March 2018

The Pastor’s Ponderings

Pastor David’s cell phone—348-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com

Mission Statement

Forty days and forty nights of rain.

Forty years in the desert.

Forty days of fasting followed by

temptation.

Forty (six) days of Lent.

The number forty echoes throughout

Scripture. In Hebrew, “forty” was an idi-

om for “a very long time”. During the

Flood, it rained for a very long time. The children of Is-

rael were barred from the Promised Land for forty years

due to their slave mentality and lack of trust in YHWH

(Num. 14:33-34). And Jesus battled his own physical

hunger as well as the Slanderer’s temptations in the de-

sert for forty days.

Seasons of the Church don’t come out of thin air.

They are inspired by Scriptural witness. In this time of

the insipid unending American feast day, with all-you-

can-eat buffets and pork tenderloins as big as a garbage

can lid, with digital entertainment at the push of a button,

with distractions galore, we need a time to re-focus our

attention on the One who matters. We need time to fast

from our culture’s spiritual junk food to focus on the on-

ly true food that nourishes us, Jesus Christ. Lent is more

relevant than ever.

Church seasons can be sacramental. That is, they

can be means of God’s grace. I’m not saying that the

Church seasons fell out of heaven! But God can and does

use the seasons to give us a fresh infusion of grace, a

new way of looking upon and living in the world. Lent is

especially useful for this. In Lent, we have a unique op-

portunity to examine ourselves and our lives. We can

listen anew to God’s voice in our minds and hearts. We

can turn, once again, from the destructive habits and vic-

es that plague all of us, and pray to God for a clean heart

and soul. We can prepare to live as people of resurrec-

tion.

God grant us all that self-reflectiveness and growth

in grace.

Love to you all,

Pr. David

Zion’s 2018 Council Members

Elder & President ........................................ Fred Walker

Elder & Vice-President ............................... Jody Stanley

Secretary ................................................. Barb Hardwick

Deacons ................................................. Allen Stallsmith

Mike Clamme

Tim Stanley

Trustees ......................................................... Mark Prout

Neil Stroble

Max Langdon

Treasurer ................................................. Dennis Walker

Financial Secretaries .................................Claretta Dutro

Nyla Hile

The Mission of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church

is to witness that we are followers of Christ. We believe

the message of the Holy Scriptures so that we can teach

and proclaim God's Grace, Baptize and share the Lord's

Supper. As a fellowship of believers, we renew and con-

fess our faith so that we can continue to receive inspira-

tion and offer our praise to God, our maker and redeem-

er. With His strength and guidance, we can provide for

spiritual growth and share our support by gifts of time,

talent and treasure.

Lenten Evening Prayer

Every Wednesday night in Lent, Zion

will have a service of Evening Prayer at 7

p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This year, se-

lections from C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape

Letters will be read. These letters purport to

be from a "senior" demon, the expert tempt-

er Screwtape, writing to his "junior" demon nephew,

Wormwood, with advice on how to best lead his target

from the Christian faith. These letters focus on the temp-

tations we all face in our lives as Christians and are espe-

cially appropriate for Lent.

March 2018

January Council Minutes

The Congregation Council met on January

11, 2018. The meeting was called to order

by president, Fred Walker.

Present: Pastor David Fleener, Fred

Walker, Jody Stanley, Barb Hardwick,

Dennis Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Tim

Stanley Mark Prout, Neil Stroble, Max Langdon, Clar-

etta Dutro and Nyla Hile

Absent: Mike Clamme

Devotions were given by Jody Stanley.

Secretary’s Report: Jody Stanley make a motion to

approve the December council minutes. Second by Allen

Stallsmith. Motion carried.

Correspondence: Reminder that our AED Pads need

to be replaced and training for anyone who would like it.

Jody Stanley, Pastor David, Chris Coy and Drew Walker

have already had the training.

Pastor’s Report: as written

Pastoral Care in December—Pastor’s totals: 2 shut-

ins, 3 sick/hospital visits, 2 pre-marital counseling ses-

sions, 1 wedding, 1 home/hospital communion.

