February 2015 Tidings - Zion Lutheran Church

ZION’S MISSION STATEMENT
We are claimed, gathered, and
sent forth to serve and witness in
Jesus’ name.
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Saturday, February 7th, 8:00 a.m.
at Amor Rumors.
Bring a friend or neighbor!
JOIN THE CHOIR!
If you like to sing, the choir
is the place for you. The
Zion choir will begin its
2015 season with
rehearsal on Wednesday,
February 11th at 6:30 p.m. Please
remember that if you do not use
your voice, you lose it. Celebrate
the New Year by serving your
church with your voice!
NEW MEMBER SUNDAY
The next new member Sunday is
March 8th. Contact Pastor Jim,
Intern Pastor Keith or the office if
you are interested in membership
or associate membership.
ZION WEST Valentine Party
Inside this Newsletter
1-2 General News
3 Pastor’s Paragraphs
4 Intern Offerings
5 Musically Speaking/
Library News
6 Sunday school/
Equal Exchange
7 God’s Acres/Lent
8 Financial Reports
9 Council Minutes Summary
10 February - Birthdays,
Anniversaries, Action Group lists
Calendar is on the Tidings Wrapper
If you plan to attend the Zion West
party get together on Saturday,
Feb. 14th in AZ and haven’t notified
the Westlinds, please call them at
480-802-0994.
Turn out the lights!
We have noticed several
Sundays and evenings when the
lights at Zion were left on.
Please be sure to turn off all the
lights when you leave.
Ash Wednesday
is February 18th
Service at 6:45 p.m.
No soup supper this
year before the Ash
Wednesday service.
Lenten Services
Wednesday Lenten Services are
Feb 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25 at
6:45 p.m.
Our scheduled speakers are:
February 25th – TBD
March 4th - Kat Melchior
March 11th – Mission Jamaica
Participants
March 18th – Pat Garza
March 25th – Karen Zell
A soup supper will be at
6:00 p.m. preceding each
Lenten service. The signup sheet to provide soup and/or
bread and milk is in the Narthex. If
you provide soup or bread, we
would appreciate if you would help
serve and clean up. Thank you!
As part of your Lenten journey we
have placed Lenten coin folders
on the table in the narthex and in
the Tidings for those who would
like to use them. Each day, as you
place a gift in this folder, make it a
time for deciding how you may
make the day one that reflects the
spirit with which Jesus Christ lived
His life and came through
victoriously.
1
FROM THE OFFICE
Volunteers are needed to work
occasionally at the Battle Lake
Food Shelf. The Food Shelf is
open Thursdays from
2 – 6 p.m.
Work shifts are
2 -4 p.m. or 4 – 6 p.m.
Contact Pastor Jim if you would
like to help out!
Copies of the Annual
Report and Directory
are available in the narthex.
THANK YOU NOTES
The office has received thank you
notes from the following:
- Faith Haven for our continued
Support.
- Lutheran Social Service for the
donation to Camp Knutson.
- Lutheran Social Service of MN of
the donation of winter items.
- Lakeland Hospice for the recent
gift of money.
- Someplace Safe for gift of money
-Waters of Grace in Frazee for the
donation.
OTC LYO
Sunday & Monday
Feb 15th & 16th
Ski at Andes and
overnight at Faith
Haven. Sign-up sheet is in the
narthex.
Prayer Rookies
February 8th at 6:30 p.m.
CONFIRMATION CLASS
Wednesday,
February 4th
6:00 p.m.
----------------------------------
February Book Discussion
The Walk
Richard Paul Evans
Wednesday,
Feb. 5th 1:30 p.m.
QUILTING
Zion quilting takes
place on Monday
mornings at
8:30 a.m. at Zion. Everyone is
welcome to come. There are many
ways you can help. No sewing
experience needed.
THANK YOU!
The Thanksgiving and
Christmas Eve offerings totaled
$5,566.00. Thank you for your
gifts. It was divided among
Camp Knutson, Helping Hands
of Zion, ELCA World Hunger,
The People’s Church of Bemidji
and Humble Walk Lutheran
Church.
