SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
“Opportunities? They are all around us...There is
power lying latent everywhere waiting for the observant
eye to discover it.” – Orison Swett Marden
NEW YEAR'S
EVE Communion Service: Wednesday, December 31, 4:00pm
YEAR-END GIFTS: You should have received a letter in the
mail containing a year-end envelope and a commitment
card for 2009. Extra offerings are needed for: 1)
General Fund (operating funds for Mission and Ministry)
and General Fund Deficit; 2) Foundations For the Future.
There is also a Special Funds Wish List on the church
office counter. Thank you to all who continue to support
the ministries at Zion.
YEAR-END OFFERINGS: To be recorded for 2008, all
year-end offerings must be received in the church office
by Wednesday, December 31.
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:
Monday and Tuesday, December 29-30 – 8:00am-4:00pm
Wednesday, December 31 – 8:00am-2:00pm
Thursday and Friday, January 1-2 – Closed
PORTALS OF PRAYER Devotions for January-March are
available on tables throughout the narthex.
Reminder: If you or a loved one is hospitalized, please
contact the church office. The hospitals do not
necessarily contact the church even if you've requested
Zion be notified when you're admitted.
THE following Weekends in January are open for bulletin
sponsorship: January 3-5, 17-19, and 24-26. Weekends
open for altar flowers are: January 10-12 and 24-26. If
you're interested in sponsoring the bulletin or placing
altar flowers, contact the church office.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS are coming down on Sunday, January
4, after the second service. We can use lots of help.
Come join the fun! Call the church office if you're
willing to help.
BIBLE CLASSES:
The Thursday Morning class has begun a study of
"Proverbs." The class meets 9:30-11:00am in Ministry
Room A, and everyone is invited. Class resumes on
January 8.
The Sunday Morning class is studying the book of Amos
and its impact on today's culture. Class meets from
9:45-10:45am in Ministry Room A.
A musical thank you to the various musical groups for
sharing their gift of music during our worship services
in December. We thank God for blessing us with these
dedicated students and adults and for their time,
energy, and commitment!
CHRISMON Christmas Tree: Have you ever wondered what
those funny looking letters on the fish mean. IXTHUS--The
Greek word for fish. This is an acrostic (where each
letter stands for another word) for the Greek words
meaning I-Jesus X-Christ, Q - God's U-Son, S- Savior.
Sometimes in symbols such as this Chrismon the letters
are combined or stylized. The tree to the left of the
altar is decorated with Chrismons made by our church
members.
CHECK OUT THE selection of books, boxed cards, Bibles,
calendars, and CDs available on the book table outside
the church office.
SCHOOL NEWS…
The staff and students are enjoying their Christmas
break. Classes resume on Monday, January 5.
Thank you to the volunteers, students, teachers, and
shoppers who helped make the recent Book Fair a success.
The Book Fair grossed over $3,000, giving the school
$800 in cash profit and over $250 in book profit. The
$800 will be donated to Foundations For the Future. We
also thank Thrivent Financial for providing matching
funds.
The 2nd Annual Cookie Walk was a big success! We served
cookies to well over 100 families from the congregation,
school, and neighborhood. Thank you to everyone that
helped make this event great for our school including
the crafters and the bakers. Proceeds will benefit
Foundations for the Future. Mrs. E's coffee & cocoa
service was also "steaming." Those proceeds will benefit
Mrs. E's 1st grade classroom.
Another thank you to everyone who donated gifts or
supplies for the very successful PTL Santa Store. Thanks
also to the volunteers who helped wrap the gifts. The
students enjoyed shopping for their families. Start
saving items for next year's store!
SCRIP NEWS…
Zion students and parents are selling Scrip cards after
most worship services in the narthex; cards are also
available in the church office during the week.
Next Scrip order is due Monday, January 5, with delivery
on Friday, January 9.
