Eye on Zion. From the Desk of Pastor Lee March 2017

Transcription

1 Eye on Zion From the Desk of 2017 we confess to you and to one another, and before the whole company of heaven, that we have sinned by our fault, by our own fault, by our own most grievous fault, in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. -from the Ash Wednesday confession liturgy. With Christians throughout the world, we enter the season of Lent. Echoing Jesus forty days in the wilderness, observing Lent is a discipline that challenges us to shift the focus from our desires so that we may better be able to recognize Jesus at work in the world and in others by his suffering, death and resurrection. This is a challenge, however, that our world finds foolish and even dangerous because it is a threat to a society that worships the power created by unending conflict, hatred and division. It seems we have reached another point in our history when compromise is weakness, when fanatical adherence to absolutes dominate over the need for learning and when we embrace the familiar us over them for the illusion of security and safety. We have stopped listening to each other because we do not want to hear anything different than what we have already decided is true. We have stopped trusting each other except for those who think exactly like we do. We have allowed the soundbites and clever memes to be our answers to complex situations. We have allowed the pundits of the extremes to be our voice in the world over and against the voice of faith that God has given us. Christ died to make us better people than what we have allowed ourselves to become. If we are going to reclaim, as Abraham Lincoln once spoke, the better angels of our nature, our desire for safety must yield to Christ s radical love for each other, our desire to be heard must yield to our willingness to listen, and our desire to be right must yield to the reality of God s grace. I know it is sometimes a fine line between being humble and being abused, just as it is between being accepting of differences and tolerating evil. It is a fine line, but it is a line that we must walk together, challenging and supporting each other because Christ first loved us before we could ever imagine loving ourselves. In world with a ravenous appetite to see us devolve and fracture at differences small and great, we are called to walk together where Christ has walked, even to the cross. Along the way, we may need to carry the cross for another just as someone, when we stumble, will be there to carry the cross for us. Christ leads us in this path, not because the world needs more witnesses to tell it what we see or believe, but because the world needs us to be the witness in action, reflecting the love of Christ with the very gift of our lives. As we enter Lent, may Christ be our light, our hope and our unity; and, may his cross be the heart that drives us to radically love a beautiful, but fallen, world. Your Friend in Christ,

2 From Pastor Lorna: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, A smudge of ashes on our foreheads marks the beginning of the season of Lent. Why do we mark ourselves in this way at this time? What does it signify for us? Lent is a time for reflection. Most of the time our lives are so full of action and doing that we spend little time thinking about what we are doing and why we are doing it. Lent asks us to pause in our headlong rush forward, to think about our lives and the direction they are going. When we receive the smudge of ashes on our foreheads we hear the words, Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return. The words remind us of our limitations and our mortality. They demand that we acknowledge that God is God and we are not. That is an excellent place for our Lenten reflections to begin. We all reflect on our lives. We all have internal conversations with ourselves about things that have happened in the past or our interactions with other people. It can be a time when we try to soothe our hurt feelings or justify our bad behavior toward another person by telling ourselves how good we are and how badly the other person treated us. But that is not the kind of reflection we are asked to do in this season. The season of Lent asks us to move in a much more difficult direction, a direction that leads us toward repentance. We must ask questions like, How did I contribute to the problem I had with the other person? What was there in my attitude or on my face or in my tone or in my words that inflamed the situation? Repentance begins with the recognition that at least part of the problem lies with me. That smudge of ashes on our forehead can serve as a reminder that we are not as good or as perfect as we like to think we are. But we don t have to get lost in our own guilt or wallow in our regrets. That Ash Wednesday smudge has a shape and that shape is the cross. Repentance is hard work for us but the one who has done the major work in this process is Jesus Christ. We don t have to punish ourselves for the sins we have committed because Christ took the punishment we deserved on himself when he died on the cross for us. He has done the work which makes forgiveness possible. If we are already forgiven, why should we bother with this hard work called repentance? We do it to open ourselves to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Recognizing and confessing our sin breaks down our defensiveness and opens us to change. We set aside the false pride that says, There is nothing wrong with me. I don t need to be fixed. so that our hearts can pray, Come, Holy Spirit. Make me more like Jesus. And so a smudge of ashes set us on a path of growth and change. Don t miss out on the opportunity that Lent offers to draw you closer to Christ and make you a better reflector of his love in the world. Grace and Peace,

