Harbinger
Page 2
Worship Help for Parents
Page 3
Fall Adult Classes
Page 4
Fall Confirmation Class &
Sunday School Class
Schedule
Page 6
The 10 Commandments
Page 8
High School News
Page 11
Preschool News
Page 13
Eric Eichinger Film Update
Zion Lutheran Church
2122 Bronson Blvd.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Telephone: 269-382-2360
Email: [email protected]
www.zionkazoo.org
September 2015
Volume 147 Number 9
Recently, my car died. A well maintained, great looking car (that
was an extension of my personality) is no longer a functioning car.
The engine self destructed! But here is what really is amazing. We
were travelling at 70mph on US 131 about a half mile south of
Centre when the warning lights went on and the car got quiet. I
pushed the accelerator but nothing happened. The engine
stopped. I quickly shifted into neutral and tried the key. Nothing!
The engine was dead and we were coasting and still at least a
quarter mile from the exit. Luckily we still had some speed
heading toward the the ramp. (Questions filled my head. Would
I make it to the ramp? Up the ramp? What if there was traffic on
Centre?) Amazingly we rolled up the ramp, through the stop sign,
past a green light, and turned toward the gas station. I had no
power for steering or brakes (like the old days) and as the car was
about to stop I jumped out and pushed and steered into a
parking space at the nearby gas station. We stopped! Now, THIS
is what I find incredible: It would be easy to scream about a lost
car. Anger is normal when things don’t go as we wish, and things
happen that shouldn’t. We grumble. We complain. We can feel
sorry for ourselves. We can even blame God. But HOW in the
world did the engine blow up when it did, rather than 20 minutes
earlier when we were ten miles out in the middle of farm roads?
And how did we coast as far as we did, get up a ramp, through
an intersection, and into a parking space??? Think about it!!!
Incredibly, for someone likes me who wants answers and likes to
be in control, I found myself sitting in a dead car thinking more
about how we made it to a safe place than losing an engine. So,
does God handle dying cars? Was it all coincidence? Do
guardian angels push? I do not know. But I do know that I am
more amazed by how we got to safety than how a car that was
in great shape suddenly wasn’t! Things don’t always go our way,
but sometimes we forget things also can go differently than they
should! So ... I think I’m better off giving God credit for safety,
rather than cursing my loss! What do you think? Pastor Seeber
2
Worship Help for Parents and Children
Liturgy is important , as it forms a pattern and
model for our worship life. “Liturgy” comes
from several Greek words and means “the
duty of the people.” Martin Luther was
instrumental in getting people (and not just
priests) involved in worship. We’ll return this
month to the beginning of the worship
service. (And don’t forget preparations
before you arrive; your attitude, your mood,
your temperament, for that sets the tone as
much as what we do together.) After the
prelude (which is part of the preparation) our
formal liturgy begins.
This month: CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
(This is how we begin. We “confess” sins and
then hear God’s promise of forgiveness.)
For Dads and Moms and younger adults:
What was it this week? Not speaking to your
spouse? Or maybe a fight with your parents?
No time for prayer or spiritual growth? Did
any morning begin by remembering your
Baptism? "Sin" simply devastates God's family,
and it is important to remember what God
has done to restore what we break. We are
created to live as one family but daily find
ourselves separated from God and one
another. If worship is to be "as one," some
thing is needed to bring us together "as one."
“CONFESSION” begins our time of healing as
we silently admit specific sins (why pretend or
try to hide — who are we fooling?) USE this
time of silence. Open your heart! Admit your
mistakes and trust God will love you anyway!
And then, in unison, we speak as one,
because we are one family in Christ! In a
general way we confess what is true for all,
the general symptoms ("what we have done
and what we have left undone").
How can we worship God if we don’t begin
by being honest? It is like getting baptized
every time we worship — we begin with the
washing away the crust and grime of daily sin
and selfishness. God’s touch begins worship.
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
We begin in complete honesty! No barriers.
No pretensions. Like Adam and Eve we stand
naked before God.
The “ABSOLUTION” is God’s response, in which
the Pastor announces that God removes the
guilt for what we have done, and has taken
the punishment we deserve on Himself. This is
great news ("the entire forgiveness of ALL your
sins!") Now that decks are clean, real worship
can begin. It is like hearing the angels sing on
Christmas; we can now run to the manger!
What a change this makes. How cool that
God’s love brings us together . How neat that
the walls that separate are replaced with the
outstretched arms of a loving God! Now we
are ready for whatever comes next!
For Parents with young children:
Ask your “little ones” WHY you sometimes
want them to say “I’m sorry.” Ask what
“sorry” means! Talk about how it is better not
to hide things that we are afraid of, or that
we might in trouble for. Talk about why telling
the truth always makes things easier. Remind
them that even when you get upset, you still
love them, feed them, and take care of
them. Tell them how happy they make you
when they come to you and say “sorry.” Let
them know you will always love them and just
want them to learn the right way to do things.
Then ask if there is anything you have done to
hurt them? Is there anything they want you
to say “sorry” for to them. And, if there is, DO
IT! And then hug and kiss and say “I love
you!” And keep hugging and kissing every
day! Let them know how special you feel
when they hug you — even when you have
hurt their feelings or been a little too loud!
This is exactly what God has done for us!
(And remember, much of how they view God
comes from how they view you as parent!!!)
Explain, as best you can, that confession is
“sorry!” and absolution is “love you anyway!”
