Zion Lutheran Church Zion Lutheran is dedicated to loving and living the word of God.

Transcription

1 The TOWER Topics May 2018 Volume 29 Number 5 Rev. Scott Torkko Zion Lutheran Church zionlutherancadillac@gmail.com Zion Lutheran is dedicated to loving and living the word of God. Don t help a butterfly There is a story about a man who kept watching a cocoon. The man knew a butterfly would emerge, but it seemed to take forever. Finally, being impatient and wanting to free the struggling insect, he took a knife and split the cocoon. The butterfly was born, but it could not fly. The man had prevented a very necessary struggle that the butterfly needed. That struggle forces body juices into the insect s wings, giving it strength to fly. Perhaps there is a lesson for us in the story. Those who have had some great struggles in life are often better for enduring the difficulties. Losses, rejection, disabilities and disappointments can teach us patience, strengthen us spiritually, and make us better, more kindly humans. Theologians sometimes use the phrase No cross, No Crown. It was victory over the Cross that made Christ King. The Newsletter Newsletter, 2006 What s Inside Bowling & Pizza Fellowship Event... 7 Calendar Dinner Around the World Groceries Needed - Youth Fund Raiser 5 Just a Thought By Judie Making A Difference Ministries Coordinator Message Pastor Scott s Thoughts Prayer Requests Report the News Serving Page Singles Group Small Group Start-Up Spring Clean Up Summer Special Music Vacation Bible School Women s Lunch Bunch Women s Book Club Worship & Music Recommendation.. 4 Zion 101 Class

2 Transitioning She is a detail person. She is impeccably organized. She has held things together when they are sometimes at risk of falling apart. She is not afraid to voice her strong opinions but has found a way to do so honoring both her position on staff and in the congregation. She was the first person some of you spoke with when you called the church because someone in your life died. Or because you had been diagnosed with an illness. Or because you were seeking spiritual guidance. She somehow always knew her role was both a compassionate ear and an intermediary that passed you along to the pastor. While pastors and other staff people have come and gone, Marilyn s presence became increasingly important as she has provided the congregation with an unusual stability. Her knowledge of Zion and its history over the past 30 years surpasses the rest of us, because she s seen it from the inside as a staff person and from the outside as a congregation member. Marilyn s presence on staff is going to be missed by you. And I am going to miss her presence on our staff, as well. If my beginning at Zion seemed seamless, it had a lot to do with Marilyn s wisdom of letting me know enough history but never too much so I could find my own way. Marilyn has a handle of the church calendar so that when I would have missed things, she was on top of it, reminding me what was next. When a question arises of why Zion does something a certain way, Marilyn generally remembers. Continued on page 6 New Beginnings May 3 - Our Roots: Who is Martin Luther? Who is the ELCA? Zion 101 Thursdays: May 3 - May 31 6:30-7:30 Zion May 10 - Introduction to the Bible May 17 - God comes to us in: Worship, The Word, The Sacraments May 24 - Lord, teach us to pray Prayer in the Gospel of Luke May 31 - Zion s Ministry: Finding a Place to Connect Zion 101 was created as a way to tell the story of Zion and our Lutheran heritage. These classes will walk thru the basics of our faith and introduce class participants to the life of our congregation. New members, potential members, visitors, people curious about the church, and members are all invited to attend this series of classes. We will meet each Thursday of May from 6:30 until 7:30 p.m. at Zion. Please contact the church office by Thursday, April 26, if you are interested in attending. May 2018 Tower Topics Page 2

3 Ongoing prayer requests: * June E * Kay F * Shirley T, Parkinson s * Elaine W * Carl R * Ken W New prayer requests or updates: * Donna R, recovery from pneumonia * Jeanne S is at Samaritas recovering from surgery to repair a broken hip * John K, Rick & Kathi K s brother-in-law, home recovering from a liver transplant and complications * Linda C is home recovering from back surgery * Sandy F, knee surgery recovery * Avery B, Joe & Deb B s 6-year-old-niece, brain cancer * Norma J is at Samaritas * Allena M is home recovering from a liver transplant Battling cancer: * Frank D * Amanda P, Roger & Rhonda P s niece, breast cancer * Bruce B, Mary B s husband and Jack B s brother Continuing prayer requests: * Chris F, recovery from a fractured back * Tim S, Lee & Peggy J s son-in-law, undergoing treatment for an inoperative brain tumor * Hefrani S, health concerns * Harry H, quadruple bypass surgery recovery * Deb B, Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease - kidney donation needed Please note Friends and family members will be listed for one month. Please contact the church office, after the one month period, if you wish them to be included another month. At his graduation, a young man tasked with giving a speech began reading from some notes. I want to talk about my mother and the wonderful influence she had on my life, he said. She s a shining example of parenthood, and I love her more than words can ever do justice. The graduate then paused, appeared to struggle a moment, and looked up at the audience with a mischievous smile. It s really hard to read my mom s handwriting, he said. The Newsletter Newsletter, 2018 May 2018 Tower Topics Page 3

