ZIONEWS Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church July 2018 May the God of the whole Church bring you peace. On Friday, June 8 th, and Saturday, June 9 th, our Northwestern Ohio Synod met in assembly in Bowling Green. The day and a half event started at First United Methodist in Bowling Green with a keynote presentation from the Rev. Dr. Mark Throntveit, professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary. This presentation, titled Take it to the Lord in Prayer, made the case for praying the psalms, even the ones that don t feel like a prayer. After Dr. Throntveit s keynote, we celebrated the eucharist and gathered for fellowship.
the seminaries in Gettysburg and Philadelphia to form United Lutheran Seminary changed the landscape of theological education in the ELCA and put TEAC back into extensive conversations. The Rev. Dr. Kleinhans, dean of Trinity Seminary of Capitol University, was given voice at the assembly to express these issues as she is more intimately involved in these conversations than anyone else present. Despite her concerns, the resolution still passed, so now our Synod Council will have to draft a letter to the ECLA Church Council encouraging them to begin work that they have already begun or make suggestions for ideas that are impossible to carry out. Ah, well. The proposed budgets for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 were both passed with only one minor wording change. And a massive slate of elections took place. Those results follow with those from our conference in bold. Those elected to our Synod Council who will begin this year are: - the Rev. Jarrod Schaaf St. Paul, North Robinson (Southeast Conference) - the Rev. Janine Foster Trinity, Convoy (Southwest Conference) - Christina Wheeler St. John s, Fremont (At-Large Lay) - Cindy Milbry Redeemer, Toledo (At-Large Lay) - Melissa Peper Firestone Zion, Waterville (Synod Council Vice President) Those elected to our Synod Council who will being in 2019 are: - the Rev. Mark Wentz Grace, Elmore (North Central Conference) - the Rev. Edward Strietelmeier Faith, Swanton (Toledo Conference) - the Rev. Steven Ramsey Good Hope, Arlington and St. John, Dola (Central Conference) - Michelle Schaffer St. Peter, Norwalk (Eastern Conference) - Diana Schneider Zion, Lima (Southwest Conference) - Cindy Harris St. John (Windfall), Cardington (At-Large Lay) - Jari Simard Redeemer, Toledo (At-Large Youth/Young Adult) Those elected as voting member to the 2019 Churchwide Assembly in Madison, Wisconsin are: - the Rev. Sarah Schaaf St. Paul s, Waldo (Southeast Conference) - the Rev. Mindy Elliott St. Peter s Ridgeville Corners (Maumee Valley Conference) - the Rev. Janine Foster Trinity, Convoy (Southwest Conference) - the Rev. Christina Young St. Paul and St. John, Lakeside Marblehead (North Central Conference - the Rev. Clayton Bailey First, Tiffin (Central Conference) - the Rev. Kathleen Suggitt Grace, Castalia (Eastern Conference) - the Rev. Kelly Ketcham Augsburg, Toledo (Toledo Conference) - Dr. Howard Ardy Gonyer St. Mark s, Bowling Green (North Central Conference) - Alan Mehlow Grace, Fremont (Eastern Conference) - James Raabe Zion, Lima (Southwest Conference) - Wendy Bailey First, Tiffin (Central Conference) - Jillian Russel St. Paul s, Waldo (Southeast Conference) - Calla M. Gilson Trinity, Wauseon (Maumee Valley Conference) - Elizabeth Clark Olivet, Sylvania (At-Large Young Adult) - Louis Johnson Salem, Toledo (At-Large Minority) Those elected to our Synod s Discipline Committee starting this year are: - the Rev. Ann Marshal St. Peter, Norwalk - the Rev. Steve Bauerle Zion, Waterville - Hans Giller St. Mark, Toledo
