April 2006 Newsletter
A WORD FORM OUR PASTOR
Dear members and friends of Zion,
Wow! That's right. Wow! What other word could express both the new ground we broke and the satisfaction that inspired during the month of March? This is the fourth year we have practiced our Lenten discipline with our Sunday evening program, Dinner and a Drama. This is the first year we have surprised ourselves with our own attendance! The Men of Zion hosted our dinner on March 5, and 86 were in attendance to enjoy some great rigatoni and a wonderful portrayal of Judas by Dale Jacobs. The Senior Choir hosted dinner on March 12, offering some delicious ham to 77 diners, with an exceptional celebration of traditional Lenten music and song during our worship service. On March 19, 80 from Zion's faithful joined with 50 of our friends from St. Paul's for a delightful portrayal of Pontius Pilate and Procula, with some of the best food we've ever served for dinner. It just keeps on getting better and better every year. Then, on March 26, the Chancel Guild played host to 95 for dinner, with a great menu, delicious desserts, and a really good feeling about how things were going for our Sunday evening Lenten services. Pete Fenney did a masterful job in capturing the essence of his namesake, Saint Peter.
I recall a brief exchange in the greeting line, when, with smiles on our faces, several of us marveled that it was beginning to look a lot like the olden days when Lutherans came out for Lenten services regularly and in large numbers; and that felt really good. Everyone has felt really good about how our Lenten series has been received and supported. Each hosting group has understood that part of the point of hosting these dinners was to include as many participants as possible - the more there are, the better it is! Plus, we have really tried to high-light the need for mutual support. All of us enjoy the satisfaction that comes when others join us for the dinner we're hosting, and we need to return the favor by making sure that we're on hand when they host. These two lessons - maximal inclusion and mutual support - have begun to make a huge difference in the response we've seen. If we keep this up, we may become a really healthy church before we know it! That's the objective: to become a healthier, stronger, and growing Zion, not because numbers are good, but because being a healthy congregation is great.
Our great results in March could not have come at a better time. It's been a rough start to the New Year, with utility bills, winter salting, and some uninvited breakdowns in our heating system putting pressure on our finances. Expenses were up through February and income was down. The result was our taking refuge in the gospel mandate to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting that our Lord will provide ? through the generosity of His people. I don't want to overstate, but the simple truth is that the 2006 budget requires that we give more this year, not less. March has shown some improvement in this regard, and April will require even more improvement. We have begun to see some good results from the changes we've made. Our Action Plan called for new programs and more staffing. We set specific targets with measurable goals, and have asked for personal participation combined with mutual support. Now is the time to reach higher with our hopes and deeper with our support, because of the opportunities God is providing and the commitment so many are investing in the work of our church. The signs are here. God wants us to thrive, but we can't do it without you.
In His service, and yours,
Pastor Sherwindt
Holy Week and Easter
| Date |
Time |
Special Features |
| Sunday, April 8 |
10:00 a.m. |
Sunday School Easter Play Rehearsal |
| Sunday, April 8 |
12:00 p.m. |
Pizza Party following Play Rehearsal |
| Sunday, April 9 |
8:00 a.m. |
Palm Sunday Traditional Liturgical Service
Guest Organist: Sandy Simpson (both services)
Senior Choir: Ain't No Rock Gonna Shout For Me! |
| Sunday, April 9 |
9:15 a.m. |
Confirmation & Adult Sunday School |
| Sunday, April 9 |
10:30 a.m. |
The Palm Sunday Children's Program
Senior Choir: Ain't No Rock Gonna Shout For Me! |
| Thursday, April 13 |
12:00 p.m. |
Quiet Communion with the Ragman
Anointing with Oil, Prayers for Healing |
| Thursday, April 13 |
7:00 p.m. |
Evening Service with a Lenten Drama
Jesus talks about the Lord's Supper
Fred Locker will be our Guest Organist
Senior Choir: After Giving Thanks, Remember Me |
| Friday, April 14 |
12:00 p.m. |
Community Service, Hoover Park
An Ecumenical Stations of the Cross Service |
| Friday, April 14 |
7:30 p.m. |
Good Friday Tenebrae at Zion
A Service of Shadows and Darkness
Sandy Simpson will be our Guest Organist
Zion's Senior Choir: Go to Dark Gethsemane |
| Saturday, April 15 |
5:00 p.m. |
Saturday Evening Easter Vigil
The Reception of New Members
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism |
| Sunday, April 16 |
8:00 a.m. |
Easter Sunday Festival Worship
Guest Organist: Sandy Simpson (both services)
Senior Choir: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today! |
| Sunday, April 16 |
9:00 a.m. |
Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt |
| Sunday, April 16 |
10:30 a.m. |
Easter Sunday Festival Worship
Senior Choir: Christ the Lord Is Risen Today! |
He Is Risen! He Is Risen, Indeed. Alleluia!
