Upcoming Events
10/11 Ladies' Fellowship 7:00 p.m.
10/12 MLG Meeting 6:00 p.m. 10/19 Soup Kitchen Prep 10/20 Soup Kitchen Serve 10/24 Fall Congregational Meeting 11/14 Pastor Cal’s Installation Service 3 p.m. @ Zion 
Zion will hold a Fall Congregational Meeting on October 24th following worship. All Zion group and mission leaders will give verbal updates on what their ministries have been up to so far this year.
Surprising Health Benefits of Singing
Singing brings joy to many people – but did you know that your passion for singing can lead to incredible benefits in your physical, emotional, and social health? Here are reasons why singing is good for you. 1. Singing strengthens the immune system According to research conducted at the University of Frankfurt, singing boosts the immune system. The study included testing professional choir members’ blood before and after an hour-long rehearsal singing Mozart’s “Requiem”. The researchers noticed that in most cases, the amount of proteins in the immune system that function as antibodies, known as Immunoglobulin A, were significantly higher immediately after the rehearsal. The same increases were not observed after the choir members passively listened to music. 2. Singing is a workout Singing can be an excellent form of exercise. Even if you’re healthy, your lungs will get a workout as you employ proper singing techniques and vocal projections. Other related health benefits of singing include a stronger diaphragm and stimulated overall circulation. 3. Singing improves your posture Standing up straight is part of correct technique as you’re singing, so with time, good posture will become a habit! As your chest cavity expands and your shoulders and back align, you’re improving your posture overall. 4. Singing helps with sleep Singing can help strengthen throat and palate muscles, which helps stop snoring and sleep apnea. 5. Singing is a natural anti-depressant Singing is known to release endorphins, the feel-good brain chemical that makes you feel uplifted and happy. 6. Singing lowers stress levels Making music in any form is relaxing. Singing releases stored muscle tension and decreases the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol in your blood stream. 7. Singing improves mental alertness Improved blood circulation and an oxygenated blood stream allow more oxygen to reach the brain. This improves mental alertness, concentration, and memory. 8. Singing can widen your circle of friends Whether you’re in a choir or simply enjoy singing karaoke with your friends, one of the unexpected health benefits of singing is that it can improve your social life. The bonds you form singing with others can be profound, since there’s a level of intimacy naturally involved. The delights of singing go beyond merely enjoying the beauty of your own vocal talent. All of these health benefits of singing may make you want to join a choir or start taking voice lessons right away! If so, don’t hesitate to get started – have fun with it, and do you what you enjoy! Consider joining one of Zion's choirs today! 
Ladies’ Fellowship would like to invite all Ladies to join us Oct. 11th at 7:00 p.m. for our meeting where refreshments will be served. We will be discussing our fall events and upcoming Christmas events. Please contact Diane or Marcia for more information! |
Worship GuidelinesThe MLG, Pastor Cal, and many of us are continuing to review our COVID-19 Guidelines.
We mourn with those who have lost loved ones due to this virus, or are currently suffering from it or its many impacts. May God and God’s people surround and comfort you. Currently, our sanctuary and church building are open on Sunday mornings, and for other events by request. The church office is open as well. We have resumed coffee hour in the narthex after Sunday worship. We have taken down the dividers from the pews, and put Bibles and Hymnals back, and resumed singing together. Let us enjoy worshipping and fellowshipping in old and new ways together! While we are grateful to be able to do many of the things we love to do again, we continue to recommend following health department guidelines. Please take precautions to protect yourself and others, as well as respect one another’s boundaries. It is always a good idea to allow personal space between yourself and others, and ask before engaging in physical contact. Please leave the aisles and doorways into and out of the sanctuary and building clear, so that people are able to enter and exit easily. If you have been in our building and test positive, or learn you have been exposed to Covid-19, please notify the church so we can respond accordingly. Thank you for understanding and respecting these guidelines, which are in place to protect our neighbor and ourselves. Please contact us if you have any specific questions or requests: zionuccmlg@gmail.com Grace and Peace, Pastor Cal Nevenzel & The Ministry Leadership Group (MLG): Brian A, Moderator; George S, Vice Moderator; Carolyn S, Treasurer; Matt S, Secretary; Ed K; Jess M UCC Daily Devotions Each day authors from the UCC provide a powerful devotional. Click on the link to take you to the day's reflections. Contact Us:
Rev. Calandra Nevenzel - Pastor pastorcalandra@gmail.com Susan M - Office Manager zionuccbaroda@gmail.com Rhonda H - Bookkeeper zionuccbaroda@gmail.com Music Director zionuccbaroda@gmail.com Jessica M - Christian Education jmachiniak@gmail.com Office Hours: Tues-Thur: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Letter from Pastor CalDear Beloved of Zion UCC,
This Fall, we are celebrating the Season of Creation. Over the next several weeks we are exploring God’s creation of earth, sky, animals, mountains, and humanity, and Sabbath rest, all of which are also connected as the whole of God’s creation. Last Sunday, we talked about how connected we are with the planet earth, and so it has always been a part of our calling to care for it. As I mentioned on Sunday, we will be starting on a few small steps toward being a greener church. If anyone is interested in joining in this effort, let me know. We can all work on caring better for our earth in our personal and family lives, as well as when we come together as a church community by recycling, being more mindful of the products we buy, and more. Our first “Baby Earth” step is encouraging recycling our bulletins in the special recycling container at the back of the sanctuary. You will notice it looks more like a decorative lantern, and so we can visibly see our efforts, as we remember that Jesus is the light of the world, and encourages us to be light-bearers as well. Here is a link for the Green Faith Community Checklist by Interfaith Action for more ideas. You can also visit https://swmichinterfaith.org/green-faith-communities to learn more. This will also be posted in the narthex as a reminder for us to consider as we work toward this effort, knowing that God is with us offering us both encouragement and grace as we do so. Below you can see our worship series for upcoming Sundays, and some steps toward caring better for our earth. Season of Creation Sept. 26 - Sky Sunday Oct. 3 - Animal Sunday (Communion) Oct. 10 - Mountain Sunday Oct. 17 - Humanity Sunday Oct. 24 - Sabbath Rest Sunday Grace and Peace, Pastor Cal 
Daily PrayerWhatever happens today, dear Lord, help us remember that you are present. If we find ourselves in the shadows of disappointment or rejection or pain, let us see your comforting light. If we’re in the radiant light of success or acceptance or wholeness, may we acknowledge your providence and grace. Wherever we are, grant us the assurance of your nearness. Amen. |