Zion Lutheran Church Congregation Meeting will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2013 at 9:45 am between the worship services. The meeting will be held at the church and the purpose will be to vote on the 2014 budget and elect council members for 2014.
A Message from Pastor Summer
There’s a part of me that always enjoys when science is stumped. Recently I discovered that science doesn’t really understand why the colors of the leaves in fall are more vibrant some years than others. There are theories about having enough rain, an early frost, and Indian summer. The old-timers in Vermont are convinced it’s the early frost and I tend to agree; but no one knows why that’s true. As I said, science is just stumped. The vivid reds, yellows, and oranges of fall defy explanation. We are simply left to enjoy the rainbow of colors and witness in awe God’s creation. I like that feeling. I like the thought of awe and wonder in the world. I believe we too often become jaded, cynical, and complacent. Our childhood sense of wonder is replaced with explanations and reasons. We stop looking around us and focus on only what is directly in front of us. We are no longer surprised. Somehow the world loses its magic.
The Eastern world has always left room for wonder. It has always embraced mystery where we in the West have shied away. We in the West like explanations. We like reasons. It’s why we like science. But science doesn’t hold all the answers. The world is more wondrous and mysterious than we can imagine and time and again we rediscover that truth. Beyond the leaves of fall, the Gospel itself is a mystery. Grace, God’s undeserved love, is beyond explanation. It defies common sense. It is not rational. It is the stuff of wonder, mystery, and awe. It is to be celebrated and enjoyed. Grace is the color of leaves in the fall. A gift given that is embraced and welcomed and whose truth is real and powerful though never completely explained.
This year, I will simply enjoy the colors of fall. I will open myself to the wonder. I will see in the leaves not only the hand of God but also God’s grace.
Peace,
Pastor Summer
The Eastern world has always left room for wonder. It has always embraced mystery where we in the West have shied away. We in the West like explanations. We like reasons. It’s why we like science. But science doesn’t hold all the answers. The world is more wondrous and mysterious than we can imagine and time and again we rediscover that truth. Beyond the leaves of fall, the Gospel itself is a mystery. Grace, God’s undeserved love, is beyond explanation. It defies common sense. It is not rational. It is the stuff of wonder, mystery, and awe. It is to be celebrated and enjoyed. Grace is the color of leaves in the fall. A gift given that is embraced and welcomed and whose truth is real and powerful though never completely explained.
This year, I will simply enjoy the colors of fall. I will open myself to the wonder. I will see in the leaves not only the hand of God but also God’s grace.
Peace,
Pastor Summer
Ministry Task Force
Dear Members of Zion,
At the direction of the Zion Church Council, a Ministry Task Force has now been established and they had their first meeting on Sunday, October 27.
As we look to the future, it is important to fully assess the needs of the congregation and to better understand the staffing requirements that are necessary to support Zion's ministry programs. The task force will be meeting over the next couple of months to determine what is best for Zion and to recommend to the Council the most appropriate way forward.
The members of the Ministry Task Force are Mike Donnelly (Chair), Laura Bredeson, Mike Mikitiuk, Joanne Rupp, Ellen Stevenson, Susanne Struebing, and Anita Zarate. While there is much information related to Zion's ministries that has already been gathered, they will certainly welcome your input during this process. Please feel free to share your thoughts.
We are entering a new and exciting chapter in Zion's almost 300 year history.
Celebrate 300!
Ron Rupp
President
At the direction of the Zion Church Council, a Ministry Task Force has now been established and they had their first meeting on Sunday, October 27.
As we look to the future, it is important to fully assess the needs of the congregation and to better understand the staffing requirements that are necessary to support Zion's ministry programs. The task force will be meeting over the next couple of months to determine what is best for Zion and to recommend to the Council the most appropriate way forward.
The members of the Ministry Task Force are Mike Donnelly (Chair), Laura Bredeson, Mike Mikitiuk, Joanne Rupp, Ellen Stevenson, Susanne Struebing, and Anita Zarate. While there is much information related to Zion's ministries that has already been gathered, they will certainly welcome your input during this process. Please feel free to share your thoughts.
We are entering a new and exciting chapter in Zion's almost 300 year history.
Celebrate 300!
