February 2017
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com For a moment, we were connected as siblings in Christ, appealing to the same heavenly Father.
The other day, while out making visits, I was asked by someone I didn’t know to pray for them. I was waiting at the front desk of the nursing home to get the exit code to the front door. A woman ahead of me in line saw my collar and asked if I was a priest. (It’s a common question to get when I’m out in public with the collar on. That, or people will just call me, “Father”.) I told her that I was a Lutheran pastor. That didn’t stop her from asking for prayer. I asked her name, and what was going on in her life. After she told me, I put my hand on her shoulder and prayed for her.
This sort of thing used to happen a lot when I lived in Chicago. Since I moved to Indiana, it’s rare. But what a connection it can create, if only for a few seconds. It makes me think that outreach need not be complicated. It need not be expensive. Profound witness to the gospel can be done with simply a listening ear and an open heart. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Can you imagine it? A congregation filled with people who know how to pray for oth-
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
ers, especially for others they don’t know (yet)? It makes me think I might want to try the old listening post idea again – where I put out a sign and ask people if they want to talk. Only, I might add, “Do you have a prayer request?” Of course, you don’t need to be ordained to do this. Even though I am the “professional Christian” in our congregation, I don’t have a monopoly on communication with God. I have no special prophetic powers. As one of my mentors told me, “The only magic words I believe in are, ‘I love you’.” And those are words any of us can communicate. Love to you all, Pr. David
God is Love
February 2017
December Council Minutes Congregation Council met on December 8, 2016. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Tom Armstrong, Chris Stroble, Barb Hardwick, Kathy Sharp, Anita Reid, Dennis Walker, Jody Stanley, Sandy Langdon, Max Langdon, Larry Hile, Cathy Willmann, Allen Stallsmith, Tiann Coy, and Drew Walker Absent: Mark Prout, and Scott Clamme The meeting was called to order by Jody Stanley. Devotions were given by Chris Stroble. A motion was made by Tom Armstrong to accept the minutes of the last council meeting. Max Langdon seconded. Motion carried. Add items to agenda: Council will provide Soup & Sandwiches before the Advent service on Wednesday, December 21st. Pastor’s report: Pastoral Care— December 2016, by Pastor David: 4 shut-in visits, 4 individual communions There will be more visits in December. I have asked Kathy Sharp to visit Wilma Martz this month. I also plan to try to see some of the shut-ins that I see only every three or four months. Activities during Advent - Like you, I was taken by surprise when I learned that the food pantry was planning to pack 400 Christmas baskets for needy families! Fortunately, the food will be provided by CFS and hopefully, much of the manpower. Our contribution will be our Advent/Christmas offering to defray the
cost of the food, additional volunteers to pack on Saturday, December 17th, and candy canes with a special postcard attached. I’ve printed a sample of the postcard on a separate page. Advent soup suppers with evening prayer are well-attended – around 25-30 are there. I am adapting devotions from ELCA World Hunger for as a “sermon” for those worship times. The Blackford County Community Choir sings “Morning Star” by Lloyd Larson on Sunday, December 11th at 3 and 6 pm. Eight people have signed up so far to participate in bell-ringing for the Salvation Army on Friday, December 16th. $485 was raised for gifts and clothes for Southside Elementary families. Michelle Walker and Sarah Fleener purchased the gifts. They will be wrapped on Sunday. In what has become an annual tradition, we will have Christmas caroling at Common Grounds on Thursday, December 22, 6:30-8 pm. Deacons Fund in November Two assistance checks written in November: $100 to AEP and $50 to AEP The Deacons Fund checking balance as of today, December 8th, is $118.39 Other activities in November Nov. 1 – ECIC ministerial meeting at Holy Trinity, Muncie Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 – Blackford County Community Choir rehearsal Nov. 4 – Grace Village fundraiser at Tonne Winery, Royerton Nov. 4, 11, 18 – Getting Down to Basics class on the Augsburg Con-
