September 2014
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16 Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven. So whenever you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be praised by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be done in secret; and your Father who sees
Choir Practice
Choir Practice will resume in September. Singers will meet on Wednesday the 3rd and 17th beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. New voices are always welcome!
in secret will reward you. -Matthew 6:1-4 We Lutherans have mastered the second of these sayings from Jesus. We’re not ones to sound the trumpet before our good deeds. I have yet to see someone, while putting money in the offering plate or giving food to the pantry, put a vuvuzela to his lips (though that would be entertaining - the first time). The last thing we want to do is make a big fuss about ourselves. It’s this first saying of Jesus that is tricky for us. Let your light shine before others? We’d rather keep our light safely contained, thank you. These two sayings of Jesus may seem to contradict one another. How can you let your light shine without letting your left hand know what your right hand is doing? If you are hiding your good works from yourself, how can you possibly share them with other people? Jesus may be referring to a
certain group of religious leaders that were excellent at self-promotion. Rather than let the works speak for themselves, they would engage in a big PR campaign to let everyone know how special they were. Jesus, rather, speaks of living the godly life for its own sake. We are not Christians because we expect some reward from others. We don’t expect that the life we live to fill the pews and restore the congregation to some long-gone, romanticized golden age. We are Christians because we put our ultimate faith and trust in Jesus as God’s Messiah, and we try to do what he says. As we enter the fall, and as we kick off the school year with “God’s Work: Our Hands” service day, let us be mindful of all the ways we can serve God and his Kingdom in Blackford County, not for any expected reward, but because service is part of what we Christians do. See you in church! Pr. David
Lutheran Refreshment
Rally Day
Join Pr. David for a six-week course on the basics of Lutheran theology, with a special emphasis on the Small Catechism. No memorization required! Class meets in the church library on Wednesday nights at 6 PM, through October 1st. And, true to the name, there will be actual refreshments.
Come kick off the Sunday School year! Rally Day September 7th Outdoor worship on the North Lawn at 10:30 AM Carry-in dinner to follow.
September 2014
July Council Minutes Congregation Council met on July 8, 2014. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Scott Clamme, John Hendricks, Cindy Knote, Allen Stallsmith, Linda Stanley, Megan Stroble, Neil Stroble and Linda Walker. Absent: Chris Coy, Pat Gillis, Denise Hile and Chris Stroble. Linda Walker called the meeting to order and Scott Clamme gave the devotions. The minutes from the previous meeting were read. Scott Clamme made a motion to accept the minutes. Cindy Knote seconded the motion. The motion passed. Correspondence: Debbie Walker’s family has requested to have a memorial service for her father at the church on August 16, 2014. This was approved. Pastor’s Report: Pastoral Care:1 shut-in, 1 communion, 3 sick/hospital visits, 3 pre-marital counseling sessions, 1 pastoral counseling session, 1 wedding and 1 funeral. The Soul Care Team made 5 shut-in visits and administered 5 home communions. Pastor David said that he is very thankful for the Soul Care Team. The Soul Care Team has received assignments for the month of August. Pastor David met with a small group of Lutheran congregations at Resurrection Church in Marion to discuss ministry collaboration. Those congregations include: ResurrectionMarion, St John’s-Elwood, Our Savior-Alexandria, Church of the Cross-Muncie and Zion. The purpose of these meetings is to determine if
the Spirit is leading us to share or support each other’s ministries in any way. This is being led and pushed for action very soon by Rudy Mueller from the Synod. This was discussed at length and decided that our congregation needs to determine our mission to our local community first and this idea should be “put on the back burner” at the present time. Pastor David participated in the Swing of Faith and reported that it was very successful in raising funds for a handicap-accessible swing for the Sigma Phi Gamma Park. Pastor and Sarah set up a game with prizes. Judy Clamme donated all the supplies needed. Pastor will write thank-you notes to Judy and all the others from Zion who helped him. Committee Reports—Parish Education and Youth: Around thirty children participated in Bible School. It was very successful and Megan Stroble reported that she believes the children really learned a great deal. They raised $216. for the food pantry. Worship/Music/Memorial: Pastor David said he did not have statistics on how much was saved by using the hymnals for three weeks. The poll he took from the congregation revealed that the majority do not care whether we use the hymnals or have them printed in the bulletin. Land Use Committee: Placing memorial plaques on trees and benches that can’t be stolen from the outside area behind the church will be discussed at the semi-annual meeting on July 20, 2014. Council Reports—Deacons: Allen Stallsmith gave the numbers for attendance communion at the Sunday church services for the month of June.
