Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
January 2019
The Pastor’s Ponderings
Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address—[email protected]
Zion’s 2019 Council Members
Elder & President ........................................ Jody Stanley
Elder & Vice-President ................................... Larry Hile
Secretary ................................................ Sandy Langdon
Deacons .....................................................Mike Clamme
Tim Stanley
Drew Walker
Trustees ........................................................ Neil Stroble
Max Langdon
Scott Clamme
Treasurer ................................................... Libby Stroble
Financial Secretaries ...................................... Julie Prout
Debbie Walker
The pagan Christmas with eating and drinking and
parties and family joy may well be contained in the
Christian celebration, but it can never take the place of
it. Jesus Himself took an interest in family life, and He
attended parties; but He was, nevertheless, ever on the
way to the cross. Let us sing Ingemann songs and eat
goose and play with our children about the glittering
Christmas tree; but we must never forget that the com-
ing of Christ to earth means dauntless struggle against
evil. And if we kneel by the manger in other than senti-
mental moods, we shall become aware that one hand of
the little Child is open and kindly, the other clenched in
blood…. -From a sermon for St. Stephen’s Day by Dan-
ish playwright, Lutheran pastor, and martyr Kaj
(pronounced Kai) Munk, died 1944.
Looking back on our Christ-
mas Eve celebration and forward
to the new year, I am struck by
how unsentimental the whole
Christmas story is. Think of the
lessons we heard that night. God
descends to humanity as the long-
awaited Savior, but as an ordinary baby born to a teen-
age mother forced to travel with her husband because of
the empire’s insatiable demand for tax revenue. Jesus is
born, not in a palace, but in a barn, so to speak. Only a
few shepherds were told. A few Gentiles from a faraway
land noticed his star in the sky. Hardly anyone noticed.
A no-account baby born under suspicious circumstances
was God. The beginning of the Christmas story is
marked by the cross.
It’s not just the cross of the world’s ignorance. It’s
also the cross of the world’s brutality. I am always struck
how the Lessons and Carols service ends with the massa-
cre of the infants at Bethlehem. This is the kind of world
that Jesus was born into – the world that God came to
save. A world filled with darkness and cruelty, hatred
and fear. This is the world that God loved so much that
he came to it himself.
It is, after all, God’s world. God said it was good at
creation eons ago, and fundamentally it remains God’s
good creation. That means that we, too, no matter how
sinful we are, we are also still accepted and loved by
God. We, too, are called good. Our sinful nature is
washed away every day in baptism, and the new creation
emerges.
As Pastor Munk preached, Jesus’ birth is a daunt-
less challenge to evil’s claims on this world. It’s a reas-
sertion of God’s sovereignty. But it is one done in love
and vulnerability, not violence and vengeance. And be-
cause of that, we can be truly new people, formed by
God’s love and grace. Because God is vulnerable in the
manger, we can truly love God. We can love God be-
cause he first loved us.
I hope we can remember that in this new year.
God’s love for us means that we can love. Despite this
world’s evil, that love remains – long after Christmas is
over.
Love to you all,
Pastor David
January 2019
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 13th
1st Reading - Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
2nd Reading - Acts 8:14-17
Gospel - Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Epiphany 2 - January 20th
1st Reading - Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Gospel - John 2:1-11
Epiphany 3 - January 27th
1st Reading - Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Gospel - Luke 4:14-21
January Lectionary Readings
Book of Judges Study
January Birthdays
Carolyn Chandler 1-12
Pat Gillis 1-12
Val Hiatt 1-12
Mike Clamme 1-14
Elonda Pethtel 1-19
Virginia Langdon 1-23
Larry Hile 1-28
The book of Judges is certainly a
bloody one. But it is also complex,
with much to ponder about the na-
ture of the God we worship, the
propensity of human beings to do great, foolish, or de-
structive deeds, and the role of gender. Come explore not
only the people of this book, but also where we and our
society might fit into these stories today. On Tuesday
evenings at 6 p.m., beginning on January 15th, Pastor Da-
vid will begin a several-week long study of Judges.
Zion’s Annual Meeting
The 2019 Annual Meeting of
Zion Lutheran Church will be held
on Sunday, January 27th. Please
join us for a Carry-in Dinner fol-
lowing the worship service. The meeting will be held
after the dinner.
