Zion Lutheran Church of Cobleskill

ZION LIFE NEWSLETTER

DWELLING IN THE WORD

One Saturday morning - Every month

Next gathering: Saturday, May 24, 8:30 am in the church office.

Join us as we pray the scriptures, discerning God’s Word for us in our daily lives as well as in our congregation. Contact Pastor Jen for more details.

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly”

MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP

Called to follow Jesus, we will strive to

Pray Daily
Worship weekly
Read the Bible regularly
Serve at and beyond our congregation
Be in a relationship to encourage spiritual growth in others
Give of my time, talents and resources

CHURCH COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS

Meeting of April 10,2008

Present: Don Alkinburg, Darlene Angle, Janice Ashford, Dave DeSando, Nancy DeSando, Gordon Emerson, Renae Grovel, Dave Hayner, John Jarvis, Andre Nadeau, Frieda Thorington, Karen Wilson and Pr. Boyd. Excused: Tom Collins, Mark Mau, and Sandy Thorington.

Meeting called to order by Pres. Dave DeSando at 7 pm. John Jarvis led the devotions and Pastor Boyd the Study Period.

Correspondence: Thank you from Bishop Jerge for gift from Endowment Fund. Thank you note from Elizabeth Kerr for the donation to match the scholarship from Roberts Wesleyan College “Partnership Program”. Invitation from Fenimore Assets to attend “Update on Investments” April 25, 2008

Unfinished Business: As of meeting, painter’s insurance had not gotten back to Dave DeSando, but since the meeting, he heard that they approved to pay $30,000 of Parson’s bill. We will pay the $1,200 for cost of frames and new material in the redo. Cost of material $750 will come from the $800 left from cleaning fund. Have heard nothing from Bankruptcy Court, but need to find a business that will give us a contract to clean and repair the copiers in the office. Approved the final payment to Barry Bennington for repainting. Discussion of getting new fireproof file cabinets in office. New office door lock will be purchased with five keys only. Need to check on where we are with the change to the Constitution. Approval was given to move the sound system consol back further in balcony. Don Alkinburg and Debbie Nadeau volunteered to help with the counting of money from services. Need to contact Fake Insurance if we have enough fire insurance on parsonage. Pastor Boyd has copies of draft of Sexuality Statement available or you can go on-line to www.elca.com to read it.

New Business: Motion made and approved to take $2,600 from Memorial Fund to purchase new cases for the hand bells. Easter Breakfast collection will go to the Food Pantry budget. Reviewed the March report of the budget and accepted.

Ministry Team Reports

Worship: Confirmation in May. Christian Ed.: Drawing up a new program for the Cross Generational meetings. Received a request to purchase Bibles for the Sunday School rooms, it was suggested that children bring their Bibles that they were given in third grade. Health Cabinet: Crop Walk. Property: New roof will be put on the first part of May, and then thr parking lot will be sealed and striped. Discussion on four bids received on painting at St. Matthew’s. It was decided to let St. Matthew’s Ministry board discuss them further. Stewardship: A temple talk by Endowment Team will be end of April. Social Ministry: Served eight families at Zion’s food pantry in March, which will feed 21 people. St. Matthew’s Ministry Team: Spring craft and barbeque June 7th. Will hold a clean up day soon.

Respectfully Submitted
Karen Wilson
Council Secretary

ST. MATTHEW'S MATTERS

The Ministry Board of St. Matthew’s Chapel met at 7:05pm on April Fool’s Day. The meeting, however, was quite serious. Nine members attended; two were absent.

As usual, we began with prayer. For the second month in a row, we did a circular prayer: everyone at the table prayed.

Pastor Jen had many topics to discuss: One Wonderful Wednesday the following day, the pew sold to the Steingraebers, one possible new member of the congregation, the pictures of the current Council members, the 30-hour famine, May 11 confirmation for Alexis Jackson, Mother’s Day coffee hour at the Chapel and game night at Zion on April 26.

Tom Collins agreed to chair the September 6 Community Picnic, for which there will be invitations to hand out to friends and neighbors. We’ll also invite other local churches. The possibility of a Fair Trade Craft Fair at this event and at the June BBQ came up.

Bill Wright wanted us to check into the cost of putting vinyl siding on the Chapel. John Jarvis agreed to contact Residential Specialists for an estimate. [He made arrangements on the next day to meet a sales rep at the Chapel the following Tuesday.] Bill also stated clearly that he wants to see lots of people at our Annual Clean-Up Day on May 3.

