Sunday School News

There is a buzz going on at Sunday School.  We are seeing more families week after week engaging in our Workshop Rotational Model (WoRM) at Sunday School.  All of our student are engaged in their new classes!

I am so excited that this model has taken off.  It takes a lot of effort to start a new program and a lot of trust in its value.  I want to thank you all for taking part in this journey with us.  So far, our students have experienced the Bible Skills and Games room, the Science room, the Art room, and the Cooking room!  All of the kids are eager to learn their room assignments during our large group opening.  We are also rocking out to some new songs during the Opening, thanks to Rod Briscoe and Mike Jennison.  The kids are wrapping up their lesson on the Twelve Disciples this Sunday.  We are ready for Unit 2 and the addition of the Movie Room!

Blessings,

Courtney Rzeplinski

Special thanks to our teachers and volunteers for Unit 1.

Teachers

Melanie Hodges

Brooke Schumann

Mike Jennison

Tiffany Shin

Bonnie Stanski

Meghan Stanski

Jeff Livingston

Shepherds

Linda Smith

Jennifer Hodges

Kristen Hodges

Brian Hodges

Rebecca Melick

Cindy Rupprecht

Substitutes

Courtney Ronaldo

Rachel Wieder

Cheryl Rodrick

Laura Bredeson

Meet Our Members

Ken Holman

I am currently retired and take up most of my time now going through our items stored in the basement and garage, donating items that we have built up during the 25 years we’ve been living in Pottersville.  I am also very involved with my 5 grandchildren helping watching them or driving them places when my son and daughter are busy.  It is hard to believe now, but they are currently a junior in Rutgers, a sophomore at Syracuse, a freshman at Rowan, a senior at South Brunswick High school and a freshman at Phillipsburg High school. I have also helped help my son and son-in-law install wood floors in their houses which always is a fun time as it becomes a family affair.  My time seems so busy that the time passes very quickly.

I have been a very eclectic church-goer as I grew up in Newark and was christened and baptized at Newark Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Livingston Baptist Church (where I was baptized again), got married at Barrington, RI, Lutheran Church,  joined the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Old Bridge where my daughter was baptized (and later married), South Plainfield Lutheran Church where my son was baptized, Lutheran Church of The Holy Trinity in Burlington, NJ, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights, IL, back to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd where both kids were confirmed, then finally Zion Lutheran Church, Oldwick.

All the moves above were trying to find Engineering jobs, as a lot of the small firms were closing or consolidated.  My stay in Pottersville is the longest I have lived in any one place.

John & Audrey Ruland

John and Audrey (Ehmann) Ruland live in Hackettstown.  They have been married for 26 years, although they were high school sweethearts.

Audrey has been a member at Zion for 49 years, has served on various church committees and has taught Sunday school.  She worked as a nurse for 45 years and is now retired.  She had 2 daughters; Andrea who died in an auto accident and is at the Zion Memorial Garden, and Amy who lives in Sparta with her husband and two boys, ages 11 and 13.

John has been a member for almost 20 years.  He has his own business as a computer consultant and is still working if the phone rings.  (It’s been ringing less and less.)  He has two children; Todd lives in Maine with his wife and two daughters, ages 16 and 17, and Meredith lives in Montana with her husband and two sons, ages 2 and 4.

John and Audrey are very busy with their grandkids and love to travel.  They have driven across the country 4 times, have been in all 50 states, and have been through all the lower provinces of Canada.  They’ve touched 40 countries and now are trying to see as many National Parks as possible.

John & Emily Wilson

John and Emily were married at Zion and their daughter Sophia, who will turn one year old on February 22nd, was baptized here as well.  When they're not doting on their little girl, John is working hard renovating their house and enjoys going for rides on his motorcycle. Emily is usually spending her free time doing bridal hair and loves getting to be a part of so many couples’ special day.  They're excited for the years to come and to see what God has in store for their growing family!

Concert CDs and DVDs

The CDs and DVDs from Pastor Summer and Rod Briscoe’s concert have arrived!  They are available at the church and the CEB.  There is a freewill offering.  The money will help to defray the cost of the concert and help to fund the “Side B” concert that will take place in the future. 

