ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH • BUFFALO, MN MARCH 2011
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
Sunday Worship Services
8:30 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary with nursery available 9:45 am Family Express in Trinity Hall 10:30 am Jubilee Worship in the Sanctuary with nursery available
Sunday School
Available for children ages 3 to grade 6 at 8:30 and 10:30 during the school year.
Wednesday Nights
Programs for elementary students, choirs, handbells, confirmation and supper during the school year.
Contact Us
Email [email protected] Online www.ZionBuffalo.org Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm (noon summer Fridays) Church Office 763.682.1245 Fax 763.684.1967 Street Address 1200 Highway 25 South, Buffalo (across from 13th St S.) Mailing Address PO Box 88, Buffalo, MN 55313
Prayer Requests
Call the church office at 763.682.1245 or visit Zion online at ZionBuffalo.org with your prayer requests. If you want a pastoral visit or would like to be included in pastoral prayers during worship, please use a yellow pew card or call the church office.
Address, Phone & Email Corrections
Zion maintains a database of all members. If you have had any changes to your address, phone number, marital status, etc. please contact Angela with your name, phone number and the changes that need to be made.
If You Are Ill
Hospitals no longer notify churches when their members are admitted for care. Call 763.682.1245 and let us know so we can support you with prayer and with presence.
Weekly Bulletin Insert
The weekly bulletin announcement insert is also available to download as a PDF at ZionBuffalo.org/Weekly. Contact Diane Montplaisir with submissions as early in the week as possible, but no later than Thursdays at Noon.
The Voice
A monthly publication of Zion Lutheran Church
Upcoming Deadlines
March 14 at 8am for April Issue
April 11 at 8am for May Issue
Editor: Angela Bengtson
This Month’s Cover
Dave Wright teaching children about cows at
the Villages of Hope school in Zambia.
Zion Staff
Ted Vanderpan: Senior Pastor
ext. 304 | [email protected]
Karri Anderson: Interim Associate Pastor
ext. 305 | [email protected]
Sherilyn Burgdorf: Shared Ministry Director
ext. 307 | [email protected]
Roxie Otten: Co-Director of Christian Education
ext. 331 | [email protected]
Holly Husom: Co-Director of Christian Education
ext. 308 | [email protected]
Myron Crawford: Director of Youth Ministries
ext. 306 | [email protected]
Jim Onstad: Youth Staff
Diane Montplaisir: Administrative Secretary
ext. 302 | [email protected]
Angela Bengtson: Communications & Membership
ext. 325 | [email protected]
Sue Stensrud: Financial Secretary
ext. 303 | [email protected]
Tom Janzen: Facility & Grounds Manager
Louis Nagel: Part Time Custodian
Missy Peterson & Stephanie McClanahan:
Nursery Staff
Michael Walsh: Coordinator of Music
Congregational Council
Kevin Bergquist
Roger Brenny
Bill Deneen
Mike Davis
Tracy Gurneau
Kelly Hanson
Devonne Kent
Beverly Koopman
Sue Lyrek
Colleen Manninen
Scott Morin
Steve Peterson
Wanda Weber
Zion seeks to share Christ’s word, strengthen faith and serve those in need. 2
Information
Cultivating Holy Gardens
“We’re going to the farm.” Few other words in the days of my youth could bring me such instantaneous joy and excitement. Whether it was by car with family, or on the train with my grandmother, going to the farm meant a trip to Black River Falls, WI to visit my mother’s sister and her family. Sometimes I could barely contain myself when I knew that “this time” I would be staying while everyone else went back home. I would be overjoyed knowing there would be many days ahead to help milk the cows and to go on scavenger hunts to find all the eggs that the chickens refused to lay in the hen house. To discover what new animals might have moved in since my last visit or which ones might have had babies. To play in the hay mow and the granary, or help with the planting or the harvesting of the crops. And to know that in the summer there would be all those fresh vegetables and berries there for the picking right outside the back door!
There is something special about a garden. The smell of dirt that has just been turned over to get ready for the planting of seeds. The thrill of seeing those tiny green fingers begin poking out from beneath the earth, the swiftness with which the plants grow to maturity and the wonder that comes with the ripening of the produce. The whole process connects us to the Holy in a unique and profound way. Seeing and participating in the cycle of life through the nurturing of animals or crops on a farm or the tending of a garden is becoming less and less of a universal experience for people.
And so for Lent 2011 we will be using the theme Practicing Our Faith: Cultivating Holy Gardens as the means for discovering new ways of discipleship and deepening our relationship with God. Through weekly worship, sermons, readings and gathering together in small groups we will continue to work at strengthen our lives of discipleship.
Each midweek Lenten sermon will focus on one of the 6 marks of discipleship that we learned while reading Michael Foss’s book Power Surge this past fall. We will examine each of the marks and how nurturing them helps in growing a strong faith. Along with the 6 marks we will study the book, Practicing Our Faith by Dorothy Bass to help us imagine new ways of growing our faith gardens. Zion’s children will be exploring, right along with the adults, through their Sunday School programming. The results of their project will be used in a variety of ways to continue their learning beyond the Lenten season and to involve other groups that will help develop relationships across generations.
As the time grows near for me to leave Zion I wanted to share with you that one of the things that has been such a blessing for me has been the daily reminders of the farm on my drives out to Buffalo. The long drive I was so dreading when I was called to Zion became a sacred time that I actually looked forward to. Knowing I would be spending my days working with such a gifted and caring staff made it worthwhile as well.
I want you to know that I feel incredibly blessed by all of you as we have worked together toward Zion’s promising tomorrow. And while I may be leaving Buffalo, I am taking all of you with me in the seeds that have been planted during our time together. Seeds that will continue to grow and bear fruit wherever I go.
