December 2013
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com Sarah and I wandered into the Alco on the Sunday before Halloween, trying to find a costume she could wear to the church Halloween party. As you might expect, once we arrived, we were hit full in the face with Christmas. Decorations were up, Christmas knick-knacks sat on the shelves, and plastic wreaths announced the abrupt change in season. Alco’s selection was limited anyway, and we ended up having to go to Muncie to find a costume. But there’s something about being assaulted by
Christmas in October that leaves one a little unsettled. Now, this isn’t going to be a rant about the commercialization of the holiday season. We’ve all heard enough ranting on everything else lately. Rather, I wonder how we carve out a space of sanity amidst the constant blare of “Jingle Bells” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”. Advent offers that safe, quiet, sane space that is so often missing from our world. In this season, God calls us to remember his undercover entrance into our dark world. We remember that the
forces of sin and death have met their defeat, not at the hands of a conquering king, but from a helpless child. We also look forward, clinging to God’s promise that this world will be made whole again. We look forward to Christ’s coming in glory, mindful that he has already come and dwells among us still. I pray that God will give you peace this season, and a space to reflect and remember on his purposes for you and the whole world. See you in church! Pr. David
2014 Council Members
Newly elected congregational officers for the year 2014 include: Chris Coy—Elder Scott Clamme—Deacon Chris Stroble—Trustee Carolyn Zigler—Recording
Secretary Denise Hile—Financial Secretary Megan Stroble—Financial Secretary Eldon Willmann—Cemetery Trustee Congratulations to those elected and our thanks to them and the others who allowed their names to be placed on the ballot.
Other council members and cemetery trustees remaining in 2014 include: Linda Walker—Elder Allen Stallsmith—Deacon Cindy Knote—Deacon Pat Gillis—Treasurer Neil Stroble—Trustee John Hendricks—Trustee Tim Stanley—Cemetery Trustee Steve Willmann—Cemetery Trustee Newly elected officers are invited to attend the next Congregational Council meeting on Tuesday,
December 10th at 7:00 p.m. Installation of the 2014 Congregation Council will take place during our 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, January 5, 2014. Special thanks to the following members who have served on council and as cemetery trustee and will be leaving office at the end of this year: Libby Stroble Fred Strine Larry Hile Barbara Hardwick Shay Clamme Kathy Sharp Tom Armstrong
Christmas Eve Service
Zion’s Christmas Eve service will begin at 7:00 p.m. with music provided by members of our congregation. Pastor Fleener will lead
our service of Lessons and Carols with a celebration of Holy Communion. The service will close with candle-lighting and the hymn “Silent Night”. Offering received on Christmas
Eve will be divided as follows: Wernle Home 50%, Grace Village 25 % and our local Food Pantry 25%. Please invite your family and friends to join us in the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
December 2013
Parish Register Martha Walker passed away on Friday, October 25, 2013. Pastor David Fleener assisted at Martha’s funeral service at Zion on Wednesday, October 30th. “If we have died with Christ, we shall also live with him; if we are faithful to the end, we shall reign with him.”
Timeless Treasures
Celebrate December with Timeless Treasures! Timeless Treasures, a Grace United Methodist Church ministry for all Blackford County older adults, cordially invites you to come along as we celebrate the glory of Christmas and the magic of the holidays. Wednesday, December 11th - Men’s Breakfast at 8 a.m. at Richard’s, Women’s Lunch at 11 a.m. at the Pickle. Call Janet Howard, 3480076, to reserve. Thursday, December 19th Monthly get together at John XXIII Retreat Center, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Entertainment provided by Jerry and Judy Cole, dressed in their holiday finery! Lunch cost: $7. Please reserve no later than Friday, December 13th. For more information about Timeless Treasures and/or to make reservations for the monthly meeting, please call Myra Smith, 348-1478. Grief Share, a faith-based bereavement group, is meeting on Mondays, 1-3 p.m., in the Grace United Methodist Church library. Both men and women are attending. Retired pastor Lloyd Hall assists whenever possible. Call Myra for more information and to register. There are 13 sessions, ending mid January. You are welcome to join us at any time.
