ZION NEWS - November

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1 1216 W. 8th St - Davenport IA ziondavenport.org (563) Vol Issue 11 ZION NEWS - November On this All Saints Day, Zion re-members and celebrates the lives of those saints of our congregation who we have commended to God s eternal care in the past year: Edmond (Ted) Haas Ruth Sterner For if we have been united with Christ in a death like his, we shall be certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. - AND - the newly baptized saints of Zion! Hannah DeRiemacker Aidan Davis Jesus said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the light of life. A monthly publication of Zion Lutheran Church The Festival of ALL SAINTS Sunday, November 1st The custom of commemorating all the saints of the church on a single day goes back to the third century. All Saints Day (Nov 1) celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead, who make up the body of Christ. November 1, 2015 November Community Dinner Sharing Hospitality and the PEACE OF CHRIST Zion continues to be blessed to be a blessing with the privilege and joy of serving & sharing meals with our neighbors and our community, building friendships and reaching out to all as part of the body of Christ. THIS MONTH it s a Feast of Thanks with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, and all the trimmings right down to the pumpkin or pecan pie! Wednesday, Nov. 18th, 6:00pm And of course, we NEED HELP! Please sign up on the bulletin board across from the office to bring items and/or help with this monthly ministry that is a gift to both receiver and giver! THANKSGIVING WORSHIP Wednesday, Nov. 25th - 7:00pm at Grace Lutheran, Davenport Come, ALL you thankful people, come Once again this year we have been invited to join Grace Lutheran Church, 1140 E. High St., Davenport for an evening of Thanksgiving worship. There will not be a service at Zion. We look forward to joining our voices together in prayer and song in thanksgiving for all of God's abundance. Offerings received by Zion folks will be brought back to Zion - please use your Thanksgiving Offering envelope or mark your offering "for Zion." and worship with gratitude for God s blessings!

2 Zion News monthly - November W. 8th St - Davenport IA page 2 from the Pastor The numberless gifts of God s mercies my tongue cannot fathom or tell. Like dew that appears in the morning, they come to us shining and full. (ELW #683) What an image of God s abundance! Like dew that is shining and full. The second verse is similar. Like all of the stars in the heavens, God s mercies can never be told. What God has, does and will continue to do for all of creation is beyond counting, is beyond, comprehension. Sometimes we need the help of others to notice God s blessings in our lives. A childhood friend of mine, Suzanne, is always reminding me that today has been such a blessing, or the time I spend with the college students is such a blessing. She finds blessings even in the tough days. Her noticing God s presence in all things is a blessing to me. Like the dew, the stars, God s mercy is unlimited. God s forgiveness is immeasurable. God s love is steadfast and sure. We are starting our stewardship emphasis this month. Our theme is related to this hymn, Blessings + Gratitude = Growth in Giving. Our stewardship committee is asking us, in the next few weeks, to consider our individual, family and community blessings. Add our thanks, or gratitude to God, and that will result in a way of giving that allows us to grow in faith, grow in our understanding of God, and grow in giving ourselves, our time and our money. I encourage you to notice God s presence in all things, to be aware of God s many blessings. Then prayerfully consider how you give of yourself to God. When we give offering to Zion we trust that the committees and council will discern God s work faithfully and responsibly. And as the third verse of this hymn says, when we give our offering to God, we give God thanks and praise, I ll never count all of God s mercies, but oh, I can give God my praise for all of that love, my thanksgiving and love to the end of my days. I ll never count all of God s mercies, but, oh, I can give God my praise! Thanks God for your servants here at Zion, who remind me each day what blessings you have showered upon this earth. Pastor Karen Ullestad Coming this week... Sunday, Nov. 8 4:30 7:00pm Sunday Soup An Evening with the Bishop All are welcome as congregations of the SE Iowa Synod to share an evening meal and stories of life and ministry. Bishop Burk will share his own thoughts and hopes for our life together, and facilitate discussion. If you are interested and would like to share a ride, please call Pastor Karen by Thursday, Nov. 5th Pastor Chris Mbuga is coming! Faith Lutheran Eldridge IA On November 22 Chris Mbuga will be with us at Zion, preaching in worship and presenting at the Adult Forum. Pastor Chris served at Zion several years ago, from spring 2002 to October 2004, when he led the first Zion group to Africa to visit our companion congregation, Kirangare Lutheran in Tanzania. He was very helpful in our ministry and relationship with Kirangare. Pastor Chris currently serves as Lutheran pastor in Tanzania, and will be in the United States for a few weeks of visiting. We will have a special chance to greet Chris at coffee hour on November 29.

