Zion Lutheran Church Newsletter “Those who trust in the Lord shall be like Mount Zion,

which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” (Psalm 125:1)

November 2018

Pastoral Letter ........................................................................................................ page 3 In the Liturgy ......................................................................................................... page 4 From the Associate Pastor ..................................................................................... page 5 Bible Study & Learning Opportunities .................................................................. page 6 From the Vicar ....................................................................................................... page 7 Mission and Outreach ............................................................................................ page 8 A “Note” from the Kantor ...................................................................................... page 9 Zion’s New Piano, Fall Rummage Sale a Success! ............................................. page 10 28th Annual Cookie Sale At Zion ........................................................................ page 11 News and Events ........................................................................................ pages 12 & 13 80+ Birthdays in November, Quilt Raffle, Christmas Wreath Sale at Zion ........ page 13 Memorials and Other Gifts Received .................................................................. page 14 Strassenfest and Abendessen Wrap-up ................................................................ page 15

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Hunter’s Service Wednesday, November 14

6:30 p.m.

As opening weekend nears, we pause to thank God for His creation and pray for success and safety in the hunt. All hunters and their fami-lies are encouraged to come to this service of Holy Communion.

Thanksgiving Worship

Thursday, November 22 10:00 A.M.

“O give thanks unto the Lord! His mercy en-dures forever.” Mark the National Day of Thanksgiving with true thanksgiving as we sing, pray, and praise God for all His bless-ings.

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Pastoral Letter Dear Zion,

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, and His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1). I do give thanks to God for you, O Zion. I thank Him for the call to preach His word and sacraments, by which He has sustained Zion for over 140 years; I praise Him for your faith, the fruit of His preaching; I bless Him for my fellow staff members; and I thank Him for your love of His servants. In this season of thanksgiving, we can say that God has raised a fruitful harvest at Zion. Over the past few months you may have noticed me talking about Zion’s three neighbor-

hoods: 1) the “East Towne” neighborhood, our immediate locale; 2) central Wisconsin, the larger region surrounding Zion; and 3) the media-based neighborhood of people who benefit from Zion’s ministry via radio, internet, and television. Thinking of Zion’s neighborhoods in this way keeps before us the different people from whom God has gathered us and to whom He sends us. Now, as Pr. Johnson and I have made plans for our service in this ministry, we have four

callings to guide the work and life of Zion. Remembering these four callings will keep before us the gifted life of repentance and faith to which God has called us: Liturgy. God calls Zion to receive Him and His gifts through daily worship. Outreach. God calls Zion to invite others to know Him and His people, the Church, by sharing the Gospel. Catechumenate. This wobbly word, pronounced ka-teh-CUE-meh-net, is new to us but old to the Church. It comes from the word catechumen, or “learner.” God calls Zion to learn His Word and let it shape our daily practices.

Mercy. God calls Zion to care for His creation in all of its physical need through charity and acts of care. Liturgy, outreach, catechumenate, and mercy: you’ll be hearing more about these four callings in the months ahead. With God’s blessing, they will help us open our arms wide for God’s gifts and offer even more thanks and praise. Peace!

Pastor Gjerde

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In the Liturgy

Scripture Readings in Worship this November

Below are the Bible readings that you will hear at weekend worship during November. Read them before worship, and then return to them throughout the following week.

Sunday, November 4: Revelation 7:9-17, 1 John 3:1-3, Matthew 5:1-12 Sunday, November 11: 1 Kings 17:8-16, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 Sunday, November 18: Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-25, Mark 13:1-13 Sunday, November 25: Isaiah 51:4-6, Jude 20-25, Mark 13:24-37

What and Why? ~ a Q & A column on the liturgy ~

Why do we usher people from the

back for Holy Communion, instead

of starting at the front? This ques-tion comes up now and then. The rea-son is simple: by ushering people from the back first, it means that you’ll come back to your pew while the people in the pew ahead of you are still at Holy Communion, giving you the freedom to kneel and pray after the Supper without “bumping”

into the person seated ahead of you.

