Sharing the Good News
March 2010
Zion Lutheran Church
1800 FM 2679
Brenham, TX 77833
Phone: 979-836-7909 Web: www.zionsvilleluth.org
Email: zionsvilleluth@gmail.com
Sunday Worship 9am, Sunday School 10:10 am
David L. Hall, Pastor
A Note from Pastor Hall
"Come you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and visited me."
Matthew 25:34b - 36
Lent has become a joke to some people. When asked what someone is
giving up for Lent I've heard people say "I'm just giving up!". Others have the standard answer "I'm giving up chocolate" or "I'm giving up desserts". While these are easy answers (and the last two are not bad things) I believe positive actions are a better way to live out your Lenten discipline.
During Lent you are encouraged to "Love Life and Live Lent". The idea behind loving life and living lent revolves around the "discipline of Lent -- turning to God, fasting from things that detract from following Christ, prayer/spending time in God's presence, and works of love". (These are a part of the Lenten exhortation from the LBW.) A calendar of suggestions for each day of Lent was distributed on Transfiguration Sunday and Ash Wednesday (it is available in this newletter also). Each day you are encouraged to go out of your way to do something that helps you love life and live lent.
On Sundays, during the Lenten season, we will be talking about imitation of Jesus and his followers. This imitation involves positive actions. On Wednesdays we will learn from Joseph and his brothers about how we can, with God's guidance, forgive and be forgiven, be healed and heal, be reconciled and reconcile, and be renewed in our relationships.
Lent, throughout history, has been a time of preparation as new disciples learned the basics of the Christian faith and then were baptized on the Saturday before Easter. These preparations would include acts of discipline (as mentioned above). These acts were common in the early church and I believe they should be again. Acts of kindness and generosity towards ourselves, our neighbors, the world and God are appropriate any season of the year, but especially during the season in which we remember Jesus' sacrifice for us and the whole world.
The calandar of suggestions is not meant to be an end in itself, but to stimulate your thinking about how you can " Love Life and Live Lent ". I hope you will use it as a starting point for your own acts of kindness and generosity towards others. May this Lenten season be a blessing to you as you bless others and the world.
A Message from Sister Anne
Create in me a clean heart, O God: and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of your salvation: and uphold me with your free Spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12
I remember the words of this prayer of King David when I was a child singing it on Sunday mornings as the offertory. It is a prayer that has been a large part of my life in times of hardships and joy. I sang it to our daughter as a lullaby. Each day I am reminded that in Christ our sins are forgiven, our hearts are made pure, our spirit is renewed, and we have the joy of salvation. We are tempted everyday by sin and everyday, every minute, when we confess our sins Jesus will forgive us and we are made pure. Use this time of Lent not as a waiting period for spring but as a preparation for Easter. We cannot fully appreciate the joy of salvation unless we spend time in prayer, study of God's Word, and worship.
Our Love and Prayers go out to?
Larry Ellerbe, James Ganske, Tammy Ladwig, The Family of Daniel Goerlitz, * Raymond & Annadell Blum, *Brenda Flisowski, Reuben Kelm, *Martha McLemore, *Terri Smith, *Jean Stogdill, *Deanna Tanner
Memorials
Charlie Buerger
M/M Walter Rodenbeck
Mary Davis
M/M Rod Vincent
Russell Draehn
Josephine Helm
Lee Roy Drews
M/M Craig Conner
Josephine Helm
Jeff Sommer
Daniel Goerlitz
Ruth Maass Family
Walter Hall
M/M Craig Conner
Josephine Helm
Roger Hannath
Josephine Helm
M/M Richard McCord
Ruby Naumann
Matt Zibilski Family
Bobbie Oberhoff
Matt Zibilski Family
Eula Robinson
M/M Herman Borchardt Jr.
Marjorie Schroeder
Josephine Helm
M/M James Hrachovy
Vicky Kenjura
C.B. Schroeder
Vicky Kenjura
William Tappe
M/M Jerry Vaughn
M/M Rod Vincent
Earl Wiesepape
Josephine Helm
Youth News
"STRIVE" is coming to Brenham, Texas
What is Strive - "Students Turning Responsibility Into Valuable Experience"
Our mission: To equip and mobilize students to serve their community
through a day of volunteering.
