January 2016

ZIONS LUTHERAN CHURCH

1801 East Second Street
Defiance, OH 43512
Rev. Timothy Reynolds, Pastor
419-782-8781
Fax: 419-782-6719

Church Office Email:

[email protected]
Visit our website at:

www.zionslutheranchurch.com

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the
East came to Jerusalem asking, Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews?
For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay homage to him.
The Gospel according to Matthew 2.1-2
The Gospel according to Matthew is the only place in the Bible that we hear of the visit of
wise men from the East. Great traditions have arisen around the story: were there, indeed, three wise men, or do we think that because of the three gifts of gold, frankincense,
and myrrh? What were their names? Tradition tells us that Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar
are the names of the three. Were they kings, or merely astrologers?
While living in Europe, I had the opportunity to visit the Dom at Cologne. Its the big cathedral church, and
the only building that was left standing when the city was bombed by the allies in World War II. It is a massive, gothic structure with spires and gargoyles too numerous to count. Once inside, the ceiling seems to go
up, and up without end. Like all gothic churches, its tremendous rising upward reminds humanity of Gods
transcendence sitting above the world. If the ceiling is high, the nave is just as long opening into a center aisle that points right at the high altar with a gold box atop it. In that gold box are the bones of three
individuals the wise men from the East? That is what the Church says, but can they be authentic?
On either side of the high altar are paintings, chapels, and a long tapestry that depicts 3 men one young,
one middle aged, one elderly who come from Eastern places, following a star to the baby Jesus. When scientists examined the skulls of the tabernacle on the altar, they found that the tradition was, indeed, correct:
one skull came from a young man, one from a middle aged one, and one from an elderly man.
The discovery makes for high drama, but mystery still remains. Are the bones in the tabernacle at the Dom
in Cologne, in fact, the bones of the 3 Wise Men? The world may never know, but that is not the meaning
that Matthew seeks in his Gospel.
For Matthew, the wise men of the East represent the good news of God escaping from the confines of Bethlehem all the way to the uttermost parts of the Earth. The good news that God has come to live with humanity means that God intends to save humanity and not certain ones, but all of humanity. These wise
men could have come from as far away as modern day Iran or India, China or Afghanistan. What message
does Matthew deliver to us today, in a day when such countries are held in suspicion?
The wise men who traveled from the East remind us not only to search for the Christ child among us, but
also to listen to voices that sometimes come from different, distant places they may be delivering good
news to us!
Gods peace and blessings for a New Year of hope and expectation! May God open our hearts to listening to
all who deliver the message of Christ.
Peace,
Pr. Tim

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Coffee - Conversation Community

Join us at the Koffee Bar!
You may have noticed there is a new addition to the Narthex
kitchenette a single use Keurig coffeemaker, and a variety
of supplies to go with it. It is there for your use to enjoy a
cup of coffee (or tea) while attending meetings, worship,
Bible Studies, etc. Use our cups, or bring your own travel
mugand if you are able, place a donation in the can to help
offset the costs.
We want to provide an inviting and hospitable environment,
where everyone feels welcome!
Fellowship Hour will continue to be served as usual.
Thank you to The Hubbard Company for providing the
machine at no cost to the church and for offering the church
a discount on K-cups!

Outreach & Evangelism Meeting

Wednesday, January 6, 2016
at 5:00 p.m. in the Hofer Room

SUNDAY SCHOOL NEWS

Best Wishes for a joyous 2016 from Zions Sunday School!
January brings new lessons from our Lectionary Series-Winter-Year C. Our lessons are informative and educational along with projects to serve as reminders of what is being shared
with your children.
NOTE: On January 24th, during the Childrens Sermon time, our young people will once again
share their talents with the congregation. Mark your calendar!
We offer thanks to all who shared their talents and time for the TRULY CHRISTMAS presentation on December 13th. Neal Deniston, John Diehl as Santa, Bill Wendell as Jesus, and Steve
Graf as Santa #2 and creator of the scenery helped our young people bring the TRUE story of
Christmas to mind. Parents, grandparents and our valuable staff made everything move smoothly through the temporary disruptions in our church service. All the gifts provided to our children
and participants were donated. Thanks to ALL who continue to support our efforts.

