At 22 East Main Avenue in Myerstown, Zion United Methodist Church is a longstanding congregation with roots in 1843. It is known for two distinct Sunday worship traditions, an organ-and-hymn service at 9:00 and a contemporary praise service at 11:00, and for 17 stained-glass windows that express the glory of God.
Two Ways to Worship on Sunday Morning
The 9:00 Traditional Service follows a traditional United Methodist worship format. Its music is accompanied by the church pipe organ, and congregational hymns come from The Celebration Hymnal. The Senior Choir supplies special music from September through the beginning of June, while the King's Kids, singers ages 4 to 8, contribute periodically.
The 11:00 Contemporary Service is led by Johnathan Shuey and the Worship Team. It features contemporary and popular Christian praise music, with the band helping the congregation sing. Both Sunday services celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month.
When a month has five Sundays, Zion holds one combined service at 10:30 in place of the separate morning services. Most services last about an hour, and people of all ages attend Zion's Sunday morning worship.
A First Sunday on East Main Avenue
Zion greets newcomers with a simple message: “Come as you are.” No manual is needed to follow the service, which includes singing, teaching, and prayer. An information host is available at the desk near the front entrance to help guests locate classrooms, restrooms, and worship areas.
Childcare is available during both the 9:00 and 11:00 services for children age 7 and under. The nursery is on the second floor. Zion's more detailed children's descriptions cover the nursery for ages birth through 5, with care that includes diaper changes, bottle feeding, snacks, holding, rocking, and comfort. Children's activity bags for ages 3 and up are also available in the lobby.
Parking is available in the larger lot behind the church and in the west-side lot beside the church office. Additional street parking and another large lot within easy walking distance on Main Avenue provide further options. The sanctuary has ample seating and accessibility for people with special needs. Hearing assistance devices and large-print worship materials are available.
Restrooms are located in the lobby and in the hallway near the rear entrance. Diaper-changing stations are available in the rear hallway restroom and the women's lobby restroom. First-time guests are offered a connection card in the pew rack and may return it to the information desk after worship.
From an 1843 Preaching Appointment to Zion
Zion traces its beginning to spring 1843, when the East Pennsylvania Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ established a designated preaching appointment. John Daniel invited Rev. Samuel Enterline to preach at his home on April 25, 1843. That gathering became Zion's first worship service, and April 25 has remained Anniversary Day.
A brick church was constructed in 1869, while the first worship service in the present building took place on June 17, 1973. Denominational unions shaped the congregation's next chapter. The former Church of the United Brethren in Christ became the Evangelical United Brethren Church in November 1946 and then joined other churches to form the United Methodist Church in April 1968. Zion is an incorporated member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Seventeen Windows Telling “Glory, Glory, Glory”
Zion's sanctuary contains 17 stained-glass windows conceived as one monumental composition. Artist Leonids Linauts designed and executed the windows in 1974. Their colors, forms, and rhythms use the Psalms and the music of Johann Sebastian Bach to express the glory of God. Linauts called the overall composition “Glory, Glory, Glory.”
The first six windows establish the visual themes. The first uses Psalm 19 and a six-pointed star to symbolize God as Creator of the six days. The second presents the shining sun, stars, turbulent space, and a growing tree representing humanity. The third depicts the Ten Commandments. The fourth centers on scales as a symbol of judgment, the fifth shows David's harp as an emblem of praise and song, and the sixth presents a burning candle as the symbol of the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Linauts was born in Latvia and trained in fine arts, music, painting, church architecture, and stained-glass design in Riga. After arriving in the United States as a refugee in 1949, he worked in a Reading-area stained-glass studio and established his own studio in Mohnton. His work became known throughout the eastern United States before his death in 1998.
Making, Matureing, and Mobilizing Disciples
Zion's mission is to make, mature, and mobilize disciples for Jesus Christ. Jesus stands at the center of the church's singing, prayer, preaching, history, and future. The congregation describes itself as a community committed to Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, united in the love of God, and called to make that love real to others.
Six values shape its ministry:
- Christ-centered: focusing on the life, words, way, and Spirit of Jesus proclaimed in the New Testament.
- Biblically-rooted: encouraging faithful study through devotion and scholarship suited to a diverse congregation.
- Warm-hearted: experiencing God's grace with joy, love, and personal positivity.
- Open-minded: making room for people to search, think, question, and express their growing faith honestly.
- Mission-directed: carrying Zion's sense of mission into both the community and the wider world.
- Connection-committed: supporting the global ministries in which the church shares.
Its strategy begins with inviting people to experience God's love and become disciples. Disciples are then equipped to serve as agents of reconciling love, cared for within Christian community, and sent into the world as servants of Christ. Zion's vision is the transformation of lives, the creation of Christian community, and the formation of disciples for the world's transformation.
Children, Youth, and Lifelong Learning
Learning From the Nursery Through Sixth Grade
Zion's children's ministry is designed for ages newborn through sixth grade, with an emphasis on safe, age-appropriate, creative teaching. The nursery serves children from birth through age 5. Free play, snack time, a simple lesson, and an occasional craft help young children engage with biblical teaching.