When: April 10, 2010 from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Who: Several area churches have joined forces with the City of Brenham to bombard our local community on April 10, 2010 with student volunteers who
will gladly clean gutters, paint walls, visit the elderly and even wash windows.
Will you please join me and fellow Christians in Washington County?
I will have a signup sheet on my office door for all who want to
make a difference in our community.
God's work - our hands
Anniversaries
3/5 Alvin & Ruth Free
3/5 David & Anne Hall
3/8 Dane & Melonie Rau
3/11 Arthur & Dorothy Grimm
3/11 Olin & Rachel Parker
3/11 Timothy & Erin Pepper
3/12 Weldon & Marjorie Krinke
3/13 Keith & Kori Kelm
3/15 Warren & Jacy Niemeyer
3/21 Herman & Elverna Borchardt
3/21 Bruce & Sheila Muske
Baptismal Anniversaries
3/1 Natalie Machart
3/1 Kolten Pierce
3/4 Madeline Pierce
3/4 Edna Schramme
3/6 Lisa Bentke
3/6 Marvin Spreen
3/6 Delbert Stelter
3/8 David Buck
3/8 Allison Crowson
3/8 Tyler Smith
3/9 Bobbie Ising
3/9 Justin Lyles
3/11 Gene Draehn
3/11 Vernice Neumann
3/12 David Blum
3/14 Harold Eikenhorst
3/14 Justin Redman
3/14 Nathan Zibilski
3/15 James Keienburg
3/15 Elouise Rodenbeck
3/16 Dorine Marburger
3/16 Kristy Pieper
3/17 Jason Blum
3/17 George Lorenz
3/17 Curtis Orts
3/18 Lari Machart
3/20 Wayne Fuchs
3/21 Carson Lehde
3/22 Richard McCord
3/23 William Klingsporn
3/23 Sybil Kumaga
3/26 William Bentke
3/26 Elroy Dannhaus
3/26 Dayne Wunderlich
3/28 Allan Draehn
3/29 Wiley Crowson
3/29 Avery Maass
3/31 Carter Rybarsk
Birthdays
3/2 Marissa Diggs
3/4 Leroy Hodde
3/5 William Bentke
3/7 Howard Hardan
3/8 Nina Runge
3/9 David Raffo
3/11 Dorothy Hohlt
3/11 Linda Wagner
3/12 Mildred Helm
3/14 Shon Callahan
3/14 Connie Klausmeyer
3/14 Cervera Klingsporn
3/16 Truitt Niemeyer
3/17 Laurie Gurka
3/17 Calvin Meyer
3/19 Robyn Bentke
3/19 Leroy Stoddard
3/21 Dinah Niemeyer
3/22 Mark Buck
3/23 Haylie Niemeyer
3/25 Leslie Little
3/26 Beth Kunkel
3/28 Shannon Buck
3/29 Ronnie Kelm
3/30 Melonie Rau
3/30 Matt Supak
3/31 Deanna Bosse
3/31 Christine Hall
Attendance
1/31 - 140
2/7 - 184
2/14 - 181
2/17 - 83
2/21 - 147
Offerings
1/31 - 3146.50
2/7 - 2828.50
2/14 - 3126.25
2/17 - 620
2/21 - 3461.50
The primary way we are to obtain money is to work for it.
"Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business,
and to earn your own living. (1Thes. 4:11)."
Dear friend in Christ,
I want to give you some bad news. Are you ready? Here it is: Life is not always pleasant. In fact, it can be downright tough as it deals us one harsh blow after another. Divorce, war, rejection, sickness, financial difficulties, loss of employment, death of
loved ones, tragedies of one sort or another. . . .
That's the way it was on Good Friday as Jesus was in the tomb. The world seemed to be falling apart. As one pastor observed, though, "It may be Friday, but Sunday's coming!" Jesus Christ rose from the dead that Resurrection Sunday morning to prove that He is the King of Kings. He is the Victor who has conquered sin and death. That, my friend, is why Easter is forever. That's why we have new life in place of death. That's why we have liberty in place of bondage. That's why we have joy instead of
sorrow. Because He lives ? because He is the Victor ? we shall live also!
And that's the message of hope that we are proclaiming through the ministry of Zion Lutheran Church. But as with anything of value, there's a cost associated with proclaiming the good news of the resurrection. Unfortunately, as one church newsletter put it, "We enjoy the benefits of being Easter people, but we don't like to hear about the cost of Good Friday." It costs money to keep the lights and heat on, to hire staff, to pay for the building and its upkeep, to buy music and Sunday school literature, and so forth.
