2011.02

O f f i c e@ Zi on Bu f f a l o . o r g ( 7 63 ) 6 82 - 12 45 w ww. Z i on Bu f f a l o . o r g

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH • BUFFALO, MN FEBRUARY 2011

Sunday Worship Services

8:30 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary with nursery available 9:45 am Family Express in Trinity Hall 10:30 am Jubilee Worship in the Sanctuary with nursery available

Sunday School

Available for children ages 3 to grade 6 at 8:30 and 10:30 during the school year

Wednesday Nights

Programs for elementary students, choirs, handbells, confirmation and supper during the school year.

Contact Us

Email [email protected] Online www.ZionBuffalo.org Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm (noon summer Fridays) Church Office 763.682.1245 Fax 763.684.1967 Street Address 1200 Highway 25 South, Buffalo (across from 13th St S.) Mailing Address PO Box 88, Buffalo, MN 55313

Prayer Requests

Call the church office at 763.682.1245 or visit Zion online at ZionBuffalo.org with your prayer requests. If you want a pastoral visit or would like to be included in pastoral prayers during worship, please use a yellow pew card or call the church office.

Address, Phone & Email Corrections

Zion maintains a database of all members. If you have had any changes to your address, phone number, marital status, etc. please contact Angela with your name, phone number and the changes that need to be made.

If You Are Ill

Hospitals no longer notify churches when their members are admitted for care. Call 763.682.1245 and let us know so we can support you with prayer and with presence.

Weekly Bulletin Insert

The weekly bulletin announcement insert is also available to download as a PDF at ZionBuffalo.org/Weekly. Contact Diane Montplaisir with submissions as early in the week as possible, but no later than Thursdays at noon.

The Voice

A monthly publication of Zion Lutheran Church

Upcoming Deadlines

February 14 by 8am for March 2011 Issue

March 14 by 8am for April 2011 Issue

Editor: Angela Bengtson

[email protected]

This Month’s Cover

Tom and Lizzie at last year’s Father Daughter

Dance. This year’s details on page 11.

Zion Staff

Ted Vanderpan: Senior Pastor

ext. 304 | [email protected]

Karri Anderson: Interim Associate Pastor


Sherilyn Burgdorf: Shared Ministry Director


Roxie Otten: Co-Director of Christian Education


Holly Husom: Co-Director of Christian Education


Myron Crawford: Director of Youth Ministries


Jim Onstad: Youth Staff

Diane Montplaisir: Administrative Secretary


Angela Bengtson: Communications & Membership


Sue Stensrud: Financial Secretary


Tom Janzen: Facility & Grounds Manager

[email protected]

Louis Nagel: Part Time Custodian

Missy Peterson: Nursery Staff

Michael Walsh: Coordinator of Music

Congregational Council

Kevin Bergquist

Roger Brenny

Bill Deneen

Mike Davis

Tracy Gurneau

Kelly Hanson

Devonne Kent

Beverly Koopman

Sue Lyrek

Colleen Manninen

Scott Morin

Steve Peterson

Wanda Weber

Zion seeks to share Christ’s word, strengthen faith and serve those in need. 2

Information

Renew Your Strength

Psalm 1 says that those who rely on the Lord “are like trees planted by streams of water...”

So often we think we can go it alone in life. Inside each of us is an independent streak that wants to be set free from any kind of restraint. It is that independent streak that can separate us from the very resources we need.

It has been said of General Patton that he moved so fast his own supply troops had difficulty keeping up with him. I can imagine that while he wanted his supplies ready at all times, Patton may have gotten a kick out of outdistancing his own supply troops. We often see that those who make things happen do not wait for permission. They have a dream and go with it. They have a thought that takes on a red hot passion that will not be satisfied until they accomplish their goal.

The thing that every innovator, mover and doer learns is that when they win, they win big; but when they lose, the Monday morning quarterbacks are all over them. Does it slow them down? No, in fact, they usually see defeat as a pit stop on the road to the goal. They pick everything up and just keep going.

But one thing every innovator, mover and doer needs, from outside themselves, is to be nourished and fed. The Bible talks about that kind of “reserve.” The scriptures tell us that those who put their trust in the Lord will “renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as an eagle. They will walk and not grow weary. They will run and not be faint.” The Bible says that those who are deeply rooted in a relationship with God have the ability to meet the challenges and opportunities of life.

You see, for all of us, there is a difference between “going it alone” and going it with God.” “Alone” means we are left to our own means. “With God” means a partnership that grows stronger and more resourceful with time. Separate yourself from God and you are like a tree planted in the middle of a dry desert. Connect yourself to Jesus Christ and you have become like a tree planted by a river that has a constant supply of water and nourishment from which to draw.

Are you tired of trying to do it alone in life? Then connect yourself with Christ. Are you tired of trying to figure out life all by yourself? Then put your life in the hands of the Risen Christ who will gladly show you life in abundance. You do not need to live in the desert of life any longer. Replant yourself by the springs of life. Let your life drink from the sweet, refreshing, living water that Christ provides. Experience life with him and you will never want to go through life on your own again.

From the Pastor

Worship Schedule

Sunday, February 6

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany

Matthew 5:13-20

Pastor Karri Preaching

Sunday, February 13

Sixth Sunday after Epiphany

Matthew 5:21-37


Sunday, February 20

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany

Matthew 5:38-48

Pastor Ted Preaching

Sunday, February 27

Eighth Sunday after Epiphany

Matthew 6:24-34


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Update from Zambia

Dave and Sue Wright are currently serving in Zambia. They have provided these devotions for those who would like to follow along with their trip. They are also posting updates at http://www.wright2us.blogspot.com/.

During their third week, January 30-February 5, pray for effective work and the confidence to complete it.

Read the book of James (faith and works).

Key verses are:

James 1:17 Every Gift is from Above

James 3:17 No Uncertainty

James 4:17 Do What is Right

During their final week, February 6-16, celebrate God's many blessings and pray for safe travel home.

Read Psalm 67 (praise God) and Mark 6 & 8 (feeding the thousands).

