Zoar Endowment Fund Scholarship
It's that time of year again for students to apply for the annual Endowment Fund Scholarship. Click the button below to download the application — you may print it or fill it out digitally and email it to office@zoarlutheran.org.
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For questions please contact one of the committee members: Chris Nichols, Don Weaver, Ardeth Woods, Mary Wintermantel, or Karen in the church office.
Sunday Morning Adult Forum
“What Does it Mean to be ‘Reconciling,’
and Why is it Important?”
Every Sunday from April 21, 2024 — 9:15 am
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Over the past ten years, the congregation of Zoar Lutheran Church has had intermittent conversations about becoming a Reconciling in Christ congregation. In January 2020, we had a committee of a dozen people who were ready to lead the process of helping our members learn and discern how to be truly welcoming to all people in the name of Christ. Unfortunately, COVID shut down our work on this – as it did with so many things!
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Between summer 2022 and fall 2023, Zoar once again engaged in a process of listening and discerning our mission and ministry priorities. Becoming a congregation that extends an explicit welcome to all people once again emerged as a priority. So, in the Spirit of the Risen Christ, who gives life to all, it’s now time to wade back into the waters of welcoming all people into full participation in the Body of Christ.
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Since learning is a fundamental part of the Reconciling in Christ process, we’ll begin by watching and discussing two videos. “For the Bible Tells Me So” examines the experiences of five Christian American families to see how insightful people of faith handle the realization that their child is gay. “Fish Out of Water” is a documentary that explores the impassioned relationship between homosexuality and the Bible. The videos will be broken into segments, in order to allow time for conversation. The first video, “For the Bible Tells Me So,” will be divided into three segments (April 21, 28, May 5), while “Fish Out of Water” will be divided into two (May 12 and 19).
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This Adult Forum series will be facilitated by Pastor Michelle Manicke and will meet in the Conference Room from 9:15-10:15 am.
Thursday Morning Bible Study
“Fierce: Women of the Bible Who Changed the World”
Every Thursday from April 18 — 10:30 am
On April 18th, Zoar’s Thursday morning Bible study group will begin a new six-week study authored by the Reverend Jennifer Cowart, Fierce: Women of the Bible Who Changed the World. Here’s a description of the course from the publisher’s website:
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“The word fierce is trendy. It is used to describe women who are extreme athletes, high-level executives, or supermodels. Women at the top of their game. But what about the rest of us? Can we be fierce? Absolutely! In fact, women like us have been changing the world for thousands of years — many who received little fanfare yet lived fiercely anyway. In this six-week study we will look at lesser-known female characters in the Bible and the ways they changed the world by living into God’s calling, including:
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The midwives of Egypt (Shiphrah and Puah), who made hard decisions in the face of evil.
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Deborah, who was an unlikely and powerful leader
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Naaman's slave girl, who bravely points others to God's healing power
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The Woman at the Well, who boldly repented and shared her faith
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Lois and Eunice, who parented with intentionality and effectiveness
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Dorcas, who showed kindness to those in need.
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As we explore their lives, we will discover how we too can live into our callings, honor the Lord, and even change the world through our courage, faithfulness, and obedience.”
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Click here to view a two-minute introductory video
with Reverend Jennifer Cowart.
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Thursday morning Bible study group meets on Zoom from 10:30 to 11:30 am. You’re invited to join our lively bunch of 17 curious and kind followers of Jesus!
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Books have been ordered and will be available to pick up in the church office once they arrive. Please contact Karen to be sure they’ve arrived:
503-266-4061 or office@zoarlutheran.org.