Newsletter - Zion Lutheran Church

Z ION ’ S J OURNEY
Rooted in Faith * Growing in Spirit * Reaching Out to Those in Need
FROM THE PASTOR:
January 2015
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare
and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
This is the scripture verse that we on the call committee keep coming
back to as we fulfill our charge to discern who the future second pastor at Zion
will be. The committee has been hard at work since last March writing a
profile of our church that is shared with potential candidates. They have
reviewed five profiles of candidates submitted to us from the SD Synod office
and interviewed three candidates. Due to various reasons none of these persons
were the one God had planned for us.
We did not receive any more names in the months of October and
November. This did not surprise us since families generally choose not to
move during the winter months or over the holidays. Pastors with children also
hesitate to remove them from school prior to the holidays. So we anticipated
waiting a few months for seminary graduates to be assigned to synods (March)
before we received any new names.
And then lo and behold, we received a name of a possible candidate the
third week in December. The call committee will meet after the first of the
year to discuss the candidate’s profile and to decide if an interview will occur.
Some of you have been asking why it has taken so long to find a
second pastor. Well, the average length of time it takes to call a pastor is
approximately two years. And we have been in the process only nine months.
Rest assured the committee is prayerfully discerning God’s direction in this
process.
Once we have interviewed a candidate, we will decide if we should
offer the call. If the person accepts we will have a “meet and greet” with the
congregation with a vote to follow a couple of weeks later. But that remains in
the future. Right now, we patiently trust that God is at work behind the scenes
and we remember his promise to us,
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your
welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Please keep the call committee in your prayers.
Blessings, Pastor Marcia
2014 GENERAL FUND
Attendance
Zion’s General Fund needs to take in an average of
$28,000.00 each month to meet monthly obligations.
Zion Core
Values:
STEADFAST (IN)
FAITH
Dec. 7
& Advent
$5,745.00
112/94
Dec. 14
& Advent
$7,668.00
125/91
Dec. 21
& Advent
$5,745.00
98/213
Christmas Eve
$4,769.50
208/116
Dec. 28
$2,663.50
79/57
Preschool
Fund 2
$2,293.05
"Get to Know You"
Spotlight Person
For the Month of January 2015
“Larry Stroschein”
HOPE
LOVE
PRAYER
NEW MEMBERS
If you are interested in joining the
congregation, contact the church office, Pastor
Marcia, at 225-6755or indicate your desire to
join on the welcome pads during worship. Then,
you will be contacted by Zion’s Welcome &
Outreach Committee who will answer any
questions you might have about Zion.
We will welcome new members into our family of
faith on Sunday, January 25th at both
services. If you know of someone who
has expressed interest in joining us in
serving the Lord, please have them
contact Pastor Marcia at 225-6755.
Our Bedrock
Beliefs
*Amazing Grace God loves us
unconditionally
*Sweet Hour of
Prayer - God
promises to listen
and hear our prayers
* I Lay My Sins on
Jesus -God forgives our sins
* My Faith Looks
Up to Thee - Faith
Welcome
to Zion.
* Born and raised: Born in Aberdeen,
raised in rural Brown County near
Warner, SD.
* Education: Graduated from Warner
High School.
* Family history: Parents: Les &
Elsie Stroschein (deceased); 1 sister,
Lynette Goehring in Yankton; 4 grown
children; and 7 grandchildren. Married
Sharon Raetzman in 1965.
*Member of Zion for how long:
Have attended since my church closed,
First Church of Christ, Scientist.
* What I like about Zion: The people
who attend Zion and the pastors.
* How I’ve been involved in my
Church: Have helped with some extra
fundraising.
* My favorite part of Zion is:
Easter season and Christ is risen!
* What my Church means to me:
A place to gather for prayer and fellowship.
*Best time of year at Zion: Spring when new life
* What I would like to see more of at
Zion: Young families joining and
participating.
