Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Guyton, GA 31312 Permit No. 5 ZIONEWS 2016 Zion Lutheran s Monthly Newsletter The Advent season is here! Each week, we will light a new candle on the wreath. One candle is lit the first week, two candles the second, three candles the third, and all four candles the fourth week. On Christmas Eve, the end of Advent, we will light all four candles plus the Christ Candle in the middle. Each week, the light grows a little brighter, reminding us that the light that is Christ grows stronger every year as we await his return on the Last Day! We invite you and your family and friends to come and experience the joy of Advent as we wait in anticipation of that glorious day! 16 Address Service Requested Office Phone: (912) 728-3430 Email: secretary@zionlutheranga.org Web page: www.zionlutheranga.org Pastor Dave Rasmussen 121 Noel C. Conaway Road Guyton, GA 31312-5735 Zion Lutheran Church CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM Once again our very talented children & youth will be performing a Christmas Program on Sunday, Dec. 11th. All participants must arrive at 3:30 p.m. for costumes and dress rehearsal. The play will begin in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30 p.m. We look forward every year to having our youth tell the Christmas story in creative ways, and invite you to come and experience it with us! Offering collected will go to Manna House. Bring finger foods to share for fellowship afterwards. If you have any questions, please contact Tricia Parrish or Emma Lee Dasher. LET S GO CHRISTMAS CAROLING! O u da, De e e i ites ou all to o e isii g the elde l e o g egaio a d se e to ofe! All of )io is p.. a d etu at : th, )io Luthe a Youth a oli g ith us! We ill e e s a d f ie ds of ou adi g ith all the lo e ou o al o ds ha e el o e to pa i ipate. We lea e )io at : p.. fo ou LYO a d + e io Di e. 1
Youth Lock In 9th! ta i g at p.. F ida, De e e th u il a.. atu da o i g, ou LYO ill host a Lo k I i the )io Fello ship Hall. We ill e pa i ipai g i a git appi g fu d aise so e ead to git ap! B i g ou ight isio goggles e ause it ill e a ight lo g pa t of spi itual fu! ANGEL TREE The Angel Tree is open. Items are now available for your Christmas shopping convenience in the Zion Fellowship Hall. Please stop by the table and see what is there. Money raised by the sale of these items will go to buy batting for our Quilting Angels ministry. If you have items to donate, please see Norma Ralph. ANNUAL REPORTS DUE SOON! Committee and Organizational Reports are needed for the 2016 Annual Report of the Congregation (Book of Reports.) Reports need to be in to the church office by Sunday, January 1st in order to allow time for assimilation of the 2016 Book of Reports for the Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. Thanks! Year END, Year LONG The mail arriving at homes during November and often contain messages appealing for year END giving. Congregations can use extra giving at the end of the year, but for sustaining the congregation's ministry giving is needed all year LONG. Express your gratitude for God's grace through your regular giving during the whole year and an extra gift at the end of the year is greatly appreciated. 2 6. LYO Decorating youth room for Christmas, planning Secret Santa, and a Thanksgiving Dinner. 7. Scouts Helped with clean-up, parent replaced the broken window on Scout Hut. Unfinished Business 1.Ministry Review Team Created a list of persons to ask to be on the review team. 2. Ministry Profile Task Force Need to form Call Committee. Created a list of persons to ask to serve on this committee as well. This is a separate committee from the Ministry Review Team. 3. LYO Fundraising Putting weekly cleaning back into the budget. Discussed various methods for fundraising that would have the youth actively involved. Council agreed by consensus that the youth could look into fundraising activities that would involve asking for a set fee. These would be considered on a case by case basis. New Business 1.Request to use the