Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Friedheim N 550 W ~ Decatur, IN 46733

Transcription

1 Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Friedheim N 550 W ~ Decatur, IN Rev. Daniel F. Dahling (Office) ~ (Parsonage) Website Pastor s pastor@zionfriedheim.org Secretary s churchoffice@zionfriedheim.org Rev. Marvin R. Hinkle, Pastor Emeritus Mr. Daniel Bultemeyer, Principal Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School Mrs. Jody Paschal, Director of Music Mrs. Wava Lichtle, Parish Nurse Mr. Brian Horning, Director of Youth & Family Life Mrs. Tina Geels, Church & Parish Hall Custodian The time draws near to celebrate our Savior s birth! Welcome to worship, which is part of our preparation. It s good to be here together. We worship our mighty and holy God with Mary, who said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:46-47, NRSV). If you are visiting us today, we ask that you complete a Visitor Registration slip (yellow form) found at the end of each pew. You may place the form in the offering plate, give it to Pastor, or give it to one of the Deacons as you leave the worship service this morning. Please worship with us again soon. Advent 4 December 23, 2012 The Ringing of the Bell The Choral Prelude Songs of Angels The Opening Hymn Dearest Jesus We Are Here LSB #592 The Baptism of Connor Jacob Sielschott The Invocation P: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! C: Shout daughter of Jerusalem! P: See, your King comes to you, C: Righteous and having salvation. P: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. C: From the house of the Lord we bless you. The Prayer of the Day P: O Emmanuel, our king and our Lord, the anointed for the nations and their Savior: Come and save us, O Lord our God. C: AMEN. The Choir The Theme of the Day Do You Hear What I Hear? How God Sent His Son

2 The Readings Micah 5:2-5a Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45 The place from which Christ is coming: Bethlehem The purpose of His coming: to do God s will for us Mary visits Elizabeth who calls Mary and her child blessed The Sermon Hymn Once in Royal David s City LSB #376 The Sermon Blessed is the Woman Luke 1:39-45 Elizabeth extols the blessedness of Mary. Today there is a fight over Mary. Some want to make Mary equal to God; others consider her of little value at all. Elizabeth considered her blessed. Why? 1. Blessed because Mary was chosen as the mother of the Lord. (verse 42) 2. She s blessed because Mary s child is the Lord! (verse 43) 3. Blessed because Mary believed the Word of the Lord. (verse 45) Mary is truly blessed. Blessed, because she was chosen as the mother of the Lord. Blessed, because Mary s child is the Lord. Blessed, because Mary believed the word of the Lord. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! The Announcements The Offerings The Choir To You is Born a Child The Prayer for Church Musicians and Artists P: God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven, be with Your servants who make art and music for Your people that with joy we on earth may glimpse Your beauty. Bring us to the fulfillment of that hope of perfection that will be ours as we stand before Your unveiled glory; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. C: AMEN. The Prayers of the People of God at Friedheim A Hymn of Response Savior of the Nations, Come LSB #332 The Collect for Grace The Benediction A Closing Choral Hymn The Acolyte + Soli Deo Gloria + Announcements Choir Service - December 23, 2012 For to Us a Child is Born Hanna Walker We remember our members who are celebrating birthdays this week Larry Caston, Ed Miller, Jen Flamme, Oliver Gehres, Jason Miller, Heather Stoppenhagen, Carol Brandt, Elizabeth Kiefer, Angie Werling, Cindy Des Jean, Brian Schlemmer, Grayson Kaehr, and Autumn Schamerloh. We also remember in our prayers our Wyneken cooks Sharon Franke, Penny Albersmeyer, and Jenni Schieferstein Jennifer Koerner who is a guidance counselor at Carroll High School, and Tonya Bobay, our Sunday School Superintendent. May our Heavenly Father, guide and protect them throughout their lives.

