| October
2009
On
Sunday morning, October 4th, you are cordially invited
to attend our 10:30 a.m. worship service, followed
by a 20-minute skit “CORUMBO”! (Remember
Lt. Columbo and his Sgt. Sillen of TV fame-this skit
is our version starring Lt. Corumbo and Sgt. Sillen
of Zion Lutheran fame.) At the conclusion of the
skit, everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy
a delicious Italian dinner in Fellowship Hall. Believe
me! This will be a fun time with enjoyable entertainment
and scrumptious food to satisfy the appetites of
all. Mark your calendars now!
Our
theme for this years’ stewardship emphasis
really has not changed. Most importantly, it invites
us to give first to God. It calls us to exercise faith
that God will take care of all our needs. Now is the
time for us (you and me) to respond as spiritual givers-ones
who contribute material resources to the Lord’s
work with generosity, regularity and cheerfulness. They
consider giving to be a wonderful opportunity rather
than a sacrificial burden. As you have been blessed,
tell God how thankful you are by accepting your share
as a spiritual giver. Many times it takes a quiet moment
of thought and prayer to fully realize that all we have
and all that we are, is a gift from God; thus, “give
to God what is right-not what is left”.
Consecration
Weekend will be October 17-18. Each one of us will be
asked to complete and to submit our 2010 Estimate of
Giving Card at the worship services. Prior to Consecration
Sunday, once again, take that quiet moment of thought
and prayer to fully realize all that we have and all
that we are, is a gift from God. Then on Consecration
Weekend take a bold step forward as you walk with Jesus
and complete your 2010 Estimate of Giving Card. There
is so much to be done for our Lord. Love God. Love your
neighbor.
Tell the world. Harry McDowell
September
2009
“Bear one another’s
burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galations
6:2
Labor
Day is just around the corner. The summer season is
coming to its final days. Our remaining vacation days
are few in number. Although some activities at Zion
slow down or take a “vacation” during the
summer season, all ministries are on-going. That means
our financial offerings must also be on-going.
In
grateful response to God’s
love, let us all accept this challenge to share our resources
in order to meet the financial needs of our thriving ministries
and programs. If you did not keep current with your stewardship
commitment during the summer months, you still have time
to “catch up”. Remember, when we support our
ministries and programs, we are making sure the story of
Christ is being proclaimed and shared through our faith and
love. Accept the challenge!
Remember
Sunday, September 13—Rally
Day and Picnic. Our annual congregation picnic will be held
in Pastor’s backyard following the worship services.
Honored guests will be the new members who have joined our
Christian family in the past 12 months. Hamburgers, hot dogs,
and the usual trimmings along with drinks, will be furnished
by the church. Picnickers are encouraged to bring casseroles,
side dishes and/or desserts. Surprise games? Come and become
a winner! Don’t miss this golden opportunity to welcome
our new members and to have an exciting fun-filled time.
Also
remember the weekend of Saturday, September 19 and
Sunday, September 20—Friendship Celebration Weekend. Invite
a friend, a neighbor and/or family member. Growing congregations
always INVITE! “Research showed that 86% of all newcomers
came to church because of an invitation from a friend or
family member. Evangelism programs or the special efforts
of a pastor were not nearly as effective……”
Harry
W. McDowell
Faith is to believe what we
do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we
believe.
August
2009
As
many of you know, I suffered an enormous loss in my
life a month ago (June 23). My wife, Romaine, was called
home after suffering a severe stroke five days earlier.
We shared a wonderful marriage of almost 67 years and
were blessed with two children, four grandchildren
and two great-grandchildren—a very loving and caring
clan. The loss of our matriarch was devasting to all of us.
As I slept on a stretcher in the emergency room next to her
that first night, I recalled a sermon I preached at Zion
several years ago: “Faith Is More Than Wishful Thinking”.
The next day I read the sermon and found my answers: “if
you wish be saved from your terrible predictment, all you
need do is have faith.” As I read on, these words jumped
out at me:
Christian faith gives us the
needed courage to face trouble!
Christian faith gives us
the needed strength to carry on!
Christian faith comforts
us in our sorrow!