Why do people kneel and pray after

Holy Communion? What are we

supposed to pray then? Well, any-thing you like, really. People take it as a time for personal devotion in worship, thanking God for the mani-fold benefits of the Supper and asking that these benefits issue in a life that

is pleasing to God.

In the Liturgy The Close of the Church Year

~ and start of a new one ~

Christians live by hope, which means Christians must ever keep one eye on the horizon and the future that Christ promises. For this reason, the end and beginning of the Church Year focus on the coming of Christ and His unshakable kingdom. All Saints Sunday preaches the promise of resurrection and death’s inability to break the fellowship of the Church established in Christ.

The Last Sunday of the Church Year

(it goes by various names) preaches the return of Christ and His gracious rule.

The Feast of St. Andrew (Nov. 30)

recalls the “first-called disci-ple” (Andrew!) and thus determines the start of another year of following Christ: the Sunday closest to Nov. 30 is always the start of Advent and a new Church Year.

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From the Associate Pastor Psalm 116:12-15 – “What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? I will lift up

the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD in

the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ of Zion,

God’s grace, mercy, and peace to you today and always – Amen!

How does someone become a saint? Do you have to do something to be a saint? Do you have to accomplish miracles, perform exorcisms, or experience a mystical, beatific vision? I suppose it’d be nice if you or I could do those things, to have those kinds of powerful spiritual experiences, but those kinds of experiences are few and far between and aren’t nor-mative for the Christian faith. Is there a certain level of holiness which must be attained be-fore one can be considered a saint? According to the Scriptures, the saints of God are already holy. The saints of God are covered in the holiness of Jesus Christ. This is why St. Paul could say to the church in Corinth, a church struggling with rampant immorality, these words: “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be

saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (1 Corinthians 1:2). The saints of God are already sanctified by the atoning work of Christ. The saints of God are perfect in their heavenly Father’s eyes because they are clothed in Christ’s perfection, bathed in the sanctifying waters of baptism and holy Word of

God. The saints of God are declared saints.

To be a saint isn’t a title to earn now or a title to be earned sometime after we die once oth-ers truly realize how full of righteousness we were. No, to be a saint is a reality that is de-clared, bestowed, and given. It is because of this gracious bestowal the deaths of the saints are precious in the sight of the Lord. Death, we must remember, is our enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). The deaths of the saints are precious in the sight of the Lord not because death is a release of the soul from the body, but because the whole person of the saint will be re-deemed, resurrected, and made as incorruptible as the body of Jesus Christ himself because Jesus, Saint Paul says in Colossians 1:21-22, “…has now reconciled in his body of flesh by

his death” you who were once alienated from the Lord.

Precious are the deaths of the saints because the bodies of the saints are precious to the Lord. Precious are the deaths of the saints because God hates death and will one day do away with death in the New Creation, where the Lord himself will dwell with his people (Revelation 21:3). Precious are the deaths of the saints because God himself tasted death, killed death, put death to death in the death of Jesus Christ, our risen Lord, so that you would be declared one of God’s holy ones, one of God’s saints, receiving in faith all Jesus is

and has.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Chris Johnson

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Weekly Bible Studies

Sundays, 10:15 AM: The Church Militant

For three Sunday in November (Nov. 4, 11, and 18), we will learn the powerful image of the Church as a militant force, not fighting with weapons of aggression but with the spiritual weapons of faith, love, and prayer. How will this image encourage you in your daily practice of the faith?

Tuesdays at 9 AM: James

James, brother of the Lord, wrote this letter in the early days of Christianity to instruct the Church about the life that Christ gives us to live. It may be the earliest letter in the New Testament! What does it have to say to us today?

Thursday Men’s Breakfast at 7 AM: 1st Timothy

St. Paul covers issues such as the power and significance of the gospel, organization in the church, teaching clearly the truth of the Word, avoiding false teachers and false teaching, and holy living in response to the gospel of our Lord, the King of ages.

Childhood and Youth Education

Sunday School

Just a reminder that there will be no Sunday School or Pre-Confirmation classes on Sun-

day, November 25 due to the Thanksgiving break.