Thanks to the Mission and Ministry team for making

and delivering shut-in bags.

Deacons’ Fund use in December—12/6/17 – Check

1041 for $147.23 to Indiana Michigan Power

12/27/17 – Check 1042 for $50 to Hartford City

Water, signed by Allen.

12/23/17 – Spent $18.73 from Deacons’ Fund cash

for a Christmas gift request from a young father.

Also received another request for assistance with wa-

ter, but referred her to the township trustee.

Christian Education—Confirmation classes resume

on January 14th.

A class on the Psalms began on Wednesday, January

10th.

Lenten planning—Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb-

ruary 14th. Easter is on April 1st this year. There will be

evening prayer services on Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.,

but no soup suppers this year.

Other events in December:

2 – Sunday school party at Stanleys’

3 – Worship at Crown Pointe

4, 11, 18 – Joe and Jesus at Common Grounds

5, 12, 16 – Community Choir rehearsal

6, 13, 20 – Bible study, Soup suppers, and Evening

Prayer

8-9 – Spiritual Companionship Program session at

Lindenwood Retreat Center, Donaldson, Indiana

12 – ECIC Ministerium at Holy Trinity, New Castle

14 – Blackford County pastors’ lunch at The Pickle

17 – Community Choir performance

18 – Church of the Cross council meeting

21 – Christmas caroling at Common Grounds

Upcoming events: Feb. 2-3 – Spiritual Companion

Program session at Lindenwood

Regarding pastoral evaluation, the council discussed

having a retreat with someone from the Synod office. All

council members were asked to attend. It would be on a

Saturday. Pastor David will check with the Synod office

to see who might be able to facilitate.

Committee reports—Parish Ed: Sunday School has

started again.

Worship/Music/Memorial: Met January 10 and de-

cided not to have Soup & Sandwiches during Lenten

season. Just have the worship. Picked songs until mid

February.

Constitution Committee: Sent a copy of the constitu-

tion to every member of the congregation with high-

lights. We’ll discuss at the annual Meeting on January

28th.

Mission and Ministry: Wants to appoint 2 more for a

2 year term. Jody Stanley and Cathy Willmann will re-

turn but the committee needs 2 more members.

Council reports—Deacons: Attendance and Holy

Communion report—Dec. 3 - 66 attended, 63 com-

muned; Dec. 6 - 22 attended; Dec. 10 - 77 attended, 72

communed; Dec. 13 - 21 attended; Dec. 17 - 59 attended,

58 communed; Dec. 20 - 21 attended; Dec. 24 - 76 at-

tended, 70 communed; Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) - 83 at-

tended, 76 communed; Dec. 31 - 70 attended, 65 com-

muned

Treasurer’s Report: Budget lines not complete but

will have for annual meeting.

A motion was made by Mark Prout to accept the

Committee and Council reports. Second by Jody Stanley.

Motion carried.

New Business: Annual Meeting will be January 28th.

Allen Stallsmith will give the Deacons Report, Dennis

Walker will give the Treasurer’s Report. Neil Stroble

will give the Land Use Report. Dennis Walker will give

the Worship/Music/Memorial Report. Jody Stanley will

give the Mission & Ministry Report. Pastor David will

give the Parish Education Report. The Constitution Re-

port is to be given by Mark Prout.

Auditors are needed to look over the Treasurer’s Re-

port. Dennis Walker will check to find someone and will

advise the council.

(continued on following page)

Suggestion to have volunteers to count the money

each Sunday and deposit it that day. Give envelopes to

Financial Secretary.

The meeting closed with everyone praying The

Lord’s Prayer.

Next meeting will be February 8, 2018 with Mark

Prout giving devotions.

