The Christian Light. Are You Really A Loving Person?

Transcription

1 ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL The Christian Light Volume 16 Number 7 July 2018 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Are You Really A Loving Person? Pastor Jonathan Hein gave a wonderful paper at our district convention this year. The title is God s Country A Vision for 21st Century Rural Ministry in WELS. The church council will study it over the next six months. In the middle of the section, We Believe; Therefore, We Love. We Love; Therefore, We Speak he presented a fascinating quote from an atheist that accuses Christians of either being liars or unloving. Here is what Pastor Hein wrote: Have you seen the magic duo Penn and Teller? Penn Jillette is the big one who talks. He is also a strong advocate of atheism. He does not like Christianity because he feels religion is responsible for much of the bad in the world. But he also dislikes Christianity because he believes Christians are either lying about what they believe or they are loveless. Penn explains: I ve always said I don t respect people who don t proselytize [i.e. try to convert someone]. I don t respect that at all. If you believe that there is a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell and not getting eternal live or whatever, and you think it s really not worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward...how much do you have to hate somebody not to proselytize? How much do I have to hate someone to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? I mean, if I believed, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn't believe that truck was bearing down on you, there s a certain point that I tackle you. And this is more important than that. If you believe We believe; therefore we speak. Jillette says that if he believed and didn t speak, it would be hateful. He is absolutely right. And so, the same Spirit who moves us to love Christ in response to all he has done for us, also moves us to love our fellow man. How do we love our fellow man? We talk about Jesus. We build relationships with those who have never known him so that we earn the right to talk about Jesus. We love those who have wandered away from Jesus by risking being socially awkward and talk about Jesus. If we are unwilling to do this, are we really the loving person we claim to be? Congregational News 2-5 School News 6 Calendar 7 Call Extended 8 Our Mission is to Glorify God as we Gather around the to Grow in the and then Go to others with the

2 Page 2 Volume 15 Issue 9 Congregational News Council Notes Seven of the ten councilmen were present for our June meeting. The council discussed statistics for the synod and our congregation from 1990 to 2017 handed out in May: Statistics : Morrison Zion Lutheran Church, Northern Wisconsin District, and Wisconsin Synod Communicants Gain/loss % change MZLC % NW District 62,476 54,949-6, % Synod 317, ,213-27, Souls Gain/loss % change MZLC % NW District 81,637 68,526-12, % Synod 421, ,426-57, % Since 1990, WELS has experienced net losses of 61,970 baptized souls and 31,507 communicant members. Of those 61,970 net losses, it is disconcerting that more than half of the losses (34,815 or 56%) have occurred in the last 10 years. Since 1990, more than a quarter million (251,743) communicant members have been released, removed, or written off the books by churches. And, this number doesn't include deaths. The greatest losses of members since 1990 have occurred in the five largest Midwest districts. The council recognized that these are disturbing trends in our church body. They acknowledged the blessings we have, but noted that our attendance has hit a plateau and begun to decline. We need to be diligent in urging our members to make faithful use of Word and Sacrament! Since we were not assigned a graduate, the voters extended a call to Pastor Tom Voss to serve as our Young Adult Outreach Pastor on June 10. He is married and has three children. He presently serves Holy Trinity Lutheran in Des Moines, Washington. His letter acknowledging the call is on page 8. The council will review a sample in July for receiving pledges to help in the budgeting process for next year. This will also be used to review what God says about supporting the work of the. The council is also looking at what it would take to move to following synod code for compensation as it is recommended by the synod. The council is looking for one or two men to head FVL s capital campaign offering. The council authorized a repair to the organ. It should cost $700 to $1,500 depending on how much needs to be done. The council is looking into ways to shut off the school water without also shutting off water to the parsonage and church. The Open Forum will be in church after late worship on July 15. The quarterly voters meeting will be in the commons on July 29 after late worship. The Treasurer reported the following May balances: Income $34,366 Expenses $62,910 Year to date $-45,658 High School $858 HS needed a month $987 HS YTD $5,278 Synod Mission $1,882 Synod needed a month $2,250 Synod YTD $10,722 The treasurer borrowed $25,000 on our line of credit in May to meet obligations. The appeal received $205 in offerings in May. The appeal balance is $169,453. The July council meeting will be a week later than normal. Elders and Council will meet Tuesday, July 17.

