November 2013
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. – The Letter of St. Paul to the Romans, 12:2 You don’t need me to tell you that there’s been a rash of incivility in our elected leaders as of late. The pandering, the extreme rhetoric, the greed for air time, and the spin on events make it difficult to trust anything any politician says (of course, you’re saying, “What else is new?”). The reigning philosophy of the day isn’t, “Let’s work together as a nation.” It’s “The only way I can win is if you lose.” Granted, winning and losing is a part of who we are as people. A Colts game would be very boring if there wasn’t a winner or a loser at the final whistle. Sometimes competition can
Names being placed on the ballot by the nominating committee for the 2014 Congregational Council will be announced
be a good thing. But when we translate it to how we treat each other as people, everyone is bound to lose. As Christians, we are connected – bound together – by our new life in Christ. Paul makes this clear to the church at Rome when he writes the above verse to them. Moreover, Paul reminds the Romans not to think of themselves more highly than they ought. Everyone, he says, is graced with spiritual gifts for the work of the body of Christ. Christ’s body cannot be divided into “winning” parts and “losing” parts. We are all one, and as Paul reminds the church at Corinth, “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.” There is nothing that the forces of sin in this world would like to do better than to drive the members of Christ’s body apart and set them against one another. Whenever any other allegiance takes precedence
Official Notice
during the worship service on Sunday, November 3rd. A brief congregational meeting will be held following worship on Sunday, November 17th, for the opportunity of making nominations from the floor. Any nominees
over that to Christ, that is exactly what happens. War may be cloaked in the disguise of religious principle, but all too often, the principle that is being followed is the false one of power over another. But there is good news. And that is that Christ delivered the death blow to such false promises and principles at Calvary. Even though sin seems to be running rampant in our world; even though it still inflicts catastrophic harm, Jesus has the last word. This incivility won’t last forever. The needless fighting and war will not last forever. The only thing that will remain is Christ and his kingdom. That’s something to have hope about, even when everything seems to fall apart. I pray that God will fill your heart with that very hope. See you in church! Pr. David
must be at least 21 years of age and a member of Zion for at least one year. Those who offer additional names must have the approval of the person nominated. Voting will take place on November 24th following the worship service.
November 2013
ZLCW Stewardship Donations
The following items were taken to Ft. Wayne in October for Lutheran World Relief. 285 Quilts 69 Health Kits 30 Fabric Kits 13 lbs. Bars of Soap Thanks to all for your help.
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Zion’s Thanksgiving Worship Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27th. Offering received during the service will be given to our local Food Pantry. Visitors are welcome to worship with us at Zion. Invite your friends.
Birth Announcement
Congratulations to Tom and Annie Scholz on the birth of their son, Garrett Scott. Garrett was born on Friday, October 18, 2013. He weighed 8 pounds and 13 ounces and measured 21 inches in length. Garrett’s proud grandparents are Max and Sandy Langdon. God’s blessings to Tom, Annie, big brother Max, big sister Katie, and Garrett Scholz.
Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Zion
Members of Zion and First Presbyterian Church are teaming up to offer the community a Thanksgiving Dinner at Zion. The dinner will be served at 12:30 p.m. in Zion’s Fellowship Hall on Friday, November 29th. If anyone needs a ride, we will be glad to provide transportation. If you are unable to come to the church, you may have a dinner delivered to your home or workplace. For reservations, please call 3483157 by November 11th. Please specify if you will be eating at the church
or would like a meal delivered. If it is to be delivered, please let us know how many dinners are needed, your address, and your phone number. HELPERS NEEDED If anyone wants to help with the Thanksgiving Dinner, either by providing pumpkin pies, providing transportation, delivering meals or helping in the kitchen, please sign up at either church entrance. Help us get the word out about our Thanksgiving dinner by telling your neighbors and friends. Thank you for your help and support.
Timeless Treasures
Enjoy November with Timeless Treasures! Timeless Treasures, a ministry of Grace United Methodist Church for all older Blackford Counlty adults, cordially invites you to participate in our November activities. November 13 - Breakfast for men at Richard’s at 8 a.m. The women will meet in the Grace parking lot at 11 a.m. To go to Cracker Barrel for lunch. Please call Janet Howard, 3480076 to reserve your spot! November 21 - Monthly getgether at Bethel Center Church, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch cost: $6 or whatever amount that you wish to pay. Program provided by Jim Richards, bass baritone. Free will offering. Reserve no later than Friday, November 15.
November 22 Organ concert at Paramount Theatre, Anderson. Dinner beforehand at Cracker Barrel. Leaving the Grace parking lot at 4:15 p.m. Concert tickets: $5. Please reserve by November 6. For more information about Timeless Treasures and/or to make reservations, please call Myra Smith, Coordinator, 348-1478. Griefshare, an Adult Bereavement Support Group, began a series of 13 weeks on Monday, October 21. If you are interested, you may join us at any time during the 13 weeks. For more information and/or to register, please call Myra at the number above.
