March 2017
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com In the movie W aking Ned Devine, there’s a scene between a fatherless boy and the town’s priest. While the priest is playing a few notes on the organ, the boy asks, “Can you play songs about Jesus?” “No, I wish I could,” the priest responds. “So, did he come to you, then?” “Who’s that?” “Jesus.” “Jesus. Well, he did in many ways, yes.” “But did you see him?” “Well, not exactly, no.” “But you’re working for him.” “I am. Doing the best I can.” “Do you get paid for it?” “Well, it’s more a payment of the spiritual kind, Morris.” “All right.” “Do you think you could be drawn to the church, Morris?” “I don’t think so…I don’t think
I could work for someone I’d never met, and not get paid for it.” Unlike the priest in that movie, I am supported financially by the congregation. I did not take a vow of poverty. But like the priest, I have never met my Employer. I’ve had senses of what God wanted me to do. I’ve felt called and sent to various places to do God’s work. But I’ve never met Jesus face-toface – at least, not in a direct, unambiguous way. From the beginning of the church, even when Jesus was still among his disciples, his disciples longed to see more. Philip summed up this desire for all Christians of every time and place when he begged Jesus, “Show us the Father, Lord, and we will be satisfied.” Though Jesus tells Philip and the rest of the disciples that they have seen the Father by seeing his face,
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
we are denied this privilege. Instead, we are among those whom Jesus proclaims blessed, for “we believe without having seen”. There is a deep desire in each one of us – a longing for wholeness that only God can satisfy. In an age of distractions, we’re not always aware of this desire. So many things can narcotize us to our need for God for a while. (For me, it’s usually my cell phone.) But it never lasts. And the desire remains. C.S. Lewis considered this desire in and of itself a sign of the reality of God. As we enter Lent, as we pause to take stock of the bitter truths of our condition, may we also have a new appreciation for the gospel, that God will make us complete and full in Christ. Love to you all, Pr. David
Special Congregational Meeting Zion will hold a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 26th, for the purpose of discussing needed roof repairs over the south peak of the church.
March 2017
January Council Minutes Congregation Council met on January 12, 2017. Present: Larry Hile, Pastor David Fleener, Neil Stroble, Dennis Walker, Mark Prout, Mike Clamme, Tom Armstrong, Anita Reid, Allen Stallsmith and Drew Walker Absent: Sandy Langdon and Fred Walker The meeting was called to order by Larry Hile. Devotions were given by Larry Hile. Tom Armstrong made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 8th meeting. Drew Walker seconded. Motion passed. Pastor’s report: Pastoral Care—6 shut-in visits (2 of those by phone), 2 sick/hospital visits, 1 pastoral visit, 1 funeral. Deacons Fund in December— Two checks were written: 12/24 $75 to Vectren and 12/28 - $100 to Hartford City Utilities (water). Current checking balance, as of 1/12/17 $60.44. Confirmation Classes—Sometime next month, I would like to begin confirmation classes with Sydney Stroble, Bryce Stroble, Kaylin Clamme, Ryne Clamme, Keaton Walker, and Tacy VanDevender. I am in contact with the parents and we are looking at every other Sunday evening. No firm starting date has been set yet. Part of the curriculum will be Colaborate from Augsburg Fortress, which is an extensive program that covers Old and New Testaments, Confessions, and Lutheran Living. The first thing we need to tackle,
though, is worship – how we do it and why we do it that way. This will also be a good time to train new acolytes, which the kids are excited about doing. Zach Monce has expressed interest in helping train the kids. Christmas Boxes at the Food Pantry—Despite the ice, we had a tremendous turnout at the Food Pantry on December 17th to assemble 400 Christmas boxes for the needy in our community. 12-15 of our own people (including kids!) plus about 10-15 volunteers from the Food Pantry helped box food items. We included candy and several cards listing our worship services. This was a huge effort on everyone’s part. Special thanks to the Stroble family for getting the Thrivent Action team money and for letting me drive their truck to get the pizza! Other events in December: Dec. 1, 8 – Getting Down to Basics class on the Augsburg Confession in the church library Dec. 2-3 – Synod Campus Ministry Committee meeting in Indianapolis Dec. 5, 12, 19 – Joe and Jesus at Common Grounds Dec. 6 – Community choir rehearsal Dec. 7, 14, 21 – Advent Soup Supper and Evening Prayer in the Fellowship Hall Dec. 10 – Community choir dress rehearsal Dec. 10 – Assisted with decorating the church Dec. 11 – Community choir Christmas cantata at 3 and 6 pm. Attendance was down due to bad
