Messenger for October 2021 - Zion Lutheran Church
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Messenger for October 2021
The world needs hope. Day in -
HOPE, MORE THAN EVER, THE day out, what we see on TV, hear and
WORLD NEEDS IT NOW read in the news is all the bad, all the
tragic, broken, and despair stuff of the
world. Just now, in this moment, here’s what’s happening: Volcano in Hawaii,
political strife, shootings in Chicago, unemployment, inflation, Afghanistan,
firefighters hurt and police under attack - It’s what Paul wrote in Romans 8.22
“The whole creation is groaning to be set free from its’ bondage to corruption
and decay, and for the sons of God to be revealed.” It’s the news, the whole
news, nothing but the news. Our world desperately needs hope.
The whole creation is groaning.” People are groaning. Have a look at our Zion
prayer list. Listen to the groaning . . . cancer, leukemia, cellulitis, depression,
economic crisis, mourning, grief at the loss of loved ones. In fact, you may even
find yourself thinking you’d rather not know about it all. Dr. Jeff Gibbs, former
CSSL professor, once noted, “As God’s hope-filled people in the world, we must
guard against losing the ability to hear the groaning. Listen to the groaning.
Listen to your own life, and the lives of others. Petty jealousy and laziness and
just plain indifference prevent us from reaching others with the Gospel.” Take for
example gossip: Gossip destroys the good name of our neighbor. One theologian
notes: “What will break up a friendship more quickly than gossip? I can’t think of
anything that will drive a wedge between Christian brothers or sisters more
quickly than spreading gossip.” It’s a daily reality, by the means of phone calls,
emails, Facebook posts, sometimes even during Bible studies, we fail to protect
the reputation of others.
The whole creation is groaning.” Listen to the groaning, yes, but more than the
groaning listen to our Lord. Listen to His invitation, ‘Come all you who are
weary.’ Listen to the announcement of His forgiveness and grace, ‘take and eat’
‘take and drink.’ The world needs hope. We the people of God have hope and
more: “In Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their
trespasses against them-For our sake God made Him to be sin who knew no sin,
so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5.19,
21
Here now is the message of hope to all the brokenness and despair of the world.
God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, and by His life,
suffering, death, and resurrection . . . God offers this new life. “If anyone is in
Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has
come.” 2 Corinthians 5.17
More than 2000 years ago, on the night of our Lord’s birth, an angel of the Lord
announced, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will
be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior
who is Christ the Lord.” For unto you – unto our world of brokenness and
despair where death continues to fill graveyards . . . Jesus Christ IS hope!
When Jesus returns, our hope in Him will be made sure, groaning will be silenced
once and for all. Until His coming again . . until His final advent, comfort one
another with these words. Pastor Kelly
”May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the
power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
2
From the Principal’s Desk:
What a school year full of blessings at Zion Lutheran School!
Enrollment-The Zion Lutheran School is blessed to have 83 students
enrolled in K-8th grade and 44 students enrolled in our preschool
program. This year has brought many challenges to overcome (Covid
protocols, governor’s mandates, etc), however God has given the staff at
Zion the opportunity to use the gifts He has given to navigate through
those challenges.
Chapel-We are blessed to lead 127 students in our school and
those students
have heard God’s Word each and everyday. We are able to have
an in-person chapel (the highlight of my week!) If you have the
opportunity, please join us on Wednesday mornings at 8:30 as our
school children fill the pews and the sanctuary with singing voices and
prayer.
3
Youth Group- “Are all those kids in OUR youth group?” This was one of
the best statements heard by Zion’s youth co-leader, Kristi Cook, at the
Saturday service. The youth group attended service together before their
event, “Bingo Bonanza.” Our youth group, which is approximately 30
members strong, has started off this year on a very strong foot. They meet
bi-monthly (sometimes more), participate in Bible study, activities, and
fundraising events. A good part of our youth group has committed to
attending the National Youth Gathering in June of 2022. They need to
raise about $20,000 in order to send about 20 youth and chaperones to
the gathering.
The National Youth Gathering is NOT a vacation, but a meeting of
Lutheran Youth from around the county. Those who have been to the
youth gathering in years prior have expressed what a profound impact the
gathering had on their faith life. What a unique opportunity Zion has to
help our youth attend an event that will plant so many seeds of Christ in
their hearts.
Organizing The staff and church volunteers have been hard at work
organizing and decluttering the school. We still have some work to
do. The “sausage supper closet” has been completely cleaned out with the
guidance of Ladies’ Aid members. There is now room to grow and store
necessary items for the sausage supper in the closet.
The auditorium was cleaned out and we have the goal of the end of
November to have it totally organized. Storage shelves were also
purchased and used to organize the locker rooms. Overall, we have been
very conscious in picking up and leaving the school organized and neat
looking. Please help us in this effort. If your group has an event or
meeting at the school, please make sure all supplies that are used are put
back in their place. If you don’t know where it goes, please leave a note
with the items so we know where they came from.
Kitchen-Within the year, there will be new additions to the
kitchen. Since August of 2020, the food program has been able to offer
free lunch and breakfast for each Zion student through a program offered
by the USDA. For the 2021-2022 school year, the Zion Food Program
receives $4.31 for each lunch it serves and $2.46 for each breakfast it
serves. This has led to excess money in the food program, which means the
Zion Food Program will need to use the excess money on kitchen
equipment and supplies. (Per ISBE Child Nutrition Standards, to keep the
Food Program under the requirement of a non-profit status, we are only
allowed to keep 3 months of working capital in the Food Program
account). We are hopeful to purchase new kitchen equipment that will
make cooking meals faster and more efficient.
