April 2017
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19 We all know that Lutherans tend to look at the past with nostalgia. That’s why our bishop has made these verses from Isaiah a thematic Scripture for his work, encouraging us to see the new thing that God is doing in our church, community, and world. But what if we don’t see the “good old days” as so good? What if, instead of nostalgia, we look back on our past with deep regret? What if we
long to go back to a particular point in our lives, not to enjoy the past, but to make a different decision that would give us a better present? Nearly all of us, I suspect, have things we wish we could go back and change. Bad choices can hang over us like a dark cloud. That’s just as true for me as for anyone else. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least a half-dozen instances in which I wish had done or said something differently. My brain can bombard me with “If only...” and “What if?” until I can barely move. Sometimes it feels like an assault from the spiritual realm, with the devil taunting me with my mistakes. Perhaps you know what that feels like too. It was in response to such assaults from the devil that Luther fell back on his baptism. Whatever bad choices he had made, his baptism
Zion’s 2017 Council Members Elder & President .......................................................................... Larry Hile Elder & Vice-President ............................................................. Fred Walker Secretary ............................................................................. Cathy Willmann Deacons .................................................................................... Drew Walker Allen Stallsmith Mike Clamme Trustees ................................................................................Tom Armstrong Mark Prout Neil Stroble Treasurer ............................................................................... Dennis Walker Financial Secretaries ............................................................ Sandy Langdon Anita Reid
made it possible to rise again daily and have a fresh start living as God’s child. Baptism made it possible to accept what had been to live for what will be in God’s kingdom. That’s true for us as well. When the devil assaults us with our own mistakes, we can talk back. “I am baptized!” Because of that, God accepts you for who you are. God accepts you as a sinful human being, and promises to make you into something new. The “new thing” that God is doing isn’t just out there. It’s also in you. You, too, are the “new thing” that God is working on and bringing into being. May we all remember that good news when we are tempted to dwell on the bad. Love to you all, Pr. David
Holy Week at Zion Maundy Thursday, April 13th at 7 p.m. - Worship with Holy Communion Good Friday, April 14th at 7 p.m. - Tenebrae at Zion with First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Susan Finley, pastor at First Presbyterian, will preach. Easter Sunday, April 16th at 10:30 a.m. - Worship with Holy Communion
April 2017
Parish Register Bob Thomas passed away on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Pastor David Fleener officiated at Bob’s funeral service at Keplinger Funeral rd Home on March 3 . Burial followed at the Hartford City Cemetery with Military Honors by the Dunkirk American Legion. Our sympathy goes out to Bob’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.”
Easter Flowers If you would like to purchase an Easter Lily to be placed in the sanctuary on Easter morning please talk to Isola Banter. The orders are due by March 9th and the cost is $10.
Reformania Grace Village's spring fundraiser, Reformania, will be held at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 4401 N. Wheeling, Muncie, on Friday, April 28th at 7 p.m. Come enjoy German cuisine and a presentation by Dr. Brent Hege, professor of religion at Butler University. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased from Pr. David.
April Birthdays Nyla Hile Adrienne McClure Harriett Walker Carol Kachur Cathy Willmann Betty Bell Tiann Coy Fred Walker Dean Young Tyler Atkinson Michelle Walker Megan Stroble Barbara Thomas Mark Prout Judy Willmann
4-1 4-2 4-9 4-10 4-10 4-16 4-17 4-20 4-20 4-21 4-24 4-25 4-26 4-27 4-27
Reformation Roots "Reformation Roots", a DVD course which explores the life of Martin Luther and the subsequent reformations of the 16th century, continues on Tuesday evenings, Apr. 4th, 11th, and 25th, at 7 p.m. in the church library.
Last Lenten Supper Our final Wednesday soup supper will be on April 5th at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Pr. David is looking for volunteers to bring either soup, sandwiches, or a dessert. If you can help, contact him at 765330-4170 or at fleeneda@gmail.com.
April Lectionary Readings Lent 5 - April 2nd 1st Reading - Ezekiel 37:1-14 Psalm 130 2nd Reading - Romans 8:6-11 Gospel - John 11:1-45 Palm Sunday - April 9th 1st Reading - Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 2nd Reading - Philippians 2:5-11 Gospel - Matthew 26:14—27:66 Maundy Thursday - April 13th 1st Reading - Exodus 12:1-14 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Gospel - John 13:1-17, 31b-35 Good Friday - April 14th 1st Reading - Isaiah 52:13—53:12 Gospel - John 18:1—19:42 Easter Vigil - April 15th 2nd Reading - Romans 6:3-11 Gospel - John 20:1-18 Easter Day - April 16th 1st Reading - Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 2nd Reading - Colossians 3:1-4 Gospel - Matthew 28:1-10 Easter 2 - April 23rd 1st Reading - Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Psalm 16 2nd Reading - 1 Peter 1:3-9 Gospel - John 20:19-31 Easter 3 - April 30th 1st Reading - Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 2nd Reading - 1 Peter 1:17-23 Gospel - Luke 24:13-35
April 2017
February Council Minutes Congregation Council met on February 9, 2017. Present: Anita Reid, Drew Walker, Sandy Langdon, Allen Stallsmith, Neil Stroble, Dennis Walker, Mark Prout, Larry Hile, Cathy Willmann and Pastor David Fleener Absent: Fred Walker, Mike Clamme and Tom Armstrong The meeting was called to order by Larry Hile. Devotions were given by Drew Walker. Neil Stroble made a motion to accept the secretary’s report of the January 12th meeting. Drew Walker seconded. Motion carried. Correspondence: Letter received from Blackford County 4-H Booster Club. Motion was made by Sandy Langdon to donate $50 from Kathryn Rogers Outreach Memorial Fund. Seconded by Mark Prout. Motion carried. Agenda additions: Decide on which Sunday to vote on roof repairs. Pastor’s report: Pastoral Care— January visits: 7 shut-ins (1 by phone), 3 sick/hospital, 1 pastoral, 2 funerals, 9 home/hospital communions. Deacons Fund in January—One check: $60 to Indiana-Michigan Power Assisted two persons with gasoline: $15.01 and $20.00 We had a discrepancy of -$18.97 in the cash balance we keep in the office, so I balanced it out-of-pocket. Confirmation Classes—First class is Sunday, February 12th, 6-7:30 p.m. and continuing every other Sunday evening through May. After a brief introduction to Lutheran worship and expectations of confirmands, we will continue to a study of the Old Testament.