Church Bus Cheryl Pannal has requested the use of the church bus to transport the WELCA Synodical Board members from Ebenezer to dinner in Savannah on Feb. 4, 2017. They are asking Theresa Mobley to drive. Council approved by consensus. Announcements/ Correspondence 1. Next regular Council Meeting will be on Dec. 4. Committees at 6:00pm/ Council at 7:00pm Sherri Pittman, Secretary Are you on Facebook? Be sure to Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/zionlutheranga.org This is a great way to stay connected with events, pictures and activities from the church, and the newsletter is posted monthly. 15
Zion Lutheran Church Congregation Council Meeting Draft NOVEMBER 13, 2016 Minutes of Previous Meetings: Council Meeting Minutes from 10/2/16 approved as amended. Reports 1. The Pastor s Report for October 2016 was reviewed. ELCA Model Constitution has no major differences from Zion s. Opening for the Synod Secretary nominations are being taken. 2. The Treasurer s Report for October was reviewed. Committees 1. Property Committee Got a lot done -- clean-up and mowing on Oct. 29th work day. Siding on the church and the roof and window in the scout hut have been repaired. (Hurricane Matthew Damages) Church Sign light is out, ballasts need replacing. Photocell light by basketball court is out, will need to locate a bucket truck to reach it. Women s bathroom light in the fellowship hall is still out. Need to replace ballast. 2. Evangelism/ Social Ministry - Nothing new to report. 3. Finance/ Stewardship: Looking into reinvesting the money from the stocks with Thrivent or ELCA Investments. Draft of the 2017 budget for the Dec. meeting to help with LYO financing, recommend return to paying LYO for weekly cleaning. Also plan to reinsert a capital expense fund in the budget. 4. Worship and Music: Planning for Advent, Christmas, and New Year. Special musical presentation at worship on November 20. 5. Christian Education: Working on Children s program for Advent/Christmas. Destrie and Victoria are working with the LYO on their parts, music will be worked on during Children s choir. Would like the offering to go to Manna House. Council approved by consensus. Good turn out at Trunk or Treat. 14 Pastor Dave Rasmussen's Comments Fo ou ge pe so s the ph ase De e e is i all he e. a e said ith a to e of elief hile fo a adults the ph ase De e e is already he e! a e said ith a to e of pa i. You ge pe so s a e a ious as the ha e to ait a o ths fo Ch ist as a d thei p ese ts to appea. Adults, o the othe ha d, a e a ious e ause the ha e u h to p epa e et Ch ist as is just da s a a. Ad e t is a sho t seaso of aii g that p e edes the Ch ist as seaso, ut the eal aii g has o i ued fo thousa ds of ea s as Ch isia dis iples ha e aited fo Ch ist to etu. A seaso of aii g so lo g that oth hild e a d adults a ot o ei e of aii g that lo g. E e so, the hu h o ea th has o i ued to ait, a d to ait, a d to ait fo Ch ist to etu. We toda o i ue that aii g. Yet it is a i e aii g as e also o i ue to it ess to ou Ch isia faith to those a ou d us. No is the i e to i ite so e o e to o e ith ou to o e of the Ch ist as o ship se i es. Pastor Dave Ho e: 9 - - Cell: 9-9 - Please i for Pastor Da e i rii g or y pho e of a y up o i g edi al i ter e io s i hi h you ould desire pastoral prayers a d/or isitaio, ha ges to the prayer list, or a ou e e ts for the ullei. Blessings at Christmas and in the New Year! Thank you for all you have done to serve the Lord, the Zion church family and our community this year. We pray for God s continued blessings on you, your family, and on Zion in the New Year. Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year! 3
