June 2013
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com While he was making this defense, Festus exclaimed, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!” -Acts 26:24 When I was in Nashville a few weeks ago, I had the privilege to hear our presiding bishop, Mark Hanson, preach a sermon on the above text. Paul, who has been imprisoned the past two years, has been summoned before the Roman governor, Festus, and the Jewish client king, Herod Agrippa, to make his defense. After Paul tells his story, closing with his commission to testify to the Messiah, Festus makes this objection. “You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!” We’re all familiar with the mad
scientist type in fiction, whose prolonged studies have rendered him completely out-of-touch with reality. Perhaps Paul doesn’t appear so different to Festus. Paul, clearly a skilled orator and writer, makes a clear and compelling argument on something utterly alien to Festus’ worldview - so alien that it seems like insanity. As Bishop Hanson preached, I thought of my own worldview. The “gospel” for Festus was the gospel of emperor and empire. The emperor, the divine son of god, lavished rewards on the “faithful” and meted out punishment to the “unfaithful”. There was an orderly hierarchical system. And today, there are false “gospels” that undergird my worldview, like the ones in Festus’ world. In my sinfulness, I can think there are certain privileges that I am “due” because I am a pastor, or because I am white, or because I am male, or because I am an American citizen. These are privileges that are hard to risk - salary, home, comfort, respect.
Zion’s 2013 Graduates
Kolby Coy graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Indianapolis, May 4th. Her undergraduate degree is Marketing and her Masters Degree which she will finish next semester is International Business. She has a job at Teradata (Aprimo)
in Indianapolis. She received the Orr Fellowship. Jody Stanley graduated from Ball State University with a Master of Art in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education on May 4th. Grant Banter, son of Bob and Teresa Banter, graduated from Blackford High School on May 25, 2013. Congratulations and God’s blessings to Kolby, Jody, and Grant.
As Bishop Hanson said, you have to be out of your mind to preach a Jesus who told the crowds to sell everything they owned and give the proceeds to the poor. But we Christians also know that the current systems we have are insane. The systems of reward and punishment, of power and privilege that undergird our society are cracked at the base. They promise the “good life”, they promise hope, but all they ultimately yield is brokenness. But the foundation of our salvation is Jesus Christ. With Jesus, there’s no insider or outsider. There’s no reward and punishment! There’s only grace, given freely, undeserved. There’s only a love that will transform lives from the inside out. There’s only him, our Lord, and us, his people. God grant you strength and a constant awareness of his presence. See you in church! Pr. David
Food Pantry
June is one of Zion’s months to collect items for Community and Family Services of Blackford County. They are in need of personal hygiene items: shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, also laundry soap. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Please leave your donations on the table in our fellowship hall.
June 2013
April Council Minutes Congregation Council met on April 9, 2013. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Shay Clamme, Pat Gillis, Barbara Hardwick, John Hendricks, Larry Hile, Cindy Knote, Kathy Sharp, Fred Strine, Libby Stroble, Neil Stroble and Linda Walker Absent: Allen Stallsmith Linda Walker called the meeting to order. Kathy Sharp gave the devotions. A motion was made by Cindy Knote to accept the minutes, seconded by Libby Stroble. Motion carried. Pastor’s Report: Pastoral care for March: visited 8 shut-ins; 7 sick and hospital visits; 1 pastoral counseling; 1 funeral (Memorial Service) Christian Education; Young Adults are finishing up the book Love Wins. The Confirmation Class will have a service day, either at Second Harvest or Community and Family Services in May. We have just finished studying the Apostles Creed and Luther’s Explanation in the Small
Catechism. Next we will study the Lord’s Prayer. Worship: Attendance at Wednesday Evening Prayer 25 - 35. During Summer thinking about a short Wednesday or Thursday evening Communion Service in the Fellowship Hall. Committee Reports: Worship/ Music/Memorial Committee: Will meet April 24th. Council Reports: Deacons: Holy Week: March 28th - 39 attended and communed, March 29th - 54 attended, March 30th - 23 attended and communed, March 31st, Easter, 101 attended and 95 communed, April 7th, 90 attended and 85 communed. Trustees: Roofing estimate from Hochadel Roofing Co. Inc. - Total roofing charge $23,955.00, Partial roof $12,740.00; J&K Construction from New Castle - Total $46,575.00, Partial roof $20,475; Five Star Roofing - Total roof $26,095.00, 1/3 roof $9,435.00; E & W Carpentering from Kokomo - Total $32,425.00, 1/3 roof $14,250.00; Gregg Cameron - Total $20,165.00 The current Roof Fund amount is $4,610.00.
