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DECEMBER 2019

Zion’s Good News

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

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“Finding Christmas Under the Sea”

Mary was an ordinary clown fish, pledged to be married to another clown fish named Joseph in the sea of Nazareth. That changed the day Mary received a visit from an angel fish with the most wonderful news. Join us for a Christmas adventure led by the J-Team and Little Lutherans.

December 15th - 9:00 Worship Children’s Program

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“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is a poem written by one of

America’s most popular poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The

first line tells us the circumstances of the poem’s composition, but

the key to its message lies in the year it was written—1864. On the

day when Longfellow heard the church bells in Boston “their old

familiar carols play,” America was deeply entangled in the Civil

War, and Longfellow felt the ironic contrast between the Christmas

message of “peace on earth, goodwill to men” and the horrors of

war. But as he listened to the bells, suddenly the Christmas gospel

felt stronger to Longfellow than the hatred and killing of the battle-

fields.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

That verse has been playing in my head this week. Listening to the

news of sisters and brothers around the world who are living

through wars, fires, famine, and other natural disasters as well as

those conjured up by humans, makes one wonder, “is God dead?”

God is not dead, nor is He asleep. He is a loving God who is in-

volved in our daily lives. We were created with purpose and our

lives have meaning. To think there is no God and that we are simply

here by random chance is to say there is no right or wrong and that

life has no meaning. God sent His Son to us to show us that we mat-

ter. He sent Him to show He cares about our struggles mentally,

physically, and spiritually. He came to right the wrongs, to bring

peace on earth, and goodwill to men. Thanks be to God.

~ Pastor Sue

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YOUR CHURCH STAFF

COUNCIL MEMBERS

President: Brenda Castellano

V. Pres.: Maryel Schoenfuss

Secretary: Carmella Moon

Treasurer: Marge Redetzke

Evangelism: Cory Wiesman

Faith Formation: Jackie Fischer & Isaac Thompson

Property: Lee Spindler

Stewardship: Amy Cournoyer

Worship: Lois Miller

PASTOR: Sue Eidahl Home Phone: 687-4381 E-mail: eides@zionlc.com

Secretary: Lori Lang E-mail: office@zionlc.com

WAYS TO CONNECT

WITH ZION

Write us at Zion Lutheran Church, 213501 Legacy Street, Stratford, WI 54484-9632

Phone us at 715-687-4110 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or leave a voice mail message.

Or email us at office@zionlc.com or directly to emails above. WEB SITE: www.zionlc.com

TRADITIONAL WORSHIP 9:00 a.m.

PLEASE keep the office updated: • Address, Phone & Email changes • Births, Deaths, Hospitalizations

INDEX Page 1 Finding Christmas Under the Sea /

Children’s Christmas Program 2 Pastor Sue’s Letter 3 Sunday Advent / Wednesday Ad-

vent / Christmas in the Park 4 Christmas Eve Music / Good Gifts

Tree / “The Star” Movie 5 Scrip News / Christmas Worship

Decorations / Advent & Christmas Decorating Help

6 Building Update / Annual Report Information / Christmas Message

7 January Serving Sign Up / Chil-dren’s Christmas Program / J-team and Little Lutherans

8 From Our House to Yours 9 Council Minutes / Constitution

Changes 10 Zion Cookbooks / Birthdays &

Anniversaries 11 Church Staff & Index Pull out: December Calendar and Serving Schedule / Bishop’s Message and Summary of Amendments. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE The 21st of each month. ANNOUNCEMENT DEADLINE Wednesdays by 9:00 a.m. WEEKLY E-MAIL Goes out on Monday morning. Email office@zionlc.com to be added to the receiver list.

Zion is on Facebook.

You can go to our website at www.zionlc.com and click on the link to

the Facebook page.

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DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS 1 - Duane Schraeder 2 - Kevin Miller 3 - Tierra Waddell 4 - Karlene Beyer 6 - Barb Wrensch 7 - Anthony Gliniecki Rose Huther Zachariah McBath 9 - Emmercyn Schiller 10 - Rod Huther Jacob Dahlke Lori Lang 11 - Gary Wussow 12 – Jackson Dahlke Sally Epping

Courtney Reno 13 - Douglas Bolen Jr.