God bless your stewardship.
Please join us for a book
discussion of The Walk. It is
about the physical and spiritual
journey of Alan Christoffersen
who lost everything at the
same time. Taking with him
only the barest of essentials,
he leaves behind all that he’s
known and heads for the
farthest point on his map: Key
West, Florida. The people he
encounters along the way, and
the lessons they share with
him, will save his life—and
inspire yours. The book can be
purchased on Amazon. Quantity
is limited in Zion's library. The
Walk is also available at public
libraries.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE OPEN DOOR
ALL CIRCLE BIBLE STUDY
The Open Door Youth Center is
looking for volunteers. Their goal
is to be open each day after school
until 6:00 p.m. but can’t due to the
lack of volunteers. The Open Door
is located behind the Baptist
Church in Battle Lake. Call Rich at
864-5004 for more information.
---------------------------------------------
Wednesday, February 18th at
1:30 p.m. at Zion. Mary Circle will
be serving.
Due to the difficulty in finding
enough soups during lent, we
do not plan on having soup
suppers on Ash Wednesday or
Maundy Thursday.
OUR SYMPATHY in the death
of their loved ones:
MARY CIRCLE will be serving
communion on Sunday
Feb 8th, 18th and 22nd.
Bev Brandt and her family on the
death of her sister.
Meet Margi Preus – Award
Winning MN Author.
Ms. Preus will be at the
Battle Lake School on
Thurs, Feb 26th.
Prepare your children
with these wonderful books:
Celebrate Trees
West of the Moon
Shadow on the Mountain
Each of these books is in our
Zion Library.
2
Pastor’s Paragraphs
Dear Members and friends,
Wow! What a response to the suitcases for
Jamaica! Our group is overwhelmed at the response
for suitcases and for items to fill them! Thank you so
much for the donations. We have also received a
number of generous monetary donations for which I
thank you. Your support of this mission endeavor is
gratifying.
We are going to build/remodel another house
this year as well as work at Westhaven. We will have
a presentation at one of the Lenten Services so you
can see what your gifts have accomplished. Thank
you again for your generosity.
Please keep us in your prayers as we travel
and work. Your thoughts and prayers mean a great
deal to us and to the people of Jamaica. Making the
trip this year are: Duane & Nancy Hanson, Craig &
Nancy Johnson, Duane & Rose Hovland, Le & Barb
Boyer, Andrea Hanson, Deanna Hanson, Teri CusickWetta and daughters Katie, Taylor, & Lauren, Kris
Zyskowski –(Boyers children/grandchildren), Linda
Scott and friends Deb Kallevig, and Linda Marten.
Susan Hodder, a friend of Andrea Hanson is also
going with us. All together we are a group of 20
representing Zion!
Lent is fast approaching! This year we are
trying something a little different: we are not going to
have soup suppers on Ash Wednesday and Maundy
Thursday. The hope is that it will be easier to fill the
soup supper volunteers list with fewer days to bring
soup. Let me know what you think.
I am very excited about our Lenten Services
this year! Like last year, we have lined up members
of Zion who will be sharing their faith stories and
talking about how their faith relates to their work,
family, and daily lives. Martin Luther emphasized
that we are all a part of “the priesthood of all
believers” which really means that in every aspect of
our lives we are ministers-priests. A person doesn’t
have to be a pastor to be a minister—our bulletins
state that every week! We are all ministers. We
share our faith with those around us through all the
things we do.
Our scheduled speakers for this year are:
March 18th – Pat Garza
March 25th – Karen Zell-Verhelst
I hope to see you at the services as well as
the soup suppers. Start thinking about when you
can bring soup/chili and the tasty kind you’ll be
bringing!
Thank you, Santa!
Once again, I have to say “Thank You” to that
special Santa who leaves a gift bag for me on
Christmas Eve! Thank you so much for the nice gifts!
The nuts, candy, canister and peanuts, and the wine
were just great! Thank you so much for the gifts and
for remembering me at Christmas!
