January 2014 Newsletter

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH • BUFFALO, MN JANUARY 2014

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

Winter New Member

Orientation

The next New Member Orientation will

be held after lunch on Sunday, January

26. This orientation to membership

provides an introduction to Zion

ministries and staff, an opportunity to

meet others at Zion, and a little about

what it means to be Lutheran. Those

that decide to become members will be

formally received into our congregation

on Sunday, February 2.

The orientation will include:

Lunch for you and your family with

the staff and Outreach Committee

at 11:45am.

Meeting begins after lunch and will

end around 1:45pm.

Child care and activities for

children will be available after the

meal if requested in advance.

Plenty of informal conversation

with staff, existing members, and

other prospective new members.

An overview of a wide variety of

Zion programs and ministries.

Zion Pastors briefly introduce what

it means to be Lutheran.

Your photo will be taken for the

reception on February 2 (or you

may email your own photo

[email protected] in

advance).

Sign up at ZionBuffalo.org/membership

or at the information desk.

Friendly Church Forum

Everyone likes to think that their church is welcoming and friendly, but what can you do to help make Zion a welcoming and friendly place to those who are new to Zion?

On Sunday, January 12, join the Outreach and Evangelism committee for treats, juice, and coffee after 8:30 worship or before 10:30 worship, while they share their vision for nurturing a welcoming culture at Zion and give you some ideas for making an impact.

Meet at 9:30am in the library.

Signing up here or at the Information Desk is appreciated to help the committee plan for food.

Time for Family Ring

A Musical Resolution for 2014

Musical friends, family members...people who say “I’ve always wanted to try playing bells…” are all invited to join the Family Ring bell choir. The music is manageable to any music reader (Grade 4-adult). If needed, your notes can be circled to make music reading easier. Parents and children are welcome to come together but having another family member in the group is not a necessity.

This is not limited to people already in a bell choir, but all bell folks are welcome!

Family Ring will ring at 8:30 and 9:45 worship on January 5.

Rehearsals

Plan to attend at least two:

Sunday, December 29, 9:30-10:30am (Bell Room)

Saturday, January 4 9:30am (Sanctuary)

Sunday, January 5, 7:50am (Sanctuary)

Sign up is necessary to assign parts! Talk to Jason Chalupnik or Sherilyn Burgdorf or contact 682-1245 ext. 307; [email protected].

Celebrating on Sundays

The church season of Epiphany begins on January 6 each year. The name comes from the Greek word epiphaneia, meaning “to appear, to show or to manifest.” The ending date of the Epiphany season is determined by Ash Wednesday, which is determined by the date of Easter.

Traditionally, Epiphany Day marks the arrival of the Magi, or wise men, to worship the infant Jesus. The significance of Epiphany for Christians is that it symbolizes the first recognition of Christ by Gentiles, or non-Jews.

The season of Epiphany emphasizes the divine nature of Jesus, the light of the world. Symbols for the season include light, a star and the color green, which represents life, growth, hope and eternity.

Creating Sunday morning experiences at Zion that invite, 2

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.

Lectionary

Sunday, January 5 Second Sunday after Christmas

John 1:1-9, 10-18

Pastor Ted Preaching

Sunday, January 12 Baptism of the Lord

Matthew 3:13-17


Sunday, January 19 Second Sunday after Epiphany

John 1:29-42

Pastor Luke Preaching

Sunday, January 26 22 Third Sunday after Epiphany

Matthew 4:12-23


Sunday Announcements

The relationships of our members with

one another bring a richness to our lives

and we want to foster these

relationships. If you would like your

church family to be aware of any

special celebrations in your life or the

lives of your loved ones, please let the

church office know by Thursday at

10am and we will include them in the

written announcement insert in the

bulletin.

Children in Worship

Some of my best memories of my childhood are of being with my family in worship. I remember sitting as a small child in church, daydreaming about playing football or learning to ride a bike and falling asleep on my mother’s lap. I remember the stage when I always had to go to the bathroom when the sermon started and how after three Sundays my father put a stop to that. I remember playing with toys on the floor and hide and seek with the old man in the pew behind me. I also remember getting in trouble at home after church for fighting with my sister during church. But, you know, even though I wasn’t totally focused on the main thing, I was learning. I was picking up things about God and what worship was about. I heard words in church that I didn’t hear the rest of the week. I thought about God. I felt close to God. Sitting in church and playing on the floor may not have been good for my health but it was good for my soul!