CHURCH COUNCIL NEWS
In addition to our usual good attendance (Laura Thompson, Carol Rossbach, Dave Palumbo, Jayne Schrader, Pete Fenney, Sharon Stout, Lorin Beaber, Cindy Ferry, Steve Ross, Renee Schrader, Bob Lanca-shire, Pastor Sherwindt), we added to our numbers by inviting John Long to report on matters financial. John keeps track of our investment portfolio at Merrill Lynch, oversees the Audit Committee, chairs the Finance Ministry, and organizes the deacons' schedule, the acolytes' schedule, and the ushers' schedule as well!
The Audit Committee reported that they had finished their work in making the transition to a calendar financial year. After experi-menting with a fiscal year, which ran from July 1 through June 30, we decided in 2005 to return to the easier to follow calendar year format. While it may be easier to follow, it isn't any easier to keep the budget in balance. The Treasurer's Report made it clear that we are not in balance through February. Significantly higher than usual heating bills have gotten a little ahead of our request of increased offerings to meet them.
We are not sure how much the inefficiencies in the present heating system are costing us; so, we commissioned the Trustees to solicit several bids for ways to improve, or replace it. These bids should identify various areas where aging and design are contributing to present inefficiencies as well as future needs for major repair work.
We received into membership the Keaveny family: Mark and Marie through affirmation of baptism; children Joshua, Anthony, and Rachel, through the Sacrament of Baptism. We will celebrate these baptisms (and affirmations of baptism) at the Easter Vigil.
Parish Life Ministry: Bob Lancashire reported that the North Canton Ministerial Association Coed Softball League is ready for its third season.
Witness Ministry: Pete Fenney reported that Howard Dansizen has the interest and the ability to serve as our new webmaster. Take the time to check out our website at www.ZionEvangelicalLutheranChurch.org
Caring Ministry: Steve Ross reported that Olan Mills has been picked once again to do our 2006 Pictorial Directory. Plans are now underway for publicizing and organizing this congregational project
Learning Ministry: Renee Schrader told us that the Sunday School is progressing well, and that a date for Vacation Bible School has been selected (July 17-21).
Property Ministry: Lorin Beaber reported that we have an active team of Trustees with Beth Shaheen, Mark Votaw, and John Brokloff set to join Lorin, Tony Arteno, and our Head Trustee, Chris Thomas.
Worship Ministry: Sharon Stout explained our experiment to provide nursery care at all 10:30 a.m. services, during the Sunday School hour, at the 8:00 a.m. service when the Senior Choir sings, and at all evening services during Lent and Holy Week.
WORSHIP & MUSIC AT ZION
First of all, thank you for your willingness to try new things with the worship we offer and the songs we sing. The creation of the 10:30 a.m. service has been a challenge and a joy; and now, our hopes are being met with encouraging signs that we're heading in the right direction. We're seeing more families at worship, and more kids coming forward for the children's sermon. Patterns of attendance are getting better and better. The10:30 a.m. service is now averaging just under 100 in weekly attendance! We've made sure that nursery care is available every week. We offer a children's sermon every Sunday, and that is sometimes connected with special classes, crafts or projects for kids during the worship hour. The Children's Choir has been a great addition, both for our kids and for our worship. We're very happy with the new service and your response.
We think the 8:00 a.m. service has remained strong with the schedule of Guest Organists we've arranged, the presence of the Senior Choir, and the traditional appeal of seasonal colors and sacred robes. When the choir is present, average attendance exceeds 60, but when the choir is not present, attendance is closer to 40, and often in the 30's. We would like to improve on that. I know what you're thinking: increasing the number of persons in the choir might do the trick! But in the end, increasing attendance at this service will require your commitment to attend, your interest in inviting others, your thanking the folks who join us for their interest and their presence. We're beginning to take a closer look at how we're doing with the changes we've made, and what we might do to improve on our success. We hope that you will help us think through some of these issues.
NEW PICTORIAL DIRECTORY
We are excited to announce that we are going to create a new pictorial directory of our church family. The directory will help us connect names with faces. It will be an ideal outreach tool and will capture the history of our church congregation. Please participate! All we ask is that you have your picture taken by a professional photographer and meet with a Portrait Consultant at the church. For the next several weeks, we will be making appointments before and after services and meetings at the church. Please sign up as soon as possible to get the best appointment to fit your schedule.
