the newsletter of zion lutheran churchjun 05, 2020 · all his worldly possessions, including his...

June 2020 Zion Lutheran Church & Early Childhood Center

The Newsletter of

Zion Lutheran Church

J�� 2020

FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Matthew 6:34

These words from Matthew ring truer for me today than ever before. I’ve always loved the words of

Jesus found in Matthew chapter 6. They are a reminder of how much trusting in God can impact our

entire being. When we trust in the things of this world for security, protection and hope, how quickly we

become worrisome, anxious and stressed out.

I’ve been experiencing a different kind of stress during these days of pandemic that I haven’t

experienced at any other time in my ministry that I can recall. While visiting with a group of Pastors online

the other day, everyone of us were sharing how we were personally doing spiritually, physically, mentally

and emotionally. All kinds of feelings and emotions were shared as each of us described what life was like

where we are serving. I recall one of the pastors describing how he had begun to limit himself each day

to just a certain amount of time to be engaged in his work as a pastor because all the decisions he had to

make day to day were just too overwhelming. He had been seeing a counselor for additional support in

managing his life with family, community and church. He told us that the counselor described his

condition as “decision anxiety.” I had never heard that condition before but could definitely relate. The

anxiety that I experience is natural when there are so many decisions to be made. The actual condition is

what happens when the anxiety has taken over and makes good decision making almost impossible. I’m

not there, but anxiety and worry is a part of our lives. The spiritual advice is found here in the sixth chapter

of Matthew’s Gospel. Jesus says, Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat

or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body

more than clothing…And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of

life?...Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow with be anxious in itself. These words

from our Lord bring the spirit so much comfort and peace. God’s Word has numerous places where we

are instructed to cast our worry, anxiety and the things that burden us on Him. In Psalm 55 He tells us to

cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you. Jesus on another occasion says in Matthew 11:30,

Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest…For my yoke is easy, and my

burden is light.

Some say to take deep breaths and exhale slowly to get rid of stress and anxiety. Yoga teaches many

ways to relieve the body from worry and stress. There are many medications that promise to control our

anxiety and depression in order to sustain us. Our Lord wants those who believe in Him to take in a deep

breath of the Holy Spirit, to take into our hearts and minds the Word of God which provides peace,

comfort and hope for our anxious souls. During those times of worry and anxiousness, be sure in the

busyness of every day to dive into God’s Word and be refreshed with the relief and peace He brings.

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Pastor Curtis


PASTOR POSTS WITH STAFF

Pastors Don and Curtis have provided weekly

devotions and on Facebook and our Zion’s website

through posts simply called Pastors Post. A big

thank you to Pastor Don for serving as the primary

producer of these posts while he was here.

Starting this week, Pastor Curtis will continue the

Pastor Post as he invites a new guest to join him

each week. Every week he will have one of Zion’s

full-time staffers on his post sharing what changes

they have made to work from home and what they

are doing different these days to continue their work

for Zion. This week Pastor had Ms. Beth Wallace

on his Pastor Post. Beth shares the work that is

going on in the preschool and how she and the

teachers are continuing to minister to families who

are hurting during these days of coronavirus. Staff

to be on the posts in June are Cherie Jacobs, Tim

Richter, Jacob Roggow and Donna Chase.

ZION CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE TEAM

Our Coronavirus Response Team wants you to

know that the safety and welfare of our members is

our number one priority as we consider when and

how to reopen for worship and business. We begin

our meetings discussing what we have read and

heard from the medical experts the previous week

so that we can be better informed about the current

situation. Knowing that we will reopen for meetings

and worship again someday, we have put together

a Reopen for Worship sub-committee to begin

developing guidelines specific for Zion. We

reviewed the current procedures of the Saturday

Holy Communion Services that are now being

offered to be sure they are CDC compliant. The

Drive-In services continue to be the safest way to

worship for the time being. The spiritual care calling

team have been asked to take a survey the next

time they call. The survey will ask your opinion

about reopening for worship. The calling team will

be calling during the first week of June. Right now,

it looks like we may not be opening our building for

worship during the Sundays in June. Again, we

want to say thank you to all of you for your

continued prayers, patience, understanding and

support.

HOLY COMMUNION TO BE OFFERED IN JUNE

If you are comfortable communing with a small

group of brothers or sisters in the Memorial Garden

who are all following CDC guidelines, then Pastor

welcomes you to sign up for communion. On

Saturday, June 20 Holy Communion Distribution

services will be offered again. Communion was

offered in May and participants had registered

online.