3 We rejoice with Paul & Lori (Fruchte) Ruble on the birth of their son, Samuel Mark, who was born on Friday, December 7. May the Good Shepherd keep an ever-watchful eye on this most precious of His lambs. We welcome into church membership through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism Connor Jacob Sielschott, son of Adam & Angela (Staub) Sielschott. His godparents are Adam & Teri Endsley. May the Good Shepherd keep an ever-watchful eye on this most precious of His lambs. May the Great Physician grant health and strength to all who are in need of His healing hand. We especially remember Ben Miller, Leona Worth (Adams Memorial Extended Care), Lucile Stoppenhagen (Adams Memorial Extended Care), Linda Buuck, Harriet Hinkle, Maddox Franz (great grandson of Richard & Margaret Buuck) who came home last Thursday and continues treatment there, Cathy Terhune (Sherril Bradtmueller s daughter), Kurt Braun (Dale & DeWayne Gallmeyer s nephew), Jim Staub (Angela Sielschott s father), Bob Thompson (Cindy Wass brother-in-law), and Rick Steiner (Angie Werling s cousin). We remember those who are presently serving our country Dan Jenkins (Don s brother) who is stationed in Afghanistan, Jason Putteet, Mike Brandt, Dean Brandt, Randy McAllister (Fern Riemke s son and brother of Kim and Terry), and Chad Hall (Doris Conrad s son-in-law). May the Lord protect and guide them in their missions. We remember in our prayers the family and friends of Jack Reiff who was called to his heavenly home on Friday, December 14. Viewing is this Thursday, December 27, at Zwick & Jahn s from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with services at 10:30 a.m. at Friedheim on Friday, December 28. May the God of all comfort be with those who mourn reminding them of that great day when all believers will be reunited in heaven. We also remember in our prayers Marvin & Laurina Conrad who will celebrate their 71 st wedding anniversary on Thursday, December 27. Joe & Becky Ruble and Dave & Deb Miller are also celebrating wedding anniversaries this week. May our Heavenly Father remain at the heart of their homes, blessing and guiding them through life s joys and challenges. We keep Andrew Gavrun, teacher at Wyneken, in our prayers. He has been issued a call to serve a congregation in Minnesota. May the Lord guide him as he contemplates this call. If you are unable to be in church, listen to WZBD (92.7 FM) from 9:05 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. and hear it live. You can also listen to the broadcast over the Internet. Just log on to our website ( and Click here to listen to Zion s worship service on Sundays from 9:05-9:50. Listen to the Lutheran Hour, which airs on Sunday on WLW (700) from Cincinnati at 7 a.m. and on Van Wert stations WERT (1220) and WKSD (99.7 FM) at 10:30 a.m. The program is broadcast on Sundays at 8 a.m. on WZBD (92.7 FM) and on WFCV (1090 AM) at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Lutheran Hour can also be heard on WOWO (1190 AM) on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. Today s greeters are Sam & Judy Baumann; next week, Jim & Ruth Heckman. Soon a new calendar will be out for Consider volunteering for this program. Don t forget that two greeters are needed for each Sunday (a couple or two individuals). You can watch Worship for Shut-Ins on Sunday mornings at 6:30 a.m. on WPTA-TV Channel 21, at 8 a.m. on Digital 33.2 & Satellite 252 on Sunday mornings, or on Comcast Cable Channel 55 on Sunday and Monday afternoons at 4 p.m. They also broadcast via DIRECTV Channel 377 on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time. You can also go to their website,

