ZIONEWS. March 2011 Zion Lutheran Church

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1 ZIONEWS March 2011 Zion Lueran Church WHAT IS THE FOUNDATION In March we come at last to Ash Wednesday, to Lent, and e mental preparation for e great week in e Christian fai known as Holy Week, when we journey from Jesus triumphant entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, rough Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, our Easter vigil and at last Easter Sunday morning e resurrection e joy e promise fulfilled. But before we get to at joy-filled day, we spend some time in Lent and is is necessary. Lent is an important time for Christians, for us as Luerans. We take Lent very seriously. This is a time for self-examination, a time to reflect on e presence of Jesus in e everyday aspects of our lives. Lent is a time for concentrating on e Spiritual disciplines of pray, study, and fasting. It is all about building a foundation. Mark Tranvik, Professor of Religion, Augsburg College, Minneapolis MN, writes: For many of us in e West, God is no longer in e center of our lives (i.e. e foundation). God is not a "given," in e sense at we feel an obligation to account for our lives to a supreme power. In our age, e "self" is now central, and God and fai become important insofar as ey help us manage our lives. God has been put in his place, so to speak. And if ings go wrong (illness, suffering, setbacks) it is only proper at we call on God to justify his ways to humanity. Note at is is not a rejection of fai. There is still room for Christ, but not as a foundation. Christ is ere to help us cope wi life or to help out in emergencies. He serves primarily as a rescuer, who gets us out of e tight spots at we cannot handle on our own. This is a far cry from what Paul wrote about in Corinians. Christ is not merely one option among many but e very source or foundation from which we live our lives. As e snow we received is winter has been melting in e warmer temperatures, we find ourselves dealing wi foundations at leak, wi messy, sloppy conditions all around us. The better our foundation, e stronger our support. May Lent is year be a time for reinforcing our Spiritual foundations and becoming stronger in e fai we have in Jesus Christ.

In is issue: 1. What is e Foundation 2. Table of Contents Church Staff Listing 3. Across e Pastor s Desk 4. Thank You Food Bank & Change for Hunger Nurse s Nook 5.

2 In is issue: 1. What is e Foundation 2. Table of Contents Church Staff Listing 3. Across e Pastor s Desk 4. Thank You Food Bank & Change for Hunger Nurse s Nook 5. You News FYI-Bradn Buerkle-Mission Covenant For The Record Financial Report Attendance Report Pastoral Acts 6. Memorials Montana Synod Office Changes 7. Zion Lueran Church Women LWT Bible Study Circles ZLCW Events - Spring Bazaar VBS Update 8. Congratulations-Please help by submitting INSERTS: 1) Zion s Church Calendar & Worship Leaders Schedule Zion s Mission Statement: As a body of believers, created by God, redeemed by Christ, empowered by e Spirit, we are called to bear witness to God s love. ZIONEWS is published monly by Zion Lueran Church 401 Riverview Avenue, Glendive, Montana Parish Secretary Office Submit news to: Cammy Oakland churchlady@zionglendive.com phone: fax: zion@midrivers.com web site: Avis Anderson, Pastor aabgsky@midrivers.com Cheri & Dave Weidner, You Directors / Prayer Chain Contacts Pastor Avis or e Church Office Eser Shearer Carmen Miller Cammy Sue Oakland, Secretary Tammi Jo Czehura, Assistant 2011 Zion Council Members: Bill Miller, President Georgina Hansen, Secretary Steve Kaul, Treasurer Janette Bogar Cammy Oakland Bill Bunting Michelle Sickler Don Idso Sheryl Stansbury Sheila Kennedy Jerry Trangmoe Ralph Lenhart Dave Weidner Rich Lindgren Page 2