We will be sending out a sign-up link again this

month in the Pastor Coronavirus Response Update.

You will be able to sign up one of two ways, either

online or contact Cherie at 239-481-4040 x 108 and

leave a message. There will be six Holy

Communion Distribution Services offered Saturday

morning in the Zion Memorial Garden. Please

watch for Pastor’s updates for specific information

the week before June 20.

SUNDAY DRIVE-IN WORSHIP SERVICES

Our Drive-In Worship Services will continue to be

offered every Sunday at 11 a.m. weather permitting.

When you arrive, you will be parked by our friendly

parking crew. Please follow their kind directions.

This service is for people IN CARS ONLY!

Following the CDC distancing guidelines, we are

asking everyone to stay in their cars. As you arrive

please turn off your cell phones so that they will not

interfere with the FM frequency. Our Zion campus

radio station is FM 99.9. Bathroom facilities will

NOT be available, so if you have to go you will need

to use one of the area gas stations. At the close of

the service you will be guided to the exits by the

parking crew.

LIVE STREAM WORSHIP SERVICES CONTINUE

The Saturday Contemporary Oasis Worship Service

continues to be shown live at 5 pm on Saturdays on

our website and our Facebook page. The Sunday

morning online worship will continue to be shown

online at 9:30 am. We look forward to serving you.

WHERE IS JACOB ROGGOW?

Jacob is in Seward, Nebraska packing his bags and

all his worldly possessions, including his piano,

preparing to make his journey to Florida. He

expects to arrive in Fort Myers around May 30 or

31. His plans are to stay with Tim Richter until he

can find a place to settle. Please keep Jacob in


your prayers as he makes his journey to our church.

He is very excited to get started and knows it will be

quite some time before the choirs can come

together in person. He is considering creative ways

to bring the voices of our congregation online to

share in our online services.

DIRECTOR OF PARISH MUSIC FUND

We give thanks to God for sending Jacob Roggow

to serve as our new Director of Parish Music. At our

January voters meeting many of us said that we

were willing to support this new position in our

parish because we believe this position is central to

the worship life of our church. Now we have the

opportunity to show our support for this ministry by

giving over and above the general offering we give

each week to a new established fund called the

Director of Parish Music Fund. Let us do all we can

to support this vital ministry to expand the music

ministry and opportunities in our church.

KFUO IS THE RADIO STATION OF THE LCMS –

NOW ONLINE

KFUO Radio, a media ministry extension of LCMS

congregations, shares Christ for you anytime,

anywhere on KFUO.org via worship services, Bible

and theology studies, practical talk programs, and

sacred music. You can find programs on demand at

kfuo.org and wherever you get your podcasts! Find

us on social: @KFUOradio on Facebook, Twitter,

and Instagram.

This week on KFUO.org, we wish you a blessed

Pentecost! Study Romans 13-15 on Sharper Iron

(weekdays at 8:00 a.m. CT), worship with us in daily

chapel services at 10:00 a.m. CT, and consider a

curious theological topic with Pastor Bryan

Wolfmueller on Cross Defense (6/1 at 2:00 p.m.

CT). Find your favorite programs on demand at

kfuo.org!

IGNORE PASTOR CURTIS’ PERSONAL

REQUESTS!! IT’S NOT HIM!!

Pastor is getting bombarded with emails, texts and

phone calls from members and friends who are

getting what looks like email requests from him

begging for help or wanting you to call him or asking

for information. IT’S NOT HIM!! If Pastor wants to

contact you for something urgent or personal, he

WILL NOT contact you by email. He WILL CALL

you if he needs to tell you something urgent or

request help. Pastor Curtis has contacted the

Sheriff’s department to investigate whoever it is that

is posing as him using other email accounts. If you

do not see Pastor’s email as the sender, then you

know it is a hoax. So, all you can do is just delete,

report and block the sender. If you do this,

hopefully they will give up and just go away. Thank

you for your understanding and patience.

CLOTH PROTECTIVE MASKS

Masks are still available for pick up outside the

North Doors of Zion. Please feel free to pick up one

for each member of your household for use when

you leave your home. If the basket is empty or

you’d like to have Matt hold one for you please call

the church office at (239-481-4040) so one can be

set aside for you.

THANK YOU FOR STAYING OUT OF THE

CHURCH BUILDINGS

The offices remain officially closed. PLEASE, even

if you have a key to the church, we are asking you

not to enter the buildings until further notice. If you

absolutely need to get into the building, please

contact Matt and he will assist you. Again, please

do not for any reason just come into the buildings.

Contact Matt at 239-810-9170. Thank you for your

cooperation.