Key verses are:

Psalm 67:6 The Yield of the Earth

Mark 6:41-42 Feeding the Five Thousand

2 Kings 4:43 The Lord Provides

One of the special items they took with them was a bound book featuring photos of Children’s Ministry at Zion. They will share this with the children at the Villages of Hope. When they return, they will bring back a similar book for the children of Zion.

In their Second update just before the newsletter went to press, they reported that Dave visited the neighboring dairy and saw firsthand the high-tech milking procedure common to Zambia. As we expected, milk production is very low … in

this case 2-4 liters per day per cow … mainly because of marginal nutrition. We expect to soon lay out plans for the dairy and will experiment with making silage and drying good quality hay for use in the coming dry season. Sue is touring a local nursery right now to see how big landscaping plants get here. They are all tropicals and our "houseplants" ... great fun to use in design. They are about $1 -$50 each ... so much less than at home. I am designing for the front of the take-away restaurant, the vegetable store, and the school.

Baptisms

December 5

Danica Kathleen Walker

December 19

Ashtyn Karlee Duerre

December 26

Brayden MaKoy Watne

January births & pastoral acts will be

reported in the March Newsletter.

Active Military

Please Pray For

Fred Pierce

Stationed in Miramar, CA

Cody Bauman

Stationed at Fort Bragg, NC

Doug Pecarina

Army National Guard

Charles Mandery

Army National Guard

Chris Paulsen-Schmidt

Stationed at Norfolk, VA

Korey Siltman

Stationed in Washington State

Christopher Brophy

Stationed at Fort Reiley, KS

Ben Pecarina

Stationed at Las Vegas, NV

Will Dobbins

Stationed in Japan

Greg Bremseth

Stationed at the MEPS in Houston, TX

DeAnna Strommen

Stationed at Fort Hood, TX

Baptism Class

Zion offers a class for new or

prospective parents wishing to schedule

a baptism at Zion.

Anyone wishing to schedule a baptism is

asked to attend a class prior to the date

of the baptism. Expectant parents as

well as those who already are parents

may attend the class.

Scheduling of baptisms will take place

at the class.

The next classes are Sunday, February

13 at noon or Wednesday March 2 at

6pm.

Register online or by calling the office.

News and Views

4

Dave and Sue Wright shortly before they left for Zambia.

http://www.wright2us.blogspot.com/

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%201:17&version=NIV



http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2067:6&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%206:41-42&version=NIV

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20kings%204:43&version=NIV

A New Lutheran Website

Grab a cup of coffee, pull up a chair

and join Lutherans all over the country

for a conversation about what it means

to “live Lutheran.”

LivingLutheran.com is a new website

from the ELCA, serving up a daily

blend of culture, conversation and

community for ELCA members and

friends. You won’t find breaking news,

although there’s plenty of commentary

on what’s happening in the world and

what ELCA members think about it.

The site includes resources for

congregations, videos to inspire and

amuse and places to share what’s on

your mind.

Call Committee Update

The Call Committee would like to

extend its sincere thanks for your

prayers and support. We are moving

right along in the process of calling a

new associate pastor. We are currently

meeting every Monday and interviewing

up to 2 candidates per meeting. We

have several very extraordinary

candidates about whom we are very

excited. We will continue to get to

know these candidates better as well as

visit their present church homes, and

listen to them preach. With prayerful

consideration and the help of the Holy

Spirit, we anticipate calling our next

associate pastor soon. Please continue

to keep the members of Zion’s Call

Committee and our candidates in your

prayers.

Church Council Officers

Church Council officers were elected on

January 19, after this newsletter went

to print. Check the church website or

the March newsletter for details.

5

Diane Huston

My work with Harvest of Hands has mostly been with serving crepes and omelets. We organize the food preparation in the kitchen and the cooking the day of the event. We have about 19 wonderful workers that do the preparation and cook the food. The thing I enjoy the most about this event is working with such an amazing group of men and women. We have such a good time working with our friends and making new friends. Probably the most gratifying thing about the Harvest of Hands event is that the proceeds go to feed the hungry, and in the process we at Zion get to enjoy the fellowship of our friends in Zion.

Some of the other groups I enjoy working with at Zion are decorating the church for Christmas and the monthly extra cleaning and organizing of the kitchen. I am also a member of the Zion Property Committee and the Senior Choir.

Bravo to Michael Walsh

and BHS Musicians!

Zion congratulates Michael Walsh, Zion Senior Choir director, who has been named Minnesota Music Educator of the Year for 2010-2011. This award is a very prestigious award given by the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA). Walsh will receive his award at the MMEA mid-winter clinic on February 18. Zion is very fortunate to have Mike's talents shared here at Zion with the Zion Senior Choir. Walsh gives recognition to his BHS colleagues in his MMEA bio, including retired band director Lee Kjesbo, also a Zion member. In 2006 Lee Kjesbo received the Educator of the Year award, giving us a reminder of how fortunate we are to have highly recognized musicians involved in our Zion community.

Coincidentally, the Concert Band and Concert Choir from BHS, both including many students from Zion, have been chosen to perform at the MMEA event on Thursday, February 17. Although not connected to Walsh's award, this will be a great highlight for the BHS music department.

Mike Walsh is in his twenty-sixth year of teaching at Buffalo High School and is involved in many musical groups in the community including Buffalo Community Theater, Buffalo Community Orchestra, and Wright County Chamber Chorus.

Watch for details about a Palm Sunday concert here at Zion presenting "The Messiah" by Handel performed by Zion's Senior Choir and the Wright County Chamber Chorus.

http://www.livinglutheran.com/

Those Who Save Us

Zion Book Club

The Zion Book Club will meet on Monday, February 7, at 7pm in the Library to discuss Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum. Note the change in date due to Valentine’s Day.