Ron Rupp
President
Property
Mission 300 work has finally started on the parsonage. The old vinyl siding is gone. Foam insulation will be applied before new cedar siding completes the job. Thanks to Harold and Jay for overseeing this big project. I hope to have the remains of the oak tree next to the parsonage driveway taken down before Thanksgiving. This will complete clean up from last year’s Hurricane Sandy damage. A new water system has been installed in the CEB to upgrade our current system. Thank you Greg Brown for your assistance and expertise in this area. Scale build up due to previous water system in sinks and toilets was removed by Frank Stanski. Baseboard molding removed over the summer when the CEB flooded was replaced by Bob Delia and Jim Dornbusch. The church white picket fence was power washed to removed dirt and mildew. My thanks to Joe and Linda Lovas and Ted Jermansen for this project. Lastly our 300th annual fall clean up will take place Saturday November 23 from 9 to 12 noon. Coffee, doughnuts and a light lunch will be provided. If you have a free hour or 2, your time will be well spent cleaning up our properties before winter sets in. My personal thanks to committee members and others who stepped forward this month. I hope to get the property "to do" list posted to the Zion website soon so keep an eye out for the posting.
Youth of Zion
The Youth have had several exciting events within the past month.
On Sunday October 20, members of Zion participated in the annual Hunterdon County Crop Walk to fight
hunger. This year we joined forces with Living Waters Lutheran Church, Ringoes and walked in Lambertville.
Over $900 was raised to fight local and world hunger. Thanks again to the congregation and our youth for
supporting this worthy cause.
We also had lots of fun when we joined Living Waters for a lock-in. We played sardines and manhunt; no one was ever able to find Pastor Lee. For yet another event with Living Waters we saw Jason and DeMarco, a concert with both beautiful music and a message.
We hope to see all youth at our next meeting on Sunday, November 3.
On Sunday October 20, members of Zion participated in the annual Hunterdon County Crop Walk to fight
hunger. This year we joined forces with Living Waters Lutheran Church, Ringoes and walked in Lambertville.
Over $900 was raised to fight local and world hunger. Thanks again to the congregation and our youth for
supporting this worthy cause.
We also had lots of fun when we joined Living Waters for a lock-in. We played sardines and manhunt; no one was ever able to find Pastor Lee. For yet another event with Living Waters we saw Jason and DeMarco, a concert with both beautiful music and a message.
We hope to see all youth at our next meeting on Sunday, November 3.
Social Ministry
Alternative Giving
Yes, it’s that time of year already! Before you start obsessing over your Christmas list and what to get that hard to shop for person, let Social Ministry help you. How about making a donation to a charity that would be of interest to your family member or friend? They receive not only a small token craft and information on the charity, but also the knowledge that some good work is being done for others.
This year we present four diverse charities.
$5 – Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary – Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary is a 120 acre protected farmland located in Warren County and dedicated to provide care to sick, injured or orphaned animals. Along with saving animals they educate the public about protecting and preserving New Jersey’s ecosystems.
www.antler-ridge.com
$10 – ELCA Good Gifts: Vaccinations – Each day more than 5,000 children and adults die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccinations. Immunizing a child against polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and measles will help them live a healthy life.
$15 – Homes For Our Troops – Homes For Our Troops helps severely injured and disabled Veterans and their families rebuild their lives with the gift of a specially adapted home. These homes provide freedom of movement and the ability to live independently. www.homeforourtroops.org
$20 – Autism New Jersey - 1 in 50 children in New Jersey is diagnosed with autism. Autism New Jersey is a network of parents and professionals dedicated to improving the lives of people with autism and their families. Autism New Jersey links families to services through awareness, credible information, education and public policy initiatives. www.autismnj.org
The Social Ministry Committee will be in the CEB lobby between services starting on November 17.
Senior Baskets
Years ago, a Zion member who volunteered at the local food pantry noticed that at Christmas time gifts were being donated for children but older pantry clients were forgotten. Senior Baskets is a ministry meant to remember the elderly and bring them some Christmas joy. Every year Zion collects enough items to assemble 100 baskets and distributes them to the local food pantries. We will be collecting for Senior Baskets throughout November. Collection bins are located in the narthex and the CEB.
Senior Basket items:
Ladies and Mens Deodorant
Toothpaste/toothbrushes
Razors
Men’s Shaving Cream
Shampoo/Conditioner
Body Wash
Moisturizers/Lotions
Chap Stick
Small bottle of dishwashing liquid
Sponges
Hard Candy
Cough Drops
OTC medications
Aspirin
Teas/ coffees/hot chocolate
Crossword puzzle books
Slipper socks
Hats/Scarfs
Gloves
Postage Stamps
If you don’t have time to shop you can donate money or write a check to Zion Lutheran Church with “ Senior Baskets” written in the memo and the Social Ministry Committee will shop for you.
IHN –Family Promise
Our IHN guests will be arriving on November 10 and staying with us at the CEB until November 24. We need volunteers to be at the CEB especially during the weekend hours. Many times our guests come and go throughout the weekend. Some guests like to spend time relaxing in their rooms. If you volunteer to “socialize” your basic duties include:
Being in the Great Room or the CEB lobby.
Smiling and saying hello to our guests. Introduce yourself. Be friendly.
It is that easy.