“Abide”

It’s a wonderfully old fashioned word, “abide.” You don’t

hear it used much in common speech these day. You

won’t hear a sports announcer exclaiming, “It’s a line

drive to center field. The runner must abide on first.”

Or “Motel 6. Come abide with us tonight. We’ll

leave the light on.”

One writer observes that of the 17 uses for “abide”

in the Oxford dictionary, eight are obsolete. It’s a word

from another era, it seems. Still, we see the word and

an endearing hymn comes to mind—“Abide with me,

fast falls the eventide. The darkness deepens, Lord

with me, abide.” I’ll bet the tune is going through your

mind right now as you remember.

Abide has to do with not only being in a certain

place at a certain time. It means consistent,

persevering, in-it-for-the-long-haul, intimate remaining.

The runner in the baseball game will get off of first

base; the guest at Motel 6 will leave in the morning, but

the one who abides will be with you, close to you,

forever.

So Jesus promises and invites in John 15: “Abide in

me, and I in you,” he says,

And more: “whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is

that bears much fruit,” moreover, “if you abide in me

and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish,

and it will be done for you.” (John 15: 4,5,7)

In a world where treaties and contracts are easily

broken, where marriage vows disintegrate over time,

where relationships seem so fragile, this kind of abiding

seems so strange, yet so reassuring, so comforting.

As Margaret and I leave you, dear family of Zion,

please know that we will continue to abide with you in

our Savior’s abiding love over the miles and months

ahead. It is particularly difficult to be going this year

because of the strange social distancing that we’ve

observed over these past weeks. Abiding on a

computer screen or over a telephone seems unnatural.

That’s “connecting” or “communicating.”

Nobody has any idea how long this distancing will

remain in effect, but we do trust that at sometime in the

future we will once again return to our building, our

“home for the church,” to hear the abiding word, receive

the sacrament of God’s abiding mercy, and experience

once again, person to person, (even if 6’ apart,) the joy

of being with one another. Of abiding.

But in the meanwhile, even as the darkness of a

coronavirus eventide fast falls over us, the abiding

presence of our Lord will not be taken away. He will

abide in us and we in him. God bless you all.

Pr. Donald Hinchey

SPECIAL THANKS TO

OUR CARE CALLERS

Most members and friends of Zion should have received several phone calls over the last two months to check on your well-being and inform you about our on-line worship services.

If you have not received one of these phone calls, it probably means we have an incorrect phone number. Please call the church office at 239-481-4040 to give us updated information or leave a message about an issue or need.

Thanks to the following callers for their tireless efforts in contacting our members:

Bobbie Baumgartner

Margaret Hinchey

Pat Berner

Dale and Chris Kraemer

Chuck Eno

Mary Sheridan

Candy Hengel

Phyllis Shultz

Trudy Helgeson

THANK YOU FROM THE HINCHEYS

Pastor Don and Margaret Hinchey want to thank everyone for their cards, gifts, phone calls and messages of love and support over the past 6 months. They are grateful for the care and concern which has been expressed on their behalf. The Hincheys have returned to their home in Colorado. As we reported in last month’s newsletter, it is their plan to downsize their Denver home, sell it this summer and to move permanently to the Ft. Myers area in the fall.

If you would like to contact them over the summer, please use the following information:

Pastor Don and Margaret Hinchey

10906 East Berry Avenue

Englewood, CO 80111

Pastor Don – 720-467-8762 or [email protected]

Margaret Hinchey – 303-667-5671 or [email protected]


50th Anniversary Cookbook

Friends, here is a short update about our 50th celebration food project.

Your generous sharing of recipes over the past year and more have been amazing! To date we have received over 300 delicious favorites from Main Courses to Appetizers!

Thank you!

Our goal is still to have all Zion families represented in this keepsake edition, so, yes, there is still time to submit additional recipes! Presently we are in a historic lockdown situation due to Covid 19. Why not search through cookbooks and share those great comfort foods that bring back good memories? We will include a 2020 Pandemic chapter!

Please email or US mail your recipes to Mary Middleton 9000 Spring Mountain Way Fort Myers, Florida, 33908

or email to [email protected]

Our committee looks forward to further testing of the terrific food recipes!

Final deadline for all submissions is August 1, 2020

Thank you for your participation in this task as we look ahead to celebrating together all the wonderful blessings God has showered upon us ! To Him be all Glory !

Mary Middleton Zion Women in Mission

Brothers in Christ 'zoom' into Bible study

Brothers in Christ has moved to using Zoom technology as they study the Bible together twice a month.