This article is an invitation to consider the idea of inviting our children into worship. Not just once in a while, but every Sunday, during the summer as we do now, and during the school year. As with any idea, there are pros and cons, but, for me as a pastor, it really comes down to one thing I learned long ago and have believed ever since: children that are in worship are more likely to worship as adults. They do pick things up. They do learn. They do think about God and they do grow in faith. It may look like they are simply playing and drawing or even crying, but whatever they are doing, being in worship is good for their souls, too.

The church’s program staff, Sherilyn, Myron, Kirsten, Pr Luke and I have been talking about this for some time. Previous staff members were thinking about it as well. We have talked about this with the Worship and Music Committee and the Church Council. Now, we bring it to the whole church. Here’s the idea – as is the case now, during the summer children would be in worship the whole service. During the school year, children would be in worship for about the first 15 minutes. Following a children’s message, children would leave for Sunday School and spend the rest of the hour there. That is the big idea and of course, there are details that would need to be worked out. It is not a done deal – this really is an invitation to talk about it. So here’s a plan:

January – introduce the idea in a newsletter article (this is it)

February – opportunity to talk about this in a variety of settings

March – another newsletter article with more details and rationale

Wednesday Lenten Service – model worship in which children leave for a time of education

April/May/June – check to see if there is support in the congregation

(Children in Worship continued on page 17)

welcome, engage and inspire people to live for Christ. 3

Active Military

Vinnie Pecarina

Stationed in Japan

Trey Wilson

Stationed in Norfolk, VA

Bradley Johnson

Stationed at Ft Drum, NY

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

Annual Meeting Report

At the December 1 annual meeting the

following were elected

Church Council: Heather Moseley,

Nancy Olson, Thomas Stanforth,

David Tauscher (3 years), and Sarah

Klett (2 years)

Nominating Committee: Mike Davis,

Bev Koopman, Bill Deneen, Idella

Ziegler, and Linda Lear

Zion Foundation: Joyce Dehmer and

Warren Myhre

Minneapolis Area Synod Voting

Members: Roger Brenny, Gary Leff,

Mary Lynn Leff, Peg Olson, Rodger

Hessedal, and Brooke Ankerfelt

All motions that were included in the

agenda passed.

Living God’s Call Serving Behind the Scenes

Jan & Dean Skallerud have been married for 54 years. They have two grown children and three grandchildren who live in Medina and Stillwater.

Our family is very important to us, and we feel blessed that we are close enough to be able to spend time together.

They moved to Buffalo in August of 1974 when Dean accepted the elementary principal position, and became members of Zion.

We walked into the basement of the old church and enrolled our children, Steve (3rd grade) and Julie (1st grade) in Sunday School and transferred our membership from Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park. After being a part of the Zion family for nearly 40 years, I can't imagine life without it! I feel very blessed to be able to call Zion our church home!

Jan taught fifth and third grade at Rockford Elementary from l975–1993. She enjoys water aerobics, walking, embroidery, sewing and music. She is a supporter of Buffalo Food Shelf and the Lakeside Oasis Hospice House which is under construction at Lake Ridge Care Center.

My mother and two of my friends have needed to spend time in hospice houses in other communities, and I see a strong need for it here.

Over the years Jan has been involved with Sunday School music, Bible studies, the Christian Education Committee, Christmas program, and Meals on Wheels at Zion.

When our children were in Confirmation I helped with Altar Guild, but that was back in the days when we washed all the little glasses made of glass by hand and dried them.

Jan became actively involved with Harvest of Hands at Zion in the 1990s.

The reason I first got involved with Harvest of Hands is that it is such a worthy project that answers the call of so many who are hungry in this world including right here in our own neighborhoods. When we look at the enormity of need it can seem overwhelming and make what I can do seem insignificant and insufficient. However, I think that Harvest of Hands has shown what many hands contributing a little can do. In the past all of our profits have gone to World Hunger; now some of the profits go to the Buffalo Food Shelf and are helping those around us.

