The Lutheran Church - Missouri SynodMount Pleasant, Michigan 48858

Zion Lutheran Church & Preschool3401 E. River Road

(989)772-1516

Christ The King Lutheran Chapel1401 South Washington

(989)773-5050

August 2018 Jonathon J. Bakker and Benjamin J. Ulledalen, Pastors Volume 54, No. 8

"you O LORD are the same, and your years have no end. The children of your servantsshall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you." Psalm 102:27-28

Welcome Back Sunday will be here before weknow it. As of this writing (in mid-July) we havealready been in contact with several prospectiveCTK students. Pastor Ulledalen was able toaddress the Michigan District LCMS Conventionthis summer (an audience of 500 to 600+ people)regarding our campus ministry and others like usaround the state. We have been advertising theChapel in a couple of different District resources,as well as through paid, targeted advertising onFacebook. New names have been coming inevery week, and we are reaching out to theseyoung people with invitations to join us onSundays and throughout the week at Christ TheKing. Plans for the new school year are already inplace. Here are some new ideas for the 2018-19Academic Year: - A one-day fellowship trip to Traverse City atsome point in October. We hope that a quick tripof this nature might be more attractive to newstudents who might not be willing to take anovernight trip so soon in the semester. - We have purchased a 10 foot tall “feather flag,”with the LCMS U logo, and in CMU colors, to flyoutside along Washington Street when we havechurch services, lunches, and special events. - Anne Bakker plans to teach a small groupcollege women’s Bible Study at CTK. PastorUlledalen will continue to lead a similar group forthe campus men. We had consistent turn outthroughout the past academic year.

- A professional artist named Edward Riojas, whois also a Lutheran, has accepted our invitation togive a guest presentation on his art and Lutheran faith. Due in part to his busy schedule, whichincludes ArtPrize, we must wait until April 2019. In the meantime, you can learn more about himand see samples of his work at edriojasartist.comWe look forward to a national LCMS campusministry conference in early January, 2019, inFort Wayne, Indiana, on the topic of sharing theChristian faith.Pastor Ulledalen and LCMS U president LaneSavage have discussed other successful eventsfrom last year, such as a Martin Luther figurinescavenger hunt. We also look forward tomaintaining our encouraging relationship withLCMS U at Ferris State, by inviting them toparticipate in our events, and joining each otheron trips.Here are a few things you can do to help us at thestart of this new school year: 1. Pray for our Pastors, staff, volunteers, andstudent leaders. 2. Pray that many Lutheran students would makethe effort to attend church at CTK 3. Provide a Monday lunch, or just contribute aportion of the meal 4. Help to get any LCMS CMU students youknow connected with CTK 5. Attend our Welcome Back worship service onSunday, August 26, at 11 at CTK, and join us forthe meal afterward. If you are CMU staff or faculty(or retired), we would especially love to have youhelp us welcome new students. 6. Attend other Sunday services, greet students,and get to know them.

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The number-one thing we offer students at CTK isJesus. Sunday morning worship, pastoral care,and Christian fellowship are the means by whichthis happens. Although much has gone wrong inour world and our culture, we Christians do notlose hope. Jesus entered into the mess and heset things straight. He loved us so much that hedied in our place. The grave could not hold himdown. We have hope and joy, because our Godloves us. We know that whatever happens in thislife, we have life with him afterward. We have theprivilege of sharing this Good News on the CMUcampus. Thank you for your prayers and supportas we carry out this mission into anotheracademic year.

Pastor Ulledalen

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study Saturday, August 18 8:00 a.m.

Guest Pastor on August 5Please plan on welcoming Rev. Daniel Conrad,LCMS Missionary to Mexico for theologicaleducation. He will preach at our services onSunday, August 5, and will also speak about hiswork there during the time we normally have Biblestudy at Zion (around 9:45 a.m). All are welcome to come and learn more!

