CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Our Children's Ministry is uniquely designed for children newborn through 6th grade. We believe children are a blessing from God and we are passionate about creating an environment that is safe, age-appropriate and fun. Our Children's Ministry is a place where the Bible is taught in a creative and relevant way allowing children to grow in their relationship with Christ.


Our Children's Ministry is divided by age into three groups: Nursery, Primary and Intermediate.


Join the fun and experience a world where children meet Jesus on their level!


NURSERY


The Nursery is geared toward children ages birth through age 5. During your child's visit, they will be cared for both emotionally and physically by our nursery staff. Staff will change diapers, bottle feed, provide a snack, hold, rock and comfort your baby throughout their stay. In addition, children will participate in free play followed by snack time and a lesson made for toddlers and preschoolers. We often include a simple craft to further illustrate the weekly lesson.


PRIMARY


The Primary Class is for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Each weekend, your children are invited to participate in a safe, fun and purposeful time of worship and teaching to learn more about God. We are committed to helping your child grow in every aspect of their relationship with Jesus Christ and knowledge of His Word. Our teachers have a passion for serving in children's ministry and have a deep desire to see children know, love and serve Christ.


INTERMEDIATE


The Intermediate Class is for 4th and 5th graders. The lessons in this classroom are aimed at these grade levels. Our teachers are great at initiating thought-provoking conversations and teaching the children to put Christ first in their lives. The teachers of this class are known to provide donuts for the students on Sunday mornings!


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zumy — zion united methodist youth

Zion's youth group is a combination of middle and high school students (6th to 12th grade) who meet at the church on Sunday evenings from 6-8 P.M. During this time, the youth grow in the knowledge of God through Bible study, and enjoy a time of playing games in order to enhance fellowship with one another. Other activities that the youth group is involved in include attending the Creation Festival, mountain and beach retreats, serving the Zion congregation and other various activities and events.


The groups purpose is to help the youth grow in the knowledge and grace of God while at the same time provide a safe place for them to have fun and build relationships with one another.


We are a Jesus-focused, Spirit-filled, and life-giving ministry at Zion, who's focus is to bring to life the Gospel of Christ in the lives of our youth. Our vision is to raise up and empower the next generation to advance God's kingdom, so that our students can take their next steps to a life of significance with Christ.


We are centered around discipleship relationships to foster an environment for our students to thrive on their journey with Jesus. Our ministry approach is based on a caring community and small groups where Godly relationships can develop — a gathering for students to encounter God through worship, teaching and other events, such as mission trips and summer camp.


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Sunday Evenings:

We meet every week in the Senior High Room from 6-8 P.M..


music Worship Ministry at zion

The purpose of the Music Worship Ministry at Zion is to use music and song to provide an environment for people to glorify God and experience life transformation. Every week, people come together here to enter into His divine presence through thanksgiving, praise and worship. 


Accomplishing this requires a group of people who use their gifts and talents to serve God and minister to the hearts of His people. Zion has been blessed  with an abundance of musical talent which has been expressed in dedicated and richly inspiring services. We would love to have you get involved! If you play an instrument and/or sing, we invite you to consider joining our music worship family. We have a Senior Choir that provides music during our Traditional Services. We also have a Praise Worship Team that provides music and leads in song during our Contemporary Service. Our Praise Singers provide contemporary praise music periodically for both the Traditional and Contemporary Services. There is the King's Kids for singers ranging in age from 4 to 8 years old singing once a month at the Traditional Service. The Men of Zion is made up of men from the choir and congregation practicing a few times a year and singing 3 times a year during the Traditional Service. The Sisters of Zion is also made up of women from the choir and congregation. They also practice a few times a year and sing 3 times a year during the Traditional Service.


Additionally, we have 2 Handbell Choirs — Senior for adults and the Joy Bells for children. We also have a Concert Band consisting of adults and youth that provide special music various times during the year.


Our Audio/Visual Tech Team is always looking for volunteers to manage the audio and create visuals for both Sunday Worship Services. We would love to have you serve with us as we worship God through Worship, Arts, and Technology. If you are interested in being a part of our team, please contact us today!



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local and global mission work

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

Matthew 28:19-20

Local  Mission work

We are passionate about showing you who Jesus is. Whether it is in our own neighborhood or across the globe, we can tangibly express God’s love for humanity through our mission work and support both in our neighborhood or around the earth. Join us as we extend our mission beyond our walls and share the love of Jesus in our local and global community.


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Released Time Bible Program

Released Time is a Christian ministry to children in the ELCO Intermediate School, sponsored by OnFire Youth Ministry, spreading the love of Christ to children in our area. The Released Time Bible Program is a Pennsylvania state approved program which allows public school students to be dismissed from school for one hour a week of nondenominational religious instruction.  Students must have parental permission to participate. Over the years, many Zion members have been volunteering their time. This school year there are 4 members involved. The program is always in need of more volunteers both as a group leader for the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade children and as a babysitter for the younger children of the volunteers! Contact Sandy Sandoe for more information or to sit in with her and her group for a day to see what Released Time is all about.


United Methodist Women Prison Ministry

Volunteers with Zion's United Methodist Women have an on-going local prison ministry for incarcerated women at the Lebanon County Prison


5 Stones Fight Club

5 Stones Fight Club began in 2008 in the basement of Shane Manney's home in Myerstown as a way to use mixed martial arts to attract 18-35 year old males and, in the process, help them discover that they can become, "mentally tough, physically fit, and spiritually sound." The club's ministry director, chief instructor and head coach is Sean Knauff, who has over 18 years of training in karate. Working together, Sean and Shane run this non-profit sports ministry, which is committed to building relationships and sharing the gospel. Working with the Free Burma Ranger organization , Sean and Shane are helping to train a select group of volunteers that will travel with the Ranger group to help what is known as "internally displaced people" in Burma (Myanmar), Iraq, or Syria. These are people who have lost their homes and livelihoods. They are in desperate need of medical care and supplies, training in survival tactics. Volunteers will also be  assist in the spiritual needs of these impoverished people. As Shane states, "We try to live our faith out loud." For more information about 5 Stones Fight Club contact Sean Knauff.





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global mission work

The life-changing message of Jesus Christ is intended for a worldwide audience. Our purpose is to impact nations by equipping believers to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19.) Our church supports the missionary work of Carrie Callahan in Hungary and Amos Ngeze and family in Tanzania East Africa.


Carrie Callahan — Papa, Hungary

Carrie  is presently a music/elementary teacher at Quality Schools International in Papa, Hungary and had been an upper elementary/middle school music teacher at Quality Schools International in Shenzhen, China.


Carrie grew up in Myerstown, PA and has also grown up being a member of Zion UMC. She states, "I feel privileged to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that my life will show the world the power of His love! There is a great plan for my life and I am excited to see it played out! God is good, all the time!


I have been a missionary teacher for a long time now...since 1996 and I am so thankful to have had the chance to meet so many wonderful people and see so many wonderful countries."


Amos Ngeze — Tanzania East Africa

Pastor Amos works for the Katunguru Bible Training School in Tanzania East Africa. He states, "July of 2018 KBTS will witness 42 students graduating. All of them have been assigned by the council of the Africa Inland Church in Tanzania to ministry stations. Each one of them is very excited to be headed to the field to spread the good news. Staff and workers of KBTS are so encouraged to see our graduates do very well in their ministries. Glory to Him who empowers to do what He does in our hearts in equipping future pastors of Africa and the world!"