o f f i c e @ z i o n b u f f a l o . o r g ( 7 6 3 ) 6 8 2 - 1 2 4 5 w w w . z i o n b u f f a l o . o r g

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH • BUFFALO, MN JULY 2009

2 fyi

Prayer Requests

Call the church office at 763.682.1245 or visit Zion‘s Zion community at www.zionbuffalo.org with your prayer requests. If you want a pastoral visit or would like to be included in pastoral prayers during worship, please use a yellow pew card or call the church office.

Address, Phone & Email Corrections

Zion maintains a database of all its members. If you have had any changes to your address, phone number, marital status, etc. please contact Angela with your name, phone number and the changes that need to be made.

If You Are Ill Hospitals no longer notify churches when their members are admitted for care. Call 763.682.1245, and let us know so we can support you with prayer and with presence.

Publishing Deadlines

Weekly Bulletin: Thursday Noon

Newsletter: Monday 7/20 Noon

If you would like to contribute to the church newsletter please send your submissions to Angela in the church office or abengtson@zionbuffalo.org.

Zion seeks to share

Christ’s word,

strengthen faith and

serve those in need.

Sunday Worship Times

8:30 am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary & nursery 9:45 am Family Express in Trinity Hall 10:30 am Jubilee Worship in the Sanctuary & nursery

Contact Us

Email office@zionbuffalo.org Online www.zionbuffalo.org Office Hours Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm Church Office (763) 682-1245 Fax (763) 684-1967 Street Address 1200 Highway 25 South, Buffalo (across from 13th St S.) Mailing Address PO Box 88, Buffalo, MN 55313

Zion Staff

Chris Hagen Interim Senior Pastor / x304 / chagen@zionbuffalo.org Judy Burgett Winzig Interim Associate Pastor / x305 / jwinzig@zionbuffalo.org Rebecca Sogge Associate Pastor (on sabbatical) Sherilyn Burgdorf Shared Ministry Director / x 307 / sburgdorf@zionbuffalo.org Roxie Otten Co-Director of Christian Education / x 331 / rotten@zionbuffalo.org Holly Husom Co-Director of Christian Education / x331 / hhusom@zionbuffalo.org Myron Crawford Director of Youth Ministries / x308 / mcrawford@zionbuffalo.org Jim Onstad Youth Staff Diane Montplaisir Administrative Secretary/ x302 / dmontplaisir@zionbuffalo.org Angela Bengtson Communications & Membership / x325 / abengtson@zionbuffalo.org Sue Stensrud Financial Secretary / x303 / sstensrud@zionbuffalo.org Jill Pryor Building & Grounds Manager / jpryor@zionbuffalo.org Tom & Melissa Janzen Evening / Weekend Custodians Jennifer Weese Nursery Staff Tina Eich Nursery Staff Michael Walsh Coordinator of Music

Zion Council

Kevin Bergquist 2009-2011 Vice President /Zion Foundation /Acting President Carol Clark 2008-2010 Secretary /Finance Dirk Foster 2008-2010 President /Personnel Jud Goerss 2008-2009 Treasurer /Memorials & Placement Kelly Hanson 2009-2011 Evangelism & Outreach Debbie Johnson 2007-2009 Social Ministry Charles Krause 2008-2010 Youth Kevin Lincicum 2007-2009 Worship & Music, Adult Education Colleen Manninen 2009-2011 Fellowship Scott Morin 2009-2011 Christian Education Steve Peterson 2009-2011 Stewardship Dave Schmidt 2008-2010 New Member Doug Schmidt 2008-2010 Property Marci Wold 2007-2007 Global Missions Idella Ziegler 2007-2009 Stewardship

And

Pete & Judy Weis Stephen Ministry Leaders Julie Kabe Food For Friends Coordinator

3 from the pastor

Evangelism The week of SonRock Kids Camp, this year‘s Vacation Bible School, was great! Lots of kids, lots of excitement, lots to do, and lots of volunteers! I was absolutely ―blown away‖ by the number of volunteers, 150 to be exact. Thanks go to all those who helped—from greeters and runners, to the blue Jell-O makers, to youth who helped lead worship, to all those who came in the weeks before to decorate and make name tags, and to so many more. SonRock Kids Camp could not have run without their help! As I experienced the volunteers, I was reminded of the work of the church in Nigeria.

It can be easy for us to think about what we might be able to share with our new partners in the Shelleng congregation in Nigeria. We have so much and we want to give. What can we receive from them?

One thing that we can receive from the whole Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria is their approach to outreach and evangelism. Yes, they train and send evangelists and catechists to live in remote villages to share the Good News about God‘s love and mercy lived out in Jesus. However, the evangelist is never expected to do the job alone. People from the sponsoring congregation go out to those villages to share their stories and share their faith. The men go to talk to the men, the women go to talk to the women, and the youth go to talk to the youth; not

just one or two either, but large groups, and they will go out and stay for a period of time. People of the villages are impressed and excited that people from a larger town or city would come to be with them and share. That‘s the kind of evangelism we can copy and grow into our own!

The late Sri Lankan missionary, D T Niles said of evangelism:

“Evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.”

It is being present with others and sharing the story I know to someone I know is also looking. The energy I was a part of during the SonRock Kids Camp week was evidence to me that Zion has the people, has the energy, has the stories and the faith to go out and share the Good News and not just one week of the year. We share it with those we know and with whom we have a natural connection.

