Q: How do I become a member of Zion?
What are the requirements of becoming a member at Zion?
A: OK, so you’ve been attending our church for a while now and you want to become a member. First of all, that’s great that you like our community so much. We are glad you are here too. To become a member is pretty simple:
1) Phone the office and register your name.
2) The office will call you when an information class is coming up.
3) Attend the class.
4) Become a member!
The reason we ask people to go through a class is for a couple of reasons. Practically, it’s just a good opportunity to get to know a few people in the church and for them to get to know you. It gives the Pastors a chance to talk to you and get to know you and at the same time you have the chance to learn more about our ministry. Secondly, it helps you to see where we are coming from in terms of what we believe and confess as a church and explore where you might fit into our ministry at Zion. Essentially this is a chance to get on the same page.
Q: Can we get married in your church?
How do we get married at Zion?
A: First of all it’s helpful if you have someone specific in mind to marry. There are some services we simply do not provide here at Zion. If you have gotten past this point, good for you! Marriage is an awesome thing, it is also a big step in your life and we offer some initial help to get you started. In order to be married at Zion you need to go through some premarital counseling with the Pastors. This generally is about 6-8 hours and provides assistance on good communication and even budget planning if that is a concern for you.
Steps to getting married at Zion:
1) Phone the office and set up an initial appointment with one of the Pastors.
2) Go through premarital counseling.
3) Make arrangements with our wedding coordinator.
4) Have an amazing wedding!
Q: Can I partake of Holy Communion?
Should I come forward for Communion?
A: First of all, why should we ask this question? Well, for us communion is a pretty big deal. It’s awesome that you would want to celebrate it with us but there are some things you might want to consider before you commune with us. What do you believe? We believe that Jesus is truly present in the bread and the wine and that this sacrament is offered for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of your faith. If you wish to commune and you are visiting with us the best thing to do is to talk to one of the Pastors, this way they know who you are, you know who they are and you can have any questions that you might have answered.
If you are anticipating coming to visit us, you don’t have to wait till then to ask your questions, feel free to share them with us through this website! The Pastors would be happy to get in touch with you and discuss this stuff, they love that sort of thing.
Q: How do you arrange a Baptism?
How do I get myself or my child Baptized?
A: You want to have a Baptism? Cool! We believe that Baptism is God attaching His promises to simple water which He uses to make us His children. He does this by giving us the gift of the Holy Spirit and water constantly reminds us of whose we are.
Generally Baptisms are done in the context of the worship service on Sunday because part of Baptism is becoming a part of God’s family, so we should have the family there! There are sometimes exceptions but this is left to the discretion of the Pastor.
Steps for getting Baptized:
1) Phone our office (604-576-1394) and give us some basic information about yourself or your child. It is also helpful if you have a date in mind.
2) Set up an appointment with one of the Pastors.
3) The office will phone you to confirm the information and the date.
Q: Can I use part of your facilities for a function?
How do I book facility use at Zion?
A: The activities of Zion Lutheran Church and School have first priority for building use but we are happy to accommodate other groups, with a similar philosophy of ministry, which need a facility when space is available.
Our building has a variety of spaces which can be used for groups: gym, chapel, classrooms, meeting space for groups of 10 and larger. We currently host groups such as Jesus Village Church (Korean), Toastmasters, Brownies, Guides & Pathfinders of Clover Ridge District Girl Guides, Overeaters Anonymous, and community sports teams.
One time use such as piano recitals, weddings or special family events are considered on a per request basis
Contact Linda Peters at the church office (604-576-1394) to check availability, to make arrangements to view facilities or to just ask questions!
Q: Who do I contact for the English choir?
Who do I contact for the English choir?
A: Contact the choir director, Betty Otke, or the music facilitator, Cindy Goddard.
Q: Do I have to be able to read music to sing in the choir?
Do I have to be able to read music to sing in the choir?
A: Not necessarily, although it is helpful. A good ear and regular attendance is important.
Q: When does English choir meet?
When does English choir meet for practice?
A: Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00 pm (September through mid-May)
Q: How can I share my instrumental/vocal gifts in a service?
I would like to share my instrumental/vocal gifts in a service. Where might I fit in?
A: Contact Cindy Goddard (zionmusic@hotmail.com or in person)! There are opportunities to serve as an organist in our Traditional or German services; instrumentalist or vocalist on one of our music teams in our Celebration service (depending on your level of musical accomplishment) or soloist during our offering or pre-service times. We also call on instrumentalists to accompany the choir on occasion.
Q: How do I sign up for a Jr. Youth special event?
How do I sign up for a Jr. Youth special event?
A: You can add your name and phone number to the sign up sheets on our Jr. Youth bulletin board outside the youth room or you can call our Jr. Youth worker at 604.576.9876.
Q: Can my child bring friends to Jr. Youth that don’t attend Zion church or school?
Can my child bring friends to Jr. Youth that don’t attend Zion church or school?
A: Absolutely! Zion’s Jr. Youth group encourages bringing friends to our events. You don’t have to be attending Zion. Whether you have your own church to attend or none at all, Zion’s Jr. Youth is here for everyone!
Q: Does Jr. Youth have programs in the summer?
Does Jr. Youth have programs in the summer?
A: Yes! One just needs to check the July and August calendars for all the planned events.
Q: What grades or ages is Jr. Youth?
What grades or ages is Jr. Youth?
A: The Jr. Youth group is for boys and girls who are in grades 6 and 7.
Q: How can I find out what the Junior Youth are doing?
How can I find out what the Junior Youth are doing?
