A Message from Pastor Summer -- October 2016

Reflections on 30 Years

September 11 was a wonderful day as we celebrated God’s Work/Our Hands and my 30 years of ministry at Zion.  I’m deeply grateful to the entire congregation. We packed 302 school kits for children around the world, enjoyed a delicious potluck, and sent $1,800 to Philadelphia Seminary.  You couldn’t have found a better way to celebrate my anniversary. 

In many ways, it’s hard to believe that I have been here for 30 years.  Of course, the pictures posted on the internet from back in 1986 make it clear that it has been 30 years.  My mind swirls with memories.  I remember the renovations to the parsonage when Bonnie, Scott, and I first arrived.  Who can forget “my blue heaven” as the theme for the second floor?  I remember the congregation getting use to a pastor that didn’t preach from the pulpit.  At that time, I was taken by the deep commitment of the congregation to ministry, in particular, a commitment to reaching beyond the walls of Zion.  I’ve watched the list of ministries grow from Family Promise, to Oasis Village, to Faith Kitchen, to HCMAP, to Edna’s Haven, and now to Feed My Staving Children.  And to think, this is only the short list.

In thirty years, I’ve baptized, confirmed, and married many young people in the life of our congregation and had the joy of watching them grow up and launch out into the world.  They will always have a special place in my heart.  I remember every Vacation Bible School, Youth Gathering, trip to Rehoboth Beach, and even Sunday evening pizza.  The children of this congregation have been a source of joy. 

I have loved every moment of worship in our congregation.  There has been a richness to our worship life that has fed me as I have tried to feed others.  The music has been an added blessing.  I close my eyes and I can hear the voices of the choir and the ringing of the bells.  Every time we have gathered, it has been a time of grace.

Yes, I remember and celebrate the ministry we have done together, the young people we have raised, and the worship we hold dear, but most of all I remember the faces of the people I have known and served.  I cannot list them all, because the list would be too long.  I can truthfully say that I have known saints, and have blessed by each of them.  My life is richer because they became a part of my life.  I am grateful every day for them. 

Yes, it’s hard to believe it has been 30 years.  I am thankful beyond words for the years we have been together and the ministry we have done.  I am also looking forward to the years to come and what God has in store for us.  God has certainly blessed us.  I am forever grateful for those blessings and people I serve.

With a Thankful Heart,

Pastor Summer

September Council Highlights

· The next Feed My Starving Children MobilePack event will be held at the CEB on March 31 and April 1, 2017.

· The search for Zion’s new Director of Youth and Family Ministries has begun.  The job description has been posted on a number of online job search sites, as well as emailed to the NJ Synod, local seminaries, etc.  An announcement has also been placed in Zion’s weekly bulletin.  A number of resumes have been received, and the committee will be reviewing them in the coming weeks.

· A new Communications Team has been formed and is open to additional participants.  Anyone who has an interest should contact Pastor Summer.

· This month’s thanks go to:

* Linda Held for masterfully receiving the banquet tables that arrived at the CEB in August.

* Ron & Joanne Rupp for hosting the Steak & Lobster Party.

* Joanne Rupp, Ron Rupp, Sandy Matsen, Stacey Rothermel, and Linda Lovas for cleaning out the CEB Great Room prior to the floor being waxed, and reassembling the room post-waxing.

* Joanne Rupp for spearheading the School Kits project for God’s Work, Our Hands.

* Judy Formalarie to obtaining the two $250 Thrivent gift cards that were used for the School Kits project and for Shepherding Committee needs.

The next meeting of the Church Council will be on October 20th.

God's Work. Our Hands.

On Sunday, September 11th the congregation of Zion Lutheran Church participated in the church wide day of service by packing school kits that will be distributed by Lutheran World Relief.  It was quite clear that we are a congregation of self-starters.  The instructions on how to pack the bags hadn’t even been completed when people started the process.  Our goal was to pack 302 school kits (Zion is 302 years old).  After purchasing three additional notebooks and five pairs of scissors we had 302 completed kits.  And because of our super industrious members, we packed those kits in under 45 minutes.  We packed over 1,200 notebooks, 1,500 pens, 1,500 pencils, 300 rulers, erasers, crayons, scissors and pencil sharpeners.  What a perfect example of many hands make light work. 

Thanks to all who contributed supplies and cash towards funding this project.  Donations of $1,152 plus a $250 gift card from Thrivent Financial were very much appreciated.  The fact that Staples and Walmart were selling notebooks for 17 cents and  crayons for 50 cents was also very appreciated.  Zion’s Endowment Fund will cover the remaining cost of $390.

Looking ahead to next year and thinking of our goal, there is the possibility of assembling 303 school kits or 500 (in 2017 we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation).  That would be 2,000 notebooks …hmmm.

