Zion Lutheran Church Newsletter

Transcription

1 Zion Lutheran Church Newsletter Those who trust in the Lord shall be like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. (Psalm 125:1) April 2016 Pastoral Letter... page 3 In the Liturgy... page 4 From the Associate... page 5 Bible Study & Learning Opportunities... page 6 Grand View University Choir Thank You... page 7 A Note From the Kantor... page 8 Organ Concert Series Presents Craig Stewart Williams... page 9 Mission and Outreach... page 10 What s Happening in Sunday School... page 11 Strassenfest 2016, News and Events... page 12 Women of Zion, Dates to Remember... page 13 News and Events... page 14 Memorials & Other Gifts Received, Community News... page 15

2 Remember: Daily Prayer is Held Every Wednesday Matins (Morning Prayer): 10:00 A.M. Vespers (Evening Prayer): 6:30 P.M. Zion is your house of prayer, and our Lord Jesus promises to be with us when we gather in His name. The sermons at these services also differ from Sunday morning. This month, Prayers and Anointing for Healing will be held at matins and vespers on Wednesday, April 13. 2

3 Pastoral Letter When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they knew Him, and He vanished from their sight. ~ Luke 24:31 Dear Zion, The resurrection changed how people encounter Jesus. He no longer fills places the same way, fixed to a particular chair in which He sits, or to the ground on which He stands. As we read in St. Luke s gospel, two of the disciples discovered that they only knew Him once He broke bread with them; then, just as quickly, He vanished! So it goes for the man no longer bound by death, and so it goes for the Church who carries His name. We no longer know Jesus as just another man, but as the Lord who comes to us, even now, in His gifts. The art of Christian faith is seeing Him there. Some people look at Christian worship, and they see Christians doing Christian things to keep themselves Christian. But we look at it, and we see the Savior, Jesus Christ, coming to us in His words and sacraments, no longer bound by space and time. The Word and sacraments are personal for us, because they carry the Person of Jesus. Others look at the charity of the Church, and they see do-gooders doing good so that they can feel good about what they do. But we see the Friend of sinners, Jesus Christ, making His home among the poor and working through our small and broken efforts to reveal the start of a new creation. Good works are part of a personal relationship with Jesus, because He is the one who works through our love. This way of looking at things is the Holy Spirit, opening our eyes to what the disciples saw that first Easter: not only is Jesus risen, but He is still personally present and active in the body of His Church, redeeming creation in preparation for a new day. Zion is one small but beloved part of His resurrected life, thanks be to God. Peace! Pastor Gjerde 3

4 In the Liturgy Scripture Readings in Worship this April Below are the Bible readings that you will hear at weekend worship during April. Read them before worship, and then return to them throughout the following week. Sunday, April 3: Acts 5:12-20, Revelation 1:4-18, John 20:19-31 Sunday, April 10: Acts 9:1-22, Revelation 5:8-14, John 21:1-14 Sunday, April 17: Acts 20:17-35, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30 Sunday, April 24: Acts 11:1-18, Revelation 21:1-7, John 16:12-22 What and Why? ~ a Q & A column on the liturgy ~ Why are lilies the predominant flower on Easter? Sometimes called the white-robed apostle of hope, the Easter Lily s white flower has been seen as a symbol of purity, the purity that God sees in those who are baptized into the Risen Christ. It is a sign of hope and new life as it rises from the ground in the spring. And it s trumpet shape heralds the resurrection. What is the poncho-like garment the pastors wear during Holy Communion? It is called a chasuble. It covers the pastor at the altar to remind you that the holy Supper comes to you not from the pastor s hand, but from God s own hand. Roughly circular in shape, it also symbolizes the united, eternal fellowship of the church, gathered to the Lord Jesus. In that sense, it is much like the seamless robe over which the soldiers gambled as Jesus hung on the cross. 4 Easter A Brief Overview What does it celebrate? The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. How long? Not one day, but 50 days (ten more than Lent, as the resurrection deserves!) and 7 Sundays (again, one more than Lent, as Christ s resurrection is far greater than our preparation for it!). What happens? The alleluia returns and our praise becomes festive once more; processions, symbolizing the victory train of our Lord, begin and end Sunday worship; the alleluia fills vespers also, and we sing the festive Te Deum at matins. In many ways, the Sundays of Easter are the same as other Sundays, for all Sundays are a celebration of the resurrection. Color: White and Gold, the colors of Christ s purity and power.

