MARCH 2012 Newsletter of Zion Lutheran Church 14 West Walnut St., Tipp City, Ohio 45371 Phone: 937-667-3110 FAX: 937-667-0460 Zion Web Site: www.zionlutherantippcity.org Emails: Zion office - office@zionlutherantippcity.org Office Manager-Linda Short:lshort@zionlutherantippcity.org Pastor Steve email: pastorsteve@zionlutherantippcity.org Linda Holt (prayer requests): ljhbrass@frontier.com Melinda Schall (Chrtistian Ed.): christianedzionlutherantippcity.org DEADLINE TO SUBMIT ARTICLES FOR THE APRIL TIDINGS IS NOON ON FRIDAY, APRIL 6 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN REPORT LET S TRY SOMETHING NEW! CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SUNDAY EVENING, MARCH 11 IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL At 5:00 PM we will begin the evening with a Baked Potato Bar and Ice Cream Sundae Bar. Contemporary worship will follow dinner. Bill Jones and Lori Sebastian will lead us in song with guitar and keyboard. Bring your family and invite your friends to join us for a fun and delicious dinner and a praise-filled way to worship God. Please be sure to sign up outside the office so we know how many potatoes to bake!! Thanks. CALENDAR OF LENTEN AND HOLY WEEK SERVICES Wednesday, March 14-7:00 PM Wednesday, March 21 7:00 PM Wednesday, March 28 7:00 PM Contemporary Service Sunday, March 11 5:00 PM Palm Sunday Sunday, April 1 10:00 AM Maundy Thursday-Thursday, April 5 7:00 PM Good Friday-Friday, April 6-7:00 PM Easter Sunday, Sunday, April 8 10:00 AM Saturday Worship Gathering will be held as usual each Saturday during Lent and Holy Week at 5:00 PM While giving to the mortgage reduction effort was healthy at the end of 2011, giving in January was below the monthly mortgage payment. $4,790 was given in October, 2011; $5,657 in November,2011; $7930 in December,2011 and only $2,665 in January, 2012. In December, twelve Capital Campaign commitment cards were returned with $38,816 being pledged over a three year period. Mortgage payments during that three year period will total $100,944. PIE CARRY-IN MAY 6, 2012 The Welcoming Committee would like to invite everyone to a PIE CARRY IN on Sunday, May 6 at 6:30 PM in the fellowship hall. Please bring a pie, the recipe, and your appetite. Milk, whipped cream, and coffee will be provided. Pies will be judged for the prettiest pie, most unexpected flavor, and people s choice. Please come, invite your friends and enjoy an evening of friends, fellowship, and dessert.
HELP!!!! VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Believe it or not spring is almost upon us and soon the grass will need cutting and trimming at both the church and the cemetery. As most of you know Zion is making every effort to conserve funds. Thus we are hoping to be able to take care of the grounds through volunteers rather than paying for a lawn service. If you and/or your family would be willing to take a turn or turns to make this possible, please sign up on the sheet that will be posted outside the office. You can sign up for a certain week or weeks and then pick whichever day of the week works best for you. We will need volunteers to cut and edge the church grounds as well as volunteers willing to cut the cemetery grounds. Thanks to the generosity of Bill Kessler we now have a riding lawn mower and thanks to Phil Elliot we have a rebuilt self-propelled lawn mower. We are still in need of an edger/trimmer, so if you have one you would be willing to donate, please let Garry Yunker or the church office know. We will also be hoping to fertilize the grass and put down mulch if funds are available. If you have any questions, please call Garry Yunker (667-2885). Please watch for notice of the Spring Workday to be held the end of March or beginning of April. We will have chores to do inside and outside, so there will be something for everyone. You are needed! SUMMARY OF ZION CONGREGATIONAL MEETING FEBRUARY 12, 2012 1. An overview of the Welcoming Committee was given by Wayne Kauffmann. 