December 2013 Newsletter

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH • BUFFALO, MN DECEMBER 2013

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

Women's Retreat Simplify

During a time of the year when days are

full, mark your calendar for a women’s

retreat on Saturday, January

18, beginning at 9am at Zion. This

year’s retreat will be a time to reflect

on simplicity and decluttering with

leaders Jill Davis, Zion member

and Luther Seminary

graduate, and Nicky

Havens, owner of “Seriously

Organized” in Bloomington.

Tickets are $9/person to

enjoy this wonderful morning

with great friends, great food,

and time to “unplug” and “be still” to

listen to God’s word. Gift certificates

are available in the church office …

give a gift to a friend, sister, or mom

this season. Registration suggested

by January 13. Childcare will be

available.

Be still and know that I am

God. Psalm 46:10

Sign Up for Prayer

Sisters

What is a Prayer Sister? It is someone

you are partnered with for the year, and

whom you remember in daily prayer.

Secondly, you send cards and/or gifts

for special occasions, or whenever God

moves you to do so. He knows when she

needs a day brightener. The following

December, the identity of your Prayer

Sister is revealed to you at the annual

Christmas Tea. Sign up for the 2014

program online or at the Info Desk.

The Baptism Class

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, December

8, and Sunday, February 9 at noon.

Register at ZionBuffalo.org/Baptism or

by calling the office.

Creating a community where people are connected 2

St. Lucia Supper

The St. Lucia supper is a family friendly event that highlights the Swedish tradition of Lucia. Many Swedish families and

communities celebrate St. Lucia day with a breakfast served by the oldest daughter in the family or someone chosen to wear the

Lucia crown of lighted candles. Zion invites all to a light supper of soups, breads, cheeses, and lots of Scandinavian

specialties: fruit soup, rice pudding with lingonberries, rosettes, kringle, krumkake, almond cake, lefse, and

cardamom cookies.

Zion's 2013 St. Lucia supper will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 6:00-7:30pm. Following the

meal you'll be treated to a brief program of music, scripture, and Scandinavian traditions. Guest speaker this

year is Jess Schmidt. During her sophomore year at Gustavus Adolphus College, Jess was chosen to be in the St. Lucia court during Gustavus’ annual Lucia celebration in December.

Zion is also thrilled this year to have the Svenskarnas Dag Girls Choir from the American Swedish Institute as guest musicians for the St. Lucia supper, providing music that celebrates Swedish heritage. They will be touring Sweden in the summer of 2015.

Cost for the St. Lucia supper is $4/person or $15/family. Registration is appreciated for planning. Sign up at the Zion

information desk or online.

Advent Devotionals

Stop by the Zion information desk to pick up an advent devotional for home use. New this seasons is Longing for the Advent Dawn, the advent devotional book created by Luther Seminary. The booklet is written by Pastor Laura Thelander, seminary pastor at Luther Seminary and includes a daily Bible passage and brief reading for the season. Daily email is also available at luthersem.edu/advent.

Are You Expecting?

If you or someone you know at Zion is expecting a baby, please notify Dawn or Ann in the office so that we can keep record of your due date. This will help our staff to connect with you and allow the Birth to Age 3 Ministry Team to know when to have your new Splash newsletter available (see article on page 13). We will also place a birth rose on the altar shortly after the birth of your child once we hear of their arrival. After the new year, plans will be made to start a home-visit team and then this rose will be delivered to your home along with your Baptism Bundle. Thanks for your partnership on this journey!

Connecting With Care

Too Many Olsons

By Howard Burgdorf

Too many Olsons! That’s what Ole Olson thought when he came to America in 1870.

A six week ocean voyage with five young children, two of his own and three of his brother’s, must have been trying for Ole, the young widower. When in America, Ole Olson took the name Walden for his family name. Ole Walden had a son named Gilbert and soon Gilbert had a son named Ancil, the Ancil Walden we know.

Gilbert Walden’s first home was what is now part of Wild Marsh golf course. He farmed in the

summer and worked in logging camps in northern Minnesota during the winter. In 1922 Gilbert built his homestead and barn along the road we now call State Highway 25.

It was in this house that Ancil was born and baptized. (Ancil can’t recall if the

(Ancil Walden continued on page 15)

December Suppers

There’s a tasty meal waiting for you

every Wednesday from 5:00-6:15 in the

Fellowship Hall for a suggested

donation of $4 per plate/$15/family.

The best deal in town!

December 4: Sloppy Joes

December 11: Soup/Chili & Hot Dog

December 18: Baked Potatoes

December 25: No Supper

Births

September 30

Brynn Mae Brager, daughter of Jason

Brager & Kim Bebus

October 24

Bria Marie Breuer, daughter of Brandi

& Joe Breuer

Baptisms

October 27

Blake Allan Barnes

Brynlee Suzanne Piram

November 10

Laura Ann-Marie Eggen

Lucy Rose Eggen

Samuel Jule Eggen

Lila Cecilia Stueven

Funerals

October 28

Elmo Amundson

November 10

Gladys Kowalke

in relationships and supported in need. 3

Senior Appreciation Dinner

Zion staff will host a Christmas Dinner for Zionaires, volunteers, and homebound members on Thursday, December 19. There will be a worship service with communion at 11am, followed by dinner and entertainment provided by the church staff. The staff appreciates the many hours of work so many of you give to Zion once your "day job" has finished and retirement has come.

Please make your reservation by December 16 by calling the church office at 763.682.1245. Rides are available.

Land of Lakes Choirboys Concert

The Land of Lakes Choirboys perform “Celebrating the Season” at Zion on Friday, December 20 at 7:00pm. The concert will feature choirs of all ages from the youngest members of the Prep Choir to the Men's Chorus.

