I am unable to upload the worship video for the 5th Sunday in Lent to the webpage.  You can watch it on Zion's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/zionulc/

Dear Zion Family and Friends,

It’s unsettling that the early days of Lent have overlapped with the emergence of the coronavirus here in the United States. Like many of you, I have been following news reports and reading reliable sources for the latest information.

Jesus reminds us that the two greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor. One way to love our neighbor is to do what we can to prevent the spread of this virus. That means doing all the things you’ve been hearing on the news - frequent hand washing, staying home, especially if you're sick, and limiting travel and movement in the community. Loving our neighbor, right now, also means refraining from gathering for worship. During this time when we're unable to meet face-to-face, I encourage you to keep in touch with others in your Zion family through telephone calls or social media. Though we cannot come together in person, we can still reach out in love in other ways. Each morning and evening, I am lifting each one of you in prayer, remembering you by name. I invite you to pray for one another as well.

We started Lent on Ash Wednesday with a reminder of our mortality, a fragility that feels especially true in this moment. We also remembered that we are held by God in life and in death. Even in the midst of fear and uncertainty, there are opportunities to bear witness to God’s love and grace. As L. Roger Owens wrote recently in The Christian Century:

 
That grace frees us to ask, What does this moment—this reality—require of me? For some the duty will be—indeed already is—to exist as patiently and lovingly as possible in quarantine. For others it will be to show up, sacrifice the inclination to self-preservation, and care for the sick. For many, the moment calls for listening to experts and preparing thoughtfully, making sure there’s enough hand soap, peanut butter, and Cheez-Its on hand to endure a governmentally imposed staycation. But in the midst of that work, the duty of the moment calls for something else as well: loving reality, even   in its vulnerability. Especially in its vulnerability.

The Church Council and I will continue to monitor developments and make decisions about our life together. Keep an eye on our website (zionulc.com), our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/zionulc/), and your e-mail for updates.

I wish to extend my thanks and that of the council to those members who have mailed in their offering or made their offering through electronic means. We are grateful and we are blessed by you. Even though we're not meeting in person and worshiping together, the financial needs of our ministry together continue. Offerings can be made online through Zion's website by clicking on the donate button or through the mail.

I trust each of you to make appropriate decisions regarding your own health and safety. Please reach out to me if it would help to talk about this situation. We’re learning new details all the time, and fear is a natural response. Together we will pray and persist, trusting that God is with us always and remains the ultimate source of our hope.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. E. Ann Melot

Pastor

Zion United Lutheran Church

1919 Route 209, Brodheadsville, PA 18322

570.992.6988

zionulc@ptd.net

www.zionulc.com