She started by making food contributions for the brunch, has been involved with setting up the craft sales

(Jan Skallerud continued on page 15)

Engaging people in a process of discipleship which inspires them 4

Medical Supplies

Splints & braces (back, finger, wrist,

arm, knee, ankle, CAM boots, AFOs)

Arm slings & shoulder immobilizers

Dressings & wraps: ACE or Coban

rolls, Band-Aids, cotton, gauze, &

medical tape

Diapers: all sizes (empty your closet

but don't buy new packages due to

limited suitcase space)

Catheters: unused urinary catheters &

colostomy supplies

Nebulizers & nebulizer masks/ tubing

CPAP & BiPAP machines and masks/

supplies

Canes (foldable are best)

Reading glasses, used sunglasses, old

prescription glasses (frames are

expensive in Jamaica)

Medical equipment: stethoscopes, BP

monitors, oximeters, and lightly used

scrubs

Non-Latex medical gloves & masks

Zip lock baggies (snack, pint, & quart

size to dispense meds)

1-3oz empty travel bottles (to

dispense liquid meds/ shampoo)

Hotel soaps, shampoos, lotions,

combs, toiletries

Dandruff shampoo & skin

moisturizers

We do NOT need glucometers this

year

Construction Equipment

*Caulk (white, paintable, silicone)

Nuts, *bolts, nails and screws

*Plastic storage containers (all sizes

from cool whip containers to storage

bins)

Hammers, Screw Drivers, Handsaws

Tape Measures, Levels & Squares

Work gloves / Leather gloves

(Supply List continued on page 15)

Medical Supplies for Jamaica

By Dr. Andrew Burgdorf on behalf of Zion's 2014 medical MJ Team

Empty out those closets of old medical supplies! Your donations are appreciated for Zion's Mission Jamaica team, which is hosting four free clinics in Jamaica at the end of February.

Medications will NOT be collected from the congregation this year, since we are now able to purchase medications at below wholesale cost through Allina's Mission Matters. Financial donations of just $10 or less will buy 1000 pills for diabetes, pain, heart or blood pressure. That is less than a penny a pill for many Rx's that have a great impact on health and prevention.

We can use new or used supply donations of the items listed in the margin, delivered to Zion between Sunday, January 19, and Sunday, February 9, 2014. Cash and checks payable to Zion can be contributed at any time in a pew enveloped marked “Mission Jamaica.”

Thanks for your generous donations!

Serve Days

God’s Work. Our Hands.

We’re excited! There will be spring that follows winter and this spring Zion will dedicate a weekend to serving in our community. There are many chances for short term serving within and around the Zion building. We’ll be offering a chance to dig in to clean, fix, organize, cook here at Zion but we’ll also expand to the local communities and other projects within Wright County with things like spring lawn care for seniors, animal shelter help, care center visits, park or playground clean up, sewing projects, and many more.

When? Friday, April 25 & Saturday, April 26 for short term projects.

What’s the plan? You will be invited to choose one project from a long list of short-term service options, usually 1-3 hours in length. There will be some especially suited for families with children. You’ll sign up in advance so that each serving option has the appropriate number of volunteers for the task at hand.

We’ll culminate the weekend with a grand scale serving day on Sunday, April 27, with a celebration of service during worship and the Truckload of Life packing event all day at Zion, sponsored by Harvest of Hands.

Where to serve? That’s the big question! If you have a service project that seems fitting for the Serve Days, contact Sherilyn Burgdorf (763.682.1245 or [email protected]). We’ll be compiling a list during the first months of 2014 so that sign up for Serve Days can begin in late March.

to trust in Christ, grow in faith, and serve God’s world. 5

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!

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, February

9, and Sunday, April 13 at noon.

Register at ZionBuffalo.org/Baptism or

by calling the office.

Creating a community where people are connected 6

Italian Dinner & Variety Show

Mark your calendar for Zion’s annual Italian Dinner & Variety Show, hosted by the Zion Senior High Youth on Saturday, January 25 at 6pm in Trinity Hall.

The menu includes garden salad, baked ziti, chicken alfredo, garlic toast, & desserts.

Tickets

Advance Tickets available online and in the narthex on Sundays in January (tickets prepaid online will be held for pickup at the door):

Adults $12

Children (12 & under) $7

At the door $15/$8

All proceeds support Zion’s 2014 Senior High Mission Trip to Indianapolis.

Talents

There are still spots open for acts this year! If you can sing, dance, do magic, play an

instrument, juggle poodles through flaming hoops or all of these at once, contact

Myron by January 15 to reserve your spot in this year’s show!

Music and Pasta

Tom & Karen Pearson have been married for 21 years, and have 3 daughters, all confirmed at Zion. Karen works as a bookkeeper at Crown Plaza in Plymouth, and Tom as a low voltage electrician.