3 Zion News monthly - November W. 8th St - Davenport IA page 3 Learning, Fellowship, and FUN! Adult Learning Sunday School Scoop It only takes a SPARK! The G.I.F.T. (G.rowing I.n F.aith T.ogether) Zone is a very active place each week at Zion as Faith Talks Sundays 10:15-11:15 in Room 8 Bring your coffee & donut and join us! our Sunday School children age 3 5th grade gather Some very interesting conversation is bound to be had in November as we learn and explore: at 10:15 for snacks, learning, and lots of fun! Nov. 1 Wrapping up our study of the book of Daniel Nov. 8 NO Faith Talk Nov. 15 Global Mission conversation: The Church in Haiti, The children have also been bringing toilet tissue (or money to purchase) as offerings through November, to be used to provide this necessity for our Food Pantry families. Stop downstairs and see our tower Guest speaker Mytch Dorvilier, MDiv. student at Wartburg Seminary of TP as it grows! And stay tuned for God s Story for All People in four parts, a progressive program during worship on the Sundays of Advent, beginning Nov. 29th. Zion s children will lead us to the manger through word and song. We hope ALL will join us as we walk this journey of Advent together! Morning Book Review Monday, November 16th, 9:00am in the Zion Lounge Join the group to share reflections on The Other Wes Moore (One Name, Two Fates) by Wes Moore. Nov. 22 Global Mission conversation: The Church in Tanzania Guest speaker Pastor Chris Mbuga Nov. 29 Reception for Pastor Chris Mbuga Bring your coffee and join us in Room 8 for conversation and study. And Don t forget T.G.I.S.unday! If you d rather just sit & visit with other folks, or extend a little informal hospitality to visitors, and engage in friendly conversation, feel free to grab a cup of coffee/tea and a treat and seat in the Lounge. Taste, see, and hear that the Lord is good! Word on Worship Advent Midweek Services will be December 2, 9, and 16. Two kids named Wes Moore were born blocks apart within a year of each other. Both grew up in similar backgrounds, but one becomes a scholar, decorated veteran, a White House Fellow and business leader while the other becomes a convicted murderer serving a life sentence. We will start the evening with a Bible study in the Dengler lounge at 6:30pm, then process into the Chapel at 7:00pm for the Holden Evening Prayer Service of Light. Available in local bookstores and libraries. Join us for an extra few minutes in the week for singing, praying, and being steeped in God's word. ALL are welcome to the Morning Book Review any month you are able!