The men's Scripture study group has met for years at 10 am on the first and third Tuesdays of the month in Room 108. Those "in person" sessions were suspended in mid-March to follow guidelines from the state government.

On Tuesday, May 19, Bible study resumed over the Internet. Ten men gathered digitally to discuss the ninth chapter of Proverbs. Richard Butt led the study which contrasted King Solomon's characters of Lady Wisdom and Woman Folly.

The technology allowed snowbird participants in the study to zoom in from Michigan and Ohio.

Brothers in Christ welcomes other men to join them, according to convener Denny Bowers. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Brothers in Christ Zoom Coordinator Dale Kraemer ([email protected]).

Congrega�onal Mee�ng

Sunday, June 21, 2020 at ~ 11:45 am

All full �me and associate members are encouraged to a(end this mee�ng on the front

lawn following the drive-in service. The agenda includes the elec�on of four seats on the

Execu�ve Board, reports from the Treasurer, the Pastor and various Ministries. Candidate

biography’s and a ballot are enclosed in this newsle(er. Members must be in a(endance

to vote. Mail in ballots will not be accepted. Voter informa�onal packets containing the

handout materials will be available on-line a week before the mee�ng. Members must

remain in their cars during the mee�ng. The building will not be open. In the event of rain

the mee�ng will be postponed to the following week at the same �me, same loca�on. Plan

to a(end. The ballot is on the back page. Please bring it with you. One ballot per vo�ng

member.


Candidates for Zion Lutheran Church Executive Board

2020 Nomination Profiles

Mary Lewis, PhD, DNP, EdD, MBA, MSN, APRN-BC

I have enjoyed participating on the Zion Lutheran Executive Board for the past two years as Secretary for many reasons. The Board members , with whom I have become acquainted were supportive as friends during a very difficult time in my personal life. My parents were members for over 17 years and I have now been a member for over 20 years. Being part of Zion Lutheran Church Executive Board has made me proud of how much we have grown.

Originally, I am from Madison, Wisconsin and was educated at the University of Wisconsin and a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran where I was married. My nursing career began in Gainesville, Florida where my son was born and baptized . I was a member of University Lutheran Church. In Miami, I was a 14 year member of Christ the King Lutheran Church and taught Sunday School for several years there.

As a long time member of Zion Lutheran Church, I am attached to so many members and am proud of the spirit and generous activities that the Church supports. The members are kind and supportive of each other which creates an atmosphere of home. Our pastors are progressive and personally interested in each of the members.

I would appreciate being considered for continuation of membership on the Executive Board for two more years.

Dave Buelow

Personal

Dave received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1974 and has also lived in New York, California, Virginia, Minnesota and Michigan. Dave’s family moved to Ft. Myers in 2005 and joined Zion at that time. He and Kathy were married in 2013.

Positions/Activities

Prior to coming to Zion he has served as congregation president, elder, AAL chapter president, youth leader, choir director and fundraising chairman. Here at Zion Dave has previously been a member of the Executive board and ECC board. Currently Dave's activities include adult choir, praise team, lay reader coordinator (8:00), lay communion visitor, Stephen minister and stewardship committee. Dave is recently retired but works part time at Publix.

Bob Goodman

Personal

My wife Marie and I became members of Zion Lutheran Church in 2016 after relocating full-time to Ft Myers from our home in Massachusetts. We have five children and nine grandchildren. At Zion, I have had the opportunity to contribute as an usher, coordinator of the Men’s Bible Breakfast, parking attendant, and as member of the Oasis team. In addition to continuing with activities such as these, I would like to offer my leadership and management skills to Zion Lutheran Church as an Executive Board member.


I began my professional career in the United States Army where I served as an Armor officer in a variety of command, operations, and logistics positions in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. I am a 1980 graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point and am a retired Army Major. Following my Army career, I have had over 25 years of experience integrating and leading multi-functional teams as a project manager for large companies to include Ernst and Young. For the past 10 years I have owned and operated Get it Done Consulting, LLC, where I have trained 250 service-disabled veterans to achieve professional certifications and meaningful employment. I have served for the past five years on the Board of Directors


at Family Services Association, a Massachusetts non-profit organization that provides high quality programs and services designed to strengthen and support individuals and families and to address the social service needs of the community.

Stephen T. Wentling

Personal

Baptized at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. Confirmed in my early teens at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Old Tappan, New Jersey. I was a member of the Luther League Youth Group.

