Second Quarter, Dear Zion,

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Second Quarter, Dear Zion,"

Berenice Adams
5 years ago
Views:

1 Dear Zion, Zion Ev. Lutheran Church 545 South Seventh Street Freeland, Michigan Second Quarter, 2017 Stewardship Easter is our reminder that death is not the end, and with the resurrection of Jesus is the promise that new life comes after death. We are in a world that needs the promises of New Life in every aspect of our lives and faith as things change. All of this is celebrated between Palm Sunday and Easter. The church will be decorated for Palm Sunday service Saturday evening April 8 at 7:00 pm. Assistance from a few people would be greatly appreciated, please contact Pastor Rob if you are available. Palm Sunday, April 9, will mark the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Palms will be shared at church. This celebration starts Holy Week. The Sunday school is having a bake sale between services on Palm Sunday. Donation of baked goods welcome, or simply shop! Money collected is designated by students to purchase gifts for the good gifts programs that supplies livestock for families in third world countries. Wednesday April 12 we will worship at 7:00 pm. After worship, we welcome help to prepare the church for Maundy Thursday Service. Maundy Thursday, April 13, we worship at 7:00 pm. Special music will be shared by John Poma and Betty Scherzer. We will observe the traditions of the Lords last supper. It is a moving and unique worship. After worship help is welcome and needed to prepare the church for Good Friday. Good Friday, April 14, we gather between 12:00 noon and 3:00pm for brief services starting every 30 minutes. Six individuals will share scripture readings related to Holy week, Good Friday, and their reflections and stories on the season. Each service also contains two songs and prayers, as well as the individuals sharing. Come and go as you can any time between 12:00 and 3:00. We gather again at 7:00 pm for a Tenebrae service, focusing upon the death and crucifixion of Jesus. Special music will be provided by Daniel Harding. As you enter for the 7:00 pm service a fire will be burning outside the church. You re invited to place our Lenten paper offerings into the fire, or you re invited to bring a letter to God written elsewhere. Saturday April 15 at 10:00 am volunteers will gather to decorate the church for Easter morning. Help is welcomed and needed. Easter services will be Sunday, April 16 at 8:00am and 10:30am. Breakfast will be offered between services and all are welcome to share an Easter meal here! I hope you can come and renew your faith during these special services. In Christ Happy Easter Pr. Rob

Kyle Whitford Sponsored by Rose Boensch and Amanda Parker JOSEPHINE LYN WHITFORD Born on January 17, 2017 to Amelia Whitford (Boensch) and Kyle Whitford Sponsored by Rose Boensch and Amanda Parker

2 Baptisms GRAYSON W. ALTMAN Born on May 12, 2016 to Brook Altman and Stephanie Kerkau Sponsored by Brittanie Keyser and Kaleb LaBonville ELIZA BRADLEY WHITFORD Born on January 17, 2017 to Amelia Whitford (Boensch) and Kyle Whitford Sponsored by Rose Boensch and Amanda Parker JOSEPHINE LYN WHITFORD Born on January 17, 2017 to Amelia Whitford (Boensch) and Kyle Whitford Sponsored by Rose Boensch and Amanda Parker Funerals NANCY ELIZABETH SAGE, May 2, January 29, 2017 ADAM CLINE, December 10, February 1, 2017 WILLIAM BILL J. WEIR, June 1, February 9, 2017 SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, May 7th, 2017 After worship - approx. 1pm In the fellowship hall. Topic of discussion: Potential building project Executive Council Tim Vasicek President Lisa Knoerr Vice-President Connie Hoverman Treasurer Patty Paisley Secretary Church Staff Rev. Robert Schmidt, Pastor freelandpastor@zionfreeland.org Allison Dakos, Office Manager office@zionfreeland.org Billy Johnson, Custodian Jenny Harding, Director of Music blueblue@charter.net Renee Sullivan, Wedding Coordinator ReneeSullivan15@gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS ONLINE GIVING The option to set up Electronic Giving is now available on the Zion Website, www.zionfreeland.org. At the top of the main webpage, there is a tab titled Online Giving.

To enroll in electronic giving, interested people may use that tab, or fill out a hardcopy form and return it to Bob LaDuke. Hardcopies of the Electron Giving Form are available at church.