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Church Council Highlights

December 10, 2015

Council committee appointments and the usher schedule for 2016 were completed.

Recent new members will be recognized and introduced on Sunday, Dec. 20.

Church Council members will be inducted on Sunday, Dec. 27.

Caroling will be Sunday, Dec 20, following a soup & sandwich luncheon.

The Stewardship Ministry Team is researching some new ideas.

Need someone to fill the remaining 2 years of the vacated secretarys term.

Innkeepers will be receiving a monetary donation of $2,300 from the Neighbors in Need Drive.

FOOD AND PAPER PANTRY

We are always in need of personal care and hygiene items, paper products, and
cleaning supplies, such as: laundry soap, dryer sheets, dish soap, paper towels,
toilet paper, body soap, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, shavers for men and
women, shaving cream, lip balm, body lotion, feminine hygiene products, etc. We
also need the following food items: rice, canned fruit, spaghetti noodles, egg noodles, peanut
butter, and cereal. Please check expiration dates before you donate. Thank you for your generous support!
Dick Maxson and Laura Raines

DEACON SUPPORT TEAM

All members should be aware of their deacon and hopefully have met him or her to discuss any concerns or questions you may have had. Your deacons have a sincere interest in serving your needs and encourage you to bring your needs to the attention of Pastor, the deacon group or council whichever is appropriate. In turn, we trust you have an equally sincere interest in getting to know your deacon as a present and future friend and confidant. We also want to emphasize the importance of speaking with Pastor whenever the
need arises. He wants to know your concerns to help provide a solution or answers to your questions. He remains the best resource within our congregation to share wisdom and knowledge.
Deacons are not exempt from having a deacon of their own. At times we need someone willing to listen and we turn to our deacon. In our bi-monthly meetings, the nine deacons discuss a variety of topics concerning the spiritual welfare of the congregation. Most importantly we are available for you when your needs
might require someone to talk with other than Pastor Tim.
We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the members of Zions Lutheran Church and we encourage
you to reach out to your deacon whenever the need arises. Please call the church office for any assistance.
Dick Anderson
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Bishop Eatons Invitation

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

A special thank you to Fern Beindorf and the committee for your time and service in preparing the
funeral dinner. There were many comments on
what a nice job you all did. Thank you.
Family of Lowell Bailey
Church Family,
Much thanks for all the cards, visits and prayers
during my recovery from knee surgery!!
Kate Frank
A BIG THANK YOU to Marsha Leaders and Neal
Deniston for changing the "ever burning" candle
weekly and for changing the festival colors on the
Altar when needed. Also, thank you to Cindy
Wendell for preparing the shut-in communion kits
and communion on the first weekend of every
month! And last but not least, thank you to our
Altar Angels who faithfully prepare the Lord's Supper faithfully and beautifully every weekend.
Kate Frank
I want to thank Pastor Tim and the congregation
for my surprise party and gifts, and to Laurie
Schey for the cake, to our church secretary, Rhonda Casler for her help carrying food to the kitchen,
and to my family for their support over the years.
Elaine Davis

IN CHRISTIAN
SYMPATHY
We pray for Gods comfort for the
following families who recently
lost a loved one:
The Lichty family on the passing of Joyce Lichty,
on December 6, 2015.
The Reineke family on the passing of Gary Reineke, on December 11, 2015.

Racism remains an enduring crisis in the United States. As

Lutheran Christians, we must continue our involvement in and
commitment to the important work of naming racism as a sin
a violation of Gods intention for humanity.
Please join me for another live webcast on Confronting Racism: A Holy Yearning Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. (CST). This conversation will focus on offering a variety of perspectives on the
U.S. criminal justice system. As with the previous webcast, we
will continue to ground the webcast by two commitments. One
is this churchs proclamation of Christ and the confidence that
this good news brings to set us free from the captivity of racism. The second is this churchs enduring commitment to address the complexity of racism and end discrimination.
Joining me once again for this conversation is host William B.
Horne II, an ELCA member from Clearwater, Fla. Together we
welcome:

Judge Yolanda Tanner, an ELCA member and an associate judge for the Baltimore City Circuit Court.

