Coordinating Council Meeting

Minutes Page 2

Financial News Page 3

Birthdays and Anniversaries Page 4

Lent Information Page 5

Zion Lutheran Church News Page 6

Women Serving Christ

Meeting Minutes Page 6

Principal’s Report Page 7

Calendars Pages 8 & 9

What happens to us when we die? What an important question, be-

cause we all need and want to know the answer!

Many people attempt to guess at an answer, even people whom many

others trust! The guesses are all over the place. Some people think that we

will reincarnate as a new life after we die. Others think we continue as a

ghost over a favorite spot or maybe as an angel over a favorite friend.

Our eternal God gives the trustworthy answer in the Bible for his be-

lievers. He moved one of the authors of the Scriptures to write:

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep,

or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus

died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those

who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell

you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will

certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself

will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the

archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise

first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together

with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with

the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

We no longer have to grieve like everyone else who may still be

guessing about what happens to us when we die. The question has been an-

swered for us. By his death, Jesus paid for our sins. By his resurrection, Je-

sus guarantees that those who believe in him will have life with him after

death. We will spend eternity with him in glory!

Now, since we know that those who fall asleep in Jesus will enter

life in heaven, we want to dedicate ourselves to reading, studying, and ap-

plying God's Word! We want to make sure that all our loved ones know the

truth about God's love for them in Christ, so that trusting our Savior we

don’t have to wonder what will happen to us when we die. We know with

confidence that we will be together forever with the Lord in heaven.

For more Questions & Answers, go to www.WhatAboutJesus.com,

then Questioning God.

1. The Coordinating Council met on January 13, 2015, and opened with devotion.

2. Pastor’s Report: Pastor reported that Deb Cross has requested to be released from Zion. It was approved.

Financial secretary Kevin MacNeill reported that December giving helped gain ground on the budget.

Church treasurer Robert Wille reported that he is currently holding about $20,000 in unpaid bills.

School Board Chairman Jim Emmendorfer reported that the school is looking into getting a spotlight for

the school sign, and they are discussing whether to have the school play at the church or the Peet Center.

Elder’s Board chairman Steve Lane reported that visitations are scheduled for the upcoming Sunday, and

that letters will be sent to non-responders by March 2, 2015.

Property Board chairman Ray Klipper reported that the furnace will be discussed in Old Business.

Evangelism Board: No report from Chairman Clayton Kaufmann.

Family Ministry Board: No report from Chairman Brian Rohac.

Adult Discipleship Board: No report from Chairman Tom Hoover.

There will be representative from Mauer Heating and Cooling at church at 6:00 pm on January 20, 2015.

All available Council and Board members are asked to attend to ask questions about this bid.

- After hearing from the Mauer representative, the Council Chairman will address the congregation to

update them on the status of the furnace project on Sunday, January 26, 2015.

Electronic Giving: The Council Chairman will also address the congregation concerning the progress of

the electronic giving project on Sunday, January 26, 2015.

Men Alive: Pastor reminded the council about the men’s retreat called “Men Alive,” which will be held at

Sullivan’s Black Forest in Frankenmuth on Saturday, February 21, 2015. Pastor urged all Council mem-

bers to attend as they are leaders in our congregation. All men in the congregation are encouraged to go!

Housing Allowance: A motion was made and supported to set the housing allowance for Zion’s Pastor

and Principal at $5,000, a rental value of $400/month, and a business expense not to be reimbursed at

$2,000 for each.

Scholarship Fund: A motion was made and supported to administer the monies from the scholarship fund

to the eligible members who applied as directed by the church policies. These members are Luke, Hans,

and Orie Thomford.

Parsonage Basement: Pastor Thomford requested permission to put up a wall in the parsonage basement.

Permission was unanimously granted.

Request For Time Off: Pastor Thomford requested time off to drive his in-laws to Florida. Permission

was unanimously granted.