Speaking of May 3, Barb Cousineau and John Jarvis reminded the Ministry Board of our May 3 Covered-Dish Supper, with performances by the Sunday school students and a craft led by Pam Kostbar-Jarvis (our Sunday school superintendent), will follow the meal.

John also mentioned the May 4 CROP Walk.

Sexton Dave Costello reported that our sign in front of the church, which is in very bad shape, should be replaced.

Jackie Costello told us that the Rays of Sonshine would be at the Chapel the following Sunday.

Jean Bakkom reminded us that the Ministry Board needs to get busy on our June 7 BBQ. The group discussed how five people who usually work at the fundraiser will be unavailable that day, so the Ministry Board will need to talk to congregation members who have not participated in past barbecues so that they can fill in for the absentees. Chicken halves will be five dollars with seven dollars for complete meals.

The meeting ended at 7:42 pm with the Lord’s Prayer.

As always, those who worship at St. Matthew’s Chapel have much to be thankful for, more than just covered-dish suppers, community picnics and chicken barbecues with halves grilled by Ten Pin Catering.

In Christ and CROP Walk 2008,
John Jarvis, 2008 Ministry Board secretary

ZION'S W.E.L.C.A. CIRCLE NEWS

On May 3, 2008, women from the Foothills Conference churches will gather at St. Matthew’s, 125 Main Street, Laurens for our W.E.L.C.A. Spring Assembly. Registration is at 9 am, followed by worship, Bible study, and a business meeting. Betsy Liljeberg will present a program about “Medical Mission to Dominican Republic”. The lunch fee is $5 payable at registration. This is an important meeting for sharing our faith and for electing a new conference coordinator and secretary.

A mother strengthens us with her prayers and encourages us with her hope; she blesses us with her unending love. “Blessed is the Mother Who Walks With God” is the theme of our seventh annual Mother-Daughter, May 9 at 6pm. All women and girls are welcome to share in our evening of tributes to mothers. Tickets will be available after each service until May 4. Make plans to join us for this special evening.

This is a busy time of year, but don’t forget to squeeze in a few minutes to work on your scrap afghans and prayer shawls.

Out next meeting will be in June. Coming so will be patterns for soft toys.

Submitted by,
Sandra Deems, Zion’s W.E.L.C.A Team Leader

Bethphage Mission

Mosaic Special Education School at Bethphage Village in Axtell, Nebraska provides quality lives for 106 individuals with developmental disabilities. We can support this school through projects such as Box Tops for Education and the Campbell’s Labels for Education programs. These programs enable Mosaic Special Education School to receive free educational equipment and learning materials for the classrooms.

These two programs replace the stamp program. Bring in the entire label, making sure the UPC code is intact, from various Campbell products and related products. See the display in Zion’s assembly hall. Cut out the coupons for Box Tops for Education found on cereals, baking mixes, and other related products. Drop these coupons in the fishbowl at the rear of Zion’s sanctuary. More information is available at our W.E.L.C.A. table.

Remember that this simple act of giving will make a difference for others and will be an easy way to share God’s love. What easier way could there be!

W.E.L.C.A. Foothills Conference Spring Assembly Saturday, May 3, 2008 St. Matthew - 125 Main Street, Laurens Registration at 9am - Luncheon cost is $5 Worship, Bible Study and a Business Meeting Program: Medical Mission to Dominican Republic Date: May 9, 2008 Time: 6 pm Place: Zion’s Assembly Hall >B>Ticket prices: Adults $7 Children 5-12 years old $4 Under 5 years - Free

Stamps

For many years Bethphage Village collected stamps that provided jobs and much needed income for its residents. They have decided to discontinue the program because the individuals who now reside at Behtphage are not as capable of utilizing the stamps as in the past. They have expressed their thanks for al the stamps we have sent them.

In light of this, we will no longer collect stamps at Zion. Thank you to all who have faithfully brought in stamps through the years.

You may still support Bethphage Mission through the Campbell’s labels for education and the Box Tops for Education program. Look for information at Zion’s W.E.L.C.A. Table.

W.E.L.C.A. Stewardship

Stewardship is more than giving a weekly sum in the offering plate. It is a way of life that involves caring and reaching out to other in love. It is sharing God’s love for us with someone.