4 Plan on attending our special services this week. The Children s Christmas program begins at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve with a hymn sing beginning at 6:30 p.m. Our Christmas Day service of readings and carols begins at 9 a.m. Holy Communion will be celebrated on Christmas Day. Included in this morning s bulletin is our weekly study guide. This week s theme is The Savior Has Come. Rev. Jeff Keuning who serves the dual parishes of St. John s (Casey, Iowa) and Zion (Dexter, Iowa). You should have received in your mail this past week, an information packet from the Board of Stewardship. This packet was mailed to every communicant member. Please note that these forms need to be returned on January 6. If you need more forms (Time & Talent Sheet blue; Pledge Sheet yellow; Child s Commitment green) or have misplaced yours, there are extras in the Gathering Area. There was also a calendar of special services to be held in 2013 in honor of the 175 th anniversary of the chartering of our congregation. Please keep this handy to keep these important dates in mind. The Busy Women s Bible Class meets in the conference room in the office at Tim & Kris Blomenberg s. You are welcome to join the group on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. The next class will be on Monday, January 7. The Thursday morning LWML Bible class will meet at 9 a.m. on January 3 at the home of Marlene Conrad. Consider taking part in either of these studies. Board of Stewardship s Food for Thought Why do we decorate our Christmas trees with lights? Of course, we enjoy the beauty of those lights, especially in a darkened room, but take some time this Christmas season to meditate in that quiet dark room where your tree stands all aglow. Think about what those lights represent: the Son of God, in Whom " was life, and that life was the light of men" (John 1:4). Then testify concerning that light, so that through Him all men might believe" (John 1:7). Our Parish Nurse, Wava Lichtle, will be available in the Gathering Area following this morning s worship service. She will be taking blood pressures. Take a moment to have yours checked! Kris Blomenberg is December s coordinator for Meals of Grace. If you know of someone who could benefit from this ministry, please contact Kris at Tickets for the Friedheim & Friends Galaabend to be held on Saturday, February 2, at The Orchid Banquet Hall in New Haven are available in the Gathering Area following the worship service today. The cost is $60 per couple or $30 per single. Remember, you need to RSVP by Sunday, January 13, by calling or texting Tina Geels ( ) or ing her (tgeels@gmail.com) or by purchasing your tickets. You may also invite your friends and family to help fill out your table of eight. See the insert in today s bulletin for more info. What s the second Wunderbar of Gallabend? It s the crowning of the king and queen! Who will become royalty? That s all up to you! If you wish to nominate someone as king or queen, you need to contact the Nominating Committee Angie Baumann ( or ), Erin Lengerich ( ), Tracy Werling ( ), or Tonya Bobay ( or ) or stop by the table set up in the Gathering Area. There is a requested donation of $50 when making your nomination. Nominations will be taken today through January 13. Beginning on January 20, you will have an opportunity to vote. Canisters will be set up in the Gathering Area and you may place a free will donation in the jar of the individual(s) you would like to see become king and queen. Voting will continue until 7 p.m. the night of the Galaaband. If you ve never attended the Decatur Lutheran Bible Institute (LBI), make it one of your New Year s Resolutions! LBI classes meet on Tuesday nights, January 15 February 5, at Zion Lutheran Church, Decatur. Come and learn! Choose from four courses of study: Understanding

5 Islam, The Epistle of St Peter, The Divine Service, and Canticles of Luke. Minimal time commitment Low cost.no Homework! For more information, contact Tim Blomenberg or Denny Werling, our LBI congregational representatives, or call Please take advantage of all the great reading materials and resources found in Roz s Reading Room. Material is conveniently located in the Gathering Area. You will find fiction, nonfiction, devotionals, CD's, etc. Remember, no check out needed; just return the items when finished so others may have the opportunity to read them. A basket has been placed next to the bookshelves for any new donations. We do have a children's section, but would definitely welcome more children's Christian books and movies. Christmas program practice continues today. All students are to remain in church. Mrs. Scheumann s & Mrs. Boyle s students will go down to the church basement for their class after they have practiced their parts. The LWML Quarterlies (Winter 2012) have arrived as well as the new Portals of Prayer (January March). There are copies in the Gathering Area and in the entranceways of church. Please take a copy home with you as you leave the worship service today. There is a break in league play. The next scheduled game is Thursday, January 3, versus Berne Missionary at 7 p.m. at the Adams County Service Complex. Any questions, please talk to Dan Buuck ( ). Didn t make it to any of the craft shows? Need to do a little Christmas shopping? Go to the Parish Hall (Classroom D) and check out the items that the Morning Glories have made over the year fleece blankets, baby quilts, potholders, stove towels, a wide variety of rugs (various lengths), aprons, and much, much more. The room will be set up for the remainder of December. If you can t make it on Sunday after church, just contact the church office and arrangements can be made to let you in the room. As the end of the year is fast-approaching, please remember that if you wish to make a donation and have it credited to your 2012 Contribution Statement, that donation must be received by December 31. If you have questions, you may speak to the following: Don Kitson Financial Secretary (Home Purpose); Betty Sielschott Synodical Secretary (Missions); Judy Werling Friedheim Foundation; Jim Heckman Expansion Finance Committee; and Mike Heckman Wyneken Matching Program. The middle school youth (grades 6-8) will be going to Family Ice Skating at Headwaters Park Ice Arena in downtown Ft. Wayne on Sunday, January 6. This is an event will take place from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $3 (for those 13 and under) and $5 (for those 14 and older). If you need to rent skates, there is a $2 skate rental fee. Please RSVP Brian Horning by Sunday, December 30, by phone ( ) or (brianhorning@stjohnbingen.org). Please mark Sunday, January 13, on your calendar. There will be a benefit dinner for Kurt Braun at Wyneken Memorial Lutheran School from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day. The menu includes shredded pork, au gratin potatoes, green bean casserole, and dessert. Carry outs will be available. The meal will be a free-will donation. There will also be a silent auction. If you wish to donate items to this auction, please contact Mary Gallmeyer ( ) or Sharon Brenneke ( ). There is a website, for you to check out. In addition, our church has been asked to donate eight delight desserts (2 cherry, 1 blueberry, 2 lemon, and 3 chocolate). A thank you goes out to those who have already volunteered their help. We still need some dessert donations