2. The proposed 2012 budget was presented to the congregation for their approval. Hank Barthel gave a detailed presentation of Zion s attendance and giving over the past four years. It showed the downward trend in both categories. Following the presentation Bob Stollmer opened the floor for questions and comments, after which ballots were handed out and the vote taken. The budget passed 78% for and 22% against ZION PHOTO DIRECTORY UPDATE Another year has passed and it is time once again to update the photo directory. If you would like to have an updated picture taken for the directory or have new information to be added to your current page, please call Cinda Barthel (667-1280). THANK YOU TO BOYCE ELECTRIC The Zion congregation wants to thank Ed Boyce of Boyce Electric in Troy. When the parking lot lights suddenly quit working, Ed Boyce volunteered his time and expertise to solve the problem and get them up and working again. Thanks, Ed. PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS Pastor Steve who had surgery last Thursday; Bill Kessler who is back in the hospital at UVMC; Maynard Watkins who has been in UVMC and is recovering from pneumonia; Boots Elliott s sister who has been hospitalized due to difficulties getting over her husband s death; Randy & Debbie Turner's great-niece who was born with breathing difficulties; healing for Jarod and Justin; Larry and Lil Nichols on the death of Larry's son. Deaths: Family and friends of Charlie Cowan; Family and friends of Darrel Carr Shut-Ins for the month: Ruth Miller, Mary Evans, Peggy Young, Naomi Wulber Youth for the month: Lauren Frame, Zach Watkins, Jacob Watkins, Maddie Watkins We come to you for healing Lord, of body, mind, and soul and pray that by your Spirit's touch we may again be whole. You touch us through physicians' skills, through nurses' gifts of care and through the love of faithful friends who lift our lives in prayer. (Hymn 617 ELW) A GENEROUS GIFT Bill Kessler has made a gift of a brand new tractor lawn mower to Zion. This will be a great asset as we try to manage our lawn care at the church and cemetery with volunteer help. Thank you, Bill!!!
SATURDAY NIGHT FELLOWSHIP On the second Saturday of each month after the 5:00 PM Worship Gathering it has become a tradition to meet at a local restaurant to enjoy a meal and fellowship together. great fellowship and we served others in the process. Mark your calendars for the 2013 Brat Supper the last Saturday in February. Donna Slyman and Ruth White-Dinner Chairpersons The picture below shows our fellowship hall decorated with a Valentine theme for the Brat Supper and ready to welcome the community to Zion Lutheran Church. Special thanks to Bill Kessler who donated all the red heart balloons again this year. We ll all miss you, Charlie! Dinner together at Frishes. Charlie Cowen was a regular and will be sorely missed!! Women of Faith In February WOF held a Valentine Video night and shared valentines and special treats while watching a humorous video. The next meeting will be on Sunday, Evening, March 11, after the Contemporary Service. Come join us!!! BRAT SAUERKRAUT SUPPER Our 4 th Annual Brat/Sauerkraut Supper on February 25 was another big success. We served 160 dinners (the we being over 30 folks from Zion) Good job! We ve been hearing all over town about the tastiness of the meal and the friendly servers! Our $900 profit will be so important to the many projects that ask for Zion s help. Special thanks to the following people who headed the committees: Laurie Reedstrom-Ticket Sales; Sharon and Jack Byrd-Drinks; Marianne and Norm Barnhart and Maynard and Ramona Watkins Spuds Experts; Peggy McCoy-Apple Lady; Susan and Jeff Pytel-Dining Room; Bob Keppel- Clean Up. We thank all who were involved. We enjoyed From the Zion Mailbox Sisters of the Skillet, I really appreciated your help with the Art for the Heart Show. Your food is a great addition to the day. Everyone enjoyed it and giving coffee to the vendors was a nice touch. I heard you sold out. Yeah!!! Thank you so much, Ruth Safreed Women of Faith, You ladies never cease to amaze me with your benevolence support and thoughtfulness. Bless you for your gift matching what the children initiated to Uganda Children s Rescue. Mary Ann Eismann ( A total of $1375 was contributed to Uganda Children s Rescue in 2011) Dear Women of Faith, Thank you for coming out to help at the Troop Support Center and for bringing 25 packs of greeting cards and 30 calendars for our deployed troops. Your time, effort and gifts are invaluable to us. You give smiles to the Blue Star mothers and to all the troops who receive the boxes you pack and the goodies you contribute. We feel blessed that Women of Faith has chosen to support our efforts to stand behind our troops and veterans. Thelma D W. Best, Blue Star Mother of America, Miami Valley Chapter #3