What a neat way to color our time with each
other as a family, both at home and with our
family here at Zion!
3
Fall Classes for Adults with the Pastors
Tuesday Mornings with Pastor Brelje at 10am.
This fall Pastor Brelje will offer a great class on
the hymns of Paul Gerhardt. Gerhardt was
one of the most prolific (next to Luther) writer
of hymns. Hymns are not only songs in
worship, but powerful prayers and meditative
gifts to the church. This will be a most
practical time together. He will follow that
later in the year with another biblical study on
the Revelation to John. This is a wonderful
opportunity to grow in a relaxed atmosphere
of fellowship and spirituality. Join us and bring
a friend! All are welcome.
Sunday Mornings with Pastor Tim at 9:15am.
This has been a class for adults of all ages.
The goal of this class is make our spiritual life
relevant and practical, and so there is a lot of
good discussion and mutual support. Each
week is self contained, so if you miss a week
you aren’t going to feel “behind,” but you will
be missed! This is a very congenial group and
setting. This fall we’ll begin by looking each
week at one of the lessons (usually epistle or
Gospel) and discuss how to make each text
meaningful in our daily living. Rather than a
scholarly lecture class, this seeks to be a time
for all of us to wrestle with the text. Pastor Tim
will provide some background and help to
get discussions started, but everyone will
have plenty of time for questions, discussion,
and sharing. This is open to all and a great
place if you aren’t here every week. It has
also been a great place for fellowship and
becoming better acquainted with others at
Zion. Most of us are not serious theologians,
but all of us are serious about being disciples
and faithful members of Christ’s Church.
Saturday Morning Men’s Study with Pastor Tim
at 8am. Each week we take one question or
thought from the epistle lesson and allow that
to be our springboard for discussion. This has
been a great time for fellowship and spiritual
growth, with most interesting discussion and
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
practical applications that are shared by all.
The 8am start allows for a great beginning to
Saturday and gives you enough time tor your
Saturday schedule.
Wednesday Evenings at 6:15 with Pastor Tim.
Our goal is to combine both biblical and
secular literature and use that to help us
explore our own growth in faith. Jil Larson,
who teaches at WMU, has led discussions of
secular writers who have wrestled with issues
of faith. The past two years we have studied
the Life of Pi, and also the short stories of
Flannery O’Connor. Pastor Seeber led a
segment where we discussed the wisdom
literature of Scripture (Ecclesiastes, Proverbs,
and Song of Solomon. ) This fall will offer more
of the same. We are still coordinating
schedules and will announce the final lineup
soon. This is a relaxed and mutually
supportive time of discussion and growth. All
are welcome! Join us Wednesdays for our
midweek dinner and then stay for our
discussions with Jil and Pastor Tim.
(One of the outgrowths of this class is the
current “Centering Prayer” series that is
meeting during the summer on Wednesday
nights. That shows the openness for us to
keep being led by the Spirit in our efforts to
support everyone’s life of faith.)
Welcome to Zion — Sundays at 9:15,
beginning in October. This class is led by all
of our staff, with help from a few others.
This is an introduction to our ministry and life
together at Zion, primarily for new members
and those interested in joining Zion. We cover
worship, review what it means to be a
Lutheran Christian, Zion’s history, and the
ministries we share within and outside of the
congregation.
There are a number of small group Bible and
book study classes, both on Sunday mornings
and throughout the week, which are listed
elsewhere in this newsletter.
4
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
Summer Beautification
Schedule 2015
Please join us as we care
and maintain the church
grounds. All of the days
are Wednesdays from
8:30- 11:30 with the
exception of the major fall
clean-up. Break time and
refreshments occur from
10:00-10:30.
Summer Work Dates:
September 16
We will be trimming shrubs, and cleaning the
grounds and parking lot.
Fall Work Dates:
October 14, October 28, November 4
During the fall months, we replace A/C
covers; clean roofs and gutters; and clean the
grounds and parking lot.
Major Fall Clean-up:
Saturday, November 14, 2015 (tentative date)
starting at 8:30 with a delay date of Saturday,
November 21, 2015.
Contact Jim Mayer at 375-8342 if you would
like to help, or simply show up on the
scheduled date. All the dates are weather
permitting. If changes need to occur, all who
have their name on the list will be
contacted. Also, watch the Sunday bulletin
announcements for changes.
September 28th meeting @ 7:00
We Band of Angels
by E. Norman
October 26th meeting @ 7:00
And Then There Were None
by A. Christie
Contact Yvonne Wordell with questions at
269-321-7984
The congregation is invited to a 150th
Anniversary celebration on Friday, October
16th from 6:30 to 10:30 at the Kalamazoo Air
Zoo. Come and experience the rides,
simulators and aircraft while enjoying
fellowship with each other. Snacks, punch,
tea, lemonade and a cash bar will be
available. Look for a sign up sheet on the
kiosk in the near future. Feel free to invite
friends and family to this fun event!
Confirmation Classes for
students entering 6th-9th
grades will start up on
Wednesday night,
September 9th! Dinner is at
5:15pm and class runs from
6:15pm—7:30pm. If you
know of a student who is interested in
Confirmation, please let Aaron know!
Sunday school
classes start on
September 13th at
9:15am!
Students entering
3 year old preschool
all the way through
12th grade are invited to join us!
Preschool—5th grade meets in the
Undercroft (under the Sanctuary) and
6th—12th grades meet in their respective
rooms downstairs. Adult classes are upstairs
in the Gathering Place. We hope to see
you there!
