The Trumpet for Feb. 2013

“But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.”

Luke 2.19 When Mary, the mother of our Lord heard the news of an angel band announcing the birth of her son, I wonder if she had questions in her heart. The angel Gabriel had already visited her to tell her that she would have a son, but hearing confirmation from an outside source is something altogether different. Did you ever hear news from someone that you had a hard time believing? Did you ever ask God to answer a prayer and when God answered you ques-tioned whether it was God? That’s what discernment is all about. Every day our moments are filled with questions: was that God? Where is God? Why not God? Helena Morris, consecrated Deaconess who was trained here at Zion’s and serves Zion in Montpelier reminds us that questions never end – but neither does God’s redeeming grace! Peace, Pr Tim

This story is a little more than 6 years old, mid-November or early December 2006. Sitting on the bench in the rotunda I stared quietly at the pattern of the tiles on the floor. What was I doing here? Was I doing the right thing? A few familiar faces walked past and we exchanged pleasantries. Was it really what God wanted for me? I sat and waited and counted the tiles on the floor. For as long as I could remember I had three goals in life. One of them was to be a teacher. For the past three or four months, I’d been working three days a week at a part-time job and available three days a week to substitute teach (mostly only being able to fill two of those days at best). Savings were beyond gone and I wasn’t sure what would happen next. So as I sat in the rotunda and waited, I prayed. Was I do-ing the right thing? Was I in line with God’s will for my life? Taking this job would take me out of the school system; when teaching positions would become available again in the next year or two I would not even be able to consider them, much less be considered for them. This job was not being offered as a temporary job; I had been asked to make a long term commitment. Was I really able to make that commitment? Soon after I finished praying and returned to observing the tiles, Connie walked out of her office. She shared that she had given my name to Deb to call about the position. As Connie and I talked for a few minutes, she said she just knew it was God who put my name in her head. Our conversation had just proven it. That statement was God’s answer to my prayer. Connie went back to her office after our conversation and I sat in the rotunda for several more minutes before being called back to confirm that I had a new job. I don’t believe in coincidence and I hadn’t believed in coincidence since years before that conversa-tion. This was not the first or the last time God revealed Himself in such a way, but it’s an easier one to ar-ticulate and most likely the first time I specifically recognized it. God is always an active presence in our lives. We get to choose whether or not to look to Him, but that doesn’t change His presence. God has been present during my greatest joys. That is the presence I want to experience 24/7. Yet, as important as that is, more significant has been His presence when darkness threatens to suffocate the life out of me.

Helena M.

ZION’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

1801 East Second Street

Defiance, OH 43512

Rev. Timothy Reynolds, Pastor

419-782-8781

Fax: 419-782-6719

February 2013

PAGE 1

www.zionslutheranchurch.com

Visit our website at:

Church Office Email:

[email protected]

Continued on next page

PAGE 2 Continued on next page

4th Annual Mardi Gras

Chili Cook-Off Tuesday, February 12th

at 6:00 p.m.

Save the date for the 4th Annual Chili Cook-off on Tuesday, February 12th .

Bring your favorite chili to this event to be judged by your peers, or just

come to eat and cast your ballot for the best chili. Who will take the trophy

from Tim Shiarla, last year’s winner? Come and find out! There is a signup

sheet on the bulletin board in the narthex to let us know you are coming

and whether you are bringing chili or just joining in on a fun Mardi Gras

evening. More details to follow. If you have any questions please contact

Mary Boals 419-395-1736.

Mardi Gras Meal

Fundraiser for Crohn’s and

Colitis Foundation of America

at Zion’s Lutheran Church on

Sunday, February 10, 2013

11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Join us for a New Orleans style meal in Luther Hall. Jambalaya, gumbo, po’

boys, boudin blanc, King cake, bread pudding …. are on the menu. A free

will offering will be accepted with all proceeds to benefit the Crohn’s and

Colitis Foundation of America.

Please help Shawn Farnyiarz and Rhonda Casler and their team “In Defi-

ance of Crohn’s” fight this devastating disease that affects millions of Amer-

icans.

If you have questions, please call the church office at 419-782-8781.