Listeners will hear pieces from the five choirs that make up the organization: Prep Choir, Training Choir, Voyager Choir, Concert Choir including Zion members Sam Anderson from Montrose and Josh Otten from Buffalo, and a Men's Chorus for youth and adults. In addition to fine singing, the Land of Lakes Choirboys organization, led by artistic director Aaron Carpenter, strives for a high quality music education program that empowers boys to develop musical ability, individual character, and leadership skills. A reception follows the concert. No advance tickets are needed for the concert. Free will donations (suggested donation $10/person) will be appreciated to cover travel costs for the choirs. Invite friends and family to enjoy a Sunday afternoon of wonderful music. Find more information at lolcb.org.

Creating Sunday morning experiences at Zion that invite, 4

Christmas Bake Sale

When you come to Zion on Sunday,

December 15, you'll be greeted by many

of your favorite holiday cookies, sweets

and treats.

The Women's Ministry team is

sponsoring a bake sale throughout the

morning that day, beginning at 9:30am.

You'll find your favorite cookies and

Scandinavian treats for purchase:

snickerdoodles, ginger cookies, Russian

teacakes, peanut butter blossoms,

almond glazed cookies, sugar cookies,

lefse, rosettes, krumkake, and

homemade doughnuts. There will be

additional variety of Christmas treats,

specialty breads, and even gluten free

treats. A special bonus will be fresh

aebleskiver by Linda Engwall for an

on-the-spot treat.

Proceeds from the bake sale will help

fund the January 2014 women’s retreat

and women’s ministry at Zion.

Advent Readers

Advent is a time for counting down the

weeks and days until Jesus' coming. You

can help the entire worshiping

community at Zion with that time

keeping. Each Sunday worship

on December 1, 8, 15, and 22 will

include an advent reading and the

lighting of the candles on the advent

wreath. If you or your family would be

interested in being worship leaders for

reading and candle lighting on any of

those weeks, contact Sherilyn

at 763.682.1245 ext. 307 or

[email protected]. Choose the

worship service that best fits your

family: 8:30, 9:45 or 10:30. The

readings are

prepared in

advance so that

you can practice

at home.

Zion Wind Ensemble Forming

Here’s your chance to play in the second annual Christmas Wind Ensemble, open to any high school, alumni, college, and adult band musicians. We’re hoping for 25+ people!

There are two rehearsals under the baton of the famous “Kjes” (Lee Kjesbo) before the group plays on December 22 at Zion’s 8:30am and Family Express (9:45) worship services. Rehearsals are on Wednesday, December 18 at 5:30pm and Saturday, December 21 at 9am. Bring your instrument and a music stand if possible. Music is provided at the rehearsal, but if you’d like music before the first rehearsal, contact Sherilyn.

Ready to play? Let us know by contacting Sherilyn and we’ll keep a spot open for you. Invite other musician friends. Kjes is ready!

New Look Communion Cards

Attentive worshippers will notice that communion cards in the pews have been updated. Members and regular attenders are asked to complete a communion card each time they come to the table and it is hoped that the new design will

make it easier to update the records required by our congregational constitution.

Zion’s constitution defines a voting member as a confirmed member who has “communed and made a contribution of record during the current or preceding year.”

Please use one card per family and include the names of all family members communing. Do not include the names of young children who are receiving a blessing rather than communion.

Celebrating on Sundays

Annual Meeting

The Annual Congregational Meeting of Zion Lutheran Church will be held in Trinity Hall on Sunday, December 1, following

the 10:30 service (at approximately 11:30 am).

All voting members are requested to attend.

A voting member is defined as confirmed, communing, and contributing.

Worship Services

8:30am traditional worship in the

sanctuary with nursery available,

Sunday school during the school year.

9:45am Family Express in Trinity Hall.

10:30am contemporary worship in the

sanctuary with nursery available,

Sunday school during the school year.

Christmas Eve 2, 3:30, 5 and 11pm in the sanctuary

Christmas Day 10 AM in the sanctuary

Lectionary

Sunday, December 1 First Sunday of Advent

Matthew 24:36-44

Pastor Ted Preaching

Sunday, December 8 Second Sunday of Advent

Matthew 3:1-2

Sunday School Christmas Program

Sunday, December 15 Third Sunday of Advent

Matthew 11:2-11

Carols Choirs and Celebration

Sunday, December 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Matthew 1:18-21

Pastor Luke Preaching

Tuesday, December 24 Christmas Eve

Luke 2:1-14

Pastor Ted Preaching

Wednesday, December 25 Christmas Day

Luke 2:8-20

Pastor Luke Preaching

Sunday, December 29 First Sunday of Christmas

Matthew 2:13-23

Youth Sunday

Christmas Anticipation

As I write this, the first snow of the year has already melted and the next snowstorm of the season is only in our minds – something we anticipate will happen eventually. Today is still three weeks before Thanksgiving and I saw Christmas lights displayed on one house last night. They are already anticipating all that comes with Christmas in our society. I’ve noticed Christmas displays going up in some of the stores. The retailers are also anticipating Christmas.

Before too long our Christmas wish lists will be taking shape – anticipation. All who are reading this will be thinking about what kinds of gifts we will purchase for our friends and loved ones – anticipation. At church our Christmas season worship schedule was set months ago and we have added an additional service this year – anticipation. The music for those services is being planned – anticipation. Most all of us will very soon be finalizing our plans for family Christmas celebrations – anticipation.

Before Christ was born, the people of Israel were full of anticipation – they hoped for a Messiah. First enslaved while in the land of Egypt and then conquered by the Babylonians, leading up to the birth of Christ they were ruled by the Romans. They longed to be free. They anticipated a Messiah who would lead them to freedom.

Christmas is very much about anticipation. We anticipate, but we also realize the hope of that anticipation. Along with all of the things I’ve already mentioned, Christmas is about the anticipation of Christ being born anew in our lives. We have a Messiah who longs to set us free today. Jesus comes to set us free from all those things that enslave us, sins of all kinds. Jesus comes to set us free from our preoccupation with ourselves. Jesus comes to set us free from jealousy and envy, lust and arrogance, self hate and the residue of abuse. Jesus comes to set us free from anger and resentment, manipulating others, deceit, guilt and grief. Christmas is about this Messiah, being born anew in our life.