Blum, who worked for Steven Spielberg's Shoah Foundation, takes a direct, unsentimental look at the Holocaust in her first novel. The narrative alternates between the present-day story of Trudy, a history professor at a Minneapolis university collecting oral histories of WWII survivors (both German and Jewish), and that of her aged but once beautiful German mother, Anna, who left her country when she married an American soldier. Interspersed with Trudy's interviews with German immigrants, many of whom reveal unabashed anti-Semitism, Anna's story flashes back to her hometown of Weimar. As Nazi anti-Jewish edicts intensify in the 1930s, Anna hides her love affair with a Jewish doctor, Max Stern. When Max is interned at nearby Buchenwald and Anna's father dies, Anna, carrying Max's child, goes to live with a baker who smuggles bread to prisoners at the camp. Anna assists with the smuggling after Trudy's birth until the baker is caught and executed. Then Anna catches the eye of the Obersturmführer, a high-ranking Nazi officer at Buchenwald, who suspects her of also supplying the inmates with bread. He coerces her into a torrid, abusive affair, in which she remains complicit to ensure her survival and that of her baby daughter. Blum paints a subtle, nuanced portrait of the Obersturmführer, complicating his sordid cruelty with more delicate facets of his personality. Ultimately, present and past overlap with a shocking yet believable coincidence. Blum's spare imagery is nightmarish and intimate, imbuing familiar panoramas of Nazi atrocity with stark new power. This is a poised, hair-raising debut. . (Amazon.com)

In Coming Months

Details of all these books are online at ZionBuffalo.org/Social

March 15: Vermillion Drift by William Kent Kreuger (Community Book Read)

April 11 (date changed): The Good Earth by Pearl Buck

Fellowship & Study

6

Wednesday Menu

If you’re looking for a new year’s

resolution that you can keep, make

plans to come to Wednesday Night

Suppers at Zion! There’s a tasty meal

waiting for you every Wednesday from

5:00-6:15 in the Fellowship Hall for a

suggested donation of $3 per plate.

February 2: Sloppy Joes

February 9: Tacos

February 16: Soups, Chili & Hotdogs

February 23: Pasta

Meals will be served each week until the

end of the school year excluding school

breaks.

Wild Hockey

The First Annual Lutheran Night at the

Wild, sponsored by Thrivent Financial

for Lutherans, is coming up on

February 15. Zion does not have plans

to organize a group, but individuals can

order discounted tickets at wild.com/

lutheran.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Thrivent Financial is offering

discounted tickets to “Jesus Christ

Superstar” at the Chanhassen Dinner

Theatres! Thrivent tickets are $40 for

dinner and the show (regular price:

$68) for Tuesday, Wednesday and

Thursday evenings February 4 to July

30. Ticket information is available

online at MyThrivent.com.

http://wild.com/lutheran

http://wild.com/lutheran

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study

A five-week adult Bible study will begin on Sunday, February 6, at 9:30am in the Zion library. All are welcome to attend. Jill Davis, a member of Zion and a recent Luther Seminary graduate, will guide an overview of five Bible books: Esther, Psalms, Matthew, Romans, First Corinthians. Some texts from these books are used during the month of February as scripture during Sunday worship. Whether you’ve read the Bible many times or feel you’re just beginning, you will enjoy the content.

Bible study dates are: February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 6.

Events for Seniors

Upcoming Zionaires activities include:

A speaker from The Dragonfly Project, a nonprofit that reaches out to others who are grieving the loss of a family member or friend, at Zion on February 15.

Starwatch with Mike Lynch at Northwinds Elementary on March 7.

On Golden Pond at the Old Log Theater on March 31.

Not Just for Lent

There were many years when Wednesday night supper at Zion was reserved only for the season of Lent. No longer! Remember that every Wednesday there's a great meal waiting for you at Zion from 5:00-6:15pm. A variety of meals are prepared weekly by dedicated volunteer supper teams. Suggested donation for meals is $3/person or $12/family.

Is there a confirmation student in your family who frequents Wednesday night suppers?

Consider making a donation directly to the Zion office to pay for a few months of meals so that your student doesn't need to remember a weekly donation.

Can You Help Wednesday Suppers Continue?

Be a sponsor and contribute $100 to help defray the Wednesday meal costs. The suggested donation of $3 per meal would continue each Wednesday but families and individuals who come to the Wednesday night suppers are welcomed even if they are unable to pay the full amount.

Your contribution will make a big difference:

Some youth and families that are attending are not able to pay fully or consistently for their meals.

Financial realities make coming to a dinner like these helpful in weekly family nutrition.

The quality of the meals needs to be maintained, and we don’t want to limit the number of people served.

Sound Techs

Are you interested in helping Zion

deliver smooth, distraction-free worship

services each week? Have you thought

about volunteering as a sound

technician? Please contact Bob

Strommen, the church office or any

sound tech on duty on a Sunday

morning if this sounds like you:

Have some kind of musical

background.

Previous experience with sound

equipment is a plus but not

required.

Willing to commit time in learning

to operate Zion’s equipment.

Available at least two Sundays a

month and some Tuesday evenings.

Able to work with others on special

projects.

7

Roger Brenny as Vanna at the Zionaires game day in January.

ZionBuffalo.org/Global

Global Mission Ministry

8

Medical Supplies

Allergy Meds (claritin, allegra, alavert,

singular, loratadine, pseudoephedrine,

chlortrimeton)

Antibiotic Ointments (triple antibiotic,

neosporin, neomycin, bacitracin)

Antacid Meds (tums, prilosec, pepcid, zantac,

acifex)

Anti-constipation Meds (milk of magnesia,

senna, ducolax, mstamucil)

Anti-diarrhea Meds (immodium)

Antifungal Ointments (tinactin,mycolog,

kenolog, lotrimin, tolfanate,etc)

Baby Aspirin (enteric coated 81mg strength)

Tylenol / acetaminophen (adult, children,

infant elixir or drops)

Ibuprofen, (adult, children doses)

Benadryl (diphenhydramine tablets, elixir,

suspension, ointment)

Cough Syrup (guiafenesin cough syrup or

mucinex tablets)

Steroid Ointments (hydrocortisone)

Band-Aides

Dandruff Shampoo

Blood Pressure Cuffs, Stethoscopes

Glucometers & supplies

Inhalers (albuterol, atrovent, xopenex,

advair,etc)

Nebulizers & supplies

Reading Glasses & Sunglasses

Non-sterile gloves

Ziplock bags (snack & quart)

Medications can not expire before 10/11

Construction Equipment

Hammers, Screw Drivers, Handsaws

Tape Measures, Levels & Squares

Nuts, bolts, nails and screws

Work gloves / Leather gloves

Wire cutting pliers

Pliers, utility knifes, Pry bars or Crowbars

Double & Queen flat sheets

Shower curtains & liners

Flatware

School Supplies

Notebooks (taped binding type only) &

coloring books

Pens and Pencils, Colored Pencils

Small Backpacks, Storage Containers

12-inch Rulers, Calculators

Scissors, Glue

Come and Serve

Him in 2011!