Reflections ... by Joanne Rupp

“God’s Work.  Our Hands.” is now a completed project and it’s time to thank the people behind the scenes.  Judy and David Formalarie made numerous trips to Staples buying 30 notebooks and 30 packs of crayons (the maximum you could buy at one time).  Buying 1,200 notebooks takes an effort.  Judy also took the time to apply to Thrivent for the $250 gift card.  On October 3rd, Dan Neuweiler loaded the 25 boxes into a borrowed vehicle and drove 1 1/2 hours to deliver them to a drop off point at a church in Pennsylvania.

And then there was Jenny Gelson.  Jenny who helped with all the online ordering.  Jenny who was repeatedly asked to order 20 packs of scissors (max allowed) from Staples.  Jenny who ordered all the bulk items (pencils, rulers, pencil sharpeners and bags).  Jenny who used her computer smarts to create the banners that we hung.  Jenny who did it all with a smile.

Stewardship News

October is once again upon us. Historically at Zion it is also Stewardship month. Throughout the five Sundays of this month, we will be looking through the lens of our new mission statement "Connecting People through God's Grace". We will explore how we are connected in Worship, in Witness, in Service, and of course, connected in Giving. Through sermons, temple talks, informational meetings, and open discussion we will express to each other our "connectedness". How are you connected to God? To Zion? To Community? How are your connections a blessing to others?

Come, worship at Zion this month of October and experience God's Grace working through your "connections".

As a historical practice at Zion for many years, the Stewardship Committee will be promoting the practice of pledging — your opportunity to connect through Giving. Sunday October 30th will be Commitment Sunday, providing a worship experience where we may personally offer our anticipated 2017 financial giving pledge. This pledging practice not only helps the Finance Committee budget for the mission of the church next year, but offers each of us the chance to "connect" through the many missions of Zion. There are many connection opportunities in store for Zion next year, and they require the commitment of each and every member to make them a reality. Please consider filling out a pledge card (see below) and dropping it in the offering plate at any of the October worship services, or in the church office.

Here is the Stewardship calendar for this month.

October 2

Temple Talk — "Connecting People with God's Grace through Worship" - Barb & Steve Surhoff

October 9

Temple Talk — "Connecting People with God's Grace through Witness" - Colin Brokaw

October 16

Temple Talk — "Connecting People with God’s Grace through Service" - Lou DiCriscio

Informational Meetings at 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. in the sanctuary

October 23

Informational Meeting at 9:45 a.m. at the CEB — “Connecting People with God’s Grace through Giving”

October 30

Commitment Sunday — Pledge cards will be collected and dedicated.

From the Endowment Committee

Creative Ways to Support the Endowment Fund

Over the next several issues of the newsletter, the Endowment Committee will be submitting brief articles on ways that you can support the Endowment fund without actually writing a check.  Some of these strategies may entail tax and legal consideration. Zion Lutheran Church does not dispense tax or legal advice, and suggests seeking qualified tax or legal advice prior to implementing any strategies described in this or the following newsletters.

THE CHARITABLE IRA

Congress has recently approved the Charitable IRA for people over 70 ½ years old, subject to the RMD, Required Minimum Distribution requirements in their IRA.  If you are subject to RMD, you can ask your IRA Custodian to direct a Distribution to a charitable entity, such as Zion, up to a maximum of $100,000.  If the distribution is sent directly from your custodian to Zion, the distribution will be nontaxable to you and can meet your RMD Requirement. While the distribution will be non-taxable to you, you are not allowed to take it as a charitable contribution for tax deduction purposes. If you would like to potentially take a “Charitable IRA” Distribution, please contact the church office or a member of the Endowment Committee.

LAST ENDOWMENT SUNDAY — NOVEMBER 6, 2016

The Endowment Committee will be having our last Endowment Sunday for 2016 on Sunday November 6^th.  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 (Geof Close, Ted Jermansen and Rick Schroeder) if you have any questions!

Sunday School News

After conversations last spring about how to make Sunday School accessible for busy families, the Christian Education committee is trying some new things this year.  Grades 1-6 are all studying the same Bible stories, Creation to Moses, for fall 2016.  Pastor Summer does a children’s sermon during the Sunday School opening each Sunday on the story of the week, and in the classroom we explore that story and what it means in our lives.  The children’s sermon is recorded each week and the video is put up on Zion’s Facebook page.  The Preschool – Kindergarten class is continuing to use the Gospel Light curriculum.

The other new thing this year is that grades 1-6 will have class projects.  The grade 1-2 project is working with Seeing Eye Dogs; grade 3-4 is with Pedals for Progress and grade 5-6 is with Feed My Starving Children.  Each class will have a spring event related to their organization/project, with their Sunday School offerings also going toward their class’s chosen organization.

Sandy Matsen

Sunday School Superintendent

Social Ministry Update

Family Promise

Guests from Family Promise will be staying with us again from October 23rd through     November 6th.  Zion has been a part of this important effort for 20 some years, assisting the only organization serving families with children in Hunterdon.  During our two week slot, volunteers are needed to prepare meals, eat dinner with and visit with guests during the evenings and weekends.  This has been a truly rewarding experience particularly spending time with the children. If you have never volunteered before, sign up with a friend or ask any member of the Social Ministry committee what expect. Please also reach out to Rebecca Melick 908-229-3744 with any questions.  Look for the emails with the link to the online sign up tool.