PAGE 3

Save the Date!Save the Date!Save the Date! March 15March 15March 15---17, 2013 Chicago, IL17, 2013 Chicago, IL17, 2013 Chicago, IL

Youth Grades 6Youth Grades 6Youth Grades 6---121212

Youth RetreatYouth RetreatYouth Retreat———For more information, please see the bulletin board in the For more information, please see the bulletin board in the For more information, please see the bulletin board in the

Narthex. See Deb Shockey or Mark Stephens for more information.Narthex. See Deb Shockey or Mark Stephens for more information.Narthex. See Deb Shockey or Mark Stephens for more information.


WEATHER

DELAYS & CLOSINGS

For any cancellations due to bad weather you may

tune into: Channel 11 (website: www.wtol.com)

OR WDFM 98.1 (website www.981mix.com)

SKATING TRIP

Sunday, February 17, at 12 noon We will be taking the church bus to Canlan Ice Sports-Lutheran Health, 3869 Ice Way, in Ft. Wayne. There

will be skating, bouncy houses, and pizza. We will leave the church at noon, skate and play from 1-4, and eat pizza afterwards. Cost is $6.00 per person for skating, skate rental, and bouncy houses. Bring extra money for pizza. Please sign up on the sheet in the nar-thex if you are planning to go. Children must be accompanied by an adult. See Kelly Worline if you have questions. Dress warm!

Balance Adjusts / Disburse- Balance

12/1/2012 Receipts Transfers ments 12/31/2012

Ministry Operating Fund -$10,422.37 26833.50 0.00 -12553.72 $3,857.41

Designated Funds $5,686.05 1584.71 0.00 -1001.25 $6,269.51

Inn Keepers Fund $9,459.45 3045.00 0.00 -117.96 $12,386.49

J.A. Schlegel/Fremion $1,144.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 $1,144.02

Memorial Fund $48,993.64 0.00 -32500.00 0.00 $16,493.64

Mission Support $1,771.80 525.10 0.00 -2296.00 $0.90

Prayer Garden Fund $3,461.04 0.00 0.00 0.00 $3,461.04

Youth Fund $2,778.93 264.45 0.00 0.00 $3,043.38

Zion Fund $2,898.16 200.00 0.00 0.00 $3,098.16

Capital Imp. & Bldg Maint. $107,116.09 707.00 0.00 -6.36 $107,816.73

Bequest Reserves $0.00 0.00 32500.00 0.00 $32,500.00

$172,886.81 33159.76 0.00 -15975.29 $190,071.28

SYNOD BENEVOLENCE YTD: $11,767.53

MINISTRY FUND

Receipts YTD: $193,505.59

Expenditures To YTD: $191,767.26

$1,738.33

ASSETS INTEREST EARNED YTD:

State Bank Checking $28,965.90 $8.66

Mission Plus Fund - ELCA $161,105.28 $1,806.61

$190,071.18

Ministry Fund Receipts YTD: Expenses YTD:

2012 $193,505.59 $191,767.26

2011 $188,068.56 $189,770.05

$5,437.03 $1,997.21

2 Corinthians 9:8,11 - God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all

that you need, you will abound in every good work… You will be made rich in every way so that you can be

generous on everyoccasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

Steven Graf

Treasurer

PAGE 4

Treasurer’s Report - December 2012

November Church Council Highlights November 15, 2012

Operational Guidelines for 2013 were approved to be presented to the congregation. The nominations for the 2013 ballot were approved to be presented to the congregation.. Help Me Grow will again use our facilities for screenings on March 4, 2013. Weight Watchers will be meeting at Zion's on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Congregation will be asked to support the youth who will be attending Youth Quake, with pray-

er and finances. Annual Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. A new Scrapbooking group will start meeting at Zion's on Dec. 1, led by Roxanne Maxson.

December Church Council Highlights December 20, 2012

A Lock-in is planned for Dec. 28th (Friday) at 7pm through Dec. 29th (Saturday) at 9am for

youth ages 2nd grade to 12th grade. Still time for registrations to be submitted for Youth Quake. See Deb Shockey if have questions.

Worship services are being tested to “stream live” on-line.

Repairs have been made to the thermostats by Fitzenriders.

The sidewalk on the west side of the building has been replaced.

The financial audit will be performed by John Leiswyn this year.

The Deacons will be taking responsibility for the worship services when Pastor is absent, in lieu

of hiring a sub-pastor. Welcomed newly elected Council member, Roxanne Maxson.

Approved the transfer of membership to Zion’s for Bill & Jean Boyd.