* Last dream I had: That I got drafted
back into the US Army (it was more of
a nightmare).
* Last gift I gave: I gave all the
grandchildren money for Christmas.
* Last time I cried: When my tractor
burned up.
* My favorite ... Color - blue Sport - baseball - Hobby - sitting in
my Archie Bunker chair - Activity checking my cattle - Movie - “42” Food - steak - Vegetable - radishes Clothes - blue jeans - Music - Rock ’n
Roll - Indulgence - my new 6-wheeler
ATV - “Spike” - Proudest moment paid off the note on my farm.
* If I could change things in this
world it would be - 1 Have a new
source of energy. Eliminate carbon
fuels. 2. All nations sell their war
machines. 3. Everyone in the world
would get along.
* The one thing people don’t know
about me is: That I read slowly - and
am a poor speller.
*A perfect day is when: The wind is
not blowing and the sun is shining.
* My biggest challenge in life:
Was hanging onto my family farm
during the ag crises in the 1980’s.
Everyone, sooner or later, will be in
the “spotlight”! Committee
members: Gary Job (chair),
Sharon Stroschein, Sharon
Paranto, and Kathy Job
Hub City Brew
Special Offering for the Month of
January is
Salvation Army Food Pantry.
Please see the bulletin board
for more information.
PRAYER CHAIN
REQUESTS
If you have any prayer
requests, call the
Church Office at 2256755 or Elsie Geffre at
225-7488 with
the person’s
name and
information.
Tuesday, January 27th, 7:00 PM at
Mazatlán Restaurant
A gathering of 20s-30s once a month
to talk about faith and life and be in
community with one other. Pull up a chair!
www.hubcitybrew.org
Memorial Gis
For
From
RADIO
SPONSORSHIPS
Sponsorships are available for
the next several months. The
sign-up sheet is on the bulletin
board in the new narthex. We
are heard at 8:30 am on KSDN
radio (930 AM). The cost of
sponsoring a week's
broadcast is $105.00. One
family or an individual can pay
this, divide it into half, or even
divide it into three parts. Please
help us by signing up to sponsor
one of our Sunday worship
services. We need you to keep
this important ministry going.
Van Rides
Van rides are available for
both the 8:30 am or 10:00 am
(summer) or 10:45 AM
services. Please call the church
office at 225-6755 by 12:00
noon on Friday for a ride. Or
leave a message on the
answering machine.
WOMEN’S
MEETING
The ZLCW Executive
Board will meet on
Saturday, January 10th
at
9:00 AM.
Howard Kuebler
Ruth Leicht
Esther Gienger
Maxine Smith
Natalie Heyd
Elroy Kaul
Gerald Bendewald
Alvin Ottenbacher
Alice VandenAkker
Marion Lehr
Ashley Rosand
Barbara Wagemann
Belinda Rohwedder Burden
Rose Gienger
Art Rau
Marlys Johnson
June Friske
Scott Weller
Erma Wahl
Geraldine Winchester
Alma Vilhauer
Lenhardt Voegele
Gerald Arnold
Howard Kuebler
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Gladys Melcher
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
Capital Improvement
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
ZLCW
Manor Care
ABERDEEN
HEALTH AND REHAB Adam Reich
Robert Jarvis
LaVerna Schumacher
Mother Joseph
Doris Hansen
Emily Wagner
Angelhaus
Dorothy Heinrich
Delores Hilgemann
Florence Marzolf
Nano Nagle
Howard\Hazel Martell
Towne Square
Hildegard Gugel
Bethesda Home
Gottlieb Gienger
Golden Living
Anna Stern
Center -Groton, SD
Olivia Bendewald
Eureka, SD
Christ Schumacher
BIBLE STUDY & SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES
YAH!, Evening Study Group for Women: Young at Heart, a group for
Minnesota
Helen Tichota
Minnesota
Walt & Ella Klingman
California
Erna Schmierer
women of all ages, meets Thursday, January 8th at 7:00 pm.
