Pastor’s Report

Thank you! We don’t always do the best job of expressing gratitude to all of those who help to make ministry possible in this place. Thank you for the many ways you have helped to steward the gifts God has given to you and for your continuous support of the ministry and ministry of Zion through your time, talents, and treasures.

Stewardship is the way in which we use all of the resources that God has entrusted to our care so that we can love God and our neighbor to the best of our ability. Our re-sponse to God’s gifts to us, is a way of showing thankfulness. One of our responses is to pray for all that we do here at Zion. Another is to thank the many people whose efforts help to implement and carry out the ministries of this place. And of course, another way is to financially support the ongoing ministry at Zion. When you regularly give to Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, you are personally investing in the hands-on, visible expressions of God’s love at work in our faith community, our neighborhood, and the world.

Coming in the mail to you will be a Stewardship commitment card for the 2020 year. Please take some time, think and pray about the ways in which you are able to share your gifts with the Church. Fill it out and bring the card with you to worship on November 10th – we will receive and bless the many gifts that we bring forward during our worship service that morning. There is much for which to give thanks and there is much to look forward to in the upcoming year. Thank you again for all that you do as Christ’s disciples in the place!

With gratitude, Pastor Nicole

Adult & Children Sunday School 9am

Worship 10:15am

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH ALLEGHENY & SWATARA STS. PO BOX 5 DAUPHIN, PA 17018

The church office is located at 318 Erie Street (directly behind the church) Pastor Nicole’s hours: Tuesday through Sunday

(717) 921-8111

Council Members

Bonnie Bechtel, President

Skip Wachter, VP

Doug Bonsall, Secretary

Floyd Bechtel, Treasurer

Sonia Evans, Asst. Treasurer

Yvonne Schock

Dee Wesner, Financial

Secretary

Cheryl Kauffman

Judy King

Judy Harner

Monica Wesner

November 2019

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Zion Choir Notes

Anthems/Special Music for November, 2019:

If you or someone with musical talent you know can’t commit to weekly participation in the choir but would like to share occasionally in this ministry, we’d love to enjoy a spe-cial vocal or instrumental number any Sunday you are available. This would be espe-

cially welcome as we look forward to the coming Advent and Christmas seasons. Con-tact Doug Bonsall (921-1957) to volunteer.

Choir rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings, usually from 7-8:30 p.m. However, on Thursdays November 14 & 21, rehearsals will start earlier at 6:30 p.m. to allow extra time to re-hearse later in the evening with other singers for the community Thanksgiving service that takes place here at Zion on Sunday evening, November 24

th. Due to Thanksgiving, rehearsal

the last week of the month has been changed and will be held on Tuesday, November 26th

.

Date Choir Anthem(s) Special Music

11/3/2019 There Is Room in My Father’s House Vocal solo – Brenda Rockwell

11/10/2019 Simple Gifts (with 4-hand piano) Vocal solo – Craig Staller

11/17/2019 Come Sing a New Song! Keyboard – Sheila Shaw

11/24/2019

Christ the King

A Jubilant Song of Praise

We Give You Thanks

Organ prelude – Art Sonnenberg

11/24/2019

Community Thanksgiving

Declare Your Maker’s Praise! (with clarinet)

Praise to God, Immortal Praise

Massed Choir

Cathy Mertz 11/2 Monica Wesner 11/3 Alan Rockwell 11/7 John Mimnall 11/11 Cindy Miller 11/14 Linda Lowe 11/17 Barry Calhoun 11/18 Anna Gerhard 11/19 Kristine Kline 11/19 Joseph Meier 11/20 Tracey Sudia 11/25 Hannah Jacobs 11/26 Melissa Rinehard 11/29

Robert & Jean Doren, Sr. 11/2

Barry & Tammy Calhoun 11/16

Jack & Marlene Hoover 11/17

Terry & Cindy Miller 11/25

NOTES OF THANKS Thank you to all of you who sent cards and messages and offered words of comfort to Patty and me at the passing of my mother. They have meant more than you could know.

Skip Wachter

Thank you for the donation of warm clothing to “Do Over Ministries”. These items serve two purposes; One is to help those living outside to ward off the cold temperatures. The second is to help us connect with these addicted and mentally ill folks. Our goal is to, overtime, establish relationships of friendship and trust. Our message is they are loved and do not need to live this way. Wee encourage treatment and recovery, a fresh start. By God’s grace we all have the opportunity to “Do Over” each and every day. That is our greatest hope for those we serve.

