July 2016
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are shaking with terror. My soul also is struck with terror, while you, O Lord—how long? Turn, O Lord, save my life; deliver me for the sake of your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who can give you praise? -Psalm 6:2-5 As I write this, the worst mass shooting in American history has just occurred. A disturbed man, perhaps with links to radical Islamic terrorism (we’ll know the truth more fully, hopefully) murdered 50 people and wounded at least 53 more in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. “Conservatives” will point to Islamic terrorism. “Liberals” will
point to easy access to assault firearms and hatred of LGBTQ persons. And with all this fingerpointing, we remain stuck in a cycle of hatred, violence, and murder. We refuse to look at the evil that lurks within each of us, which creates its own system bigger than the sum of its parts. It is hard to know what to write right now, other than to echo the words of the psalmist: “My soul also is struck with terror, while you, O Lord – how long?” There is a deep spiritual sickness in our world, which is deeper than any issue: gun control, Islamic terrorism, LGBTQ hatred. All of those things are symptoms of the bigger spiritual sickness that leads to these acts of hatred and violence. And while the symptoms need treatment, while brave persons need to rise up to confront such evil, the
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
sickness remains. And it is a sickness that only Jesus can cure. Come, Lord Jesus. Love to you all, Pr. David
Thank You Pr. David wants to thank the congregation again for allowing him time away for rest, reflection, and reading. He looks forward to returning with new energy on July 11th.
July 2016
Parish Register Kathryn Rogers passed away on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. Her funeral service was held at Zion on Saturday, June 11th, with Pastor David Fleener officiating. Burial followed at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Montpelier. Our sympathy goes out to Kathryn’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.”
Joint VBS with Trinity and First Presbyterian! Our joint Vacation Bible School, "Surf Shack", will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Hartford City July 18th - 22nd, 6-8 p.m. You can sign up your child or volunteer by calling the church office at 348-3157, by filling out a child registration form or volunteer application form on the table at the back of the sanctuary and turning it in at the office or by emailing: zionluth.hc@gmail.com.
July Lectionary Readings Pentecost 7 - July 3rd 1st Reading - 2 Kings 5:1-14 Psalm 30 2nd Reading - Galatians 6:1-16 Gospel - Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 Pentecost 8 - July 10th 1st Reading - Amos 7:7-17 Psalm 82 2nd Reading - Colossians 1:1-14 Gospel - Luke 10:25-37 Pentecost 9 - July 17th 1st Reading - Amos 8:1-12 Psalm 52 2nd Reading - Colossians 1:15-28 Gospel - Luke 10:38-42 Pentecost 10 - July 24th 1st Reading - Hosea 1:2-10 Psalm 85 2nd Reading - Colossians 2:6-19 Gospel - Luke 11:1-13
Sons of the Parish This picture was taken at the ordination of son of the parish, Rev. Donald Willman. Also present was son of the parish, Rev. Howard Stroble. Ministers of Zion that were present for the ordination were Rev. J. Edward Schmidt and Rev. C.J. Mittermaier.
Pentecost 11 - July 31st 1st Reading - Hosea 11:1-11 Psalm 107:1-9, 43 2nd Reading - Colossians 3:1-11 Gospel - Luke 12:13-21
Confirmation Pictures The 150th Anniversary committee would like to know if anyone has a confirmation picture for the years: 1916, 1918, 1921, 1923, 1925, 1940, 1948, 1950, 1953, 1963, 1965, 1987, 2005 and 2009. If so, would you please bring it to the church office so that it can be copied for our 150th anniversary.
July 2016
May Council Minutes Congregation Council met on May 12, 2016. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Barb Hardwick, Jody Stanley, Tom Armstrong, Max Langdon, Scott Clamme, Tiann Coy, Larry Hile, Allen Stallsmith and Drew Walker Absent: Kathy Sharp, Chris Stroble and Mark Prout The meeting was called to order by Jody Stanley. Devotions were given by Pastor David. A motion was made by Tom Armstrong to accept the minutes of the secretary’s report. Scott Clamme seconded. Correspondence: Debbie Walker asked for time off when her next grandchild is born and also time off during the first week in August for her family vacation. Taking time off was approved. Add items to agenda: The June council meeting will be held on the 2nd instead of the 9th due to Synod Assembly. Pastor’s report: Pastoral Care— April: 5 shut-in visits (1 by phone), 5 sick/hospital visits, 1 funeral (Dwight Schmidt), 6 communed. Christian Education—Thailand Trek may not work for our VBS. Group, unfortunately, does not stock supplies for past VBS programs (this one is from 2015), so our only source is the limited stock available on 3rdparty websites. Certain vital supplies, like student magazines, are unavailable no matter where we look. I did meet with Pastors Susan Finley and Dustin Jones today to talk about possible curriculum (oral report).
