Zion’s (Spies) Evangelical Reformed Church
JULY 2026
Parson’s points
A LIFE MOTIVATED BY LOVE
When we as Christians think of eternal life, we tend to imagine a more blissful continuation of
this life in heaven. Jesus refers to eternal life several times as recollected in the Gospel of John.
Jesus says that those who hear his word and believe have eternal life (John 5:24) and he defines
eternal life as knowing God (John 17:3). Jesus assures us that no one can take eternal life from us
(John 10:48) and promises that, though we die, yet shall we live (John 11:25). When Jesus refers to
eternal life he speaks in the present sense; that is, we have eternal life here and now. The eternal life
is the life focused on God, motivated by agape love and focused on the eternally significant – the soul
of our fellow man. As we invest in these areas, we save up our treasure in heaven where it can never
be lost and will not be tarnished by the sands of time.
If we are not carefully guarding our thoughts against attack, it is easy for Satan to convince us
that we are not worthy because we continue to goof up so readily. Even pastors are not immune to
this as we, too, are mere men. Recently, I came under this sort of an attack as I drove to work and
realized that I had gotten off my routine and did not pray in the morning. How could that have
happened, I wondered? Shouldn’t it just come naturally – especially for a pastor? As Satan had
prompted me to question the sincerity and depth of my faith – as though that relationship with God
was all about the number of times one prays, it began to dawn on me that my time was used in
conversation with God – actually preparing something special for a group of students. As I began to
reflect on the situation, I realized just how totally everything had been motivated by love and that love
is the very essence of God – living in love is eternal life.
In His Service,
Pastor Vaughn and Lisa
BREAKFAST CLUB
July 8th, @ 8 A.M. @ Chatty’s
July 21st, @ 8 A.M. @ Mt. Penn
Happy July 4th
IN GOD WE TRUST
MEN’S FELLOWSHIP
Our next meeting will be July 11th at 7:30 A.M. All men encouraged to come and share in the food and fellowship.
NEWLETTER ARTICLES
ARE DUE THE SECOND TO LAST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH. This Month July 19th.
STEWARDSHIP
ELDERS/CONSISTORY MEETING
Our next meeting will be MONDAY,
July 13th @ 7:00 P.M./7:30 P.M.
Stewardship @ 6:30 P.M.
OUTDOOR SERVICES
July 5th service will be inside with Holy Communion all other July services will be in the grove, weather permitting.
FLEA MARKET/BAKE SALE – JULY 18th
7:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Come join us for the day. Flea Market starts at
7 A.M. Women’s Ministries will have a baked goods stand; they would appreciate any baked good donations. Pancakes, Egg Sandwiches, Hot dogs, Burgers and drinks will be for sale.
Linda Wilson is looking for paperback or trade book donations.
If you would like a flea market spot ($10) please call the church office 610-779-9787 or see Sue
Must provide your own tables
VBS FOR ADULTS
Adult VBS July 19-23 6:30-8:30p.m.
Revelation – J. Vernon MeGee
Join me while we learn how to hop on the “Bible Bus” with Dr. McGee. He was famous for his radio broadcasts of “Thru the Bible”, his 5 year program. His messages on the entire Bible will open your mind. It gave me a love for reading the Bible with understanding of who God is, his promises to us and what the future is going to be like for his church and the new heaven and earth.
Bring your Bible and you will get a Bible Companion on Revelation by J. Vernon McGee.
Sign-up sheet or text me or call to reserve your book. 484-509-7005
I hope to see you then. Margie Noll
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES are still selling tickets for a small cold sandwich from M & M’s Sandwich Shop in Oley
Please see Sue Barnett for tickets. Cost $7.00
CARD SHOWER LISTS
Jan. – Dec. available on the Church Website- (www.zionspieser.com) or May- August sheets on the table or see Sue Barnett for a list for anyone willing to participate in sending cards to church family members 80 yrs. & over.
Also available on the table under the pavilion.