And it costs the investment of time and talents by volunteers to keep things going.
That's why as you consider all that we have as Christians because of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, I'd like you to consider a special offering to this ministry. Perhaps you would see it as a praise and thanksgiving offering for the resurrection. Or maybe you would view it as an Easter memorial to the great sacrifice Christ made on the cross. Whatever you call it, as you pray about what God would have you do and follow His leading, you may be sure that what you give will be used to share the good news of Resurrection Sunday with those who are living with a "Friday"
mentality. It may be Friday, but Sunday's coming! Praise God!
October Council Highlights?
A complete copy of the unapproved February minutes are posted on the bulletin board in the coffee bar area.
· Accepted bid of $480 to clean out flower beds, not including the red tip plants. The church will need to provide the mulch.
· All light bulbs have been replaced.
· Wanting to get a 55 gallon drum in order to purchase gas in bulk.
· Church workday Saturday, March 20th
· Selected "High Seas" for Sunday School VBS the week of June 7 in Old Washington at the United Church
· Proceeds from the 2010 fundraiser will be used for building maintenance
· Topics for lent service will be "Hey Joseph", the youth will serve meal before each service at 6pm
· Easter Lilies $11 per plant; sale starts 2/21. The funds from the pancake supper & Easter breakfast will go towards the new lawn mower that is needed
Granted transfer of Janice Schulz Schroeder to St. Peter
Committee News
Easter Lilies can be purchased for $11 each. Order forms are in the narthex.
Please fill out the order form and put in the envelope along with your check and place in the yellow basket. You can write one check and place in one envelope for multiple orders but please use one form for each plant.
Orders must be turned in no later than March 14th.
Lent offerings will be going into the church's general fund to help cover normal operating expenses.
Church Work Day
Saturday, March 20 - 8am until ?
We will be cleaning both the inside and outside
of the church building.
Photos Needed:
Anyone having photos of church group activities are asked to submit those
to Beverly Roehling for possible inclusion in the church directory.
Please turn in by Sunday, March 7.
The Mary Martha Circle will be hosting the Birthday Party at Gazebo Terrace
on Wednesday, March 31.
Please come and share this celebration.
More details will follow.
This month's featured worship assistant opportunity
is the Altar Guild? Please Volunteer
Before Worship
1. Wipe all brass furnishings with damp cloth and DRY (Very Important to Dry Thoroughly). Do not polish. Use gloves to handle.
2. Put out 4 offering plates on credence shelf.
3. Light Sanctuary candle. Replace if necessary. It is on a pulley convenience.
4. Fill liquid wax candles on altar & Paschal Candle with liquid wax prior to worship. Check wick heights. Trim wicks if necessary.
5. Change Altar Paraments according to color on calendar. If uncertain about color, ask Altar Guild Chairperson (worship committee). If Paraments need cleaning, notify Altar Guild Chairperson (worship
committee). Change banner to appropriate color if needed.
For Communion
· Check for bits of plastic and cracks in communion cups as you place them in the trays.
· On Special Festival Sundays fill 6 full trays for the service Fill 2 cups with white grape juice in the center of the trays. Will be using 1 small bottle per Sunday.
· For a Regular Sunday service fill 4 full trays and for the other 2 trays leave the last row open (put at bottom of stack). Fill 2 cups with white grape juice in the center of the trays. Will be using 1 small bottle per Sunday.
· Place baskets for used cups in middle of front isle of sanctuary.
· Place 2 purificators on altar - second one goes next to chalice and can be one of the hankies.
· Place 3 bread loaves in Paten and cover. Place on table in back of sanctuary where light switches are located. Place second Paten on lower shelf of Credence table. Leave remaining bread on counter in Sacristy for easy access.
· Fill gold trim flagon 1/8" with wine. Place it also on the table in the back with the bread.
· Check with bread maker as a reminder if bread is not there.
· Make sure all lights are out and doors locked when you leave. Make sure the stained glass lights in the front wall are out.
· Check with the ushers after count is done to make sure to have enough wine cups filled.
Remember their count includes kids and babies. This is necessary on festival Sundays when there is a
larger crowd of worshippers.