Come and worship this Christmas. Come and hear the good news of the Messiah who comes for you and those you love.

welcome, engage and inspire people to live for Christ. 5

Active Military

Trey Wilson

Stationed in Norfolk, VA

Bradley Johnson

Stationed at Ft Drum, NY

Vinnie Pecarina

Leaves for Japan in December

Cory Nyholm

Stationed in Monterey, CA

Christopher Paulsen

Stationed in Norfolk, VA

Cody Bauman

Deployed to Afghanistan

Ben Pecarina

Stationed overseas

Doug Pecarina

Serving in the Army National Guard

Alex Euerle

Stationed in California

Kevin Osfar

Stationed in Japan

Will Dobbins

Deployed on the USS Peleliu

Greg Bremseth

Stationed at Ft Bliss, TX

Deanna Strommen

Stationed in Washington, DC

Fred Pierce

Stationed in Miramar, CA

Sunday Welcome Crews

How can you help make Zion a welcoming

and friendly place on Sunday mornings?

Sunday Welcome Crews are currently

being constructed … one for each Sunday

of the month, which will be lead by two

households, include 10-12 more

households, and be on duty one Sunday a

month to assure that Zion is a welcoming

place.

If you are interested in serving on a

Sunday Welcome Crew, contact Pastor

Luke, Sherilyn Burgdorf or Wes and

Mary Mahlberg.

For the answers to your important

questions about Welcome Crews, check

out ZionBuffalo.org/Sunday-welcome-

crews.

Living God’s Call

School of Hope Building Projects

Taker or Giver: Where are you in your faith walk? As Pastor Luke pointed out in his sermon on November 3, we should be givers of what God has blessed us with. As the end of the year is fast approaching, consider giving an end of the year donation to Zion’s global mission partners in Zambia.

All Kids Can Learn acts on faith that God's work is being done in Zambia. Projects are started without all of the funding being in place. There is always the trust that God will provide for the needs of the children and the work has never stopped because of lack of funds. Donations always fulfill the needs.

The School of Hope is growing in size. As the students move up each year, more buildings are needed. The need is now for a secondary school for grades 9-12 and more classrooms for the enrollment of new students in the primary grades.

The school will soon be in their new kitchen and dining room (pictured below), hopefully before the rains come. The first building for the secondary school (2 classrooms) has floor and walls up. Work has begun on the foundation for the next primary building (2 classrooms). These new classrooms need to be finished for the start of their new school year in January.

Visit ZionBuffalo.org/akcli for more photos and an update from Benedict & Kathleen Schwartz.

Zion to Zambia Mission Trip

Pastor Ted will be leading a group from Zion in January of 2015. Please prayerfully consider sharing your time and talents with our Mission partners in Zambia. Watch for more informational meetings in the next few months.

Engaging people in a process of discipleship which inspires them 6

Christmas Decorating

Put your creativity to work on Tuesday,

December 3, here at Zion as a decorator

to make the entry area, library, and

fellowship hall festive with Christmas

trees and decorations. Decorations and

trees are already here at Zion. You

provide the creativity. The work and fun

begin at 9am. The coffeepot will be on

and you'll have an enjoyable morning with

the Zion crew.

Questions? Interest? Call Diane Huston

(682.1040) or Lois Monson

(763.412.7310).

Bakers Needed

Are you a baker? Already looking through

your special recipes? Making choices of

holiday favorites?

If you are interested in providing baked

goods for the Women's Ministry bake sale

and/or reception, contact Marian Hille

(952.913.6684), Judy Weis (682.7014),

or sign up at the Information Desk.

Please bring items to Zion by Friday,

December 13.

Treats can be plated in 6 or 12 per

plate or brought to Zion in larger

quantities for packaging in

assortments. Please include the name

of the cookies/treats.

No pricing needed! That will be

covered at Zion.

Consider making cookies, breads,

Scandinavian treats, Christmas

favorites, or any other treats that you

share at Christmas time.

Thank You!

The Social Ministry Committee thanks

those who reached out in our community

to help our neighbors in the month of

November by delivering meals 7 days a

week, 3 routes a day to shut-ins in Buffalo

with the Meals on Wheels program.

Evening Childcare

Evening childcare for parents taking part

in evening activities on Wednesdays opens

at 6pm.

Adopt A Family

Imagine families right here in Buffalo that cannot afford to buy Christmas gifts for their children. Think about the sadness in the eyes of the kids on Christmas Day when there are no gifts under the Christmas tree. How about the sorrow the parents feel when they have disappointed their family?

Now, imagine doing something to help, making Christmas more meaningful and rewarding for you and special for someone else by providing practical Christmas gifts for children in our community of Buffalo and Montrose.

Love INC—Big Woods is partnering with the Rotary Club to again sponsor the Adopt-A-Family project. Zion’s Social Ministry Committee is working with Zion to take on four anonymous families in Buffalo and provide gifts like clothing, pajamas, boots, and mittens for children in the family. There will be a wreath in the Church narthex with tags that will have the gift request. Take one (or more) of the tags from the display in the Narthex on December 1, buy the gift listed (along with wrapping paper so parents can wrap the gifts), and bring it back to Zion unwrapped by Sunday, December 8.

Toys for Tots

The local Toys for Tots campaign sponsored by the Buffalo Rotary is collecting unwrapped toys for children in Buffalo and Montrose area in the collection bin at Zion until December 8.

Coffee From Around the World

Ron & Gloria Siemers moved to Buffalo in 2006. Their son, Ron Jr., and family live in Buffalo, and their daughter, Beck, and family live in Marlborough, MA.

We have four wonderful grandchildren – Aleesha, Kyle, Sam and Tim. They bring joy and love to our world.

Gloria enjoys her work for the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District as an Early Childhood Special Education Support Professional. She also enjoys time with family and friends, long walks with Ron Sr., fitness workouts, sewing, reading, and visiting coffee shops. Her other interests in the community include Love INC, the Buffalo Food Shelf, Buffalo Community Orchestra, and Buffalo Community Theatre.

