December 2016
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com I’ve been thinking a lot about the end of the world lately. Whatever your political leanings are, the increasingly rapid change in the world can be frightening. It can drive folks into one of three directions: nostalgia for a simpler time, rage against the powers that be, or a numb, defeated acceptance. Genuine hope for a better world seems to be rare these days. What does the Christian do when hope in the ordinary fails? It seems serendipitous that our elections take place in early November, and the Christian season of Advent arrives by the end of the month. So often, we put messianic expectations on our leaders. It’s the same kind of mistake people have been making since the invention of government. During the first Advent of
Christ, the world looked dim for many. God’s people suffered under imperial occupation. And there were plenty of would-be messiahs, who only made things worse. God himself descended into such a dark world, but in a way that no one expected. Even most of the prophets spoke of God’s anointed as a powerful king, not as a little child. Even Isaiah, who gets shadows and hints of what is to come with Jesus’ ministry, speaks of an everlasting reign of justice and peace. God born out-of-wedlock to a young girl, who lived in a tiny nowhere town, was completely unexpected. God showed up in the last place anyone expected to see God. The same is true today. Even though we wait for his final, definitive return to earth, he still appears among us in the last places we would expect
Zion’s 2016 Council Members Elder & President ...................................................................... Jody Stanley Elder & Vice-President ................................................................. Larry Hile Secretary ............................................................................... Barb Hardwick Deacons ................................................................................... Scott Clamme Drew Walker Allen Stallsmith Trustees .................................................................................... Chris Stroble Tom Armstrong Mark Prout Treasurer ................................................................................. Max Langdon Financial Secretaries .................................................................... Tiann Coy Kathy Sharp
to see him. In the person who can’t hold down a job. In the addicted. In those crushed and broken by economic powers, which see people only as means to an end. The irony is true for ourselves, too. When we feel farthest from Christ, that is precisely when he is closest to us. Christ is the hope in a hopeless world, the light which is not overcome by an overwhelming darkness. To be Christian is to realize how vulnerable we really are. We don’t have the luxury of spreading our hope thin. Our hope is in one basket. Our hope is in one Christ and in no one else. God renew your hope in Christ this Advent and Christmas season. Always remember – God keeps promises, even when the keeping seems far away. Love to you all, Pr. David
Advent Dinner Zion’s Advent Dinner will be held following the worship service on th December 4 . Bring a dish to share and come enjoy the music, skits, and fellowship.
December 2016
Parish Register Marilyn Scott passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2016. Her funeral service was held at Zion on Monday, November 7th, with Pastor David Fleener officiating. Burial followed at the Hartford City Cemetery. Our sympathy goes out to Marilyn’s family. “If we have died with Christ, we shall also live with him; if we are faithful to the end, we shall reign with him.”
Christmas Cantata The Blackford Community Choir will perform their Christmas Cantata “Morning Star” by Lloyd Larson, supplemented by congregational hymns on Sunday, December 11th at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Zion. The choir will be conducted by Pastor David Fleener and accompanied by Mrs. Margaret Hammond. The congregation and the community are invited to attend.
Soup Suppers and Evening Prayer Advent Soup Suppers and Evening Prayer begin on Wednesday, November 30th. Supper is at 6 p.m., followed by prayer at 7:00. The Stewardship ladies will serve the supper on November 30th, Choir members on December 7th, the Kitchen committee on December 14th and the Council members on December 21st.
Hanging of the Greens Christmas trees will be decorated at Zion on Saturday, December 10th, at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited to help decorate the church for the Christmas season.
December Lectionary Readings Advent 2 - December 4th 1st Reading - Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 2nd Reading - Romans 15:4-13 Gospel - Matthew 3:1-12
Advent 3 - December 11th 1st Reading - Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 2nd Reading - James 5:7-10 Gospel - Matthew 11:2-11 Advent 4 - December 18th 1st Reading - Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 2nd Reading - Romans 1:1-7 Gospel - Matthew 1:18-25 Christmas Eve - December 24th 1st Reading - Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 2nd Reading - Titus 2:11-14 Gospel - Luke 2:1-20 Christmas Day - December 25th 1st Reading - Isaiah 62:6-12 Psalm 97 2nd Reading - Titus 3:4-7 Gospel - Luke 2:1-20
Christmas Services Zion’s Christmas Eve service will begin at 7 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 candlelighting and singing the hymn “Silent Night”. Offering received at the Advent services and on Christmas Eve will be divided between Grace Village and our local food pantry.
December 2016
Families in Need this Christmas This year we are adopting three families from Southside Elementary. There are a total of nine children. We will be buying each an outfit, snow boots, a toy and jacket if they need one. We also will plan to give each family a care box of food. If you would like to help, you can put donations in the basket at the back of the church, add them to your envelope and note Southside and the amount, or you can do the shopping for a child. If you would like to shop, please contact Michelle Walker (moore2100@hotmail.com or 765635-6253) to get information. We will be shopping for families on Saturday, December 3rd, leaving from the church around 10 a.m. if anyone would like to help. On Sunday, December 11th, we will be wrapping gifts after church. There will be cookies and snacks for the wrapping party! Please join us for the fun!