Wernle
Youth & Family Treatment Center ... a community of hope We will be collecting items for Wernle until the end of the year. The items will be taken to Wernle in early 2014. Please place your donations in the boxes provided at the back of the sanctuary or on the table in the fellowship hall. Any and all Christmas items would be appreciated (for decorating for Christmas in 2014). These will be used for decorating the units that the boys call Home. Cleaning products
Clothing
Personal Hygiene and Other
Lysol Disinfectant Windex Spray Toilet Bowl Cleaner Febreeze Laundry Detergent Softener Dish Soap
Jeans (32x34, 36x32, 29x30)
Paper towels Twin fitted sheets Bath Towels Deodorant Shampoo Toothpaste Toothbrushes Toothbrush holders Combs Soap Dishes
Colored Tee’s and White Tee’s (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Boxers and Briefs (S, M, L, XL) Socks (Crew only) size 9-10 Sweat Pants and Sweat Shirts (S, M, L, XL) Winter Coats (S, M, L, XL, 2XL) Winter Gloves Shoes sizes 6.5 - 13 Light Weight Jackets
December 2013
October Council Minutes
Congregation Council met on October 8, 2013. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Shay Clamme, Pat Gillis, Barbara Hardwick, Larry Hile, Kathy Sharp, Allen Stallsmith, Fred Strine and Linda Walker Absent: Cindy Knote, John Hendricks, Libby Stroble, Neil Stroble Linda Walker called the meeting to order and Shay Clamme gave devotions. Michelle Walker talked about our Thrivent investments. There is no reason to change the accounts. A motion was made by the council minutes as amended was made by Pat Gillis and seconded by Kathy Sharp. 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. Council decided to set the quorum requirement at 10% of Baptized Membership for voting on matters at a congregational meeting based on a recommendation from the Synod’s lawyer. Pastor’s Report: Pastoral care:
visited 4 shut-ins; 2 hospital visits; 1 home visit and assisted on one of the lay team visits. Lay Care Team made 4 visits during September and have 4 visits scheduled for October. Confirmation class has finished its unit on the Lord’s Prayer and is working on The Last Supper, Jesus’ death and his resurrection. They are working on memorizing the Lord’s Prayer, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Ten Commandments. The hymn-sing was a hit on September 29th. We could possibly have a monthly evening hymn-sing at the local coffee shop. Committee Reports—Parish Education & Youth: We have 2 children in First grade, 2 in Second grade, 1 in Third grade, 1 in Fourth grade and 2 Preschoolers. The teachers are having trouble with activities for all members in the 2 classes. Land Use Committee: All new trees are accounted for and will be planted in the next 2-3 weeks. Motion to accept committee reports by Larry Hile, seconded by Fred Strine. Motion carried. Council Reports—Deacons: 90 members attended on Oct. 6 and 84 communed. Trustees: The trustees had a few
repairs done. Treasurer: The Finance Committee needs to meet to plan the 2014 Budget. (Pastor, Council President, Trustees, Financial Secretaries, and the Treasurer) A motion to accept council reports was made by Kathy Sharp and seconded by Pat Gillis. Motion carried. Old Business: Courtney Clay will come by the church to see what she would by doing to take care of the Church Financial Duties. Change the council meeting nights to Wednesday, in November the 13th, in December the 11th. New Business: Thanksgiving offering will be given to our local Food Pantry. Website provider - table until November. The meeting was closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Shay Clamme will give the devotions. The Finance Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. on the 13th. Submitted by, Barbara Hardwick Recording Secretary
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Get a financial check-up and breathe a sigh of relief We schedule time for annual checkups for our health and cars, but what about finances? When was the last time you met with your financial professional? If you haven’t reviewed your financial strategy recently, it’s time for a check-up.
Even minor changes can affect your financial health Changes in your life, the economy and markets can affect your goals and the path you take to reach them. That’s why it’s important to review your financial strategy at least once a year so you can stay on track with your goals.
