Pastor’s Notes . . .
Curse to Covering
Little five year old Johnny was in the bath tub, and his mom was washing his hair. She said to him, "Wow,
your hair is growing so fast! You need a haircut again."
Little Johnny replied, "Maybe you should stop watering it so much."
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if agriculture could grow crops as easily as little Johnny’s hair? Unfortunately, that
possibility flew out the window in Genesis 3. The same difficulty is foretold in childbirth and the raising of a
family. Following Adam and Eve’s folly God called them to account for their disobedience. Last month I
mentioned the only answer Adam and Eve could give were excuses. The lesson the couple learned very
quickly is if you’re going to blame someone you might as well blame God.
That brings us to the curse. In biblical terminology this section is titled the Curse Oracle. You will notice in
your Bible how it looks and is printed more like poetry than prose. Individually, God addresses all three of
the actors who participated in disobedience; the serpent, Eve and finally Adam. There is much material about
each sentence as God passes judgement on the infamous three.
For brevity sake I want to focus on the effects of the sentencing. The most basic result of the judgment is the
disruption of relationships. Every relationship we have is now corrupted; between animal and humans;
between the ground and humans; between human being and God; between each other and even within the
individual self. The sentence touches every aspect of human life: marriage and sexuality; birth and death;
work and food; human and nonhuman. From now on disharmony reigns and we witness and experience the
effects of the sentence everyday.
Out of this depressing scene suddenly appears verse 21. Subsequently - after the investigation, trial,
sentencing and punishment, we find the conclusion of the saga, and again it addresses their attire: For Adam
and for his wife the Lord God made coats of skins, and clothed them (Genesis 3:21).
The difference is striking: Adam and Eve found flimsy fig leaves and fashioned a loin cloth of sorts, whereas
God provides fine leather coats to protect and provide shelter from the elements. While Adam and Eve only
managed to cover up, God provided them with clothing "and clothed them". While they tried to cover their
shame and guilt with dishonesty, God chose to act with kindness. Despite the sin and the resultant alienation,
God performs an incredibly tender gesture: He clothes them, He cares for them; He takes care of wayward,
sinful man. This covering of Adam and Eve is a beautiful illustration of what God would do through the Lord
Jesus Christ to provide salvation for all who stand before Him, naked due to their sin.
God is always with us and we are adorned in the clothing of his salvation.
God bless your ministry,
Pastor Mike
Zion Lutheran Church
Tel: 830-257-8411
624 Barnett St.
[email protected]
Kerrville, TX. 78028
www.zionkerrville.org
Women of the Word
Women of The Word Calendar for March
Thankoffering Service.
A most generous thank you to all the
congregation members for their support of our
missionaries, the Hendriks. We were able to send them
a generous monetary gift. The video program they sent
was very interesting and gave us a little sample of their
life in Turkey.
Quilting and Fabric Kits and Soap
The women have finished approximately 100
quilts for LWR. They will be displayed on the pews
February 19.
Where in the world did our Zion mission LWR
kits go in 2016? Our quilts and kits went to Luanda,
Angola. HOPE FOR ANGOLA which is sponsored by
Angolans living in the United States is an organization
that supports community based development in Luanda.
Our quilts and kits were distributed there in the capital
city of about 19,000 people.
Where will our quilts, fabric kits and soap go in
2017? We have developed barcodes to be placed inside
the boxes sent to our collection point in Maryland so we
can learn where the 2017 kits go. Stay tuned.
Raffle
Some of the quilters have made several beautiful
items to be raffled off. These items will be displayed in
the narthex and tickets will be on sale March 12, March
19 and March 26. The raffle will be held April 2.
Lenten Supper.
On Wednesday, March 8 the WOW will be
serving a Lenten Super. The menu will include
Lasagna, salad, breadsticks, and desserts. Serving will
begin about 5:45 – 6:00 p.m. Come join in the meal
before the Lenten Service.
Circle meetings for the month
Remember visitors and new members are always
welcome. Contact Carolyn Freeman for more
information.
