November 2018

The Pastor’s Ponderings

Pastor David’s cell phone—765-330-4170 and email address—fleeneda@gmail.com

Zion’s 2018 Council Members

Elder & President ........................................ Fred Walker

Elder & Vice-President ............................... Jody Stanley

Secretary ................................................. Barb Hardwick

Deacons ................................................. Allen Stallsmith

Mike Clamme

Tim Stanley

Trustees ......................................................... Mark Prout

Neil Stroble

Max Langdon

Treasurer ................................................. Dennis Walker

Financial Secretaries .................................Claretta Dutro

Nyla Hile

7 Where can I escape from Your spirit?

Where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there;

if I descend to Sheol, You are there too. 9 If I take wing with the dawn

to come to rest on the western horizon, 10 even there Your hand will be guiding me,

Your right hand will be holding me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely darkness will conceal me,

night will provide me with cover," 12 darkness is not dark for You;

night is as light as day;

darkness and light are the same.”

-Psalm 139:7-12, JPS Tanakh translation

On an internet forum I frequent,

someone asked this question: “What

is something you would like to do,

but know you’ll never do it?” One of

the top answers struck me. “Pack a

few changes of clothes and drive un-

til I felt like stopping.”

Ever feel that urge? To drop all your responsibili-

ties, crumple up your calendar, and just leave for a

while? Life seems to be so jam-packed with commit-

ments that I wonder how many of us do it. Kids, for ex-

ample, don’t have the schedule today that I did as a kid.

Though I was often busy with athletics, or play practice,

or music, my schedule doesn’t hold a candle to what

some of them do. This busy-ness is not just limited to

kids, though. Parents, older adults, even retirees seem to

have packed schedules! Some retirees have told me,

“When I look back on my life, I don’t know how I had

time to work and raise a family!”

Sometimes, though, it isn’t responsibilities we want

to escape, but ourselves. We can look at our lives and

wonder how we got here. Sometimes it’s not where we

are that we dislike, but who we are. But the adage holds

true. “Wherever you go, there you are.” We cannot es-

cape ourselves. (I would guess that this is true, even in

death.)

And just as we cannot escape ourselves, we cannot

escape the God who created us, who formed us, and

loves us with an incomprehensible love. We can ignore

God, try to place God on the God-shelf at the back of our

minds, in the perfectly fitted God-space. But God is

much bigger than any of our perceptions of God. God is

bigger than gender, than race, than politics, than theolo-

gy, than church. God is greater than being itself. Even

when God feels utterly and completely absent, God pre-

sent in a presence much greater than we can possibly im-

agine.

The psalmist echoes this. “If I ascend to heaven,

you are there. If I descend to Sheol (to death), you are

there too.” Wherever we go, whatever we encounter,

God is there, whether or not we sense God. And God is-

n’t just there for the psalmist. God takes an active part in

our lives for our good. “Even there your hand will be

guiding me. Your right hand will be holding me fast.”

Wherever you go, there you are. And there God is,

too.

Love to you all,

Pr. David

November 2018

September Council Minutes

The September 13, 2018 Congregation

Council Meeting was called to order by

President, Fred Walker.

Present: Pastor David Fleener, Fred

Walker, Jody Stanley, Barb Hardwick,

Dennis Walker, Allen Stallsmith, Tim

Stanley, Mark Prout, Neil Stroble, Max Langdon, Clar-

etta Dutro and Nyla Hile

Absent: Mike Clamme

Devotions were given by Neil Stroble.

Secretary’s Report: Secretary’s report was read and

approved with a motion to accept by Neil Stroble and

seconded by Max Langdon.

Correspondence: The Arts Council asked the church

if they would want to help with the Halloween Trunk &

Treat. No action taken. Pastor David mentioned the pos-

sibility of assisting with the Presbyterian church’s event

that day.

Pastor’s Report: As written

Pastoral Care in August: Pastor's totals for August: 4

shut-in visits, 1 funeral visitation, 4 home/hospital com-

munions.