A: There is a Jr. Youth section on our Zion website (Ministries>Junior Youth). At this page you can download a copy of the current month’s calendar of activities. Outside the Jr. Youth room there is a bulletin board with copies of the calendar in an envelope. Sign-up sheets are also located on this bulletin board. For more information, you can reach our Jr. Youth worker at 604.576.9876.
Q: How can I support Zion’s ministry financially?
How can I support Zion’s ministry financially?
A: You can request offering envelopes from the Church Office by phone any day during business hours by calling Linda at 604.576.1394.
You can come to worship and utilize the visitors envelopes found at the back of each pew. Just be sure to put your full name and address so that you can receive a charitable donation form at the end of the year!
You can use the pre-authorized debit form that you can download from this site, and have your offering withdrawn from your account each month (Donation Form.pdf).
You can make a large lump sum donation anytime by calling our accountant, Max, during business hours at 604.576.1394.
Q: Is there any way in which I can sponsor a student or help with their school tuition?
Is there any way in which I can sponsor a student or help with their school tuition at Zion?
A: Absolutely! We have a student support fund here at Zion! The best thing to do if you want to help with tuition is to call the School Office at 604.576.6313.
Q: Who are the Senior Youth?
Who are the Senior Youth?
A: A group of crazy young people, of course! More specifically, senior youth is offered for those in grade 8 through grade 12, no matter what you do, think, say or believe. We welcome all comers and look to have a positive group of teens who love and support one another. That’s the important part SYMBOL 74 \f "Wingdings" \s 11
Q: Where does the Senior Youth meet?
Where does the Senior Youth meet?
A: Almost all of the time, we start together in the Senior Youth room, located in the hallway to the left of the main entrance to the school (Entrance C). There is a door to the parking lot for our room as well, located in-between Entrance B and Entrance C (we’re the door closest to Entrance B). If we are not in the room, there will be a sign posted inside the room (within view of the outside door), indicating where we are and when. The youth calendar will also indicate off-site events and where/when to meet for those.
Q: When does the Senior Youth meet?
When does the Senior Youth meet?
A: During the school year, Senior Youth meets on Tuesdays from 7pm to 9:30pm for planned activity nights ranging from games, theme nights, Bible studies, small groups, gym night, sports, etc. We also get together to serve Zion’s children's ministry on Friday nights with ALIVE. Small groups of youth come at 7:00pm to volunteer with music opening, youth band, recreation team (in the gym), and help in the classrooms. ALIVE is over at 8:30pm and that’s when we start drop-in time for the senior youth. Generally, we’ll take a walk to "7-11," buy some food and treats and then return to the church where we’ll hang out, play large group games, go to the gym, play board games or Xbox, and stick around until up to midnight! Beginning on May 23, 2008, the youth band will lead us in music at 8:15pm before we share in a short Bible study and discussion.
Q: What kind of things do you do at Senior Youth?
What kind of things do you do at Senior Youth?
A: Well, most weeks are pretty tame, but it can be extreme at times too…we play all sorts of games, ranging from big group games like Pictionary, Things, Mafia and Big Booty to smaller games like Xbox, Citadels, Diplomacy and Pit. We have theme nights when all the events centre around a central idea, like FOOD night, when you get to chug diet coke, squish a banana through a nylon pantyhose, make sculpture from chewed bubble gum, and so much more. Sometimes we play soccer on the big field or basketball in the gym. Dodge ball is a favorite around here, along with Hide-and-go-seek Tag (less hiding, more running generally). All said, we like to have fun, but there are times to be more serious too, when we study the Bible, serve others through ALIVE or music team, have small groups once per month, and pray for one another.
Q: Will I like Senior Youth?
Will I like Senior Youth?
A: The better question is: will you regret not trying it out? Why not check us out? Come for a month and get to know the teens, leaders, and general nuttiness that is Senior Youth! You might get more out of it than you expect… at the very least, give Brent a call or email him to talk about it. He’s not so scary. (mailto: brent@zionlutheran.org or phone 604-576-1394)
Q: Does Zion support any mission work?
Does Zion support any mission work?
A: Oh man! You better believe it! Through our weekly mission offerings we help the Lutheran Church Canada serve in the mission fields of Nicaragua, Thailand, and the Ukraine. We help support the work of Canada Lutheran World Relief with our offerings and through special projects. We help to sponsor the work of bible translation in Cameroon by helping to support our missionaries there.
Through our individual members we support (with dollars and volunteers) The Mission Boat society, I-Team ministry, a Christian School in Sierra Leone, Wagner Hills Farm, and many special projects from month to month such as the work of the Pregnancy Options Centre (formerly Surrey Crisis Pregnancy Centre).
There are also many groups within Zion who carry out mission work on their own. Our school children have raised funds through their weekly chapel offerings for: a foster child, "Raise the Rice" fund, and orphanages in the Ukraine and in Haiti. A group of caring seniors reach out to our community twice a month through our food bank depot. Our young adult group “Hands in Aid” raised money to establish micro loans in Africa for women looking to start businesses there; Our Lutheran Women’s Missionary League has yearly projects where they reach out locally, provincially and globally. Our loving Quilters send quilts and care packages around the world! And plans are presently in the works for our senior youth group to make a mission trip to the Philippians in the New Year!
Whew! That’s quite a list. And that’s not all the work of service being shared around the world. But it’s all done for the glory of the Lord and the good of those in need!
Do you have any other ideas of how we can care with the Gospel? Let us know, we would love to hear about your passion for service in Jesus Name!