December 2020-January 2021 Zion Lutheran Church Messenger Auburn, MI
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December 2020—January 2021
Zion Lutheran Church Messenger
Auburn, MI
Message from Pastor
Patiently Waiting During Advent
Advent is the season of the church year leading up to Christmas. The word Advent meaning “coming.” Advent re-
minds us to prepare for Christmas as we wait patiently to celebrate the birth of Christ, His first coming. Advent is
easy to skip over in church and in our life. The radio stations are playing Christmas music already. But Advent helps
us to focus on the preparation and waiting that the people of God of old had to endure as they trusted that a Savior
would come one day. God had promised a Savior to the Old Testament people. They lived in eager anticipation that
the Savior would be born any day. They had to trust in the promises of God while they waited. Many people of God
died before Christ was born. Yet they died in the faith knowing that God would one day fulfill His promise of sending
a Savior.
I saw the following statement on Facebook the other day. It talks about what Advent is about and how we should
view it. It’s Advent, not Christmas. Advent is the season that reminds us there may be no Christmas this year. What
does it mean that there may be no Christmas this year? It is not talking about Christmas being “cancelled” or differ-
ent because of Covid. Rather it is speaking to the hope that Christ may return before December 25 th. If Christ re-
turns before December 25th, we will not celebrate Christmas here on earth.
Our ultimate and certain hope is for Christ to return. We know it is going to happen one day. In Advent, we prepare
not only to rejoice in the birth of Christ at His first coming at Bethlehem, we also pray for the return of Christ. At His
return, Christ will open up salvation for us who trust in Him. There will be a new heaven and new earth in all of
God’s fullness and glory. Christ will resurrect the dead and we will be with Him forever. As Christians, we long for
and look forward to that day.
Christ’s return may happen before Christmas this year. It may not happen for another 500 years. Whenever it hap-
pens, we are ready for it. We are ready for it because Christ has suffered and died for us and rose again. Christ
makes us ready by His grace and mercy. May your Advent be filled with peace and joy as we patiently wait for
Christmas and Christ’s return.
In Christ,
Pastor Seth Hemme
Pastor Andrew Menz 989-513-0197 e-mail:andrewmenz@gmail.com
Pastor Seth R. Hemme 989-600-5343 e-mail: pastorhemme@yahoo.com
♥ The mission of Zion Lutheran Church is to better know and show Christ's love. ♥
Preschool and Day School News TEAM held an apple pie t-shirt sale in lieu of an actual apple pie sale this year. They sold 276 shirts, which was amazing. We want to thank everyone that purchased a shirt to support our school and students. I hope you had a chance to view some of the videos and pictures on Facebook from our school Har- vest party. It was a chilly day, but that didn’t stop the fall fun. We want to thank the Putnam’s for the hayrides behind that classic beauty of a tractor they have. Students shared, “it was one of the best days ever.” Our Veterans Day Celebration Parade went great. We had fewer vets this year than last, but that was expected with COVID. We had State Representative Annette Glenn Grand Marshall our parade. We were pleased to also have the Great Lakes Bay Veterans Coalition and Beaver Township Fire De- partment a part of our celebration too. Our parade even made WNEM’s 5 o’clock news. We held a mock vote on Election Day and it was a hit with the kids. We did our best to give them a memorable but realistic voting experience. They had to register to vote, be verified at sign-in, then reverified to be given their ballot. Then they headed to the booth to vote, and even received their “I Voted” sticker to complete the process. We had some fun things to vote on too. We asked what their favorite pop, cereal, and dress-up day were as well as if they would prefer an extra recess or a movie in the gym, and more. Based on the voting results we are going to have F.O.F (Fun on Fridays) at school incorporating what won at the polls. So far, we have had ice cream treats, PJ day, and a movie in the gym. It’s a way to help instill that every vote counts and their vote matters. Mark your calendars for the School Christmas Service on Sunday, December 20th from 5 pm-6:30 pm. Due to COVID, this year will be completely different than past services. We are going to have you stay in your car and drive-thru the journey to Bethlehem. All students preschool-8th grade will be a part of the same service. With the drive-thru being a silent event, we will still have the students share the Christmas message by signing and reciting Luke 2:1-20 in a special recording on Facebook on Friday, December 18th. We pray to get back to having our normal school and church events. Until then, we will continue to think out of the box to provide our students opportunities and experiences here at Zion. We also want to share these experiences with our congregation members. We are so thankful and blessed to have all of your support, care, concern, and prayer. I wish you a safe, healthy, and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. In His Service, Colett Dominowski
Communion
If you are not comfortable attending services at Zion but would like to
receive the Lord’s Supper, the pastors will be providing a brief commun-
ion service to those seated in their vehicles from 10:30 – 11:00 AM on
Sunday, December 13th. Just pull up through the covered entrance on the east end of the
building. Also, if you would like a home communion visit, contact the office and the pastors
will arrange something with you.