5
ZION’S NEW PRAYER GARDEN
This month we will dedicate our PRAYER
GARDEN, which is the result of the gifts of
many people. We will share more next
month, but our goal is to use the quiet and
natural beauty of our south lawn (behind the
Gathering Area) as a place for reflection,
rest, meditation and peace. It might be used
for Bible studies, prayer services, or private
meditation. It was designed by Ron Masek
and developed by Charlie Krill. Watch for
details about this special day in Zion’s life.
The focal point is a sculpture, created by Ron
Masek, in conjunction with our ministry of
Christian Art. Here is what Ron has to say
about the sculpture which he has titled:
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
Prayer Garden and the sculpture that will be
the focal point for the ministry of meditation
and prayer that this garden will assist us all
with.
Several years ago Pastor Seeber noticed one
of Ron’s drawings had been chosen to be
displayed at the West Michigan Area Arts
show at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. He
spoke with Ron about doing “bulletin art” to
enhance our worship experience, and Ron
agreed. Since that time, Ron has done a
weekly drawing for our worship folder. Each
drawing is based on the scriptures and theme
for that week’s worship. These framed prints
are samples of the gift of art that Ron shares
with us.
What is a “Harbinger?”
“Surrounded by Grace”
Though we “rust” in sin, God's amazing grace
and steadfast love surrounds us. The upward
reaching steel and sphere represents each
child of God. The rusting metal represents sin
while the stainless steel represents God’s
grace, surrounding us with the Spirit’s life and
power. My motivation for this sculpture is
Ephesians 2:4-6. “Because of God’s great
love, even when we were dead (“rusting”) in
sin, God’s grace saved us and raised us up to
live with him!”
-- Ron Masek
(June 2015)
ART DISPLAY in BLENDS
Our Art Ministry Team felt that as we were
preparing to dedicate the Prayer Garden, it
would be a good time to display some of Ron
Masek’s artwork in Blends. You are used to
seeing his work each week on bulletin covers,
but this is a chance to look close-up at a few
of the designs he has created for Zion. This
work is currently on display in BLENDS.
Ron Masek and his family have been part of
the Zion family since 2003. Ron is a
Landscape Architect, and designed our
From time to time, the question is asked, “why
is the Zion Newsletter called “Harbinger?”
The easy answer is “I don’t know when or why
the name that was chosen.” It happened
long ago. But, here is what I do know about
the word itself.
A “harbinger’ is anything that foreshadows a
future event. It may be a person sent ahead
to prepare accommodations. As a verb it
means to announce coming events.
It is not a biblical word, but knowing the
definition makes more sense as to why this
was chosen (and anyone who knows the
year it was chosen gets “extra credit!”)
A robin is a “harbinger” of Spring. A falling
barometer is a “harbinger” of foul weather.
John the Baptist was a “harbinger” preparing
the way for a Messiah. Isaiah's prophecies
were “harbingers” of the Messiah that John
would introduce. And our newsletter that
tells you what events are coming and gets
you ready for those events is also a
“harbinger.” Another similar word might be
“herald,” but I do think Harbinger has more
zing in it. So, that was a good question!
6
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
The Commandments — Back to the Basics
To help understand Luther’s Catechism (and
the key elements of faith) this begins a series
that gives background to the six chief parts.
We begin by sharing the role of “the Law” in
our faith. This month we begin to explore
various aspects of the 10 Commandments.
They are recorded in Exodus 20:1-17 and
Deuteronomy 5:4-21. The giving of “Law” at
Sinai happened soon after the Exodus from
Egypt. The tribes of Israel were on their way
to the Promised Land, where their ancestors
had once lived. God shared “Law” to reveal
to Israel their purpose and his plan to make
them a “Light” to the nations. How they lived
would proclaim their love for God and show
the world what it meant to believe and follow
the God of Creation. Israel refers to these as
the “Ten Words” or “Decalogue.”
And when it came to the final words,
Lutherans and Catholics have “don’t covet
your neighbor’s wife” as nine and “don’t
covet anything that is your neighbor’s” as ten.
Reformed and Protestant Churches make
both of those the last commandment, “Don’t
covet!”
When the Law was ignored, Jesus would
come to put these words into the flesh of his
life! (And so John began his Gospel by
saying, “And the WORD became FLESH!)
Remember also that there were no numbers
assigned to each Word, and that has caused
some differences over the years in terms of
how to prioritize and remember what God
said first to Moses.
Jesus would later restate all these words in a
very simple response to a questions about
which ONE law is the most important when he
said, “love God, love neighbor … this is the
ONE most important law.
If you grew up in the Roman Catholic or
Lutheran traditions, for instance, “Remember
the Sabbath is the third commandment.
However if you grew up in the Orthodox or a
Protestant tradition, that commandment is
the fourth. Remember this: It is the WORD
and not what number that is assigned to it
that is important!
Name in vain
3
3
2
Sabbath
4
4
3
Honor parents
5
5
4
No murder
6
6
5
No adultery
7
7
6
Don’t steal
8
8
7
No false witness
9
9
8
10
9
10
10
The first two commandments create the first
difference. The Hebrew text says, “You shall
have no other gods before me, you shall
make no graven images.” Lutherans and
Catholics make those one commandment
while Orthodox and Protestants make them
two. So, you can see how that will make the
rest of the numbering different.