Lifelight Bible StudyThe fall session of Lifelight BibleStudy will begin on September 13.This fall we will turn to one of theoldest books in the Old Testament,Job. The theology of the cross is at the heart ofJob and while it is a challenging book to read, it isvery rewarding. You can prepare by readingthrough Job as you have the opportunity! Studymaterials are in the office and can be picked upany time.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS There will be no Sunday School classes in August.

Join us when classes resume on Rally Day - September 9 !

2018 Preschool EnrollmentThere are still a few spots open inthe three-year old class and theafternoon four-year old class. If youknow anyone who might beinterested, refer them to our websiteor the church office.

The preschool staff is hard at workpreparing for the coming school year.Here are a few items that we arealways looking for: old keys,puzzles (pieces can be missing),bags of white rice, bags of popcornkernels, non-working coloredChristmas lights, buttons, cotton balls, beads,macaroni noodles, tooth picks, Q-tips, dessertsized paper plates, dinner sized paper plates,disinfecting wipes, craft supplies of any kind andpackages of colored pencils and washablemarkers. Should you have any questions, pleasedo not hesitate to talk to Monica Brown, LindaFauver or Tina Roe. Thank you and have aBlessed Summer!

Meet The Teacher NightsWe are having a “Meet the Teacher Night” openhouse for currently enrolled preschoolers andtheir families. This is an opportunity for your childto meet other children in their class and also forparents to connect with other parents. Thestudents in the three-year-old class will come onThursday, August 23; the students in the bothmorning and afternoon four-year-old classes willcome on Wednesday, August 22. The time will befrom 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for bothdates. Parent orientation is onAugust 29 at 6:00 p.m.

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STEWARDSHIP CORNERMonthly Income & Expense Report

through June 30, 2018 2018 2017 YTD Budgeted Expenses $231,086.41 $201,058.02YTD Actual Expenses $234,512.69 $198,966.04YTD Balance $ ( 3,426.28) $ 2,091.98

YTD General Fund Income $221,392.61 $214,010.03YTD Actual Expenses $234,512.69 $198,966.04YTD Income Less Expense $(13,120.08) $ 15,043.99

When it comes to stewardship, afavorite Bible verse is theaccount of the widow’s mite(Luke 21:1–4). It’s a movingaccount. Our Lord praises theseemingly small gift of two copper coins given bya poor widow above the abundance of gifts givenby the rich, saying, “Truly, I tell you, this poorwidow has put in more than all of them” (Luke21:3). And that is usually where we stop. But thetext goes on. “For they all contributed out of theirabundance, but she out of her poverty put in allshe had to live on” (Luke 21:4). “She … put in allshe had to live on.” She gave everything. Sheheld nothing back. She trusted that the Lord whomade her and all creatures, who gave hereverything she had, who redeemed her from herown sin, from death, and the power of the devil,who called her by the Gospel and enlightened herwith His gifts of Word and Sacrament, wouldcontinue to do this. He would provide her with allthat she needed for this body and life becausethat is the character of the God she had. But this is not why we give small gifts. Her gift,though it appeared small, was actually large.When we are tempted to give small gifts it isprecisely because we want them to be small! Wedon’t trust the Lord to provide for us. We give small gifts because we lack faith in theOne who created us, redeemed us, sanctifies andkeeps us in the one true faith. We give small giftsbecause we doubt that God will really give uswhat we need and desire. We give small giftsbecause we are not content with what God hasalready given. We are not slaves, children of the slave woman,under the Old Covenant (Gal. 4). We are adoptedsons of the free woman. And since we are sons,we are also heirs. And heirs receive theinheritance.

