Mount Zion Lutheran Church Tidings Vol. XXIX Issue 5 May 2015 Mount Zion Celebrates 60 Years As part of the 60 th Anniversary celebrations, Mount Zion Lutheran Church s President Ed Jobs presented a cheque for $800.00 to Mike Harmon. Five hundred dollars of that amount was given years ago by Nick Runka and others to help a member of the congregation to study for the ministry. However, no one from the congregation chose that vocation until Mike enrolled at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA. The remaining three hundred dollars came from Mount Zion s Christian Trust Fund which was established, in a large part, to support the spiritual growth of its members. On behalf of the congregation we wish Mike good luck and may God bless your good work. 11533 135 Street N.W. Edmonton, AB Website: http://www.mtzionlutheranedmonton.org/ Crystal Stevenson, Editor Email: crystal_stevenson_42@hotmail.com Tidings appear monthly except for a combined July/August issue.
Note from Pastor Tim Membership- It s a Gift On Sunday, April 19 th we celebrated a New Members Sunday. During worship we welcomed Inger Bartram, Richard Dixon, Elizabeth Ford, Danny Gunn-Fowlie, Arnold and Donna Lindgren, Doris Listoe, Norman and Margaret Olson, Darrel Runka, Jeanette Slupsky, Carollyne Posyluzny and me into our faith community Mt. Zion. It is of singular importance to recognize and remember that church membership is a gift. And like any other gift three ingredients are essential: the giver of the gift, the beneficiary of the gift, and the gift itself. Let s take a brief look at each of these essentials. When speaking of congregational membership as a gift, who is the giver? The only possible answer is God the Holy Spirit. We Lutherans believe and teach that the Church Universal and all its expressions, beginning with its creation on that first Pentecost, is the work of the Holy Spirit. His presence is what makes for a church community. Furthermore even the desire to be part of the Church in our case, Mt. Zion, is the work of the Holy Spirit. Those thirteen and each and every other member are here because the Holy Spirit mysteriously and miraculously created a community of believers and then opened the door to us inspiring each of us to walk in. A bonus is something that is earned. An entitlement is something deserved. Church membership is neither. It is not a bonus that we have earned through good behavior. It is not an entitlement resulting from culture, heritage, or even coming from a long line of faithful Lutherans. So if we can t earn it and don t deserve it, why do we have it. Why do you give anyone a gift? While many reasons can be sighted the bottom line is that we hold that individual in special regard. So to Our Lord, He holds each one of us in special regard and that regard is love. Because Jesus loves us his Spirit draws us into communion with Him. In other words, it is never about us meriting church membership it is always about his love for each one of us, warts and all, expressed in this concrete way. This gift is received in one of three ways Baptism, letter of transfer, or affirmation of faith. Often when we are receiving or accepting a gift, the question that comes to mind as our hands fumble with the wrapping is, What is it? A good question to ask about this gift we have been handed. What is it to be member of a church? This question is perhaps best answered by briefly bringing to mind the benefits. It is within the faith community that we are spiritually nurtured as the Word is proclaimed and the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion are celebrated. Second, we are -continued 2
Note from Pastor Tim - Continued brought into a readymade family with all the pluses and minus we can name but at the same time knowing that we belong. We can say, These are the people that I can laugh with and cry with, care for and be cared for by. Finally we have a place to literally call home with 11533 135 th St. being that place. Now when we get a gift there is only two real expectations that we say our Thank-yous and then that enjoy what we have been given. Welcome always and God s peace. Ti P l Council Notes Council met on Wednesday, April 15, 2015 for 2 1/2 hours. We worked on scheduling upcoming events: Membership Sunday, Anniversary Sunday, Spring Cleanup, and Volunteer Appreciation Sunday. Renters are providing us with certificates proving that they have insurance coverage. Council approved the updated rental agreement. Our thanks go to all who helped to make this a more useful, complete document. All our current renters will be asked to sign the new agreement with us. It will provide us with better, more complete information. Each of our renters now have a mailbox of their own. An Abuse Prevention Committee was struck. Members are: Paul Anderson, Pat Graae, Kristen Grimard, Ed Jobs (ex-officio), and Pastor Tim (ex-officio). Their first task will be to revise our old policy as necessary, and to deal according to protocol with any complaints that might be filed. We accepted Geoff Saxton's resignation with regret and many thanks for his contributions to Council and our congregation. We are looking for someone we can appoint for the remainder of the term, that is until the Annual General Meeting of the Congregation in February 2016. Council agreed to present a petition from the floor at the 2015 National Convention of the ELCIC in support of our Truth and Reconciliation concerns, to direct our National Bishop to write a formal letter to the Prime Minister of Canada, asking that an inquiry be convened regarding murdered and missing aboriginal women. Our next meeting will be held on the 20 th of May, 2015, at 7:00 PM. So long for now! -Ed Jobs Several lists are in the process of being updated: a prioritized item list for maintenance work to be done, the ushers' list, the coffee makers' and servers' list, and the counters' list. 3
