September 2013
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com Moses’ father- inlaw said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.” -Exodus 18:17-18 When I was on internship, I had a spring evaluation with my supervisor and a representative from the seminary faculty. The meeting went well; we outlined some of my strengths and growth areas and some of the challenges I was facing in my life at that time. I remember one criticism my supervisor made quite well. She said that I had a tendency to be a “Herr Pastor” at times. Some of you will recognize the term as German for “Sir Pastor”, but it has a more detailed connotation in
English. The term refers to a pastor who rules his parish with an iron fist. His word is law. He is the head of every committee. He prefers to do most, if not all of the work of ministry by himself – and the congregation is more than happy to let him do it. He works 12 hours a day, 6 or 7 days a week. And this kind of pastor often burns himself out of the ministry from lack of self-care, falling into addictive habits and self-destructive behavior. In other words, the label “Herr Pastor” was a dire warning. I cannot do the work of ministry alone. If I try to do everything myself, I find that I will neglect someone or something in need of attention. If I focus mostly on caring for the sick and shut-ins, I may end up neglecting young adults, youth, and community outreach. If I focus on simply the administrative tasks of ministry, I may neglect spiritual growth and prayer. Often, the pastoral ministry is like a
Thursday Church
Reflect. Pray. Feast. Thursday Church in the Fellowship Hall Sept. 5, 12, & 19 at 7 PM
juggling act, and some of the balls are dropped from time to time. That’s why I’m grateful for you, people of Zion. I’m grateful for the people of God in this church who help me carry out God’s work in our community. Our secretary, our council, our lay visitation team, our land use committee, and all of those who have served on committees and councils have made it possible for the ministry of our church to multiply ten, twenty, or even a hundred-fold from what it would be if I did everything myself. As Luther said, quoting I Peter, all Christians belong to Christ’s royal priesthood. All of us have a calling. I see my calling as being your helper in discerning yours. May God continue to empower us for the work of ministry together. See you in church! Pr. David
Bible Study
Bible Study begins again this month! Pr. David will facilitate Prof. David Lose’s study Making Sense of Scripture. September 12 and 19 at 7:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall.
September 2013
Stewardship
Rally Day
Stewardship ladies will resume making quilts on Tuesday, September 10th at 9:00 a.m. after taking a break for the summer. The ladies will also meet on Tuesday, September 24th at 9:00 a.m. New helpers are always welcome. If you have any questions you may contact Kathy Sharp.
Come kick off
Health Kits
We are again collecting items for Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief. The list of items needed will be handed out at church on September 22nd. Please bring the items to church September 29th or October 6th. No later than October 13th so that they may be packed in time to be taken to Ft. Wayne for shipping and distribution.
Choir Practice
Choir Practice will resume in September. Singers will meet on Wednesday the 4th and 18th beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. New voices are always welcome!
the Sunday School year! Rally Day September 15th Outdoor worship on the North Lawn at 10:30 AM Carry-in dinner to follow.
Young At Heart
Max and Nyla Hile will be hosting the Young At Heart Hot Dog Roast and Hayride on Sunday, September 29th at 5:00 p.m. Mark your calendars and come and enjoy the food and fellowship!
Cradle Roll Pictures
Please help us if you can! The Hartford City Historical Society has a collection of pictures entitled “Cradle Roll”. These are pictures of children from Zion’s congregation that were born around 1959-1960. Some of the pictures are not labeled. If you think you know who any of these children are please call the church office and give us the child’s name. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
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September 2013
July Council Minutes Congregation Council met on July 9, 2013. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Shay Clamme, Barbara Hardwick, Cindy Knote, Kathy Sharp, Fred Strine and Linda Walker Absent: Pat Gillis, John Hendricks, Larry Hile, Allen Stallsmith, Libby Stroble and Neil Stroble Linda Walker called the meeting to order and Cindy Knote gave devotions. A motion was made by Cindy Knote to accept the minutes, seconded by Kathy Sharp. Motion carried. Pastor’s Report: Pastoral care for June: visited 6 shut-ins; 2 sick visits. The Lay Visitation program will resume course after Vacation Bible School ends. Vacation Bible School is next week and everything is ready to go. The Congregational Retreat will be September 7th from 9 AM - 3 PM. We get the facility for free and only pay for food and beverages. Cost will be $360 based on 35 people. Committee Reports—Worship/ Music/Memorial Committee: Music has been selected through the middle of August.
