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.
May 2017
March Council Minutes Congregation Council met on March 9, 2017. Present: Pastor David Fleener, Tom Armstrong, Dennis Walker, Mark Prout, Neil Stroble, Drew Walker, Sandy Langdon, Mike Clamme, Anita Reid, Cathy Willmann and Allen Stallsmith Absent: Larry Hile and Fred Walker In the absence of the president and vice president, Tom Armstrong called the Congregation Council meeting to order on March 9, 2017. Devotions were presented by Anita Reid. The minutes of the February meeting were read and approved. Motion made by Neil Stroble and Drew Walker seconded the motion. The motion passed. Correspondence was received from Isola Banter with a request to use fellowship hall on Thursday, March 23rd from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. for the Extension Homemakers to make quilts for Riley Children’s Hospital. Allen Stallsmith made the motion to accept her request. Mike Clamme seconded the motion. Motion passed. Pastor’s report: Pastoral Care— February visits: 4 shut-ins, 8 sick/ hospital, 7 home/hospital communions Deacons Fund—No use in February. Christian Education— Confirmation class met for the first time on Sunday, February 26th. There are five youth in the class: Kaylin
Clamme, Ryne Clamme, Sydney Stroble, Bryce Stroble, and Keaton Walker. We had a good discussion about what confirmation is (and is not) and expectations for the class. We spent a fair amount of time in acolyte training as well. “Reformation Roots”, a DVD class by Select Learning, began on Tuesday night. Five were in attendance. One of the attendees is Stephanie Rhodes, a parishioner from Holy Trinity – New Castle who is studying for the diaconate. Lent and Holy Week—Lenten soup suppers are on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. Evening Prayer, at 7 p.m., is from Creative Communications “Crossroads” Lenten series, which features sermon dialogues with different characters from Scripture. During Holy Week, I am considering having just three services: Maundy Thursday at 7 p.m., Good Friday (with the Presbyterian church) at 7 p.m., and Easter Sunday at 10:30 a.m. There has been declining interest in the Easter Vigil over the past five years. Reformation anniversary—I had lunch with Fr. Dave Newton on February 28th to discuss collaboration between Zion and St. John’s on commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. We agreed to have two events in October, on Wednesday evenings – one on October 11th and the other on October 18th. The first would be a common prayer service at St. John’s, following the format of the Common Prayer service held in Lund, Swe-
den last October. The second would be a meal at Zion, with a joint presentation of the Reformation facilitated by Fr. Newton and myself. Committee reports—Parish Ed: Drew Walker Sunday school classes will start back up on March 12th. Worship/Music/Memorial: Dennis Walker Met on February 15th. Speakers to the organ have all been replaced. One of the bass speakers was warm to touch. Contacted who we bought it off of. Will cost between $150 $300 to fix it. A dehumidifier was recommended by Dennis Walker for the church library because there has been mold on the books. Also considering possibly crafting a glass baptismal font. Council reports—Deacons: Drew Walker, Allen Stallsmith and Mike Clamme Attendance and Holy Communion report—2/5 - 65 attended, 60 communed; 2/12 - 62 attended; 2/19 - 70 attended, 64 communed; 2/26 72 attended, 66 communed Trustees: Tom Armstrong, Mark Prout and Neil Stroble Meeting of congregation to discuss roof leakage over Fellowship hall will be Sunday, March 26th. Roof estimates will be discussed and a special offering to pay for the repairs. Received 3 bids and church council is recommending Greg Cameron. (continued on page 3)
May 2017
March Council Minutes continued Treasurer: Dennis Walker February treasurer’s report. Will ask Michelle Walker for an update on our Thrivent account. Greenlawn Cemetery is now a separate account. Payroll and direct deposit is going well. Motion by Mark Prout to accept committee and council reports . Seconded by Allen Stallsmith. Motion passed. Old Business: Scott and Shay Clamme will be the voting members to Synod Assembly in Covington, Kentucky. New Business: Council is in charge of the soup and salads before the Lenten service on Wednesday, March 29th. Members signed up to bring items. The meeting was closed by all praying the Lord’s Prayer. Next meeting will be April 13, 2017. Devotions will be given by Mark Prout. Respectfully submitted by, Cathy Willmann Recording Secretary
Hartford City Citizen of the Year Congratulations to Orville Uggen who was recognized as Hartford City Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. He was especially recognized for his work with the Civil War reenactment.
May Birthdays Carolyn Hughes Teresa Banter Larry Langdon Nolan Willman Dick Smith Dorothy Hale Zackary Monce Carolyn Smith Joretta Hiday Michael Habegger Chris Walker Bill Thomas Jim Rinker
5-1 5-1 5-2 5-4 5-5 5-14 5-14 5-18 5-19 5-20 5-22 5-23 5-29
May Lectionary Readings Easter 4 - May 7th 1st Reading - Acts 2:42-47 Psalm 23 2nd Reading - 1 Peter 2:19-25 Gospel - John 10:1-10
Easter 5 - May 14th 1st Reading - Acts 7:55-60 Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 2nd Reading - 1 Peter 2:2-10 Gospel - John 14:1-14 Easter 6 - May 21st 1st Reading - Acts 17:22-31 Psalm 66:8-20 2nd Reading - 1 Peter 3:13-22 Gospel - John 14:15-21 Easter 7 - May 28th 1st Reading - Acts 1:6-14 Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 2nd Reading - 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 Gospel - John 17:1-11
The Zion Herald May 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
May 7, 14, 21 - Sunday School at 9:15 AM with Worship at 10:30 AM May 28 - Sunday School at 9:00 AM with Worship at 10:00 AM
May 2017 Lay Ministry Servers Greeters
May 7 May 14 May 21 May 28
Chris and Tiann Coy—Claretta Dutro Linda Baker—Chris and Tiann Coy Max and Sandy Langdon—Bill and Joretta Hiday Tom and Peggy Willmann—Claretta Dutro
Assisting Ministers
May 7 May 14 May 21 May 28
Lectors
Ushers
May 7 May 14 May 21 May 28
Drew Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Mike Clamme and Scott Clamme Allen Stallsmith, Scott Clamme, Tom Willmann and Don Goetz Mike Clamme, Scott Clamme, Tom Willmann and Don Goetz Drew Walker, Zack Monce, Tom Willmann and Don Goetz Acolytes
May 7 May 14 May 21 May 28
Ryne Clamme Keaton Walker and Kaylin Clamme Sydney Stroble and Ryne Clamme Kaylin Clamme
Sarah Fleener Chris Coy Jody Stanley Mark Prout
May 7 May 14 May 21 May 28
Chris Coy Chris Coy Sandy Langdon Nolan Willman