5 From the Associate By the time you get this, Easter will be almost here. It is the feast towards which the whole Church year has been pointing, beginning with Advent and Christmas. It is the Great Festival of the Church, the culmination and the center of the Gospel we believe, teach, and confess. It is such an important feast that it lasts for fifty days. The Easter celebration is a week of weeks, the celebration of the new creation begun in the death and resurrection of our Lord. How might you and your household celebrate the Great Fifty Days of Easter? A simple way would be to choose a white candle and light it when you gather for your daily devotions. During the Easter season, Zion lights a large candle during her worship called the Paschal candle as a reminder that the risen Lord is in her midst. Let the single white candle be for you your own Paschal candle as a reminder that the risen Christ also is with you in your homes. As you light it, say the Easter proclamation: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! The Second Sunday of Easter (the First Sunday of Easter is Easter Day) is called Low Sunday. In ancient times, this was the day when those who were baptized at Easter Vigil took off the white robes of their baptism and resumed their normal lives, now as baptized children of God. Take time to remember your own baptisms during the Easter season as well as to pray for those who were baptized on Easter Vigil: Christina Drews, David Mattheis, and Leonard Kutchenriter. On the Third Sunday of Easter, the Church hears the story of Jesus appearance to His disciples while they were fishing on the Sea of Galilee. He tells them where to cast their nets and they take in a big haul of fish, 153 to be exact. This catch symbolizes the net the disciples will cast around the world as they proclaim the Gospel of the Risen Christ. Pray for those whom you know who do not yet believe. Invite them to worship, Sunday School, Bible Study. Share your faith and worship with them that they might be caught in the net of Christ s mercy and love. The Fourth Sunday of Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday. On this day the Church remembers Jesus as the Good Shepherd. During that week, take time to pray for those who shepherd the faith of the people of God: pastors, teachers, musicians, parents, translators, missionaries, and chaplains. May the joy of the Risen Christ fill your lives and your homes now and always! ~Pr. Gulhaugen 5

6 Weekly Bible Studies Sundays, 10:15 AM: Resurrection in the Bible Christ in the Old Testament The Sunday morning Bible study will begin two new studies over the next several months. First, we ll look at what Scripture teaches us about the resurrection and the hope of eternal life. What do Christians look forward to? Then we ll explore where the Old Testament points ahead to Jesus Christ in its stories and prophecies. (Church Hall) Tuesdays, 9:00 AM: Acts Acts is the story of God acting through the Holy Spirit to spread the truth of the saving act of Jesus death and resurrection throughout the world. That is the story, its characters, its events, and its teaching, on which this class will focus. (Church Hall) Thursday Men s Breakfast, 7:00 AM: Genesis The word genesis means beginnings, and this book of the Bible tells us about the beginnings of more than just creation: the beginning of sin, the beginning of salvation, and the beginning of Abraham s family, the nation of Israel. As we learn our beginnings, we learn who we are and who we shall be in the light of Christ. (Church Hall) Children s and Youth Education First Communion Each year, Zion provides instruction for anyone 4 th Grade and older in preparation for receiving the Lord s Supper for the first time. This year s First Communion class will begin on Wednesday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. following Vespers. Students will participate in four classes pointing toward receiving their First Communion on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 5. Interested parents are encouraged to sign up for their children at the church office. If you have any questions, please call Pr. Ted at Confirmation Class Confirmation class meets every Wednesday in April at its customary time. 6

7 Grand View University Choir The Grand View University Choir presented a beautiful and edifying concert at Zion on March 15 as part of their Spring 2016 Tour! Hearing the ordinaries sung in various styles and languages deepened the appreciation of the parts of the liturgy that we sing weekly. Thank you to those who opened their homes to keep students overnight. Your kind hospitality made their stop in Wausau possible and was greatly appreciated by the students and director. May the Lord continue to keep you 7