3 Council Minutes February 13, 2017 The monthly council meeting of Zion Lutheran Church was called to order by President Ricky Solida on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 7:30 P.M. Members present: Ricky, Bennight, Cheryl Keesee, Tamra Griffey and Leanna Driggs. Absent: Dennis Keesee and Steven Rust. Financial records for the last two months were audited by Ricky and Cheryl. Pastor Lee presented the devotion on Abe Lincoln. The agenda was approved after one addition to New Business with a motion by Cheryl and seconded by Leanna. The minutes were approved with a motion by Tamra and seconded by Cheryl. The Pastor s report was approved with a motion by Leanna and seconded by Tamra. Ricky presented the treasurer s report in Dennis absence. Cheryl made the motion to approve the treasurer s report and was seconded by Tamra. Team Reports: There were no reports for Congregational Life, Property, and Music and Trust Fund Committee. Pastor reported for Parish Ministry that there has been a good turn-out for the Wednesday evening youth group. The Parish Council will meet on February 23. Tamra will be reporting on Missions and Membership. Old Business: reported that there are several software options for improving documentation and record keeping that can be downloaded for free. Pastor made a motion to approve Dennis Keesee for our Parish Council representative and Cheryl seconded the motion. Dennis continues to work on the sound system bids and will report at the next meeting. Pastor Lee discussed the sponsoring of the Luther movie in celebration of the 500 th Reformation Anniversary. There is a possibility that First Lutheran will cosponsor with us. He will report on this at the next meeting with the dollar amount that is needed. New Business: The council approved Deanna s vacation for and 20. The motion was made by Leanna and seconded by Cheryl. Pastor moved and Cheryl seconded the addition of adding Ricky, Tamra and Leanna to the bank signature cards at Farmers National Bank. Dennis will take care of the paperwork for this. reported that Augsburg Publishing would send us $300 worth of display books in celebration of the Reformation. We would need to display them for two weeks during Lent. The books would be available for us to purchase at ½ price. Leanna made a motion to approve this display and Cheryl seconded the motion. The next meeting will be Monday, 13, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. Leanna is scheduled to audit the financial records. The meeting was closed with the Lord s Prayer. Leanna Driggs, Secretary The Missions and Membership Committee invites you to like our Zion Lutheran Church ELCA Facebook page. Also, check out the Disciples of the Plains Lutheran Ministry website or select the link on our Facebook page.

4 Ash Wednesday Schedule 1, :00 Zion Lutheran Church Imposition of Ashes with Holy Communion. A Simple, spoken service offered as an alternative to the evening service. 2:00 Phillips County Retirement Center Imposition of Ashes with Holy Communion An ecumenical service with the residents of PCRC 7:30 Emmanuel Imposition of Ashes with Holy Communion This is the main Ash Wednesday observation with music and hymns. Schedule of Services 8 at Zion - 7:30 p.m. 15 at Emmanuel 7:30 p.m. 22 at Zion- 7:30 p.m. 29 at Emmanuel-7:30 p.m. April 5 at Zion-7:30 p.m. Why We Do What We Do. Someone asked me the other day why I bow during the Holy, Holy, Holy (also called the Sanctus) in the Holy Communion liturgy. This got me to thinking that short articles in the newsletter explaining why we do the things we do as Lutherans may be helpful. So, this it the first. The first reason why I bow is because the pastor in the congregation in which I grew up always did it; so, in part, it is simply habit. There is, however, a more meaningful reason. During the Sanctus, when we speak or sing, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, our attention is directed to Jesus promise that he is fully present with us. It is not mere symbolism, but we believe fully Jesus promise that This is my body. This is my blood shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Because we are actually welcoming Jesus in our midst, the tradition has developed that all are invited to make the sign of the cross and / or the pastor may kneel or bow in recognition that it is truly Christ who comes to us. Like many traditions and liturgy, however, this practice varies depending upon the history and influence of predecessor church bodies. Like making the sign of the cross, it has evolved in some congregations and in others it has not. The important thing to remember, however, is that whether a pastor bows or not, the promise of Christ is still the same. Christ promises to be truly and fully present with us in Holy Communion, forgiving our sins and giving us a foretaste of that feast to come. Like all traditions, it is only worthwhile if it points us to the promises of God. -