Appointed Ministry Team Liaisons for the upcoming year.

January Church Council Highlights January 17, 2013

Approved Zions’ new website: www.zionslutheranchurch.com. Decided to have the Annual Reports sent out via e-mail, with copies made available at the

church for those without email. Zions will be participating in a Community VBS, July 9-12, to be held at Defiance College. Neal Deniston is shopping for a new keyboard for the church. Old one is no longer operable. NWO Synod Assembly will be held May 17 & 18, 2013, with the theme “One in Christ.” A committee was formed to proceed with establishing guidelines and procedures for Cherish

our Children. One of the 3 rooftop heating/ ACV units is disabled and needs replaced or repaired and a quote

was presented. Property Committee will seek bids on replacing all three, before Council pro-ceeds with a decision.

PAGE 5

http://www.zionslutheranchurch.com

PAGE 6

We pray for God’s comfort for the following family who recently lost a loved one:

Betty Amey—January 8, 2013

Additions to the Zion’s Prayer List:

Phone Prayers: Barb Vogel at 419-393-2544

Eprayers: [email protected]

Call the Church office at 419-782-8781.

If you are calling for someone other than yourself, please be sure that you have

that person’s permission to give out their information.


Lenten Meal Schedule Soup and Sandwiches will be served by the following Ministry Teams on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.

Date Ministry Team

February 13 Deacons

February 20 Youth

February 27 AVAILABLE

March 6 Chancel Choir

March 13 AVAILABLE

March 20 AVAILABLE

March 27 Council

Ash Wednesday Service

February 13, 2013

7:00 p.m.

Imposition of Ashes Holy Communion

____________________________

Lenten Worship

Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.

Lent 1 Feb 20 Pastor Tim “One in Christ”

Lent 2 Feb 27 Karen Graf “Growing as Disciples”

Lent 3 March 6 Jane Meyers “Sent with the Spirit”

Lent 4 March 13 Helena Morris “Valuing Young People”

Lent 5 March 20 Audrey Eis “Expecting to be Surprised”

CHANCEL CHOIR

Will practice on

Sundays at 9:00 a.m.

during Lent.

Bible Study Sundays

During Lent

Feb. 17, 24

March 3, 10, 17

5:00 p.m. Bring your Bible—we will be

studying the Song of Solomon.

PAGE 7

Lois Finkenbiner

The Laurels of Defiance

Room 308

1701 S. Jefferson Ave.

Defiance, OH 43512

Isabella Beindorf



Defiance, OH 43512

Elizabeth Mumy

Kingsbury House

245 W. Rosewood Ave. Apt. 144

Defiance, OH 43512

Loann Peters

Kingsbury House

245 W. Rosewood Ave. Apt. 136

Defiance, OH 43512

Helen Rosebrock

Glenn Park

2429 William A. Diehl Ct.

Apt. 155

Defiance, OH 43512

Mary Zirkle

Glenn Park

2429 William A. Diehl Ct.

Apt. 112

Defiance, OH 43512

Joyce Lichty

Vancrest of Holgate

600 Joe E. Brown

Holgate, OH 43527

Norma Mansfield

Kingsbury House

245 W. Rosewood Ave.

Defiance, OH 43512

Waunita Badenhop



Defiance, OH 43512

Area Members in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

***IMPORTANT REMINDER***

If you are the last person to leave a room or the building, please check to make sure that all lights, especially those in the bathrooms, are turned off. Please check that all of the doors are completely closed and locked before you leave for the night. Thank you for helping to conserve energy and for keeping the building safe.

NEW WEBSITE

Change your bookmarks!

Our new web address is:

www.zionslutheranchurch.com

ANNUAL REPORTS 2012 Annual Reports will be

emailed to each household this

year per Council decision. For

those persons who do not have

email, copies of the report will be

made available in the Narthex.

Updated Church Directories will

also be included with the annual

reports.

DEADLINES

BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT

Every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. (unless otherwise noted)

March

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

February 15, 2013

ATTENDANCE & OFFERINGS

ATTENDANCE MINISTRY CAP IMP

DATE 5:00pm/9:45am FUND $ FUND $

Jan 5/6 15/82 $ 7,586.72 $ 505.00

Jan 12/13 10/96 $ 3,395.41 $ 81.00

Jan 19/20 24/86 $ 2,951.35 $ 128.00

Jan 26/27 20/85 $ 1,458.92 $ 34.00

WORSHIP

SCHEDULE Saturday 5:00 pm

Sunday 9:45 am

DCTV 5

You may watch Zion’s Lutheran

Worship services on Wednesdays

@ 6:00 pm and on Sundays at

9:00 am on DCTV 5 Defiance, OH.