Karen and Tom first got involved in serving Wednesday suppers at Zion when their daughters were in confirmation and the family was eating at church most Wednesdays. Now they are team leads of the Pasta team, a team that is unique in that many of the members also serve together on the First Sunday worship team.

Wednesday night supper provides an opportunity for people to get to know one another and it can be a free or low cost meal to someone in the community with limited resources. It has always felt like something very worthwhile to do. We enjoy seeing our friends who make up the team and talking to people we don’t get to see very often.

Both Karen and Tom are involved in music. Karen is a member of both Zion’s Senior Choir, and the Wright County Community Choir, and, Tom plays guitar in the First Sunday worship team. Tom also likes to play and coach soccer, and serves on the board of the Buffalo Soccer Club.

Connecting With Care

Women's Retreat During a time of the year when days are full, mark your calendar for a women's retreat on Saturday, January 18 from 9:00-12:00noon.

Women, you will find a morning that's "simply" designed to be what you need for the new year. The retreat begins at 9am with a great continental breakfast buffet.

Spend time with friends, sisters and moms to talk, laugh, and listen. 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 Nikki Havens, owner of "Seriously Organized" in Bloomington.

Nikki has been a professional organizer since 2006. She worked for many years in the field of social services, and her past experience includes child protection, HIV and mental health case management. Nikki's experience in social work has been instrumental in her success as a professional organizer. She brings the skills and knowledge to help people address the issues in their lives that have stopped them from reaching their full potential. Learn more about Nikki and her business at seriouslyorganized.com.

Cost for this morning retreat is $9/person: a great chance 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 upon request.

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Keeping in Contact

Zion is a big place, and sometimes things happen in life that keep us from being as connected to the community as we would like. We would like to make sure that all Zion members feel like part of the church, whether they are able to worship regularly or not. If you or someone you know is unable to worship regularly, or would consider themselves homebound, or are living in a senior care facility, please let us know so we can make sure you are receiving communion and pastoral care. We want to make sure all the people of Zion are able to stay connected. Please call or email Ann or Dawn in the office with information as to how we can reach you or someone you know that you’d like us to include in our visitation schedule.

Thank you!

Pastor Luke and Pastor Ted

January 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!

January 8: Sub Sandwiches

January 15: Pasta

January 22: Breakfast for Supper

January 29: Tacos

Births

November 25

Riley Ann Eich, daughter of Joel & Tina

Eich

Baptisms

November 24

Emma Rae Strommen

Calder Michael Layton

Dakota Faith Iverson

Jack McCoy Schmidt

Funerals

December 5

Daniel Bazoff

in relationships and supported in need. 7

/ZionBuffalo

November 2013 Financial Report

General Services Fund

Income Nov 2013 YTD 2013 Nov 2012 YTD 2012 General Offering $57,679 $631,948 $55,928 $621,152

Rent and Sunday School 1,905 19,469 2,401 22,852

WedNite Supper Income 692 7,393 801 7,058

Missions and Hunger 980 16,632 1,707 13,589

Other Designations 845 78,333 933 16,802

Total Income $62,101 $753,774 $61,770 $681,452

Expenses Synod Benevolence $1,000 $11,000 $1,000 $11,000

Other General Services 57,386 683,248 62,278 651,349

Total Expenses $58,386 $694,248 $63,278 $662,349

Checkbook balance as of 11-30-2013: $8,783

A Promising Tomorrow/Building Fund

Income Nov 2013 YTD 2013 Nov 2012 YTD 2012 Offerings and Interest $14,852 $165,786 $16,042 $167,928

Other Receipts 0 0 0 0

Total Income $14,852 $165,786 $16,042 $167,928

Expenses Building Mortgage $15,869 $174,559 $15,869 $174,559

Kairos Consulting 0 0 0 6,000

Bank Service Charge 0 15 15 45

Total Expenses $15,869 $174,574 $15,884 $180,604

Checkbook balance as of 11-30-2013: $15,251

Thank you for your continued support of God’s work at

Zion Lutheran Church this year.

Memorial Gifts Received

Gifts to the Memorial Fund in memory

of Gladys Kowalke, designated for

cemetery maintenance, from Wesley

Robertson, Larry & Betty Groth,

William & Harriet Rothlisberger, Keith

& Beverly Kuhlman, Marvin Johnson,

James & Carolyn Ittel, Mary Kowalke,

Arvin & Rosemary Schultz, and family

& friends of Gladys Kowalke.