Motion to accept the Pastor’s report by Drew Walker. Seconded by Allen Stallsmith. Motion passed. Committee reports—Parish Ed: Drew Walker Pastor has VBS kit to look over for possible week-end VBS. Worship/Music/Memorial: Dennis Walker Will meet February 15. Twelve small speakers for the organ will be installed Saturday. Four large speakers will be taken to Ft. Wayne to be refurbished. Motion by Mark Prout to accept all committee reports. Seconded by Neil Stroble. Passed Council reports—Deacons: Allen Stallsmith Attendance and Holy Communion report: Jan.1 - 66 attended, 61 communed; Jan. 6 (Epiphany) - 8 attended, 8 communed; Jan. 8 - 68 attended, 64 communed; Jan. 15 57 attended, 54 communed; Jan. 22 - 65 attended; Jan. 29 - 65 attended; 60 communed Trustees: Mark Prout and Neil Stroble Water bull was $200 more last month. Toilet was overflowing but will see credit or adjustment on next month’s bill. Pastor questioned if the roof at the parsonage still needs repaired. Will check with Tom Armstrong. Treasurer: Dennis Walker Question and answer period over line items and amounts. Will ask Courtney to print financial sheet a week before council meeting so it can be looked over for errors to be corrected before council meeting. Paper bills that are sent to Courtney’s home will be redirected to the church so Dennis can look them over before they are paid. All employees will have direct
deposit for payroll after February 9. Check printer has been purchased and will be installed Saturday. Sandy Langdon pointed out the generous monetary Christmas gifts to the Food Pantry and Grace Village. Motion to accept council reports by Anita Reid. Seconded by Sandy Langdon. Motion passed. Old Business: Surplus monies left over from 150th anniversary was discussed. Balance of about $3,000 is left over and about 30 books left for purchase. Possibly ask 150th committee if they would be willing to serve on a committee along with other people to volunteer to use surplus monies to roll over to celebrate Reformation Anniversary with an emphasis on community outreach. New Business: Sandy Langdon made a motion to use Lenten and Easter offering divided 1/2 to Local Food Pantry and 1/2 to Wernle. Mark Prout seconded. Motion passed. Voting members to Synod Assembly, Scott and Shay Clamme. Mark Prout made a motion to pay fees for Pastor and Sarah and Scott and Shay to attend. Seconded by Drew Walker. Motion passed. Roof—Constitution was consulted. Members must receive in writing about the special meeting to consider roof repairs and announced at least two Sundays in advance. Will ask Debbie to include it in the March newsletter and bulletins. Will plan March 26th as the Sunday for a special meeting to consider the roof repairs. The meeting closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be on March 9, 2017. Anita Reid will have the devotions. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Willmann, Recording Secretary
The Zion Herald April 2017
“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
March 16, 2017 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
April 2017 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters
April 2 April 9 April 16 April 23 April 30
Larry and Denise Hile—Gene and Aneta Gardner Gene and Aneta Gardner—Larry and Virginia Langdon Anita Reid—Don and Carolyn Goetz Jim and Betty Rinker—Cindy Knote Roger and Judy Willmann—Louie and Joyce Willmann Ushers
April 2 April 9 April 13 April 14 April 16 April 23 April 30
Drew Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Tim Stanley and Buck Sharp Allen Stallsmith, Tim Stanley, Buck Sharp and Max Langdon Drew Walker and Allen Stallsmith Drew Walker and Mike Clamme Drew Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Mike Clamme and Max Langdon Mike Clamme, Tim Stanley, Buck Sharp and Max Langdon Drew Walker, Tim Stanley, Buck Sharp and Max Langdon Acolytes
April 2 April 9 April 13 April 16 April 23 April 30
Bryce Stroble and Sydney Stroble Keaton Walker Sydney Stroble Bryce Stroble and Kaylin Clamme Ryne Clamme and Keaton Walker Sydney Stroble and Kaylin Clamme
Assisting Ministers
April 2 April 9 April 13 April 14 April 16 April 23 April 30
Mark Prout Denise Hile Jody Stanley Mark Prout Sarah Fleener Denise Hile Jody Stanley Lectors
April 2 April 9 April 13 April 16 April 23 April 30
Denise Hile Virginia Langdon Cindy Knote Carolyn Goetz Linda Baker Linda Baker