PAGE 8

LLS Lutherans of

Long Standing

FEBRUARY 5, 2013

2:00 p.m. in the Hofer

Room

Men’s Fellowship

meets every Tuesday

at 9:00 a.m. in the Library

ORGANIC COFFEE & TEA PRICES

Breakfast Blend $ 8.00

Decaf Breakfast Blend $ 9.00

English Breakfast Tea $ 3.00

Equal

Exchange

Coffee

On sale throughout the year!!!!

The Book Group

meets on

Monday

February 11 at 7:00 pm

in the Shepfer Room

Young at Heart

meets on WEDNESDAY,

February 13 , 2013

at 11:30 am, at Lefty’s Pizza

The next meeting will be February 17th after the Worship Service. Cards will be placed in the

Narthex to be signed dur-ing Fellowship Hour on February 24th.

Sisters in Christ

Scrapbook

Club

Meets Saturday, February 2, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Hofer Room. Bring your own drink and a

snack to share.


Worship and Music

Committee

meets on Thursday,

February 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Valentine’s Day

Thursday, February 14

Please remember to call the church office when:

1. You will be or have already moved.

2. You have an addition to your fami-

ly.

3. You have an address update and/or

correction, or birthday correction.

4. New email address and/or phone

number.

THANK YOU!

FEBRUARY LESSONS

FEBRUARY 2 & 3 4 EPIPHANY Saturday: Luke 7:1-17

Sunday: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30

FEBRUARY 9 & 10 TRANSFIGURATION

OF OUR LORD Saturday: Luke 9:28-45

Sunday: Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Luke 9:28-43

FEBRUARY 16 & 17 1 LENT Saturday: Luke 10:25-42

Sunday: Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Romans 10:8b-13

Luke 4:1-13

FEBRUARY 23 & 24 2 LENT Saturday: Luke 13:1-9, 31-35

Sunday: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Psalm 27

Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 13:31-35

PAGE 9

Please help keep our records accurate! If your birthday is not here or is incorrect, please call the church office at 419-782-8781 or email the church secre-tary at [email protected]

Thanks!


Happy BirthdayHappy BirthdayHappy Birthday February 2013February 2013February 2013

Steven VanDemark 2/2

Anita Schnegg 2/3

Campbell Starner 2/4

Lowell Bailey 2/5

Juanita Rosebrock 2/5

Alexander Fields 2/10

Lindsay Prozy 2/10

Mila Stowe 2/10

Nicholas Lamb 2/13

Vicki Stephens 2/13

Susan McNeely 2/14

Bert Shiarla 2/14

Diane Clark 2/17

Alyssa DeTray 2/17

Skyler Grosenbacher 2/20

Oakely Demar 2/21

Michael Shockey 2/21

Sandra Davis 2/23

Shaun Holley 2/23

Gaylon Davis 2/24

Payten Hageman 2/24

Jason Marckel 2/25

Joyce Keeterle 2/26

Sadie Worline 2/26

Daniel Williams 2/28

PAGE 10

Our Innkeeper guests are continually thankful for the food and supplies given by our members and others throughout the community. In order to continue to serve their needs, we ask that you consider giving the following items: chicken noodle soup, hot & cold cereal, toothpaste, shaving gel, canned fruit, pudding, paper towels, toilet paper, detergent, boxed skillet meals, box potatoes, spa-

ghetti and dry pasta noodles, bottled water, canned meat – tuna, sausage, chicken, Ramen noodles – beef, chicken & shrimp, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, bottled fruit juices, micro-wave popcorn, salad dressing and cooking oil. On behalf of Diana Groll and myself, we thank you for your ongoing generosity.

Dick Anderson


Altar Flowers Altar Flowers can be ordered from Fancy Petals Florist at 301 Hopkins Street.

Persons signed up for altar flowers are requested to stop by the flower shop to

order and pay for a set of flowers. Prices are listed below:

Basic Arrangements are $30 for the set.

Custom orders are not available on Basic Arrangements, the

florists will choose the flowers and colors.

Deluxe Arrangements are $45 for the set.