Gifts to the Memorial Fund in memory

of John Hoaglund from Catherine Ross

& Paul Pederson, and Ancil Walden.

Financial Peace University

Financial 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

you from where you are to where you

want to be with money.

Classes will begin at Zion in January,

meeting for 1½ hours each week for

nine weeks.

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 led

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.

ZionBuffalo.org/Give 8

Finance & Stewardship

Winter Reading Suggestions

The Zion Book Club will not meet in

January, February, or March, and

suggests these titles for winter reading:

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

Anne George books

9

Harvest of Hands

By Joy Arens, Harvest of Hands Coordinator

The Harvest of Hands annual sale held on November 2 was a success! To date (early December) a total of $15,835.65 has been raised. This includes approximately $8,500 from the craft area, $1,000 from the White Elephant rooms, $1,700 from brunch, $2,000 from the silent auction, and $1,100 in donations.

The funds will help fund the Truck Load of Life Packaging Project in April 2014. Some of the funds will be donated to help the Buffalo Food Shelf.

Craft groups work on a variety of projects throughout the year in preparation for the annual sale in November. The groups meet in the Wilderness Room on the second and fourth Tuesday morning at 9am and on the second and fourth Wednesday evening at 7pm.

The kickoff for the November 1, 2014, annual sale is January 7. Plans for January include.

Making wire and bead craft projects

Creating banners for sale display

Creating a mission statement

All are welcome at craft groups, either to work on the planned projects or to bring your own projects.

Crafters can also work on projects at home. Supplies are available for home projects. Contact Joy Arens for more information.

Harvest of Hands is an annual event help at Zion to feed the hungry in our own community and around the world. Proceeds of the 2014 sale will benefit the Buffalo Food Shelf and a project yet to be named.

Children's Ministry Hiring Update

This fall, a task force met to review the current staff make-up of the Children and Family Ministries at Zion. After several productive meetings and approval from the Personnel Committee, the team decided to move forward with a new model for this area of ministry: to have one director and 2 part-time associates.

We are currently (early December) in the process of interviewing for the 2 part-time (15 hours/week) positions. By the time you receive the newsletter in January we will have announced and introduced the two new staff people to the congregation.

We are excited for this new model and the energy it will bring. Thanks for your prayers and partnership in Zion's ministries!

