o f f i c e @ z i o n b u f f a l o . o r g ( 7 6 3 ) 6 8 2 - 1 2 4 5 w w w . z i o n b u f f a l o . o r g

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH • BUFFALO, MN SEPTEMBER 2008

Rally Day Block Party

Sunday September 7

See Page 11

Prayer Requests

Call the church office at 763.682.1245 or visit Zion’s Zion community at www.zionbuffalo.org with your prayer requests. If you want a pastoral visit or would like to be included in pastoral prayers during worship, please use a yellow pew card or call the church office.

Address, Phone &

Email Corrections

Zion maintains a database of all its members. If you have had any changes to your address, phone number, marital status, etc. please contact the Membership Secretary with your name, phone number and the changes that need to be made.

If You Are Ill Hospitals no longer notify churches when their members are admitted for care. Call 763.682.1245, and let us know so we can support you with prayer and with presence.

Publishing Deadlines

Weekly Bulletin: Thursday Noon

Newsletter: Monday, Sept 15 Noon

If you would like to contribute to the church newsletter please send your submissions to Angela in the church office or abengtson@zionbuffalo.org.

Sunday Worship Times 8:30 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary, Sunday school, & nursery 9:45 am Family Express in Trinity Hall 10:30 am Jubilee Worship in the Sanctuary, Sunday school, & nursery

Contact Us Email office@zionbuffalo.org Online www.zionbuffalo.org Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm Church Office (763) 682-1245 Chapel Line (763) 682-1312 Fax (763) 684-1967 Street Address 1200 Highway 25 South, Buffalo (across from 13th St S.) Mailing Address PO Box 88, Buffalo, MN 55313

Zion Staff Delwayne Hahn Interim Pastor / x304 / dhahn@zionbuffalo.org Rebecca Sogge Pastor / x305 / bsogge@zionbuffalo.org Sherilyn Burgdorf Shared Ministry Director / x 307 / sburgdorf@zionbuffalo.org Roxie Otten Co-Director of Christian Education / x 331 / rotten@zionbuffalo.org Holly Husom Co-Director of Christian Education / x331 / hhusom@zionbuffalo.org Myron Crawford Director of Youth Ministries / x308 / mcrawford@zionbuffalo.org Jim Onstad Youth Staff Diane Montplaisir Administrative Secretary/ x302 / dmontplaisir@zionbuffalo.org Angela Bengtson Communications & Membership / x325 / abengtson@zionbuffalo.org Sue Stensrud Financial Secretary / x303 / sstensrud@zionbuffalo.org Jill Pryor Building & Grounds Manager Michael Walsh Coordinator of Music

Zion Council Kirk Bengtson 2006-2008 Personnel /Vice President / Global Missions/

Foundation Carol Clark 2008-2010 Secretary /Adult Education Dirk Foster 2008-2010 Stewardship Jud Goerss 2008-2009 Treasurer /Finance Nicky Haskins 2006-2008 New Member Debbie Johnson 2007-2009 Social Ministry Charles Krause 2008-2010 Youth James Larson 2006-2008 Memorials & Placement Kevin Lincicum 2007-2009 Worship & Music Arnold Rude 2008 Dave Schmidt 2008-2010 Christian Education Doug Schmidt 2008-2010 Property Beth Solberg 2006-2008 Fellowship Marci Wold 2007-2009 Evangelism Idella Ziegler 2007-2009 President / Stewardship

And Pete & Judy Weis Stephen Ministry Leaders Julie Kabe Food For Friends Coordinator Kathy Martinson Food For Friends Coordinator

Zion seeks to share

Christ’s word,

strengthen faith and

serve those in need.

2 fyi

3

The Ten Commandments from the Outgoing Pastor:

I. YOU SHALL NOT compare your new pastor with those who

have gone before, for truly they are different persons.

II. YOU SHALL NOT say to your new pastor, “But our other pastors always did it this way....”

III.

YOU SHALL NOT assume that your new pastor has ESP. You will need to inform him/her of your comings and goings and your joys and ills.

IV.

YOU SHALL NOT communicate to your previous pastors any matters of gossip about life at Zion, for truly they should not be interested in gossip.

V.

YOU SHALL NOT withhold your exceeding great capacity of love from your new pastor and his/her family.

VI. YOU SHALL NOT prejudge persons and situations for your new pastor, for truly s/he will have the wisdom

to judge for her/himself.

VII. YOU SHALL NOT fail to express your thanks and appreciation to your new pastor,

even when you suspects s/he already knows.

VIII. YOU SHALL NOT speak too often of your former pastors

— and when you do, may it be kindly.

IX. YOU SHALL NOT forget your new pastor and her/his family at Christmas

and on their birthdays with thoughtful remembrances.

X. YOU SHALL NOT forget to pray for your new pastor

and her/his family regularly.

Dear Friends in Christ,

As our days together wind down, I find myself going about several final tasks. For instance, this is the last time that I will address you in this particular form.

As I write this column in mid-August; the Personnel Committee is about to interview candidates for the interim that will take Zion through the Call process for its new senior pastor. Therefore, I want to share with you some thoughts as you prepare for these new beginnings. This piece came across my desk a few years ago as I was bringing closure to another interim and I have used it as parting advice in each succeeding interim.

While these comments are intended to address the coming of a new interim pastor and eventually the arrival of your new senior pastor, the regard for the person and office which they encourage should also be directed toward Pastor Becky, who continues in ministry in your midst!