Leonard Duncan, an ELCA member who will share his

experience of incarceration, poverty and homelessness. Duncan is a student at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and an ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship recipient.

Charlene Guiliani, an ELCA member and former police

sergeant. Guiliani is a student at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, and an ELCA Fund for Leaders scholarship recipient.
Through our churchs social statements The Church and
Criminal Justice: Hearing the Cries and Freed in Christ:
Race, Ethnicity, and Culture, the ELCA collectively has expressed its calling to confront racism and advocate for justice
and fairness for all people.
You may read more about this webcast at www.ELCA.org/
webcast, where a link to the live webcast will be provided. A
live stream also will be available at www.Facebook.com/
Lutherans. If you would like to submit a question to be considered during the live webcast, please send it to [email protected] and provide your name and your congregations
name, city and state.
Join me for this important conversation.
God's peace,

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton

Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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Mens
Fellowship

WORSHIP
SCHEDULE

meets every Tuesday

Saturday 5:00 pm

at 9:00 a.m. in the

Sunday 9:45 am

Narthex

DCTV 5
You may watch Zions Lutheran
Worship services on Wednesdays
@ 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 8:00
a.m. on DCTV 5 Defiance, OH.

Young at Heart

Sisters in Christ

meets on WEDNESDAY,
January 13

Sisters in Christ will meet

after worship on January 17.
The following Sunday, cards
will be placed in the Narthex
to be signed.

at 11:30 am, at Leftys Pizza

Meets on January
14.

Monday, January 11 at
12:00 p.m. at location TBA.

See Neal Deniston for more

information.

Reading List is posted on

the Narthex Bulletin Board.

Scrapbook
Club
Will meet on Sat.,
January 2, in the Hofer Room at
8:00 a.m. Please bring a snack to
share.

Lutherans of
Long Standing
Meets on Tuesday,
January 5, at
2:00 p.m.
in the Library

QUILTS OF COMPASSION
Bringing Help and Hope to the
Hurting
Meets on Sunday, January 3 at noon.

DEADLINES

Equal
Exchange
Coffee

LLS

On sale throughout the year!!!!

ORGANIC COFFEE & TEA PRICES

The Book
Group
meets on

Worship and
Music
Committee

Breakfast Blend $ 8.00

Decaf Breakfast Blend $ 9.00
English Breakfast Tea $ 3.00
K-cups $10.00 will not work in Keurig 2.0 /Vue

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BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS
Every Wednesday at 9:00 a.m.
(unless otherwise noted)
February
NEWSLETTER
DEADLINE

January 14th

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January 2016
LESSONS
January 2 & 3 Christmas 2
Jeremiah 31:7-14
Psalm 147:12-20
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:1-18

January 9 & 10 Baptism of Our Lord

Isaiah 43:1-7
Psalm 29
Acts 8:14-17
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

January 16 & 17 Epiphany 2

Snowbirds .
Please remember to notify the office when you will be heading south
for the winter. Updated addresses
for long-term moves are greatly appreciated
when it comes time to mail out church communications, annual giving statements, envelopes...
Please remember to call the church office
when:
1. You will be or have already moved.
2. You have an addition to your family.
3. You have an address update and/or correction, or birthday correction.
4. New email address and/or phone number.

Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11

January 23 & 24 Epiphany 3

Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
Psalm 19
1 Corinthians 12:12-31a
Luke 4:14-21

January 30 & 31
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30

Additions to the
Zions Prayer List:

WEATHER
DELAYS & CLOSINGS
For any cancellations due to
bad weather you may tune
into: WTOL Channel 11
(website: www.wtol.com) or
check the church website at:
www.zionslutheranchurch.
com.
If Defiance City Schools are canceled on
a Wednesday, there will be no Community Meal or Confirmation Classes.