8 A Note From the Kantor WHAT MAKES THE PROPERS PROPER? Propers are those parts of a communion service that vary according to the Sunday or festival and includes the Introit; Collect of the Day; Readings; Gradual; and Verse. Lutherans have their worship practices rooted in the historic rite of the Western Church, which reflect centuries of developments in worship. The general umbrella of the church year guides the theme of each service as it is shaped by the propers assigned to that service. The discipline imposed by this system ensures worshipers that the major teachings of Christianity will be shared with them throughout the course of a year. [David Held: Planning Corporate Worship. ] Eugene L. Brand carries this thought a bit further. He states: The propers, then, are the insurance that worship will dwell on each point of the Gospel, keeping them in balance and insuring full coverage. They keep the prayers, praise, and preaching of the church from the subjective whim of the preacher or musician by keeping both under a discipline imposed by common agreement of the whole church. [Eugene Brand: The Liturgical Life of the Church. ] Let s look at the structure of the collect where the main thought normally centers on the thought of the day. There are five parts to a standard collect. The Address: This refers to the person of the Trinity to whom the prayers is addressed. The Rationale: The reason God is being addressed in prayer, usually underscoring some quality, attribute, or work of God and His relationship with His people. The Petition: The actual prayer which mentions the gift desired, the blessing requested, or the praise offered - usually only one request per collect. The Result: This refers to the expected consequence of the prayer. The Conclusion: This is sometimes called the termination or the doxology, where the final element states through Jesus Christ our Lord, and may expand to include the Trinity. In the upcoming weeks, investigate the collect of the day to locate the five parts of the collect. Once you have identified the parts of the collect, search for the connection with the readings of the day! That thread of a common thought of the day interwoven throughout the Propers, is what makes the Propers proper! Joy in Jesus, Kantor Irene Beethe 8

9 Organ Concert Series Craig Stewart Williams Concert Organist Zion Lutheran Church April 17, :00 p.m. Free-will Donation Reception to follow concert Zion Lutheran Church is pleased to present Craig S. Williams as guest organist in their Organ Concert Series on Sunday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Williams is Organist and Choirmaster of the Cadet Chapel, United States Military Academy West Pointe, where he plays the world s largest church allpipe organ and directs the Cadet Chapel Choir. He is only the fourth organist to hold that position since the present Cadet Chapel building was erected n Mr. Williams has performed on both organ and piano for over 40 years, including performances at Carnegie Hall, at Segerstrom Hall in Orange County, California, and at the Crystal Cathedral in California. For most of his performing career, he has been a church musician, serving Calvary Baptist Church in New York City and the ecumenical Protestant Chapel at John F. Kennedy International Airport. In addition to his duties at West Point, he serves on the conservatory faculty at Westminster Choir College and is adjunct professor of organ at Nyack College. The program will include compositions based on American and patriotic tunes and will feature many American composers. A reception will follow the concert. 9

10 Mission and Outreach Monthly Mission Emphasis: Greater Wausau Christian Services Goal: $3,750 Since 1981 (35 years ago!), Greater Wausau Christian Services has provided a pastoral presence and various programs of support to residents of our community s institutions. There are 13 churches who are members and who support GWCS. Specifically, the efforts of GWCS has centered on local nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and the county jail. In addition to the jail support and nursing homes, GWCS recently has put a greater emphasis on juvenile facilities and refurbishing the jail library. The GWCS worship program has 26 local pastors who are scheduled to lead worship services for the nursing homes on a weekly basis. Pastor Gjerde and Pastor Gulhaugen take their turns in the rotation. Residents have come to appreciate the variety of pastoral leadership types, as each week a different pastor shows up. In addition, church services are held each Sunday evening at the county jail. Twelve different pastors lead these services on a rotation basis. The service consists of singing, bible reading, a message and prayer, concluding by saying together The Lord s Prayer. Many Zion members are also involved in an every-other-week ministry to women inmates of the jail. Zion has been a part of GWCS since its inception. Your special gift of support is greatly appreciated. Our mission goal for Greater Wausau Christian Services for the month of April is $3,