In Faith and Friendship,

Delwayne Hahn

from the pastor

20 Years Ago A Look Back at the September 1988 Year Newsletter

Zion was meeting in the Junior High (now Discovery Center) Auditorium during following the sale of our previous building (now Assemblies of God). The Sunday School met in what is now the cafeteria, gym, and DES commons and classroom areas, and the office and library were located in a trailer in the former parking lot.

Ground was broken for our current facility on September 18. Members rode 13 school busses with a police escort from the where Zion was meeting during construction. “Turning of the ground” was done by the Building Team, Church Council, Site Selection Committee, Transition Committee, adults baptized or confirmed at Zion, Kindergarteners, the confirmation class, and then the rest of the congregation. The program also included a release of balloons by the children and an aerial photograph of the congregation outlining the footprint of the building (much of this was repeated when ground was broken more recently for the addition to the building)

Kevin Lincicum joined the church staff as Youth Director.

Choir directors for choirs starting that month were Ginny Lewis, Minda Squadroni, Julie Swaggert, Jackie Kuhns, and Gary Schillinger.

Pastor Taylor of the Buffalo Covenant Church was the speaker at Golden Age Fellowship.

Pastor Folkerds was planning a study of the book of Genesis that would meet at Ebenezer Covenant Home (now Lakeridge Care Center).

Grades 4-6 went to Miniature Golf in Monticello.

Our Adoption Journey to Ethiopia By Cory & Jodi Smith

Hello, or seulamas they would say in Amharic, the most common language spoken in Ethiopia. We have been home just over a month with our newest son, Eshetu, who was born and raised for the first three years of his life in Ethiopia. We are truly blessed to have him as part of our family. He has to be the most resilient child I have ever known-he is truly amazing!

My husband Cory and I had always talked about adopting a child together. We were blessed with three healthy biological children early on in our marriage. Cory thought that was a good place to stop. Me, on the other hand, I thought differently! In May 2007, we attended an informational meeting sponsored by Children’s Home Society and Family Services regarding adoption. Upon leaving the meeting, I knew we had a child waiting for us in Ethiopia.

We submitted our initial application to Children’s Home Society and Family Services (CHSFS) a few weeks after our informational meeting. In October 2007, we attended the required Pre-Adoptive Classes (PAC) sponsored by CHSFS.

(Ethiopian Adoption continued on page 18)

4 news & views

Call Committee Named On August 6, the church council met to vote by ecclesiastical ballot on the call committee for a new Senior Pastor.

Committee members are Kim Gleason, Chuck Zumbusch, Rick Toso, Dale Schmidt, Warren Myhre, Gordon Weber and Ron Moore.

Alternates are: Mary and Wes Mahlberg (1 position), Sue Foster and Roger Hessedal.

Mailbox Dear Congregation of Zion

Thank you for the gift check and the beautiful picture presented on the occasion of our parting. I am grateful for the time I was able to spend as part of this congregation, and will look forward to the places where our paths will cross again in our bright futures.

Wishing you all of God’s goodness and grace for continued ministry,

Pastor Steve Svoboda.

Active Military Please Pray For

Ben Pecarina, stationed at Nellis AFB, NV; Jake Swanson, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC; Trent Baumann, returning to Iraq after two weeks home; Cody Bauman, at Airborne Training at Ft Benning, GA; Aaron Hatling, deployed to Baghdad, Iraq; Greg Bremseth, deployed to Iraq; Jon Strommen, deployed to Camp Liberty, Iraq; DeAnna Strommen, deployed to Kuwait.

Families of Active Military

Zion would like to include your loved one in prayer here at Zion. Please contact the office to let us know where your military person is stationed.

Family News Baptisms Mary Allison “Allie” McClory July 6, 2008 Payton Ann Rumble July 6, 2008 Grace Victoria Larson July 13, 2008 Blake Russell Sinclair July 13, 2008 Krista Rose Puent July 20, 2008 Samantha Lynn Schwab July 20, 2008

Births Thomas Harding Lahr, A son to Steph & Corey June 26, 2008 Adriana Marie Waschek, A daughter to Julie & Jeremy July 6, 2008 Kaelob Lloyd Preston, A son to Brooke (Haskins) & Jake July 21, 2008

Weddings Lolene Liefert & Joseph Borgese July 19, 2008 at Zion

February births & pastoral acts will be reported in the April Newsletter.

Golf Outing at Albion Ridges, Sunday, September 7 . . . Details online. . .

5

Council Update July 23, 2008

Call process for a Senior Pastor was discussed, and a special meeting was set to vote for members of the call committee.

Glenndy Ose informed the council that the Synod is implementing a Listening Team process to get at the roots of recent discord at Zion. They will make their decision independently of the Synod and come back with concrete recommendations and proposals for how to move forward. The Synod suggests that Zion refrain from making decisions that relate to controversial issues or transition, including empowering a call committee, until after the process has been completed. Glenndy also outlined the probable timeline for calling a new Senior Pastor, which is expected to take until at least January. It was decided to let the motion regarding moving ahead with the call committee stand.

The Finance Committee has arranged financing to cover roof/parking lot repair.

Pastor Sogge has been working with VBS and took 82 students to Bible camp. She has been visiting the care centers and catching up on continuing ed. projects.

A letter from Bishop Craig Johnson was read to Council expressing appreciation of support of the Sudanese Lutheran Church “Making a World of Difference” project.

The Property committee was instructed to review both roof bids in light of new information regarding the relative R value of different insulation thickness and density.

Sam Monson handed out the completed Congregational Profile that will be going to the Synod shortly. The Transition Team continues to work on a Power Point presentation introducing Zion, the Buffalo community, and the call committee to potential Sr. Pastor candidates.