Senior Baskets

This year Senior Baskets will be somewhat different, based on feedback from volunteers at the food pantries.  Rather than creating an actual bag, Zion will be donating handmade Christmas cards with gift cards to Shoprite and Walmart in $10 increments.  These cards will be disbursed as usual through the Flemington and Clinton food pantries to be given to the neediest seniors.  If anyone would like to donate to the Senior Basket project, please clearly mark checks for "Senior Baskets".  Opportunities will follow to donate actual gift cards.

Giving Tree

Once again Zion will be requesting names for 20 children associated with Family Promise and will be placing the tree with tags for gifts and clothing requests.  Watch for the tree to go up on November 20th.

Alternative Giving

The organizations selected for Alternative Giving this year are: Market Street Mission, Give Kids the World, Puppies Behind Bars and ELCA Honey Bee project.  Kay Beagle will be giving her famous and always amusing talk with a rundown of how she will be using these alternative gifts for her family on Sunday November 13th.  Gifts will then be available for purchase through Sunday December 4th.

Feed My Starving Children

Planning ahead for next year, Zion will once again be hosting Feed My Starving Children on Friday March 31st and Saturday April 1st. 

Oldwick Town-Wide Tag Sale

Just in time for spring cleaning, the Tag Sale will be held next year on  Saturday April 29th, with a rain date of Saturday May  6th.

Worship Banners

When we first hung the green banners in the church over a year ago the congregation loved them and some people said they would like to contribute toward the purchase of additional banners for the other liturgical seasons.  White banners have been purchased with Ray Kunkel’s Memorial Funds and they will be dedicated on All Saints Day, November 6th. 

Since the announcement in the bulletin on October 2nd, members have offered to cover the cost for the Red (Reformation/Pentecost) and the Blue (Advent).  We would also like to purchase Purple banners for Lent. The cost of each banner is approximately $200 depending on coupons and sales.  If you are interested in contributing to the banners for Lent please contact the church office or Joanne Rupp (jzrupp51@gmail.com).

All Saints Day -- November 6th

November 6th is All Saints Sunday.  On that day we will be remembering all those who have died in the past twelve months.  A bell will toll for each member we lost and one bell will toll for Zion’s friends and family members.

We will also continue our tradition of hanging an ornament with the names of loved ones who have died.  Ornaments will be available for you to fill out when you enter the church and you will be invited to hang the ornament during the worship service.  Your ornament will be available for you to take home as a remembrance beginning November 13.

Remember to wear RED -- October 30th

PLEASE WEAR RED!

Please remember to wear RED on October 30:  This year begins the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017.  Reformation Sunday has been a day when Lutherans have traditionally worn RED and sung “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”.  Let’s fill the church with RED.

Women of Zion -- October 19th

Join us for our latest creative and fun event!

What:    Christmas Wreath Class

When:    Wed., October 19th, at 7:00 p.m.

Where:   CEB Great Room

Cost:      $35.00 (check made payable to Kathy Barre)

Due:      To the church office NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 12

Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex.

Kathy Barre from Studio 6 in Long Valley, will provide all the materials and teach us to make artificial Christmas wreaths we'll be able to use for years to come.   And we'll have fun besides! Please contact Anita Zarate with any questions.

Note:  if you have a glue gun, please bring it to the class.

Restaurant Rovers -- November 5th

Are you looking for an evening out with friends from Zion?  Mark your calendar for Saturday,   November 5th.  The details have not been worked out, but the plans are to meet for dinner at the General Store (it transforms to a BYOB restaurant in the evening) and then move on to Martha & Harold Wrede’s for dessert. Watch for more information and a sign up sheet in the narthex. 

Vespers -- 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Vespers meets on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the CEB.  There is a Soup Supper at 6:00 p.m. followed by Vespers at 7:00.  This worship experience has been deeply meaningful to many people.  Please join us!

Lunch Bunch - October 20

The Lunch Bunch will be meeting on October 20th at noon.  We will be going to Milano’s (formerly La Casa Bianca) in Whitehouse Station.  Join the fun.  We’re looking for you!

Discipleship postponed until November

Discipleship is being postponed until November.  There will be a meeting with the Bishop at 7 p.m. on October 27.

Book of Faith

Noon on Wednesdays at the CEB

The Book of Faith is continuing to explore the Gospel of Matthew.  We are on Chapter 13.  We are discovering how Matthew tells the story of Jesus.  How is the same as the other gospel writers?  How is it different?  What is Matthew’s witness?  Come join the conversation.  You won’t be disappointed.  The adventure continues!  We will NOT be meeting on Oct. 5 and 12.