As women of the E.L.C.A. we strive to share the gifts God has given us through the many projects we do. These include health kits, school kits, scrap yarn afghans, prayer shawls, quilts, layettes and soft toys for children. Our stewardship also include hospitality shown in coffee hours, Advent Teas, Mother-Daughter Dinners and conference assemblies.

We reach out to people around the world through Lutheran World Relief and the E.L.C.A.’s World Hunger Global Barnyard Program that provides training and animals to people in poor countries in order that they may earn a living and support their families.

In 2007 Lutheran World Relief shipped nearly 1500 tons of handmade quilts, school kits, health kits, sewing kits, layettes, and bars of new soap to poor countries. Included in the shipment were 452,870 quilts sewn and tied by thousands of Lutheran quilters throughout the United States - the most quilts distributed in a year since 1999.

Brenda Meier, director for parish and community engagement at LWR states: “Over and over again we hear from our partner organizations and the recipients of quilts and kits how much they appreciate these gifts of love and the generosity of U.S. Lutherans. Any type of blanket could warm a person’s body, but a handmade quilt also warms the soul and encourages the spirit.”

We encourage each of you to participate in our programs and to share the gifts that God has given you. Make stewardship part of your daily living!

Stewardship Corner
Telling the Stories of Stewardship

Did you know that each of our Ministry Teams is involved in Stewardship? Last year, we gave thanks for many of them, telling of their general focus of ministry.

This year, the Stewardship Team is asking the groups and individuals to share specific stories of how gifts were shared to give glory to God.

Recently, 20 of the FROG youth participated in the 11th annual 30 Hour Famine. In this time of fasting, they not only lived in solidarity with those who hunger everyday, but they raised funds to raise hope for millions. Through their efforts, they were blessed to raise (as of this writing) $2754. Check out the related Hunger article to see how many animals for the World Ark they were able to buy.

Thanks as well to David and Valerie Becker for sharing their culinary skills as they fed the youth upon breaking their fast!

Thanks be to God!

Do you have as story to share? Let us know!

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
RITE OF CONFIRMATION

On Sunday, May 11th—Pentecost Sunday as well as Mother’s Day—five of our young people will be affirming the promises made to them at their baptisms. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they mark this milestone of faith.

You can share favorite Bible verses or prayers with them by writing in their Bibles (located in the church office).

Zion: Meranda Bell, Cody Kostbar, Analiese Mau and Sean Thaxter.

St. Matthew’s: Alexis Jackson

FROGS WITHOUT LEGS CAN'T HEAR BOOK STUDY

“It takes a whole church frog – head (leadership), torso (body), and legs (home) – to raise persons of faith in a world in need of God. Frogs without Legs Can’t Hear: Nurturing Disciples in Home and Congregation challenges church professionals and volunteers to shift the center of faith formation from the congregation to a shared center involving the home and ministry in daily life. Drawing on five principles that define the congregation, home partnership, and four key faith practices that promote faith development, David W. Anderson and Paul Hill have written a timely and provocative book keenly suited to ministry in the twenty first century.”

You are invited to join the Passing on the Faith and Sunday school volunteers to study the “Frogs without Legs Can’t Hear” book by Dr. David Anderson and Rev. Paul Hill on Sunday June 22 at 9:45 am – 10:45 am in the assembly hall. Coffee and snacks will be available as we discuss the ideas presented in this book. During this meeting we will discuss the introduction, the importance of understanding the concept of nurturing disciples and finally, decide how we would like to review the book.

Please hop to it and RSVP Deb Hall at 234-8807 by June 1st if you are interested in attending so we have enough books available.

Peace be with you
Deb Hall

PASSING ON THE FAITH
MEETINGS/CROSS-GENERATIONAL EVENTS 2008

All meetings are open to anyone interested in helping or brainstorming ideas. The purpose of this ministry is to: Bring together the different groups and generations of the church. To help educate all so that at home or out there it is easy to live in and talk about God’s Word. (Home is church, too)

Meeting Date
Meetings will take place the last Tuesday of the month, 6:45-8:00 pm in the church conference/music room May 27, 2008

FAMILY NEWS

Would you like to share good news with the congregation? You are invited to let us know about those important events or happenings in your life so that we may share in your joy and offer our... THANKS BE TO GOD!

PRAYER PARTNERS

We give great thanks for all those who participate in the phone tree for prayers. If you would like to participate in this group, please contact Janice Ashford (234-0910)

If you are interested in the email version of this group , please contact Pastor Jen and let her know (revjedyer1@yahoo.com).