Thursday, March 2
Ruth -Rebecca Circle will meet at 9:30 in the
Conference Room. Fran Turner will be the study leader
and Elaine Nestegard will be the hostess.
Esther Circle will meet at 2:00 in the Conference Room.
Valerie Carpenter will be the hostess and Barbara
Rauhut will be the study leader.
Tuesday, March 7
Naomi Circle will meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference
Room. Kay Linehan will be the study leader.
Sarah Circle will meet at 6:30 in the Conference Room.
Wednesday, March 8
Fellowship Breakfast will meet at 9 a.m. at Cracker
Barrel Restaurant
Thursday, March 9
Dorcas Elizabeth Circle will meet at 2:00 in the
Conference Room. Barbara Vanderhoof will be the
study leader.
Friday, March 10
Mary-Martha Circle (Brown Bag) Circle will meet in
the Conference Room at 12:05.
Wednesday, March 8
Fellowship Breakfast will meet at 9 a.m. at Cracker
Barrel Restaurant
Monday, March 13
The WOW Board will meet in the Conference Room at
2:00 p.m.
Hand Quilters meet each Tuesday from 9:00 to
12:00. New members are always welcome. Call
Shirley Smith (830 890 1159) for more information.
By Judy Johnson
“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked his
disciples in a very personal moment.
Peter answered boldly, “You are the Christ, the son
of the Living God.” Don’t you
just love Peter? Brash, impetuous, full of love and
fire, sometimes speaking and
acting before thinking. And when Jesus predicts his
own death, Peter blurts out,
“This shall never happen to you!” Some of us
proclaim Jesus as our Savior but
have difficulty taking up his cross. Putting it bluntly,
we want the glory but not the
gory. Yes, we cry “Hosanna!” but then cry as Peter
did, “I don’t know the man!”
Help me, God, not to deny my faith when it becomes
inconvenient, uncomfortable
or contrary to my own will. Let my prayer be: “Thy
will be done.”
May you be comforted along your Lenten journey
with our mid-week series about
how God used ordinary, sinful people to accomplish
Wednesday evening Lenten services, 7pm/meals
at 6pm
Mar 1 Ash Wednesday (no meal) Moses, the Murderer
God Used (Johnny Sharp)
Mar 8 Jacob, the Deceiver God Used (Kent Bressler)
Mar 15 Rahab, the Harlot God Used (Laura Phipps)
Mar 22 Sarah, the Doubter God Used (John Harrison)
Mar 29 Jonah, the Rebel God Used (Judy Johnson)
Apr 5 Saul, the Persecutor God Used (Mark Bigott)
CALLING ALL JR.
HIGHERS
“REWIRED”
1:00-3:00 pm
every 1st & 3rd Sunday
come to the old sanctuary
for worship, food, fun and
fellowship. Bring your friends.
Fifth Annual Cross Trails Ministry
Gift of Faith Gala
March 4, 5-9 pm
The Springs
1723 Herbelin Rd.
New Braunfels
Enjoy an evening of great food, entertainment,
live and silent auctions, music, dancing and
fellowship. Funds are being raised to keep camp
affordable to everyone. Tickets are $100 and
donations are appreciated. To purchase tickets or
get more information go to www.crosstrails,org
or email [email protected].
What Kind of Building Material Will You Be?
Ever since moving to Texas, my wife and I have been
working on our home. We bought a "fixer-upper" that
needed a lot of work before we could move in. And even
after moving in, we have been involved in project after
project. Along the way we've had a lot of building
materials delivered to our house. At times the projects
can be frustrating as you see stacks of unused material
scattered around the property. They can be ugly,
unhelpful, and annoyingly get in your way. I long for the
day when we can park our vehicles in the garage!
In Matthew 16, Jesus teaches us a thing or two about
building materials that can be useful, but can also get in
the way. After Simon Peter publicly proclaimed that Jesus
was in fact the Messiah, the Son of the living God, Jesus
told him this: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on
this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades
will not overcome it." With Peter's faithful proclamation,
Jesus declares that he is a rock that will be foundational in
the building of God's Kingdom.
