With Jan. 1, 2023, falling on a Sunday, New Year's Day will see many members and friends of Zion Lutheran Church in Leola attending the 10 a.m. service that day. However, several attendees will not be leaving church at the conclusion of the service. Rather, they will stay to help facilitate the church's traditional New Year's meal.

The New Year's Day pork and sauerkraut dinner at Zion Lutheran, 18 Quarry Road, Leola, will be held as a takeout-only event at the church beginning at noon. Those wishing to purchase the nominally priced meals are encouraged to arrive early. "We sold out quickly on (Jan. 1, 2022)," said organizer Patty Williams, who said meals were gone in about 90 minutes.

The meal was not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns. In 2022, a drive-through system was utilized. For the 2023 event, those wishing to purchase dinners are requested to come inside the church to the vestibule to pay by cash, check, or credit card. After paying, individuals will receive a ticket indicating the number of meals purchased to redeem at hot food and cold food stations before exiting the venue. Each meal will contain pork, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, a roll and butter, and a whoopie pie.

Funds raised by the sales of the dinners help to support various ministries of the church, including Homes of Hope, the monthly community meals held at the church, the Water Slide Day held in the summer, and an Easter outreach.

Updates pertaining to inclement weather on the day of the New Year's meal may be found at http://www.zionleola.org or by searching for Facebook for "Zion Lutheran Church Leola, Lancaster County, PA."

Readers who have specific questions may call 717-656-9200 or email leolazion@gmail.com.