3 ~ Across e Pastor s desk ~ This literally came across my desk and it is wor reading as we consider our witness to e gospel in is time and place. Rev. Steven Ray spoke at Zion a number of years ago for a Mission Sunday. That Jesus Thing Last year I was confronted raer angrily by a person considering an opportunity to teach English as a Second Language (ESL), rough chinaconnect, in China. She said, The only reason why you want American English teachers to go to China is to proselytize e Chinese people and force em to accept Christianity. This statement wasn t made by an aeist, a Buddhist, or a Muslim, but a Christian. Briefly, I explained at our purpose really is to provide English language training for rural English teachers and to improve eir English skills in order to better help eir students. But I also said at, as Christians we shouldn t be afraid to share our fai wi oers, and certainly not force anyone to accept Christ. chinaconnect teachers are sent to teach English and build relationships at honor and respect eir new found friends, and if asked why ey have come to is city or village to teach English, to be honest and let your fai shine and don t be afraid to mention your fai in Jesus. This person s statement bo surprised and shocked me at e same time. I often wonder why some Christians are afraid to name e name of Christ. Is it because ey wish not to offend someone, is it because ey are ashamed or embarrassed, or is it because we don t need to mention e name, because people will just know rough some special code or a wink of e eye at we are Christian? What is e opposition to sharing e love of Christ, a mandate given by our Lord (Acts 1:8, Matt. 28:16-21, Luke 4:16-21)? Spreading Christianity rough deeds alone aligns well wi a quote quite often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: Preach e Gospel always, and if necessary, use words. But research suggests at non-christians often miss e message wiout e words. In a study by e Calvin College s Kurt Ver Beek found, little or no difference in e spiritual response between two groups of Hondurans- one which had its homes rebuilt by missionaries who didn t share e Gospel and e oer by local NGO s. Van Beek s conclusion is at, unless foreigners explain at ey are motivated to help because of eir religious beliefs, locals may be grateful for e new home but ey should not be expected to connect e dots at ey may not even know exist. I suppose e reality for Christians and e Church is at we ought to be doing bo, at is, serving e needy or teaching ESL in China and sharing e Gospel. This is what makes e humanitarian work of Christians different an at of e Red Cross. Bo are motivated by eir desire to help oers, but Christians are motivated by at Jesus ing. Yeah, at Jesus ing is important. chinaconnect is motivated to share fai in Christ because of what Christ has done for humanity. This Jesus ing isn t someing to be embarrassed about, but to be delighted in; not ashamed, but uplifting; not arrogant, but humble. The Jesus ing is about connecting e dots of fai so at trust is born, relationships are nurtured, and God s grace is revealed. In Christ s mission / Steven Ray, Executive Director chinaconnect sray@chinaconnectonline.org FAVORITE HYMNS / GOOD FOOD / FELLOWSHIP: SINGSPIRATION & POTLUCK A mighty fortress Just as I am wiout one plea My hope is built Softly and tenderly Rock of Ages This little light of mine Great is y faifulness Beautiful Savior What is your favorite hymn? On Sunday, March 20 at our 10 a.m. service we will enjoy favorite hymns down rough e ages. From Borning Cry to I love to tell e Story to Shine, Jesus, shine, e possibilities are endless. Register your favorite hymn in e narex on e yellow legal pad. Maybe we ll sing it on e 20. We are also asking for duets, trios, solos people to share eir music wi us. We also accept instrumentals. Please, come and be a part of a fun worship service. Following e worship we will have a potluck dinner in e basement at 11 a.m. Bring your family s favorite dish to share and join in e fellowship. Page 3

