The Sounds of Zion fileNovember 2014 From Pastor Chang The Sounds of Zion Zion United Methodist Church • 1001 24th Avenue South • Grand Forks, ND

November 2014

From Pastor Chang

The Sounds of Zion Zion United Methodist Church • 1001 24th Avenue South • Grand Forks, ND

The cool crisp early

morning air, the leaves

crunching underfoot on a

walk through the park, the

orange and brown decora-

tions and pumpkins at the

porch, the smell of roasting

turkey and pumpkin pie fill-

ing the house; these are a

few of the things that make

this time of the year so spe-

cial.

The month of November

is a good month. For farm-

ers, harvest is all done and it

is a month to sit and count

their crops of the year. For

kids, it begins with a basket-

ful of candies and fun mem-

ories of Halloween evening.

For most adults, it is a time

to plan a trip back home or family gathering for Thanksgiving weekend.

At Zion church, we began the month of November with celebrating Consecration Sunday on

which we remember the love and grace of God in Jesus and commit ourselves for His church and its

ministry.

1Thessalonians 5:18, we are told “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you

in Christ Jesus.” For Christians, giving thanks is not a campaign slogan or a timely practice that we

do in a certain season of the year, but the very way of everyday living. So, we will keep meditating

scripture verses about grateful heart toward the end of the month, until the Advent season begins.

Come and join our worship this month and let us have a time to think about the love and bless-

ings God has poured upon us and our family. As we look around us at the land of plenty that we live

in, it is my hope and prayer that we will see through new eyes each day that we recognize how He

has blessed us and never take God and His blessings for granted.

November 2014 Page 2

Administrative Council Meeting Minutes from October 23, 2014

Attendees: Pastor Chang, Tim Carlson, Dale Taylor, Cynthia Shabb, Ellen Myrick, John Shabb, Don Mil-

ler, Susan Griffin, Cathy Perry, David Perry, Doug Peters, Ed Olson, Linda Dobson and Karen Lovelace.

Call to Order at 7:05 pm (Tim Carlson) Opening Prayer: Pastor Chang

Secretary’s Report (Karen): Minutes of the 9-11-14 meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report (Susan): September financial report approved. All bills were paid for the month and

some of the outstanding apportionment balance.

Committee Reports: All teams met and discussed plans and visioning for 2015.

A. Trustees (Dale). Jerry finished re-caulking windows on the west side. Roof project is done. Pic-

tures are available in the Narthex. The final bill hasn’t been paid.

B. Hospitality (Don): The Team discussed centered on welcoming visitors and handing out a card to

gather basic information, training members how to welcome, and having more of a visitor center with

basic information in the front area.

C. Staff Parish (Cathy): Recommended salary increases for the Pastor & church secretary will be

presented at Charge Conference. Updating the congregational profile will be addressed.

D. Worship (David): Discussion focused on how to make worship more passionate and engaging.

Recommendations will be forwarded to Pastor Chang.

E. Lay Leader (Ellen): A 6-week online course is available; next classes start November 5th.

F. Home Committee (Ellen): Hasn’t been very active; includes funeral committee (1 this year). No

other requests around the building have been brought up.

G. Turkey Dinner (Linda): The dinner is coming along; some donations have been received also.

Joan will be calling for volunteer help. Proceeds will go towards the roof project.

H. Education (Cynthia): The Team has met and reviewed planning for the year;

Christmas program is Dec 14th, developed and directed by Bridget Ryberg.

Four family times have been scheduled: Oct 26, Dec 3, Feb & March.

Sunday School: 2 teachers in every room, 2 caregivers in the Nursery. Ideally Sunday School classes

should be divided up more than they are.

VBS: Education Team has not stepped up for VBS, so emphasis will be on camping; if Zion wants to

have VBS a volunteer is needed to coordinate this.

Sidewalk Sonday School: Nancy Evans and Cynthia are committed to assist.

Youth Group: 5-6 youth, Mattie has some ideas for service work and fun.

Zion’s Safe Sanctuary policy; is the public aware? Is it on the website, etc?

I. Missions (Ed): The team met in October; completed visioning for the coming year.

J. UMMen (Doug): Pork for a Purpose was very successful; cleared $500 for the roof project and

summer youth camping. Looking at another fellowship fundraiser for spring.