3 ANNOUNCEMENTS ONLINE GIVING The option to set up Electronic Giving is now available on the Zion Website, At the top of the main webpage, there is a tab titled Online Giving. When you click that, it takes you to another page where you can set up and manage your personal electronic giving. To enroll in electronic giving, interested people may use that tab, or fill out a hardcopy form and return it to Bob LaDuke. Hardcopies of the Electron Giving Form are available at church. BAKE SALE, SUPPORTING LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF On Palm Sunday, April 9th, the Sunday School will be holding a bake sale to raise money for Lutheran World Relief. Previous years we raised enough money to donate livestock and water filters to countries in need. We are asking the Sunday School parents along with willing congregation members to donate baked good to this effort. Donations can be dropped off before 8:00am and 10:30am services. SAGINAW METRO MINISTRIES FOOD PANTRY APPRECIATION DINNER It s getting close to that time of year again, when we thank each and every one of you for helping. This year the Appreciation Dinner will be May 5th at 6pm, at St John Lutheran Church. Anyone who has made an effort to make the food pantry available to local people suffering from hunger are invited to attend! This includes all those who have donated food or other goods, made monetary donations, aided in unloading shipments of food, or prayed for the success of the ministry. If you have any questions please contact Dewey Burke at or dewburke@hotmail.com. SMM FOOD PANTRY SERVICE DAY Zion s next Food Pantry Service day is Thursday April 13, 2017 from 7:45 AM to approximately 10:30am. Need is for 9-12 persons able to provide a smile and hug/handshake to representatives of 70 to 100 families during their visit to the Saginaw Metro Ministry Food Pantry. ZION ENDOWMENT FUND GRANTS As of the end of February 2017 we have not received any grant requests for funding. The grant requests are located on the bulletin board next to the foyer telephone. Please get your requests in early. LAWN MOWING VOLUNTEERS Spring is almost here, which means it s time to organize lawn mowing volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering to keep Zion s property looking sharp, then please sign up on the schedule in the church foyer. If you have questions or concerns, please see Dave Smith, the head of Property Board. MISS THE PRINTED CALENDAR AND VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE? Good news! There are copies of both printed and hung on the bulletin board across from the mailboxes in the foyer of the church. Also, both of these documents are available on our website NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE? Thank you to everyone who submitted items for this publication of the newsletter. The deadline to submit articles for the next newsletter is August 1st, The newsletter will be mailed by August 11, 2017.

4 WOMEN S MINISTRY WHAT THE WOMEN ARE UP TO AT THE PRESENT! A Women s Ministry Booklets have been placed in all Women s Church Mailboxes. These informational booklets are a great way to learn about our ministry. B. Sandy Schwan again offering a class on doing CZEC eggs on Sunday, March 26th. C. Jacque LaDuke is coordinating Lenten Dinners. Members of Ministry are cooking different soups each Wednesday. Free Will offerings are being designated to the Holiday Food Baskets/Boxes. D. Rummage Gals hard at work getting ready for the Walleye Rummage. APRIL FUNDRAISER - RUMMAGE & BAKE SALE April 27th, 28th, 29th - 9am to 4pm We will be sorting from 12 to 3pm on the following dates April 3 and April 17( the 17 will be our last day to except rummage for the Walleye Sale). Our work days for the getting ready for the Walleye sales are tentatively set for Tues. and Wed. April 18 and 19 at the AC building. Our work day for setting up the Pavilion is Monday April 24. Sign up sheets will be up with exact dates and time in early April. We will need help in setting up, working the days of the sale and cleaning up on Sat at 4 after the sale. We will have our preview for the congregation on Wed evening at 6:30 to 8pm. Anyone that would like to drop off any rummage and can't make on the days we are sorting please call me and I will be happy to meet you at the AC building. Due to a GENEROUS donation of Baked Goods, we will not be calling the membership for donations this time. But if you would like to help, we would be able to use candy, fruit breads, sweet breads of all sorts. Baked Goods for the bake sale can be dropped off at the pavilion beginning on Wednesday, April 26th, at 6:30 p.m. Thank you for any help you can give us for the sale. Please take a flier that will be at the church and post it somewhere to advertise this fundraiser. Thanks Shirley Seitz POST RUMMAGE We will meet again to sort rummage on May 15th 12-3pm for our Fall Rummage. This would be the first day to begin dropping items off. We will meet on June 5th and 19th, and July 17th all to sort at 12-3pm. PRAYER SHAWL We will be meeting for Spring and Summer on first Tues of the month at 7pm. Dates are April 4, May 2, June 6 and July 11..We have been catching up making our Prayer Shawls. And we received Prayer Shawls from the family of Joyce Parson that she had made for us while she was ill. They came to us when we only had 2 left. And it was such a blessing. There are always shawls available at the back of church. Still openings for anyone wishing to join are group. Yarn is available and help in learning how to knit or crochet. Thanks Shirley Seitz MOTHER DAUGHTER BANQUET In May we usually we plan a Mother Daughter Banquet. Last year it was cancelled due to lack of interest. We are looking for someone to plan this event. If you are interested, please contact me. - Marsha Paetz NEXT MINISTRY MEETING The next meetings will be held on Monday, April 10th and Monday, May 8th at 7:00 p.m. No meeting in June or July. As Usual - Thanks For All YOU Do! Marsha Paetz - Women s Ministry Chairwoman

