January 2017
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com Like most kids, I loved snow. I loved going out to play in the snow, getting into snowball fights, trying to make snowmen, and sledding. I would imagine entire worlds for myself in our snowy backyard. I remember listening to the news on the radio on a snowy morning, longing to hear the magic words, “Central Elkader – no school”. And of course, Christmastime snow was the best. When I became an adult (especially after I moved to Chicago), snow lost its charm. I had to drive on it. I had to shovel it. There were no more sledding or snowmen. Snow was an obstacle to be overcome, not something to be enjoyed. Since I live right across the street from the church, I can enjoy the snow a little more. But that childlike sense of awe and wonder is difficult
to recover. It’s a little like that with faith. During childhood, everything is suffused with wonder and mystery. And, at least for me, church was no exception. I loved the rituals, the hymns, the people that all pointed to a God who, though invisible, was still very real. As I got older, my old images of God would fail. God as the “big daddy in the sky” who would look out for me, no matter what, didn’t fit my experiences anymore. My faith had to adapt to survive. We understand God the best we can at the time, but God tends to shatter our images of God. It’s painful, but it leads us to a better, greater understanding of God and God’s role in our lives. When Jesus
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
says that we must “become as little children”, I don’t think he means, “become innocent” or “become naïve”. I think it means be open, with a fearlessness of our own vulnerability. When we are open to God, God can do God’s best work within us. And as we know God more and more, the sense of mystery can deepen. We may not be able to recover our childhood type of faith. But by God’s work, our faith can deepen and mature into a new appreciation of God’s mystery. It’s like finding a new way to appreciate and love the snow after the childhood love of snow has worn off. In these dark days of winter, may God continue to mature and deepen your faith, and bring you a greater sense of awe in knowing him. Love to you all, Pr. David
Epiphany Service January 6th is the Epiphany of Our Lord. There will be an Epiphany service with Holy Communion held in the fellowship hall at 7:00 p.m.
January 2017
November Council Minutes Congregation Council met on November 10, 2016. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Barb Hardwick, Kathy Sharp, Tom Armstrong, Larry Hile, Jody Stanley, Mark Prout, Max Langdon, Tiann Coy, Allen Stallsmith and Drew Walker Absent: Scott Clamme and Chris Stroble The meeting was called to order by Jody Stanley. Devotions were given by Tom Armstrong. A motion was made by Tom Armstrong to accept the minutes of the last council meeting. Kathy Sharp seconded. Motion carried. Add items to agenda: Direct deposit of Pr. David’s paycheck. Kelly Ford wants to give a Temple Talk about the Senior Citizen center. Isola Banter asked to purchase oranges to pass out on Christmas Eve. Pastor’s report: Pastoral Care— November 2016, by Pastor David: 6 shut-in, 6 communions Christian Education—Judy Clamme and Linda Walker have said that they are pleased with the Dig-In curriculum from Group Publishing. We plan to continue with it. The “Getting Down to Basics” class continues on Thursday evenings with an attendance of 3-7 persons. We are working our way through sections of the Augsburg Confession, the primary Lutheran confessional document (other than Scripture) with emphases so far on justification, law and gospel, the the-
ology of the cross, and God’s two “hands”. Young adult Sunday school has become a time for coffee and conversation. Food Pantry Christmas Baskets - No word yet from Paul on when we will put together Christmas baskets for the pantry. I will keep you informed. I do know that Libby Stroble is applying for Thrivent Action Team funds. Advent Soup Suppers - We will have a soup supper followed by evening prayer on Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21st. The first two suppers have been taken by Stewardship and the Choir. I would like Council to take either the 14th or the 21st. Deacons’ Fund in October Checks: 10/5 - $100 to AEP; 10/6 $103 to Hartford Square apartments; 10/12 - $129.34 to AEP; 10/24 - $50 to Hartford City Water and Sewage. Other events in October: Oct. 3, 10, 24, 31 – “Joe and Jesus” at Common Grounds Oct. 4 – Grace Village board meeting Oct. 15 – Officiated wedding for my cousin Daniel and his wife, Amanda, in Kansas City, Mo. Oct. 18, 25 – Community choir rehearsal Oct. 24 – Constitution committee Motion to accept the Pastor’s Report by Larry Hile. Seconded by Max Langdon. Motion carried. Committee reports: Worship/ Music/Memorial: Jody Stanley Met on November 9. Hymns were chosen through January 8. Talked about the possibility of a
DVD library for congregational use. Discussed the need to refurbish the baptismal font. Land use: Max Langdon - Waiting on plaque. 150th Anniversary Committee: Jody Stanley and Larry Hile - Very nice dinner and service, 139 attended service and 118 attended the dinner. Thanks to everyone who helped to get this ready. Constitution Committee: Mark Prout - Met on October 24th. Received updated model constitution from Churchwide. Council reports—Deacons: Attendance Report—11/6 - 77 attended, 72 communed; 11/13 - 77 attended; 11/20 - 79 attended, 78 communed; 11/23 - 26 attended, 26 communed; 11/27 - 58 attended, 55 communed; 11/30 - 23 attended Trustees: Boiler repairs installed. Rails on the parsonage steps are rusted. One has broken and the other rail is in bad shape. Treasurer: General Fund as of October 31, 2016 - $6,320.47. Discussion about the possibility of a monthly giving report for the previous month in worship bulletins instead of the current weekly report. The concern is that the weekly report gives an inaccurate picture of giving in the congregation, as many members give once or twice a month. Mark Prout suggested finding out what a monthly giving report would look like before we try it out. Pr. David will speak with Courtney and try to find a sample report. Motion to accept Council Reports by Drew Walker. Seconded by Kathy Sharp. Motion carried. (continued on next page)
January 2017
Parish Register Joyce Colbert passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2016. Pastor David Fleener officiated at Joyce’s committal service at Gardens of Memory in Muncie on December 20th. Her family will be having a memorial service at a later date. Our sympathy goes out to Joyce’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.”