4 Worship & Music Committee Recommendation The Worship and Music committee, at its April 3 meeting, regretfully passed a resolution to send to our Congregational Council, stating, In consultation with current choir members, the Worship and Music Committee recommends that the choir disband after their last scheduled special music May 20. Choir members will continue to contribute to special music from time to time. It is recommended that Zion continue to make a paid accompanist available for special music requests. This decision was not made lightly. The choir has often not had sufficient voices to sing all four parts of a choir anthem this year. The number of people singing in the choir has continued to decline, so one person s absence makes a big difference. The challenges the choir has faced are not recent or unique. Many congregations, that once had strong choirs, have seen their choir disband. This is not a failure on anyone s part. It is simply a new reality. The Worship and Music Committee, therefore, acknowledges and shares in the sadness that comes with the end of an era at Zion. The hole in worship that is left by the choir s decision means that those with musical talent will be even more important moving forward. The possibilities for special music at Zion are endless. Such as: * instrumentalists * vocal soloist * ensembles * bell choir * children s groups Continued on page 8 All Pull Together Summer Special Music Do you have musical talents you could share? As we do every summer, we re looking for individuals or groups to share their musical gifts during worship This is a great time for individuals or groups, vocalists or instrumentalists, young or used to be young, to give glory to God and enhance our worship. If this is a ministry where you can share your talents, please either Val at vhansonzion@gmail.com, call the church office ( ), or sign up on the sheets posted on the bulletin board at church. Spring Beautification Day Join our dedicated Property Committee members on Saturday, May 5, and help get our Zion church home cleaned up. Clean up will be going on from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Come for just a part of the day or all day. A light lunch will be provided at noon. Remember, many hands make for light work! The more people who come out to help, the more work they ll be able to get done. If you are able to help May 5, please bring yard tools such as rakes and shovels. May 2018 Tower Topics Page 4

5 Groceries NEEDED for Dinner Around the World Youth Fund Raiser Aside from attending the youth fund raiser, Dinner Around the World, they could use some assistance with groceries needed for the dinner. 3 rd Annual Dinner Around the World Youth Fund Raiser Saturday, May 12 5:00-7:00 p.m. The tables will be set, good smells will drift from the kitchen, the teens will look sharp and are excited to host the dinner. The doors will open and, hopefully, you will join us for the 3rd Annual Dinner Around the World to help our youth raise funds to attend the National Youth Gathering in Houston this summer. This year s featured countries are: Germany, Sweden, Fiji Island, and a USA dessert bar! Good food, good fellowship, and a fund raiser worth the time and energy! Please join us, and don t forget to bring family and friends. The teens will be selling tickets a couple of weeks prior to the dinner. Prices are: $10 for adults and $5 for kids 10 and under. If you have any questions, please contact Jen B. There is a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board at church with items they would appreciate having donated. If you would be willing to help supply groceries, please check out the sign-up sheet and let them know what you re willing to bring. Dry good groceries need to be brought to church by Friday, May 4. Please mark that the donations are for the Dinner Around the World. Perishable groceries should be brought no sooner than Thursday, May 10, and should be left in the refrigerator. It s time to start Vacation Bible School Planning This year s Vacation Bible School will be Monday, July 30, through Friday, August 3, from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon. Kindergarten through 5th grade youth are invited to explore God s love through a fun filled week. Volunteers needed: We need volunteers (of all ages!) to run half hour activities as well as guide the kids between the activities. If you can help make our VBS a success, please contact Jen M. May 2018 Tower Topics Page 5