weather (About 100 total) Dec. 13 – ECIC ministerial meeting at Grace Village, Muncie Dec. 13 – Grace Village Campus Ministry board meeting Dec. 16 – Bell ringing for Salvation Army Dec. 22 – Christmas caroling at Common Grounds Committee reports—Worship/ Music/Memorial: The committee met on January 4th and chose hymns to the end of February. Land use: Thank you to Dennis Walker and Chris Walker for building the new bell tower and to Drew Walker for steer-heading the bell committee. Need four people to help. Mission and Ministry: Pastor Fleener—No report except good work on food baskets. Council reports—Deacons: Attendance Report: Dec. 4 - 77 attended, 75 communed; Dec. 7 (Advent) 21 attended; Dec. 11 - 70 attended, 65 communed; Dec. 14 (Advent) - 16 attended; Dec. 18 - 64 attended, 63 communed; Dec. 21 ( Advent) - 14 attended; Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) 106 attended, 87 communed; Dec. 25 (Christmas Day) - 49 attended, 47 communed Trustees: Tom Armstrong and Neil Stroble—Getting estimates on roof replacement over the south peak. Hochadel Roofing refused it. There is a bid from Greg Cameron and they are waiting for a SherriffGoslin estimate. A leak at the parsonage is being fixed. Financial Secretaries: Dennis Walker advised that they keep an eye (continued on page 3)
March 2017
January Council Minutes continued on receipts because the bank has made some errors putting funds in the wrong account. Treasurer: Dennis Walker— Went over the balance sheet for last month. Plus at the end of last quarter. Payroll - QuickBooks does not do taxes. It is becoming very expensive to do taxes. He wants to subscribe to an on-line service that will do our taxes for $48 per month. Everyone would be included except Pastor. Drew Walker made a motion to approve buying an inkjet printer to print checks only. Mark Prout seconded and the motion was approved. The cemetery trustees are looking into moving their account to another bank. Neil Stroble made a motion to approve the committee reports and council reports. The motion was seconded by Mark Prout and approved.
Old Business: Review of the 2017 Budget New Business: Senior officers should give respective reports. Work it out together. Audit books - Mike Clamme said that he wasn’t an accountant, but he could look at the books. Nolan Willman might help. A sign-up sheet was passed around for the monthly devotions. Pastor David asked for volunteers to clean out the closet in the secretary’s office that contains old financial records. There were no volunteers. The meeting closed with all praying the Lord’s Prayer. The next meeting will be on February 9, 2017. Drew Walker will have the devotions. Respectfully submitted, Cathy Willmann Recording Secretary
Parish Register
60th Anniversary Celebration
Wilma Martz passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Pastor David Fleener officiated at Wilma’s funeral service at Keplinger Funeral Home on January th 10 . Burial followed at Gardens of Memory in Muncie, IN. Our sympathy goes out to Wilma’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.”
The children of Eldon and Ann Willmann invite you to an Open House on Saturday, March 18th, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Hartford City to help them celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. They ask that you please
March Lectionary Readings Ash Wednesday - March 1st 1st Reading - Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Psalm 51:1-17 2nd Reading - 2 Corinthians 5:20b6:10 Gospel - Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Lent 1 - March 5th 1st Reading - Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7 Psalm 32 2nd Reading - Romans 5:12-19 Gospel - Matthew 4:1-11 Lent 2 - March 12th 1st Reading - Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121 2nd Reading - Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 Gospel - John 3:1-17
Lent 3 - March 19th 1st Reading - Exodus 17:1-7 Psalm 95 2nd Reading - Romans 5:1-11 Gospel - John 4:5-42 Lent 4 - March 26th 1st Reading - 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 2nd Reading - Ephesians 5:8-14 Gospel - John 9:1-41
History Books There are still several of Zion’s 150th Anniversary History Books available if you would like to buy one for a family member or know of anyone else who would like one. The cost is $20. They may be purchased in the church office.
The Zion Herald March 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
Ash Wednesday worship begins at 7:00 p.m. on March 1st.
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
March 2017 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters
March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26
Chris and Michelle Monce—Dorothy Hale Barb Hardwick—Eldon and Ann Willmann Edi Tarter—Owen and Mary Ehlers Chris and Megan Stroble—Barb Hardwick Ushers
March 1 March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26
Drew Walker Drew Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Mike Clamme & Eldon Willmann Allen Stallsmith, Eldon Willmann, Ray Stanley & Tom Armstrong Mike Clamme, Eldon Willmann, Ray Stanley & Tom Armstrong Drew Walker, Eldon Willmann, Ray Stanley & Tom Armstrong Lectors
March 1 March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26
Sarah Fleener Jody Stanley Michelle Walker Megan Stroble
Assisting Ministers
March 1 March 5 March 12 March 19 March 26
Mark Prout Sarah Fleener Denise Hile Jody Stanley Sarah Fleener
March Birthdays Chris Stroble Chris Coy Joyce Willmann Imogene Schmidt Betty Rinker Susan Cook Scott Clamme Isola Banter Betty Walker Helen Stroble
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