After graduating high school, I served in the New Jersey Army National Guard as an artilleryman from 1970 – 1976. I served as the Internal Vice President for the Toms River, New Jersey Jaycees, and attended Ocean County Community College in Toms River, New Jersey.

I moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1979 where I met my wife Patricia. We were married in Jacksonville, FL at Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church, October 1986.


My career has been in the insurance field as a General Lines, Property and Casualty Insurance Agent as well as a Personal Auto Insurance Underwriter. I also have several years of experience with retail sales companies.

Over the years, I have served as communion assistant, choir member and soloist, usher, lay reader and church council member for Worship and Music at several congregations. I also enjoy serving at food banks to serve the needy and Senior Citizens. I served on the call committee to select a new pastor at Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church. I also served on the call committee to select a new organist at Concordia Lutheran Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.

My wife and I are full time residents of Fort Myers, Florida and retired from full time work in 2018. We joined Zion in the fall of 2018 and have participated in numerous activities and community outreach programs.

Heidi Yankovich

Personal/Activities

Born in 1969 in Hayward, CA, to Ken and Marlene Schulz, the youngest of 5, baptized at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. My family moved back to WI (Madison area) where I was raised LCMS. I played sports, took piano lessons and sang in chorus, several school clubs and was Secretary of my graduating class. We were members of Mount Olive Lutheran Church where I went to VBS, Chapel School, was confirmed, a part of Chapel Choir and several musicals and special services, live nativity, an acolyte, active in youth groups ACTS and LYF, and attended the National Youth Gathering at Washington DC in 1986.

I graduated top 10 from Waunakee High School in 1987 and then went on to college, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BSPT from East Carolina University in 1992. I was VP of my Physical Therapy Class, was part of the Big Brothers/Sisters program and a member of the Lutheran Student Association, attending Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. After graduation, I continued my move south and took a job here in Fort Myers and have been here 28 years. I now work as a Physical Therapist with Kagan, Jugan & Associates, where I have been for almost 20 years. I transferred my membership from Mount Olive to Zion Lutheran Church in 1993. I was blessed with two wonderful children, Zachary and Haley, who were baptized and confirmed here. I also was blessed to help raise two stepsons, Evyn and Kyle who have now blessed me with extended family and two grandchildren.

Over the years, I have served here at Zion as a Sunday morning youth Bible Study leader, helped with Sunday School, sang in choir, part of Praise Team, served on the Interim/Transition Committee, chaperoned and helped with several youth activities and have been part of a few different small groups. Currently I serve here on the Praise Team, as part of the Praise Band for OASIS, and lead the Beautifully Broken Happy Hour Bible Study. 3 years ago, after a huge life changing experience, my strength and hope in God is what pulled me through, my faith has been renewed and my love for him is stronger than ever before, I now make him the biggest part of my every day and live to serve him.


7 suggestions for inviting

people to Oasis Online

Among all the changes caused by Covid-19 is that Zion’s new contemporary service moved to live streaming only 11 weeks after launching on Jan. 11.

As June begins, Oasis has been Oasis Online longer than it was an “in person” service in the fellowship hall. Worship still starts at 5 pm Saturdays, but it’s now “broadcast” on Zion’s Facebook page (And no, you don’t need to join Facebook to view it).

Oasis’ goal remains the same: to offer an informal, relaxed Lutheran version of contemporary worship to reach neighbors more comfortable with that style than with traditional, classical Lutheran liturgy and hymns. Initial worshipers caught that vision. Many of them returned, bringing friends with them.

That goal of using Oasis to reach friends still can be achieved, even though we’re only online right now. Here are seven suggestions for your inviting friends, relatives and acquaintances to view Oasis Online:

● Open the door in conversation – Many surveys show that a majority of persons first come to a church because a friend invited them. The same dynamic can work with Oasis Online. Inviting begins with using an appropriate opening to mention worshiping through Oasis Online as you talk with your friend. Then when you invite that friend to tune in, it’s not only personal. It’s also the most effective invitation.

● Pray about your inviting – The Holy Spirit wants to work through you to help others hear the Good News at Zion. Ask the Spirit’s help through prayer as you reach out to others.

● Invite persons in this time of need – Long before Covid-19 hit, there were times in the lives of most people when the message of Christ was especially needed. At those times, people also may be more open to an invitation to worship. In fact, worshiping online has the advantage that some people find it less intimidating than physically being in church.

People going through the stress of change – a loved one’s death, sickness in the family, loss of

job, settling in a new community, or a baby – can be served by the message of the risen Christ around which our worship revolves.

