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Windows Into Zion is the monthly newsletter of Zion Mennonite Church. The publishers are Dorothy Hartman, Julie Hottinger, Fern Nisly, and Myrna Piper. Return to the Newsletter Archives. December 2003 Please note that calendar information and the Worship Schedule are located on the Calendar page.
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| Volume 9 |
Number 2
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December 2003
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Youth news MYF -Sarah Bixler Thanks to everyone who attended the MYF taco bar fundraiser in November! Your donations added $803.46 to our summer service project fund. The MYF will spend the last week of July in Harlan, Kentucky with SWAP (Serving with Appalachian People) and take a 2-3 day service trip to Washington, D.C. as well. MYF Retreat --Rachel Nafziger On the 22nd and 23rd of November, the MYF got to go to Highland Retreat. We met at the church at 1:00, and made the 45-minute journey there. When we arrived, we were happily surprised to find that we had a whole great lodge to ourselves, as nobody was staying that night on the other side. After setting up, we played outside for a while, including games of volleyball, Frisbee, and going on Highlands Mt. Swing! We also played some cards inside. After working so hard (heh heh) we had a great supper, with lasagna, and many nameless snacks. Around this time, some people who had not been able to join us earlier arrived. During the night, you could find us enjoying such activities as playing in the game room and having a ping-pong tournament, being outside around the campfire, or (surprise surprise!) clustered around one songbook, singing hymns. We also had a Bible lesson. In the morning we groggily pulled ourselves out of bed, had a devotional time, ate scrumptious waffles, and cleaned up. We arrived back at the church at 12:00. All in all, we had a great time, and I can't wait until next year! -Aaron Yutzy On Saturday our MYF went to the beautiful Red Oak Lodge. We were able to do many fun unusual activities like hiking in the woods, damming a stream, and building a campfire. My favorite part of the weekend was when a bunch of us sang hymns with Sarah Bixler at the piano. Sleep was not an issue; we could even skip it! All we had to do was make it for worship time in the main hall. After the short worship service, we packed up and returned to the church Junior MYF retreat --Zachary Stoltzfus On Saturday, November 1st, the Junior MYF headed out to Larry Martin's cabin at Highland Retreat. We played games Saturday night. One of the games we played was Beckon. My dad was "it" for a while until he got tired...then he retired. Then we had a Bible Study led by Sarah. After the Bible Study we played Mafia (a card game) and roasted marshmallows. Jonathan Martin and I then threw sticks in the air and bats swooped down after the sticks. Then everyone went to bed.....but not quite to sleep! The next morning we had a small worship service after a really good breakfast. Then we went on a hike to Tiger Rocks. When we got up there we ate lunch. We just kind of hung out for a while There was a really good view from the top. A small expedition party scaled the front of Tiger Rocks. It was fun, mostly because it was dangerous! Then we hiked back down to the cabin and relaxed for a while. After we were all rested up, we packed up and left to come back home. It was fun. I had a good time and I think most of the others did too. ZMWM news --Gladys Ropp Retreat time! On Friday, October 24, two carloads of women, driven by Caroline Detwiler and Barbara Risser, anticipated the first ever Friendship Retreat at Rowe's Restaurant near Staunton. Fellowship was enjoyed while traveling on Route 81 and returning on Route 11. The color of most of the leaves was muted, but the maples trees were dressed in beautiful red. One member of the group felt blessed with the beauty and called it a "maple tree-lined drive way." The restaurant was noted for delicious home-style food under Mrs. Rowe's leadership. Some shared expressions about the day from members:
Care package time! During the November ZMWM meeting on November 6, fourteen women were part of the morning activities. Two tables in the fellowship room were piled with contents for the care packages for college students and those in service. Items given by many persons included:
Sharon Showalter was the contact person for care packages and did a wonderful job. Sharon and Audrey Shenk, president of ZMWM organized the contents into groups. Five women filled twenty-two boxes, until the tables were empty. It took 25 minutes! Eva Glanzer, secretary, came with US Postal forms all filled out and ready to go. The total process was finished. All the boxes were sealed and ready for mailing or delivery by 10:30! The 22 boxes went to 12 EMU students, nine students at other colleges, and one youth in service. Thanks you's: "Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated! The yearly care package is always a great surprise and always enjoyed."--Jon Dixon "Thank you so much for the care package you sent! It was such a welcome surprise to find out I had received a package. I appreciate your ministry and enjoyed being a recipient of your kindness and generosity."--Valerie Showalter "Thanks so much for the care package. It really brightened my day!"-Tiffany Williams Blessings to each who contributed to this ministry of caring! Many hands and hearts make the work expand to His glory. |
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EMHS presents Sarah Plain and Tall. |
Enjoy the sounds of the season Daughters of Song A 30-voice select women's choir, conducted by Gretchen Welch, will present their annual Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 13, 7:30 p.m. at Park View Mennonite Church. The featured work is Conrad Susa's "Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest," a collection of Spanish carols accompanied by harp, guitar, vibraphone and marimba. The program also includes a group of "snow" songs, a medley of English carols and seasonal favorites including "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The concert is free and open to the public. A $5 per person suggested donation is invited at the door. For additional information, please call (540) 434-6048. Dorothy and Megan Hartman from our church are members of Daughters of Song. The Shenandoah Valley Choral Society Directed by Curtis Nolley, the Choral Society will present its annual Christmas concert on Friday, December 19th at 8:00 p.m. at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren. This inspirational program will include Midnight Mass for Christmas by Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1634-1704), accompanied by organ, and a variety of wonderful unaccompanied and accompanied arrangements of traditional and contemporary carols. Dwayne Hartman, Audrey Shenk, and Welby Showalter from our congregation sing in the Choral Society. Tickets are available from Choral Society members, Family Christian Store, Red Front Supermarket, Ruth's Books (Bridgewater), and at the door. Advance admission is $9 for adults/$8 for seniors, $1 more at the door. www.singshenandoah.org Women's retreat --Diane Emswiler Be sure and mark your calendar for the weekend of March 26-27. All women at Zion are invited to come to the Wingate Inn in Winchester to spend time together. More details will come later. Congratulations
Welcome to Zion's new associate member.