5 BABY CARE KITS Two lightweight cotton T-shirts (no Onesies) Two long-or short-sleeved gowns or sleepers (without feet) Two receiving blankets, medium-weight cotton or flannel, or crocheted or knitted with Lightweight yarn, up to 52 square Four cloth diapers, flat fold preferred One jacket, sweater or sweatshirt with a hood, or include a baby cap Two pairs of socks One hand towel, dark color recommended Two bath-size bars (8 to 9 oz) of gentle soap, in original wrapping Two diaper pins or large safety pins PERSONAL CARE KITS One light-weight bath-size towel (20 X 40 to 52 X 27 ), dark color recommended Two bath-size bars (8 to 9 oz) of soap, any brand, in original wrapping One sturdy comb (no picks or fine-toothed combs) One adult size toothbrush One metal nail clippers BATH SOAP All brands of bath soap are accepted in original wrapping. Motel bars of soap are not accepted by LWR. Items donated for the kits can be placed in the tote under the coat rack. Cash donations for purchasing items for the kits can be given to Marci or Janet. The Family of Ray & Donna Zillinger would like to invite friends to a celebration of their 70 th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, 18 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. WELCA will be hosting their annual Spring Fundraiser on Sunday, April 2. Please watch for more information in future bulletins and the April Newsletter. Sign up sheets will be posted in mid. Scholarship applications for the school year can be picked up from the card table in the narthex for anyone wanting to apply. They need to be returned to the office no later than Sunday, April 19, 2017.

6 Zion Lutheran Church th Street Phillipsburg, Kansas (785) Church s zionlu@ruraltel.net Pastor s leebennight@gmail.com Anniversaries 3-17 Ray & Donna Zillinger (70 th ) Parsonage Phone Pastors Cell Phone (785) (785) Pastor: Lee Bennight Editor: Deanna Ewing, Parish Secretary 2017 Church Council President: Ricky Solida Vice-President: Tamra Griffey Treasurer: Dennis Keesee Secretary: Leanna Driggs Congregational Life Team: Cheryl Keesee Property: Steven Rust Finance Team: Dennis Keesee Trust Fund Committee: Dennis Keesee Parish Ministry Team: Schedule 10:30 Service Newsletter Deadline for the next issue is 15, 2017 Birthdays 3-10 Lauren Gibbs 3-15 Toma Griffey 3-16 Ed Tien 3-18 Marci Rust 3-18 Steven Rust 3-19 Justin Griffey 3-21 Sue Kipp 3-22 Shellie Lare 3-24 Jessica (Zillinger) Kreller 3-25 Stan Wagner 3-26 Jenna Hoover 3-27 Curt Erickson 3-28 Robyn Patton ACOLYTES 5 Rylan Hays 8 Madison Solida 12 Lauren Gibbs 19 Devin Johnson 22 Theo Keesee 26 Rylan Hays LECTORS 5 Doug Zillinger 8 Sue Kipp 12 Chris Patton 19 Christina Dettmer 22 Marci Rust 26 Erin Patton GREETERS 5 Ivan & Phyllis Wagner 12 Doug & Leanna Driggs 19 Dennis & Andrea Keesee 26 Ed & Barb Tien USHER CAPTAIN 5 Howard King 12 Janet McCall 19 Howard King 26 Karin Patton ALTAR GUILD Shellie & Brad Lare

7 Zion Lutheran Church 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5 gone to Rural Ministry Conference 6 gone to Rural Ministry Conference 7 gone to Rural Ministry Conference 1 8 7:00 am Ash Wednesday Service at Zion 2:00 pm PCRC 6:00 pm Youth Night Meal Confirmation/Youth Night Ash Wednesday Emmanuel :00 pm Bible Study at Zion Lenten Service at Zion Zion Church Council :00 pm PCRC 16 7:00 pm Mutual Ministry :30 3:00 pm Anniversary Reception Lenten Service at Emmanuel :30 am Early Bird Bible Study at Emmanuel Lutheran Church Lenten Service at Zion 23 Parish Council Meeting Pastor Lorna 1:30 pm WELCA Cluster Meeting at American Lutheran in Smith Center Lenten Service at Emmanuel 30 7:00 pm Bible Study at Zion 31