6 Ministries Coordinator Message Continued from page 2 Zion will celebrate Marilyn s years of care for this congregation on Sunday, May 27. Together, after the worship services, we will eat cake, laugh, and show gratitude for Marilyn s leadership under various titles as a staff person here. You are invited to come and thank Marilyn personally. She s not leaving us in the sense of finding another church, she ll still be a member here. But her time sitting in the office as the first point of contact is ending. Marilyn didn t ask for this celebration. Marilyn knows, as I do, that Zion s ministry is bigger than any one person (including me!). It takes a village to be the church that God has called us to be, and that s what we have here: we have a village of people that participate to make God s outpost at 350 Pearl Street special. Marilyn will be the first to tell you that the work of the church has always gone on after significant people have left: lifelong members who die, pastors who leave after long or short term calls, pivotal lay people who retire from council or as a committee chairperson. The ministry is not always better off when these things happen, but God s church continues because, in the end, it is about Jesus. Each of us participates in many and various ways until it s someone else s turn. It s God s church, and we have the honor of participating in certain roles for a time. Let us give thanks for all the people God has sent along the way to make Zion a people of Good News. Let us give thanks for those among us who continue to tell the story in our varied ways and capacities, remembering we only get to do this for a time. And let us give thanks for Marilyn s role on staff at Zion over the past 30 years. Our congregation is undoubtedly the better for her ministry. A new season has arrived. Even though the weather hasn t felt like it during the first part of April, spring is here. This spring has seemed, more than in most years, like a season of transition for many of our ministries. In the office, we ve been preparing to welcome Jane and planning for the changes that will come when Jane takes on the role of Office Manager. Committees have begun brainstorming ways to work toward their missions in new ways. I m excited about the Fellowship Committee s article inviting you to try a small group opportunity that will follow Zion 101 this summer. Stewardship has responded to the survey information by formulating a plan that will be offered this fall. Worship and Music has been imagining what form music, during worship, will take in the future here. Being involved in ministries that are evolving, makes me thankful for the way our church family cares, engages, listens, and dreams. I m glad I m walking through this season of change with you. In His Service, Val Blessed to be your pastor, Pr. Scott May 2018 Tower Topics Page 6

7 One Anothering in Small Groups This summer we will be offering a new kind of fellowship opportunity. With the intention of trying a small group format to foster relationships within our Zion family, the Fellowship Committee will be inviting you to join a small group to discuss what God has to say to us about how we should interact as His community. Look for more information in upcoming bulletins and newsletters, but here s a sneak peek: What will these small group sessions be about? - Exploring how God s children should interact with each other. - Building relationships with other members of our community. - Really knowing and supporting others with whom you worship. Who might participate? - People who feel living in Christian community enhances lives. - Anyone interested in having more friends at church. - Those who feel led to help others connect at Zion. How will it work? - Small groups of 4-10 people meet weekly for 1-2 hours from mid-july until the end of August. Each group will decide the best time during the week to meet. - During the meetings, concepts from the book, One Anothering, by Richard Meyer will be discussed. The concepts and activities focus on one another passages (i.e. love one another, bear one another s burdens, encourage one another, etc). - At the end of the six weeks, we will evaluate and decide if small groups are a fellowship movement that will serve us well at Zion. We hope you will consider participating. We also welcome your feedback about the idea of small groups and your thoughts about how we might utilize them to grow in Christian community. If you have any questions or comments or if you want to know more, contact Val H or Jen F. Your Fellowship Committee Bowling and Pizza Fellowship Event There is not a moment to spare to get the next fun Fellowship event on your calendar! Mark Sunday, May 6, down and plan on joining us! We ll meet at The Pines Bowling Center (5992 E. M-55) at 2:00 p.m. for bowling and pizza. This event is for all ages and all bowling abilities and friends are definitely invited. For $9 a person you will get 2 games of bowling and shoe rental. Pizza and pitchers are pop will be provided by the Fellowship Committee. All we ask is that you let us know you ll be joining us. You can call the church office ( ), the church office at zionlutherancadillac@gmail.com, or sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board at church. Please let us know by Sunday, April 29, so we can be certain enough lanes are reserved and enough pizza ordered. Let the good times roll! May 2018 Tower Topics Page 7