Let‘s pray for God‘s guiding hand as we share the gifts we have been

given here at Zion.

Worship

Lectionary & Preachers

Sunday, July 5 / Monday, July 6 Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Mark 6:1-13 Pastor Judy preaching Sunday, July 12 / Monday, July 13 Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Mark 6:14-29 Pastor Judy preaching Sunday, July 19 / Monday, July 20 Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Pastor Chris preaching Sunday, July 26 / Monday, July 27 Eighth Sunday after Pentecost John 6:1-21 Pastor Judy preaching

Marysville

Monday Evening Services During June, July & August services are held at the historic Marysville Church, on County Road 9 between Buffalo and Waverly, each Monday evening at 7pm.

The Swedesburg (AKA Marysville) Church was served by the same pastors as the Carlslund (later known as Zion) congregation until Swedesburg disbanded in 1950 and the members joined Zion. In 1973 the building was restored to celebrate the centennial of Swedesburg, and Monday evening summer services commenced at that time.

Marysville is just a 10-15 minute drive from Buffalo and a map is available online (zionbuffalo.org/Directions). Remember that this is a little country church with no modern amenities.

4

Kids’ Concert With Kat's Pajamas

Second Wednesday Family Activity

Bring a blanket for a special concert in Trinity Hall. Bring your teddy bears, too, and be ready to bounce to fun music for the whole family.

Performers are Tom Polzine, Dave Robinson, and Lyn Fantauzza, all of Buffalo, who will play from 7-8pm.

Spiritual Gifts

Second Wednesday Adult Education

We all have gifts to share in the work of God‘s mission. But do we get to do the things we are best suited to do?

Many churches ask their incoming members to take a ―Spiritual Gifts Survey‖ as they join the church in order to see what gifts may be uniquely theirs to share as members.

Come and take a short ―gifts inventory‖ from 7-8pm and find out about the gifts God has given you to use at Zion.

Are they what you expected?

Or is a surprise in store?

Summer Second Wednesdays

5-6pm:

Supper Hamburgers, Coleslaw & Chips

6:15-6:45pm: Worship Family Light Worship

7-8pm:

Adult Education Spiritual Gifts

Senior High Program Money: At What cost?

Family Activity Kat‘s Pajamas Concert

Enjoy a picnic dinner from 5-6pm followed by worship and activities, classes or just time to get together to enjoy the summer and each other. All are invited to come.

Meals will be picnic style. Free-will donations to cover the cost accepted.

Volunteer grill masters are needed: contact Pastor Judy or Myron to volunteer.

Cookies & bars are needed for dessert: no need to sign up, just bring something if you are able.

For adults attending the education program, nursery will be available for children 3 years and under from 7-8pm.

Remaining Second Wednesdays this summer are July 8th, and August 12th.

Mark your calendars now!

Family News

Births

April 27 Gabriel Glenn Stoffel Son of Michael and Alicia

Baptisms

May 8 Cole Russell Hanson

May 10 Noah Robert Elam Jace Ryan Cox

May 24 Brielle Hope McLaughlin Sebey Landon Christopher Mende

Weddings

May 9 Nikole Block & Andrew Strand

Funerals

May 4 Rodney Paulson

June births & pastoral acts will be reported in the August Newsletter.

Synod Assembly Photos, minutes, and election results from the 2009 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly are now available on the MAS website: http://www.mpls-synod.org.

Wanted:

Large Chest Freezer

The main kitchen freezer is falling apart and needs to be replaced. If you have one you could donate, please contact the church office.

5 news & views

Council Update

Wednesday, May 20

The Global Mission Team received permission to set up a task force to pursue a partnership with the Lutheran Church of Christ #1 Shelleng, a congregation in west central Nigeria.

Committees were reminded to coordinate any fundraisers through the office.

Memorial Committee disbursements were approved for nursery equipment, communion kits, organ chime replacement, and large print devotionals.

Expense of up to $25,000 from the roof/parking lot credit line to repair the parking lot this summer was approved.

There was discussion on the viability of putting together a rotating group of Monday morning counters.

A Communication Policy was approved outlining how council members should handle congregational feedback that may be received and processes to insure a variety of methods for regular and open communication between the council and congregation.

Pastor Becky‘s resignation letter to the congregation was read and discussed.

Complete minutes are available on the church website at www.zionbuffalo.org/council.

Active Military

Please Pray For

Christopher Brophy, leaving for Fort Benning, GA on July 8; DeAnna Strommen, stationed at Fort Hood, TX; Steve Svoboda, deployed to Kirkuk, Iraq; Fred Pierce, stationed at Pensacola, FL; Chris Paulsen-Schmidt, stationed at Great Lakes, IL; Dirk Foster, stationed at Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, CA; Cody Bauman, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC; Destiny Johnson, deployed to Basrah, Iraq ; Jay Iversen, deployed to Camp Liberty, Iraq; Aaron Hatling, stationed at Heidelberg, Germany; Ben Pecarina, stationed at Nellis AFB, NV; Jake Swanson, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC; Greg Bremseth, deployed to Iraq.

Please let the church office know of any additions or corrections to this list.