THE CHURCH OFFICE WILL BE

CLOSED ON

Phone Prayers: Barb Vogel at 419-393-2544

E-prayers: [email protected]
Call the Church office at 419-782-8781.

January 1, 2016
and on
January 18, 2016

If you are calling for someone other than yourself,

please be sure that you have permission.

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January 2016
SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WED

THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1

Happy New
Years

3
9:00 a Sunday
School
9:45 a Worship

10
9:00 a Sunday
School
9:45 a Worship

8:00 p Barbershoppers

9:00 a Mens
Fellowship
9:00 a Weight
Watchers
1:00 p Text Study
2:00 p LLS
5:00 p Lighten Up

7:00 a Women @
Cabin Fever
9:00 a Bulletin Announcements due
5:30p Meal
6:00 p Confirmation
6:00 p Bells
7:00 p Choir

11

12

13

9:00 a Mens
Fellowship
9:00 a Weight
Watchers
1:00 p Text Study
5:00 p Lighten Up

7:00 a Women @
Cabin Fever
9:00 a Bulletin Announcements due
11:30 a Young at
Heart at Leftys
5:00 p Food Pantry
Sign Up
5:30 p Meal
6:00 p Confirmation
6:00 p Bells
7:00 p Choir

Pastors Day
Off

Pastors Day
Off
12:00 p Book
Group (location
TBA)

ANNUAL REPORT
INFORMATION DUE
TO CHURCH SECRETARY

17

18

19

9:00 Sunday
School
9:45 a Worship
11:00 a Sisters in
Christ
11:00 a Endowment

9:00 a Mens
OFFICE CLOSED Fellowship
MLK Jr. Day
9:00 a Weight
Watchers
8:00 p Barber- 1:00 p Text Study
5:00 p Lighten Up
shoppers

7:00 a Women @
Cabin Fever
9:00 a Bulletin Announcements due
5:30p Meal
6:00 p Food Pantry
Pick Up
6:00 p Confirmation
6:00 p Bells
7:00 p Choir

24

25
Pastors Day
Off

26
9:00 a Mens
Fellowship
9:00 a Weight
Watchers
1:00 p Text Study
5:00 p Lighten Up

27
7:00 a Women @
Cabin Fever
9:00 a Bulletin Announcements due
5:30p Meal
6:00 p Confirmation
6:00 p Bells
7:00 p Choir

9:00 Sunday
School
9:45 a Worship
11:00 a Sign Cards

8:00 p Barbershoppers

20

9
7:30 a Weight
Watchers

5:00 p TOPS

5:00 p Worship

14

8:00 p Barbershoppers

7:30 a Weight
Watchers
8:00 a Scrapbook
Group
5:00 p Worship

15

16

12:00 p Worship
& Music Meeting

7:30 a Weight
Watchers

2:00 p.m. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

5:00 p Worship

5:00 p TOPS

21

22

5:00 p TOPS

23
7:30 a Weight
Watchers

7:00 p Council
5:00 p Worship

28
5:00 p TOPS

29

30
7:30 a Weight
Watchers

7:00 p Deacons
5:00 p Worship

31
9:00 Sunday
School
9:45 a Worship

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Faith Active in Love

ALTAR FLOWERS
3 AVAILABLE
10 AVAILABLE
17 Donna Schindler
24 AVAILABLE
31 AVAILABLE
BULLETINS
3 Karen Bowling
10 Judy Mekus
17 AVAILABLE
24 AVAILABLE
31 AVAILABLE
ALTAR DUTY
3 Kate Frank
10 Karen Graf
17 Kate Frank
24 Lois Dodt
31 Linda Hardy
LECTOR & DEACON for Sunday 9:45 am
(* DEACONS)
3 * Patty VanDemark, Craig McKibben
10 Mary Boals
17 * Cindy Wendell, Tom Boals
24 Neal Deniston
31 Cyndi Ensign
FELLOWSHIP HOUR for Sunday 9:45 am
3 Cyndi Ensign
10 Kate Frank
17 Linda & Orville Hardy
24 Karen Bowling
31 Marsha & Neal Deniston