Thursday January 9

8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible

Study

Friday January 10

Saturday January 11

Sunday January 12

8:30am Sunday School

Traditional Worship Service

9:30am Friendly Church Forum

Coffee Fellowship

9:45am Family Express Worship

10:30am Contemporary Worship Service

Sunday School

11:30am Coffee Fellowship

Monday January 13

8:30am Men's Bible Study

Quilters

9:00am Women's Ministry Planning

Committee Meeting

6:15pm First Sunday Rehearsal

Tuesday January 14

9:00am Harvest of Hands Crafts

9:00am Staff Retreat

7:00pm Finance Committee Meeting

7:00pm Global Missions Committee

7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal

Wednesday January 15

9:15am Sunrise Devotions

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

5:45pm Worship & Music Committee

Meeting

6:00pm Confirmation

6:30pm Joyful Ringers

7:00pm Prayer Shawl Meeting

7:00pm Church Council Meeting

7:30pm Graceland Senior High Youth

Group

Thursday January 16


Study

6:30pm Youth Board Meeting

7:00pm Rebecca Circle

Friday January 17

8:00am Women's Retreat working/

cooking day

7:00pm Friday Night Fun Night

Saturday January 18

9:00am Women's Retreat

Sunday January 19

Sanctuary Sunday

Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:30

7:00am Cinnamon Rolls

8:30am Traditional Worship Service





11:30am TIM Team

2:00pm Parkview Devotions/Communion

Monday January 20

Martin Luther King's Birthday

Office Closed


Tuesday January 21

9:00am Kitchen Cleaning

9:30am Staff Meeting

9:30am Naomi Circle

5:30pm Stewardship Meeting

6:00pm Outreach Committee


7:00pm Vision Team Meeting

ZionBuffalo.org/Calendar 10

Wednesday January 1

New Year's Day

Thursday January 2


Study

Friday January 3

6:00am Friday Breakfast Crew

Saturday January 4

9:30am Family Ring Rehearsal

Sunday January 5

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

7:00am Cinnamon Rolls








Monday January 6


8:30am Quilters


7:00pm Mission Jamaica team meeting

Tuesday January 7


9:30am Christmas Undecorating


Wednesday January 8


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 Social Ministry Committee

Meeting


7:00pm Property Committee Meeting

7:00pm Harvest of Hands Crafts


Group

7:30pm Branding Task Force Meeting

January 2014


9:00am Newsletter Assembly

9:30am Devotions at Lake Ridge


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

6:00pm Memorials & Placement

Committee


7:00pm Foundation Meeting

7:00pm Harvest of Hands Crafts


Group

Thursday January 23


Study

Friday January 24

Saturday January 25

6:00pm Italian Dinner

Sunday January 26








11:45am New Member Introduction

Monday January 27


8:30am Quilters


7:00pm Personnel Committee Meeting

Tuesday January 28

9:00am Harvest of Hands Crafts





2:45pm Class Ring

3:45pm Ring Forth


3:45pm Kids Place

4:45pm Joy Choir


5:15pm Youth Choir

6:00pm Confirmation



Group

Thursday January 30


Study

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 are invited to

Perkins on Friday, January 3, at 6am

for a chance to check-in, have good

food and great conversation.

Don’t forget to bring money for food

and a tip for our great servers!

Youth Board

There is a Youth Board meeting on

Thursday, January 16 at 6:30pm.

TIM Team

TIM Team (Teens in Mission) will meet

on Sunday, January 12, at 11:30 in the

Café Corner.

Confirmation/Graceland

There will be NO Confirmation OR

Graceland on January 1 (due to winter

break), and no Confirmation for

students on January 8 (due to guide

meeting). Be safe and have fun!

Everything Else

Check the website for Graceland and

Confirmation schedules:

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

Friday Night Fun Night / Snowtubing

All Middle School and Senior High students are invited to go snowtubing with Zion at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove on Friday, January 17.

Students need to be at Zion by 5:30pm with proper winter gear (hats, gloves, snow pants, etc. If students are not properly dressed, they will not be able to go). The buses will leave Zion at 6pm and return by 10pm. The cost is only $20 per student, plus optional money for concessions.

More information, sign up, and the required waiver can be found at ZionBuffalo.org/Youth. Students need to be registered and paid by Sunday, January 5.

Bible Camp at Camp Wapo

Zion is again partnering with Lake Wapogasset Bible Camp in Amery, WI this summer to offer a superb summer camping experience!

Wapo is a place where fun and faith collide. Campers encounter God’s word, make friends and create memories to last a lifetime.

Youth Camp, which is open to current 4th-8th graders, is from Sunday, July 6, to Friday, July 11. 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 and campfire.

TIM Team is a leadership development opportunity for current 9th-12th graders, who commit to one year of service as leaders at Zion, working primarily with younger youth from Zion. During the week, TIM Teamers will stay at Ox Lake, as well as experience the Low / High Ropes Challenge Course and much of each day is spent at Wapo, participating as leaders with the 4th - 8th Graders from Zion. TIM Team is from Sunday, July 6, to Friday July 11.

In the past, thanks to a generous gift from the Zion Foundation, the cost has been reduced to $295/camper. Final cost for this year will be available in January.

Registrations and a $100 deposit/student must be in by February 16 to secure your student’s spot at camp. Don’t let finances be a reason that you do not send your student to camp! There is financial assistance available to those in need.

Confirmation Guide Meeting

There is a Confirmation Guide meeting at 6pm on January 8. Dinner will be provided!

Youth & Children’s Ministry

Children in Worship

Please make sure to take time and read Pastor Ted's newsletter article this month! It's an important discussion and one that will directly impact your family. We are very positive about this change and look forward to talking with you about it! As we partner together on this faith journey, we all have a similar goal in mind... to help our children grow up to be strong, faithful adults that know God's love and carry out that love in active service to others. This is why we are so passionate about it... because we know that children that are in worship are more likely to worship as adults!

As Ted states (in regards to children being in worship),

"They do pick things up. They do learn. They do think about God and they do grow in faith. It may look like they are simply playing and drawing, or even crying, but whatever they are doing, being in worship is good for their souls too."

We welcome your discussion and look forward to working together to make Zion the best it can be. Thanks for your partnership on this journey!

Vacation Bible School is Coming!

We are excited to announce the theme of Zion's VBS theme for June 2014...

If you love VBS and would like to be a part of the planning team, please contact Kirsten ASAP as we will be meeting later in January!! We are looking for coordinators for each area such as crafts, Bible Adventure, decorating, games, preschool, etc. Don't miss out on the adventure... it's sure to be a fun, active and energized team that's excited to provide another life-changing experience for our kids!