In Christ’s Love,
From the Pastor
Worship Schedule
Sunday, March 6
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Matthew 17:1-9
Pastor Karri Preaching
Wednesday, March 9
Ash Wednesday
Pastor Karri Preaching
Sunday, March 13
First Sunday in Lent
Matthew 4:1-11
Pastor Ted Preaching
Wednesday, March 16
Pastor Karri Preaching
Sunday, March 20
Second Sunday in Lent
John 3:1-17
Pastor Karri Preaching
Wednesday, March 23
Sunday, March 27
Third Sunday in Lent
John 4:5-42
Pastor Ted Preaching
Wednesday, March 30
3
Meet Pastor Luke Schmidt
The congregation met on Sunday, February 20, to extend a call to fill the position of Associate Pastor for our Zion Lutheran Congregation. The Call committee selected Pastor Luke Schmidt and the church council has affirmed their selection. This newsletter went to print before the February 20 meeting, so check ZionBuffalo.org or the weekly announcements for the results of that meeting.
Pastor Luke Schmidt has been working in ministry since 2004. Most recently he has been serving as Pastor of Community Life at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, MN. In that role, Pastor Luke enjoyed time spent connecting people, launching an experiential worship service, leading a congregational vision process, restructuring the church council around areas of ministry and life passion, and revamping the way the church talks about stewardship. Some of Luke’s other activities include involvement in the Hanson preaching fellowship, the Augsburg Pastoral Leadership program, training other pastors in money leadership, and serving on the Minneapolis Synod Stewardship Team. Pastor Luke is passionate about preaching, discipleship, growing new leaders, and whole-life stewardship.
Pastor Luke grew up in New Ulm, MN. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College and Luther Seminary. Ministry is his second career after some time spent in the corporate software industry. He has been married to his wife Jessica for 10 years and they have two children; Kate (4) and Will (1). Pastor Luke and his family live in Brooklyn Park but are excited to move to Buffalo.
Pastor Luke enjoys technology, playing volleyball and basketball, riding roller coasters with Kate, wrestling with Will, watching movies with Jess, and cooking for large groups of people.
Births
January 7
Gavin Lee Breuer, son of Brandi & Joey
January 17
Savannah Caroline Smith, daughter of
Angie Peterson & Darroch Smith
Baptisms
January 23
Nora Nicole Pemberton
Connor Patrick Heideman
January 30
Cody Stephen Gillman
Funerals
January 2
Harvey Berglund
January 15
Ted Callerstrom
January 16
Don Borscheid
February births & pastoral acts will be
reported in the April Newsletter.
Active Military
Please Pray For
Will Dobbins
Stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA
Fred Pierce
Stationed in Miramar, CA
Cody Bauman
Stationed at Fort Bragg, NC
Doug Pecarina
Army National Guard
Charles Mandery
Army National Guard
Chris Paulsen-Schmidt
Stationed at Norfolk, VA
Korey Siltman
Stationed in Washington State
Christopher Brophy
Stationed at Fort Reiley, KS
Ben Pecarina
Stationed at Las Vegas, NV
Greg Bremseth
Stationed at the MEPS in Houston, TX
DeAnna Strommen
Stationed at Fort Hood, TX
News and Views
4
No Chimes on the Organ
Zion has Diane Johnson to thank for
doing the impossible with Zion's pipe
organ since Christmas.
Few people know that in the middle of
the 5pm worship on Christmas Eve a
portion of the pipe organ quit working.
The organ lost its capability to do any
presets that organists use to switch the
sounds of the organ quickly. Since
Christmas, Diane Johnson, Minda
Squadroni and other organists have
been making adjustments to use the
organ in its present state.
Zion Worship Committee has appointed
a task force to look into options for
repair/upgrade to a digital system that
would replace the broken circuit boards
inside the organ. A temporary "bypass"
has been done to give organists some
flexibility for playing during the
upcoming months until a more
permanent solution is found. Watch for
updates from the Pipe Organ Task
Force during the next months. If you'd
like to join the task force to hear about
needed repairs or possibly help with
fundraisers, memorial funds or gifts,
talk with any of the existing task force
members: Anita Bazan, Sherilyn
Burgdorf, Diane Johnson, Gary and
MaryLynn Leff, Sue Lyrek (church
council representative to the Worship
Committee), Mark Minkler, Dale and
Ione Olson, Diane Paulu, Minda
Squadroni, Jason and Amy Chalupnik,
and Mike Walsh.
Bishop Hanson to Serve on
Presidential Council
In February, President Obama
announced his intention to appoint the
Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA), to the President‘s
Advisory Council on Faith-based and
Neighborhood Partnerships.
The advisory council brings together
religious and secular leaders, as well as
scholars and experts in fields related to
the work of faith-based and
neighborhood organizations, to make
recommendations to the government on
how to improve partnerships, according
to a White House news release.
5
Lent 2011
Practicing Our Faith: Cultivating Holy Gardens
Lent begins on March 9
These forty days are our time to walk the journey with Christ to the cross, ending when we reach the triumphant Easter day. The forty days offer the time to come to Zion for midweek worship, be intentional about devotions at home, and participate in special events for the season. Be watching for further Lenten details at ZionBuffalo.org/Lent.
Ash Wednesday, March 9
Wednesday, March 9, Ash Wednesday worship at noon and 6:30pm in the sanctuary with imposition of ashes and holy communion.
Practicing Our Faith adult study will begin after the noon and 6:30pm services. See page 11 for more information.
Wednesdays March 16 to April 13
Choose the worship time that fits your schedule. Confirmation students are encouraged to attend worship each Wednesday.
Practicing Our Faith study will continue after the noon and 6:30pm services.
Noon in the Library/Chapel
Worship service of scripture, hymns, prayer and pastor’s meditation during the lunch hour.
6:30pm in the Sanctuary
The familiar Holden Evening Prayer service will be led by the Zion Youth Choir and will include scripture, pastor’s meditation, and music from Zion’s choirs.
The Table is Set!
Come for a family meal before worship each Wednesday at Zion. The cost is a reasonable $3 per plate and the connection with family and friends is great! Serving starts at 5pm, and menus are on page 6. The meal served on March 30 will be a fundraiser for the Zion Youth summer mission trip.