From Pastor Steve

Greetings from Northern Iraq. Currently I am located in Kirkuk – a city of about 1,000,000 people. So far I have been here just over one month, and have settled into the routine of life on a forward operating base. Attached is a picture taken the other night of a co-worker/friend from my Minneapolis reserve wing, who is here doing security work. He is a former Marine, now working for the Air Force and if there is a way to operate safely in a war zone, it is with him. We went out the other

(Military continued on page 13)

6 volunteers

Thank You To all that delivered Meals on

Wheels in June. Zion will be delivering Meals on Wheels again in November.

To those that hosted students from the Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir.

Summer Musicians Use your talents this summer to provide special music for one of our summer worship services. Instrumentalists, pianists, vocalists, groups or solos… you are invited! Interested in Monday nights at Marysville? There‘s a special music spot for you there, too!

Contact Sherilyn Burgdorf or Mike Walsh to volunteer.

Bon Appétit! The answer is 4,500 or an average of 155 each Wednesday night. This is a 36% increase from Wednesday night suppers in the 2007-2008 year!

It is obvious each Wednesday evening how important these meals are, not just for the youth here for music programs and confirmation classes, but also to their parents and other members of the Zion community, who come together for food and fellowship. That‘s the really good news.

The average cost of a meal this year was $340. That‘s the bad news as weekly offerings averaged only $240. During the summer, the leaders of the cooking ministry will be thinking of ways to help offset the difference and still provide great (and fun) meals for all attending!

Look for more information in the August newsletter. Wednesday night meals are a great ministry and we want to thank again all the various meal crews!

Thank You VBS Volunteers

To those pictured below and about 142 others. . .

we could not have done it without you!

How many people ate their Wednesday night supper at

Zion during September through May?

a. 2,500

b. 3,300

c. 4,500

d. 5,000

7

Harvest of Hands Bazaar There are only 4 months left to finish lots of projects for the annual Harvest of Hands bazaar. Volunteers are needed to make this event successful; there are many projects to be completed and coordinator positions need to be filled by September.

July Crafts at Zion

Harvest of Hands volunteers meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday morning and Wednesday evening of each month. June‘s stained glass class was a wonderful time and the butterflies that were made are beautiful. There are more great projects to come in July that you can help with:

Again, we are looking for volunteers to help out with all the upcoming projects.

July 7, 9-11am: Stained Glass & beaded projects

July 8, 7-9pm: Jewelry & beaded projects

July 21, 9-11am: Ornaments & Bookmarks

July 22, 7-9pm: Tree Skirts & Jewelry

Those unable to attend these times but want to help with the projects can call Joy to get the supplies to work at home.

Harvest of Hands has had so much success over the years.

Please say you will help make it a success again this year!

Clean Out Your Junk Drawer

Donations of old custom jewelry, old silver hollow handled silverware, and old dishes are needed for upcoming projects (please bring them to the Wilderness Room).

Coordinators

Volunteers are still needed to coordinate White Elephant, Silent Auction, Baked Goods, Egg Rolls, and Omelets & Crepes. These positions need to be filled so the committee can start putting ideas together.

ELCA Video Contest

How is God at work in this world through your ministry?

Grab a video camera, tell your story in a short video and you could win up to $5,000!

The ―God‘s work. Our hands.‖ Video Contest invites members and congregations of the ELCA to compete for great prizes:

$5,000 ministry grant for an ELCA congregation

$2,500 cash prize for individuals

The contest runs from June 15, 2009, to July 15, 2009.

To find out more about the contest, enter and rate videos, visit www.elca.org/videocontest.

Good luck! We can‘t wait to see your story.

Sandra Hessedal, Bev Danielson, and Joy Arens presenting a gift of a Heifer ($500) to Heifer Project International on behalf of Zion’s Harvest of Hands

committee at the Baby Animal Fair in April.

8 fellowship & study

An Old Tradition Returns

Marysville Ice Cream Social

The annual ice cream social that many remember from the past is coming back on Monday, July 27. Come and celebrate the beautiful Marysville Church with some pie and ice cream after the 7pm service.

For those of you who have never attended a historic Marysville service, this is the perfect opportunity to give it a try. A free will offering will support the Marysville Preservation Fund. If you would like to donate a pie for the occasion, please sign up by July 24.

All are welcome!

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Zion Book Club The Zion Book Club will meet in the Zion Library at 7pm on Monday, July 13, to discuss The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski.

Born mute, speaking only in sign, Edgar Sawtelle leads an idyllic life with his parents on their farm in remote northern Wisconsin. For generations, the Sawtelles have raised and trained a fictional breed of dog whose thoughtful companionship is epitomized by Almondine, Edgar's lifelong friend and ally. But with the unexpected return of Claude, Edgar's paternal uncle, turmoil consumes the Sawtelles' once peaceful home. When Edgar's father dies suddenly, Claude insinuates himself into the life of the farm--and into Edgar's mother's affections. (Amazon.com)

Men’s Softball The Zion Softball Team plays in the Churches for Christ softball league on Friday nights at the fields on the corner of 34 & 134. Come on out and cheer:

9pm July 10 v. St Francis Xavier

9pm July 17 v. Delano Catholic

Note: There will be no games July 3rd due to the July 4th holiday. The games that were originally scheduled for July 3rd will be played on Friday July 10th & so on. The last game of the season will still be July 17th so the games currently scheduled for that night will not be played. State Tournaments will be July 24-26th in Elk River. Email Rusty at rusty@menoffaith with any questions.

Learn about Love INC from Pastor Terry Harris A brief program in Fellowship Hall after the 8:30 service on Sunday July 26.

