Zion’s (Spies) Evangelical Reformed Church
APRIL 2025
Parson’s points
BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT
In the fifth chapter of Matthew, Jesus begins his famous Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements of blessing upon various groups. At first glance, fitting into one of these groups would not appear to be a good thing – yet Jesus says that it is a blessing. For example, it wouldn’t seem particularly good to be poor in spirit. It wouldn’t seem that this would somehow deserve a blessing even. Yet, it is this group who are suited for life in the kingdom of heaven.
What does it even mean to be poor in spirit? Those who are poor in spirit understand that they are not self-sufficient and that they have nothing to offer God that would earn His favor. The poor in spirit realize that they are locked in cycles of sin and recognize their dependence upon God. They recognize their need for God’s grace and mercy, rather than relying on their own abilities or works to earn salvation.
This first beatitude is based in a foundational premise of Christianity – the importance of the recognition of our spiritual bankruptcy – our complete lack of merit before God, and consequently our spiritual need that only he can fulfill. Spiritual poverty rightly humbles us and opens our hearts for a new spirit – one which seeks God’s guidance, trusts in His promises and relies on His power rather than personal ability. The placement of this Beatitude first suggests that it is the fundamental attitude for entering the kingdom of heaven.
Yet, it is in this state where we find that we must rely upon God’s grace – that there is no other way offered to us except the grace offered on the cross of Christ. If the kingdom of heaven could be earned, we would fall so far short we would be utterly lost. Yet there is something more beautiful offered – a gift from God, and it is offered to those who are receptive to it, which is the posture of the “poor in spirit”.
As we engage our neighbors and the world around us, we must not water down the truth of the message to make it somehow more cozy to live in sinfulness. For this is not a loving thing to do as it causes people to justify their own sins and miss this very beautiful point that saves them.
In His Service, Pastor Vaughn & Lisa
610-396-5942
BREAKFAST CLUB
April 9, @ 8 A.M. @ Chatty’s
April 22, @ 8 A.M. @ Mt. Penn
MEN’S MINISTRIES
Our next meeting will be April 12that 7:30 A.M.
All men encouraged to come and share in the food and fellowship.
NEWLETTER ARTICLES
ARE DUE THE SECOND TO LAST SUNDAY
CONSISTORY MEETING
Our next meeting will be MONDAY,
April 21st Stewardship @ 6:30 P.M.
Elders @ 7:00 P.M.
Consistory @ 7:30 P.M.
EASTER SUNDAY
April 20th @ 9:00 A.M.
Join the Lutherans @ 7:00 A.M. in the cemetery
Light breakfast before the service @ 8:00 A.M.
LENT SERVICES
Wednesday, April 2, 7:30pm
Rev. Rebecca Knox
At ZION ‘S (SPIES) EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH
(Beginning at 6:00pm…
Soup and Bread in Fellowship Hall)
Wednesday, April 9, 7:30pm
Pastor Vaughn Starr
At ZION ‘S (SPIES) EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
(Beginning at 6:00pm…
Soup and Bread in Fellowship Hall)
EASTER FLOWER ORDERS DUE
April 20th to Sue Barnett
SOUP AND BREAD SOCIAL
6:00 P.M. before Wednesday lent services.
There are 2 sign –up sheets on the table in the Narthex if you would like to help provide soup or bread for the social held here at Zion Spies E.R. on March 19th or April 2nd. All Soup and bread should be here by 5:30 P.M. and all soup should arrive hot and in a crock pot.
SUNDAY SCHOOL EASTER PROGRAM
The Sunday School Program will be held on
April 6th during the
10:30 A.M. service. Everyone is encouraged to honor the youngsters with your presence as they celebrate the RISEN SAVIOR.
“THE ROCK & THE TREE”
PALM SUNDAY SERVICE
April 13th, 10:30 A. M.
As a remembrance of the first Palm Sunday,
Palm fronds will be distributed to the congregation.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE
April 17th @ 7:30 P.M.
“Tenebrae Service” (Service of Lights)
Holy Communion at the Chancel Rail.
Join us for this special time.
BIRTHDAY CARD SHOWER SHEETS
for January thru April 2025 available on the Narthex table for anyone willing to participate in sending cards to church family members 80 yrs. & over. Also available on our church website
GOOD FRIDAY PRAYER VIGIL
April 18th, 2 P.M. -8 P.M.
As in previous years, we anticipate having one or
more persons in the church sanctuary for silent
prayer in all time slots throughout the day.
“Our Church Family List”
will be available in the Narthex so that you may take from the list as many persons as you will be praying for. May you be encouraged to sign up for one or more time slots as soon as possible on the sheet provided in the Narthex.