Brynn Wiesman 14 - Eileen Hoesly Jamie Wenzel 15 - Eddy Peterson Roland Kauffman 16 - Adam Brubaker

Ashley Gallagher 20 - Joel Jurgensen Cinnamin Harwood 21 - Dixie Weber Karen Polege 23 - Janita Syring Cindy Wiskerchen

24 - Gunner Mercer 25 - Travis Leick Kecia Krueger 27 - Alec Nagel 28 – James Wiesman Reid Spindler 29 - JoAnn Werner Okley Wrensch 30 - Julie Bolen Garrett Moen Mason Kauffman

Brandon Aschenbrenner 31 - Eleanora Stotmeister Clare Thompson Sandy Andersen

Carisa Timm Dawson Gebelein Marissa Gebelein

DECEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 7 - Dennis & Jan Schmidt 8 - Ardell & Pat Emon 12 – Dan & Sharon Mikelson 16 - Dennis & Marge Redetzke Les & Kristi Ormond 20 – Clayton & Karey Foster 26 - Don & Wandnetta Karl 29 – Todd & Dawn Schoenherr 30- Sam & Tammy Draper 31 - Tim & Brenda Garrigan

Zion Cookbooks The new cookbooks have arrived and

are available for purchase.

$12.00 each.

All proceeds go to the elevator fund.

Sunday Morning Advent Worship

“Wonders of His Love” Dec.1— “Coming God” Dec. 8—“Prepare the Way” Dec. 15—“Christmas Program” Dec. 22—“What Child is This”

O Come Emmanuel Wednesday Advent Worship 5:30 Meal—6:15 Worship “O Come Emmanuel”

Holden Evening Prayer

Isaiah Texts

Christmas in the Park December 7th 3-6 pm

Zion is in charge of the Live Nativity this year and we need you to fill the stable. It’s a great time for families to come together to portray the nativity as the horses and wagons drive by. We have the costumes and will provide hot chocolate to keep you warm. Sign up in the narthex or call Pastor Sue.

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Good Gifts Tree A Christmas tree will be set up in the Gathering Area again this year offering you an opportunity to give a gift that makes a difference in people’s lives and around the world. Your gifts support long-term, sus-tainable solutions that ensure that these good gifts last for more than a couple of days or weeks. They keep on giving for years to come. Take an ornament or orna-ments home with you and place the envelopes in the offering plate.

Constitution Changes The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) meets in assem-bly every three years to do the business of the church. Zion has been a member of the ELCA since it began in 1988. Each year that the ELCA meets in Assembly, amendments to the model constitution (which all ELCA congregations follow) are forwarded to congregations for ap-proval at its regular congregational meeting, in our case the annual meeting. We are required by the constitution to submit notice to you, the congre-gation, of such amendments, following the council’s recommendation. Zion’s council received and voted to approve these amendments on No-vember 18th at the regular council meeting. A summary of this year’s amendments is included in this newsletter. The amendments will be voted on at our annual meeting on January 26, 2020.

* A full copy of this year’s amendments is in the office.

COUNCIL MINUTES Zion Lutheran Church Council met on Monday, November 18, 2019

President Brenda Castellano called the meeting to order. Pastor Sue led with devotions.

During the meeting the council:

• Approved the Secretary’s Report.

• Approved the Treasurer’s Report.

• Approved the Ministry Teams’ Reports.

• Received one Thank You card and sent one Thank You card.

• Lee reported on progress for Elevator Project.

• Carmella presented optional/additional insurance coverage from Don Spindler.

• Approved Amendments to the Model Constitution.

• Approved Request for Thrivent Matching Funds. Respectfully submitted by Carmella Moon, Secretary

* A full copy of the Secretary’s notes is in the office.

Anyone interested in offering special music for a Christmas Eve service please contact Mary Wussow or the church office, by December 11th. Voice, instrument, adult, child - all are welcome. Please share the title of your music, name(s) of people involved and the preference of service time 5:00 PM or 7:00 PM.

“The Star”

Movie will be shown Sunday, Dec. 8th

in the Family Center following worship!

Movie length: 120 minutes

A small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day, he finds the courage to break free, embarking on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock, and Dave, a dove who has lofty aspirations. Along with three camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told the first Christmas.

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Operation Christmas gift-giving is "From Our House to Yours"! We've selected several "houses" in the area that provide shelter and support for individuals and families in times of personal crisis or need. Throughout the Operation Christmas season, we'll learn how the following facilities open their doors, hearts, and hands as they serve area communities.

Ronald McDonald House -- A home away from home for families with hospitalized children. The Hannah Center -- Housing and support for pregnant women

and women in life crisis who can no longer stay in their home environment. Shirley's House of Hope -- Serving women and children caught in the cycle of domestic violence and drug/alcohol abuse. Mary's Place -- A housing facility to assist the homeless and those with little or no income.

