March 2015
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being, the New Being who overcomes the gulf of angst and existential estrangement, the impossible possibility, the totaliter aliter who reaches down to humanity via the kerygma, who takes on all that we have to give us all that you are.” And Jesus said, “What?” -Edited from various internet sources As a seminary-trained pastor, I think my seminary did a good job of encouraging theological reflection on what Jesus means and who Jesus is to the church. I received an excellent education, focusing on contemporary scholarship in Scripture and theology. I learned the basics of providing pastoral care and preaching. I received a thorough background in church history and the Lutheran confessions. I was lucky enough to have three great field education opportunities which taught me a great deal about pastoring to others. However, I suspect that the scholarship and training in how to pastor are the easy parts. More difficult is actually following Jesus Christ in all aspects of daily living. Learning about Jesus is easy. Following Jesus is another matter altogether that we can make too hard.
Notice what Jesus asks the disciples to do from day one. The command is simple and direct. “Follow me!” (Mark 1:17) He doesn’t command them to have correct theology. He doesn’t command them to have total comprehension of what’s happening – most of the time, they don’t (Mark 8:14-21). And he certainly doesn’t ask them to follow rules – in fact, Jesus sometimes advocates breaking a commandment if it comes between him and the person called, such as the man who wanted to bury his father first (Matthew 8:21-22; Luke 9:59-60). He simply wants them to drop the fishnets and follow. He wants them to pick up their appointed cross and follow him. He wants them to lay down all of their self-will and live a life of Christ-like love for God and neighbor – that is, for the whole human family.
It can sound so simple. But we can make it so hard. Our commitments, good as they are, can come between us and Christ. Jesus didn’t just call his disciples so that they could remain as they are. That would be, in the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a 20th-century Lutheran theologian, “cheap grace”. No – Jesus calls, forgives, redeems, and instills faith in order to make us new creatures. This isn’t salvation by works. This is simply a willingness to be open to God’s work within us. How might Christ be calling you to re-examine your life and your priorities? Or how is he calling this church to do the same? Christ calls us again and again, to take that first step into the stormy sea again and again – to live as people of faith in him and his promises, which he always fulfills. Much love, Pr. David
Week of Prayer Zion Lutheran Church will participate in a Week of Prayer for Blackford County March 1st-7th, sponsored by the Blackford County Ministerial Association.
We, as a community, will unite to pray for healing and hope in the wake of the killings at Hartford Square Apartments. To do this, the Mission and Ministry team will host a prayer breakfast on Thursday, March 5th, 6 AM-9 AM.
There will be a continental breakfast in the Fellowship Hall. Freewill offerings will go to the Williamson family. Pr. David will lead a short service of morning prayer in the worship space at 9 AM. In addition, the church building will be open 6 AM-noon for those who desire to pray on their own.
March 2015
Holy Week Schedule
March Lectionary Readings
Palm Sunday: March 29th, we will meet outside on the north lawn by the cross and process into Lent 2 - March 1st the sanctuary with palms as the opening hymn is 1st Reading - Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16 sung. 10:30 AM (weather permitting) Psalm 22:23-31 2nd Reading - Romans 4:13-25 Gospel Reading - Mark 8:31-38
Maundy Thursday: April 2nd, worship with Holy Communion begins at 7 PM
Good Friday: April 3rd, our worship service will also begin at 3 PM. A Community Good Friday Service will be held at the Wesleyan Church at 6 PM.
Easter Vigil: April 4 , our service will begin at 8 PM. th
Lent 3 - March 8th 1st Reading - Exodus 20:1-17 Psalm 19 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Gospel - John 2:13-22 Lent 4 - March 15th 1st Reading - Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 2nd Reading - Ephesians 2:1-10 Gospel - John 3:14-21 Lent 5 - March 22nd 1st Reading - Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 119:9-16 2nd Reading - Hebrews 5:5-10 Gospel - John 12:20-33 Palm Sunday - March 29th 1st Reading - Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 2nd Reading - Philippians 2:5-11 Gospel - Mark 14:1—15:47
Easter Lilies
Easter Sunday: April 5th, worship with Holy Communion begins at 10:30 AM.
If you would like to purchase an Easter lily for the front on the sanctuary for Easter morning the cost is $10. Please give your order and money to Isola Banter by March 29th.
