January Calendar:

1 Happy New Year!

6 Day of Epiphany!

9 Confirmation Family

Night

13 Heart of Montana

LoveINC speakers

13 6 pm High School Youth

Group meet at Zion

20 God’s Work, Our Hands

Breakfast

21 7 pm Council Meeting

27 4-6 pm High School Youth

group bowling

Feb 3rd: 2019 Congregational

Meeting

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH 604 W. EVELYN, LEWISTOWN MT

(406) 538-5082 OFFICE EMAIL: zionelca@midrivers.com

http://zionlewistownelca.com/

Table of contents and quick reference guides...1 Congregational News and needs……..5-6

Pastor’s Page………….2 Social Concern and Breakfast…..7

January worship, Youth & Social concern……..3 Calendar…………..8

Stephen Ministry Report…….4 Congregational Vitality Project….9

JANUARY SERVANT SCHEDULE:

Our Church family… Want to be more involved in the life of the church? Be on the lookout for

meetings & opportunities in this newsletter, in weekly bulletins and E-blasts or

contact any of our council members with ideas or for more information:

Council President Cindy Giese 538-3619

Sunday School Coordinator Falan Aanenson 350-2112

Finance Brandon Cowen 366-3970

Worship & Music Holly Heser 366-7705

Parish Ed Jim Fryer 380-2084

Evangelism Jody d’Autremont 366-0982

Caring Ministry Karen Combs 366-0386

Youth & Family Pat Fredrickson 380-6075

Mutual Ministry Polly Weichel 366-2396

Stewardship Cherie Quigley 350-0136

Facilities Brian Sallee 350-0852

ZLCW Vonnie Ortgies 535-8906

Zion Lutheran Church Office 538-5082

Inside this issue

January 2019 Newsletter

USHER GREETER LECTOR COMM. ASST. ACOLYTE 01/06/19 Byron & Carol

Swanby Mary Althoff Falan

Aanenson Annette Bjelland Justin Maier

01/13/19 Jim Fredrickson Loyd & Pam Bowen Pam Bowen Karen Combs Matthew Golik

01/20/19 Craig Flentie Bob Papp Holly Heser Laurie Bentley Jett Boyce

01/27/19 Russ & Laurie Bentley

Harriet Irish Lynn Franz Pat Fredrickson Jake Simac

02/03/19 Wayne Leininger Phil & Pam Koterba Dana Leininger Pam Koterba Kaitlyn Fryer

Pastor’s Page – Affirmation of Baptism: Part 4

Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you in holy baptism? to live among God’s faithful people? to hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper? to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed? to serve all people, following the example of Jesus…

We have been making our way through the baptismal covenant that we affirm when two years of instruction are completed by our Jr. High youth and when new members come to us from another Christian denomination. The first three commitments we make to this covenant are really not so hard—hang out with other Christians, come to worship, and carry what we receive into the world. OK, so maybe the third one is a bit of challenge as many of us are rather shy about using “faith talk” in our everyday lives.

But with this fourth affirmation the rubber hits the road as we examine how we live in service to our neighbors. Our high school youth got together just before Christmas and talked about the gifts we give and receive at that time of year. We talked about the gifts God gives us, especially in the person of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is both the Son and the second person of the Triune God who gave up his position in glory to enter the human life. This was his gift, coming to us where we are, living beside us, and ministering to the needs he sees in us. Truly God already knew the human need and condition before Jesus was born. It was for us that Jesus came, so that we could get a glimpse of God’s face and God’s own heart and be better able to trust that God is God with us and for us.

Even now, we receive that same presence in the Holy Meal. Jesus is present in body and blood for us—for our reassurance, for our comfort, for our empowerment to live in the world as Jesus did—for others.

By our baptism into Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection we are given the gifts we need to serve all people, following the example of Jesus. God distributes different gifts to each of us, so one person’s service will look different from another’s. But the example we are called to follow is a life of service that enters into the need of others. Some of us minister to older folks, some to children. Some of us serve with food and others using skills like building or cleaning or leadership in service organizations.

This month we will be learning how Zion Lutheran can be more intentional about the ways we as a congregation serve all people through the coordinated efforts of Heart of Montana LoveINC.

