Thank you to Allen Yager of Yager Fire Protection who came in and donated his time to do Zion’s periodic fire extinguisher check.
What’s For Supper: February
January 29, 2009 — AngelaFebruary 4: Sub Sandwich
February 11: Chicken Kiev
February 18: Tacos
February 25: Soup & Chili
A Message from the Council President
January 29, 2009 — AngelaAt the Wednesday, Jan 21 council meeting, I was elected President of the Congregation by the Council. I would like to thank the council for the opportunity to serve in this unique capacity and I pray that God gives me the wisdom to lead our church fairly and faithfully.
One of the issues that has been very evident and was really brought to light over the last few years is the issue of communications. It is sort of ironic, that in this age of instant information and multiple means of communication, that we would be having an issue of communication. I would like to combat that issue with this communiqué (distributed by email to members) and I hope to provide more emails and letters throughout 2009. I am not interested in filling up your mail box with more letters, nor do I want to cost the church more on postage. Therefore, I will be limiting this letter to the form of email at least once a month and as needed to distribute the information. I hope that it can also appear in the monthly newsletter for those who don’t have email. If anyone has an idea for other creative means of distribution, I look forward to hearing from you.
I have three goals for our church in 2009.
In Memory of Shirley A. Olson
January 28, 2009 — AngelaIn the Garden of Our Hearts, memories remain to inspire us, to enrich us, and to remind us of the beauty of life we have shared with Shirley—so special a person—a wife, mother, grandmother and friend so many precious years.
Thank you to all for your prayers, compassion, and for sharing this sorrow with us during this time of need.
Duane and Family.
February Worship Schedule
January 28, 2009 — AngelaFebruary 1:Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Mark 1:21-28
Pastor Winzig preaching
February 8: Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Mark 1:29-39
Pastor Hagen preaching
February 15: Sixth Sunday after Epiphany
Mark 1:40-45
Pastor Hagen preaching
February 22: Transfiguration of Our Lord
Mark 9:2-9
Pastor Winzig preaching
Wednesday February 25: Ash Wednesday
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
Pastor Hagen preaching
Gladys’ Legacy
January 28, 2009 — AngelaZion has received a gift of $27,000 from the estate of Gladys Gilbert who Gladys died in May of 2008. She was proud to be the oldest lifelong baptized member of Zion, having been baptized at Zion in 1910 and confirmed at Zion in 1926. She was a teacher of many years and enjoyed being involved in many, many activities at Zion.
The estate gift has been placed in the memorial fund as the council works with the family to designate its use in keeping with her love of teaching and living out her faith.
February 1989
January 28, 2009 — Angela
The first cement was poured for the foundation of Zion’s current building on February 6, 1989. During construction, the church office was in a mobile home, and worship services were held in the Junior High (now Discovery) auditorium.
A member wrote for the February 27 update on the “Building to Serve” capital campaign:
“The new church can provide many conveniences that our old church could not. Our church won¡¯t make visitors stand through their first service with us, instead it will have enough empty seats waiting to be filled with visitors who may eventually become permanent members of our congregation. Our future church will be equipped with new handicap facilities. These modern facilities will make our church easy access for those who need it. By building this church we are investing in our future: our Sunday school classes, choirs and youth groups will all provide our destined church leaders with enough room to grow.”
Open House
January 27, 2009 — AngelaOn Sunday, February 8, there will be an Open House celebration at Zion from 2-4 pm for Pastor Becky Sogge as she begins her sabbatical. All are welcome.
Bars, musicians, and helpers are needed; please contact Judy Sandeen to volunteer.
Updated 1/27: There was a misprint in the February newsletter and the 1/25 bulletin . . . the correct time is 2-4pm 
Evening & Weekend Custodians
January 24, 2009 — Angela
Tom Janzen
Tom and Melissa Janzen have joined the staff to assist the Building & Grounds manager, Jill Pryor, with preparing the building for the many events of the congregation, community groups, and rentals. The Janzens became members of Zion in January, and their children are Jonathan (11), Emma (8), and Josie (3). Tom is also a copier rep for Coordinated Business Systems.
$4500 to the Food Shelf
January 23, 2009 — Angela
Jill Ask of the Buffalo Food Shelf and Joy Arens of Zion's Harvest of Hands
Jill Ask, on behalf of the Food Shelf, accepted a check from Harvest of Hands’ Joy Arens in the amount of $2,500.00 in time for the Holidays.
A check for $500.00 was also donated for the Dessert Project. Because of these donations, the Food Shelf received a matching from Thrivent for $1,500.00.
These donations were possible because of your help, donations, and volunteered time with Harvest of Hands. Thank you.
The Harvest of Hands hopes to see you on the second and fourth Tuesday morning or Wednesday evening meetings.
Why Zion Uses Facebook
January 23, 2009 — AngelaWhat is Facebook?
Facebook is a free social networking website that is popular with many Zion members and allows them to communicate with their friends and exchange information. Anyone can a profile and build a list friends that might include family, neighbors, or people from their past. Once you are friends you can send messages in a variety of ways including instant chat, share photos and links, play online games, and more.
How Zion Uses Facebook
Facebook is one more tool that Zion staff use for communication. Staff use features like event listings and messaging for communication with members. Staff and members alike are learning to use groups, tagged photos, movie reviews, and chat to keep in touch with each other during the week.