Respectfully submitted,

Barb Hardwick, Recording Secretary

March 2018

January Council Minutes continued

March Birthdays

Chris Stroble 3-8

Chris Coy 3-11

Joyce Willmann 3-12

Imogene Schmidt 3-16

Betty Rinker 3-19

Susan Cook 3-23

Scott Clamme 3-26

Isola Banter 3-28

Helen Stroble 3-31

Lent 3 - March 4th

1st Reading - Exodus 20:1-17

Psalm 19

2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Gospel - John 2:13-22

Lent 4 - March 11th

1st Reading - Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

2nd Reading - Ephesians 2:1-10

Gospel - John 3:14-21

Lent 5 - March 18th

1st Reading - Jeremiah 31:31-34

Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16

2nd Reading - Hebrews 5:5-10

Gospel - John 12:20-33

Passion/Palm Sunday - March 25th

1st Reading - Isaiah 50:4-9a

Psalm 31:9-16

2nd Reading - Philippians 2:5-11

Gospel - Mark 14:1—15:47

Maundy Thursday - March 29th

1st Reading - Exodus 12:1-14

Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19

2nd Reading - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Gospel - John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Good Friday - March 30th

1st Reading - Isaiah 52:13—53:12

Psalm 22

2nd Reading - Hebrews 10:16-25 or 4:14-16; 5:7-9

Gospel - John 18:1—19:42

Easter Vigil - March 31st

2nd Reading - Romans 6:3-11

Gospel - John 20:1-18

March Lectionary

Readings

A new Prayer Chain booklet will be

printed in a couple of weeks. A new prayer

chain leader is needed to help Betty Rinker

in starting the prayers. If you are interested

in helping or having your name added to

the prayer chain please call the church of-

fice at 348-3157. Men are also welcome to be a part of

the prayer chain.

Prayer Chain

Holy Week Schedule

Maundy Thursday, March 29, we

will have worship with Holy Communion

beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the

sanctuary.

Good Friday, March 30,

there will be a Community Worship Service

at 7:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Lent and Easter Offering

Lent and Easter offering will be

equally divided between Grace Village

at Ball State and the Wernle Youth and

Family Treatment Center in Richmond.

Easter Flowers

If you would like to purchase an Easter

Lily to be placed in the sanctuary on East-

er morning please talk to Isola Banter.

The orders are due by March 25th and the

cost is $8.00.

The Zion Herald March 2018

“Happy are those whose strength is in God, in

whose heart are the highways to Zion.” (Psalm 84:5)

Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. with Worship at 10:30 a.m.

Zion Lutheran Church

308 S. Monroe Street

Hartford City, IN 47348

David Fleener, Pastor

Church Office: 348-3157

zionluth.hc@gmail.com

fleeneda@gmail.com

www.zionhc.org

Serving the Lord in Gladness

March 2018 Lay Ministry Servers

Greeters

Ushers Lectors

Assisting Ministers

March 4 Steve and Viola Willmann—Gene Banter

March 11 Ray and Linda Stanley—Louie and Joyce Willmann

March 18 Pat Gillis—Steve and Viola Willmann

March 25 Louie and Joyce Willmann—Neil and Libby Stroble

March 4 Allen Stallsmith, Mike Clamme, Tim Stanley and Scott Clamme

March 11 Allen Stallsmith, Max Langdon, Gene Gardner and Scott Clamme

March 18 Tim Stanley, Max Langdon, Gene Gardner and Scott Clamme

March 25 Tim Stanley, Max Langdon, Gene Gardner and Scott Clamme

March 29 Allen Stallsmith and Tim Stanley

March 4 Carolyn Goetz

March 11 Ray Stanley

March 18 Michelle Walker

March 25 Libby Stroble

March 29 Chris Coy

March 4 Sarah Fleener

March 11 Jody Stanley

March 18 Mark Prout

March 25 Denise Hile

March 29 Jody Stanley

Acolytes

March 4 Sydney Stroble and Bryce Stroble

March 11 Ryne Clamme and Keaton Walker

March 18 Kaylin Clamme

March 25 Keaton Walker

March 29 Sydney Stroble and Bryce Stroble

March 25, 2018