Zion’s Mission Jamaica Team invites you to participate in our upcoming mission trip.

2011 will mark Mission Jamaica’s 22nd season of serving in Jamaica and Zion’s first Mission Jamaica trip. From humble beginnings of 19 missionaries from St Andrew’s the first year, some of whom are still serving, this ministry has grown to include several churches in several states all around the country. It has grown from one mission site at Hope Valley Experimental School in Kingston (where the “experiment” was to include children with special needs in the classroom with other children) to several mission sites in Kingston and the Montego Bay area.

Mission Jamaica provides a way for us to love and serve our neighbor as Jesus taught us through His love and service to others. The trip combines a service project with time for reflection and spiritual rest. It allows participants to experience an international mission field that is close to home yet far enough away to immerse into another culture for a week.

Zion will be represented by Andrew, Michael and Sherilyn Burgdorf, Howard Burgdorf, Nancy and Rick Dehmer, Denny Gleason, Wes and Jeanne Holland, Kelly Jacques, Linda and Vernon Lear, Gary and Mary Lynn Leff, Laurel Lundeen, Sue Lyrek, Teresa Mandery, Missy Peterson, Pat Peterson, Russ and Terry Peterson, Pat Schmidt, and Pastor Ted Vanderpan. Jeff Bonde is also part of the planning committee. They will be doing mission work in Jamaica from February 26 to March 5.

Please keep the trip participants and their work in your prayers. Prayer partner and devotional information will be available in February. Check the Sunday bulletins or Zionbuffalo.org/MJ for details. Updates will also be posted on the webpage during the trip.

The congregation is invited to help with the work that will be done, including a free medical clinic and a home building project. Supplies listed on this page can be brought to Zion and left in the suitcases displayed in the lobby/narthex by February 20. These items will be carried in suitcases by each of the team members.

Financial contributions are welcome and will be used to purchase prescription medications and building supplies in Jamaica, and to cover airline fees for the extra suitcases. Expenses for the trip have been covered by the participants. Use a pew envelope marked “Mission Jamaica” and place it in the offering plate, or contribute online at Zionbuffalo.org/MJ.

Wrights in Zambia

Dave and Sue Wright are currently in Zambia. Find their update and devotional materials on page 4.

The Global Missions committee invites you to see what they are all

about. They meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm. For

more information, talk to Minda Squadroni, or Steve Peterson.

Ken Norman Named Love INC Director

The board of directors for Love INC-Big Woods recently announced the hiring of Ken Norman as its new executive director.

Chosen from a wide field of applicants, Ken brings to Love INC many years of Christian education experience with the most recent position of the last six years being the Director of an International Christian School in Vienna, Austria.

Norman has an undergraduate degree from the University of Dubuque and completed his master’s degree from Texas Tech University. He has significant experience in the areas of non-profit administration and extended education with Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) in a variety of topics including fundraising and management.

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Norman has spent the last 12 years living and working internationally as a missionary and has recently moved back to our community with his wife Cheryl, a teacher at Lester Prairie Schools. They have four children and are active members of Watertown Evangelical Free Church.

“I want to work for Love INC because it provides an opportunity for me to use my gifts and experience to care for marginalized people that Christ focused His attention on while here on earth,” Norman said. “Serving in this role with Love INC gives me a chance to meet both their immediate material needs and also their deeper spiritual needs.”

Love INC-Big Woods is a Christian non-profit organization with a mission to mobilize the church to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ. Love INC is a national organization headquartered in Minneapolis. The network links church ministries and volunteers to people in need.

The newly formed Big Woods affiliate serves our neighbors in Buffalo, Maple Lake, and Hanover. More information about Love INC-Big Woods can be

obtained by visiting http://www.loveincbigwoods.org/ or their new Facebook page at facebook.com/loveincbw.

ZionBuffalo.org/Local 9

Community Mission Ministry

Ken Norman

by Pastor Kelly Chatman of Redeemer

Lutheran Church

I want to begin with a huge thank you to

everyone who is able to read this

newsletter. It is because of your faith and

dedication that God is blessing Redeemer

to grow as a thriving witness to the reality

of God being active in both the church and

the world.

During the past month Redeemer was able

to provide key leadership at the 1,000

Voices Event at the Minneapolis

Convention Center. We were among the

more than 1,500 faith leaders from

across the state who gathered to speak to

Governor Dayton about the tremendous

disparities between people of color and

Whites in the state of Minnesota. In

December, not even the fifth largest

blizzard in Minnesota history could stop

Redeemer from hosting the Christmas

Store for more than 100 children and the

myriad volunteers who brought joy to

children’s lives. At the Christmas Store,

children purchased gifts for their families.

Volunteers from Redeemer, partner

congregations and local residents assisted

children as they shopped, decorated and

wrapped gifts; and the icing on the event

was a wonderful meal hosted by a mission

congregation.