For everything is already ours in Christ. And thus,moved by the willing spirit of adoption, we do thewill of God in financial matters far beyond all thatdone by those under the Old Covenant who wereforced by legal demands. So what have you decided to give? How do Idecide what to give? Let the Scriptures be yourguide. We are to give proportionally to what we havereceived from God’s giving to us (Luke 12:48; 1Cor. 16:1-2, 2 Cor. 8:12). But you have not beenset free to give nothing. See that you excel in thegrace of giving (2 Cor. 8:7). We are not free to live selfishly outside theGospel, without regard for God who gives us allgood gifts, without generosity for our neighborwho needs us and our gifts, without supportingthe community of faith in which we live, withoutcare for our spiritual fathers and those who teachand help raise our children in the faith, withoutresources for the poor and needy – in short, weare not free to live unto ourselves, hoarding whatGod has given us only for us. For love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans13:10). And the sum of the law is this: Love Godand love your neighbor (Matt. 22:34-.40). We lovebecause He first loved us. We give because Hehas given to us. Luther once said, “Possessions belong in yourhands, not in your heart” (LW 14:240). There is areason your 10 fingers spread apart. With yourhands you catch God’s gifts for what you needand let the rest fall through your fingers to yourneighbors – your family, your friends, yourcommunity, your church.

August

Mission of the MonthConcordia Theological Seminary

St. LouisConcordia Seminary serves church and world byproviding theological education and leadershipcentered in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christfor the formation of pastors, missionaries,deaconesses, scholars, and leaders in the nameof The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

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Stewardship Volunteer OpportunityZion members have an opportunity to volunteer toassist Community Compassion Network (CCN)on August 15 and 16. CCN now has a permanentlocation and guests may go every Wednesdayand Thursday for food. There is a sign-up sheeton the bulletin board. Below are listed the timesand activities for which you may volunteer:Volunteer Days at the Pantry at the StricklerCenter, 1114 W. High Street, for Zion Lutheranmembers.

Wednesday, August 15, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 4:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.Thursday, August 16, 7:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon 3:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.Greeters: check guests in at front to see if theyhave an appointment or give them a walk-innumber if they do not. Need two people. Escort: Walk guests through the store and helpthem get their food. Need to be able to walkand/or push a cart. Need four people Warehouse: Give guests produce and hold theircarts while they go and get their car. They pull thecar up to the backdoor, honk and need helploading their car. Need two or three people, aphysical job. In addition to these volunteer activities, Zion hasbudgeted and is contributing $2500 for a foodtruck.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something toeat. I was thirsty and you gave me something todrink… I tell you the truth, whatever you did forone of the least of these brothers of mine, you didfor Me. Matthew 25: 33 & 40"

ORPHAN GRAIN TRAIN ...is starting up in Michigan and needs our help!Reaching into 67 countries with the message ofJesus to accompany humanitarian aid and mercycare, Orphan Grain Train for 27 years hasresponded to human need with the love of Jesus. OGT distributes food, clothing, medical supplies,Christian literature, school materials, tools,personal transport devices for the disabled, andmore. Orphan Grain Train also quickly respondsdomestically with disaster relief when hurricanes,fires, or drought place people and livelihoods injeopardy. The new Orphan Grain Train Michiganlocated in Sebewaing is the first formal presencefor OGT in our state. A new branch warehousefacility opens there soon. For more informationabout Orphan Grain Train, visit www.ogt.org/ orcontact Orphan Grain Train Michigan BranchManager, Pastor David Reed EM, 989-600-2264.

Orphan Grain Train Michigan Congregational Associate

Being sought is one individual or couple withineach LCMS congregation willing to undertake thefollowing: - Acquaint oneself generally with Orphan GrainTrain by visiting its website. - Be the communication liaison into yourcongregation. - Be able to receive Orphan Grain Train -Michigan information via email. - Convey notices for bulletins/newsletters tochurch office for inclusion with permission. - Keep one’s pastor acquainted with news fromOrphan Grain Train - Michigan. - Share contact information to connect otherslocally interested in Orphan Grain Train.

If you are interested in volunteering to helpsupport this ministry, please get in touch withPastor Bakker.