4 Zion News monthly - November 2015 Reaching Out in Love: 1216 W. 8th St - Davenport IA page 4 Janine s jottings Word & Service November is here and it s the beginning of 2 very busy months for Zion s Neighborhood Ministry. We have the Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, the Christmas Ham Hop, and 2 holiday Community Dinners. And that s on top of our regular food pantry activities. During November and December there are many ways for each of us to become involved in Zion s ministries to the community. The Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot begins November 2. As in the past we will provide food boxes to 70 families. (We began receiving inquiries early in October asking when sign up for the Thanksgiving boxes would start.) Through this Holiday event we reach out in love to our neighbors and community. Soon you will be seeing the Turkey Trot boxes with Turkey Notes attached. As in the past we are asking individuals, families, ministry teams or any combination of people or groups to adopt a or many Thanksgiving Food Box. Here s what you do: take a box with its Turkey Note attached, write your name on the flip chart in the entryway and off you go to shop. By purchasing the items on the note you will complete one Thanksgiving box. (The approximate cost for a completed box is $40.) Then return your box to church by Sunday November 22 (when you have returned your box please check your name off the chart). We will distribute boxes Monday November 23 between 10:00a--3:00p.There are many ways for all the people of Zion (from the youngest to our elders) to take part in this annual ministry of sharing. Prayerfully consider how God might be calling you and your family to participate in this annual Thanksgiving ministry. The next Community Dinner will be a Feast of Thanks on Wed., Nov 18th, 6:00-7:00p Zion will host its annual Thanksgiving Dinner for our friends, neighbors and Zion family. The Community (Zion and Neighbors) will gather at 6:00pm for a delicious traditional dinner of turkey, potatoes and gravy, dressing/stuffing, green bean casserole and of course pies! I can hardly wait! As always we invite you to participate as you are able. Please check out the signup sheets on the bulletin board across from the office. Come and join family and friends as we give thanks for all that God has blessed us with! The Food Pantry: In June 2016 the food pantry will have been open for 10 years! Over those 10 years the pantry has grown from serving only a few people per month to providing food to approximately 126 households a month benefitting about 460 individuals. This really speaks to the needs of our neighborhood and community and the commitment of all of you to this vital community ministry. Not only has the pantry provided food to people, but we have become part of the community. Many times when people come to the pantry they share with us information about the events and activities of their lives. Here are a couple of examples: one mother and daughter started coming to the pantry when the child was a toddler, she is now about 10 years old, they come almost every month. We have had people come in and inform us of the deaths of others who have used the pantry and some simply share information about the loss of a loved one or friend. And some come in asking for prayers for family or friends and sometimes for themselves. The pantry has become a place where relationships have been and are developed and where we see the face of Jesus in the faces of those we serve. Zion, thank you for both the financial and personal commitments you have made to the food pantry this past year and over the years. As a result, we have been and continue to be able to serve our neighbors and community. As you plan for next year s commitment to Zion s ministries prayerfully consider continuing your support of the food pantry and its outreach to the people of our neighborhood and community. Author and activist, Sara Miles would say that what we do is a demonstration of faith working through love. God s Peace to All. Janine

5 Zion News monthly - November W. 8th St - Davenport IA page 5 Seniors, Small Groups and Such... O.W.L. s (Older Wiser Lutherans) Bountiful Birthday Wishes to these Zion Seniors who will celebrate in November: Sleighbells will be ringin before we know it, and although we hope we won t be walkin in a winter wonderland this early, we re going to celebrate the holidays with lots of fun and fellowship! ALL 60-plus-ers are invited to the Hickory Gardens (Davenport) on Sunday, November 29th at 12:00pm. 11/09 11/15 11/25 11/28 11/30 We ll order from the menu so everyone will get the specials they like best, then we ll have some fun with a white elephant gift exchange and visiting. The more, the merrier, so ALL Zion folks 60 & older please come on out and join the fun & fellowship! Call Grace Haller or Kathy Longlett if you plan to attend. Carol Schaefer Roger Wiese Ione Rawson Ed Keiner Phyllis Beck And all Zion s Women say Thank you to all who donated their time and resources for Lutheran World Relief. We dropped off 24 quilts, 64 personal care kits, and 59 school kits to our area's LWR ingathering in Cedar Rapids. As always Zion did an amazing job of reaching out in love. Next up we celebrate!... with the annual ZLCW Tablescape Christmas Brunch ALL Women of Zion (and friends/family!) are invited to join us for This annual event on Sat., December 5th at 9:30am. Each women s circle (and friends/family!) decorates a table or two using their collaborative creativity and the entire Fellowship Hall is transformed into a beautiful Christmas & winter wonderland! At those tables we ll enjoy food, fun, fellowship, and a tour of the Holy Land slide show presented by Pastor Karen. Wrapping up our morning will be the installation of our 2016 ZLCW officers, and finish with a carol-sing. Offerings for the Zion Food Pantry and personal care items are also most welcomed! Thank you Thank you Thank you to my Zion family and friends for all your prayers, cards, calls, goodies & meals while I was recuperating from my fall. It sure feels good to be back in church! God bless you all, Eva Hammond Dear Zion Lutheran members, Thank you for the donations of school supplies to our school! Many of our children come to school with NO supplies, and these really helped. Monroe School Staff THANK YOU! Believe it or not, there are a few good things about my heart attack and the top 5 are: The PRAYERS from my Zion family & friends The CARDS & CALLS I received from everyone The CARE expressed in visits & conversation My FAMILY rallying around and being there And finally... LIVING and a being blessed with a new Outlook on Life Thanks be to God! Grace Haller