Those elected to our Synod s Discipline Committee starting in 2019 are: - the Rev. Jody Rice Grace, Fremont - Laurie Swartz St. John s Stony Ridge Those elected to our Synod s Nominating Committee starting this year are: - Tracy Merrithew St. Mark, Toledo - David Myerholtz Zion, Gibonsburg The one person elected to our Synod s Nominating Committee starting in 2019 is: - Jari Simard Redeemer, Toledo As always, I would encourage you to reach out to those from our conference who have been elected to both congratulate them and learn about the work of the synod and beyond. In addition to all of these elections, there were breakout sessions on prayer and the draft social statement on women and justice, smaller lunch sessions with Dr. Throntveit and Dean Kleinhans, and a presentation and message from the Rev. Dr. Wyvetta Bullock, who was our representative from Churchwide this year and who serves as Assistant to the Presiding Bishop/Executive for Administration at the Churchwide offices. It may not always seem like it, but our synod assemblies are the work of the larger church as they tie together the congregations of our synod and connect us to the other sixty-four synods of the ELCA, the Churchwide offices, other Lutherans and Christians in this country and across the world. Pleas consider stepping up to be one four voting members at the 2020 Northwestern Ohio Synod Assembly. Peace, PE Pastoral Acts & Memorials May 16 June 15, 2018 IN HONOR OF: The 40 th Wedding Anniversary of Jeff & Rhonda Pollack by Lauren Dreisbach IN MEMORY OF: Lois Christiansen: by Stan & Sheree Miller, Chuck & Sandy Thompson, Jim & Phyllis Lipp, Michelle & Andrew Young and family, Doreen Ross, Doug & Jan Drouillard, Lila Bertsch, Richard Brunow, Dorothy White Dorothy Lipp: Stan & Sheree Miller, David Cooley, Dave & Kay Faetanini, Greg Cooley, James & Johanna Powers Elnora Farrell: Dale & Ann Cerny, Richard & Marlene Long, Dean & Candy Howman, Linda & Peggy Scherer, Jim & Cheryl Weichel, Bob & Debbie Weichel, Liz & Dogg Crofut, Valerie Richards, Mary Potts BAPTISMS: None WEDDINGS: None FUNERALS: Stone E. Ambos funeral 5/16/18 Marlene A. Ritter funeral 5/18/18 Jeanne M. Wolf funeral 6/8/18
Carolyn's Corner... As we prepared to go to the ELCA National Youth Gathering we received lists. There are lists of things to bring and things to not bring; things we can take on the plane and things we can t take; things to do before we leave home and things we will do in Houston. Lists to help us know how we will live for the week we will be there as servants to the youth as they gather to worship, learn, play, and serve with those they know and those they meet there. And, there are more lists; those for the youth and their leaders. Some of those lists are the same ones we volunteers received and some are different. In addition to ours, the youth lists include what they can do, where they can go, how they should behave, schedules, etc. All of these lists are to keep us safe and help us serve the Houston community while having the best experience possible. According to the Bible, when Jesus was asked to explain how we should live, he answered them with what we call, The Great Commandment: Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." {Matthew 22:37-40} So, while we have lots of long lists, Jesus lists just two important things for us to know: to love and serve God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we can do those two things, everything else on our lists become a little less important! Blessings, Carolyn God s Work, Our Hands In appreciation for the dedication and care the staff at the local care facilities offer their residents, Zion will be delivering homemade cookies to these facilities, with a note of thanks for all that they do. Join us at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 8 th in Zion s kitchen to help bake cookies! Bring your favorite recipe and any unusual ingredients (flour, sugar, shortening, baking powder, salt, vanilla will be supplied) you might need. We want a variety of cookies. We will need approximately 45 dozen delicious cookies! Come and join the fun!! Questions? Call Carolyn @ 419-625-2112.
Stars and Stripes Community Days Zion will again join with other FLAMe congregations to have a presence at the July 4 th celebration in downtown Sandusky. If you would like to volunteer to assist with activities (mostly hang out and greet your neighbors!) call Carolyn @ 419-625-2112. This is a fun day and opportunity to share Zion s story in our community.
