Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau + Epiphany 2 + January 17 and 18, 2015

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1 For You Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau + Epiphany 2 + January 17 and 18, 2015 PRAYING In Our Prayers This Week Persecuted Christians in: Central African Republic Ethiopia Vietnam Qatar Sister congregation: Lehurutshe Parish, South Africa Missionaries Chris and Janine Pluger (Lutheran Bible Translators in Zambia) Healing, comfort, and peace ~ Maggie Otto ~ Elroy Tapper ~ Earl Plautz ~ Lorraine Zilisch and her family on the death of her sister, Carol ~ Marlene Kroening and her family on the death of her brother, Roy Wienke ~ Laura Raddatz Those who need our on-going prayers: ~ Don Retzlaff, son-in-law of Pauline Chinnock ~ Polly Nemec ~ Grace Mueller and the Good News Mission Trip to Dominica ~ Bill Deneen, son-in-law of Dick and Dianne Ames ~ Alan Lippert ~ Michael Renken, his father, and his uncle ~ all who travel during the coming winter months ~ Zion members serving in the military ~ Zion s jail ministry ~ Zion s handicapped ministry ~ Lutheran Social Services AFFIRMATION OF BAPTISM Nikita Elizabeth Wilichowski, baptized shortly after her birth in 1988, affirmed her baptism through the Zion jail ministry at the Marathon County Jail on January 14, with Pastor Gjerde officiating. BAPTISM Brianna M. Travis, born on August 13, 1987, was baptized through the Zion jail ministry at the Marathon County Jail on January 14 by Pastor Gjerde. Please submit your prayer requests to the church office ( ). We can print prayer requests that you make for yourself or immediate family members.

2 WORSHIPING The Liturgy This Week Matins + Wednesday, 10 AM A liturgy of morning prayer to praise God for the day and refresh our souls at midweek. (Chapel) Vespers + Wednesday, 6:30 PM A liturgy of evening prayer to praise God for the night and the light of Christ. (Chapel) At Home Come and see is a wonderful invitation. If you know of someone who is looking for a place to worship or who is seeking God, share with them Zion s video and invite them to come and see the Lord Jesus at Zion as He comes to us in His Word and His Holy Sacraments. Worship Notes During the season of Epiphany, we will keep water in the baptismal font. Visit the font before or after worship, dipping your own fingers in it and remembering how the great gift of God s name and union with Jesus forms your whole Christian life. Next Sunday: Epiphany 3: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (32-35); Mark 1:14-20; Psalm 62 LEARNING Nourished by God s Word Sundays, 10:15 AM: Conversion This class is now exploring the great spiritual classic, Liturgy and Spiritual Awakening by Swedish bishop Bo Giertz. It will help us explore the work of the Holy Spirit and Holy Scripture in the liturgy, and where liturgy appears in Holy Scripture. Tuesdays at 9 AM: First Corinthians Whom does the Lord invite to His holy Supper? Do we celebrate Holy Communion as they did in the early church? What are its important aspects? St. Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians to correct errors in that congregation and proclaim anew how Christ Crucified stands at the heart of all Christian life; this week, we will look at how he applies this proclamation to the gift of Holy Communion. This study meets in the church hall. Continuing at I Corinthians 11:17 Thursday Men s Breakfast at 7 AM: The Gospel according to St. Mark Beginning this past Advent, the next year s gospel readings will come from the Gospel of Mark. Come and learn about this bold, fast-paced gospel and its curious ending. This study meets in the church hall. Continuing at Mark 6:1

