December 2014
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com Every now and then, end-of-theworld hysteria grips our nation. Most recently (that I recall), Harold Camping, the now-late leader of Family Radio, predicted that the Church would be “raptured” to heaven on May 21, 2011, at 6 PM local time in each place. The Earth’s destruction was to occur five months later. He put up billboards, warning humanity of the “day and hour”. He dedicated his radio broadcasts to preparing for the end. Some members of his organization gave everything they had to Family Radio, hopeful that the end would come as their leader said it would. And of course, it didn’t. May 21st came and went, the same as every other day. There were no great earthquakes. There was no “rolling rapture” by time zone. Just like every other end-times prediction, this one ended with a whimper.
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 hymns “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World”. Offering received at the Advent services and on Christmas Eve will be divided between Wernle and our local Food Pantry.
Despite Jesus’ warning that “about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mark 13:32), there has always been an element in the Christian faith concerned with the end of time. The big theological word for this is “eschatology” - study of the end times. And though we don’t know the day of Jesus’ return, we are commanded to “keep watch” and “keep awake” in hope, not fear. Advent is an eschatological season. While we look back at Jesus’ first Advent on earth, we await his second. Perhaps it’s poetic that Advent is celebrated at one of the busiest times of the year. We are (hopefully) compiling Christmas lists; we are finalizing travel plans over the holidays; we are scrambling to do what needs to be done before we can enjoy the holiday with family and friends. Jesus, for his part, tells us that life will look pretty normal before his return - he com-
pares his second coming to the days of Noah: “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking, and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark....” (Luke 17:26-27). Amid all the busy-ness of the season, we are commanded to watch and keep alert. We keep alert not just for his return at the end of all time, but for the ways in which he returns to us now. In the ways he is revealed in the stranger, in the suffering, and in those we love. One might liken this to Luther’s interpretation of the Third Commandment: we honor the Sabbath by taking time to “gladly hear and learn” God’s Word. Taking time to hear the Word of God - not just at worship but in those around us - is a way to keep watch in this busiest of busy seasons. God grant you strength to stay awake and keep watch for his coming. See you in church! Pr. David
December Lectionary Readings Advent 2 - December 7th 1st Reading - Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 2nd Reading - 2 Peter 3:8-15a Gospel Reading - Mark 1:1-8
Advent 4 - December 21st 1st Reading - 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Psalm: Luke 1:46b-55 2nd Reading - Romans 16:25-27 Gospel - Luke 1:26-38
Advent 3 - December 14th 1st Reading - Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 2nd Reading - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Gospel - John 1:6-8, 19-28
Christmas 1 - December 28th 1st Reading - Isaiah 61:10—62:3 Psalm 148 2nd Reading - Galatians 4:4-7 Gospel - Luke 2:22-40
December 2014
2015 Council Members
Newly elected congregational officers for the year 2015 include: Jody Stanley—Elder Drew Walker—Deacon Tom Armstrong—Trustee Max Langdon—Treasurer Anita Reid—Recording Secretary Madeline Lennon—Financial Secretary Sandy Langdon—Financial Secretary Bill Hiday—Cemetery Trustee Congratulations to those elected and our thanks to them and the others who allowed their names to be placed on the ballot. Newly elected officers are invited to attend the next Congrega-
tional Council meeting on Thursday, December 11th at 7:00 p.m. Installation of the 2015 Congregation Council will take place during our 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sunday, January 11, 2015.
