Category Archives: Uncategorized

Back to School Blessings Thank You!

Thank you for supporting NL’s Back to School Blessings event! With your help, we are equipping students, not only with physical necessities, but also with confidence to start the new school year on the right foot. We are grateful for your support.

Your contribution is tax-deductible. If you need a receipt of your contribution for tax purposes, please email pastorckurtz@gmail.com 

Stay tuned for information about NL’s Clothing Closet, which we hope will be up and running soon. The Clothing Closet will make gently used clothing available to students throughout the year, as they grow and as needs change.

Capital Campaign Update

“[God’s] faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.” Psalm 119:90

September 14, 2021

Dear Members and Friends of Zion’s:

God’s grace and peace be with you! Last November, we officially launched the fundraising part of our “Renew, Restore, Remain” Capital Campaign. We are grateful for the contributions you immediately shared, and for the commitment you made to support the campaign over the next three years. Today, we have the privilege of sharing the wonderful news that we only have $9388 remaining on this loan! We had hoped to pay off the loan by November 2023 but now it looks like we’ll be able to beat that goal by months, or even years!

Since the Capital Campaign was approved at our January 2020 Congregational Meeting, we have completed all but one of the projects. We have installed a heating/cooling unit in the Pastor’s Office, replaced three A/C units in the sanctuary, and re-rubberized the Social Hall roof. We’ve encountered roadblocks in repainting and repairing the cracked molding in the sanctuary as two contractors who initially agreed to do the job were unable to do so. We are back to looking for a skilled painter for the high ceilings of the sanctuary…if you have any leads, please let Pastor Caitlin, Christine Techky, or Steve Morris know!

We have raised $66,612 of the total $76,000 (which also included the remaining $25,000 in debt from the 2012 Social Hall renovations) through individual contributions, Thrivent Choice dollars, Amazon Smiles money, and the support of the Koinonia class. Can you help us knock out the remaining $9388 by the end of the calendar year?? Perhaps you are in a position to fulfill your three-year commitment a little early. Maybe you missed the first opportunity to respond, but now would like to participate. Or, perhaps you’ve already given and are able to give again to help bring us across the finish line. Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated, and can be made on Sundays, by mail, through PayPal, or through your Simply Giving account.

It’s been a heck of a year. Many of you haven’t even seen the inside of our building since COVID began, and yet remain committed to God’s work in this place. We are grateful for your support. We have learned, through this pandemic, that ministry can and does happen in a myriad of ways inside and outside of a physical building, and, yet, in our longing to be back together in this sacred space, we have also learned that there is great value in having a safe, comfortable, accessible place to gather. Thank you for your generosity that has brought us this far in our campaign, and for your generosity that will see us through to the end. I look forward to celebrating the fulfillment of this Capital Campaign with you, and to utilizing the fruits of these labors for many years to come.

In hope,

 

Pastor Caitlin Kurtz and the Capital Campaign Team (Ed Ludwig, Jack Beidler, Deb Reiner, Terry Ludwig, Linda Toth)

Thank you!

Thank you for your generosity! Your donation helps fund ministries that “Gather, empower, and send” people to do God’s work in the world. We are grateful for your partnership in ministry, and for your financial support.

Peace,

Pastor Caitlin on behalf of Zion’s Lutheran Church

2019 Vacation Bible School

We are excited to be joining forces with Jonestown United Methodist Church for this year’s Vacation Bible School! We’ll be looking at all the great “escape” stories from scripture: escape from Egypt, escape from the whale, escape from the tomb and escape from chains, with an eye towards “escape room” games and activities. We hope you’ll join in the fun! Click here to register online today, or pick up a registration form from church. 

2019 Endowment Grants

It’s that time of year…time to submit requests for money from our Touching Tomorrow Endowment Fund!

What is the purpose of the “Touching Tomorrow” Endowment fund? 

The Endowment Fund distributes money, in the form of grants, for mission and outreach beyond the normal church budget and usually, beyond the church walls.  The aim of such grants is to “Touch Tomorrow,” allowing for present and future ministry.

Who oversees the Touching Tomorrow Fund?