Looking ahead: The Sunday School Christmas Pageant will be on Saturday, De-cember 15 at 5:15 p.m. The kids will begin to learn the music on November 4 and begin preparing for the pageant itself on December 2 during the Sunday School hour. Rehears-als will be held on Saturday, December 8, from 1:30—3 PM; and Saturday, December 15, from 10—11:30 AM.

Confirmation Class Schedule in November

Confirmation will meet on the following Wednesdays in November: November 7, 14,

and 28.

Calling All Young Hunters to the Hunters’ Service

Seasoned hunters, first-time hunters, and youth hunters: come to the Hunters Service on Wednesday, November 15 at 6:30 p.m. to give thanks for the goodness of God’s crea-tion and pray for a safe and fruitful hunt.

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From the Vicar

The months just continue to roll on by as we march together—with all the saints—towards the fulfillment of things hoped for but not yet seen. These last few months at Zion have been full! Full of joy in the Lord, and packed with so many things! Now we come to a month where we loosen our belts and enjoy. We enjoy all the goods the har-vest of the earth and the Holy Spirit has brought us.

We all know what it’s like to have eaten too much at Thanksgiving…or maybe it’s just me?! The rest of the night is occupied by trying to stay off the meat sweats, sitting in front of the TV, and succumbing to frequent naps. That tryptophan will get ya! But, even when you are full and it’s all you can do to stay agile and vigilant Jesus commands, “Be on guard, keep awake” (Mk 13:33).

Seems a bit unfair to fill you—body and soul—with all the good things the harvest brings, and not allow you to catch at least a cat nap, but as St. Paul reminds us, “the day is at hand” (Rom 13:12). The church together with all the saints, is marching towards something, and it’s not just more of the same. It’s completely new! Bound by one faith, one hope, one baptism into Christ our Lord we are marching in step, as a body not to-wards death but life.

Christians are filled with the gifts of the Spirit, the blessings of Jesus, and the new life he brings so that they might be kept for the day of Resurrection. This is our faith; the one that clings not to all the world has to offer, but the one that holds fast to the Risen Jesus. So, our Lord tells us again; “Stay awake” (Mk 13:37).

We have breadcrumbs, a foretaste and sign of life everlasting that is promised, but there is yet much much more to be had. The amenities and comforts of this world pale in comparison to what has been prepared for you. And though the common trends of cul-ture and society would attempt to lull you to sleep—keeping Jesus on the back burner—you remain ever watchful; manning your post with hearts of true thanksgiving. Sing it out, for lo, he comes with clouds descending.

Fides Ex Auditu,

Vicar Joe

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Monthly Mission Emphases:

Lutheran Disaster Response — $2,500

Christian Radio Stations in Schofield and Milladore, Wisconsin — $1,000

Lutheran Disaster Response

Lutheran Disaster Response brings God's hope, healing and renewal to people whose lives have been disrupted by disasters in the United States and around the world. LDR collaborates with other disaster response organizations and religious entities in the U. S. and around the world. This enables the greatest stewardship of resources and optimum impact of response.

Christian Radio Stations

WCLQ Radio (commonly called 89Q) 89.5 FM For over 20 years, 89Q’s mission is to impact youth and young adults through the medium of radio, providing music that points them to Jesus Christ and that helps unbelievers searching for God. 89Q provides north-central Wisconsin with today’s popular Christian music, promotes faith in Christ, and wholesome moral values based on Scripture. Visit their website: www.89q.org.

WGNV Radio, 88.5 FM . . . has been a Christian family radio station in Central Wis-consin since 1986, located in Milladore, midway between Stevens Point and Marshfield. They have a sister station, 94.1 FM in Antigo. Who listens to Christian family radio? Unlike TV viewers, radio listeners identify closely with their favorite station. Radio fits well into today’s mobile lifestyle, and becomes a personal companion at home, at work, in the car—even out jogging! It is this intimate characteristic that makes radio so appro-priate for Christian ministry. Visit their website: www.thefamily.net.