11 What s Happening in Sunday School 6 week attendance award Front: Jehvian Krahn, Alexis Drenk, Griffin Hunsicker Back: Noah Harter, Tyler Pagel, Sarah Gjerde, Davonte Krahn 12 week attendance award Front: Tyler Pagel, Maple Nass, Olivia Peterson, Ethan Loppnow, Brennan Hochberger Back: Sarah Gjerde, Amber and Gabriel Nass, Noah Harter 12 week attendance award Front: Maple Nass Back: Amber Nass, Sarah Gjerde, Gabriel Nass 18 week attendance award Front: Jehvian Krahn Back: Davonte Krahn, Justis Wallace 11

12 Strassenfest 2016 It s Not Too Early To Plan For This October Event! With an annual event that is as far outreaching, multifaceted, anticipated and volunteer-reliant as Zion s annual Strassenfest, we like to keep it in your thoughts throughout the entire year. One of the main reasons this event is so successful is the generosity of our congregation. Your talents, donations, ideas, support, volunteer assistance and attendance help grow the event year after year. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! To help inspire those reading this article or sharing it with their friends we d love to hear from anyone who may have donated items in the past. Did you donate a treasured antique from your attic, basement or garage? Did it have a story? Do you provide bakery, canned items or candy each year and if so, can you share your Strassenfest recipe? Do you plan an extra row in your garden to donate fresh goods? Do you have a generational story to share? Maybe your parents, children and their children all work in a booth together. Your story could inspire others to make a difference, too. This year s Strassenfest is scheduled for Saturday, October 8th. It s part of our Fall Festival weekend that includes an Abendessen and Swiss Steak Luncheon. More details will follow on those events in future newsletters. If you re interested in being a part of the Strassenfest 2016 planning team, or just want to share an idea, please contact Dave and Lori Torkko at or dtorkko@pcpros.net. News and Events Zion s Library Check it Out! Archaeological Study Bible New International Version is our featured book for April. The book is an illustrated walk through Biblical history and culture. It s the Bible with many illustration of ancient texts and artifacts, stone bathtubs, Greek and Roman coins, archaeological sites a fascinating study. Spring Rummage and Plant Sale Zion s Spring Rummage and Plant Sale will be held on Saturday, April 30th from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Setup will be on Friday, April 29th, 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Items to be sold should be brought before 3:30 p.m. Friday. Lunch will be served for the workers on Friday. Help is needed both days for setup and the sale. If you have questions, call the church office, or Nancy, Help make this a successful sale! 12

13 Women of Zion This organization will serve our Lord Jesus Christ by promoting charity, fellowship and devotion among women of Zion Lutheran Church. The Women of Zion meeting on March 2nd went very well. I would like to thank Darla Zastrow and Vicky Richmond Hawkins for their program on the Monk Gardens. Each year the Gardens keep adding more stages of creation, how wonderful! We had discussion on the Spring Rummage Sale and the Salad Buffet. Signup sheets were passed around for those interested in helping with either of these events. Irene Beethe gave an update on the choir and organ concerts. She also had signup sheets. If you would like to help with any of these wonderful events, please call the church office at DATES TO REMEMBER: April 6, 2016 Women of Zion meeting at 12:30 p.m. The Wausau Fire Department will teach hands only CPR as well as AED (Automated External Defibrillator) training and demonstrations. ALL members of Zion are welcome to attend mark your calendar! April 17, 2016 Organ Concert at 3:00 p.m. Setup for the reception will be at 11:00 a.m. April 30, 2016 Spring Rummage Sale at 9:00 a.m. with setup being on April 29 in the school gym. If you have items to donate or would like to work at the sale, call the church office. May 10, 2016 Spring Salad Buffet at 6:00 p.m. The program will be a presentation by Majestic Farms Greenhouse and Landscaping. Tickets are now on sale at the church office, $8 in advance, $10 at the door. It will be a fun evening with lots of good food and fellowship. May all of you have a Blessed Easter!...Joan Koch 13