Read the rest of this entry »
Nursery Staff
January 23, 2009 — Angela
Tina Eich & Jennifer Weese
Parents will now find the Zion nursery is now staffed by coordinator, Jennifer Weese, and caregiver Tina Eich, assisted by volunteers from the congregation. The nursery is available for children birth to age 3 on Sunday mornings, and birth to grade 5 on Wednesday evenings in addition to various special events.
From the Pastor
January 23, 2009 — AngelaThe world is sinful. That’s why God doesn’t affirm it indiscriminately. God loves the world. That’s why God doesn’t punish it in justice. What does God do with this double bind? God forgives.
The theme of the Lent mid-week worship services is forgiveness. The basis of forgiveness and why we should forgive is explored. When people are hurt deeply, superficial words of forgiveness can actually further injustice. Accomplishing justice and righteousness, as well as forgiveness, is important for communities to heal.
The prophet Amos wrote, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (5:24). Justice and righteousness seem to undergird forgiveness.
Condemnation is not the heart of forgiveness. It’s the indispensable presupposition of it. The heart of forgiveness is a generous release of a genuine debt.
For forgiveness to be genuine, guilt must be explicit. Forgiveness is not an easy out for grievous harm. Yet, where do we get the courage to face damning guilt? We cry with the Apostle Paul, “Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25)
Join us each Wednesday evening during Lent as we probe the depths of forgiveness.
Pastor Chris
Newly Elected Congregational Officers
January 23, 2009 — AngelaAt the January 21 council meeting, Dirk Foster was elected as President and Kevin Bergquist was elected as Vice President. Jud Goerss and Carol Clark were re-elected as Treasurer and Secretary of the congregation.
Food Shelf Gala Fundraiser
January 22, 2009 — AngelaMark your calendar for Saturday, February 28, at 5:30, at St. Francis Xavier Church- Faith Center.
A fajita dinner will be served at 6:30, catered by Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant. There will be a silent auction throughout, plus surprise drawings and contests and a grand raffle for a $3,000.00 entertainment center.
Dinner tickets are $20, and raffle tickets are $10, available between services on February 8 or contact Karen Swenson. Cash donations appreciated for silent auction baskets.
What We Learned at Bridgebuilder
January 22, 2009 — AngelaOn Saturday, January 10, about 150 members came together to learn about the forces that help or hinder a congregation.s ministry to the community, to learn how to strengthen Zion by naming issues that can be addressed through intentional conversation, and to focus energy on healthy relationship building and mission activity.
A congregation is an emotional system: a group of individuals who, by virtue of time spent together, have become involved in meaningful relationships. Whenever people come together and interact, there are emotions that can be amplified as they are passed back and forth between people, often influenced by behavioral triggers, situational responses, or setting specific reactions.
The basic emotion experienced in relationships Read the rest of this entry »
Zion Inside Out 2009
January 22, 2009 — Angela
In 2009 the Social Ministry committee will offer a Lenten opportunity for Zion members to participate in opportunities of Spiritual Groups and Mission Projects similar to those that were offered in 40 Days of Community in 2008.
Zion is a large church community and members have a real need to break down into smaller groups to better bind together in building our faith. It is a way to make new friends, strengthen faith, and care for each other. Small spiritual groups will be offered during Lent which will meet on a regular basis with a study guide provided by church staff.
Mission Project meetings will also be held to lead Zion in an effort to reach out to our community in tangible expressions of love and good works. God desires to reach people who do not know him through people like us at Zion. Showing others in our community our faith by what we do is vital to helping others see God for who He really is. As it says in James 2:18, ” You say the way to God is by faith alone, plus nothing: well, I say that good works are important too, for without good works you can’t prove whether you have faith or not.” These mission project meetings will also include a short time for spiritual time.
During February, you will hear more about these opportunities which will begin on Ash Wednesday (2/25).
Pastor Judy Burgett Winzig
January 22, 2009 — Angela
Interim Associate Pastor
Pastor Judy Burgett Winzig has served previously served Epiphany and Bethany (36th Ave S.) Lutheran Churches in Minneapolis: as well as being a Lay associate at Messiah before she attended Seminary. She is a graduate of Augustana College (Illinois) and Luther northwestern Theological Seminary. Pastor Winzig as served on the Synod Council and Executive Committee twice, co-chaired the Partnership Table, and is currently a member of the Global companion Table.
Pastor Winzig has visited the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria twice, as well as representing our Synod at a Woman to Women’s Global Conference in Cameroon. She is married to Jerry, has three children and lives in South Minneapolis.
While at Zion, Pastor Winzig will be the main pastoral care pastor, working with established programs, making hospital calls, and other opportunities to visit.
From Northern Uganda to North Minneapolis
January 21, 2009 — AngelaBy Harriet Oyera
I come from Northern Uganda that suffered war and violent conflict since 1986. I left Uganda in 2005 without having any idea how and when I would leave my country. I mean it was a hard decision to reach at. I am here to rebuild my life and live in safety and peace.
When I connected with Redeemer Lutheran Church, the people here made coping with my new life possible and easy. Read the rest of this entry »
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