www.zionfarmingtonlcms.org

Lutheran Church Zion

Newsletter Bringing Hope Through Christ

Bror Erickson, Pastor

Zion Lutheran Church

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October 2018

Message from Pastor

Mother Teresa (con’t. on page 3)

Dear Zion Lutheran,

R eformation Month is here! Last year

marked the 500th anniversary of the birth

of the Reformation that is normally dated

to the nailing of the 95 theses to the door of

the Castle Church in Wittenberg. The Refor-

mation was far from over with that event, how-

ever, and we, as Lutherans, look forward to

another 40-plus years celebrating different wa-

tershed events and publications that happened

during the Reformation. This year the celebra-

tory events have been surrounding the Heidel-

berg Disputation of 1518.

The Heidelberg Disputation happened at the

request of Luther's Father Confessor Fr.

Staupitz. He asked Luther to present his views

to a meeting of Augustinian Monks in April of

1518. Luther did so in the form of a series of

theses to be argued and presented before the

Augustinian Order. Many of the themes he pre-

sented here came to

define his presenta-

tion of the gospel for

his whole career as a

reformer.

Luther hit a nerve

with his attack on

indulgences; howev-

er, a person reading

them still sees many

of the presuppositions of Roman Catholicism

inherent in it. Luther knew something was

wrong, and many were in agreement with him.

However, this realization led him to see more

and more what was wrong with the entire sys-

tem and to finally realize the point of the Gos-

pel.

It is in the Heidelberg Disputation that Lu-

ther begins to explain the Gospel with Luther-

Nov. 4: Daylight Saving Time ends.

Nov. 11: Voters’ Meeting — Prior to the

meeting, Zion Circle will serve a

luncheon.

Nov. 11: Zion Circle will begin collecting

non-perishable food for Christ-

mas Care Boxes.

Dec. 7-8: Christkindlmarkt

Note: There will be only one service at

10:15 a.m. on October 21st and

28th. Sunday School will be held

as usual at 9 a.m.

Page 3

Bringing Hope Through Christ

Page 2 Message from Pastor (cont’d. from page 1)

an distinctives. Mostly this document is known for

his articulation of the theology of the cross which

puts the emphasis on the forgiveness of sins and

takes the emphasis off works completely. Here he

shows how what are often considered good works

become evil when we trust in them over and

above or in place of Christ's death. Even our good

works need forgiveness.

In many ways this is the doctrine that Luther

summarizes and articulates in his explanation of

the Third Article of the Creed: "I believe that I

cannot by my own reason or strength believe in

Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the

Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlight-

ened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in

the one true faith, just as He calls, gathers, en-

lightens and sanctifies the whole Christian

church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in

the one common true faith. Daily in this Christian

church the Holy Spirit abundantly forgives all

sins—mine and those of all believers…"

I can't wait to celebrate the Reformation with

you all at our Reformation barbeque this month.

I will also be busy these next few months, as I'm

speaking at a few different conferences in Illi-

nois, San Diego and Montana.

Your brother in Christ,

Rev. Bror Erickson

Are you looking to get rid of some old

neckties? We have just the spot for

them!

Esther McKeever is planning to make a

necktie quilt and is in need of neckties. You can

put them in her box at church, or call Esther at

402-7475.

To those who gave blood at

Zion’s semi-annual blood

drive on September 15:

THANK YOU! Your donation is very much ap-

preciated.

And, thank you once again to Tom O’Keefe

who headed up the effort.

* * * * * * * *

As you know, Hurricane Florence hit the southeastern United States with a vengeance in Sep-

tember, and the destruction continues even afterward, with flood levels rising and hun-

dreds in need of help with evacuation efforts.

LCMS World Relief and Human Care’s Disaster Response were on the ground in North Carolina visiting

LCMS congregations hit hard by floodwaters. A semitrailer of supplies was brought to Wake Forest where

volunteers distributed generators, dehumidifiers, cleaning supplies, tools, diapers, baby wipes and for-

mula.

The need is still great. If you would like to donate

to the LCMS disaster relief fund, visit lcms.org/how-

we-serve/mercy/disaster-response, or call 888-930-

4438 to make a credit card gift by phone. You can

also make a check payable and mail to:

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

P. O. Box 66861

St. Louis, MO 63166-6861

Please note how you want your gift used, such as

Disasters—where needed most, flood relief, hurricane

relief, etc.