Some of the things I have done while socializing with our IHN guests:
Baked brownies with a ten year old.
Helped to make a pillow with a teenager
Played Cards, Candyland, Life, and Stratego with various kids
Helped a 4th grader with math homework (thank goodness I remembered fractions)
Rocked a three month old baby in my arms
Read my book club book. (Also read the People magazine in the lobby. Thank you to the person who left them)
It was that easy, and fun. My point is that you don’t have to be nervous about volunteering to “socialize” with our IHN guests. You don’t have to formally plan anything to do. Our guests go to a new church every two weeks and meet new people all the time. They know how much interaction they want. We as volunteers just need to be there and make our guests feel welcomed into our Zion home.
Quilts
The quilters have been busy. We have 20 quilts finished. Our goal is 30. Can you guess why?
Yes, it’s that time of year already! Before you start obsessing over your Christmas list and what to get that hard to shop for person, let Social Ministry help you. How about making a donation to a charity that would be of interest to your family member or friend? They receive not only a small token craft and information on the charity, but also the knowledge that some good work is being done for others.
This year we present four diverse charities.
$5 – Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary – Antler Ridge Wildlife Sanctuary is a 120 acre protected farmland located in Warren County and dedicated to provide care to sick, injured or orphaned animals. Along with saving animals they educate the public about protecting and preserving New Jersey’s ecosystems.
www.antler-ridge.com
$10 – ELCA Good Gifts: Vaccinations – Each day more than 5,000 children and adults die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccinations. Immunizing a child against polio, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and measles will help them live a healthy life.
$15 – Homes For Our Troops – Homes For Our Troops helps severely injured and disabled Veterans and their families rebuild their lives with the gift of a specially adapted home. These homes provide freedom of movement and the ability to live independently. www.homeforourtroops.org
$20 – Autism New Jersey - 1 in 50 children in New Jersey is diagnosed with autism. Autism New Jersey is a network of parents and professionals dedicated to improving the lives of people with autism and their families. Autism New Jersey links families to services through awareness, credible information, education and public policy initiatives. www.autismnj.org
The Social Ministry Committee will be in the CEB lobby between services starting on November 17.
Senior Baskets
Years ago, a Zion member who volunteered at the local food pantry noticed that at Christmas time gifts were being donated for children but older pantry clients were forgotten. Senior Baskets is a ministry meant to remember the elderly and bring them some Christmas joy. Every year Zion collects enough items to assemble 100 baskets and distributes them to the local food pantries. We will be collecting for Senior Baskets throughout November. Collection bins are located in the narthex and the CEB.
Senior Basket items:
Ladies and Mens Deodorant
Toothpaste/toothbrushes
Razors
Men’s Shaving Cream
Shampoo/Conditioner
Body Wash
Moisturizers/Lotions
Chap Stick
Small bottle of dishwashing liquid
Sponges
Hard Candy
Cough Drops
OTC medications
Aspirin
Teas/ coffees/hot chocolate
Crossword puzzle books
Slipper socks
Hats/Scarfs
Gloves
Postage Stamps
If you don’t have time to shop you can donate money or write a check to Zion Lutheran Church with “ Senior Baskets” written in the memo and the Social Ministry Committee will shop for you.
IHN –Family Promise
Our IHN guests will be arriving on November 10 and staying with us at the CEB until November 24. We need volunteers to be at the CEB especially during the weekend hours. Many times our guests come and go throughout the weekend. Some guests like to spend time relaxing in their rooms. If you volunteer to “socialize” your basic duties include:
Being in the Great Room or the CEB lobby.
Smiling and saying hello to our guests. Introduce yourself. Be friendly.
It is that easy.
Some of the things I have done while socializing with our IHN guests:
Baked brownies with a ten year old.
Helped to make a pillow with a teenager
Played Cards, Candyland, Life, and Stratego with various kids
Helped a 4th grader with math homework (thank goodness I remembered fractions)
Rocked a three month old baby in my arms
Read my book club book. (Also read the People magazine in the lobby. Thank you to the person who left them)
It was that easy, and fun. My point is that you don’t have to be nervous about volunteering to “socialize” with our IHN guests. You don’t have to formally plan anything to do. Our guests go to a new church every two weeks and meet new people all the time. They know how much interaction they want. We as volunteers just need to be there and make our guests feel welcomed into our Zion home.
Quilts
The quilters have been busy. We have 20 quilts finished. Our goal is 30. Can you guess why?
Book of Faith
At noon on Wednesdays at the Christian Education Building, we will be continuing our exploration of the Gospel of John as part of the Book of Faith. John was Luther’s favorite gospel. What do you know about the Gospel of John? How is it different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke? What does John want to tell us about Jesus? How do the words of John speak to us today? Bring your Bible. Bring your questions. Let’s explore together. If you cannot come on Wednesday, follow along on the Book of Faith blog at our website, zionoldwick.com. One way or another, join the conversation. You’ll be glad you did.