So, you see, the numbering is different but the
words are all the same. It is what God says
that is most important. Numbering helps us
remember, and it is true that the first part of
the law talks about our relationship to God
(no other gods, no idols, don’t take God’s
name in vain, remember the Sabbath), while
the last deals with our relationships with
people (honor parents, don’t murder, don’t
commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t bear false
witness, don’t covet.)
Jewish
No other gods
1
No idols
2
Don’t covet
10
neighbor’s wife
Don’t covet
10
neighbor’s stuff
Orth/Prot Luth/ Cath
1
1
2
1
7
Donations:
Submerged, by Dani Pettry
is a romantic suspense that
will keep you up all night.
Sabotaged, by Dani Pettry
will keep you on the edge
of your seat.
Many thanks to Kathy Pfeifer, Vicki Holt and
anyone else who has helped out in the
library while Carl and I were away. ANYONE
who notices that the puppet heads are not
peeking out of the bags for the pews, stop
a minute and shape them up. Have you
noticed that many of these bags are in
use—especially in late service?
Pat Kasdorf
685-8404
My small group this year consisted of young, old, married
and single and a lot of other
people with differences. A
couple of the neater things
that occurred this year involved, of course, our members. One member helped me facilitate the
group at the age of 93 and judging from
the evaluations, did quite well. Another
member invited a fellow worker and she
came along with her daughter who had just
graduated from college. Finally, at our end
of the year potluck, one of our group members invited some friends who are looking
for a possible church. ( We love to plant
seeds).
These are just examples of caring, outreach
and having others help in the endeavor.
These are the type of activities that go on in
a small group. What a blessing it truly is to
see fellow members do such God pleasing
acts. (We also do fun stuff as well).
Small groups will be starting this fall, how
about giving it a try!
Dave Mayer (Small Group Facilitator)
375-1241
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
Completed Bazaar Items
If you are working on craft or sewing items
for the Bazaar, you may drop off your completed items in the Workroom. Please enter
your name, phone number item description
and suggested selling price on the sign in
sheet. Note: Attic Treasure or Book Nook
items do not need to be signed in.
Bazaar
This year’s Grateful Hearts
Bazaar will be held on
Saturday, November 21st.
Bazaar Contacts:
Attic Treasures/Book Nook: Linda Mayer
(375-1241), Jayne Mayer (375-8342)
Knit/Crochet: Janis Dinda (569-0322)
Sewing/Crafts: Sharon Preuss (553-3385)
Gift in a Jar: Jeanette Meyer (381-9078)
Baked or Canned Goods: Amy Nelson
(345-6155), Jeanette Meyer (381-9078)
Canning Jars Available
The Bazaar committee has canning jars
available for your use if you are planning on
donating the fruits of your labors to this
year’s bazaar. They can be picked up in
the old kitchen under the narthex. Call
Jayne Mayer (375-8342) if you have any
questions.
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
The wish list item for
September is Canned
Meat. Please put your
donations in the gray
tubs under the church
office window. Thank you!
Between the Pages
H i g h S c h o o l YO U T H N ew s
Letters to the Exiles
“Letters to the
Exiles” is the title
of our Bible study
we are starting out
with this year.
Here’s what the
study says:
heaven? Is it so we
can have a “friend
in Jesus”? Is it even
about us?
September 2015
story of God’s plan
for the whole world.”
This Month:
The study is video
 September 1
based which means
(Tuesday) Full
For the Life of the
we’ll watch a 10-20
Day trip to
world: Letters to
minute video and
Cedar Point.
the Exiles is an
then have a good
Details TBA
invitation to
discussion about it!
“Have you ever
 Bible Study
explore the scandal- It’s an awesome series
wondered what
begins on
ous
and
beautiful
and
I
hope
you’ll
join
your salvation is
Sept. 13th at
us
at
9:15am
on
actually FOR? Is it
9:15am!!!
Sunday’s!
just to get to
 Youth
 Planning
National Youth Gathering
night w/ice
cream
It’s true the
everything to run
my future in 2001
 7-8:30pm on
National Youth
at the NYG in New
smoothly!
Sept. 13.
Gathering (NYG)
What is the NYG? Orleans. I hope
does not take place
you’ll join us for an
 Sept. 20 @
Every
3
years,
youth
until July 2016...but
interest meeting on
11:30am—
from
LCMS
National
it is also true and
September 20th at
churches
all
over
Youth
necessary that we
11:30am. At the
the
US
meet
in
one
Gathering
have to meet to talk
meeting you’ll find
Interest
location for worabout it! Plane
out more about
Meeting!
ship, learning,
tickets, registraNYG as well as
service, and
tions, and other
anticipated costs,
fellowship.
The
details have to be
dates, and details.
2016
Gathering
is
worked out way in
We have to have a
in
New
Orleans!!!
advance for the best
firm commitment
prices and fundof our group by
The NYG is very
raisers need to be
October 11th!!!!!