Devotional Materials
Email devotions can be found at www.luthersem.edu/lent.
Supporting Mission Partners
Lenten self-denial folders will be sent to those who have used them in the past and to new members. More folders will be available in the narthex. These quarters assist Zion’s ministry at home and throughout the world. By denying ourselves, we spread God’s love in many parts of the world.
Mission Sunday
On Sunday, March 13, come to Zion for a special focus on all of the ways that Zion reaches out to our community and the world. Various mission groups will be participating in the worship services and providing displays and information in the lobby/narthex after worship. Special music will also be provided by the Senior Choir, Jubilee, Youth Choir, and all handbell choirs.
Beads and More
Projects that Harvest of Hands will work on in March are:
Poinsettia Felt Wreath Project (pictured) on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday mornings from 9 to 11 in Wilderness Room.
Beading projects, jewelry, felt and ornament projects on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 in the Wilderness Room.
Beading has become so popular with the group that there is always a beading project going on in the evening sessions. An alternate project is available for anyone that does not want to work on beading. The group hopes to complete more projects this year with this approach. If you have an idea of a project that would be great for the sale, please contact the group, as they are always looking for new projects and volunteers.
Please join the Harvest of Hands crafters for some friendship, laughter, and the rewards of helping others.
Holy Yoga
Holy Yoga is an exercise of worship combining yoga exercise with beautiful music and God’s word. Jonnie Goodmanson is a certified master holy yoga instructor and will lead a six-week Holy Yoga series for beginners at Zion on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-10:30am beginning March 23. There is no fee but a free-will offering will be accepted. Contact Nancy Elam at 612.581.0377 with questions or sign up at the information desk.
Fellowship & Study
Wednesday Menu
Make plans to come to Wednesday
Night Suppers at Zion! There‘s a tasty
meal waiting for you every Wednesday
from 5:00-6:15 in the Fellowship Hall
for a suggested donation of $3 per
plate.
March 2: Pizza
March 9: Sub Sandwiches
March 16: Sloppy Joes
March 23: Tacos
March 30: Grilled Cheese & Tomato
Soup served by the Youth
Meals will be served each week until the
end of the school year excluding school
breaks.
If you would like to try serving on a
supper team or sponsor meals, please
contact Cindy Bonde
Boundary Waters
Men’s Canoe Trip
Zion men interested in participating in
the fifth annual canoe trip to the
Boundary Waters please contact Jud
Goerss at 682.4756 or
In the past, a group of eight
Zion men share this adventure
and fellowship experience. A
BWCA outfitter provides
everything, so canoes, camping
equipment and previous
experience is not required. The
group will leave on the
afternoon of June 26 and return
back to Buffalo on June 30.
6
Copper River
Buffalo Community Book Read
In February, the Zion Book Club will take part in the sixth annual Buffalo Community Book Read. William Kent Krueger will lead a discussion on Copper River, on Tuesday, March 15, at the Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center. From 5-6 pm there will be snacks and a reception for the author, from 6-7 there will be student led discussions, 7-8 pm there will be a presentation by the author.
Copper River finds Cork O'Connor running for his life from professional hit men who have already put a bullet through his leg. Desperate, he finds sanctuary outside a small town called Bodine on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in an old resort owned by his cousin, Jewell DuBois. Though Jewell, a bitter widow whose husband may have been killed by cops, keeps Cork at arm's length, her fourteen-year-old son, Ren, is looking for a friend. But being a father figure to Ren will prove more difficult than Cork could possibly imagine... (Author's website)
In Coming Months
Details of all these books are online at ZionBuffalo.org/Social
April 11: The Good Earth by Pearl Buck
Star Gazing and Old Log Theater
There are two Zionaires events scheduled for seniors and retirees in March.
First, catch the celestial skies over Buffalo. Mike Lynch, meteorologist and astronomy expert from WCCO radio, will be giving us a short class and then a look at the wonders of our stars. It will be held at Northwinds Elementary on March 7 from 7-9pm. Cost is $13 or $20 for a couple. Sign up at the church by March 4 or call Roger and Sandy Brenny at 763.682.2979 for more information.
Then on Thursday, March 31, we will be joining a group to take a trip to the Old Log Theater in Excelsior to have a meal and see the popular acclaimed Broadway play, On Golden Pond. The day will include transportation from the Buffalo Community Center at 11am with a nice choice of a meal and the play at the Old Log for $56. The group will return at about 4:30pm. Register by March 18 at the information desk or, again, you can call Roger and Sandy at 763.682.2979 for more details.
By the way, even if you are not a senior, all are welcome to attend Zionaires programs!
Baptism Class
Zion offers a class for new or
prospective parents wishing to schedule
a baptism at Zion.
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 Wednesday, March
2, at 6pm or Sunday, April 10, at
noon.
Register online or by calling the office.
Membership Class
The next Membership Class will be held
after worship on Sunday, April 10. 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, April 17.
The meeting will include:
Lunch for you and your family,
served at 11:45am, and meeting
beginning about 12:15pm.
Your photo will be taken for the
reception on April 17.
Information will be collected for
church records.
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.
An opportunity for participants to
ask questions about the Bible, the
Christian faith, and Zion Lutheran
Church.
7
Mission Jamaica
The Mission Jamaica team are posting updates at ZionBuffalo.org/MJ and on Facebook throughout their trip which ends on March 5.
News From Zambia
Zion Members, Dave and Sue Wright, recently spent several weeks in Zambia working with Zion’s mission partner, Villages of Hope.
As I write this note, it is our final day in Africa. We are thankful for a rich and rewarding experience. Sue and I approached this trip with an open mind. We set goals but knew that our expectations for results in Africa might have been unrealistic.
Surprisingly, we have been blessed with results to go along with our good intentions. We spent the first week and a half in the Villages of Hope researching local farms and identifying "experts." After attempting to sort the grain from the chaff, we drew up plans for the milking shed, purchased building materials from Lusaka, and began construction. No time for second guessing yourself.