2019 Council Members
Newly elected congregational officers for the year
2019 include:
Elder and Vice-President - Larry Hile
Recording Secretary - Sandy Langdon
Treasurer - Libby Stroble
Deacon - Drew Walker
Trustee - Scott Clamme
Financial Secretary - Julie Prout
Financial Secretary - Debbie Walker
Cemetery Trustee - Bill Hiday
Thanks to all who agreed to be on the ballot for
Council.
Other council members and cemetery trustees remain-
ing in 2019 include:
Elder and President - Jody Stanley
Deacon - Mike Clamme
Deacon - Tim Stanley
Trustee - Neil Stroble
Trustee - Max Langdon
Treasurer - Dennis Walker
Cemetery Trustee - Eldon Willmann
Cemetery Trustee - Isola Banter
Thanks to all outgoing members for their faithful
service.
Fred Walker
Barb Hardwick
Dennis Walker
Allen Stallsmith
Mark Prout
Claretta Dutro
Nyla Hile
Tim Stanley (Cemetery Trustee)
January 2019
November Council Minutes
Congregation Council met on No-
vember 8, 2018.
The meeting was called to order by
President, Fred Walker.
Present: Pastor David Fleener, Fred
Walker, Jody Stanley, Barb Hardwick,
Dennis Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Tim Stanley, Mark
Prout, Max Langdon and Nyla Hile
Absent: Mike Clamme, Neil Stroble and Claretta
Dutro
Devotions were presented by Barb Hardwick.
Secretary’s Report: Secretary’s report was read and
approved with a motion to accept by Jody Stanley and
seconded by Max Langdon.
Correspondence: Isola and Gene Banter want to re-
linquish their duties of putting up Christmas Trees and
decorations. They are asking for volunteers to help deco-
rate. Pastor will ask the Confirmation Class and their
parents to help. They are decorating on Dec. 8 at 10 a.m.
Items added to Agenda: Pastor David inquired about
a timeframe for installing a doorbell by the church offic-
es. Mark will install it by the end of November.
Pastor’s Report: His report was read and some of the
dates were corrected. He also said that the Advent dinner
will be on December 9th.
Pastoral Care in November: Pastor's totals for Sep-
tember: 4 shut-in visits, 2 sick/hospital visits, 2 pastoral
visits, 1 funeral, 4 home/hospital communions.
Soul Care Team for October: 1 shut-in visit, 1 home/
hospital communion.
Deacons’ Fund use in October: 10/23 – Check 1056
for $70 to Vectren.
The $50 check to LifeStream authorized by last
month’s council meeting was mailed this month.
Christian Education: The Confirmation class is at
their last lesson in the catechism book, “Daily Prayers”.
We will do a thorough review of the catechism through
December. Beginning in January, we will begin a New
Testament unit, which will be a little different. Because
they have had so much exposure to who Jesus is from
Sunday School, I will begin with a quiz to test their
knowledge to determine areas of focus. We may focus
more in-depth on one of the Gospels or one of Paul’s let-
ter. I think a thorough study of Revelation will be neces-
sary as well, given all of the garbage theology out there
about that book.
Linda Walker has been introducing the younger chil-
dren to the Small Catechism on mornings I teach Confir-
mation.
Other Events in October:
1, 15, 22, 29 – Joe and Jesus at Common Grounds
2 – The Story at Grace UMC
4, 18, 25 – Mentoring at Southside Elementary
4 – Funeral of Norman Willmann
16 – Listening Post at CFS Food Pantry
16, 23, 30 – Community Choir Rehearsal
18 – Lunch at The Pickle with local pastors
26 and 27 – Spiritual Companionship Program session at
Mahseh Retreat Center, Kewanna, Indiana
Upcoming Events: November 12 – I will attend the
Gideon dinner at Calvary Christian Lighthouse.
November 15-17 – I will be away for my Grandfather
Scott’s memorial service in Columbia, Missouri. A pas-
tor will be available for emergencies.
November 18 – Community Thanksgiving Service at
First Presbyterian, with the Community Choir perform-
ing. Service is at 6:30 p.m.
November 21 – Thanksgiving Eve Service at 7 p.m.
