Zion’s (Spies) Evangelical Reformed Church
MARCH 2026
Parson’s points
THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD
By Lisa Starr
This is my Father’s world, And to my listening ears,
All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres.
This is My Father’s World is my favorite springtime hymn. It often runs through my mind on a clear day when Henry and I go for walks around the neighborhood. It was written by Maltbie Babcock, a Presbyterian minister from Lockport, New York. When he would take walks near his home on the shores of Lake Ontario,
he would tell his wife, “I am going out to see my Father’s world.” For Rev. Babcock, nature wasn’t just scenery. It was a living testimony to God’s presence and His role as Creator and master of the universe.
The hymn was published after he died in 1901. The verses were found among his writings.
While the first two verses celebrate the joy of God’s creation, the third verse takes an inward turn.
This is my Father’s world, Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world, The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied, And earth and Heav’n be one.
I can remember a time when these verses brought great comfort to me. Right after the 911 terrorist attacks, the whole world seemed to have gone astray. I was a young wife and new mother, and I felt the weight of responsibility heavily on my shoulders. This hymn was a gentle reminder that the same God who created the heavens and the earth is present with us and still rules over His creation. We can rejoice because His mighty voice, the same voice that spoke the earth into being, can still be heard. Listen for it as the birds raise their carols this spring!
In His Service,
Pastor Vaughn & Lisa Starr
BREAKFAST CLUB
March 4th, @ 8 A.M. @ Chatty’s
March 17th, @ 8 A.M. @ Breakfast Hut
CONSISTORY MEETING
Our next meeting will be MONDAY March 16th Elders @ 7:00 P.M.
Consistory @ 7:30 P.M.
NEWLETTER ARTICLES
ARE DUE THE SECOND TO LAST SUNDAY
MEN’S MINISTRIES
All men encouraged to come and share in the food and fellowship. Our next meeting will be March 14th at 7:30 A.M.
Men’s Ministries will be holding a soup sale after church on March 15th
SPIES DART BASEBALL
March 3rd – at BYE
March 10th – at Christ Luth. Spangsville
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING UPDATE
Our Annual Congregational Meeting was held following the worship service on Sunday, February 8th.
The following was approved by majority vote:
Consistory Members elected…Elders – Margie Noll & Mollie Prey
Deaconess – Melissa Adams
JOIN US REGULARLY AS WE WORSHIP TOGETHER!
WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN SCHEDULE
Wednesday, March 4th, 7:30pm
At ZION ‘S (SPIES) EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH
(Beginning at 6:00pm…
Soup and Bread in Fellowship Hall)
Wednesday, March 11th, 7:30pm
At ZION ‘S (SPIES) EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH
(Beginning at 6:00pm…
Soup and Bread in Fellowship Hall)
Wednesday, March 18th, 7:30pm
At ZION ‘S (SPIES) EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH
(Beginning at 6:00pm…
Soup and Bread in Fellowship Hall)
Wednesday, March 25th, 7:30pm
At ZION ‘S (SPIES) EVANGELICAL REFORMED CHURCH
(Beginning at 6:00pm…
Soup and Bread in Fellowship Hall)
SOUP AND BREAD SOCIAL
6:00 P.M. before Wednesday lent services.
There are 4 sign –up sheets on the table in the Narthex if you would like to help provide soup or bread for the social held here at Zion Spies E.R. on March 4th, 11th, 18th or March 25th. All Soup and bread should be here by 5:30 P.M. and all soup should arrive hot and in a crock pot.
PALM SUNDAY SERVICE
March 29th, @ 10:30 A. M.
As a remembrance of the first Palm Sunday,
Palm fronds will be distributed to the congregation.
MAUNDY THURSDAY
HOLY COMMUNION SERVICE
April 2nd, 7:30 P.M.
“Tenebrae Service” (Service of Lights)
Holy Communion at the Chancel Rail.
Join us for this special time.