It is my hope that when we gather as a community of faith we learn to encourage one another in our lives of service. It is my prayer that our worship times feed us with the Word and the presence of Christ so that we are empowered to live out our faith in lives of service.

May this be the year we say “yes” to the opportunities God places before us to serve all people following the example of Jesus.

In grateful service with you, Pastor Lynne

The Zion staff extends our warmest thanks for the gifts given by the congregation and individual members. We appreciate working with you all in the mission of the gospel!

Worship News Be sure to come to worship on Sunday, January 6th, the Day of the Epiphany! It isn’t often that this day falls on a Sunday. This is the day we remember the journey of the magi from distant lands who came to worship baby Jesus. Just as they followed the light of the star to find him, we too follow the light of Christ who continues to shine into the world.

Sunday School Announcements

Thanks to all who took part in our book fair! We raised a total of $101.20 adding to our Good Gifts donation. Sunday school will resume on January 6th with a cross+generational “Epiphany Sunday School” event

in the fellowship hall. The congregation is invited to join in this family event created for all ages! Plans for Vacation Bible School this summer are already in the works! Volunteers are needed to help with planning

and implementation. If you are able and interested in helping in any way please contact Falan at 350-2112!

HS Youth News January 13— 6:00 pm as usual at the church. Have an idea for something you’d like to do that night? Contact Pr Lynne, 380-0760.

January 27— BOWLING!!! 4:00 – 6:00 pm Because of their leagues we need to meet earlier. Meet us at Snowy Lanes. We have 4 lanes reserved so we have room for YOU!! Bring a friend. The church will pay for shoes and the first game. Bring your own money for snacks.

RAINBOW CHOIR The Rainbow Choir kids presented a wonderful and inspiring Christmas program once again this

year! Debby would like to tip her hat to our Zion kids as they put their hearts into the songs, a fact

that was delightfully evident to those who were able to attend this wonderful annual Christmas event.

Following the Christmas break, Rainbow Choir kids will resume their activities beginning Wednesday,

January 16, 2019.

The Rainbow choir kids will be doing some visits to some of our church members this winter

and spring. Keep your eyes open for more information and a time frame for these planned visits and

thank you in advance for welcoming us into your homes.

As we begin our New Year, we would like to share our appreciation for Lana and Foss who

faithfully provide the Rainbow Choir (& confirmation kids) with absolutely wonderful after-school

snacks every week! Special thanks go out also to Lynette Sallee, with her awesome piano ability,

helping to lead the choir kids every Wednesday. It would be most helpful to have an additional adult

in the room. If you are able to help out even on just one or two occasions; Debby, Lynette and the

kids would really appreciate it! Please consider sharing your time from 3:30-5:00 pm on any

Wednesday of your choice! It's a great way for the kids to get to know more of our church family!

You may even find yourself picking up a new tune, taking part in a fun game of checkers or sharing

your artistic talents for an occasional art project. Call Debby Shobe at 366-5864 if you can give

some of your time! Happy New Year!

Celebrating our 1st Anniversary as a Stephen Ministry Congregation.

Stephen Ministry at Zion Lutheran is having its 1st anniversary in the month of January. We have been a Stephen Ministry congregation since the Council, with support from the congregation, made the decision in 2017 to create a Stephen Ministry program. It takes time to put a program of this worth together, so we are calling January, when our first classes to train our Stephen Ministers started, as our Anniversary month. This is a ministry of and by the congregation. Each and every member has had a hand in the creation and success of our program. You may not feel like you have done anything to bring forth this ministry, but by asking questions, keeping those involved in the ministry in your prayers, and learning about what Stephen Ministry is you are helping to further the ministry.

For those who have committed their time to being Stephen Leaders and Ministers, we say a huge THANK YOU. You heard God’s calling and the gifts He has bestowed upon you are being used in such rewarding ways, not only for you, but for the care receivers you are caring for. You are the caregiver and God is the cure-giver.

Through the past year and a half there have been three Stephen Leaders trained, seven Stephen Ministers and two Stephen Leaders (learning as they taught) attending 50 hours of training, five caring relationships brought to conclusion; and four on-going caring relationships still in the process. Our Stephen Ministry team continues their commitment to the Stephen Ministry program by attending Supervision and continuing education once a month. Supervision is a time to lend support to fellow Stephen Ministers and learn more ways to be an effective minister.