The Personnel committee reported on the completion of most staff reviews and an exit interview with Pastor Steve, presented a letter of concern to the Council, and were charged with initiating the Synod process for selecting an interim Senior Pastor candidate for the time between the end of Pastor Hahn’s contract and the calling of a new Senior Pastor.

Jud Goerss shared letters received from parishioners.

Complete minutes will be available online once they are approved.

6

Be a Part of Zion’s Music Program There’s a Place for You in Choir This Year!

Make this a great year by adding your tunes to a choir. Please visit the web site (www.zionbuffalo.org) or call the Zion church office (682.1245) to register for children/youth choirs, both vocal and handbells.

Parents, there’s room for you, too. Find a place in the Senior Choir or in Joyful Ringers. All are welcome! Child care available on Wednesdays during rehearsals.

Call any of the directors with questions about choirs. We’ll see you soon!

Feeding Families Wednesday Suppers

You can offer a few hours of time and make a big impact on families here at Zion. Wednesday night supper teams are welcoming new team members. Can you help?

Families or individuals cook, serve, and clean up meals once every 6 weeks. Meals are served in a 6 week rotation giving each team the benefit of cooking the same meal each time they serve. You can choose which meal team you'd like to join.

This is a 3 ½ hour commitment which can be split among the team during the supper hours between 3:30 and 7:00pm.

If you are willing to give time to help with this great outreach to Zion families and community members please contact Sherilyn Burgdorf in the church office (682.1245 ext. 307 / sburgdorf@zionbuffalo.org), Cindy Bonde (684.1467) or Dorothy Valentine (682.6695).

You'll benefit by meeting other Zion members that will become new friends and you'll also help many families and youth by providing a great "home-cooked" meal on busy Wednesday evenings.

volunteers

Vocal Choirs Sonshine Choir

Kindergarten-Grade 2 Mondays 3:45-4:30 *See Bus Info* Begins Sept. 15 Director Carol Moore 682.3571

Joy Choir Grades 3-5 Wednesdays 4:45-5:30 (new time) *See Bus Info* Begins Sept. 10 Director Kristi Kuhns 684.0049

Youth Choir Grades 6-12 Wednesdays 5:15-6:00 Begins Sept. 10 Diane Johnson 320.286.2004

Senior Choir Adults & high school Wednesdays 7:00-8:15pm Begins Sept. 3 Nursery available during rehearsals Michael Walsh 682.0163

Handbell Choirs Ring Forth

Grades 4-5 Wednesdays 3:45-4:45pm (new time) *See Bus Info* Begins Sept. 10 Sherilyn Burgdorf 682.1245 or 682.1954

Class Ring Grades 6-8 Wednesdays 2:45-3:45 *See Bus Info* Begins Sept. 10 Sherilyn Burgdorf 682.1245 or 682.1954 Contact Sherilyn if you have a sports or after school conflict.

Jubilance Grades 9-12 Watch for more info (schedule TBA) Sherilyn Burgdorf 682.1245 or 682.1954

Joyful Ringers Adults & high school Wednesdays 7:00-8:15pm Begins Sept. 10 Sherilyn Burgdorf 682.1245 or 682.1954

*After School Bus to Zion*

Students in Buffalo schools (DES, Northwinds, Tatanka, Parkside, BCMS, BHS) can designate Zion as their alternate destination for afternoons they have choirs or other regular activities at Zion.

An alternate destination form is required and can be downloaded from the school website or obtained from American Student.

7

Thanks, Scouts Landscaping Project

During August, members of Boy Scout Troop #358 were busy at Zion improving the garden area around the lighted sign by replacing the uneven bricks with attractive natural stone. This was an Eagle Scout

project led by Zach Danielson.

Harvest of Hands November 1st is just around the corner . . . And so is the Harvest of Hands Annual Event. This is the 30th year of our event. Your help is needed in many ways. Some of the ways are:

Coordinate one of the many areas of the event. Work in one of the many areas of the event. Donate supplies for baked goods, candies, and brunch. Donate money to purchase supplies. Donate craft items for the sale. Donate silent auction items. Help setup for the event. Help cleanup after the event.

The committee and craft group meet every 2nd and 4th Wednesday in the Wilderness Room at 7:00 PM. There will be additional days for create and finish projects. Please look in the bulletin for dates and times for additional craft sessions. If you have any questions, please contact Joy at 763-658-6124.

Playground Repaired! All the children of Zion would like to thank John Brager, who spent a morning at Zion tightening up bolts on the playground to make it safe for them again!

John is pictured here with the ZDC kids.

HOH Schedule

9/7/2008: Volunteer Books Available 9/10/2008: Kickoff Meeting 9/10/2008: Planning Meetings 7pm Wednesdays every 2 weeks in the Wilderness Room 9/25, 10/2, 10/91/2008: Lefse Making Kitchen 10/01/08 – 10/15/08: Posting Flyers 10/6/2008: Apple Pie Making 6-9pm in the Kitchen & Fellowship Hall 10/10/2008: Egg Roll Prep 6-8pm in the Kitchen 10/11/2008: Egg Roll Making 9am-Noon in the Kitchen 10/25/2008: Candy & Cookies 9am-Noon in the Kitchen & Fellowship

November 1 Harvest of Hands

Event

11/19/2008: Wrap Up Meeting 7:00pm Wilderness Rm

8

Haroun and the Sea of Stories Zion Book Club

Book Club meets at 7:00 pm on September 8 in the Library to discuss Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie.

