February 2016 Newsletter

ZION CHRONICLES
February 2016
A publication from Lydia Zion United Methodist Church
“Imagine what
your church could
February’s Mission
be..”
- Earl Johnson
Feed My Starving Children® (FMSC) is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding God’s children
hungry in body and spirit. The approach is simple: children and adults hand-pack meals specifically formulated
for malnourished children, and we ship these meals to our
distribution partners. FMSC meals have reached nearly
70 countries around the world in our history.
On January 30, 2016 our church family hopped on a bus
and packed meals together. What a wonderful day serving others!
In This Issue

Mission of the Month:
-FMSC

Christmas Eve at Lydia
-December 25, 2015

From the Pastor’s Desk:
-Offended by Grace

A Prayer for Thought :
-Patience & Empathy

Council Minutes:
-January 12, 2016

Mark Your Calendar:
-Birthdays
-Upcoming Events

Connect With US
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CHRISTMAS EVE 2015 AT LYDIA ZION
And so the tradition continues... Lydia Zion Methodist Church has celebrated Christmas Eve and the birth of our Lord with a Christmas Eve
Program for well over 100 years. There is a warm feeling as you enter the church on Christmas Eve, and many childhood memories are
brought back for so many of us who waited to see which doll was
ours, from the wide array spread around the huge Christmas tree in
the front of the church. There would be so many gifts to be distributed, that it took 5 or 6 ushers to pass them all out.
This year, was no disappointment. And the program featured not only
the children from the congregation singing and saying their pieces, but
many of the adults participated as well.
Carter & Katie Maki shining Jesus’ light
Barb Prindle set the mood with some lovely Christmas prelude music
before the service. Gavin Bullyan started off the evening with an
“Invitation”. The Children who read a piece were Connor Raduenz, Cyndi Raduenz, Dallas Lester, Freedom Thompson, Mason Adamek, and Sebastian Bullyan. Almost all of the pieces were from the 1970's
and 1980's, and perhaps read back then by a parent or another member of the congregation – all adults
now. That was so meaningful.
Our Volunteer Choir was well represented by many people from the congregation who came up front to
sing “Go tell it on the Mountain”. It was such fun to sing with some of my childhood friends who said
they had not sung in church for 50 years. Love that volunteer choir!
Jonathan Winkels read from the Book of Isaiah and Sue Huffstutler favored us with a beautiful rendition of “The First Noel”.
The Sunday School children then sang a Christmas Song and spelled
out the word “CHRISTMAS”! One of the highlights was a beautiful piano duet by Chloe Skogland and Cherie Johnson (Granddaughter and
Grandmother) playing “O Holy Night”! They received a rousing round of
applause from the many family members present. Very appropriate for
a beautiful number.
Sebastian Bullyan saying his piece
Jane O'Hern recited the Christmas Story from the second chapter of
Luke from memory and then sang and played on guitar, “Merry Christmas From Our House to Your House”. This was a song made popular
in the 50's by the
Lennon Sisters.
And as is the tradition at the end of the service, we
all sang “Silent Night” while holding lit candles with
the church lights dimmed. I can always hear my
parents and Grandma Emma singing with me in 3part harmony on that last song. So many of our
families go back so many generations at Lydia Zion,
and I know they are all present in spirit on Christmas
Eve and always. May God continue to send His
hand of blessing on us all in the New Year.
Thank you Pastor Larry and Amy and whoever took
part in putting together this amazing and meaningful
Christmas Eve Service. May it continue for another
100 years.
by Jane Haferman O'Hern
Cherie Johnson & her granddaughter Chloe Skogland
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Playing “O Holy Night” together. A beautiful duet
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Volunteer Choir singing God’s praises. “Go Tell it on the Mountain”!
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FroM the Pastor’s Desk: OFFENDED BY GRACE
In "seeker-friendly" churches people are convinced of God's promises, but they don't recognize
the call to be loyal no matter what the cost. They read about God being Jehovah Jireh, and
