On Pentecost, June 8, five young people from our congregation will be confirmed. Confirmation is a significant step on one’s journey of faith, but what does it mean? Since the Reformation, the Lutheran Church has preserved the rite of Confirmation, but there is no distinctive “Lutheran” understanding. Confirmation has been seen as a time of instruction in the faith as outlined in the Small Catechism. It has been seen as a time to surrender your self to Christ and the rules of the Church. It has been seen as reception into church membership with a fuller presence of the Holy Spirit and participation in communion. It has been seen as a subjective acceptance of Christ as personal Lord. And, it has been seen as the completion of an education process. My own experience was becoming an adult member of the church. I finally had the opportunity to sit at the grownup table and receive communion. All of these understandings have played a role at one time or another.
If we have understood Confirmation in a variety of ways, what can we say about Confirmation in general? Confirmation is the affirmation of your Baptism. It does not imply joining the Church nor should it overshadow Baptism. Confirmation is saying “Yes” to what took place in your Baptism. It is saying “Yes” to the gift of God’s love already given. It is saying “Yes” to the Holy Spirit already present. It is saying “Yes” to the community of God’s people of which you are a part. It is saying “Yes” to discipleship and your commitment to Christ. By its very nature, Confirmation is not an unrepeatable, once-for-all act, but something that is to be done throughout your life.
On Pentecost, we will witness five young people saying “Yes” to their faith, to the gift that has been given them. Certainly, it will be a day to celebrate, but may it also be a day when we too can reaffirm our Baptism, a day when we again say “Yes” to our Lord and His grace.
Peace,
Pastor Summer
Christian Education
During Family Worship on June 8 we will conclude our spring Sunday School program with a celebration of our teachers. Many thanks to those who volunteered their time this year to share their faith with the youth of Zion.
Pre-School Melanie Hodges and Scott Hodges
Kindergarten/First Brandi Berenty, Shelby Berenty, and Brooke Schumann
Second & Third Anissa Mikitiuk, Lily Mikitiuk, and Linda Smith
Fourth Elaine Apgar
Fifth/Sixth Cindy Rupprecht
Confirmation Pastor Summer and Debra Kaufman
We also thank Linda Held for leading the Sunday School opening each week with great stories and songs.
We need additional teachers for the Fall 2014 Sunday school, so if you would like to join the team of teachers, please contact Sandy Matsen.
Confirmation will take place on Pentecost, June 8, for our 8th grade class. This is always a wonderful day in the life of Zion as confirmands affirm their baptism. The following young people will be confirmed at the 11:00 worship service – Andrea Delia, Erik Livingston, Sophia McCarthy, Emma Mikitiuk, and Katherine Rupprecht. A reception will be held immediately following on the church lawn.
A huge thank you to the Christian Education committee for providing support and guidance for the education programs at Zion: Sandy Matsen, Linda Held, Donna Talis, Melanie Hodges and Pastor Summer.
Vacation Bible School is fast approaching – simply a week not to miss here at Zion. Let’s go bananas during the week of June 23. Register children ages 3-completion of 4th grade by June 10 to join the fun. If you are available to help, please contact Melanie Hodges shodgesa@optonline.net.
Pre-School Melanie Hodges and Scott Hodges
Kindergarten/First Brandi Berenty, Shelby Berenty, and Brooke Schumann
Second & Third Anissa Mikitiuk, Lily Mikitiuk, and Linda Smith
Fourth Elaine Apgar
Fifth/Sixth Cindy Rupprecht
Confirmation Pastor Summer and Debra Kaufman
We also thank Linda Held for leading the Sunday School opening each week with great stories and songs.
We need additional teachers for the Fall 2014 Sunday school, so if you would like to join the team of teachers, please contact Sandy Matsen.
Confirmation will take place on Pentecost, June 8, for our 8th grade class. This is always a wonderful day in the life of Zion as confirmands affirm their baptism. The following young people will be confirmed at the 11:00 worship service – Andrea Delia, Erik Livingston, Sophia McCarthy, Emma Mikitiuk, and Katherine Rupprecht. A reception will be held immediately following on the church lawn.
A huge thank you to the Christian Education committee for providing support and guidance for the education programs at Zion: Sandy Matsen, Linda Held, Donna Talis, Melanie Hodges and Pastor Summer.
Vacation Bible School is fast approaching – simply a week not to miss here at Zion. Let’s go bananas during the week of June 23. Register children ages 3-completion of 4th grade by June 10 to join the fun. If you are available to help, please contact Melanie Hodges shodgesa@optonline.net.
