Post on 17-Jun-2020
transcript
March 2018
The Pastor’s Ponderings
Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com
Mission Statement
Forty days and forty nights of rain.
Forty years in the desert.
Forty days of fasting followed by
temptation.
Forty (six) days of Lent.
The number forty echoes throughout
Scripture. In Hebrew, “forty” was an idi-
om for “a very long time”. During the
Flood, it rained for a very long time. The children of Is-
rael were barred from the Promised Land for forty years
due to their slave mentality and lack of trust in YHWH
(Num. 14:33-34). And Jesus battled his own physical
hunger as well as the Slanderer’s temptations in the de-
sert for forty days.
Seasons of the Church don’t come out of thin air.
They are inspired by Scriptural witness. In this time of
the insipid unending American feast day, with all-you-
can-eat buffets and pork tenderloins as big as a garbage
can lid, with digital entertainment at the push of a button,
with distractions galore, we need a time to re-focus our
attention on the One who matters. We need time to fast
from our culture’s spiritual junk food to focus on the on-
ly true food that nourishes us, Jesus Christ. Lent is more
relevant than ever.
Church seasons can be sacramental. That is, they
can be means of God’s grace. I’m not saying that the
Church seasons fell out of heaven! But God can and does
use the seasons to give us a fresh infusion of grace, a
new way of looking upon and living in the world. Lent is
especially useful for this. In Lent, we have a unique op-
portunity to examine ourselves and our lives. We can
listen anew to God’s voice in our minds and hearts. We
can turn, once again, from the destructive habits and vic-
es that plague all of us, and pray to God for a clean heart
and soul. We can prepare to live as people of resurrec-
tion.
God grant us all that self-reflectiveness and growth
in grace.
Love to you all,
Pr. David
Zion’s 2018 Council Members
Elder & President ........................................ Fred Walker
Elder & Vice-President ............................... Jody Stanley
Secretary ................................................. Barb Hardwick
Deacons ................................................. Allen Stallsmith
Mike Clamme
Tim Stanley
Trustees ......................................................... Mark Prout
Neil Stroble
Max Langdon
Treasurer ................................................. Dennis Walker
Financial Secretaries .................................Claretta Dutro
Nyla Hile
The Mission of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
is to witness that we are followers of Christ. We believe
the message of the Holy Scriptures so that we can teach
and proclaim God's Grace, Baptize and share the Lord's
Supper. As a fellowship of believers, we renew and con-
fess our faith so that we can continue to receive inspira-
tion and offer our praise to God, our maker and redeem-
er. With His strength and guidance, we can provide for
spiritual growth and share our support by gifts of time,
talent and treasure.
Lenten Evening Prayer
Every Wednesday night in Lent, Zion
will have a service of Evening Prayer at 7
p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This year, se-
lections from C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape
Letters will be read. These letters purport to
be from a "senior" demon, the expert tempt-
er Screwtape, writing to his "junior" demon nephew,
Wormwood, with advice on how to best lead his target
from the Christian faith. These letters focus on the temp-
tations we all face in our lives as Christians and are espe-
cially appropriate for Lent.
March 2018
January Council Minutes
The Congregation Council met on January
11, 2018. The meeting was called to order
by president, Fred Walker.
Present: Pastor David Fleener, Fred
Walker, Jody Stanley, Barb Hardwick,
Dennis Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Tim
Stanley Mark Prout, Neil Stroble, Max Langdon, Clar-
etta Dutro and Nyla Hile
Absent: Mike Clamme
Devotions were given by Jody Stanley.
Secretary’s Report: Jody Stanley make a motion to
approve the December council minutes. Second by Allen
Stallsmith. Motion carried.
Correspondence: Reminder that our AED Pads need
to be replaced and training for anyone who would like it.
Jody Stanley, Pastor David, Chris Coy and Drew Walker
have already had the training.