MINISTRY OF EDUCAITON YOUTH EDUCATION SUNDAY SCHOOL March 26th - No Sunday School

April 2nd - First Communion Class April 9th - Sunday School Bake Sale to benefit

April 16 - No Sunday School April 30th - No Sunday School May 14th - Youth lead

May 21st - Teacher Appreciation Breakfast / Last Day of Sunday School CONFIRMATION

5 MINISTRY OF EDUCAITON YOUTH EDUCATION SUNDAY SCHOOL March 26th - No Sunday School today, families are encouraged to attend church! April 2nd - First Communion Class April 9th - Sunday School Bake Sale to benefit Lutheran World Relief. Before and after each worship service. April 16 - No Sunday School today, families are encouraged to attend church! April 30th - No Sunday School today, families are encouraged to attend church! May 14th - Youth lead worship service. May 21st - Teacher Appreciation Breakfast / Last Day of Sunday School CONFIRMATION April 9th and 23rd May 7th and 21st VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VBS will be August 6-10, 2017 at Zion Lutheran Church. The leadership team is looking for a co-chair to assist with coordinating this year s program. If you are interested in being a co-chair, please contact Adrianne Cole at or acole@svsu.edu. DON T FORGET! Sunday School is hosting a bake-sale April 9th to benefit Lutheran World Relief. Anyone willing to donate goodies may deliver them to the church before either worship service that morning. Those looking to purchase goodies, may do so as soon as the table is set up! Not into sweet treats? Donations are always welcome, and greatly appreciated!

MINISTRY OF STEWARDSHIP Time * Talent * Treasure VOLUNTEERS are the HEART of the CHURCH DEFINITION OF VOLUNTEER: VOL*UN*TEER NOUN 1. A person who performs or gives his service of his own free will. 2.

This includes the abundance of time, talent and treasure. God gives in abundance that we might share in abundance. God has blessed us and created each of us with unique gifts and talents.

6 MINISTRY OF STEWARDSHIP Time * Talent * Treasure VOLUNTEERS are the HEART of the CHURCH DEFINITION OF VOLUNTEER: VOL*UN*TEER NOUN 1. A person who performs or gives his service of his own free will. 2. A person who donates time and talent without pay. Christian Stewardship refers to the responsibility that Christians have in maintaining and using wisely the gifts God has granted. This includes the abundance of time, talent and treasure. God gives in abundance that we might share in abundance. God has blessed us and created each of us with unique gifts and talents. What better way to fill that responsibility of stewardship than volunteering here at Zion? We all know that volunteers are the lifeblood of any church. The thought of church without volunteers is scary. Zions volunteer s unselfishly serve on ministries, boards and a large variety of programs keeping them running smooth and Free of Charge! Zions volunteers are special, loyal and very valuable, doing all these services without the need of recognition. THERE ARE EIGHT MINISTRIES: The Ministry of Christian Education The Ministry of Deacons The Ministry Elders The In reach/outreach Ministry The Ministry of Property The Ministry of Stewardship The Ministry of Worship The Women s Ministry MANY MORE ACTIVITIES IN: Worship Support Faith Support Administrative Support Community Support As you see there are a large number of ways to serve as a volunteer! There is one member that likes to be behind the scene as a volunteer. Also, one married couple volunteers together to make quick work. Many hands lighten the load.

7 PRAYER CHAIN AND CAREGIVERS Annual Meeting Wednesday, May 10 9:00am Zion Fellowship Hall EVERY MEMBER MONTH JULY 2017 Membership in a church means something, and each year we dedicate July to offer everyone a chance to help prove it! During the month of July we are asking that everyone who considers themselves a member check in with the church. It is very simple to show you value being a member of Zion. Simply attend worship on Sunday or Wednesday. Or, if you are unable to visit in person, please call the office at , Allison at office@zionfreeland.org, Pastor at freelandpastor@zionfreeland.org, or send a letter snail mail. If you cannot make it during July, please contact us in some way. Reach out to people from the church you have not seen recently and invite them to be certain to check in during July. Make your voice and presence known, and help make the statement membership means something! HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Palm Sunday: April 9 Worship at 8am and 10:30am Holy Wednesday: April 12 Worship at 7pm, no dinner before worship Maundy Thursday: April 13 Worship at 7pm Good Friday Reflective Worship, come and go as able, 12-3pm Tenebrae Service, 7pm Easter Sunday Worship at 8am and 10:30am Breakfast between services.