Book of Faith
We have now finished the Gospel of John and will be taking a different tack until the summer. We will be reading The Magnificent Defeat by Frederick Buechner. Each chapter is grounded in a passage of scripture. Frederick Buechner is one of the most celebrated religious writers of our times. “Here is prose so beautifully written that it verges on poetry. Yet The Magnificent Defeat wrestles with sweaty contemporary problems, including the problem of those who want to believe and can’t.” – United Press International. We will still be meeting at noon on Wednesday at the CEB. Place an order for your copy of the book with the office or sign-up at the church or CEB. It’s a great book even if you are unable to attend the class. The final dates for our meetings will be June 4 and 11 before our summer break. Join the conversation.
Stewardship Time & Talent Pledge Drive
It’s that time of year when we prayerfully consider how we will serve the Lord at Zion in the coming year. In previous issues of Good News From Zion I have talked about using your time wisely and using the special talents God gave you. Now you can decide how much time you will give to the church. How will you return the talents God gave you by using them at Zion?
Each confirmed member received a pledge sheet. After filling it out, return it to the church and place it in one of the baskets in the church or the CEB. Or mail it to the church office. Please return your Time & Talent Pledges by June 15. If you have any questions concerning the pledge sheet or any of the ways you can serve at Zion, please contact Louise Brokaw.
Each confirmed member received a pledge sheet. After filling it out, return it to the church and place it in one of the baskets in the church or the CEB. Or mail it to the church office. Please return your Time & Talent Pledges by June 15. If you have any questions concerning the pledge sheet or any of the ways you can serve at Zion, please contact Louise Brokaw.
Endowment Fund News
There is great news to report from the Endowment Fund. The estate of Ernest Stellke has left a bequest of $100,000 to Zion’s Endowment Fund. Our fund has now grown to approximately $650,000 due to this thoughtful gift from Ernie, who was one of the first supporters of Zion’s Endowment Fund. Ernie had a vision for the fund to grow to $1 million and this puts it closer to the goal.
We would like to thank all the Zion members who attended the Social Security Seminar put on by Geof Close on May 18 and of course a thank you to Geof for a very informative and insightful presentation. Please contact Geoff if you have any questions.
The Endowment Committee will be having our second Endowment Sunday for 2014 on Father’s Day June 15.
The final Endowment Sunday for 2014 will be All Saints Sunday November 2. The Endowment Committee thanks everyone who gave to the Endowment Fund this past Mother’s Day for their generosity.
Please consider giving to the Zion Lutheran Church Endowment Fund on June 15 as a tribute to all fathers or 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 available in the pews.
The Endowment Fund only grows with contributions from members and friends of Zion 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….
There is $3,074 from the Endowment Fund earnings available for new ministry opportunities in 2014.
Please contact any member of the Endowment Committee (Mike Donnelly, Geof Close, Ted Jermansen and Rick Schroeder) if you have any questions.
We would like to thank all the Zion members who attended the Social Security Seminar put on by Geof Close on May 18 and of course a thank you to Geof for a very informative and insightful presentation. Please contact Geoff if you have any questions.
The Endowment Committee will be having our second Endowment Sunday for 2014 on Father’s Day June 15.
The final Endowment Sunday for 2014 will be All Saints Sunday November 2. The Endowment Committee thanks everyone who gave to the Endowment Fund this past Mother’s Day for their generosity.
Please consider giving to the Zion Lutheran Church Endowment Fund on June 15 as a tribute to all fathers or 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 available in the pews.
The Endowment Fund only grows with contributions from members and friends of Zion 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….
There is $3,074 from the Endowment Fund earnings available for new ministry opportunities in 2014.
Please contact any member of the Endowment Committee (Mike Donnelly, Geof Close, Ted Jermansen and Rick Schroeder) if you have any questions.
Celebrate 300 Dinner
Zion will be celebrating the grand finale of its 300th anniversary year with a dinner at the Grand Colonial (formerly the Coach and Paddock) on October 26, 2014, Reformation Sunday, starting at 4:00 pm.
The evening will include a cocktail hour that includes hot and cold passed hors d’oeuvres, a dinner with a choice of three entrees, a celebration cake, coffee, tea and soft drinks. There will be a cash bar. All gratuities are included. Following the dinner there will be a program.
Our honored guest will be the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Elizabeth Eaton. This is a HUGE honor for Zion. Not many congregations have the Bishop spend an entire day with them.
The renovated Grand Colonial has a lovely space for banquets and they have been very accommodating in working with our budget and our needs. The cost of the evening will be $60/person. The cost for children 12 and under will be $30 for a small “adult meal” and $20 for chicken fingers and fries.