Immediately forget any preconceptions you may have about Salman Rushdie and the controversy that has swirled around his million-dollar head. You should instead know that he is one of the best contemporary writers of fables and parables, from any culture. Haroun and the Sea of Stories is a delightful tale about a storyteller who loses his skill and a struggle against mysterious forces attempting to block the seas of inspiration from which all stories are derived. (Amazon.com)

The book for October 13 will be A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, and November 10 will be Digging to America by Anne Tyler. Book club meets on the 2nd Monday each month. This is a low pressure book club, readers are encouraged to simply come for discussion with no preparation.

Scrapbooking & Crafts September 19 Crop Night Scrapbookers and other crafters are invited to get together at 6pm in the Fellowship Hall on September 19 to crop, craft, and chat. No cost, no sales, no RSVP; just show up and spread out. All welcome regardless of age or experience. Contact Angela or Diane in the office for more information.

"Festival of Lights" Family Camp Trip Theme Weekend

The 3rd Annual Family Camp Trip is to be held at Baker Park Reserve on September 26-28. Bring your lights, luminaries, and flashlights! Check in Friday evening and decorate your site. Prizes awarded for best site decorations. Saturday park activities include a nature program, face painting, moon walk and climbing wall under the stars.

Besides relaxing, socializing and enjoying the activities this beautiful park has to offer, Zion family activities being planned include a Friday night social, a Saturday afternoon potluck, and a Sunday worship service.

Those who do not wish to camp are welcome to visit any time during the weekend. The Sunday morning service will be at 10:00 am in the Baker Park amphitheater. Visitors at other times during the weekend should check with Diane in the church office to find out where Zion’s camp sites are located.

Stop by the information desk to pick up a pamphlet which includes the weekend rates and directions. Please let Diane know in the church office that you plan to attend so she can give you updated information regarding the weekend get-away.

fellowship & study

Become Part of the Zion Family Zion New Members Class September 10&17, 5-8pm

New Members are officially received during Sunday morning worship services. Just prior to joining, prospective members and their families are invited to attend a two-part informational class led by Zion's pastors.

During the membership class at Zion, you will:

get to know the pastors

have an opportunity to meet other incoming new members.

meet some Zion staff members

have a brief introduction into church life at Zion, Christian teachings, pastoral care, and God's gracious love.

staff will gather or check information about you and your family for our records and the following Sunday's bulletin.

Your picture will be taken for the church bulletin

Last, but most important, we will enjoy a delicious meal together.

Child care will be available from 5:30-8:00pm, but we ask that your children join us for the evening meal from 5:00-5:30. Call the church office with any questions: 763.682.1245

Come and grow with us!

9

ELCA Social Statement Local Conversation

Zion’s Adult Education Committee will host a series of 3 conversations around the Draft of the ELCA Social Statement on Human Sexuality. Meet after supper at 6pm in the Library on Wednesdays September 10, 17, and 24. Please sign up in the office or online so that the committee knows how many to prepare for.

Conversation with a Writing Team Member

On Tuesday, September 30 Dr. David Tiede, a member of the writing team of the Draft of the ELCA Social Statement on Human Sexuality, will host a conversation at Normandale Lutheran Church in Edina: Lutheran Convictions About Sexuality: What Then Shall We Say? He will answer these questions: what is a social statement; are there distinctive Lutheran convictions about sexuality; what is our counsel to the ELCA; and how shall we live as a community of faith. This event is free and open to the public.

Synod Hearing at Central Lutheran

The Minneapolis Area Synod will host a hearing on the draft on October 9, 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., at Central Lutheran Church, 333 South 12th St, Minneapolis. A representative of the task force will be present and comments at the hearings will be summarized by a synod representative. Both reports will be shared with the whole task force as they consider how to revise the draft and craft the Proposed Statement on Human Sexuality for 2009. All are welcome at either time. For the 9 a.m. hearing, a simple soup lunch will be served.

If you would like a copy of the draft statement, download it from www.elca.org/faithfuljourney or order a single complimentary copy by calling 800.638.3522 ext. 2996.

Women of the ELCA Minneapolis Area Synod 2008 Annual Gathering

This year’s gathering of the MAS Women of the ELCA will be on Saturday, September 27 from 8am-4:30 pm at Faith Lutheran Church, Coon Rapids. The featured keynote speaker will be Diana Pierce, news anchor at KARE11 TV. Bible study will be led by Pastor Karen Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Maple Grove, and worship will be led by Pastor Heather Hammond, Bishop's Associate, Minneapolis Area Synod

The registration fee of $35 if postmarked on or before September 15th or $40 if postmarked later includes continental breakfast and lunch.

If you would like to attend this event, see the website or the church office for a registration form.

Chicken Kiev Wednesday, September 10

Suppers start up again on September 10. Serving starts at 5pm and the suggested donation is $3 per plate. A Sub Sandwich menu has been added to the rotation this year. Servers are still needed, see page 6 for details.

Tacos September 17

Soups & Chili September 24

Baked Potato October 1

Chicken Kiev September 10

If you would like to carpool to either of these events, please sign up online or in the church office.