Redeemer Center for Life provided the

warm and inviting space of Living Room

(Hand-in-Hand continued on page 18)

http://www.loveincbigwoods.org/

Tuesday February 8

9:00am Kitchen Cleaning

9:30am Staff Meeting

1:00pm LSS Counseling

6:30pm Outreach Evangelism Meeting

7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal

7:30pm Visioning Task Force Meeting

Wednesday February 9

2:45pm Class Ring

3:45pm SONshine Choir

3:45pm Ring Forth

3:45pm Kids' Place

4:45pm Joy Choir

5:00pm Wednesday Night Supper

5:15pm Youth Choir

6:00pm Confirmation

6:30pm Confirmation Small Groups

6:30pm Joyful Ringers

6:30pm Mission Jamaica Meeting

7:00pm Senior Choir

7:00 pm Harvest of Hands Crafts

Thursday February 10

Friday February 11

5:30pm Wedding Rehearsal

6:00pm Club 456

Saturday February 12

11:00am Bridal Party

4:00pm Wedding at Zion

Sunday February 13

The Sixth Sunday After the Epiphany

8:30am Traditional Worship Service

8:30am Sunday School

9:30am Coffee Fellowship

9:30am Adult Bible Study

9:45am Family Express Worship

10:30am Contemporary Worship Service


12:00pm Baptism Class

2:00pm Minneapolis Synod Conference

Assembly

Monday February 14

St. Valentine's Day

8:00am Newsletter Deadline

8:00am Men's Bible Study Group

6:00pm First Sunday Rehearsal

7:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous

Tuesday February 15

Lutheran Night at the Wild


9:30am Naomi Circle


5:30pm Stewardship Meeting

6:30pm Christian Ed. Meeting

7:00pm Property Committee Meeting


7:00pm Global Missions Committee

7:30pm Visioning Task Force Meeting


6:30am Men's 50+ Bible Study

9:15am Devotions at Sunrise

2:45pm Class Ring


3:45pm Ring Forth

3:45pm Kids' Place

4:45pm Joy Choir


5:15pm Youth Choir

6:00pm Confirmation

6:00pm Worship and Music Committee



7:00pm Senior Choir

7:30pm Church Council Meeting


7:30pm Rebecca Circle

Friday February 18


8:30am A More Perfect Union

Marriage Seminar

Sunday February 20

Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:30

The Seventh Sunday After the Epiphany








ZionBuffalo.org/Calendar 10

Tuesday February 1



6:30pm Social Ministry Committee



6:30am Men's 50+ Bible Study

2:45pm Class Ring


3:45pm Ring Forth

3:45pm Kids' Place

4:45pm Joy Choir


5:15pm Youth Choir

6:00pm Confirmation Guide Meeting


7:00pm Senior Choir

Thursday February 3

Friday February 4

6:00am Friday Breakfast Crew

Saturday February 5

8:00am Church Council Workshop

6:00pm Father Daughter Sweetheart

Dance

Sunday February 6

Holy Communion at 8:30, 9:45, & 10:30

The Fifth Sunday After the Epiphany








11:45am Executive Committee Meeting

Monday February 7



7:00pm Zion Book Club


February Calendar

Monday February 21

Washington's Birthday




Tuesday February 22




7:00pm Personnel Committee Meeting


9:00am Newsletter Assembly

9:30am Devotions at Lakeridge

10:30am Devotions at Park View

2:45pm Class Ring


3:45pm Ring Forth

3:45pm Kids' Place

4:45pm Joy Choir


5:15pm Youth Choir

6:00pm Confirmation



7:00pm Senior Choir

7:00pm Harvest of Hands Crafts


Friday February 25

30 Hour Famine


Mission Jamaica Team Leaves

Sunday February 27

Sanctuary Sunday

The Eighth Sunday After the Epiphany






Monday February 28


5:30pm Read to Feed the Mind Meeting



11

Girls of all ages are invited to bring that special man in their life (Grandpa, uncle, neighbor, friend) for dancing, games, treats and

fun at Zion Lutheran Church on

Semi-formal attire is requested (NOT required). Participants need not be members of Zion. There is no cost and no RSVP needed.

Facebook.com/ZionKids

ZionBuffalo.org/Sweetheart

Financial Report

December 2010

General Services Fund

Income Dec 2010 YTD 2010 Dec 2009 YTD 2009 General Offering $86,219.66 $667,936.86 $79,067.47 $669,207.67

Rent and Sunday School 1,544.65 24,136.19 2,041.76 30,213.70

Missions and Hunger 2,313.00 13,520.00 763.00 11,754.95

Other Designations 1,680.00 11,203.25 2,280.00 15,929.44

Total Income $91,757.31 $716,796.30 $84,152.23 $727,105.76

Expenses Synod Benevolence $1,500.00 $18,000.00 $1,500.00 $18,000.00

Other General Services 74,367.46 697,023.21 64,661.40 714,251.25

Total Expenses $75,867.46 $715,023.21 $66,161.40 $732,251.25

Account Balance as of 12-31-2010: $24,767.12

General Fund Note: $40,000 has been borrowed from Klein Bank in 2009 and 2010 on an established Line of Credit to assist with cash flow. We have been making Interest only payments on this line of credit.

Forward in Faith Fund

Income Dec 2010 YTD 2010 Dec 2009 YTD 2009 Offerings and Interest $19,007.72 $206,389.76 $25,749.75 $185,391.12

Other Receipts 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,500.00

Total Income $19,007.72 $206,389.76 $25,749.75 $186,891.12

Expenses Building Mortgage $17,087.30 $205,047.60 $17,087.30 $205,047.60

Roof/Parking Lot Loan 913.37 14,877.04 1,305.03 9,476.35

Major Building Repairs 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,225.00

3% Tithe Commitment 0.00 0.00 0.00 5,340.79

2010 CapCampaign Exp 613.22 613.22 0.00 0.00

Kairos Consulting 0.00 12,000.00 0.00 0.00

Bank Service Charge 15.00 105.00 0.00 0.00

Interest Expense on LOC 0.00 438.31 0.00 0.00

Total Expenses $18,628.89 $233,081.17 $18,392.33 $224,089.74

Account Balance as of 12-31-2010: $18,061.06

Thank you for your continued support of God’s work at Zion Lutheran Church.

Finance & Stewardship

Zion Foundation

The Zion Foundation was established as

a non-profit foundation in 1978, a

separate financial entity from Zion

Lutheran Church.

The Foundation receives gifts, invests

them and uses only the earnings from

these gifts to disperse grants for

religious, educational and charitable

purposes. No church offerings are

involved.

