october 2016 newsletter pastors? in this issue… 16.pdfoctober 2016 newsletter holy cross and...

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ZION LUTHERAN

CHURCH

420 1st Street SE PO Box 118 Gwinner, ND 701.678.2401 www.ziongwinner.org

Divine Service 10:00 am Every Sunday

October 2016

Newsletter

Pastors?

As you may or may not know, for the last 10 months I have been helping Holy Cross and Immanuel Lutheran Churches in Lidgerwood. They have been without a pastor. Therefore, I have been one of their vacancy pastors – working with their boards and leadership in order to ensure that things would run smoothly, as they work to call their next pastor. With that said, the good news is that they are receiving a pastor this October. We can rejoice with them!

Why do I mention this, though? I mention it because starting in November I will also be helping St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oakes with the same thing, as they are losing their pastor.

Will this impact Zion though? It really will not impact Zion in the day to day operations, since most of the work in helping the church in Oakes will happen with evening meetings.

So, why do I bring this up?

In regard to the transitions in pastors in Oakes and Lidgerwood , it has caused them to take a step back and understand the role and expectations of a pastor, which would be good for us to do as well. Therefore, I have written two articles on this subject of pastoral expectations and pastoral roles, for both Lidgerwood and Oakes… and for us.

Besides these two articles, there are all sorts of dates and events to keep informed of in the month of October. So, carefully page through this month’s newsletter and see all the wonderful things going on here at Zion.

Enjoy the articles and enjoy this newsletter!

-Pastor

Pastor’s Note

Higher Things

Reformation Party

October Birthdays

Mission of the Month

LWML

Service Lists

Calendar

Pastor’s Article

Operation Shoe Box

In This Issue…

http://www.ziongwinner.org/

WWW.ZIONGWINNER.ORG 2

October Birthdays

1 – Brady McKenna

2 – Lonnie Hoechst

3 – Taylor Grenier LaVonne Nelson

7 – Brady Anderson

8 – Dakotah Stroh

14– Kayla Brockman

15 – Reid Opdahl

16 – NaKayla Halmrast

20 – Jacie Enderson

21 – Phillip Enderson Annamarie Dudas

22 – Kendall Johnson

23– Randal Brockman

24– Jason Asche

28– Dennis Hickman

31 – AJ Enderson

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4:00 pm “Luther” Movie

6:00 pm Good ol’ German Food

Please let Pastor or Tana know if you

are interested in attending.

Registration opens November 1.

Topics include reports from Pastor, boards, and officers, plus 2017 mission goal, holiday worship times, Pastor's 2017 salary, and election of officers. Offices up for election are treasurer, education board member, and trustee. Please plan to attend and participate in the congregation's business. All members, 18 years and older, are eligible to vote.

Quarterly Voters Meeting

Wed. October 26 at 7pm

Here I Stand - July 25-28

Valparaiso University,

Valparaiso, IN


LWML Sunday October 2

LWML encourages all women to find joy in Bible study, mite giving, mission service, and reaching the lost and hurting for Christ. Check out our website at www.lwml.org.

Parish Assistant Office Hours

Monday-Friday 9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Wednesday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

Email: [email protected]

Please call or email either Pastor or the Church Office if you need spiritual care,

know of somebody in the hospital needing a visit, have prayer submissions for the

divine service, or for any other church related circumstance.

Mission of the Month –

Mission Central LCMS World Mission

Make note of these:

Pastor’s Office & Study Hours

Monday Pastor’s Day Off

Tuesday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

Wednesday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Thursday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

Friday 9:30 am to 5:00 pm

If Pastor is out for visitations, meetings, etc…

during the scheduled times above, he will

generally have a ‘be back soon’ sign on the

church’s front door informing you of

his estimated time of return.

Need to Contact Pastor?

Email: [email protected]

Cell: 701-680-2658

Office: 701-678-2401

Blog: www.pastormattrichard.com

Mission Central, located in the cornfields of Western Iowa, is the largest mission supporting agency in the United States. Through your support, this organization helps to send and keep LCMS missionaries in the field.

Learn more about Mission Central and the exciting work they are doing at www.missioncentral.us

mailto:[email protected]



Journey of the Heart Grief Support Program

Where: Zion Lutheran Church

420 1st St. SE Gwinner, ND 58040

When: Mondays from 3-5 PM from November 7th –December 12th

November 7th November 14th November 21st November 28th December 5th December 12th

Cost: This program is offered free of charge to those who are interested.

Refreshments will be available.