Premium Arrangements are $60 for the set.

COMING SOON!! “Coffee Break”

While your kids are in Sunday School or if you arrive

early for Church, you are invited to come and connect with fellow Zion’s members. We’ll talk about the week and maybe share how your faith helped you get through it. On Sundays at 9:00 a.m. we will meet in the Church Library. This is a casual event—come and go with your cup of Jo! Coffee will be provided or bring your favor-ite drink.

ENDOWMENT FUND GRANTS

If you are involved in an organization or group and have a need for funding to accomplish one of the below three purposes, please submit a written request to: Chairman of Zion’s Luther-an Church Endowment Fund , by April 1, 2013. For outreach into the community or synod

as grants to seminaries, colleges or stu-dents attending such schools.

For Missions of the ELCA or to programs for persons in our parish area who are in spir-itual or economic need.

For capital improvements, debt reduction, or a building program of Zion’s Lutheran Church, Defiance, Ohio.

Please contact Chris Yoder at 419-438-3808 for

more information.

FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE 11

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WED THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 7:30a Weight Watchers 8:00a Scrapbook 5:00 Worship Shut In Communion

3

9:00 Sunday School 9:45 Worship

Shut In Communion

4

Pastor’s Day Off

5 9:00 a Men’s Fellowship 9:00 a—Weight Watchers 2:00 p—LLS 5:30—Lighten Up 6:30 –Discipleship 101

6 7:00 a Women @ Cabin Fever 5:00 p Community Dinner 6:00 p Hand bells 6:30 p Catechism 7:00 p Chancel Choir

7

9:00 a—Bulletin Announcements due 5:00—TOPS

8 9

7:30 Weight Watchers 5:00 Worship

10

9:00 Sunday School 9:45 Worship

11-2 Mardi Gras Meal—Crohn’s Fund-raiser

11

Pastor’s Day Off

7:00 Book Group

12

9:00 a—Men’s Fellowship 9:00 a—Weight Watchers 5:30—Lighten Up

6:00—MARDI GRAS CHILI COOK OFF

13 7:00 a Women @ Cabin Fever 11:30 a Young at Heart—Leftys 4:00 Food Pantry Sign Up 5:00 p Community Dinner 6:00 p Hand bells

7:00 p ASH WED SERVICE

14

9:00 a—Bulletin Announcements due 5:00 TOPS 7:00 - Worship & Music Meeting

15

2:45 p.m. MARCH NEWS-LETTER DEADLINE

16


17

9:00 Sunday School 9:00 Chancel Choir 9:45 Worship 11:00 Sisters in Christ 12:00 Skating Party—Ft. Wayne 5:00 - Bible Study

18

Pastor’s Day Off

OFFICE CLOSED PRESIDENT’S DAY

19

9:00 a—Men’s Fellowship 9:00 a—Weight Watchers 5:30—Lighten Up 6:30 –Discipleship 101

20

7:00 a Women @ Cabin Fever 5:00 p Community Dinner 5:45 p Food Pantry Pick Up 6:00 p Hand bells 7:00 p Lenten Worship

21

9:00 a—Bulletin Announcements due 5:00 TOPS

7:00 Council Meeting

22

23


24 9:00 Sunday School 9:00 Chancel Choir 9:45 Worship 11:00 Cards 5:00—Bible Study

25

Pastor’s Day Off

26 9:00 a—Men’s Fellowship 9:00 a—Weight Watchers 5:30—Lighten Up 6:30 –Discipleship 101

27 7:00 a Women @ Cabin Fever 5:00 p Community Dinner 6:00 p Hand bells 7:00 p Lenten Worship

