The Tower - zlc-aa.orgzlc-aa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Tower-2015-02.pdf · The Tower February 2015 ... Imposition of Ashes (Ash and Dash) at the Welcome Center entrance—6

The Tower February 2015

For Members & Friends of Zion Lutheran Church

Please submit news items to [email protected] by the 10th of the preceding month

From Christine Carlsen

Looking Back / Looking Forward... Pastor Mike asked me to write this month’s front page article, suggesting it could be some kind of ‘retrospective’ on my 22 years of service at Zion. Zion had already been my church home for 10 years before that. This has been my faith home for 32 years - - it doesn’t seem like it has been that long! What can I say to summarize such a rich and varied time here?

My work at Zion began as part-time coordinator of what we then called Sunday School (now Bibleland). I remember saying to Pastor Dan, “I don’t really know how to work with kids.” He responded by saying, “Well, you’d be working more with the teachers.” To which I thought, “OK, I think I could do that.” When I was looking for teachers for our youngest, ages 3-5, some would say – “I don’t know enough!” And my reply was, “Can you tell them that Jesus loves them? That’s all they really need to know. The Bible stories will help them understand that. And how you treat them will teach even more.”

Over the years, my responsibilities have ranged all over the place, I have been given the gift and challenge of attending Seminary, and have become a called and rostered leader. My most treasured memories will not be the organization of programs, classes, retreats, seminars, or big events – but will be of the moments of awareness, openness, honesty, forgiveness, relief, prayer and so much more that happened as a result of participation in those events, in conversation in the halls or in my office.

As Zion begins a new chapter, I have a challenge and a prayer for you.

The challenge: be focused on making a difference – in your family, in your neighborhood, in the surrounding com-munity, in the world. Be the bearer of God’s light to the world. We have a nice building - let it serve as place where you are nurtured in faith in order to be of service and compassion to those who most need it, remembering that is our purpose.

The prayer: allow God’s love and forgiveness to wash over you every day, so you can use your life to extravagant-ly share that love, compassion, grace, joy and forgiveness.

I am deeply grateful for so many years of serving God together in this place. Blessings as you move into God's pre-ferred future for this congregation. And remember—Jesus loves YOU!

Calendar Notes

Installation Service for

Pastor James Debner

Pastor James Debner will be installed as our new senior pastor Sunday, February 22 at 3PM at Zion. Our bishop, the Reverend Dr. Donald P. Kriess, our area dean, Pastor David Hendricks, and Pastor Mike Walters will participate in the installation service. A reception will follow immediately in Stellhorn Lounge. Please make plans to attend this important Zion event.

Lenten Schedule

Ash Wednesday, February 18

Imposition of Ashes (Ash and Dash) at the Welcome Center entrance—6 to 8:30AM

Worship Services—5 and 7PM

Mid-week Services Starting February 25

12:00 noon in the Chapel

6:30PM in the Sanctuary—Holden Evening Prayer liturgy

Congregational

Annual Meeting

February 15, 2015

One Worship Service at 10AM.

Meeting to follow service.

Please plan to attend.

mailto:[email protected]

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Congregational Meeting Highlights

December 7, 2014

Presentation of the 2015 Budget

This is a slight deficit budget, similar to 2014’s budget.

Income and expenses are budgeted flat compared to last year’s budget.

New pastor’s expenses are included in the budget.

10.6% of income is budgeted to Mission Core Ministry (this represents our tithe), which is $112K going to external ministries.

3% merit increase for staff included.

We have $124K in remaining building debt, which will likely be paid off this year or next.

The stewardship campaign may result in additional income.

Endowment distribution is part of our income.

The following additional clarifications were provided in response to questions from the congregation:

The budget does not include expenses for retrofitting the sanctuary.

The budget does include leadership evaluation of staff that will be leaving.

Call Committee News

The Call Committee reports that Pastor Jim and Barbara will be arriving in Ann Arbor in late January and will be at Zion on February 1, but not preaching that Sunday.

The following article from the Southington CT Journal-Record reports on his departure from Zion—Southington:

Published: January 7, 2015 | Last Modified: January 7, 2015 09:53PM

By Jesse Buchanan Record-Journal staff

SOUTHINGTON — Joyce Seuss waited for four hours while her husband was in surgery, but she wasn’t alone. Her pastor the Rev. James Debner was there as well. “He was there the whole time with me,” she said.

After two decades of ministry at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southington, Pastor Debner will lead his last services in Southington on Sunday before leaving for a new position at a church in Ann Arbor, Michigan, later this month.

Working with church families has been his greatest accomplishment. “We come together and we work together; we support each other,” Debner said. “It’s a blessing to spend all these years with these families.”

Debner, born in Iowa, was ordained in 1988, starting out at a church in West Virginia and then in New Hampshire. The South-ington congregation asked him to become its pastor in 1994.

His first few years included a renovation project at the church’s Pleasant Street building. Much of the stained glass in the win-dows was made by parishioners, Debner said. Every year at the Apple Harvest Festival, Zion Lutheran runs the popular apple fritter booth. Debner said that effort is one of many that parishioners undertake together.