Just as in our own homes, these facilities go through a lot of house-hold supplies like laundry and dish soap, paper products, cleaning and office supplies. Wish lists from each of the Operation Christmas "houses" are available by the display in the Narthex, along with envelopes for those who prefer to donate cash to purchase gift cards. Please have your donations to Zion by Sunday, December 22nd, so the gifts can be delivered by Christmas. Zion members have generously supported the Operation Christmas project for many years. We are blessed to share our blessings with other, especially during this season of giving!

Scrip News The SCRIP Holiday Bonus is underway! For every $25 of SCRIP you purchase in December, your name will be entered into a drawing for a BONUS $25 SCRIP of your choice. Check your Christmas gift list and purchase cards for your shopping trips OR to give as gifts! In No-vember, over $1200 of SCRIP was purchased. Were you the lucky Bo-nus winner drawn on December 1st? The Bonus winner from December SCRIP sales will be drawn on January 5th. Good luck! Due to the recent sale of the Baltus Bread & Butter Shops, Baltus SCRIP is limited to the stock we have on hand and will be honored by the new owner until all previously issued SCRIP is used. If you regular-ly purchase gas at Baltus, consider making a purchase of Baltus SCRIP soon to help us deplete our stock. Thanks! DID YOU KNOW?... SCRIP program rebates offered by the retailers vary from 3-12%, and it all adds up through the year to help fund travel expenses for National Youth Gatherings and mission trips. Thank you for supporting Zion youth fundraising efforts through your SCRIP pur-chases! CHRISTMAS WORSHIP DECORATIONS If you would like to order a poinsettia ($8.00) to help decorate the sanctuary, or donate money towards the Christmas trees, please complete a form. The forms are located on the Usher Table. Poinsettias are coming from the Stratford School Greenhouse. You may take your poinsettia home after Christmas Eve worship.

From our House to Yours!

PASTORAL ACTS Pastor Sue officiated at the funeral of Dean Wieland.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS DECORATING HELP NEEDED Sunday, December 1st, after worship - Christmas tree & lights set up in Family Center. Wednesday Dec. 4th, after worship - hang garlands and set up Christmas tree lights in sanctuary. Sunday, Dec. 8th, after worship - decorate Christmas tree in sanctuary with Chrismons. If you are able to help any of these times, we appreciate it!

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Annual Report Information Copies of 2018 reports will be in team mailboxes the first week of December. Team reports for 2019 are due in the office January 2, 2020.

We pray that the child of Bethlehem will find a welcome place in your heart and in your life,

that you may know the wonder of being

loved unconditionally, cherished unceasingly,

and saved everlastingly.

A Blessed Christmas to you From the Staff of Zion Lutheran Church

January 2020

Please take a moment to sign

up to serve during worship.

The deadline to sign up is Dec

17. After that I will need to fill

any open slots and get it sent

in to Lori in the church office

to send out in the newsletter.

https://www.signupgenius.com

Thanks,

Brenda Huther

Little Lutherans (Kindergarten – 3rd Grade) and J-Team (4th – 6th Grade) will be held Wednesdays, December 4th and December 11th. After school until 5:15 p.m.

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM December 15, 2019 during 9:00 Worship Service. PRACTICE TIMES Wed., Dec. 4th 3:15 – 5:15 Wed., Dec. 11th 3:15 – 5:15 Please note: Class for Little Lutherans and J-Team will still be provided

as usual for those who are not able to participate in the program.

Building Update 2019 Payment Bi-Weekly Start Payment Interest Principal Ending Dates Balance Amount Paid Paid Balance 08/02 & 08/16 $314,224.76 $ 3,100.00 $ 945.40 $ 2,154.60 $ 312,070.16 08/30 $312,070.16 $ 1,550.00 $ 470.27 $ 1,079.73 $ 310,990.43 08/30 $310,990.43 $ 7,000.00 $ .00 $ 7,000.00 $ 303,990.43 09/13 & 09/27 $303,990.43 $ 3,100.00 $ 914.54 $ 2,185.46 $ 301,804.97 10/11 & 10/25 $301,804.97 $ 3,100.00 $ 907.95 $ 2,192.05 $ 299,612.92

Total monthly principal payments $ 14,611.84 Total monthly interest payments $ 3,238.16 Balance of loan as of 10-25-2019 $ 299,612.92

Partners Bank Building checking acct balance as of 11-08-2019 $ 13,546.95