HEAD TO HEART: How will the New Year be different for
you? Will you learn more about what it means to have
faith in Jesus? Will you find more blessings in the
study of God’s Word and building relationships that will
last? Although we don’t know what tomorrow will bring,
we can do things to get ready for it today! Our next
Theme Night is Tuesday, January 6, at 6:30pm. Until
then, do your FINK Fives daily and use your Living
Journal for guidance.
Hope for Healing begins a new session on Thursday,
January 29, at 7:00pm in Ministry Room A. If a family
member or someone close to you has died, or if you’ve
suffered another grief “event,” you may benefit from the
gathering. We watch a video, learn how others have
experienced a loss in their life, and share one
another’s burdens under the cross. Life in a sin-filled
world requires help from friends. If you have questions,
please call Pastor John at 894-2611.
LWML Mite boxes and January calendars are available in
the office hallway.
THRIVENT GIVING PLUS PROGRAM…Remember: Thrivent members
have until the end of the year to contribute up to $600
to the program. (If you're unsure of your year-to-date
contribution, call the church office, and we can give
you that information.)
Church Extension Fund ● DECEMBER RATES
($500 min. investment) ● 3-5 mos. 2.15% ● 6-11 mos.
2.25%
12-23 mos. 4.00% ● 24-59 mos. 4.00% ● 60 mos. 4.00%
UPCOMING AREA EVENTS…See the flyers on the bulletin
board near the church office for details on activities,
dinners, classes, and musical events.
FOOD Pantry: Thank you for all the donations for our
holiday baskets – 170 baskets were distributed for
Christmas. The following items are needed to replenish
our ongoing pantry: canned fruit, canned vegetables,
Spaghettio's/ravioli.
ALTAR FLOWERS: This weekend's flowers (which were also
the Christmas altar flowers) are presented by Jim & Judy
Buerkel in thanksgiving to God for His many blessings.
Acknowledgments, GIFTS, And MEMORIALS
In memory of Marie Stroemer on the anniversary of her
birth (Dec. 26), from Lee & Lynn Sanford and Kevin, Teri
& Gillian Heise…$100 to the General Fund.
In honor of Richard & Eunice List's 65th wedding
anniversary (Dec.24)…$25 to the General Fund.
In honor of Richard & Eunice List's 65th wedding
anniversary (Dec.24)…$60 to the General Fund.
In honor of their birthdays (Dec. 21 and Dec. 24) and
their 45th anniversary (Dec. 28), from Ernie & Cheryl
Highlen…$500 to Thrivent GivingPlus (Foundations For the
Future).
A Christmas gift to the congregation, from Penzien
Funeral Home…$100 to the Church Office Equipment Fund.
Text Box: THRIVENT GIVINGPLUS PROGRAM (In 2007, 111
individuals participated; $26,666.00 in Matching Funds)
WEEK #52 - Totals for 2008: GivingPlus Contributions
$47,917.00 ($3,890 this week) Matching Funds Amount
23,958.50 TOTAL 71,875.50 96 Thrivent members have
participated in 2008
Financial Information
General Fund Deficit through
11/30/08................................... $53,000
Line of Credit
Balance..........................................................
$50,000
Needed weekly in offerings to meet budget (not including
income from tuition and Thrivent GivingPlus matching
funds) ........... $14,050
LAST WEEKEND'S ATTENDANCE..............................
347
"WHO AM I?"
Guess this week's Bible figure: I am a very important
part of Christmas. The wise men brought some of my
namesakes to the Christ Child and His parents. Often I
come wrapped in pretty paper, ribbon, and bows. However,
this time I came clothed in flesh and blood. My size and
my coming were foretold for thousands of years. And I
have been described in almost every language of earth,
and volumes have been written about me, but often I am
forgotten soon after I am opened. Many people fail to
see how much they need me. You can read about me in
Ephesians 2:8.
Last week’s answer: “Ezekiel” (Read Ezekiel 5)