Volunteers from Hope Lutheran Church, Wake Forest, N.C., unload a trailer filled with Hurricane Florence relief supplies from LCMS Disaster Re-sponse on Sept. 18. (LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

Your help makes a difference...

EldEr’s Message

By Gary Duncan

Page 4 Page 5

T hese past couple of years as Elder, I have really enjoyed researching and learning about the

Bible. What I enjoy the most is sharing with you what I have found, and I hope you also have

enjoyed the word of the Bible. It is so vast and interlinked that I sometimes have difficulty

absorbing the message. With the Lord’s help, maybe we can find clarity.

I’m really in awe of the Lord’s Prayer. I feel

it lays the groundwork for Christianity. The prayer is

found in two places of the Bible, Matthew 6:9 and

Luke 11:2-4. In Luke, Jesus was asked by one of the

disciples to teach them how to pray. The Lord then

spoke the words of the Lord’s Prayer. There is no

doubt that over time the Lord’s Aramaic prayer has

been discussed in great length. Even though there is

a transition to English, the meaning is still the same,

in my faith in the Lord and my view.

I took the liberty to paraphrase the writings in Luther’s Small Catechism, the introduction, and

the seven petitions on the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father who art in heaven. With these words, God invites us to believe that He is our true Father

and that we are His true children so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as chil-

dren ask their father.

Hallowed be Thy name. God’s name is holy in itself; we pray that it may be kept holy among us also.

Thy kingdom come. The kingdom of God comes by itself without our prayer, we pray that it comes

to us also.

The Lord’s Prayer

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The good and gracious will of God is done even without

our prayer; we pray that it may be done among us also.

Give us this day our daily bread. God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers,

even evil people, but we pray that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread

with thanksgiving.

And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. We pray that our Father

in heaven would not look at our sins, or deny our prayer because of them. We are not worthy of the

things for which we pray, nor have we deserved them, we ask that He would give them all to us by

grace, for we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment. So, we, too, will sincerely

forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

And lead us not into temptation. God tempts no one. We pray God would guard and keep us so that

the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair,

and other great shame and vice. When we are attacked by these things, we pray we can overcome

them.

But deliver us from evil. We pray that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body

and soul, possessions and reputations, and when our final hour comes, give us a blessed end, and

take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. I should be certain these

words are pleasing to our Father in heaven and are heard by Him. For He Himself has commanded us

to pray in this way and has promised to hear us, Amen.

For you tech people, please go to YouTube and listen to the Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic. I cannot

explain how moving it is. You must experience it!!

I wish you the Lord’s blessings,

Gary

EldEr’s MEssagE (cont’d. from page 4)

(cont’d. on page 5)

Reformation Dinner

October 28

B rats and hot dogs! Don’t miss the annual Reformation celebration

after church on Sunday, October 28 — this year is the 501st anni-

versary of Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95

theses on the Wittenberg Church door.

Members are asked to bring a side dish or des-

sert. Please note there will be only one church ser-

vice that day at 10:15 a.m., followed by the dinner.

October 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2

3 12:15 p.m. Holy Communion Service

4

5

6

7 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

(Green) Elder: Steve Unger Acolyte: Bayleigh Culpepper Altar Duty & Ushering: Gary & Kay Duncan / Greeter: Marlis Rushing 5 p.m. Confirmation

8 Columbus Day

9 6:30 p.m. Elders & Trustees 7 p.m. Church Council

10 12:15 p.m. Holy Communion Service

11

12

13 8 a.m. Men’s Bible Study

14 Twenty-First Sunday after Pente-

cost (Green) Elder: Gary Duncan Acolyte: Ian Hall Greeter: Luwana Scribner 5 p.m. Confirmation

15

16 12 p.m. Zion Circle

17 12:15 p.m. Holy Communion Service

18

19 Newsletter Deadline 6:30 p.m. Youth Durango Downtown Balloon Glow

20

21 Twenty-Second Sunday after

Pentecost (Green) 10:15 a.m. Service only Elder: Tim House Acolyte: Melodie Leslie Greeters: Dave & Mary Ripley

