Pamela Carnes is the interim pastor who began serving Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of East Petersburg— September 1, 2021.
Pastor Carnes grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania in what is now Southwest Pennsylvania Synod; she has been part of the synod since 1982— beginning her ministry in the Lutheran Church as a deacon. When graduating from college, Pastor Carnes went to the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg—receiving a Master of Arts degree in Religion—serving three congregations in the church for more than 11 years in this capacity.
In 1991, Pastor Carnes returned to the same seminary to study for the Master of Divinity degree and was ordained as a pastor in 1997. This year, Pastor Carnes will celebrate her 24th ordination anniversary. She served three congregations in the synod before she began this newest phase of her ministry as intentional interim pastor.
Staff
Membership
All are welcome to join us for worship and fellowship at Zion. We hope that you find our congregation welcoming and that you are spiritually fulfilled through God’s word during our worship services. Whether a longtime member or a visitor, we pray that you know and experience the peace, hope, joy and purpose that come from knowing Jesus Christ.
Becoming a Member
At some point, you may find that you are ready to learn more about becoming a member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Individuals can become a member of our congregation in one of three ways: Baptism, Letter of Transfer, or Affirmation of Faith.
Baptism:
People can be baptized at any age. Those who receive the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at Zion become a member of our church family.
Letter of Transfer:
Those who are active members of another Lutheran congregation may request a letter of transfer from their congregation. No formal ceremony is required. We will, however, introduce you as a new member during a worship service.
Affirmation of Faith:
Baptized persons who are not currently members of another Lutheran congregation join through “Affirmation of Faith.” This is a brief ceremony during a worship service in which new members publicly affirm their Christian faith and are welcomed into our congregation
You will learn about Zion’s history and what it means to be a Lutheran; you will meet staff and Council members; and you will also be assigned a “sponsor,” who will introduce you to other members and may help you find opportunities to get involved in the congregation.
In addition, the Evangelism Committee hosts an annual “New Member Brunch” to celebrate your membership in the congregation. For more information about joining Zion, please call the church office at (717) 569-1359.
Individuals who are joining Zion as transfers from another Lutheran congregation or through Affirmation of Faith will be required to attend a “New Member Orientation.” Our New Member Orientations are usually held for several hours on a Saturday morning.
What is Expected?
Active Members are those who:
• Commune at least one time per year
• Make a financial contribution, in any amount, at least once a year
Although very little is required to maintain active membership at Zion, we hope that the Holy Spirit inspires you to become active in the life of the church by regularly attending worship, serving as a worship participant, becoming a committee member, or by volunteering with one of our outreach programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Zion EP located?
We are located at:
1905 Broad Street
East Petersburg, PA
Who is the pastor of Zion EP?
How do I volunteer to participate in Zion EP programs?
Does Zion EP have any community outreach programs?
As a faith-based community, we are committed to providing services to our local communities and as part of a wider global effort for those who are in need.
When are weekly worship services?
Please join us for Livestream Worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. For dates and times of Livestream Worship services and meetings, please check the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, East Petersburg Facebook page.
Call in for audio: 1 (646) 558-8656. When prompted enter the meeting ID.
For Zoom services, please visit www.zoom.us and click “join” or download the app. When prompted, enter Meeting ID and Password:
Meeting ID: 929 8074 6294
Password: 123
May I attend Zion if I am not a member or if I am a member of another denomination?
All are welcome to join us for worship and fellowship at Zion. We hope that you find our congregation welcoming and that you are spiritually fulfilled through God’s word during our worship services. Whether a longtime member or a visitor, we pray that you know and experience the peace, hope, joy and purpose that come from knowing Jesus Christ.
Are their programs for youth at Zion EP?
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