Rev. Dr. Michael Foss

Many members of the congregation are currently reading the book Power Surge, written by Pastor Foss when he was serving as senior pastor of Prince of Peace in Burnsville, Minnesota. Pastor Foss now serves at St. Mark Lutheran Church in West Des Moines, Iowa, and will be joining us at Zion on September 26 for two special events.

In the morning, Pastor Foss will be preaching at each worship service. His sermon will focus on the gifts and resources already present in the Zion community. The 8:30 and 10:30 services will also include special music from the Senior Choir, Joyful Ringers, and the Jubilee Worship Team.

In the evening, Pastor Foss will be the guest speaker at the first of five congregational gatherings that will help reveal the gifts, interests and passions of the people of Zion in preparation for the work of the Visioning Task Force in 2011. Additional congregational gatherings will be held in October, and all members are encouraged to participate in one of them.

Stop by the website, information desk, or the “A Promising Tomorrow” booth at the September 12 Ministry Fair to reserve your place at one of these gatherings.

Six weekly discussion guides for the congregational study are being prepared by Jim Pence, our Kairos consultant who is working with Zion on A Promising Tomorrow.

• Books are available at a reduced cost from the information desk or church office.
• Discussion groups will continue to form throughout the month, and are listed at ZionBuffalo.org/PT/PowerSurgeGroups.
• There is also a ‘Power Surge at Zion’ Facebook group which can be your small group, or it can be an additional resource and discussion for those meeting with any other small group.

A Promising Tomorrow includes four connected components: spiritual growth activities, visioning, stewardship education, and congregational resource development (giving of time, talents, and finances).

Naomi and Rebecca circles will not meet in August.

If you would be willing to participate, please contact Dave Wright or the church office by August 22 for more information and a suggested format.

Pastor Ted at the Power Surge introduction last night. More information about this book study is available at ZionBuffalo.org/PT/PowerSurge.

To help us prepare for this important time in Zion’s history, the Vision Team, the Capital Campaign Leadership Team, the Stewardship Committee and the staff are encouraging the entire congregation to participate in a book study and discussion of Power Surge: Six Marks of Discipleship for a Changing Church by Pastor Michael Foss.

During August and September, you are invited to read Power Surge and participate in a series of discussions with others (in your families, with small groups that are already formed, and in new groups to be formed soon, or online). The study will be a time where everyone at Zion has an opportunity to read, discuss, and pray together about our mission and our future. Copies of the book will be available at a reduced price for Zion families in late July, and Jim Pence, from Kairos Associates, is planning to be at Zion to kick off the study with an introduction to the book in early August.

On September 12, Pastor Ted begins a three-part sermon series on topics drawn from Power Surge. In October, the Vision Team will organize a series of events based on the concepts in Power Surge, including a possible presentation by Pastor Foss. In November, the two stewardship groups will lead us into a new way of responding to the call to discipleship.

Watch for more information about Power Surge in the coming weeks.

Wednesday, July 14

Supper served 5-6pm

BBQ sandwiches and root beer floats will be served. Free-will donations to cover the cost will be accepted.

Worship service at 6:15

The worship service led by youth director Myron Crawford will include some Gospel music, and will last about a half-hour.

Adult Education Program at 7pm:How Christians Worship:

Christians worship with a wide variety of styles. Have you ever heard of snake handlers in worship? Have you ever wondered where the phrase “holy rollers” comes from? Do you know who the “liturgical police” are? All of these things have something to do with Christian worship. Pastor Ted will lead an adult education session on “Make A joyful Noise – How Christians Worship.” We will look at historical, generational, and ethnic trends in Christian worship and have an opportunity to reflect on our own preferences for worship.

Senior High Graceland at 7pm – Music: What Are You Listening To?

Gather with other students entering grades 9-12 to discuss the power of our choices, even in music.

Family Activity at 7pm

S’mores and camp songs led by Roxie down by the lake for young children and children at heart.

Harvest of Hands at 7pm

The HOH craft group will work on a bead project.

ZionBuffalo.org/SSW

The Minneapolis Area Synod task force on Book of Faith has been working hard to aid congregations to help our people access the Scriptures so that lives can be inspired and we can grasp the great gift of grace provided for us in the person of Jesus.

One Book of Faith resource of the Minneapolis Area Synod is a weekly email subscription that will alert you to the Gospel for the coming Sunday, offer three or four questions to provoke your reflection, and add a short prayer for your devotion.

Subscribe to the email here, check the “Just-a-minute” box, and uncheck the “general news from the synod” box box if you don’t want to receive that email.

There will be half-hour prayer services in the Zion library/chapel on Thursday, May 6, at 6:30am, 10am, and 7pm. The 10am prayer service will be followed by a time of fellowship and coffee.

This year the focus of our prayer will be our church families, sharing our gifts, our country, especially those in the armed services, and world peace. By dedicating a half hour of our time, we can lay these issues at God’s feet, confident that he will provide for our needs.

Those not able to attend a prayer service at Zion are encouraged to participate at home or at work, and devotional materials will be provided.