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

January 5 - The Burning Bush (1)

January 12 - The Burning Bush (2)

January 19 - Sanctuary Sunday

January 26 - Manna Quail and Water (1)

Change in Sanctuary

Sundays

In order to coincide with longer, "holiday"

weekends, we have decided to move

Sanctuary Sundays in January and

February to MLK and President's

weekends.

There will NOT be Sunday School

on January 19 or February 16

We WILL have Sunday School

on January 26 and February 23.

Please make the change on your family

calendar and plan accordingly. We look

forward to seeing you in worship on 1/19

and 2/16 or hope you will find a place to

worship with your family if you are away

from home those weekends. Thank you!

Evening Childcare

Evening childcare for parents taking part

in evening activities on Wednesdays opens

at 6pm.

14

More Christmas Program photos at bit.ly/chimesinthenight

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

area, which was in the library before the church addition and more recently in Trinity Hall, and for the last three years much of her time has been focused in the cafeteria serving area.

For a number of years we made frozen apple pies to sell, so apple picking and the pie making session was also a priority. We have also had apple crisp making sessions to sell frozen. I've made some craft donations at home for the sale and enjoy embroidering dish towels. A couple of years I made items for the silent auction.

In addition to the good feeling Jan receives from helping those in need, she enjoys working with other members of her church family.

The leaders of Harvest of Hands put in so many hours planning and organizing projects and activities! I have a lot of respect for their devotion and sacrifice to keep things running smoothly and profitably. The treats and coffee at the end of sessions is also a fun time to visit.

Jan enjoys seeing many people plan for their own part in the sale throughout the year, and is amazed at the talent within our congregation.

Many make crafts, sew things, can things from their gardens, etc. all year long with the first Saturday of November in the back of their minds. One lady made annual donations of an indoor ivy plant to the plant sale. Each year she would take slips off of the ivy that had been her mother's before she passed away, and nurse them along until the sale. I think she said that her mother had done that and that she was going to continue the tradition for her mom.

Jan and Dean spend winters at South Padre Island, where Jan enjoys being a part of a group of ladies called "Sewing Seeds of Love.”

We meet in a church near our condo Monday afternoons and sew diaper bags for the Crisis Nursery Center and lap quilts for wounded soldiers.

About ten years ago, Jan re-joined the Altar Guild, and now helps scheduling Altar Guild servers for the first Sunday of the month and holiday events.

Communion is such a gift, and I feel that contributing in this way to the sharing of the body and blood of Christ for the forgiveness of our sins is an honor. It is not a commitment of a lot of time, but it is an important contribution to organize and help run smoothly this vital part of our faith. It's a "behind the scene" project and it's really pretty simple.

Jan is interested in talking more with anyone who is interested in getting involved with Harvest of Hands or the Altar Guild.

I would encourage those who have not gotten involved with Harvest of Hands to think about contributing in some little way next year with a donation of time, talent, food for the brunch, etc. It will make you feel proud to have been a part of feeding those who are hungry!

Potential Altar Guild members are invited to observe first to see what it involves. Volunteers then have a choice of service times and months and can always call for a sub in the case of conflict or illness.

(Jan Skallerud continued from page 4)

Communion is such

a gift, and I feel

that contributing in

this way to the

sharing of the body

and blood of Christ

for the forgiveness

of our sins is an

honor.

Wire cutting pliers, Pliers, utility

knives,

Pry bars or Crowbars

7 ¼ skill saw blades, carbide wood

and metal cutting type

Levels up to 24 inches long

3/8 drill with cord and Phillips bits

#2

50 ft electric cord, 3 way connector

L-shaped shelf brackets

Double & Queen flat sheets, blankets,

pillow cases, shower curtains & liners

Flatware

Wash towels, soap, large towels

School Supplies

12-inch Rulers, Calculators, Scissors,

Glue

Notebooks (taped binding type only),

kids’ books, coloring books

Pens and Pencils, Colored Pencils

Small Backpacks, Storage Containers

(Supply List continued from page 5)

Doing Good

The following article by Pastor Kelly Chatman appeared in the November 2013 Faith Matters, the newsletter of Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis. Redeemer has been a partner congregation of Zion’s for over 20 years. The Zon Global Missions Committee donates $4000 a year to support Redeemer’s ministries. This article is a summary of many of the key events in Redeemer’s recent history.