4 ZIONEWS March 2011 CHANGE FOR HUNGER The February Change For Hunger, $66.51 was given to Loaves & Fishes. The March Change will be given to e World Hunger. Thank you for your support for local & world hunger causes. Thank You! To everyone for eir prayers and well wishes during my recent surgery and recovery. I truly feel blessed to have so many people who care about me. Again ank you so much. Cheri Weidner LENTEN BANNERS A special ank-you to Myrna Quale who is making a set of banners for Lent which will hang on e balcony at e back of e sanctuary. Each week during Lent we will add one banner wi a Lenten eme. Easter week ey will be replaced wi one banner for Easter Sunday. Some Changes in e Montana Synod Office Starting February 1, we are implementing some changes in at Montana Synod Office at you will want to know about. Pastor John Allen, Associate to e Bishop, is now employed by e Synod at 60% time. This is a decision at was made at e September 2010 Montana Synod Council meeting, in response to decreased mission support. His weekly schedule is still in flux. jallen@montanasynod.org Susan Smi, Administrative Assistant, has reduced her hours from 32 to 24 per week. She will be in e office all day Monday and Tuesday, and Thursday and Friday mornings.ssmi@montanasynod.org Pastor David Peters, Director for Evangelical Mission, serves primarily out of his Billings office, where he is available at dpeters@montansynod.org, Susan Hedahl, Executive Assistant (shedahl@montanasynod.org) and Bishop Jessica Crist (jcrist@montanasynod.org) continue. The Synod leadership and staff are continuing to seek ways to serve e church faifully at reduced staff capacity. In some cases we will be replacing in-person meetings wi conference calls or video calls, or making more use of Deans. In e office we are using volunteers to answer phones when we have reduced staff. We seek your feedback on how we may faifully be e church togeer. God's work. Our hands. Montana Synod ELCA The Rev. Jessica Crist, Bishop Avenue Sou Great Falls, MT Page 4 NURSE S NOOK - from Sharon Allard Aim for a Healy Weight The BMI is one way to determine wheer or not an adult is overweight. BMI assesses height and weight; muscle mass is not a part of e equation. BMI is calculated by dividing a person s weight (in kilograms) by his or her height (in meters, squared) BMI can also be calculated by multiplying weight (in pounds) by 705, en dividing by height (in inches) twice. The chart below shows examples of body mass indexes. The figure at which your height corresponds wi your weight is body mass indexes. To find yours, consult e chart, or try our BMI Calculator. What is a Healy BMI? A person wi a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered to be at a healy weight. A person wi a BMI of is considered to be overweight. A BMI over 30 is considered obese. A BMI of 40 or above indicates at a person is morbidly obese. This can increase a person s risk of dea from any cause by 50% to 150%.

You News Spring will come! Think positive! The you have been busy wi eir annual sub sandwich sales. Thank You to each one of you who supported em wi is in your own way.

A letter will be sent out closer to at date wi all e detailed information. You group on Wednesday evenings continues to be small in numbers, but very large in enusiasm.

5 You News Spring will come! Think positive! The you have been busy wi eir annual sub sandwich sales. Thank You to each one of you who supported em wi is in your own way. We sold about 75 feet of sandwiches is year, and turned a nice profit too. Next will be our turn to help wi e Lenten soup suppers. The you are scheduled to serve soup on e 13 of April. A letter will be sent out closer to at date wi all e detailed information. You group on Wednesday evenings continues to be small in numbers, but very large in enusiasm. There will be no you group during Lent as e Lenten services are being held at Zion is year. Stay warm and ink warm oughts! Cheri Weidner, You Director Happy Birday: rd Bret Vester - March 3 Brette Svenvold -March6 (Sweet 16) Jake Rieger - March 6 Elizabe Clapp - March 8 (Happy 18!) BRADN BUERKLE - MISSIONARY COVENANT - FYI Dear Bradn, Zion Lueran in Glendive was saddened to hear about e loss your position in St. Petersburg. We enjoyed your news letters and even ough it was a small amount were pleased to be a part of your work in Russia. I am sure you and your family are struggling in many ways right now. Uncertainty is one of e great tests in a Christian s life. Know at we are praying for you all. God has your best interests at heart and I know at end result will be good. God s peace attend you in ese difficult days. In Christ, Pastor Avis Anderson and Zion Lueran Congregation Dear Avis and e Zion Lueran congregation, Greetings! Thank you very much for your note...and for all your notes, concern and prayers roughout e years. I had hoped to write you in e next few weeks to let you know bo about e official end of my service in Russia and about my plans in e future. The former has become clear - I will be teaching at e seminary until e end of February. The latter - well, we'll see what e Spirit has planned. One of e options, certainly, is at I'll be back in e U.S. to pursue a call. I'll keep you posted. It really has been a privilege to get to know you in ese past few years. I do hope at Zion will continue to support mission work rough e ELCA in e future. Your broer in Christ, Bradn Buerkle [mailto:bradnbuerkle@gmail.com] FOR THE RECORD: January Treasurer s Report Checking Acct. Balance as of 1/1/11 $ 15, General Fund January Envelopes & Plates + $ 18, Re-imbursement Annual M eeting Breakfast Books (Narnia) Adult Sunday School Books Change for Hunger (World Hunger) Christmas World Hunger Bible Badlands M inistry Total Deposits for e M on $19, Total Funds Available $34, Transfer from Savings -0- Less M DU Utilities -2, Less Snow Removal expense Less Remaining Expenditures - 13, Less Transfer to Savings (Designated Savings) - 2, Checking Acct Balance for1/31/11 $ 15, Savings Account for January 2011 Savings Acct Balance as of 1/1/2011 $32, Add Transfer from checking 2, Interest earned -0- Total Savings as of 1/31/2011 $35, (Designated savings fund) $11, (Non-Designated savings fund) $ 23, Statistics for February Date Attendance Communion Income Feb 2 Prayer Grp 8 8 Feb 2 Even Serv 5 4 $ (9.00)** Feb $4, Feb 9 Prayer Grp 9 9 Feb 9 Even Serv 8 7 $(30.00)** Feb $3, Feb 16 Prayer Grp 8 8 Feb 16 Even Serv 12 9 $(160.00)** Feb $ Feb 23 Prayer Grp 7 7 Feb 23 Evening Serv 6 5 $(60.00)** TOTAL $ (**Wed Evening offering in (**) are included in Sunday Total amount) PASTORAL ACTS: Baptisms: None Weddings: None Funerals: David Amundson Jack Engle Private Communions: 6 Oer Communions: 37 in February (includes - Grandview, Heritage, GMC Nursing Hm, EMVH) Page 5

