Get documents about "The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Mount Pleasant Michigan Zion
Document Sample
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858
Zion Lutheran Church & Preschool Christ The King Lutheran Chapel
3401 E. River Road 1401 South Washington
(989)772-1516 (989)773-5050
January 2009 Samuel B. Reith & Jonathon J. Bakker, Pastors Volume 45, No.1
Testing
“Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him. He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy
bread for these people to eat?”“ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he
was going to do.” John 6:5-6
As I write this we are in the middle of final exam knew all that he needed to know about the
week for our CMU students. These weeks are love and power of Jesus. But when he looked
always stressful for our students and those who out over the mountainside and saw the crowd,
instruct them. No one welcomes times of testing. the answer seemed elusive. Perhaps he was
These moments are necessary. Taking a test is one wondering why Jesus singled him out with the
way to gauge our progress. Throughout life we are test of the day.
required to pass various tests to determine our level
of progress. We must pass a driver’s test before we When we look out over the new year 2009 we
can use the highways. There are tests to be taken in see a mountainside covered with tests and
order to advance from one grade to the next. difficulties. All of the experts tell us that we
There are skills tests that accompany admission into are facing the most challenging economic times
various professions and trades. in the last 80 years. Those of us who live in
the state of Michigan have been warned that in
When a multitude of people followed Jesus around the future our way of life will change. We will
the Sea of Galilee, Jesus used the occasion to not be able to depend upon the “big three” as
administer a test to Philip. The test contained one the guarantor of prosperity. Perhaps you are
question. “How are we going to feed all these wondering why God has singled us out for this
people?” Normally when we are given a test we historic time of testing.
make use of the information we have learned and
memorized. Philip had learned much from Jesus. The test that Jesus administered to Philip was
He had knowledge of Jesus’ miracles, some of which no ordinary test because Jesus was no ordinary
were amazing. He also had knowledge of Jesus and teacher. Jesus is the son of God. As the text
his word. When Jesus gave his word, that word was reminds us, “he already had in mind what he
reliable. This should have been an easy test for was going to do.” Jesus’ test of Philip was not
Philip. But here Philip waffles. “Eight months’ designed to determine his aptitude or ability.
wages would not buy enough bread for each one to Jesus was testing Philip’s faith so that it might
have a bite.” become stronger.
Some of the tests we face in life are easy. Some are God tests all Christians in this same way. He
more difficult. This is true even when we have at exercises our faith by allowing questions and
hand all the information we need. Philip had all of problems to enter our daily lives. His purpose
the information he needed. Still the scope of the is not to hurt us, but to strengthen us.
testing seemed to him to be overwhelming. He Scripture reminds us, “God is faithful; he will
January 2009 Zion Lutheran Church/Christ The King Lutheran Chapel Page # 2
not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. YOUTH NEWS:
But when your are tempted he will also provide a
ALL YOUTH KDGN
way out so that you can stand up under it.”
- GRADE 12: On
Sunday, January 18th
This is a comforting thought for those who face an
the kids will be going
unknown future. And dire predictions for 2009
sledding at Deerfield
aside, our future is always known only to God. So
Park. Meet at the
when you are tempted by Satan to doubt God’s
park at 1:00. Pickup
love and to question his purpose in the midst of
will be at 3:00 at the
suffering, remember that “he already has in mind
park. K-3 are invited, but MUST have parents
what he is going to do.” God promises that, for
with them. If there is no snow they will meet
Jesus sake, he will allow his people to suffer only for
their good. As the scripture again reminds us, “No for a movie and games.
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of
righteousness and peace for those who have been PIZZA TOPIC will be on January 18th at
trained by it.” 5:30 p.m.
Pastor Reith
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED: The January-April
meal sign-up sheet is EMPTY. If you are able
to provide a meal or dessert for our
Wednesday night CCI meal, please sign up on
the sheet that is located on the refrigerator in
the kitchen at Zion. If you attend worship at
LWML
CTK you can call Bonny in the office at Zion
The 2009 flower chart is now posted on the new
and she will be happy to add your name to the
bulletin board at Zion. The cost for the flowers is
list.
$20.00 and checks are made payable to Zion
Women’s Guild.
Thank you all so much for your generous donations
of Christmas cookies for our Cookie Walk and for
If you have submitted the following name of a
your purchases of cookies as well. The Lord has
friend or family member needing special
blessed us with a profit of $772.53. Ten percent
prayers, please call Bonny in the church office
of that will go to The Lutheran Hour. Thank you
so that she will know whom to contact for
and God’s blessings to you all. Merry Christmas!
updates:
The LWML Zion Ladies Guild.