A financial check-up gives you and your financial professional the opportunity to look at where you are now, where you want to go and how you can get there. If you find some adjustments are needed, you can discuss options to help you stay financially healthy. (continued on following page)
December 2013
Thrivent Financial Get a free financial checkup Schedule a free financial checkup today with a knowledgeable Thrivent Financial representative.
and inspiring them to live generously. Your Thrivent Financial representative can help you do the same. Find out more at Thrivent.com.
Contact: Michelle Walker, FIC, CLTC 765-635-6253 Michelle.walker@thrivent.com
Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. [Products issued by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans are available to applicants who meet membership, insurability, U.S. citizenship and residency requirements.] (website only) Securities and investment advisory services
For more than 100 years, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has been helping members be wise with money
are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. For additional important disclosure information, please visit thrivent.com/ disclosures
Members on Zion’s Visitation List The following is a list of the names and addresses of members on Zion’s visitation list. They would be happy to receive a Christmas card, a letter, or a visit during the Christmas Season.
Mrs. Betty Bell 317 E. Commercial St. Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. June Miller 1764 N - 100 E Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Dorothy Swoveland 306 Hickory Rd. Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Carolyn Chandler 1601 N. Richmond, Apt. #204 Hartford City, IN 47348
Mr. Bill Musselman 205 Snider St. North Manchester, IN 46962
Mr. Bill Thomas 508 S. Poplar Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Esther Cortright 104 W. Ritter, Hartford City, IN 47348
Peabody Retirement Community
Mrs. Marie Uhrick 1601 N. Richmond, Apt. #202 Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Rita Ferguson 422 S. Richmond St. Hartford City, IN 47348
400 W. 7th St. North Manchester, IN 46962
Mrs. Margaret Hunnicutt 301 E. Commercial St. Hartford City, IN 47348 Mr. & Mrs. Paul Martz P.O. Box 175 Hartford City, IN 47348
Attn: Mrs. Joyce Musselman Evergreen Park, Rm. 117
Mrs. Sue Rinker 1587 E - 075 S Hartford City, IN 47348 Mrs. Marilyn Scott 801 Huntington Ave. Warren, IN 46792
Mrs. Catherine Wise Bridgewater Centre 715 N. Mill St. Hartford City, IN 47348 Mrs. Miriam Wise 1591 W 100 N Hartford City, IN 47348
December 2013 Lay Ministry Servers Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 15 Dec. 22 Dec. 24 Dec. 29
Greeters Anita Reid—Neil and Libby Stroble Tom and Peggy Willmann—Steve and Viola Willmann Chris and Tiann Coy—Don and June Ladd Chris and Megan Stroble—Barbara Hardwick Owen and Mary Ehlers—Louie and Joyce Willmann Louie and Joyce Willmann—Pat Gillis
Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 15 Dec. 22 Dec. 24 Dec. 29
Ushers Fred Strine, Allen Stallsmith, Cindy Knote and Fred Walker Fred Strine, Larry Langdon, Neil Stroble and Fred Walker Cindy Knote, Larry Langdon, Neil Stroble and Fred Walker Allen Stallsmith, Larry Langdon, Neil Stroble and Fred Walker Fred Strine, Allen Stallsmith, Cindy Knote and Larry Langdon Fred Strine, Larry Langdon, Neil Stroble and Fred Walker
Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 15 Dec. 22 Dec. 24 Dec. 29
Lectors Libby Stroble Nolan Willman Chris Coy Megan Stroble Cindy Knote Carolyn Hughes
Assisting Ministers Dec. 1 Mark Prout Dec. 8 Chris Coy Dec. 15 Sarah Fleener Dec. 22 Mark Prout Dec. 24 Denise Hile Dec. 29 Jody Stanley
December Birthdays Betty Hendricks Mark Love Owen Ehlers Cynthia Knote Ryan Bergdoll Peggy Willmann Ashley Armstrong Brady Monce Matthew Murray Becky Saylor John Hendricks, Sr. Vikki Armstrong Carl Forsberg Shelly McCammon Ginny Groves Mary Ehlers Mariah Murray
12-2 12-2 12-3 12-3 12-4 12-5 12-11 12-14 12-14 12-14 12-15 12-22 12-22 12-22 12-26 12-27 12-29
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
Sunday School at 9:15 AM followed by Worship at 10:30 AM