But just moments later, Jesus reveals that useful, kingdom
building material such as Peter can also get in the way.
You see Jesus shares with Peter and the other disciples
that the journey ahead would be difficult and would lead
to Jesus' death on the cross. After hearing this, Peter
pulled Jesus aside and rebuked him: "Never, Lord! This
shall never happen to you!" But Jesus responded: "Get
behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you
do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely
human concerns."
When it comes to building God's Kingdom, people are the
building materials that God uses. Now we can either be
like faithful Peter and be useful by submitting to God's
plan and purpose, or we can be like selfish Peter and not
only be unhelpful, but actually get in the way of what God
is doing.
As I travel throughout the District, I have heard countless
times that personal preference (what members want) is the
primary deciding factor for so many ministry decisions.
When churches make decisions based on personal
preference, we are being like selfish Peter and become
stumbling stones to what God is doing. Why? Because as
Jesus told Peter, we "don't have in mind the concerns of
God." So what are "the concerns of God" that should be
on our mind as we live out ministry in our congregations
and communities? Well Jesus said that he came to "seek
and to save the lost."
The decisions and choices that are made in our local
congregations ought to be made with seeking to save the
lost in mind. And when we get that right, when we can be
faithful in our submission to Jesus' mission, then we are
useful material for Kingdom building. So what kind of
building material will you be? Will you be useful, or an
obstacle? Join me in setting aside personal preferences
and embracing the concerns of God for the lost.
Pastor Bryce Formwalt is the Director of Mission Growth
for the LCMC Texas District. Residing in Georgetown,
Pastor Bryce is available to coach congregations on
mission. Feel free to contact him with any questions or
comments: 512-942-7776 or [email protected]. Like
us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/lcmctexas .
What’s Happening at Zion Lutheran Children’s Center
March Birthdays:
Alaina
Davien
Devan
Freeman
Greyson
SPECIAL DAYS IN March :
1st: Ash Wednesday
17th: Saint Patrick’s Day
Lenten Services every Wednesday through Easter.
Bible Focus
ZLCC will be closed, March 16 & 17th, for Spring
Break.
Week 1:Jesus Teaches us Love
Week 2:Jesus Teaches Us to Pray
Week 3: Jesus Seeks Us
Week 4: Jesus Wants Us to Seek Him
Week 5: The Last Supper
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind.”
Matthew 22:27
ZLCC is having a cookie dough fundraiser starting March
1st, anyone interested in placing an order may stop by
the center at anytime. We will be selling all the favorites
plus a few new ones.
Zion Lutheran Church
Services:
9:00 a.m. and 11:00a.m.
Sunday School
10:00 a.m.
Wednesdays: Lenten Services
Thank you to Zion Lutheran Church for your continued
support.
All are welcome!
Celebrating God’s Work
Date & Time
Altar Flowers
Lay Readers
Mark Bigott
Mar 5 9:00 a.m.
Lane & Johanna Taylor
Katy Kappel
Mar 5 11:00 a.m.
Mar 12
Karen Saunders
9:00 a.m.
Bill & Fran Turner
Holly Shirley
Mar 12 11:00 a.m.
Beth Taylor
Mar 19 9:00 a.m.
Donna Shirley
Mar 19 11:00 a.m.
Peggy Peese
Mar 26 9:00 a.m.
Walter & Karen Saunders
Zoe Contryman
Mar 26 11:00 a.m.
If you would like to provide altar flowers on any
Sunday in 2017, please sign the flower chart in the
narthex or call the church office at 257-8411.