Ron Jr. and his family moved to Buffalo in 2003 and became members of Zion, so when Ron Sr. and Gloria moved to Buffalo in 2006, Zion already felt like home to them, and they have

(Gloria Siemers continued on page 17)

to trust in Christ, grow in faith, and serve God’s world. 7

September 2013 Financial Report

General Services Fund

Income Oct 2013 YTD 2013 Oct 2012 YTD 2012 General Offering $63,529 $574,269 $53,891 $565,224

Rent and Sunday School 1,620 17,564 2,921 20,451

WedNite Supper Income 1,559 6,702 1,293 6,256

Missions and Hunger 942 15,652 711 11,882

Other Designations 30 77,488 1,320 15,869

Total Income $67,680 $691,674 $60,136 $619,682

Expenses Synod Benevolence $1,000 $10,000 $1,000 $10,000

Other General Services 64,900 625,862 61,307 589,071

Total Expenses $65,900 $635,862 $62,307 $599,071

Checkbook balance as of 10-31-2013: $5,318

A Promising Tomorrow/Building Fund

Income Oct 2013 YTD 2013 Oct 2012 YTD 2012 Offerings and Interest $14,788 $150,935 $16,940 $151,886

Other Receipts 0 0 0 0

Total Income $14,788 $150,935 $16,940 $151,886

Expenses Building Mortgage $15,869 $158,690 $15,869 $158,690

Kairos Consulting 0 0 0 6,000

Bank Service Charge 0 15 15 30

Total Expenses $15,869 $158,705 $15,884 $164,720

Checkbook balance as of 10-31-2013: $16,268

Harvest of Hands

The 35th annual sale was a success! $10,000 was raised during the main sale on November 2, which will be increased by Sunday sales and Silent Auction proceeds (not available at publication). The final total will be published at a later date .

Thank you to all the people that contributed products, supplies, and their time to support the sale. We are always so amazed at all the people that come to support Harvest of Hands. We appreciated all your help and support.

Joy Arens, Harvest of Hands Coordinator

Memorial Gifts Received

Gifts to the Memorial Fund in memory

of John Hoaglund from Ginny Schmidt,

Andy & Char Caltarirone and the Sere

Family, David Grudt, Darlene Loose,

Mark & Karen Bilak, Deanna Preston

& Allan Hummell, K. A. Chalmers,

Joan S. Peterson, George & Sandra

Mohar, Muriel Lindquist, and Judy

Sandeen.

Gift to the Memorial Fund in memory

of Phil Brown from Melvin & Marlys

Gillund.

Throwing Your Money in

the Garbage?

The average American family throws

out around 25% of the food it buys,

according to a 2012 report by the

Natural Resources Defense Council.

This adds up to $1,365 - $2,275 a year

for a family of four.

Check out some tips for reducing food

waste and decide which ones will work

for you.

Don’t Let “Use By” Become “Useless Buy” Don’t throw food out just because it’s at

or near its “use by” date. “Use by” and

“best by” dates indicate when food is

best to eat, not when it’s safe to eat.

They aren’t created by any regulatory

agency, says the Natural Resources

Defense Council (there are a couple of

important exceptions, like baby

formula). You often can tell if it’s still

good on your own.

Keep Perishables Alive Store your food the way you found it in

the grocery store. Generally, if it’s

refrigerated at the grocery store, it

should be refrigerated in your home.

Be a Leftover Legend Get creative and make new dishes out of

leftover ingredients. Think of it as an

opportunity to break out of your recipe

rut. Check out www.bigoven.com/

recipes/leftover. Just select the leftovers

(Sponsor List continued on page 9)

ZionBuffalo.org/Give 8

Finance & Stewardship

Office Phone Upgrade

If you are a congregation member with

expertise in office phone systems and

would be interested in advising staff on

options for a potential system upgrade,

please contact the church office.

Typhoon Response

One of the most powerful storms ever

recorded, Super Typhoon Haiyan, crashed

across the central islands of the

Philippines. With winds of over 200 miles

per hour and torrential rains, it has forced

millions of people to flee their homes.

Loss of lives and massive destruction has

been confirmed.

Lutheran Disaster Response is responding

in areas affected by the typhoon, and will

continue to work with long-term recovery

efforts.

Please give today. Your gift, designated

for “Pacific Typhoon Response,” will be

used entirely – 100 percent – in response

to this disaster. You can give online

directly to ELCA Disaster Response or by

check (payable to Zion, in a yellow pew

envelope marked Pacific Typhoons).

Learn more about Lutheran Disaster

Response and the Pacific Typhoon at

ELCA.org.

9

What is Financial Peace University?

Finanical Peace University teaches God’s ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions, and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you want to be with money.

Classes will begin at Zion in January, meeting for 1 ½ hours each week for nine weeks. Look for sign up information, previews and specific dates online and at the information desk in December.

About the Memorial Fund

Zion’s Memorial Fund is a way for people to make specific gifts, usually in memory or honor of someone, to the church or one of the currently pursued memorial fund projects. Such generosity preserves the memory of past loved ones and honors those among us still.

Gifts to the Memorial Fund are used in total for the cause to which they were designated, and typically are used for a specific purchase of a tangible asset.

Undesignated gifts made in memory or honor of someone are also welcome, allowing the Memorial Fund Committee to decide how the gifts will be best used.

Active Memorial Gift Opportunities:

New digital highway sign. Plans are all ready and approved by the city for a beautiful architectural sign that enhances the current space and makes use of a large programmable LED sign so we can best keep the community informed of all the happenings at Zion.

New carpeting in the sanctuary. The original carpet and pew cushions are from 1989 when the sanctuary was built and are ready to be replaced. This would refresh the sanctuary and make the whole space seem new again.

Undesignated funds (used for the greatest current need or special church needs).

you have and you’ll get recipe ideas in

return.

For example, we were curious with

Thanksgiving leftovers. We selected

Turkey, Potatoes, Cranberries and

received 48 recipes!

Reprinted with permission of Thrivent

Financial from the Summer 2013 issue of

Thrivent Magazine. If you would like

information about Thrivent Financial and

the products and services, please call

Mark Worner at 682.6011.