December 9 – Advent Dinner
December 5, 12, 19 – Advent Evening Prayer. It
would be nice to have Soup and Sandwich Suppers at 6
p.m. with prayer at 7 p.m. Would Council be willing to
provide the meal on the 5th?
December 7-8 – Spiritual Companionship Program
session at Lindenwood near Donaldson, Indiana.
December 16 – Community Choir performance at 3
and 6 p.m. The cantata is “Christmas Presence” by Pep-
per Choplin.
I hope to take vacation December 31-January 6. Be-
cause I will have only taken three Sundays this calendar
year, I am asking the council to consider January 6th as
my fourth vacation Sunday in 2018.
Committee reports—Worship/Music/Memorial: Den-
nis - Met November 7th.
Looked at locations for new directional signs in the
church. Very close to ordering them.
(continued on following page)
An anonymous person has pledged to purchase a new
baptismal font to honor someone in the congregation.
Pastor David has been in contact with a maker and hopes
to have a proposal and price soon.
Picked hymns through December.
Constitution Committee: Mark Prout
Sent changes back to Synod. The congregation will
vote on it at the Annual Meeting in January.
Mission and Ministry: Jody Stanley
A number of members volunteered for “Warm Up
With Us” at the Presbyterian Church after Trunk-or-
Treat. The event was very successful. They plan to buy
gifts for Southside families and make gift bags for shut-
ins.
Council reports—Treasurer’s Report: General Fund
Balance as of November 10th $7,892.51.
Have not paid back the $4,000 we “borrowed” from
a CD we cashed earlier in the year.
Received call from a relative of a church member to
leave us a share of Stock.
January 2019
November Council Minutes continued
Motion to accept committee and council reports was
made by Mark Prout and seconded by Jody Stanley. Mo-
tion approved.
Old Business: If outside group other than church
wants use of the Fellowship Hall $50. Kitchen and Fel-
lowship Hall $150.
New Business: The Budget committee met on No-
vember 5th and went over the 2019 Budget. Budget was
presented to council. Will be voted on in December.
The Council will be in charge of the Advent Soup
supper on December 5th.
Advent and Christmas offering will be given to
Grace Village.
Are asking for a volunteer to go over the books for
the Annual meeting on January 27th.
Meeting closed with all praying The Lord’s Prayer.
Next meeting will be December 13th with Mike
Clamme giving devotions.
Respectfully submitted,
Barb Hardwick, Recording Secretary
Casey, Riggs and Ryan Hawn
Riggs Landry Hawn Baptism
Holy Baptism was celebrated on December 23rd for Riggs Landry Hawn. Riggs is the infant son of Ryan and Casey Hawn.
Riggs’ baptismal sponsors were John and Danielle Guion.
Susan Cook is his grandmother. God’s blessings to Riggs and his family. “Cradling children in His arms, Jesus gave his bless-
ing. Take them, Lord, give life anew and keep them al-ways near to you.” (LBW)
The Zion Herald January 2019
“Happy are those whose strength is in God, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” (Psalm 84:5)
Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. with Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Zion Lutheran Church
308 S. Monroe Street
Hartford City, IN 47348
David Fleener, Pastor
Church Office: 765-348-3157
www.zionhc.org
Serving the Lord in Gladness
January 2019 Lay Ministry Servers
Greeters
Ushers
Acolytes
Assisting Ministers
Jan. 6 Dennis and Debbie Walker—Carolyn Hughes and Linda Baker
Jan. 13 Owen and Mary Ehlers—Cindy Knote
Jan. 20 Bill and Joretta Hiday—Louie and Joyce Willmann
Jan. 27 Linda Baker and Carolyn Hughes—Louie and Joyce Willmann
Jan. 6 Mike Clamme, Tim Stanley, Drew Walker
Jan. 13
Jan. 20
Jan. 27
Jan. 6 Keaton Walker
Jan. 13 Ryne Clamme and
Kaylin Clamme
Jan. 20 Bryce Stroble and
Sydney Stroble
Jan. 27 Keaton Walker and
Ryne Clamme
Jan. 6 Mark Prout
Jan. 13 Sarah Fleener
Jan. 20 Michelle Walker
Jan. 27 Mark Prout
Lectors
Jan. 6 Linda Baker
Jan. 13 Cindy Knote
Jan. 20 Chris Coy
Jan. 27 Linda Baker
January 27, 2019
