Penn-Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Pastor, The Reverend Roger L. Steiner
(724) 744-3151 or (412) 913-9391
Schedule 8/30-9/6
Sunday Service: Worship 11:00 AM
Wednesday : Quiet Communion @ Penn-Zion’s 7:00 PM
Friday: Bible Study 10:30 A.M.
Sunday Service: Worship 11:00 AM Donut Sunday
Who We Are
The Penn-Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Parish is a Word and Sacrament ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We work with Brush Creek Lutheran Church as a cooperative ministry to provide a full-time ministry to the people of our area. We would like to welcome you into our church family; and we invite you to worship the risen Lord with us and to share your gifts and talents in the ongoing work of Christ's church. Please contact our pastor if you have any questions or need more information.
We believe and teach that Christ is truly present in the breaking of the bread and in the sharing of the cup of Holy Communion. All who are baptized and commune in their own home congregation are invited to the Table of our Lord. Gluten free wafers are available at Zion's for any who have the need.
Click here for a bible verse of the day.
Daily Bible Verse
PROJECT HOPE AND HELPING HANDS: 15 YEARS OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE
The end of 2025 marked 15 years that Project Hope and Helping Hands has been making a difference in our communities and beyond. We have touched the lives of others through partnering with 325 organizations, many of them in multiple ways over the years. Through ingatherings of some things as simple as a bar of soap, a can of soup, and crayons we have touched lives, provided dignity, or provided a warm stomach and some enjoyment. Through ingatherings of homemade dishcloths, little dresses, menstrual pads and cancer care related pillows and pockets we have provided cleanliness, dignity, safety, and a warm hug in times of pain. Through donations of pennies and dollars we have provided pigs, dug wells for clean water, purchased shoes and medication providing a livelihood, putting food on a table, ensuring safe drinking water, ensuring childrens’ education and lifesaving health care. All this and much more over the last 15 years. This is not to say Yay, Us! but to say Yay, God! By being His hands and feet and trusting that little becomes much when placed in His hands, Penn-Zion’s and now Brush Creek have been a light to our neighbors and family here at home and around the globe. If you haven’t seen the list in the Social Hall at Penn-Zion’s, check it out as it is updated each year. If you want to become more involved in these ministries, want more information or have suggestions, please talk with Gwen.
Here is important information Pastor Steiner recieved regarding the Nepal Disaster and how we can help. The information is also posted on Facebook. If you follow us on Facebook, please consider sharing the information on your personal page. There is a link to donate in the body of the letter if you are so inclined.
Dear Partner in Ministry,
Thank you for leading your congregation with the love that God shows you.
I imagine you’ve seen the terrifying videos of the disaster in Nepal. We don’t yet know the extent of the lives lost, or how many homes and farms were destroyed by this massive landslide and flood. We do know that for thousands of people, this terrible moment is only the beginning of their hardship.
Our incredible team in Nepal is already on the move, joining with partners to help those who lost everything. But congregations like yours are essential to getting these efforts off the ground.
Your support will help provide emergency aid — including food, water and essential supplies — to families affected by this disaster. As always, our response will evolve with the need.
Here are ways you can help right now:
Share this post on your congregation’s social media accounts. Let your people know how they can help. Encourage your congregation to give generously.
Share this bulletin insert and slide during worship.
Pray for our neighbors in Nepal and our LWR staff providing emergency aid.
Make a congregational gift.
Give online at lwr.org/helpnepal.
Mail a check to Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061. Please write "HELP NEPAL" in the memo.
At this time, the greatest need is financial gifts so Lutheran World Relief can reach our neighbors as quickly as possible.
Thank you, as ever, for sharing God's love with neighbors when and where they need it most. This ministry depends on you.
Grace and Peace,
Summer Learn and Grow Days
During these summer months we are not having weekly Learn & Grow. Instead, we are going to offer one evening each month where we will have a meal together, learn Bible lessons and other activities. These are open for children 3 years through 5th grade. Registration is not required but is helpful in preparing for the number of children. If your child has a food allergy, please let Gwen know so we can be prepared. The dates are Wednesdays June 17th, July 8th, and August 12th from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM at Penn-Zion’s. If your child hasn’t been able to attend our weekly program, this is a nice opportunity to sample some of the activities. Any questions or if interested in helping out, please contact Gwen at (724) 882-4749.
We invite all our children, teachers and school personnel to join us for a special blessing on Sunday, August 23rd, as we pray for the next year of school. Let us give thanks for our teachers, support staff, administrators and bus drivers as they prepare for the year. May our students learn, grow and develop a joy for learning!