When Debner started, the church had one service. It now has three and about 220 people every Sunday. He said the growth has to do with bringing families into the church who tell their friends and neighbors about Zion Lutheran. “They came here and find a welcoming and friendly place,” Debner said.

Suess began attending Zion Lutheran 11 years ago. Her oldest grandchild was confirmed by Debner. The recent growth in the church was due in part to Debner’s leadership as well as the expansion of the church’s nursery school, Seuss said. The nursery school gave area residents an introduction to the church. Debner’s wife Barbara also worked with the nursery school.

The average pastor is with a church for between three and five years, according to Debner, making his tenure unusual. “We were lucky enough to have him there for 20 years,” she said.

Victoria Triano, a pastor and town councilor, said Debner is a support for other clergy in town. “He’s a pastor’s pastor,” Triano said. “So many of us have learned to rely on his support and wisdom.”

James Debner served as president of the Southington Interfaith Clergy Association for several terms. His service in that organi-zation showed his care for congregations throughout town besides his own, according to Triano. “Jim brings with him a very global reach to faith,” she said. His departure is a “big loss to Southington,” Triano said.

The congregation of Zion Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor contacted Pastor Debner about becoming senior pastor and voted to accept him last month. Debner said the Michigan church has a large congregation and he’ll be overseeing a staff of 15. The transition will be a challenge. “That’s what I was looking for, a new challenge,” he said.

Zion Lutheran in Southington will have an interim pastor until a new full-time pastor is found. James Reemts, a former pastor from Portland, will lead the church during the search.

In the normal coming and going of parishioners over the years, Debner said it was difficult to say “goodbye” to those mov-ing away. Some of his parishioners helped raise his son and daughter, who are now out of state. “They’re like family,” he said of his congregation.

Congregation Council

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Congregation Council (cont.)

Council reviewed the impact on the budget for includ-ing a staff raise of 2% rather than 3% and concluded 3% versus 2% didn’t make a big overall difference in the budget – about $3,000.

We cleared about $118K from sale of the two Liberty lots and it was applied to the building debt. Those lots are zoned residential, and what happens with them in the future is up to the purchaser.

Council continues to work collaboratively with the En-dowment Board to develop better strategies for en-dowment distributions going forward.

The congregation unanimously approved the budget by voice vote.

Call to Pastor James Debner to be the Senior Pastor of ZLC

Diane Hunt, the Call Committee leader, described the pro-cess by which the Call Committee was led to Pastor James Debner (“Pastor Jim”). Each member of the call committee present: Avis Ellingrod, Bob Thompson (ex officio), Helen Berg, Carolyn King, Dan McConnell, and Margie Reynolds (ex officio) spoke about his or her view of Pastor Debner and why he would be a good fit for Zion. Tim Damschroder, Nick Kogelman and Eric Brigger were also part of the Call Committee but could not be present at this meeting; Nick Kogelman’s input was read by Margie Reynolds. The Call Committee was enthusiastic about the choice of Pastor Jim, with several commenting that the Holy Spirit has been leading this process on both the Call Committee’s side and Pastor Jim’s.

The congregation voted by paper ballot in favor of calling Pastor Debner, 125-1.

December 16, 2014—Highlights

Report from Christian Companion Team (CCT)

Sonja Page presented the report from the Christian Com-panion Team about Pastor Mitri’s visit. She encouraged us to think about the future of this mission and financing it. Pastor Mike commented that different missions are funded in different ways, and there was discussion that this isn’t a mission so much as a congregational partnership. Pastor Mike encouraged CCT to think about future efforts, and develop a budget.

Sonja suggested that two youth from Christmas Lutheran should join us for the National Youth Gathering (NYG) in Detroit. (Vickie thinks this would be a perfect thing for Awesome Acts of Kindness – to which Zion members might want to contribute.) It will be less expensive for Zion kids to go the National Youth Gathering this year, because there will be no airline fares. Kelly already has permission to fundraise for youth trips, including NYG. Council ap-proved CCT, with the help of Kelly, to raise funds so that two students from Christmas Lutheran Church, Palestine

could attend the NYG. CCT will come up with specific ideas and details for the 2016 budget.

Call Committee Update

Diane reported that Pastor Jim accepted Zion’s call! The Committee has been taking turns lifting him up with daily emails. Barbara is very excited to come. He will be here early February. Installation will be February 22, 2015, ear-ly afternoon. The Bishop would like to attend.

IT Committee Update

IT has developed priorities for Zion IT projects: a video security system, telephone system, emergency paging, and key card locks. It’s anticipated that Pastor Debner will meet with the IT Committee soon after he arrives.

Nominations for 2015

A number of people’s terms are up and some of them are willing to continue. Dennis and Diane have to leave be-cause of term limits. Several core ministry positions may need to be filled. Margie asked Christine to work with Connie to lead the nominating committee; Christine agreed. Four other members are needed to assist. Newly elected leaders take office in April. If you have sugges-tions, please let Christine and Connie know. Pastor Mike will check to see if people who are members of a core ministry teams can be Council members.