By the time we had to leave Villages of Hope, the design had been transformed from paper to reality. Waesey, our carpenter, fashioned hinges for the gates out of scrap metal and set the wood stanchions in place. The concrete floor was to be poured the following week and everything was ready except the roof. A roof can wait in Zambia weather. The five cows and three calves are ready to check out their new home.
We spent the final day training the staff in proper milking techniques. It is amazing to see what God can accomplish when people of faith share a common purpose. It has been another faith-growing experience for us as we return to our "normal" lives in the States.
Thank you for your tremendous support of prayers and finances. None of this could have happened without you.
Cheers!
Dave and Sue Wright
Photo: Sue at the newly constructed milking facility.
Global Mission Ministry
The following article appeared in the
February Redeemer newsletter. It is about
Pastor Kelly Chatman and his wife going
on two church related trips during
February. A report on their trips will be
included in a future Zion newsletter.
C heryl and I are excited that February
is actually here. We are especially
excited because this month blesses us with
two wonderful travel opportunities. Our
first travel opportunity is to our nation‘s
capital. Cheryl and I have been invited to
be a part of the Minnesota delegation to
attend the National Prayer Breakfast in
Washington, D.C. The Minnesota
delegation will join with 3,500 faith
leaders who will join with President
Obama and First Lady Michelle. In
addition to attending the Prayer Service,
we will attend the banquet, meet with
elected leaders and visit the future site for
the Martin Luther King Memorial.
As if that was not enough to be excited
about, on February 14, Cheryl and I will
depart for our twelve-day pre-Lenten
journey to the Holy Land. The trip is a
Book of Faith seminar. Beginning
Monday, February 14, we will depart
from Minneapolis to Newark, New Jersey,
where we will join up with Professor
Diane Jacobson, and a group of thirty
fellow travelers to the Holy Land. We will
arrive in Tel Aviv. From Tel Aviv we will
travel to sites including Galilee, Jesus‘
home town of Nazareth, Mount of
Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount
location), Capernaum, Caesarea Philippi,
Sea of Galilee, Jordan River Valley,
Petra, Dead Sea, Qumran, Jerusalem,
Garden of Gethsemane, Bethlehem and
many other sites. We are excited that we
will also meet with Palestinian Lutheran
pastor, Mitri Rehab, who will share with
us some of the rich history of Palestinian
Christianity, while we are in Bethlehem.
I know there will be so much to share with
you when we return at the end of
[February] and Cheryl and I hope that
you will hold us in your prayers. I pray
that God will use this time of travel to
strengthen me in telling the story of faith.
Thank you for remembering us in your
prayers.
ZionBuffalo.org/Global 8
How Can You Help Love INC
Churches sometimes tend to focus primarily on the pastors’ or leaders’ gifts and can ignore the many other gifts and skills possessed by Christ’s people. We know all of God’s people are called to serve in some capacity, yet not all of God’s people are equipped to serve inside church building as pastors, leaders, teachers, singers, ushers, etc. There are many Christians who want to do something, but their talents are not fully utilized within the church. The Church needs a way to mobilize God’s people, and all their many talents, to have an impact on the local community.
Hidden assets within the Church can meet real needs of people in the community. So many people need more than a warm coat or bag of groceries; they need to interact with positive Christian role models. Love INC-Big Woods is helping their partner churches survey their members’ skills to organize those who are available to volunteer through an individual resource inventory which is listed below. The Social Ministry Committee will be handing these out on Mission Sunday, March 13. This form can also be found online with a link at ZionBuffalo.org/Local.
Leave His imprint on someone’s life!
Individual Resource Inventory
Check the talents and skills you are willing to share with a person or family in need:
Household repairs: __Painting __Electrical __Plumbing __Carpentry
Yard work: __Mowing __Raking __Leaf blowing __Snow removal
Transportation: __Local __Long Distance __Medical
___ Pray for Love INC-Big Woods ministry & clients
Other talent or professional skills you would be willing to share: __________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Name: _________________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________ ZIP:__________
Phone: __________________________email__________________________________
Please return this form to the church office – Thanks!
“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
Pancake Breakfast
The Social Ministry Committee will
host a pancake breakfast at Zion on
Sunday, March 6, to benefit Faith in
Action and Zion‘s 2011 Middle School
Mission Trip.
3rd Annual Friends of the
Food Shelf Gala
Come help support the Buffalo Food
Shelf and have some fun on Saturday,
March 5, at the St. Francis Xavier
Faith and Education Center.
5:30pm - Social Hour/Silent Auction
6:30pm - Dinner catered by Russell‘s
On The Lake
8:00pm - ‘Deal or No Deal‘ Game
Your ‗Deal or No Deal‘ game tickets
will be available at event. Also, there
will be prize drawings throughout the
evening. Dinner tickets are just $25 in
advance and $30 at the door. A limited
number of tickets are being sold so be
sure and get yours today. Tickets
available at the St. Francis Xavier
Parish Office, Buffalo Food Shelf,
Buffalo Books, and IntegriPrint. For
more information call St. Francis
Xavier Food Shelf Co-Chairs, Simone
Brovege at 763.684.0759 or Jean
Carlson at 763.682.6345.