Register: Registration for this program is required. To register please call the CHI Health at Home

office or email Hillary and request that you be registered for the Gwinner Grief Support Program

Questions: If you have any questions about the program, please feel free to contact Hillary by phone or

email. Hillary Langfeld, LSW

Social Worker, Bereavement Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator [email protected] Office: 218-643-2275 Cell: 218-205-4470



Ushers

October 2

nd LWML Sunday

9th

Brian & Tana McKenna

16th

Betsy & Collin Greenley

23rd

Kevin & Cindy Dietz

30th

Rodney & Sandy Mathias

November 6

th Naomi Vincent,

Tina Vincent

13th

Joey & Cindy Enderson

20th

Rick & Dawn Gaden

27th

Jay & Karen Enderson

CHIP Families (Christians Held in Prayer) October 2

Gary & Kay Drevlow Jamie, Zach 13154 Hwy 13 Gwinner, ND 58040

October 9

Steve & Agnes Dudas Istvan & Annamaria 119 Maplewood Drive Gwinner, ND 58040

Acolytes

Cleaners List 2nd to 8th

Duane & Shelli Bergemann

Rick & Dawn Gaden

Sy & Jen Hansana

Bob Orn

9th to 15th

Darlene Buchholz

Jim & Marge Asche

Karren Euscher

Corey & Lauri TImmerman

Note: If you are unable to usher, count or acolyte on your

scheduled date, we ask that you please contact another member to

switch with.

16th to 22nd

Grover & Jan Riebe

Ron & Chelie Greenmyer

Scott & Christine Bopp

Terri Grenier

Carmen Cavett

23rd to 29th

Chris & Marsha Mathias

Jesse & Michele Utecht

Rodney & Sandy Mathias

Steve & Celeste Metzen

Bob Orn

October 16

Lorrie Eiter 4Season’s Manor Forman, ND 58032

October 23 Jay & Karen Enderson AJ, Philip, Jacie, Jada 714 Main St S Gwinner, ND 58040

*Please remember to sign your name

on the chart on the bulletin board

by the kitchen noting which area of

the church you have cleaned*

2nd Christina Mathias

9th Schuyler Utecht

16th Allie Bopp

23rd Howie Neustel

30th Annika Nelson

30th to 5th

Corey & Patty Essig

Naomi Vincent

Heather Swanson

Tina Vincent

Steve & Agnes Dudas

Counters

2nd Rodney & Sandy Asche, Jennifer Hansana

9th Brian McKenna, Jason Asche, Jay Enderson

16th Cindy Dietz, Bob Orn, Gary Drevlow

23rd Rodney & Sandy Asche, Jennifer Hansana

30th Brian McKenna, Jason Asche, Jay Enderson

October 30 Joey & Cindy Enderson Brandon 308 4th Ave SE Gwinner, ND 58040


October 2016 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 am Sunday School for adults and children

10 am Divine Service

*Communion

NO Pastor’s Study

4pm Confirmation

7:30 pm Council Mtg

10 am Staff Mtg

Pastor’s Day Off

9 9 am Sunday School for adults and children


10 10 am Staff Mtg

11

12 9am Pastor’s Study

2 pm LWML

4pm Confirmation

13

14 Pastor’s Day Off



Pastor’s Day Off

10 am Staff Mtg

9am Pastor’s Study

2 pm LWML

4pm Confirmation



*Communion

Pastor’s Day Off

10 am Staff Mtg

7 pm MOB Mtg

9 am Pastor’s Study

4pm Confirmation

7:15 pm LWML



Pastor’s Day Off

10 am Staff Mtg

*Newsletter Material Due

9am Pastor’s Study

10:30 am 4Season’s Chapel

Reformation Party

4pm Luther Movie

6pm Reformation Dinner

7 pm Quarterly Voters Meeting



*Communion

Pastor’s Conference in Fargo


Expectations of a Pastor?

Rev. Dr. Matt Richard The expectations of a pastor are some of the most

misunderstood things in the church today. Just what

does a pastor do and what is he called to? I came

across a very funny job description for the ideal

pastor on Facebook. Here is what it says, “The ideal pastor preaches exactly twenty

minutes with an hour’s content. He condemns

sin but never offends anyone. He works from 8

am to midnight, and also serves as the church

janitor. He makes $40 a week, wears good

clothes, and donates $30 a week to the church.

He is 29 years old and has 40 years of

experience. He is a strong leader, yet also follows

everyone’s advice. He can effectively relate to all

teenagers and spends all of his time with the

elderly. He is tall and short, thin and heavyset,

and has one brown eye and one blue eye. He

makes 15 house calls a day, regularly visits the

hospital, and is always in his office.”

While we can laugh at the previous comment, there is

no doubt about it that in our modern age there are

significant pressures put upon the pastoral office that

often times makes the pastoral office into something

other than the teaching office of the

church. For example, some see the pastor

as a manager – kind of like a CEO, whereas

others see the pastor as some sort of

therapeutic person that is there to sooth a

troubled conscience with comforting

phrases and a calming presence.

Tragically with the Megachurch Movement, the

pastor has become the guy who has all the rights

answers – a spiritual entrepreneur who knows how to

build a spiritual empire, craft a marketing strategy,

and entertain the masses of people with entertaining

sermons that keep people coming back for more.

Still, there are other churches that see Pastors as

‘change agents.’ Pastors need to be persons who are

skilled and effective in bringing about intentional

change. They are called to change a church, but not

make anyone mad.

Pulling from the early American Puritans, there are

others who see the pastor as one who centers on

prayer and pious living – a spiritual guru stuck in the

office, who only comes out of the office to model the

Christian life.