ZION ALTAR GUILD ALTAR GUILD PRAYER Almighty God, Whose name is Holy and Revered, grant us Thy grace that we may touch things with reverence and perform the work of our service with faithfulness and devotion that our sacrifice of service may be acceptable unto Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. This prayer simply states what Altar Care is all about. When you enter the sanctuary your Chancel has been readied for your worship experience. The Altar Guild formally is the Ministry of Liturgical Preparations. Wow! That is a lofty title for the work of a group of dedicated women of the Church who quietly go about their duties in preparation for your church service. I think of Altar Care as several elements that you might not even be aware of being done. The Altar and Communion vessels are set with LINENS that have very special names. The brass and gold components are called EUCHARISTIC VESSELS - each one with a special name. The PARAMENTS or hangings change throughout the Liturgical Year which begins with Advent and their colors have significant meanings. The symbols on the hangings also have meanings according to the seasons. You will note that the Pastor s stoles match the color of the season. CANDLES, today are most often oil filled and a far cry from the wax that had to be trimmed and replaced. This all occurs because we are a Liturgical Church. You will not find these things in many non- Liturgical churches you may visit. This next prayer is called the Church Year Prayer and will give you an idea of why those colors change A CHURCH YEAR PRAYER We have watched, Lord Jesus, the story unfold as the Church Year progressed. The anticipation of Advent yielded to the wonder of the nativity. The brightening light of Epiphany s mountaintops descended into the somber contemplation of Lent s valley. The joy of Easter s sunrise progressed to your Ascension to the right hand of God. The bright, Spirit-blown fire of Pentecost spread into the long green season of growth. And now, as the story ends, to start anew this Advent, we come to the logical conclusion of the tale YOU ARE KING, FOREVERMORE! So, who are these women who go about their duties. I am grateful for their service and I hope you, too will thank them for their good works. Ramona Watkins, Jaque Mitchell, Wanda Lenehan, Ruth White, Donna Slyman. Jill Greer, Deb Keppel, Debbie Turner, Boots Elliott, Ruth Stollmer, Sharon Myers, Cinda Barthel and Barbra Kruse. Marianne Barnhart, Chair APRIL BIRTHDAYS 2 Katie Keppel 5 Pat Posey, Sharon Knick 9 Robert Thau, Ramona Watkins 12 Mark Browning 14 Alex & Zach Kauffmann, Lisa Kinsman 17 Bob Kuhls, Taylor Browning 18 John LeGros 19 Ryan Jones 21 Kristen Blakey, Odell Richardson 23 Kent Curtis, Randy Turner 24 Alyxandria Grube 26 Scot Coppock, Tyler Fetters, Debbie Keppel SUNDAY SCHOOL AT ZION First a big thank you goes out to the youth for making a huge number of valentines and for helping pass them out to the Spring Meade residents in February. Your caring and enthusiastic smiles were a blessing to the many residents that day. You did a great job! (See picture below) The annual Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast will be held on Saturday, April 7 th. The breakfast is from 9-10 am and the Easter Egg Hunt starts at 10:00. If you would like to donate candy for stuffing the eggs, you may drop it off anytime at the church office. The pancake breakfast is also a fundraiser for the youth attending the ELCA Gathering in New Orleans this summer so please consider making a freewill donation that day to help support them. Looking ahead to the summer Vacation Bible School is Sunday, July 8 th Thursday, July 12 th from 6:00-8:30 pm. Also, keep an eye on the wall by the Sunday School stairs for signup sheets, photos and information on upcoming activities. COMMITTEE REPORTS