Sponsored by the Social Ministry Committee (see page 15)

9

Prayer, Praise and All That Jazz

Zionaires

The Zionaires Seniors‘ Group continues to offer a variety of fellowship, fun, and educational gatherings for retirees and senior citizens at Zion.

The June 23 gathering of the Zionaires Seniors‘ Group will include a short program and a picnic on the church grounds.

At 10:30 Pastor Judy will lead a discussion in the Library on ―Prayer, Praise and All That Jazz‖ which will lead to some fun conversation about the ways we worship.

Brats, chips, and drinks will be provided, and attendees can bring other pot luck items (salads, desserts).

In coming months:

Fishing on Lake Pulaski (tentative date is July 21)

Visit to the Generations exhibit at the MN Historical Society in St. Paul in August

An educational presentation at Zion on organic living in September

Visit to the Science Museum for the Titanic exhibit and IMAX show in October

Younger ―seniors‖ and early retirees are especially encouraged to join in these activities.

If you have any questions about any of these events or have suggestions for future activities, please call Sandy or Roger at 763.682.2979.

Lutheran Night at the Twins

Twins vs. Baltimore Orioles Wednesday August 26th @ 7:10 pm This year marks the 16th year of Lutheran Night at the Twins. Here‘s your chance to join family and friends for a night of big league fun and excitement! Since 1994, over 84,000 Lutherans of all ages have joined together for an evening of fellowship at the ballpark. Highlights scheduled for this year‘s event include:

Special Lutheran Night ticket discounts (as listed below).

Pre-game on-field ceremony recognizing Lutherans from around the upper Midwest.

Become a member of the Twins ―Lutheran Night Choir‖ and help sing the National Anthem. One person from Zion will be escorted on the field to participate in the pre-game ceremonial song (let Angela know if you are interested).

$1 from every ticket sold will go to Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity to help better lives for Minnesota families. See www.ThriventBuilds.com.

Tickets are:

$22 Lower Level Reserved tickets (regular $31)

$17 Upper Club Reserved tickets (regular $22)

$7 General Admission tickets (regular $8)

A free bus will be provided by the Wright County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. You must register in advance to ride the bus. It will probably leave from Zion; specific details will be provided in August.

If you are planning to attend the Twins game, please let us know!!

Sign up online or return this form to the office by August 2.

Pay online by PayPal or a credit card or in the office by cash or check.

Name: __________________________________________ Number in your party: _________

Tickets (check one)

Lower Level Reserved tickets through the church office ($22)

Upper Club Reserved tickets through the church office ($17)

General Admission tickets through the church office ($7)

Purchasing own tickets

Transportation (check one)

Ride the Thrivent Bus

Email /Phone _______________________________________________________________________

NOT riding the bus

Wednesday July 1 6:00pm Christian Education Meeting 6:00pm Baptism Class 7:30pm Graceland Thursday July 2 8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible

Study Friday July 3 9:00am LSS Counseling Saturday July 4 Independence Day Sunday July 5 Holy Communion at 8:30, 9:45, and

10:30 services 8:30am Traditional Service 9:30am Coffee Fellowship 9:45am Family Express Worship 10:30am Contemporary Worship

Service Monday July 6 6:30pm First Sunday Rehearsal 7:00pm Marysville Service 7:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday July 7 9:30am Staff Meeting 12:00pm LSS Counseling 7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal 7:00pm Overeaters Anonymous Wednesday July 8 10:00am Devotions at Park View 5:00pm Second Wednesday Supper 6:15pm Family Light Worship 7:00pm Spiritual Gifts (Adults) 7:00pm Kat‘s Pajamas Concert

(Families) 7:00pm Money: At What Cost?

(Senior High) 7:00pm Worship and Music

Committee Meeting 7:00pm Harvest of Hands Crafts Thursday July 9 8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible

Study

Friday July 10 9:00am LSS Counseling Sunday July 12 8:30am Traditional Service 9:30am Coffee Fellowship 9:45am Family Express Worship 10:30am Contemporary Worship

Service Monday July 13 6:30pm First Sunday Rehearsal 7:00pm Marysville Service 7:00pm Book Club 7:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday July 14 9:00am Harvest of Hands Crafts 9:30am Staff Meeting 12:00pm LSS Counseling 6:30pm Pre-Marriage Classes 6:30pm Women United in Faith 7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal 7:00pm Overeaters Anonymous Wednesday July 15 9:15am Devotions at Sunrise 5:00pm Graceland: Life on a

Reservation 6:00pm Curriculum Team Meeting 7:00pm Church Council Meeting Thursday July 16 8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible

Study 7:30pm Rebecca Circle Friday July 17 9:00am LSS Counseling Saturday July 18 Senior High Mission Trip Departs Sunday July 19 Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:30 8:30am Traditional Service 9:30am Coffee Fellowship 9:45am Family Express Worship 10:30am Contemporary Worship

Service

Monday July 20 6:30pm First Sunday Rehearsal 7:00pm Marysville Service 7:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous Tuesday July 21 9:30am Staff Meeting 9:30am Naomi Circle 12:00pm LSS Counseling 6:00pm Stephen Ministries 6:30pm Pre-Marriage Class 7:00pm Property Committee Meeting 7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal 7:00pm Overeaters Anonymous Wednesday July 22 9:30am Devotions at Lakeridge 10:30am Devotions at Park View Thursday July 23 8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible

Study Friday July 24 9:00am LSS Counseling 5:00pm Wedding Rehearsal Saturday July 25 10:00am Bridal Party 2:00pm Wedding 3:00pm Wedding Reception Sunday July 26 Senior High Mission Trip Returns 8:30am Traditional Service 9:30am Coffee Fellowship 9:45am Family Express Worship 10:30am Contemporary Worship

Service Monday July 27 6:30pm First Sunday Rehearsal 7:00pm Marysville Service 7:30pm Alcoholics Anonymous 7:45pm Marysville Ice Cream Social

look for updates & links at: ZionBuffalo.org

10 July calendar

Tuesday July 28 9:00am Harvest of Hands Crafts 9:30am Staff Meeting 12:00pm LSS Counseling 6:30pm Pre-Marriage Class 6:30pm Women United in Faith 7:00pm Jubilee Rehearsal 7:00pm Overeaters Anonymous Wednesday July 29 9:00am Newsletter Crew 7:00pm Harvest of Hands Crafts 5:00pm Graceland: Knowledge/

Learning Thursday July 30 Middle School Canoe Trip Departs 8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible

Study Friday July 31 9:00am LSS Counseling 5:00pm Wedding 6:00pm Wedding Rehearsal

11

More VBS Photos online

ZionBuffalo.org/VBS

12 finance & stewardship

Financial Report

May 2009

General Services Fund

Income May 2009 YTD 2009 General Offering $64,427.93 $274,457.23 Rent and Sunday School $1,480.61 $15,350.80 Missions and Hunger $959.00 $5,244.00 Other Designations $1,521.00 $6,434.50 Total $68,388.54 $301,486.53

Expenses Synod Benevolence $1,500.00 $7,500.00 Other General Services $48,012.98 $297,450.37 Total $49,512.98 $304,950.37

Account Balance as of 5-31-09: $8,243.15

Forward in Faith Fund

Income May 2009 YTD 2009 Offerings and Interest $21,097.87 $75,149.46 Other Receipts 0.00 1,500.00 Total Income $21,097.87 $76,649.46

Expenses Building Mortgage $17,087.30 $85,436.50 Roof/Parking Lot Loan $522.22 $2,654.75 3% Tithe Expense/Other Expense 0.00 0.00 Total Expenses $17,609.52 $88,091.25

Account Balance as of 5-31-09: $58,211.08

General Fund Note: There were surplus funds available in the General Fund account on 1-1-09. Because of the month-end deficits so far in 2009, this surplus has been exhausted. It was previously communicated that in April 2009 the church was approved for a line-of-credit to use when our expenses exceed our offerings/revenue. $20,000 was drawn from our line of credit on June 12, 2009 in order to meet current expenses.

Memorial Fund The Memorial Fund is a way for people to make specific gifts to the church, usually in memory or honor of someone. Gifts to the Memorial Fund are used in total for the cause to which they were donated, and typically are a physical item.

The Zion Foundation is different in two main ways. The Foundation only disperses earnings on invested donations. And the Foundation funds only religious, educational and charitable purposes, not physical items.

The General Fund of the congregation provides for the on-going cost of doing ministry. Those funds are almost entirely received through Sunday offering. Forward in Faith is similar to the General Fund but is restricted to paying for the building‘s cost and some benevolence.

Memorial Fund contributions are received in two categories. Undesignated gifts may be made in memory or honor of someone, but the Memorial Fund Committee decides how the gifts will be best used. Donors may also give to a specific purpose. The purposes for which donations may currently be received are:

Large print devotional books

Piano (repair and tuning)

Organ

Paraments (altar cloths)

Hearing enhancement (personal hearing devices)

Landscaping

Library

Sanctuary audio/visual equipment

Undesignated

In the past the Chapel Line provided daily devotions by telephone. That service has been discontinued because of lack of use. Daily devotions are readily available on the Internet. Also, there are currently sufficient funds in other categories, such as eternal flame candles, flags, and hymnals. The Memorial Fund Committee encourages donors to consider other items.

The Memorial Fund provides items needed for ministry that is not available through regular Sunday offering. Such generosity preserves the memory of past loved ones and honors those among us still. Gifts to Zion

A donation towards a set of Christian Flags from Rolf and Marlene Mohwinkel.

13

Newsletter Advertisers Thanks to our present advertisers for continuing to support Zion‘s newsletter. Liturgical Publications, Inc. (LPi), our Newsletter publisher, will be sending Andy Kobilka, our parish representative, within the next few weeks to service our Newsletter advertisers.

As an added bonus to advertisers, LPi has recently formed an advertisers buying group of 100,000+ businesses called LPi Family. Membership in the LPi Family buying group is FREE to all of our advertisers.

To obtain information about advertising for the new publication year, please contact Angela in the office or call Andy directly @ 1.800.678.4574 ext 207. Keep in mind, it is advertising sponsors that make Zion‘s Newsletter possible.

Witness To Our Faith by Arnold Rude

Were we like the person mentioned in James 2:14b, ―Though a man says he has faith and not works, can faith save him?‖ or were we a witness to our faith like the person mentioned in Proverbs 14:21, ―A true witness delivers souls‖?

A Christian layperson has a unique position as a worker and witness for Jesus Christ; having to spend our working day among our fellow men and women. Here there is no effective pretense. There for all to see, and our true, uncovered reaction to our work and its relationship to God.