Flying Prayer flags by Akuppa

Prayer flags date back to the ancient Buddhist tradition of writing traditional texts on banners or cloths that were then taken to be shared with foreign lands. As the tradition developed, it became common to hang a series of prayer flags that had been woodblock-printed with texts and images. The traditional colors symbolize the natural elements of sky (blue), air (white), fire (red), water (green), and earth (yellow).

These flags were intended to be public symbols of prayers for peace, compassion, strength and wisdom. Today, prayer flags have been incorporated by a wide variety of faiths, including Christianity.

Throughout Lent, you are encouraged to write your own prayer in words or pictures on a piece of fabric. Fabric flags and markers can be found on a table in the lobby/narthex, through your discussion groups or you may have a piece of fabric at home that you want to use (about 6×12 inches). Completed prayer flags can be placed in the basket on the table, and staff and volunteers will attach them together with other prayer flags before hanging them at Zion.

You can read more about prayer flags on Wikipedia or in this article and see more images of them here.

from Faith Practices, Faith Lives by Dr. Martha E. Stortz

Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?”

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing… I know my Master is there and that is enough.”

Author unknown, submitted by Bob Strommen

“dog2″ image by matstc

Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task,
“Why doesn’t God help me,” I wondered. He answered, “You didn’t ask.”

I wanted to see joy and beauty but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn’t show me. He said, “But you didn’t seek.”

I tried to come into God’s presence; I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided, “My child, you didn’t knock.”

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish that I had to take time to pray.

Poem by Grace L. Naessnes, submitted by Arnold Rude

During Lent we will be learning just what it is we need to do in order to raise our sails and get ready for the upcoming voyage into the future of Zion. Using John Ortberg’s book “The Life You’ve Always Wanted”, we will look at what we can do in our everyday lives to grow spiritually and to help us respond to the fresh wind of the Spirit in our sails. Ortberg presents the life giving spiritual disciplines as relevant, realistic steps to personal spiritual growth and transformation, a way to live life joyfully and abundantly.

The study begins on Ash Wednesday and will meet throughout Lent:

• After the noon Wednesday Lenten worship services at Zion
• After the 6:30pm Wednesday Lenten worship services at Zion
• 10:30 Friday mornings at at BJs Deli in downtown Buffalo
• Get your own group together
• Or just get a book and read along!

Weekly topics  include It’s Morphing Time, Slowing Down and Celebrating, Praying and Confessing, Meditating on Scripture and Seeking Guidance, Practicing Servanthood, Finding Freedom, and Going the Distance with a Well Ordered Heart.

Please plan to be a part of this time of learning, sharing, and transformation as we prepare for the voyage of a lifetime!

Sign up and reserve your book today.

The mission of Women United in Faith is to strengthen our faith and provide a safe, comfortable and confidential environment where women can share their hurts, struggles, joys, and heartfelt emotions, while maintaining respect for each other.

The group will study the book of Ephesians using the Life Changes bible study series and the study guide in the Serendipity Study Bible. That Bible version is not a requirement; bring your own Bible, as different versions can give different insight. If you’ve never been in a bible study before, don’t let that keep you from joining. Many participants are just beginners. Bring a friend and come when you can.

Contact Cheryl Mager (682.3777) or Judy Weis (682.7014) if you have questions.

I saw you sleeping last night and longed to touch your brow, so I spilled moonlight on your face and again I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you! You awoke and rushed off to work. My tears were in the rain.

If you would only listen to me. I love you! I try to tell you in blue skies and in the quiet grass. I whisper it in leaves on the trees and breathe it in colors of flowers, shout it to you in the mountain streams, giving birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature’s scents. My love for you is deeper than the ocean and bigger than the biggest need in your heart.

Ask me. Talk to me! Please don’t forget me! I have so much to share with you. I won’t hassle you any further. It is your decision. I have chosen you and I will wait. I love you!

Your Friend,

Jesus

(author unknown, submitted by Arnold Rude)

God Pause daily devotions from Luther Seminary are short, meaningful reflections on the following Sunday’s lessons and gospel. You can read them online or have them sent to your email or reader. During Advent, God Pause devotions will be taken from “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness,” a daily devotional produced by Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and Luther Seminary.

God comes to us in many and various ways. He speaks to us through the prophets and saints. He comes and speaks to us when we are listening. He comes in the beauty and mysteries of nature. Most of all, God comes in the person of Christ, speaking to his listeners face to face.

That’s what Advent is really all about: God visiting the earth in person to speak with anyone and everyone who is ready to do so.

We now, the people of this church, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, grateful for our heritage, aware of the sacrifices of our mothers and fathers in the faith, and confessing that apart from us their work cannot be made complete, do commit ourselves anew to the worship and service of Almighty God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

More highlights from that worship service

Topics include the latest visual scanning and steering techniques, anti-lock braking (ABS) skills, airbag information, driver distraction, road rage and new vehicle technology. There are no written or behind the wheel tests.

The cost is $24 and the class will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 13 and 14 from 9am-1pm each day. Minnesota law provides a 10% discount on their auto insurance premiums for three years for those age 55+ who complete this course .

A four hour refresher course will be available on November 10 from 9am-1pm, which will cost $20.

To register call the Minnesota Highway Safety Center at 1-888-234-1294. If you have questions you could also call Roger Brenny at 682-2979.