important to me,
set up, etc. for
because I decided
Linda Mayer
Amy Nelson
Susan Ahrenholz
(8:00) Mark Schwerin
(10:30) Jeremy Klein
Don and Carol Daenzer
(10:00) Joyce Zastrow
Dee Wentzel
Jayne Mayer
Linda Mayer
(10:00)Ruth Stokes
(8:00) Andrew Newman
(10:00) Neil Segerdahl
No Coffee
Acolytes 10:30am
Lectors 10:30am
Altar Ministry
Saturday 5:30pm
Altar Ministry 8:00am
Coffee Hour
Sound System
Altar Ministry 10:30am
Lectors 8:00am
Dee Wentzel
Dan Buchtrup
Caila Chapman
Indy Linebaugh
(10:00) Grace Dinda
Carter Simmons
Linda Stieve
Acolytes 8:00am
Cantors
(8:00) Linda Stieve
(10:30) Candy Buetow
Luke Skuratowicz
Haven Besser
Andrew Bickel
Sara Bussey
Barb Nutsch
Communion Assistants
10:30am
Rollie Preuss
Phil Schaefer
George Geissel
Tim Gumbleton
Karen Chapo
Charles Fierke
Linda Stieve
(10:00) Steve Butt
Tim Klein
John Roggow
(8:00) Karen Chapo
Susan Ahrenholz
Carol Daenzer
(8:00 & 10:30)
Neil Segerdahl
Bob and Barb Nutsch
Carol Daenzer
Jill Hamilton
Audry Dorman
Carter Simmons
Candy Buetow
Grace Dinda
Paul Fierke
Jim Mayer
Rich Rakow
Chris Sitkins
Nick Sward
Chuck Wendling
(8:00) Linda Stieve
(8:00) Vicki Holt
(10:30) Andrew Gast
Tim Klein
Joe and Larry Zerbel
Joe and Larry Zerbel
Erin Hampshire
Cyndi Bremer
John Buetow
Terry Nelson
Karen Chapo
Charles Fierke
Linda Stieve
(8:00) Dennis O’Brien
(10:30) Karen Chapo
Alix Allen
Annaliese Ream
Ben Bickel
Aidan Brennan
John Buetow
Ted Maxson
Bob and Cheryl Besser
Charles and Cindy Krill
Judy Dinda
Shirley Rohrer
Dee Wentzel
(10:00) Mark & Erin
Hampshire
Mike Schlack
Greeters 10:30am
Kathleen Jordan
Kathy Pfeifer / Bev Snow
Dain &Margaret Soppelsa
Ted and Lucy Maxson
Terry and Gail Nelson
Greeters 8:00am
Communion Assistants
Saturday 5:30pm
Communion Assistants
8:00am
Bruce DeDee
Dee Wentzel
Don and Marge Heath
Kathleen Jordan
Greeters Sat 5:30pm
Dennis O’Brien
Steve Weber
September 27
Bob Folck
Walter Kohnke
September 20
Dick Coffinger
(10:00) Dan Buchtrup
George Geissel
Head Ushers 10:30am
Head Ushers 8:00am
September 13
Late Service Time Change
Andrew Newman
September, 2015 WORSHIP LEADERS
September 6
SEPTEMBER 2015
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
H.S. Cedar
Point Trip
6
8 and 10:00
Communion
Service
7
LABOR DAYOFFICE IS
CLOSED
13 Late Service Time
Change
8:00 and 10:30
Rally Day
9:15 Sunday
School/ Conf./
Sr. High/Adult
Classes
2:00 pm
Golf Outing
14
20
8:00 and 10:30
Communion
Service
9:15 Sunday
School/Conf./
Sr. High
Adult Classes
6-8:00 Small
Group Facilitators Meeting
27
8:00 and 10:30
Communion
Service
9:15 Sunday
School/Conf./
Sr. High
Adult Classes
5-7:00
Pig Roast
21
WEDNESDAY
2
8:45
LWR Sewing
7:00
Bells
7:00
Property
6:30
150th Meeting
8
9
THURSDAY
3
6:30
150th Event
7:00
Bells
5:15 Dinner
6:15 Confirmation
15
16
8:30
Fall Beautification
8:45
LWR Sewing
5:30
Finance
10
11
7:00
Choir
17
22
10:00
Bible Class
23
8:45
LWR Sewing
24
7:00
Board of Directors
7:00
Bells
5:15 Dinner
6:15 Confirmation
7:00
Choir
28
29
10:00
Bible Class
30
8:45
LWR Sewing
7:00
Bells
5:15 Dinner
6:15 Confirmation
5
12
8:00
Men’s Group
9-10:30
Altar Ministry
5:30 Communion Service
18
19
8-12:00
Board of Directors Retreat
2-4:00
Prayer Shawl
@ Biggby’s
7:00
Choir
5:15 Dinner
6:15 Confirmation
SATURDAY
5:30 Communion Service
7:00
Choir
7:00
Bells
7:00
Zion Women’s Book
Group
4
8:45
LWR Sewing
10:00
Bible Class
6:30
Personnel
FRIDAY
5:30 Communion Service
25
26
8:00
Men’s Group
5:30 Communion Service
Sunday School offerings are always a tough topic. Do the kids realize what
an offering is? Do they understand where the money goes? Are we just
duplicating what should be done in worship???
Giving is an IMPORTANT part of the faith life of a Christian. After all, God
commands us to give to Him! In Malachi, God says:
‘Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, “How do we rob you?” In tithes
and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are
robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in
my house. “Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw
open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not
have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops…the vines
in your fields will not cast their fruit…Then all the nations will call you blessed, for
yours will be a delightful land”’ (Malachi 3:8-12)
Zion Sunday School
S u n day S c h o o l N e w s
Focus on Giving
God wants us to ‘test Him’ with our giving...and the result will be the
floodgates of heaven opening up...WOW! This year in Sunday school, our
focus will be on giving. We have 3 projects we are going to be focusing on:
Sept.—Nov. will be our usual Heifer Project
Dec.—Feb. will be Loaves and Fishes
Mar.—May will be Ministry with Community Care Kits
For each project we will be asking for different donations to help those both
in the community and in the world. We will be accepting things other than
money for the projects as well! A separate letter will come home before
each new project begins. All three projects will be great opportunities for
your child to give, as well as to learn about giving! We also may have a
service project or two thrown into a weekly lesson to provide opportunity
to ‘give’ in their time as well! I’m really looking forward to this year!!!!