3 REMEMBERING Heroes of the Faith in January Saint Agnes January 21 One of the most renown Christian women in history, St. Agnes was born to a noble Roman family, and her story was later told by St. Ambrose (December 7), who lived shortly after her. Having become a Christian, Agnes was martyred at a young age, no more than 13 years old, under the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. Many traditions have grown around her story; primarily, she reminds us that faith in Christ embraces all ages, and stands as an example of Christian steadfastness, especially for young girls. The Conversion of St. Paul January 25 One week after she celebrates St. Peter s confession, the Church celebrates St. Paul s conversion. Initially called Saul, and living as a violent persecutor of Christianity, Paul was converted on the road to Damascus when Jesus spoke to him and struck him blind for three days. Thereafter, Paul was baptized by St. Ananias and regained his sight, becoming one of the Church s greatest apostles of the faith and the author of several books in the New Testament. REACHING Zion s Monthly Mission Emphasis Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan Inc. (LSS) Goal $2000 It takes professional skill and experience to help people of all ages work through difficult times. LSS is convinced that it takes something more a firm belief in the individual worth of each child of God. LSS serves people of all ages. Lutheran and non-lutherans, through referrals from individuals, families, clergy, courts, doctors, and other agencies. Focus is on the individual needs of those entrusted to their care. LSS offers services in 93 communities throughout Wisconsin and upper Michigan. More than 200 behavioral health clinics, community and residential programs bring services close to home for people in need. Over 800 congregations share this ministry with LSS Zion being one of these. Your mission support is greatly appreciated. Free cards commemorating these holy brethren and others are available in the narthex.

4 SERVING Embodying the Love and Life of Christ Annual Meeting this week on Tuesday, January 20 at 7:00 p.m. in the church hall. Palm Branches If you have saved your palm branches from last year, please bring them to the church office. The branches will be burned on Sunday, February 15 between the services, to create the ashes used at this year s Ash Wednesday services on February 18. New Movable Walls Zion s campaign for property improvements included new movable walls for the basement church hall. Those walls are now being installed! Members of Zion s women s groups selected a color to compliment the decor, and they will be completed within a few weeks. In the meantime, please pardon the mess! Blood Drive Eastside parishes in Wausau, including Zion, Immanuel Lutheran, and Church of the Resurrection, will be cosponsoring a Blood Drive on Monday, January 19 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at St. Michael s Parish and School Cafeteria, 611 Stark St., Wausau. The American Red Cross will be administering the Blood Drive. The church office will have an Interest Survey so you can sign up for the Blood Drive. Volunteers are needed for 2-hour increments to assist with registration and refreshments. If you are able to assist, contact Lenore Grosinske, Zion s Parish Nurse, at Women of Zion Brunch Women of Zion: a brunch is being hosted for you on Saturday, February 21, at 10:30 a.m. in the church hall. Plan to attend! At this meeting, you ll learn more about the new Women of Zion organization and how you may bring your interests and gifts to its common fellowship and work. The goal of this new group is to respond to the changing patterns of life among Zion s women through the formation of a women s group that includes a variety of avenues for service and fellowship. A letter with further information is forthcoming. If you plan on attending, please contact the church office, as the brunch will be catered. Super Bowl Alert! Be Prepared! WATCH FOR soup specials for your donations on Souper Bowl Sunday, February 1. Baskets for soup collection will be at the three entrances of Zion the weekend of January 30-February 1. Local food pantries at The Neighbors Place and the Salvation Army will benefit. Keep up Zion s fine tradition of generosity so many can say soup s on! Thanks. Zion s Mission Team

5 Zion Handicapped Ministry Zion members will begin hosting a Bible study for the mentally handicapped on, held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Rothschild. This Bible study has run for several years; with the retirement of its current leader, two to three Zion members have stepped forward to take his place and lead simple, Biblical lessons each Monday. If you are interested in assisting with this ministry, please contact Pastor Gjerde. Quilting... Mondays, January 19, and February 2 and 23, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the church hall. This project supports Lutheran World Relief. Volunteers are welcome! Quilters: Please label the items you bring to identify them as quilt tops, backs, or fillers. Each item should be 64 X 84. Bread and Pie Baking on January 30 Phyllis Bliese will be baking French bread ($3 each) and whole wheat bread ($4 each), and apple, lemon meringue, pumpkin, and sour-cream raisin pies ($6 each) in Zion s church kitchen. If you can be a kitchen helper, call Phyllis at For bread and pie orders, sign up using the order sheet in the church office; or you may call the church office at Proceeds benefit Zion school s new roof. Christmas Tea Results The profit totaled $ from the 2014 Christmas Tea held December 11. The monies were disbursed as follows: $ Local Mission Help Fund $ Two Sundays for Flower Sponsor at Zion $ One Sunday Radio Broadcast Sponsor at Zion $ Typewriter for Church Office $ Four Sundays for Bulletin Sponsorship at Zion $ Seed Money for 2015 Tea $ Total (Note: Local Mission Five $25 grocery cards from Quality Foods to be used for needy Zion members with the pastors approval) Portals of Prayer for January through March 2015 are available in the narthex and by the church office reception area. Young at Heart meets on Wednesday, January 28 at 1:30 p.m. in the church hall. All adult seniors age 60+ are invited to attend. Help Wanted Zion is looking for adults, 18 years and older, to supervise the nursery during the Adult Bible Study and/or during worship. If you are willing to help, please contact Pr. Gulhaugen ( ).