GOOD FRIDAY PRAYER VIGIL
April 3rd, 2 P.M. -6 P.M.
As in previous years, we anticipate having one or
more persons in the church sanctuary for silent
prayer in all time slots throughout the day.
“Our Church Family List”
will be available in the Narthex so that you may take from the list as many persons as you will be praying for. May you be encouraged to sign up for one or more time slots as soon as possible on the sheet provided in the Narthex.
EASTER SUNDAY
April 5th service at 9:00 A.M.
Light breakfast will be served before the service
STEWARDSHIP
The first quarter of the year is just about over and on April 20th from 6:30 pm to 7 P.M. the Stewardship Committee will be going over the first quarter budget for 2026. Anyone who is interested in this aspect of service is welcome to join us down in the social room.
CARD SHOWER LISTS
Card shower lists for members of our congregation 80 yrs. of age and over provided by Evangelism Outreach, are on the side table in the narthex. Help yourself to these lists as we honor these special folks.
BIRTHDAY CARD SHOWER SHEETS
For January thru April 2026 available on the Narthex side table for anyone willing to participate in sending cards to church family members 80 yrs. & over. Also available on our church website www.zionspieser.com
HELP OUR HOMELESS VETERANS
They are no longer taking clothes, blankets or sleeping bags. Donations they do need are hand soap, wipes, toilet paper, and paper towels. Envelopes are available on top of the mailboxes if you would like to make a monetary donation. Our thanks to all that support this mission.
Because God gives us all we need, we should give to those in need.
Next lunches items due – March 15th
2026 ALTAR FLOWER / BULLETIN CALENDER
The new Altar Flower/Bulletin Reservation Calendar has been placed in the Narthex, on the back bulletin board, for your use. Please use ONLY the dry erase marker that is provided. Should a specific date have already been filled, you are invited to sponsor a “separate arrangement” on that date which will be placed in the chancel area.
Many upcoming dates available please think about signing up for a Sunday.
Altar Flowers-$45, Centerpieces- $35
CURRENT CONSISTORY MEMBERS
Ron Readinger Elder - President
Kathy Szpak Elder - Vice President
Susan Barnett Elder
Lisa Hughes Elder
Mike Hughes Elder
Margie Noll Elder
Mollie Prey Elder
Melissa Adams Deacon
George Kauffman Deacon
Joyce Kauffman Deacon
Linda Stephan Deacon
Frances Vogt Deacon
WOMEN"S MINISTRIES UPDATE
Even though our Family Banquet is in a couple months, the ladies are already making preparations for a Springtime event. This has been an unusually brutal winter but now we have the banquet to look forward to. It will be held on May 2nd and we plan to dine at 5:00 P.M. We have selected as the caterer Moyer’s Catering, and the cost of the tickets will be $16 for adults and no charge once again for children and youth. As entertainment for this year, we are having a gentleman who performs as a magician and ventriloquist. His stage name is Magic Mike. More information will be made available and also a sign-up sheet will be placed on the table in the Narthex.
This month we will once again be preparing lunches for the homeless veterans. Items will be due March 15th, look for a sign-up sheet on the table in the Narthex for items that are needed.
As our ongoing fund raiser we are still selling tickets for M & M Sandwich Shop in Oley for $7 for a small cold sandwich. See Sue Barnett to purchase your tickets.
With Easter arriving next month, Easter flowers must be ordered by March 22nd. Order forms are included in this newsletter and also on the table in the Narthex.
As always we invite the ladies of our church to join our group at our meetings on the second Tuesday of every month. Our next meeting will be
March 10th at 11:00 A.M.
FREEBAY EVENT
JUNE 27, 2026
8:00 A.M.- 12:00 P.M.
Everything is free
Members may start saving donation items now. They may be dropped off at the church 2 weeks before the event.
A list of the type of items we are looking for is on the table in the Narthex.
PRAYER REQUEST FORM
Please pray for___________________________
Prayer needs_____________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Your name (will be used to get updates)
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