Update from November 2 Council Actions

Regarding the concern over Elgin’s leaving and how to heal those who have been hurt, Pastor Rod has suggest-ed talking to Lombard Mennonite Center at the November 2, 2014 meeting. This is a Christian group (not from the synod) that does restorative practices. Lorin followed up and learned that they are exceedingly expensive and re-quire the whole congregation to be involved. She suggest-ed that the Dispute Resolution Center (Ann Arbor) is still our best choice for restorative healing. Council discussed and approved that we invite DRC to do restorative practic-es in January not to exceed $300, which is 6 hours of work (phone calls ahead of time do not go toward cost).

Margie suggested Council members be available at coffee hours between services on the Sunday before the 3rd Tuesday. We discussed using the electronic bulletin boards to include our pictures, so Council members could be identified.

Transition Plans for Young Discipleship, Adult Disciple-ship, Music:

Staffing issues were discussed at this Council meeting with regard to both Young Disciple and Adult Disciple min-istries. Worship core ministry also is considering a new plan for music, with Tim VanRiper’s departure. It is recom-mended that we wait until Pastor Jim arrives for final deci-sions.

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Worship Core Ministry

Zion Singers The Zion Singers is a group of singers from inside and outside the membership of Zion who have daytime availability. This group meets once a month on Friday (usually the 4th Friday) from September - May in Music Room 1 on Level B1. We rehearse for an hour and then go to a pre-arranged retirement, assisted living, nursing care or hospice facility to present a brief program for an audience of the residents. Our February date is Friday, February 27. Come join the fun! For more information contact Rob Meyer ([email protected]).

February Lectionary

Feb 1 Deuteronomy 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Mark 1:21-28 Feb 8 Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 Feb 15 2 Kings 2:1-12, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9 Feb 18 (Ash Wednesday) Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10,

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Feb 22 Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15

Lenten Music Invitation

During Lent we refrain from using the word "Alleluia" in our worship. Howev-er, our Zion music ensembles are busy preparing Gospel-centered music for the Sundays of Lent and Holy Week through Easter (including a whole lot of "Alleluias!"). You are invited to join us as we share the message of Christ crucified, died and risen for all in song!

Zion Music Rehearsal Schedule

Liberty Street (Zion's Praise Band) - Wednesday at 7PM in the Praise Band Room or Sanctuary

Zion Handbells - Thursday at 6PM in the Sanctuary

Chancel Choir - Thursday at 7:30 PM in the Sanctuary

Zion Singers - Friday morning/afternoon (see schedule be-low) in Music Room 1

Teaching Inserts/Bookmarks

In Advent 2013, teaching inserts (or bookmarks) began to show up in the hymnal racks in the pews. These inserts have been de-signed by our staff and are in-tended to be a teaching tool about our worship life as Lutheran Christians. These inserts include information about the current sea-son of the church year, infor-mation about the color of the cur-rent season, and information about some part of our worship service that is applicable to all three styles of worship here at Zion. They also include devotion-al resources (readings, a prayer, etc.) that are particularly relevant to the current season of the church year.

LENT There is now a new insert in the pews - LENT. Please feel free to take these inserts home and use them in your individual worship time or daily devotional life.

We Say Farewell to Alleluia It is an ancient custom in the Christian Church that a "Farewell to Alleluia" be sung at the close of the last Worship Service on Transfiguration Sunday, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday - February 15, 2015. Traditionally, "alleluia" is not sung in the Worship Services until Easter Sunday early Worship Service, symbolizing our voluntary restraint of praise during the penitential Season of Lent. As we sing our closing song, the alleluia banners, which have been up throughout the season of Epiphany, will be lowered to visually represent our removal of "alleluia" from our vocabulary until their return on Easter morning.

Communications Options at Zion

We are going to be sending out a survey to the entire congregation. This survey will be asking if you would like to receive important messages from Zion about upcoming events, your ministry obligations for the weekend, etc. These messages can come to you either by voice mail, email or text. The survey will ask you to make that choice and then provide the necessary contact information. You may choose all three ways or just one—whichever way works best for you. We are hoping to get this survey out within the next couple of weeks and then start using “ONE Call” communication by March, 2015. The survey/letter will explain how everything works. So be looking for the survey in the mail and respond with your choice of communication. Thank you!

Welcome Ministry


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Young Discipleship Core Ministry

First Communion—Save the Dates!

Family meeting Sunday March 1 @ 9:30AM

Seder Meal Saturday March 28 @ 5PM

Recognition of First Communion - Sunday March 29 @ 9:30AM Sanctuary Worship.

Families of 4th grade children, and any family who believes their children are ready to receive communion, are asked to join us in our annual First Communion milestone celebration. Families must register to participate; please contact [email protected] by February 15.

1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual im-morality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:1—17

Bake Sale

On Sunday February 1 be-tween services in Welcome Center, there will be a bake sale to support Zion's 27 youth & adults attending the National Youth Gathering in Detroit 2015. Pick up snacks for your super bowl party, or to share with friends!