Memorials In Memory of Nora Hilliard to e WELCA from Sheryll & Doroy Price In Memory of Gary Olson from Freda Haidle for Windows Fund In Memory of Joe Haaway, Gary Olson, Susan Nelson s mom from Neil

6 Memorials In Memory of Nora Hilliard to e WELCA from Sheryll & Doroy Price In Memory of Gary Olson from Freda Haidle for Windows Fund In Memory of Joe Haaway, Gary Olson, Susan Nelson s mom from Neil & Cammy Oakland for Windows In Memory of David Amundson from Freda Haidle for Windows Fund In Memory of Gary Olson from Karl and Madeline Overlie for e Dining Room Redecoration Fund In Memory of Joseph Joe Haaway from Karl and Madeline Overlie for e Dining Room Redecoration Fund In Memory of Eudell Lundman, Gary Lundman s moer from Karl and Madeline Overlie for e Dining Room Redecoration Fund In Memory of Willie Weigum from Doroy Maison for e Air Conditioning Fund In Memory of Willie Weigum from Dick and Jean Carney In Memory of Willie Weigum from e Weigum Family & Friends for e Elevator Fund In Memory of Gary Olson from Susan Nelson for e Windows Fund In Memory of Eudell Lundman, Gary Lundman s moer from Evelyn Gehnert for Loaves & Fishes In Memory of Thelma Hanson, Vivian Gietzen s mom from Eser Shearer for Lueran World Relief In Memory of Eudell Lundman, Gary Lundman s moer from Susan Nelson for Windows Fund For e Radio Fund from Adeline Ost From Anonymous for Loaves & Fishes In Memory of Eudell Lundman from Mara Hilger for Loaves & Fishes In Memory of Eudell Lundman from Dale and Sheryl Stansbury In Memory of Marlene Buckingham and Bernice Mitchell from Dean and Donna Houck In Memory of Eudell Lundman and Lee Rovig from Don and Adele Idso for Windows Fund MATHISON SCHOLARSHIP Don and Bernie Maison have again graciously endowed a $1,000 scholarship to a Senior who attends Zion Lueran Church. This is e 9 year e scholarship has been given to honor Alvin and Bera Maison, long-time members of Zion. The scholarship recipient is selected by e Maisons based on a fai statement written by e Senior and is not determined by grades or oer recommendations. We will announce e Maison s selection at our Recognition Sunday in May. Page 6 If you have someone in your family in e military and would like em on our prayer list, please let us know who and where ey are stationed. In Memory of Eudell Lundman, Gary Lundman s moer from Freda Haidle for Windows Fund

