July 2014
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com When I entered seminary, I had an image of what Christian community should look like. I’d had good experiences growing up in my own church (for the most part) and figured that my colleagues, fellow students studying for Christian vocations, would be “nice” people. I thought that though many of us came from different backgrounds and experiences, surely we would be able to form a caring, forgiving, grace-filled Christian community. It took only four weeks for my image to be shattered, not because they were different from me, but because they were so similar. I came to realize that my fellow students were all too like me. We were a competitive, intelligent group. We loved to hear the sounds of our own voices. And some of us, myself included, had egos roughly the size of Texas. We were bound to clash with one another. We know in our head that all
people are sinners. We know that people are selfish, greedy, and seek to put themselves above others. But that doesn’t make it any less disappointing when people in the church engage in the same behaviors that any other group of human beings do. After all, we think, shouldn’t the church be different? Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote of this kind of disappointment in his book on Christian community, Life Together. “A great disillusionment with others, with Christians in general, and, if we are fortunate, with ourselves, is bound to overwhelm us as surely as God desires to lead us to an understanding of genuine Christian community.” When we see people and ourselves for who we really are, we can be crushed. We can accuse others and God of being indifferent. We get angry when our standards for Christian community are not met. The church is indeed a different community than all others. But it is different because of God’s grace and
goodness, not our own. And when we finally discard our image of what the church can be, God’s grace can then work within us. Let’s be honest. The church will never be the same as it was some 50-60 years ago. If our standards for Christian community are what the church was, we will remain bitter and ungrateful for what God is doing in the church now. Once, during a candidacy meeting, I was asked if I could love a church member who hated my guts. I’d like to ask a similar question. Can we love the church, and the people in it, for who they are now, rather than hold them up to our own standards? Can we be grateful that we are Christian community, permitted to gather around Word and Sacrament by the grace of God? Is that enough for us? If it is, then watch out. God’s grace will give us more than enough. And only God knows where his grace working in us may lead us. See you in church! Pr. David
Vacation Bible School
Pr. David had fun with the kids at the end of VBS each day. Some 30 children from 4 area churches participated. Photo credit: Denise Hile
VBS usually doesn’t raise a great deal of money and canned goods for our food pantry. Last year we had about 40-50 cans. This year, the kids had an additional incentive to feeding the hungry. If they reached $100 or 100 cans of food, or a combined total, they got to pie Pr. Dustin of Trinity. Since they broke that goal by Wednesday, Pr. David added the incentive of $200 or 200 cans. They reached a combined total of 216 cans/ dollars, and Pr. David received his “just desserts”! Photo credit: Michelle Walker
July 2014
Confirmation Celebration
Zion Bids Farewell & Godspeed to Russell & Joan Stanley Russell and Joan Stanley are moving to Murfreesboro, TN to be closer to their family members. On June 22nd during the worship service they received a Farewell blessing and were wished Godspeed as they move to there new home. Following the service the members of the congregation had a fellowship for them with cake and punch.
Brady, Chris, and Zachary Monce and Pastor David Fleener
A note from the Stanley’s Thanks to the congregation for the wonderful send off to our new home. It is very humbling to see the out pouring of love we received from all of you. Thank you all, Russell and Joan
Sunday, June 15th, Brady and Zachary Monce and their father, Chris Monce, made public affirmation of their baptism at Zion. We welcome them into the membership at Zion and wish them God’s blessings in their lives of faith.
Bible Study Our Bible study on Exodus continues on July 10th at 7 PM in the church library. Want to read ahead? Our schedule is: July 10th - Ch. 10-12; July 17th - Ch. 13-15, July 24th - Ch. 16-18, July 31st - Ch. 19 and 20.
Counters Needed
We still need counters to assist the Financial Secretaries in their duties. Please let Pr. David know if you are willing to help count offerings after worship.
Joan & Russell Stanley
Their new address is: Adams Place Independent Living 1925 Memorial Blvd., Apt. #219 Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Congregational Official Notice Please note that Zion’s SemiRetreat Annual Meeting will be held follow-
Congregational Retreat - Saturday, August 30th, 9 AM-3 PM, location TBA. Join Pr. David and Pr. Nancy Nyland from the Synod office to talk about mission and ministry. Lunch will be served.
ing the worship service on Sunday, July 20th.
Portraits from Lifetouch Some members need to pick up their 8X10 portraits from Lifetouch. They are in the back of the nave on the deacon’s bench.