Thanksgiving Food Drive Zion’s Mission team is conducting a “Pantry Stocking-Up” food drive November 10-18 for Wausau’s Salvation Army’s Community Food Pantry. Use the following as a guide: spaghetti sauce (jars or cans), soda crackers, canned or boxed soup of any kind, boxed dried potato products, canned pasta, egg noodles, long spaghetti, elbow macaroni, canned meats (beef stew, Spam), ramen noodles (any flavor), Jello, Hamburger Helper (tuna and chicken), any canned fruits or vegetables, and personal hygiene items. Bring your donations to the church office; or put them in the conference room by the church office.

Mission and Outreach

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A “Note” from the Kantor

How are music and our devotional life connected? Many of

you know the words to Luther’s Evening Prayer, and may

even pray it at the end of each day. This fall the confirmation

students have learned how to not only “speak” the words of

this beautiful prayer, but also to “chant” them. By adding a

simple chant tone, the words become more deeply imbedded in the heart. Rote learning

of prayers and Bible passages is certainly an effective way to memorize. However,

when a text is put to music, the words can be recalled more easily. I’ve included the tone

with Luther’s Evening Prayer should you wish to chant this prayer with your family!

Whether you chant or speak the words of the last two phrases: [For into your hands I

commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me that

the evil foe may have no power over me] we surrender our lives into the care of our lov-

ing Heavenly Father. What a peaceful way to go to sleep!

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A “Note” from the Kantor (continued)

Zion’s New Piano

Last month I reported that the new piano was delivered to the south balcony and we still owed several thousand dollars on the final purchase price. Now, the piano is “truly” ours, “paid in full,” due to your generous gifts! Thanks be to God!

In case you haven’t had a chance to see our new piano in person, I’ve included a picture

at the top of this article. Of course, if you are able, you are ALWAYS welcome to visit

the balcony. I’d enjoy giving you the “tour!”

Joy in Jesus, Kantor Beethe

Another successful rummage sale by the Women of Zion this September! Our profit was $871.76; money will be disbursed at our next meeting. A big Thank You! to all who helped on Friday with setup and bringing food for everyone to enjoy. Saturday’s crew was amazing—considering it was a beautiful Saturday and you took the time to help with the sale and tear down. There was so much going on in the Wausau area that weekend. So again, Thank You for giving up part of your Saturday to help. We were able to distribute some of the clothes after the sale to various groups: Women’s Community—Women’s Clothing—Karla Westcott Soles for Souls—Shoes—Karla Westcott Open Door—Men’s Clothing—Judy Cherwinka Head Start—Children’s Clothes/Shoes—Karla Westcott Clares Closet—SCH ED—Sweats/T-shirts—Lenore Grosinske Strassenfest—Vintage Items—Lori Torkko/Karla Westcott Even with all the distribution, we still had almost two trailers full of items that were taken to St. Vincent’s by my husband and me. Keep the last weekend in April, 2019 open for our Spring Rummage Sale, and again Thank You! Lenore Grosinske

Fall Rummage Sale—a Huge Success!

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Zion’s 28th Annual

Homemade

Cookie Sale

Saturday, December 1st

9:00 a.m.—Noon

Zion’s Church Hall

Helping Hands Needed for Cookie Baking

Sooner than you think, we will have 8 days of cookie baking in the church kitchen in preparation for the 28th Annual Cookie Sale on December 1. The more hands we have, the quicker we get done. Men are welcome to join us, too! Thursday, November 8 is peppernut baking day starting at 8:30 a.m. until finished. Thursday, November 15 is cutout cookie baking starting at 8:30 a.m. until finished. We really appreciate all the people who help with frosting cutouts on cutout baking day. Cookies are ready for frosting by 9:30 a.m.—the decorating can be done at home when you have the time. On Saturday, November 24th starting at 9:00 a.m. refrigerator cook-ies will be made. We will also do cookie painting on Tuesday, November 27 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Come and check us out, as we have fun, not hard labor, but “putsy” work. You can sit while you are working. We will bake and decorate cookies in the church kitchen November 26 through Novem-ber 30, 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Come when you can and leave when you must! Any amount of time you give us will be helpful. Lunch will be provided each day the week of November 26-30. Come enjoy wafting smells of cookies, good fellowship and fun and help get the work done! … Phyllis Bliese