Contact Person: Vicki Carlson
Zion’s Prayer Shawl Ministry
The Prayer Shawl group will meet on January 5th.
2:30 for knitting and crocheting together;
3:40 for prayer and blessing of shawls.
Contact Persons: Ruth Beitelspacher and Kathy Brumbaugh
Fellowship Circle and Peace Circle
Fellowship Circle and Peace Circles will meet on Thursday, January 8th.
Peace Circle at 9:00 AM and Fellowship Circle at 2:00 PM.
Bible Studies are found in “Gather” magazine, the magazine
of Women of the ELCA.
February Fellowship Service List
* Altar Guild Co-Chairs
* Marcie Andersh
William Arndt
Mary Arndt
Jarell Arndt
Jordan Arndt
Justin Boynton
Will Boynton
Rita Boynton
Dale Boynton
Colin Christian
Jim Dumire
Kay Dumire
Donald Fauss
Alegra Fischer
Scott Geffre
Natalie Geffre
Garry Johnson
Kathy Johnson
Matthew Berry
Amanda Berry
Alexandria Berry
Danika Berry
Jevon Berry
RyLynn Berry
Tatyn Berry
Zaidyn Berry
Shawn Kempf
Nicole Kempf
Zoe Kempf
Raegan Kempf
Ella Kempf
Karl Kempf
Sonya Kempf
Tim Kolb
Albert Kolb
Esther Kolb
Dick Lauinger
Gloria Lauinger
LaVonne Merkel
Gary Morehouse
Wanda Morehouse
Andrea Morehouse
Alecia Morehouse
Norma Nielsen
Esther Ottenbacher
Steve Otenbacher
Dave Sarvis
Wanda Sarvis
Milbert Schaffer
Verna Schaffer
Shawn & Jessica Schaffer
Hailey, Trinity & Avery
Schaffer
John Smith
*Lynn Smith
Dean & Tamara Wasem
Darnella Ylitalo
Roger Zimmerman
*Wilma Zimmerman
“READING TOGETHER”
ZION’S BOOK CLUB, will meet on
Tuesday, January 6th @ 11:30 AM
At Minerva’s.
Our book for the month is “Gone Girl”
by Gillian Flynn
ALL ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE DISCUSSION!
BIBLE STUDY & SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES
If you have a question about small group opportunities at
Zion,
please call the contact person listed above or the Church
Office at 225-6755.
Newcomers always welcome!
Baptized in December. (Above left): Lainey Kay Vilhauer with parents,
Lance and Lyndsey and brother Lawson. (Above right): Ayla Elsa Smit
with her father, Timothy. (Above middle): Greg Rutherford. We welcome
you all through the waters of Holy Baptism.
One of the Noah’s
Park Preschool
Classes performing
their Christmas
program.
Thanks to everyone who makes the
Table of Plenty run so smoothly
every month.
CONFIRMATION RESUMES January 4 at 6:00 pm for Zion 9th
graders and on January 7 for Zion 7/8th graders.
Annual Reports
Just a reminder that all committee reports that are
included in the Annual Report are due into the office by
January 7th. Please email Donna a copy ready report if
you could. That will save Donna hours of retyping!
Building Repair/Renovation Forum
A building repair/renovation open forum will be held on
January 11 between services in the Fellowship Hall. This is
our final forum before the annual meeting when we will vote
on whether to proceed with Phase One of this project. The
topic will focus on how we propose to finance the project.