Women of Zion
Thanksgiving Dinner
Thursday, November 21, 2013, 6:30 pm at the CEB
Attention Women of Zion! Let’s get together for a wonderful evening of socialization and good food, without having to cook at all! Come and bring a friend.
For a change of pace, the General Store will cater this event for $27.00 per person. Our menu includes roast turkey with gravy and stuffing, cranberry chutney, mashed potato puree, sweet potatoes with apples and banana cream, green beans almondine, rolls and apple and pumpkin pie, along with beverages.
Sign-up sheets will be in the narthex and CEB entry. Payment for you and any friends (cash or check made out to Zion, which can be mailed or dropped off at the church office) is due no later than Sunday, November 10.Contact Anita Zarate with any questions.
Thursday, November 21, 2013, 6:30 pm at the CEB
Attention Women of Zion! Let’s get together for a wonderful evening of socialization and good food, without having to cook at all! Come and bring a friend.
For a change of pace, the General Store will cater this event for $27.00 per person. Our menu includes roast turkey with gravy and stuffing, cranberry chutney, mashed potato puree, sweet potatoes with apples and banana cream, green beans almondine, rolls and apple and pumpkin pie, along with beverages.
Sign-up sheets will be in the narthex and CEB entry. Payment for you and any friends (cash or check made out to Zion, which can be mailed or dropped off at the church office) is due no later than Sunday, November 10.Contact Anita Zarate with any questions.
Invitation to Sing
Rod Briscoe and the Parish Choir are inviting anyone who would like to sing with the choir on Christmas Eve (7pm service) to join them for rehearsals on Wednesday nights at 7:30. This is a short-term commitment beginning November 13. Of course, if you realize how much fun you’re having, you are welcome to continue singing with the choir in 2014!
Stewardship and Thanksgiving
In this season of thanksgiving, a sincere 'thank you' is in order to everyone who supports our congregation throughout the year with their attendance, service and regular financial contributions.
For those of you who are interested, Zion offers electronic giving options for making donations on a scheduled, automated basis. It's convenient for you and provides much-needed financial consistency for the church. To donate, visit the church website at www.zionoldwick.com and click on Stewardship and then Simply Giving Online.
For those of you who are interested, Zion offers electronic giving options for making donations on a scheduled, automated basis. It's convenient for you and provides much-needed financial consistency for the church. To donate, visit the church website at www.zionoldwick.com and click on Stewardship and then Simply Giving Online.
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch will be returning to another favorite spot, Spain 92, 1116 US Highway 202, south of the Somerville Circle. We will meet on Thursday, November 14 at noon.
Parish Life
Dinner Groups
Dinner Group sign up is now taking place for the coming year. Participants will be grouped with two other couples who then rotate homes and meal contributions. The hosting family invites a fourth member or couple from the congregation to the meal. Meals can be as casual or gourmet as you like. It is a great way to share fellowship and to meet new friends. Sign up sheet is in the narthex. Any questions, contact Wendy Minerowicz.
Advent Parish Night
Come to Advent Parish Night! It is a fun night of crafts, carols, and a pot luck soup dinner. It will take place on Sunday, December 8, from 4:00 to 7:00 at the CEB. Look for the sign up sheets in the narthex and CEB and indicate if you will be bringing soup, salad, or dessert. Examples of the night's crafts will be displayed in the narthex. See you there!
Drink container
One of the three clear, plastic drink containers has gone missing. If you have borrowed it, could you please return it to the supply closet in the CEB kitchen. Thanks.
Dinner Group sign up is now taking place for the coming year. Participants will be grouped with two other couples who then rotate homes and meal contributions. The hosting family invites a fourth member or couple from the congregation to the meal. Meals can be as casual or gourmet as you like. It is a great way to share fellowship and to meet new friends. Sign up sheet is in the narthex. Any questions, contact Wendy Minerowicz.
Advent Parish Night
Come to Advent Parish Night! It is a fun night of crafts, carols, and a pot luck soup dinner. It will take place on Sunday, December 8, from 4:00 to 7:00 at the CEB. Look for the sign up sheets in the narthex and CEB and indicate if you will be bringing soup, salad, or dessert. Examples of the night's crafts will be displayed in the narthex. See you there!
Drink container
One of the three clear, plastic drink containers has gone missing. If you have borrowed it, could you please return it to the supply closet in the CEB kitchen. Thanks.
Hunterdon County Woven Throw
Orders will be taken for the $35 Hunterdon County 300th anniversary woven throw through the church office. Our church is featured right on the center top. This is the perfect Christmas gift!