The Foundation is designed to support

projects outside of the normal church

budget. Gifts in the past have been

given for Lutheran college and seminary

scholarships, community services and

charities such as the food shelf, and

special ministries including art, music,

counseling and mission trips.

The Zion Foundation meets on the

fourth Wednesday of the first month of

each quarter. Request forms are due to

the church office two weeks prior to

each meeting.

Remaining meetings for 2011 will be:

April 27 (requests due April 13)

July 27 (requests due July 13)

October 26 (requests due October 12)

5 Minutes = $50

Zion’s newsletter publisher encourages

you to share your opinions with others

in your community, not only to help one

another, but also to thank the

businesses that support our monthly

newsletter with their advertising

dollars.

Visit the pages of the local businesses

you patronize and write reviews. From

January 9, 2011, until the end of the

year, every time you leave a review,

your name will be entered in a weekly

contest for a chance to earn

$50. Simple, easy, and fun! You can

enter as many times as you like each

week, and enter every week for more

opportunities to win.

Find a link to Zion’s

list of sponsors at

ZionBuffalo.org/

news, and review

one today.

12

http://www.zionbuffalo.org/newsletter

http://www.zionbuffalo.org/newsletter

The Principles of Sowing and Reaping

by Tom Moline

If you keep something, that’s all you’re ever going to have. But if you take what you have and you give it ... if you take it and turn it into seed and plant it in good soil, God can multiply it.

Jesus said that what you give, God will multiply:

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. ~ Luke 6:38

Now, one of the reasons why this teaching can become distorted very easily is because of a common teaching that is known as the Prosperity Gospel. If you’ve been around the church world you might know what the Prosperity Gospel is. To me it’s a very distorted and false teaching, that if you just give and have enough faith then everybody’s going to have a Rolex watch and we are all going to drive Rolls-Royces and God has to make you rich. That is not a true and Biblical teaching. But don’t let it discount the truth that what you give God does multiply.

There is a flip-side of the teaching which is called the Poverty Gospel, which is if you have anything at all then you are unrighteous. The truth is, it’s not what you have that makes you righteous or unrighteous, it’s the condition of your heart about what you have.

I want to lay a foundation for sowing and reaping. Let’s look at a couple of principles and at several verses.

You Reap What You Sow

If you plant a seed in good ground you are going to get a harvest from that seed. In fact,

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ~ Galatians 6:7

If you read on in context, Paul said that if you sow seeds of unrighteousness, if you do wicked things, you are going to have wicked responses to what you do. You will reap what you sow. For example, if you sow a seed of corn you will not get spinach, you will get corn.

You Reap More Than You Sow

When you plant a seed in good ground, you will reap more than you sow. Jesus said:

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. ~ Matthew 19:29

If you lay down your life for Christ, you will receive far more than you have given. Jesus talked about this principle in Matthew 13 as well. He told the story of a sower went out to sow some seeds. He was just throwing seeds out and they fell along different places and some of them experienced a 30-fold return, some 60-fold, and those planted in really good soil returned 100-fold.

13

Vision

Task

Force

At the 2010 congregational meeting, the Zion congregation approved the proposal presented by the Zion Task Force to work on a visioning project for 2011. This project came out of a recommendation from the Bridgebuilder report which observed in part:

1. Congregations that are vital and healthy should engage in a strategic planning process every 4-5 years. This intentional process of asking “What is God calling us to do and be?” and then listen for answers is a powerful way to engage members and build a sense of community and a shared mission. This kind of planning, beyond bricks and mortar, has been lacking at Zion.

2. When there is a lack of a clear mission, it is easy to get stuck in being inwardly focused. Part of the healing process is to discover ways to serve each other and the neighbor. What is God calling forth from us - and how do we give our love and resources for the sake of the neighbor?

3. Zion is faced with wonderful opportunities to help grow in other ways beyond numbers, to grow spiritually and deepen one’s faith, to grow in a sense of community and vocation, to grow in discipleship, to grow leaders.

The report recommended that Zion identify goals or objectives toward which Zion’s mission will move the congregation over the next several years; establish a vision for Zion’s future.

In the fall of 2010, the Vision Task Force conducted five "Reaching for Tomorrow" events to build on the theme presented by Pastor Ted and guest speaker Pastor Michael Foss.

The Task Force then interviewed four firms who specialize in helping congregations do visioning, and selected Jim Pence of Kairos to be the consultant. Jim was also the consultant for Zion's capital campaign.

The fee for the consulting is $6,500 plus $1,000 for internal expenses. Funding for this was approved by the Zion Foundation in January.

The Vision Task Force will provide a number of opportunities for congregation members to provide input in the process. Tentative plans include an assessment that members can fill out, followed by small group discussions.

Based on the findings of the assessment and the small groups, the Task Force will develop formal documentation of the 3-7 major initiatives the congregation believes God is calling us to do. These will be presented at the December 2011 annual meeting.

Watch for more specific information during the coming months.

Committee members- Pastor Ted Vanderpan, Consultant Jim Pence, Rick Johnson, Scott Morin, Karen Mattson, Diane Paulu, Idella Ziegler, Jill Davis, Julie Kabe, and Len Bengtson.

Zion Is Going to Camp!

This summer, Zion is teaming up with

Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp in

Amery, WI to offer a superb summer

camping experience!

Bible Camp is a place where fun and

faith collide. Campers encounter God’s

word, make friends and create

memories to last a lifetime. Pastor Ted

is going to be at camp too, because he

wants to get to know your students!

There are different sections of camp for

four age groups:

Seeds Weekend is open to all current

2nd & 3rd graders. Camp will be from

Friday, July 8, to Sunday, July 10.

Knowing that this may be some kid’s

first camp experience or even their first

time away from home, our counselors

will spend every moment with these

campers. They will provide a safe and

caring environment filled with music,

Bible study, campfires, crafts, water

activities and tons of games.

Youth Camp has two sections open to

current 4th-6th graders and current 7th

-8th graders. Youth Camp will be from

Sunday, July 10,to Friday, July 15. The

week is packed with a variety of

activities that are meant to impact kids

for eternity. Each day includes Bible

study, chapel, cabin activities, free

time, field games, campfire.