Zion’s Annual Meeting The 2017 Annual Meeting of Zion Lutheran Church will be held on Sunday, January 29th. We will have a Carry-in Dinner following the worship service and the Annual Meeting will be held immediately after the dinner.
Stewardship Stewardship Ladies will meet on January 10th and January 24th. from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to make quilts in the fellowship hall.
Council Minutes continued ... Old Business: DVD Library. The council felt that there would be little interest in the congregation in a DVD library for congregational use. No motion was made. Dehumidifier in church library. Ask congregation to see if anyone would donate one for the library. Direct deposit for QuickBooks for payroll check. Mark Prout advised Pr. David to request a higher mobile deposit limit from VIA. No other action taken. Baptismal font refurbishing. The council suggested finding out how much refurbishment would cost versus purchase of a new font. New Business: Need Budget Team—Pastor, Treasurer, Financial Secretaries, President, Senior Trustee - before next council meeting.
Kelly Ford wants to talk about funds for Senior Citizen Center. The council decided that Kelly would be permitted to give a Temple Talk about the Center and inform parishioners where donations could be sent, but that an offering basket would not be passed during worship. The council approved Isola’s request to purchase oranges for the Christmas Eve service. The meeting closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next meeting will be on December 8, 2016. Chris Stroble will have the devotions. Respectfully submitted, Barb Hardwick, Recording Secretary
January Lectionary Readings Christmas 1 - January 1st 1st Reading - Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 2nd Reading - Hebrews 2:10-18 Gospel - Matthew 2:13-23 Epiphany of Our Lord - January 6th 1st Reading - Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 2nd Reading - Ephesians 3:1-12 Gospel - Matthew 2:1-12 Baptism of Our Lord - January 8th 1st Reading - Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 2nd Reading - Acts 10:34-43 Gospel - Matthew 3:13-17 Epiphany 2 - January 15th 1st Reading - Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 40:1-11 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Gospel - John 1:29-42 Epiphany 3 - January 22nd 1st Reading - Isaiah 9:1-4 Psalm 27:1, 4-9 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Gospel - Matthew 4:12-23 Epiphany 4 - January 29th 1st Reading - Micah 6:1-8 Psalm 15 2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Gospel - Matthew 5:1-12
The Zion Herald January 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
January 2017 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters
Jan. 1 Jan. 8 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 29
Max and Sandy Langdon—Dorothy Hale Owen and Mary Ehlers—Barb Hardwick Bill and Joretta Hiday—Anita Reid Don and Carolyn Goetz—Tom and Peggy Willmann Jim and Betty Rinker—Gene Banter Ushers
Jan. 1 Jan. 8 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 29
Carolyn Chandler Pat Gillis Val Hiatt Mike Clamme Elonda Pethtel Virginia Langdon Larry Hile
1-12 1-12 1-12 1-14 1-19 1-23 1-28
Drew Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Mike Clamme and Gene Gardner Allen Stallsmith, Gene Gardner, Chris Walker and Neil Stroble Mike Clamme, Gene Gardner, Chris Walker and Neil Stroble Drew Walker, Gene Gardner, Chris Walker and Neil Stroble Allen Stallsmith, Gene Gardner, Chris Walker and Fred Walker Lectors
Jan. 1 Jan. 8 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 29
January Birthdays
Sandy Langdon Nolan Willman Sarah Fleener Carolyn Goetz Nolan Willman
Assisting Ministers
Jan. 1 Jan. 8 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 29
Jody Stanley Mark Prout Denise Hile Sarah Fleener Jody Stanley
Epiphany - January 6th