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Adult Discipleship Core Ministry

COMMUNITY GROUPS—WINTER 2014-15

Listed below are existing and new Community Groups. Please contact Christine Carlsen ([email protected]) for more in-formation on joining or starting a group.

Group make-up / focus / interest Leader(s) Day Time Frequency Location

Open to all, service to the homeless Kent Peterson meet irregularly, serve the homeless often

Women, generally over 50 Debbie Weber Mondays 7:00PM twice a month in homes / at Zion

Open to all, ministry to military families Laura Girbach Sundays 5:00PM every other week in Girbach’s home

Couples with teenagers Chris Gajar Sundays 6:30PM once a month in homes / at Zion (currently suspending regular meetings, but continuing with work on Foster Children projects)

Open to all Mary Ardner Wednesdays 6—7PM 1st Wed of month at Zion

Couples with young children Sarah/David Wentzloff Sundays 1:00PM every other week at Zion

Couples with teenagers / empty nesters Heidi/Todd Newman Sundays in homes

Men Dale Eckart Mondays 6:30AM every week at Zion

Men, bowlers Mike Weber Mondays after bowling every week Colonial Lanes

Individuals/couples who like to learn Ruth Huff Mondays 7:00PM every other week at Zion

Individuals/couples, 50’s-70’s Steve & Judy Kesler Mondays 7:00PM every other week in homes

Couples, retired Charlotte Dootz/Joyce Schlecht Mondays 7:00PM in homes

Women, over 70 Linda Greb Tuesdays 9:30AM every other week in homes

Open to all Ron/Linda Hilst Sundays 11:00AM last Sun. of month at Zion

Open to all John Leipzig/Avis Ellingrod Wednesdays 7:00PM once a month in Avis El- lingrod’s home

Men Dan McConnell Thursdays 7:00—8:30AM every week at Zion

Recent Empty Nesters Christy Nelson occasionally

God’s Gardeners Carol Brodbeck Mondays 9:30AM—Noon third Mon. of month at Zion

Young couples Kara Kogelman Tues. or Wed. evening every other week in homes

Moms Karen Fry Thursdays 9:30—11:30AM 2nd & 4th weeks at Zion

Adult Classes

Five Love Languages of Children and Teens. For parents, continuing through February 8 - We know we love our chil-dren - the question is, do they feel that love as deeply as we do? This class will help you understand the 5 love lan-guages, how to identify your child's primary language, and how to speak it, so they feel deeply the love you have for them. Things change a bit as children become pre-teens and then become teen-agers. And we'll talk about it all. The class material will come from 2 books: The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, and The Five Love Languages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman. Feel free to purchase the books on your own and read along! At 9:30AM, in Holtfreter Classroom C.

Galations, January 25-February 8, in Holtfreter Classroom A, at 9:30AM. "I am astonished that you are so quickly de-serting the one who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel!" So writes Paul to the Gala-tians in the first part of his letter. And later: "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?" What is going on? Who were the Galatians and why was Paul so upset with them? The letter is six short chapters. We'll read these and try to learn a bit about the setting for Paul's emotional outbursts. He ends the letter with this: "Quite frankly, I don't want to be bothered anymore by these disputes. I have far more important things to do -- the serious living of this faith."

Be Still and Know that I Am God, February 22—March 29, Holtfreter Classroom A, 9:30 and 11AM. [See complete de-scription and weekly schedule on page 7.] Each session will begin with a video presentation, followed by discussion and experience.


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Prayer Emphasis this Lent

In addition to our traditional observances of Lent [see schedule, page 1], this year we are also focusing considerable attention on our individual and communal prayer lives.

The foundation of any healthy relationship is good, open, honest communication. For Christians, that includes prayer - it is the way we communicate with God and the way God communicates with us. How healthy is your communication with God? Do you have questions about prayer? Would you like to learn and experience various forms of prayer? We will spend time during Lent enriching our communal and individual prayer lives. Please attend as many of the opportunities as you can to enrich your prayer life.

Weekly Lenten evening services at 6:30PM, in the Sanctuary will begin with about 15 minutes asking and answering questions about prayer, followed by the Holden Evening Prayer service each week. (Holden Evening Prayer was written in 1985-86 while Marty Haugen was the musician-in-residence at Holden Village, a Lutheran retreat center in Washing-ton state. This lovely setting of vespers follows the traditional form while using contemporary and inclusive language.)

February 25 What is Prayer?

March 4 Why Do We Pray?

March 11 How Do We Pray?

March 18 When Do We Pray?

March 25 Does God Answer Prayers?

Additional opportunities to learn more about prayer during Lent:

Prayer Labyrinth Mini-Retreat - Saturday, February 28, 9-noon. We will have a portable labyrinth in Piper Hall, and Pastor Dana Runestad will teach us about the Labyrinth and lead us in how to walk and pray it.

Prayer Labyrinth Introductory Class - Sunday, March 1, at 9:30 & 11AM. Pastor Dana will return to offer a brief intro-duction to the Prayer Labyrinth for those who could not come on Saturday. In Piper Hall

Prayer Labyrinth Guided Walk - Sunday, March 1, 1-3 pm. If you've never walked a prayer labyrinth before, Pastor Dana will lead a prayer walk.