Pastor’s Report: as written
Pastoral Care in December—Pastor’s totals: 2 shut-
ins, 3 sick/hospital visits, 2 pre-marital counseling ses-
sions, 1 wedding, 1 home/hospital communion.
Thanks to the Mission and Ministry team for making
and delivering shut-in bags.
Deacons’ Fund use in December—12/6/17 – Check
1041 for $147.23 to Indiana Michigan Power
12/27/17 – Check 1042 for $50 to Hartford City
Water, signed by Allen.
12/23/17 – Spent $18.73 from Deacons’ Fund cash
for a Christmas gift request from a young father.
Also received another request for assistance with wa-
ter, but referred her to the township trustee.
Christian Education—Confirmation classes resume
on January 14th.
A class on the Psalms began on Wednesday, January
10th.
Lenten planning—Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb-
ruary 14th. Easter is on April 1st this year. There will be
evening prayer services on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.,
but no soup suppers this year.
Other events in December:
2 – Sunday school party at Stanleys’
3 – Worship at Crown Pointe
4, 11, 18 – Joe and Jesus at Common Grounds
5, 12, 16 – Community Choir rehearsal
6, 13, 20 – Bible study, Soup suppers, and Evening
Prayer
8-9 – Spiritual Companionship Program session at
Lindenwood Retreat Center, Donaldson, Indiana
12 – ECIC Ministerium at Holy Trinity, New Castle
14 – Blackford County pastors’ lunch at The Pickle
17 – Community Choir performance
18 – Church of the Cross council meeting
21 – Christmas caroling at Common Grounds
Upcoming events: Feb. 2-3 – Spiritual Companion
Program session at Lindenwood
Regarding pastoral evaluation, the council discussed
having a retreat with someone from the Synod office. All
council members were asked to attend. It would be on a
Saturday. Pastor David will check with the Synod office
to see who might be able to facilitate.
Committee reports—Parish Ed: Sunday School has
started again.
Worship/Music/Memorial: Met January 10 and de-
cided not to have Soup & Sandwiches during Lenten
season. Just have the worship. Picked songs until mid
February.
Constitution Committee: Sent a copy of the constitu-
tion to every member of the congregation with high-
lights. We’ll discuss at the annual Meeting on January
28th.
Mission and Ministry: Wants to appoint 2 more for a
2 year term. Jody Stanley and Cathy Willmann will re-
turn but the committee needs 2 more members.
Council reports—Deacons: Attendance and Holy
Communion report—Dec. 3 - 66 attended, 63 com-
muned; Dec. 6 - 22 attended; Dec. 10 - 77 attended, 72
communed; Dec. 13 - 21 attended; Dec. 17 - 59 attended,
58 communed; Dec. 20 - 21 attended; Dec. 24 - 76 at-
tended, 70 communed; Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) - 83 at-
tended, 76 communed; Dec. 31 - 70 attended, 65 com-
muned
Treasurer’s Report: Budget lines not complete but
will have for annual meeting.
A motion was made by Mark Prout to accept the
Committee and Council reports. Second by Jody Stanley.
Motion carried.
New Business: Annual Meeting will be January 28th.
Allen Stallsmith will give the Deacons Report, Dennis
Walker will give the Treasurer’s Report. Neil Stroble
will give the Land Use Report. Dennis Walker will give
the Worship/Music/Memorial Report. Jody Stanley will
give the Mission & Ministry Report. Pastor David will
give the Parish Education Report. The Constitution Re-
port is to be given by Mark Prout.
Auditors are needed to look over the Treasurer’s Re-
port. Dennis Walker will check to find someone and will
advise the council.
(continued on following page)
Suggestion to have volunteers to count the money
each Sunday and deposit it that day. Give envelopes to
Financial Secretary.
The meeting closed with everyone praying The
Lord’s Prayer.
Next meeting will be February 8, 2018 with Mark
Prout giving devotions.