6. The meeting closed with Luther’s Evening Prayer.

December 31, 2015

$340.00

January 4, 2015

$5,309.74

January 11, 2015

$3,957.80

January 18, 2015

$4,405.95

January 25,2015

$4,128.05

$32,183.01 November 2014 Offerings

-$2,710.00 minus memorials and non-budget offerings

$29,473.01 Offerings to pay 2014-2015 budget

$7,368.00 Offerings per week, 4 Sundays

$5,328.00 Offerings per week needed to pay budget

$2,040.00 Over needed per week in December 2014

$141,325.32 July 1,2014 through November 30, 2014

-$7,019.98 minus memorials and non-budget offerings

$134,305.34 Offerings to pay 2014-2015 budget

$5,166.00 Offerings per 26 Sundays

-$5,328.00 minus needed to meet budget

$162.00 Under budget per week

$4,212.00 Under budget for 13 Sundays

The synod has received $21,272,502 to date ($20,995,243 in 2013; $20,785,927 subscribed in 2014).

The Michigan District has remitted $2,305,063 to date ($2,126,152 in 2013; $2,234,224 subscribed in 2014).

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Kris Schulz 2/1

Matthew Emmendorfer 2/2

Kimberly Schoch 2/2

Janice Burk 2/3

Theresa Frelitz 2/3

Brad Donovan 2/4

Kathleen Mahoney 2/4

Brian Rohac 2/6

Evan Diener 2/7

Landon Diener 2/7

Jerry Gross 2/7

Clayton Kaufmann 2/7

Erik Neumeyer 2/7

Donald Bates 2/8

Carol Graham 2/8

Charlene Stobb 2/8

Elizabeth Cherry 2/9

Kirk Willson 2/11

Jeanne Fox 2/12

Paul Jensen 2/13

Lauren Borucki 2/14

Lisa Borucki 2/14

Makenzie Hedrich 2/14

Valarie Wille 2/14

Clara Andres 2/16

Jeffery Sadilek 2/16

Anton Schulz 2/16

Joseph Agnew 2/17

Edward List, Sr 2/18

Zachary Stevenson 2/18

Michele Tkaczyk 2/19

Daniel Diffin 2/24

Jody Hedrich 2/24

Justin Agnew 2/25

Karen Boyd 2/25

Jennifer Donaldson 2/25

Kaitlyn Kreger 2/26

Kelly Mose 2/26

Tamara Quackenbush 2/27

Phyllis Searle 2/28

The

MLC College Choir has been invited to sing at

WELS churches and schools in Wisconsin, Michi-

gan, Ohio, and Illinois from February 27– March 8,

2015. The closest concert to Chesaning is on March

2 at St. Paul, Saginaw. The concert is titled, “For

God So Loved the World,” and will contain newly

commissioned songs based on John 3:16.

Even though it may be wintry

outside, Camp Lor-Ray is already thinking about

this summer! Located near Twin Lake, MI. They

provide a Christ-centered recreation environment

for youth and families. They are working on several

exciting building projects for this year! Look for

more news in the coming months concerning spe-

cific dates and times to attend Camp Lor-Ray.

The annual MLS Foundation Dinner and Auction

will be held Sunday, February 15, 2015, 4:00 pm at

Sullivan's Black Forest in Frankenmuth. Reserva-

tions are necessary. The cost is $30 per person when

paid in advance and $35 when paid at the door. $10

of each ticket is a direct donation. We also need do-

nations of new items and services. Call the Founda-

tion office 989-793-1010 ext. 234 for reservations

or information.

Michigan Lutheran

Seminary is offering a $50.00 discount to NEW stu-

dents who intend to enroll in the 2015-2016 school

year. Apply by February 19, 2015 to qualify. Cur-

rent students need not apply to MLS again. This of-

fer applies only to NEW students.

Ronald & Janice Palmer 2/3

Douglas & Kimberly Schoch 2/5

Dale & Hazel Schoch 2/13

Joseph & Sandra Donovan 2/25

A little girl asked a little boy if he loved

her.

“Of course I do!” the little boy replied.

“Would you die for me?” the little girl

wondered.

After a brief pause, the honest lad said,

“No, mine is an undying love!”

Every Lenten season, Pastors from area WELS congregations get together and plan a Lenten preaching rota-

tion. All pastors will preach at all the churches in the area. Below is the theme, rotation, and information for

special services of the season of Lent, 2015.