22

23

24 12:15 p.m. Holy Communion Service

25

26

27 8 a.m. Men’s Bible Study

28 Reformation Day (observed)

(Red) 10:15 a.m. Service only Elder: Jim Lukow Acolyte: Amoraya Miller Greeter: Mary Pipkin 11:30 p.m. Reformation Day Dinner 5 p.m. Confirmation

29

30

31 Reformation Day Halloween 12:15 p.m. Holy Communion Service Youth Hallows Eve Party at the Thur’s

Worship Schedule:

Sundays: 8 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. Services

9 a.m. Adult Bible Class & Sunday School

Wednesdays: 12:15 p.m. Holy Communion Service

10/4 Scott Kelly

10/5 Tara Dennington

10/5 Kaylen Jones

10/9 Keenan Hunt

10/9 Jim Lukow

10/9 Bethanne O’Keefe

10/10 Nicholas Halvorson

10/10 Amelia Nicholson

10/11 Richard Neuhaus

10/12 Allicyn O’Keefe

10/13 Kenneth Hunt

10/15 Miranda Dennis

10/15 Montgomery Watson

10/16 Brian Dennis

10/23 Avery Calder

10/26 Sharon Neuhaus

10/27 Tristin Roper

10/30 Bonnie Adams

10/30 Garrett Hall

Page 8

Youth Group by Michelle Thur Youth Leader

Page 9

a young person, your life is busy. You have many things that take your attention.

You’ve got a mountain of homework, your friends, family and maybe a job responsibil-

ity… everything is taking your time and everything is IMPORTANT?!?!

With so many things you have to do, how do you decide what is most important and know that you

have done your best every day?

There IS a way to make sense of it all…

First….Make time for God – Always make sure that no matter how busy you are, take at least that

one moment in the day to allow time in your life for God. Read a Bible verse and say a prayer. No matter

how you talk to God, He listens and knows your heart. When you are with God, all things are easier!!!

Without God, it is like trying to drive a car without the tank of gas. You can go on fumes for a bit, but you

won’t go far. With God you have peace and know that you are loved, have help, and will never be alone.

We all have things we are good at and things we need help with – Being lazy is different than

knowing what you can and can’t do. God made each of us to be good at

some things and not so good at other things. You might win the best sci-

ence fair project or be in what you think is the “in crowd.” That’s okay.

HE made us that way so that we can help His other creations and come

to Him when we feel we are just not “good enough.”

There are so many things that pull you in lots of directions. Friends

with whom to hang out, homework, practices, chores at home, etc. You

feel pulled in many directions and must decide what things are the most

important. You feel like there is no time to do everything.

When things get busy and upsetting, go to God and ask for His help.

The only way you are going to know how to get through it is to spend

time with God by talking to Him. When you talk to God, He puts it in your

mind and heart the way to get the things done that you need to do so

that you don’t have as much stress in your life. BUT…always give Him the credit!! He will lead you in the

right direction.

Because of God…YOU ARE!!! He gave His Son to suffer and die for YOU because HE BELIEVED IN

YOU!!! Spend a little time with God and realize there are 24 hours in a day and sometimes not everything

will be perfect or get done exactly the way you would like it to be, but God never gives up on you, YOU

are part of His Grand Plan. SO, GIVE HIM THE TIME TO HELP YOU.

In a crazy, busy world, it is easy to get selfish. It is easy to leave God out when we get busy. God is

key to getting through stressful situations, so decide to not put God to the side, because it is only with

Him in your life that life itself is easier.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.

Pray: God, I come to You in the name of Jesus and I thank you for Your help that is always there for

me. You said that I could come to you any time I need You. I ask for Your help. I need You and I be-

lieve that You will tell my mind and heart what I need in order to live today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

10/9 Keenan Hunt

10/10 Nicholas Halvorson

10/12 Allicyn O’Keefe

10/15 Montgomery Watson

10/27 Tristin Roper

Youth Activities for October (to be determined)

October 19: Downtown Durango Balloon Glow, 6:30 p.m.

October 31: Hallows’ Eve Party at the Thur’s

(cont’d. from page 8)

(cont’d. on page 9)

Page 10

(cont’d. on page 11)

ots of congratulations are in order for some

members and their families! God’s blessings

to Darien Lyons and Alejandra Gomez, who

were married on June 26 in Goshen, CT. Darien is the

son of Cindy and John Lyons. The newlyweds live in

Staten Island, NY, where Darien works as the Opera-

tions Supervisor for a pharmacy, and Alejandra

works as a Medical Assistant in Manhattan, NY.

