A Message from Pastor Summer -- November 2018

Several Sundays ago, I preached a sermon based on a passage from the book of James.  In that passage, James told the early church community to share their stories with each other.  In particular, they were to share their struggles and sorrows.  In turn, the community was to listen with compassion and grace.  In many ways, Jesus lifted up that same image for the church.  He said that the world would know that we are his disciples by our love for each other.

This past Sunday, at the Adult Conversation during Sunday School, we had such an occasion of sharing and listening.  Our time together was deep and meaningful.  There were stories told, truths revealed, tears shed, and comfort given.  We were a community of grace for each other.  God was surely present.  We ended with prayer and embraces.  I was deeply impacted by the experience and I promised the group that I would take action.  What had taken place needed to continue.  And so, with that in mind, I want to offer the following proposal.

I would like propose that we offer a time of sharing and listening every Sunday during Sunday School.  This would take the place of what we have called Adult Conversation.  Our conversation would have a different focus.  Opportunity would be given for people to tell their stories to the community and, as a community, we would listen in grace.  We would intentionally practice what we are called to do for each other.  Sometimes, those stories would be our struggles and sorrows.  Sometimes, those stories would be our joys and blessings.  We would be inviting real conversation where “how are you?” would not be a throwaway line.  The time would be limited, but the door would be opened.  If last Sunday was any indication, that time would be well spent and God would put that time to good use. 

Council Highlights -- October 2018

The Church Council met on October 18.  Highlights include:

· Pastor Summer reported that the Assistant to the Bishop will attend the November Council meeting to outline the process for transitioning after a pastor retires.

· Courtney Rzeplinski presented the Council with a proposal to create a Child Safety policy and training for all volunteers who work with children at Zion.

· The Sunday School classes are learning about Moses and attendance has been very good.  The Little Luthers nursery room has been in use every Sunday morning during Sunday School, staffed by Jennifer & Kristen Hodges.

· New interior signs have been installed at the CEB.

· Military recognition will take place during 10 a.m. worship on November 11.

The next meeting of the Church Council will be on Thursday, November 15.  Meetings are open for all to attend.

News from the Endowment Committee

Our final Endowment Sunday for 2018 will be All Saints Sunday, November 4^th.  

Thank you to everyone who has donated to Zion’s Endowment Fund throughout the year.

The year started with $20,317 from the Endowment Fund earnings available for new ministry opportunities in 2018.  $5,000 was committed to support Youth and Family Ministry programs from the approved 2018 budget.  Council has since voted to commit to the following ministries with the remaining funds:

· $3,000 — Flemington Area Food Pantry

· $5,000 — New Web Site Development and Management

· $5,000 — Crossroads Camp and Retreat Center — cabin refurbishment

So, there is a balance of approximately $2,317 from Endowment Funds available in 2018 for additional ministry opportunities. 

Always keep in mind that 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.

Envelopes marked “Endowment Fund” are in the back of the church each Sunday for anyone wishing to contribute.

Please contact any member of the Endowment Committee (Geof Close, Ted Jermansen and Rick Schroeder) if you have any questions!

Hospitality PLUS! by Judy Formalarie

When I was visiting my daughter in Memphis, I noticed large signs above all the doors in her church directing you to the classrooms, offices and restrooms.  As a visitor, I thought that was very helpful. Coming back to the CEB, I thought we should do the same thing to provide that higher level of hospitality to our guests and visitors. In talking with Council, we approved signs to be made and put above the doors of the great room, the hallway leading to the offices and classrooms, and above the elevator. Harold Wrede agreed to take on the task of getting this done. It was no small job. He worked with a sign maker for the design, and he also did a lot of the work himself.  The new signs are now installed and they look beautiful as well as being helpful. Take note of them when you are at the CEB and I’m sure you will agree with me that he did a spectacular job!  Thank you, Harold!!

Advent Parish Night -- SAVE THE DATE

Advent Parish Night has been schedule for Sunday, December 2.  Mark your calendar and plan to  attend this fun-filled meaningful evening with your Zion friends and family.

Youth & Family Ministries

Dear Members and Friends,

At this month’s meeting, our Church Council took a tremendous step forward regarding the safety of Zion and its youth.  The Council agreed to team up with Plan to Protect, a company that is dedicated entirely to organizations adopting and maintaining the most up to date safety training, policies, and procedures.

