MT. ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH August th St. S. Hudson, WI 54016

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1 MT. ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH August th St. S. Hudson, WI Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Last week I read the book The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz. The book is the story of how Novogratz, the CEO of the non-profit organization The Acumen Foundation, left her lucrative job in banking to start her organization that works funding women s projects in third world countries. Novogratz had been given a blue sweater with mountains on the chest by her uncle Ed when she was in middle school. She loved the sweater and wore it nearly every other day, until one day in high school, her nemesis made fun of the sweater. Novogratz went home and promptly donated the sweater to Goodwill. Over a decade later, Novogratz went on a mission trip to Rwanda. One day, when she was out jogging, she noticed a small boy wearing a blue sweater with mountains on the chest. Hardly daring to believe it, Novogratz struck up a conversation with the boy and checked the tag on the sweater. As one of 6 children, her mother had sewn names into all Novogratz s clothes growing up. And there on the tag of a sweater, worn by a boy in Rwanda, was Novogratz s name. Novogratz realized at that moment what a difference little gestures make. Since that moment she has funded over a hundred small business ventures to help or support women in third world countries. I have spent this summer witnessing the many ways that the Mt. Zion community works for the betterment of people in our community and all over the world. I want to express to you all how impressed, in awe of and filled with joy I feel after learning about how many amazing ways our small congregation works to serve others. I was astounded at the work accomplished by the Habitat group! The comradery, teamwork, love and joy that was shared by all the volunteers was wonderful. When I was up working with the group it was a day full of fun, pranks, laughing, hard work and friendship. It was neat to see more experienced workers teach people like me (who had zero construction experience) how to do meaningful work that day. It was also so cool that nearly every decade between teens and 70s was represented! I was so proud of our Mt. Zion team at the Relay for Life. We raised a lot of money for cancer research, members of Mt. Zion were the speakers and the singers that night and so many members came out to walk, celebrate and support. It was a fantastic night! During VBS so many members donated time, energy, or items to help us have a great week. I was awestruck at the work that went into the week. I was also so impressed with the kids. During the week we sang at CCH nursing home, and one kid said that was her favorite thing

2 from the week and asked her mom to take her back. We also had the kids make the Grace Place meal, helping to teach the kids about Grace Place and giving them the opportunity to help others. We also made small fabric books for the kids at our Haiti mission. The kids learned a lot about what Second Mile Haiti does and how they can help. So many people serve in so many ways. The backpack program, Feed My Starving Children, our Friday morning food giveaway and so much more happens at this congregation. I m excited to participate in Undie Sunday this month I have no idea what to expect! Jacqueline Novogratz learned that a small gesture can do a lot. We should be proud of the many ways our small church serves others. Thank you for all you do! Blessings, Pastor Erin THE BOOK NOOK By: Kathy Hunter No Sky is the story of creation, as envisioned by Walter Wangerin Jr. and meant to be read to young children. The suspense builds as God prepares each part of His new world for His ultimate creation, a child. God walked down to a river valley. All of the animals sat on the walls of the valley, hunched forward watching Suddenly the animals grew nervous. What s the matter with God? they whispered. For God was crying. For the joyous end of the story, go to Mt. Zion s library cart in the Commons and take home this book to read to your little one. There is no time limit for checking out books, but please remember to return them when you are finished. Replace the card and put the book on the cart in the Commons or in the box on the lower-level shelves.

3 HOLIDAYS FOR HAITI Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 19 9:00 3:00 pm for a Second Mile Haiti Fundraiser! We will be hosting a Holiday Décor/Home Décor sale at the church and here is how you can help DONATE! Go through your old holiday decorations and bring to church any time from now until September 18. Any Holiday from New Years to Christmas! We will also be accepting the following: Other Home Décor decorations no large items please Themed Baskets for a silent auction Hand-crafted Items for a craft sale! Baked Goods There will be a little for everyone! OUTREACH NEED A NEW FAMILY PHOTO? Well, Mt. Zion has the cure for that! August we are taking photos for the newest PHOTO DIRECTORY for Mt. Zion. If these dates do not work for your family, please contact Melody Wahlberg or the church office for the number to call to see other churches in the area that are offering times. If you have a photo you wish to submit or are unable to make it to one of the alternate sites, we do have arrangements made for a member of our congregation to come to your home, or place of your choice and take the photo. Mark Your Calendars Now! Check the Webpage soon for ways to sign up online. COLLECT THOSE RECEIPTS IF WE COLLECT 150,000 in receipts from Family Fresh, they will donate $1,000 to our Church! It s a WIN-WIN! You can bring them to church and place them in the collection container in the Commons or send them to th St. Hudson, WI THE POWER OF PRAYER One of the privileges of being part of the body of Christ is the opportunity to share in the joy and the sorrow of others. If you have a special prayer request or would like to place someone on the prayer chain, please call the church office at 715/ or the Prayer Chain Leader, Joyce Johnson, and we will make sure to add that person to our prayer list.