6 and two more individuals to work the 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. shift. If you would like to make a delight or help cut and set out desserts, you can contact Leesa Heckman ( ). Thanks to all who purchased the braided bread sold by the 7 th & 8 th grade cheerleaders. If you missed ordering a loaf or would like to purchase more, please contact Hanna or Amy Walker ( ) or see Hanna this morning following the worship service. There are three varieties left cinnamon, apple, and caramel and cost $12 each. Wyneken News Get your SCRIP this morning from Carma Conrad, our SCRIP representative. You may call her at or e- mail her at Conrad@myomnicity.com to place your SCRIP order. SCRIP is also available in the school office during regular school hours. As Christmas draws nearer, think of all your holiday needs and use SCRIP when you head out on one of your shopping trips. SCRIP makes great stocking stuffers too! Don t forget to use SCRIP when purchasing your everyday needs groceries, gasoline, favorite restaurants, and household goods. Don t forget that there are times not all vendors certificates are in stock. If you want something specific or have a larger order, consider ordering your SCRIP as early as possible. You can also go online at and click on Scrip order form to see what is available. Market Day pick up is set for Tuesday, January 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. At school registration in August, parents had the option of paying half of their school registration fee at that time with the remainder due at the end of the first semester (January 11). The remaining balance is due by Monday, January 15. Payments can be mailed to the school or dropped off in the school office. The Spelling Bee takes place on Monday, January 8. Christmas break is December 24 through January 2. Classes resume on Thursday, January 3. Parents, please note that there are no East Allen buses on Thursday and Friday, January 3 & 4, and on Monday, January 7. Classes for East Allen resume on Tuesday, January 8. The second quarter ends on Friday, January 11. Reports will go home on Friday, January 18. Looking ahead: There is no school on Monday, January 21 (Martin Luther King holiday); however, if school is cancelled prior to this date, the 21 st will be used as a make-up day. National Lutheran Schools Week will take place January 28 February 2. Parents, are you looking for something fun for your children to do over the Christmas break? The Adams- County Parks & Rec are sponsoring a variety of activities. These activities take place at various locations around Adams County and are open to children ages Free lunch, snacks, and dinners will be served at most of these activities and are provided to ALL children ages 3-18 regardless of economic status. For more info, contact the Park & Rec Department. A thank you goes out to all who supported the SCRIP holiday contest. The results will be announced at a later date. Attendance: Sunday Worship Service 220 with 151 receiving Holy Communion; Midweek Advent Service - 85; Sunday School 42; Early-bird Bible Class 10

