The. Chimes MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH NOVEMBER 2016

Transcription

1 The Chimes MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH NOVEMBER 2016 Dear Zion Supporters, The news of Pastor Hartmann's retirement has brought a variety of emotions to our church. We are glad for Pam and him as they start a new venture in their lives, but we will miss their presence with us. So I want to start with thanking them for their ministry and service to our congregation. And with that, we want to start the call process as soon as possible. The Council will be visiting with Southwestern Texas Synod leadership, and appointing a Call Committee. Your responsibility in this is two-fold at this time. First, pray. Pray for the Council as they discern with the Synod the best plan of action for Zion. Pray for those discerning the request to be part of the Call Committee. Pray for Rick and Pam as they consider their next venture. Pray for the Spirit's guidance within the ELCA to find a pastor that will take Zion to the next level. Second, share. Share with the Council names of pastors we might consider. Share with one another your joys and concerns about Zion, and take them to Council. Share with the Hartmann s your feelings and thoughts toward them as we move forward together. Thank you for your participation in the wonderful congregation we call Zion. Pray, share and share the joy, as we worship, love and serve. Sincerely, in Christ, Brett A. Beyer, Congregation Council President

2 Page 2 Special Concern Der Stadt Friedhof Der Stadt Friedhof (The City Cemetery) was formed when 32 acres of land was purchased for a local cemetery. In 2000 the property was designated a state historical cemetery. Bethany, Holy Ghost and Zion all budget money to support the cemetery. Special offering envelopes are provided to all members of the 3 churches for support and contributions to the cemetery. We thank you for your continued support to maintain cemetery operations for the present and the future. Heartfelt thanks for the special contributions made by individuals and families. A committee of church representatives was formed to handle the responsibility of maintaining and managing the cemetery property and operations, and meets the last Monday of the month at Zion. THANKOFFERING SUNDAY Our first Thankoffering ingathering began in the early 1800 s with mite boxes or cent societies in support of church projects and foreign missionaries. Women would add coins almost daily as particular blessings were noted. Thankofferings have always been, and still are an opportunity to say thank you to God in both significant and ordinary moments. Inspired by our spiritual foremothers, we continue to see our witness to the gospel, our capacity to serve and our community of women grow through our offerings. As a women of Zion church, we are all part of the Women of the ELCA, and we invite you to use the enclosed blue envelope and participate in our ingathering on Sunday, November 20. ~taken from WELCA Thankoffering publicity

3 All Saints Day We remember the following on All Saints Day! November 1, 2015-October 31, 2016 The Raised in Christ: Cora Augustine Deike Dec 7, 2016 Arthur William Moellendorf Feb 8, 2016 Flora Crenwelge April 11, 2016 Jerry Jackson Brown May 22, 2016 Rosalee Nora Alma Moore May 29, 2016 Irene Spenrath June 11, 2016 Jessie Mae Mitchell June 27, 2016 Mary Ann Lillian Reeh Sept 1, 2016 The Baptized: Maxwell Theodore Menking Nov 29, 2015 Libelle Rose Stotz Jan 4, 2016 Logan Xavier Stepler May 29, 2016 On November 6, a candle will be lit during worship, remembering Cora, Art, Flora, Jerry, Rosalee, Irene, Jessie, Mary Ann, and in our prayers, we will be naming them as saints in heaven. The families may pick-up those candles and keep them after our 10:30am worship. In addition, those in our congregation who were baptized since last All Saints Day will be honored as well. We are grateful to remember and honor the saints in heaven and the saints on earth! We hope this is a good remembrance of Cora, Art, Flora, Jerry, Rosalee, Irene, Jessie, Mary Ann, and the Lord who shone through their good works, and who did a good work in them, bringing their life to completion in the good fight of faith. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22, 23 Page 3

4 COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS 1) Discussed next steps in the Call Process and transition following Pastor Hartmann's retirement. 2) Decided to give the $3,091 profit from the Benefit BBQ as follows: $1,091 to Little Lambs, $500 each to Fredericksburg Food Pantry, Gillespie Literacy Council, Good Samaritan Center & Hill Country Community Needs Council. 3) Agreed to add a congregation vote regarding a columbarium to the agenda of the Annual Meeting. THE CHURCH OFFICE IS CLOSED Thursday, Nov 3, Friday, Nov 4 & Monday, Nov 7 & Thursday, Nov 24 & Friday Nov 25 (Thanksgiving holiday) Page 4 COLUMBARIUM UPDATE Three forums were held to discuss the possibility of Zion having a columbarium, a place where cremains/ashes are interred/ inurned, on the Zion campus. The people who attended were favorable toward the idea. One important piece of information is that there is no money taken from Zion's coffers in order to purchase and install the columbarium. It is incumbent on those who chose to purchase a niche for their cremains. Once installed, there is no upkeep necessary. A committee would be formed that would establish rules and regulations for the columbarium. It is not a cemetery, so does not come under state or local laws that govern a cemetery. The Congregation Council decided to call for a vote on the Columbarium at the 2017 Annual meeting in January. Before that time, the subject will be re-visited at the forums preceding the meeting. If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact Pastor Hartmann.

