Have You Seen The Prayer Flags?

Prayer Flags

Flying Prayer flags by Akuppa

Prayer flags date back to the ancient Buddhist tradition of writing traditional texts on banners or cloths that were then taken to be shared with foreign lands. As the tradition developed, it became common to hang a series of prayer flags that had been woodblock-printed with texts and images. The traditional colors symbolize the natural elements of sky (blue), air (white), fire (red), water (green), and earth (yellow).

These flags were intended to be public symbols of prayers for peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. Today, prayer flags have been incorporated by a wide variety of faiths, including Christianity.

Throughout Lent, you are encouraged to write your own prayer in words or pictures on a piece of fabric. Fabric flags and markers can be found on a table in the lobby/narthex, through your discussion groups or you may have a piece of fabric at home that you want to use (about 6×12 inches). Completed prayer flags can be placed in the basket on the table, and staff and volunteers will attach them together with other prayer flags before hanging them at Zion.

You can read more about prayer flags on Wikipedia or in this article and see more images of them here.

Easter Baskets for the Food Shelf

packing Easter baskets for the food shelfDuring Lent, Zion’s Social Ministry committee will be coordinating Easter Baskets to be distributed to families in need in our community through the Buffalo Food Shelf.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Bring these food items to the collection bins at Zion by March 21
    • Boxes of mashed potatoes
    • Packets of gravy French Fried Onions
    • Cans of green beans
    • Cans of fruit
    • Cans of mushroom soup
    • Packages of Jello
    • Dessert mix—brownies, bars, etc
    • Jelly Beans
  • Make a designated cash donation (make payable to Zion with ‘Food Shelf’ in the memo
  • Help assemble bags in Trinity Hall on Tuesday, March 30 from 9:30-11:30am
  • Help prepare and serve a meal for recipients of the bags at Zion on Tuesday, March 30 at 3pm
  • Help distribute bags at Zion on Tuesday, March 30 from 4-7pm (including greeting, registering, and carry out)
  • Help clean up after the meal and distribution

Sign up at the information desk or in the office.

The Life You’ve Always Wanted

to set sail / Nautical ► to unfurl or spread the sails; hence, to begin a voyage

During Lent we will be learning just what it is we need to do in order to raise our sails and get ready for the upcoming voyage into the future of Zion. Using John Ortberg’s book “The Life You’ve Always Wanted”, we will look at what we can do in our everyday lives to grow spiritually and to help us respond to the fresh wind of the Spirit in our sails. Ortberg presents the life giving spiritual disciplines as relevant, realistic steps to personal spiritual growth and transformation, a way to live life joyfully and abundantly.

lenten logoThe study begins on Ash Wednesday and will meet throughout Lent:

  • After the noon Wednesday Lenten worship services at Zion
  • After the 6:30pm Wednesday Lenten worship services at Zion
  • 10:30 Friday mornings at at BJs Deli in downtown Buffalo
  • Get your own group together
  • Or just get a book and read along!

Weekly topics  include It’s Morphing Time, Slowing Down and Celebrating, Praying and Confessing, Meditating on Scripture and Seeking Guidance, Practicing Servanthood, Finding Freedom, and Going the Distance with a Well Ordered Heart.

Please plan to be a part of this time of learning, sharing, and transformation as we prepare for the voyage of a lifetime!

Sign up and reserve your book today.