I think we can all agree that we value the safety of our students and our volunteers. That part seems like a no-brainer.  We want everyone to be safe at church, right? The tougher part is implementing and following the new standards of safety.  In the near future, Zion will start training on safety policies and procedures.  Every volunteer who works directly with our students (teachers, shepherds, adult leaders, etc.) will be required to participate in the training and will need to agree to abide by the new policies for student safety.  There is a great possibility that our volunteers will also be required to submit to a background check as well.

Now I know what you may be thinking … “background checks?  Mandatory training? I ’m not doing all of that!  It doesn’t seem worth the effort!  Sorry Miss Courtney, but I’m out!”  Wait! Before you jump to those thoughts let me explain a few things.

If we think of the new child safety measures being put in place as a ministry to our families, and not a bunch of barriers, we can start to see the big picture.  As a volunteer, you may be thinking that all of this seems unnecessary – after all, Zion is fortunate that nothing bad has happened in the past. However, in the case of child endangerment, it is much smarter for us to be proactive than reactive.  We want to take measures to prevent the possibility of abuse from ever occurring under our watch.

A policy and training will help keep not only our students safer, but also our volunteers.  Volunteers will know how to handle certain situations and be able to identify when a student is being hurt, harming themselves, or hurting others.  With training and safety standards, parents can rely on the fact that their children are in the care of trained caregivers.  Parents will also be able to take part in the training, to better help their children and our volunteers.

Our partnership with Plan to Protect is not intended to make our volunteers jump through a bunch of hoops.  We are so appreciative of the men and women who step forward to help teach our students.  Instead, Plan to Protect is being introduced to the congregation as a commitment to our families that we care about our children and value the service our volunteers provide. 

I encourage everyone in the congregation to attend a training class when they are made available.  The information shared during these events is absolutely life-changing to a child who is vulnerable to being hurt.  Parents, grandparents, volunteers, and even our older students (high school) are invited to participate in this ministry.  I encourage you to open your hearts and your minds.  Please think not of the new ‘obstacles’ a volunteer must ‘pass’, but of the new opportunity to prevent harm to the most vulnerable members of our congregation.  I applaud Zion and our ability to adapt and change in the face of our every changing world.  Together, we are working to better ourselves and our community.

With great appreciation,

Miss Courtney

Sunday School Update

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

This Sunday school year, Zion’s students are learning the practice of being cheerful and generous givers. Students are encouraged to bring in their own money (no $20 from Mom and Dad, please!) to be collected and given to ELCA Good Gifts. ELCA Good Gifts supports a number of projects in various communities in need in 83 different countries around the world. These projects include providing livestock or crops to growing farms, supplies for budding churches, and even providing life-saving necessities such as food, vaccines, and fresh water. At the end of the year, all offering collected by Zion’s youth will go to a project of the students’ choosing.

During November, our Sunday School students will be completing their study of Moses as they delve into our next rotation, Wandering in the Wilderness.  The children will be learning about Moses and God’s people’s long and difficult journey through the wilderness. They will be learning about what it is to have enough, the importance of the Ten Commandments and about God keeping his promises.

Over the last couple of months our Sunday School children have learned so much about Moses and God’s love.  Please join us in our closing prayer.

Dear God,

1. God, you are our God.

2. Help us call your name

3. Help us make space for you.

4. Help us be good to our families.

5. Help us be kind.

6. Thanks for all the blessings, God.

7. Thanks for the Ten Commandments.

8. Thanks for knowing we need limits.

9. Thanks for surrounding us with love.

10. 10. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

(Large Group Openings, Wandering in the Wilderness, Rotation Leader Guide, Spark Sunday School.)

First Communion 2019

First Communion has been scheduled for March 10, 2019.  Classes for students and parent will be held on February 24 and March 3, and students will receive their first Communion during Second Sunday Single Service on March 10.  Any questions?  Please contact Pastor Summer.

Meet Our Members

Bernie & Judy Davis

Judy was born and raised in Boscombe, England, just outside of Bournemouth on the English Channel. Bernie was born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pa. area.  They have lived in Pottersville for 45 years.  Bernie came to New Jersey in 1959 to work for Bell Telephone Laboratories after completing his Associate Degree at Penn State.  He completed his BS degree in Electrical Engineering at nights attending Newark College of Engineering, now NJIT.  Bernie initially worked on military projects at Bell Labs but later worked on the development and design of the cellular telephone system before retiring.  Judy’s paternal father was in the Royal Navy and died during World War II.  Her mother later remarried and the family immigrated to New Jersey in 1952.  Her family settled in the Pottersville/Oldwick area to be close to her mother’s sisters who came to New Jersey earlier.

