Pastor's  Page

Pastor Duane A. Jesse

Sermons

Worship Notes

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Dear ones:
A lot has happened since I last communicated with you through "Eye On Zion."  Though I often bragged about Zion's highly talented and long-serving staff, some of that has changed.  Besides myself, serving as pastor since 2012, Zion employs four administrators to support the leadership of the congregation:  Joan Gent, Zion's Worship & Music Administrator since 1990; Geniene Hankey, Administrator of Zion Christian Early Learning Center since 2006; and until recently, Kaari Wentz, Zion's Communications Administrator since 2011; and Michelle Martin, Zion's Office Administrator since 2013.  Honestly, before the pandemic in early 2020, I felt like Zion was a well-running machine able to handle anything that was thrown our way.  Michelle left in the early fall to complete her student teaching to become a special education teacher.  Shortly after Michelle left, Kaari resigned to take a new administration job at YSU.  Suddenly, there was a wrench in that well-running machine.

We replaced Michelle, made a misstep, and then corrected it by hiring Jodi Hanousek to be Zion's new Parish Administrator.  And we have hired Seven Surack to be Zion's new Communications Administrator.  Please stop in, introduce yourself, and welcome them to Zion.

Transitions are often difficult, and to make this transition more difficult, during the period of late October through mid-December, we had six funerals in five weeks.  It has been a challenge, but one we have prevailed against.  We appreciate your patience and prayers.

As you know, we are working with a year-long theme of "Hope Happens Here" and variants such as "Hope Is On The Way" for the season of Advent, and soon, "Hope Has Come" for the season of Christmas, and "Hope is Revealed" for the seasons of Epiphany.  I hope you see the legitimacy of these expressions played out as we move through the liturgical calendar.

Among the many announcements this "seasonal" edition of Eye Zion promotes are

• Live Nativity, December 18, back for the first time since 2020
• Christmas Eve schedule – 3 identical services at 5, 7, and 9 PM.
• No Sunday services on Christmas Day or New Year's Day
• The Annual Congregation Meeting will be on January 29
• Ash Wednesday is February 22

Personally, I have big news!  I was awarded the Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage!  I have to give thanks for Gary Shane and his brothers at the Argus Lodge 545 in Canfield for nominating me.  As I have said many times, I have only one travel desire and that is to walk the same dusty paths that my Lord Jesus walked – and now I will do it February 6-16, 2023.  I can't imagine that the congregation won't benefit from my experience.  Please remember me in your prayers, especially during this pilgrimage.

With you on the journey of faith,

Pr. Jesse

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