Deacons’ Fund use in August: No requests during

August.

Christian Education: Confirmation resumed on Au-

gust 26th with worship planning for God’s Work: Our

Hands Sunday. The youth took leadership roles during

the service. I thought they did a great job.

We also had class on September 9th, in which I

quizzed them about their knowledge of the catechism to

this point, to see where they are at and what they need to

learn. I think a few more Sundays on the catechism will

be needed. I will then switch into a study of two or three

books of the New Testament with them, since they al-

ready know much about Jesus, who he is, and what he

means to them.

In consultation with Linda Walker, we will try hav-

ing confirmation class every other Sunday morning be-

ginning in October. We will also introduce the younger

children to the life and ministry of Martin Luther while I

have the confirmands.

I am also teaching one class of The Story at Grace on

Sept. 25th.

October vacation: I will be away October 8th-14th to

be at Bekka’s wedding in Minnesota. I will need one of

you to lead worship that day. No communion. A sermon

can be provided if desired.

Community Choir: Community Choir will begin on

Mon., Oct. 15th with rehearsals 7:30-9 p.m. Note that this

is a change from our usual Tuesday night rehearsal

times. The concert will be Sun., Dec. 16th at 3 and 6 p.m.

Other Events in August

4 – Installation of Pr. Robert Abner at Cross, Muncie

5-10 – Retreat at St. Augustine’s House, Oxford, Michi-

gan

10-11 – Spiritual Companion Program at Lindenwood

Retreat Center

13, 20 – Joe and Jesus

14, 21 – The Story at Grace UMC

19 – Worship at Crown Pointe

In addition to Pastor’s Report - Mark Prout will lead

worship on October 14th, while Pastor is away. Also, the

Community Choir will start on Oct. 16th (Tuesday) in-

stead of Oct. 15th as listed in the Pastor’s Report. Re-

hearsals will continue on Tuesday nights.

Committee reports—Worship/Music/Memorial: Den-

nis - Met on Sept. 12th. It was decided to put up signs

around the church for directions.

Constitution Committee: There were just a few

changes to be made. They were corrected and sent back

to the Synod. It will be brought forth for the congrega-

tion at the Annual Meeting in January.

Mission and Ministry: Sept. 9th lunch with Wernle

was a success and over $1600.00 was raised for them.

The dedication of the bell tower will be at a later

date.

Council reports—Trustees: Several requests for re-

pairs at the parsonage and the church. Minor repairs.

Treasurer’s Report: General Fund $5,898.14

Motion to accept committee reports was made by

Mark Prout and seconded by Allen Stallsmith.

New Business: The next council meeting will be the

third Thursday, Oct. 18th, instead of Oct. 11th.

Faith Builders Block Party will be Sept. 22nd at

Keplinger’s parking lot.

(continued on following page)

Debbie would like to take vacation days Sept. 25-27.

Council approved.

Meeting closed with all praying The Lord’s Prayer.

Next meeting will be October 18th with Allen

Stallsmith giving devotions.

Respectfully submitted,

Barb Hardwick,

Recording Secretary

November 2018

September Council Minutes continued

Community Thanksgiving Service

The Community Thanksgiving

Service will be at First Presbyterian

Church on Sunday, November 18th at

6:30 p.m. Join members of the com-

munity for worship based on the

praise and thanksgiving psalms, with

music from the Blackford Community Choir conducted

by Pastor David.