Youth and Family news and events for July Thank you so very much to everyone who supported our trip to the National Youth Gathering. We are so very grateful to have been able to experience this momentous event and could not have gotten there without your prayers and support. Please make sure you ask us about our trip. We would love to share our stories with you. Beginning July 10 th, I will be hosting a different kind of bible study; we will watch the Movie Club film showing at 9:30 am then discuss themes in the movie and how they pertain to us as we explore our faith and how to share it. Movies are every Tuesday throughout the summer and cost $1.00 per film. The films are as follows My Little Pony, Ferdinand, Paddington 2, Captain Underpants and the Emoji movie. On the Fourth of July we will be downtown offering games for all to play ($0.25 a game or 5 games for a dollar) with fun prizes for everyone to win. Please come out to help or to play some games to support our youth in their next adventure. As we were... This picture was sent to us by Candi Zimmerman. Her late husband, Pastor John Zimmerman, was the youth pastor at Zion from 1972 until 1978. This picture is from the 1973 Lutheran Youth Gathering in Houston, TX. Mrs. Zimmerman wrote she would love to hear from any of the youth that may see this photo or others she has sent. Her summer address is P. O. Box 164, Trout Lake, Michigan 49793. Her phone number is 906-569-3361 Mrs. Zimmerman's daughter, Becky, has created this web page link to other pictures taken at Zion during the 1970s. https://photos.app.goo.gl/hessclr2krxjxefda
July NEWS from ZELCW I hope everyone is enjoying this HOT but sunny weather! We wanted summer and here it is! I attended the NW Synodical Assembly for the second time. It is actually quite enjoyable. You see a lot of people from other Lutheran churches that you rarely see. The praise and worship experiences are great. I ve always heard good speakers and the singing with 300+ people is an exhilarating experience. You also have the opportunity to attend at least 2 workshops. I attended one of them on Prayer. The leader gave some wonderful tips about how to get in the habit of praying. I m going to share them with you. 1. Commit to Prayer. Do it everyday. There is always someone or something in which to pray. If nothing else just talk to God! He knows your heart. 2. Start early and keep it going, every day. 3. Share your stories with others. It can give hope and strength to others. 4. Pray always AND in ALL ways. Pray whenever your heart is moved. 5. Don t give up! Sometimes you just can t pray. That s when you need your prayer warriors! Sometimes all you can say is, God help me! He knows what you need! It s been proven that just 10 minutes of prayer a day can make a big difference to reduce stress, improve focus, and lower blood pressure, in just 6 weeks or less. Come to the Summer Bible Study on Saturday, August 25, at 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., at Plum Brook Estates picnic shelter to learn more about prayer. Bring a sack lunch and your own beverage. May God Bless everyone with a safe and healthy summer! Blessings, Carla Mitchell President ZELCW Circle meetings for July AGAPE - Thursday. 7/5, Zion Library 6:00 pm Potluck followed with Bible Study PRISCILLA - Thursday. 7/5, at Zion, 9:30 am. BOOK CONNECTION & CIRCLE OF FRIENDS Are not meeting in July
Worship Leaders for July Dates: 07/01/18 07/08/18 07/15/18 07/22/18 07/29/18 8 am Wine 10:30 am Dick Long & Sarah Mears Lyle Marquardt & Chet Leser Kris Stradtman & Andrew Castello Earl & Bea Rosen Tom & Cindy Patterson Suzanne Jeffery & Ron Dahs Dick & Marlene Long John & Judy Mears Randy Koch & Sarah Mears Lyle Marquardt & Dan Willey 8 am Lectors 10:30 am Dean Meyers Linda Reichenbach Jean Bossetti Judy Mears Dick Long Laurie Mears Roger Gundlach Hope Bailey Mike Bailey Suella Davis 8 am Prayers 10:30 am Marjorie Burton Betty Bickley Ann Cerny Laura Stellhorn Judy Mears Doris Suman Children's Message Hope Bailey Marjorie Burton Laurie Mears Pastor Eric or Carolyn Hope Bailey 8 am Sound Board 10:30 am Andy Gundlach John Nejedly Dean Meyers Tim Kostel Janet Stradtman Bob Butler Andy Gundlach Tim Kostel Andrew Castello John Nejedly Greeters Linda Reichenbach John & Judy Mears David & Pat Volz Joanne Hosey Doris Suman 8 am Gathering Hosts 10:30 am Mike & Oki Todi Al & Juanita Mitchell Al & Juanita Mitchell Al & Juanita Mitchell Mike & Oki Todi Earl & Bea Rosen Darlene Lowery Mike & Hope Bailey Rich & MaryAnn Bevington Ken Fultz July Ushers: (8:00) Randy Koch, Andy Castello, and Dianne Ernst (10:30) TBA Care & Share July 6 July 13 July 20 July 27 Carol & Ron Albert, Vicki Boesch, & Gisela Ohly Barb & Jim Thom, Kay Eash, & Laure Stellhorn Hope & Mike Bailey Roger & Barb Newton Virginia Neuman, Bruce Bravard, Chris Hamilton, & Alan Mitchell