Birth Announcement
Congratulations to Kean and Joom Coy on the birth of their son, Lennox Creighton. Lennox was born on Sunday, April 14, 2013 in Bankok, Thailand. He weighed 7 pounds and 12 ounces and measured 20 inches in length. Lennox’s proud grandparents are Chris and Tiann Coy. God’s blessings to Kean, Joom, and Lennox Coy.
A motion was made to take $7,500.00 from Thrivent Money. Motion carried. The congregation will vote for whole roof or partial roof replacement at a special meeting after church in 3 weeks, on April 28th. Also, choose which company will do the work and how to get the balance of the money to complete the roof. A motion was made by Larry Hile to accept Council Reports. Kathy Sharp seconded and the motion carried. Old Business: It was recommended to send Chris and Megan Stroble to Synod Assembly in Ft. Wayne in June. Alternates will be Larry and Virginia Langdon. Motion was made by Fred Strine and seconded y Cindy Knote to send the Strobles’. Motion carried. The meeting was closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Submitted by, Barbara Hardwick Recording Secretary
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School will be held the week of July 15th to 19th. Please watch the announcements in the bulletin and the July newsletter for more information.
June 2013 Lay Ministry Servers June 2 June 9 June 16 June 23 June 30
Greeters Max Hile —Steve and Viola Willmann Buck and Kathy Sharp—Ray and Linda Stanley Steve and Viola Willmann—Anita Reid Peggy Holsten—Joanne Stoll Barb Hardwick—Steve and Viola Willmann
June 2 June 9 June 16 June 23 June 30
Ushers Fred Strine, Allan Stallsmith, Cindy Knote and Steve Willmann Fred Strine, Steve Willmann, Buck Sharp and Larry Gibson Cindy Knote, Steve Willmann, Buck Sharp and Larry Gibson Allen Stallsmith, Steve Willmann, Buck Sharp and Larry Gibson Fred Strine, Steve Willmann, Buck Sharp and Larry Gibson
June 2 June 9 June 16 June 23 June 30
Lectors Max Hile Kathy Sharp Cindy Knote Peggy Holsten Denise Hile
Assisting Ministers June 2 Sarah Fleener June 9 Jody Stanley June 16 Mark Prout June 23 Denise Hile June 30 Sarah Fleener
June Birthdays Ryne Clamme Chris Monce Russell Stanley Brian Hile Tamara Wise Matthew West Sydney Stroble Peggy Holsten Lisa Langdon Lowell Sharp Reece Walker Neil Stroble Jesse Digman Douglas Prout June Ladd
6-5 6-8 6-11 6-12 6-14 6-15 6-16 6-17 6-17 6-18 6-20 6-21 6-22 6-22 6-24
June 16th
The Zion Herald
“Happy are those whose strength is in God, In whose heart are the highways to Zion.” (Psalm 84:5)
Zion Lutheran Church 308 S. Monroe Street Hartford City, IN 47348
U Serving the Lord in Gladness U
David Fleener, Pastor Church Office: 348-3157 zionluth.hc@gmail.com www.zionhartfordcity.org
Sunday School at 9:00 AM followed by Worship at 10:00 AM