Please register for each of these sessions at the Welcome Desk on Sunday mornings, via e-mail to [email protected], or call the church office at 734-994-4455. The prayer labyrinth will then be available March 2—6 for your own, individual opportunity to experience walking and praying it. Monday/Tuesday/Thursday - 9am-9pm; Wednesday/Friday - 9am-5pm. You don't need to reserve time - just come, take your time, and pray as you walk.

Sunday mornings at both 9:30 and 11AM, February 22 - March 29. The Sunday morning class during Lent is "Be Still and Know that I Am God.” You may think that quiet contemplation is not “your thing,” or you may yearn for more of it. No matter where you may fall on that continuum, consider joining us to explore, expand, and enrich your prayer life. Each session will begin with a video presentation, followed by discussion and experience.

February 22 Fall More Deeply in Love with God

March 1 [Prayer Labyrinth Class, see above]

March 8 What is Contemplative Prayer?

March 15 Silence and Scripture: The Core of Contemplative Prayer

March 22 Lectio Divina: The Practice of Contemplative Prayer

March 29 Connecting Personally with God

Finally, Small Community Groups are encouraged to read, learn about, share, and practice prayer during Lent. For suggestions, please contact Christine Carlsen, ([email protected]).

Men’s Retreat

Gentlemen of Zion! Have you wondered how our Lord’s Prayer became the prayer of the Church? Have you considered what it means when we address God as Father, or what it means to be forgiven as we forgive? Have you thought about the implications for our lives on Earth, today, when we say the Prayer? You have an opportunity to delve into those questions when we study the Lord’s Prayer at the annual Washtenaw ELCA Men’s Retreat at the Weber Center in Adri-an, Michigan, with presenters Pastor John Cummings of Grace in Action ELCA community in Southwest Detroit, Pastor Dave Hendricks of Emmanuel Lutheran in Ypsilanti, our own Dale Eckart, and another presenter still to be confirmed.

The retreat this year will be held February 20 - 22, Friday evening through Sunday mid-morning. The cost for a single room for 2 nights and 4 meals is $160; if you are unable to afford the full amount, partial and full scholarships are availa-ble. Sign up at the Welcome Desk at Zion, or by contacting this year’s coordinator Steve Johgart, (734-904-4936 or [email protected]).

Adult Discipleship Core Ministry (cont.)






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Mission Core Ministry

Opportunities to Donate and Recycle

In the Welcome Center:

No Empty Hands – currently for Hope Clinic and Emmanu-el Lutheran Church in Ypsilanti. Both groups have seen an increase in the number of people who are requesting non-perishable food due to the cut in food stamps, espe-cially peanut butter and cereal. Also, Hope Clinic provides non-food items such as disposable diapers (especially sizes 4 and 5), baby food, baby layettes, paper items, laundry detergent, toilet paper. and toiletries.

Aging-out foster teens - Here is the long wish/need list for these teens, who are on their own, with little or no family support: cleaning supplies (Lysol, sponges, Windex, dish soap, Scrubbing Bubbles, Tide, dish towels, bleach); hy-giene items (deodorant, soap, body wash, toilet paper, lotion, tampons); electronics (television, cell phone minutes); bedding/towels (new full/queen sheets, new tow-els/washcloths, new comforters, new bath mat sets); small appliances (can opener, microwave, coffee pot); gift cards (Walmart, Visa, Kroger, Meijer, etc.). These items can be brought to the Welcome Center (find the basket near the Sanctuary entrance) or the church office. These items are always needed, since teens “age out” every month.

By the elevator, next to the Lounge:

Bring pink yogurt tops, stamps (cancelled or new – for a mission project in Germany), box tops for education and barcodes from Campbell’s soup cans (both assist LSSM to provide for their clients). Place items in the container on the table next to the elevator.

Downstairs:

Everything we recycle is downstairs, just below the Welcome Center, under the ‘front’ steps’, near the wide hallway into Piper Hall.

Recycle Write (there is also a box in Bibleland) – Clean out your desk drawers, purses, backpacks – and bring in all of your broken, used, or dried out pens, pencils, mark-ers. [Items to bring: pens, pencils (mechanical and wood), highlighters, dry erase markers, markers, crayons, colored pencils, correction tape (no fluids), erasers, pack-aging (no cellophane).] Items are sent to a company that recycles the parts, and sends 2 cents for each item back to Mott Children’s Hospital. To bring this program to your place of business, go to www.recycle.umich.edu for more information, and to download a flyer to place on collection boxes.

Old cell phones, PDA’s, iPods, CFL light bulbs. (Batteries can now be put in the trash in Ann Arbor). Zion’s Youth are now collecting these items as a fund raiser for the Na-tional Youth Gathering this coming summer.

Returnable bottles and cans – for our mission partners, Dr. Steve and Bethany Friberg, in Tanzania

2015 Living Hope Haiti Mission Trip!

Zion is organizing a 2015 Haiti mission trip to visit our good friends and partners in ministry, Mary Jane and An-dris Jolibois, pastors and co-directors of Living Hope Min-istries. As you may know, Zion has been supporting Liv-ing Hope for over a decade now, and this year’s trip will be our 6th trip to visit them.

