Zion s Good News ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH. Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE. Permit No. 6. Stratford, WI PAID DECEMBER 2017

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1 Stratford, WI We re on the web! Zion Lutheran Church 700 North Second Avenue Phone: Fax: Address Service Requested Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Stratford, WI Permit No. 6 ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH Zion s Good News DECEMBER 2017 Sundays in Advent December 3-9:00 a.m. 1st CANDLE (purple) THE PROPHECY CANDLE or CANDLE OF HOPE We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises made to us. Our hope comes from God! December 10-9:00 a.m. 2nd CANDLE (purple) THE BETHLEHEM CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF PEACE God kept his promise of a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. Preparation means to get ready. Help us to be ready to welcome you, O God! December 17-9:00 a.m. 3rd CANDLE (pink) THE SHEPHERD CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF JOY The shepherds received a message of joy! Children s Christmas Program: Twas the Night Before Christmas December 24 - Worship Services at 9:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. 4th CANDLE (purple) THE ANGEL CANDLE or THE CANDLE OF LOVE The angels announced the good news of a Savior! December 31 Worship at 9:00 a.m. Listen in the silence. Listen in the noise. Listen for the sound of the Spirit s voice.

2 My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. Luke 1:46-47 This time of year offers so many things to think about; Advent preparations, family, friends, gifts, waiting, snow, travel, and so much more. These words bring with them a sense of energy needed and work to be done. I m wondering if you could think about a few other words with me this month. How about satisfied, thriving, filled full, abundant, goodness, pure joy, more than enough, you won t lack anything. These words speak of rest, and work that has been done for us by our loving and caring God. The question is, can we open our hearts to receive this marvelous gift. These words call us to take notice of things we often take for granted. So I m providing you a list to help you. Notice all you have been given and thank the Giver Notice God at work and thank the Giver Notice God beside you and thank the Giver Notice God inside you and thank the Giver Notice God in others and thank the Giver Notice God in nature and thank the Giver Notice the need around you, open your arms to share, and thank the Giver Notice. Just look around where you are right now and thank the Giver. It is our choice what words we will focus on, our choice to notice what s around us and rejoice. This Advent and Christmas season, let s follow Mary s lead and let our souls, hearts, and minds magnify the Lord, and rejoice in God our Savior. Pastor Sue All the World looked with awe upon the Christ-Child. May the Celebration of the Birth of Christ fill your life with a spirit of wonder and love this Christmas and throughout the year. A Blessed Christmas to you, From the Staff of Zion Lutheran Church 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 December Schedule 2 Pastor Sue s Letter 3 Good Gifts / Children s Program / Bake Sale / Treat Bags / Music 4 Wednesday Advent Services / Operation Christmas / Scrip 5 For the Healing of the Nations 6 Christmas Decorations / Contemplative Worship Service / J-Team and Little Lutherans 7 Grateful to be Faithful 8 Faith 5 9 Council Minutes / Building Update 10 Birthdays and Anniversaries 11 Church Staff and Index Pull out: December Calendar and Serving Schedule 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 2 11

3 DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 - Ellen Leick Duane Schraeder 2 - Kevin Miller 3 - Tierra Messerschmidt 4 - Karlene Beyer 6 - Barb Wrensch 7 - Anthony Gliniecki Rose Huther 9 - Emmercyn Schiller 10 - Rod Huther Jacob Dahlke Lori Lang 11 - Gary Wussow 12 Jackson Dahlke Sally Epping Courtney Reno 13 - Douglas Bolen Jr. Brynn Wiesman 14 - Eileen Hoesly Jamie Wenzel 15 - Eddy Peterson Roland Kauffman 20 - Joel Jurgensen Cinnamin Harwood DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 7 - Dennis & Jan Schmidt 8 - Ardell & Pat Emon 12 Dan & Sharon Mikelson 16 - Dennis & Marge Redetzke Les & Kristi Ormond 20 Clayton & Karey Foster 26 - Don & Wandnetta Karl 29 Todd & Dawn Schoenherr 30- Sam & Tammy Draper 31 - Tim & Brenda Garrigan Dixie Weber Karen Polege 23 - Janita Syring Cindy Wiskerchen 24 - Gunner Mercer 25 - Travis Leick Kecia Krueger 27 - Alec Nagel 28 James Wiesman Reid Spindler 29 - JoAnn Werner Okley Wrensch 30 - Julie Bolen Garrett Moen Mason Kauffman 31 - Eleanora Stotmeister Clare Thompson Sandy Andersen Carisa Timm Dawson Gebelein Marissa Gebelein Good Gifts Tree A Christmas tree will be set up in the Gathering Area again this year offering you an opportunity to give a gift that makes a difference in people s lives and around the world. Your gifts support long-term, sustainable solutions that ensure that these good gifts last for more than a couple of days or weeks. They keep on giving for years to come. Take an ornament or ornaments home with you and place the envelopes in the offering plate. Children s Christmas Program Twas the Night Before Christmas will be held on Sunday, December 17th during our 9:00 a.m. worship. Christmas Bake Sale Save time and buy your Christmas treats instead of baking. The students going to Houston next year will be having a Bake Sale on Sunday, December 17 th before and after the Children s Christmas Program at Church. We will have a wide variety of yummy treats! Thanks for supporting our group! Faith Formation will be collecting donations for the Christmas goodie bags until December 4th. Please drop off donations at the Church office. If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Fischer. Thank you! Anyone wishing to do solo or ensemble instrumental or vocal music for the Christmas Eve Services, please contact the church office by December 13th. 3

