Zion’s hosts a Wednesday night meal, followed by a Rejoicing Spirits worship service, Bible study and choir practice. The meal is sometimes prepared at church, and sometimes a “pot-luck style meal” (with salad, drinks and bread prepared by the church). We are hiring a very part time (usually 2.5-3 hours/week) “Ministry Coordinator” to set-up, prepare, and host these meals. A full job description is available below. To apply, please email resume and cover letter to pastorckurtz@gmail.com by Sunday, September 29.
Category Archives: Rejoicing Spirits
Wednesday night worship for God’s children of all abilities
July 24 Indoor Campfire
Rejoicing Spirits
What is it?
Rejoicing Spirits is an interactive worship service that intentionally welcomes all people, including those with special needs.
Can you still come if you are not “special needs”?
Yes! All are invited. The interactive format is particularly friendly to people of all ages and all disabilities, including autism. The idea is not to have a service for just people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our service, instead, offers a welcoming and accessible environment to all people.
What does it look like?
It looks like the Kingdom of God; that is, people of all ages, shapes and sizes praising God! We follow a simple worship order that includes prayer, scripture and singing. Readings and prayers are done in a back-and-forth style. The music is guitar/camp-style, using familiar songs with a limited number of verses.
Why a separate service?
Zion’s welcomes people with developmental and physical disabilities into all aspects of our life together; everyone is still welcome on Sunday. However for some people “normal” church doesn’t work. Families often struggle and feel that their presence in church only interrupts other people’s worship experience. One could easily argue that the most unchurched group in America are people with disabilities and their families. Each of us know someone who no longer goes to church because they struggle to find an environment suitable for their family.
When is it?
The service is on Wednesday night, beginning at 6:15 and lasting until 6:45 PM. Families and members of the community are also invited to a supper, which starts at 5:30. Following worship, there is Bible study for adults at 6:50 PM and adult choir practice at 7:30 PM.
Why have it on a Wednesday night?
1/3 of all people who work have a Sunday commitment. While I wish no one had to work on Sundays, this is simply not the way the world works. The midweek service also offers a bit of rest and joy in the middle of the week for everyone.
Is this service connected with the national “Rejoicing Spirits” movement?
Yes! New this year, we are officially part of the Rejoicing Spirits movement, which is a national organization affiliated with Mosaic.
SUMMER Joyful Spirits schedule
In the case of inclement weather, we’ll move to the church. Check Facebook, or just swing on by, for these updates.
May 20: Take me out to the ballgame
Join us for an afternoon of fun, friends, and dancing!
Joyful Spirits
What is it?
Joyful Spirits is a worship service that intentionally welcomes all people, including those with special needs.
Can you still come if you are not “special needs”?
Yes! All are invited. The interactive format is particularly friendly to people of all ages and all disabilities, including autism. The idea is not to have a service for just people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our service, instead, offers welcoming and accessible environment to all people. Only a handful of the people at the service could be classified as “special needs.”
What does it look like?
It looks like the Kingdom of God; that is, people of all ages, shapes and sizes praising God! We follow a simple worship order that includes prayer, scripture and singing. Readings and prayers are done in a back-and-forth style. The music is guitar/camp-style, using familiar songs with a limited number of verses.
Why a separate service?
Zion’s already welcomes people with developmental and physical disabilities; we probably have three to four people on any given Sunday, including folks in wheelchairs. Everyone is still welcome on Sunday. However for some people “normal” church doesn’t work. Families often struggle and feel that their presence in church only interrupts other people’s worship experience. One could easily argue that the most unchurched group in America are people with disabilities and their families. Each of us know someone who no longer goes to church because they struggle to find an environment suitable for their family.
When is it?
The service is on Wednesday night, beginning at 6:15 and lasting until 6:45 PM. Families and members of the community are also invited to a supper, which starts at 5:30.
Why have it on a Wednesday night?
1/3 of all people who work have a Sunday commitment. While I wish no one had to work on Sundays, this is simply not the way the world works. The midweek service also offers a bit of rest and joy in the middle of the week for everyone.
Is this service connected with the national “Rejoicing Spirits” movement?
Rejoicing Spirits is an offical ministry run out of Saint Paul’s Lutheran church in Exton, PA. Zion’s Lutheran is in the process of establishing our relationship with the official ministry.
(Note: Zion’s tries to be sensitive to language regarding people who have disabilities. If you feel the language on this page is not helpful or even offensive, please contact the church.)