3 The Christian Light Page 3 Grow In Grace and Knowledge Year Round! God never limited growing spiritually to nine months out of the year. Neither should you! Sunday Morning Bible Study In July we will conclude our study: How Can They Teach That? Then we will begin a new study: Timely Topics, Timeless Truths (Set 2). These lessons are all separate and do not build on one another. Join us as often as you are able. Bring a friend! July 1 Adult Christ-Light Lesson How Can They Teach That? July 8 How Can We Remain Faithful To Scripture? Timely Topics, Timeless Truths July 15 Visiting Heaven: Are these visits for real? July 22 Haunted Houses: Debunking the myths and deciphering the mysteries July 29 Overweight or Overfit?: The narrow Lutheran Middle Aug 5 They Posted WHAT?: Addressing inappropriate use of social media by Christians Aug 12 I m Spiritual, Not Religious: Responding correctly to critics and pundits Aug 19 Tattoos Still Taboo?: Should a Christian get a tattoo? Aug 26 They ve Done WHAT?: Reacting properly when the sin of living together strikes close to home Sept 2 A Christian s Use of Psychoactive Medication: A crutch, a blessing, or a danger? Join us in the church basement Sundays at 9:15 a.m. Sunday Night Book Discussion In July we will finish the book, The Time Between the Testaments by Mark Braun. We will not meet on July 1. We will discuss chapter 3 on July 8. New Book: On Sunday, July 15 we will begin the book, Straight Talk: Answers from God s Word by Pastor Mark Jeske. The book contains more than 100 questions people have sent Pastor Jeske about day-to-day life, tough issues, spiritual concerns, and personal relations. The answers given led God s voice bring information, love, and guidance from his wonderful Word. These easy-tonavigate questions lead readers straight to Scripture for God s answers. We have eight used copies available for $8 each. If more people sign up we will purchase more. The cost should be no more than $11, even if we have to order new copies. Sign up sheets are available in the church basement. Sign up today! Women s Bible Study The Women's Bible Study will continue to meet this summer! If you have never come to the study before, now is a great time to try it out! Here is the Women's Bible Study schedule for July: Sunday, July 15: Study at The River Coffee and Cream in Wrightstown at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 26: Study at Ruth Zeamer's house at 7:00 p.m. New Life in Christ Class This 20 lesson Bible Information class presents the basic truths of what we believe. If you are interested in joining our church, or would like to review what you learned in confirmation, this class is for you! We meet Thursdays in the basement after worship. Join us whenever you can! In July we will look at: July 5 Jesus Humbled Himself to Redeem Us July 12 Jesus is Exalted in Glory July 19 The Exalted Jesus will Come Again July 26 The Holy Spirit Sanctifies Us Learn To Share Jesus With Simple Law/ Presentations We will have a workshop on Simple Law- Presentations after worship on July 22. We will meet in the basement after late worship. Paula s pizza will be our meal. There will be a free will offering to offset the cost of the meal. In the past we have taught God s Great Exchange numerous times. This presentation will give you an overview of what a good law and gospel presentation should include and then share six different presentations with you. Find one that fits you best and then share the love of Jesus!

4 The Christian Light Page 4 Worship In July Notes on Worship We are in the Non-Festival half of the church year. During the Festival half of the Church Year we focus on the life of Christ. In this half of the Church Year we focus on the life of the Church. In July we finish a six week series that focuses on The Nature of Faith. July 1 Pentecost 6 green Faith Overcomes Death Sermon: 2 Timothy 1:8-14 CW 448 July 8 Pentecost 7 green Faith Overcomes Persecution Sermon: 2 Timothy 3:10-4:5 CW 544 In July we will begin a seven week series that focuses on The Responses of Faith. July 15 Pentecost 8 Faith Responds by Sharing the Word Sermon: 1 Timothy 3:1-7 CW 525 July 22 Pentecost 9 Faith Responds in Joyful Faithfulness Sermon: Hebrews 13:7-8,17-21 CW 362 July 29 Pentecost 10 Faith Responds by Helping Those in Need Sermon: 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 CW 349 green green green Consider using the Hymn of the Day and the sermon text as a personal or family devotion sometime before you join us at any of these worship opportunities! Altar Committee members serving in July : Diane and Sally Suchomel Wedding On Saturday, June 9, Kris Wagner and April VanDuerzen were united in Christian marriage in a worship service at Morrison Zion. Please pray for God s blessings on them in their marriage! Youth Group Eleven teens and two chaperones participated in the WELS 2018 International Youth Rally held at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. The event took place from Tuesday, June 26 - Friday, June 29. Wednesday Golf Join us each Wednesday at about 5:00 p.m. to golf at Wander Springs. Tee times are reserved under Charles Edinger s name. Everyone in the congregation is invited to join us!