Monday 1 7:30 pm, Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday 2 12:00 pm, LSS Counseling 7:00 pm, Jubilee Rehearsal 7:00 pm, Overeaters Anonymous Wednesday 3 6:30 am, Men of Zion Bible Study 6:00 pm, Confirmation Parent

Meeting 7:00 pm, Senior Choir Thursday 4 8:00 am, Men of Wisdom Bible Study 7:00 pm, Call Committee Meeting Friday 5 9:00 am, LSS Counseling Saturday 6 9:30 am, Baptism Class 1:00 pm, Wedding Rehearsal Sunday 7 8:00 am, Sunday School 8:30 am, Traditional Service 9:45 am, Family Express 10:30am, Sunday School 10:30 am, Jubilee Service 11:30 am, Rally Day 1:30pm, Ed Blair Classic

Monday 8 9:30 am, Bible Study at Lakeridge 7:00 pm, Book Club 7:30 pm, Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday 9 7:00 am, Primary Election 2008 12:00 pm, LSS Counseling

6:30 pm, Women of Zion Planning 7:00 pm, Jubilee Rehearsal 7:00 pm, Overeaters Anonymous Wednesday 10 2:45 pm, Class Ring 3:45 pm, Ring Forth 4:45 pm, Joy Choir 5:00pm, Family Supper 5:00 pm, New Member Meeting 5:15 pm, Youth Choir 6:00 pm, Confirmation 7:00 pm, HOH Kick-off Meeting 7:00 pm, Joyful Ringers 7:00 pm, Senior Choir Thursday 11 Friday 12 9:00 am, LSS Counseling Saturday 13 1:00 pm, Ellis/Shelton Wedding Sr. High Retreat Sunday 14 8:00 am, Sunday School 8:30 am, Traditional Service 9:45 am, Family Express 10:30 am, Jubilee Service Sr. High Retreat Monday 15 9:30 am, Bible Study at Lakeridge 7:30 pm, Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday 16 9:30 am, Naomi Circle 12:00 pm, LSS Counseling 6:00 pm, Stephen Ministries

Meeting 7:00 pm, Jubilee Rehearsal 7:00 pm, Overeaters Anonymous 7:00 pm, Property Meeting Wednesday 17 6:30 am, Men of Zion Bible Study 2:45 pm, Class Ring 3:45 pm, Ring Forth 4:45 pm, Joy Choir 5:00pm, Family Supper

5:00 pm, New Member Meeting 5:15 pm, Youth Choir 6:00 pm, Confirmation 7:00 pm, Joyful Ringers 7:00 pm, Senior Choir 7:30 pm, Council Meeting Thursday 18 8:00 am, Men of Wisdom Bible Study 9:30 am, Faith in Action Meeting 7:30 pm, Rebecca Circle Friday 19 9:00 am, LSS Counseling 5:00 pm, Scrapbooking/Craft Night Saturday 20 Sunday 21 8:30 am, Sunday School 8:30 am, Traditional Service 9:45 am, Family Express 10:30am, Sunday School 10:30 am, Jubilee Service 7:00 pm, Esther Circle New Members Reception Monday 22 9:30 am, Bible Study at Lakeridge 7:30 pm, Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday 23 12:00 pm, LSS Counseling 6:00 pm, Christian Education

Committee Meeting 7:00 pm, Jubilee Rehearsal 7:00 pm, Overeaters Anonymous Wednesday 24 9:30 am, Devotions at Lakeridge 10:30 am, Devotions at Parkview 2:45 pm, Class Ring 3:45 pm, Kids' Club 3:45 pm, Ring Forth 4:45 pm, Joy Choir 5:00pm, Family Supper 5:15 pm, Youth Choir 6:00 pm, Confirmation 7:00 pm, Joyful Ringers 7:00 pm, Senior Choir

look for updates & links at: www.zionbuffalo.org

10 September calendar

Block

Party

11

Thursday 25 8:00 am, Men of Wisdom Bible Study 6:00 pm, HOH Kick-off Meeting Friday 26 9:00 am, LSS Counseling Zion Family Camp at Baker Park Saturday 27 Zion Family Camp at Baker Park Sunday 28 8:30 am, Traditional Service 9:45 am, Family Express 10:00 am, Camp Service at Baker Park 10:30 am, Jubilee Service No SS - Sanctuary Sunday Kindergarten and 3rd Grade Bibles Monday 29 7:30 pm, Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday 30 12:00 pm, LSS Counseling 7:00 pm, Jubilee Rehearsal 7:00 pm, Overeaters Anonymous

Rally Day Block Party Fun and Fellowship on Sunday, September 7

Start the day with worship at 8:30 (Traditional), 9:45 (Family Express) or 10:30 (Contemporary). Sunday School will be starting (8:30 & 10:30) for 3-year-olds to 6th graders, and any students who have not pre-registered can do so that morning.

Afterwards, head out on the front lawn for a free picnic lunch of hot dogs, chips, and beans. There will a free carnival for all until 2:00 pm including a dunk tank, games, duck pond, face painting, tattoos, fun-do Hair-do's, cotton candy, and an inflatable jumper especially for those age 8 and under. The middle school Rock N U will provide music for the afternoon

Volunteers are needed to help with set-up and take down as well as running some of the games for Rally Day on September 7. Contact Holly Husom if you can help make Rally Day a fun day for all.

My Church My church is composed of people like me. We make it what it is. It will be friendly, if I am. Its pews will be filled, if I help fill them. It will do great work, if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes, if I am a generous giver. It will bring other people into its worship and fellowship, if I bring them. My church will be a church of loyalty and love, of fearlessness and faith, and a church with a noble spirit, if I, who make it what it is, am filled with those things. Therefore, with the help of God, I shall dedicate myself to the task of being all the things that I want my church to be!

12

Foundation News August Meeting

Following an ongoing discussion of a request for a new computer for the Zion Church library, Scott Morin proposed an update of church office computers with the additional help of a matching gift from his company. This would be a tremendous opportunity and would make the church staff significantly more efficient with less wasted time. This project will include six new computers in the church office as well as the time and man power to install the system. Some of the retired office computers will then be available for less demanding functions, such as in the library.

A gift of $1,000 was designated for the Center for Changing Lives of Lutheran Social Services. The foundation will also make available LSS literature to make a presence known in our church of their activities.