Upcoming Events Crafting Sessions Every Thursday morning 9:00-11:00 am. Drop by the library to join us as we gather to visit and work on any unfinished craft project you may have. Men s Breakfast Saturday May 2nd at 9:30am is the Men's Monthly Breakfast. Join them at Smitty's at Westmount Shopping Centre for a morning or food and fellowship. Women s Bible Study Sunday May 10th at 12:00 pm is the Women s Monthly Bible Study. Join them after the service on Sunday for food and a bible study. Bruce Steak Dinner A group will be gathering on June 19 th to travel out to Bruce, for a steak supper. For more information contact Betty Sandahl or Mike Harmon. Yard Clean Up Wednesday, May 13, 2015 9 AM 9 PM Looking for volunteers to help in our efforts to clean the church yard. There will also be a BBQ lunch, which we are looking for volunteers to serve coffee and to maintain the workers cheer. Inner City Pastoral Ministry Volunteer Appreciation Event Sunday, May 31, 2015 Punch 5:30 PM Dinner 6:00 PM This is an event to honor all volunteers for the past 60 years at Mount Zion. We want all members and friends of Mount Zion to attend. If you are new to Mount Zion, please come and share the fun. Sandwich Making Saturday, May 9, 2015; 4 PM- 5:30 PM Serving Sandwiches Sunday, May 10, 2015; 8:30 AM Together with St. Albert Lutheran Church we will be serving lunch at the Bissel Centre on May 10 th. We are still looking for volunteers for serving and assembling sandwiches; please sign up on the pink sheet in the fellowship room. If you have any questions please call Jackie Evenson. This year the IMPC is celebrating 36 years of ministry within the inner city. Mount Zion is one of the 85+ churches and faith communities supporting their efforts. Keep ICMP and its work in your prayers and hearts. 4
Bishops Message From Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer Synod of Alberta Territories Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada This year I am inviting you to reflect on portions of Paul s letter, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi (1:1b), as you gather for church council, adult study, youth group, coffee group and are engaged in learning, discernment and reflection together. Relying heavily on the writings of Fred Craddock and of David Lose, each article will include a brief reflection on a Scripture passage, questions for reflection and discussion, and a prayer. I encourage you, as we begin, to read Paul s letter in its entirety in one sitting; remembering as you read that this is a letter of Paul to a church. Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. Philippians 3:1a Earlier I referred to Paul s correspondence with the Philippians as a love letter, not in the romantic sense but rather as an example of the Christian love displayed between a community and its leader. Others have called this Paul s letter of friendship to capture much the same thing. But we might also call it the letter of joy, as rejoicing is one of its key themes. Indeed, Paul talks about rejoicing several times in his letter, each time expanding for the Philippians and for us just what he means. Several things to note: First, rejoicing isn t dependent on circumstances one can rejoice whether things are going well or not. Hence, in 1:18, Paul rejoices that Christ is being proclaimed even though the motives of some of those proclaiming him may be rather sketchy. Second, while rejoicing is something one can do alone, it seems more naturally a group activity. It appears that there is something about rejoicing that inherently responds to and derives from Christian fellowship and community. So Paul in this verse and others (2:18, 4:4) invites the Philippians to do this together and with him. Third, rejoicing is not only something we can do with each other, but also for each other. That is, rejoicing not only reflects our life in community but encourages and supports it. So when we rejoice we may celebrate the accomplishments and blessings of another or we may console and encourage another and in this way share our joy with them. In either case, rejoicing becomes a way to connect with others in our community. Fourth, rejoicing seems closely linked to gratitude. Rejoicing, that is, is recognizing the goodness of God, circumstances, or each other and allowing that recognition to permeate our whole lives. Fifth, for this reason rejoicing is something that can be practiced. While we may think gratitude and joy are spontaneous attitudes, we can actually make the attempt to count our blessings and choose joy and in this way not only grow in our capacity to give thanks and experience joy but also live into the transformative power of gratitude. No wonder Paul will write not just rejoice but I will say it again: rejoice! Like anything worthwhile, rejoicing takes practice. -continued 5
Bishops Message Continued Sixth and finally, for Paul there is a particular emphasis on rejoicing in the Lord. If there is one thing that distinguishes joy from happiness it may be that Christian joy is rooted in the hope and confidence that stems from God s outpouring of love we see in Christ s cross and resurrection. So there it is. Not much left to say except, perhaps, Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! Read and Reflect: Philippians 2:19-3:1a Discuss and Reflect: What in this reading leads you to say, wonder about, or, I noticed Comment on the following: rejoicing isn t dependent on circumstances one can rejoice whether things are going well or not. When have you or your faith community rejoiced in spite of limitations struggles? Comment on the following: while rejoicing is something one can do alone, it seems more naturally a group activity. It appears that there is something about rejoicing that inherently responds to and derives from Christian fellowship and community. Share examples from your experience of the truth of this statement. Pray together: Gracious God, let our lives be filled with the gratitude and joy that comes from rejoicing in all that we have in and through you. In Jesus name. Amen. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen (Philippians 4:23). The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). Campbell Soup Labels Please save the labels and put them in my mailbox at church. I take them to the ReUse Centre where other organizations can use them to collect points to order items from the Campbell s Company. Postage Stamps In Christ Jesus Larry Kochendorfer Convention Bag Project The Local Arrangements Committee in Edmonton is in search of congregations of Alberta and the Territories that might be interested in creating unique convention bags. These bags could be of the green variety. That is, we are hoping that you don't have to spend money on material, but could use what you already have on hand. We are all unique in God's sight and these bags can also be unique. If interested contact Denise at madharmons@shaw.ca or 780-454-9543, need to know by May 15 Please save your used postage stamps. There is a box under the desk in the coat check area where you can put them. When the box is full, the used stamps are sent to an organization who can use them. 6