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Sermons of the month |
February 5, Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
“A Mystery Story: Whodunit?” Mark 1:29-39
Hymn of the Day: In the GardenFebruary 12, Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
“Everyone Wins!” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Hymn of the Day: We Are All One in Mission February 19, The Transfiguration of Our Lord
“The Transfiguration: Now On DVD!” Mark 9:2-9
Hymn of the Day: Word of God, Come Down on Earth February 22, Ash Wednesday
“Keys of Grace” Matthew 18:15-18, John 20:19-23
Hymn of the Day: Forgive Our Sins As We Forgive February 26, First Sunday In Lent
“Covenant For a Waterworld” Genesis 9:8-17
Hymn of the Day: Thy Holy Wings |
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From Our Pastor |
Dear Members and Friends of Zion Lutheran Church,Lent: The Old Becomes New
The old church word, “Lent,” has at least two meanings: “spring” and “beginning.” In the season of Lent we prepare ourselves to again celebrate the new beginning for all creation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As we are baptized into Jesus, we are baptized into his death and resurrection. From this baptism into Jesus we are raised up as new people: we become forgiven sinners filled with the Holy Spirit to live lives of love toward God and neighbor.
At his Last Supper, our Lord Jesus spoke of this new beginning as a new Covenant. Jesus declared that the cup of wine was a new covenant in his blood shed for all people for the forgiveness of sin. To understand this new covenant, we need to first understand the old covenant.
The old covenant was actually a series of covenants made between God and his people, Israel. It so happens that the Sunday Old Testament readings during Lent this year all touch on some aspect of God’s covenant. The readings range from the post-flood covenant with Noah to the prophet Jeremiah declaring God will one day write a new covenant upon the hearts of God’s people. I will be preaching on these Old Testament readings with the hope that our faith will deepen as we contemplate how our loving and gracious God works through covenant promises to give us new life and life eternal.
At our Wednesday Lent Midweek worship services we will be reflecting on how Jesus gives us the new covenant through the sacraments. I will be giving a sermon series titled, “Two and A Half Sacraments and an Almost.” Why two and a half? Why almost? Well, you will need to come to the midweek worship services to find out. The series will start on Ash Wednesday, February 22, with a sometimes neglected portion in the sacrament section of the Small Catechism, that being the Office of the Keys. Not sure what is the Office of the Keys? You got it! Come to the Ash Wednesday worship service. All the worship services start at 7 p.m. Except on Ash Wednesday, the Wednesday services will be preceded by a soup supper at 6:15 (so, they start February 29).
A Wonderful Trip
I had a wonderful trip to see my three children in western Michigan over my birthday weekend. It worked out that I had one-on-one time with each of them. It was good to see how each of them was doing well in the various stages of their lives. And I was blessed to miss any bad winter weather on my travel days! And if you are ever in Grand Haven, Michigan, check out the smoked salmon Reuben at Dee Lites. And in Ionia, check out the chicken alfredo pizza at Olivera’s Pizzeria. Good eating!
Again thank you to everyone who made the trip possible, including those who helped with rides to the airport; those who helped with worship, Confirmation class, and Wednesday Bible Study; and for your Christmas and birthday gifts.
My prayer is that this season of Lent will be a new beginning for each of you in both your faith in Jesus Christ and in your reaching out to neighbors in need.
Peace, Love, and Luther,
Pastor Duane | |
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Witnesses for Christ |
Training for Intentional Witnessing
Developed by Pastor Edward MarkquartPart Ten: Giving Invitations As has been stressed throughout these excerpts from “Witness for Christ,” intentional witnessing is not about forcing your faith on to an unchurched person. Intentional witnessing is about honoring where your unchurched person is on their faith journey and only sharing your faith when the time is right. But at some point, it will be the right time to invite that person into a relationship with Jesus. And note: our invitation is always first to Jesus. You might invite them to church, but only because a church community is one of the best places to encounter Jesus. But all this leads us to one last thing to consider: WHAT DO YA DO WHEN THEY ACTUALLY SAY, “YES.” Yes, you might invite someone into either a new relationship with Jesus or a deeper relationship with Jesus, and they might actually say, “Yes.” What do you do then? Well, since each person is an individual, there is not one answer to this. And since we are saved by grace, there is no required response (the so-called “Jesus Prayer” is not necessary). But there are some ways of living out the invitation that may be meaningful in certain situations. As you continue to dialog and listen, you may pick up on what may be appropriate for this particular person. Here are some possible options: -- Prayer of Thanksgiving: Just a simple prayer giving thanks to God for the gift the faith and for what God is doing in both your lives. -- Invitation to the Table of Holy Communion as a sign of returning to the fellowship of the community of Christ -- Affirmation of Baptism for those who have had their membership dropped and want to restore their membership -- Holy Baptism, obviously, for those who have never been baptized -- Invitation to Pastor’s new member class. Offer this as a gift not a requirement. Fellowship with the community of Christ is a gift from Jesus and there shouldn’t be requirements for that fellowship. At the same time, we want to provide opportunities for people to learn more about this gift of faith so they can experience it with deeper meaning. Pastor Duane is always willing to schedule new member classes (there are four sessions). | |
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Council Minutes |
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Council Meeting Mini-Minutes—January 10, 2012
(Complete Council minutes are available in the church office)
Present: Pastor Duane Anderson, Bill Thompson, Ruth McCauley, Erica Reinoehl, Dick Bruner,
Deron Schroeder, Patty Cowen, Cindy Shepard. Excused member-John Bredeson.