See you on September 13th at 9:15am in the classrooms!!!
SSN:
Resources
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/explain-tithes-offerings-church-kids11800.html
http://www.lifeway.com/Article/Giving-tithing-parenting-Are-you-acheerful-giver
10
Book Review. Mudhouse Sabbath; An
Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline.
Lauren F. Winner. Paraclete Press. 2003.
Winner writes well and is easy to read. She
grew up as a practicing Jew and converted
to the Christianity as an adult. This explores
her transition, and her attempt to make her
faith practical on a daily basis. She felt that
her life was enriched by the practice and
celebrations of her Jewish background, and
wondered how she could incorporate some
of these practices into her daily life.
In discussing how the Jewish faith views the
world, she lifts up the common background
of all of us (as our roots are in the Old
Testament.) Her goal is to take some of the
practice of her Jewish background, explain
the purpose and power of celebrations and
practice, and see how they might continue
to prove helpful in her own Christian growth.
She talks about the Sabbath, Kosher food,
mourning, hospitality, prayer, candle lighting,
weddings and many other aspects of the
tradition and practice of Judaism and how
she has sought to incorporate some of that
meaning into her life as a Christian.
In Judaism, there is the written law of
Scripture, and then the practical law that
came from the rabbis and scholars over the
years as they “unpacked” how to make the
law practical and meaningful in daily life. For
Jews, these teachings were seen as inspired
by God. This is much like the theological
development in Christian denominations as
churches discuss over the years issues such as
ordination, marriage, confirmation, how
communion should be celebrated, and what
worship should look like. We like to feel that
God “inspires” these changing traditions.
Her description of the lengthy practice of
grief is quite remarkable. She explains in very
comforting words the practice and the
theological reason for how grieving is done.
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
Winner explains that in Judaism, the practice
of grieving takes time. The various liturgical
efforts are centered around the first week, the
first month, and the first year. Her writing is
very simple and informative and the book
moves quickly.
Here is a sample of her writing about grief:
“Judaism understand mourning as a
discipline, one in which the mourner is not
only allowed, but expected to be engaged.
Rather than asking the mourner to paper over
his grief, the Jewish community supports him
in mourning.” [28]
After explaining the various elements of each
period of mourning, she follows with this:
‘This calendar of bereavement recognizes
the slow way that mourning works, the long
time it takes a grave to cool, slower and
longer than our zip-zoom internet-and-fast—
food society can easily accommodate …
Mourning plateaus gradually, and the
diminishing of intensity is both recognized and
nurtured by the different spaces the Jewish
mourning rituals create …. But why should it
be surprising that God commanded
something that therapists might now
applaud?” [34]
Within historic Judaism, there was no
separation of church and state, but every
moment of life was about giving God glory
and sharing his Light with the world. This can
be a very helpful gift to us. Often we forget
our roots in the Jewish faith! Not only did I
gain a deeper understanding of Jewish
practices, but in doing so, it makes some of
what we have borrowed (or maintained)
even more meaningful for Christians.
I discovered her through an article which was
well written and very faith-based. I found this
to be informative but also helpful in terms of
considering my own approach to liturgy and
the traditions of my own faith.
Pastor Seeber
11
A New School Year
We are in full preparation
for back to school at Hilltop
Preschool. We have hired a
new teacher for the Yellow
Bugs classroom. Her name is Annie
Horrocks and we are so excited she has
joined our team. She will also be
substituting for Mrs. Cullimore while she is
on maternity leave. Our roster is full and we
are welcoming many siblings this year from
families who are familiar with Hilltop, and
many new students, too!
We will be having our Fall Family Fest on
Saturday, October 17th. The cakewalk is
always a popular part of this event. We
need some yummy baked good—cakes,
cupcakes, cookies, brownies. If you would
be willing to donate something for one of
our lucky Hilltop families to win and enjoy,
please contact Melissa VanderMeeden at
327-4658—or let me know at
church! There will also be a
sign up on the kiosk in
October. Thank You!
The days are getting shorter, and you know
what that means—Fall is right around the
corner! Just in time for Fall, Hilltop
Preschool is selling beautiful mums again!
Are you, your family members or friends
planning on buying mums? This is a great
opportunity to get outstanding quality plants
AND help our preschool, too. You can order
8-inch or 10-inch (this size comes with a
decorative container at no additional cost!)
Order forms will be in the attendance folder
in each pew or on the mum
display in the hallway. Thank you
for your support of Hilltop
Preschool! Your contributions
make a positive difference in the
lives of all our students.
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
Please Consider Helping!!
Do you know that YOU make possible the
great success of Zion’s Grateful Hearts,
Thankful Hands Bazaar each year and we
need YOU again this year! What can you do
to contribute? Any of the following—all are
important tasks.
1) Contribute your time:
 If you haven’t started making items, now
is the time to start
 Volunteer to work during the Bazaar on
November 21. Watch for sign-up sheets
on the kiosk, but save the date now so
you’ll be available. Men and older teens
are also needed.