TIM Team is a leadership development

opportunity for current 9th-12th

graders. TIM teamers commit to one

year of service as leaders in their home

congregations working primarily with

younger youth. TIM Teamers will have

lodging at Ox Lake, as well as

experiencing the Low / High Ropes

Challenge Course. During the week,

much of each day is spent at Wapo

participating as leaders amongst the

younger youth from their congregation.

TIM Team will be from Friday, July 8,

to Friday July 15.

On Sunday, March 6, there will be a

representative from Wapo to share

Wapo’s vision, what to expect and answer

questions during and between services.

Pick up a camp brochure at the

Information Desk. Registrations must

be in by March 15 to secure your

student’s spot at camp.

14

Reaching Out with Food

By Julie Kabe

Did one of your New Year’s resolutions happen to be to reach out to someone in need? If yes, Food For Friends can help you achieve your resolution while helping ease the burdens of those in need by assisting with meals. Volunteers bring either warm and/or frozen meals to those going through particularly challenging times in life. Many in the congregation are thankful for Food For Friends volunteers who cook and deliver warm meals, prepare frozen meals on a Saturday morning, deliver meals, and also those who choose to help by funding the ministry!

A witness to God’s Hand in this Ministry

In December, Food For Friends packaged up and delivered some holiday gift bags including a frozen meal and holiday cookies. Two of these deliveries were especially encouraging to me and reminded me that God is watching over this ministry.

Pastor Karri was visiting Darlene, and during her visit asked if there was anything she could do for her. Darlene responded that with her condition she was unable to make holiday cookies and if it were possible, she would so appreciate some homemade cookies. 15 minutes passed and then there was an unexpected visitor, Kelli Anderson, delivering one of the Food For Friends holiday gift bags to Darlene. Pastor Karri asked if there happened to be cookies in the gift bag and Kelli responded, “Right here on top!” The look of amazement was evident on all their faces. Our loving God, who cares about even those little details in our lives, had this delivery perfectly timed! Hear more about this story in Pastor Karri’s Christmas Day sermon at zionbuffalo.podbean.com/2010/12/27/sermon-12-25-2010/ (towards the end).

On the same day, another delivery of the holiday gift bags didn’t go as smoothly as it was accidently delivered to the wrong house. But again, I feel this, too, was all part of His plan. The incorrect recipient researched Food For Friends on the internet and discovered this ministry at Zion and got in contact with us. She never knew ministries like this existed and was very enthusiastic about it. Since her best friend was a mail carrier (another one of those details He took care of!), she confirmed and delivered the package herself and also signed up to be a volunteer in the ministry … God even provides volunteers from outside our congregation!

Like to cook? Food For Friends knows of a couple of families that could use meals (family of 4 and 5) and are always excited when someone volunteers to cook. If you’re interested, please contact Julie Kabe at 682-2889 or send an email to [email protected].

If you know of someone who could benefit from meals (either freezer meals or warm meals delivered to them), please contact the church or email [email protected].

Harvest of Hands

Harvest of Hands volunteers are already

working hard to get ready for the 2011

event in November.

On January 12, 18 participants,

including many new faces, attended a

beading class and created bracelets for

Harvest of Hands. A few of them are

pictured below with Linda Nerothin,

who led the class along with Gayle

Dramen. Everyone had a fun time, and

another class will be planned for later

in the year.

Until then, all are welcome at any of

the regular craft groups. The craft

groups will meet in the Wilderness

Room on:

Tuesday, February 8, at 9am

Wednesday, February 9 at 7pm

Tuesday, February 22 at 9am

Wednesday, February 23 at 7pm

Specific projects will be listed in the

Sunday Bulletin.

Proceeds from Harvest of Hands go to

the Buffalo Food Shelf to help people in

need in our own community and to the

World Hunger Appeal through the

Lutheran World Federation to provide

food, water, emergency shelter, quilts

and health kits to people in need around

the world.

15

Musings from Myron...

Last month, I talked about the new year and how it can bring hope for people. How if we change our attitudes and approach and listen to the Word, that we could be able to usher in a “season of love.”

I have been reflecting on this word hope for quite some time now. It can mean so much to people that sometimes have so little. It is very easy to give it up, as well.

We all know those people that seem constantly blessed. But, I think that we know others that feel like they aren’t. Those that have one thing after another go wrong. Those that do not have joy. If you are one of those, do not lose heart.

Hebrews 12:3 states “Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Psalm 9:18 says “But the needy will not be ignored forever, the hopes of the poor will not be crushed.”

If you read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 you see that Christ came to change the world by turning every idea and thought upside down. In fact we are reminded in verse 12: “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for the prophets were persecuted in the same way.”

In Matthew 28:20 it reads “And surely I am with you till the end of the age.”

Alan Redpath, who was a British evangelist, pastor and author, takes the cares and troubles that he has encountered and looks at them this way:

"There is nothing - no circumstance, no trouble, no testing - that can ever touch me until, first of all, it has gone past God and past Christ, right through to me. If it has come that far, it has come with great purpose, which I may not understand at the moment; but as I refuse to become panicky, as I lift my eyes up to Him and accept it as coming from the throne of God for some great purpose of blessing to my own heart, no sorrow will ever disturb me, no trial will ever disarm me, no circumstance will cause me to fret, for I shall rest in the joy of what my Lord is."

Do not lose heart for He is with you.

30 Hour Famine on February 25

Fact: Every day, hunger kills nearly 8,000 kids under age 5. Some die of starvation, others illness brought on by a lack of nutrition. Hunger weakens a child’s small body, making them more vulnerable to disease.

Friday, February 25 will be an opportunity for you to be able to learn more about this epidemic. Zion is partnering with St. John’s to help others learn through service, games, study, worship and fellowship.

Cost is only $10 (if you do not fundraise). This is open to all Senior High youth! Please register by February 9.