8 SMM FOOD PANTRY Co-Coordinators: Dewey Burke ( ) Paul Werner ( ) Zion Contact Person: Bob LaDuke Food Pantry Team Assignments Federal at South Second, Saginaw, Michigan Sign Ups start at 6:30 AM Food Pantry Hours 8:00 to 10:00 AM Volunteer Teams (6-8 Persons) Needed on Site by 7:50 AM Please Food Giveaway Dates Day Team on Duty April 13 Thursday ZION-FREELAND July 01 Saturday ZION-FREELAND October 12 Thursday ZION-FREELAND Summer Schedule: Food Pantries occur on Saturday mornings, starting at 8 AM. Mass Feeding Events: May 16 at Resurrection Lutheran, May St John, June St John, St. John, Ascension, St. Matthew. Extra mass-feeding events are planned from time to time, usually in cooperation with Valley Lutheran High School. Dates/times of these events are provided by well in advance. Food Pantry Report: In 2017 the Food Pantry served 1,792 households with a total number of 4,125 people. The average cost to feed each person was $6.37 per pantry session. Approximate number of volunteer hours served at the Food pantry was 4,800. The amount of food purchased and distributed in 2017 was 144,580 lbs. Cost to operate the food pantry was $38, There were five (5) mass food giveaways in 2016 operated by volunteers from the SMM churches, Valley Lutheran High School, and St. Peter Lutheran school. These mass feeding touched approximately 68,500 people at a cost to SMM of $1, All churches are encouraged to support the Food Pantry through donations and especially during March and April to qualify for a 10% match through the Feinstein grant program. Community Dinners: These dinners are sponsored by SMM and provide a hot evening meal for anyone who attends. Dinner is served the second Thursday of each month, at St. John Lutheran Church. St. John s provides the space, members of SMM cook and serve, but the dinner itself is funded by the proceeds from the sale of Trinity Lutheran church and school. Those funds are being managed by Messiah Lutheran church in Bay City, and as long as the funds last we plan to provide this meal. We are always looking for help in setting up, cooking, serving, and cleaning up. You will be amazed by the joy your heart will feel in volunteering for this service. Setting up for the meal starts at 4 PM. Then at about 5:15 PM the server volunteers show up to help. The meal itself is served from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. It usually takes about an hour to clean up after the meal so most nights all helpers are gone by approximately 8:00 pm. If you looking to broaden your outreach to your fellow humankind please consider coming down to help us. We have found that most people that volunteer for this outreach come back and help again. It is meaningful, you will be touched by the holy spirit, and your heart will filled with love.

9 SAGINAW METRO MINISTRIES Mission Statement: United in Christ to serve God, our neighbors and each other. Summary of 2017 annual meeting of the SMM: There are currently 8 ELCA congregations in Saginaw County. All congregations are members of SMM. Other organizations involved in and a part of SMM are Samaritas (Luther Manor, Action Thrift Store, and Neighborhood House). Each congregation is asked to send their board member and up to 2 other congregation members to participate in the annual meeting. Presidents Report: SMM changed their meetings from monthly to quarterly. The Food Pantry funding is lagging quite a bit behind previous years. The Campus Ministry and Stephen Ministry programs are currently well funded due to some grants and partnerships. Asking all ELCA churches to consider ways that they could help or ask for help from/for SMM. Would like to see increased attendance at our quarterly meetings. All are welcome. Ecumenical Campus Ministry SVSU: Currently funded by SMM and its congregations, United Church of Christ grant, Synodical Campus Ministry grant. Working to become a Registered Student Organization, have regular meetings, schedule at least one large event, volunteer at a social help program. Continue to reach out to all students to expand Christian influence on campus. Searching for a replacement Chaplain. Stephen Ministry Report: Currently have 12 Stephen ministers (1 from Freeland UMC and the remainder from 4 of the 8 ELCA congregations). No plans for another training session in 2017 due to lack of interest. Plans are to potentially offer to train Stephen Ministers at local congregations if there is interest. Continue to communicate benefits and service of the Stephen Ministry programs, encourage Stephen Ministers to be active in the leadership of their individual congregations, continue to work with Samaritas. Naeir Program Report: SMM will discontinue support of the Naeir program in April of 2017 due to lack of participation. Bertha Wilson Fund Report: Will distribute approximately $10,500 in 2017 through the grant process in March and April. Samaritas Report: Lutheran Social Services Michigan (LSSM) has changed its name to SAMARITAS (with ties to the Good Samaritan story). Part of the reason for the name change was to remove any confusion with regard to WHO they will help. Samaritas is also involved in refugee resettlement programs and has helped to resettle about 4,000 in refugees in Though the name Lutheran has dropped from its title this ministry is still and will remain a social ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with its official mission statement being; Serving people as an expression of the love of Christ. Samaritas is the foundational organization for Samaritas Senior Living of Saginaw (formerly Luther Manor), Samaritas Thrift Store (Formerly Action Thrift Store), this store was started by Women from our ELCA churches in Saginaw county in 1983 with the help of LSSM now called Samaritas. In 2016 the Thrift store donated $50, worth of merchandise at no cost to needy people, they are always looking for volunteers to receive, sort, price, and display merchandise. Weekly specials include 50% off for seniors on Wednesdays, 50% off for students with ID on the first and third Thursdays, 50% off for veterans every day, and 50% off if you bring in 4 cans of food (must be used same day). Located at 2114 N. Michigan Ave. If there is someone in need in your congregation, put your request on your church s letterhead and we will make sure they are helped.