ZionBuffalo.org/Local 9
Community Mission Ministry
___Car Maintenance and Repair
___Help people move
___Housecleaning
___Laundry Services
___Provide Short term emergency housing
___Shopping assistance
___Storage for donated items
___Visit shut-ins
___Make follow up calls or visits
Wednesday March 9
Ash Wednesday
10:00am Devotions at Park View
12:00pm Ash Wednesday Worship with
Holy Communion
1:00pm Adult Book Study
2:45pm Class Ring
3:45pm SONshine Choir
3:45pm Ring Forth
3:45pm Kids' Place
5:00pm Wednesday Night Supper
5:15pm Youth Choir
6:30pm Ash Wednesday Worship with
Holy Communion
7:15pm Harvest of Hands Crafts
7:30pm Senior Choir
7:30pm Joyful Ringers
Thursday March 10
Friday March 11
10:30am Lenten Book Study at BJ's Deli
TBA Youth Un.Tour
Saturday March 12
3:30pm Wedding at Zion
TBA Youth return from Un.Tour
Sunday March 13
The First Sunday in Lent
Mission Sunday
Change for Children Crazy Hair Day
8:30am Traditional Worship Service
8:30am Sunday School and Grapple
9:30am Lenten Bible Study
9:30am Coffee Fellowship
9:45am Family Express Worship
10:30am Contemporary Worship Service
10:30am Sunday School and Grapple
Monday March 14
VBS online registration opens
8:00am Newsletter Deadline
8:00am Men's Bible Study Group
6:00pm First Sunday Rehearsal
7:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous
Tuesday March 15
9:30am Staff Meeting
9:30am Naomi Circle
5:00pm Community Book Read at BHS
5:30pm Stewardship Meeting
6:30pm Christian Education Committee
7:00pm Property Committee Meeting
7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal
7:30pm Visioning Task Force Meeting
Wednesday March 16
6:30am Men's 50+ Bible Study
9:15am Devotions at Sunrise
12:00pm Lenten Worship Service
1:00pm Lenten Book Study
2:45pm Class Ring
3:45pm SONshine Choir
3:45pm Ring Forth
3:45pm Kids' Place
5:00pm Wednesday Night Supper
5:15pm Youth Choir
6:30pm Lenten Worship Service
7:15pm Lenten Book Study
7:15pm Senior Choir
7:15pm Joyful Ringers
7:30pm Church Council Meeting
Thursday March 17
St. Patrick's Day
8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible Study
7:30pm Rebecca Circle
Friday March 18
10:30am Lenten Book Study at BJ's Deli
6:00pm Friday Night Fun Night
Saturday March 19
Sunday March 20
The Second Sunday in Lent
Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:30
Change for Children Pajama Day
8:30am Traditional Worship Service
8:30am Sunday School & Club 4
9:30am Lenten Bible Study
9:30am Coffee Fellowship
9:45am Family Express Worship
10:30am Contemporary Worship Service
10:30am Sunday School & Club 4
2:00pm Park View Devotions
Monday March 21
8:00am Men's Bible Study Group
6:00pm First Sunday Rehearsal
7:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous
Tuesday March 22
9:30am Staff Meeting
7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal
7:00pm Personnel Committee Meeting
ZionBuffalo.org/Calendar 10
Tuesday March 1
9:30am Staff Meeting
6:30pm Social Ministry Committee
7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal
Wednesday March 2
6:30am Men's 50+ Bible Study
2:45pm Class Ring
3:45pm SONshine Choir
3:45pm Ring Forth
3:45pm Kids' Place
4:00pm Confirmation / Sr High Tubing
5:00pm Wednesday Night Supper
5:15pm Youth Choir
6:30pm Joyful Ringers
7:00pm Senior Choir
Thursday March 3
Friday March 4
6:00am Friday Breakfast Crew
Saturday March 5
Mission Jamaica team Returns
Sunday March 6
Transfiguration of Our Lord
Holy Communion at 8:30, 9:45, and
10:30 and Recognition of First
Communion Class at 8:30 and 10:30
8:30am Traditional Worship Service
8:30am Sunday School & Club 4 with
Change for Children Kick Off
9:30am Pancake Breakfast
9:30am Adult Bible Study
9:45am Family Express Worship
10:30am Contemporary Worship Service
10:30am Sunday School & Club 4 with
Change for Children Kick Off
11:45am Executive Committee Meeting
Monday March 7
8:00am Men's Bible Study Group
6:00pm First Sunday Rehearsal
7:00pm Zionaires Stargazing
7:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous
Tuesday March 8
9:00am Kitchen Cleaning
9:30am Staff Meeting
6:30pm Outreach Evangelism Meeting
7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal
7:00pm Global Missions Committee
7:30pm Visioning Task Force Meeting
March Calendar
Practicing Our Faith
Cultivating Holy Gardens
Everyone is encouraged to participate in this year’s Lenten book study. The study will be based on the book Practicing Our Faith by Dorothy C. Bass, and will follow the same themes as Wednesday Lenten worship services.
Scheduled studies will be on Wednesdays immediately after the worship services, Fridays at 10:30am at BJs Deli (downtown Buffalo), and Sundays at 9:30am. Sign up at the information desk or online.
If you are already a part of a small group, consider using this book in your small group study time during the season of Lent.
The book is available through Zion for $14 each and a Kindle electronic edition is available at Amazon.com.
Sunday School children will be participating through their own curriculum and gardening project. Others interested in participating in the community gardening project this spring please sign up at the information desk or watch for more information at ZionBuffalo.org.
Book Study Schedule
Wednesday March 23
9:00am Newsletter Assembly
9:30am Devotions at Lakeridge
9:30am Holy Yoga
10:30am Devotions at Park View
12:00pm Lenten Worship Service
1:00pm Lenten Book Study
2:45pm Class Ring
3:45pm SONshine Choir
3:45pm Ring Forth
3:45pm Kids' Place
5:00pm Wednesday Night Supper
5:15pm Youth Choir
6:30pm Lenten Worship Service
7:15pm Lenten Book Study
7:15pm Senior Choir
7:15pm Joyful Ringers
Thursday March 24
8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible Study
Friday March 25
10:30am Lenten Book Study at BJ's Deli
Saturday March 26
1:00pm Club 456 Pool Party
Sunday March 27
The Third Sunday in Lent
Sanctuary Sunday with Noisy Offering:
Children are encouraged to worship
with their families.