4
Improvements: You have probably noticed our new front door, new
concrete in front of the school, and resurfaced playground. The local
Girl Scouts have donated, and planted, 3 redbud trees on the west side of
the building as a culmination of their troop project. More improvements
are also on the way. The trustees have been working hard and
coordinating the driveway to be resurfaced, and other fixes, and
improvements around the outdoors. A big thank you to all who have given
their time and talents to Zion!
Youth Group News:
Thank you to all who came out to bingo to support the youth group and for all the
silent auction donations. We raised enough money for all our adult leader's
registration fees. Next little goal will be to cover half of the youth’s registration
fees (youth pay for half themselves) in the amount of $2800.
Our next fundraiser is a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction scheduled for
Sunday, October 24 following the 10:30 a.m. service. A free will offering will be
accepted for your meal and we will auction desserts around 12:30 p.m. We are
in need of homemade desserts to be donated. If you are willing to donate a
dessert please text or call Kristi at (618)972-5239.
October happenings:
October 10: Youth group 2-4 p.m. (note the time change)
October 23: Bonfire and activities at Cook's house 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
October 24: Spaghetti dinner and dessert auction (no youth group on this
day)
October 31: Car in the trunk or treat 4-6 p.m.
5November fundraisers:
November 6: Porch sign party
It is $25 to make a 2-sided porch sign and you can do an additional smaller sign
for $10. Please contact Laura Erzen or Kristi Cook if you would like to be
included in this party.
November 20: Krispy Kreme fundraiser
LWML SUNDAY is the weekend of October 2 &3, 2021. Free will
donations will be collected to support LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF.
Thank you, too, to all of our LWML and Ladies Aid members who serve
God’s mission here at Zion and beyond. Thank you also to Zion
members for your contributions and support.
CLERGY SUNDAY is Sunday October 10th this year! If you would like
to honor and celebrate with a card or gift, there will be a basket in the
back of the church to put it in. Many thanks to God for our devoted
pastor, Pastor Mitteis, who does so much for Zion
A Fun, fall afternoon is planned for some sign making, food, and
music! On Saturday November 6th, from 2-4pm, Laura Erzen will be
teaching a porch sign making with a design of your choice. They will
be 2-sided, for only $25. All proceeds are going to help our youth
group. Kristi Cook is the host and you may contact Laura Erzen at
618-606-4788 We also have the following groups on facebook to
connect with to know more about this event: Zion Lutheran Youth
Group, Staunton, IL and Zion Lutheran Staunton Women's Bible Study
We look forward to seeing you there for some fall fun!
The Board of Evangelism would like to thank everyone who came out
to the fall/chili festival last Sunday. We were blessed with a beautiful
day, great food, fun, fellowship & a great turn out. Thank you to
everyone who helped in any way. The winners of the chili competition
are: 1st place, a tie between Danny Mosser and Nicki Sies; 2nd place,
6Eva Bartony; and 3rd place, a tie between Tim Seelbach and Randy
Williams. All winnings were donated back to Zion. To God be the
glory!~Nicki Sies and all of the Zion Evangelism Board
Trunk-or-Treat is coming up! It will be held on Sunday, October
31st, 4-6 pm. If you are interested in entering a decorated vehicle,
please contact Pam Kleckner at Zion School, 635-3060. Thanks!
Better Together Weekend – Save the Date!
Sunday, November 21, is scheduled to be Better Together Sunday
at Zion. One worship service that Sunday, at 10 o’clock. (There will
be no 8 am service.)The 10 o’clock service will be followed by a
special catered dinner in the school gym, where we will hear reports
about what wonderful things God is doing at Zion. Watch your
mailbox soon for your invitation to this special event!
From Zion Church Secretary
See our recent News & Notes for more information about our church, Bible
Studies, school, youth group and other events. As always, you are welcome to call
the church office 8:00 am to 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to speak to
Pastor, or to the secretary. Pastor Mitteis will not be around the office Monday
October 11 to October 20th. He WILL be back on Thursday, October 21st.
May God Bless your October!
Please check for updates on Google Calendar and on our website: http://www.zion-
luth.org/
7October 2021
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
CALENDAR
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
5 pm Worship-
Pr. Girardin
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
8 am Worship. 9:15 Volleyball 6pm Chapel 8:30 am Bible Study 9am NO SCHOOL 5 pm Worship-
am Lydia Circle Evangelism 5:00p Pr. Mitteis
SSchool&Catechism 9:00 Stewardship 6 pm
10:30 Worship Glenwood Trustees 6:30p
LWML SUNDAY 10:30 Men’s Club 7:30p
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
8 am Worship 9:15 Columbus Day Chapel 8:30 am School’s 5 pm Worship-
am SSchool&Cat No School- Lydia Circle NO Bible Study Family Night Pr. Kirby
10:30 Worship Pastor Mitteis 9:00 Shipmates 6 pm 6pm
CLERGY SUNDAY is GONE Pastor absent
Youth Group 2-4pm School Board for
6:30 pm Glenwood
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
8 am Worship Elders 7:00 pm Chapel 8:30 Pastor Mitteis is 5 pm Worship-
9:15 am Lydia Circle BACK Pr. Mitteis
SSchool&Cat 9:00 Bible Study 9am
10:30 Worship Pastor absent
for Glenw.
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
8 am Worship Parish Chapel 8:30 Bible Study 9am 5 pm Worship-
9:15 am Ed.7:00pm Lydia Circle Admin.Councel6:30 Pr. Mitteis
SSchool&CAT 9:00 Alumni&Friend7:00
10:30 Worship Glenwood
31
8 am Worship
9:15
amS.School&Cat
10:30 Worship
4:00pm T/Treat
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