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Jim
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A New Spin on the Serenity Prayer:
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I
cannot change, which is pretty much everyone, since
I’m clearly not you, God. At least not the last time I
checked. And while you’re at it, God, please give me
the courage to change what I need to change about
myself, which is frankly a lot, since, once again, I’m not
you, which means I’m not perfect. It’s better for me to
focus on changing myself than to worry about
changing other people. Finally, give me the wisdom to
just shut up whenever I think that I’m clearly smarter
than everyone else in the room, that no one knows
what they’re talking about except me, or that I alone
have all the answers. Basically, God, grant me the
wisdom to remember that I’m not you. Amen."
February 25th-- TBD
March 4th – Katie Melchior
March 11th – Mission Jamaica Group
3
INTERN OFFERINGS
Grace to you and peace from God
our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ!
Even after 11 years, I can
still feel the heat of the fire, smell
the burning wood, hear it crackling.
Tim and I were sitting alone in
front of his fireplace on a late
Sunday evening. Beside me was a
neatly-piled stack of notecards
arranged in chronological order; on
each were written a single word,
phrase, sentence, or name that
referred to something in my life
that had made an impact on me. I
went through each card and talked
about it, revealing the deepest, and
sometimes the darkest, moments of
my life – things I had never told
anyone else. Tim listened patiently,
and rarely spoke, but, when he did,
he said things that opened my eyes
to unrecognized patterns in my life,
and he spoke words of comfort to
painful secrets.
That night in front of the
fire was when I did what’s called a
Fifth Step inventory, and it is
employed by Twelve Step groups
of all stripes. But it’s also very
similar to what the Christian church
calls the confession of sins.
Scripture tells us in many
places that God wants us to confess
our sins for our own good: by it we
receive mercy and forgiveness
(Proverbs 28:13, James 5:16, 1
John 1:8-10). And doing so is the
first step towards repentance,
which is another way of saying,
“turning one’s life around from the
way of sin” (Mark 1:15, Luke
24:45-47).
Although confession has
been a part of our faith since the
beginning, it has changed
somewhat over time. Until the
Reformation, confession was seen
as a sacrament. But Luther argued
that confession is actually an
extension of our baptism.
Moreover, while the Church of his
day required confessing of every
single sin, Luther said this put too
great a burden on an imperfect
memory. No, he said, only confess
those sins which trouble you the
most.
Until the 19th century, the
Lutheran church practiced
individual (private) confession, but
the practice began to wane until the
20th century when it became
virtually non-existent. In its place
came corporate (public) confession
which we practice at the beginning
of our worship services (“We have
sinned against you in thought,
word, and deed…”) And make no
mistake: whether you confess your
sins publicly or privately, each one
is equally valid.
But individual, private
confession has an added benefit
that is not really spoken about in
the Bible: comforting a troubled
conscience. You see, we are only as
sick as our secrets, and when we
open our lips to reveal those things
troubling us most, we begin the
process of healing. Even though
what I said to Tim was not properly
a Christian confession, still it
created for me tremendous peace in
my life. And, later, I was also able
to give similar solace to those
giving their own Fifth Step
inventories at Hazelden in Center
City.
In Spring 2013, I interned at
Hazelden on a women’s unit as a
Spiritual Care Counselor. My
primary ministry there was
speaking with patients regarding
their spirituality as it related to
Steps Two and Three of AA/NA,
but I also had the privilege of
listening to their Fifth Step
inventories. These times were very
sacred for them and for me, and we
often discussed “the God thing” as
well as what issues bothered them
most. I am honored to have been
able to serve in that role, and it has
well-prepared me in my own
pastoral ministry.
Knowing how important it
is to be able to speak to someone
about one’s sins or spiritual issues,
I will be holding regular “office
hours,” beginning on Ash
Wednesday (2/18), for anyone to
drop in without an appointment.
Because it is a penitential season,
Lent is the perfect time to think
about turning or returning to God to
receive His forgiveness and the
strength to do His will. Also, be on
the lookout soon for an
informational flyer about spiritual
care and confession. If you have
any questions or want to know
more about these matters, please do
not hesitate to contact me.