Minutes: Accepted.
Pastor’s Report: Lutherhaven is available Friday & Saturday, March 23-24, for an all congregation
retreat. The cost would be $67 per person and includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Friday
evening would be a potluck. A non-member donated $3000. Pastor requested that we purchase 10
more hymnals and Now the Feast and Celebration inserts. We don’t have enough for high attendance
services such as Easter. The cost of the hymnals would be $225 plus shipping & handling. Pastor will
be on vacation 1/13-19. Debbie Spray will lead worship in his absence.
Treasurer’s Report: Filed for audit.
Financial Report: Filed for audit. December income was $9180.73 with $5144.48 in expenses. The
endowment fund received $282.16 in interest which will be credited to the Youth designated fund.
Cemetery: The road improvement discussion is tabled until Spring.
Education: They are working on a date for Day Camp and will need a deposit when one is chosen.
Koininia: No report.
Learning Center: One person passed the test.
Property: Purchase of a van is still being investigated.
Stewardship: No report/ No chairperson.
Thrivent: No report.
Youth: Pastor is trying to get the cost of the housing for the Youth Gathering.
Outreach: Winterfest will be the same format as the past few years. Set up is at 9:00am.
Refreshments of juice boxes and chips will be offered. We need to update the church brochures and
hand them out during the event. High school youth are invited to participate.
Worship: No report.
Old business: Pat Coats will audit the 2011 treasurer’s records.
New business: Deron Schroeder made an offer of $2000 on the 1999 Dodge 350 van. The van has 4
bench seats and 130,000 miles. The property committee is checking on insurance costs. This was
tabled until we have more information. The issue of Pastor’s 5% raise was discussed and it was
decided to bring it before the congregation for another vote. Pastor’s raise was calculated on his base
salary and should have been calculated on base salary + housing. The difference is approx. $309/yr.
An all congregation meeting will be held after service on 2/12 to vote on the additional salary.
Payment to the musicians was discussed, and we will have either a designated Sunday to give gifts to
the musicians or council will vote on a gift. Tax implications are still being researched.
Next Meeting: February 14, 2012, at 7:00pm. | |
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Scriptures |
Feb. 5 – 5th Sunday after Epiphany
Isaiah 40:21-31
Psalm 147:1-11, 20c (3)
1 Corinthians 9:16-23
Mark 1:29-39Feb. 12 – 6th Sunday after Epiphany
2 Kings 5:1-14
Psalm 30 (2)
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Mark 1:40-45 Feb. 19 – Last Sunday after Epiphany
2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm 50:1-6 (2)
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Mark 9:2-9 Feb. 22 – Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58:1-12
Psalm 51:1-17 (1)
2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 Feb. 26 – 1st Sunday in Lent
Genesis 9:8-17
Psalm 25:1-10 (10)
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:9-15 | |
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Mission by Krafft |
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I’d like to introduce you to a very special pastor. In fact, he is the pastor of Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. The real Bethlehem. The town where Jesus was born.
Christmas Lutheran Church is celebrating their 150th anniversary this year. It was started by German Lutherans who, together with English Episcopalians (or Anglicans) came to the Holy Land in 1841 to support the Christians who were already living there. The Germans established a school for girls, an orphanage for boys and a hospital. Both the English and Germans came to serve the people living in the Holy Land, regardless of religion. But some of those who graduated from the schools wanted to continue to worship in the Lutheran tradition.
Today there are six Lutheran congregations. In addition to Bethlehem, there is a Lutheran congregation in Jerusalem, in Ramallah, Beit Jala (close to Bethlehem), Beit Sahour (also close to Bethlehem - the traditional site of the fields where the shepherds saw the angels), and in Amman, Jordan. These congregations are made up of Palestinians.
Which brings me to this very special pastor of this very special congregation. His name is Mitri Raheb and he is a Palestinian Arab. We don’t often think of Palestinians as being Christian, but there is a significant Christian minority in the Arab world, including the West Bank, Israel and Jordan. And some of those Arab Christians are Lutheran.
Mitri Raheb was born in Bethlehem in 1962. He attended seminary in Germany and received a doctor of theology from Phillipps University in Marburg. Although the West Bank and Bethlehem has been a place of violence, Pastor Mitri is committed to peace. The Lutheran school in Bethlehem provides an excellent education to both Christian and Muslim children. The health center serves the entire community. There is also a college and a guest house. Dr. Raheb has written two books, I am a Palestinian Christian and Bethlehem Besieged: Stories of Hope in Times of Trouble.