6 Zion News monthly - November W. 8th St - Davenport IA page 6 NOW HEAR THIS AND THAT! Global Ministry: Lutheran World Relief Wow! Truly, God's love - God's kingdom on earth, often comes little bit by little bit. Yet the difference made by each "little bit" is beyond measure. Thank you to all of Zion for helping with the Lutheran World Relief project of sharing school supplies, personal care kits, and love-filled quilts. On Oct. 17 Carol and Mike DeBruyn delivered to the Cedar Rapids LWR gathering station 64 personal care kits, 59 school kits, and 24 quilts - all for the sake of God's people in the world. Don t forget Thanksgiving Eve Worship Nov. 25th - 7:00pm at Grace Lutheran in Davenport See YOU there! Also, thank you to all the ZLCW women who helped with our Thankoffering service and for your Thankoffering gifts. What a reflection of Zion's " growing in faith to reach out in love." Blessings + Gratitude = Growth in Giving! Have you received your stewardship materials for ministry support in 2016 in the mail? If not, we ve got extras at Zion. Pick one up on Sunday, Nov. 8th or call the office we ll mail one out to you. We re asking for the commitment cards to be returned to Zion on Sunday, Nov. 15th. Thanks be to God for the gift of grateful hearts! Figures & Financial Facts Regular & Loose offerings received October 2015 = $ 17, (October 2014 Expenses) (19,233.84) Current month status $ (1,500.13) FOOD PANTRY Fund Bal. 10/31/15 $ 6, (Food Pantry stock purchase on 11/3) (2,253.78) $ 4, God s work our hands! Thanksgiving Week Zion Office Hours Zion will be open and staffed as usual Mon. Wed. (Nov.23-25). The church will be CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day. On Friday, Nov. 27th, the Zion office will be open 9:00a 12:00p only. Thanksgiving Blessings to all!

7 Zion News monthly - November W. 8th St - Davenport IA page 7 ALTAR FLOWERS GIVING NOVEMBER Nov. 1 - Janine & Dennis Johnson Nov. 8 - Pastor Karen Ullestad Nov OPEN Nov OPEN Nov OPEN Want to give flowers (or an alternate offering) but not sure how? Instructions sheets are available in the hallway on the stand next to the flower chart. Remember, you can team up with another person/family for a Sunday s flowers too! Alternative offerings would be to one of Zion s special funds USHERS NOVEMBER Jerry & Barb Grady, Jane Weise, Allen Huss and Gene Rome Ushers needed for ALL services - Contact the Zion office if you could serve for a month or two. Nov. 1 Nov. 8 ACOLYTES NOVEMBER Addison Flynn & Jessica Elliott - Katey Harrison & Kate Kealey Nov Anna Winn & Kate Kealey Nov Grace & Sarah Babka Nov Cristina Lopez & Kaylyn Miller THANKS BE TO GOD FOR EACH OF YOU and the leadership you give to our worship! Remember, if you cannot serve when scheduled, please call one of your fellow acolytes to switch or have them sub for you. Call Beth in the Zion office if you need us to look up someone s number for you. Peace! Jody Kealey ATTENDANCE in OCTOBER Oct Oct Oct Oct Greeters for November 2015 (One Service - 9:00am ) Nov. 1 - Cary Scott Nov. 8 - Gene & Donna Rome Nov Margie Jump Nov Cary Scott Nov Grace Haller We need Greeters! Sign up on the sheet posted across from the church office. Communion Set-up & Clean-up - NOVEMBER - Nov. 1 - Darrell & Kathy Longlett (glasses) Nov. 8 - Harrison family (intinction) Nov Winn & Kealey (intinction) Nov Babka family (intinction) Nov OPEN (intinction) Lectors November 2015 Nov. 1 - Char Engstrom Nov. 8 - Neil Holmquist Nov Dona Noble Nov Beth Longlett Nov OPEN Assisting Ministers - NOV. Nov. 1 - Janine Johnson Nov. 8 - Dona Noble Nov Char Engstrom Nov Doug Kalkwarf Nov Kirby Winn TELLERS NOVEMBER 2015 (One Service - 9:00am) 11/1 Chuck Dau, Lisa Zosulis, Carl Engstrom, Eva Hammond 11/8 John & Roxeann Ford, Jim & Sherry Koens 11/15 Stu Goldsmith, Delores Smith, Matt Engstrom 11/22 Mark & Beth Meyer, Sue Keller, Gene Rome 11/29 Mark & Beth Meyer, Lisa Zosulis, Mike Detmer