We are planning the trip for Easter Break week, tentative-ly Saturday, April 4 - Friday, April 10. We would be cele-brating Easter Sunday in sunny, warm (hot) Haiti. As in

previous years, our activities will in-clude: taking pho-tographs & meas-urements of the students for the sponsorship pro-gram; leading craft, music, and activities in the classrooms and after school; providing light

maintenance work on projects around campus (painting, fixing, organizing, etc.); and, of course, RECESS with the children.

Since this year’s trip will be during the public school Spring Break, we will have high school, young adult and (older) adults coming along this year. The approxi-mate cost of the trip is $1200 ($900 airfare + $300 room, board & ground trans-portation). No team fund-raising is planned. To learn more, please contact Mark Gunder-son at 734-996-2435 evenings, or Tom Single at 313-805-5683 evenings.

Some background on Living Hope: in 1994, Mary Jane started with a barren 3 acre parcel on a hillside about 12 miles west of Port Au Prince, Haiti’s largest city. Since then they have grown to be: 1) a 400+ student Christian-based elementary school (pre-school - 6th grade); 2) a 250+ student trade school (10 - 60 yr. old), with classes in sewing, tailoring, welding, baking, cooking, and business; 3) a Church with over 200 in service each Sunday and Chapel every morning; and 4) most recently, a growing Adult Discipleship and Leadership seminar series with local parents, women and pastors. It’s truly a non-stop buzz of activity from early morning to late afternoon.

http://www.recycle.umich.edu

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Caring Core Ministry

Valentine’s Day Zion Special Seniors Luncheon The next Zion Special Senior Luncheon will be held on Valentine's Day, Saturday, February 14, 2015, noon to 2:00PM in Piper Hall. The theme will be "The Kiss." Please be sure to wear red and be ready for an entertaining presentation. On this day, we will be celebrating the 11th anniversary of this ministry of Zion's. The suggested donation of $8.00 re-mains the same. Hope to see you and be sure to invite family, friend, or your next door neighbor for a great home cooked meal, fellowship, program, and of course some goodies to take home.

Sports Potatoes ("They play, we cheer!")

In our ongoing effort to attend a variety of affordable, family-friendly sports events, we have selected some new ones to check out. Since these are all general admission events, please purchase your own tickets at www.mgoblue.com or at the door/gate. If you work or are a student at the University of Michigan, most of these events are likely free for you, with your ID. Look for us with our “Go Blue / Sports Potatoes” signs, so we can sit together!

Saturday, February 7, 7PM Men’s Gymnastics vs. Stanford Cliff Keen Arena

Saturday, February 21, 7PM Wrestling vs. Duke Cliff Keen Arena

Saturday, March 21, 11:30AM/4:30PM Women’s Gymnastics Big Ten Championships , Crisler Center

Friday, April 17, 6PM Softball vs. Indiana Wilpon Complex

Friday, May 1, 6PM Baseball vs. Iowa Wilpon Complex

TNT: Twenties N’ Thirties

TNT is a Zion Christian fellowship group for those in their 20s-30s. Come join us for lots of fun and socializing!

Fellowship Events

Sunday, February 1 at 6 pm

Superbowl Party

Join us at the Rudy house, 4847 Shellbark Dr, Ypsi, for a

fun evening together!

Saturday, March 14 at 7 pm

Bowling @ Belmark Lanes

Join us at Belmark Lanes, 3530 Jackson Rd.

April

Habit for Humanity Build

Each year, Zion helps with Thrivent Builds/Habitat for

Humanity blitz week in April. We’ll be volunteering

during this week to help restore a foreclosed home for a

new family!

Saturday, May 16 at 10 am

Toledo Zoo

Join us for a fun day at the zoo! Park opens at 10am.

Meet at the ticket window.

Taste the Town Thursdays

Join us monthly on Thursdays at

6:30 pm for dinner at new local restaurants!

Thursday, February 5

Elevation Burger

3365 Washtenaw Rd

Thursday, March 5

Mezzevino

120 E. Liberty St

Thursday, April 9

Frita Batidos

117 W. Washington St.

Thursday, May 7

Lena

226 South Main St

Never been before?– no problem!

Look for the table with the Zion sign.

RSVPs, ?s, Get on our mailing list— email [email protected].

http://www.mgoblue.com


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Thank You and Congratulations

We have a generous congregation - we care about those around the world who have need. Between what was pur-chased in December through the Giving Fair and what folks told us they had ordered from home, Zion members gave a grand total of $7650 (for reference, last year's total was $5730).

Some of the Zion Special Seniors may recall our speaker at one of our 2013 luncheons, Mr. Gary Koppelman, a fifth-grade teacher in the Blissfield, Michigan School system, who brought some of his school's animals with him. You may also recall that he had been told as a youngster, that he would not do well because of a speech impediment. However, he did not give up on his dreams nor his Lord. He went on to college (EMU) and earned a teaching degree. Over time, he managed to raise money and get the Blissfield School Board's approval over time to build an experiential science lab (BELL) in the elementary school. In 2013, he won the Shell National Teacher of the Year award.