Invitations will be sent first to members of the congregation in early July. Returning the RSVP card with a check will reserve your spot. On August 1 invitations will go out to other churches and members of the community. Seating is limited.
Celebrate 300 Events
Mark Your Calendars—then SMILE!
As a token of our 300th anniversary, we are asking that all members and friends of Zion join us in a new Pictorial Directory. We will be taking photos on June 20 and 21 and still have slots open for you. There is no cost and each participant will receive a copy of the finished product. The directory is a terrific resource to have and a great way to get to know the members of our congregation (you know, the ones who come to the ‘other service’!). There is no pressure to purchase any of the pictures, but you may if you like. And, new this time, you are encouraged to bring along well-behaved pets, personal memorabilia, sports uniforms and equipment—let your imagination go wild! To schedule a time for your sitting or for more information, please call the church office, Linda Held (if you have a directory, you would have her phone number J), or see all the posters in the narthex and CEB.
Founders’ Day – August 3
Be sure to mark your calendars for Sunday, August 3, when Zion will celebrate our anniversary with another special event—our Founders’ Day. At this summer service at 9:30, we will host many of the descendants of Zion’s very first families. Not only will it be a joy for them to see what has been accomplished in 300 years, but it will be a time for the current members to get a taste of our earliest days as a congregation. A reception/lunch will be hosted after the service and more details will come out about that soon. For now, be sure to plan to have your seat in the pew as we welcome people from “long ago and far away”!
Zion Lutheran Church is Recognized at the 27th Annual NJ Synod Assembly
The 27th Annual NJ Synod Assembly was held this past weekend at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, NJ. Bishop Traci Bartholomew presided over the official business of the convention. The congregation was represented by Pastor Mark Summer and Joanne and Ron Rupp.
During the Friday evening assembly banquet, Zion Lutheran Church was recognized for its 300th anniversary. A video presentation featuring Pastor Summer, Rod Briscoe, Kay Beagle, and Tina Dornbusch was shown at the beginning of the evening’s festivities. This very well done video presented the history of our congregation, the wonderful music of Zion and the various ministries and outreach programs that we support.
Attending the banquet were Pastor and Bonnie Summer, Louise Brokaw, Elaine and Ted Jermansen, Joanne and Ron Rupp, and Kathy and John Rustwick.
During the August 3rd Founders’ Day birthday celebration, the video presentation will be shown for the first time to the congregation at the luncheon. So, mark the date on your calendar.
As a token of our 300th anniversary, we are asking that all members and friends of Zion join us in a new Pictorial Directory. We will be taking photos on June 20 and 21 and still have slots open for you. There is no cost and each participant will receive a copy of the finished product. The directory is a terrific resource to have and a great way to get to know the members of our congregation (you know, the ones who come to the ‘other service’!). There is no pressure to purchase any of the pictures, but you may if you like. And, new this time, you are encouraged to bring along well-behaved pets, personal memorabilia, sports uniforms and equipment—let your imagination go wild! To schedule a time for your sitting or for more information, please call the church office, Linda Held (if you have a directory, you would have her phone number J), or see all the posters in the narthex and CEB.
Founders’ Day – August 3
Be sure to mark your calendars for Sunday, August 3, when Zion will celebrate our anniversary with another special event—our Founders’ Day. At this summer service at 9:30, we will host many of the descendants of Zion’s very first families. Not only will it be a joy for them to see what has been accomplished in 300 years, but it will be a time for the current members to get a taste of our earliest days as a congregation. A reception/lunch will be hosted after the service and more details will come out about that soon. For now, be sure to plan to have your seat in the pew as we welcome people from “long ago and far away”!
Zion Lutheran Church is Recognized at the 27th Annual NJ Synod Assembly
The 27th Annual NJ Synod Assembly was held this past weekend at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, NJ. Bishop Traci Bartholomew presided over the official business of the convention. The congregation was represented by Pastor Mark Summer and Joanne and Ron Rupp.
During the Friday evening assembly banquet, Zion Lutheran Church was recognized for its 300th anniversary. A video presentation featuring Pastor Summer, Rod Briscoe, Kay Beagle, and Tina Dornbusch was shown at the beginning of the evening’s festivities. This very well done video presented the history of our congregation, the wonderful music of Zion and the various ministries and outreach programs that we support.
Attending the banquet were Pastor and Bonnie Summer, Louise Brokaw, Elaine and Ted Jermansen, Joanne and Ron Rupp, and Kathy and John Rustwick.
During the August 3rd Founders’ Day birthday celebration, the video presentation will be shown for the first time to the congregation at the luncheon. So, mark the date on your calendar.
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