fession Nov. 5 – Church partner meeting at Wernle Youth and Family Treatment Center, Richmond Nov. 7, 14, 21, 28 – Joe and Jesus at Common Grounds Nov. 9 – Worship, music, and memorials meeting Nov. 10 – BCMA meeting at John 23rd Center Nov. 20 – Ecumenical Thanksgiving service at Hartford City Church of the Nazarene Nov. 22 – Meeting with Mel Sicks of CFS about Christmas baskets Nov. 22 – Grace Village board meeting Nov. 23 – Thanksgiving Eve worship Nov. 29 – John the 23rd Center board meeting Nov. 30 – Advent soup supper and Evening Prayer Motion to accept the Pastor’s Report by Kathy Sharp Seconded by Tiann Coy. Motion carried. Committee reports—Land use: Max Langdon Drew Walker will dig the holes for the bell tower on December 9th. 150th Anniversary Committee: Jody Stanley and Larry Hile Zion’s 150th Anniversary History Book has been submitted to the publisher. Council reports—Deacons: Attendance Report—11/6 (All Saints) - 77 attended, 72 communed; 11/13 - 77 attended; 11/20 (Christ the King) - 79 attended, 78 communed; 11/23 (Thanksgiving Eve) 26 attended, 26 communed; 11/27 58 attended, 55 communed; 11/30 (Advent) - 23 attended (continued on page 3)
February 2017
December Council Minutes continued Trustees: Shingled roof over Sunday School area is 45 years old and needs to be replaced. Treasurer: General Fund balance as of November 30, 2016 $6,718.95 Motion to accept Council Reports by Larry Hile. Seconded by Tom Armstrong. Motion carried. Old Business: The proposed budget for 2017 was read through. Drew Walker made a motion to approve the budget. Kathy Sharp seconded. Motion passed. Pastor David suggested that we send the Baptismal font to Almy to get an estimate on refurbishing it. Depending on the estimate, we may choose to refurbish or replace it. The meeting closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next meeting will be on January 12, 2017. Larry Hile will have the devotions. Respectfully submitted, Barb Hardwick, Recording Secretary
Donations to the Food Pantry February is one of Zion’s months to collect items for Community and Family Services of Blackford County. Your help would be greatly appreciated in collecting items such as: paper products, laundry soap, personal hygiene items, peanut butter, and canned goods of any kind. Please leave your donations on the table in our fellowship hall.
February Lectionary Readings Epiphany 5 - February 5th 1st Reading - Isaiah 58:1-12 Psalm 112:1-10 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 Gospel - Matthew 5:13-20
Epiphany 6 - February 12th 1st Reading - Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Psalm 119:1-8 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Gospel - Matthew 5:21-37 Epiphany 7 - February 19th 1st Reading - Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 Psalm 119:33-40 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, 16-23 Gospel - Matthew 5:38-48 Transfiguration of Our Lord - Feb. 26th 1st Reading - Exodus 24:12-18 Psalm 2 or Psalm 99 2nd Reading - 2 Peter 1:16-21 Gospel - Matthew 17:1-9
The Zion Herald February 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
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
February 2017 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters
Feb. 5 Feb. 12 Feb. 19 Feb. 26
Roger and Judy Willmann—Eldon Willmann Bill and Joretta Hiday—Chris and Tiann Coy Claretta Dutro—Tom and Peggy Willmann Louie and Joyce Willmann—Chris and Tiann Coy
Ushers Feb. 5 Drew Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Mike Clamme and Larry Hile Feb. 12 Allen Stallsmith, Larry Hile, Louie Willmann and Larry Gibson Feb. 19 Mike Clamme, Larry Hile, Louie Willmann and Larry Gibson Feb. 26 Drew Walker, Larry Hile, Louie Willmann and Larry Gibson Lectors
Feb. 5 Feb. 12 Feb. 19 Feb. 26
Kathy Sharp Chris Coy Sandy Langdon Chris Coy
Assisting Ministers
Feb. 5 Feb. 12 Feb. 19 Feb. 26
Mark Prout Denise Hile Sarah Fleener Jody Stanley
February Birthdays Tim Stanley Allen Stallsmith Drew Walker Makenna Walker Griffin Banter Grant Banter Don Ladd Raymond Boozer Denise Hile Vicki Willman
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