“SHARING THE GOOD NEWS”

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

Tuesday, Jan 2nd – Mary Martha meeting @ 2 pm

Wednesday, Jan 3rd – All Committees’ meeting @ 7 pm

Tuesday, Jan 9th – 4H Club meeting @ 7 pm

Thursday, Jan 11th – Ruth Circle club meeting @ 7 pm

Wednesday, Jan 17th – Church Council meeting @ 6 pm

Tuesday, Jan 23rd – February newsletter deadline

Jan 26th thru Jan 29th – Cindy @ Youth Extravaganza in Houston

Saturday, Jan 27th – FLC use by Beverly Roehling

Sunday, Jan 28th – Annual Congregational meeting after worship service

Tuesday, Jan 30th – Bluebonnet Club meeting @ 11 am

Argent Court

George Rhodes

Brenham Nursing & Rehab

Darlene Gaskamp

Focus Care of Brenham

Sybil Kumaga

Dorothy Tockhorn

Homebound

Henry & Laverne Ganske

Bradley Grimm & parents

Josephine Helm

Viola Koehn

Joyce Meyer

L.W. Miller

Burney & Edna Schramme

Glenn Schroeder

Mary Tockhorn

Zion Lutheran

Church 1800 FM 2679

Brenham, Texas

Pastor: Katrina Walther Cell Phone (509) 840-3009

Church Phone (979) 836-7909

Email Address:

zionsville1800@gmail.com

zionsvillelutheranchurch.org

December 7, 2017

Council Minutes

Present: Carol Gaskamp, Kim

Cmajdalka, Jeanette Ford, Steve

Capan, Herbert Hardin, Shonda

Ziese and Matt Supak.

Absent: Joe Gurka.

The council met on December 9

at BT Longhorn for a meal and

fellowship. Following the meal,

President Carol Gaskamp called

a brief meeting to order and

introduced the nominees

submitted by the nominating

committee: Susan Henske, Jane

Pedersen and Steven Ramirez.

Nominees were approved.

Carol also thanked Joe Gurka

who had stepped up to fill the

vacancy created with Jonathon

Little’s resignation and stated

he would not be able to fulfill

the remaining 1-year term.

Carol then introduced new

council members appointed by

the council to fulfill terms:

Rodney Wittner (1-year term)

and Michael Bentke (2-year

term).

Meeting adjourned. Submitted by Kim Cmajdalka

December Semi-Annual

Congregational Meeting

Minutes

Dec 10, 2017

Meeting was called to order by

President Carol Gaskamp and

opened the meeting with a

prayer.

The 2018 Proposed Budget was

presented and reviewed. A

motion was made to accept the

proposed budget by Stan Ford

and seconded by Steve Capan.

Motion passed.

President Gaskamp then

presented the council nominees:

Susan Henske, Jane Pederson

and Steven Ramirez. There

were also two vacancies that

will be filled: Rodney Wittner

will fulfill a remaining 1 year

term (vacancy created with

resignation of Jonathon Little)

and Michael Bentke will fulfill

remaining 2 year term (vacancy

created with death of Margo

Teegardin). Motion was made

by Craig Blum and seconded by

Stan Ford to accept the

nominees.

A round of applause was given

for outgoing council members:

Carol Gaskamp, Matt Supak,

Kim Cmajdalka, and Joe Gurka,

who acted in the interim after

Jonathon Little’s resignation.

Cleo Jaeger asked if a Profit &

Loss Statement could be

provided to go along with the

budget? President Gaskamp

responded the P&L is provided

to the congregation at the

January Congregational

Meeting after the books have

been audited and finalized.

Janice Rau stated the new lawn

service was doing an excellent

job and complimented the

Koehler’s and council for

approving the new service. A

round of applause was also

requested for the group who

regularly mows and trims the

cemetery.

Motion was made and seconded

to adjourn the meeting.

President Gaskamp led the

attendees in the Lord’s Prayer.

Submitted by Kim Cmajdalka

Pastor’s Message: Clean House!

It is no secret—and no surprise—that I do not keep a very neat house. It is one of my biggest and most

embarrassing and frustrating shortcomings. At times like this, just before and just after Christmas, it is

especially bad: used and unused wrapping paper lies about, new toys and other items have not yet found

homes, and boxes have not yet been recycled (or, before Christmas, are still awaiting delivery to loved ones).

This year, with my family and I trying to move into our new house over the Christmas break, things are

especially messy—at two addresses. We have boxes yet to be moved and items yet to be packed at our rental

house; we have boxes stacked up waiting to be unpacked and items needing to be organized (and paint cans,

wood, doors off of hinges, and other home improvement items lying around) at our new house.

However, every so often our house will be mostly neat and clean. I, as many of us, often try to put forward a

special effort to get everything as tidy and passably clean as I can for Christmas itself. Toys will be picked up

and put in appropriate places, the kitchen will be tidy, and the amount of clothes that are folded and put away

will outnumber the dirty and the clean-but-not-folded clothes. The house may even maintain this stage for up to

a week!