Noah’s Park Preschool
HellofromNoah’sPark!Wehopeyouarestayingwarmwiththischilly
weather.IamenjoyingChristmasbreakbutlookingforwardto
returningtopreschoolinafewdays!OurmonthofDecemberwas
#illedwithChristmasprogramsandcraftsand#indingourElfonthe
Shelf,Snow#lakeMilkshakeeachday.Snow#lakeMilkshakewashiding
inadifferentspoteachdayandthechildrenlovedseeingwhathewas
uptothatday.Mostdayshebehavedhimselfbutonoccasionhegot
intoalittletrouble–onedayhemadeamesswiththepaintand
anotherdayhecrushedsomecrackersonthearttable.Icreatedavet
clinicinourdramaticplaycenter.Thechildrencouldcheckanimalsin
atthefrontdeskandgivethemacheck-upandsomemedicine.Wehad
bandages,rawhidebones,collars,leashesandakennel.Iputsomeplay
prescriptionpadsonthecounteraswellsotheycould“write”
medicationdirections.Thechildrenlovedit!!Iamthinking
apizzaparlorwouldbefunnext!~Jami
Church Council Minutes – Highlights
December 2014
TABLE OF PLENTY COMMUNITY MEAL
Monday,January26-5:30-7:00pm
SertomaClubwillbepreparingandservingthe
mealofPorkLoinsandwiches
* The Treasurer’s report showed a current balance of $617.06.
* There was a discussion concerning a need for outlet covers in the Fellowship
room as there have been young children stopped from putting fingers and
items into the outlets. Art will be alerted to the concern.
* The Sanctuary forum on Dec. 14 was attended by about 25 members. Lots of good
discussion. The prevailing thought was “Is the Capital Improvement Project a do it all
or do nothing project?” After a brief discussion, the Council agreed the Project goals
need to be re-communicated as to dispel any misunderstandings before the Annual
meeting, in January.
* Visitation Chair Jo Tolvstad reported the committee is currently serving 23 people.
*A motion was made and seconded to approve the 2015 Budget this presented to the
Annual Meeting.
*The Nominating Committee presented the slate of officer candidates for the Annual
Meeting: President- Sue Gates, Vice President- Hugh Dahme, Secretary- Sharon
Stroschien, Treasurer – Ted Dickey, Education – Dana Althoff, Trust Fund- Loren
Nehlich, Worship & Music – open, Welcome & Outreach – open.
2015 Offering Envelopes
Don’t forget to pick up your 2015 offering envelopes on the table in
the Narthex. While you are at it, peruse the envelopes and if you find
a family member, neighbor or friend who hasn’t picked theirs up yet,
take it to them. It’s a great excuse for coffee!
Remember - Do not begin using these new
envelopes until January as your new number may
not be the same as the number you have now.
Holy Baptism
Congratulations to Alya Elsa Smit, Lainey Kay Vilhauer, and Greg
Rutherford who became members with us in the family of faith through
the waters of Holy Baptism. God bless your new life in Christ!
A New Liturgy Setting Coming January 4th!
We have been singing the same liturgy setting
at the 8:30 service for over five years. It is time
to stretch ourselves with something new. The
choir has been rehearsing setting nine in the
Evangelical Lutheran Worship book and we will
introduce it slowly beginning January 4. You did
such a great job with the current setting five
years ago that we have no doubt you will do
well again. (The choir really likes it!)
ANNUAL MEETING OPEN FORUM
An Annual Meeting Open Forum will be held on Sunday,
January 18 between services for any questions or comments folks
would like to make prior to the annual meeting January 25.
ANNUAL MEETING
The Zion Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, January 25th at 12
noon (following the second service). Annual reports will be available
on Sunday, January 18th and throughout the week. This meeting will
be important as the congregation will be asked to decide at this
meeting whether to proceed with the Phase One of the repairs/
renovations to our original building.
BINGO - The Zion 6-7-8th graders will be helping with BINGO at
Bethesda Homes of Aberdeen on Saturday, January 10. Meet at the
church at 1:30 pm and we’ll van it over to Bethesda. Ice cream stop
at Cherry Berry will follow! See you all on Saturday, Jan. 10!
“Miles for Mission”
For the Youth attending the Lutheran Youth Gathering in
Detroit, MI, July 15-19 invite the congregation to participate in
their “Miles for Mission” fundraiser.
