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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. March 2004 Please note that calendar information and the Worship Schedule are located on the Calendar page.
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| Volume 9 |
Number 5
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March 2004
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Library News When Sarah Bixler's father, David Gehman, spoke to our congregation do you recall that he highlighted a book he recently read? Because of your requests, that book, Eyes at the Window, has been added to our library. The author, Evie Yoder Miller, is from Kalona, Iowa and is the mother of Zion attendee, Sarah Miller-Piper. Based on a true story, the novel is about the murder of an Amish baby that goes unsolved for more than 50 years. The book begins in 1810 in western Pennsylvania and progresses to eastern Ohio where many of the characters have settled. It is a story of judgment, forgiveness, grace and the capabilities of the human spirit. We hope you enjoy this book! |
Meet the Nafzigers --Barbara Risser "If I had one wish, I would ask for a gift of time," Judy Nafziger emphasized. Ken and Judy Nafziger are not new to the congregation of Zion. They were members here during their college years at EMU where they met. Ken served as Sunday School Superintendent at Zion. We welcome them back where many new families have been added the last several years. Having recently moved from Penn State, Pennsylvania where Ken served for six years as psychologist, the family is adjusting to the Park View community. Rachel 15, Daniel 13, and Mathew 10, keep life lively and busy for their parents. "It seems as if there is just not enough time to do all the things a parent needs to do," confessed Judy, who is also a part-time registered nurse at Valley Children's Clinic on Port Republic and Reservoir Streets. "We are in the 'helping' professions." Judy spoke of their jobs of working with people-she with nursing skills and Ken helping persons solve their own problems in his professional role as Vice President for student life at EMU. Ken believes that everyone needs a purpose in life and quoted Psalm 16:11. With heartfelt sincerity he expressed his role helping students figure out their purpose in being here and finding meaning in life. He finds satisfaction in that role but more difficult working with a court-referred person at a mental health center. His computer is a source of information as well as a hobby. When Matthew was asked what he liked best about being in this family, he quickly responded, "supper conversations!" "Yes," his mother explained, "everyone gets a turn to share their day's experiences. That's a priority." The family dog, Pepper, came to be petted by Matthew, then skidded across the smooth hardwood dining room floor on his way to the newly closed-in porch, now a sunroom. "Another thing I like about this house is the view," Matthew explained. "Look!" Toward the east all across the city of Harrisonburg, red, blue and white lights twinkled in a fantastic night show. With a bit of remodeling, their house on the hill was just right for them at 1550 Hillcrest Drive. Matthew also enjoys science, soccer, and playing piano. His brother Daniel likes social studies, soccer, and is learning to play guitar. Rachel had the lead role in the school's fall drama, Sarah Plain and Tall. Rachel also reads a lot, participates in track, and enjoys English and Bible classes at EMHS. One family experience that stands out to all of them is when they drove all night to Florida and saw the sun rise over the Atlantic ocean and witnessed the sun setting over Sarasota Bay the same day. Will time stop for anyone to catch up? God at work! --from an "older one" One small group of young married and singles was prompted by the Holy Spirit to prepare a meal for older members in the congregation after a morning service. The meal was delicious and older and younger learned to put names to faces they never knew before. Anytime generation gaps are closed, Malachi 4:6 is fulfilled. Thank you. |
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Welcome.
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Hosts needed for Christopher Dock choir Zion has agreed to host the Christopher Dock High School choir from April 16-18, 2004 during the MSEC festival at EMHS. While a few persons in the congregation have already offered their homes, housing and transportation is still needed for approximately 25 more choir members. The tentative schedule for hosts includes: Friday, April 16: - Pick choir members up at EMU's Lehman Auditorium (or another designated location) at 9:00pm. Saturday, April 17: - Serve choir members breakfast and take them to Park View Mennonite Church by 8:30am. Pick up choir members at EMU Commons (or other designated location) at 9:15pm. Sunday, April 18: - Serve choir members breakfast and bring them to Zion for church. Stay for the fellowship meal at church. Take choir members to EMU Commons by 1:00pm. Pick choir members up at approximately 9:30pm. Monday, April 19: - Serve choir members breakfast. Pack each choir member lunch for Monday noon. Drive choir members to church by designated time for departure. Contact Megan Hartman at 896-7577 or email office@zionmennonitechurch.org if you would like to help. Mark your calendar Come to the spring auction at Detwiler Auditorium at VMRC on Friday evening, March 19. Sandwiches, coleslaw and homemade pie with ice cream will be available beginning at 5 o'clock. Daphna Creek will be singing at 6 o'clock. The auction will begin at 6:30 with many interesting items. In addition to the auction, priced items will be available after 2pm. See you there! |
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Word Pictures --Barbara Risser See how many you can guess without looking them up. The Word of God is like _____________. (something sweet) Psalm 119:103 The Word of God is like _____________. (nourishing food) I Peter 2:2 The Word of God is like _____________. (hidden life) I Peter 1:23 The Word of God is like _____________. (heat) Jeremiah 23:29 The Word of God is like a _____________. (something sharp) Hebrews 4:12 The Word of God is like a _____________. (something wet) Psalm 36:8 The Word of God is like a _____________. (useful to a repairman) Jeremiah 23:29 The Word of God is like a _____________. (for reflection) James 1:23 The Word of God is like a _____________. (light) Proverbs 6:23 The Word of God is like a _____________. (swift traveler) Psalm 147:15 Tips for using the Bible --Barbara Risser When in sorrow................................................John 14 When men fail you............................................Psalm 27 When you have sinned.........................................Psalm 51 When you worry Matthew.......................................6:19-34 When you are in danger.......................................Psalm 91 If you have the blues........................................Psalm 34 When God seems far away.....................................Psalm 139 If you are discouraged......................................Isaiah 40 If you are lonely or fearful.................................Psalm 23 If you feel down and out..................................Romans 8:39 When you want courage for your task..........................Joshua 1 When the world seems bigger than God.........................Psalm 90 When you want rest and peace.........................Matthew 11:25-30 To keep thoughts pure.................................Philippians 4:8-9 When leaving home for work or travel..........Psalm 121, 107:23-31 If you get bitter or critical............................I Corinthians 13 If thinking of investments or returns....................Mark 10:17-31 For a great invitation - a great opportunity.................Isaiah 55 They said THIS in the Church Bulletin? --Submitted by Velma Stauffer The following are excerpts from church bulletins nationwide. Who needs professional comedians when everyday folks are just as humorous? (Note: You have to read this carefully to catch the funniest mistakes.) The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus." At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice. Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8pm in the recreation hall. Come out and watch us kill Christ the King. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. The eight-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in the church basement on Friday at 7pm. The congregation is invited to attend this tragedy. Sunday School: Children will be led in sinning and Bible study. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say "hell" to someone who doesn't care much about you. Don't let worry kill you. Let the church help. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community. This evening at 7pm there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa. A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow. Announcement for Prayer and Fasting Conference: The cost for attending the Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict. The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands. The pastor would appreciate if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake breakfast next Sunday. Next Sunday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones. Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass this way again,' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. The rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing "Break Forth Into Joy." The Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7pm. Please use the back door. Weight Watchers will meet at 7pm at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered. The church will host an evening of fine dining, superb entertainment, and gracious hostility. The associate minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: I Upped My Pledge - Up Yours. |
Congratulations
Did you know?
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Top ten reasons why Mennonites lack a tradition of football: 10) What good is a pigskin if it's not stuffed with sausage and potatoes? 9) We've had bad experiences with uniformed men running into our territory. 8) Players would keep stealing the coin before the toss. 7) All the kneeling and standing is a little too "high church." 6) Still unclear about our goals. 5) Too much touching on the backside. 4) Did away with the bench a long time ago. 3) Why stand around at halftime when there is work to be done? 2) Chinstraps make us look too much like Beachy Amish. 1) Not enough time in the huddle for everyone to share. Top ten ways the Old Testament would be different if written by Mennonites: 10) More genealogies. 9) Psalms arranged for 4-part harmony. 8) Potluck Passover. 7) Still 12 tribes, but 20 different churches. 6) Book of prophets ends with martyr stories. 5) Sacrificial laws replaced by hearty recipes (provisions made for burnt offerings). 4) No more song of Solomon. 3) Cities of refuge become suburbs. 2) Abraham doesn't plead for Sodom. 1) Pork is OK, but wine isn't! submitted by Velma Stauffer |
Home with Amy --Amy Shrock Spring is almost here; warm rain and sunshine will surely bring it! It has been warm enough to hang the laundry out on the wash line. I love the smell of Downy and fresh air on the clean laundry. Did you know that the sun can serve as a natural bleach? If the item is white, dissolve bleach in cold water in your regular wash cycle, add soap, and wash. If treating a colored item, rinse in soapy cold water, pour bleach in the bottle cap, and pour directly on the stain. Put immediately back in the washer, and finish the wash cycle. (The secret of spot bleaching colors is the soapy water first, then take it out of the washing machine, and throw it back in the washer and finish the cycle.) This works best on light colors, not navy, black, or red. Hang out in the warm sunshine to complete the bleaching process, and enjoy your fresh-smelling laundry! My wash line has been sagging with quilts, bedding and curtains. I love spring-cleaning; getting rid of excess clutter, and a clean house as the final result! Maybe leaving the winter doldrums behind, and preparing for new beginnings give us all a better outlook on life. I think God must really enjoy our pleasure in his creation of new life springing from surrounding nature. Stromboli 1 loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed 2 egg yolks 1 tbsp. parmesan cheese 1 tsp. parsley ½ tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. oregano ¼ tsp. pepper 2 tbsp. oil ½ lb. pepperoni slices 12 oz. mozzarella cheese egg white Thaw frozen bread and spread on a cookie sheet like pizza. Mix next 7 ingredients and spread on dough. Cover with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. Roll up like a jellyroll. Place seam side down and brush egg white on top. Bake at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes. Slice and serve with warm tomato sauce. Easy Mandarin Cake 1 yellow cake mix 1 (11 oz.) can Mandarin oranges with juice 4 eggs ½ c. oil Mix together for two minutes. Bake in a 9 x 13 greased baking pan at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool. Topping: 1 (9 0z.) Cool Whip 1 (20 oz.) crushed pineapple with juice 1 (3oz.) pkg. instant vanilla pudding Mix together well and spread over cooled cake. Keep refrigerated. |
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Birthdays Anniversaries Worship schedule |
Coming Up
March 13-14 Spiritual Renewal Weekend with Harvey Yoder March 14 Jr. MYF Potato Bar fundraiser after church March 26-27 Women's Retreat in Winchester April 4 EMU Chamber Singers; College student appreciation day; Fellowship Meal April 8 Maundy Thursday evening service April 11 Easter sunrise service and breakfast April 16-18 Zion hosts Christopher Dock choir for MSEC festival April 18 Christopher Dock Touring Choir April 24 EMU graduation ??February's Who am I?? Jewel Yutzy
No one identified Jewel so she will receive the Dairy Queen certificate. Congratulations Jewel! March'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 March 28. Family members of the mystery person are not eligible. Please place news items for the April issue in the Windows mailbox by March 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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