(Witness continued on page 15)

night on mid-watch to visit troops on the perimeter. The stuff in the picture that looks like snow is actually dust – it is very heavy here. Also very dry and very hot.

We have a vibrant chapel culture here on base; I have responsibility for one of eight different service offerings here, working with the contemporary worship service at 1000 and 1900 every Sunday. Between both services the contemporary serves 100-150 each week, and we have the best combat praise team in the CENTAF AOR. We work very closely with our Army Chaplain counterparts and have a great relationship with them.

Oil is abundant here. The night sky is very black, with the exception of an orange glow on the horizon from any of several refineries located nearby that burn ‗waste products‘ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our FOB is an old Saddam era fighter base. The two planes in the picture – a MiG 21 and an older MiG 17 were damaged/grounded in the initial invasion and they have been here ever since. Dust storms are about as common as thunderstorms in MN and if it rains afterward (it actually does sometimes) it literally rains mud for the first few minutes.

One of the self-help projects we coordinate on base is to collect and distribute school supplies to the local people in Kirkuk and surrounding towns and villages. Again, we work very closely with the Army to do this. The attached picture was taken one day as we filled this Humvee with student school kits. We really did fill the vehicle – 200+ student kits; 54 teacher kits. On top where the gunner rides, we filled the turret with soccer balls. These (and tennis balls) get thrown down to children en-route.

Our chapel facility is very comfortable; it is air conditioned all over, has a quiet library room filled with reclining easy chairs for troops to come read, nap, or enjoy a break from the constant noise generated in a military environment. We also have a common room with café style tables and chairs, a large flat panel TV, coffee, cold drinks, snacks and cookies for those who need a break. We even have Wi-Fi internet for those who want to call home or connect with loved ones via e-mail. The entire building is hardened all around against attacks, allowing the occupants to shelter safely indoors. Chapel services hardly miss a beat! One of the most popular rooms here is the ―Airman‘s/Soldier‘s Attic‖; a place stocked with some fast foods, instant comfort foods and snack foods, hygiene items such as toothpaste, razors, shampoo, deodorant, etc that people can pick up as needed. These small things make a big difference in people‘s lives. Everything in the chapel facility is free of charge – the vast majority of it being donated and shipped from groups and organizations back home.

Appearances here are deceiving. We are reminded continually that Iraq is still a deadly, dangerous place to live and work. You can be extraordinarily proud of the men and women who are here, carrying out the will of our nation. The competence, resilience, restraint, excellence and ingenuity with which they do their jobs is proof of our strong homeland, and proof of a people with a great will and an even greater heart.

I hope this finds you all healthy and thriving, Pastor Steve Svoboda

(Military continued from page 5)

14

The Tenth Person By Pastor Kelly Chatman of Redeemer Lutheran Church

[In June] as we celebrate the 100th anniversary at Redeemer, we give thanks that for one hundred years Redeemer has been blessed to lead people to faith. A congregation is a faith community where people witness to the story of God‘s love and inspire others to have lives of faith.

On July 23, 2002, nine miners in Western Pennsylvania became trapped in a flooded mine. The injured and desperate miners tied themselves together so that the stronger ones could sustain the weaker ones as they waited to be rescued. Journalists from across the nation reported the rescue effort, which took five long days. No one could believe it when all nine miners emerged safely from the mine.

On July 30, the people of the small mining community gathered for a worship service to thank God for saving the miners‘ lives. At the ceremony, there were ten miners‘ lamps set up on the altar, even though there were only nine miners. At that worship celebration, the tenth lamp was to represent the presence of God, which the miners claimed they could feel as they waited to be rescued. It was this ―10th Person‖ they honored as they read Psalm 103: ―Praise the Lord . . Who redeems your life from the pit.‖

[In June] we celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Redeemer Congregation in thanksgiving that God has been present in our midst as that ―tenth person,‖ for without God this surely would not have been possible. At Redeemer we believe that there is God who has been the light. God brought us through places and times of darkness and into a celebration of the light of salvation and grace. What a marvelous opportunity this is to look back over the past hundred years and say thank you, for God is good and God has brought us safely to celebrate this new day. The past one hundred years has served to shape and inspire Redeemer to begin the next century as a faith-filled community rooted in the reality of God‘s love for the world.

In addition to the opportunity to deepen the faith practices of our congregation, we begin this next period of Redeemer‘s history and witness with the vision to transform our building, block and neighborhood. At Redeemer we serve as God‘s life line, tying ourselves to the larger church, mission partners, as well as to people who are injured and waiting to be rescued from isolation and separation from God.

We begin the next century as a congregation that seeks to bring faith to life. Redeemer is a witness to the power that a life of faith cares about people. A life of faith involves worship, prayer and support. A life of faith is inter-generational, provides affordable housing, builds relationships, and takes risks on people. A life of faith becomes a place and a people that produce stories. People might never set foot in Redeemer and yet will have heard the stories. A life of faith is discovered in the stories of people who worship with people from another race, continent and culture. A life of faith occurs when a ninety-three year old Swede looks forward each year to teaching neighborhood children how to make pickles, watching adults study the bible, singing in the choir and serving food. A life of faith is a safe place for children to learn and play, using hip-hop to learn the 23rd Psalm, women utilizing their quilting to mentor children, planting a garden, playing

missions & social ministry

Nigeria

Shelleng Companion Team

Would you enjoy learning more about Zion‘s Partnership with Shelleng congregation of the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria?