March 2015
January Council Minutes Congregation Council met on January 13, 2015. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Chris Coy, John Hendricks, Cindy Knote, Max Langdon, Sandy Langdon, Madeline Lennon, Jody Stanley, Chris Stroble and Anita Reid. Absent: Scott Clamme, Tom Armstrong and Drew Walker The meeting was called to order by Chris Coy. Devotions were given by Jody Stanley. Chris Stroble made a motion to approve the minutes from December. John Hendricks seconded the motion. Motion passed. Correspondence: The Council received a letter from Hartford City Chamber of Commerce to join at a cost of $62 per year. After discussion, it was decided not to join. Pastor’s Report: Pastoral Care: Pastor David visited 5 shut-ins, made 2 sick visits and did 10 home communions in December. The Soul Care Team visited 1 shut-in and did 1 home communion. Christian Education: The kids have mastered the Ten Commandments and the Lord’s Prayer. They now move on to the Creed. Sunday
School for children and young adults is cancelled through February 1st. For Lent, Marty Haugen’s Holden Evening Prayer will be used for Wednesday evening prayer services. Soup suppers will begin at 6 PM and worship at 7 PM. Council will prepare the February 18th soup supper. Pastor David will be taking a course at CTS in Indianapolis on Tuesday evenings from January 27th to May 5th. Council meetings will be moved to Thursdays for the rest of the year. Committee Reports—Parish Education and Youth Report: Have not met. Will meet soon to discuss VBS. Worship/Music/Memorials: Will meet on January 20th. Land Use Committee: Said that plaque will be put in place as soon as weather permits. Council Reports—Deacons:75 communed on December 7th, 56 communed on December 14th, 77 communed on December 21st and 72 communed on December 28th. Assistance with utility bills were paid on December 2nd for $75 and $100 on December 12th. Trustees: A new furnace was installed at parsonage for $1500.
Easter Egg Hunt There will be an Easter egg hunt on the back lawn of the church at 9:45 a.m. on Easter morning. The children need to bring their own basket for
collecting the eggs. Please sign each child’s name on a sign-up sheet at one of the church entrances by March 29th if you plan to bring your children so there will be plenty of eggs for everyone to find.
The new door between the kitchen and fellowship hall is ready to be installed. New ceiling tiles are needed in Debbie’s office. John Hendricks made a motion to accept the committee reports. Cindy Knote seconded. Motion passed. Old Business: There was discussion on the church audit. Two estimates were gotten. Connie Miller, local tax preparer, will do the church audit for $500 to be done by July 1st. John Hendricks made a motion to accept. Chris Stroble seconded. Motion passed. New Business: Sandy Langdon will be on the Parish Education committee. Pastor David received a request from BHS choir to hold their concert at Zion on March 17th. Sandy Langdon made a motion to approve. Jody Stanley seconded. Motion passed. John Hendricks made a motion to adjourn. Max Langdon seconded. Meeting adjourned and everyone prayed the Lord’s Prayer. The next meeting is February 12th at 7 PM with devotions by Chris Stroble. Respectfully submitted, Anita Reid, Recording Secretary
Young At Heart
The Church Basement Ladies in The Last Potluck Supper will be presented at the Honeywell Center on April 14th at 3:00 p.m. The cost is $12. If you would like to attend please give your reservation to Isola Banter by April 5th.
March 2015 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters March 1 Gene Banter—Edi Tarter March 8 Barb Hardwick—Eldon Willmann March 15 Larry and Denise Hile—Louie and Joyce Willmann March 22 Chris and Megan Stroble—Owen and Mary Ehlers March 29 Bill and Joretta Hiday—Barb Hardwick Ushers March 1 Cindy Knote, Scott Clamme, Drew Walker and Lowell Sharp March 8 Scott Clamme, Lowell Sharp, Chris Walker and Tom Armstrong March 15 Drew Walker, Lowell Sharp, Chris Walker and Tom Armstrong March 22 Scott Clamme, Lowell Sharp, Chris Walker and Tom Armstrong March 29 Cindy Knote, Lowell Sharp, Tom Armstrong and Neil Stroble Lectors March 1 Nolan Willmann March 8 Joan Strine March 15 Denise Hile March 22 Megan Stroble March 29 Sarah Fleener
March Birthdays Wade Carnes Chris Stroble Chris Coy Joyce Willmann Imogene Schmidt Brent Walker Betty Rinker Susan Cook Scott Clamme Isola Banter Betty Walker Helen Stroble
3-8 3-8 3-11 3-12 3-16 3-16 3-19 3-23 3-26 3-28 3-30 3-31
Assisting Ministers March 1 Jody Stanley March 8 Mark Prout March 15 Denise Hile March 22 Chris Coy March 29 Sarah Fleener
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