Christmas Food Baskets Christmas Food Baskets will be assembled on December 17th at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Distribution will be from 2-5 p.m. Staff from Community and Family Services will be present to help assemble, but people from the congregation are also needed. You are invited to spend as much or little time as you are able.
Members on Zion’s Visitation List The following is list of the names and addresses of members on Zion’s visitation list. They would be happy to receive a Christmas card, a letter, or a visit during the Christmas season. Betty Bell c/o Troy Bell 3709 Langhorst Ct. Cincinnati, OH 45236 Carolyn Chandler 1601 N. Richmond, Apt. #204 Hartford City, IN 47348 Joyce Colbert 801 Huntington Ave. Warren, IN 46792 Mary Jo Coy 1000 Independence Pkwy. Hartford City, IN 47348
Rita Ferguson 422 S. Richmond St. Hartford City, IN 47348 Carl and Evelyn Forsberg 801 Huntington Ave. Warren, IN 46792 Margaret Hunnicutt 301 E. Commercial St. Hartford City, IN 47348
1601 N. Morrison Rd. Muncie, IN 47304 Sue Rinker 1587 E - 075 S Hartford City, IN 47348 Imogene Schmidt 4571 E—200 S Hartford City, IN 47348 Russell & Joan Stanley 1925 Memorial Blvd., Apt. #313 Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Helen Stroble 801 Huntington Ave. Warren, IN 46792 Barbara Thomas 801 Huntington Ave. Warren, IN 46792 Bill Thomas 508 S. Poplar Hartford City, IN 47348
Wilma Martz P.O. Box 175 Hartford City, IN 47348
Mable Marie Uhrick Room 311 c/o Waters of Yorktown 2000 S. Andrews Rd. Yorktown, IN 47396
June Miller Dementia Care at Elmcroft Senior Living
Miriam Wise 1591 W - 100 N Hartford City, IN 47348
Choir Christmas Party Zion’s choir members will have a Christmas Party at the home of Nyla Hile on Thursday, December 15th at 6:00 p.m.
December 2016
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Hartford City, Indiana, Christmas 1976
2017 Council Members Newly elected congregational officers for the year 2017 include: Elder and Vice-President - Fred Walker Recording Secretary - Cathy Willmann Deacon - Mike Clamme Trustee - Neil Stroble Financial Secretary - Anita Reid Financial Secretary - Sandy Langdon Treasurer - Dennis Walker Cemetery Trustee - Eldon Willmann Thanks to all who agreed to be on
the ballot for Council. Newly elected officers are invited to attend the next council meeting on Thursday, December 8th at 7:00 p.m. Other council members and cemetery trustees remaining in 2017 include: Elder and President - Larry Hile Deacon - Drew Walker Deacon - Allen Stallsmith Trustee - Tom Armstrong
Trustee - Mark Prout Cemetery Trustee - Bill Hiday Cemetery Trustee - Tim Stanley Thanks to all outgoing members for their faithful service. Jody Stanley Barb Hardwick Max Langdon Scott Clamme Chris Stroble Tiann Coy Kathy Sharp
The Zion Herald December 2016
“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
Serving the Lord in Gladness David Fleener, Pastor Church Office: 348-3157 Zionluth.hc@gmail.com www.zionhc.org
Sunday School at 9:15 AM with Worship at 10:30 AM
December 2016 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters
Dec. 4 Dec. 11 Dec. 18 Dec. 25
Dec. 4 Dec. 11 Dec. 18 Dec. 24 Dec. 25
Tom and Peggy Willmann—Don and Carolyn Goetz Owen and Mary Ehlers—Tom and Vikki Armstrong Cindy Knote—Gene and Aneta Gardner Buck and Kathy Sharp—Edi Tarter Ushers Scott Clamme, Drew Walker, Allen Stallsmith and Gene Banter Drew Walker, Gene Banter, Fred Walker and Larry Gibson Scott Clamme, Gene Banter, Fred Walker and Larry Gibson
Lectors
Dec. 4 Dec. 11 Dec. 18 Dec. 25
Carolyn Goetz Megan Stroble Cindy Knote Kathy Sharp
Assisting Ministers
Dec. 4 Dec. 11 Dec. 18 Dec, 24 Dec. 25
Mark Prout Sarah Fleener Jody Stanley Denise Hile Sarah Fleener
December Birthdays Betty Hendricks Owen Ehlers Cynthia Knote Peggy Willmann Ashley Armstrong Brady Monce Becky Saylor John Hendricks, Sr. Vikki Armstrong Shelly McCammon Mary Ehlers
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