 Bake, bake, bake! Food items are great
sellers. Plan to drop off baked goods on
Friday, November 20th.
2) Donate materials and supplies
 Canning lids, (wide mouth and regular)
 Nice cloth napkins
 American Girl Doll books (like new)
 Children’s books, toys and puzzles in
excellent condition
 Narrow lace trims (3/8-1/2 wide)
 Vintage house keys
 Pheasant feathers
 Attic Treasures
 Wool Sweaters
3) Pray for the success of the Bazaar
The Grateful Hands, Thankful Hearts Bazaar
is an outreach ministry. Its goal is to reach
out and enfold all members of Zion and
provide another way to familiarize people
within the community of Zion. So include
the Bazaar and all it’s workers in your
prayers as we continue to “Reach out with
Jesus’ Love”. The money raised will be split
the following way: 20% to The Deacon’s
Conference; 30% to Hilltop Preschool; and
50% to LURO. Tell your friends and
neighbors about our bazaar and invite them
to come.
12
The renovations at Solid
Grounds are complete!
Thanks to a generous gift
from the Michigan District
and the help of so many
people from Zion, we were
able to have new carpet
installed in the upstairs bedrooms and
hallway, new vinyl flooring on the main floor
hallways, bathroom and back half of the
living room, as well as new vinyl flooring in the
basement.
Before installation too place, there was a
significant amount of time and energy that
went into painting the bedrooms, hallway
areas, stairwell and both bathrooms. The stairs
were sanded down and we put on a fresh
coat of stain and polyurethane. The house
looks nicer, cleaner and inviting.
A big thank you to everyone at Zion who
spent their time at Solid Grounds helping with
the renovation projects. Laurel Miner and
Mike Martin for their time on countless
projects. Dave Borak and Paul Noseworthy for
their beautiful job of sanding and staining the
stairs. Dan and Susan Buchtrup for selecting
the paint, carpet and vinyl flooring. Thanks to
all those who helped paint: Paul N., Dave
and Bonnie Borak, Neil Segerdahl, Aaron
Grube, Kathy Pfeifer, Bobbie Darow, Dee
Wentzel, Rollie Preuss, as well as several WMU
students. And lastly, a big thank you to Jan
Prange for her hard work this summer with the
landscaping.
We are no looking ahead to the upcoming
Fall Semester. Classes will begin on Tuesday,
September 8th. Our first Sunday worship
service and lunch will be September 13th. The
week before classes begin, the incoming
freshman will be on campus from August 31September 3 for Fall Welcome week. There is
a session of September 2nd where students
organizations have a chance to meet the
incoming students and promote our campus
ministry.
We will continue expanding on our Bronco
Buddy Mentoring with the students at Tree of
Life in the Edison neighborhood and our
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
International Student Dinner Gatherings. Our
Bronco Buddy mentoring events will be on the
4th Sunday of each month and the
International Student Dinner Gatherings will
be on the 3rd Friday of each month.
Over the past few years, I’ve been able to sit
in on several classes , which has given me the
chance to meet and interact with student on
a different level outside of our activities at
Solid Grounds. I’ve spoken with three different
professors over the summer and they have
given me permission to sit in on their class. This
gives me the opportunity to meet and talk
with a variety of students and to further build
connections with WMU faculty.
I will be helping with Fellowship of Christian
Athletes on Wednesday evenings and
leading a Bible study once a month on Friday
evenings with Pambazuke, a group of mainly
African students.
-Pastor Mark
Come Join Us!!
On September 13th,
Zion will be hosting our
annual Golf Outing at Eastern
Hills Golf Course. Registration
starts at 1:30. This is a 4
person scramble. Cost is $10
per person to walk and $16 with a cart.
There is a $6 cost to help cover pizza and
prizes at the end. Sign ups and additional
information are on the kiosk. If you have
any questions, please contact Terry Adlam
Zion’s Annual
Pig Roast
Scheduled for
Sunday, September 27th
5:00
Bring a dish to
share
See the kiosk for
sign ups
13
AN UPDATE ON ERIC EICHINGER’S FILM
“ABSOLUTE SURRENDER.”
Eric is a son of Zion, and pastor of Bethel
Lutheran in Clearwater, FL. Eric ran cross
country at MSU and served several years in
China before being ordained. That led to an
interest in Olympic runner Eric Liddell (of
“Chariots of Fire” fame.) Eric wrote a
screenplay based on Liddell’s later years as a
missionary in China. Zion’ Endowment Fund
gave Eric a grant to help attract initial
funding for the screenplay. Here is an article
in this week’s “Hollywood Reporter.”
A largely Chinese production will downplay
Olympic runner Eric Liddell's Christianity while
another will not. Two movies that are billing
themselves as sequels to Chariots of Fire are in
the works, but they have different sensibilities
regarding Christianity, a central plot point.
One movie, called Absolute Surrender, is
about Eric Liddell, the devout Christian runner
whose refusal to compete on Sundays during
the 1924 Olympics was the basis for 1981's
Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire. But while that
movie explored Liddell's friendship with fellow
British Olympian Harold Abrahams, a Jew who
endured anti-Semitism while competing in
1924's Summer Olympics held in Paris, France,
both of the upcoming films will instead
explore what came after the games
for Liddell.
While Scottish, Liddell was born in China to
parents who were Christian missionaries, and
he returned to China after his victory at the
Olympics to follow in their footsteps. Along
with his charitable works, Liddell raced
sporadically in China. In 1941, Japanese
aggressors made things very dangerous in
China so Liddell's pregnant wife and their
children left for Canada, but he stayed
behind, eventually forced into the
Weihsien Internment Camp.
