April 2015
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com As I write this, the church office is preparing feverishly for Holy Week. Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday all loom ahead. Pastors sometimes call it (halfjokingly) “Holy Hell Week”. Such a schedule of observances seems almost alien to our culture. Maybe you’ve had people ask you why Lutherans observe Good Friday, since “it’s so sad”. Maybe you’ve been asked, “Why are you going to church again? Don’t you just need to come on Sunday?” Or maybe you’ve never been to the services in Holy Week and are wondering what the big deal is. There is a reason we observe Holy Week, specifically Maundy
Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. The Christian faith is centered on what happens in those three days – Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. Think of any Sunday worship service during the year in which we celebrate Holy Communion. Each Sunday is a reenactment of the Three Days in miniature. We hear, “In the night in which he was betrayed,” as an introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer, and are transported to the upper room with the disciples where he institutes this Supper. When we hear, “This is my body,” and “This is my blood,” we are transported to the foot of the cross, where Jesus suffers and dies to reconcile us with God the Father. And, when we take Jesus’ body and blood into ourselves, we see the Risen Lord, who gives us himself to
make us more and more like him. The Three Days, then, is the drama of our salvation liturgically re-enacted in whole. We enter God’s time – the time in which Jesus shares a life-giving meal with his friends (and with us), suffers and dies to reconcile us with God, and rises again from death. The miniature Three Days is given its full due on the actual Three Days. I encourage you to enter into God’s time this week, and take part in the drama of our salvation. Invite a friend to experience it with you. You may be surprised to find yourself experiencing these events in a way you haven’t before – and you may find your faith strengthened. With love, Pr. David
April 2015
Birth Announcements
Atticus James Hile
Congratulations to Brian and Deborah Hile on the birth of their second son, Atticus James. Atticus was born on Monday, February 16, 2015. He weighed 8 pounds and 2 ounces and measured 20 inches in length. His proud grandparents are Larry and Denise Hile and his great-grandparents are Max and Nyla Hile. God’s blessings to Brian and Deborah, big brother Ethan, and Atticus Hile.
Raymond Arlo Boozer
Congratulations also to Ashley Boozer on the birth of her son, Raymond Arlo. Raymond was born on Friday, February 20, 2015. He weighed 9 pounds and 2 ounces and measured 22 inches in length. Raymond’s proud grandparents are Chris and Michelle Monce and his great-grandparents are Max and Nyla Hile. God’s blessings to Ashley, big sister Tacy, and Raymond Boozer.
Lent/Easter Offering
Easter Breakfast
Offering received at Zion during Lent and Easter will be divided between Wernle and Community and Family Services for our local Food Pantry.
An Easter breakfast will be served at 9 AM in the fellowship hall on Easter morning. Freewill offerings will support Pastor David and the Monce family’s trip to the ELCA National Youth Gathering in Detroit this July. We need to raise around $3500 for registration and housing.
April Lectionary Readings Maundy Thursday - April 2nd 1st Reading - Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Gospel Reading - John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Good Friday - April 3rd 1st Reading - Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Psalm 22 2nd Reading - Hebrews 10:16-25 Gospel - John 18:1—19:42 Easter Vigil - April 4th 2nd Reading - Romans 6:3-11 Gospel - John 20:1-18 Easter Day - April 5th 1st Reading - Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Gospel - Mark 16:1-8 Easter 2 - April 12 1st Reading - Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133 2nd Reading - 1 John 1:1—2:2 Gospel - John 20:19-31 Easter 3 - April 19 1st Reading - Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4 2nd Reading - 1 John 3:1-7 Gospel - Luke 24:36b-48 Easter 4 - April 26 1st Reading - Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 2nd Reading - 1 John 3:16-24 Gospel - John 10:11-18
April 2015