God’s Peace,
Intern Pastor Keith
Walk-in Office Hours:
(Begin 2/18)
Mondays 10:30a-12p,
Wednesdays 4:30-6p
*If these times don’t work for
you, contact me via email
([email protected])
or phone (706-207-0235) to set up
a more convenient time.
4
MUSICALLY SPEAKING
The Delight of Mastery
The holidays are long over, and many people who
make resolutions may have already abandoned
them. However, winter is far from over, so along with
its length comes some time for reflection.
The Saturday after New Year’s, I had coffee with a
former English student who will graduate
this spring with a teaching degree in music. As she
anticipated her upcoming student teaching
assignment, I listened, smiled, and nodded at her
enthusiasm. Since she’s a gifted vocalist, I
assumed that was her placement. Early in the
conversation, I asked, “Just exactly what will you
be teaching this semester? Her reply, “Well, on
Monday, I start with 5th grade band.” My
surprise was obvious as I quickly blurted, “BAND?!”
(What? How could this be? She’s a singer,
not an instrumentalist!) “Oh, yes,” she said, “Mr.
________ gave me a trumpet.” (I was too
startled to catch his name.) “A trumpet?” Acquiring a
trumpet seemed simplistic, yet, she
appeared unworried, which both puzzled and impressed
me. As she continued talking, her voice
rose and fell, moved by an undercurrent of passion I
soon sensed was the source of her calm.
What I witnessed during that conversation was a
confidence rooted in discipline and training, in
hours of lessons and practice and its resultant
successes. Now, not only was she undaunted by
upcoming challenges, she was eager to embrace them.
Such assurance is certainly not exclusive
to musicians. It can be developed by any individual or
group proficient in a craft or task. Zion’s
choir practices weekly in order to attain a mastery that
makes singing its own reward and, more
importantly, a true delight.
If you’re seeking a challenge and want to share the
choir’s experiences, we welcome new
members. It’s as simple as joining us when rehearsals
resume on February 11th at 6:30 p.m.
~ Sandra Sedivy 218-495-2139
LIBRARY NEWS
Love is patient, love is kind; love is not
envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.
1 Corinthians 13:4
As I read In the Company of Others, Jan Karon’s latest
Father Tim novel, I could not help but recall this Bible
verse. The love and respect that Father Tim and
Cynthia Kavanagh have for each other glows in this
book.
Father Tim is taking Cynthia on an
anniversary/vacation trip to his beloved Ireland. The
reader will enjoy reading about their relationship as
well as the hospitality, culture, and green landscape of
Ireland. A good read for March 17---St. Patrick’s Day.
A new Mitford novel by Jan Karon is Somewhere Safe
with Somebody Good. After their challenging visit to
Ireland, the Kavanaghs return home to Mitford. Read
about Father Tim’s restlessness in retirement, his
relationships with his adopted son Dooley, and
Dooley’s brother Sammy; and other familiar residents
of Mitford. The editor says that Karon’s characters
have never been more sympathetic, bighearted, and
engaging. A good Valentine’s Day read.
Unless you change and become like children you will
never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matt. 18:3
In Like a Child by Rev. Timothy J. Mooney the reader
is invited to boldly explore the realm of grace. He
equips the reader with navigational aids in the form of
biblical understandings, spiritual practices, and stories
from those who’ve undertaken the journey. The book
inspires hope and faith by restoring the awe, wonder,
joy and resiliency of the human spirit. It is highly
recommended in “The Lutheran.”
These three new titles are available in our church
library.
February Book Discussion
The Walk by Richard Paul Evans
Thursday February 5 at 1:30 p.m.
Refreshments will be served
Betty Johansen 826-6834
5
AMOR ROCKS!
AMOR ROCKS! Calendar for February
2/1-Sunday School, Spirit Sunday (wear your
Pro/school's favorite team gear)
2/8-Sunday School, celebrate Valentine's Day, sing in
church
2/15-Sunday School, celebrate President's Day *a
President as a guest speaker
2/22-Sunday School, Slipper & Socks FuNday, First
Sunday of Lent
3/1-Sunday School, Mission project (Cupcake Walk
after church)
This year the AMOR ROCKS! Sunday Schoolers, Youth
Group, staff, and helpers received these fun M&M treat bags
with a sweet message attached. Thank you Ann Gibbs and
many more who put them all together-really cute!