And now, an update. In 2014, Gary was inducted into the National Teacher's Hall of Fame. There are only five from the United States each year to be inducted and he is only the second one from the state of Michigan. He has now been nominated as one of fifty teachers for the Varkey GEMS Foundation World’s Best Teacher Award in math and science. He remains very humble and states passionately that it's all the Lord's doing. When receiving word that he had been nominated for this latest very prestigious award, it took some work to convince him to complete the necessary paper-work (he wanted others to be recognized) and was finally convinced that it was good for the community. The list will be pared to ten in February and the winner will be announced in March. The award has a $1 million prize and Gary al-ready has a plan to upgrade his labs if he is chosen the winner. Gary's states his main interest now, "I’d like to be a mentor. Find someone with the passion to carry on like I have. I want to do something with the curriculum and help teachers realize their dreams.”

Do you know someone with a passion for teaching elementary science and who would like to not only learn from the master, but follow in Mr. Koppelman's footsteps? If so, please contact Carol Brodbeck ([email protected]).

Synod / LSSM News

Adopting a Child Through LSSM

Last year, Lutheran Adoption Service placed 452 children for adoption. Although this is a large number, it is small when compared to the 13,000 Michigan children who are in need of help. Adoption is a lifelong gift to both the do-nor and the child. Lutheran Social Services of Michigan (LSSM) would like to see more congregations help find and supporting a family who will adopt or be a foster family. If you are interested in learning more about LSSM’s Lutheran Adoption Services, please call Lena Wilson at (248) 423-2770 or via e-mail at [email protected]. You may also contact Octavia Lindsey at (248) 423-2770, ext. 1117. Lutheran Adoption Services (LAS) is a ministry of Lu-theran Social Services of Michigan and Lutheran Child and Family Services.

LSSM is our agency for helping the needy in Michigan. It is one of the largest faith-based social services agencies in the country and it provides support to a large range of needy clients. Much of LSSM’s budget comes from con-tracts with State or Federal agencies for specific services. But the need is much larger and LSSM is constantly trying to find ways to expand its network of help. This requires funds that are not directly tied to specific services and that’s one place that we church members come in. Through our donations of time, items and money, we pro-vide LSSM with the ability to help people who might be falling into the cracks between large programs. Each month, we try to give you information on programs of this type and ways you can help. Please think about what you can do.

Women of the ELCA (WELCA) Lois Schlachter reports that the WELCA SE Michigan synod January board meeting began taking on new chal-lenges as called by the national office:

Creating awareness about the growing issue of human trafficking in our state; Taking a stand to address bullying, harassment and related violence in our communities; Creating safe places for our children in our churches; Addressing the plight of unaccompanied, undocumented children who cross our borders seeking a better life.

The WELCA also received a thank you from our own Kelly Nieman Anderson, who received a generous scholar-ship from WELCA to help with her Lutheran seminary tuition through the “Kate’s Fund” (named after Martin Lu-ther’s wife, Kate).