EVANGELISM & OUTREACH
We remind everyone to check your church calendars and plan on your participation at the Festival on July 18th. We encourage all of you to set time apart to assist us in making this event successful and meaningful. The Evangelism & Outreach committee encourages your continued support of our outreach ministry to the homeless veterans. Next lunch items due- July 19th
2027 Calendars
Are beginning to arrive; if you have extras, Linda Wilson will accept them for the soup kitchen.
REDNER’S SAVE A TAPE PROGRAM
This program is going well thanks to all who donate your receipts. Please put your receipts in the wooden box on top of the food cupboard or hand to Linda Wilson or Sue Barnett.
HOMELESS VETERANS MISSION
LUNCHES FOR THE HOMELESS
The next date for lunch items to be at the church is July 19th. Please have donations in by this date. There is a sign-up sheet on the table under the pavilion for those who wish to contribute items or call Sue at the church office 610-779-9787.
The monetary and food donations from our church family have been very generous. With the help of God, we are making a significant difference in many lives. Our thanks to all that support this mission. Because God gives us all we need, we should give to those in need.
SHARE YOUR MUSICAL TALENTS
Anyone who would like to share their musical talents with the congregation over the summer months please see or call Jeff Griffin
610-217-7624.
Tabs
We are still collecting the tabs from any type of can (soda, cat, or dog food, soup tuna, etc.) now for the Exeter Lyons Club. Drop them on the table in the Narthex or pavilion. Thank you, Linda Wilson
WOMEN’S MINISTRIES UPDATES
Once again, our church will be holding the Flea Market/Baked Goods Sale (formerly known as the Blueberry Festival) this year on July 18th. This is one of our events we look forward to as it is a time of fellowship, but also a time of greeting for folks who stop by who are not members of our congregation. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food will be available for purchase (Pancakes, egg sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, and drinks). Cost to rent a space for the Flea Market is $10.00. Come and enjoy our homemade baked goods stand. Any donations of baked goods for the Women’s Ministries stand will be much appreciated.
We will also have at our baked goods stand
M & M Sandwich Shop tickets for sale for $7.00 that entitles you to a small cold sandwich at their shop in Oley. Besides those tickets, we will be selling again this year, passes for Boscov’s’ Friends Helping Friends event which takes place on
October 21st from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. only.
Also, this month we will be making lunches for the homeless vets. Items are due July 19th. Sign-up sheets will be on the table under the pavilion or if we meet in the church, will be on the table in the Narthex.
There is always an invitation for any lady who attends our church to join us at our meetings, which are held the second Tuesday of every month at 11:00 A.M. Next meeting will be July 14th.
PRAYING FOR AMERICA
Father, keep us safe, as we celebrate . . .
our country’s freedoms that have made us great.
Let us not go further, down the road of sin
help us to turn from the wickedness within.
Bring us back, to trusting in You
give this Nation a heart that is new.
Make us humble, let us see our shame
so we can prayerfully call upon Your name.
Heal our land, scour out the pride
so You can be once again our guide.
Father, keep us safe, until such a time
this Nation comes out of its downward climb!
By Deborah Ann
AN INDEPENDENCE DAY PRAYER
Lord, on July fourth we'll celebrate
Independence Day in our nation.
You gave us the truth to set us free.
You sent Jesus to die for our salvation.
We thank you for the precious freedom
That we have in our nation today.
We know this country's not perfect,
But we honor our nation, the USA.
We thank you for the Founding Fathers,
Who for freedom took a brave stand.
Many placed their very lives in peril
To start a free country in a new land.
I thank you for the brave soldiers,
Who gave their lives to keep us free.
They gave their ultimate sacrifice
For freedom for Americans like me.
As we shoot fireworks and celebrate
With patriotic concerts and parades,
We thank you for all your blessings
And your great love that never fades.
As we gather with our loved ones
For picnics and barbecues and fun,
We want to thank you for everything,
Especially for sending your only Son!
PRAYER REQUEST FORM
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