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Next Women of Zion Meeting

Women of Zion will meet on Wednesday, November 7th at 1:30 p.m. in the church hall. Our speaker will be Christine Daniels from the Good News Project. Be sure to join us! Congratulations to Jewel Charbarneau, winner of the Ugly Sweater Contest. Jewel re-

ceived a gift bag from the Women of Zion. Thanks for everyone who participated!

Young At Heart will meet Wednesday, November 14th at 1:00 p.m. in the church hall.

New members and visitors are welcome.

Altar Guild Booklets and Donations

Members may pick up their information booklet for 2018—19 in the Altar Guild Sac-risty. At this time, your $10 dues should be paid. Also, please contribute to the Christ-mas gifts for Zion Staff. Bring your monetary donations to the church office, and they

will be given to the Altar Guild treasurer.

Part Art - Part Soup - All Heart!

Empty Bowls is an internationally-recognized event to fight hunger in com-munities around the U.S. and throughout the world. In 1990, John Hartom and Lisa Blackburn, art educators in Michigan, cre-ated Empty Bowls to connect artists with an opportunity to make a meaningful dif-ference. It began with a relatively simple concept: students would handcraft ceramic

bowls and invite faculty to a soup lunch. In exchange for a donation, faculty could keep one of the handcrafted bowls home as a reminder that somewhere in the community someone’s bowl is empty. Now, more than 20 years later, countless communities throughout the U. S. and around the world have embraced this grassroots project to fight the pervasive problem of hunger. In 2008, The Neighbor’s Place began hosting Empty Bowls to support the fight against hunger, one bowl at a time, in Marathon County. Since then it has raised more than $100,000 to fight hunger in the community. For a $12 donation, guests receive their choice of handcrafted bowl and a meal of soup, bread, and dessert. Local restaurants and chefs also donate their signature soups, bread, and desserts. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, November 17th, 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Wausau West High School. Be sure to join us for this fun-filled and deli-cious event.

News and Events

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News and Events

80+ Birthdays in November

Nov. 2 Adeline Fandrey, 1736 Plum Dr., Wausau 54401 Nov. 5 Anna Tanck, Sturgeon Bluff #408, 1320 Grand Ave., Wausau 54403 Nov. 8 Darlene Jaeger, Rennaissance, 4602 Barbican Ave #236, Weston 54476 Nov. 9 Marion Zahrt, 1009 McIntosh St., Wausau 54403 Nov. 9 Leonard Holz, 3929 Henry St., Wausau 54403 Nov. 10 Thomas Speckhard, 8404 Southridge Dr., Rothschild 54474 Nov. 15 Leonard Edelburg, 631 Henrietta St., Wausau 54403 Nov. 16 Mary Ann Tapper, 2901 N. 7th St., #W102, Wausau 54403 Nov. 16 Luana Schroeter, 617 N. 12th Ave., Wausau 54401 Nov. 17 Elaine Edwards, Renaissance, 4602 Barbican Ave. #240, Weston 54476 Nov. 21 Delores Wendorf, 2901 N 7th St., Apt. W309, Wausau 54403 Nov. 23 Lyle Klemp Sr., N3956 Stegall Rd., Bryant WI 54418 Nov. 25 Sharon Meranda, 3143 Madonna Dr., Wausau 54401

Nov. 30 David Gisselman, 3207 Blue Jay Ln., Wausau 54401

Strassenfest Quilt Raffle

Please come and see the beautiful quilt made by Phyllis Bliese and the quilters of Zion on display at the church office. Tickets are $3 each or 4 for $10. The winning name will be drawn at the cookie sale. One last chance to help support Strassenfest and who knows, you might just win this beautiful handmade quilt made with loving hands.