The catechesis of the Small Catechism cannot be

sustained by any of these models. Yes, there are

budgets to be managed and church buildings to be

maintained; however, there are others in the

congregation who can attend to many of these

things. Recall that the apostles appointed seven men

to take care of the food distribution program so that

the apostles could devote themselves “to prayer and

to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). In the present-

day church, we often do just the opposite, as pastors

turn over “prayer and . . . the ministry of the word” to

the laity and instead busy themselves with the

multiplication of programs and administration of

parish business. May this never be! The pastor is not

called to be a CEO or a therapist or a change agent or

a spiritual guru, but rather, he is

called to the office of preaching,

teaching, and administering the

Sacraments. Why is this so

important? It is important because

the pastor is called to stand in the

stead of the Lord Jesus Christ to

‘absolve!’ Yes, the pastor is called to

speak the forgiveness of sins and proclaim the

forgiveness of sins. He is called to baptize and deliver

the body and blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of

sins. The pastor is called to serve the church so that

God’s people would receive the forgiveness of sins! It

is all about the Word and Sacraments for God’s

people, for forgiveness, strength, and hope.


What is a Pastor?

Rev. Dr. Matt Richard

An older pastor once spoke the following to a group of younger pastors in training. He said to them:

You are a servant of the Word. You belong to Jesus. The Way of the Cross is a lonely, narrow path but it leads to heaven. Be more afraid of God than you are of the people. It is not the one who signs the check who provides daily bread.

It is the Preaching Office. Don't forget that. Your relationship to the congregation is the same as the prophets to Israel. Work on teaching and converting your own people—which includes scores of folks not on the books. Preach the Gospel to them—from the pulpit, the podium, the bedside, and behind the desk. They come looking for marital advice? Tell them about Jesus dying for them. They come looking for sympathy and a listening ear? Tell them about Jesus dying for them. They have a new baby, lost their jobs, and are afraid of retirement? Tell them about Jesus dying for them. No matter what the circumstances, what the situation, you preach Christ crucified. Never compromise the simple Truth that has saved you.

You are really no more than the bread and wine on the altar, the water in the font—you are the mud and spit He rubs into the eyes of the blind. Your voice, whether eloquent or stumbling, carries the joyful sound of redemption. People will be touched by God as much through your struggles and weaknesses as they will through your strengths and your successes.

Believe your own preaching. Jesus died also for you. He called you to this Ministry. He knows what he is doing. As good or as bad as it gets, it will not last forever. He is coming back to claim His own.

It is most certainly true that a pastor is a herald of the Word of God to his flock. He is to proclaim the Word, not his opinion. The pulpit is tied to the Word of God, thus the pastor only has authority when he is preaching the Word of God and not man’s opinions. This Preaching Office, the pastor is to be the shepherd of the sheep. He shepherds, protects and feeds the sheep, not by his own strength or wisdom but he feeds the sheep and directs the sheep by the Word. Why is this all so? God’s Word is powerful. The same word that created the world in Genesis is the same Word that creates and grants faith to the church and beyond. We all need God’s powerful Word of Law announced to us to reveal sin and we need God’s powerful Word of Forgiveness declared to us so that we might hear that we are forgiven for Christ’s sake. We all need this Word spoken into our circumstances; we all need a pastor.


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IT’S TIME to gear up for an exciting time of packing shoeboxes

for children around the world!

“Operation Christmas Child”

The Shoe Box Gift sponsored by Zion Evening LWML

Sharing Christ’s love in a tangible way has been the heartbeat of Operation Christmas Child for 20 years. When Samaritan’s Purse first adopted the project in 1993, we never imagined that such simple gifts could help inspire generations of people to be givers. If there is one thing we have learned in the years since, it is that these gifts can be filled with great power when they are packed with love, covered in prayer, and sent in the Name of Jesus.

That power is evident in the lives of the millions of children around the world who have received a shoebox gift, heard the Good News of Jesus Christ, and graduated from The Greatest Journey follow-up discipleship classes. But it also is shown in the generations of families who have grown up packing shoeboxes and are now teaching their own children to give through Operation Christmas Child

How can I help?

Pray: Pray that God will touch the heart of every child who receives a shoe box gift.

Pack a Gift: A shoe box filled with small toys and other gifts can open hurting hearts to God’s love.

Donate: Donate items for Shoe Box Gifts. Donate $7 for shipping costs.

We will be collecting items for the shoe boxes until November 6th.

All filled shoe boxes must be at the church by November 13th. They will be delivered to a collection site during Collection week November 14-21.

Watch for more information coming on how to fill a shoe box and a list of Gift Ideas.

Empty shoe boxes will be available in the fellowship hall.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17


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Zion Lutheran Church A Church of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

THE MISSION OF ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH IS TO

CONTINUE THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST BY

BEING ROOTED IN THE WORD,

BY GROWING IN FAITH,

AND BY BRANCHING OUT

WITH THE GOSPEL

www.ziongwinner.org

october 2016 newsletter pastors? in this issue… 16.pdfoctober 2016 newsletter holy cross and...

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