Zion s Good News. J-Team and Little Lutherans October 4th and 18th. Stewardship Campaign Live Generously Celebration Sunday October 15th

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1 Zion Lutheran Church 700 North Second Avenue Stratford, WI Phone: Fax: We re on the Web ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Stratford, WI Permit No. 6 ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH Zion s Good News OCTOBER 2017 J-Team and Little Lutherans October 4th and 18th Stewardship Campaign Live Generously Celebration Sunday October 15th Disciples for Christ Sunday, October 15th Confirmation Retreat October 20th & 21st The Lord s Prayer Germanfest Sunday, October 29th 9:00 a.m. Worship 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Dinner and Bake Sale See gold insert for more information.

2 Live Generously Perhaps you have noticed many of our members wearing t-shirts that say Live Generously! The t-shirt is part of Thrivent s Action Teams program to help congregations reach out in care and concern for others. I must admit I smile when I see one of those t-shirts. They are also a reminder to me to check my own spirit of generosity. There are plenty of times in a day that I get messages to consume for my own benefit, but not so many to be generous. Every year about this time, the church attempts to break into the message of consumerism with a message of generosity. Live Generously, based on I Timothy 6:18-19, is the theme for this year s Stewardship emphasis. It is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of stewardship discipline, and a time to consider where God is leading us as a generous faith community. Generosity is transformational and always starts with God. He is a generous God and we are to be a generous people. Generosity is not about what we want from people but what we want for people. Living generously is our loving response to God and his great generosity toward us. In the next few days (if not already) you will be invited to one of your neighbor s homes for some fellowship time, conversation, and information about Zion s future. It is very important for you to attend. We need your questions and insights as we move forward. On Sunday, October 15 our Commitment Sunday each household will be asked to consider its blessings and voluntarily make a response. This is a symbol of our individual and collective witness to Christ s presence in our lives and support of our ministry. We look forward to your participation as we explore our calling to be a generous and servant church. Jesus calls us to be generous Christian disciples because we worship a generous, loving, and mighty God. Pastor Sue Pastoral Acts Pastor Sue officiated at the Marriages of Chris McCain & Brian Stroetz, and Joelle Sommerfedlt & Adam Steiner; and the Baptisms of Wesley Binder and Ellie Ullman. 2 YOUR CHURCH STAFF COUNCIL MEMBERS President: Brenda Castellano V. Pres.: Becky Curtis Secretary: Angie Guralski Treasurer: Adam Maguire Evangelism: Cory Wiesman Faith Formation: Jackie Fischer & Kaitlyn Ulrich Property: Lee Spindler Stewardship: Angela Ford Worship: Lois Custer PASTOR: Sue Eidahl Home Phone: eides@zionlc.com Secretary: Lori Lang office@zionlc.com WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ZION Write us at Zion Lutheran Church, 700 North Second Ave, Stratford, WI Phone us at :30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or leave a voice mail message. Or us at office@zionlc.com or directly to s above. WEB SITE: TRADITIONAL WORSHIP 9:00 a.m. INDEX Page 1 October Schedule 2 Pastor Sue s Letter / Pastoral Acts 3 October Grateful to be Faithful 4 October Faith 5 5 Birthdays & Anniversaries 6 J-Team and Little Lutherans / Council Minutes 7 Living Generously / Godstock / Bible Study 8 Trunk R Treat / NYG Haunted Corridor / New Member Sunday / Bake Sale 9 Building Update / Germanfest / All Saints Sunday 10 Highlights from Tanzania 11 Church Staff and Index Pull out: October Calendar and Serving Schedule, Germanfest NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The 21st of each month. ANNOUNCEMENT DEADLINE Wednesdays by 9:00 a.m. WEEKLY Goes out on Monday morning. office@zionlc.com to be added to the receiver list. PLEASE keep the office updated: Address & changes Births, Deaths, Hospitalizations Phone / Cell changes 11

3 September 2017 Highlights Tanzania Steve & Bethany Friberg Naapok Bead Project artisans celebrated their new constitution and registration as a Community Based Organization. These documents represent important steps in protecting the rights of each member and their property. Since most are illiterate, a community development officer was brought in to guide the group through a series of meetings where all were encouraged to discuss, question, and give input in the writing of the constitution. The Uhuru Torch ( Mwenge ) is one of Tanzania s national icons. It was originally lit on Mt. Kilimajaro at the time of independence in The Mwenge symbolizes freedom, hope, love, respect and unity. Each year, the torch is carried throughout a different region of the country. This month Naapok Bead Project was proud to be chosen as a local organization to receive the Mwenge. We are in the peak of the dry season. Pray the October short rains will bring relief to trees, grasslands, livestock, and people. The work of the church keeps growing because Africans understand their need for God in all aspects of life. Because of a shortage of pastors in Tanzania most small congregations are led by mature Christians who are trained as evangelists to lead services and do outreach under tough conditions. The Holy Spirit blesses their efforts. Our sons started their junior year at University of Minnesota. Nyika is studying biology and Zaka environmental sciences. Our daughter Shalai thoroughly enjoys Rift Valley Academy. We thank God for this mission school. This month Dr. Pedro from Spain is doing plastic, orthopedic, and reconstructive surgery for patients in our area. The patients come with burn scars, bone infections, and limb deformities. He volunteers his services twice a year and gives free service. We are excited to have the next generation of doctors working in the clinics. Thank you for partnering with us in so many different ways. Steve and Bethany Friberg Ketumbeine, Tanzania 10 3

