May 2017
The Pastor’s Ponderings Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com During their sojourn in the wilderness, the Israelites are usually portrayed negatively. They long to return to Egypt (Num. 14:1-4), they complain about the lack of variety of food (Num. 11:4-6), and in one memorable instance (recorded twice in Scripture), they complain about the lack of water (Ex. 17:1-7 and Num. 20:2-13). In the water incident, Exodus tells us that Moses named the site Massah (“Testing”) and Meribah (“Quarreling”) because the Israelites tested and quarreled with God, wondering, “Is the LORD among us or not?” How different are we from these Bronze Age people? We have nice
houses, abundant food and water, and good medical care. None of us has ever been enslaved. Most of us, in fact, have lived our whole lives in one or two places. Compared with them, we have it pretty good. In that sense, we are pretty different. But in another sense, we are quite similar. Despite our better living conditions, we still have an alltoo-human capacity to complain, to wonder if God is with us or not. We, too, often look at an idealized past like the Israelites did, and long to return there. We look around at the decline of the small town since the 1950s and feel grief, loss, and hopelessness. The changes we experience can be overwhelming.
thing different from those nagging, romanticizing voices. Faith tells us that while we are called to care for this world and for this life, we are not to be overly obsessed with our successes or failures here. God is with us, no matter what happens, working in ways perceptible and imperceptible, to bring resurrection to a fallen world. Sometimes we simply don’t see the new thing that God is doing among us. But God-given faith tells us it is there. May God give you insight into the process of resurrection he is working in you. Love to you all, Pr. David
Faith, however, tells us some-
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
Worship Schedule Please note that Zion’s worship schedule will change on Sunday, May 28th, with Sunday School beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by Worship at 10:00 a.m.