Thank you to everyone who submitted applications
for the Endowment Fund Scholarship!

 

Zoar's choir rehearsed for several Sundays after worship during Lent, but due to a COVID outbreak in the congregation, choir members weren't able to perform the pieces they'd worked on so diligently for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. 

However, the good news is that there are SEVEN Sundays in the Easter season, so the choir will be singing for us on May 8, the Fourth Sunday of Easter (aka Mother's Day).

The choir will rehearse on Sunday from 1:30-2:30 pm. Special singers' masks are available for those who would like to use one. Please contact Music Director Mel Kubik if you'd like to participate.

 

From now through May 1, 2022, Zoar's Sewing Circle invites you to donate new and like-new stuffed animals and hats for Clackamas Children's Services. There is a box below the church mailboxes in the narthex. The stuffed animals and hats will be donated along with many quilts that our Sewing Circle has created. Thank you for helping bring some comfort and joy to children and youth in need!

In addition to the dozens of quilts they're making for Clackamas Children's Services, the Sewing Circle is donating ten quilts to Lutheran World Relief, which is having its semi-annual in-gathering on May 5 and 6 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton.

Christian Education for All Ages
 

In September we began a  congregation-wide immersion into the biblical narrative of salvation using a multi-age curriculum based on Dan Erlander's book Manna and Mercy: A Brief History of God's Unfolding Promise to Mend the Entire Universe. Listed below are some of the ways we're exploring and deepening our knowledge of Scripture and God's saving plan for this world God so loves.

Sunday School: Since September we've been following the arc of the salvation story in Scripture. We began with the creation story and we're now focusing on the life and ministry of Jesus. 

Follwoing a two-week break for Palm Sunday and Easter, class will resume at 9:30 am this Sunday, April 24. Di Bernklau will tell the story of Jesus feeding the 5000.

NOTE: Since there are only four more classes this school year, we've decided to keep Sunday School online only. We'll be working toward a hybrid model (in person and online) for September.

Here's the Zoom link for Sunday School:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82064617931?pwd=QU9WSERGNFlSakwyUjRiakoxVTZOZz09
You may need to enter the passcode 447875.

Confirmation:  Confirmation class is off to a good start using Manna and Mercy. We'll be meeting again in person very soon to continue exploring the message the prophets brought to God's people. (Parents, please watch your email, as we work to coordinate busy year-end schedules!)

Thursday Morning Bible Study (10:30 am): Our group has decided to do a deep dive into the biblical salvation story using Manna and Mercy as our study guide. Currently, we're exploring how God sent prophets to call the people back to the right path when they began to worship other gods. (Scroll down for the assignment and for more information on how to join our study!)

Thursday Evening Women's Bible Study (7 pm): Zoar's Women's Bible Study, which is led by JoAnn Rothi, is gathering each week at 7 pm on Zoom. The current topic is During April and May we will be using “The Kingdom of God" Bible Studies series from the January/February and March/April Gather Magazines for the next 4 sessions starting 4/21/2022. (See above for more material and for information on how to join the Zoom study session!)

To get us started, the system has been set up to be quite simple and user-friendly. As we learn, we'll add a few more functions, so we can make the best use of this amazing technology.

Thank you to everyone who's agreed to learn and help run the system. JoAnn Rothi will be calling you, and we'll be training new people in the coming months, so stay tuned for your opportunity! If you'd like to help, please let JoAnn know.

Also, did you know that Zoar has a new Technology Team which is analyzing and prioritizing the congregation's technological needs? Currently, the Tech Team is looking into the feasibility of wall-mount video cameras for the sanctuary, which would be integrated with the new sound system and would eliminate the need for equipment in the aisle. The goal is to have this accomplished sometime this summer.

The Tech Team consists of Jim Bernklau, Anne Manicke, Steve Morgan, and Paul Rothi.

Sewing Circle is gathering on Wednesdays from 9 am - 12 pm. Please let Jennifer Benz know ahead of time that you're planning to come in person, or If you need materials or ideas for projects to work on at home, give her a call: 503- 263-6453 or 503-481-8296.

 
     In the spirit of Jesus, who always fed hungry people, our faithful Tuesday and Sunday night dinner crews  continue to care for our neighbors by serving delicious, nutritious dinners in our narthex area or to go. This past Sunday they served a lovely Easter dinner, which included ham and scalloped potatoes!

In recent months our two dinner crews have been consistently serving 75-125 meals. Please pray for our dinner crews and for our neighbors in need. Also, please prayerfully consider whether God might be calling you to be part of one of our teams that cooks and serves dinner. Our Tuesday dinner crew especially needs some new helpers!

If you'd like to volunteer to help our dinner crew serve, or if you can provide home-baked cookies, please contact the church office: 503-266-4061 or zoar@canby.com.

Due to the spike in COVID cases, the Clothes Closet has no opening date in sight, but does serve individual clients on an emergency basis.
 

The Clothes Closet is an outreach program of the Canby Transgender Alliance (CTA) that has been in existence for two years. The Living Room in Oregon City, which provides a safe space and resources for LGBTQ youth and young adults, is also a partner agency.

At present, Zoar is supporting this important outreach by providing space to the Clothes Closet. In the future, we hope to receive training that will enable us to have Zoar volunteers welcome and offer support to vulnerable people in the community. Sarah Rodriguez from CTA is the main contact person for the Clothes Closet.
 
Members of Zoar's volunteer support team include: Cindi Jeskey, Mel Kubik, Jewell Manley, Kårin Rothi, and Pastor Michelle Manicke (Ex officio).