A motion was made by Fred Strine to accept committee reports, seconded by Shay Clamme. Motion carried. Council Reports—Deacons: July 7th - 82 attended and 75 communed One person was helped to take her son to the doctor in Ft. Wayne by buying gas - $30. Helped with an electric bill - $133.05 and helped with an electric bill deposit - $83.00 Treasurer: Report was reviewed. Motion to accept council reports by Kathy Sharp, seconded by Cindy Knote. Motion carried. Old Business: Debbie provided information on time spent on church accounting. Sent information to the Synod Office about our New Constitution.. New Business: Proposal by Wasson Nursery for west lot. Chris Coy met with Pastor David and gave an explanation of the proposal. Beautification Evangelism Cost Outdoor Who will do the maintenance? The proposal for west lot and the design from Wasson’s will be explained to the congregation during the Semi-Annual meeting. The council
will recommend that we start on the design by asking members of the congregation if they would like to purchase trees in memory of someone. The Congregational Retreat will be held at Lake Placid Christian Conference Center on Saturday, September 7th from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Starting on roof after rain. Greg Sullivan quit working for Thrivent to take another job so he will no longer be taking care of our Thrivent Investment Accounts. The Semi-Annual Meeting will be held on July 21st following the worship service. Outdoor Worship may be held on August 11, 2013 at Ray Stanley’s. Debbie’s vacation request was okayed. Rides for parishioners. Church liability. The meeting was closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Pat Gillis will give the devotions. Submitted by, Barbara Hardwick Recording Secretary
Worship Schedule Changes
Starting on September 8th Sunday School will begin at 9:15 a.m. and Worship will begin at 10:30 a.m.
September 2013 Lay Ministry Servers Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29
Greeters Bill and Joretta Hiday—Jim and Betty Rinker Anita Reid—Buck and Kathy Sharp Max and Sandy Langdon—Claretta Dutro Joanne Stoll—Don and June Ladd Steve and Viola Willmann—Louie and Joyce Willmann
Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29
Ushers Fred Strine, Allen Stallsmith, Cindy Knote and Gene Banter Fred Strine, Gene Banter, Bill Hiday and Tom Willmann Cindy Knote, Gene Banter, Bill Hiday and Tom Willmann Allen Stallsmith, Gene Banter, Bill Hiday and Tom Willmann Fred Strine, Gene Banter, Bill Hiday and Tom Willmann
Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29
Lectors Carolyn Smith Kathy Sharp Sandy Langdon Max Hile Chris Coy
Assisting Ministers Sept. 1 Sarah Fleener Sept. 8 Chris Coy Sept. 15 Mark Prout Sept. 22 Denise Hile Sept. 29 Jody Stanley
September Birthdays Margaret Hunnicutt Pastor David Fleener Arlan Bennett Debbie Jones Don Goetz Tanner Hendricks Tom Willmann Ethan Turner Viola Willmann Pam Kizer Dennis Walker Bob Thomas Orville Uggen Gene Banter Max Langdon Autumn McCammon
9-1 9-3 9-7 9-9 9-9 9-11 9-15 9-16 9-19 9-20 9-23 9-25 9-27 9-28 9-28 9-29
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
September 1st Sunday School at 9:00 AM followed by Worship at 10:00 AM Beginning September 8th Sunday School at 9:15 AM followed by Worship at 10:30 AM