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FEBRUARY CALENDAR


7:00 AM Men’s ChristCare/Sunday Spot

9:00 AM Sarah’s Circle/Stellhorn Lounge

9:30 AM Samaritan Counseling/Counseling Office

1:00 PM Ruth’s Circle/Stellhorn Lounge

6:00 PM Zion Handbell Rehearsal/Sanctuary

7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal/Sanctuary

Friday, February 20

3:00 PM Samaritan Counseling/Counseling Office

5:00 PM Wentzloff’s Small Group/Omega & Ark

Sunday, February 22

8:15 AM Traditional Worship/Sanctuary

9:30 AM Bibleland/2nd Floor

9:30 AM Blended Worship/Sanctuary

9:30 AM C+C/Omega Room

9:30 AM JAM/Youth Room

11:00 AM Korean Baptist Church/Yeager Chapel

11:00 AM Contemporary Worship/Sanctuary

12:00 PM Korean Baptist Fellowship/Garden Room

3:00 PM Pr. Jim Installation/Sanctuary

Monday, February 23


9:30 AM God’s Gardeners/Stellhorn Lounge


7:00 PM Weber’s Small Group/Stellhorn Lounge

Tuesday, February 24


7:00 PM Five Miles More Rehearsal/Sanctuary

Wednesday, February 25


6:30 PM Family Matters Group/Creation Station

6:45 PM Praise Band Rehearsal/Praise Band

Room

7:30 PM Al-Anon Meeting/The Gathering

7:30 PM Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting/Piper

Hall



9:30 AM Mom’s Bible Study/Stellhorn Lounge




Friday, February 27

12:15 PM Zion Singers/Music Room #1


Saturday, February 28

9:00 AM Labyrinth Walk/Piper Hall

Monday, February 9



6:00 PM Ann Arbor Fiber Arts/Piper Hall

7:00 PM Weber’s Small Group/Stellhorn Lounge


9:00 AM Good Thyme Garden Club/The Gathering





6:30 PM Family Maters Group/Creation Station

6:45 PM Praise Band Rehearsal/Praise Band Room


7:30 PM Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting/Piper Hall



9:00 AM Activity Day/Piper Hall

9:30 AM Mom’s Bible Study/Stellhorn Lounge



7:00 PM Mission Core Ministry/Pastor’s Office


Friday, February 13

8:00 AM Compassion Communication Workshop/

Gathering

2:00 PM Senior Luncheon Set Up/Piper Hall



8:00 AM Compassion Communication Workshop/

Gathering

12:00 PM Senior Luncheon/Piper Hall

Sunday, February 15

10:00 AM Blended Worship (One Service)/Sanctuary

11:15 AM Annual Meeting/Piper Hall

11:00 AM Korean Baptist Church/Chapel


Monday, February 16


11:00 AM Blood Drive/Piper Hall


7:00 PM Ruth’s Small Group/Stellhorn Lounge



2:00 PM IDAP/Omega Room

7:00 PM Council Meeting/The Gathering





6:30 PM Knit 2 Together

6:30 PM Al-Anon Women’s Meeting/Alpha Room

6:45 PM Praise Band Rehearsal/Praise Band Room



Sunday, February 1


9:00 AM Blood Pressure Clinic/Counseling Office

9:00 AM Youth Bake Sale/Welcome Center

9:30 AM Adult Discipleship/Holtfreter Room B








1:00 PM Youth Group Super Bowl Party/Off Site

Monday, February 2



1:00 PM Women’s Bridge Club/Stellhorn Lounge

7:00 PM Ruth’s Small Group/Stellhorn Lounge

Tuesday, February 3


7:00 PM Life’s Lesson Book Club/Stellhorn Lounge


7:15 PM Building & Grounds Meeting/Creation

Station


10:00 AM Staff Meeting/Pastor Mike’s Office


6:00 PM Walter’s Small Group/Stellhorn Lounge


6:45 PM Praise Band Rehearsal/Praise Band

Room






12:00 PM Thursday Ladies Cards/Stellhorn Lounge


7:00 PM Adult Discipleship Meeting/Chris’s Office


Friday, February 6

12:30 PM Women’s Friday Bridge/Stellhorn Lounge

2:30 PM Samaritan Board Meeting/Creation Station


5:00 PM Wentzloff’s Small Group/Omega & Ark


9:00 AM Lent Family Event/Creation Station, Piper

Hall

Sunday, February 8


9:00 AM Adult Discipleship/Classroom B








12:15 PM Catechism/Gathering & Youth Room

6:00 PM Grace Place/Youth Room

Correction: In the January Tower, the date of Christine Carlsen’s wedding was incorrectly listed as May 2. The correct date is May 9.

12

The Tower Zion Lutheran Church 1501 West Liberty Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No. 436

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Return Service Requested Date Sensitive Material Please Deliver by February 1, 2015

Elected Ministry Leaders

Congregation Council

President: Margie Reynolds ([email protected]) Vice-Pres: Lorin Cartwright ([email protected]) Secretary: Laura Berry ([email protected]) Treasurer: Bob Bertrand ([email protected]) At Large: Diane Hunt ([email protected]) Christine Karshin ([email protected]) Dennis Kaye ([email protected]) Nick Kogleman ([email protected]) Vickie Matthews ([email protected]) Connie McComb ([email protected])

Core Ministries

Worship: Dale Eckart, Holli Bertram Welcome: Chris Karpinnen, Vacant Adult Discipleship: Sonja Page, Felicia Leipzig Young Discipleship: Tom Clifford, Ken Utsunomiya Caring: Dianne Daily, Laura Girbach Missions: Mike Kreykes, Mark Gunderson

Support Ministries

Personnel: Tim Damschroder, Bethany Kaye Building & Grounds: Bill Lehmann, Doug Behnke Financial Stewardship: Nick Rogers, Lisa Rombes IT: David Anderson, Ray Vanderbok

Staff

Senior Pastor James Debner

Welcome Pastor Michael Walters

Director, Adult Discipleship Christine Carlsen

Finance Manager David Beck

Office Administrator Diane Rinehart

Director, Young Discipleship Kelly Nieman-Anderson

Bibleland Coordinator Nina Johnson

Director of Music Rob Meyer

Organist Vacant

Praise Team Director Vacant

Sound Operator Tyler Dence

Worship Media Coordinator Eddie VanRiper

Resident Custodian Chris LeVasseur

Weekend Custodian Patrick Peck

Wedding Coordinator Andrea Clark-Ribick

Nursery Coordinator Jasmine Schuler

Email addresses for staff may be found at our website: www.zlc-aa.org.

Office phone 994-4455

January Life Passages at Zion

BAPTISMS: Amelia Johanna King, parents Brian & Kelli King; Brian King

WEDDINGS:

FUNERALS: Betty Comerzan

NEW MEMBERS:











http://www.zlc-aa.org

Documents

The Tower - zlc-aa.orgzlc-aa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Tower-2015-02.pdf · The Tower February 2015 ... Imposition of Ashes (Ash and Dash) at the Welcome Center entrance—6