Zion is looking for members who would be part of a Shelleng Companion Team. This team would be responsible for communication to and from Shelleng, raising awareness about the Shelleng congregation and its ministries, working on building joint projects with Shelleng (such as, but not limited to: children to children, women to women, outreach projects), and especially lifting up this partnership in prayer on a weekly basis.

If this is something you would be interested in being a part of, please contact the office through the website or Pastor Judy, or come to the first meeting at 6:30pm on July 9.

ZionBuffalo.org/Nigeria

Helping the Homeless Linnea Logas, Zion member (confirmation class of 2002) and a student at St. Olaf College, recently received a grant from a local church in Northfield for a project to assist homeless people in Ramsey county obtain bus passes and information regarding local shelters and soup kitchens.

She has put together bags of essential supplies to keep in your car or a convenient place, that you can give to someone who is homeless, instead of money. Each bag contains essential hygienic tools a person needs to present well and start becoming self-sustaining. A donation of $5 or more is requested for each bag, which will be used to buy bus passes to be distributed at a local convention held each year for homeless people in St. Paul. Additional donations to this project are welcome.

Bags and a donation box can be found in the Narthex during the month of July.

Linnea‘s interest in working with homeless individuals and families comes from her own immersion experience in Berkley, California. She shares: ―I spent all day walking and couldn‘t find (a safe shelter) since I still had to meet deadlines in order to get to a soup kitchen on time.‖

Through this experience I know how difficult it is to get food and find a shelter in the same day due to long lines and limited resources.―

Linnea hopes to speak at Zion about this project after the convention, and also to set up libraries of used books in local shelters around the cities to help combat boredom and the risk factors associated with it, such as drug use and violence.

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Local Partners

Service, Advocacy & Ministry

Each month the Social Ministry Committee will be promoting our church‘s outreach into our community through prayer and actions by highlighting the efforts and needs of one of our local partner organizations in the newsletter and on the website. On the 4th Sunday of the month there will be a short program at 9:45am in the Fellowship Hall to explain services and promote action with the featured partner.

Love INC The Love INC Heartland local office is located in Delano. Over 20 area churches are part of this ministry. Some Buffalo churches are currently working to bring Love INC to the Buffalo area as well.

Learn more about Love INC from Pastor Terry Harris by attending a brief program in Fellowship Hall after the first service on Sunday, July 26.

In August, we will be collecting school supplies for distribution through Love INC. See the list of requested items online or in the August newsletter.

To be a witnessing Christian in our daily life doesn‘t mean we have to stand on a ―soap box‖ on some street corner, or force our convictions on our fellow workers. Jesus indicated how we can best witness when he said, ―By their works they shall be known.‖

How can we become the kind of witness Jesus was referring to? First we need to live closer to Christ. In John 15:5 Jesus says ―I am the vine and you are the branches. He abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit for without me you can do nothing.‖ To be an effective witness, we must abide in Christ so that people will see in us something to be desired. When we continue to live in that state of abiding in Christ, we all witness by our actions.

Another thing we can do is to read the Bible every day to strengthen our faith ad get direction for each day from God‘s word. President Willson once made this statement: ―I am sorry for men that do not read the Bible every day; I wonder why they deprive themselves of the strength and of the pleasure.‖

If our faith is real, it should show to others. I am reminded of a statement made to me by a former pastor at St. Ansgars, at Cannon Falls. As a young man he worked in the harvest fields. His witness to his faith had not been very

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August: Love INC

September: Timber Bay

October: Veterans

November: Meals on Wheels and Bloodmobile

December: Rivers of Hope

January: Faith in Action

February: Nursing Homes

March: Food Shelf

April: Buffalo Public Library

May: Habitat for Humanity

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ZionBuffalo.org/Youth

1 Timothy 4:12 Don‘t let anyone look down on you

because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Director of Youth Ministries Myron Crawford

763-682-1245 ext. 308

mcrawford@zionbuffalo.org

Zion Youth Ministries We exist to reach out to youth, to come to-

gether and learn how to be for God and others through worship, study, fellowship and service.

youth ministries

Confirmation

Registration

Attention all students who will be in 7th & 8th Grade in Fall of 2009:

Registration is now open on-line!

This is for all new students and returning students.

Registration for classes this year will have a closing date of Fri August 21!

We will not be able to accept any late registrations this year.

Parents - Confirmation small group guides are needed as well. Take time to prayerfully consider making a two year commitment to foster the spiritual relationships of students.

Current Students

Just a reminder to current 7th & 8th grade students, ALL work must be completed for the year by August 1st!

Make sure that your work is in.

Affirmation of Baptism

8th Graders: The date is set for the Affirmation of Baptism Service - Saturday, September 26 @ 1pm. Pictures will be taken at 10:30am.

There will be a retreat for all of the confirmands on Saturday September 19 @ 9am.

All requirements must be fulfilled to be confirmed! These requirements must be completed by August 1! We are unable to accept late work!

Senior High

Mission Trip Update Zion has 25 students and 5 adults registered for the Mission Trip to Wind River, WY for July 18 - 26, 2009. The following are important dates to mark on your calendars:

July 5 - Sending Service

July 17 - Packing Party

July 18 - Leave for Wyoming

July 26 - Return from Wyoming

Aug 2 - Welcome Home Brunch

Senior High Leadership

Juniors and Seniors are needed to help form a Senior High Leadership Team.

