Zion - Ministries

What is prayer? Prayer is simply a conversation with God. He is always present in our life, not only during worship. God needs us to be His voice, His hands and His feet. That is why it is so important for us to pray for one another. We invite you to become part of Zion’s Prayer Ministry team. To find out more about intercessory prayer, workshops or joining one of our Prayer Chains, contact our Prayer Team Leader, Judy Lindstrom, at 815-654-7123 or dajulind@yahoo.com. Let us know if you have a prayer request or a joy to share by filling out one of the pew cards or calling the church office.

Youth Ministry

Youth Ministry Staff

Zion hired James Garrison as the new Youth Ministry Coordinator, starting September 1, 2001. James grew up here in the Rockford area. He has his bachelor’s degree in Human Service from Judson University and is currently working towards his master’s degree in Social Work at Aurora University. He currently is employed at Rosecrance where he is the Shift Supervisor at the adolescent inpatient facility.

James has worked with adolescents in various church ministries for the last eleven years. He has facilitated campus ministries in the public schools, coordinated a bus ministry, and run multiple small groups. He married Anna Carlson in 2010 and they are expecting a child in the fall. James is very excited to grow and work at Zion with our teenagers.

You can email James at youth@zionrockford.com to learn more information and add him to your friends list on Facebook

Youth Ministry Programs

A variety of activities are offered by our Youth Ministry Coordinator, James Garrison, and a number of adult volunteers. Activities are planned during the entire school year, summer and school holidays. Email James at youth@zionrockford.com for more information.

The youth work on several fund raisers to support a new 2012 Servant Trip with Youthworks. These fund raisers help defray the expenses and earn scholarships for the 2012 Servant Trip and other events during the summer, serving others in various locations. No one is ever excluded from activities due to an inability to pay!

CONFIRMATION CROSSROADS PROGRAM - Our confirmation program is offered to 7th and 8th grade students, meeting on Wednesday nights at 5:00 p.m. with Pastor Thomas and Youth Ministry Coordinator James Garrison, as well as other adult volunteers. We start September 21, 2011 and finish May 30, 2012. The study features Bible teaching, history of the faith, Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, Baptism, Communion, Spiritual Gifts and others. Each spring, the group of teenagers participates in the Affirmation of Faith Worship Service. These teens work on a personal project reflecting their spiritual growth.

Adult Ministry

Zion invites you to join in any of our varied and expanding Adult Ministries.

Weekly, small group book studies deepen discipleship and form community.
Pastor’s Bible Studies walk through a book of Scripture.
Monthly Prayer Fellowship focuses on specific prayer concerns.
Women’s Circles are places where deep, life-long friendships are formed and spiritual growth occurs.
Men’s Breakfasts and Dinners include an interesting program as well as great food and conversation.
Lay members also play a vital role in each worship service.

Volunteers are always welcome!

New Member Orientation

We welcome one and all to learn about becoming a member of our growing church. Each quarter, orientation sessions are held following the Sunday morning service at 10:30 a.m. Check the schedule in the "Welcome Center".

Book and Bible Studies

Throughout the week, individuals join together in sharing and talking about a recent book or discussing a passage from the Bible. All are invited to become a part of the small group ministry of our congregation by attending one of the weekly small group studies.

Children's Ministry

Children's Ministry Staff

Zion has a new Children’s Ministry Coordinator, Betty Jo Jacobs, who began September 2, 2011. Betty Jo grew up Catholic, wanted to be a nun in high school and ended up joining a Lutheran church when her children were younger. She received her Bachelors Degree from Loyola University in Chicago with primary focus in Theology and Developmental Psychology. When her children came along, she joined an ELCA church where she taught Sunday School for many years, served on Council, co-chaired the Outreach Committee, and the Fellowship Committee. She has felt called to serve here at Zion since she began worshipping here in January 2010. She is grateful to be able to give to the children of Zion the blessings of our Lutheran-Christian faith. She has seen what a miraculous difference the grace of God makes in her life, the lives of her two teenagers and her husband Barry. You can email her at kids@zionrockford.com to learn more and add her to your friends on Facebook.

Sunday School – 9:15am

Join us every Sunday for Sunday School, held in the Conrad Room. We use the rotation method of learning which combines our computer room, arts and crafts, video room and storytelling with puppets to learn a story from the Bible. The third Sunday of each month, the children participate in the first part of the church service.