About the Zion Foundation

The Zion Foundation was established as a non-profit foundation in October, 1978, a separate financial entity from Zion Lutheran Church.

The Foundation receives gifts, invests them and uses only the earnings from these gifts to disperse grants for religious, educational and charitable purposes. No church offerings are involved.

It is designed to support projects outside of the normal church budget. Gifts in the past have been given for Lutheran college and seminary scholarships, community services and charities such as “meals on wheels” and the food shelf, and special ministries including art, music, counseling and mission trips.

Memorials Gifts to Zion

A memorial to Zion Cemetery Fund from Arthur Christensen and Dorothy Peterson.

A memorial gift in memory of Frank Pfeifer from Betty Pfeifer.

A Zion memorial in memory of my dad from Roy Schmidt

finance & stewardship

Financial Report July 2008 General Services Fund

Income July 2008 YTD 2008 General Offering $44,458.34 $361,804.14 Rent and Sunday School $489.34 $16,271.86 Missions and Hunger $732.70 $7585.70 Other Designations $206.00 $2,743.75 Total $45,886.38 $388,405.45 Expenses Synod Benevolence $1,250.00 $8,750.00 Other General Services $52,551.37 $429,547.68 Total $53,801.37 $438,297.68

Excess of expenses -$7,914.99 -$49,892.23

over income

Forward in Faith Fund Income July 2008 YTD 2008 Offerings and Interest $16,985.48 $103,268.87 Other Receipts 0.00 $1,000.00 Total $16,985.48 $104,268.87 Expenses Mortgage $17,087.30 $117,379.61 Other Expense $0.00 $5,924.75 Total $17,087.30 $123,304.36

Excess of expenses -$101.82 -$19,035.49

over income

Other Benevolence

World Hunger $453.20 $4,749.70

Tanzania Missionary Support $417.00 $2,919.00

Through July 31, 2008, Zion Lutheran Church has re-ceived 45.2% of the total anticipated budgeted income from friends and members for the current year.

In addition, expenses paid through July 31, 2008 are 51.5% of the total anticipated expenses for the current year.

Redesigned Website www.zionbuffalo.org

In mid-July the staff learned that our website provider would go out of business in August. Although it’s been a rush to get things organized on a new site, the new provider has some great features that have allowed some (hopefully) improvements on the site. There are still some loose ends to tidy up, but stop by, check things out, and let the staff know what you think of the redesign.

13

14

Redeemer Lutheran Church Raising the Roof for Another 100 Years

By Bill Dexheimer-Pharis, Chair of Redeemer’s Stewardship Committee

When I was a child I went to see a production of the ballet, The Nutcracker. What I most remember was the incredible magic Christmas tree which grew before our very eyes during little Clara’s dream, transformed from a tiny specimen into a spectacular size. This last Sunday we heard about the mustard plant, which from a tiny seed grows into a large bush, big enough for birds to inhabit. Jesus used the example of the mustard seed as a parable for the Kingdom of God, which starts out as small as the mustard seed, but through faith and perseverance is transformed into a vibrant, spirit-filled community.

Imagine a mustard seed, or a magical Christmas tree, being planted in the middle of our sanctuary. Rooted in the fertile soil tended through the last 100 years, nourished and tended by God’s people in this place, fed by the dreams of all who gather here to worship God and serve God’s people in this particular corner of the Kingdom, this tree could grow so tall I t might just push the roof up into the air. It might just open up this space so even more people could come under its protective span; it could grow so wide it pushes the walls of the church even further out into the streets, so church and community would be blended together even more. This is what I see in my dreams, but of course in reality we wouldn’t want the roof to shoot up into the air, or the walls to tumble over. To effectively serve their purpose, this roof and these walls need to be solid and sure.

We at Redeemer have tried to be a “Beacon of Hope” to the Harrison Neighborhood and beyond for these last 100 years. Now it’s literally time to raise a new roof so the beacon can shine even farther and wider for the next 100 years. As many of you already know, the roof and other important structural elements in our church need to be strengthened and renewed so this building can continue to be a place where exciting and life enhancing ministry happens on a daily basis.

A few months back, the Redeemer Church Council approved plans to move ahead with a cam0pital campaign to do the necessary work to keep our building structurally sound and to enhance its capacity for mission and ministry within the community and the whole church. The synod is very supportive of this effort. We have contracted with Kairos, a Christian resource development firm, to help guide this effort.

In mid-July a core group of persons representing Redeemer, Redeemer Center for Life, and our key mission partner churches met with Rev. Keith Magnuson of Kairos to explore the best ways to get this capital campaign off the ground. Our next meeting of this core group will be in late August. We hope to soon get many more people involved.

The plan is for the capital campaign to coincide with Redeemer’s 100th Anniversary celebration: Keith Magnuson assured us that we are on schedule for being able to develop the campaign within that time frame.

We will continue to inform Redeemer members of what is happening with the capital campaign, through announcements at church and through articles in the newsletter. Please keep this effort in your thoughts and prayers.

Lutefisk Dinner Planning is getting underway for the Annual Lutefisk/Meatball Dinner set for Friday, October 24, at Zion. Many hands are needed to provide this delicious dinner. New helpers are welcome and needed! If you are available to help in anyway for this event...please contact Rick Johnson at 763.972.6148 or tylorlj@yahoo.com.

Bloodmobile The American Red Cross blood mobile will be at Zion on November 11 from 1pm to 7pm. Volunteers and donors, please watch for sign up sheets during September and October or contact the coordinator, Beverly Smith, with questions.