4 Building Update 2017 Payment Bi-Weekly Start Payment Interest Principal Ending Dates Balance Amount Paid Paid Balance 6/9 & 6/23 $440, $3, $1, $1, $ 438, / 7 & 7/21 $438, $3, $1, $1, $ 436, /04 & 8/18 $436, $3, $1, $1, $ 434, Total monthly principal payments $ 5, Total monthly interest payments $ 3, Balance of loan as of $ 434, Partners Bank Building checking acct balance as of $ 30, GERMANFEST A word to newcomers: If you are new to Zion you may not have heard about Zion s Germanfest Dinner. Once a year the members of Zion serve a traditional German meal of sauerkraut, pork hocks, pork roast and potato dumplings. In preparation for the cost of the meal, members are asked to sell tickets, contribute to the cost of the meal, and volunteer in serving the meal. Proceeds from the dinner are placed in a Crisis Fund. Grants for those who experience a crisis (fire, illness, etc.) are taken from the fund and given to non-members living within the Stratford School District OR to members of Zion regardless of where they live. If you would like to know more about the dinner, ask a member of the congregation or call the church office. The dinner began in 1988 and has given many gifts to area people. More information is on the gold Germanfest insert along with 4 tickets to sell, buy, or return to Zion. Worship will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 29th. All Saints Sunday All Saints Sunday will be celebrated at Zion on Sunday, November 5th. As part of the liturgy we will remember those friends and members of Zion who have died in the past year, and those whose names have been submitted by loved ones. You may light a candle in memory of loved ones during the service. Names may be given to the church office by Wednesday, October 25th.

5 Zion Lutheran Church October 31st 5:30-7:30 Behind the church (east side) parking lot. A family-friendly and fun night. Free candy at each trunk. The Haunted Corridor Zion Church In Stratford Open during trick or treat hours 5:30-7:30 on October 31 Get a guided tour through the lower hallows! Admission fee is $2 per person Proceeds to benefit National Youth Gathering Group New Member Sunday We will be receiving new members to Zion on Sunday, November 12th. If you are interested or know of anyone interested in joining, please call the church office at Germanfest Ladies and Gentlemen-do you like to bake, make salsa, pesto, bread, cookie creations. Now is the time to put those skills to work for the Germanfest Bake Sale. Please bring items to the large table in the Gathering area on Saturday afternoon. Price them and we will display for sale. This is an important part of Germanfest. Thanks so much. OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS 1 - Devin Ulrich 2 - Tony Oertel Kurt Schwarze 3 - Jamie Greenberg Frank Guralski Wandetta Karl 4 - Beth Griffith Taylor Grell Mary Kolbeck Stephanie Kramer Ben Natzke Troy Multerer 5 - Isaac Thompson 6 - Don Karl 7 - Evan Schoenfuss Paul Huther Carrie Stroetz Chloe Timm 9 - Sydney Kafka Angela Schiller Turner Southwick 13 - Linda Lauer Leon Tietyen Jill Dasler Taya Nett OCTOBER ANNIVERSARIES 1 - James & Marge Kollmansberger Chuck & Julie Gliniecki James & Jeanne Griesbach 4 - Patrick & Amy Wrensch Neil & Mary Kolbeck 7 - Robert & Vicki Hughes 8 - Dean & Nancy Wieland 9 - Lee & Stacey Spindler 10 Brent & Amanda Spindler 14 - Charles Brown 15 -Vicki Pfahning 18 - Cheryl Kuyoth 19 - Amy Cole 20 - Janice Schmidt 21 Kennedi Johnson 24 - Dan Thompson Cory Wiesman Rich Krueger Abby Fish 25 - Isaac Castellano James Kollmansberger 26 - Nancy Frodl Keith Spaeth 28 - William Shanks 29 - Yvonne Moen Samantha Bulgrin 30 - Diane Shanks Karl Uthmeier Ricky Timm 11 Jamie & Heather Wenzel 16 - Leroy & Lori Wiesman 22 - Keith & Wendy Spaeth Ron & Nona Zepplin 23 Rich & June Krueger 28 - Harold & Barb Wrensch Al & Sandy Grell 29 - Kris & Amy Grell 8 5

6 Live Generously Stewardship Little Lutherans (Kindergarten 3 rd Grade) and J-Team (4 th 6 th Grade) will be held Wednesdays, October 4th and October 18th. After school until 5:15 p.m. If you are interested in helping with snacks or teaching, contact Jackie Fischer or Kaitlyn Ulrich. COUNCIL MINUTES Zion Lutheran Church Council met on Monday September 18, 2017 President Brenda Castellano called the meeting to order Pastor Sue led with devotions. During the meeting the council: Approved the Secretary Report. Approved the Treasurer Report. Approved the Ministry Team Report Received a Thank You from: Claire Thompson, Stratford Schools Staff, Sent a Thank You to Laurie Skow Anderson Pastor is planning for Fall Stewardship, fall worship, confirmation class and Disciples for Christ God s Work Our Hand s picked up approx. 20 bags of garbage, picked apples at Kathy Zuelke s home Stewardship Home Meeting will be starting soon, you will be contacted by a host this is an opportunity to bring your ideas and concerns Still looking for the DCM position to be filled Germanfest donation board will be up soon Respectfully submitted by Angie Guralski, Secretary * You can get a full copy of the Secretary s notes from the office. Sermon Series September 24 - Speaking of Generosity October 1- Assets Yours, Mine and Ours October 8 - God s Stewards are Managers not Owners October 15 - Shortest Stewardship Sermon GODSTOCK 2K17 Pray More. Work Less. When November Band LIGHTSWITCH Keynote Speakers Missy and Andrew Rock ( From Stratford) Decorated National Champion & Olympic Gold Medalist Youth Grades 9-12 Where Metropolis Resort, Eau Claire, WI Cost $85 (Plus room paid by us) Sign up In Church Office Tuesday Morning Bible Study Conversations with Martin Luther s Small Catechism 10-11:30 a.m. Conference Room 6 7