Whether it happens quickly or slowly, I know our house will inevitably return to a stage where it looks as if a

small tornado has occurred within the rooms. If you think about it, you will surely realize that this is true for all

of our homes. While yours may never look like a small, condensed disaster area, there is still always work to be

done. Always, dishes get dirty, clothes need to be washed, floors need to be mopped or vacuumed, and things

need to be returned to their proper place. And sometimes, we procrastinate and make excuses for why our

house is messy.

“I’m too tired—I’ll clean the kitchen tomorrow.”

Brothers and sisters, it is like this with our spiritual lives, too. Always, we have sins great and small that creep

into our hearts and minds. Always we slip into the habit of gossip, are neglectful of our neighbors, think ill of

them, or judge others harshly in our hearts. Consistently, we forget to put God before all other things. As with

our house work, sometimes we give ourselves excuses as to why our sin is okay.

“I’ve had a busy week; I can miss church again this week.”

“He’s so corrupt, he embezzled thousands of dollars.”

“Look at how they live their lives! Why should I try to help them when they’re probably gonna just sell the

clothes I give them to buy drugs or booze?”

“My mess isn’t as bad as her mess, so I don’t need to change anything.”

We try to clean up our spiritual lives before Christmas just as we clean up our houses. We go to church at

Christmas when we haven’t made it for most of the year. We give more in the way of food, clothes, and money

to charity at Christmas. Many of us even take the deceptively simple step of just being nicer, more patient,

understanding, and kind towards others. Sadly, just like the mess in my house, it doesn’t last.

Here’s the good news: no matter how big or small our messes are God loves us just the same. God does not

expect us to be perfect—He knows us and understands us too well for that (as my mother and mother-in-law

know my housekeeping too well). God forgives us and goes on loving us, messes and all. It would be

wonderful, however, for God and for our neighbors if we would try to keep things clean and picked up after

Christmas is over. After all, God even sent Jesus to help us get things clean—all we have to do is ask for His

help.

Your sister in Christ, Pastor Katrina

Questions: 1. On what were the Ten Commandments written? 2. What did Jesus sleep in after he was born? 3. What was man created from? 4. What did Jesus do to each of the disciples during the Last Supper? 5. To which city did God ask Jonah to take his message? NOTICE: To any Senior Citizens that would be interested the 2018 Austin & Central Texas Senior Fest will be held at Christ Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Georgetown, TX on Saturday, February 3, 2018. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick, former national President of the LC-MS. He will be speaking on “Being a Lutheran in 2018”. If interested, there are copies of the registration brochure in the church office.

1. Two tablets of stone (Deut 5:22) 2. Manger (Luke 2:7) 3. Dust of the ground (Gen 2:7) 4. Washed their feet (John 13:1-5) 5. Nineveh (Jon 1:2)

Youth News

I really do not know where to start. At this moment December to me is a blur. I was so excited to see the Christmas Program come to life and wham!! God had other plans for me and said “You need to slow down so let me help.” – 3 stints and 5 days in the hospital was the plan. I heard nothing but great things about the practice and the night of the program. I watched the video that was made and tears of joy just ran down my face. I want to thank everyone – adults, children and our visitors for doing a wonderful job on presenting the birth of Jesus. You ALL did a fantastic job. Love to you ALL. Thanks to all the youth and adults that participated in the Brenham Downtown Christmas Stroll Parade. Our little red Farmall tractor and lighted up trailer with all of our Zion Elves was named Honorable Mention and received $25.00 Thank you for participating. My bowl runneth over. A BIG Tank you to all who gave noisy offerings and brought boxes of cereal. We collected 160 boxes of cereal that was donated to Burton Bridge Ministries. Thanks for sharing and giving from the heart to help our neighbors next door. Mark your calendars for the Souper Bowl of Caring – February 4th!! Souper Bowl of Caring is coming soon. Get ready to RUMBLE!!! How time flies by and it is that time of year again for the BIG game. Here is another chance to help our neighbors here in Washington County. We will be collecting canned goods for the Souper Bowl of Caring which will be divided between Brenham Bread Partners and Burton Bridge Ministries. The Noisy offering will also go to help in purchasing canned goods. Thanks to God and you for your giving hearts.