All Saints Sunday - November 4th

1st Reading - Isaiah 25:6-9

Psalm 24

2nd Reading - Revelation 21:1-6a

Gospel - John 11:32-44

Pentecost 25 - November 11th

1st Reading - 1 Kings 17:8-16

Psalm 146

2nd Reading - Hebrews 9:24-28

Gospel - Mark 12:38-44

Pentecost 26 - November 18th

1st Reading - Daniel 12:1-3

Psalm 16

2nd Reading - Hebrews 10:11-25

Gospel - Mark 13:1-8

Thanksgiving Eve - November 21st

1st Reading - Joel 2:21-27

Psalm 126

2nd Reading - 1Timothy 2:1-7

Gospel - Matthew 6:25-33

Christ the King Sunday - November 25th

1st Reading - Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Psalm 93

2nd Reading - Revelation 1:4b-8

Gospel - John 18:33-37

November Lectionary Readings

Piecemakers

November Birthdays

Steve Willmann 11-14

Julie Prout 11-17

Keaton Walker 11-17

Bryce Stroble 11-20

Michelle Monce 11-21

Clara Willmann 11-21

Barbara Hardwick 11-22

Carolyn Goetz 11-25

Joanne Stoll 11-25

Shelley Wise 11-27

Tacy VanDevender 11-29

Zion's Piecemakers delivered

278 quilts to St. John's Luther-

an Church in Fort Wayne to be

distributed by Lutheran World

Relief. Congratulations to all who

participated!

Medicare Part D Open House

Medicare Part D Open House with Thrivent Finan-

cial Representative Michelle Walker—Thrivent Finan-

cial’s Michelle Walker will be hosting a Medicare Part

D Open House Thursday, November 8, 1:00-3:00 p.m.,

at Zion Lutheran Church. She will work with individuals

to research their Medicare Part D options on a first

come, first serve basis. The congregation, along with

family and friends are invited to participate. If you have

any questions, please contact Michelle Walker, 765 212-

2307 or by email at Michelle.Walker@Thrivent.com.

November 2018

Thanksgiving Service

Zion’s Thanksgiving worship

service will be held on Wednesday,

November 21st, at 7:00 p.m. Pastor

David Fleener will be offering the

Sacrament of Holy Communion to

those in attendance.

Advent Wednesday Evening Supper and Service

Save the dates! Zion will host an

Advent Soup and Sandwich Supper

followed by Evening Prayer on

Wednesdays, Dec. 5, 12, and 19th. Sup-

per is at 6 p.m., followed by Evening

Prayer at 7:00.

The Zion Herald November 2018

“Happy are those whose strength is in God, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.” (Psalm 84:5)

Sunday School at 9:15 a.m. with Worship at 10:30 a.m.

Zion Lutheran Church

308 S. Monroe Street

Hartford City, IN 47348

David Fleener, Pastor

Church Office: 765-348-3157

zionluth.hc@gmail.com

fleeneda@gmail.com

www.zionhc.org

Serving the Lord in Gladness

November 2018 Lay Ministry Servers

Greeters

Ushers

Acolytes

Assisting Ministers

Nov. 4 Linda Baker and Carolyn Hughes—Claretta Dutro

Nov. 11 Chris and Megan Stroble—Roger and Judy Willmann

Nov. 18 Claretta Dutro—Bryce and Sydney Stroble

Nov. 25 Eldon and Ann Willmann—Don and Carolyn Goetz

Nov. 4 Allen Stallsmith, Mike Clamme, Tim Stanley and Gene Gardner

Nov. 11 Allen Stallsmith, Gene Gardner, Owen Ehlers and Kelly Ford

Nov. 18 Mike Clamme, Gene Gardner, Owen Ehlers and Kelly Ford

Nov. 21 Allen Stallsmith and Tim Stanley

Nov. 25 Tim Stanley, Gene Gardner, Owen Ehlers and Kelly Ford

Nov. 4 Kaylin Clamme

Ryne Clamme

Nov. 11 Keaton Walker

Nov. 18 Kaylin Clamme

Ryne Clamme

Nov. 21 Sydney Stroble

Bryce Stroble

Nov. 25 Deacons

Nov. 4 Mark Prout

Nov. 11 Jody Stanley

Nov. 18 Sarah Fleener

Nov. 21 Jody Stanley

Nov. 25 Mark Prout

Lectors

Nov. 4 Linda Baker

Nov. 11 Megan Stroble

Nov. 18 Sydney Stroble

Nov. 25 Carolyn Goetz

Thanksgiving Service

Nov. 21st at 7:00 p.m.