7 NEEDED: Someone to fill e Secretary position on e ZLCW board. The board meets e 1 st Sunday each mon following e 10:00 a.m. church service. The meeting last about an hour. This will be for two years. If you can fill e position, please call Rita Frank, President or Eser Shearer, Vice President, The next regular ZLCW meeting will be on Sunday, March 6, 11:00 am following e 10 a.m. church service in Adult SS Room 205. All church women are invited and encouraged to be an active part of Zion s Women s organization. Chancel Guild Wednesday, March. 2:00pm Bible Study Circles: Hannah: Tuesday, Mar. 1:30 pm Hostess: Nancy Korb in e Fellowship Rm Dorcas: Thursday, Mar. 1:30 pm Hostess: Mara McCloy in e Fellowship Rm st Deborah: Monday, Mar. 7:00 pm Hostess: Linda Vickers, 283 Hwy 16 Sarah: Thursday, Mar. 7:00 pm Hostess: Maureen Lundman, 319 Linden FP VBS Update Zion Lueran Church Women A great big ank you to all of our SWEET members at donated goodies and bought treats at e VBS Valentine bake sale. We received $425 in free will donations! In March, we will hold a raffle for a beautiful quilt donated by Myrna Quale. Thank you for your continued support! VBS Planning Committee ZLCW Spring Bazaar The ZLCW is planning a Spring Bazaar for Saturday March 26 from 10-2 p.m. in e church dining room. This will replace e zion Zuper Zale is year. There will be a bake sale craft items and quilts, pie, coffee and sandwiches for lunch. All ladies, we need your help! Please bring home baked items for e bake sale, new items for e craft sale and pies to sell & serve. NO RUMMAGE PLEASE1 Thank you all and come to support e bazaar. Thank you, Your ZLCW ATTENTION: If anyone would like to be a member of Zion s prayer chain, please call Carmen Miller, or Eser Shearer, for more information. Those who are members now and want to discontinue, please let em also know. LENTEN BANNERS A special ank-you to Myrna Quale who is making a set of banners for Lent which will hang on e balcony at e back of e sanctuary. Each week during Lent we will add one banner wi a Lenten eme. Easter week ey will be replaced wi one banner for Easter Sunday. SANCTUARY DESIGN Do you know what e Chancel Guild is? Started in e 1960s under Pastor James Hanson, e Guild is a group of women at Zion whose calling is to keep e sanctuary bright wi e colors for e liturgical season. Changing e paraments on e altar, e banners at e front, e Christmas tree and greens at Advent, and e Christ candle and Advent wrea are all part of eir job. Just before Easter a orough cleaning of e sanctuary is done by e group. Each week ey also keep e communion ware and clos clean. They also meet for Bible Study once a mon. Thank you to e women who fulfill is ministry roughout e year. Page 7