Bernie and Judy met at Bell Labs and were married at Zion Lutheran in 1962 by Reverend Gotfried Jacobsen.  They lived in Lake Hiawatha and Morris Township before moving to Pottersville in 1973.  They joined Zion in 1974.  They have two children, Elizabeth who lives in Branchburg Township and Bernie who lives in Washington Township, Morris County.

Bernie served on Church Council in the seventies and they both taught Sunday School for a brief while.  They left Zion for a brief time but returned in 2001.  They presently help at the Faith Kitchen which they fine very rewarding.

Judy has been a member of the Pottersville Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary for 45 years and served on the Bedminster Twp. Board of Education for 6 years.  Bernie has been a member of the Pottersville Fire Company for 45 years and has served on various Bedminster Township committees including the Environmental Commission, Planning Board and presently serves on the Board of Health.

They have two grandchildren, Sydney a freshman at the University of Michigan and Paige a junior at West Morris Regional High School, who they enjoy very much.  They also enjoy traveling the United States, England and abroad as well as cruising, their most recent to South America and Antarctica in December into January of this year. 

Bruce & Lynn Fuller

Bruce and Lynn Fuller became members of Zion Lutheran Church in the 1980s. Bruce and Lynn moved to Whitehouse Station in 1983 and still live in their original home to this day. Both of their children, Trevor and Blair, were baptized at Zion and attended Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and youth group activities. Lynn enjoys being a part of the Altar Guild for the church and volunteering from time to time. She loves the friendly, small-town vibe received from the church members and her favorite part of Sunday's worship is Pastor Summer's sermons. Bruce is a Fire Safety Official for Hunterdon County and Lynn is currently a nanny for two sweet children, ages five and seven. They both love to garden and do projects around the house. Their children are both currently living in New Jersey after attending college.  Trevor works for Johnson & Johnson in supply chain management and Blair is a Registered Nurse at Robert Wood Johnson in the Emergency Department. Blair married her high school sweetheart, Andrew Saunders, with Pastor Summer as the officiant, of course! 

Social Ministry Update ... by Rebecca Melick

Alternative Giving

With the holidays soon upon us, Social Ministry is here to help and has again put together a great selection of gifts that might be perfect for someone on your list.  Gifts will be available during November at the CEB between services and following Second Sunday Single Service, concluding on Advent Parish Night.  Put a dent in your list and help some great causes.   All funds collected will be forwarded to the organizations indicated. Thanks to Linda Held and Angela Sztuk for their craftiness in putting the gifts together.  

 

Tabby’s Place – Cat Toy ($5).  Located in Flemington, Tabby’s Place is a cage-free sanctuary for cats in hopeless situations. Their residents come primarily from public shelters once they have been scheduled for euthanasia.  www.tabbysplace.org

Riding With Heart - Hunterdon Equine Assisted Recreation and Therapy – Rocking Horse Cross Stitch Ornament ($10).  Located in Pittstown, NJ, Riding With Heart provides equine-assisted activities and therapies to adults and children that may have physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities. www.ridingwithheart.org

Caring for Cambodia – Educating Children Changing Lives – Woven Star Ornament ($15).  Caring for Cambodia is educating a generation of Cambodian children today to make a difference for Cambodia tomorrow.  We first got to know this organization last spring when some representatives helped us pack food for Feed My Starving Children.  They are a recipient organization of FMSC meals and came to support our efforts.  What they realized is that children cannot learn if they are hungry. www.caringforcambodia.org   

ELCA Backpack Project – Lunch bag with Christmas Treats ($20).  This program provides US children in need with Friday backpacks filled with food for the weekend.  www.elca.org

The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree will be up in the sanctuary by November 18^th with the names of 20 children from Family Promise who are in need.  Social Ministry is requesting 2 toys and one clothing item for each child.  Gifts should be returned by December 2.  

Military Appreciation -- Veterans Day (November 11)

Please help us honor and show appreciation to Zion's family and friends who are currently serving in the military and to our veterans!  All will be honored on Sunday, November 11 at Second Sunday Single Service.