9:00- Edward Wellborn, Walter Saunders, Bev Fischer
11:00-Brady & Tyler Jenschke, Holly Shirley
Waldon, Mason
Emshoff, Diane
Jung, Kay
Williams, Eric
Peese, Ruby
Scharringhausen, Mark
True, Billy
Balser, Shelby
Kramer, Gloria
Taylor, Alvie
Wilke, Evelyn
Abbatiello, Brenda
Harrison, Grace
Baker, Esther
Thompson, Philip
3/1
3/2
3/3
3/3
3/5
3/5
3/5
3/6
3/8
3/8
3/8
3/9
3/10
3/11
3/13
Turner, Steven
Johnson, Cheyenne
Putnam, Martha
Schmedemann, Ivan
McKeon, Kevin
Smith, Rebecca
Simon, Andy
Hannemann, Douglas
Moss, Christopher
Abbatiello, Jimmy
Reichenau, Penny
Johnson, Joel
Feldman, Zachary
Waldon, Lynette
Reichenau, Aubrey
3/14
3/15
3/15
3/16
3/17
3/17
3/18
3/19
3/19
3/20
3/20
3/21
3/23
3/23
3/24
Christensen, Deanna
Theiss, Diane
Silliman, Robert
Smith, David
Erlund, Misty
Rust, Doug
Taylor, Jaclyn
Bigott, Sharon
Gutz, William
Newport, Michael
Stern, Diane
Williams, Amy
Brougham, Gaelynn
McMahon, Zachary
Williams, Lewis
3/25
3/25
3/26
3/28
3/29
3/29
3/29
3/30
3/30
3/30
3/30
3/30
3/31
3/31
3/31
MARCH 2017
5
6
7
1 Ash
2
Wednesday
10:00am ZLCC
Chapel
Noon Wmn A A
6:00 Bell Choir
7:00 Worship
8;00 Chancel
Choir
8:00 pm CA Mtg.
9am LWR Sewing 9:15-11:00
10am A A Mtg.
9:30Ruth Rebecca Community Bible 10am N A Mtg.
2:00pm Esther Cir Study
530 Weight
Watchers
6:15pm Band
Practice
8:00 pm Agape.
3
8
9
10
4
11
10 A A Mtg.
Noon Wmns AA 9:00am-noon Wor 9:00am Wmn’s Br 9am LWR Sewing 9:15-11:00
Plg/Staff
Mtg.
Community
Bible
10 N A Mtg
6:30 Men’s BSF
Noon Wmn A A 2:00 Dorcas Eliz Study
9:30 Naomi Circle 6:00 Lenten meal 530 Weight
12:15 Weight
Noon Brown Bag
6:00 Bell Choir Watchers
Watchers
6:15pm
Band
7:00 Worship
6:30pm Sarah Circl 8 Chancel Choir Practice
1-3:00pm Jr. Hi
8:00 Agape
Youth Rewiored”
8:00 pm CA Mtg. 8:00 pm Agape.
8:30am Prayer
Cell
Communion
CAM Donation
Sunday
12 Daylight
13
15
16
Saving Time
begins
Noon Wmns AA 9:00am-noon Wor
Plg/Staff Mtg..
2:00pm WOW
12:15 Weight
Board
6:30 Men’s BSF Watchers
6:30pm Councill
8:00 Agape
Newsletter
Deadline
10:00am ZLCC
Chapel
10 Quilt Guild
Noon Wmn A A
6:00 Lenten meal
6:00 Bell Choir
7:00 Worship
8 Chancel Choir
8:00 pm C A Mtg.
9am LWR Sewing No .Community
5:30pm Weight Bible Study
Watchers
6:15 Band
Practice
8:00 pm Agape
10 A A Mtg.
10 N A Mtg
19
20
22
23
25
8:30 am Prayer Cell
Communion
5-6pm Prayer
Hour
1-3:00pm Jr. Hi
Youth “Rewired”
1st Day of Spring 9:00am-noon Wor
Plg/Staff Mtg.
8:30am Quilt
Guild
12:15 Weight
Noon Wmns AA Watchers
1:30pm Knitters
2:00pm Shawl
8:00 Agape
Ministry
6:30 Men’s BSF
Noon Wmn A A
6:00 pm BellChoir
7:00 Worship
8 Chancel Choir
8:00 pm C A Mtg.
9am LWR Sewing 9:15-11:00a.m.