4 OUTREACH Habitat 2015 Our 2015 Habitat trip took us to Luck Wisconsin to start a home for a family who suffered the loss of their home and then most recently, the loss of their wife and mother. So this build was special in that not only were we helping to provide a home for a family, but hope for Brian and his two boys Jack & Seth. Over the course of the week we had 20 people working. Many hands means a lot of work gets done. Monday we were rained out, so our work started on Tuesday. Walls that were built in our church parking lot were unloaded, put in place on the foundation and stood. With the crane arriving early Wednesday morning, it was important to get these all in place and ready for the trusses the next day. Wednesday the crane arrived at 8 and trusses were in place by 10. From there, the roof was sheeted, interior walls were built, the exterior of the house was wrapped with Tyvek, and foam insulation was put on, and windows that had arrived were installed. Early Friday afternoon we cleaned up the job site, and were able to look and see the work we had accomplished in such a short time. A home was started for a family in need. Though the work was done by our hands, we have our church family and Tracy Berglund from Thrivent to thank for all your support. Whether you bought a stool, ate at the Easter Breakfast, ate at the Pizza Hut fundraiser, helped with the wall build, sponsored someone who went on the trip or prayed for us, we could not have done the work without all of you. So THANK YOU for your continued support for this great mission. We look forward to giving a formal presentation sometime this fall, and would encourage everyone to consider joining us next year on one of the best adventures you will ever take part in. We not only help build homes for families in need, but we give the families hope for a better future. Your 2015 Mission Trip Group: Gary, Ed, Chris, Nicole Jack, Ellie, Mark, Robin, Carl, Judy, Dominic, Paula, Jeff, Jim, Karen, Collin, Floyd, Pastor Erin, Jessie & Kelsie

5 JOIN SINNERS' DINNERS OR DISCIPLE DINING What are Sinners Dinners? Adult dinner groups of 6-8 people who meet 3-4 times/ year People take turns hosting dinners in their homes (or at our church) singles may work together to share a hosting. The group chooses a time to meet: Fri/Sat evening, Sun. afternoon, or any other time If it is your turn to host, you serve the main course, beverages, and anything else you would like (bread or rolls, potatoes?) Others dinner group members bring a dish to share: an appetizer, dessert, salad, etc. Most importantly, keep it simple. OUTREACH BOOK CLUB We have picked our next book for Book Club (Aug. 10, 6:00 pm at Hudson Bagel.) The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd If you have any questions, please see Pastor Erin. Thank you for all the prayers and cards I received in the past weeks. Your caring and concerns sure mean a lot. It is great to have family that cares. Donna Revoir What is Disciple Dining? Disciple Dining is an adult dinner group of 6-8 people that goes out to eat once a month or every other month People take turns choosing a place to meet for dinner. Each participant pays for his/her own meal What could be easier? *If you are currently in a group, please talk to Mt. Zion friends to recruit others to join in the fun! Sign up before August 30 Just a brief note to say "Thank You" for your prayers and wishes for my recovery. This part of the illness is great as well as humbling. Thank you again Roger Christopher Mt. Zion received a donation of a portable icemaker. It is in the kitchen on the counter. If you wish to use it, please read all the instructions, as to how long it takes to make ice and how to use it. Hopefully it will benefit everyone who uses the kitchen. If you have any questions, please contact Judy Meincke