ADMINISTRATION February 20 The council liaison to this committee is Bob Stollmer and Deb Keppel continues as chairperson. Bob reported that Staffing continues to work to finalize Lori Sebastian's contract. Dean Myers reported that at the beginning of January, the church treasury was $13,122. Revenues of $18,985 and expenditures of $18,524 were realized, resulting in a balance of $13,583 at the beginnning of February. The building reserve fund is at $57,764. Recently the mortgage interest rate was reduced to 4.375% making our monthly payment $2,426. Brent Reedstrom reported that a riding lawn mower has been donated by Bill Kessler. A work day will be scheduled for late March/early April. It was recommended that a Stewardship Committee be activated to address the financial issues facing our congregation. Pastor Steve announced that he will be undergoing surgery on March 1st and will be on sick leave through March 11th. Supply pastors have been arranged for Pastor's absence. The Administration Committee will meet on Monday, March 19th at 7:00 PM COUNCIL MEETING February 21, 2012 Members Present: Bob Stollmer, Susan Pytel, Dean Myers, Jennifer Kauffmann, Mike Werts, Stewart King, Mark Sauls and Dennis Copeland Members absent: Pastor Steve and Bill Kessler Treasurer s Report: Revenue for January: $18,985.67 Disbursements for January: $18,524.67 Balance as of January 31, 2012: $ 13,583.84 Dean Myers discussed the re-amortization of the building mortgage to 4.375%. This decreases the monthly payment to $2,426.00, down from $2,804.00. Kerr Road property - Dean Myers and Bob Stollmer will be contacting a different real estate agent to try and sell the property, understanding that the Council will need the Congregations approval to adjust the price and ultimately sell the land. Pastor s Report: Statistics for January: 20 Home Communions; 20 Meetings; 6 Worship Services; 13 Classes; 2 Visits The Super Bowl Sub Sale was the most profitable ever, with the proceeds totaling over $1,000.00. A charity auction fund raiser is being planned for April 15, 2012. This event will be held in the fellowship hall. After discussing the promotion of SHAKLEE products at Zion, a motion to not allow Shaklee to be sold in the church any longer was made. Motion carried The Troy Paper will begin charging $6.00 per week for a 1x2 advertisement. Mike Werts moved to discontinue the ad in the Troy Paper, due to the cost. (Ad has been free in the past) Motion passed Committee Liasons: Administration Bob Stollmer; Worship/Music -Stewart King; Christian Education - Susan Pytel; Property & Maintenance -Dennis Copeland; Communications -Mike Werts; Long Range Planning Bill Kessler; Outreach (WOF) Jennifer Kauffmann; Pastor Relations Mark Sauls Next Meeting: March 20, 2012 at 7 PM COMMUNICATIONS February 14 Website: Cyndi Grube reported 168 Hits! She will reword "on-line/email" to avoid possible confusion for those who might prefer to receive The Tidings via their "email inbox", as opposed to their "church mailbox." Misty Strawser suggested we add an "Idea Board". Cyndi will investigate. The Tidings: Special Issue for Lent/Easter into church mailboxes this week; Those not picked up the first weekend will be mailed. Advertising: Troy Paper will begin charging $6.00 per week for 1x2 ad; to include Piqua it goes up to $10.00 per week. We recognize that most people looking for a church choose to research via a website vs. newspaper ads. We recommend discontinuing weekly newspaper ads - Mike Werts will take to council. Cinda Barthel has emailed Brat Supper publicity to the Tipp, Troy, Vandalia and Tipp newspapers and to KIT-TV. Katie will give the Lenten and Holy Week Schedule to KIT-TV and the Tipp Paper. Mailboxes: Deb Keppel cleared these out last week. She asked Pastor to deliver offering envelopes from mailboxes to shut-ins. Photo Directory: The new staff pages and any updates requested by church members will be distributed in April. Personal Communications: Boots Elliott continues to faithfully and tirelessly send greetings to those for whom prayers have been requested, and those for whom she feels special greetings would be appreciated. Many Thank Yous have been returned to Boots in appreciation of being remembered. Boots updated lists of current committee rosters, per Bob Stollmer's request. Next Meeting: March 13, 2012 at 5:15 PM