Yours in Christ Barb Musselman

Thank you for your generous donation and play-doh to Caitlin’s Smiles. Your gift will allow us to put smiles on the faces of children in hospitals and specialty pediatric clinics across the region. What a difference a smile makes. For children plagues with serious illnesses, a reason to smile makes the pain and agony face away…at least for a little while. For Caitlin, glitter and glue was a miracle cure and as she let her artistic juices flow, she found herself far away from the painful day-to-day fight for her life. Caitlin was four when doctors found a brain tumor. Over the next three years, Caitlin would receive many surgeries and treatments to try and help her small body fight the fight of her life. Sadly, at age seven, Caitlin lost her battle. Through the pain and sacrifice, Caitlin smiled as she focused on creating her beautiful masterpieces for others. What she didn’t know at the time was that she was sharing much more. Since 2004, Caitlin’s Smiles has been putting smiles on the faces of children facing chronic or life-threatening conditions by encouraging them to focus on creative arts activities. Last year, Caitlin’s Smiles distributed crafts to nearly 190,000 children in hospitals. Losing my daughter, Caitlin, was something I will never recover from, but I can and will continue to put smiles on the faces of kids as they fight their own battle. With your help we can keep smiles on the faces of children suffering from chronic or life-threatening conditions. Thanks for joining all of us!

Cheryl Hornung

Luc’s Crafty Class

Yes! T'is the season, and this month we're doing this wonderful wintery Christmas Shadow Box ! With hints of yesteryear, you as the crafty Santa Elf will be adding all the delightful effects from the 3-D mountains in the back-ground to the trees, ornaments, packages, even the cheeky squirrel...and picture of your choice to convey just that right holiday message you desire. The pictures are all holiday printed cards of vintage Victorian style with adora-ble children and/or those wonderful Santas from years past. And don't forget the lights to make it merry and bright! Add a bit of glitter and snow, and winter is complete. These are so fun to make, and so popular. They're a great tradition to hold onto or give as a gift. Sign up now! Two Classes: Wednesday - November 13 @ 10:00 a.m. Saturday - November 16 @ 10:00 a.m. FEE: $30 - pay at the door - cash preferred All materials included. PRE-REGISTRATION Required - Sign up in the church Narthex or Text me at 717-343-8612. FEE: $30 - pay at the door - cash preferred. All materials included. All proceeds benefit Johnny Bricker, age 4, who is afflicted with CF and MSUD. Please check my FB page for updates on his condition… https://www.facebook.com/ArtCraft-Fund-Raiser-Classes-for-Baby-Johnny-1744971209090820/

HIGHLIGHTS OF ITALY

11 DAYS: APRIL 20 – 30, 2020

Hosted By:

Pastor Nicole Wachter

ONLY $3599 PER PERSON FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.

(Air/land tour price is $3149 plus $450 government taxes/airline surcharges)

TOUR INCLUDES: Roundtrip air from Washington, D.C., most meals, first class/select

hotels, comprehensive sightseeing with the finest English-speaking guides & more!

V i s i t V e n i c e , F l o r e n c e , S o r r e n t o , P o m p e i i a n d R o m e

FOR A BROCHURE & MORE INFO CONTACT PASTOR WACHTER:

Tel: (717) 695-6664 / Cell: (301) 471-1985

revwachter@comcast.net

S P A C E I S L I MI TE D! !

GLEANER’S NEWS

BIBLE STUDY

Jump in and join Pastor Nicole and the study group for the weekly Bible study on the book of Acts. We meet on Thursday’s at 10am. All are welcome! Next date is November 7.

GUEST WELCOME

Zion welcomes, Pastor Beth Martini! Pastor Martini is one of our Assistant’s to the Bishop who coordinates our First Call Theological Education and serves as staff liaison to the fol-lowing committees: Criminal Justice System Ministry, Global Missions, Toward Racial Justice, Poverty and Justice Table, and World Hunger. She supports our volunteer coordinators for relief projects, our synodical granting process, and boundary training and anti-racism leadership development. She relates to the Harrisburg, Perry and West Shore Confer-ences. She will be joining us in worship and preaching on Sunday, Nov. 24th! Come and welcome, Pastor Martini!

Next Gleaner’s Meeting will be Wednesday, November 6 at 7 p.m.

Our meetings usually last about an hour followed by refreshments and fellowship. All ladies are welcome to join us.

Gleaners Christmas Party

Scheduled at Gilligan's on Eisenhower Blvd December 4,2019 at 6:00. Look for the signup sheet on the “special stuff” table at Zion. Details for menu and prices can be found on the signup sheet.

Deadline for signup is Monday, November 25.

