Old Zionsville

Friday, May 9, 2025

Hi All!

The Penny Party was great fun! We are still crunching numbers and working out details of how successful it was – HOWEVER – we know if was successful because people were laughing, smiling, and enjoying the evening together! It took all kinds of people to make it happen, and we REALLY appreciate everyone who stepped up to help with the event, work in the kitchen, bring prizes, clean up afterwards, and especially cut numbers ahead of time! Give a high five to the cutters the next time you see them! It was a labor of love indeed! Jan, Linda W., Angela (who gets the prize for cutting the most!), Debbie S, Beth E, Glenn, Susan J, and Patti M. I haven’t heard yet from FUN Group if they will do it again, but we will keep you posted!

Sunday, May 11

• Sunday school at 9:00 a.m.
• New members class at 9:00 a.m.
• Worship with reception of new member at 10:15 a.m.
• Happy Mothers Day!

May 18

• Sunday school at 9:00 a.m.
• Worship with the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates at 10:15 a.m.
  • Rev. Bates is preparing for retirement from her job as our Conference Minister of PNEC. She comes to present a certificate to our church for being in ministry 285 years this year!
  • Supply musician is Beth Eck.
  • Some of the service is prepared through the UCC Mental Health Network, as May 18 is Mental Health Awareness Sunday.
• Organ concert at Zion’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 4:00 p.m. with Rudy Lucente on the organ.

Need a quick treat to serve on Mother’s Day? We have 2 fruit rolls left. They are frozen. There is one red raspberry and one apricot. Please let me know if you would like to purchase one of these on Sunday. They originally sold for $18 each, but I am not sure of the price today. I will find out for you and let you know.

Other News

• Now is the time to sign up for Grief Care which will start on May 28 from 6-8 p.m. in the lower social hall. This 9 week course is free to participate. The workbook costs $15 or whatever you can spare. We have discussion, a video lesson and the workbook activities to complete at home each week. All are welcome to the air conditioned space where we have snacks, hopeful discussions through the pain of loss and commonality in our journey as Christian people. Please reserve your space with me ASAP. Bring a friend who is struggling. It will help you too! Text, email or call for more information. Brochures with more details are located at both entrances to our church.
• Graduating? Please get your info to us. See the form in the May newsletter. Graduates will be recognized on June 8 in worship.
• The last SOUP and sandwich pick up is Thursday, May 22 between 3 – 5:30 p.m. Soup making will resume in October – so stock up and freeze if you want to have some for early fall!
• Did you know that your smoke detectors are only good for about 10 years? After that time you should change them out for new ones! Bring your old smoke detectors to the church to recycle! They need to be recycled as hazardous waste because of internal components. Leave them at Pastor Lori’s office door and we will recycle them for you! Please take out any regular batteries and we can recycle those too! See the bucket at the door of her office.
• We are still collecting all kinds of batteries to recycle at Staples. To date we have raised over $200 toward Staples purchases. I have small boxes at the front and ramp doors for your “contributions.” Or you can put bags of batteries outside of my office. Thanks! Keep them coming. You are an awesome support of this interesting way to recycle and get credit at Staples for future purchases.
• A church member has reported another scam is going around. This one looks and sounds like it is coming from your own insurance company. You are given a phone number to call in order to restore your health insurance care and get the medications you need. Please contact your insurance company using the back of your card if ever you receive a message like this. It may not be from the people you trust with your health.

As always, we have many members and friends in need of prayer due to death, illness, loneliness, new living situations, and other difficult times; remember, too, those who still recover from war, oppression, and natural disasters all around the world. We also have many members and friends celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and other joys, from new babies to cancer remission and so much more. Please continue your faithful prayers for comfort, strength, healing, and thankfulness. Thank you for being the church!

Peace to all,
Lori Esslinger
Part Time Pastor, Old Zionsville UCC
call or text:  610-393-3522

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