Respectfully submitted,
Barb Hardwick, Recording Secretary
March 2018
January Council Minutes continued
March Birthdays
Chris Stroble 3-8
Chris Coy 3-11
Joyce Willmann 3-12
Imogene Schmidt 3-16
Betty Rinker 3-19
Susan Cook 3-23
Scott Clamme 3-26
Isola Banter 3-28
Helen Stroble 3-31
Lent 3 - March 4th
1st Reading - Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19
2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Gospel - John 2:13-22
Lent 4 - March 11th
1st Reading - Numbers 21:4-9
Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22
2nd Reading - Ephesians 2:1-10
Gospel - John 3:14-21
Lent 5 - March 18th
1st Reading - Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16
2nd Reading - Hebrews 5:5-10
Gospel - John 12:20-33
Passion/Palm Sunday - March 25th
1st Reading - Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm 31:9-16
2nd Reading - Philippians 2:5-11
Gospel - Mark 14:1—15:47
Maundy Thursday - March 29th
1st Reading - Exodus 12:1-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Gospel - John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Good Friday - March 30th
1st Reading - Isaiah 52:13—53:12
Psalm 22
2nd Reading - Hebrews 10:16-25 or 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Gospel - John 18:1—19:42
Easter Vigil - March 31st
2nd Reading - Romans 6:3-11
Gospel - John 20:1-18
March Lectionary
Readings
A new Prayer Chain booklet will be
printed in a couple of weeks. A new prayer
chain leader is needed to help Betty Rinker
in starting the prayers. If you are interested
in helping or having your name added to
the prayer chain please call the church of-
fice at 348-3157. Men are also welcome to be a part of
the prayer chain.
Prayer Chain
Holy Week Schedule
Maundy Thursday, March 29, we
will have worship with Holy Communion
beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the
sanctuary.
Good Friday, March 30,
there will be a Community Worship Service
at 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Lent and Easter Offering
Lent and Easter offering will be
equally divided between Grace Village
at Ball State and the Wernle Youth and
Family Treatment Center in Richmond.
Easter Flowers
If you would like to purchase an Easter
Lily to be placed in the sanctuary on East-
er morning please talk to Isola Banter.
The orders are due by March 25th and the
cost is $8.00.
The Zion Herald March 2018
“Happy are those whose strength is in God, in
whose heart are the highways to Zion.” (Psalm 84:5)
Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. with Worship at 10:30 a.m.
Zion Lutheran Church
308 S. Monroe Street
Hartford City, IN 47348
David Fleener, Pastor
Church Office: 348-3157
zionluth.hc@gmail.com
fleeneda@gmail.com
www.zionhc.org
Serving the Lord in Gladness
March 2018 Lay Ministry Servers
Greeters
Ushers Lectors
Assisting Ministers
March 4 Steve and Viola Willmann—Gene Banter
March 11 Ray and Linda Stanley—Louie and Joyce Willmann
March 18 Pat Gillis—Steve and Viola Willmann
March 25 Louie and Joyce Willmann—Neil and Libby Stroble
March 4 Allen Stallsmith, Mike Clamme, Tim Stanley and Scott Clamme
March 11 Allen Stallsmith, Max Langdon, Gene Gardner and Scott Clamme
March 18 Tim Stanley, Max Langdon, Gene Gardner and Scott Clamme
March 25 Tim Stanley, Max Langdon, Gene Gardner and Scott Clamme
March 29 Allen Stallsmith and Tim Stanley
March 4 Carolyn Goetz
March 11 Ray Stanley
March 18 Michelle Walker
March 25 Libby Stroble
March 29 Chris Coy
March 4 Sarah Fleener
March 11 Jody Stanley
March 18 Mark Prout
March 25 Denise Hile
March 29 Jody Stanley
Acolytes
March 4 Sydney Stroble and Bryce Stroble
March 11 Ryne Clamme and Keaton Walker
March 18 Kaylin Clamme
March 25 Keaton Walker
March 29 Sydney Stroble and Bryce Stroble
March 25, 2018