6 Membership If you are not yet a member of Zion, and would like to join, please contact one of the pastors at the church office ( ). They will assist you in connecting with Zion s fellowship and life of faith. Coram Deo Zion s devotional fellowship, Coram Deo, is a gathering of your fellow believers who have committed themselves to a shared path of prayer and Scripture reading. Join the Path! For more information, contact Pr. Gjerde. Epiphany Bookmarks are available for you to take from the tables in the narthex and church office reception area. IN THE COMMUNITY Events around Central Wisconsin Pro-Life Announcement If you would like to sign the annual prolife ad in the Wausau Daily Herald, please stop by the church office, where there is a sign up sheet. Stepping On: Building Confidence and Reducing Falls Have you, or an older adult you know, ever fallen or had a close call with a fall? Get your confidence back and learn how to reduce the risk of falling! Sign up for Stepping On: building confidence and reducing falls Workshop. Classes are held Tuesdays, February 3 March 17 and will be held at Forest Park Village, 2901 N. 7th St., Wausau. For more information and to register, call the Aging & Disability Resource Center at (715) Foster Grandparent Volunteer Program This program connects the generations, building upon natural bonds between younger students and older Americans. Foster grandparents bring a lifetime of wisdom and experience to assist the youth in preparing them for their own journey through life. Contact Donna or Brittany at Faith in Action Are you age 60 or older? Do you need a little extra help with groceries? Friendly volunteers from Faith in Action of Marathon County are ready to deliver food from the Community Center of Hope food pantry or from The Neighbors Place to your doorstep. To request assistance, please contact Kelly at Volunteers Needed at Wausau Bethesda Thrift Shop Bethesda Thrift stores have long been almost totally volunteer run. This kind of structure allows for the maximum amount of money to go to their services and programs that serve the intellectually and developmentally disabled in our communities. Their history of working with different congregations is an awesome example of serving others who can never repay you. The Wausau store is a

7 great example of volunteers serving their community. There is only one paid staff member, so volunteers are needed for the store. A specific time slot needed is for someone to come in and cashier every Saturday or every other Saturday. They will gladly put anyone to work who has time to spare. If you have any questions or have someone interested in volunteering you can contact the store directly at ; or the store manager Alice Sliwicki at: alice.sliwicki@mailblc.org. Attendance: January 10, 11 & 14: Saturday: 5:15 pm: 45 Sunday: 9:00 am :00 am 55 Wednesday: 10:00 am 22 6:30 pm 16 Total: 319 Zion s Financial News Total Income 2014 $610,386 Total Expense 2014 $608,154 Income last week: $ 7,029 Year-to-date income: $12,788 Year-to-date expenses: $23,566

8 CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK Sunday January 18 9:00 am Holy Communion WSAU Radio 9:15 am Sunday School 10:15 am Bible Study 10:15 am Grades 5 & 6 11:00 am Holy Communion Sunday January 25 9:00 am Holy Communion WSAU Radio 9:15 am Sunday School 10:15 am Bible Study 10:15 am Grades 5 & 6 11:00 am Holy Communion Next Sunday: Epiphany 3: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (32-35); Mark 1:14-20; Psalm 62 Monday January 19 1:00 pm 3:30 pm Quilting in church hall Tuesday January 20 9:00 am Bible Study 10:30 am Staff Meeting 7:00 pm Annual Meeting in church hall Wednesday January 21 10:00 am Matins 6:30 pm Vespers 7:15 pm Confirmation Thursday January 22 7:00 am Men s Bible Class 6:30 pm Kantorei Rehearsal Saturday January 24 5:15 pm Holy Communion