Christmas Wreath Sale at Zion

Zion will be selling these different types of wreaths and holiday decorations this year: Door Swag, $15 24” Balsam Wreath, $18 36” Balsam Wreath, $32 Princess Pine Kissing Balls, $32 (15-18 inches) Balsam Candy Cane, $17

Balsam Cross, $17 Baroka’s Wreaths from Fifield, Wisconsin provide the wreaths. Delivery will be on

December 1st, coinciding with the cookie sale.

Please pick-up an order form in the church office and return it by Sunday, November 25, or call the church office (715-848-7286) to place your order. Payment is due on the day of pick-up. Pickup will be in the school gym from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Proceeds from the sale will go towards Zion’s Computer Fund. (Other specialty items

and other sizes of wreaths are available—if interested ask at the church office.)

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Memorials & Other Gifts Received

In memory of Robert Prahl Jr., Maynard and Lucille Bediah, Jean Bediah and Ruth

Draeger gave a gift to the Radio Fund.

In memory of Robert Prahl Jr., Florence Blaher, Ray and Judy Dehnel, Ted and

Kathlyn Stencil, The Prahl Family and Lois DeLacy gave a gift to the Piano Fund.

In memory of Robert Prahl Jr., Adele Blair gave a gift to Strassenfest.

In memory of Sally Lewitzke, Adele Blair gave a gift to the Hansen Fund.

In memory of Sally Lewitzke, Janet and Marty Dettmering gave a gift to the Garden

Fund.

In memory of Sally Lewitzke, Gerald and Shirley Kieckhaefer and Ruth Draeger

gave a gift to the Radio Fund.

In memory of Evelyn Plautz, long time friend, Gerald and Shirley Kieckhaefer gave

a gift to the Radio Fund.

In memory of her mom, Jean Kovach, Jodie Herod (Phyllis Bliese’s niece) gave a

gift to the Strassenfest.

In memory of Patti Porath, cousin of Len and Jan Holz, a gift was given to the Ra-

dio Fund.

In memory of Laura Raddatz, Family and Friends gave a gift to the Radio Fund.

In memory of Laura Raddatz, Amy (Schmidtke) Socha gave a gift to the Radio

Fund.

In memory of Elaine Schumacher, Lydia Wachsmuth gave a gift to the Radio Fund.

In memory of Sally Lewitzke, Judy Cherwinka gave a gift to the Radio Fund.

In memory of Sally Lewitzke, Family and Friends gave gifts to the Radio Fund and

new green hymnals.

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Strassenfest and Abendessen

Thank you to all who attended our annual Zion Strassenfest and Swiss Steak luncheon on Sat-urday, October 13th. Judging by the amount of continuous crowds, food eaten, booths emptied, and faces painted … Strassenfest was a won-

derful success!

A big thank you wholeheartedly goes to the dedicated volunteers in all areas of assistance. This top notch event couldn’t happen without your generosity of time, talents and efforts. Because of such genuine support from volun-teers and the impressive donations from our congregation, Strassenfest continues and grows each year. Consider being part of next year’s corps of volunteers. Planning for 2019 begins in May! 66 people attended the Abendessen Dinner on October 14th. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time. Thanks to our guest speaker, Tony Schultz from Stoney Acres Farms..

A wrap-up meeting for Strassenfest and Abendessen will be held in November. Watch the church bulletin for the date and come and see how much a success Strassenfest was this year. Comment on your experiences and help decide how monies profited from Strassenfest will be used. The treasurer will have a list of what each booth profited and

the overall profit from our fall festival event.

Yours in Christ, Chairs Dave and Lori Torkko

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ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH 709 SIXTH STREET WAUSAU WI 54403-4791

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Come—Worship the Lord!

Sundays 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Saturdays 5:15 p.m. Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.

NON-PROFIT ORGN U.S.POSTAGE PAID

WAUSAU, WI PERMIT NO. 66

Where you can reach us:

Church — 715-848-7286

Fax — 715-848-7286

Email —zion@dwave.net

Web: zionlutheranwausau.com

A member of Lutheran CORE