Other council members and cemetery trustees remaining in 2015 include: Chris Coy—Elder Scott Clamme—Deacon Cindy Knote—Deacon Chris Stroble—Trustee John Hendricks—Trustee Eldon Willmann—Cemetery Trustee
Steve Willmann—Cemetery Trustee
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: Linda Walker Allen Stallsmith Pat Gillis Neil Stroble Denise Hile Megan Stroble Linda Stanley Tim Stanley
Members on Zion’s Visitation List The following is a list of the names and addresses of members on Zion’s visitation list and others who have moved during the past year. They would be happy to receive a Christmas card, a letter, or a visit during the Christmas Season. Mrs. Carolyn Chandler 1601 N. Richmond, Apt. #204 Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. June Miller 1764 N - 100 E Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Marie Uhrick 1601 N. Richmond, Apt. #202 Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Esther Cortright 104 W. Ritter, Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Sue Rinker 1587 E - 075 S Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Rita Ferguson 422 S. Richmond St. Hartford City, IN 47348
Mr. & Mrs. Dwight Schmidt 4571 E - 200 S Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Miriam Wise 1591 W 100 N Hartford City, IN 47348 Mrs. Catherine Wise Bridgewater Centre 715 N. Mill St. Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Margaret Hunnicutt 301 E. Commercial St. Hartford City, IN 47348
Mrs. Marilyn Scott 801 Huntington Ave. Warren, IN 46792
Mrs. Betty Bell 3801 E. Galbraith Rd., Apt. 138 Cincinnati, OH 45236
Mrs. Wilma Martz P.O. Box 175 Hartford City, IN 47348
Mr. Bill Thomas 508 S. Poplar Hartford City, IN 47348
Mr. & Mrs. Russell Stanley 1925 Memorial Blvd., Apt. #219 Murfreesboro, TN 37129
December 2014
October Council Minutes Congregation Council met on October 16, 2014. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Scott Clamme, Pat Gillis, John Hendricks, Allen Stallsmith, Chris Stroble, Megan Stroble, and Linda Walker Absent: Chris Coy, Denise Hile, Cindy Knote, Linda Stanley, and Neil Stroble Linda Walker called the meeting to order and John Hendricks led the devotions. A motion was made by Scott Clamme and seconded by John Hendricks to approve the minutes of the September Council meeting. The motion carried. Correspondence: There was no correspndence requiring action this month. Pastor’s Report: Pastor made six shut-in visits with communion and conducted a one-on-one meeting with a council member in September. The Soul Care team made three shut-in visits with communion. Twelve to fourteen members attend the Lutheran Refreshment class on Wednesday evenings. The class has studied the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and Baptism to date. This study will also be offered to the young adult group meeting on Sunday mornings in order to support their providing religious education at home to their children. Pastor is continuing to meet with council members in one-on-one conversations during the month of October. The purpose of the meetings is to gather information about each council member’s comfort level with
the role and responsibilities of his or her position and about each member’s vision for better serving God’s mission in the community. Committee Reports—Parish Education and Youth: The youth Sunday school continues with learning the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed. Worship/Music/Memorial: The committee has chosen hymns for the next several Sundays. There will be a change to different communion setting in November from the one currently in use; the different setting is one already familiar to the congregation. Land Use Committee: Chris Coy is investigating a source for a metal plaque that will be mounted on a rock and will list the memorials represented by the trees planted in the yard west of the church. Council Reports—Deacons: Attendance and communion statistics: On Sunday, November 7, 64 attended and 53 communed.; On Sunday, November 14, 80 attended.; On Sunday, November 21, 73 attended and 68 communed.; On Sunday, November 28, 76 attended. In September there were no requests for emergency help from the Deacon’s Fund. Elders: There was nothing new to report. Trustees: Trustee Chris Stroble reported that the roof repair is complete. A different contractor has been engaged to widen the door in the kitchen to accommodate wheelchairs. He will begin work soon. Financial Secretaries: There was nothing new to report. Treasurer: Treasurer Pat Gillis reported that there is $7,853.72 in the
general fund. A council committee was formed to compile a preliminary 2015 budget. The committee is Pat Gillis, Neil Stroble, Scott Clamme, and Linda Walker. They will meet November 9 at 6:00 p.m. and present their preliminary budget at the November council meeting. Old Business: The office computer has been working better after a check by Dennis Walker. The computer and its software is enough outdated, however, that Microsoft no longer supports it. That makes the system increasingly vulnerable to viruses. The expense for replacement will become part of the 2015 budget. New Business: Pastor will organize the Thanksgiving Dinner team over the next couple of weeks. The dinner will be served on Friday, November 28. The team will need volunteers for cooking, donating pies, serving, delivering meals, and cleaning up. Pat Gillis made a motion to divide the offering from the Wednesday evening Thanksgiving service between the Community and Family Services Food Pantry and Grace Village campus ministry at Ball State University. Chris Stroble seconded the motion. Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned and closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. Allen Stallsmith will have devotions. Respectfully submitted, Linda Walker Acting Recording Secretary
December 2014 Lay Ministry Servers Dec. 7 Dec. 14 Dec. 21 Dec. 28
Greeters Anita Reid—Steve and Viola Willmann Chris and Megan Stroble—Claretta Dutro Bill and Joretta Hiday—Larry and Denise Hile Owen and Mary Ehlers—Edi Tarter
Dec. 7 Dec. 14 Dec. 21 Dec. 24 Dec. 28
Ushers Allen Stallsmith, Cindy Knote, Scott Clamme and Chris Walker Allen Stallsmith, Chris Walker, Chris Monce and Drew Walker Cindy Knote, Chris Walker, Chris Monce and Drew Walker Allen Stallsmith, Cindy Knote, Scott Clamme and Chris Walker Scott Clamme, Chris Walker, Chris Monce and Drew Walker
Dec. 7 Dec. 14 Dec. 21 Dec. 28
Lectors Nolan Willman Megan Stroble Denise Hile Linda Walker
Assisting Ministers Dec. 7 Denise Hile Dec. 14 Chris Coy Dec. 21 Jody Stanley Dec. 24 Sarah Fleener Dec. 28 Mark Prout
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
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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 9:15 AM followed by Worship at 10:30 AM