10 A A Mtg.
5:30 Weight
Community Bible 10 N A Mtg
Watchers
Study
6:15 Band
Practice
8:00 pm Agape
26
27
28
29
30
8:30 am Prayer
Cell
Noon Wmn A A
9:00am-noon Wor Noon Wmn A A
Plg/Staff Mtg.
6:00 Lenten meal
6:00 pm BellChoir
12:15 Weight
7:00 Worship
Watchers
8 Chancel Choir
8:00 Agape
8:00 pm C A Mtg.
8:30am Prayer
Cell
6:30 Men’s BSF
14
21
17
24
31
9am LWR Sewing 9:15-11:00a.m.
5:30 Weight
Community Bible
Watchers
Study
6:15 Band
Practice
8:00 pm Agape
18
Lent Sermon Series
Contact
Contact
us!
Web page:
Website: www.zionkerrville.org
Email:
Office: [email protected]
Pastor: [email protected]
Finance: [email protected]
Church Council: [email protected]
Media Center: [email protected]
Judy Johnson: [email protected]
Misty Erlund: [email protected]
Children’s Center: [email protected]
Please notify the church office if your email
address changes.
Zion Lutheran Church
624 Barnett St.
Kerrville, TX. 78028
830-257-8411 Fax: 830-896-3266
Office: [email protected]
Staff
Pastor-Michael Williams
Office Secretary - Judy Sharp
Financial Secretary - Laura Phipps
Organist/Choir Director - Judy Johnson
Contemporary Service Director - Misty Erlund
Choir Accompanist - Amy Williams
Bell Choir Director - Jim Abbatiello
Children’s Ctr. Director - Shannon Webb
Nursery Attendant - Cassi Myers
Superintendent - Steve Griffin
Altar Guild - Linda Mann & Donna Shirley
Ushers - Beverly Fischer
Church Council Officers
President – Sharon Spenrath
Vice President – Roger Lampman, Jr.
Secretary – Tammy Parkhurst-Rhodes
Treasurer – Mary Vestuto
Representatives:
Benevolence –Karen Saunders
Children’s Center – Larry Cattran
Evangelism – Warren Setnan
Fellowship – Kelly Varwig
Parish Ed – Fran Turner
Property - Norm Krutsinger
Stewardship - Bob Gates
Worship & Music - Beth Taylor
Youth Ministry - Shelby Balser
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF PROJECTS 2016-2017
QUILTS: Fabric for quilts should be washable cotton/cotton blend material. Any cotton
fabric larger than 8 ½” square can be used for quilt tops. Larger pieces are used for backs
(64”x84”). Flat sheets in good condition, double or larger size, make wonderful backs.
Fitted sheets can be taken apart and pieced also. Sheets of lesser quality can be used for
liners. Please wash sheets. We can NOT use double knits, velvet, lace, or wool. Please
leave fabric and sheets for quilts in Room 138.
FABRIC KITS: These kits are used to teach people a means of supporting themselves.
Each kit consists of TWO pieces of cotton/cotton blend fabric each 3 yards by 44” wide
and TWO spools (each 250 or 300 yards or equivalent) of matching or neutral ALL
PURPOSE thread. Please label these items: FOR FABRIC KITS and place in the LWR
box in the narthex. The circles will assemble kits from items donated.
SOAP: Bath size bars of soap, individually wrapped, (any brand) can be left in the LWR
tub in the narthex. The soap will be for people around the world through LWR and the
local needs through donations to CAM.
CASH DONATIONS are always welcomed. Checks and cash may be placed in pew
envelopes. Checks may be written to Zion Lutheran Church with “WOW-LWR” on the
memo line. Donations may be placed in the offering plate or dropped by the church
office. These donations are used to purchase items to complete the LWR projects, the
maintenance of sewing machines, and shipping costs.
QUILTING DATES: Dates for the 2017 quilting project are January 30—-February 3rd
and February 6—10th. Mark your calendars now to join us then. The quilts will be
displayed on the pew backs February 12th.
“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death
and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One
who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God,
and where He is there I shall be also!”
― Martin Luther