Mission Interpreter...Pastor Betty Krafft | |
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Youth News & Events |
“Hangin’ with the Pastor”
Sunday—February 19, Noon
On Sunday, February 19, we will make up our day at Pattison’s Skating. We will start with lunch at church at noon. You will need $5.50 for admission and if you need skates $1.00 for skates or $2.00 for inline, plus money if you want snacks.Deer Park Winterfest
Thanks to all who helped with WINTERFEST....over 30
children accompanied by their parents were in the
Fellowship Hall for snacks, games, and prizes. This was a
time of fellowship outreach to our Deer Park Community. | |
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Zion Hill Cemetery |
CEMETERY COMMITTEEZion Lutheran Cemetery is located at Mason and Spotted Road near Clayton. It is the role of the cemetery committee to oversee the care and management of the property. This year the committee has worked hard to update the plot records and map of sites. The council adopted a fee standard, and committee members show available sites and explain the fees. A committee member marks off the grave site prior to any burial. The Council President issues and signs the contracts, secures the funds, and informs the committee and staff of sales. Records will be kept current. Current committee members are Rex Schimke, Mike Boggs, Dick Bruner, Bill Seabright and Ruth McCauley. If you would like more information or would like to serve on this committee, please contact any of the committee members. | |
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Mark Your Calendar: |
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Save These Dates
February 4—Deron Schroeder & Jessica Allen’s Wedding
Deron and Jessica are getting married at Zion Lutheran Church on February 4 at 4pm.
The congregation is invited to attend. Please RSVP to Deron.
February 12—Special Voters Meeting
A Special Voters Meeting will be held following the Worship Service on February 12th.
When the Voters Meeting in November approved a 5% increase for Pastor Duane's
salary, the housing benefit amount was not included in the 5% increase package. The
difference will amount to about $25.00 a month. Voters approval is required to make
this addition.
March 23-24—All Congregation Retreat
All congregation members are invited to a retreat at Lutherhaven on March 23-24 for
worship, fellowship, and congregation vision planning. We will begin Friday evening
with a potluck and go through Saturday late afternoon. The cost will be $67 which
covers an overnight at Lutherhaven and two meals at their dining hall on Saturday. | |
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LIGHTS |
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LIGHTS Group
LIGHTS stands for Living in Good Health Through Scripture. The group meets Tuesday nights at 5:30 for a light potluck meal and to learn about healthy ways of living.
Starting on Tuesday, January 31st, we will be studying a new DVD presentation by Pastor Chip Ingram: Five Lies that Ruin Relationships. Topics include: why we fight with those we love, defusing conflict, restoring relationships, why we wound others with our words, how our jobs can destroy relationships, using wealth wisely, and how to pursue God-given dreams.
Please feel free to join us for this series of messages based on the book of James. For information contact Patty Cowen or Ruth McCauley.
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Did you know?
Combining onion or garlic with whole grain foods helps to absorb the zinc found in whole grains? Zinc is important in building a strong immune system.
(June Bauer, RD-Woman’s Day magazine) | |
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Women of Norway |
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If you are of Scandinavian heritage (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, or Iceland), the newly formed Spokane Lodge of the Daughters of Norway invites you to become a member.
The purpose of the Daughters of Norway is to unite into a sisterhood women who wish to preserve their Scandinavian heritage by exploring its rich history, delightful culture, folk arts, and native languages.
The Daughters of Norway gather monthly to share Nordic tales, try their skills at Scandinavian cooking, learn the techniques of the colorful art or learn tips on how to trace family roots. Field trips are offered throughout the Pacific Northwest to sites and events of special interest.
Meetings are the 4th Saturday of the month at 10am, at Sons of Norway Hall, 6710 North Country Homes Blvd., Spokane WA.
For more information:
Freya Lodge #50, Daughters of Norway Susan Jarvis, president: 509-534-0602 email: Freya Lodge #50
Website: www.daughtersofnorwayfreya | |
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Thrivent Ministries |
THRIVENT FINANCIAL FOR LUTHERANSPerhaps you have wondered just what Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is all about. If you go on-line and search “Thrivent” you will find links to their
history and current work, their mission, vision, and core values. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans came into being in 2001 as a merger of two not-for-profit mutual aid societies: Aid Association for Lutherans begun in 1902 and Lutheran Brotherhood begun in 1917. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for its members, their families and communities. They offer many investment opportunities and insurance packages with a good history of returns. In addition they give members a means of outreach to communities through various grants and matching funds. This year Zion received matching funds for both the church and learning center rest stop events, and for help dispersing school supplies to Deer Park youth. School supplies were dispersed as a community service project. We received some matching funds for our roof repair,a congregational service project. Thrivent Financial is developing a new way to involve its members in giving money to charities. Members of Thrivent, those who are invested with them through trusts,
securities, insurance, annuities, etc., will vote in April for how $1 million will be distributed. There will also be individual designations to approved organizations, like Zion in Deer Park.
In addition to the grants, Thrivent hosts the lutheransonline.com web site and gives us free web space for our site. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask me……..Kathy Roloff | | | | | | |
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