Liddell died there in 1945 five months before
the camp was liberated. Decades later,
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
Chinese authorities confirmed that when the
Japanese offered him an opportunity to
leave via a prisoner swap, he instead gave
his spot to a pregnant woman.
Absolute Surrender is a $20 million
independent film written by Eric Eichinger
and Howard Klausner with Mark Joseph in
negotiations to produce. Klausner co-wrote
Space Cowboys for Clint Eastwood and
Joseph is producing a biopic about Ronald
Reagan. While Absolute Surrender won't shy
from the obvious religious aspects of Liddell's
story, The Last Race, a previously announced
film on the same topic, is expected to
downplay his Christianity. "Our story is not
telling religion, it's telling about love among
people," The Last Race co-director Stephen
Shin told The Independent. Liddell's religious
beliefs, he said, "will not be emphasized."
The Last Race stars Joseph Fiennes as
Liddell and it is largely a Chinese production
so it won't be considered one of the 34
movies allowed under China's quota system
for foreign films. The movie will be distributed
by Hong Kong-based Alibaba Pictures Group.
Absolute Surrender has no director or stars
attached yet.
Since the Chinese Civil War ended in 1949, a
Communist party that promotes atheism has
ruled, so the notion that The Last Race would
not focus on Liddell's Christian motivation isn't
surprising. Eichinger, though, is hoping
audiences do not confuse the competing
titles. "We can't speak for other films, but fans
of Eric and Chariots of Fire can be assured
that we do not come to his life story from a
worldview that mocks, persecutes or forces
into the underground those who share Eric's
beliefs," he said. Liddell's three daughters, still
living in Canada, are aware of both projects.
Asked about Absolute Surrender, daughter
Maureen Liddell Moore called it "a gift."
About The Last Race, she said: "If you can't
say something nice, don't say nothing at all."
“The Hollywood Reporter,” Paul Bond, 8/17/2015
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
9/1
9/2
9/3
9/4
9/6
9/7
9/8
9/10
9/11
9/12
9/13
9/14
9/15
9/16
9/18
9/19
9/20
9/21
9/22
9/23
9/24
9/25
9/28
9/29
9/30
Haven Besser, Brad Glasser,
Annette Nickel
Christine Eichaker, Alisha Rowe,
Veronica Schoonbeck,
Dolores Wentzel, Austin Wordell
Cassidy Eastman, Marjorie Meyer
Nathan Adlam, Jackson Bierlein,
Alexander Schultz, Laura Tinigin
Ian Davidson, Laura Holt,
Nathan Holt, Gen Kellam Jr.,
Lee Kneer, Avery Leitz
Beth Fletcher, Ginger Skuratowicz
Gail Nelson, Emma Rayner,
Daniel Buchtrup, Deborah Klug
Thelma Lanphear
Karl Dinda, Sharon Preuss
Cynthia Bremer, Piper Soppelsa
Ruth Norton, Steve Nuyen
Ted Hansen, Christopher Seeber,
Deborah Kellam, Horst Jendralski
Erik DuBois
Collin Klein, Brenda Rakow
Paul Bowes, Connie Crotteau,
Linda Hazel, Evie Linebaugh,
Blake Scheffler
Yvonne Wordell
John Boettcher, Hanna Doorlag,
Paul Noseworthy,
Cheryl Rosensteel, Kelly Stetten
Terry VanderMeer
Fred Bierlein, Lauren Stetten
Carol Beutler, Allison Boettcher,
Marc Suprenant
Isabella Greene, Roxanne Seeber
Genevieve Miller, Holly Switalski
Edward Grau
Ava Olney, Anthony Parente,
Jace Wilson
Sunday Service Time Change
September 13th
8:00 & 10:30
14
Looking Up │ Reaching Out 2015
Parish Report
Baptism:
Bailey Catherine Wheeler
Deacon’s Conference
Underwear Drive
An underwear drive for the Kalamazoo
Deacon’s Conference will start on Sunday,
September 13th—27th. Items such as
men’s briefs, boxer shorts, and t-shirts;
women’s bras, panties, camisoles, and
slips; and similar items for children are
needed. Items donated can be either new
or very gently used. Used items should be
in good condition and unstained, please
wash and bleach used items. All items can
be brought to the church and placed in
the designated containers near the office.
These items will be given to those in need
by the Deacon’s Conference. This is an on
going need, so please think of this beyond
our drive. The Deacon’s Conference is always in need of underwear and other
clothing items such a s sheets, blankets,
comforters, towels, wash cloths and personal care items. You can also get more
information at Kazoodc.org.
Endowment Fund
The Board of Directors has approved the
following grants: Kalamazoo Air Zoo 150th
Kick-off Celebration $6,000; Music Special
Service $1,000; Prayer Garden Final
Instalation $7, 593. The deadline for
submitting grant requests for our next
quarterly meeting is September 30th. Grant
applications are available at the church
office for new ministry initiatives, local and
international outreach ministries, major
building maintenance, church worker
scholarships, and music programs/
scholarships. For further information,
contact Rollie Preuss
(269-553-3385)
Finance
Monthly Publication of
Zion Lutheran Church
SEPTEMBER
_____________________________________
2122 Bronson Boulevard, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Sunday, September 27th
At 5:00pm
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
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KALAMAZOO, MI