Deacon’s Fund: Deacon’s Fund usage—Five checks were written in April: $150 – AEP (electricity), $34 – Hartford City utilities (water), $50 – Wheels in Motion donation (as approved in April by council), $50 – City of Montpelier (water), and $50 – AEP (electricity) Attendance Report—4/3 – 63 attended, 57 communed; 4/10 – 80 attended, 74 communed; 4/17 – 72 attend-ed, 68 communed; 4/24 – 72 attended, 61 communed Other events in April: April 4, 11, 18, 25 – Joe and Jesus at Common Grounds April 4, 11, 18, 25 – Class at CTS April 5 – Grace Village board meeting April 7 – Constitution Committee meeting April 12 – ECIC Ministerial meeting April 13, 20, 27 – Evening Prayer in Fellowship Hall April 14 – BCMA meeting April 15 – Grace Village spring fundraiser “Merry Monks” at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Muncie April 21 – Spoke with interviewer from LSTC and Lilly Foundation about seminary debt April 21 – 150th anniversary meeting April 22-23 – Synod Campus Ministry Committee meeting at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. Motion to accept by Larry Hile. Seconded by Max Langdon Committee reports: Parish Ed: Meeting on May 24th. Worship/Music/Memorial: Meeting scheduled for May 25th. Land use: Max will talk to Chris Coy. Instead of using a stone with
engraved names for memorial trees Dennis and Chris Walker will be making a bell tower. The bell is at Nolan Willman’s house. Plaques will be put on the bell tower. It will be 8 1/2 feet tall. They need to decide where to place it on the west lawn. 150th Anniversary Committee: Met April 21st. Louise Clamme, Peggy Willmann and Nolan Willman are working on getting pictures and easels for display and making books for Zion’s 150th anniversary. There will be a coffee hour on June 12th at 9 a.m. 150th Anniversary booklets may be preordered at that time. Pastor David Stephey is planning to attend our celebration in October. Constitution Committee: Met May 3rd. They discussed why people do not want to serve on council. They have a working proposal for a council of seven members: two elders, secretary, treasurer, senior deacon (or representative), senior trustee (or representative) and the pastor. Meeting on June 7th. Mission and Ministry: No meeting. Drew Walker made a motion to accept the committee reports. Tiann Coy seconded. Approved. Council reports—Elders: Pastor and individuals meeting with several members of the church that have not been to church lately. Trustees: Have Holsten’s put in a new water softener at the parsonage. Pastor David will purchase a new dishwasher for the parsonage as well. Cost will be about $1500 for both. Boiler inspected on May 11th. All
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July 2016
May Council Minutes continued conditions satisfactory. Discussed several other items to be done at the parsonage, including cleaning the gutters and fixing brickwork on chimney. Financial Secretaries: The secretaries proposed putting reminders in November and December bulletins that monies received after December 31 will count for the next year, no matter what date is on the envelope.
Treasurer: General Fund $7,174.84 as of April 30th. $1000 from Russell and Joan Stanley was transferred to the Memorial Fund from the General Fund. Motion to accept the committee reports by Larry Hile. Seconded by Scott Clamme. Approved. Old Business: no report New Business: Council rescheduled for June 2nd.
There are concerns about the current cabinets in the sacristy. They do not permit full access to the space. Pastor David will talk to altar care about options. The meeting closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next meeting will be on June 2, 2016. Pastor David will have the devotions. Respectfully submitted, Barb Hardwick Recording Secretary
The Zion Herald July 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 9:00 AM with Worship at 10:00 AM
July 2016 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters
July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31
Gene and Isola Banter—Jim and Betty Rinker Cindy Knote—Claretta Dutro Don and Carolyn Goetz—Bill and Joretta Hiday Roger and Judy Willmann—Tom and Vicki Armstrong Claretta Dutro—Buck and Kathy Sharp Ushers
July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31 July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31
Lectors
Nolan Willman Cindy Knote Carolyn Goetz Michelle Walker Kathy Sharp
Assisting Ministers
July 3 July 10 July 17 July 24 July 31
Denise Hile Mark Prout, worship leader Denise Hile Sarah Fleener Jody Stanley
July Birthdays Ashley Boozer Linda Walker Debbie Walker Eldon Willmann Tryce Hendricks Kevin Miniear John Hendricks Rick Seiver Paige Walker Trenton Grile Nancy Cortright Alison McCammon Kim Winningham Joyce Colbert Bill Hiday Marilyn Scott Jessica Avant Kean Coy Sandy Langdon
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