Newsletters

LENT & HOLY WEEK 2026 NEWSLETTER

He must increase, but I must decrease. – John 3:30

On February 18, we enter into a special season as faithful individuals, as a congregation and as members of the Christian Church throughout the world. Lent is a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. In fasting, we are invited to let go of those behaviors or things that distract us from the Lord. The clearing out of fasting makes space for God to speak to us in times of prayer. As
we listen for God in Scripture, in worship, and in silence we may be filled by the Holy Spirit with God’s wisdom and love. The Spirit then moves us to acts of compassion and almsgiving.

John the Baptist rejoiced to say that Jesus must increase, and he must decrease. I invite us to read through the Gospel of John during Lent. We will be hearing the following passages in Sunday worship:

Lent 2 - John 3:1-17 - Jesus and Nicodemus
Lent 3 - John 4:5-42 - Jesus and the Woman of Samaria
Lent 4 - John 9:1-41 - Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind
Lent 5 - John 11:1-53 - Jesus Raises Lazarus

In each of these encounters, Jesus invites others into a deeper relationship with Him; that His grace and mercy may increase in their lives.

This year, in addition to individual Lenten disciplines, members of Zion are invited to pray for the Spirit’s guidance for Zion’s future. Among leaders and informally within the Zion community, intentional conversations of discernment are taking place. We recognize that we are stewards both of Zion’s historic legacy of ministry in Harrisburg and of the assets of which we have oversight. “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required” – Luke
12:48. We are very blessed to have funds which enable us to take time to plan for Zion’s future. How will we contribute to God’s Kingdom and give Him glory with the tremendous gifts over which we are currently stewards? Could a change at Zion open a different and meaningful season in our personal relationship with Jesus? How is God inviting us to increase our faith and trust in Him in the midst of a changing world? The following prayer can be a guide for our Lenten journey:
Lord, empty me; fill me; use me. – attributed to Mother Olga of the Sacred heart

Over the 40 days and always, may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7),
Pastor Karin Pejack

Lenten-Holy Week 2026 Newsletter (PDF)

Previous Newsletters:
2025
November-December 2025 Newsletter (PDF)
September-October 2025 Newsletter (PDF)
August 2025 Newsletter (PDF)
May-June 2025 Newsletter (PDF)
March - April 2025 Newsletter (PDF)
December 2024-January 2025 Newsletter (PDF)

2024
September-November 2024 Newsletter (PDF)
July-August 2024 Newsletter (PDF)
May-June 2024 Newsletter (PDF)
February-April 2024 Newsletter (PDF)

2023
Winter 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
Fall 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
May-August 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
February-April 2023 Newsletter (PDF)

2022
November/December 2022/January 2023 Newsletter (PDF)
September/October 2022 Newsletter (PDF)
May/June/July 2022 Newsletter (PDF)
March/April 2022 Newsletter (PDF)
February 2022 Newsletter (PDF)

2021
December 2021/January 2022 Newsletter (PDF)
October/November 2021 Newsletter (PDF)
September/October 2021 Newsletter (PDF)
June/July/August 2021 Newsletter (PDF)
May 2021 Newsletter (PDF)
February/March 2021 Newsletter (PDF)
December 2020/January/February 2021 Newsletter (PDF)

2020