Come to LIFE! On Wednesday, 7th! Dear Friends of Zion, (LIFE! = Living in Faith Everyday!) Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers and visits during my recent surgery. I am blessed to have so many who care. Love, Margaret Hall Thank you to Norma Ralph for mending the Children s Choir robes that needed help. We appreciate her using her sewing talents in this way! 4:00 p.m.- K-5 Kids - Kindergarten thru 5th grade program 5:15 p.m. - A family-style meal is provided in the ZFHfor all Zion s members and friends. 6:00 p.m. - LYO - youth meet for grades 6-12 There will not be a Wednesday Program on 21st. We need help with clean-up after the meal. Please prayerfully consider if God may be calling you to help with this vital ministry of Zion. Thank you! OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO: Louise Ullman and family upon the death of her son-in-law, Jerry Jue, who died October 28th in Savannah; and Lida Peth and family upon the death of her brother-in-law, David Peth, on November 11th in Massachusetts. May God comfort these families during this time of loss. Zion s Ebenezer Trustees Congratulations to Clayton Dasher and Charlie Heidt for being re-elected by the congregation as our 2017 Ebenezer Trustees. We thank them for being willing to once again serve the congregation in this way. Plan Ahead January 8th - 6:00/7:00 p.m. Committee/Council Meetings January 15th - 4:30 p.m. Annual Congregational Meeting January 22nd - 11a.m. Installation of Council & Sunday School Officers during worship 4 Manna House Food Drive Manna House is always in need of more food items. They are especially looking for donations such as the following items: *Brownie Mix Canned Meat or Fruit Corn Muffin Mix Pasta Cake Mixes Cereal Products *Mac & Cheese Please leave items in the basket in the education building. Starred items are especially needed. Please check with Norma Ralph (912313-2465) if you have any questions. MANNA HOUSE IS ALSO IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS! If you have a few spare hours each week--or even each month, please consider volunteering at Manna House. There are always items to be sorted and food bags to be filled--all done by volunteers from the supporting churches like Zion. (Manna House is located in Patriots Park on the north side of Rincon, off of Hwy 21, across from the YMCA. Store hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) 13
Women of the ELCA by Cheryl Pannal Children s Choir We a e e jo i g ha i g the hild e si g du i g o ship! )io s hild e s hoi is p a i i g e e Wed esda. The g oup eets ate s hool e e Wed esda e ept o s hool holida s a d ea l elease da s. All hild e i ki de ga te th ough th g ade a e i ited to take pa t i this spe ial i ist. O u da o i gs, please ha e ou hild i the hild e s u da hool a ea : a.. This ill allo hild e i e to o e a d p a i e thei so g efo e o ship egi s. Child e s Choi ill si g at ou Ch ist as E e se i e please a i e i utes ea l to ehea se so g a d ou Ch ist as Da se i e. The e a e se e al opio s fo gei g ou hild to p a i e. Fo those ate di g Ma lo Ele e ta, us oute d ops of stude ts at )io ea h eek. Child e ate di g a d Hill Ele e ta a e pi ked up as a ide s )io s desig ated d i e. Pa e ts ust p o ide a ote to the s hool ith a e uest fo spe ial t a spo taio. You a se d o e ote fo the e i e ea. If ou hild ate ds a s hool othe tha Ma lo o a dhill a d eeds t a spo taio, please let us k o. Pa e ts a also hoose to ake thei o a a ge e ts fo t a spo taio to )io. A light s a k is se ed as soo as hild e a i e. If ou ould like to assist ith s a ks o ake a do aio, please o ta t Da a Lee ith. Rehea sals egi at : p.. a d e d at : p.. Please ake su e that pi k-up a a ge e ts a e ade fo ou hild. O Wed esda, De e e th the e at : p.. A fello ship eal fo fa Please ote that the e ill ot e a De e e. Also, please ote that e holida s. Please o ta t Da a Lee S ith 12 - ill e a K- a i it that egi s ilies ill e se ed at : p.. d Wed esda p og a i ill ot p a i e du i g s hool for ore i for aio. Our quarterly meeting was held November 13th, immediately following worship. Our activities were planned and finalized. We will be packing cookies on Sunday, 4th, at 7:00 p.m., to be distributed to our 80 year plus and homebound members. Everyone is encouraged to make their favorite cookies to share. You may leave your cookies on the counter in the kitchen if you are unable to be with us to pack that evening. On Sunday, 18th, WELCA will host a meal for Zion Christmas Carolers and those 80 years plus members. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., after the Carolers return from their annual afternoon of Christmas caroling. All women of our church are members of WELCA here at Zion. Remember, this is your organization. Please check the calendar page for information on Bible study meeting times and places. If you have questions or would like more information, contact Cheryl Pannal at 667-5315. Youth Gift Wrapping Services Wednesday, 7th 6pm 8pm Friday, 9th 6pm 9pm Wednesday, 14th 6pm 8pm Saturday, 17th 10am 1pm Enjoy Christmas Music, Coffee, Hot Cocoa and Cookies while you wait! A Nativity Scene will be available for photos from 1p 5pm!! Prices: Small - $2.00 Medium - $3.00 Large - $4.00 X-Large - $5.00 Please come out and support our kids as they raise money for the Youth Group! 5
Zion Lutheran Youth Organization News by Trey Davis November Highlights: The youth designed Christmas ornaments for their tree. All the youth and their families brought covered dishes and we had a Thanksgiving feast. Then we gathered around our tree and hung our ornaments. Events: 4th - Secret Santa (Picking Names) during Sunday School 7th - Youth Night and Christmas Wrapping - 6-8 p.m. 9th - Lock In 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. in Zion Fellowship Hall 14th - Youth Night and Christmas Wrapping - 6-8 p.m. 17th - Christmas Wrapping 10 a.m.-1 p.m. immediately followed by Nativity pictures for the community 18th - Christmas Caroling at 3:15 p.m. followed by the LYO and 80+ Seniors dinner at 6:30 p.m. SCOUTING UPDATE Cu S out Update Pa k 9 Du i g No e e, Cu outs ha e o i ued o ki g o a hie ee ts to ea a k. Tha ks to e e o e ho pa i ipated i ou a ual pop o sales. We app e iate ou suppo t of ou p og a! All of ou de s o i ue to eet o Mo da ights at : p.. Fo o e i fo Lee ith at aio, please o ta t Pa k Co. itee Chai Da a Boy S out Update Troop 9 The Bo outs a e o i ui g to o k o e it adges to ea a k. The t oop o i ues to eet o Thu sda s at : p.. Fo o e i fo aio a out the Bo out p og a out aste Rosa Jo e s at. at )io, o ta t Tha ks for your support of scoui g progra s at Zio! Every Sunday in : Don t forget! Sunday School starts at 9:45 a.m. in the ZFH. Come join us as we explore God s call in our everyday lives and what that means for us. * Youth grades 7 and up are invited to attend Confirmation classes taught by Pastor Dave during Sunday School. Upcoming events: All Georgia Youth Gathering TBA Dinner and a Movie TBA All youth in grades 6 12 are invited to all youth activities. For additional information contact Trey Davis 663-7602. Attention Musicians & Singers! We have been blessed with the beautiful blend of voices raised in song during communion at our Sunday Morning worship service. We are always looking for those who play instruments or sing to add to the group. The group rehearses Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. before the Sunday School hour. If you are interested in sharing your talents, please join us! Contact Dana Lee Smith (665-1377) for more information. It s time to sign up for flowers for 2017! Be sure to reserve your special date or dates to You can stay in the Know. If you want to be a part of the closed Facebook group, let Trey know. grace our altar with your floral gifts. Look for the sign-up sheet in the narthex or contact Emma Lee Dasher at 728-3222 or 658-0431. 66 11
Senior Citizens! Serving in Date Flowers Acolyte Crucifer Assisting Minister Sound Tech Communion Servers Dec. 4 (B) Gloria Sheppard Taylor Baier Madison Arce Tammie Griffin Tammie Griffin Patricia Parrish Dec. 11 (B) Diane Counts Amy Young Amy Young Diane Counts Dec. 18 (B) Terry Sexton Caycee Pannal Caycee Pannal Ruth Phillips Dec. 24 (W) Cherie Burns Evan Smith Sean Sean Katie Pittman Dec. 25 (W) Cherie Burns Evan Smith Glenda Russell Glenda Russell Louise Sebastian Caycee Pannal Acolytes & Assisting Ministers must meet in the pastor s office 10 minutes before worship (10:50a). Week Of Clean Education Building Clean Church Changes 