January 14th – J.O.L.T. Confirmation – 3:00 PM Carson Lehde – Refreshments January 28th – J.O.L.T. Confirmation – 3:00 PM Allison Marburger – Refreshments

January 25 thru January 28 – Cindy will be out of the office attending the ELCA Extravaganza Youth Networking in Houston. Happy New Year to all!! Mrs. Cindy

Our thoughts and prayers

during the past month of

November have gone out to:

Family of Andy Toms

Family of Duane Garlin

Lois Albright

Robyn Bentke

Laverne Blum

Richard Blum

Linda Boehnemann

Dan Borchardt

Marchel Brennan

Chuck Cargill

Anne Frank

Darlene Gaskamp

Leslie Gilbert

John Hardin

Debra Harrison

Ryan Hegefeld

Frances & Leon Konieczny

Wanda Kramer

Jerry Kunkel

Gracy Lange

Cindy Lyles

Gary Maitland

Marvin Marburger

Heather Meyer

L.W. Miller

Lance & Angela Mundkowsky

Allen Neumann

Jay Neumann

Mason & Kaci Patranella

Evelyn Plueckhahn

Ralph Poehlmann

Steven Ramirez

George Rhodes

Davis Riemer

Ervin Schulz

Kyee Koehn Shaver

Russell Sommer

Robert Sorensen

Catherine Stein

Mace Studhalter

Jimmie Tiemann

Robert Wagner

Sandy Winkelmann

Jean Winters

Lisa Wise

We are pleased to let you know that a deposit has been made to Zion thru Thrivent

on behalf of:

Fred Pelkemeyer

Memorial Fund

Kenneth Goessler M/M James Vaughn

Mildred Pelkemeyer

L.W. Miller

Lori Schroeder

M/M Jerry Vaughn M/M Robert Ziese M/M James Vaughn Elvera Drews

Al Stoddard

Elvera Drews

Margo Teegardin

Herbert Hardan Allen Neumann M/M Leroy Hodde M/M Elroy Maass M/M Douglas Lehrer Shirley Ganske Natalie Bell M/M Rickey Gaskamp M/M Robert Ziese Elvera Drews M/M Craig Conner Women of Zion WELCA

Date Worship Sunday

School

12/03 133 53

12/10 138 39

12/17 101 44

12/24 285 0

Date Regular Memorial

12/03 3129.00 240.00

12/10 3663.00 30.00

12/17 4967.00 0

12/24 8313.60 0

George Rhodes 6-Jan

Bernice Vaughn 6-Jan

Jane Little 7-Jan

Rocksann Marburger 7-Jan

Brandon Keller 8-Jan

Sheila Muske 9-Jan

Dayne Wunderlich 9-Jan

Tracy Lehde 10-Jan

Rayna Roeske 12-Jan

Dotsy Luhn 13-Jan

Ray Rodenbeck 13-Jan

Tristan Smith 13-Jan

Wayne Fuchs 14-Jan

Lee Elledge 15-Jan

Nathan Simons 16-Jan

Lisa Conner 17-Jan

Joyce Boeker 18-Jan

Mary Keienburg 18-Jan

Alli Crowson 19-Jan

Gloria Lehde 19-Jan

Erica Radloff 19-Jan

Evelyn Buck 20-Jan

Harold Eikenhorst 20-Jan

Cara Davis 21-Jan

Dorine Marburger 21-Jan

Sandy Supak 24-Jan

LaVerne Ganske 26-Jan

D. Wiley Crowson 27-Jan

Elroy Dannhaus 27-Jan

Richard McCord 27-Jan

Colt Niemeyer 27-Jan

Marvin Spreen 27-Jan

Aubrey Crowson 28-Jan

John Keienburg 28-Jan

Jenna Hardy 29-Jan

Gene Draehn 30-Jan

Jason Maass 30-Jan

Melisa Bosse 31-Jan

Ethan Eckelhoff 31-Jan

Jane Pederson 1-Jan

Jerald Pederson 1-Jan

Timothy Wellmann 1-Jan

Shelby McKee 4-Jan

Joyce Marburger 7-Jan

Emily Pohorelsky 8-Jan

Raymond Blum 9-Jan

David Draehn 11-Jan

Jerry Kunkel 12-Jan

Arabella Maitland 12-Jan

Lance Lehde 13-Jan

Harper Bender 14-Jan

Kourtney Lorenz 14-Jan

Holly Lehde 16-Jan

Kade Rau 16-Jan

Rodney Wittner 16-Jan

Steven Capan 17-Jan

Patricia Donnell 17-Jan

Pamela Zibilski 19-Jan

Marjorie Krinke 21-Jan

Darlene Gaskamp 24-Jan

Nickolas Neumann 25-Jan

Sandra Blum 26-Jan

Marian Helfrich 26-Jan

Gracy Lange 26-Jan

Randy Hodde 28-Jan

Megan Weirich 31-Jan

Paul & Katy Wunderlich 3-Jan

Marvin & Joyce Marburger 11-Jan

Fred & Bernadine Blum 23-Jan

Jim & Marian Helfrich 31-Jan

Articles for the February newsletter must be received by January 23rd. Thank you.

Zion Lutheran Church 1800 FM 2679

Brenham, TX 77833 Phone: 979-836-7909

www.zionsvillelutheranchurch.org Email: zionsville1800@gmail.com

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