8:30am Traditional Worship Service
9:30am Lenten Bible Study
9:30am Coffee Fellowship
9:45am Family Express Worship
10:30am Contemporary Worship Service
Monday March 28
8:00am Men's Bible Study Group
6:00pm First Sunday Rehearsal
6:30pm Read to Feed the Mind Meeting
7:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous
Tuesday March 29
9:30am Staff Meeting
7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal
Wednesday March 30
9:30am Holy Yoga
12:00pm Lenten Worship Service
1:00pm Lenten Book Study
2:45pm Class Ring
3:45pm SONshine Choir
3:45pm Ring Forth
3:45pm Kids' Place
5:00pm Wednesday Night Supper
5:15pm Youth Choir
6:30pm Lenten Worship Service
7:15pm Harvest of Hands Crafts
7:15pm Lenten Book Study
7:15pm Senior Choir
7:15pm Joyful Ringers
Thursday March 31
8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible Study
11:00am Zionaires Old Log Theater
Week 1 (March 9, 11, or 13)
Prayer (Chapters 1 & 14: Times of
Yearning/Practices of Faith/Growing
Practices of Faith)
Week 2 (March 16, 18, or 20)
Worship (Chapters 2 & 3: Honoring the
Body/Hospitality)
Week 3 (March 23, 25, or 27)
Scripture (Chapters 4 & 5: Household
Economics/Saying Yes and Saying No
Week 4 (March 30, April 1 or April 3)
Serve (Chapters 8 & 9: Discernment/
Shaping Communities)
Week 5 (April 6, 8, or 10)
Give (Chapters 10, 11 & 12: Forgiveness/
Healing/Dying Well)
Week 6 (April 13, 15, or 17 )
Relationships (Chapters 6, 7 & 13:
Keeping Sabbath/Testimony/ Singing
Our Lives)
11
Financial Report
January 2011
General Services Fund
Income Jan 2011 Jan 2010 General Offering $55,610.47 $58,009.69
Rent and Sunday School 2,254.47 1,950.12
WedNite Supper Income 896.50 0.00
Missions and Hunger 867.00 862.00
Other Designations 281.00 525.00
Total Income $59,909.44 $61,346.81
Expenses Synod Benevolence $1,000.00 $1,500.00
Other General Services 54,880.62 57,238.78
Total Expenses $55,880.62 $58,738.78
Account Balance as of 1-31-2011: -$2,469.61
General Fund Note: $40,000 has been borrowed from Klein Bank from 2009 to 2011 on an established Line of Credit to assist with cash flow. We have been making Interest only payments on this line of credit.
A Promising Tomorrow—Building Fund
Income Jan 2011 Jan 2010 Offerings and Interest $19,241.86 $13,626.06
Other Receipts 0.00 0.00
Total Income $19,241.86 $13,626.06
Expenses Building Mortgage $17,087.30 $17,087.30
Roof/Parking Lot Loan 913.37 1,305.03
Major Building Repairs 0.00 0.00
3% Tithe Commitment 0.00 0.00
2010 CapCampaign Exp 0.00 0.00
Kairos Consulting 7,000.00 0.00
Bank Service Charge 0.00 0.00
Interest Expense on LOC 0.00 0.00
Total Expenses $25,000.67 $18,392.33
Account Balance as of 1-31-2011: $19,302.25
Thank you for your continued support of God’s work at Zion Lutheran Church.
Memorial Gifts
Gifts to the preservation of Marysville
Church Fund in memory of Ted
Callerstrom from Orlin and Mary
Bonstrom, Colleen Rustad Sampson,
Sheryl Rustad Clarke.
A gift to the Jubilee in memory of Kevin
Bergquist‘s father Rueben Bergquist
from Wes and Mary Mahlberg.
A gift in memory of Donald Borscheid
from Ruth Borscheid.
Financial Snapshot:
General Fund ($736,000 income need
for 2011): $375,737 pledged or 51%
of income need.
Building Fund ($780,000 three-year
goal): $454,869 pledged to date or
58% of income need.
For year 2011 the total Building and
General fund need is $975,000.
$541,611 has been pledged or 56% of
the need.
12
Finance & Stewardship
Three Giving Truths
By Tom Moline
If you keep something, that’s all you’re ever going to have. But if you take what you have and you give it, if you take it and turn it into seed and plant it in good soil God can multiply it.
I want to show you three giving truths that I pray will totally transform your life as they have
mine.
Your Heart Matters When You Give
The attitude of your heart matters when you give. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Paul said:
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly….
In other words, if you keep a lot and don’t give much, don’t expect a lot in return. You don’t reap what you don’t sow. He says:
…and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
You plant a lot of seeds, you’ll get a better harvest. Then here’s the key to me, he says:
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
God loves a cheerful giver. In fact, the word in Greek that is translated as cheerful can actually be translated as hilarious. It’s like going, “Ha, ha, ha, I love to do this!”
The heart matters. Give and give and give and give, until you love it.
Whatever you keep, it’s all you have. What you give, God multiplies.
You Cannot Out Give God!
You can never out give God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-9 says:
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: He scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.
This again is like the metaphor of the sower sowing seed. He is giving gifts. What seeds do you have to give? You have your time, you have your gifts, you have your heart, you have your words, you have your things, you have your financial resources. He’s given you seeds.
Then 2 Corinthians 9:10 says:
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
(Three Giving Truths continued on page 18)
13
Love Your Heart
In the Winter 2011 issue of Thrivent
Magazine, Richard Laliberte discusses
eight steps suggested by Dr. Michael
Miller, director of the Center for
Preventive Cardiology at the University of
Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore,
that you can take to cut your risk of
having a heart attack.
―The number of Americans hospitalized
for a heart attack has dropped 24%
over the past decade. Yet heart disease
remains the leading cause of death –
more than 615,000 lives are lost to it
each year.
What can you do to lessen your risk?
Five basic lifestyle choices have been
proven to reduce the risk of a heart
attack: eating plenty of fruits and
vegetables, keeping weight in check, not
smoking, staying physically active and
drinking a daily half-glass of wine.
Medical experts also encourage
everyone to adopt at least a few of these
eight simple steps.‖
The suggestions include
Eat a handful of unseasoned nuts in
the afternoon to promote a healthful
balance of good and bad cholesterol.
Build social connections to relieve
anxiety and fight depression.