Each care receiver has their own reason for wanting to embark on a Stephen Ministry caring relationship. Some may need that relationship to help them get back on track with a job, some may need that caring support to help them work through the emotional upheaval of a medical diagnosis. Others may need a Stephen Minister to help them cope with a family situation.

Whatever the reason may be, if you think you could benefit from having a Stephen Minister, it is a simple matter to start the process. A phone call to Pastor Lynne (538-5082 / 380-0760) is all it takes, or fill out the Stephen Ministry pew card in the pew rack and drop it in the offering plate, or the mail if you prefer. ALL Stephen Ministry contacts and caring relationships are treated with confidentiality.

Come celebrate this first anniversary with us in worship on Wednesday, Jan. 23rd and Sunday, Jan. 27th. The next time you see one of our Stephen Ministry team members ask them questions about the program, thank them for their Ministry, or let them know you are praying for them and their care receivers.

Blessings to each and every one in this New Year. Your Stephen Ministry Team

Pr. Lynne Ogren DeeAnn Buehler Annette Fjeldheim

Jim Fredrickson Lana Papp Teresa Stokken Emily Standley

Logan Standley Roger Woltermann Kris Descheemaeker

Pastor Lynne Ogren Zion Lutheran Church, ELCA PO Box 147 604 W. Evelyn St. Lewistown, MT 59457 406-538-5082 (church) 406-380-0760 (cell)

Praying for unity Every January, the Christian church worldwide marks the Week of Prayer for

Christian Unity. This ecumenical “octave,” or eight-day observance, lasts from

January 18 (the Feast of St. Peter) to January 25 (the Feast of St. Paul).

The week is based on Jesus’ prayer to his heavenly Father in John 17:21 that his

followers “may all be one … so that the world may believe that you have sent

me” (ESV). Jesus knew that if Christians were fiercely divided, people outside

the faith wouldn’t want to learn more about him.

The theme for the 2019 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is from Deuteronomy

16:20 (NRSV): “Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue.”

Youth Minister Position now open! The church council has put together a job description for a half-time Youth Minister. This person will pay particular attention to the youth of this congregation and the local community in grades 7-12 and their families. The primary focus of this position is to equip and nurture their ongoing faith formation lived out of the covenant God makes with us in Holy Baptism.

Please join us in praying for someone who has the heart and experience to fill this position. If you or someone you know would like more information, contact the church office for a full job description and application.

Good Gifts and World Hunger

Our Social Concern for the Month of

December benefiting ELCA World Hunger

and Good Gifts raised just over $2000.00

through congregational donations, the

purchase of “Good Gifts” ornaments on the

tree in the Narthex, Noisy Offering, and the

book fair. Our “Good Gifts” tree resulted in

the purchase of 10 goats, 13 pigs, 5 chicks, 1

Bible, 1 soup kitchen sponsoring 50 meals, 1

sponsorship for a refugee family, 8 honey

bee starters, 6 school fees and 3 micro

business loans! Thanks to all for these good

gifts that will surely be a blessing to those

who receive them!

Please take a moment to fill out and return the Congregational Vitality Project handout in this newsletter. This

worksheet gives our congregational leaders the opportunity to engage members in exploring our

congregational life & how we are impacting our members, our community & our world. Once returned to the

church office, the communications coordinator will tabulate the results and send them along with the annual

report to the ELCA Synod.

http://getdrawings.com/images/vines-

drawing-11.jpg

Zion Lutheran Annual Congregational Meeting, February 3rd, 2019 following worship

Who likes to go to meetings? Not many of us, but we know that a congregation doesn’t function without the participation and input of its members. Please mark this day on your calendar and be prepared to stay after worship for our annual meeting. A voting member is a confirmed person who has, during the current or preceding calendar year, communed in this congregation and has made a contribution of record to the congregation.

We will elect new council members and delegates to some of our partner ministries in the synod. We will approve the Ministry Spending Plan (a.k.a. “the budget”) for the coming year. And we have a change to the by-laws that requires a congregational vote. Please give your support to the vitality of Zion Lutheran by attending this important meeting.