News from the Social Ministry Committee

Coffee Drive Continues Through February

So far during January we have collected just over 100 pounds of coffee for Faith Kitchen in Dover!  We have a month left to get closer to our stretch goal of 200 pounds.  Hot coffee is in great demand during the cold winter months.  Please help us if you can.

Family Promise

Once again our guests from Family Promise will be with us for two weeks beginning Sunday March 4th.  Many volunteers are needed to prepare meals, stay overnight, and visit with guests during the evenings and weekend days.  Zion is required to have one or more volunteers on site at all times when guests are with us.  Family Promise is the only organization in Hunterdon to house homeless families with children.  This is a great way to volunteer with children or grandchildren.  For our guest families, these impromptu play days are an appreciated distraction.  Watch your email for signups.  If you have never helped with Family Promise team up with an experienced volunteer.  Please call Rebecca Melick at (908)229-3744.       

Book of Faith -- Noon on Wednesdays

The Book of Faith will continue to explore the Acts of the Apostles this month.  Come join the conversation.  You won’t be disappointed.  We are on chapter 8.  The adventure continues! 

Vespers -- February 1 and 15

This month, Vespers will meet on February 1st and 15th.  There   is a Soup Supper at the CEB at 6 p.m. followed by Vespers at 7 p.m.  This worship experience has been deeply meaningful to many people.  Please join us!

Lunch Bunch -- February 8

The Lunch Bunch will be going to Bensi, King’s Plaza, in Whitehouse Station on February 8.  The phone number is 534-8899.  We’ll be looking for you!

Discipleship -- February 22

Discipleship will be meeting on February 22.  It will begin with a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. and move to discussion at 7:30.  The theme will be interpreting scripture.  All are invited.  We would love to see you there!

A Message from Pastor Summer -- January 2018

There is something wonderful about a “do over”. My guess is that everyone is familiar with the concept. The “do over” is a part of every childhood. Growing up, whenever there was a disagreement, division, or controversy over a game or activity, someone would call a “do over”. The idea was universally accepted. You wiped the slate clean and started again. You were not bound by the past. You could move beyond the division. The “do over” provided a way to something new, reconciling, and better.  The “do over” felt right.

As a culture, the “do over” has been incorporated in our celebration of New Year.  With the New Year, we give ourselves permission to wipe the slate clean. We say goodbye to the old and open ourselves to something new.  Saying goodbye to 2017 will not be difficult. The past year was not an easy one and was filled with disagreements, division, and controversy.  We hope the New Year will be a better one.  As people of faith, we do more than simply hope.  Our hope is bound to a promise, the promise of God. 

           With God, we are very familiar with the concept of a “do over”.  The concept is at the heart of the Gospel. We are not bound by our past.  We can move beyond our failures, struggles, and disappointments. God’s grace forgives us and sets us free to live a new life in Christ. That gift is not limited to once a year, but is given each and every day.  Each day, by God’s grace, is a “do over”.  God’s grace opens us to something new, reconciling, and better.  And with that grace, we can make hope happen. We can work in the world to make something new, reconciling, and better for others.  As people, graced by God, may we live out our “do over” is Christ and bring hope in the New Year.

Peace,

Pastor Summer

December Council Highlights

The Church Council met on December 14th.  Highlights include:

· The proposed 2018 budget was finalized for presentation to the congregation on December 17.

· The Property Committee reported that there are issues with the bell at the church that will be addressed in the new year.

· Advent Parish Night was a big success.  The Parish Life committee is planning fun-filled events for 2018.

· The Sunday School Workshop Rotational Model begins in January.  Please see "Sunday School News" article for more information.

· The Tewksbury Historical Society’s request to use the CEB Great Room in October 2018 was approved.

· The Council Retreat will take place on January 19-20.

· The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held on Sunday, February 11 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a Potluck Luncheon.

· Thank you to:

* Sandy Matsen for her service as Sunday School Superintendent.

* Melanie Hodges for filling the position of Sunday School Superintendent.

* Jeff Livingston for his two years of service on the Church Council.

* Jen Dalgauer for creating the crafts for Advent Parish Night.

* The Sunday School students and Children’s Choir for the “From Heaven Above” Christmas Program.

The next meeting of the Church Council will be on January 18th.  Meetings are open for all to attend.