8 2011 SCHEDULE FOR LENTEN SERVICES 2011 CONFIRMATION NEWS 5 GRADERS: FIRST COMMUNION I am going to try someing a little different for First Communion class is year. We will meet on April 17, Sunday, from 1-5 p.m. at e church. This will give us e same leng of time as we would normally have holding it every week for four weeks. First Communion is for 5 graders and e names I have listed are: Matew Fulton, Vail Gibbs, Tai Hubbard, Zara Iwen, Shelbi Kaul, Kayla Rod, Chase Ryan, Paige White, Coy Emerson. If your child s name is not listed and ey are in e 5 grade please let e church office know. It will be very important for e children to attend is Sunday afternoon. Their first st communion will be held on April 21, Maundy Thursday at 7 p.m. when we ask em to sit as a class wi eir parents. This is a special day when ey receive e sacrament of Holy Communion for e very first time. As parents, we encourage you to make is an important day for em. If you can bring treats for e kids at afternoon at would be great. We will also have acolyte training. 7 GRADERS Memory work and sermon notes. You will meet as 8 graders after Christmas so e sermon notes need to be a priority. We ask for 18 each year. 8 GRADERS Unless I hear from parents, confirmation schedule will be to continue classes rough May 4 ; Tuesday May 10 confirmation dinner, practice and photos; Sunday, May 15 Confirmation Sunday. There will be a coffee starting at 9:15 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. This year s class includes: Trevor Berre, Cody Bilbrey, Zanelle Iwen, and Tai Sokoloski. Please keep ese students and eir parents in your prayers. Supper is served at 6:15 p.m., worship begins at 7 p.m. all held on Wednesdays at Zion Lueran. Soup suppers are e responsibility of e congregation hosting at week. March 9 / Ash Wednesday Zion hosts March 16 Meodist rd March 23 Meodist March 30 Congregational April 6 Congregational April 13 Zion For Zion, e women will host on March 9 ; e you will host on April 13. All proceeds from each supper will go to support Vacation Bible School which is a join effort of all ree congregations. THEME FOR LENT: Seven Ways of Christian Formation Inspired by e Jewishness of Jesus Our eme is year is based on a DVD and book entitled MUDHOUSE SABBATH by Lauren Winner. Ms. Winner is a Christian wi a Jewish background. She considers e spiritual practices of e Jewish fai as well as Christian, ereby helping us better understand Jesus life as well as giving some provoking oughts for our own Christian spirituality. March 9 : Christianity and Judaism; Sabba Keeping March 16 : Hospitality; Mindful eating rd March 23 : Jewish and Christian Prayer March 30 : The practice of Fasting April 6 : Mourning well April 13 : Doorposts LENTEN DISCIPLINES It is always good to do someing different in your Spiritual life during e Lenten Season. Spend more time in prayer, practice a time of fasting, read a book to increase e dep of your spiritual life. I am suggesting you purchase a copy of Lauren Winner s book MUDHOUSE SABBATH. This is a delightful book in which Ms. Winner compares Christian and Jewish practices to better help us understand e Jewishness of Jesus. The book is well-written, humorous, but also gives a great deal of food for ought as e reader examines mourning e dea of a loved one; practicing Sabba wi greater devotion; prayer; marriage and oer ways in which we live. The cost is $10 and may be ordered rough your church office. The book is e basis for e DVD so ere is a double reason for reading e book during is Lenten season.

9 MARCH 2011 ZIONEWS CONGRATULATIONS TO: Jennifer K. Harpster w as listed on University of Wyoming 2010 Fall semester academic Dean s and Dean s Freshman Honor Roll. Elizabe Clapp, Stefanie Huschka, Naan Weidner, Staci Weidner and Ashley Schwartz participated in e DCHS Pops Concert on Feb. 15 Our students at performed at e WMS Music Festival: Shelby Pare, Cheyenne Ryan, Brian Fulton, Chantel Ryan, Samana Hubbard, Zanelle Iwen. Senior Trevor Conrad w as state runner-up in his 215 lbs. Weight class. Sophomore Cole Bilbrey also had a great tournament, taking four place in e 140 lbs. Weight class. Doroy Maison, - Brecken Joshua Pierce just missed his great, great grandma s birday by a few hours. He was born at 2:45 am on January 16, Grandma Doroy s birday was January 15! If you have a family member graduating from high school or college is Spring, please let us know. Please give name, eir relation to you, where ey live and if ey are in college, and what is eir degree. We want to celebrate wi you. Let us know your children or grandchildren graduating, new babies, weddings, and oer accomplishments and we will celebrate togeer. Please submit to churchlady@ zionglendive.com or place a memo in Zionews folder in e church office by e 20 of each mon ( ).

ZIONEWS APRIL 2015 Zion Lutheran Church An active congregation of the Montana Synod of the ELCA

ZIONEWS APRIL 2015 Zion Lutheran Church 1906-2015 An active congregation of the Montana Synod of the ELCA Dear Saints of the Lord, Hallelujah! The Lord he has risen! He has risen indeed! These words of