NOTICE – re: Cemetery & Genealogical Requests

         A church and cemetery as old as ours, with the historic heritage we have here at Zion’s, continuously receives requests for information as individuals and families conduct genealogical research.  In the past these inquiries were handled through the church office, but a new policy has now been implemented.
          From now on – all inquiries for genealogical and cemetery information should be directed to Todd Cheese, President of the Cemetery Board.  Todd can be contacted by phone at 570-386-5018 – or – by e-mail at smc68@ptd.net.
          We are happy to receive all such requests and in no way seek to change that. This is simply the best way at present for these requests to be handled.

Thoughts on how we confess our faith
          The Apostles’ Creed is our primary statement of faith.  It is our declaration to each other and to the world of exactly what we believe about God and about ourselves as the people of God in Jesus Christ.  The text of the creed has been handed down from generation to generation throughout the history of the Church beginning either in Greek or in Latin in earlier centuries before finally appearing in the familiar form around 700 A.D.  Somewhere along the line it was translated into the languages of our particular faith traditions, i.e. German and English.
          In the most recent years those worshipping here at Zion’s Stone Church have confessed our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed in three slightly different forms.  The Service Book and Hymnal (SBH) of the Lutheran Church, The Hymnal of the Evangelical and Reformed Church (and the UCC), and The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration which we use now.  While there are distinct similarities among the three, no two of the three are exactly the same; each has its specific uniqueness.  Some say Holy Ghost while another says Holy Spirit.  Some say Jesus descended into hell while the third says “into Hades.”  Some say “we believe in “the holy Christian church” while the third says “catholic church.” 
          A newer translation, widely and ecumenically accepted across much of the length and breadth of English speaking Christianity, was introduced here on October 1st.  We used it for a number of weeks and asked for feedback.  Some came forward and said it was more difficult to say because the version in their memory was so strong that it became hard to read different words.  Some said that while they would prefer the more familiar version, they would be okay with using the newer one if that’s the way we decided to move.  At the Nov. 12th Board Meeting we discussed this matter, considered your comments and the reasons for using the new standard version.  The Board’s final decision was a vote to continue using the newer version feeling it might be more helpful as we seek to reach out to our neighbors, especially new residents moving into the community.
          The Board wants you to know that voices on both sides were heard and all possibilities were seriously considered before the decision came to a vote.  We thank all those who were willing to speak up and voice their feelings on this matter.  It is only through this kind of open sharing that we can deal with the important matters of our worship life and our ministry with one another and to our community in a positive and most effective way.
          However we put the words together, whether in forms that reach back to the earliest days of the church or in modern forms seeking to speak to 21st Century people, the bottom line is that our faith is in God.

Apostles' Creed (English Language Liturgical Consultation - 1988)
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
     creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
     who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
     born of the Virgin Mary,
     suffered under Pontius Pilate,
     was crucified, died, and was buried;
     he descended to the dead.
     On the third day he rose again;
     he ascended into heaven,
     he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
     and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
     the holy catholic Church,
     the communion of saints,
     the forgiveness of sins,
     the resurrection of the body,
     and the life everlasting. Amen

Nicene Creed (English Language Liturgical Consultation - 1988)
We believe in one God,
     the Father, the Almighty,
     maker of heaven and earth,
     of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
     the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,
     God from God, Light from Light,
     true God from true God, begotten, not made,
     of one Being with the Father;
     through him all things were made.
     For us and for our salvation
     he came down from heaven, 
     was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
     and became truly human.
     For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
     he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again
     in accordance with the Scriptures;
     he ascended into heaven
     and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
     He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
     and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
     who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
     who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
     who has spoken through the prophets.
     We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
     We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
     We look for the resurrection of the dead,
     and the life of the world to come. Amen.