And, Jo Anne Ellsaesser is a proud great-grandmother, with the

addition of Bella Reign Ledbetter, who was born August 10 in Hobbs to

Jo Anne’s granddaughter Alicia and her husband Jacob.

Helen Terry announced the arrival of her great-grandson, Carson

Louis Schumacher, who was born to Luke and Heather. Carson joins

his parents and two sisters in the family home in Aurora, CO.

Finance At A Glance...

Assets & Liabilities Operating Checking Account: -$21,874.54 Total Checking Account: $7,563.15 (Deposited $10,000 to Citizens from LCEF sav-ings September 4. $18,160.00 has been deposited via ETF contributions in LCEF since $20,000 withdrawal in Dec. 2017.) LCEF Steward Savings Account: $52,034.88 (includes members’ EFT contributions) Building Expansion Fund: $55,292.72 Building Completion Fund: $1,549.45 Scholarship Fund, Permanent: $5,280.07 Scholarship Fund, Demand: $15,174.53 Family Fund: $1,069.88 Total Assets: $1,110,114.47 Total Liabilities: $267,948.76 (includes LCEF mortgage balance of $262,858.03) Equity: $842,165.71

Income & Expenses August

Total Operating Income: $18,393.00 Budgeted Operating Income: $18,796.16 Operating Income minus Budgeted Income -$403.16 Total Expenses: $16,733.57 Budgeted Expenses: $18,727.43 Operating Income minus Operating Ex-pense $1,659.43

Year-to-Date Total Operating Income: $137,787.58 Budgeted Operating Income: $150,369.28 Operating Income minus Budgeted Income -$12,581.70 Total Expenses: $141,923.34 Budgeted Expenses: $150,231.70 Operating Income minus Operating Expense -$4,135.76

Mr. & Mrs. Darien Lyons

Page 11

F ollowing are highlights from the Church

Council Meeting held Tuesday, September

11, 2018.

Michelle Thur reported the youth will have

another yard party on September 23. They have

been very excited about the yard parties. A youth-

assisted service will take place on September 30.

A Balloon Glow is scheduled in Durango on Octo-

ber 19, and a Hallows’ Eve party is October 31.

Pastor reported that Confirmation class will

most likely be held on Sundays. He will be out of

town attending a conference on October 21.

The Trustees reported that electricity has gone

up. If we move up in kilowatts, our rate will signifi-

cantly increase. It was suggested a smart thermo-

stat be purchased for around $150. A motion was

made and approved to buy a new thermostat.

Julie Jones is requesting use of the Fellowship Hall

on October 8 at 5:30 p.m. Light bulbs in the sanc-

tuary need to be replaced, and the Jones’ offered

their scaffolding to attend to replacement of the

light bulbs.

There has not

been an inspec-

tion on the fire system. The parking lot is in need

of sealing. Zion Circle is willing to help fund some

landscaping on the south end in the back and

also in helping to clean up the Fellowship floor.

The Financial Secretary/Treasurer’s Reports

were approved.

In New Business, there will be a Reformation

dinner on October 28. The Voters’ Meeting is

scheduled for November 11, and a motion was

made and approved for Zion Circle to provide a

freewill offering dinner before the meeting.

There will be no early service on October 28 or

November 11. Council members needed for next

year are one Trustee and one Elder. Tim Watson

and Don Wood have both agreed to a second

term. Gary Duncan is available to take over Tom

O’Keefe’s Financial Secretary/Treasurer posi-

tion.

Joan Vilven’s granddaughter Alana Nichols recently returned from a

trip to the Tibet Plateau, which she describes as “incredible.” While

there, she donated a wheelchair basketball chair to an eight-year-old girl

and also taught wheelchair basketball to those who wanted to learn and

take part in a three-on-three tournament. Basketball is a popular sport

in Tibet where it is played by many on outside concrete courts. Alana also took time to sightsee and en-

joy the beautiful country, native food, and kind people.

Condolences go to Diana Fisher, whose younger sister passed away recently in Virginia after suffering

an extreme asthmatic episode that left her in a coma. Please keep the family in your prayers.

(cont’d. from page 10)