After Worship
- Wash communion ware. Rinse with hot water. DRY, DRY, DRY, BEFORE STORING!
Store trays, paten and flagon in cloth covers in cabinet. Place vested chalice on Altar.
- Communion linens stained with wine should be cleaned in cold water
- Wipe offering plates with dry cloth and store.
- Fill liquid wax candles on altar & Paschal candle with liquid wax in case of mid-week service.
- Keep store room and cabinets in proper order.
- Extinguish the sanctuary candle.
- Dispose of used cups and clean basket.
- Pour unused wine back into wine bottle from the unused cups and Flagon. Throw out the wine from the Chalice.
- Give the bread to the birds
- Clean sink and wash the towels. Don't forget to bring them back.
- Make sure all lights are out and doors locked when you leave. Make sure the stained glass lights in the
front wall are out.
When opening last box of communion cups, leave note for church secretary
so she can order more communion cups.
From the Church Office
The Church Office will be closed on Friday, 3/12
Pastor Hall and Sister Anne will be out of the office 3/12 thru 3/16
to attend the memorial service for Pastor Hall's father.
Reverend Timm will be the supply Pastor for Sunday, 3/14
Time change Sunday 3/14
"Church Basement Ladies" are coming to Brenham!
The hilarious story about the challenges of a small town church kitchen comes to Brenham as Blinn College presents "Church Basement Ladies"
on March 23 at 7pm in the Dr. W.W. O'Donnell Performing Arts Center.
The musical comedy tells the story of ladies that work in the church
basement cooking meals for church functions including a huge Christmas dinner, a Hawaiian Easter fundraiser, a hot July wedding, and the
funeral of a dear friend.
The play features four distinct characters and their relationships as they organize the food and solve the problems of a rural church. The down-to-earth ladies share recipes, mentor younger church members, keep the
pastor on course, and generally stave off disaster at every turn.
The musical is based on the novel "Growing Up Lutheran" by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann Nelson with music and lyrics by Drew Jansen.
Tickets for this exclusive Texas engagement are $25, $15 for students, and are available at the Blinn College ticket office in the Student Center
or by calling (979)830-4024.
The ticket office will be closed March 13-21 during spring break.
Lenten Schedule? Wednesday's March 3, March 10, March 17, March 24
Lenten meals prepared by the youth
will be served at 6pm (3/3 - 3/24)
Service at 7pm
Maundy Thursday, April 1 (7pm)
Good Friday, April 2 (12n)
THANK YOU'S
I want to thank Pastor Hall and my family for coming to see me while in the hospital.
Thank you to all who have visited, called, and sent cards.
Vernice Neumann
Thank you Pastor Hall and Sister Anne for your visits, prayers and giving communion while I was in the hospital, rehab and now at home. Thanks to all of you who sent the beautiful cards and called. Thanks to all of the Zion folks who make and bring the shut-in CD's of the church service each week and to the friends and neighbors who came and brought food.
God's Blessing to all of you,
Reuben and Mary Kelm
Bread Partners of Washington County
Dear Friends,
The volunteers of Bread Partners want to thank you for the donation of $101, and the 236 cans of food during your "Souper Bowl of Caring" campaign.
Donations such as yours, help us to continues our mission of feeding the needy in our area. We appreciated your support. We give food to an average of over 300 families each week. Bread Partners is an all volunteer organization.
May God bless you in all of your endeavors.
Thank you Zion Lutheran and confirmation class...
On Feb. 7th - the confirmation class participated in
the "Souper Bowl of Caring".
They collected $101 and 236 canned goods.
Washington County Bread Partners
will be able to distribute these gifts
to those who are in need.
There were 4,434 groups participating in
the "Souper Bowl of Caring."
As of 2/9/10 they had collected $5,482,833.00.
Thank you for helping to make a difference
in someone else's life.
Faith Mission and Help Center
Dear Zion Lutheran Church,
We acknowledge, with grateful appreciation, your contribution during 2009 of $100 to Faith Mission. Gifts like yours enable Faith Mission to continue the work of helping the needs of people in our community. It appears that 2010 will be a giant step forward in the services we provide, and more importantly, in the results achieved. Please continue to pray for our
effectiveness in changing lives.
On behalf of the people we serve, our board members, volunteers, and staff, please accept our sincere "Thank You" for your generosity. We extend our warmest wishes to you and yours.
