November 2014
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com When Sarah and I went back to Iowa for my mother’s wedding last month, we met an older couple who were friends of my mother and her husband at the rehearsal dinner. Most of us in the room were Lutheran, and they knew that I am a Lutheran pastor, so it didn’t take long for the conversation to go to “talking shop”. Or, more specifically, talking about what’s wrong in the church today. Now, this couple was fairly upset at their synod office and bishop. The reasons weren’t quite clear to me, but it seemed they didn’t know what the purpose of the synod office and bishop were, other than to “lay down the law”. They saw the bishop and
Thanksgiving Eve Service
Zion’s Thanksgiving Worship Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26th. Offering received during the service will be divided between Community and Family Services Food Pantry and Grace Village campus ministry at Ball State University. Visitors are welcome to worship with us at Zion.
synod staff as authoritarian figures, demanding conformity. Now, maybe it makes me a “company man”, but I like having bishops and synod staff. During my time as conference dean, I saw the staff and bishop putting forth a lot of effort to visit churches with pastoral vacancies and help them discern their purpose in God’s mission in their times of transition. I saw the staff and bishop work with the deans to help spread a vision of the church in this new day, focusing on four priorities (If you wonder what they are, you can find them here: http://iksynod. org/Whats_New/FourPriorities/fourpriorities.html.). I saw efforts toward combating malaria in Africa. I’ve seen efforts toward reclaiming an evangelistic center in our churches. Not to mention my own personal gain
in receiving a Freed to Lead grant to offset some of my student loans. I’ve gained a new appreciation for what the synod-wide expression of the church does. That isn’t to say that synod staff are perfect. None of us are. All of us are sinful creatures who have fallen short of the glory of God. However, I am amazed by the ways that the Holy Spirit works, within us sinful creatures, to bring the light of the Gospel in the world. We’re blessed within the ELCA, I think, to have partners who can help us at the congregational level and also expand our mission efforts outward, beyond the reach of our congregation. I’m thankful for them. And I hope you are, too. See you in church! Pr. David
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 28th. 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 10th. 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.
November 2014
September Council Minutes Congregation Council met on September 9, 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 then she 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: The Blackford County Schools sent a request for a monetary donation for prizes for the end of the school year party. This is to reward students for good behavior. Neil Stroble made a motion to give them $50.00. This was seconded by John Hendricks. The motion passed. Pastor’s Report: Pastoral Care: 4 sick/hospital visits, 1 funeral (graveside service), 1 home communion. Soul Care Team made 2 shut-in visits and administered 1 communion. Strategic Mission Planning: Fifteen people attended the congregational retreat on Saturday, August 30th. Pastor thanked all who were willing to attend on Labor Day weekend. Pastor stated that some progress was made toward articulating a renewed sense of purpose for our congregation. He is hoping to build on the retreat with the rest of the congregation but is not sure how to do that. He may invite Nancy to return to continue the discussions or bring in the Mission and Ministry team. He stated that he thinks there was some momentum that the retreat got going that we need to keep up. Those
present who had attended the retreat agreed that it had been a very worthwhile experience. Christian Education: Lutheran Refreshment, an adult catechism course, has been well attended by fifteen people. Sunday school materials have arrived. The Young Adult class will be watching a series of videos by Rob Bell called Nooma, in which Bell touches on one aspect of the faith and using discussion guides. Council Offices and terms: Pastor said that as we enter another election cycle for our church council, it may be time to re-examine the offices and determine whether or not they are still serving our church well. He thinks we all hope our council works as a cohesive team, with our organizational structure serving our church as it exists today, not as it existed sixty or seventy years ago. First-the nominating committee usually will nominate anyone they can find for a particular office. In doing this we run the risk of nominating poor choices simply because they were the only ones willing to serve. Second-He understands why there is a forced sabbatical from the council. But that also creates a problem-we can lose some of our best people for a year when the congregation needs them most. He wonders if we might reduce all terms to one year and allow for either unlimited re-election or re-election for five or six terms before a forced sabbatical. This might reduce council turnover and create a team with a greater sense of unity. It would also remove the psychological burden of being “locked” into a two or three year term. Third-Council members unfairly shoulder a lot of the burden of the congregation’s ministry. Perhaps a number of their responsibilities could
be taken by teams and ease the burden of the council members. Fourth-Do we really need twelve members on the council? A smaller number might lead to a more cohesive group. Pastor stated that he understands that this would require a constitutional change. Fortunately, it would only require a change in the by-laws. There was some discussion of these ideas and how the church has changed from 10, 20, 30, 40, years ago. Committee Reports—Parish Education and Youth: We started Sunday school for children and young adults on Rally Day, September 7, 2014. Worship/Music/Memorial: They met and picked out hymns. We will continue with the same liturgy for the next few months. Council Reports—Deacons: Allen Stallsmith gave the numbers for attendance and communion at the Sunday church services for the month of August. There was one request for money from the Deacon’s Fund. Allen checked with Community and Family Services and they recommended that helping that person would not be a good idea. Trustees: Neil Stroble reported that he met with City Windows from Fort Wayne and they examined our stained glass windows and said that they are in excellent shape and do not need to be cleaned. A letter will be sent to Russell and Joan Stanley informing them. Neil then reported that we have major issues with the roof leaking after the recent heavy rains. He stated that repairing these leaks soon is vital. There are three leaks, one over the (Continued on following page.)