Help organize fun nights, worship, service, studies and more.

If you are interested, contact Myron by July 24!

Summer Schedule

Graceland, the Senior High youth group, will meet at Zion from 5-8pm on:

July 8 - Money - At What Cost?

July 15 - Life on a Reservation

July 29 - Knowledge/Learning

Aug 12 - Your Worth

Aug 26 - Salvation

Each night there will be a meal, worship, games, and study.

These nights are open to all students who will be in Grades 9-12 in Fall ‗09.

Each night will have a different theme, so come prepared with a Bible and notebook.

Rock N U Schedule

Rehearsal July 14 & 28

Aug 4, 11 & 25

For All Youth

Rock the River Tour

Harriet Island - St. Paul, MN

Sunday, August 16

Leave Zion @ 11:30am / Back by 11pm

Open to all Middle School & High School students. Friends are encouraged to attend!

Come for a great day to get to know who God is and what your purpose is while seeing great bands and speakers!

Featuring Flyleaf, Kirk Franklin, Superchic(k), Flame, Decemberadio, LeCrae & Franklin Graham.

Cost is only $10 for a ticket plus money for concessions/souvenirs.

Must be registered by July 31 to reserve ticket!

Adults are needed to drive/lead: please contact Myron by July 31!

Co-Directors of Christian Education Roxie Otten

rotten@zionbuffalo.org

Holly Husom hhusom@zionbuffalo.org

763-682-1245 ext. 331

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ZionBuffalo.org/Children

children’s ministries

July

Open Your Bible Challenge:

Email your answer to: rotten@zionbuffalo.org

Kindergarten, first and second grade question: What did Peter do 3 times before the rooster crowed?

Third-grade through sixth-grade question: What does Joshua 24:15 say?

Young Ringers Mini Camp If you're a young handbell ringer or would like to be, mark your calendars for August 12-14, 9:00am-2:00pm. Jana Thorson and Sherilyn Burgdorf will lead a three day mini-camp for young musicians entering 4th grade-6th grade this fall.

New and experienced ringers are welcomed, Zion members and friends. Bring bag lunches. Snacks will be

provided. A $5 fee is all we need to cover costs thanks to a generous gift from the Zion Foundation. Register early: there's a 22 ringer limit!

During the three days we will learn "ringing 101," practice

some new music and have plenty of time for

games, a field trip, tie dying, and more.

Watch for more details at

ZionBuffalo.org.

Sunday School Starts September 20

Get Ready to Register Online

Registration for all Sunday School students will be available July 12 and continue through August 23

Zion Sunday School aims to be a welcome and successful environment for all of our children and volunteers. Do you feel that we could help your child enjoy Sunday school more? Directors would love to hear from you. Watch for updates, and please share your ideas about how you‘d like to help the Sunday school program. Contact Roxie at: rotten@zionbuffalo.org or (763)682-1245

The Rally Day Difference! Plans are taking shape for a very different Rally Day this year! Mark Sunday, September 13 on your calendar and stay tuned for details coming soon . . .

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strong. One worker had a habit of being offensive by using foul language. Being burdened by his lack of witness, the young man finally spoke up and objected to the crude language. Here is the answer he got: ―Well, I was beginning to wonder if your Christianity was just so many words.‖ How often have people looked at us and found no witness: nothing.

I think of David in the Old Testament (the Psalms, one of my favorite books of the Bible). David writes in Psalm 1:1, ―Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners. ‖ In another Psalm he stands before God and says, ―I have walked in my integrity.‖ That is what a witnessing Christian layperson has to do in the marketplace.

The world watches us, and their perception is very keen. Abraham Lincoln made this statement, ―You can fool some of the people some of the time, and you can fool some people all the time, but you can not fool all the people all the time.‖ People around us will eventually see how our faith is by the integrity of our lives. And, of course, we cannot fool

God at any time.

When we read the Bible every day with prayer for guidance, when we have accepted the admonition of David, then we are ready to be a witness in the marketplace.

Why all the preparation? We are all aware to do a good job in the secular world w have to know what to do, and how to do it, and why. It is the same in the spiritual life. For an example, we need to know God‘s word so when the Holy Spirit opens the door into someone‘s life and they come to us and ask how to believe and change their lives, we can share the answers from God‘s word, and the results of our faith and experience.

Here is a prayer that should be on the mind and heart of every Christian:

Lay some soul upon my heart, and love the soul through me, and may I humbly do my part, to win that soul for thee.

(all Bible quotes are from KJV)

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Inside

Zion Lutheran Church 1200 Highway 25 S. PO Box 88 Buffalo, MN 55313

ZionBuffalo.org Address Service Requested

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200

9 Standard

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PAID Permit 11

Buffalo MN 55313

Address Label Here

Kat‘s Pajamas Concert 4

ELCA Video Contest 7

Marysville Ice Cream Social 8

Prayer, Praise & Jazz 9

Lutheran Night at the Twins 9

VBS Photos 11

Schelleng Companion Team 14

Love INC 15

Youth Ministries 16

Young Ringers Mini Camp 17

Children‘s Ministries 17

Out of Town? You can hear sermons, read the

weekly program, newsletter, and get other information on our website:

ZionBuffalo.org Zion students at Shores of St Andrew Bible Camp in June