November 2013
September Council Minutes Congregation Council met on September 10, 2013. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Shay Clamme, Pat Gillis, Barbara Hardwick, Cindy Knote, Kathy Sharp, Allen Stallsmith, Libby Stroble, Neil Stroble and Linda Walker Absent: John Hendricks, Larry Hile and Fred Strine Linda Walker called the meeting to order and Barb Hardwick gave devotions. A motion was made by Neil Stroble to accept the minutes, seconded by Cindy Knote. Motion carried. Correspondence: Zion’s New Constitution has been ratified by the Synod Council with one exception. The constitution should have a quorum requirement for congregational meetings. Indiana’s nonprofit statute sets the default at 10 percentage of a nonprofit’s “votes entitled to be cast on a matter.” Zion could choose a percentage higher or lower than 10 percent. Southside School wants a donation for their Cub Buck Program for the children to learn how to prevent negative behaviors and recognize positive ones. Motion to give $50 to Southside School was made by Cindy Knote and seconded by Kathy Sharp. Add items to the agenda: Court-
ney Clay and help a member of the church Pastor’s Report: Pastoral care: visited 8 shut-ins; 5 sick/hospital visits; 3 financial assistance. Care Team is up and running with six members - Cindy Knote, Allen Stallsmith, Fred Strine, Denise Hile, Kathy Sharp and Lousie Clamme Confirmation class will have an intensive September with sessions every Monday evening. Thursday Night Bible Study will read David Lose’s book Making Sense of Scripture. The Retreat turned out well with Pastor Rudy Mueller. Committee Reports—Parish Education & Youth: Talked about Rally Day - Children and Adult Education Worship/Music/Memorial Committee: Hymns are picked until November. Approved to buy Communion Kits. Land Use Committee: List of trees to be put in the bulletin. Motion to accept committee reports by Neil Stroble, seconded by Pat Gillis. Motion carried. Council Reports—Trustees: Roof is finished - no leaks Treasurer: The Finance Committee needs to meet and select a 2014 Health Benefit Option. A decision needs to be entered on Employer Link between Sept. 16 and Oct. 14, 2013. A motion was made by Neil
Stroble to go with the Gold Plan for Health Insurance for Pastor David, Shay Clamme seconded and the motion carried. Motion to accept council reports by Neil Stroble, seconded by Kathy Sharp. Motion carried. Old Business: Courtney Clay is interested in taking care of Zion’s finances but needs more information of Church Financial Duties. Pastor David will call her and describe the job and the Financial Committee will hire someone by next month. New Business: Carpet at office entrance needs to be cleaned. Neil to take care of it. The Nominating Committee cannot find any Trustee candidates who are willing to serve for a 3 year term. Council decided to not consider a change to term length in bylaws at this time. Pastor David asked the council to consider a change in the meeting date for the November and December council meetings to accommodate community choir rehearsals. Tabled until October meeting. The meeting was closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Shay Clamme will give the devotions. Submitted by, Barbara Hardwick Recording Secretary
November 2013 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters Nov. 3 Edi Tarter and Larry Gibson—Bill and Joretta Hiday Nov. 10 Fred and Linda Walker—Eldon Willmann Nov. 17 Drew and Michelle Walker—Ray and Linda Stanley Nov. 24 Dennis and Debbie Walker—Louise Clamme
Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 24 Nov. 27
Ushers Fred Strine, Allen Stallsmith, Cindy Knote and Ray Stanley Fred Strine, Ray Stanley, Don Goetz and Max Langdon Cindy Knote, Ray Stanley, Don Goetz and Max Langdon Allen Stallsmith, Ray Stanley, Don Goetz and Max Langdon Fred Strine, Allen Stallsmith, Cindy Knote and Don Goetz
Lectors Nov. 3 Denise Hile Nov. 10 Linda Walker Nov. 17 Michelle Walker Nov. 24 Jody Stanley
Assisting Ministers Nov. 3 Mark Prout Nov. 10 Ben Kizer Nov. 17 Chris Coy Nov. 24 Sarah Fleener
November Birthdays Charles Walker Cory Stanley Dwight Schmidt Bret Murray Steve Willmann Julie Prout Keaton Walker Bryce Stroble Michelle Monce Clara Willmann Barbara Hardwick Carolyn Goetz Joanne Stoll Casey Cook Machal Wise Tacy VanDevender
11-2 11-5 11-8 11-10 11-14 11-17 11-17 11-20 11-21 11-21 11-22 11-25 11-25 11-26 11-27 11-29
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
November 3rd
U Serving the Lord in Gladness U
David Fleener, Pastor Church Office: 348-3157 zionluth.hc@gmail.com www.zionhartfordcity.org
Sunday School at 9:15 AM followed by Worship at 10:30 AM