PROPERTY February 13 Jeff Mitchell was welcomed as a new member of the committee. Bob Keppel reported that Bill Kessler has made a very generous donation of a lawn tractor to Zion. This will be of great help as we look to get volunteers to cut the grass at the church and the cemetery this year. In March appeals will be placed in the bulletin and newsletter asking for volunteers. Families could sign up to take a specific week and then cut, trim and edge on which ever day works best for them in their week. Need to look for someone to provide the use of a trailer to get the tractor back and forth from the cemetery. Also will appeal for donations of an edger/trimmer for the church. Hank Barthel reported that he is still trying to get an evaluation of the fellowship hall roof concerns from Church Mutual Insurance Company. He is also trying to find documentation on what brand of shingles were used on the roof. As soon as the information is obtained, Hank, Phil Elliott and Dean Myers will attempt to set up a meeting wish Ferguson Construction to talk over the roof problems. Bob Keppel reported that the parking lot lights are not working. Bob has contacted an electrician to look into the problem. A spring workday will be scheduled for late March or early April. Some things to plan on accomplishing at the work day are: 1) repairing the steel door (by the organ) to the outdoors it is badly rusted and very hard to open; 2) make two more new handicap parking spaces will need to purchase 2 more signs; 3) consider putting down mulch on the beds; 4) trim bushes and trees; 5) weed; 6) replace stained ceiling tiles in the kitchen; 7) get rid of all the old paint cans in the fellowship hall and basement; 8) secure the acoustical tiles on the stage in the fellowship hall; The following chores were done at the end of the meeting: Drained the boiler; Elevator check; Measured base of acoustical tiles on stage - Phil will look into what the materials would cost to secure these; Bottled water drinking fountain was cleaned. Next Meeting Monday, March 12 at 7:00 PM P.S. Caught Dennis Copeland hard at work one Saturday morning replacing the ceiling tiles in the kitchen and fixing a hole in the kitchen roof. Guess we can take the ceiling tiles off the March workday list. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION-February 15 VBS preview: The VBS preview will be February 28 th from 7-9 pm at Upper Valley Community Church in Piqua. Jen Kauffmann, Susan Pytel and Melinda Schall plan on attending. Easter Decided the Pancake Breakfast fundraiser for the youth trip should be a free will donation. Melinda will work on getting the fliers done and out to the church and community. New Business: We discussed ways to support and encourage our college aged / young adult members. Two ideas presented were: To create a summer bible study group for them and support them by providing materials or group speakers. To start an adopt a college student program where congregation members sign up to write to or provide care baskets for them. More discussion will occur next meeting. WORSHIP AND MUSIC February 28, 2012 The Worship and Music Committee met on Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 7:00 PM. Discussed the following items: 1. Contemporary Service March 11, 2012 at 5 PM a. Baked Potato and Sundae Bar followed by the service b. Ruth White in charge of the meal c. Bill Jones in charge of the service 2.Summer Special Music a. Hymn Sings for First Sundays b. 6/24 Gotham City Brass, 7/15 VBS 3. Youth Hand Chimes a. Lori Sebastian organizing. Has 7 youth to ring b. First practice Thursday, March 1st c. Plan to ring on Palm Sunday, April 1st 4. Music budget for chimes, instrumental and Organ music for 2012-2014 The next Worship and Music Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27, 7 PM LONG RANGE PLANNING did not meet in February Next meeting April 11 at 7:00 PM