● Invite persons who don’t have a church home – While Zion always has been happy to welcome guests from other churches to “in person” worship, our reaching out is aimed at persons not active in a congregation.

Our church family is not seeking to lure members from other congregations. Instead, Zion treasures opportunities to serve relatives, friends and acquaintances of our members who do not have a church to call their own.

● Invite people in your own way – Don’t worry about how to invite someone to worship on the web through Oasis Online. If you are concerned enough to ask that person, the Holy Spirit will bless your inviting. There is no single “right way,” even if your words may seem stumbling (to you). The Spirit will work through you.

● Match the message with the viewer – Oasis Online uses a series approach to sermons, focusing on what the Bible says about problems or challenges facing people in everyday life. The current June series, for instance, is “God Never Said That.” Messages will examine four Bible-sounding phrases which well-meaning Christians may use to help others… even though those phrases aren’t exactly what God says in Holy Scripture.

You can find themes for upcoming messages on the Oasis page on the Zion website. If you’re interested in introducing Oasis Online to someone, check that page for themes. It could be that a certain sermon might be helpful for the person you want to invite. If so, you can point your friend to that message, either when it’s live-streamed or archived on the Oasis page on the website.

● Don’t give up – If your invitation doesn’t work the first time, don’t give up. Perhaps your friend would prefer to come with you to Oasis when we resume “in person” worship on campus. So, don’t push. Keep on praying. Make sure your friend knows the welcome mat is out… online at present, and then on campus when we get to resume “in person” worship.

And please know that the Oasis team is praying for your inviting people to Oasis Online!


Zion Book Club News

The Zion book worms are on hiatus until October.

Women in Mission

In respect to the ‘Stay in Place’ directive from our Governor and the CDC, we will be adjourning our meeting schedule for this year. We will open our next season with a meeting on September 14, 2020 at 12 pm. Thanks to all of our ladies that worked so hard this year to help accomplish our goals beyond our expectations. Rest up ladies because we open our next season to begin planning the LWML Fall Rally to be hosted at Zion in November. There has been much planning already, but we will begin the final plans and work that needs to be done to make our Fall Rally a really meaningful and memorable occasion. Blessings to all of you. May the peace and blessings of the Lord keep you safe and healthy until we meet again.

Beautifully Broken Happy Hour

Will reconvene on Friday, June 12, 2020 to start a new series entitled "Uninvited" by Lisa Terkeurst. This is a 7 session series which will dig into God's Word to help us identify the roots of rejection, overcome the damage of past hurts and how they can inflict on your relationships, and fully grasp what it looks like to live loved. We meet every other Friday at 6:00 p.m. If you are interested, please contact Heidi Yankovich at 239-910-5043 or via email at [email protected]. (The cost of the study guides will be $8.00, if you sign up after ordered, don't worry about it, we will get you one somehow.)

I am not sure if doing through ZOOM or will be meeting somewhere like my home due to the circumstances, but I will keep everyone involved posted as to how this will all take place. Thank you for your patience and I hope to see you all very soon! God Bless you all!

LCMS Foundation

Imagine standing on a railroad track with a train coming right toward you. Would you be scared? Of course, you would! Hopefully, you would have enough sense or physical strength to jump off the track. Sadly, Satan can fill our minds with his lies that create fear, with the result that we feel life is nothing more than facing the danger from oncoming trains. We jump and jump, until one day our efforts are to no avail. Yes, those are devilish thoughts. From the day the Lord claimed you as His own in baptism, you are headed to a destination. Washed in Jesus’ blood, chosen for inheritance, you are destined for life in His new creation of a new heaven and new earth, the “home of righteousness.” (2 Peter 3) Your resurrected body will make you fit and ready for that great joy.

So, no, you are not staring into the face of an oncoming train. You are being led in the Savior’s grace to the life He has prepared for you (John 14). Because of this, life is not a reaction to the next threat but a purposeful look into the future, that has no end. That purposeful living includes making specific plans, directed by the Lord in prayer. For the child of God, such plans include assembling a specific direction of the Lord’s assets He has assembled under your control in your estate. These gifts will bless family (through inheritance) and ministry (through bequests), so that long after you are “home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5), His gifts will continue to bless, enabling others to know the love of Jesus. This is Christian gift planning. Your LCMS Foundation Gift Planning Counselor is ready to assist you today, in person, or by video conference. Contact Jim Pennington, Zion Gift Planning Counselor, at 863-370-0305 or [email protected]

GRADUATING SENIORS

Congratulations to our 2020 high school graduates, Madison Franz and Luke Wunderlich. Madison is graduating from Canterbury High school and enrolled at FGCU for this fall going into secondary education in their honors program. Luke Wunderlich is graduating from FSW Collegiate High School and going to FGCU this fall.