January 2016
OFFERING COLLECTORS for Sunday 9:45 am
1st Sunday
Randy Groll & Mary Boals
2nd Sunday
Angela Mack & Randy Groll
3rd Sunday
Mary Boals & Cindy Wendell
4th Sunday
Marsha Leaders & Angela Mack
5th Sunday
Randy Groll & Mary Boals
USHERS for Sunday 9:45 am
1st Sunday
John & Fran Diehl
2nd Sunday
Shawn & Mark Faryniarz
3rd Sunday
Laurie & Dwaine Schey
4th Sunday
Sue McKibben
5th Sunday
Youth
HOSTS for Saturday 5:00 pm
2 Helena Morris
9 Barb & Gene Vogel
16 Sonia Bussing
23 Nancy & Bob Swingle
30 Donna Ripke & Bob Thomas
LECTOR & DEACON for Saturday 5:00 pm
(* DEACONS)
2 * Doug Eis
9 Helena Morris
16 * Dawn McKibben
23 AVAILABLE
30 AVAILABLE
OFFERING COUNTERS
Gene Vogel, Larry Wagner, & Sue McKibben
Subs: Bob Thomas, Bill Wendell

AUDIO-VISUAL
Doug Eis, Eric Engel, Stormy Gutman, Shaun
ACOLYTES & CRUCIFERS for Sunday 9:45 am Holley, Angela Mack.
Acolytes
Crucifers
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO FULFILL YOUR COMMITMENT,
3 Pre-lit
Chancel Choir
PLEASE ARRANGE FOR A SUBSTITUTE AND INFORM THE
10 Sophie Reynolds
Chancel Choir
CHURCH OFFICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
17 Ashley Hubbard
Austin Hubbard
24 Luke Reynolds
Chancel Choir
31 Chancel Choir
Chancel Choir

BULLETINS

WEEKLY BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENTS

Suggested donation for

bulletins is $20.00.

are due on Wednesday mornings, by 9:00 a.m.

unless otherwise noted on the calendar.
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ZIONS MISSION STATEMENT

Driven by Gods spirit we will grow in faith and make Christs love known

Prayer List

DEACONS
Dick Anderson
Tom Boals
John Diehl
Audrey Eis
Doug Eis
Craig McKibben
Dawn McKibben
Patty VanDemark
Cindy Wendell

COUNCIL MEMBERS
2016
Laurie Schey, President
Shawn Faryniarz, V-President
Gwen Anderson, Treasurer
, Secretary
Karen Bowling
John Diehl
Lenore Doctor
Alexis Eis
Audrey Eis
Marion Hanson
Angela Mack
Sue McKibben
Carl Snyder

Find us and Like us we need more

followers to spread the word! Are you
friends with a former member? invite
them too we love staying in contact!
Have a question about an upcoming
event? you may find your answer.
And, you can add your comments, too!
(If you have trouble searching type in
Zions Lutheran Defiance and that
should find it for you). If you would like
to post an event you may email it to
[email protected].

Church Council has enacted a policy regarding

the names placed on
the church prayer list in
the bulletin. If you
would like prayers on
the list for longer than
3 weeks, please make
another request. Requests can be sent to
the church office via
phone 419-782-8781 or
by email at: zion111@
embarqmail.com

OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

ZIONS EMAIL ADDRESSES

Office Secretary - [email protected]
Pastor - [email protected]

COUNCIL MEETS ON

Treasurer - [email protected]

the third Thursday of each month

(except July) at 7:00 p.m.

Website - www.zionslutheranchurch.com

Get your copy in the church narthex!

Devotional Books : The Upper Room
Christ in Our Home and Word in Season

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