ELCA Social Statments Recently we had a presentation regarding change in our state system of reducing certain penalties from felonies to misdemeanors. While it may have been a surprise I was also surprised to find out at our Synod Assembly there was a workshop on a similar subject. Currently our ELCA has social statements on a number of issues including Abortion (1991), Caring for Creation (1993), Church in Society (1991), Church and Criminal Justice (2013), Death Penalty (1991) Economic Life (1999), Education (2007), Genetics (2011), Health and Health Care (2003), Human Sexuality (2009), Peace (1995) and Race, Ethnicity and Culture (1993). The assembly had a workshop on "Women and Justice"; this workshop was taking comments thru September 30, 2018 in the hope of making a recommendation at the next churchwide assembly. Our church, ELCA, is involved in our lives and trying to provide answers to these issues. All these are available on line thru the ELCA website. In addition, we may at some future date offer discussion groups on these issues to provide more information to our members. Richard Long, President Please SAVE THE DATE July 22, 2018 BLOCK PARTY Zion Lutheran Church, First Congregational United Church and St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church! The party starts at 12:30 and goes until 3:30 p.m. We are planning tours to the three churches. There will be many activities including; Sand Art, Face Painting, Balloon Lady, Maritime Museum and much more! Food items include; root beer floats, popcorn, Cold Creek Vendor, pizza and baked goods. Save the date and look for more information in the bulletin, Zionews and Facebook. Mark your calendars! ~7th Annual~ BACK TO SCHOOL RALLY AUGUST 4th, 12-3 pm Downtown (next to Damons at Sandusky Bay Pavilion). We need volunteers to help run Zion game and to help in the food distribution tent.
SCAASP - Sandusky Churches Adopt A School Partnership ZION GOAL...WE GOT THIS! This year each church is responsible for one particular item for filling over 700 backpacks.! Our church is responsible for 200-300 24 pack CRAYONS. We have 8 churches participating for supply donation. There will be a new box mark SCAASP Collection in the gathering room. (Although we are responsible for crayons, #2 pencil, glue sticks, erasers and scissors and any size polo will be accepted. Crayons go on sale after July 4 for 25 cents a piece at Walmart.) We will pack backpacks on July 30th at Father s Heart Church. Time 3pm to 6pm on Milan Road. Anyone is welcome to join. Huge Thank you to our congregation for prayers & volunteering within the school walls and behind the scenes. Osborne families and staff appreciate everything we do. Seven Zion awards, for kindness, overall good attitude and behavioral improvement, were given to Osborne students at the end of the year awards ceremony. Great job kids! Thank you to Zion Council for your support. Linda Kerst lkerst98@gmail.com 419 357 2897 Care & Share CHANGE! Since 1974 when a group of churches realized a need of providing food to members of our community that group of churches came together to form Care and Share. Originally our board consisted of ministers and over the years that has changed and as members of those churches became active they also became board members. Today we have no active ministers serving on our board. As for volunteers that has also changed and there are only a couple left that were there in the beginning; and today we, like many organizations, are suffering a shortage of volunteers. Because of that we are looking at possibly eliminating Friday hours as that day represents the lowest number of clients; while not official it is under consideration. If that would happen we hope that our Zion volunteers could fill in on other days where there is a shortage of volunteers. More information will follow. While our volunteers have been consistent it takes an additional 8-10 to cover other areas. We continue to thank you for your hours and donations and look forward to this continuing.