Due to not having worship services this spring, we will have a "send off" Sunday in August when we are back in the church, where you can share thoughts and gifts with them then.


We are so thankful for those of you who have reached out to help our ministry. Continued thanks for your donations that enable us to continue our ministry to the young area families we serve. We opened last week with our CDC guidelines in place. Things looked a little different even our chapel on Wednesday. Ms. Lou led chapel last week and Mr. Tim shared his message this week as we gathered in small groups on the playground. Sharing our chapel songs again with the kids and saying the Lord’s Prayer reminded us all that we can worship Jesus inside/outside or upside down. Praise God for blessing us with Ms. Lou and Mr. Tim along with our caring ECC staff that are so willing to share the love of Jesus.

We are gearing up for our summer camps that will begin on Monday, June 8th. Continued prayers and support our needed as we move forward to continue our Early Childhood Ministry. We continue to practice our new Standard Operating Procedures as we minister to our ECC families in our community.

God’s blessings,

Beth Wallace, Zion ECC Director

Oh Lord, our Lord, how

excellent is your name in

all the earth!

Psalm 8:1b

You’re Invited!

Please join us for

Worship

Online Streaming

Zion Facebook Page

Saturdays

Contemporary @ 5:00 pm

Sundays

Blended @ 9:30 am

Heights Foundation

At this time, we are respecting the ‘stay in place’ directive of our state and CDC. The Heights Community Center is closed for all activities. In addition, we have made the decision to cancel VBS for this year. Given the situation now and not

knowing how long the quarantine will continue, we felt it was better to respect the regularly scheduled activities of the Community Center when they resume. In addition, this situation may delay the opening of the new school in August. We want to be a blessing to the Center and support them in the ways they may need us in the future.


OUTREACH MISSION OPPORTUNITY FOR ZION The Senior Friendship Centers with whom we have been partnering with to reach the elderly in our community would like for Zion’s members to participate in a “truck to trunk” operation. A refrigerated truck brings the boxes and stays onsite for 2 hours. So, it’s not strictly speaking, a food pantry. Everything is boxed, and clients stay in their vehicle. We can choose to receive 280 or 560 boxes. What a great way to reach out to our community by handing out food for those who need it during these times. This distribution would be once per week starting the week of June 1st. We get to choose the day. The Executive Board supports this mission and believes this is a great way for Zion to serve her community. As far as volunteer safety, we will follow the CDC guidelines in use at food pantries. More information will be forthcoming for those of you who are willing and able to participate.

HERE IS A GREAT MISSION FOR YOU TO SUPPORT NOW!

The Senior Friendship Center (SFC) is working closely with the United Way Help Line to identify and sign up seniors who need home delivered meals. But that takes time. When a homebound senior tells United Way “I have no food in the house”, SFC is tasked with delivering emergency food bags to get them through short term. And we are running out of food! Deb Dickinson [[email protected]], who has been coordinating the LunchWise luncheons at Zion, is running an online drive raising goods for Senior Friendship Centers Inc. You can help reach the goal of 500 items by shopping online to support the drive. Simply cut and paste the following address in your search bar to shop online : https://yougivegoods.com/shop?drive=11018

FINANCIAL REPORT

YTD THRU April 2020

INCOME April Actual YTD Actual YTD Budget

CHURCH $102,563.00 $403,983.00 $441,086.00

SCHOOL $25,800.00 $147,367.00 $192,506.00

Total Income $128,363.00 $551,350.00 $633,592.00

EXPENSES April Actual YTD Actual YTD Budget

CHURCH $72,119.00 $303,026.00 $374,623.00

SCHOOL $39,064.00 $169,670.00 $176,304.00

Total Expenses $111,183.00 $472,696.00 $550,927.00

NET INCOME April Actual YTD Actual YTD Budget

CHURCH $30,444.00 $100,957.00 $66,463.00

SCHOOL ($13,264.00) ($22,303.00) $16,202.00

Total Net Income $17,180.00 $78,654.00 $82,665.00

This report displays the income to the Church and the School Fund.

The expenses display all funds disbursed for the Church and the School Fund.


June 2020 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Stay Safe,

Stay

Healthy,

Stay Home!