Page 3 November 2014

K. Endowment Report (John presented for Barry Medd): An Endowment Fund Bylaws change will

be presented at Charge Conference, to comply with the Community Foundation’s distribution policies.

There is no change in practice.

L. Stewardship & Finance (John): The Team met last week and reviewed the draft budget line by

line. Total expense is projected at $207,239; total income projected at $186,840 which is about 90%

of expense; a deficit budget was presented and approved last year. John commented on line items

that are currently estimated, require oversight or are new for 2015. A spending plan is suggested

whenever expense is more than what is budgeted with approval by administrative council and also rec-

ommended for the new items, such as leadership training. Income is estimated at 3% over 2014,

aligning with Zion’s Vision of having a 3% increase in all areas of ministry. The Administrative Council

recommends it be presented at Charge Conference for approval.

M. Pastor’s Report: Charge Conference is Nov 3 at 1:30 p.m. Pastor has attended most of the

team meetings over the past month and has noticed positive movement in supporting Zion’s ministries.

Pastor Chang also commented on the Bishop’s Special Asking for Thanksgiving which will support the

Hope Center in Rapid City and assist with medical needs for Ebola victims in Africa. On Nov 22nd the

special offering will be presented to the congregation with mention that if they are unable to attend the

Thanksgiving service they can give that Sunday instead.

Tim asked if there was any other business, and there being none, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20

p.m. Don Miller closed with prayer. Respectfully submitted: Karen Lovelace. Administrative Council

Secretary

5th Annual Turkey Dinner

Sunday November 9th

Serving from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Adults $10 Children 6 & under $4

Carry Outs Available


NOVEMBER NOISY OFFERING

The noisy offering for November will be November

16. The offering will be given to the Salvation Army.

Please bring nonperishable food items for the Salva-

tion Army on the next three Sundays, so we can make

a sizeable contribution to their food.

Children’s Christmas Program December 14th 10:30 a.m. Worship Service

The Children's Christmas Program will be Sunday, Decem-

ber 14th during the 10:30 worship service. In preparation

for the program, we are going to have a special craft/

practice night on Wednesday, December 3rd. All families

are invited to come for dinner and craft making! We'll

practice the program too!

APPLE PIE BAKING


11/01 Karen Noss 11/17 Cleo Kaiser 11/29 Lori Troyer

11/01 Tyler Smith 11/17 Lindsey Potratz 11/30 Ali Parkinson

11/01 Grace Lee 11/18 Brian Cheney-Peters 11/30 Nori Miller

11/02 James Eck 11/18 Kira Holm

11/03 Carly Olsen 11/19 Don Nagle

11/03 Connor Jackson 11/19 Amanda Loiland

11/07 Tim Dusek 11/21 Kill Kuster 11/09 Alexandra Meagher 11/22 Lloyd Welsh

11/10 Linda Dobson 11/22 Abigail Plummer

11/11 Bruce Vanderwolde 11/23 JoAnn White

11/11 Chloe Whiteside 11/25 Rick Myrick

11/13 Johnathan Krueger 11/25 Kim Weber

11/15 Haley Stevens 11/26 Kristin Dusek

11/16 Nancy Middleton 11/26 Allie Foltz

11/16 Cody Griffin 11/27 Elayne LaFave

November Birthdays

Special Request from Global Friends Coalition

Global Friends Coalition is working with several families at this time who DO NOT have winter coats or

winter boots. If you have winter gear that is gently used and in GOOD CONDITION, please bring it to Zion

and we will get it in the hands of New Americans. We need all sizes from toddler to adult. Our families

would greatly appreciate it since the newest arrivals have never experienced a North Dakota winter be-

fore. We also have a special request for a computer table or computer desk. If anyone has one, please

let me know and I will try and make arrangements to pick it up from you.

Global Friends Coalition is a nonprofit serving former refugees (New Americans) in Greater Grand Forks. For more information, please visit

www.gfcoalition.org.

Page 6 November 2014

District Leadership Rally with Bishop Bruce Ough of the Dakotas Conference presenting:

What would John Wesley’s

challenge be to our

churches in the Dakotas?

Where: Calvary UMC 4575 45th Street Fargo

When: Sunday, December 7th, 2014 –2:30-4:30 pm

Laity & Clergy won’t want to miss this!!