they're offended if God doesn't provide for every need immediately. They find a passage describing God as Jehovah Shalom, but they're offended because they're in the middle of life's problems
instead of enjoying perfect peace. They see He's Jehovah Rapha, and they complain about being
sick. They find Scriptures about God as Jehovah Rohi, but they don't see His protection in their
lives. When God doesn't come through as they expected, they get offended, and then they either
shake their fist at Him in anger or walk away in despair. Are we any different?
We claim to be people of grace, but are we? The Pharisees believed they were the protectors of
God's name, God's cause, and God's law, but they didn't understand Jesus at all. They were
deeply offended by almost everything Jesus said or did. He healed a man with a crippled hand on
the Sabbath, and they went Old Testament on Him! He stood up for a woman caught in adulterynot her sin, but her dignity as a person. He went out of His way to meet with a Samaritan woman
who was drawing water from a well. But she was no ordinary outcast. She had been married five
times and was living with the sixth man. Most people considered her worthless, but Jesus considered her a treasure. When Jesus was at a Pharisee's house for dinner, a prostitute who had been
saved came in uninvited to express her love by pouring perfume on His feet and wiping them with
her hair. The Pharisee was horrified that Jesus let a woman like that touch Him! Over and over
again the religious leaders were outraged because Jesus warmly welcomed prostitutes, tax collectors, women, children, foreigners, and every other kind of outcast. He even touched stinking
lepers to communicate His healing love!
The religious elite had the Bible, they followed the traditions, and they met at the temple every
time the doors were open. Zeal wasn't their problem, but they didn't understand the concept of
grace. They measured spirituality by how well people kept rules; Jesus measured it by mercy, justice, and gratitude.
They weren't just annoyed by Jesus. They hated Him. Grace threatened them, and in the end,
they plotted to kill Him. Offended by grace? Yes, in the worst way.
Are we any different? How do we react when a person unlike us responds to the grace of God?
Are we thrilled, or do we find fault in them? Do we celebrate like crazy, or do we keep them at
arm's length? Do we have a checklist to determine if they're acceptable? Do we focus on the
things we don't like about their skin color, the way they talk, their income level, or their part of
town? Or do we realize Jesus has broken down the dividing wall that separates us from one another. We’re all part of God’s family.......whether we like it or not.
As we enter Lent, consider these words for our living and contemplations.
Pastor Larry
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A Prayer for Thought..
Here is a prayer that many of us can relate to that teaches us patience and helps us empathize
with others:
Heavenly Father:
Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night, is a single mother who worked
nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and
spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change
correctly is a worried 19-year old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams
with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day
(really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slowly through the store aisles and
blocking our shopping progress, are savoring this moment, knowing that based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that of all of the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is LOVE!
It is not enough to share that love with just those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those
who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, showing
patience, empathy and love.
An old saying says, “Love sees through a telescope – not a microscope”! And Holy Scripture
says, “Love endures long and is patient and kind. It takes no account of evil done. It pays no attention to a suffered wrong”. (1 Corinthians 13: 4)
By Jane Haferman O'Hern
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January Council Minutes
The church council met on January 12 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Persons present: Pastor Larry Kasten; Cheri and Earl Johnson; Sheryl Hennen; Hazel
Fahrenkamp and Tony Derhaag; Theresa and Roger Boettcher; Amy Bullyan; Denise Craig; Joanne
and Jim Reemts; Dave Fricke; Jean Raduenz and Shirley Hennen.
Earl introduced Amy as our chairman for 2016.
