April 2013
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address —fleeneda@gmail.com Being that this is being written during Holy Week, things are a little crazy around the office right now. Papers keep piling up on my desk. There’s a stack of books I have yet to read – and probably won’t read for another few weeks yet. It’s a bit ironic that during the holiest week of the Christian year, my thoughts are not so much on God but on preparing for each of our four worship services. I guess you could say that I have a bit of a “Martha” complex, concerned with getting things done, rather than taking time at the feet of Christ as Mary does (Luke 10:38-42). But through the busy-ness, I trust that God is at work. Even during frantic, last-ditch preparations, I trust that God is involved in the process. After all, Christ gave us the words by which we should pray to God. Paul writes about the Spirit, which intercedes for us in our weakness (Romans 8:26). God is involved in the work, no matter what kind of work it may be, as long as it is done in faithfulness to him. So I – and we – can let go, letting God take command of our work to shape it according to his purposes. I love Reinhold Niebuhr’s Serenity Prayer, which keeps my work in perspective. May it do the same for you.
God, give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen. See you in church! Pr. David
April 2013
Walker Baptism
Michelle, Makenna, Keaton, Reece and Drew Walker Holy Baptism was celebrated on March 10th for Makenna Lynn Walker, infant daughter of Drew and Michelle Walker. Makenna’s aunt, Paige Walker, was her Baptismal sponsor. “Cradling children in His arms, Jesus gave his blessing. Take them, Lord, give life anew and keep them always near to you.” (LBW)
Stewardship Stewardship ladies will be meeting on Tuesday, April 9th and 23rd, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. If you would like to help them make quilts for Lutheran World Relief you are welcome to join them.
Timeless Treasures
Celebrate April with Timeless Treasures! Timeless Treasures is a ministry of Grace United Methodist Church for all Blackford County older adults. Come enjoy the month of April with us! Wednesday, April 10, Men’s Breakfast at 8 a.m. at Richard’s Restaurant, and Women’s Lunch at 11:30 a.m. at Richard’s. Call Janet Howard, 348-0076, to reserve your spot for lunch! Thursday, April 25, Monthly Get-Together, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., at the Nazarene Church in Montpelier. Program: continuation of our topic, hobbies, this time from a male point of view! Will Ufkes will show us some examples of his woodworking and also tell us about his adventures volunteering with the Polar Express.
Jim Claghorn will tell us about his explorations into genealogy. Lunch cost: $6 or whatever amount you would like to donate. Reserve no later than Friday, April 19, by calling Myra. Tuesday, April 30, Springtime Mississinewa Valley Band Concert. Indiana Wesleyan University. Free. 7:30 p.m. Leaving the church at 6:45 p.m. Call to reserve. Ongoing...Women’s Bible Study, Tuesdays, 9-10:30 a.m., Grace UMC Library. Studying “Battlefield of the Mind” by Joyce Meyers. You are welcome to join us at any time! Led by Jill Justice. Ongoing...GreifShare, Mondays, 1-3 p.m. Come anytime. Bereavement support for anyone who has experienced the loss of someone close. For more information and/or to make a reservation, call Myra Smith, 348-1478 or 499-0730.
Gideon Sunday Sunday, April 14th, we will have a speaker from the Gideon’s International. During our worship service he will share information about the distribution of Bibles around the world. An offering for the purchase of Bibles will be received at the close of the worship service as you leave the sanctuary.
April 2013
February Council Minutes Congregation Council met on February 12, 2013. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Shay Clamme, Pat Gillis, Larry Hile, Cindy Knote, Allen Stallsmith, Fred Strine, Libby Stroble, Neil Stroble and Linda Walker Absent: Barbara Hardwick, John Hendricks and Kathy Sharp Linda Walker called the meeting to order. Libby Stroble gave the devotions. The minutes from January 8, 2013 meeting were reviewed. Pastor Fleener asked that a change be made to the Pastor’s report to replace “I” and “I’ll” with Pastor Fleener will .......... Larry Hile made a motion to approve the minutes as amended, Cindy Knote seconded. Approved as amended. Correspondence: The Hartford City Fire Department is requesting funds to be used to educate children on fire hazards. After discussion, the Council decided not to support this project. The Blackford County 4-H Booster Club is making a request for funds to sponsor the Vesper Service at the 4-H Fair to be held July 7th at 6:30 p.m. They are asking for
ten churches to donate $25.00 each. Neil Stroble made a motion to donate $25.00 to the Blackford County 4-H Booster Club to support the Vesper Service, Fred Strine seconded. Motion carried. Pastor’s Report: Pastoral care for January: visited 4 shut-ins; visited 9 sick/hospital; one funeral; counseling - 1 Reported on the Confirmation Class and their activities. Listed the five Lutheran personalities that will be studied on Thursday nights during Lent. Reported on the Young Adult Sunday school class which is reading “Love Wins” by Rob Bell. March 3 a new Communion setting will be used through Easter Sunday. Committee Reports—Worship/ Music/Memorial Committee: No report - will meet in next couple of weeks. Fred Strine made a motion to accept reports, Cindy Knote, seconded. Motion carried. Council Reports: Deacons: Pastor Fleener will be providing education for communion process. Elders: Pastor Fleener will forward to Elders the Ratified Constitution which they will forward on to the Synod.
Trustees: Larry Hile will be getting bids the first of March for the roof repair. Financial Secretaries: VIA Credit Union very convenient for depositing funds. Treasurer: Deposit slips and checks are ready for VIA Credit Union. Funds have been transferred to VIA. CD and Money Market money will be transferred when due. Cindy Knote made a motion to accept Council Reports, Allen Stallsmith seconded. Motion carried. New Business: After discussion a motion was made by Larry Hile and seconded by Pat Gillis to split the Lent and Easter offerings between Grace Village and Community and Family Services. Motion carried. Council Retreat - Pastor Fleener asked for ideas concerning a Council Retreat stating money has been budgeted but has not been used. He asked for ideas and suggestions from Council. More discussion will be held in the future. The meeting was closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. Submitted by, Libby Stroble Acting Recording Secretary
April 2013 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters April 7 Dick and Carolyn Smith—Bill and Joretta Hiday April 14 Mark and Julie Prout—Buck and Kathy Sharp April 21 Barbara Hardwick—Owen and Mary Ehlers April 28 Claretta Dutro and Eldon Willmann—Don and Carolyn Goetz
April 7 April 14 April 21 April 28
Ushers Fred Strine, Allen Stallsmith, Cindy Knote and Larry Langdon Fred Strine, Larry Langdon, Owen Ehlers and Eldon Willmann Allen Stallsmith, Larry Langdon, Owen Ehlers and Eldon Willmann Cindy Knote, Larry Langdon, Owen Ehlers and Eldon Willmann
Lectors April 7 Carolyn Smith April 14 Julie Prout April 21 Ben Kizer April 28 Carolyn Goetz
Assisting Ministers April 7 Mark Prout April 14 Jody Stanley April 21 Denise Hile April 28 Sarah Fleener
April Birthdays Nyla Hile 4-1 Adrienne McClure 4-2 Martha Walker 4-2 Harriett Walker 4-9 Cathy Willmann 4-10 Betty Bell 4-16 Tiann Coy 4-17 Fred Walker 4-20 Tyler Atkinson 4-21 Joyce Musselman 4-21 Eric Langdon 4-23 Michelle Walker 4-24 Megan Stroble 4-25 Barbara Thomas 4-26 Mark Prout 4-27 Judy Willmann 4-27
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