5 LITTLE LAMBS NEWS Our school is fully staffed now. Tammy Jo Turner, a member of Zion, is the new Program Support Specialist, and she is also studying to receive her Child Development Associate certification so she can teach in the future. We have a tentative date for our annual school Christmas Party of Thursday, December 15 from 12-3pm in the Fellowship Hall. Santa Claus will be there, along with Fredericksburg School Elves, and we will have lunch and Christmas carols for everyone along with gifts for the children. ZION CHURCH MEMBERS AND THEIR GRANDCHILDREN ARE WELCOME AND WE PLAN ON HAVING A GREAT PARTY. More information about the Christmas party and the Angel Gift Tree in the December Chimes. Page 5 Thanksgiving Eve Worship INVITATION TO ALL WOMEN OF ZION Please join us for Bible Study on Thursday, November 3 at 1:30pm in the Sewing Room. We welcome our leader, Audrey Quam, back after many months. Audrey will lead us in our study focused on "When God Chooses the Unlikely Paul and the power of failure". One of the questions to ponder is "When did you have a memorable failure? What did it teach you? Come join us for fellowship, Bible Study and refreshments provided by Diane Mayer. UPCOMING ADVENT WORSHIP DATES Wed, Nov 30 noon & 7pm From Heaven Above: The Gift of Hope Wed, Dec 7 noon & 7pm From Heaven Above: The Gift of Love Wed, Dec 14 noon & 7pm From Heaven Above: The Gift of Peace Wed, Dec 21 noon & 7pm From Heaven Above: The Gift of Life (Blue Christmas) CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP Sat, Dec 24 1pm, 6pm & 9pm

6 Thank You Notes & If You Invite Them, They Will Come! Page 6 On behalf of Cross Trails Ministry, thank you for the generous expression of support of the Lutheran Fall Festival. Because of your donation of the Dresden Plate Quilt and the Teal Dragonfly Lap Quilt to the quilt auction, this event was successful and funds raised will go towards site improvements to Lutheran Camp Chrysalis and Ebert Ranch Camp! Thank you also for the benevolence gifts of $182 in August and $205 in September. From everyone at Upbring, thank you for your generous gift of $248 and partnership on this mission. Thank you for being a blessing! The Peace Officers and the Board of Directors of the 100 Club of Gillespie County want to thank you for your $1,000 donation for the FBG 911 Appreciation BBQ hosted by the Amish Market. On behalf of the Willow City Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Inc, thank you for your help with the wonderful BBQ and gathering for all Gillespie County Emergency Response personnel. First, it is a known truth that 77.6% of those who attend a church for the first time come because they are invited by someone already a member. Second, another known truth 63% of those who are unchurched will respond favorably when invited to attend. A very simple conclusion: If you want to double or triple the number of persons who are visiting your congregation for the first time on a Sunday morning, you need only double or triple the number of invitations you are extending. Personal Invitations are the most powerful means you have for increasing the number of visitors and first-time worshipers at your church. They will come if you invite them. Add to that the further truth: that in your congregation, every member knows between 5 & 7 people who are unchurched. Your members work with those persons, play with them, are related to them, associate with them in a variety of ways. The mission field is already there. And it is white for the harvest. Imagine people waiting to be invited, and ready to respond affirmatively. IF YOU INVITE THEM, THEY WILL COME!

7 Statistics Congrats Vera Kneese on turning 90 on 11/6. Our Shut-ins Home: DORTHY HANNEMANN, 118 Clyde Run, Fredericksburg Knopp Healthcare & Rehab 1208 N. Llano: NESBITT BENNETT, MARLENE ERNST, LUCYLLE KUNZE, MARGARET WILKE Windcrest 210 W. Windcrest: DAVE MAYER FBG Nursing 1117 S. Adams: HARRIET SCHLAUDT GENEVA SCHWARTZ Attendance: Early Late Oct Oct Oct Oct General Fund Offerings: Oct 2 $ 8, Oct 9 $ 5, Oct 16 $ 2, Oct 23 $ 4, Total $20, Building Fund Offerings: Oct 2 $ Oct 9 $ Oct 16 $ Oct 23 $ Total $ October s Totals Meals on Wheels $ Gen Fund Rev & Exp for AUG: Gen Fund Revenue Total $23, Gen Fund Expense Total $27, Year-to-Date thru SEPT: Revenue/Expense $(8,112.11) From Reserve/Conting. $ 0.00 Remaining Rev/Deficit $(8,112.11) Special Concern Updates Zion Alms Fund $1,855 Meals on Wheels $595 Hurricane Matthew $75 Page 7 Capital Improvements $31,860 (goal is $83,000)

8 Zion Lutheran Church (830) W. Main Street (church location) 415 W. AUSTIN ST (OFFICE) Bulk Rate US Postage Non-Profit Organization Fredericksburg, TX Permit #103 SUNDAY WORSHIP 8AM & 10:30AM Worship Service with Communion 9:15am Sunday School 9:15am Adult Bible Study (No 9:15 classes Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends) Office Hours Monday Friday, 8am 3pm PASTOR RICK HARTMANN (day off is Friday) Dan McGookey, Pastoral Asst Christi Fowler, Administrator Council Members Cong President, Brett Beyer Cong Vice President, John Weaver Cong Treasurer, Wilfred Crenwelge Cong Secretary, Jodi Kasper Mark Becker Randy McBride