The deacon’s fund was replenished with donations from the congregation after a request was made. There have been several requests for help from the community. $23.82 was spent at Main Street Market for refreshments for a group from the church that helped an individual move. $75 was paid to Hartford City Water to help with a water bill. $75 was paid to help a parishioner with their electric bill. The Pastor had two other requests to discuss with the Deacons. Trustees: Neil Stroble reported that he has talked with three contractors about widening the kitchen door but only one of them made a bid. The actual door would cost $2700and the entire job would be around $4000. John Hendricks reported that he has talked to another contractor and set up an appointment for another bid. This will be discussed at the semi-annual meeting. Neil reported that it appears that all of the leaks in the roof have been fixed. Treasurer: Pat Gillis sent the treasurer’s report. The general fund had a balance of $2673.93.John Hendricks made a motion to accept the Council Reports. This was seconded by Scott Clamme. The motion passed. Old Business: The God’s Work Our Hands program was discussed. September 7th has been designated as a day for service for all Lutheran churches. Pastor reported that Don Goetz says there would be work that everyone, including young children could do. It was suggested that this could perhaps coincide with (Continued on following page.)
September 2014
July Minutes continued...
Rally Day. It was decided that Zion should take part in this day. This will be discussed further at the semi-annual meeting in July. A motion to this effect was made by John Hendricks and seconded by Cindy Knote. The motion passed. New Business: The deacons have used a web site called Charity Tracker in the past to check up on individuals who request help. This help in determining if they really do need the help or if they are scamming a number of churches in the county. This program costs $15. Neil Stroble made a motion to begin using this program. This was seconded by Scott Clamme. The motion passed. The Pastor requested to begin using a new web site provider called My Church Web Site. The base plan
for this program is $99 a year. Everyone told the Pastor to proceed with this program as he saw fit. The Pastor has been meeting with the John XIII board and they have discussed a community outreach that would hopefully appeal to people who do not attend church be held at the Pickle. They discussed a hymn sing called Hops and Hymns or a Bible study called Beer and Bible. We closed by stating that a new nominating committee will need to be appointed at the semi-annual meeting. There being no further business the meeting closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next meeting will be August 12, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. with devotions by John Hendricks. Respectfully submitted: Linda Stanley Recording Secretary
God’s Work: Our Hands Sunday On September 7th, 1:30-3:30 PM, members of Zion will serve the community by picking up garbage on the south side of Hartford City. The city is graciously providing trash grab-
bers and reflective vests. Bring your own gloves, wear closed-toe shoes, and long pants. People of all ages can participate. Let’s let our light shine in Hartford City!
Lunch with Pastor
Stewardship
Pastor David would like to visit with you during lunch every Tuesday this month. At 12:30 p.m., he will be at The Pickle, 1776 Independence Parkway, Hartford City.
Stewardship ladies will resume making quilts on Tuesday, September 9th, from 9:00 a.m. until noon. The ladies will also meet on Tuesday, September 23rd at 9:00 a.m. New helpers are always welcome. If you have any questions you may contact Kathy Sharp.
September Lectionary Readings
Pentecost 13 - September 7th 1st Reading - Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 149 2nd Reading - Romans 13:8-14 Gospel Reading - Matthew 18:15-20 Pentecost 14 - September 14th 1st Reading - Exodus 14:19-31 Psalm 114 2nd Reading - Romans 14:1-12 Gospel - Matthew 18:21-35 Pentecost 15 - September 21st 1st Reading - Exodus 16:2-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 2nd Reading - Philippians 1:21-30 Gospel - Matthew 20:1-16 Pentecost 16 - September 28th 1st Reading - Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16 2nd Reading - Philippians 2:1-13 Gospel - Matthew 21:23-32
Young At Heart
Max and Nyla Hile will be hosting the Young At Heart Hot Dog Roast and Hayride on Sunday, September 21st at 5 p.m. Mark your calendars and come and enjoy the food and fellowship!
September 2014 Lay Ministry Servers Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28
Greeters Claretta Dutro—Louise Clamme Buck and Kathy Sharp—Helen Stroble Cindy Knote—Tom and Peggy Willmann Don and June Ladd—Tom Armstrong
Sept. 7 Sept. 14 Sept. 21 Sept. 28
Ushers Allen Stallsmith, Buck Sharp, Chris Stroble and Larry Gibson Cindy Knote, Buck Sharp, Chris Stroble and Larry Gibson Allen Stallsmith, Buck Sharp, Chris Stroble and Larry Gibson Scott Clamme, Buck Sharp, Chris Stroble and Larry Gibson
Lectors Sept. 7 Libby Stroble Sept. 14 Kathy Sharp Sept. 21 Cindy Knote Sept. 28 Neil Stroble
Assisting Ministers Sept. 7 Chris Coy Sept. 14 Mark Prout Sept. 21 Denise Hile Sept. 28 Sarah Fleener
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
Beginning September 7th Worship at 9:15 a.m. Sunday School at 10:30 a.m.
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