Important Persons in Zion's Early History
Johann Balthasar Pickel
In 1714, there was a man, twenty-seven years of age and unmarried, who throughout the remainder of his life was to manifest unwavering dedication this congregation. This man was Baltes Pickel. He would have been a most likely candidate for the office of Vorleser and one whom we would hardly expect Justus Falckner to have overlooked.
Baltes Pickel was born in 1687 at Durkheim in the Palatinate, the son of Hans Balthasar Pickel and Anna Eva Mullier. He was still just a boy when his father died and his mother was remarried in 1704 to Mattias Reinbold. With his mother and step-father, young Baltes joined the 1709/1710 emigration and was followed, some 17 years later, by an older brother Johann Nicolaus PIckel, who also settled in Hunterdon County.
That Baltes Pickel early assumed responsibility in the affairs of the congregation is evident by the use made of his and his mother’s homes. The place of the meeting in 1715 was given as Nine Mile Run and in 1716 as Mattias Reinbold’s place at Nine Mile Run. Remember that this was the home of Baltes’ mother and step-father, and possibly, therefore, his own. After Baltes’ marriage in 1718 to Anna Gertrud Reiter, the meetings were held in his home. Thus at least five of the eight services held by Justus Falckner after the one in 1714 were held in home of the Pickel family. It was Baltes Pickel who built, at his own expense, the Racheway Church (at today’s Potterstown) about 1729 and the Leslysland Church (serving the district between Whitehouse and North Branch) about 1735. When at last the Raritan congregation under Pastor Johann Albert Weygand reconsolidated itself and in 1749 built the Zion Lutheran Church at Oldwick, it was Baltes Pickel who generously contributed money and much effort to its construction. He also added £25 toward the purchase of Zion’s first organ. Up to 1750, when the parsonage was built, the hospitality of his home always extended to the Lutheran ministers. Finally, concerned with the church’s continuing prosperity, he bequeathed to Zion by his 1765 will the then magnificent sum of one thousand pounds.
John Augustus Wolf
In 1734, the Reverend John Augustus Wolf arrived from Germany. Wolf was a character totally unfit for the office of the ministry. It was only a few months until he entered into a series of disputes with the congregation concerning salary, parsonage, and his personal conduct. To settle these disputes, the first Lutheran Synod held on American soil was convened in this parish. The delegates and pastor were as follows: from New York, Re. Berkenmeyer, Charles Beekman, Jacob Bos; from Hackensack, Rev. Knoll, John Van Norden, Abraham Van Buskirk; from Uylekill, Peter Frederick; from Potterstown, Rev. Wold, Baltes Pickel, Lawrence Roelofson; from Pluckemin, Daniel Shoemmaker, Hendrick Smith. The Synod resulted in a peace which was short lived, and Wolf continued to menace the congregation’s spiritual welfare until 1745. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg came from Philadelphia in that year in response to our ancestors’ appeals, and disposed of the matter with his accustomed dispatch and justice. Wolf left immediately.
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg
The visit of Muhlenberg was the first of many and the service rendered then, welcome and helpful as it must have been, was but little when compared with the constant help the busy patriarch gave to the Raritan Lutherans in the next thirty years.
Muhlenberg was a native of Eimbeck, Hanover Province, Germany. A graduate of the University of Goettingen, he had taught one year in the Francke institutions in Halle. In 1714, at the age of thirty, he was superintendent of an orphan home school and pastor of a church. At this time he was asked to go as a missionary to the wilds of America. Accepting, he becomes pastor of the scattered congregations of Philadelphia, Germantown, Providence, and New Hanover in Pennsylvania. He soon was the recognized leader of Lutherans over a wide area. He set the doctrinal, organizational, liturgical, and practical precedents for American Lutheranism. He sent detailed reports of his work to the pastors at Halle and kept a diary for his personal reference. It is from these documents that much of the early history of the Raritan Congregation is drawn.
In 1714, there was a man, twenty-seven years of age and unmarried, who throughout the remainder of his life was to manifest unwavering dedication this congregation. This man was Baltes Pickel. He would have been a most likely candidate for the office of Vorleser and one whom we would hardly expect Justus Falckner to have overlooked.
Baltes Pickel was born in 1687 at Durkheim in the Palatinate, the son of Hans Balthasar Pickel and Anna Eva Mullier. He was still just a boy when his father died and his mother was remarried in 1704 to Mattias Reinbold. With his mother and step-father, young Baltes joined the 1709/1710 emigration and was followed, some 17 years later, by an older brother Johann Nicolaus PIckel, who also settled in Hunterdon County.