(Continued from page 8)

Thursday December 5

8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible

Study

9:00am Christmas Decorating-Back Up

9:30am Men Seeking Wisdom

Breakfast

4:00pm Christmas Program Rehearsal

Friday December 6

6:00am Friday Breakfast Crew

Saturday December 7

9:00am Christmas Program Rehearsal

9:00am Prayer Sister Tea

Sunday December 8

Sunday School Christmas Program

7:00am Cinnamon Rolls

8:30am Traditional Worship Service

8:30 am Sunday School

9:30am Coffee Fellowship

9:45am Family Express Worship

10:30am Contemporary Worship Service

10:30am Sunday School


12:00pm Baptism Class

Monday December 9

8:30am Men's Bible Study

8:30am Quilters

9:00am Women's Ministry Planning

Committee Meeting

4:00pm Adopt A Family - Gift

Collection

6:15pm First Sunday Rehearsal

7:00pm Zion Book Club

Tuesday December 10

8:00am Saint Lucia Supper - Set up

9:00am Harvest of Hands Crafts

9:30am Staff Meeting


Collection

6:00pm Outreach Committee

6:00pm Saint Lucia Supper

7:00pm Finance Committee Meeting

7:30pm Jubilee Rehearsal

Wednesday December 11

9:30am Women's Bible Study

2:45pm Class Ring

3:45pm Ring Forth

3:45pm SONshine Choir

3:45pm Kids Place

4:45pm Joy Choir

5:00pm Wednesday Night Supper

5:15pm Youth Choir

6:00pm Confirmation

6:30pm Joyful Ringers

7:00pm Property Committee Meeting

7:00pm Senior Choir

7:30pm Graceland Senior High Youth

Group

7:30pm Branding Task Force Meeting

Thursday December 12


Study

9:00am Women's Ministry Baking

4:00pm Adopt a Family Gift

Distribution

Friday December 13



Distribution

ZionBuffalo.org/Calendar 10

Sunday December 1

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









11:45am Annual Meeting

12:00pm Sanctuary Christmas Tree

Setup

Monday December 2


8:30am Quilters



7:00pm Mission Jamaica team meeting

Tuesday December 3

9:00am Christmas Decorating





7:00am 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


7:00pm Prayer Shawl Meeting

7:00pm Senior Choir


Group

December 2013

Saturday December 14


Sunday December 15

Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:30


8:30am Choirs, Carols and Celebration

Worship Service




10:30am Choirs, Carols and Celebration

Worship Service



11:30am TIM Team

Monday December 16


8:30am Quilters

9:00am Kitchen Cleaning


Tuesday December 17


9:30am Naomi Circle

5:30pm Stewardship Meeting


7:00pm Vision Team Meeting


7:00am Men's 50+ Bible Study

9:00am Newsletter Assembly


2:45pm Class Ring

3:45pm Ring Forth


3:45pm Kids Place

4:45pm Joy Choir


5:15pm Youth Choir

5:45pm Worship & Music Committee

Meeting

6:00pm Confirmation


7:00pm Prayer Shawl Meeting

7:00pm Senior Choir

7:00pm Church Council Meeting


Group



Study

9:00am Appreciation Dinner Set-up

12:00pm Senior Appreciation Dinner

6:30pm Youth Board Meeting

7:00pm Rebecca Circle

Friday December 20

7:00pm Friday Night Fun Night

7:00pm Land Of Lakes Choirboys

Concert


Sunday December 22

Sanctuary Sunday






Monday December 23


Quilters


Tuesday December 24

Christmas Eve

Zion Office Closes at Noon

2:00pm Christmas Eve Worship Service



10:30pm Christmas Eve Choir Rehearsal



Christmas Day

10:00am Christmas Day Worship Service



Study

Friday December 27


Sunday December 29

No Sunday School

Youth Sunday






Monday December 30


8:30am Quilters


Tuesday December 31

Year-End Offering by 10am

12:00pm Zion Office Closes at Noon

11

Director of Youth Ministries

Myron Crawford

763-682-1245 ext. 308

[email protected]

Engage. Grow. Proclaim.

Zion Youth Ministries exists to

engage youth, help them grow

and proclaim faith in Christ.

Friday Breakfast Crew

Senior High Students - Come out to

Perkins on Friday, Dec 6 at 6am to

check-in while having a good meal and

great conversation. Friends are always

welcome!

Bring money for food and a tip for our

great servers.

Confirmation Schedule

Don’t forget your Bibles and Small

Catechism each week.

Dec 4: Exploring Article One

Dec 11: Exploring Article Two

Dec 18: Exploring Article Three

Dec 25: NO CLASS

Graceland Schedule

Zion’s Senior High Youth Group meets

Wednesday nights from 7:30-9pm in

the youth room.

December 4: Connecting

December 11: The Ref

December 18: Growing

December 25: NO Graceland

ZionBuffalo.org/youth

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.

ZionBuffalo.org/Youth 12

The True Christmas Tree

"And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew

Golgotha: Where they crucified him, ..."

John 19:17,18

Each year, in December, families across our country gather together to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. One of the most visible symbols of this holiday season is the Christmas tree. This evergreen tree is placed in a position of prominence in our homes and decorated with lights and ornaments as a part of the festive nature of the Christmas season.

However, this tree is a far cry from the original "Christmas Tree." The first Christmas tree was not a beautiful evergreen found in some quiet spot in the woods. Rather, it was a piece of rough-hewn wood with no natural beauty whatsoever. Its sole purpose was to bring misery and pain and eventually death, and its only beauty was in the purpose for which God was using it.

Instead of being decorated with lights and ornaments, upon the two limbs of this tree hung the Light of the World. His body beaten and bruised by the Roman soldiers responsible for his punishment. Beneath this tree there was no skirt of soft white cloth representing snow. No, the ground beneath this tree was stained crimson red by the blood being shed for the remission of the sins of the world.

Whereas we stand around the tree and sing Christmas carols, those standing around this tree were hurling insults and blasphemies. The Bible says they mocked him, and said "If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross" (Matt 27:40). Even those who were being crucified with him showed him no mercy.