February Council Minutes Congregation Council met on February 12, 2015. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Chris Coy, Tom Armstrong, John Hendricks, Cindy Knote, Max Langdon, Sandy Langdon, Madeline Lennon, Jody Stanley, Drew Walker and Anita Reid Absent: Scott Clamme and Chris Stroble The meeting was called to order by Chris Coy. Cindy Knote made a motion to accept the minutes. John Hendricks seconded. Motion passed. Correspondence: A thank you letter was received from Dr. Croner of Blackford Schools thanking us for the donation received at Christmas to help students and families. A Congregational Mission Support letter of intent for fiscal year 2015 has been received from the IN/ KY Synod. Council suggested that we send $12,000. A letter of request from 4-H was received for the fair. Cindy Knote made a motion to send $50. Madeline Lennon seconded. Motion passed. A letter was received from the Hartford City Fire Department for fire prevention instruction for children. Sandy Langdon made a motion to send $25. Jody Stanley seconded. Motion passed. Pastor’s report: Pastor did 7
shut-in visits, 3 pastoral visits and 9 Holy communions in January. The Soul Care team did 2 shut-in visits and 2 Holy communions. Christian Education: Parish Education committee tentatively set July 6-10 for VBS. Pastors from Trinity and First Presbyterian have agreed to collaborate again this year. The following groups have agreed to host the soup suppers for Lent. 2/18 (Ash Wednesday) - Council; 2/25 - Adult Sunday School; 3/4 - Choir; 3/11 - Mission and Ministry; 3/18 - Soul Care team and 3/25 - Parish Ed. Council handbook: Pastor is working on handbooks for each office of the council covering respective duties as well as general duties. Pastor hopes to have first draft completed by next meeting after meeting with members from each office. ELCA youth gathering: The gathering will be held in Detroit from July 15 - 19. Zack and Brady Monce have expressed a desire to attend. Possible fundraisers were discussed to assist with expenses. Registration is $375 per person with a possibility of 5 going. Inactive members: A discussion was held about how to communicate with persons who have not communed or given to the congregation for over a year. Sandy Langdon and Drew Walker will work with Pastor on this issue.
Committee reports—Parish Education: Parish Ed. met on Feb. 5th. Sandy Langdon reported that it was decided that the kids will use the same Apostle’s Creed that we presently use. Worship/Music/Memorial: Met on Jan. 19th. Jody Stanley reported that hymns have been chosen through April. Council reports—Deacon: 1/4 69 attended, 54 communed; 1/6 - 10 attended; 1/11 - 68 attended, 66 communed; 1/18 - 66 attended, 64 communed and 1/25 - 68 attended Cindy Knote reported that there were 3 or 4 utility requests from the Deacon’s fund. Trustees: Kitchen door will be finished this week Treasurer’s Report: Given by Max Langdon Drew Walker made a motion to accept the council and committee reports. New Business: Lenten and Easter offerings were discussed. Drew Walker made a motion to split the offerings between Wernle and the local food pantry. Jody Stanley seconded. Motion passed. Meeting closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. Next meeting is March 12 at 7 PM. Respectfully submitted, Anita Reid, Recording Secretary
April 2015 Lay Ministry Servers April 5 April 12 April 19 April 26
Greeters Dorothy Hale—Bill and Joretta Hiday Anita Reid—Fred and Linda Walker Max and Sandy Langdon—Louie and Joyce Willmann Eldon Willmann—Edi Tarter
April 2 April 3 April 4 April 5 April 12 April 19 April 26
Ushers Drew Walker and Don Goetz Cindy Knote and Gene Banter Cindy Knote Drew Walker, Cindy Knote, Scott Clamme, and Chris Walker Scott Clamme, Allen Stallsmith, Gene Banter and Cindy Knote Drew Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Gene Banter and Lowell Sharp Cindy Knote, Allen Stallsmith, Drew Walker and Scott Clamme
April 2 April 3 April 5 April 12 April 19 April 26
Lectors Jody Stanley Sarah Fleener Linda Walker Fred Walker Sandy Langdon Joan Strine
April Birthdays Nyla Hile Adrienne McClure Harriett Walker Cathy Willmann Betty Bell Tiann Coy Fred Walker Tyler Atkinson Eric Langdon Michelle Walker Megan Stroble Barbara Thomas Mark Prout Judy Willmann
4-1 4-2 4-9 4-10 4-16 4-17 4-20 4-21 4-23 4-24 4-25 4-26 4-27 4-27
Assisting Ministers April 2 Jody Stanley April 3 Sarah Fleener April 4 Chris Coy April 5 Mark Prout April 12 Denise Hile April 19 Sarah Fleener April 26 Jody Stanley
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