Eat more Omega-3 rich fish such as
salmon and tuna.
Use butter substitutes that don‘t
contain trans fat such as canola,
olive, or peanut oil.
(Love Your Heart continued on page 14)
Reaching for Tomorrow
Where Are We In This Spiritual Journey?
Thank you to all who completed the assessment! The Vision Task Force welcomes your continued prayerful participation as we move forward together in Reaching for Tomorrow.
The Task Force continues to make progress on Zion’s visioning process for 2011. During February, Zion members were asked to complete an assessment for the purpose of getting a picture of the congregation as it is today—our ideas, perceptions and opinions.
In March the Vision Task Force, church council members, staff and other leaders in the church will meet to:
1. have the results of the assessment interpreted for us and then,
2. begin the process of identifying key initiatives for Zion as a congregation to focus our ministry on for the next few years.
Once possible initiatives are identified, all Zion members will be given the opportunity to participate in various small group discussions as, together, we further condense and refine our key initiatives.
The excerpts below from Russ Crabtree, the designer and interpreter of the assessment tool, help us to understand just how the assessment tool will aid us on our spiritual journey to discover God’s call for Zion.
The process of discovering the perspectives, experiences, and aspirations of a church using the Church Assessment Tool© is also one of revelation and has the revelatory quality of moving from darkness into light. It is not uncommon for people to speak of “a light coming on” in the experience as they come to understand aspects of the entire body that they could not possibly have known from the relatively small number of interactions that characterizes the day to day relationships in most organizations. This process of reality moving out of the shadows and into the light is a spiritual journey.
As a spiritual journey, it has all the elements one would expect. There are insights that evoke a liberating “aha” as connections are uncovered that were not intuitively obvious. Some aspects of the process tell us nothing new, but they express what we do know using language that enables us to get a firmer grasp. Finally, there is the concrete action that must root itself in the earth of any spiritual journey and express itself in fruit for the Kingdom of God – and these roots, and the fruits they bear, will become our Vision and key initiatives!
Jesus said,
“I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Vision Task Force Committee members
are Pastor Ted Vanderpan, Rick
Johnson (chair), Jill Davis, Julie Kabe,
Karen Mattson, Scott Morin, Diane
Paulu, Idella Ziegler and Jim Pence
(KAIROS consultant).
14
Attend worship services and
participate in prayer and Bible study
to reduce stress and anxiety.
Get your flu shot to reduce the risk of
infections that can increase the risk
of cardiovascular problems.
Eat the recommended five to nine
servings of produce each day to lower
blood cholesterol.
Laugh. Miller‘s theory is that
laughing releases a chemical that
curbs inflammation and prevents
blood clots.
The complete article can be found at
thrivent.com/magazine.
To learn more about Thrivent Financial
and its products call Mark Worner at
763.682.6011.
(Love Your Heart continued from page 13)
Joy Arens
This month’s Harvest of Hands artist is Joy Arens. Joy joined Zion in 1987 and became involved in Harvest of Hands shortly thereafter. She has been an active volunteer ever since. Her family has also volunteered, including her husband Rich, her daughters Brandi and Sam, and her sister, Cindy. Her parents have also donated many items for the sale over the years.
Joy became the coordinator for the Harvest of Hands event about 5 years ago. Since then she has worked tirelessly for world hunger. Her many jobs include requesting matching funds, organizing many details and writing articles for the bulletin and newsletter. She also frequently suggests ideas for crafts and brings the supplies and last, but not least, she often brings treats for our meetings! She is also a talented crafter, making jewelry, ornaments and other items for the sale. She does it all with a true Christian attitude. The Harvest of Hands group is blessed to work with Joy to raise awareness and money for world hunger!
The Freezer Is Full!
By Julie Kabe
Once again, the Lord blessed Food for
Friends … One of the multiple ways He
blessed us was bringing us extra cooks
in the kitchen when were skeptical if we
had enough. I‘m always amazed at
how He provides. We had 4 different
people precook and prepare meat for
Saturday. On Saturday, February 12,
a group of 14 volunteers turned 65
pounds of meat into a freezer full of
meals. So, a big thank you to these 18
people who used their time and talents
to stock our freezer— to whom we are
very grateful!
If you know of someone who could
benefit from a meal, feel free to get a
meal from the FFF freezer and deliver
it to them (or call the church or email
us at [email protected] and we‘ll
arrange for it to be delivered). We can
also arrange warm meals, too!
Like to cook? Food For Friends knows
of a couple of families that could use
meals (families of 4 and 5) and are
always excited when someone
volunteers to cook. If you‘re interested,
please contact Julie Kabe at 682-2889
or send an email to
Do you have a good freezer recipe to
share? We‘d love to try it! Please send
it to [email protected].
Photo below: Some of the volunteers
and the freezer full of food they
prepared in February.
ZionBuffalo.org/HOH 15
Joy, second from left, is pictured at the 2010 Harvest of Hands Event with her sister, Cindy, and daughters Brandi, and Sam.
his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan.
This is where you can get involved.
Normally, people take this time as a time of reflection on what Christ and His actions mean to them. This year, though, take time throughout Lent to do something that you might not usually do.
Pray for someone you don’t know, serve at a non-profit, give financially to somewhere that needs it, read the Bible, have a conversation with someone new, be open to listening to God’s beautiful plan for you, start a prayer journal.
In Psalm 46:10 it states “Be still and know that I am God.” Maybe this year, with your busy schedule, maybe this is the year that you just be still.
Take your time and just listen to who God is. Listen for the answers that you might be looking for in the whispers in the wind.
May God bless you abundantly this Lenten season.
(Musings from Myron continued from page 16)
Un.Tour - March 11/12
Un. It's where teens live. Often unappreciated, unloved and deemed unworthy.
But God flips that idea on its head. He uses unlikely teenagers to do unbelievable things for His Kingdom. Like David. No one gave him a chance, not even his own family, yet he faced a giant unafraid while an entire army trembled.