Christie Fleischauer
FOR ALL WHO LOVE MAKING A
DIFFERENCE
Equal Exchange Sunday is
February 15th
Equal Exchange has been an ongoing mission
project here at Zion for a number of years. It is one of
those projects that we have just taken for granted. If
you need a bag of coffee, you know that
you can pick one up at Zion in the
fellowship hall, or if you need a quick
chocolate fix you can stop in Lynn’s office
and purchase a chocolate candy bar.
On February 15th we will be promoting the
Equal Exchange project. It is that time of year that
chocolate hearts wrapped in red foil are in all the
stores. So why not bring those red hearts to Zion for
our fellowship hour? There will be Equal
Exchange chocolate hearts available on
Sunday, February 15th for all of us to sample.
The February action group will also be
providing other love day treats along with our coffee.
Pink lemonade for lemonade lovers. The Sunday
School children will be making special valentine’s for
love day.
Since 1996 the Lutheran World Relief (LWR)
Coffee Project has collaborated with
Equal Exchange and LWR to involve
Lutheran communities in supporting
small farmers around the world. Equal Exchange buys
directly from small scale farmer’s cooperatives, owned
and run by the farmers themselves. Equal Exchange is
committed to supporting sustainable farming methods
that help green the earth through reforestation, natural
resource conservation and organic practices.
Please join the Zion community on February 15th
for a fair deal to build a stronger community. Equal
Exchange coffee and chocolate bars will also be for
sale.
TO ZION
Thank you for your support and prayers. Because of
them we were able to keep faith that Calvin would be
healed and come home the happy and healthy baby boy
we knew he could be.
The Branson’s: Leslie, Jesse and Calvin
6
God’s Acres
We are starting a new year and as we look back on the
past year, many great things have happened in God’s
Acres. The good Lord and his helpers (many of you)
have helped make a remarkable 2014.
The committee has set goals for 2015 which include
finishing the softball field and painting striping on the
basketball/pickleball court and fencing around it.
Much activity is also being put forth in developing
more activities in the children’s play area. Mark Sand
& Gravel has donated 30 plus yards of sand for under
the playset and for a mound of sand in the sandbox.
Byron Hensch has donated dimension blocks for the
sand box area.
Hancock Concrete Company has reduced $4,500.00 of
culverts and cave material for $400. We will put dirt
and rocks on top for climbing. Should we have a flag
for Fort Amor or Fort Zion?! Ernie and Lucy
Duckwitz have donated 500 feet of chain link fence to
start fencing around the .9 acres play area. We need
posts, rails and gates plus more fencing to complete the
project.
Small poles have been harvested to create a teepee and
rebar will be purchased to complete the formation of a
wigwam. A mud or dry kitchen (depending upon the
mom) has been made and ready to be placed. Lake
Region Electric has donated 70 feet of poles for a
walking chunk area. A 16 feet balance beam is ready
to be located. More than 40 tires are collected for
climbing and crawling structures. We do need some
smaller 8-10-12-13” diameter tires to complete some
projects.
Plans are to get water to the playground area. How
about a small cistern pump that kids can pump water
like the pioneers did? There are many more items to
put into the play area as time and finances will
determine what can be accomplished in 2015.
The good Lord, Santa’s elves, grants and personal gifts
have been wonderful. To complete more projects, we
need to look towards the Easter Bunny for some help
and hopefully we may find a number of geese who
keep laying those golden eggs through grants and gifts.
Keeping you informed and please ask questions.