Food Bank Update
Food Bank Update
Thank you for your continued food bank support! As the school year begins, local families need grocery support more than ever. We accept donations year-round to help keep our community healthy. Your kindness makes a huge difference. Please see the list on the Food Pantry page.
Helping Hands
We gather to prepare in-gatherings for distribution and mailing. This is also an opportunity to fellowship and learn a little bit more about the programs/ministries we connect with as part of Project Hope. The morning’s activities include assembling kits, making items, sorting and packing boxes. There is something for all ages-children through adult to do. We are continuing to collect school supplies throughout the month of August. If you have any questions, please contact Gwen.
Project Hope In-Gatherings
Each month we have in-gatherings that support programs/ministries within our communities and abroad. If you have a project or organization that you would like us to consider, please reach out to Gwen to discuss opportunities. The in-gatherings for this quarter are below:
June - We are collecting for Caitlyn’s Smiles is an organization that encourages children with serious health challenges to explore their unique creativity through arts and crafts. They provide these activity kits to childrens’ hospitals and organizations that work with children experiencing these conditions. The following items are being collected and must be NEW: yarn, 24 pack crayons, single subject spiral notebook, and Ziploc bags (any brand) quart or snack size.
July - We are collecting school/education supplies for local needs with back-to-school supplies through The Education Partnership and to include school supplies in our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. All items must be NEW. We are collecting pencils, pens, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpeners, scissors,notebooks, etc.…
August - We are continuing the in-gatherings of school supplies as noted above.
Email Delivery of the Newsletter
Help us to make sharing our church news more efficient by sharing your email address! Transitioning to digital deivery of our newsletter will save on printing, time and cost of mailing. Please give Pastor Steiner your email address to help with this process. You can email to Pastor Steiner at RevRSteiner@verizon.net, or our church email at pennzionslutheran@gmail.com.
Little Libraries: Take a Book, Share the Joy
Penn-Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to visit our Adult and Children's Little Libraries. Whether you're looking for a good book to enjoy or a story to share with your family, we hope you'll take a book, read it, and then keep it or pass it along to someone else who may enjoy it. We are also gratefully accepting donations of gently used books. To help keep our libraries welcoming for everyone, we ask that all donated books be appropriate for readers of all ages and suitable for a church setting. Thank you for helping us foster a spirit of reading, sharing, and community through this special ministry.
THE PENN TRAFFORD COMMUNITY BAND SUMMER CONCERTS
The Penn Trafford Community Band cordially invites all people
to come out to hear good music and support the band as it
performs. Here is a list of upcoming public performances
you may be interested in:
Saturday, June 13th 10:00 AM
Flag Day Ceremony at the Norwin Elks. Saturday, June 13th 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Latrobe Summer Concert Series in Latrobe. Friday, August 7th 7:00 PM
Penn Township Concert by the Pond at the municipal fields in Harrison City. Sunday, August 9th 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Ligonier Summer Concert Series on the Square in Ligonier, PA. Saturday, September 5th 11:30 AThe PA Arts & Crafts Festival at the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds. Sunday, September 20th 12:00 Noon
The Penn Township Fall Festival at the main stage area.
Active participants from our congregations include Doug Skoretz (primary band conductor), Donita Sanders on bells, and Pastor Steiner on percussion. You may find more information about the PTCB on its webite.
Social Ministries and Outreach
Our Social Ministries reflect our commitment to serving others through practical, Christ‑centered outreach. Through a variety of ingatherings and service projects we help provide essential goods to neighbors, near and afar that are facing food insecurity, health related concerns, experiencing homelessness, and barriers to education and most importantly sharing Christ’s love. Our church serves as a Drop-Off Location for Operation Christmas Child and host for Drug Take Back Days to list just a couple of opportunities. This section highlights how our church works together to be His hands and feet.
Christian Education
Our Christian Education ministry is dedicated to nurturing the faith of our young people through meaningful teaching, fellowship, and hands‑on experiences. Our youth group gathers regularly for Bible-based lessons, service projects, special events, and activities that help students grow in their relationship with Christ while building strong, supportive friendships. This section highlights how we guide the next generation in understanding God’s Word, living out their faith, and discovering their place within the church and the wider community.
Calendar of Events
Our Calendar of Events provides an easy way to stay connected with everything happening in the life of our church. From worship services and ministry gatherings to youth activities, special events, and community outreach opportunities, this section helps you see what’s coming up and how you can be involved.
Lutheran Church Women (LCW)
As a community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. We commit ourselves to grow in faith, affirm our gifts, support one another in our callings, engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, our society and the world.
Together in Christ Stronger in Community