Wanted.
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Prayer for our students --Joann Henderson Do you have a child attending one of the local northern Rockingham County public elementary, middle or high schools? If so, join moms in praying for these children and their schools (including the other students, teachers, staff, and administrators). We meet each Mon. at 8:30 a.m. at Sunset United Methodist Church (beside John C. Myers Elementary in Broadway) for one hour of prayer each week. If you are unable to attend and have specific prayer requests let us know but we would love to have you join us. We are part of a larger network of praying moms called Moms in Touch. For those of you in other areas we have contact information for you if you'd like to join your local group. Questions? call Joann Henderson at 896-3209 |
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Home with Amy
--Amy Shrock The holidays have arrived! All we need yet is a couple days of white, beautiful snow falling out of the sky in large, glistening flakes. Snow puts me in the mood to be in my kitchen all day, baking and cooking, and filling my home with the wonderful, warm smells of good food. The holidays are a very busy time of year for most of us, but let's not forget to extend warm holiday greetings to those around us who are alone. Put on your "to do" list to do something special for somebody who is without family, however small or large it may be. The blessing God will give you will be greater than any Christmas present you will ever unwrap. May God's peace surround you and your loved ones during this holiday season and in the coming year. Spiced Turkey ½ tsp. salt per lb.turkey 1 Tbsp. pepper 2 Tbsp. sage 2 tsp. curry powder 2 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. dried parsley 2 tsp. celery seed ½ tsp. dry mustard 1 tsp. paprika ¼ tsp. allspice 3 or 4 bay leaves, crumbled Mix all ingredients together. Rub turkey well inside and out with vegetable oil. Rub dry ingredients all over the turkey, also inside the cavity. Let set overnight in refrigerator. Sweet Potato Casserole Filling: 23 oz. can sweet potatoes ½ c. melted margarine 1 c. sugar 2 eggs ½ tsp. nutmeg ½ tsp. cinnamon 1 c. evaporated milk Beat sweet potatoes until smooth, add sugar and melted margarine. Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Add spices and milk, mix thoroughly. Bake in buttered 9-inch pan at 350 until center of casserole is set. (This will be at least 30 minutes.) Topping: ¾ c. flour ½ c. chopped pecans ½ c. brown sugar ½ c. melted margarine Mix ingredients together and spread over casserole. Return to oven for 10-15 minutes. Sour Cream Cutout Cookies 1 c. margarine 1 c. white sugar ¾ c. brown sugar 2 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla ½ tsp. salt 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. soda 1 c. sour cream 4½ c. flour Cream margarine and sugars; add eggs, salt and vanilla. Beat until creamy. Combine flour, soda, and baking powder. Mix in with spoonfuls of sour cream. Chill dough for at least 3 hours. Roll out and cut in desired shapes. Bake at 350, 8-9 minutes for small cookies, 10-11 for larger cookies. Spread with frosting when cool. |
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Birthdays 3 Phoebe Brenneman 4 Cindy Smoker 5 Nathaniel Yoder 8 Mark Mast 9 Phyllis Cullers, Laura Lehman 13 Jennifer Leaman, Sara Neuenschwander 14 Michele Baker, Joslyn Vaccaro 17 Anna Dintaman, Wilmer Hertzler 18 Dale Hess, Lauren Yutzy 20 Dan Baker, Richard Juarez 21 Deward Brenneman, Lori Gant 24 Mary Leaman, Kristen Myers, Herman Ropp, Jeffrey Smoker 28 Dale Thompson 29 Linda Snader 30 Joanna Goins Anniversaries Worship schedule |
Coming Up December 10 Care Commission 7pm December 11 CLT 6:30pm December 14 Evening Christmas Program and Tea December 20 Men's breakfast at Golden Corral 7:15am December 28 Morning Christmas Breakfast March 13-14 Spiritual Renewal Weekend with Harvey Yoder March 26-27 Women's Retreat in Winchester ??December's Who am I??
A prize from Dairy Queen will be given to a person who correctly identifies the mystery person. If more than one person is correct, the winner's name will be drawn from the correct entries. Only one prize will be awarded each month. Give your answer to Myrna Piper or email pipermr@aol.com by October 26. Family members of the mystery person are not eligible. ??November's Who am I?? Gladys Ropp . Lived in seven states and traveled to six countries . Grew up on a farm but did not want to continue farming . Grew up riding Arabian horses . Started church work at 16, including city missions work . Attended more than one college . Enjoyed seminary study No one identified Gladys, so she will receive the gift certificate to Dairy Queen. Congratulations Gladys! Please place news items for the January issue in the Windows mailbox by December 28. You may also send your news by email to: pipermr@aol.com. We appreciate all your comments, ideas, and submissions! Dorothy Hartman, Julie Hottinger, Fern Nisly and Myrna Piper publish Windows Into Zion. |
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