God’s Acres Committee by Chuck Erickson
2014 God’s Acres Monetary Donations
(Does not include donations less than $100 and
Thrivent funds designated by member giving)
Amor 4-H Club–softball area
$ 300.00
Farmers State Bank Underwood
$ 500.00
First National Bank Foundation
$ 2,500.00
Lake Region Electric Foundation-horseshoe $ 250.00
Ottertail Lions-disc golf
$ 1,645.00
Harlan & Inga Nelson
$ 1,000.00
Pancake Breakfast
$ 813.00
Thrivent (Regional)-basketball/pickleball $ 2,000.00
Thrivent Action Team-workday
$ 250.00
Thrivent Action Team-play area sand
$ 250.00
Zion Family (anonymous)-arbor entries
$ 500.00
Total
$10,008.00
------------------------------------------------------------------Mortgage Report
Payoff balance as of 1/20/2015: $49,087.10
Daily interest:
$
6.11
-----------------------------------------------------------------"Insanity is defined as
doing the same thing over, and over again,
expecting different results.”
-----------------------------------------------------------------
So Lent is starting………
The word ”Lent” comes from an Old
English word that simply means “long.”
So why do we use this word to speak of
our period of preparation for Easter?
Lent always comes during that time of the year when
the days are getting longer and we are seeing more and
more sunshine. And that’s what Lent is supposed to do
for us -- to shed more and more light in our lives so
that the darkness disappears. Sister Joan Chittister has
said that "souls die from lack of reflection." Lent is a
good time for 40 days of reflection, 40 days of spiritual
evaluation--an annual check-up, as it were. It gives
you a chance to prayerfully reconcile with the Lord.
7
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AMOR
TREASURER’S REPORT
December 2014
Income
Sunday Offering
Special Offering
Other Income
Total Income
December
Year-to-date
Annual
Percent of
Actual
Actual
Budget
Budget
26,750.00
5,261.00
-188.26
266,615.80
7,979.50
924.84
273,744.00
4,850.00
2,075.00
97.40 %
164.53 %
44.57 %
31,822.74
275,520.14
280,669.00
98.17 %
2,433.67
6,707.63
8,133.06
268.80
2,655.75
75.00
500.70
0.00
3,638.94
0.00
3,098.18
-46.80
157.86
0.00
0.00
1,294.11
125.23
0.00
23,712.96
16,229.50
97,596.72
4,091.35
30,681.74
547.90
7,955.01
400.00
15,698.96
331.12
33,808.71
150.00
13,269.06
352.99
382.50
28,000.01
1,959.28
0.00
23,880.00
13,100.00
98,099.00
5,100.00
31,147.00
800.00
7,644.00
400.00
15,493.00
500.00
32,404.00
150.00
11,712.00
550.00
674.00
36,416.00
1,600.00
1,000.00
99.30 %
123.89 %
99.49 %
80.22 %
98.51 %
68.49 %
104.07 %
100.00 %
101.33 %
66.22 %
104.33 %
100.00 %
113.29 %
64.18 %
56.75 %
76.89 %
122.46 %
0.00 %
29,042.13
275,167.81
280,669.00
98.04 %
Expense
Our Benevolence
Missions
Pastoral Compensation
Pastoral Expense
Intern Expense
Evangelism
Education
Library
Music & Worship
Altar
Secretary Salaries
Stephen Ministry
Office
Stewardship
Planning
Property & Management
Maintenance & Repairs
Capital Improv/Emerg Op
Total Expense
ATTENDANCE/CONTRIBUTIONS
Date
2013 December
Attendance
Contributions
1-Dec
8-Dec
15-Dec
19-Dec
22-Dec
24-Dec
29-Dec
TOTAL
Flowers
Improvement Fund
Designated Giving
Food Shelf
ELCA Malaria
Sunday School
World Hunger
Building Fund
Cemetery Fund
Library Fund
148
159
150
53
162
356
106
1,134
270.91
1113.97
184.72
1,184.63
0.00
1,883.32
25.00
173.40
0.00
367.46
$5,420.00
$6,973.15
$5,580.62
No offering
$3,638.00
$3,163.00
$5,081.00
$29,855.77
December 2013-2014
Date
2014 December
Attendance
7-Dec
14-Dec
21-Dec
12-21 Longest Night
24-Dec
28-Dec
TOTAL
Restricted Funds December 2014
Memorials & Gifts
1,385.26
Music Fund
6,571.39
Youth Group
1,772.60
Debt Reduction
97.49
Found. Pass Thru
0.00
Military Support
414.90
Sunday School Projects 461.00
Stephen Ministry
355.64
SM-Bertoch Tree Fund 0.00
Fair Trade Coffee
336.26
Organ Fund
5,692.77
Contributions
140
165
158
55
440
138
$5,853.50
$5,213.50
$4,983.00
No offering
$5,141.00
$6,375.00
1,096
$27,566.00
Pancake Breakfast
64.14
God’s Acres
175.00
Men’s Group Funds
151.82
Mission Jam Pass Thru 0.00
Building Gifts
128.77
Courtyard
247.44
Twins Game
0.00
Helping Hands
4,437.59
Jamaica House
0.00
Total
$27,495.48
8
Seconded and approved.