7 Offerings through December 16 Missions December 12 - $ Missions December 16 - $355 Missions Received to Date - $22, Budget for $25,000 Amount Needed to Meet Budget - $2, Home Purpose - $13,772.02* Received Month to Date - $31, Anticipated bills December $55,924 Thrivent Choice (4 th Quarter) - $1,777 Simply Giving (4 th Quarter) - NA Amount Outstanding to Wyneken YTD $35, (includes December payment) Amount needed to meet budget - $24,225 Amount due on loan $65, *Includes a transfer of $10,000 from the Wyneken Contributions account THIS WEEK AT FRIEDHEIM Today: 10:00 a.m. Sunday School Christmas Program Practice Blood Pressure Clinic Monday: 6:30 p.m. Hymn Sing 7:00 p.m. Children s Christmas Eve Program Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. Christmas Day Service of Readings and Carols with Holy Communion Wednesday: 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Immanuel House Open Friday: 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Immanuel House Open NEXT WEEK AT FRIEDHEIM December 30 9:00 a.m. December 31 7:00 p.m. January 2 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Worship Service with Holy Communion New Year s Eve Worship Service Immanuel House Open January 3 9 a.m. LWML Bible Class at Marlene Conrad s January 49 a.m. 3 p.m. Immanuel House Open Announcements, announcements! The gospel accounts of Jesus birth emphasize what each writer thought most important to share. Matthew, writing for a Jewish audience, highlights similarities between Jesus and Moses; focuses on Joseph, whose lineage connects Jesus to King David and Abraham; and tells of wise men seeking the new king of the Jews. Luke, meanwhile, writes to Gentiles and society s underdogs women and the poor highlighting Mary, Jesus humble birth and his first visitors: lowly shepherds. We, too, might consider how to tailor faith-sharing to our listeners. Long-term friends, new neighbors, children and the hurting will all be moved by different aspects of God s love.

8 A Note from the Indiana District The Indiana District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is celebrating 50 years of God s grace and growth. I thank my God every time I remember you. IN all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now (Philippians 1:3-5). The apostle Paul found great joy in his Gospel partnership with the Philippians. The people of the Indiana District celebrate and rejoice as we work within that same joyful partnership, sharing the love of Christ and the news of salvation with the world. As we begin the celebration of our 50 th Anniversary as the Indiana District, we thank God for many years of His grace and blessing. Although the Indiana District is celebrating 50 years, many of our churches and schools have been in existence far longer than that. We trace our heritage back to early missionaries in this area like Wyneken, Loehe, Walther and the early pastors of our congregations. The faithful work of these leaders led to the planting of congregations throughout most of Indiana and northern Kentucky. Before 1963, the Indiana District was part of the Central District, one of four geographic districts created by The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in The Synod was established in 1847, and several of our congregations were in existence already. Those congregations who organized before 1847 are: St. Paul in Ft. Wayne 1837 Zion Friedheim in Decatur 1838 St John Sauers in Seymour 1838 St. John White Creek in Columbus 1840 Trinity Darmstadt in Evansville 1841 St. Paul in Indianapolis 1842 St. John Farmers Retreat in Dillsboro 1843 Immanuel in Avilla 1844 St. John Bingen in Decatur 1845 St. Peter Fuelling in Decatur 1845 Emmanuel Soest in Ft. Wayne 1845 St. Pau in Bremen 1846 Zion in Corunna 1846 St. John in Lanesville 1846 The Central District, where our district began, held its first convention in 1855 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Indianapolis. The district continued to grow and flourish over the next century. A few highlights of those years include: The Lutheran Witness (English) began 1882 Lutheran Child Welfare Associations was established 1883 Church Extension Fund originated 1901 First Central District School Visitor (superintendent) Mr. A.S. Stellhorn 1908 Lutheran Deaconess Association established 1919 Mission Director position established 1927 Work of the board of education and the superintendent expanded to include all areas of parish education 1933

9 Central District had grown to include: 158 congregation in Indiana, 11 in Kentucky, 115 in Ohio and 3 in West Virginia Watch for more history of the Indiana District in future bulletins and/or newsletters. The Readings How God Sent His Son Micah 5:2-5a The place from which Christ is coming: Bethlehem But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. Hebrews 10:5-10 The purpose of His coming: to do God s will for us Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, Here I am it is written about me in the scroll I have come to do your will, O God. First he said, Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, Here I am, I have come to do your will. He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. P: This is the Word of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God. P: The Holy Gospel according to St. Luke, the first chapter. Luke 1:39-45 Mary visits Elizabeth who calls Mary and her child blessed At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! P: This is the Gospel of the Lord. C: Thanks be to God.