The Primary class is for kindergarten through third grade and combines worship and teaching intended to help children grow in relationship with Jesus and knowledge of his Word. The Intermediate class serves fourth and fifth graders with lessons and thought-provoking conversations that encourage them to put Christ first.
Youth on Sundays and During the Week
Zion Youth Ministry brings together students in grades 6 through 12. They meet at 10:05 on Sunday morning and from 6:00 to 8:00 on Sunday evening. Bible study, games, fellowship, retreats, mission trips, camp, service to the congregation, and small discipleship relationships are part of the youth ministry's approach.
Adult Classes at 10:05
Adults can choose among three discussion-oriented groups. Growing in Grace, led by Keara Dagen in the Parlor, is open to adults of all ages and focuses on deepening faith in an ever-changing world. The New Seekers, for young adults through seniors, uses video, literature, and speakers to explore God, the world, and thought-provoking issues. Pathfinders Bible Study, also for young adults through seniors, studies biblical books chapter by chapter and verse by verse.
A men's group meets from 7:30 to 9:00 every other Saturday. The broader weekly rhythm also includes Monday Bible study at 6:15 in the Fellowship Hall, prayer at 2:00 on Tuesday, and prayer at 6:30 on Wednesday.
Hymns, Praise, Bells, and Band
Music is central to both worship styles at Zion. The music ministry uses song to create an environment of thanksgiving, praise, worship, and spiritual transformation. The Senior Choir sings at the Traditional Service, with music-reading ability beneficial but not required. The King's Kids choir serves children ages 4 through 8 and sings in the traditional service about once a month.
Two handbell choirs welcome participants from youth through adulthood: Joy Bells for children and a senior adult choir. The praise worship team leads the Contemporary Service, while the adult and youth Concert Band supplies special music at other times during the year. Barbara Kriston directs the Senior Choir, King's Kids, Men of Zion, and Sisters of Zion. David Schell serves as organist and pianist, and Brian Klinger directs the Concert Band.
An audio and visual technology team supports both worship services, handling sound and visual elements so the musical and spoken parts of worship can come together effectively.
Faith Beyond Main Avenue
Zion's mission work includes the Released Time Bible Program at ELCO Intermediate School. Sponsored by OnFire Youth Ministry, this Pennsylvania-approved program provides one hour of nondenominational religious instruction each week to public school students with parental permission. Volunteers serve as group leaders for older children and help care for younger children.
The church's United Methodist Women maintain an ongoing prison ministry with incarcerated women at the Lebanon County Prison. Members also volunteer for the Free Noon Meal, and the church's Prayer Chain brings together volunteers who faithfully lift people and their loved ones in prayer.
5 Stones Fight Club is a nonprofit sports ministry that began in 2008 and uses mixed martial arts to build relationships with men ages 18 through 35. The club seeks to help participants become mentally tough, physically fit, and spiritually sound while sharing the gospel. Its collaboration with Free Burma Rangers includes training volunteers to assist internally displaced people in Myanmar, Iraq, and Syria with medical needs, supplies, survival skills, and spiritual care.
Zion supports the missionary work of Carrie Callahan in Papa, Hungary, and Amos Ngeze and his family in Tanzania East Africa. Amos is connected with the Katunguru Bible Training School. Their support extends Zion's emphasis on mission beyond the church's own neighborhood and across the world.
Pastors, Teachers, and Servants
John Lynch serves as interim pastor. An ordained elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, he previously served as Zion's pastor from 1998 to 2007 and returned to assist the congregation. His pastoral work emphasizes honoring, teaching, and proclaiming God's Word.
Youth Pastor Austin Lamos focuses on preaching the good news and helping young people understand God and their identity in Christ. He holds degrees in educational ministry and pastoral ministry and was ordained through the Church of the Nazarene. His ministry centers on youth and those with young hearts.
Ministry leaders also include Keara Dagen for Growing in Grace, Johnathan Shuey for the Contemporary Worship Team, and Brian Klinger for the Concert Band. Sean Knauff is ministry director, chief instructor, and head coach for 5 Stones Fight Club.
Alongside these leaders, Zion relies on Sunday School teachers, welcome hosts, ushers, musicians, audiovisual technicians, scripture readers, childcare workers, intercessors, and volunteers for church and community service. Their work supports the church's goal of helping people grow in faith and serving beyond the sanctuary.
Giving and Worship Beyond the Sanctuary
Zion teaches that everything given is a gift from God and that faithful, willing giving serves the gospel, touches lives, feeds people, heals bodies, builds churches, and extends ministry locally and around the world. The church states that gifts are tax-deductible and used for ministry through its giving service.
Services and archived sermons can also be watched through Zion's YouTube channel. At Zion United Methodist Church, the history visible in its 1843 beginning and 17-window sanctuary continues through worship, learning, music, service, and a shared mission of discipleship.