Today we place gifts under our Christmas tree, but tradition has it that in the past small gifts were tied to the branches of the tree for children to search for and find. This is the only similarity between our Christmas tree and the true Christmas tree. The greatest gift of all time was "tied" to the branches of the tree on Golgotha. There, Jesus died for our sins that we might be able to be reunited with him for all eternity. This gift was freely given, and unlike the gifts we give one another, this gift is still active and available today.

As you look at your Christmas tree this year, don't let your gaze stop at the lights and decorations, look "through" it to the true Christmas tree.

Friday Night Fun Night

O Come, O Come, All Ye 6th-8th Graders to Friday Night Fun Night, on Friday, December 20, from 7-9pm.

Break out your ugly Christmas sweater and bring a friend to celebrate the season with a snowman building contest, holiday relays, cookie decorating, caroling and more!

Youth & Children’s Ministry

Over the past six months, conversation has begun about how to enhance the ministry that is taking place with our birth to three-year-olds at Zion. I have met with Nancy Dehmer, who has graciously agreed to take a leadership role with this initiative, and we are working to form a ministry team for this area.

We are currently looking for individuals who are passionate about building a strong foundation in our littlest ones who would be willing to be a part of this important team. Under the leadership of Karen Olson, we also received a gracious grant from the Foundation to purchase a parenting newsletter for new babies and their families called Splash. This newsletter is put out by Augsburg Fortress and is a monthly pamphlet of little snippets and age-appropriate ideas for families to practice faith in their home.

Please keep this new ministry in your prayers and let myself or Nancy Dehmer know if you would be interested in being a part of the Birth to Age 3 Ministry Team or be involved in any other facet.

Thanks for your partnership in ministry,

Director of Children & Family Ministry

Kirsten Kelly

763-682-1245 x331

[email protected]

Children & Family Ministry Assistants

Marsha Watkins

Karen Olson

Jason Prigge

763-682-1245 x308

[email protected]

[email protected]

ZionBuffalo.org/Children 13

Sunday School Calendar

December 1 - A Child Called Immanuel

December 8 - Angels Visit (Christmas

Program at 8:30 and 10:30)

December 15 - Jesus is Born

December 22 - Sanctuary Sunday

December 29 - No Sunday School

Remember!

Kids' Place and bells/choirs will have a

field trip to Park View Car Center

on Wednesday, December 18. Details will

be sent to parents via email.

Christmas Program

The Sunday School Christmas Program,

Chimes in the Night, will be presented

in 8:30 and 10:30 worship on Sunday,

December 8. Preschool children will be

singing There Was a Little Baby in the

start of the program and all kids grades

K-6 will be singing the final song,

Christmastime. Lyrics have been sent

home with children and another link will

be sent home via email to practice the

songs.

December rehearsals for the cast will take

place on December 2-5 from 4-5:30, with

a parent performance on December 5 at

5pm, and a cast pizza party to follow.

Ministering with Music

Pam and Paul Freer both grew up in Wadena, MN. They were married and moved to Buffalo 22 years ago, just before the Halloween Blizzard of '91. They have three children: Jesse and his wife Paula have two sons, Liam (3) and Brady (6 weeks), Delaney is a junior at NDSU, and Ethan is a freshman at St. John's University.

Pam loves kids and music, and is a collector of silly songs. She also enjoys gardening and reading and says her house is overflowing with books.

Music brings so much joy. It makes housework go quicker, gardening more enjoyable and long car rides more tolerable. It makes people smile. It even makes some people dance.

Pam is a substitute elementary teacher in the Buffalo School District, teaches Musical Maestros and Jammin' Gym Jamboree for Rockford Early Childhood Education, and teaches a summer

(Pam Freer continued on page 16)

Winter Reading Suggestions

The Zion Book Club will not meet in

January, February, or March, and

suggests these titles: Alice Munro short

stories, A Thousand Splendid Suns and

And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled

Hosseini, An Hour Before Daylight by

Jimmy Carter, Copper Sun by Sharon

Draper, One Hundred of Years of Solitude

by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, A Tree Grows

in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, Count of

Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, At

Home in Mitford and others in series by

Jan Karon, American Gods by Neil

Gaiman, Orphan Master's Son by Adam

Johnson, Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde by

Robert Louis Stevenson, and Anne George

books.

/ZionBuffalo

14

Where’d You Go Bernadette

The Zion Book Club selection for December is Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. The group will meet on Monday, December 9, at 7pm in the Library.

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she’s a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she’s a disgrace; to design mavens, she’s a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.

Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette’s intensifying allergy to Seattle–and people in general–has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.

To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence–creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter’s role in an absurd world.

From Amazon.com

The Zion Book Club is a low pressure book club. Simply come for discussion with no preparation; participants are not obligated to agree on (or even finish) the books. Come when you have interest and time, so that the book club will enrich your life and not become another stress or obligation.

Redeemer’s Alyssa Hanson

By Alyssa Hanson

Hello! I am Alyssa Hanson and I am President of the Redeemer Lutheran Church Council. I grew up in Minneapolis and am a graduate of Augsburg College. During the week I teach math at Minneapolis North High School, about a mile from Redeemer. My daughter, Naomi, and I came to Redeemer by word of mouth about three years ago and we both knew it was home from our first visit.

Redeemer is important to me because it feeds my soul. Redeemer is a place where I feel I belong. I feel a connection to the members of the church as well as a connection to the Harrison neighborhood. My daughter loves that she is given opportunities to be a young leader in church.

I believe Redeemer is important to the community because it truly is a beacon of hope for the Harrison community and for North Minneapolis as a whole. Young people from the neighborhood participate in our After School Program and learn business and bike-repair skills at Venture North Bike Shop. Young leaders from seminaries and colleges live in Redeemer housing and work with neighborhood youth. Redeemer provides a place where everyone can grow and learn of God's great love. The doors at Redeemer are always open and all are welcome!

http://www.zionbuffalo.org/groups/book/

Biweekly Email Option

In addition to the monthly newsletter and

ministry specific emails, a bi-weekly

update is now available which includes

information on a variety of events and

opportunities within the next two weeks.