Proposed Change to the By-laws

The Zion Lutheran Church Congregational Council has approved a change to the Constitution and will bring it to the annual meeting scheduled on February 3, 2018, for discussion and a vote. The proposed change concerns how the treasurer functions. In the past, our treasurer also served as the book keeper. The proposal is for a council member to serve as the treasurer who has voice and vote on the council. The book keeper will be a paid staff member and will work with the treasurer and the Finance Committee. This change, if approved, would replace item d. in Section 2 - Duties of Elected Officers, Church Treasurer and Administrative Secretary of PART V - OFFICERS AND BOARDS of the BYLAWS located on page 23 of the current Constitution document.

Existing Bylaw: Part V – Officers and Boards 2. d. The treasurer, and persons authorized by the Council, shall have custody of all funds of the congregation, except those designated by the Trust Fund’s constitution to the Trust Committee. They shall receive and disburse such funds in accordance with the decisions of the congregation or the Congregational Council; receive and promptly deposit all offerings and funds of the congregation; arrange as able two individuals to count and record offerings; maintain and provide adequate records of all receipts, expenses, and other funds of the congregation; provide an annual report to the congregation.

Proposed Change (additions in bold): 2. d. The treasurer, and persons authorized by the Council to be the Bookkeeper, shall have custody of all funds of the congregation, except those designated by the Trust Fund’s constitution to the Trust Committee. They shall receive and disburse such funds in accordance with the decisions of the congregation or the Congregational Council; receive and promptly deposit all offerings and funds of the congregation; arrange as able two individuals to count and record offerings; maintain and provide adequate records of all receipts, expenses, and other funds of the congregation; provide an annual report to the congregation. The treasurer shall be an elected member of the Congregational Council and shall serve on the Finance Committee and shall be the Finance Committee representative on the Council.

Please give your support to the vitality of Zion Lutheran by attending this important meeting.

Social Concern of the Month for January:

Heart of Montana LoveINC

For the month of January our Social Concern of the Month will be Heart of Montana LoveINC. The INC in the name stands for In the Name of Christ. LoveINC is a larger organization that has been around for over 40 years.

Love Inc. is a national movement with local impact that works to encourage, equip, & elevate local LoveINCs in the mobilization of local churches with a goal to transform lives & communities ~ LOVE - In the Name of Christ.

The Love INC ministry model is relational because we believe Christ-like relationships are transformative. In every expression of Love INC ministry, relationships are key – relationships between church volunteers and neighbors in need, relationships among churches, relationships with Christians across denominations, and relationships throughout the community. When Love INC flourishes in a community, healthy relationships grow, Christian love thrives and struggling neighbors receive support, friendship, and the kind of practical help they need.

Heart of Montana Love INC (HOMLINC) is a non-profit Christian organization that seeks to empower and unify local churches in the name of Jesus Christ. LoveINC exists to serve the church in order that all congregations involved may be more efficient with their time, finances, and talents in order to better accomplish the common mission of serving Jesus Christ in the service of the neighbor.

On January 13 we will hear from the executive directors Shelene Reno and Danielle Barth in worship and during Adult Forum. Our Social Concern of the Month offerings throughout January and the “God’s Work. Our Hands” breakfast on January 20th will benefit HOMLINC.

There are 137 Love INC locations in 29 states that partner with 7,812 Christian Churches to serve hundreds of thousands of people in need. To learn more come to adult forum on Sunday, January 13th

to hear about the work being done locally or go to www.loveinc.org and learn more about how this organization is transforming lives the world over.

“God’s Work ~ Our Hands“ ~January Breakfast~

This month, the “God’s Work Our Hands” breakfast will be hosted by the Social and Caring Ministry to benefit Heart of Montana LoveINC. It will take place in

the Fellowship Hall following worship on Sunday January 20th.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK! https://www.facebook.com/Zion-Lutheran-Church-Lewistown-806871219346511/

Newsletter Info! Do you have information that you’d like included in the February

Newsletter? E-mail it or drop it off at the church office by Sunday, January 27th

Emails can be sent to:

zionelca@midrivers.com Attention Lynn

Weekly announcements come out in the E-Blast every Monday morning. Send your news or if you’d like

to receive the E-Blast, send us your email address!

Special dates • New Year’s Day, January 1, 2019 • Epiphany, January 6, 2019 • Baptism of the Lord, January 13, 2019 • Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2019 • Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 21, 2019

A New Year’s Resolution is something

that goes in one year and out the

other! Author Unknown