Yvonne Erickson moved to
reduce the cemetery fund
contribution to $750 for the
2015 budget. Dave
seconded the motion –
approved. Yvonne moved
to approve the amended
budget. Carol seconded
the motion – approved.
Yvonne moved to have the
council recommend the
Music and Worship
committee move the organ
fund balance to the
building fund or bring the
question to the
congregation for a vote at
the 2015 annual meeting.
Seconded by Dave and
approved.
Summary of Zion Council
Minutes
January 14, 2015
These are condensed and
not approved
Lynn Melchior called the meeting
to order at 7:30 p.m. The agenda
was approved with additions.
Guests: Zion Foundation (Dave
Willey & Wayne Jones): Their
policy statement was amended to
maximize amount of money that
can be paid out each year for
projects. Dave Willey and Dan
Thorson (leading this process) are
the investment agents for two new
accounts. There are four people to
oversee the money with restricted
access. Investments spread across
18 larger, stable companies. Two
accounts should provide
$11,000.00 in annual dividends
barring major changes in company
value.
Committee Reports:
 1,288 visitors this year with
over 600 repeat visitors.
Announcements:
 Craig Lindberg has resigned
effective May 17th.
Old Business:
 Finalize 2015 budget –
forewarn the congregation
that the budget is
optimistic in spite of close
trimming in the attempt to
balance it. Attendance and
income are down. This may
become a problem during
the year if income lags
behind projections. Dave
Willey moved to approve
the budget pending
congregational approval.

Annual meeting agenda &
draft of annual report
review and discussion.

Nominating committee
status – in progress.

Sabbatical questions?
New Business:
 Pam Hedstrom’s term as
auditor is up. She’s willing
to continue. Amy Drake
moved to re-elect Pam to a
new term. Seconded and
approved.

Internship 2015-2016?
Carol Gealow moved to
recommend to the
congregation at the annual
meeting that we continue
the internship program for
another year. Seconded
and approved.

Housing allowance for
Pastor Jim will be set at
$20,000.00 for 2015.
Approved.
Discussion Items:
 Retreat – when, where, and
topics: Feb. 22nd from 2:008:00 p.m.; Erickson cabin;
program church,
committee structures and
descriptions, open music
positions?
Treasurer’s Report:
 Debt reduction money
continues to come in. The
daily interest has dropped
to $6.11/day.

Duane Hovland moved to
approve the Treasurer’s
report pending review.
Seconded by Neil Johnson
and carried.
Secretary’s Report: Yvonne
Erickson moved the December
report be approved. Seconded and
approved.
Council meeting adjourned at 9:07
p.m. closing with the Lord’s Prayer.
---------------------------------------------
2015 Council Executive
Committee
President…Yvonne Erickson
VP…..Carol Gealow
Secretary….Amy Drake
Treasurer…Virgil Hoistad
Thank you for your service!