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A huge thank you to everyone who helped makeZion’s Vacation Bible School happen this year. Our teachers, decorators, classroom helpers,director, those who took care of the variousstations the children visited each day, those whocontributed snacks and other gifts, those whoprayed for this outreach, and all of our studentswho came and learned are all gifts from God! Thank you, all, for your tireless work!

Thank you also to our youth board for the workyou do to provide opportunities for Zion’s youth tobe involved in our life together as a congregation,and to grow in their faith and fellowship. Thankyou to all of the youth (and their faithful parents!!)for participating and giving of your time to yourchurch. Your visits to our shut-in church membersaround Christmas and Easter are much appreciated, as are you!

Finally, thank you to all who worked together tomake the outdoor service happen July 15 – unlikelast year there was plenty of warmth! Thanks tothe Family Life board for planning the meal andfor those who brought food to share – it was agreat meal! Thanks, finally, to our elders, ushers,and our musician for going above and beyondhaving to play outdoors!

Life Quote from Lutherans For Life

We can be a witness to the worldaround us by simply living the livesGod has called us to live. By doingso, we show the world there is areason to be For Life, that there is somethingdifferent and good about it. Laura Davis, directorof Y4Life (Y4Life.org) – A “Life Quote” forLutherans For Lifewww.lutheransforlife.org

Holy Scripture: Guided Reading August 2018

Psalms, part 2: We pick up wherewe left off last month in the book ofPsalms. The readings are designedthis month to try and make things manageable forfinishing with a few days to spare. This month wewill be reading the longest chapter in the Bible(Psalm 119) and also the shortest (Psalm 117).

Psalms 81, 82, 83 Psalms 84, 85, 86 Psalms 87, 88, 89 Psalms 90, 91 Psalms 92, 93, 94 Psalms 95, 96, 97 Psalms 98, 99, 100, 101 Psalms 102, 103 Psalms 104, 105 Psalm 106 Psalms 107, 108 Psalms 109, 110, 111 Psalms 112, 113, 114, 115 Psalms 116, 117, 118 Psalm 119:1-40 Psalm 119:41-88 Psalm 119:89-136 Psalm 119:137-178 Psalms 120, 121, 122, 123 Psalms 124, 125, 126 Psalms 127, 128, 129 Psalms 130, 131, 132, 133 Psalms 134, 135 Psalms 136, 137 Psalms 138, 139, 140 Psalms 141, 142, 143 Psalms 144, 145, 146 Psalms 147, 148, 149, 150

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LWML WOMEN TO WOMEN AUGUST 2018

LWML MEETING There are no meetings forAugust. PLEASE NOTE that the Gingko Tree is notavailable for August, so we need to change thatdate to September 15 at 1 p.m. Please let one ofthe officers know if you will be able to attend, so wecan give the restaurant a number.

Once again, please consider volunteering to bevice-president for this year. Duties includesubmitting an article like this one once a month,attending board meetings, and of course, running ameeting if the president is not available. (Officesrun for two years, and alternate two offices are upfor election each year—president and vice-president one year, secretary and treasurer thenext year). We know there is someone out therewho would like to be more involved with the ladies’activities.

MITE BOXES are always available on the LWMLtable in the narthex. Consider taking one home tofill with your loose change. We send Mites in to theMichigan District Treasurer quarterly, and our groupis a little down in giving this year. You can returnyour contributions to Zion at any time. Just put themoney in the jar in the office or in the big mite boxin the narthex. Kathy Nims, our treasurer, is alsothe secretary at CTK; you can give your mites toher there as well. Thank you for helping our Districtand National LWML meet the goals set for missiongrants this biennium. New grants will be chosen atthe state convention July 20-22, 2018; ourdelegates, Kathy Nims and Doris Johnson, willhave the privilege of voting on the new ones andwill have a report for you in the fall.

HELP NEEDED The Michigan District BOD willmeet at Zion on August 10-11. We will need helpwith meals for both days. Signup sheets will be onthe bulletin boards. Not a lot of work if enoughpeople help.

