News and updates

FAITH WEAVERS: 

Faith Weavers is currently taking a break in recognition of the Christmas and New Years holidays through January 7th. We will plan to resume classes on January 14th. With that in mind, if your child is between Kindergarten and 6th grade, please consider having them join us for our stellar second semester of faith building, fun, and fellowship! Parents can find more information and register on our church website under “Educational Ministries” and “Faith Weavers.” We hope to see you this new year! 

Also, if you would be interested in donating to support this program, besides monetary donations, included below is a list of some requested food items. As always, your support and encouragement is greatly appreciated!

Please put non-perishable donations in the marked bin in the kitchen with a note (from who, for who) and alert church staff about your donation. Cold items should be put in the refrigerator, and frozen items should be placed in the freezer. For more information, contact Mr. Jareske. 

For January

1. Packages of hamburger buns

2. Rolls of 85/15 or 80/20 ground beef

3. Jars of pizza sauce

4. Bags of shredded mozzarella cheese

5. Jars of apple sauce

FAITH WEAVERS HELP: 

As this weekly event is dependent on the teamwork of volunteers and supporters, we are once again putting out the call for assistance. If you feel called to help during our second semester of classes by serving in some capacity, week to week, please contact Kim Baumann, Suzie Wachter, or Mr. Jareske (402-329-4313) in the near future. Volunteers can be 7th grade and older. We are still looking for individuals to assist with our various stations, cooking meals, and helping with serving the meals, without cooking. As such, if you believe that you might be able to help in one of these ways, please let us know as soon as possible. 

ZION TUITION ASSISTANCE FUND:

If you would like to help provide students with a Christian education, please consider donating to the Zion tuition assistance fund. It is easy to donate! Make checks payable to Zion Lutheran School and just write in the memo tuition assistance. Have a special student in mind for assistance? Contact the school office at 329-4658 to set up a donation for them.

SCRIP:

Mrs. Anson is still taking orders for scrip. They are due every Monday by midnight. If she doesn’t have what you need on hand, orders may take up to one week before they are available. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

If you have announcements or upcoming events you would like posted or announced, please contact the church office by noon on Wednesday. Also, if anyone has updates to their address, phone number, email, or member status, please notify the church office of any changes. 

SERVICE ASSISTANCE: 

If any youth students would be willing to assist during church services on Sunday mornings, please call 402-329-4313 to let the church office know. We are currently looking for both ushers and technology booth assistance, and training will be provided for anyone willing to serve in either capacity. We have recently resumed live-streaming our Sunday morning services with our new camera equipment, and in an effort to better manage all of the moving parts within a typical service, a few additional volunteers to assist with either running the soundboard, running the camera, or managing the slideshow would be very much appreciated. 

VISITOR CARDS:

Please make sure to have visiting family members, or new visitors, fill out the visitor cards, not attendance cards, if they are only attending for the week.

CONFIRMATION: 

Confirmation classes for public school 7th and 8th grade students is currently taking a brief break through January 7th in recognition of the Christmas and New Years holidays. We will plan to resume classes on January 14th. 

CHURCH SECRETARY APPLICATIONS: 

Zion Lutheran Church is now accepting applications for the position of Church Secretary. Interested individuals should call / leave a message with Jerald Wachter at 402-329-6869. Preference will be given to applicants who are Technology proficient and familiar with Microsoft Office applications. Applicants must have excellent interpersonal skills and agree to a background check. This is a full-time position with benefits. Salary dependent upon experience.

BIBLE STUDY: 

Jerald and Suzie Wachter are having the Adult Bible Study on Sunday, January 18th, at 6:00pm at their house. Please check the announcements for more details. 

YOUTH SKI TRIP: 

The Fusion Youth Group is planning to take a group of 7th through 12th grade students on a one day ski trip, departing at 11AM and returning by about 10PM, to Great Bear Ski Valley in Sioux Falls, SD today, January 4th, 2026. For those attending, participants need to fill out a rental agreement to rent equipment through the Great Bear Ski Valley website and fill out a Zion Transportation Permission form for this year, August 2025 to August 2026 (ask Mr. J for details on both). Both items must be completed by the date of the trip, at the absolute latest. We are also asking youth participants to bring along, no less than, $30 to cover meals. If plans do happen to change, we will contact everyone involved about rescheduling. Again, please continue to check for updates.

DISCOUNT CARDS: 

We are still offering discount cards to fundraise for various youth events, activities, and initiatives, and just as before these cards are full of discount offers with the generous support from many local businesses from around this area. If you would like to purchase one of these cards, please speak with a youth student, Mr. J, or call the church office, Monday through Thursday, to inquire. The cost of each card is $10, they are only valid for one calendar year, and limitations and exclusions do apply. See card for details. At this time, we can only accept cash or checks, and checks can be made out to "Zion Lutheran Youth.”

ALTAR GUILD: 

The Altar Guild is looking for new members. If you are interested, please look at the announcements for more details. 

FUSION YOUTH MEETING:  

Our next monthly Fusion Youth Group meeting for 7th through 12th grade youth students is scheduled to take place next Sunday, January 11th, from 5PM to 7PM in the Zion gym/youth room. If you are considering joining us for the fun, consider bringing a friend along, as well! A meal will be served, and no money is needed for this portion of the meeting.

SUNDAY SCHOOL: 

Sunday School classes for children and Adult Bible classes resume beginning today, January 4th, at our usual time and locations. Thank you and have a blessed new year!