12/5/2016 Tailyn, Jailyn and Hunter Tindal Madison & Sierra Arce 12/19/2016 Caycee Pannal Julian Mobley If you cannot clean on your assigned week, contact Dana Lee by Wed. of the week assigned. Remember, you MUST have an adult present when cleaning! Nursery Greeter Ushers Available Norma and Francis Ralph Craig Pittman, Joe Menchaca, Distribution of Ethan Christmas, Charlie Christmas Heidt Cookies Women s Circles All Circles meet Dec. 4th at 7 p.m. Café Circle- Dec. 9 6:30 pm 10 Visiting Comm. Program Building Closer Cherie Burns Liz Quarter a, Assista t Di e to of Ma a House, as a e thusiasi guest speake fo the folks ho ate ded ou No e e eei g. Ma a House is lo ated a oss f o the YMCA o the o th e d of Ri o. Ma a House el o es do aio s of lothi g, household ite s, a ed goods, & o e. Also, olu tee s a e eeded to so t the ite s fo selli g a d/o gi i g a a to eed fa ilies. E e o e is el o e to shop at Ma a House ith all p o eeds goi g to help u food fo those i eed i Ei gha. )io is o e of o e hu hes that spo so Ma a House. The deli ious Tha ksgi i g eal as e jo ed e e o e. Charlie & Meli da Heidt e e i ha ge of p epa i g the food ith Re e a Foote as thei helpe. Tha k ou to the a d e e o e else ho ought food to sha e a d/o helped lea up ate a ds. Meli da s u d essi g as a eal hit o e agai! Ou e t eei g ill e o Wed esda, De. th, sta i g at : a.. A Ch ist as eal ill e p o ided at oo. Ate se e al fu Ch ist as ga es, Paula He y ill e at the pia o leadi g e e o e i a Ch ist as i g-alo g. Also, e to s up to $ ill o e agai e olle ted to e gi e to eed hild e of all ages th ough DFAC. Do t othe to ap the to s. If ou do t a t to shop fo a to, ou a i g se e al dolla s to do ate to a ds the pu hase of to s. B i g a f ie d, a d o e o out fo deli ious food a d good fello ship du i g the holida seaso! ee ou the e! Place Packing Christmas Cookies Zion Fellowship Hall Dana Lee Smith Home of Dana Lee Smith (728-3227) Prayer Chain Our Prayer Chain Call-Out system has worked very well to inform members of prayer requests as they arise through the week. We also can send you calls with reminders of announcements and upcoming events. If you would like to receive calls, please add your name and preferred contact phone number to the list in the narthex. 7
De e Sun Mon Each Sunday 9:45 am - Sunday School 11:00 am - Worship Service with Holy Communion 4 2nd Sunday in Advent 9:45a - Confirmation Class 6p - Committee Meetings 7p - Council Meeting 7p - WELCA packs cookies 5 12 18 4th Sunday in Advent 19 9:45a - Confirmation Class 3:15 - Zion Congregation Christmas Caroling 6:30 - LYO/80+ Senior Dinner ZFH 7p - AA AA-ZFH Wed LYO- Lutheran Youth Organization Org WELCA- Women of thee ELCA ZFH- Zion Fellowship Hall 6 7 2:45p - Children s Choir 4p - K-5 Kids 5:15p - Meal 6p - LYO Youth Night Christmas Wrapping 7p - Adult Choir 7p - AA - ZFH 11 3rd Sunday in Advent 9:45a - Confirmation Class 3:30p - Children s Practice 5:30 p - Children s Christmas Program (bring finger foods) NEWSLETTER DEADLINE e Tue 14 13 6:30p - Cub ScoutsScouts Christmas Party - ZFH 20 7p - AA - ZFH 11:30a- Senior Citizens Meal provided 2:45p - Children s Choir 6p - LYO Youth Night Christmas Wrapping 7p - Adult Choir Thu Fri 1 6:30p - Troup 30517 Girl Scouts - ZFH 2 8 9 10a - Quilting Angels ZFH 6:30p - Café Circle - Home of Dana Lee Smith (728-3227) 728 3227) 6:30p-Troup 6:30p Troup 30517 Girl Scouts ZFH Sat 3 10a - Quilting Angels ZFH 10 LYO Lock In 5pm-9am - ZFH 15 6:30p - Boy Scout Christmas PartyParty ZFH 21 No Children s Choir No Wednesday Night Meal No Youth Program 7p - Adult Choir 16 10a - Quilting Angels ZFH 23 NO Quilting Angels 17 10a-1p 10a 1p - Christmas Wrapping and Nativity pictures 24 7p - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Holy Communion Effingham County Schools Christmas Break - 12/19-1/2 25 Christmas Day! 26 Happy Birthday, Jesus! 9:45a - Sunday School 11a - Worship w/ Holy Communion 7p - AA - ZFH 27 28 29 30 31 New Year s Eve No Children s Choir No Youth Program 7p - Adult Choir Effingham County Schools Christmas Break - 12/19-1/2 8 9