That Baltes Pickel early assumed responsibility in the affairs of the congregation is evident by the use made of his and his mother’s homes. The place of the meeting in 1715 was given as Nine Mile Run and in 1716 as Mattias Reinbold’s place at Nine Mile Run. Remember that this was the home of Baltes’ mother and step-father, and possibly, therefore, his own. After Baltes’ marriage in 1718 to Anna Gertrud Reiter, the meetings were held in his home. Thus at least five of the eight services held by Justus Falckner after the one in 1714 were held in home of the Pickel family. It was Baltes Pickel who built, at his own expense, the Racheway Church (at today’s Potterstown) about 1729 and the Leslysland Church (serving the district between Whitehouse and North Branch) about 1735. When at last the Raritan congregation under Pastor Johann Albert Weygand reconsolidated itself and in 1749 built the Zion Lutheran Church at Oldwick, it was Baltes Pickel who generously contributed money and much effort to its construction. He also added £25 toward the purchase of Zion’s first organ. Up to 1750, when the parsonage was built, the hospitality of his home always extended to the Lutheran ministers. Finally, concerned with the church’s continuing prosperity, he bequeathed to Zion by his 1765 will the then magnificent sum of one thousand pounds.
John Augustus Wolf
In 1734, the Reverend John Augustus Wolf arrived from Germany. Wolf was a character totally unfit for the office of the ministry. It was only a few months until he entered into a series of disputes with the congregation concerning salary, parsonage, and his personal conduct. To settle these disputes, the first Lutheran Synod held on American soil was convened in this parish. The delegates and pastor were as follows: from New York, Re. Berkenmeyer, Charles Beekman, Jacob Bos; from Hackensack, Rev. Knoll, John Van Norden, Abraham Van Buskirk; from Uylekill, Peter Frederick; from Potterstown, Rev. Wold, Baltes Pickel, Lawrence Roelofson; from Pluckemin, Daniel Shoemmaker, Hendrick Smith. The Synod resulted in a peace which was short lived, and Wolf continued to menace the congregation’s spiritual welfare until 1745. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg came from Philadelphia in that year in response to our ancestors’ appeals, and disposed of the matter with his accustomed dispatch and justice. Wolf left immediately.
Henry Melchior Muhlenberg
The visit of Muhlenberg was the first of many and the service rendered then, welcome and helpful as it must have been, was but little when compared with the constant help the busy patriarch gave to the Raritan Lutherans in the next thirty years.
Muhlenberg was a native of Eimbeck, Hanover Province, Germany. A graduate of the University of Goettingen, he had taught one year in the Francke institutions in Halle. In 1714, at the age of thirty, he was superintendent of an orphan home school and pastor of a church. At this time he was asked to go as a missionary to the wilds of America. Accepting, he becomes pastor of the scattered congregations of Philadelphia, Germantown, Providence, and New Hanover in Pennsylvania. He soon was the recognized leader of Lutherans over a wide area. He set the doctrinal, organizational, liturgical, and practical precedents for American Lutheranism. He sent detailed reports of his work to the pastors at Halle and kept a diary for his personal reference. It is from these documents that much of the early history of the Raritan Congregation is drawn.
A Message from Pastor Summer
As we entered our anniversary year, I began to think about our story as a congregation. All that thinking led to the following song. Zion’s Story 1,4. We’re a story being written, 300 years in time. God has been the author, and we have formed the lines. This journey we have taken, Christ has led the way. Each chapter’s been a blessing that’s brought us to today. Refrain Zion’s story is a gospel story. Zion’s story is built on grace. Zion’s story is a gospel story. One, with joy, we embrace. 2. In the home of a freed slave, the gospel first was heard. Water welcomed children, a Pentecost occurred. Emboldened by the Spirit, they answered Jesus’ call To follow in his footsteps, good news to one and all. 3. 300 years of serving, and yet, we’ve just begun, Gathered by the Spirit, following God’s son, Striving as disciples in a world that won’t stand still The story’s only constant, God’s purpose is fulfilled. Peace, Pastor Summer
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH CELEBRATES 300TH ANNIVERSARY WITH THE WAGNER COLLEGE CHOIR
The congregation of Zion Lutheran Church is invited to attend a special concert presented by the Wagner College Choir at Zion Lutheran Church in Oldwick on October 27 at 4 pm. The Wagner College Choir is a renowned choir directed by Dr. Roger Wesby. The choir recently performed in Germany and Austria.
Dr. Wesby has prepared a concert rich in history to commemorate the anniversary. The program will span 300 years of great composers including Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Benjamin Britten, Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi and more. The concert will include a sonata for two flutes and a performance by the Stretto vocal ensemble along with the full college choir.
A reception will follow the concert at the Christian Education Building at 5:30 pm. Admission is free, however a free will offering will be collected at the concert to defray the Choir’s expenses.
Please plan on joining this historic event as part of Zion’s 300th anniversary.