November 2014
September Minutes continued... pulpit, one in Debbie Walker’s office and one in the narthex. Neil has received an estimate for $5712.00 to fix all three leaks. He stated that these leaks are not part of the previously repaired roofing. Since the council will need approval from the congregation to pay for this it was decided that Pastor David will draft a letter and mail it to the church membership so that this can be brought before the congregation as soon as possible. Neil has talked to the contractor about widening the kitchen door but he has not yet returned to do the work. The door to the communion room is loose at the bottom and there have been problems opening it. Neil and Chris Stroble will work on this and try to anchor it. Cindy Knote expressed a concern over the hot water taking so long to get hot in the kitchen sink. Neil will look into this. Treasurer: Pat Gillis sent the treasurer’s report. The general fund had a balance of $7,946.44. She stated that the Deacon’s Fund has improved and now has $603.16. She has ordered new offer-
ing envelopes. Scott Clamme made a motion to accept the Council Reports. This was seconded by John Hendricks. The motion passed. New Business: Pastor said that Council meetings conflict with Community Choir practices and he asked if Council dates could be changed for the next three months. It was the consensus that the second Thursday would be agreeable to everyone present for October, November and December 2014. Debbie Walker sent a message to the Council that the computer in her office is running very slowly and may need to be replaced soon. After some discussion John Hendricks moved that Debbie be given $1200.00 to replace the computer and buy necessary software. This was seconded by Cindy Knote. The motion passed. There being no further business the meeting closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next meeting will be Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Linda Stanley Recording Secretary
Official Notice
Names being placed on the ballot by the nominating committee for the 2015 Congregational Council will be announced during the worship service on Sunday, November 2nd. A brief congregational meeting will be held following worship on Sunday, November 16th, for the opportunity of
making nominations from the floor. Any nominees 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 23rd following the worship service.
ZLCW Stewardship Donations The following items were taken to Ft. Wayne in October for Lutheran World Relief: 260 Quilts, 55 Health Kits, 10 Sewing Kits, 8 School Kits, and 6 lbs. of Bar Soap. Thanks to all for your help.
Lectionary Readings All Saints Sunday - November 2nd 1st Reading - Micah 3:5-12 Psalm 43 2nd Reading - 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Gospel Reading - Matthew 23:1-12 Pentecost 22 - November 9th 1st Reading - Amos 5:18-24 Psalm 70 2nd Reading - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Gospel - Matthew 25:1-13 Pentecost 23 - November 16th 1st Reading - Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 Psalm 90:1-8 [9-11] 12 2nd Reading - 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Gospel - Matthew 25:14-30 Christ the King - November 23rd 1st Reading - Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 95:1-7a 2nd Reading - Ephesians 1:15-23 Gospel - Matthew 25:31-46 Thanksgiving Eve - November 26th 1st Reading - Deuteronomy 8:7-18 Psalm 65 2nd Reading - 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Gospel - Luke 17:11-19 Advent 1 - November 30th 1st Reading - Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Gospel - Mark 13:24-37
November 2014
Pastor Nancy Nyland
On November 2nd, Pr. Nancy Nyland will join our congregation for an adult forum and worship. The adult forum, which begins at 9:15 in the Fellowship Hall, will continue the discussion from our congregational retreat about Zion’s purpose in God’s mission today. Pr. Nyland will also preach and preside at worship that day. Come join the discussion!
Lutheran Refreshment Class
Pr. David will be leading a Lutheran Refreshment class on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM in the church library, beginning November 9. We will cover Luther’s Small Catechism. If you weren’t able to attend on Wednesday nights, now is your chance to be “refreshed”!
Presentation by Dr. Derek Nelson
The ECIC and Thrivent are sponsoring a presentation by Dr. Derek R. Nelson, titled “The Church and Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries”, on Sunday, November 9, 3 PM, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Muncie. Dr. Nelson, an associate professor of religion and director of the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, will give a talk and lead a discussion on the ELCA’s Social Statement on Criminal Justice. Coffee and dessert will follow. This event is free to attend. Pr. David has copies of the Social Statement for your perusal, or you may find it online at http://www. elca.org/Faith/Faith-and-Society/ Social-Statements/Criminal-Justice.
Community Thanksgiving Worship Service The Blackford County Ministerial Association is sponsoring a community Thanksgiving worship service on Sunday, November 23, 6 PM at Grace UMC, Hartford City. Come join members of the community in giving thanks to God, and hear our Community Choir conducted by Pr. David perform.
November 2014 Lay Ministry Servers Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23 Nov. 30
Greeters Dennis and Debbie Walker—Max Hile Roger and Judy Willmann—Max and Sandy Langdon Buck and Kathy Sharp—Charles and Betty Walker Drew and Michelle Walker—Roger and Judy Willmann Eldon Willmann—Dorothy Hale
Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23 Nov. 30
Ushers Allen Stallsmith, Cindy Knote, Scott Clamme and John Hendricks Cindy Knote, John Hendricks, Tom Armstrong and Fred Walker Allen Stallsmith, John Hendricks, Tom Armstrong and Fred Walker Scott Clamme, John Hendricks, Tom Armstrong and Fred Walker Cindy Knote, John Hendricks, Tom Armstrong and Fred Walker
Nov. 2 Nov. 9 Nov. 16 Nov. 23 Nov. 30
Lectors Max Hile Sandy Langdon Kathy Sharp Michelle Walker Cindy Knote
Assisting Ministers Nov. 2 Mark Prout Nov. 9 Chris Coy Nov. 16 Sarah Fleener Nov. 23 Jody Stanley Nov. 26 Sarah Fleener Nov. 30 Mark Prout
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 2nd
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