Many historians will note that the most substantiated fact in the history of the world is the resurrection of Jesus

Christ. Our faith is dependent on this truth. If Christ had not been raised, our faith would be futile. But thanks

be to God, he is alive! Since Christ rose from the grave, we can be confident that all of his other claims are

true. This sermon series focuses on some of Jesus’ attention-getting and faith-building “I tell you the truth”

statements, a translation of the Greek word amen. The area pastors pray that Jesus’ “amen’s” will lead us all

to sound our own “amen’s” in response.

February 18, 2015—7:00 pm

Pastor Joel Thomford from Zion, Chesaning

Wednesday, February 25, 2015—7:00 pm

“I Tell You The Truth...Fruits of Faith Will Be Remembered” - Mark 14:1-9

Pastor Jason Baldwin from Hope, St. Charles

Wednesday, March 4, 2015—7:00 pm

“I Tell You the Truth… One of You Will Betray Me” - Mark 14:12-21

Pastor Joel Thomford, Zion, Chesaning

Wednesday, March 11, 2015—7:00 pm

“I Tell You the Truth… Anyone Who Sins Is a Slave to Sin” - John 8:31-36

Pastor Al Lindke, Mt. Sinai, Montrose

Wednesday, March 18, 2015—7:00 pm

“I Tell You The Truth… If One Dies, It Produces Life for Many” - John 12:23-27

Pastor Dave Mielke, Christ, Oakley

Wednesday, March 25, 2015—7:00 pm

“I Tell You The Truth,… You Will Disown Me” - Mark 14:27-31

Pastor Phil Bigelow, St. John’s, Hemlock

April 2, 2015—7:00 pm

April 3, 2015—1:00 & 7:00 pm

April 5, 2015—7:00 & 10:00 am

Easter Breakfast—8:00 am

Men Alive is a group of Christian men who encourage one another to live their lives in service to

our Savior. They sponsor an annual conference for men, and this year it will be held on February 21, 2015 at Sulli-

van’s Black Forest in Frankenmuth from 8:00 am until 3:30pm. The theme is “Built to Serve,” with keynote ad-

dresses and workshops on that topic. The cost is $30 for young men (ages 14-22) and $50 for all others. Registra-

tion materials are at church or you can register online at www.menalivebalm.org.

Do you get the Forward in Christ magazine? If you do, don’t recycle it! Share it with

friends, family, co-workers. It has great testimony stories about coming to faith, informative articles, and a wealth

of information about our sister churches throughout the world. If you currently don’t receive this monthly maga-

zine and would like to order, now is the time. The yearly cost is $12.00 and subscriptions will be renewed in Feb-

ruary. You can pay by cash or check (payable to Terry Barancik instead of Zion Lutheran Church). Please get

payment to her by Sunday, February 22. Call Terry with questions at 989.845.7777.

On February 28, 2015, Zion will host the second of two annual

Euchre tournaments. A Potluck will be served from 5:00-6:00 pm, and cards will be played from 6:00-9:00 pm.

This engaging event is not just for Zion members, so rally the people you usually play cards with and bring them

to this tournament. Not only is it fun, it can be an opportunity for outreach!

Today’s Christian Women’s Retreat registration has begun.

Registration materials are available at church and also online at www.tcwr.org. The retreat will be held April 10

and 11 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing West Hotel, Lansing, MI. The theme for their year’s retreat is “You Make

Known to me the Path of Life,”. The password for the online registration is the word retreat.

Mark your calendars! The second session of the

School of Outreach will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Lola Park Lutheran in Redford, Michigan. Partici-

pants will learn about friendship evangelism, church identity, worship welcome and assimilation. 8 members at-

tended the fall session and helped make a plan to lead our church forward. We are grateful for their contributions

and would like your participation, too! Please save the date and make plans to attend.

Pastor Thomford opened the meeting with devotion focusing on “I am the bread of life” (John 6:25-51).

The Treasurer’s and Secretary’s report was read and approved.

Jean Devereaux reported for LWMS on two projects. First, the Equipment Fund donations went to eight mis-

sion churches who received chairs, tables, coffee pots and cups. Secondly, there was an update on the World

Missions Seminary Conference, held at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon.

Terry Barancik reported on the recent Mission dinner: 60 people attended, and donations from the dinner to-

taled $387.00. A motion was made and approved to donate $400.00 to the mission in Nigeria.