28 9:00 a—Bulletin Announcements due 5:00 TOPS


ALTAR FLOWERS: February 3 Todd & Stephanie Demar

10 Donna Ripke & Denny Engel

17 1st Sunday of Lent

24 2nd Sunday of Lent

BULLETINS: February 3 Karen Bowling

10 AVAILABLE

17 AVAILABLE

24 AVAILABLE

ALTAR DUTY February 3 Cindy Wendell

10 Sue McKibben

13 Ash Wed—Kate Frank

17 Kate Frank

24 Linda Hardy

ACOLYTES February 3 Zack Stephens

10 Luke Reynolds

17 Alexis Eis

24 Zack Stephens

CRUCIFERS February 3 Elizabeth McNeely

10 Oakley Demar

17 Eric Engel

24 Elizabeth McNeely

FELLOWSHIP HOUR for Sunday 9:45 am February 3 Cindy & Bill Wendell

10 Leona & Chuck Bailey

17 Cyndi Ensign

24 Kate Frank

HOSTS for Saturday 5:00 pm February 2 Sonia Bussing & Donna Ripke

9 Bob & Nancy Swingle

16 Sonia Bussing & Donna Ripke

23 Gene & Barb Vogel

LECTOR & DEACON for Saturday 5:00 pm (* DEACONS) February 2 * Tom Boals

9 Sally Grosenbacher

16 * Doug Eis

23 AVAILABLE

LECTOR & DEACON for Sunday 9:45 am (* DEACONS) February 3 * Craig McKibben, Dawn McKibben, & Cindy Wendell

10 Cyndi Ensign

13 Ash Wed—Audrey Eis, Linda Hardy, Dick Anderson

17 * Patty Vandemark, Tom Boals, & Craig McKibben

24 Dick Heilmann

OFFERING COLLECTORS for Sunday 9:45 am

1st Sunday Randy Groll & Mary Boals

2nd Sunday Jim Eis & Bill Brownson

3rd Sunday Mary Boals & Cindy Wendell

4th Sunday Marsha Leaders & Chuck Bailey 5th Sunday Randy Groll & Mary Boals

USHERS for Sunday 9:45 am

1st Sunday Randy & Diana Groll

2nd Sunday Gene & Barb Vogel

3rd Sunday Donna Schindler & Annie Reynolds

4th Sunday Mike & Deb Shockey

OFFERING COUNTERS

Marv Widmer, Jim Eis, John Jacob, Chuck Bailey

AUDIO-VISUAL Doug Eis, Dale Worline, Vicki Stephens, Shaun Holley, Stormy Gutman.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO FULFILL YOUR

COMMITMENT, PLEASE ARRANGE FOR A

SUBSTITUTE AND INFORM THE CHURCH

OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

PAGE 12 Continued on next page

Faith Active in Love February 2013

ZION’S EMAIL ADDRESSES

Office Secretary - [email protected]

Pastor - [email protected]

Treasurer - [email protected]

Website - www.zionslutheranchurch.com

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Tom Boals, President

Deb Shockey, Vice Pres.

Gwen Anderson, Treasurer

Laurie Schey, Secretary

Mary Boals

Kim Chehi

Lenore Doctor

Randy Groll

Stormy Gutman

Roxanne Maxson

Elizabeth McNeely

Carl Snyder

Mark Stephens

Dale Worline

DEACONS

Dick Anderson

Tom Boals

Audrey Eis

Doug Eis

Linda Hardy

Craig McKibben

Dawn McKibben

Patty VanDemark

Cindy Wendell

ZION’S MISSION STATEMENT

“Driven by God’s spirit we will grow in faith and make Christ’s love known”

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Find us and “Like” us – we need more

followers to spread the word! Are you

“friends” with a former member? – invite

them too – we love staying in contact!

Have a question about an upcoming

event? – you may find your answer.

And, you can add your comments, too!

( If you have trouble searching – type in

”Zions Lutheran Defiance” and that

should find it for you). If you would like

to post an event you may email it to

[email protected].

PAGE 13

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

Monday, February 18th

BULLETINS Suggested donation

for bulletins is $20.00.

Prayer List

Church Council has en-

acted a new policy re-

garding the names placed

on the church prayer list

in the bulletin. If you

would like prayers on the

list for longer than 3

weeks, please make an-

other request. Requests

can be sent to the

church office via phone

419-782-8781 or by

email at:

[email protected].

LETTER FROM BISHOP LOHRMAN Epiphany, 2013

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ in the Northwestern Ohio Synod,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in whom we live and move and have our being.