Jane Alderink, Mary Alderink, Brian Baker,
Les Clark, Bob Davis, Dave Einhardt, Linda
Grable, Larry Gum, Brenda Lilly, Nicole
McDonald, Earl Netzley, Ray Rawson, Kevin
Schumacher, Verginia Stehlik, Erin Strayer,
Vickie Woodbury, Bob Woodward.
January 2009 Zion Lutheran Church/Christ The King Lutheran Chapel Page # 3
STEWARDSHIP CORNER January Mission of the Month
Monthly Income & Expense Report ~Lutherans for Life~
through 11-30-2008 Lutherans For Life (LFL) is a pro-life, pro-
family life ministry whose mission is to
2008 2007 "Witness to the Sanctity of Human Life
YTD Budgeted Expenses $349,577.91 $331,327.48 through education based on the Word of
YTD Actual Expenses $277,541.65 $269,742.05 God." Lutherans For Life is neither a church
body nor a denomination but a voluntary
YTD Balance $ 72,036.26 $ 61,585.43
organization of "For Life" individuals. Through
numerous State Federations, Chapters, and
YTD General Fund Income $276,148.98 $278,120.31 Life Ministry Coordinators, Lutherans For Life
YTD Actual Expenses $277,541.65 $269,742.05 educates on life issues from a Biblical
Law/Gospel perspective through LFL-produced
YTD Income Less Expense ($1,392.67) $ 8,378.26
videos, publications, audiotapes, and materials
for worship and Bible study. LFL believes that
Merry Christmas! As we celebrate the birth of every human life—from conception to natural
Jesus, the greatest gift ever given, may we keep in death regardless of physical or mental
mind that everything we have is a gift from God challenges or condition of dependence—is
which He entrusted to us as His stewards. Please precious in God’s sight.
continue to remember the needs of the church and
Lutherans For Life is a non-profit 501 (c) 3,
all of our neighbors during this holy season.
non-political organization. LFL strives to
The Stewardship Committee network pastors and lay people to make a
positive difference in people’s lives. By the
power of the Holy Spirit, LFL seeks to change
2009 MISSIONS OF THE MONTH hearts and minds through the Word of God,
trusting that changed people will seek to
January - Lutherans For Life
change laws. Lutherans For Life encourages
February - Lutheran Student Fellowship
your membership, asks your support, and
March - LCMS Armed Forces Ministry
invites your prayers. Our prayer is that
April - Women’s Aid Service
together—in our churches and
May - Zion Youth
communities—we can stand for the value and
June - Loon Lake Lutheran Retreat Center
dignity of all human life from the youngest to
July - Central Michigan Pregnancy Center
the oldest, the pre-born to the elderly, the
August - International Student Ministry
weakest to the strongest. Jesus said,
September - Lutheran World Relief
"Whatever you have done to the least of
October - Concordia - Ann Arbor
these, you have done unto Me." May we see
November - Christmas Outreach
the face of Jesus Christ in all people.
December - Lutheran Child and Family
Services
Memorial Gift:
Pauline Reister
Jim and Delores Morford
January 2009 Zion Lutheran Church/Christ The King Lutheran Chapel Page # 4
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS From the Sr. Pastor’s
Desk
SUNDAY SCHOOL:
Thank You
The following students received an attendance
certificate in November and December for Thanks again to all who
completing 13 Sundays: worked so hard during
this holiday season. Without your efforts we
NURSERY-KINDERGARTEN would not be able to enjoy the decorations,
Lillian Bailey - Nursery fine foods, programs and events which
Gabriel Camp - Nursery enhance our congregational life.
Macey Novak - Nursery
1st & 2nd Monday Night Worship
Dana Hayes - 1st
Monday night services at ChristTthe King
Caleb Camp - 2nd
Chapel will resume on January 12.
Alexis Epple - 2nd
3rd, 4th, & 5th Men’s Breakfast
Reyna Brown - 3rd
Hunter Breuer - 3rd Our monthly men’s breakfast Bible Study will
Holly Chudej - 3rd take place at the regular time this month.
We will be meeting on Saturday, January 17th
at 8:00a.m. We will be continuing our study
Please contact Julie Courtney at 779-5401 with of the book of Acts. We welcome our regulars
any questions. and guests and encourage all of our men to
consider participating in this time of fellowship
and study.