COMING UP:

1. October 7, LWML Sunday. Rescheduling of JoyMarkus, POBLO, during Bible Study plus a reporton the Michigan District LWML Convention. 2. October 20, MidMichigan Zone Fall Rally atGrace, Auburn. 3. December 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Craft Show andCookie Walk at Zion. (It is not too soon to startthinking about the cookies you will contribute.) Thisis our one fundraising event of the year, and we areso grateful for the outpouring of Christian Love ourladies (and men) show. 4. December 15, Women’s Christmas Party atZion. Pot Luck and White Elephants too!

Submitted by Doris Johnson

Quilting: Needed: one volunteer toassist with quilting on Tuesday afternoonsfrom 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. The group willteach you how to quilt if you have wantedto do this but have not done it before. Ifinterested please contact JoAnn Gust.

Thank you to the 2018 VBS volunteers! Thank you to VBS Director MalloryZalud, and all of the volunteersincluding teachers, helpers,decorators, registration workers,storytellers, snack crew, crafty

crew, recreation crew, music volunteers, child careworkers and those who donated food and otheritems. Thank you to the wonderful parents whobrought their children each day to learn of Jesus,sing, play, create, and have great snacks.

A special thanks to our financial and hands-onsponsors of 2018 Vacation Bible School. The KOHL’S Team: For the help with the Fridaypicnic and their $500 contribution. THRIVENT FINANCIAL:

For the music cd’s for each family For the daily-themed snacks

For the Christian-themed crafts Thrivent is a membership organization of Christianswho help members be wise with money and livegenerously. The result is stronger members,families and communities.

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Campus Corner Welcome Back Sunday

August 26 !Everyone is invited to our WelcomeBack Luncheon after the 11:00 a.m. service onAugust 26 at Christ The King. Please come andextend a warm welcome to our new students andan enthusiastic “Welcome Back” to our returningstudents.” We would also appreciate a fewvolunteers to lend their hands in cleaning up andputting away tables and chairs after the lunch. Thanks so much for all you do to support ourcampus ministry at CTK. Here’s to a successful2018/2019 academic school year!

CTK MONDAY LUNCHESCould you provide a main dish for about 20 people?No frills necessary. Being away from home, thestudents love and appreciate a delicious home-cooked meal. You don’t even need to be there toprepare it, although it would be great to have youeat with us. Please call the CTK office to find a slotnot yet taken. There are sign-up sheets at both Zionand CTK. Thanks so much!

International MinistryOne of our international families is in need of a bedfor this coming school year. If you have a full orqueen-size bed you are willing to donate, pleasecontact Anne Bakker or the CTK office. Thank you

Part-time Custodian Needed at ZionThere is a need at Zion for a part-time custodian.This is a paid position and will require 10-15 hoursper week. Work times are flexible. If you areinterested or know of someone who would be, please contact Tim at the church office. Theposition needs to be filled by September 1. Trainingwill be provided.

Family Life / Youth

Rummage Sale Thursday, August 23

thru Saturday, August 25

Drop off items beginning Monday, August 13

The rummage sale is almost here! Mark this onyour calendar and start putting items aside thatyou would like to get rid of. Please do not dropoff items prior to August 13. This is a greatvolunteer opportunity for you to help. There willbe sign-up sheets posted at Zion in the comingweeks with more details. There will be helpneeded getting organized from August 21-23 aswell as during the sale. This is always enjoyable,profitable, and a great time for fellowship.

Next Youth Activity

Night

Sunday, September 9

Online Giving A Free Financial Service

Designed To Help You Meet Your Stewardship Commitments

As people of faith, giving generously is a naturalresponse to the outpouring of God’s blessings.But practicing stewardship on a consistent basiscan be challenging. The Excel in Giving electronic funds transferservice was designed to make it easier for you tofollow through on your stewardship pledge. Youcan use this automated financial service to makecontributions and tithes. For more information see a member of theStewardship Board or contact the church office.

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