ZionBuffalo.org/Youth

Youth Ministry

16

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on you

because you are young, but set an

example for the believers in speech, in

life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Director of Youth Ministries

Myron Crawford

763-682-1245 ext. 308

[email protected]

Zion Youth Ministries exists to

reach out to youth, to come

together and learn how to be for

God and others through worship,

study, fellowship and service.

Confirmation Schedule

Confirmation meets Wednesday nights

in Trinity Hall 6-7:30pm.

Dates and weekly topics:

Feb 2: No Class - Guide Meeting

Feb 9: Last Supper

Feb 16: Crucifixion

Feb 23: Resurrection

Remember your Bibles & handbooks

Graceland Schedule

Graceland, Senior High Youth Group,

meets Wednesday nights in the youth

room from 7:30-9pm.

Feb 2: Serving

Feb 9: Journaling

Feb 16: What Would You Do?

Feb 23: 30 Hour Famine Prep

Remember your Bibles

First Communion Festival

Students in 5th grade and above are invited to attend a First Communion Festival on Saturday, Feb.26 from 9am - Noon. At least one parent or grandparent is encouraged to attend with each student. The festival will help prepare children for the reception of their first communion. This time for learning is intended to give participants a greater understanding of the sacrament of Holy Communion and why Christians celebrate it.

The Festival will include:

Instruction in the meaning of Holy Communion

Passover/Seder Meal (samples)

A hands-on activity

Pizza will be served at the conclusion of the class

Then, on Sunday, March 6, Zion will celebrate with a “First Communion Sunday” where the worship services will be centered around this gift of grace and we will share the first communion with those who have received instruction regarding this sacrament.

Before receiving their first communion, students must be baptized. If your child has not yet been baptized and you would like to schedule a baptism, or if you have any other questions regarding the festival, please contact the church office at 763.682.1245.

Please register online or at the information desk by Sunday, February 20. There is a cost of $5 per student.

New Children’s Ministry Facebook Page

Zion has started a new Facebook page highlighting Children’s Ministries events!

If you are a Facebook user, please go to www.facebook.com/ZionKids and click ”like” to have all the newest happenings going on in Children’s Ministry at Zion come right to your Facebook feed! You will find event announcements, Sunday School updates, Club456 updates and events, photos, videos and reminders.

Even if you are not a regular user of Facebook, you are able to view the information on the page and it will also be included in our regular webpage at ZionBuffalo.org/children.

Sunday School Note:

Sunday school children up to 4th grade will sing in worship on Sunday, February 20.

Children’s Ministry

February Schedule


Kids’ Place, Choirs and Wed. supper

Sunday February 6

Sunday School - grades 5 & 6 Grapple



Sunday February 13

Sunday School-grade 4-Club4



Sunday February 20

Sunday School - grades 5 & 6 Grapple

Sunday School students sing in service



Sunday February 27

Sanctuary Sunday-Please Join us for worship.

Children are encouraged to worship with

their families.

Club 456 Tubing

Approximately 45 kids and 7 adults hit

the hills of Elm Creek Park Reserve to go

tubing on Sunday, January 16. The

weather was amazing and it was a blast!

Find the photos on the Children’s Ministry

at Zion Lutheran Church Facebook page.

CoDirectors of Christian Education

Holly Husom

763-682-1245 x308

[email protected]

Roxie Otten

763-682-1245 ext. 311

[email protected]

ZionBuffalo.org/Children 17

Father Daughter

Sweetheart Dance

Saturday February 5

see page 11

18

adjacent to Milda’s Café to distribute more

than fifty Christmas baskets to families

during these difficult times. Thanks to the

employees of Medtronic, Redeemer was

entrusted with the opportunity to match

families in north Minneapolis with

substantial baskets of food. It was a

powerful witness to everyone to see

community residents, hand-in-hand with

congregation members, together

volunteering in the distribution of the

baskets.

Part of this powerful and effective witness

to what God is doing at Redeemer is that

we are not a congregation doing all things

“for the community.” We are blessed to be

doing ministry with the community, hand-

in-hand.

Hand-in-hand, we share the witness of the

Block Party celebration, residents

receiving affordable housing and children

experiencing year round opportunities to

learn, grow and give back. On any given

evening the lights are on in the church

basement as women work hand-in-hand to

make quilts that support ministries across

the globe.

By the grace of God, Redeemer is a

congregation where ministry is a shared

reality. It does not matter if you come

from next door, down the street or miles

away, everyone has something to share.

Children, youth and adults regardless of

age are valued and have gifts to share. We

do ministry hand-in-hand.

A wonderful sign of this reality is when at

the conclusion of our worship we hold

hands and extend ourselves across the

entire sanctuary singing together, “May

God’s peace be with you til we meet

again.” This is probably an awkward

moment for visitors who experience the

vulnerability of holding hands with

strangers and singing a song where you

don’t know the words, with people you do

not yet know.

We conclude our time together in worship

with this incredible experience of

vulnerability, hope and solidarity. It

provides for us a powerful vision of the

kind of church we aspire to be. We are a

church where we go into the world hand-in-

hand. We are a church where we go into

the world daring to be vulnerable. We go

into the world knowing that it is God who

holds our hands.

Hand-in-hand we affirm that in Christ

Jesus we are made one. Hand-in-hand we

roll from our church pews and into the

streets, work place, school and homes

witnessing to the love and transforming

power of God’s love as a living reality.

Thank you for your prayers, your

leadership and support. Thank you for

holding my hand.

(Hand-in-Hand continued from page 9)

Inside

Zion Lutheran Church

1200 Highway 25 S.

PO Box 88

Buffalo, MN 55313

www.ZionBuffalo.org

Address Service Requested

Standard

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit 11

Buffalo MN 55313

Address Label Here

Renew Your Strength 3

Update from Zambia 4

Bravo Michael Walsh 5

Sunday Morning Bible Study 7

Mission Jamaica 8

New Love INC Director 9

Sweetheart Dance 11

Sowing and Reaping 13

Vision Task Force 14

Musings from Myron 16

First Communion Festival 17

Febru

ary 2

011

*

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ZionBuffalo.org

Club 456 Snow tubing in January: Avery, Micah, Zack, Claire, Emma, Mike, & Samantha.

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