USHERS NEEDED Illness and age continue to prevent longtime ushers from continuing to serve. We are in need of help for the 8:00 service for the third quarter beginning in July. If you can commit to serve for several Sundays, the full third quarter, or even as a substitute on call, please contact Randy Koch at 419-366-2060, or the Zion office at 419-625-2112. Adopt A Cop Officer Carissa Cruz Open Game Night Sunday, July 29th at 6:00 p.m. We will meet in the basement. Come and join us for a fun and challenging evening! Deadline to submit articles and announcements for August's Zionews is Monday, July 23, 2018. Please submit articles in a digital format. Email submissions to Lori Harris - loriharris@zionsandusky.org
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Council Meeting June 13, 2018-7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER: President Richard Long called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Carolyn Steinfeldt, Carol Albert, Andy Castello, Savannah Castello, Karen Dehn, Andy Gundlach, Tim Kostel, Richard Long, Judy McEowen, Carla Mitchell, Wendy Schonhardt and Lori Harris, Recording Secretary. Not Present: Pastor Eric, Chris Antel, Darlene Lowery and Jennifer Parkison OPENING DEVOTIONS: Carla Mitchell said the opening prayer; the devotion was Chapter 5 of Dwelling in the Word. CORRESPONDENCE: Correspondence was read by Recording Secretary. Andy Gundlach made a motion to accept the letter of transfer from St. Matthews Lutheran Church, North Hollywood, California to Zion for Sarah M. Mears. Carla Mitchell seconded the motion, motion carried. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: The agenda was approved. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Carol Albert made a motion to accept the amended minutes of May 9, 2018. Carla Mitchell seconded the motion, motion carried. STAFF REPORTS: Pastor Eric report submitted. Carolyn Steinfeldt report submitted. Further discussion was VBS (offering will be used to purchase Good Gifts Pigs), and the Bicentennial Parade float. Jennifer Parkison no report submitted. OFFICER REPORTS: Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gundlach The Treasurer s report, financial reports and Invoice List were reviewed and discussed. MINISTRY TEAMS REPORTS: Worship & Music Carol Albert Planning meeting met recently, worship music schedule set. Faith Formation Chris Antel VBS, Picnic, Parade discussion Finance & Administration Andy Castello Offering counters have been scheduled for the next couple of months. Youth & Young Adult Karen Dehn Committee will meet June 19. There will be a Youth Gathering sendoff from St. Paul on 6/26 at 3 p.m.
Vacation Bible School Information Zion Lutheran Church, 2018 July 23-27, 2018 Student s Name Parent/Guardian Name Address E-mail Address Phone Numbers: Home Cell Work Age Information Date of birth Age Last school grade completed Home Church Allergies/Medical Information/Other Emergency Contacts Name Phone Name Phone Dismissal Information Name(s) of person(s) who may pick up this child from VBS Other Information (church use only) Are parents helping with God s Good Gifts VBS? If yes, where? Return completed form to: Carolyn Steinfeldt Zion Lutheran Church 503 Columbus Ave. Sandusky, OH 44870 There may be occasion during VBS for photos to be taken of the children. If you do not want your child photographed, please sign: Date