Winter Warm Up Donations will be accepted until 11/29/2019

Winter is approaching! There are people of all ages in need of new or gently used cold weather items.

We are collecting the following:

Hats Sweaters

Gloves Socks

Scarves

Adult Bible Study Continues Reading and Analysis of Luke’s Gospel The Adult Bible Study, will continue its reading and analysis of the gospel lessons designated for the day. Through the end of November, we will study the Gospel of Luke and then begin the Gospel of Matthew on the First Sunday in Advent. Our study looks at Luke 14:25-33, where Jesus talks with his disciples about the personal sacrifice that re-sults when we follow his preaching. In addition, we’ll explore the second lesson where Paul, in his letter to Philemon, suggests the real-world application of Christian faith, forgiveness and reconciliation. We look forward to your joining us! Contact Craig Staller at 717-439-9273 with any questions about the Adult Bible Study.

SATURDAY SUPPERS

November 9—Pork & Sauerkraut December 14—Roast Beef

January 11—Hog Maw February 8—Italian Dinner

March 14—Pot Pie

HELP IS ALWAYS NEEDED THE FRIDAY PRIOR TO THE DINNER FOR PREP. THE FIRST DINNER ON OCTOBER 12 IS PARTICULARLY IN NEED OF HELP.

PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING WITH OUR DINNERS. CONTACT ELSIE STROUP OR SONIA EVANS IF INTERESTED.

PARKING LOT UPDATE We're making progress. The engineer's plan for the widening of our church parking lot has been completed by Burch Associates of Millersburg. Yvonne Schock, who has stepped up to take over the leadership of our project, has followed up by meeting with Bill Burch to make necessary revisions and corrections to the plan. In accordance with Dauphin Borough ordinances, she has submitted eight copies of our preliminary subdi-vision and land-development plan for review and comment by the borough's engineer. At the same time, Burch Associates has made a separate submission to the Dauphin County Planning Commission. If and when the plan is approved by the borough council, possibly at its November meeting, we will imme-diately begin soliciting bids for the project so that -- finally -- we'll know what this is going to cost. When those numbers roll in, I will keep all of you informed, but until then we still have no numbers. Also at that point, we'll look at our financial standing and decide the best way to proceed. Our hope is that we will complete the widening of our parking lot as soon as the weather allows in the spring. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact Yvonne Schock or Skip Wachter.

Benevolence Money

Every year, Zion has a line item in our own budget that is designated “Benevolence.” This is money that we,

as a congregation, commit to sending to the Lower Susquehanna Synod office to further God’s mission in the

world. We do this because we are a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and we are intercon-

nected to one another, accomplishing so much more together, than we ever could on our own.

How does the Lower Susquehanna make use of the money we send?

*Total Synodical Budget for 2019 - $2.55 million*

41% supports external ministries (Inc.: ELCA Churchwide Ministries, United Lutheran Seminary,

Lutheran Camping Corporation Outdoor Ministries, Lutheran Planned Giving, and Campus Ministry)

18% designated for congregational renewal and new mission

41% allocated for general operations.

Why bother? What does our Lower Susquehanna Synod office do for us?

Someone from the bishop’s staff is on call 24/7 for emergencies

Our Synod offers one-on-one expertise to all congregations in need

Our Synod works with congregations to renew their spiritual health and vitality

Our Synod organizes dozens of workshops, seminars, class, and training sessions to rostered and lay lead-

ers

Our Synod loans out thousands of educational materials through the resource center

Our Synod is present to provide guidance to congregations on issues such as: Leadership transitions,

Stewardship and finance Education and resourcing Communications, Good governance and manage-

ment, Conflict and dispute resolution, Worship and congregational life, Youth and family minis-

try -

We are all partners in ministry and we accomplish so much when we support one another!

Noisy Offering and Collection Items for November

Noisy Offfering will be collection on Sunday, November 3 to benefit the cost of the Holiday Hams.

Collection Item(s) for the month will be canned fruits and vegetables to benefit Feed My Sheep.

Community Thanksgiving Service Several of the area churches are coming together for a joint Thanksgiving Service on the evening of Sunday, Nov. 24th at 6:30pm. This year the service will be held here at Zion Lutheran. This has become a highlight for many in our community as we all gather together as the body of Christ. Our very own Zion choir will join with members of other church choirs for several musical numbers. We will collect donations of canned fruits and vegetables for Feed My Sheep. Plan to be there and welcome the community to Zion! Refreshments and fel-lowship will follow in Gleaner’s Hall.