At the un.Tour, David's life will highlight what it means to be un:
un.cool - God using uncool people to accomplish his misson
un.alone - always in fellowship with the Trinity
un.afraid - taking a stand & defeating giants in their lives
un.leashed - motivated & mobilized to share the unstoppable Gospel message
This high impact training will inspire and equip you to be able to share Jesus with your friends. You will never be the same as you witness the unstoppable power of the Gospel.
This is open to all Senior High Youth. Cost is only $40 + spending money. Check Facebook for further details, and please register by March 2 to reserve your spot!
Musings from Myron...
In case you might be wondering what Lent is, here is a description:
Lent in the Western Christian Tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer - through prayer, reflection, service and self-denial - for the annual commemoration during Holy Week.
Conventionally, it is described as being forty days long, though different denominations calculate the forty days differently. The forty days represent the time that, according to the Bible, Jesus spent in the desert before the beginning of
(Musings from Myron continued on page 15)
Youth Ministry Director of Youth Ministries
Myron Crawford
763-682-1245 ext. 308
Zion Youth Ministries exists to
reach out to youth, to come
together and learn how to be for
God and others through worship,
study, fellowship and service.
Confirmation Schedule
Confirmation meets Wednesday nights
in Trinity Hall 6-7:30pm.
Dates and weekly topics:
March 2: No Class - Snowtubing
March 9-30: No Class - Lent
Confirmation Students are asked to
attend Wednesday evening Lenten
Services. Students need to attend at
least three services for sermon notes.
Graceland Schedule
Graceland, Senior High Youth Group,
meets Wednesday nights in the youth
room.
March 2: No Graceland - Snowtubing
March 9: Ash Wednesday
March 16-30: Lenten Bible Study
Throughout Lent, Graceland will meet
at 7pm, after worship. Please bring
your Bibles and a notebook.
ZionBuffalo.org/Youth 16
Summer Camp
Where fun and faith collide! Camp Wapogasset offers programs for 2nd grade through senior high and for families as well. Encounter God’s word, make friends and create memories to last a lifetime. Come to Camp Wapo in Amery, WI.
Students who are completing grades 2 and 3 this year will attend “SEEDS” from Friday, July 8, to Sunday, July 10. The cost will be $95 per student.
Students who are completing grades 4 through 8 this year will attend “Youth Camp” from Sunday, July 10, to Friday, July 15. The cost will be $280 per student.
On Sunday, March 6, a representative from Camp Wapogasset will be at all three services, and will be available after service to answer any questions. March 13 is the deadline for registrations and down payments.
Change For Children
During Lent, Sunday school students are raising money to help fight hunger. Be on the lookout for fun events like Crazy Hair Day, Pajama Day, Noisy Offering, Sports Day, Beach Day, and Dress Your Best. Also, mark your calendar for April 17, when we will help package food from 8:30am to 1pm.
Club 456 Event
Students in grades 4, 5 & 6 are invited to a Pool Party at Otsego Water Park on Saturday, March 26, leaving at 1pm. This event will include sufficient Zion adult supervision for competent swimmers (1:4 ratio). If your child is not a competent swimmer, please contact Holly or Roxie before signing them up. Details and registration are online at www.ZionBuffalo.org/Club456.
Pictured below from the Sweetheart Dance. More on the Children’s Ministry Facebook page.
Children’s Ministry
First Communion
Celebration
On Sunday, March 6, Zion will celebrate
with a ―First Communion Sunday‖ where
the worship services will be centered
around this gift of grace. We will share
the first communion with those who have
recently received instruction regarding
this sacrament.
Vacation Bible School
This summer, come join us on Main Street
for an inside-out, upside-down experience
like no other…and let Jesus make a
difference in YOU!
VBS online registration for Main Street
Vacation Bible School begins on March 14
at ZionBuffalo.org/VBS.
Calendar Note
March Schedule is included in the church
calendar on pages 10-11.
CoDirectors of Christian Education
Holly Husom
763-682-1245 x308
Roxie Otten
763-682-1245 ext. 311
ZionBuffalo.org/Children 17
18
People Will Thank God Because of What You
Give
In 2 Corinthians 9:11 it says:
You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Only financially? No way! Don’t you dare limit the blessings of God to just money. You will be made rich in every way! In a good marriage, in good children, in generations to come.
People around the world will thank God because of your generosity. When you sow seed, God will give you more seed. If you keep it, that’s all you have. But if you give it back, He will increase your harvest of righteousness and people around the world will thank God because of you.
God has made us rich, not so that we could drive better cars
or live a life of comfort, but so that we could be generous on every occasion. As a church and as a people, we will strive to be the most generous people on planet earth, because we cannot out give God. When we give, people will thank God for our generosity. Don’t you dare hear a name it and claim it, get wealth message, because that’s not we are about. We are about saying, God, whatever you’ve given me, what I keep is all I have, but what I give you can multiply for your Kingdom.
A prayer
God, I ask that you would speak to all of us in a way that would transform us and enlarge the harvest of righteousness in our lives. I pray that you would bless your people in every way. God we would never want to limit it to just finances, but I pray you’d bless us in health, with great relationships, with great children, and with generations of a spiritual legacy. God, what have you given me that is seed? You give me the freedom to keep it and that’s all I will have or I can plant it and give it and God will multiply. Help me to find joy in the giving. Amen
(Three Giving Truths continued from page 13)
Inside
Zion Lutheran Church
1200 Highway 25 S.
PO Box 88
Buffalo, MN 55313
www.ZionBuffalo.org
Address Service Requested
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U.S. Postage
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Buffalo MN 55313
Address Label Here
Lent 2011 5
Mission Sunday 6
Holy Yoga 6
Community Book Read 7
Love INC Inventory 9
Practicing Our Faith 11
Three Giving Truths 13
Love Your Heart 13
Reaching for Tomorrow 14
Musings from Myron 16
Summer Camp 17
March 2
01
1
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ZionBuffalo.org
Practicing Our Faith
Cultivating Holy Gardens
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