6 YOUTH & FAMILY FUN IN THE SUN Hastings Water Park Saturday, August 22 11:30 am 4:00 pm COOL OFF WITH YOUR FRIENDS AT MT. ZION Come and enjoy the park s zero-depth entry pool, lazy river, wave pool, climbing wall, children s water playground, flute, tube, drop and family water slides. Don t miss out on all the fun! Cost of event 4 & Under $1.00 Ages 5-15 $6.00 Ages $7.00 Ages 55+ $6.00 Please bring extra spending money if you wish to purchase treats at the Waterpark 4:00 pm ~ Leave Hastings to Return to Church *NEEDED: DRIVERS/CHAPERONES/LUNCH PROVIDERS Call the church office at (715) if you are interested in coming or volunteering! As with every event at Mt. Zion Friends are always welcome and encouraged to join us! TONE CHIMES Ever wanted to try tone chime choir but were too afraid you would be lost? Been in a bell choir before but need a refresher? Come to TONE CHIME CHOIR BOOTCAMP, a class designed to help you learn the basics of ringing in a tone chime choir. This class is open to everyone middle school and older. Class will be Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level music room. Don t miss this opportunity to see what ringing in a choir is all about. Contact MaryKay Mahler with questions or for more information. JR CHOIR Are you looking for a place to be part of something special? Share your musical talents with your friends in the music ministry of the Jr. Choir. Open to all 3rd through 8th graders. Beginning Wednesday, September 16, 2015 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in the lower level music room. Look forward to seeing you! If you have questions, please feel free to contact MaryKay Mahler. (Please call or the church office for contact information for Mary Kay

7 YOUTH & FAMILY VBS Week--a Great Success We had a wonderful week at VBS. We had 21 campers from kindergarten through 5th grade and 12 preschoolers. Luther Point Camp sent us 3 well-trained and relational counselors (Scott, Ty, and Clayton). They taught Bible studies each day and made the lessons kid friendly. Many games and activities were Bible-oriented. The children walked from activity to activity singing the Bible songs. We send out a big thank you to these volunteers who helped out during the VBS week: Amanda Stojan for being our head organizer of the K-5 VBS program (coordinating with Luther Point Camp, collecting materials, soliciting volunteers, coordinating the meal for the family cookout on Wednesday) and for being at Mt. Zion the entire week to help with all activities and take photos of the "campers" for a Power Point Angie Adams who headed up our pre-school VBS program and Carol Gustafson who assisted all week. Both of them planned and taught all activities all morning for the preschoolers. Holly O Connell and Peter for housing the Luther Point counselors all week Jenny Neumann for being in charge of our wraparound care from 8-9 AM John Flavin for checking the children in each morning Rachel Flattum for checking children out at the end of the day Our high school youth o Isabel Nemitz for taking the entire week off from work to help out at VBS all day o Chris Gelina for giving up his afternoons to work with the children Our middle school youth o Ava Anderson, Noah Gerdts, Emily Gerdts, Maggie Gustafson, Ailee Neumann and her friend Brooke for helping out with the children all week and leading several songs Andrea Dreier for being our special helper each day during the lunch hour, assisted by Ed Dombrock on Friday. Ed Dombrock for accompanying the group on Friday on our walk to CCH Our snack providers (Erin Prawalsky, Rachel Flattum, Laura Romzek, Cherri Hofbauer, Lynne Baker, Paula Saunders, and Beverly Schletz) Those who made lunches for the counselors: Paula Saunders, Robin Arneson, Anna Peterson, Carol and Andrew Gustafson, and Pastor Erin. Those who made or brought supper for the counselors: Holly O Connell, Nora Flavin, The Chris & Kristen Johnson family from Bayport BBQ, Robin Arneson, and Pastor Erin.

8 The Second Mile Haiti group, especially Sharon Tepper who cut and sewed the cloth for the books for Haiti (which the VBS kids turned into number, letter and animal books). Anna Peterson for dropping off the meal to Grace Place. Pastor Erin for planning the late afternoon activities (tie-dying shirts, making a meal for Grace Place, making cloth books to send to Haiti, having a water play day, singing at CCH). Deb Tonsager for coordinating our singing at CCH Pastor Erin who taught games, songs, and activities to the children after the Luther Point Counselors were off duty for the day. She also led our song worship at CCH on Friday and organized several of our games during the week. My apologies if I have missed anyone. Last but not least, we thank the congregation for your financial support of our fundraisers. We could not have done it without all the congregational help. We were able to reach more kids since the program was offered through free-will donations. A lot of our VBS campers were not Mt. Zion members. (9 friends, 6 Kids Club, 18 Mt. Zion youth) We were so happy to welcome our neighbors from throughout the Hudson area and beyond. It truly does take a village. Judy Meincke, Christian Education Committee