Update from Church Council

Doug Bonsall, Council Secretary

This monthly update from Council shares highlights of the most recent Council meeting to keep the congregation informed of things happen-ing around Zion Church. The full minutes of each meeting are posted in draft form on the bulletin board in the lower narthex by the Sunday following each Council meeting.

Actions taken at the most recent Council meeting on October 8, 2019:

Formally accepted the gift of a piano from the estate of Marian Conrad and approved its placement in the first floor of the church.

Approved a simple written policy on the use of the recently installed electronic phone tree.

Accepted the proposal of Meizinger Construction Services to give a $5,000 donation to the church in ex-change for use of parking lot space on weekdays during October, November and December 2019 while construction is going on at the nearby Verizon building; the church reserved use of the lot on the third Thursdays of the month for “Feed My Sheep” distribution and any time a church function (e.g. funeral) might arise.

Approved sale of the unused organ recorder box if an interested buyer is found.

Set the date for the annual congregational meeting for 1/19/2020, with a snow date of 1/26/2020.

Determined that the currently vacant seat on Council will be filled by election at the annual meeting since only three months remains on that term.

Agreed by consensus to approve the request of the local Lions Club to place a collection box at Zion (on the Special Stuff table) for used eye glasses.

Renewed the designation of Zion as the emergency evacuation site for Happy Hollow Day Care.

Informational items reported at this meeting:

Christian Education– the children’s class is reported as having “new energy”.

Outreach/Social Ministry – upcoming events announced were Isaiah 61 feeding of the homeless on 10/29 and Trunk or Treat on 10/31.

Worship & Music – altar frontals in white (for Easter), red, blue, green and purple have been ordered and should arrive before the end of the year; a storage cabinet for all the altar linens is being built by Alan Mende.

Property –timers have been replaced on exterior lights in the parking lot and the bulletin board; Meizinger Construction will complete repairs to the church office at no charge beyond the cost of supplies; Ron Wesner is investigating options to strip and refinish the exterior metal fire escapes.

Gleaners – the group recently donated $10,000 to the general fund of the church

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NOVEMBER SUNDAY SERVANTS

Bulletin Sponsor John & Melanie Mimnall

Altar Guild Donna Strawser & Flo Bostdorf

Coffee Hour Sponsor Sandy Henry

Your help and understanding are needed to meet our leadership needs for worship.

If you can help for any of the ministries above, please leave a message at the office 921-8111.

Activities and Whom to Contact

Acolyte Pastor Nicole 921-8111 Gift Card Program Sonia Evans 579-0591

Altar Flowers Tracey Sudia 921-8111

Altar Guild Linda Beard 921-8313 Gleaners’ Linda Beard 921-8313

Adult Education Craig Staller 429-9273 Annette Sheesley 921-2166 Greeters Ruth Getz 921-8341

Caitlin’s Smiles Cheryl Hornung 921-9092 Lector Judy Harner 921-8811

Choir Doug Bonsall 921-1957 Meals on Wheels Bonnie Bechtel 877-8227

Church Office Tracey Sudia 921-8111 Nursery Pastor Nicole 921-8111

Church Calendar Sonia Evans 579-0591 Prayer List Bev Seiders 574-0378

Coffee Refreshments Elsie Stroup 599-5444 Sexton Janet Smith 512-3917

Collection Counters Jim Fisher 514-3080 Sunday School Yvonne Schock 645-0255

Communion Assistants Judy Harner 921-8811 Cradle Role, Preschool, Elementary

Worship

Assistants

Nov 3 Nov 10 Nov 17 Nov 24

Head Usher

Wilbur Evans Wilbur Evans Wilbur Evans Wilbur Evans

Acolyte Amber Smith Wyatt Musselman Brittany Smith Amber Smith

Greeter Ruth Getz Donna Strawser Linda Geary Sue Radel

Lector

Jean Doren Brenda Rockwell Luc Crum Larry Gerhard

Nursery

Judy King Erin Musselman Tina Long Emmy Sanford

Communion

Assistants

Kathy Dunn

Mike Rinehard

Judy Harner

Marc Neville

Brenda Rockwell

Marcia Brown

Alan Mende

Val Kopenhaver

Kitchen Duty/

Refreshments

Diane McCom-mons

Cheryl Kauffman/

Joan Anderson

Cheryl Kauffman

Janet Smith

Monica Wesner/

Judy Harner

Needed/

Craig Staller

Flowers

Sam & Dee Wesner

In

Celebration of

Monica’s

Birthday

Judy King

In

Loving Memory

Of

Ron King

Alan & Cathy Mende

In

Honor of

Cathy’s Parent’s

Anniversary

Alan & Cathy Mende

In

Celebration of

Jacob’s

Birthday