Life Light
Our next session of Life Light Bible classes
begin again on January 8th.m We will be
reviewing the seldom-studied books of Ruth
and Esther. Classes are held at 10:30 a.m. &
7:00 p.m. in the Mueckler Library.
Zion Lutheran Church - January 2009
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3
OFFICE
CLOSED
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
8:00 Worship - Zion 10:00 Quilting 5:30 CWLSG 10:30 Lifelight
NO SS/BIBLE STUDY 6:00 SS Teachers 6:30 LWML Bible 5:30 Jr. Choir 9:00 Ladies’
10:45 Worship - CTK Meeting - Zion Study 6:00 CCI 7:00 Lifelight Breakfast
5:30 Elders’ Meeting 7:00 LWML Meeting 6:45 Sr. Choir
NO WORSHIP
SERVICE
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
8:00 Worship - Zion 10:00 Evangelism Mtg. 10:00 Quilting 5:30 CWLSG 10:30 Lifelight 8:00 Men’s
9:15 SS & Bible Study 5:30 Jr. Choir Breakfast/Bible
10:45 Worship - CTK 7:00 Worship at CTK 6:30 PPC Meeting 6:00 CCI 7:00 Lifelight Study
7:30 Board Meetings 6:45 Sr. Choir
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
NOON -
8:00 Worship - Zion NEWSLETTER 5:30 CWLSG 10:30 Lifelight
9:15 SS & Bible Study 5:45 CTK Board Mtg. DEADLINE 6:00 CCI
10:45 Worship - CTK 7:00 Worship at CTK NO JR OR SR CHOIR 7:00 Lifelight
1:00 K-12 Sledding at 10:00 Quilting
Deerfield Park 6:30 LWML
5:30 Pizza/Topic
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
5:30 CWLSG
8:00 Worship - Zion 10:00 Quilting 5:30 Jr. Choir 10:30 Lifelight
9:15 SS & Bible Study 7:00 Worship at CTK 6:00 CCI
10:45 Worship - CTK 6:45 Sr. Choir 7:00 Lifelight
7:00 Voters’ Meeting
Zion-Office 772-1516, Fax Line-772-7640 Christ The King-Office 773-5050 Pastor Reith 775-6228 Pastor Bakker 772-5351
January 2009 Volunteers
Mission of the Month - Lutherans for Life
Date Service Elder in Charge Usher Greeters Acolyte Altar Flowers
Team Zion/CTK
January 4 8:00 a.m. Rod Dent 1 Delvin Dahms & Bonny Lipka Poinsettias
10:45 a.m. Wayne Kiefer 4 Jim & Delores Morford
January 5 7:00 p.m.
January 11 8:00 a.m. Dick Harless 2 Dennis & Kaye Karlson
**/**
10:45 a.m. Wayne Reister 5 John & Claudia Schimmelmann
January 12 7:00 p.m.
January 18 8:00 a.m. Todd Greenlee 3 Dale & JoAnn Gust
**/**
10:45 a.m. Tom Prenkert 6 Rick & DeDe Buerkel
January 19 7:00 p.m.
January 25 8:00 a.m. Tom Emery 1 Roger Cole & Mel Coyne
**/**
10:45 a.m. Lynn Laskowsky 4 Jill Davis
January 26 7:00 p.m.
ALTAR COMMITTEE: ** INDICATES OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE
Zion Communion Set-Up: Amy & Rachel Mead
Zion Communion Clean-Up: Sue & Katelynn Epple
Birthdays & Anniversaries - January 2009
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3
Sydney Epple Dan Daws
Ken Johnson Ron Guinther
Gary & Ann
Hayes - 7th
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Denise Brown Yvonne Fitzgerald Delvin Dahms Diane Fleming Brian Hancock
Ron Deeg Carlee Krueger
Julie Murphy-Gronda Fred & Sue Rich & Diane
Hartway - 37th Fleming - 26th
Ron & Kathleen
Huber - 2nd
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Micah Milan John Anderson Mel Coyne Bob Pfeiffer Keith Voeks
Tom Prenkert Ray Rhines, Jr. Jennifer Parker
Jesse Zalud Sydney Warne Diane Sowle
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Chad Dush Lindsey Bluemer Kaye Karlson Rod Dent Travis Holloway
Troy Novak Jim Zalud
Lyle & Rose
Towslee - 20th
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Dorne Davis Lorraine Deeg Eric Chaffee Benjamin Arrowood Jan Reister Rachel Gray
Vivian Windgaston Bill Whitehead
Related docs