Many households started receiving these

biweekly updates in May, and others can

sign up at ZionBuffalo.org/subscribe.

Let Us Know

Address, Phone & Email Corrections

If you have had any changes to your

address, phone number, marital status,

etc. please contact the office with your

name, phone number and the changes that

need to be made in our database.

If You Are Ill

Hospitals no longer notify churches when

their members are admitted for care. Let

us know so we can support you with

prayer and presence.

Prayer Requests

Please use a yellow pew card, post on the

Prayer Wall of our online community, or

contact the office with your prayer

requests.

763.682.1245

TableProject.ZionBuffalo.org

15

pastor baptized him in Swedish or Norwegian.) It was in this house, just 1 ½ miles south of the present Zion church, that Ancil and his sister, Marian, lived all of their lives. Marian died in 2005, thus making Ancil the only living member who can trace his history through Marysville church, the two town churches, the country church (site of the Zion cemetery) and the present Zion church.

As a small child Ancil remembers his father storing the model T in the barn and the family using a sleigh to go to church in the winter. One snowy, blowy night as the horses, Baldy and Charlie, pulled the sleigh up a hill, Baldy and Charlie decided the snow was too deep, the wind was blowing too much, and they turned around and headed back to the barn. That was the end of church that night. Over the years, Ancil was an usher and Marian was the church financial secretary. Often the offering was taken home where Ancil and Marian counted it.

Ancil remembers 1934 – 1936 for being the driest years. He remembers a day in 1936 that the temperature reached 106. Electricity came to their house in 1928 and in 1935 the Walden farm was able to get a Minneapolis radio station – WCCO! In 1931 what is now County Road 25 was being “improved” using a wagon and two mules. One time in the 40s, there was a fire in the Catlin Hospital, which was above what is now J’s restaurant. Patients were taken out of the windows and carried across the roof to the building next door. In the 50s, a Soo Line train derailed in front of the depot. A car with a load of telephone poles crashed through the depot starting a fire, killing one man.

Graves were dug by hand by Zion member John Moody. Moody also played the organ and rang the bell. Zion cemetery has many unmarked graves. Money was in short supply and babies often died.

For 40 years, Ancil recorded the daily moisture for Wright County and once a month he sent the record to the DNR in St Paul. In the 60s, Ancil went from farming to raising chickens. He built a 160 foot chicken house and raised 6000-7000 chickens. Trucks picked up eggs every week and Ancil delivered some to nearby towns.

There isn’t another living Zion member whose 90-year membership spans the history of Zion from Marysville, the town church, the country church and our Zion. Ancil is still present every Sunday thanks to Roger Hessedal. As I left him, I could hear him softly say, “Ain’t nobody comes anymore. I haven’t seen anybody in a long time.”

Sadly, we neglect too many lonely elderly seniors. Their useful days are over and we put them out to pasture. Please be aware of our elderly brother sand sisters and visit them more often.

Confirmation Class of 1938: (back) Vernon Torrison, Wilfred Johnson, Oscar Anderson, Doris Johnson, Robert Anderson,

Ancil Walden, Keith Wright, (front) Vernon Fadden, Ruth Hultgren, Rev. Callerstrom, Shirley Ledin, Eugene Munson.

(Ancil Walden continued from page 3)

Over the years,

Ancil was an

usher and Marian

was the church

financial

secretary.

Brittany Beneke

Brittany Beneke has been a

member of Zion since she was

little. She is a single parent

with two sons, Riley (7), and

Wesley (2½). Her mom and

step-dad (Cheryl & Tim

Bohnen), dad (David Beneke),

and siblings are also members

of Zion.

Brittany works as a pre-school

teacher at New Horizon

Academy in St.Michael.

I work in the youngest

preschool room, I love helping to teach

children new things every day and see

how they grow. Knowing that I help

children learn and grow every day,

makes my day every day.

Brittany also enjoys swimming, going to

the beach, and taking her boys to water

parks or the mall.

Brittany began volunteering in Sunday

School and Vacation Bible School about

nine years ago because she saw how much

kids enjoyed them, and she wanted to help

make church an enjoyable place for them

and to teach kids about God.

I think that kids should know about the

Bible and God, and how things

happened. The kids in Sunday School

love coming each week to learn new

things and grow each week.

Riley loves that I am his Sunday school

teacher and that he can share his

experience with me. As Riley says “I

love the time we get at church

together.”

Each year she is surprised at the number

of new students in Sunday school. She

most enjoys seeing each child each week

and what they learn.

Having fun with the music and the

lessons is a great way to show the kids

what you know in a fun way. When they

move to another grade, I see how big

the children have gotten and how much

they learned each year and know I

helped them.

Brittany also helps with coffee fellowship,

serves communion, and is assistant leader

for Riley’s Cub Scout pack 358.

I try to do as much as I can for Zion

and with the Cub Scouts as well.

16

class called Camp Rock where students make music videos of songs like "The Lady With the Alligator Purse."

The kids love it when I teach their class because I bring my guitar. I taught myself how to play the piano and guitar. I learned how to read music in band (thanks Mr. Lindlief).

Her biggest involvement at Zion has been with music. In 1996 when Pam joined Zion, she began directing the SONshine choir, and later the Joy Choir. Many young adults will remember being part of a Joy Choir spring musical like Oh Jonah, Technicolor Promise, Rock Slinger and His Greatest Hit, Rescue in

the Night, or Malice in the Palace. Pam continued working with the Joy Choir for ten years, and retired when Delaney and Ethan were too old to participate.

Pam has also served at Zion as a Sunday school and VBS music leader, confirmation guide, Meals on Wheels volunteer, as a member of the Joyful Ringers, and as a member of Pastor Luke’s Call Committee. She currently serves on the Pasta team, the Worship and Music Committee and coordinates the First Sunday Praise and Worship Team.

It has been very rewarding to sing, pray and be friends with the wonderful people in our group. Our notes might not always be spot on but we all have good hearts.