9 MILESTONES CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST August 1 - Emily Holman Mitch Nelson Dana Okerlund August 2 - Joan Christopher August 5 - Ken Holman Jerry Lindquist August 6 - Jennifer Johnson Gina Rosenquist August 7 - Don Matzek August 10 - Norm Lust August 11 - Wyatt Matzek August 12 - Kathy Halberg August 13 - Kristen Johnson August 17 Jodi Becker August 19 - Michaela Arneson Judy O Connell August 21 - Andrew Gustafson August 23 - Liam Mulfort August 24 - Tomi Lynn Kuehne Kasen Schletz August 25 - Michelle Hanson Stan Margl AUGUST 30 KINDERGARTEN BACKPACK MILESTONE! We will be honoring a big milestone for some of our youngest youth Beginning school! Please join us as we celebrate Lauren Dombrock, Aubrey Flattum, Rosa Gigure, Andrew Krochalk, Liam Mulford & Gracie Romzek along with their family and friends as they begin their academic years! If we have the wrong information, please contact the office and let us know. BAPTIZED IN AUGUST August 1 - Tim Dreier Jane Mlinar August 5 - James Meincke August 7 - Ellie Johnson August 8 - Ron Miller August 10 - Todd Dombrock August 11 - Karen Gustafson Sandy Huppert August 12 - Jessica Egan August 23 - Lydia Saathoff August 25 - Chelsea Walczak August 27 - Nick Pilarski August 28 - Steve McCarthy August 30 - Neil Wilcoxson MARRIED IN AUGUST August 5 - Josh & Samantha Lockwood August 8 - Holly O Connell & Peter Beard James & Ana Meincke August 10 - Peter & Peggy Skinner August 11 - Gary & Kathy Baribeau August 12 - Bob & Martha Solfest August 13 - Einar & Michelle Hanson August 17 - Steve & Gail Gerdt

10 WORSHIP AND MUSIC SUNDAY MORNING HOSPITALITY TEAMS August 2 9:00 am Opener/Closer: Jim Eral LEAD Greeters: Don & Linda Flatt Ushers: Harley & Joan Saathoff Communion: Jim Eral, Randy Prawalsky, Joan Christopher Basket Holder: Kaitlyn Prawalsky Reader: Mary Ellefson Acolyte: Riley Becker Special Music: Psalmodikons Fellowship: Andrew Gustafson August 23 9:00 am Opener/Closer: Chris Gelina LEAD Greeters: Sandy Huppert & Bev Schletz Ushers: Robin & Mark Arneson Communion: Floyd Foslien, Chris Gelina, & Jim Eral Basket Holder: Kaitlyn Prawalsky Reader: Floyd Foslien Acolyte: Abigail Romzek Special Music: Chris Gustafson Fellowship: Mason Keyes & Linda Yde August 9 9:00 am BAPTISM Opener/Closer: Karen McConville LEAD Greeters: Carolyn Jonason & Sandy Gillis Ushers: Earl Monson & Colin McConville Communion: Carol Gustafson, Sandy Gillis, Chris Gustafson & Karen McConville Reader: Chris Gustafson Acolyte: Brooke Dreier Special Music: Craig Gustafson Fellowship: Carol Gustafson August 16 9:00 am Opener/Closer: Kristen Johnson LEAD Greeters: Don Kriegl & Katie Jones Ushers: Mike & Linda Yde Communion: Judy Meincke, Jack Johnson, Kristen Johnson Basket Holder: Ellie Johnson Reader: Kristen Johnson Acolyte: Sam Johnson Special Music: Dennis Opland & Sofia Gigure Fellowship: Beverly Schletz August 30 9:00 am MILESTONE SUNDAY Opener/Closer: Andrea Dreier Greeters: Sharon Tepper & Cheryl Maser Ushers: Tim & Andrea Dreier Communion: Karen McConville,, Basket Holder: Brooke Dreier Reader: Karen McConville Acolyte: Oscar Nemitz Special Music: John McConville & Mark McConville Fellowship: Andrea Dreier *Listed as Opener/Closers MISSION: To provide a welcoming experience for all who walk through our doors

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12 CONTACTING US Church Office (715) Pastor ~ Erin Nelson pastor@mtzionhudson.com Secretary ~ Anna Peterson secretary@mtzionhudson.com Milestones ~ Christine Jahns Organist ~ Deb Tonsager Sr. Choir Director ~ Craig Gustafson Jr. Choir/Tone Chime Choir ~ MaryKay Mahler Parish Nurse ~ Eileen Wymer President ~ Nicole Gelina