10 WAYS TO COMMUNICATE A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11 Are you a member of a ministry hosting an upcoming event? Have news you d like to share with the church? Maybe, you re apart of a community organization which could use some extra publicity? In any case, we are blessed to have many forms of communication available to us! Below is a list of the ways Zion currently communicates with its members and the community, along with a brief description of each one. If you have questions, or would like to utilize any of these options, please contact the office! Don t see a communication tool that fits your needs? Then let s chat! Together, we will find a way. At Church Away from Church In the Bulletin Announcements *Talk to Allison. Posted in the Zion Members Facebook group *You can post! Overhead Announcements *Talk to Allison. Posted on the public Zion Facebook Page *Talk to Allison or Pastor. Announced in person at worship *Talk to Allison or Pastor. Posed on Zion s website *Talk to Allison or Pastor. Flyers hung on the bulletin boards *You design, print, and hang. Office may help. On the electronic sign *Get request form from Allison. Have a conversation and invite people *All you! Announced at Council Meetings *Speak with Allison, Pastor, or Exec Board. ANY CREATIVE WAY WE CAN THINK OF!! ed in Allison s From The Zion Office weekly announcement memo *Talk to Allison. ed in Pastor s regular memo *Talk to Pastor. Call people individually *All you! In person conversation *You rock this! ANY CREATIVE WAY WE CAN THINK OF!!

11 THE MINISTRIES OF ZION MINISTRY OF DEACONS Quarterly Meetings Gary Miller and Mary Doud, Co-Chairpersons MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, 6:30pm, at Zion ELCA Jodi Dahley, Superintendent /O INREACH/O /OUTREACH COMMITTEE Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month, Meetings not at Zion ELCA Kathy Bell, Chairperson MINISTRY OF PROPERTY Quarterly Meetings, As Needed Dave Smith, Chairperson MINISTRY OF ELDERS Meets on the 1st Monday of each month, 10:00am, at Zion ELCA Bill Bell, Chairperson MINISTRY OF STEWARDSHIP No Set Meeting time, Meets As Needed Ruthy Marcy and Connie Stahl, Co-Chairpersons MINISTRY OF WORSHIP Meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, 10:30am, at Zion ELCA Marsha Paetz, Chairperson ENDOWMENT COMMITTEE Meets Quarterly, Unscheduled Bob LaDuke, Contact Person and Secretary WOMEN S MINISTRY Meeting Times Vary January - March: Between worship services April - May: 2nd Monday of each month, 7:00pm August - November: 2nd Monday of each month, 7:00pm

12 Zion Ev. Lutheran Church 545 S. 7th St. Freeland, MI Return Service Requested NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage Freeland, MI Permit #18 Sunday Morning Worship 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Come As You Are Worship Wednesdays 7:00 p.m.

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, ELCA 915 Federal Avenue Downtown Saginaw - Saginaw, MI 48607

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, ELCA 915 Federal Avenue Downtown Saginaw - Saginaw, MI 48607 Pastor: The Rev. Carl E. Ballard Pastor email: cballard123@msn.com Office: (989) 754-0489 Pastor: (517)