14 News and Events 80+ Birthdays in April April 9 Jack Hochberger, 6311 Kirk St., Schofield April 10 Duane Peterson, 1233 Plumer St., Wausau April 15 Hazel Eckel, Mt. View, 2400 Marshall St., Wausau April 17 Pauline Chinnock, 400 River Dr., #392, Wausau April 21 Norma Curtis, 909 Nina Ave., Wausau April 23 Dorothy Flees, Harmony of Wausau, 3402 Terrant Ct., Wausau April 24 Elaine Hoff, 115 Erdman St., Schofield Enjoy the Convenience of Electronic Giving Zion wants to remind its members that we offer electronic giving as a way to automate your regular weekly offering. Electronic giving offers convenience for individual congregation members and provides much-needed donation consistency for our congregation. Direct Debit Giving is used to automatically transfer funds from your checking or savings account to the church s bank account. As you contemplate future contributions, please consider electronic giving. Contact Pam at the church office for authorization forms and additional information. Wisconsin Valley Lutheran High School Invites you to attend their Spring Fling Spring Auction and Celebration Dinner, Cash Bar and Music. Saturday, April 23 at Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, 1100 Imperial Ave., Rothschild. Registration is from 4:30-5:30 p.m. with a sit-down Dinner at 6:00 p.m. A Silent Auction will be held from 4:30-7:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person, $75 per couple or $250 for a table of eight. Reservations are required and no later than April 18th. Call to make your reservation. Faces of Hope 2016 Banquet Hope Life Center will have their 2016 banquet on Tuesday, April 26th at the Central Wisconsin Convention Expo Center. The doors open at 5:15 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m. For reservations or to sponsor a table, call or go to HopeWI.org. Bread Baking February s bread and pie baking resulted in a profit of $339. Missions received $49 and the School Roof Debt $290. Phyllis baked 61 loaves of white bread, 9 loaves of wheat bread and 29 pies. Thanks to helpers Steve and Marge. 14

15 Memorials and Other Gifts Received In memory of Rev. Donald C. Schulz, Steve Zeinemann gave a gift to the Radio Fund (Pr. Schulz was Steve s pastor while at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sheboygan.) In memory of Lynn Gelhar, Pam Hoppe gave a gift to the Capital Improvement Fund. In memory of Kenneth Radtke, Ken and Lois Haderlein gave a gift to the Radio Fund. Community News Lakefront Learning Sessions presented by Helke Funeral Home You work hard for your money and you want it to last your lifetime. When it comes to retirement planning, estate planning and final wishes planning, people have a lot of questions. Valorie Gast, a retirement planner, Ashley Hawley an attorney, and Mary Machmueller-Gunther a preplanning specialist at Helke s will present a free presentation on Tuesday, April 5, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 5-7 p.m. at Gulliver s Landing, 1701 Mallard Lane, Wausau. Pizza will be served and door prizes will be given. Please reply by April 1st by calling or helke@helke.com. L.O.S.S. Loss of Spouse Support Group Losing a spouse may be something one can never get over, but can learn to live with. L.O.S.S. attempts to help people realize that while life has changed dramatically, the survivor can still live a contented life. Check out the FREE ministry grief support groups that will be held in 2016 on the bulletin board by the church office. Hand Only CPR and AED Information-Training The Women of Zion s guest speaker on Wednesday, April 6th, 12:30 p.m. in the church hall will feature members from the Wausau and Stevens Point Fire Department speaking on Hands only CPR and AED information and training. All members of Zion interested in training for hands only CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and a demonstration on an AED (automated external defibrillator) are encouraged to attend. The session is free of charge. St. Anthony Spirituality Center has some interesting upcoming retreats on marriage, praying, stress management and serenity (recovering alcoholics). Please refer to the bulletin board for these upcoming retreats. St. Anthony s is a beautiful retreat center in Marathon City. 15

16 ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH 709 SIXTH STREET WAUSAU WI NON-PROFIT ORGN U.S.POSTAGE PAID WAUSAU, WI PERMIT NO. 66 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Come Worship the Lord! Sundays 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Saturdays 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. 16 Where you can reach us: Church Fax Web: zionlutheranwausau.com A member of Lutheran CORE