FEBRUARY
BIRTHDAYS
2 Barb Bjorgo
2 Chris Thompson
2 E J Duckwitz
2 Dale Johansen
2 Brad Saunders
2 Chris Thompson
3 Helen Solberg
4 Henry Gibbs
8 Nancy Adams
9 Erma Carlson
10 Larry Albright
10 Alma Fournier
11 Connie Hanyzewski
11 Lori Holmgren
12 Roger Shelstad
14 Kay Erickson
15 Wilma Haring
16 Jan Tubandt
17 David Carlson
17 Kristen Draeger
18 Terry Krumwiede
19 Pat Wilson
19 Mary Lou Zimmermann
20 Michael Charest
20 Nicholas Loots
21 Neal Johnson
21 Gloria Luick
22 Bob Roberts
23 Chase Janu (Barry)
24 Larry Krohn
25 Jon Wahlgren
25 Morgan Jacobson
25 Peggy DePretoro
26 Dianne Witkowski
27 Linda Amundson
28 Karen Frederick
28 Mateo Lopez
FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES
Happy Anniversary!
9 Jack & Judie Leitch
13 Wayne & Patricia Jones
14 Gary & Debbie Stone
15 Tom & Karen-Zell Verlhelst
28 Keith & Marlene Falconer
28 Orlynn & Jana Rinke
WINTER C
SPRING A
February
2015
LEADERS:
Byron & Tanya Hensch 864-5473
___________________________
Albright, Larry & Ardyce
Bladow, Andy & Tara
Ava, Layla, Vance
Bladow, Brian & Peggy
Nate, Chad
Bladow, Jeremy & Tina
Laiken, Bricker, Marlie
Bope, Rob & Kathy
Erickson, Dennis & Deb
Gibbs, Ann & (Brian)
Henry, Eleanor
Hildebrand, Mark & Brenda
Abby
Lehne, Floyd & Nellda
Long, Ray & Bev
Lopez/Moen, Ramon, Theresa
Ramon, Mateo, Kayetana
Olson, Jim & Nancy
Nelson, Harlan & Inga
Saunders, Brad & Stephanie Miletto
Skylar, Ethan, Payge
Stone, Gary & Debbie
Tweeter, Jim & Rhonda
Willey, David & Carol
Zion Lutheran Church of Amor
36051 Co Hwy 74
Battle Lake, MN 56515
218 495-2563
Fax: 218 495-3123
Web site: www.zionamor.org
e-mail [email protected]
This newsletter is sent monthly to
members and friends of Zion for the
purpose of information and inspiration.
Residing in a predominately
Norwegian community, my
brother, at a very young age,
came home from Sunday
School and inquired, “Who is
Ole Ghost?”
David Smedal
PRAYER REQUESTS
Have a prayer request? Call the
prayer chain:
Bob Roberts 495-3524,
Barb Bjorgo 495-2152,
Betty Johansen 826-6834
Yvonne Erickson 495-3321
March 2015
LEADERS:
Karen Zell & Tom Verhelst
731-6836
_______________________________
Frederick, Butch & Karen
Haack, Mike
Casey
Hagemeister, Ross & Kelly
Jonas, Mae, Quinn, Jude
Harrington, Gary & Karalyn
Krohn, Larry & Sue
Krumwiede Terry & Barb
Lankford, Keith
Loots, Robert & Janelle
Nicholas
Olson, Kevin & Linda
Osland, Jeff & Stacey
Matthew, Eli, Sawyer
Osland, Nancy
Sherbrooke, Chuck & Cheri
Wing, Marc
Woessner, Vickie & Darold
ZION-AMOR CHURCH STAFF
Pastor................James O. Gronbeck
Intern Pastor ….……....Keith Lankford
President .................Yvonne Erickson
VP……...…....................Carol Gealow
Secretary..........................Amy Drake
Treasurer.......................Virgil Hoistad
Office Manager…......….Lynn Melchior
SS Superintendent…..………..Christie
Fleischauer
Organist...................LaVerne Nelson
Choir Director.................Marc Wing
Contemporary Dir.......Craig Lindberg
Custodian/Janitor...........Karen Umland
You know you are Lutheran
when…..

You hear something
really funny during the
sermon and smile as
loudly as you can.

You serve jello in the
proper liturgical color of
the season and think that
peas in a tuna noodle
casserole add too much
color.
10

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