For concert information or questions please call Debra Kaufman.
Stewardship
When you think of Fall you probably think of back to school, pumpkins, and cooler weather. At Zion, Fall means Stewardship. So, what does Stewardship mean?
If you Google Stewardship and Steward you find many definitions. It can be
*One who manages another’s property, finances or other affairs.
*The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.
*A steward is a person who is the manager, or in charge of someone else’s property.
*There are shop stewards, wine stewards and flight attendants (formerly known as stewardesses).
We are Christian Stewards. Christian Stewardship is the grateful and responsible use of God’s gifts. It is not raising money to meet the budget. All the budget does is indicate how our gifts will be distributed. We are giving back to God a portion of the abundance he has given us. We are grateful to God for it all, and responsible to God for how we use it.
It is our duty and delight to give, or at least it should be. We are doing what we ought to do as responsible church members, and making cheerful sacrifices out of love for God. It is a way of life. The ELCA’s signature phrase is “God’s work. Our hands.” When we give, our hands can do more of God’s work.
During the month of October you will be hearing more from the Stewardship Committee about how your gifts can impact the role Zion can take in being a good steward of God’s gifts to us. Commitment Sunday will be October 27, Reformation Sunday.
Our goal this year is simple. In celebration of our 300th anniversary, we are asking everyone to increase their giving by $300. With this simple gift, we can meet our ministry needs. We can reclaim our support for mission and property, explore staffing in the area of Christian Education, and establish a digital platform (social media presence). In faith, we can make this happen and step boldly into our next 300 years.
Shepherding
The Visitation Group is off to a great start with a very nice turnout at our initial meeting. We reviewed the purpose and scope of the new group. Our intent is to offer friendly visits to Zion members who may be in the hospital or in a similar situation, unable to attend Zion’s regular services. Pastor Summer has prepared the Visitation Program Resource Book, an excellent source for all of those interested in participating in this but unsure what exactly to do when you visit. Different types of visits were discussed so that we understand what everyone is comfortable providing. For instance, there are those comfortable providing hospital visits while others would prefer to visit our members at home. There may be those comfortable delivering flowers to members, while others may want to provide communion (as an extension of our regular service).
The current group includes the following members: Anita Zarate, Rebecca Illnick, Sue Swanson, Kathy & John Rustwick, Judy & Bernard Davis, Peggy Eppley, Dorothy Saewert, Arlene Martin, Margot Forster, Elaine Jermansen, Debra Kaufman, Sandy Matsen, Judy Formalarie, Nancy Neuweiler, & Dan Matyola.
If you would like to participate in the Visitation Program, please email Rosi Delia. If you have questions, please feel free to ask Pastor Summer or Rosi Delia. This is a new program so, don’t be surprised if you’re asked about a visit…giving or receiving. Thank you.
Youth of Zion
This year has been off to a great start for the Youth of Zion. We've had a few Faith Talk meetings at which there has been a lot of discussion of starting "Faith Minutes,” short monthly videos about topics we deal with in our faith. We have also had two YOZ meetings, which have been a great time as we welcome some new members! Looking to the future, we have a busy month planned for October. On Saturday , October 12, Living Waters will be hosting Jason and deMarco, a Christian band visiting as a part of their "Celebrate Diversity" tour. Living Waters will also be hosting a youth Lock-In on Friday, October 18. The Sunday of that same weekend, October 20, the Youth will be attending the CROP Walk in Lambertville. I am greatly looking forward to all of these events. I hope to see you there!
Property
It's been a busy summer for property. The CEB parking lot was re-sealed; the CEB siding and roof were power washed and the windows were cleaned. It all looks great. The insurance settlement from the July flooding problem has been received and work has begun to replace the damaged baseboard moldings. Thank you, Bob Delia and Jim Dornbusch, for stepping up to do the repairs.
At the parsonage, the hanging tree limbs left over from Hurricane Sandy have been trimmed and removed from the property. The large oak tree, or what is left of it, next to the driveway will be taken down in October. The most exciting news is that the Mission 300 work at the parsonage to replace the siding, windows and add insulation has started. Jack Hall with Cornerstone Custom Construction was awarded the renovation contract after approval by the Tewksbury Historical Preservation Society. The windows will be replaced barring no unforeseen problems when the siding is removed. A big thank you to Jay Wieder and Harold Wrede for their hard work and dedication to this important project.
A couple of other things - mark your calendars for the 300th annual Fall clean up/Work day scheduled for Saturday November 23 from 9 am to 1 pm. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Watch for clean up updates in the coming month. Also I am in the process of getting the property committee's "To Do" list posted on the Zion website. Keep an eye out for it and get back to me with any questions. Thanks again to all property committee members and volunteers. You make Zion shine!