8 Zion Book Club Continued from page 4 As in the past, there is a sign-up sheet for summer special music on the bulletin board at church. The Worship and Music Committee urges anyone, with music ability, to find a way to participate. Marty Solomon continues to be available to accompany those who have this need. The Worship and Music committee thanks Heather Dietz, who ended her time as Music Coordinator in April, and Betty Truitt, who will be ending her time as choir director at the end of May. We also wish to thank all those who have participated in choir and enriched our worship experience over the years. Zion continues to seek music ministry leadership and the Worship and Music committee welcomes any suggestions for nurturing Zion s music ministry going forward. These are days of transition and uncertainty for our music ministry. It will take all of our folks, with musical gifts, coming together to find our way forward. Look for announcements of music meetings to bring people together to build solutions. The Worship and Music Committee is confident that, with your help, Zion will faithfully find our way through this transition, and we look forward to being surprised by the way God moves through our music ministry in the coming months. Your Worship and Music Committee Nancy A, Paula C, Joanne C, Lynn G, Val H, Randy M, Pastor Scott, and Susan Y On Tuesday, May 8, the Book Club will discuss The Book Club by Mary Alice Monroe. On the surface, the monthly book club is just that - a monthly book club. But for five women, from different walks of life, it is so much more. Facing the challenge of change in their lives, they share their hopes and fears and triumphs. And the true magic of the book club comes through friendship. All women interested in a reading discussion group and fellowship are invited to join the Book Club. They meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. If you have questions or would like a copy of the book, please contact the May hostess, Karen C. On Thursday, May 17, the Women s Lunch Bunch will gather at noon at The 13th Street Café (9901 E. 13th St). All women are invited, and you are encouraged to invite your friends for a relaxing luncheon and fellowship. Please sign up on the sheet posted on the bulletin board at church so they have a count for the restaurant. If you have any questions, please contact our May hostess, Deb B. May 2018 Tower Topics Page 8

9 After the Resurrection The few who were chosen by Jesus and who walked daily with Him, listening, learning, loving, were the same who, after the crucifixion, grieved Christ s death. Though they d seen him work many life-giving miracles, the disciples couldn t bring themselves to believe Jesus most dramatic claim that he would die and rise from the grave. In their humanity, they were confused and without hope. How could this be? They had been prepared by the Master. They followed His teachings; they witnessed His miraculous healings; they saw Him walk on water. After His physical death on the cross, their faith was most certainly at low ebb. Until He reappeared to them. Death deeply affects those who experience the loss of a loved one. The immediate focus is usually on loss an end of a life of which one does not want to let go. That s why Easter is so welcome. Its message is that God our Father and Creator has Power over death. The resurrection of His Son Jesus is living proof. We believe in energy sources which are invisible to the eye electricity solar power the seed deep within the earth which breaks through and produces a tree, a flower, a food source. Though we are no longer able to see or physically touch loved ones who have experienced the process of death, they continue to exist. Our loved ones live. Death has no sting. After we celebrate the Good News of the Resurrection that there is no death there is new life, may we carry that message within our hearts and minds and apply it to our lives and death experience. He lives! And we will too! Just an after Easter thought from Judie We greet one another on Easter Sunday with the words He is risen! And respond with the words He is risen indeed, Hallelujah! May 2018 Tower Topics Page 9

10 Single Hearts for Christ Wow! Lots of Chicks! Thank you for your very generous support of our March Buck-A-Chick sale in support of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. We were able to send them $324. It was also wonderful to have the Fellowship Hall decorated for Easter with so many brightly colored chicks. This is a newly formed group for Christian singles 50 and over who are single, legally divorced, or windowed. They meet monthly for dinner and fellowship. Their next dinner fellowship is Saturday, May 19, at 5:00 p.m., at the Countryside Grill (Lake City). RSVP to Laura Aitken ( ). Making a loud noise to help others Our May 27th Noisy offering is designated to support OASIS. Here s an example of a typical call to the OASIS crisis line: The woman on the other end is asking for help. Her partner left, taking their only car and draining their bank account. She doesn t want to call the police until she, and the children, are safe. She is bruised from being strangled and the children are frightened. Can OASIS help? During the past year, OASIS has received 386 calls to the crisis line. They have been able to support 86 women and 58 children in their shelter. Counselors saw 228 women, men, and children, and their Parent Educators worked with 94 families. You can help them continue this valuable ministry in our community. Bring your loose change (or bills) and help us make a loud noise of support on May 27. May 2018 Tower Topics Page 10

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13 ** HELP US REPORT THE NEWS ** Do you know about an upcoming event, new program, or other item of interest that should be included in the newsletter? Does your committee have a newsworthy item to report? If so, please fill out the following form and drop it in the Parish Administrator s (Marilyn s) mailbox. The deadline for submission of news articles is the second Friday of each month. News received after that date will be published, if room allows, or in the next issue if still of interest. Your name Your phone or address Name of the event or activity Date and time of event Group involved Article (Who? What? Where? When? Why?) May 2018 Tower Topics Page 13