Got Old Instruments?

missions & social ministry

Have you heard that several classrooms are being redecorated? Do you have old musical instruments tucked away in a closed somewhere?Zion can use your old guitars, trumpets, french horns, tambourines, saxophones wooden maracas, banjos or other instruments for decorating the pre-k music room . . . they don’t need to be in working order, as they will be hung on the wall!

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Going Green at Home Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Want to step up your own green commitment? There are lots of small things you can do at home. Here are a few ideas to use fewer resources and reduce your energy consumption, which lessens the demand for fossil fuel. It also may save you some money.

These tips are from Sara Snow, renowned green living expert and host of "Living Fresh" and "Get Fresh with Sara Snow" on the Discovery Home Channel.

The Living Room

Installing a programmable thermostat, which turns the heat or the air down when you're asleep, may trim up to $150.00 a year from utility bills.

Energy Star-qualified compact florescent light bulbs use 75 percent less energy, last up to 10 times longer and save about $30.00 in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime.

The Kitchen

Sara Snow says to buy locally produced food. Here's way: Locally produced food travels less (reducing fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions) Plus its more nutritious because it ripens naturally instead of en route.

Another tip is to collect reusable bags. Put a few in your car to grab when you shop. This saves trees used to make paper bags and petroleum used to make plastic bags, which take years to decompose.

The Bathroom

Snow says if you cut your shower in half and turn off the water while you brush your teeth, you'll save nearly 2000 gallons of water annually.

Also consider natural and organic body care products, which often are easier on your skin and better for the environment because they're chemical-free.

www.eartheasy.com has formulas for all purpose cleaners and stain removers. For a common cleaning product; baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice make a great green substitute for common cleaning products.

The Bedroom

Fill your room with plants for natural beauty and a simple effective way to clean the air. Plant leaves absorb airborne pollutants. Bamboo palm, English Ivy, Gerbera Daisy and Peace Lily make great low-maintenance choices.

To view this article in full and read more tips to make a difference for our planet and your bottom line from Sara Snow go to www.thrivent.com/magazine.

For more information about Thrivent Financial and its products, call Mark Worner at 763.682.6011

Lutheran Night At the Twins

A group of 26 from Zion joined thousands of others from Lutheran congregations all over the area for the 15th Annual Lutheran Night at the Twins on August 19.

This event was organized by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans to benefit Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity to help better lives for Minnesota families.

Thanks to the Wright County chapter for providing a free bus which makes this annual event an affordable family outing.

Election Site This year, Zion is the polling site for Precinct 3, City of Buffalo, for both the Primaries on September 9 and the General Election on November 4.

Precinct 3 is the southern most part of the city bounded by 2nd Street S on the north side, south along Hwy 25 S on the east side and Montrose Blvd on the west side along Buffalo Lake.

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zionyouth.wordpress.com

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you

because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

youth ministries

Director of Youth Ministries Myron Crawford

763-682-1245 ext. 306 mcrawford@zionbuffalo.org

Zion Youth Ministries We exist to reach out to youth, to come together and learn how

to be for God and others through worship, study, fellowship and service.

Confirmation Class News (Grade 9)

The Affirmation of Baptism date is Sat Oct 25 @ 1pm. This ceremony will be for all students who have completed their two years of confirmation requirements.

Please put the following dates on your calendars: Weds Oct 1 - All work must be turned in by this date! Sat Oct 11 - 9am - 12pm Zion Confirmation Retreat Trinity Hall. This will be a time for confirmands to come together for a final lesson, make stoles and go over final details. Weds Oct 22 - 6:00pm Affirmation of Baptism Walkthrough Sanctuary. This will be the only opportunity to do a full walkthrough and pick up robes. Parents are requested to be in attendance.

Confirmation Schedule (Grade 7-8) Sept 3 - Parents Meeting - 6pm. This is for all parents of 7th & 8th grade confirmation students. Students are requested to be in attendance also. Sept 10 - Large Group Meeting - 6pm. The first large group discussion and lesson. Sept 17 - Large and Small Groups - 6pm. After large group lessons, youth will split into small groups for discussion Sept 24 - Large and Small Groups - 6pm

Classes will start on time! Do not be late!

Middle School Dates Sept 10 - Confirmation Class begins Oct 1 - Planet Wisdom Registration

Due Oct 17 - Friday Night Fun Night Dec 5 & 6 - Planet Wisdom Retreat Dec 19 - Friday Night Fun Night

Senior High Dates Sept 3 - Fall Retreat Deadline Sept 10 - Mission Trip Meeting Sept 10 - Graceland Begins Sept 13 & 14 - Sr High Retreat Oct 25 - Affirmation of Baptism Service Oct 26 - Special night Nov 7-9 - Revamp Sr High Event

Middle School Planet Wisdom Event

Are you an unlikely hero? Find out at Planet Wisdom.

Grace Church - Eden Prairie, MN Fri Dec 5 - Sat Dec 6 Cost is only $70 for the weekend Registration deadline is Oct 1!

Rock N U Schedule Practices are Tues from 6:15pm-8pm in the Youth Room Sept 9, 16, 23 & 30.

Middle School Leadership Team

This is open to any 7th or 8th Grader. Thu Sept 25 @ 6:30pm in the Youth Room.

Senior High Senior High Fall Retreat

For all Senior High youth to come together and play games, do team building, worship and plan for the year.

Sat Sept 13 - Sun Sept 14 Cost is only $40! Registration deadline is Sept 3!

Revamp Senior High Event

Learn about God’s heart for those living in poverty while having fun in the process.