Amy called our meeting to order.
Pastor Larry read from Galatians and closed with prayer.
Amy passed out information on the Church Council and its purpose.
The minutes were read individually. Denise had a question about the Youth Fund dollars that were
transferred to the Building Fund. It was noted in the finances, so not necessary to be in the minutes. A
motion to accept the minutes as written was made by Earl; seconded by Dave and passed.
The financial report was prepared by Hazel. Dave asked about the RBC charge. Earl explained. Cheri
made a motion to accept the report as presented, seconded by Joanne and passed.
Old business:
1. Roger asked about the white cabinet. Pastor Larry suggested bringing it downstairs and taking the
pulpit back upstairs. This was made a motion by Dave, seconded by Theresa and passed.
2. Sheryl passed out information on the amount of dollars that went for missions and to what missions.
3 . Jean stated the conference that she and Amy went to was very good. Also a thank you for funding
the admission charge.
New business:
1 . The finance committee is proposing a budget for 2016 at $126,000.00 contingent upon a passing
vote to reduce $1000.00 from the pastor's utilities budget. Cheri made this a motion, seconded by Hazel and passed. A motion was made by Dave to approve $126,000.00 as the 2016 budget, seconded
by Earl and passed.
2 . Pastor wants to thank everyone who helped with the Adventure Advent Day.
3 . Discussion on items being brought to church that are not needed. Joanne made a motion that any
large or small material item, needs to be accepted by a Trustees member. Motion seconded by Sheryl
and passed.
4 . Pastor Larry made a motion to accept Alyssa Cortes and Carmin Ford to Missions and Betty Klinghagen to Worship committee . This was seconded by Sheryl and passed.
5 . Pastor Larry gave us each a Roberts Rules of Order sheet. We will work on the protocol. Also we
will start having a prayer before each major vote.
6 . Amy will try to alert the chairman of each committee to have a monthly report for the church council. That would help with communication within the church.
7 . Jean suggested a concerted effort of prayer for the building vote which is coming soon. Discussion.
Dave made a motion for a unity prayer of the congregation the three Sunday's prior to the vote, seconded by Jean and passed. Pastor Larry made a motion for all of us to be in prayer and encouraging
in the congregation for the upcoming vote. Seconded by Theresa and passed.
8 . Pastor Larry said the Sat. meetings are for awareness and information. Very helpful to all of us.
9 . Tony presented a year-end Quick Books program statement to help understand some journal entries.
A motion to adjourn was made by Joanne.
We closed by saying the Lord's Prayer .
Minutes submitted by Shirley Hennen
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Feb 1: Mara Hennen
Feb 12: Evie Haferman
Feb 20: Bob Hobson
Feb 3: Isabella Gliori
Feb 13: Leslie Greenwald
Feb 22: Madison Fenner
Feb 4: Ernie Moen
Feb 14: Victoria Read
Feb 26: Christopher Stier
Feb 5: Reagan Myers
Feb 15: Mona Marshall
Feb 27: Emma Adamek
Feb 10: Cherie Johnson
Feb 19: Chris Winkels
Feb 28: Sheryl Hennen
Tues, Feb 2: Oak Ter r ace - 10:30am
Wed, Feb 3: B ible Stu day - 7pm at Theresa’s
Thurs, Feb 4: Over 50s Pu tlu ck - 6pm
Sun, Feb 7: Com m unications Com m ittee Mtg
after Sunday School
Tues Feb 9: Cou ncil Meeting - 7pm
Wed, Feb 10: Ash W ednesday Ser vice -7pm
Sat, Feb 13: B ook Clu b - 8:45am
Wed, Feb 17: Sou p Su pper 6pm , Ser vice 7pm
Wed, Feb 24: Sou p Su pper 6pm , Ser vice 7pm
Sun, Feb 28: UMW Fiesta Dinn er
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Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be
given to you seek,
and you will find;
knock, and it will be
opened to you.
Prayer Chain Leaders:
Pastor Larry Kasten - 952.217.1113 - [email protected]
Betty Grosz - 952.445.3756 - [email protected]
Sheryl Hennen - 952.758.2729 - [email protected]
We encourage you to: visit, send a card, pray and make someone’s day!
Amy Getz - Oak Terrace, Lavene Dvorak - home, Irene Beuch - home, Faye Borchardt - St. Gertrudes
Pray for Missionaries:
Michael and Cayla Boettcher - Alaska
Bryan & Molly Canny - Bolivia
Paul and Robyn Kramer - Thailand
Visit our Website: www.lydiazionchurch.com
Listen to sermons on-line &
check upcoming events!
New Church Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:30-11:30am
Phone: 952.492.2249 - Email: [email protected]
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