1 2 3 4 12:00 PM

Pastor Bible Study KFUO

5 6 5:00 PM Oasis Contemporary Online Service

7 9:30 AM Worship Service Online 11:00 AM

Drive-In Worship Service (weather permitting)

8

9 9:00 AM

Office Staff Meeting Online 10:00 AM

Music Ministry Meeting Online

10

11

12

13 5:00 PM Oasis Contemporary Online Service



15 Zion Newsletter Article Deadline

16 9:00 AM



17

18 7:00 PM

Executive Board Online

19 20 Communion in the Memorial Garden 5:00 PM Oasis Contemporary Online Service



11:45 AM

Congregational Voters Meeting

22

23 9:00 AM



24 25 26 27 5:00 PM Oasis Contemporary Online Service



29

30 9:00 AM



NO MEETINGS SCHEDULED IN JUNE ON CAMPUS Any meeting or conferences are being held online or on the phone continuing through the month of June or until further notice. The President has spoken with the Governors of our nation and each state have begun to open back up for business in phases. So, we are closely monitoring the situation here in Florida to see when we might be able to start meeting back on campus again. Please keep watching for the Zion Coronavirus Response Updates for up to date information.


Administrative Staff Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Curtis Deterding ECC Director Beth Wallace Youth and Family Minister Tim Richter Director of Parish Music Jacob Roggow Church Office Staff Office Manager Cherie Jacobs Bookkeeper Donna Chase Building Grounds Supervisor Matthew Krupick Receptionist Jo Ann Deterding Ministry Support Staff Winter Pastor Rev. Dr. Donald Hinchey Pianist Kerry Spencer Blended Music Coordinator Duane Fenn Contemporary Worship Rev. Henry Simon Contemporary Music Leader Leah Hassell Technology Assistant Caleb Deterding Nursery Attendant Geo Sarnelli

Early Childhood Center Preschool Teachers Sr. Preschool Cheri Antilia Jr. Preschool Megan Reusch Pathways Jennifer Idelson VPK Cindy Hollander VPK Anna Syracuse VPK Kim Henry ECC Preschool Part time Teacher’s Aides Faith Deterding Sharron Drury Fran Hassel Chandler Mahle Mary McBeath Dana McCarron Ali South Cam Wallace Jane Wickliff Beth Zimmermann Executive Board President Ken Koopman Vice President Dale Kraemer Treasurer Harry Lindgren Secretary Mary Lewis Human Resources Liaison Trudy Helgeson Property Board Liaison Mike Wright “WEMB” Liaison Louise Weber

Please call the church…

� When a member of your family is admitted to the

hospital so that a pastor may visit and pray for your

family member.

� When a phone number, address, or e-mail address is

changed so records can be corrected.

� If you no longer want to receive the newsletter and or

envelopes.

� Setting up e-giving or receiving newsletter via email.

� When a new baby arrives in your family.

� When a member of your family leaves home for

college or to establish a new residence.

� When the church can assist you in any way.

ECC Prayer Warriors and Email Prayer Chain

[email protected]

Telephone Prayer Chain

Jeanne Hunter (239) 939-3350

Worship Schedule

Saturday 5:00 p.m. Oasis Contemporary Online

Worship

Sunday

9:30 a.m. Blended Online Worship 11:00 a.m. Drive-In Worship

(weather permitting)

Zion Lutheran Church

7401 Winkler Road, Fort Myers, FL. 33919

Phone: (239) 481-4040 Fax: (239) 481-4102

Webpage: www.zionfm.org Email: [email protected]

Church Office Hours: Temporary Closed Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm ~ Friday 8:30 - 12 noon ~ Closed Holidays

Opportunity to Give You may submit your dona�ons or offerings via internet by going to the Zion website at

www.Zionfm.org or scan the QR Code which will take you to the Zion website. Click on the Donate

bu(on and fill the form as appropriate (designated account, amount, frequency, and �me limit).


Zion Lutheran Church Congregational Voters Meeting

June 21, 2020

Executive Board Election Ballot

INSTRUCTIONS: VVWX FVY OZ[\ FV]Y (4) C^Z_`_^WXa.

Any Ballot with more than 4 votes will be disqualified.

______ Dave Buelow

______ Bob Goodman

______ Mary Lewis

______ Stephen Wentling

______ Heidi Yankovich

______ _______________


June 21, 2020




______ Dave Buelow

______ Bob Goodman

______ Mary Lewis



______ _______________


June 21, 2020




______ Dave Buelow

______ Bob Goodman

______ Mary Lewis



______ _______________


June 21, 2020




______ Dave Buelow

______ Bob Goodman

______ Mary Lewis



______ _______________

the newsletter of zion lutheran churchjun 05, 2020 · all his worldly possessions, including his...

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