Minneapolis, MN Cost is $80/person Depart Zion @ 5pm on Fri Nov 7 Return to Zion @ 1pm Sun Nov 9 Registration deadline is Oct 1!

Graceland

Graceland is open to all Sr High Youth to come and explore their faith through games, media, studies and discussions.

Kaleo worship is from 7-7:30pm on Weds

Graceland is from 7:30-9pm on Weds Sept 10 - Mission Trip Meeting - 7:30pm Sept 17 - Graceland - 7:30pm Sept 24 - Graceland - 7:30pm

Bring your Bibles, notebooks and pencils!

2009 Mission Trip Meeting

This is for all Sr High youth and their parents to learn about next year’s trip.

Wed Sept 10 @ 7:30pm The only formal meeting! The first night to register!

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zionkids.wordpress.com

children’s ministries

September Open your Bible challenge:

Bring your Bible to Sunday school, and claim your prize!

Bible Distribution Kindergarten and Third Grade Bibles will be distributed on Sunday, September 28th. This is the first Sanctuary Sunday. Children who are at family camp this day, will receive their bibles at camp.

Kids Club Kids club begins on Sept. 24th and follows the school calendar through May 6th. First through third graders will have the opportunity to participate this year. Kids club is offered each Wednesday from 4:45 until 5:30 PM. At 5:30, children can be picked up in the movie room. We will sing songs, play games, learn Bible lessons, eat snacks, and create. Children can ride the shuttle from Buffalo schools. Be sure to fill out the “alternate destination” form for the shuttle.

Sunday School Children registered for Sunday school by August 15th, should have received (or will receive by September 6th) a packet in the mail telling them where to meet, and where to be picked up, each Sunday. Children who were not registered as of the 15th, will need to check in at a registration table, on the 7th of September.

Children in preschool and kindergarten will have scheduled rooms in which to begin and end their lessons. First through fourth graders will meet in designated rows in Trinity hall, and will have “homerooms” in which to finish their Sunday rotation. Fifth and sixth grade classes will have designated rooms for their classes.

Family Pass:

In an effort to keep our Sunday school students safe, we are instating a new policy for our Sunday school drop off and pick-up. Family Pass works like this: Each family will receive a key card along with their registration information. On the back side of the Family pass you will find your child/children’s names, the parents names and a family number code. Instructions will be included with your registration packet.

Come to Church as a Family…Sanctuary Sunday!

On the 4th Sunday of each month something exciting will be happening at church – the Sunday School classrooms will be empty and the church pews will be full! This year our Sunday school program will include a Sanctuary Sunday.

Sanctuary Sunday; a time for families to come to church as a family. Sunday School will not be in session this day in favor of spending time together in church. Worship services for the day will be built specifically around the focus of community, children and building and strengthening the relationships with which God has blessed us.

Opportunities to learn as we worship and to experience our church family in a new and powerful way are what Sanctuary Sunday is all about.

Don’t miss the opportunity to come and learn more about what Jesus meant when he said, “Love one another as I have loved you!”

Sanctuary Sunday series begins on September 28th! Come and support the children in kindergarten and third grade as they receive their bibles.

Rally Day Sunday, September 7th

Come join us for food fun and fellowship as we kick off the Sunday school year. September 7th is the first day of Sunday school, and a day of celebration.

Christian Education Co-Directors

Roxie Otten rotten@zionbuffalo.org

Holly Husom hhusom@zionbuffalo.org

763-682-1245 ext. 331

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We were required to complete some pretty extensive homework (19 pages of written responses to all sorts of questions) before were allowed to proceed with our home study. We hit a bump in the road during this time when Cory lost his job of ten years. This put us back a few months, but we eventually finished our homework. After our home study was complete, we worked on our dossier, which is a set of documents we submit to the country we hope to adopt from. Before we even finished our dossier, our social worker called us to ask if we would be interested in looking at the referral of a three year old healthy, beautiful little boy. We had planned on adopting an infant under 12 months of age, so we were a little surprised. However, we agreed we would like to see the referral. Well, we fell in love with him the moment we saw him! From that point on, it took approximately three and a half months before we brought him home.

We traveled to Ethiopia on June 11th, 2008. The hardest part about traveling was leaving our three other children at home for 9 days. We missed them dearly while away! The plane

ride was extremely long, about 19 hours total. We will never forget our trip to Ethiopia! It is a beautiful country once you are outside of the capital Addis Ababa. The people are incredibly kind. We felt welcome wherever we went. The staff that work for CHSFS were wonderful. And then there is our new son, Eshetu. Some of the adjectives we commonly use to describe him are smart, resilient, funny, caring, handsome and a joy to be around. He is adjusting so well, it is more than we could have ever hoped for. We hope some day we will be able to travel back to Ethiopia. Our daughters are already asking for a baby sister from Ethiopia! Please feel free to contact us with any questions about adopting from Ethiopia. We would love to help!

(Ethiopian Adoption continued from page 4)

Zion Lutheran Church 1200 Highway 25 S. PO Box 88 Buffalo, MN 55313

www.zionbuffalo.org

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Ethiopian Adoption 4

Zion’s Music Program 6

New Member Class 8

Social Statement Forums 9

Rally Day Block Party 11

Foundation News 12

Redesigned Website 13

Got Old Instruments? 14

Going Green at Home 15

Youth Ministry 16

Children’s Ministry 17

Out of Town? You can hear sermons, read the

weekly program, newsletter, and get other information on our website:

www.Zionbuffalo.org

Will You Be in Zion’s Family Album?

The church picture directory is like our family album. If you did not have your photo taken already, please make an appointment for an October photo. You can make your appointment online, at the information desk, or by calling the office.