July 2014
May Council Minutes The congregation council met on May 13, 2014. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Scott Clamme, Pat Gillis, John Hendricks, Cindy Knote, Allen Stallsmith, Linda Stanley, Neil Stroble and Linda Walker Absent: Chris Coy, Denise Hile, Chris Stroble and Megan Stroble Linda Walker called the meeting to order and Cindy Knote gave the devotions and a prayer. The minutes from the previous meeting were read. Neil Stroble made a motion to accept the minutes. Scott Clamme seconded the motion. The motion passed. Correspondence: A request was received from a program called A Swing of Faith. They want to purchase special swings that can be used by handicap children in the local park. They are having a money raising event at the Sigma Pi Gamma Park on June 21st. They asked our church to set up a game of some sort between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Pastor David asked for help with this project. Pastor’s Report: Pastoral Care: 4 shut-ins, 10 sick visits, 1 funeral (assisted), 1 pastoral visit, 7 home com-
munions. Soul Care: 2 visits, 3 home communions. Pastor David continues to meet with the Young Adult Sunday School Class.He attended a Mission Strategy Workshop, a Continuing Education Workshop and a Festival of Homiletics in Minneapolis during the month of May. Pastor David reported that he has told the two financial secretaries to go back to the old way of counting the weekly offerings for now. He feels that it would be beneficial to have a team that takes turns doing this in the future but feels that may need to wait until the next election. Pastor David reported that he would like to form an ushering team, perhaps a different group each month. This would take that responsibility off the deacons. Council Reports—Deacons: Allen Stallsmith gave the numbers for attendance at the Lenten Services and for attendance and communion at the Sunday church services for the month of April. Trustees: Neil Stroble reported that since there have not been any more leaks we will hold off on the roof replacement for the time being. He contacted several contractors
about widening the kitchen door to make it more accessible for wheel chairs and not one of them responded. Pastor David stated that he still thinks we need to get an elevator or lift installed. He is noticing more and more members having problems getting up and down the stairs. It was suggested that he might look into grants that might help finance such a project. Treasurer: Pat Gillis gave the treasurer’s report. The general fund had a balance of $1,256.33. She reported that Deacon’s Fund still needs to be replenished. It is at a minus at this time. There will be a request for donations for this fund at the church service next Sunday. John Hendricks made a motion to accept the Council Reports. This was seconded by Cindy Knote. The motion passed. Old Business: MCI Long Distance has been cancelled. There being no further business the meeting closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next meeting will be June 10, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. with devotions by Megan Stroble. Respectfully submitted: Linda Stanley, Recording Secretary
July Lectionary Readings Pentecost 4 - July 6th 1st Reading - Zechariah 9:9-12 Psalm 145:8-14 2nd Reading - Romans 7:15-25a Gospel - Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 Pentecost 5 - July 13th 1st Reading - Isaiah 55:10-13 Psalm 65:1-13
2nd Reading - Romans 8:1-11 Gospel - Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Pentecost 6 - July 20th 1st Reading - Isaiah 44:6-8 Psalm 86:11-17 2nd Reading - Romans 8:12-25 Gospel - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Pentecost 7 - July 27th 1st Reading - 1 Kings 3:5-12 Psalm 119:129-136 2nd Reading - Romans 8:26-39 Gospel - Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
July 2014 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters July 6 Gene and Isola Banter—Madeline Lennon July 13 Buck and Kathy Sharp—Bill and Joretta Hiday July 20 Roger and Judy Willmann—Neil and Libby Stroble July 27 Max Hile—Richard and Carolyn Smith Ushers July 6 Allen Stallsmith, Cindy Knote, Scott Clamme and Fred Walker July 13 Allen Stallsmith, Fred Walker, Chris Monce and Don Ladd July 20 Scott Clamme, Fred Walker, Chris Monce and Don Ladd July 27 Cindy Knote, Fred Walker, Chris Monce and Don Ladd Lectors July 6 Cindy Knote July 13 Kathy Sharp July 20 Neil Stroble July 27 Max Hile
Assisting Ministers July 6 Mark Prout July 13 Sarah Fleener July 20 Jody Stanley July 27 Denise Hile
July Birthdays Ashley Boozer Linda Walker Debbie Walker Eldon Willmann Tryce Hendricks Kevin Miniear John Hendricks Rick Seiver Paige Walker Nancy Cortright Alison McCammon Kim Winningham Joyce Colbert Bill Hiday Evelyn Forsberg Marilyn Scott Jessica Avant Kean Coy Sandy Langdon
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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