A Touching Tomorrow Committee oversees the Fund.  This committee meets annually to decide expenditures based on the financial performance of the account and the specific requests.  These purchases are not approved by council, but council approves the members of the committee.  The committee currently consists of Jim Gill (Chair), Terry Ludwig, Michelle Bucks, and Christine Techky. We need one more member on the committee—if you are interested in serving in this way, please see Jim Gill or Pastor Caitlin.

Where does the money come from in the Touching Tomorrow Fund?

The original money came from a large bequest to the church.  Currently the fund has roughly $420,000 in principle investments, which includes the original gift, but also later gifts and interest added to principle.  Each year grants come from the interest and dividends on the account.  These have varied over time.  The hope is that in the future, more people will consider giving money, either in honor of loved ones, or as part of their estate planning, to the Touching Tomorrow Fund.

How can I contribute to the Touching Tomorrow Fund?

Gifts of any size are greatly appreciated, and you may benefit from significant tax advantages.  By using a combination of certain financial and insurance products, you can even leave a bigger inheritance to your loved ones while preserving your desired gift to the fund.  For more information on this strategy, you may consult your estate attorney or talk with Jim Gill, Zion’s representative from Thrivent Financial.

 What kind of things has the Touching Tomorrow Fund supported?

Between 2006 and 2017, the Fund distributed over $120,000 to various projects, including:

  • Seed money for launching Zion’s Preschool; continued scholarships for preschool families in need
  • Funding to make our internship program possible
  • West Virginia and New York City Youth Mission Trips
  • Seminary scholarship money to support a member of our congregation, Jason Northridge, who is now a pastor
  • Support for a handful of local charities, including helping to fund a forklift for Lebanon County Christian Ministries
  • Subsidized the cost of Zion’s Day Camp, making it an affordable option for families in our community
  • Support for Northern Lebanon’s Environthon
  • Assistance for local families in need
  • Funds for the Lower Susquehanna’s food packing event at synod assembly
  • Support of Brittney’s Hope in Vietnam
  • Contribution to Developmental and Disability Services in Lebanon County

What kind of money is available for grants this year?

While the fund’s investments are conservative, fluctuations in the stock market means we will not know the exact amount of the distribution until closer to December 1.  Last year we were able to distribute over $24,000; we hope this year for another generous distribution.

How can you make a request for a project?

Simple:  Fill out this form and return by snail mail or email (pastorckurtz@gmail.com) by Dec 1, 2018. The most successful applications tend to benefit educational ministries (scholarships, youth group, leadership training), local ministries (innovative congregational ministries, seed money, or emergency appeals), extended ministries (national, international, disaster-related), and charities with specific needs.

If you have any questions about applying for these monies, the purpose of our Touching Tomorrow Endowment Fund, or how to contribute to the endowment, please see any member of the Committee or Pastor Caitlin.

Dec. 10, 2017 Sermon

      1. Track 1 - Unknown artist

Third Sunday in Advent

Preaching Text: John 1:6-8,19-28

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

19 This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ 20He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, ‘I am not the Messiah.’* 21And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ 22Then they said to him, ‘Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?’ 23He said,
‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
“Make straight the way of the Lord” ’,
as the prophet Isaiah said.

24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25They asked him, ‘Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah,* nor Elijah, nor the prophet?’ 26John answered them, ‘I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, 27the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.’ 28This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Other readings: Isaiah 61:1-4,8-11 and Psalm 126

Feb. 26, 2017 Sermon

      1. 2.26.17 sermon

March 17: Mark Cable in Concert

7 PM

Singer, songwriter, and humorist Mark Cable has released 17 CDs and been touring fulltime for over 25 years. His insightful everyday-life songs along with his off the wall sense of humor have stirred audiences across the US to laugh, to cry, and to think about the things in life that matter most.www.markcable.com Cost is $10 and you can get tickets by contacting Jim Gill or the church office.
This is a THRIVENT ACTION TEAM event. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Hospital at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The items below will also be collected and donated to the Children’s Hospital. .#Zions40in40 #livegenerously

Babysitting will be available in the nursery.