WOW Program

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The WOW program stands for Worship on Wednesday and it runs from September 21, 2011 until May 30, 2012. The elementary age youth come enjoy this weekly program from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. This is coordinated by the WOW Coordinator, Ruth Larson and you can email her at wow@zionrockford.com.

The WOW Program is in conjunction with the Patriots’ Gateway Center across the street and we provide a variety of activities such as arts and crafts, computers, gym, puppets, games, music and a meal for children ages 6 through 6th grade. The older children, 7th grade - l2th, can sign up to assist as junior leaders in assigned areas by contacting Ruth Larson at 815-964-4609. From 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. we hold the meal and small worship like experience that includes skits, videos and music along with a wonderful meal being provided for all. Student and parent volunteers are always welcome.

After School Tutoring

On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. we host an After School Tutoring for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Our program allows 30-50 children to participate and is on a first-come, first serve basis. This is a SES (Supplemental Educational Services) Tutoring Program. Tutoring is provided to students in schools who are not performing up to state standards in conjunction with the “Leave No Child Behind” act. The Tutor Coordinator is Alice Persaud and her email is apersaud@att.net for more information. This program is a part of the Zion Outreach, Inc. program and you can learn more about this separate non-profit at www.zionoutreach.com.

First Communion

First Communion There is a training class for parents and children in second grade or older as parents determine the readiness of their children to receive Holy Communion. Pastor Thomas leads a one time two and a half hour class in the fall and in the spring. Contact the Children’s Ministry coordinator for upcoming date. Feel free to download and fill out form for the next class. Download First Communion Form here.

Summer Sunday School

We offer a summer Sunday School if we have enough adult leadership to coordinate from the Sunday after Memorial Day until the Sunday before Labor day.

Summer Bible Camp

Summer Camp Children in elementary age are encouraged to attend Bible Camp in Oregon, IL during the summer at L.O.M.C. (Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center) only 35 minutes south of Rockford. There are scholarships available so that anyone can attend.

Vacation Bible School

Our summer Vacation Bible School program is a week long program from 9am-noon. We hold this event in partnership with other Midtown Lutheran Churches in the neighborhood.

4-H Program

This wonderful program at Zion offers young girls a training opportunity with cooking; sewing, woodwork and other areas. Contact Betsy Carlson at allancarlson@msn.com to participate or to volunteer during the year with the various projects.

Special Ministry

The committee for Special Ministries oversees the social outreach of Zion Church. Zion’s Food Pantry, for example, reports to this committee. Our church’s ministry to shut-in members is another area encompassed by Special Ministries as well as Zion Development Corporation and "It’s in the Bag" luncheon program.

Special Ministries also has the responsibility for cooperative neighborhood and community-wide efforts such as the annual Habitat for Humanity financial appeal. For some years, Special Ministries committee members have delivered potted plants to teachers and staffers at Kishwaukee School and distributed Easter lilies and Christmas poinsettias to Zion’s shut-in members.

It’s In the Bag Program 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Every Wednesday

A community fellowship group meets in Zion Fellowship Hall to have fun, bible study and food. Men’s bible study meets at 10:30 with the women praying and preparing an economical and nutritious lunch. During the lunch time, there is networking to assist the needs of the participants.

For more information, call Ruth Fairchild at 964-4609.

Zion Food Pantry 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Every Tuesday and Thursday

Our church pantry is the "Big Yellow House" located directly across the street from Patriots Gateway Center and behind Zion Lutheran Church, at 618 5th Street. The Food Pantry serves the 61104 zip code residents.

For additional information, call Kathy Hand at 964-4609.

Multi-Cultural Ministry

This ministry merges ethnic groups to celebrate holidays that are unique to their culture. Special events such as Taste of Zion, which features food and memorabilia from Sweden, Mexico, Laos and America, and Las Posados, a Spanish celebration, held in December each year.

Hispanic Ministry

Monthly activities are held on Sunday afternoons from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. The Spanish Lutheran fellowship welcomes participants from other churches in the area. The program consists of music and singing in native tongue as well as special speakers. Come join us for fellowship and refreshments.

Laotian Ministry

In the 1980's, our church reached out to our new neighbors. Over 200 people were served in various church outreach programs. Our new friends began to inquire about the Christian faith. Zion formed a Laotian Bible/membership class which led to many new Christians being baptized in the faith. In 1992, one of the Laotians was ordained as a Lutheran pastor and joined our church staff. In 2004, he returned to Laos as a missionary. A Bible class is held each Sunday morning in the Lao language. We also have a Laotian choir that performs at our services each month. We invite you to come join us every Sunday for food and fellowship.