4 Wednesday Advent Worship 5:30 Meal 6:15 Worship Dec. 6-Isaiah s Hope Dec. 13-Isaiah s Comfort Dec. 20-Isaiah s Call OPERATION CHRISTMAS - THE ARK BOOK PANTRY Zion will help to replenish children's books that were lost in the floods following Hurricane Harvey in the Houston area. These will be NEW books given as gifts for children, ages 0-6, read to me type books. Check out the sample books, review the book list, and select one or more to purchase. The books will be purchased through Amazon.com and are shipped directly. Council Minutes Zion Lutheran Church Council met on Monday November 20, 2017 President Brenda Castellano called the meeting to order Lois Miller led with devotions. During the meeting the council: Approved the Secretary Report. Approved the Treasurer Report. Approved the Ministry Team Report Pastor is planning for advent, attended the Leading Well conference in Arizona this is part of Pastors Continuing Education. Pastor gave a report on this We welcomed 3 new Families to our church on November 12 th We Welcome Craig Gaurke as our new DCM. Craig will start January 2 nd Approved the budget/salaries Craig will be installed on January 14 th Looking for people interested in joining council Respectfully submitted by Angie Guralski, Secretary * You can get a full copy of the Secretary s notes from the office. HOLIDAY SCRIP BONUS Consider doing your Christmas shopping using Scrip cards! In November and December, for every $25 you spend on Scrip, your name will be entered into a drawing for a BONUS $25 Scrip of your choice. Drawings will be held on Dec. 3rd and Jan. 7th. Nearly EVERY place you shop or dine has Scrip available, and benefits Zion's youth in their mission efforts. Building Update 2017 Payment Bi-Weekly Start Payment Interest Principal Ending Dates Balance Amount Paid Paid Balance 8/04 & 8/18 $436, $3, $1, $1, $ 434, /1 & 9/15 $434, $3, $1, $1, $ 432, /29 $432, $3, $ $ $ 432, /13 & 10/27 $432, $3, $1, $1, $ 430, Total monthly principal payments $ 6, Total monthly interest payments $ 4, Balance of loan as of $ 430, Partners Bank Building checking acct balance as of $ 32,

5 For the Healing of the Nations An Ecumenical Worship Service Zion Lutheran Church Family Center 700 North 2nd Ave. Stratford, WI (Led by The Mill Church, St. Joseph, Ebenezer UCC, and Zion Lutheran) January 14, :30 p.m. Worship in song, prayer and candle lighting. 8 5

6 CHRISTMAS WORSHIP DECORATIONS Poinsettias will be ordered to decorate the sanctuary for Christmas. An insert will be in the bulletin to sign up for poinsettias or you may call the church office. You may also contribute to the Christmas tree by giving a donation. You may purchase a poinsettia, $7.00 each, or donate to the tree in memory or in honor of someone. Contemplative Worship Service Contemplative prayer can provide a welcome respite, a place to find the inner resources to actively serve a chaotic world from a place of strength and peace. These services are offered on 4th Thursdays beginning in January and planned for the beginner or experienced practitioner of mindfulness meditation. The service begins at 6:30 p.m. The format is simple and includes an opening, a reading, a period of meditative silence, music, and a closing prayer. The service typically lasts between 30 to 40 minutes. The worship will take place in the Gathering Area. All are welcome. Little Lutherans (Kindergarten 3 rd Grade) and J-Team (4 th 6 th Grade) will meet for Christmas program practice of Twas the Night Before Christmas, on December 6th and 13th. J-Team and Little Lutherans is cancelled for December 20th. The regular J-Team and Little Lutherans schedule resumes January 3rd. 6 7