Jams and Jellies
We all know that this past year has been different. But you know what? God still provided
us with plenty of pickles and berries to make the jams, jellies, syrups, relish, and bread &
butter pickles that we usually have for sale at the country store. The price is the same as
last year, $3.50 a jar. Proceeds benefit The Ladies of Zion. We have
sweet pickle relish, bread and butter pickles, raspberry and elderberry
syrup, and 15 different flavors of jams and jellies. If you would like some
please contact Lynn Leinberger at 989-662-2545.
Santa Store
The pandemic version of the Santa Store will take place on Friday, De-
cember 11th in the school gym. It will look a little different this year
due to the limit of volunteers in the school, but the staff is working
hard to make it another worthwhile experience for everyone. Cur-
rently no donations are needed for this year.
2021 Offering Envelopes
We are presently in the process of preparing 2021 offering envelopes for
distribution. Most people find using offering envelopes a helpful way to
give. They allow givers to give in a confidential manner and assure that gifts are directed
toward the proper fund with minimal confusion. Offering envelopes also provide a way for
the church to provide contributors receipts for charitable gifts. We realize that some people
prefer not to use envelopes for their giving and do not need receipts for their charitable giv-
ing from the church. As was the case in 2020, offering envelopes will only be automatically
assigned for those confirmed members who made use of them during the previous year. If
you never received envelopes and would like a set, we will happily assign them to you in the
coming year. Regular visitors can also be assigned envelopes if they want them. Simply
contact the church office or the finance chairman or secretary. Envelopes for 2021 should
be ready to be picked up in the basement by the weekend of December 19th & 20th.
Our Shut-Ins
If you would like to share some joy this Holiday Season with
members of Zion who are “Shut-Ins,” below is a list of their names and addresses. A simple
Christmas card from someone in their church family could really brighten their day.
Wayne Sallach Mel Garchow Gary Wirsing
2905 N. Meridian Rd. 4835 Cardinal Dr. 5224 Perrine Rd.
Sanford MI 48657 Bay City, MI 48706 Midland, MI 48640
Sandy Krieger Roy Krieger Karen Wenglikowski
1275 S. Eleven Mile Rd. 1233 S. Eleven Mile Rd. 960 S. Eight Mile Rd.
Auburn, MI 48611 Auburn, MI 48611 Kawkawlin, MI 48631
Ken Jenkins Luella Strohpaul Luella Ittner
2892 Chip Rd. 744 W. Seidlers Rd. 2452 Garfield Rd.
Midland, MI 48642 Auburn, MI 48611 Auburn, MI 48611
Esther Kraus Emil Philipp Gayle Krause
3636 Klender 874 W. Kitchen Rd. 65 S. Garfield Rd.
Rhodes, MI 48652 Linwood, MI 48634 Linwood, MI 48634
Alice Lederer Joyce Potter Donna Kuch
1332 Cheryl Lynn Lane Lot 17 3439 W. Pressler Dr. 678 W. Seilder Rd.
Midland, MI 48642 Bay City, MI 48706 Auburn, MI 48611
Marci Jammer Mary Hart Esther Troxell
P.O. Box 211 4819 S. Flajole Rd. 4969 Parish Rd.
Linwood, MI 48634 Midland, MI 48642 Midland, MI 48642
Betty Engerer
Medilodge Nursing Home
500 School Rd.
Sterling, MI 48659
Celebrate Our Savior’s Birth
Candlelight Communion Service
Christmas Eve, December 24th
at 5:30 pm,7 pm, 8:30 pm, and 10 pm
Christmas Festival Worship with Communion
Christmas Day, December 25th
9 am
O Come Let Us Adore Him
Christ the Lord.
New Year’s Service
New Year’s Eve
6 pm
A sign up is requested for these services. Please check your email for
the SignUpGenius or call the office 989-662-4264 to sign up.
A Blessed Christmas
From
Pastor Menz and Pastor Hemme, Teachers and Staff of
Zion Lutheran Church and School.
Service Change
There will be no service on Saturday, December 26th.
Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
God with Us
You can pick up a copy of the Advent Devotions in the church. You can also
call the school and we will bring a copy out for you if you are not attending
service.
Church Camp
This year we will be going to Mitchell State Park in Cadillac, MI. If you would
like to join us this coming camping year, the dates are July 23rd-25th 2021.
The cost to camp is $33/night, plus a $8.00 reservation fee. Please call June
Block (835-5378) or Peggy Wirsing (450-2381) to “register” with your info in-
cluding credit card number by January 17, 2021. You may also turn your information in to
June by email at bjblock48@gmail.com.
Snow Birds
We know some of our members are leaving for the warmer climates.
Please let the office know when you’re leaving and when you will re-
turn. We are more than happy to send you the weekly church bulletin
and the monthly Messenger via snail mail or email. Safe travels and
beautiful weather!
It’s LUTHERAN WITNESS time!
This is the time of year when the members of our congregation have the
opportunity to order or renew subscriptions of The Lutheran Witness (LW).
Subscription renewals are $11.60 for the year. All orders need to be turned
in to the District Office by December 15, 2019. Please make your payment
to Zion Lutheran Church drop it in the offering plate in an envelope with “Lutheran Witness”
printed on the front, or bring to the office and we will handle all the paperwork.
Ladies of Zion
The Ladies of Zion next meeting will be January 13th at 6:30 pm.
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