets in the church service.”
We will need volunteers to help update our confirmation classes’ pictures. We also need to re-glue and clean the cases. Pastor will help with information.
We are in need of storage cabinets and one child-size coat tree.
Also, for VBS we need
• Brown paper grocery-size bags
• Bold tip, washable markers
• Crayons
• Elmer’s Glue
• Craft Glue
If you can donate, please see Holly.