2014 Bishop's Thanksgiving Appeal

I invite all our congregations to once again receive

a special Thanksgiving Offering in November. This

year’s offering will be split between the HOPE Cen-

ter in Rapid City and UMCOR’s response to the

Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa. Both of these

ministries are fulfilling one of Jesus’ core missional

imperatives to heal a broken world.

Bishop Bruce R. Ough


November Serving Group

Mel/Amy Bugbee Steve/Stephanie Christian

Stephen/Karin Cook Red/Melly Drake

David/Terrie Dusek Kenn/Nora Foltz

Roger/Carol Helland Mike/Carrie Jackson

Jean Jacobson Elaine Johnson

Scott/Jill Kuster Elayne LaFave

Steve/Sherry Lindquist Kent/Karen Lovelace

Matt/Heather Martin Jeff/Laurie Millard

Don Miller/Deb Glennen Gary/Jackie Mitchell

Don/Sandy Nagle Earl/Norma Olson

Laura Olson Mike/Diana O’Shaughnessy

Robb/Nancy Pasley Doug Peters/Angela Cheney

David/Marlys Pung Wayne/Dorothy Rowe

Bridget Ryberg Amanda Schwenn

Carl Smith Lori Sprenger

Brian/Heidi Stevens Fred/Virginia Stewart

Chris/Tara Taylor JoAnn White

Steve/Kristi Whiteside

Giving Thanks

For the hay and the corn and the wheat

that is reaped,

For the labor well done, and the barns

that are heaped,

For the sun and the dew and the sweet

honeycomb,

For the rose and the song and the har-

vest brought home --

Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the

wealth in our land,

For the cunning and strength of the

workingman's hand,

For the good that our artists and poets

have taught,

For the friendship that hope and affec-

tion have brought --


For the homes that with purest affection

are blest,

For the season of plenty and well-

deserved rest,

For our country extending from sea unto

sea;

The land that is known as the "Land of

the Free" --


Author Unknown

November2014 Page 8

Pumpkin Carving Contest

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

1 Chronicles 16:34


10 Things God Can't Do

10 characteristics of God to encourage and

strengthen you. Maise Spark Ignite Your Faith

1. God can't get tired. Have you not known? Have you not

heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends

of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.—Isaiah 40:28

2. God can't take on a job he can't handle. Ah, Lord God! Be-

hold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great

power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for

you.—Jeremiah 32:17

3. God can't be unholy. And one cried to another and said:

"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of

his glory!"—Isaiah 6:3

4. God can't be prejudiced. In truth I perceive that God shows

no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears him and works

righteousness is accepted by him.—Acts 10:34-35

5. God can't break a promise. My covenant I will not break,

nor alter the word that has gone out of my lips.—Psalm 89:34

6. God can't remember sins he's chosen to forget. I, even I,

am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and

I will not remember your sins.—Isaiah 43:25

7. God can't make a loser. Now thanks be to God who always

leads us in triumph in Christ.—2 Corinthians 2:14

8. God can't abandon you. Be strong and of good courage, do

not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, he is the

one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.—

Deuteronomy 31:6

9. God can't stop thinking about you. How precious also are

your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I

should count them, they would be more in number than the

sand; when I awake, I am still with you.—Psalm 139:17-18

10. God can't stop loving you. Yes, I have loved you with an

everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn

you.—Jeremiah 31:3

November

Lectionary Readings

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Pentecost 21

Josh 3:7-17

Ps 107:1-7, 33-37 (UMH 830)

1 Thess 2:9-13

Mt 23:1-12


Pentecost 22

Josh 24:l-3a, 14-25

Ps 78:1-7 (UMH 799)

1 Thess 4:13-18

Mt 25:1-13


Pentecost 23

Ps 123 or Ps 76 (UMH 797)

1 Thess 5:1-11

Mt 25:14-30


Christ the King/Reign of Christ

Ezek 34:11-16, 20-24

Ps 100 (UMH 821)

Eph 1:15-23

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Thanksgiving Day

Deut 8:7-18

Ps 65 (UMH 789)

2 Cor 9:6-15

Lk 17:11-19


First Sunday of Advent

Isa 2:1-5

Ps 122 (UMH 845)

Rom 13:11-14

Mt 24:36-44

Documents

The Sounds of Zion fileNovember 2014 From Pastor Chang The Sounds of Zion Zion United Methodist Church • 1001 24th Avenue South • Grand Forks, ND