Just choose an envelope from the board from $1 to $150. 1. Place
your offering and your name in the envelope (so we can thank
you!) 2. Place the envelope in the offering plate or give it to
Donna or place it in the box provided. 3. Then choose an angel
hanging from the tree next to the board and hang it somewhere in
your home. 4.
Whenever you look at it, we ask that you lift the
participants up in prayer.
I have once again made my list of helpers here at Zion, but I hope you will
forgive me if I have forgotten any of you, as it is so hard to see everyone.
(Please don’t evict me - I love living at Zion!) But if I forgot you, or someone
you know of, please call them at the office and see if they will put it in the
next time. Thank you. SeeMore!
☺ SeeMore the Church Mouse
☺
I tagged along with Pastor Marcia when she gave blood for the
Lexy Becker 2nd annual blood drive. Goodness! What a great response
– I heard there were 78 blood products given that day! Amazing!
Thanks to everyone who was able to give the “gift of life” to another. I
am sure Lexy was smiling in heaven!
☺
We had three great Advent meals this year thanks to the Zion
Youth, the Social Concerns Committee and the Zion Women of the
ELCA. Thank you all for your hard work. I sure enjoyed having a
midweek snack! ☺
☺
The Advent services were beautiful too - Songs of Advent. A
big shout out goes to Kathy Brumbaugh and Stephanie Hawkinson for
stepping out of their comfort zones to lead the Holden Evening Prayer
service. And thank you to Jeff Carlson, Monica Tietz, and Kathy
Heffernan for reading the lessons. And of course there are all the
behind the scenes folks like Sonya our music director and all the sound
board operators that don’t get thanked enough.
☺
We had a little trouble getting the decorating started this year.
Busy schedules and an early Advent. But thanks to Millie Suchomel the
sanctuary decorations went up. And a big thanks to Kent Edson, Eric
Weber, Mike Noonan, Garry Johnson and Jeff Carlson for setting up
our sanctuary trees.
☺
Noah’s Park Preschool Christmas program was a hoot! Those
little guys did so well. They sang so nice and loud. And they know the
real meaning of Christmas – Jesus!
☺
Yum! Once again the Zion youth and their families out did
themselves with their Christmas Goodie sale. I gained a pound just
from the crumbs! I heard them say thank you to everyone
who supported them.
☺
Our Christmas Eve services so beautiful thanks to everyone who
volunteered their time to celebrate the Lord’s birth. We absolutely couldn’t
have done it without all of you! Such blessings you are.
☺
CSI- “Christmas Scene Investigation” The Sunday School program
this year was so good. I loved hearing them sing and tell the story of the first
Christmas. Thanks to Stacy Geffre for writing the program. She is one talented
lady!
☺
It has been so fun watching people find warm winter coats, hats,
mittens, scarves and socks this month. Pastor Marcia was showered with hugs
and kisses one afternoon from a lady who left with a warm coat, mittens and a
scarf. Thanks to all who donated winter outerwear and mittens for our
elementary students. What a gift you have given to so many.
☺
I got to make a trip to Target with the 7/8th graders one Sunday. They
were buying personal items for the Safe Harbor moms. Then they put together
“Pamper Packets” that would be placed in each family’s box – a gift especially
for mom. Thanks to everyone who shared their soaps, shampoo, and lotions so
this project could happen!
☺
We had two big Saturday funerals in December and they could not
have happened without the hard work of so many Zion servers. A special hat’s
off to Sharon and Ken Mizerny who do all the calling and set up. You are all a
blessing to grieving families.
☺
The Zion congregation sure did a great job serving the December
Table of Plenty dinner! I love being a church mouse in such a giving
congregation.
Happy New Year everyone!
BETHESDA BINGO
Every second Saturday of the month Zion hosts
bingo at Bethesda. The women are in charge of
finding Volunteers to help with Bingo. Plan to
participate in this ministry opportunity on January
10th! Contact Vi Tetherow (226-2320) if you can
help.