5 Page 5 Volume 15 Issue 9 VBS Mark your calendar for Vacation Bible School July This year s theme will be Splash Canyon: God s Promises on Life s Wild Ride The event is free and open to all children age 3 (pottytrained) through children entering grade 6. Sign up sheets for participating children and volunteers are available in the school commons and the church basement. Register online at Invite your neighbors and friends to be a part of this opportunity to learn more about Jesus! VBS Decorating and Training Day Saturday, July 7 is the Decorating and Training Day for VBS. We will meet at school at 9:00 a.m. It is very important for all of the classroom teachers and helpers to be present. Please contact Mrs. Muchka if you are unable to make it. All are welcome to come and help decorate. We will have all of the decorating supplies ready at school. Thanks in advance for all of your help! Scrip Just a reminder that you can place an order anytime by or text to Michelle Laabs. Don't need to only place orders on Sunday's when she is at church, she will fill it asap if she has the items on hand. We will try something different for the month of July since there are 5 Sundays. Contact Michelle Laabs at micjer.laabs@gmail.com or with questions or orders or drop orders off by Nancy in school office. Scrip Order Dates: Sunday, July 1 church between services Sunday, June 8 church between services Sunday, June 15 church after early until 9:30 Sunday, June 22 church between services Sunday, July 29 church between services Please plan accordingly so we can save the church shipping cost. Thank you Food Pantry We were blessed to serve 29 families this month. We are always looking for volunteers. We could especially use anyone who could communicate in Spanish with our families. There is a huge opportunity for outreach we just need the ability to communicate with them. Please consider volunteering just one time this year. We have several families expecting or who have had babies recently so we can use baby items. Examples would be diapers, baby wipes, baby bath, lotions, etc. Other items always needed are cereal, breakfast items, juice, canned fruit, pasta, pasta sauce, baking items, shampoo, soap, laundry detergent. Thank you to everyone for your support of the food pantry. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Linda Bruegge or Diane Suchomel. Soup for Souls Fun in the sun may be on our minds as we have finally made it to summer, but please remember to use these opportunities to share the love of Jesus with the many friends and family we spend our time with over these next few months. The Soup for Souls program offers us one way we can share the message of our Saviors love with those who may need some words of encouragement. The Soup for Soup program is taking a break from soup this summer and have stocked the freezers with sloppy joe and chicken sandwiches. (containers of sloppy joe, chicken and gravy, buns, and strawberry or lemon poppy seed bread are labeled and at school and church) The meals and homemade cards are free and available at school and church.

6 Page 7 Volume 15 Issue 9 School News School Registration We will attempt to use PowerSchool s Online Registration this year. Much of the information we need for registration can be submitted through this online registration format. Some paper documents will still need to be completed. Registration packets will be in the church basement in mid-to-late July. Look for them and please make sure that all paperwork is filled out and handed in at registration. Registration will take place Sunday, August 12, after 10:30 a.m. worship and Monday, August 13, 5:00-7:00 p.m. School Enrollment As of today, our enrollment stands at 78 students for the next school year. If you know of someone you work with, live close to, or anyone else who might be interested in Christian education, please have them contact Mr. Muchka. He will be more than willing to sit down with them to discuss our school mission and give them a tour. You are the best promoters of our school! Continue To Save Boxtops for Education, soda tabs, and old eye glasses have been turned in. Please continue to save them for us Athletic News Volunteer Coaches Needed Zion Morrison Athletics is looking for some church member volunteers to help coach during the school year. It is a great way to volunteer and use your gifts with middle school aged kids. Please contact Mr. Pingel or the school if you are interested. Also, I would like to invite any individual church members who are interested in coaching any sports (volleyball, basketball, cheerleading) in the upcoming year to contact Mr. Pingel. Maybe this is something you have thought about doing, or maybe something you think you may like, either way, it is a great opportunity to work with some amazing kids, share your faith, and support the Knights! Thanks for considering this opportunity!

7 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church & School of Morrison Church: 7395 County Road W Greenleaf, WI Pastor Randy Ott School: 7373 County Road W Greenleaf, WI Principal Rick Muchka Phone (Church) (School Pastor Ott (home) (mobile) ottrr@mzluth.org Website: Address Service Requested Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 6 The Christian Light July 2018 Our Mission is to Glorify God as we Gather around the to Grow in the and then Go to others with the. Call Acknowledgment Letter From Pastor Voss On June 10, the Lord led our voters to call Pastor Thomas Voss to serve as our Young Adult/Outreach Pastor. The same day he also received a call to serve at Divine Word Lutheran, Nepean, Ontario, Canada. Please pray God blesses Pastor Voss with wisdom as he deliberates his 3 calls. Dear Members of Morrison Zion, The purpose of this letter is to inform you that I have received your call to serve as pastor at Morrison Zion. I will also let you know that, simultaneous to your call, I received a call to serve as pastor at Divine Word in Ottawa, Ontario. Pray for workers that God might send them into the harvest! As I consider how the Lord might best use me and the gifts which he has given to me in the pastoral ministry, I pray that his will be done. As I deliberate these calls, I would ask that you keep my family in your prayers. Pray that God would guide me for the good of his Kingdom. It is reassuring to know that his blessings will follow wherever I continue to serve. I welcome all forms of communication from you, the members of Morrison Zion, as I weigh this decision. May God continue to bless our efforts to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to take the message of salvation to the people around us! In Christ, Pastor Tom Voss