BULLETIN BLURBS - or Some Things Never Change ZION HISTORY PAGE November 14. 1971 - TO ALL WOMEN OF ZION - Each woman who is a member of Zion is naturally a Zion church woman. The church needs you to take an active part in its activities and to help with special projects during the year. (Ed. - This appeal was in conjunction with a note about the Cheer Baskets the women delivered to the shut-ins and those who were alone. Boots Elliott was in charge of this project.) November 21, 1971 - Today s bulletin noted all kinds of goodies. The Children s Sermon was given by the Kids themselves. (Wonder what that was all about!) It was time to start planning for the Children s Christmas program. The Junior Choir sang again and there were new vestments for the Deacons, donated by members. November 28, 1971 - The first Sunday in Advent - During this new Church Year, we will use another set of reading from Scripture than those listed in the Service Book. This is to give us a wider hearing of other important sections of the Bible. (Ed. - This would have been the start of the Three-cycle sets we use now.) There was a plea for committees to get their reports in for the annual Congregational meeting. (Ed. - This is always a struggle. In a former church of mine the Pastor appealed to the Ladies Quilting group to turn in a report. Their report was We just Quilt. Gotcha!) December 12, 1971 - We welcome Dr. John Rilling, President of the Ohio Synod as guest preacher today. 10 th, 11 th and 12 th graders - Don t forget the Christmas decorating party planned for Tuesday evening, December 14 th at 6:30 pm December 24, 1971 - CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE - Miss Lucretia Vocke played the organ for the 11:00 service. At the 7:30 service the Junior choir sang In the Bleak Mid Winter and Wind Through the Olive Trees.(Ed. These were two of my childhood favorites. Would love to hear them again! There were no instructions for use of candles during Silent Night. Anyone remember if they were used or not in vogue yet?) I M SKIPPING TO 1986 AS WE HAVE NOT FOUND ANY BULLETINS FROM THE YEARS BETWEEN. January 5, 1986 - This was printed on the December 29 bulletin cover. The pastor and vicar made an ecclesiastical executive decision to switch the bulletin lessons for the first and second Sundays of the Christmas season. This makes the themes more chronological and appropriate. Please disregard the dates on the bulletins and celebrate the season! (Ed. - These bulletins are a tri-fold with the lessons printed on them.) So, Thomas Heil was the Pastor and Carl Johnson, the Vicar. Communion was offered; there was a Nursery and Crying area for the little ones where the service could be seen and heard through speakers. One could call the Handi-van for transport to services. The Congregational meeting was a carry-in dinner at the Township Building. There was a proposal to change service time from 10:15 to 10:30 and people were asked to drop comments on a card in the offering plate. (Ed. - Remember, some things never change!) January 12, 1986 - Today we celebrate the dedication of beautiful works of art that will enhance our worship for years to come. (Ed. - All made by members of the congregation) A table cross, a processional cross and white Christmas paraments. February 12, 1986 - This was an ASH WEDNESDAY service. It was announced that the Pastor would have a series of sermons on Worship during the Sundays in Lent. Wednesday services would have The Trial of Jesus with Zion members portraying prosecutors and witnesses. (Ed. - Any of those thespians still around?) The Church will be open at noon each Tuesday in Lent for prayer and meditation. Individually or with others. March 16, 1986 - Today we welcome Dr. Kenneth Sauer, Bishop of the Ohio Synod who will deliver the sermon and meet with the Adult and older Catechism classes to discuss the NEW Lutheran Church. (Ed. - Your first clue to the NEW Lutheran Church was his title of BISHOP). June 1, 1986 - Please meet and congratulate the Zion grads of 1986. Among them was Tracey Kay Lenehan who graduated from the University of Cincinnati on June 15; Summa Cum Laude. July 20, 1986 - Thanks to Matt Curtis for sharing a vocal solo today at 8:00 and to Louise Curtis for accompanying. All during the Summer 1986 bulletins there were appeals for a Paper drive and cemetery mowers and opportunities to go to a Reds game and to see the Blue Jacket theater. There was also a Men s Breakfast once a month on Thursday. And of course, Vacation Bible School was in full swing.