Anniversary Trip to Germany
"What a wonderful trip!” “It was wonderful to visit our Lutheran roots—especially with such a great group of friends! We will cherish the memories!” “So many memories attached to fun, laughs, and pride in our common heritage as Lutherans. Being with fellow worshippers for over a week was a special joy.”
From September 1 to 10, 37 Zion members and friends traveled to Germany where our founding members and first pastors came from 300 years ago, not to mention where Martin Luther began the Reformation 500 years ago.
Our very first stop was in Worms to see the largest monument to the Reformation in the town where Luther refused to recant his beliefs. We then spent 2 nights in Heidelberg, the center of the Rhineland Palatinate which Zion’s first members left to journey to America.
We traveled on to Eisenach where Luther went to school as a young boy and later returned to Wartburg Castle to translate the New Testament into German. While there we also saw the birthplace of J.S. Bach. The next 2 nights we stayed in beautiful medieval Erfurt where Luther became a monk in the Augustinian monastery and was ordained a priest in the cathedral.
We learned about the Romantics Goethe and Schiller and more German history when we visited the lovely town of Weimar. Then it was on to 24/7 Luther in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. We visited the church where Luther preached, was married, and where his children were baptized, his home, and the home of Philip Melancthon. Our visit was capped with a vespers service at the Castle church where Luther is buried. Pastor Summer read the lesson and Ron Rupp and David Wintemute served as ushers.
Our trip ended in Berlin where we were confronted with signs of the previously divided Germany—Checkpoint Charlie, remnants of the Berlin Wall, and a museum about the escape attempts from East Germany. We were moved and literally confused at the Judisches Museum, and despite the rain, marveled at the architecture of the Bundestag Dome. A visit to the ornate Berlin Cathedral and the magnificent art of the Pergamon Museum rounded out our stay in Berlin.
Throughout the 10 days, we enjoyed great German food and drink, had daily prayer and devotions on our bus, handed out our Zion calling cards (Ted Jermansen wins the prize for most cards given out), and learned much about German history, both political and religious (thank you, John, our wonderful tour guide).
IHN Hosting
Please mark your calendars. Zion will be hosting IHN November 10 –November 24. To make a hosting cycle successful we need volunteers to cook a dinner, share a meal with our guests, spend a couple of hours at the CEB, and sleep overnight. If you have any questions about how you can help make our guests feel comfortable while staying here at Zion feel free to contact Linda Held.
Fall Food Drive continues. See earlier posting.
Parish Life - Dinner Groups
Do you like to eat good food? Would you like to meet new people from the congregation and get to know others better in a relaxed setting? If you answered "yes" to these questions, then consider signing up for Dinner Groups. Participants will be grouped with two other couples who then rotate homes and meal contributions (appetizers, main course, dessert). The hosting family invites a fourth member or couple from the congregation to the dinner. It is a great way to share fellowship and to make new friends. Look for the sign up sheet in the narthex. If you have any questions, email Wendy Minerowicz.
Pet Blessing
Final Call for the 300 Pet Blessing
( Commemorating Zion’s 300th Anniversary)
Sunday, October 13, at the CEB at 2:00 pm
If you’re planning to be there with at least one pet
OR
Have recruited a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or classmate to be there with at least one pet,
You’ve been most helpful.
If neither, you still have a chance to make this 300th Anniversary Pet Blessing a success by doing the above!
Women's Retreat
Cross Roads Camp and Retreat Center is hosting a Women’s Retreat the weekend of October 18-20. Visit www.crossroadsretreat.com to register. Cost is $170 and the topic is “Leaning into Christ.”
Book of Faith
Book of Faith meets every Wednesday at noon in the CEB conference room. We are presently discussing Chapter 5 of the Gospel of John. If you can’t join us for stimulating discussion, follow Pastor’s blog here on Zion’s website.
Discipleship Class
Discipleship will be meeting at the CEB on October 23. Check the Sunday bulletins for more details.
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch will be returning to another favorite spot, the Gladstone Tavern, 273 Main St., Gladstone on October 16 at noon.
ENDOWMENT FUND NEWS
The Endowment Committee will be having our last Endowment Sunday for 2013 on Sunday, November 3.
Please consider giving to the Zion Lutheran Church Endowment Fund to commemorate and celebrate a significant milestone in your family’s church life such as a baptism, confirmation or wedding. Envelopes marked “Endowment Fund” will be placed in all the pews.
The Endowment Fund only grows with contributions from members and friends of Zion. Those who share the vision of not only a living memorial for loved ones, but also recognize that upon maturity, the fund will provide significant monetary grants for many new mission oriented programs–forever….
Please contact any member of the Endowment Committee (Mike Donnelly, Geof Close and Rick Schroeder) if you have any questions!
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