Morgan Colberg

(friend of Courtney Rzeplinski)

Branch – US Navy

Job – Airframer 3 on F-18 super hornets in VFA-37

Where Stationed – Virginia Beach, Virginia

Daemon Durham

(nephew of Bob Durham)

Branch – US Army Reserve

Rank—E-3 Private First Class

Job—25-B Information Technology Specialist

Where Stationed—Blackwood, New Jersey

Heidi Kunkel

(niece of Leah Wintemute)

Branch – US Army

Rank – Captain

Job – Dentist / OIC

Where Stationed – Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Missouri

Hunter MacKenzie

(son of Shellie Evers)

Branch – Coast Guard

Rank – E5, Petty Officer 2^nd Class

Job – Electrician’s Mate

Where Stationed – Sand Island, Hawaii

David Maravel

(friend of Judy Formalarie)

Branch – US Army

Rank –  Sergeant

Job –  Agent, Criminal Investigation Division

Where Stationed – Fort Campbell, Kentucky

Cody McAleer

(grandson of John & Jann McAleer)

Branch – US Army,

                 1st Armored Division, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team

Rank – Specialist 4th Class

Job – Battlefield Command Operations Operator

Where Stationed – Camp Humphreys, Korea

 Gilbert Mercedes

(son of Cynthia Keller)

Branch – US Army

Rank – Staff Sergeant

Where Stationed – El Paso, Texas

Patricia Oelschlager

(niece of Judy Formalarie)

Branch – US Army

Rank – Major

Job – Bravo Company Commander

Where Stationed – Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Kurt Rossi

(nephew of Lynn Fuller)

Branch — US Army

Rank — First Lieutenant

Job — Battalion Ammunition Officer, Field Artillery

Where Stationed — Camp Kasey, Seoul, South Korea

Elizabeth Snyder

(cousin of Leah Wintemute)

Branch – US Air Force

Rank – 2nd Lieutenant

Job – Navigator E3 AWACS

Where Stationed – Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, OK

Daniel Wort

(friend of Joanne & Ron Rupp)

Branch – US Marine Corps

Rank – Captain

Job – Huey helicopter pilot

Where Stationed – Marine Corps Air Station, New River, NC

Joshua Wort

(friend of Joanne & Ron Rupp)

Branch – US Marine Corps

Rank – Major

Job – Test pilot for CH-53 K helicopter

Where Stationed – Naval Air Station, Patuxent River, MD

MEMBERS OF ZION WHO ARE VETERANS:

Einar Bredeson

Branch — US Army

Rank— First Lieutenant (Rifle Platoon Leader / Airborne Ranger)

Where Served — Fort Benning, GA; Germany; Bosnia Herzogovina

Dates Served — 1992-1996

Bernie Davis

Branch — NJ Army Reserve National Guard

Rank — Staff Sergeant E-6

Where Served — Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery,

                                 50th Armored Division

                                  Morristown Armory, Morristown, NJ

Dates Served — 1962-1968

P.J. Ehmann

Branch — US Army

Rank — SP-4

Where Served — Germany

Dates Served — 1960-1962

Tom Fesenmaier

Branch — US Army

Rank — SP-4

Where Served — Fort Hood, Killeen, TX

Dates Served — 1966-1968

Ted Jermansen

Branch — US Army and US Army Reserve

Rank — Staff Sergeant E-6

Where Served — Fort Dix, NJ and 304 Chemical Co., New York, NY

Dates Served — 1962-1963 and 1963-1968

Bill Kover

Branch — US Air Force

Rank — Airman First Class

Where Served — 26th Weather Squadron, Detachment 34

                                 Dyess Air Force Base, Abliene, TX

Dates Served — 1966-1967

Dan Matyola

Branch — US Marine Corps

Rank — Naval Flight Officer, F-4 and A-6 Aircraft

Where Served — Vietnam; Japan; North Carolina

Dates Served — 1963-1968

John McAleer

Branch — NJ Army National Guard

Rank — Sergeant / Tank Commander

Where Served — 50th Armored Division, 5R/117th Cavalry

                                 Fort Knox, KY and Westfield Armory, NJ

Dates Served — 1965-1971

John Ruland

Branch — US Navy

Rank — Lieutenant

Where Served — Newport, RI and 7-month tour in Vietnam

Dates Served — 1965-1967

David Wintemute

Branch — US Air Force

Rank — Major (Aircraft / Commander C-141)

Where Served — McGuire AFB, Wrightstown, NJ

Dates Served — 1971-1991 (active duty & reserve service)

Dennis Wuest

Branch – US Marine Corps

Rank – Corporal

Where Served – Libya and Romania

Dates Served – 2013-14 and 2015-16