Yes,
Faith is belief. Faith is trust. Faith is love. Faith
is hope. Not only was I sustained by my faith in Jesus,
but as my son stated: “My father, sister and I—and
our families—were enveloped by the loving arms of our
several church communities, the hospital community and the
neighbors in our various communities.”
My
heartfelt thanks to all of you from these communities
of faith for the many expressions of prayers, love
and support. Your cards, e-mails, fruit baskets, phone
calls, visits, meals, memorials and other means of
support were not only appreciated more than words can
express, but with each gesture I could feel “the
loving arms” embracing my whole family. Yes, Faith
is more than wishful thinking. Pastor Whitlock and Vicar
Lara---our heartfelt thanks for being there when we needed
you the most. Your words of wisdom and encouragement were
greatly appreciated, as were the many hours you spent with
our family at the hospital. You will always have a place
in our hearts.
Harry W. McDowell
May
2009
Just
before Easter we concentrate our thinking on the Lord
Jesus and his cross. We remember the words he spoke
as he faced and met his bitter death for our salvation.
The “Seven Words From the Cross” have
been in our minds as we have tried to understand and to fathom
the experience of our Lord as he went to his death.
Why
is it that no one seems to have made a similar collection
of the words the Lord spoke to his followers from this
side of the Tomb? What an exciting thing it would be
if, after our Good Friday meditation on what the Crucified
Lord said, we were to turn to what the Risen Lord said
-- and still says – to his people. Three things
he said over and over again, and they were very simple
things.
He
said, “Fear
not.” He said to his disciples, “All hail! Fear
not. Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee, and there
they will see me.” Many times he questioned them and
then assured them with words such as “fear not” and “do
not be afraid.”
He
said, “Bear witness.” Remember
how he challenged the fears of his disciples? And then calmed
them as he said, “As the Father has sent me, so I send
you.” From the hilltop in Galilee, “Go therefore
and make disciples of all nations.”
He
said, “Receive
power.” John tells how he came saying, “Receive
the Holy Spirit.” Luke related how he replied to a
question from his disciples, “You shall receive power
when the Holy Spirit is come upon you.”
Yes, the
Lord comes to everyone including the simple, ordinary people
like you and me. This is his continued and continuous message.
These three statements sum up his comfort, his challenge
and his commission. FEAR NOT! BEAR WITNESS! RECEIVE POWER!
Harry W. McDowell
April
2009
“If you
abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever
you will, and it shall be done for you.”
John 15:7
As we reach the halfway point in this Holy
Season of Lent, hopefully, we all will continue our preparation
for the rising to newness of life. Lent is the time for practice
and training in virtues and self-denial that are to be permanent
and habitual in the renewal life after Easter. We ask each
of you to plan to join the million of other Christians in
active remembrance of this Holy Season by attending church
services and through special meditation.
Spiritual
Gifts! We all have heard and/or read about Spiritual
Gifts! Why this focus on Spiritual Gifts? What are
Spiritual Gifts? How do we use our Spiritual Gifts?
Through baptism one is given a Spiritual gift or a
mix of Spiritual gifts to carry on His mission. The
commitment to discovering one’s
own Spiritual gift (s) is a challenge to each one of us.
This is the endeavor to use our own God-given talents in
the ministry of our congregation. We are to use these Spiritual
gifts for the building up of the body of Christ, which is
the Church.
Spiritual Gifts include the following from (“Spiritual Gifts:
The Power the Drives You and the Congregation” by The Rev.
Neal R. Boese): Administration, Craftsmanship/Artistry, Evangelism,
Faith, Giving, Hospitality, Leadership, Music/Vocal and Teaching.
Do
you find your Spiritual gift (s) above? Whatever your
gift, join our team! The usage of our Spiritual gifts
are the powers that will move our congregation forward
in its mission. As Pastor Boese says, “the understanding
and usage of these gifts are as necessary to congregational
life as oxygen is necessary for human life.”
Harry McDowell
March
2009
The
axis of Our Lord’s
Life is fixed on Two Poles – The Incarnation and the
Resurrection.