I recently recalled hearing the phase: “doing good while doing good,” and when I think about this statement, I see it as a complement, or as a fitting partner, to Redeemer’s mission to serve as a beacon of hope. So often, when people do good works they only think about how it directly benefits someone in need. I know that when we do good things there is a reciprocal benefit which we ourselves receive. When we act as a light in our neighborhood, that light shines so powerfully that it also shines into our lives and into the life of our congregation.

Fifteen years ago, members from Redeemer walked the streets of our neighborhood and asked residents: “What would help make the Harrison neighborhood a more valuable place to live?” Out of that survey they identified three primary desires: affordable housing, job opportunities, and youth programs. In response, the Redeemer congregation started the non-profit organization, Redeemer Center for Life (RCFL). During the past fifteen years, RCFL has served as the outreach arm of this congregation, with housing, jobs and youth programming as major goals of the organization.

In 1998, when Milda, a member of the congregation, lost the lease on her neighborhood cafe and was thinking about closing, Redeemer did good. At that time RCFL stepped up and provided the leadership and resources which made it possible for Milda’s Café to remain in the neighborhood. In the years since that first strategic venture, RCFL has purchased many properties surrounding the church. So many, that now Redeemer and Redeemer Center for Life own the entire block.

More recently, Redeemer capitalized on another opportunity to do good when we expanded to create the neighborhood bike and coffee shop: Venture North. The congregation also just completed construction on the 1813 Glenwood duplex to house seminary students and college graduates who will be active in serving the youth of our neighborhood. Directly from the survey 15 years ago, we can see that Milda’s, Venture North, and the Glenwood Project are all significant success stories in terms of housing, employment and youth. When we think about all the good Redeemer and Redeemer Center for Life have accomplished through these past fifteen years it really is amazing.

We have an exciting story and history which we share. We are a congregation and a non-profit making a profound difference in our neighborhood and throughout the larger church, simply by doing good. God is good, the power of our mission and the light of our beacon is guided and blessed by God. I truly wish that all the members of our congregation could take more opportunities to feel the good that comes from doing good.

16

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

We would like to say Thank You to our congregation for all your help, generous donations, and home made cookies for the Blue Star Mothers project of mailing Christmas stockings full of those home made cookies to our troops. We had so many awesome cookies and the donations were amazing … packs of batteries, magazines, books, shampoos, lo-tion, chips, coffee, tea, candy and more. It truly was soup to nuts!

We also had letters and cards from children and adults to send in the stockings. It is unbelievable how these children wrote from their hearts.

The troops love to read every card and letter and they appreciate re-ceiving them. The monetary donations … wow! Thank you. I know your kindness helped make the troops’ holidays away from home and family a little easier. On November 25 we mailed out many boxes packed full of Christmas stockings filled with the generous dona-tions. We couldn’t have done this project without you. Thank You to the Lutefisk committee for your generous donation. All your help, kindness, and generosity were greatly appreciated.

Thank you and may the Lord bless you all.

Sandy Brophy, Jenny Pecarina, Laurie and Teresa Mandery, and the rest of the Blue Star Mothers of Wright County.

June/July/ August – summer worship services with children in worship

September – if there is support, we will implement with the beginning of Sunday School

I want to make sure we don’t frame this discussion as right or wrong. I really don’t think there is a right and a wrong answer. There are positives and negatives, and I expect there will be people for and people against. So, let’s talk about it, think it through, and see what is best for our church.

(Children in Worship continued from page 3)

The Voice

A monthly publication of Zion Lutheran Church

Upcoming Deadlines

January 9 at 8am for February Issue

February 10 at 8am for March Issue

Editor: Angela Bengtson

[email protected]

This Month’s Cover

Chimes in the Night Christmas Program photo

by Pastor Luke

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

Kelly Hanson

Alisa Ireland

Deana Jeske

Sarah Klett

Tom Moline

Heather Moseley

Mike Newman

Nancy Olson

Harley Pommier

Thomas Stanforth

David Tauscher

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

Friendly Church Forum 2

Children in Worship 3

Jan Skallerud 4

Jamaica Supply List 5

Tom & Karen Pearson 6

Women’s Retreat 7

Winter Reading List 9

Snowtubing Trip 12

Weird Animals 13

Christmas Program Photos 14

Doing Good 16

Janu

ary 2

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ZionBuffalo.org

January 2014 Newsletter

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Transcript of January 2014 Newsletter