Total earnings from the Bazaar and Craft Sale from December 2014 was $596.00.

WSC discussed coffee hour and decided that if coffee hour servers want to use the Bundt coffee maker, they

need to put a dated note on the large coffee maker so the deacons know not to start it.

A book sale is planned for March 1, March 4, and March 8, 2015 in the church basement.

Discussion was held about having a spa event at a later date.

A women’s retreat is scheduled April 10-11, 2015.

On Palm Sunday we will hand out Palms. Jeannie Gregory will check out where to purchase them.

The meeting closed with prayer.

Lunch servers for February are Laurie Lanczynski and Paula Huggard.

Present: Terry Barancik (President), Thelma Parshall (Treasurer), Jean Devereaux (LWMS Reporter), Harriet Ku-

kulis, Judy Mihalik, Mona Jean Allen, Karen Thomford, and Jeannie Gregory.—Submitted by Jean Devereaux.

Recently I was telling my wife that I was hoping to find a good book to read. With a smirk on her

face, she handed me a non-fiction book written by Dale Carnegie in the 1930s. I began to read the book she

suggested, and I realized the message of the book detailed how to get along better with others and how to be

more interesting. Now, I am not sure what message her smirk was sending, but she undoubtedly understood

the usefulness of the book.

Self-help books range in topic and are written for young and old alike. They help us to recognize our

need for improvement and teach us skills beneficial in our everyday lives.

So far as I have read, Dale Carnegie's book, How to Win Friends and Influence People reminds the

reader of simple social tips such as: “learn and use people's names”, “compliment more and criticize less”, and

“be a good listener and talk about the interests of others”. None of these tips were particularly mind-blowing.

None of these tips were new. That being said, all of them are easy to forget when I have had a busy day and

am feeling short.

In many ways, reading a book like this feels a lot like reading a sermon heard on Sunday: there is a fa-

miliar message that reminds me of mistakes that I continually make, and also reminders to me why those mis-

takes are damaging. Dale Carnegie also sees the spiritual connection to the material presented in his book as

he references Christ's teachings about forgiveness and concern for others.

As I read the book my wife gave me, it became more clear that the Bible which we use on Sundays is

the foundation for many of the self-help books we read on Mondays.

Zion Lutheran School teaches children the truths of the Bible. Never has a student argued that the

commandments are a good guide to live their life by, or that they are a useful part of the Scriptures. Yet, every

day the teachers spend time calmly explaining those teachings again because a student has disobeyed a com-

mandment.

Children and adults break God's laws constantly. We thank God that he is eager to forgive, and we

praise him for our school where we have the opportunity to remind students of God's Law and Gospel. Christ

alone is the best help we can ever receive.

Zion Lutheran School news and events:

The Zion boys basketball team is currently in season and the team would like to invite you to at-

tend two of our upcoming tournaments. On Saturday, February 14 we will be competing at MLS in Saginaw

against Lutheran schools from around the state. Zion's main tournament of the year will be held in Lansing (at

Emanuel Lutheran School) on Saturday, February 28 as we face off against eight other Lutheran teams from

mid-Michigan. We would love to see you there!

The Zion PTO (Zion Education League) will be hosting a board game

tournament as a part of their February meeting night at the school. The night will begin at 4:00 pm and games

will start soon after. A “Connect-4” tournament and Air Hockey tournament are expected, but many other

games will available for all to play. Come on out on February 8th if you would like to join in the fun!

Every year, Zion holds several “Round-Up” events

for families interested in checking out our Preschool and Kindergarten programs. Preschool Round-Up will be

this year on February 17, 2015, from 8:15-11:30 am. Children must be three years old by September 1, 2015

and be potty trained to attend preschool for the 2015-2016 school year. Kindergarten Round-Up will be held

February 18, 2015 from 8:15-12:30 pm to give the upcoming Kindergarteners a chance to eat hot lunch at

school and go out for recess. Children must be five years old by October 1, 2015 to attend Kindergarten for the

2015-2016 school year. Parents stay with their student during these “Round-Up” events. Make plans to check

out the school!

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let us not love with

words or tongue

but with actions

and in truth..