When Pam entered the unknown realm of the empty nester, she considered volunteering to lead Sunday school music again, and ended up coming out of retirement to direct the Christmas program.

You can thank or chastise Karen Olson after December 8. I think she was the little birdie who whispered my name in Kirsten's ear. The musical is called "Chimes in the Night." There is no Grinch or Scrooge - no Darth Vader (maybe next year) but it is a very sweet story with a wonderful message that I think everyone will enjoy.

Pam reminds us that most Christian praise and worship music is based on verses from the Bible. For example, there is a song by Lincoln Brewster with the words of Luke 10:27, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength."

I am so passionate about music here at church because it is one thing that will stick with you forever. Maybe a song comes on the radio that you haven't heard since elementary school but you still remember the words. You may have heard of studies of Alzheimer's patients who don't know their own names but can sing songs from their childhood. When Pastor Luke was preaching about Zacchaeus how many of you were singing to yourselves "Zacchaeus was a wee little man…?" Which also reminds us, things are easier to memorize when set to music. None of us will forget the story of Zacchaeus because everything we need to know about him is in that song.

(Pam Freer continued from page 13)

(Pam Freer continued on page 17)

I am so passionate

about music here at

church because it is

one thing that will

stick with you

forever.

Our Mission... Zion seeks to

Share Christ’s Word,

Strengthen faith, and

Serve those in need.

Our Vision… Helping people experience the joy of

life in Christ by:

1. Celebrating on Sundays:

Creating Sunday morning experiences that invite, welcome, engage and inspire people to live for Christ.

2. Living God’s Call:

Engaging people in a process of discipleship which inspires them to

trust in Christ, grow in faith, and serve God’s world.

3. Connecting with Care:

Creating a community where people are connected in relationships and

supported in need.

17

Pam says music is therapeutic and can help some through the rough patches of life.

My favorite bible verse, Isaiah 41:10, has been set to music by Jana Alayra in a beautiful children's song. Whenever I have friends with kids who are suffering from anxiety I give them a copy of that song. "Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be afraid for I am your God." How reassuring for them to hear that. And if they sing it over and over they won't forget it.

Pam's hope for both the kids and adults at Zion is that the lyrics of the songs they learn at church sink deep in their brains and the message of God's love and grace sinks deep in their hearts.

It doesn't get any more rewarding than that.

(Pam Freer continued from page 16)

found it to be a wonderful choice for their church home. Gloria’s interests at Zion include Bible studies, small groups, and social ministries.

When Zion’s Global Mission Committee started selling coffee two years ago Gloria decided to give it a try.

I enjoy coffee from around the world.

The LWR Coffee Project is a partnership between Lutheran World Relief and Equal Exchange. Lutherans can enjoy delicious fairly traded products while supporting small-scale farmers across the world.

Gloria learned the value of co-operatives as a young farm wife, and says that the LWR Coffee Project is an important ministry at Zion because it is a way to reach out and share God’s love worldwide.

For each pound of fairly traded coffee, tea, and foods Lutherans purchase through the LWR Coffee Project, 20 cents per pound goes to LWR's Small Farmer Fund, supporting three cooperatives in Kenya through farmer training and agricultural development. Projects include planting new trees and improving processing equipment and storage facilities, which creates a stronger union between coffee growers.

Fair Trade gave me a chance to support our neighbors in Christ. It is a joy to help people achieve their dreams and goals.

Gloria enjoys all the varieties she has tried and has trouble picking a favorite, but Lew Hille, who coordinates the project at Zion, says she often buys French Roast. She misses it when it is not available over the summer.

Stop – look, they have other products – teas, hot chocolate – read the labels. They have a story to tell.

(Gloria Siemers continued from page 7)

It is a joy to

help people

achieve their

dreams and

goals.

The Voice

A monthly publication of Zion Lutheran Church

Upcoming Deadlines

December 4 at 8am for January Issue

January 13 at 8am for February Issue

Editor: Angela Bengtson

[email protected]

This Month’s Cover

The Gifts of Advent

Contact Us

[email protected]

www.ZionBuffalo.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-

4:30pm (closes at noon summer Fridays)

Ph 763.682.1245 / Fax 763.684.1967

1200 Highway 25 South, Buffalo (across

from 13th St S.)

PO Box 88, Buffalo, MN 55313

18

Zion Staff

Ted Vanderpan: Senior Pastor

ext. 304 | [email protected]

Luke Schmidt: Pastor of Congregational Life


Sherilyn Burgdorf: Shared Ministry Director


Kirsten Kelly: Director of Children & Family


Marsha Watkins: Interim CFM Assistant


Karen Olson: Interim CFM Assistant


Jason Prigge: Interim CFM Assistant

Myron Crawford: Director of Youth Ministries


Jim Onstad: Youth Staff

Dawn Bestick: Office Administrator / Receptionist


Ann Lyons: Office Administrator / Receptionist


Angela Bengtson: Communications & Membership


Sue Stensrud: Financial Secretary


Ryan Bjokne: Facilities & Grounds Manager


Missy Peterson & Angie Smith: Nursery Staff

Aimee Bogren & Kathleen Schlink: Kids’ Place Staff

Michael Walsh: Coordinator of Music

Bob Strommen: Sound System Coordinator

Jay Comstock: Video Technician

Congregational Council

Bill Deneen

Mike Davis

Kelly Hanson

Alisa Ireland

Deana Jeske

Sarah Klett

Beverly Koopman

Tom Moline

Mike Newman

Harley Pommier

Wanda Weber

Kristin Wilson

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

St. Lucia Supper 2

Ancil Walden 3

Senior Appreciation 3

Annual Meeting 4

Christmas Anticipation 5

School of Hope 6

Gloria Siemers 7

Financial Peace University 9

Birth to 3 Faith Formation 13

Pam Freer 13

Brittany Beneke 16

Decem

ber 2

01

3

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ZionBuffalo.org

Christmas Eve 2:00 pm 3:30 pm 5:00 pm 11:00 pm

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December 2013 Newsletter

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