As we begin this new year, I am filled with deep gratitude. I want to share something of that with you. At the heart of this gratitude is the recent remembrance of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany and the very good news of God’s grace and mercy that have come to us through the in-breaking reign of God in Christ Jesus. That good news shapes everything else we may see and experience. I thank God for all of you who have reminded me and the synod staff of that good news through your cards, e-mails, and per-sonal words in the past weeks. I am deeply grateful. I am deeply grateful for the gift of a sabbatical that the Northwestern Ohio Synod provided me during the summer. Frankly, the past several years have been a great challenge. At times it has been dif-ficult for me to see a hope-filled future. Given the recent stresses in the life of the synod and changes in synodical structure, I was not sure that it was the right time for a sabbatical. Nevertheless, synod leader-ship and staff encouraged me to take it. After one week, the synod staff no longer returned my emails and I “got the message.” It proved to be an important time for rest, prayer, reading, and for reconnecting with my family and a significant mentor. In short, it was a time of renewal. I am grateful for the staff whose good work enabled me to “check out” while knowing that the synod was in good hands. During the time of the sabbatical, I received an invitation from the Dodoma Diocese to attend the consecration of Amon Kinyunyu as bishop of the Dodoma Diocese. Again, given the recent sabbatical and what appeared to be insufficient preparation time as well as the upcoming retirements of Assistants to the Bishop, Dennis Maurer and Tom Schutt, I was not inclined to accept the invitation. Synod leadership and staff again encouraged me to attend. The result was an incredible trip to our Companion Churches in Ser-bia and Tanzania. During the course of that trip, I learned more about what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ across the globe. The relationships with these churches have matured throughout the years. Many of the individuals and congregations of this synod can testify concerning the gift of these con-nections. I will share more of that story in the coming months. Once again I found myself deeply grateful for these relationships and for all those, including staff, whose good work made this trip a possibility. As I write this, I have just returned from the Bishops’ Academy, an ongoing education event that was hosted in Puerto Rico by the Caribbean Synod and Bishop Felipe Lozada-Montanez. For years the bishop has urged us to come, indicating that it would mean a great deal to the Latino people of his synod if we were to walk with them, to learn about the people and church of that place and to join with them in celebrating the major “Festival of Three Kings.” During this trip I learned more about another culture and another part of the Body of Christ as I experienced what it means to worship in something other than in one’s own language. I found myself wondering about what it might mean for this synod to reach out to the growing Latino community in Northwestern Ohio in an intentional manner. Some of our congregations are beginning to lead us in that direction. For this too I am most grateful. As this new year begins, I find myself renewed and filled with hope for our life together in this syn-od. During the past months I have learned that the church in every place and time has its unique gifts and challenges. Sin is always a present reality. Yet in the midst of it all, we celebrate God’s faithfulness in Christ and the manner in which the Holy Spirit is continually sustaining and breathing new life in the church-even and particularly in the midst of pain, struggle, and dying. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness will not overcome it.” That also is true for the Northwestern Ohio Synod. Even as we bid farewell to one synodical structure, we welcome the increased role of deans, call process facilitators, and those pastors and other everyday Christians who have gifts at helping us move through situations of conflict to mission. I look forward to congregations and leaders in this synod in-creasingly sharing “best practices” with respect to how we might more strongly embrace the mission and ministry to which we are called. I am grateful for those congregations who are embracing the synodical mission initiative, “Good News-Amen!” I am convinced by the grace of God that this will prove an excel-lent resource with respect to helping us again know the Gospel, trust the Gospel, and respond to the Gos-

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DEACON SUPPORT TEAM

Included in the last few months’ Trumpets were articles about your deacons. If you were not aware of your deacon, do you now know her or him? We hope you have a sincere interest in getting to know your deacon as a present and future friend and confidant. Our Pastor is the best resource with whom to discuss questions and con-

cerns, but your deacon can also serve you in a similar way. Deacons are not exempt from having a deacon of their own. At times we need someone will-ing to listen and we turn to our deacon. As mentioned the last several months, deacons meet bi-monthly to discuss a variety of topics, but more importantly we are available for you when your needs might require someone to talk with other than Pastor Tim occasionally. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the members of Zion’s Lutheran Church and we encourage you to reach out to your deacon whenever the need arises. If you are unsure about your deacon, please call the church office for assistance. Dick Anderson

pel in ways that re-shape our lives, the ministries offered through our congregations, this synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Might this be just the time for us to own in a new way what it means to be “one in Christ”, walking together as synod? For this possibility, I am grateful and hopeful. As I begin this new year with you, it is not hard to echo Paul’s words, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will car-ry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3-6) As we enter a new year, please know my gratitude for you and for the One who has called us to-gether in this time and place.

Living together with you in the light of Christ, Bishop Marcus C. Lohrmann

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Documents

The Trumpet for Feb. 2013