Around the first, we have seen,
clusters the Nativity season, or Advent, Christmastide and
Epiphany.
Now
comes Lent, the season of fasting and preparation for
the observance of Passiontide and Eastertide. The Lenten
fast became a period of preparation for Easter. “We were
buried therefore with Him by Baptism into death, so that
as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the father,
we, too, might walk in newness of life.” (Rom 6:4).
Thus, the basic purpose of Lent is the preparation for the
rising to newness of life.
Yes,
Lent is the time for practice and training in virtues
and self-denial that are to be permanent and habitual
in the renewed life after Easter. The temporary interruption
of some selfish habit for the limited period of Lent,
with the intention of resuming the old habit after
Easter, is not "keeping Lent." A daily material
offering, to be discontinued with the passing of Lent, does
not prepare for newness of life after Easter.
We are offering
our members and friends of Zion many services this 2004 Lenten
season as they prepare for newness of life. On February 25,
we begin with Ash Wednesday. As many of you know, the name
Ash Wednesday is derived from the medieval custom of the
penitents coming to the church on this day in sackcloth and
with naked feet and throwing ashes over their heads where
they had finished their prayers. These ashes were made from
palms blessed the previous Palm Sunday. On February 25, we
also will have the imposition of ashes as well as Communion.
We ask each and every one of
you to look over your Lenten schedule and make a special
effort to attend as many services as possible. Remember!
Lent is to renew us: The goal of Lent is pulsating life.
Our
Annual Congregation Council and Leadership Retreat – Stewardship planning for 2004 – was
held on Saturday, January 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Rev. Dr. Scott Schanzenbach was our leader and moderator.
Stewardship is not always a subject that holds an audience
attentive and responsive for even an hour or two – Pastor
Schanzenbach succeeded in presenting a six hour retreat on
Stewardship that not only held this audience in awe, but
had all the participants ready and eager for more as the
retreat reached its conclusion. Believe me, the success of
this retreat far exceeded our expectations. You will see
and hear more of the details as the Stewardship Committee
moves forward with its 2004 program.
The
project to renovate and refurbish the Sunday Church
School “great room” in
the education Building is nearing completion. The floor has
been retiled after removal of the old tiles and repairs to
the floorbase; the new tile floor has been cleaned, sealed,
waxed (4 coats) and buffed; four new large colorful tables
and proper size chairs are in place; and, most importantly,
the children and teachers are smiling and praising God in
an environment conducive to learning about our Christian
faith. I encourage all of you to take the time to see this
beautiful room. Many thanks to the “angel of Zion” who
made this project possible.
Harry W. McDowell
February 2009
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all my prayer for joy, 5 thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. PHILIPPIANS 1:3-5
I just want to thank everyone for their prayers and support of me during this past year as the President of the Council. It was wonderful serving God and you in this role. At this time, I have stepped down and I would like to welcome back Harry McDowell as the President for 2009. I will continue serving on Council and be the primary contact for Thrivent Financial as well as other roles as the Holy Spirit move me. I look forward to working with all of you in the upcoming year.
Yours in Christ, Patrick Sawler
January 2009
(9)And
an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory
of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled
with fear. (10) And the angel said to them, “Fear
not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy
that will be for all the people. (11) For unto you
is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who
is Christ the Lord. (12) And this will be a sign for
you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths
and lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:9-12
Merry
Christmas, Frohe Weihnachten, Feliz Navidad, Vrolijke
Kerstmis, Feliz Natal, Joyeux Noël.
No
matter which language you use to state it, the
meaning is the same. It is the day to celebrate
the birth of our Lord, Jesus.
Christmas, to each of us, has it own special place
in our hearts; for the child, it may be the excitement
of Christmas morn and the opening of presents: for
the adult, it may be the gathering of family and friends
both near and far.
No matter how you celebrate this Christmas, I wish you and yours peace and happiness both now and through the years ahead, To close, I will use the words of George F. MCDougall:
"Best
of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time
when the love of God and the love of our fellow
men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness,
a time when our thoughts and deeds and the spirit
of our lives manifest the presence of God."
Yours in Christ,
Patrick Sawler
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