PRAYER WORKSHOP

Saturday, May 17th
9am-noon

Come and pray!

See Pastor Jen’s pastoral reflections for more details

RECLAIMING THE CHURCH

Over the past 6-9 months, approx. 35 people in a variety of groups have been reading Reclaiming the ‘C’ Word by Kelly Fryer.

Through discussions in these groups, we have talked about daring to be the Church as we ...
dream, define, DO get focused, set people free, take action, expect surprises and be hopeful.

It is one thing to talk, but another thing to take these words to heart and live them out as a people of God.

Are we serious about wanting to be transformed?
Do we desire to truly be the Church that God has called us to be?

If you have answered “YES!”
Come on Tuesday, May 20th at 7pm
To not only talk, but prayerfully develop a plan of action
A vision for our mission together
Let Pastor Jen know if you are interested

...

Thank you all for your cards and calls while I was in the hospital/rehab. Prayers, friends and family are the very best cure for whatever ails you. I really appreciate all your wishes and want you to know that each and every one made the difference in my healing.

Love, Winnie Kunz

SAMARITAN FUND

Did you know that we have a special fund that assists people in need? We often have people who are going through difficult times and need a little help—whether it is gas money so that they can get to a job or assistance with rent and the like.

If you would like to make a donation to this fund to help people in our community—please just mark on your gift that this is your intention.

Gluten-Free Communion Wafers - are now available at St. Matthew’s. Please let the usher know before the service if you need to receive them. If you attend Zion worship services and would like this particular wafer please notify the church office and we will make sure they are available the next time you attend.

LIVING WITH A VISION OF SCARCITY OR ABUNDANCE?

From article written by Walter Brueggemann (Prof. of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decauter, Georgia);

“We live in a world where the gap between scarcity and abundance grows wider every day. Whether at the level of nations or neighborhoods, this widening gap is polarizing people, making each camp more and more suspicious and antagonistic toward each other.

But the peculiar thing, at least from a biblical perspective, is that the rich—the ones with the abundance—rely on an ideology of scarcity, while the poor—the ones suffering from scarcity—rely on an ideology of abundance. How can that be?

The issue involves whether there is enough to go around—enough food, water, shelter, space. An ideology of scarcity says no, there’s not enough, so hold onto what you have. In fact, don’t just hold onto it, hoard it. Put aside more than you need, so that if you do need it, it will be there, even if others must do without.

An affirmation of abundance says just the opposite: Appearances notwithstanding, there is enough to go around, so long as each of us takes only what we need. In fact, if we are willing to have but not hoard, there will be even more than enough left over. The Bible is about abundance.

(from “Enough is enough” - The Other Side, Nov.-Dec. 2001)

EMBARK THE ARK

Each year, in conjunction with the Synod Assembly, the Synod’s Hunger Task force offers the opportunity for a Special Appeal to support the ministry of the ELCA World Hunger programs. We come with a theme and a plea. Yet, the plight of the hungry is a more than once a year reality. Each year, approx. 5 million children under the age of 5 die from hunger related causes (that is approx. 13,700 deaths a day; 570 per hour; 9 every minute; one every 6 seconds

With the gift of each person’s support, the ELCA was blessed to receive more than $21.3 million for World Hunger in 2007. If we were to break that down into just one or two very specific hunger projects that would mean: 58,356 children in Zimbabwe would have received enough to eat every day for a year ; or 42,600 cows could’ve been provided to farmers in Kenya. Thankfully, these gifts are distributed throughout a variety of ministries (cause that’s A LOT of cows!)

Here at Zion with St. Matthew’s, our youth raised approx. $2754 for these efforts (more money was still coming in when this went to print). They were able to provide 4 sets of baby chicks ($40), 6 turkeys ($150), 2 pigs ($60), 5 goats ($250), stock 5 fish farms ($1250) and provide 2 cows ($1000). These animals help to provide a livelihood for families to help break the cycle of poverty.

If you did not get an opportunity to sponsor one of our youth and would like to, please mark your donation for the 30 hour famine.

MUSIC NOTES

CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES:

www.igive.com
This site will give to your favorite charity—like the ELCA World Hunger program every time you shop at one of the participating stores

www.gratefulness.org
This site offers various ways to offer our thankfulness (it is an interfaith site)

www.pathways-to-peace.com
This site shows peaceful scenes and scriptures to soothe your soul.

F.R.O.G. (FULLY RELY ON GOD)

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