STEWARDSHIP
The first meeting of the year for our Stewardship Committee will be on April 21st at 6:30 P.M. in our Social Room of the church. Join us as we check out how our budget is progressing for the year 2025. If you are interested in this aspect of church planning, please come and join us for this 1/2-hour meeting. More input is needed.
STATISTICS
ATTENDANCE
JANUARY FEBRUARY
01/05/25 61 02/02/25 64
01/12/25 57 02/09/25 snow
01/19/25 snow 02/16/25 29
01/26/25 81 02/23/25 66
GAINS (0)
LOSSES / TRANSFERRED (0)
DEATHS (1)
Harold Readinger
MEMBERSHIP
March 28, 2025 262
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Barnett, Secretary
CHURCH TREASURER’S REPORT
JANUARY 2025
Congregational Offering Receipts $10,773.00
Total Operating Expenses $17,677.13
FEBRUARY 2025
Congregational Offering Receipts $ 8,824.00
Total Operating Expenses $ 9,079.21
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan Barnett, Treasurer
2025 ALTAR FLOWER/BULLETIN SPONSOR CALENDAR
The new altar flower and bulletin reservation calendar is available in the Narthex. Please reserve a date now. Should a specific date already be filled, you are invited to sponsor a “separate arrangement” on that date which will be placed in the chancel area. April and May dates available
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES UPDATE
Spring has sprung, and hopefully a much warmer Easter Sunday this year than we had last year. Some of our ladies will be helping to decorate the sanctuary with the beautiful spring flowers for Easter Sunday that the members of our church have sponsored.
We ladies are also looking forward to the upcoming Family Banquet on May 3rd of which we have a part in planning. Once again Kathryn’s Katering will be providing the dinner, and the group “Seventy Something” will provide the entertainment of music from the ‘70’s and ‘80’s.
A sign-up sheet will be placed in the Narthex and tickets may be purchased from Sue Barnett. Cost is $16.50 for adults; there is no charge for children and youth up to age 18. Absolute deadline for ticket purchase is April 20th. (See the full page ad included in this newsletter.) We are hoping for a time of good food, fellowship, and musical entertainment.
Women’s Ministries are still selling tickets for a small cold sandwich from M & M Sandwich Shop in Oley for $7.00 each. See Sue Barnett to purchase your tickets.
As always it is our goal to keep God and His Son first in what we do as a group of Christian women. We meet monthly on the second Tuesday and invite any woman from our church to join us. Our next meeting will be April 8th at 11:00 A.M.
HELP OUR HOMELESS VETERANS
They are no longer taking clothes, blankets or sleeping bags. Donations they do need are hand soap, wipes, toilet paper, and paper towels. Envelopes are available on top of the mailboxes if you would like to make a monetary donation. Our thanks to all that support this mission. Because God gives us all we need, we should give to those in need. Sign-up on the table in the Narthex.
Next Lunches May 18th
EVANGELISM & OUTREACH
On March 19th we once again made lunches for the Homeless Veterans, many thanks to all who helped prepare the lunches and to everyone who contributed food items and money. Remember we collect these items at all times, and they can be placed in the social hall near the stage, also there are always envelopes on top of the mailboxes for monetary donations. We sent another $400 in gift cards to Doug & Liz Graybill along with the lunches.
We will have our next meeting on April 22nd @ 7 P.M. along with the Future Planning committee. We will begin planning our July Flea Market and any other summer events. We are always looking for new members, why not come out and join us.
2025 NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
The upcoming Annual National Day of Prayer is on May 1, 2025. The theme for 2025 is
“Pour Out The God Of Hope And Be Filled”
Romans 15:13
Please mark your calendar now to come out and join in prayer for our nation @ 7:00 P.M.
GRADUATE RECOGNITION
Anyone graduating from college or high school is asked to contact Sue Barnett, 610-779-9787 or the church office at 610-779-9787 so that they can be recognized during the church service on June 29th. Please fill out a form which can be found on the table in the Narthex and hand in to Sue Barnett.
JUST A REMINDER! Please remember to notify the church office regarding anyone in the hospital or of any transfers from hospitals to home or to any other facility. It becomes difficult sometimes to keep up with everyone’s moves, which results in extra traveling. Thanks so much.
NEW CHURCH PICTURE DIRECTORY
We are pleased to announce that we will be compiling a 2025 church family pictorial directory with Universal. It will include all members’ family portraits & roster info so we can stay connected.
Sign ups will begin April 13th
Photography will take place Tues.-May 27 &
Wed. May 28 from 2-8:30 pm
Please join us-it won’t be the same without you!
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PRAYER REQUEST FORM
Please pray for___________________________
Prayer needs_____________________________
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Your name (will be used to get updates)
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