- Every participating family/household that selects a pose for the directory will receive a free directory and a complimentary 8X10 Custom Natural Portrait.
- You will come only once for photography and for portrait viewing.
- The program is available at no cost to the church budget.
- You will have the opportunity to order additional portraits during your scheduled appointment time.
- If you wish to purchase extras, portraits come with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
- Whether you decide to dress formal or casual, you will want to make the most of this opportunity.
- Scheduled dates for Photography and Por-trait Viewing are Tuesday thru Thursday, May 2, 3, 4, from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- We look forward to seeing everyone in the directory. Our new pictorial directory just won't be complete without you!
- And if you have any questions whatsoever, please contact Steve Ross (330-244-1158).
GREAT NEWS FROM ZION'S SUNDAY SCHOOL
UPCOMING EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Sunday, April 2nd: Youth of Zion host the Lenten Dinner (5:30 p.m.) and the Service
Sunday, April 8th: Dress Rehearsal for the Easter Program (10:00 a.m.); Pizza at Noon
Sunday, April 9th: Palm Sunday, Children's Easter Program at 10:30 a.m. Service only
Sunday, April 16: Easter Sunday, Children's Easter Egg Hunt during Sunday School
Sunday, June 4th: The Festival of Pentecost, Rite of Confirmation at 10:30 a.m. Service
The Week of June 10 - 17: Zion's Mission Trip to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast
The Week of July 17 - 21: Zion's Vacation Bible School from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
CHILDREN'S CHOIR
Sunday, May 14, Mother's Day: Children sing at 10:30 a.m. service
Sunday, June 18, Father's Day : Children sing at 10:30 a.m. service
Just a reminder: Choir Rehearsal begins at 9:10 a.m. on Sundays
SUNDAY SCHOOL: PRE-K THRU SIXTH GRADE
The Children's Easter Program will take place on Sunday, April 9, which is Palm Sunday, at the 10:30 a.m. service only. Props for Easter is a wonderful program that tells the Easter story through a basket of items left by the Easter Bunny. We will continue to practice during Sunday School through April 2nd. There will be a dress rehearsal on Saturday, April 8, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a pizza party to celebrate the children's hard work. We should finish between 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. Then on Sunday, the children will meet in the choir room at 9:15 a.m. to get ready for our program.
On Easter Sunday, we will have our traditional Easter Egg Hunt for our children of all ages during Sunday School. Each child should bring an Easter basket to collect their eggs. We are hoping to go outside, weather permitting. We look forward to seeing you there! We resume our normal schedule on Sunday, April 23rd, with choir practice at 9:10 a.m. and Sunday School to follow at 9:30 a.m.
EVEN MORE NEWS FROM ZION ABOUT THIS 'N' THAT
The Clothing Closet & Food Pantry
The Food of the Month for April continues our theme in March, breakfast cereals for kids, and the adults who like them. The Clothing Closet is still looking for blankets, sheets, towels, and bed linens, along with men's pants (33x32), a winter coat for a 6-year old boy, and all sorts of children's clothing.
Lenten Banners
Our children have been working hard on four banners for this Lenten Season. We have been taking time to present them during the children's sermon at worship each Sunday. Our children will present their last banner on Palm Sunday. The kids have done a great job - making four beautiful banners. We would like to thank them for their hard work. We also would like to thank Carol Rossbach, Mary Humbert and Mabel Kolarik for all of their time and hard work in preparing the banner materials. Finally, we want to thank Carol, Mary, Mabel and Connie Frank for helping the children work on their banners! Because of their help, we've been able to get a lot done between the Children's Sermon and Holy Communion, when we work on the banners in Luther Hall. Great job to everyone for making such wonderful new banners!
ACME Receipts
If you have an Acme receipt dated between September 4, 2005 and March 25, 2006, we want it. These receipts add up, and we find great ways to use the funds that are raised. We must turn in all receipts to Acme by April 22. Please bring in your receipts by Easter Sunday, April 16th, so that we are able to get everything turned in to Acme on time.
Youth Service on April 2
The Youth of Zion will be hosting the Lenten Service, which begins with dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 2. The kids and their families will be serving pizza, salad and, of course, fabulous desserts. The service will feature their presentation of Mark's version of the Passion narrative.
Mission Trip: June 10 - 17
It began as a Youth Mission Trip, and quickly became a vision of service, Helping New Orleans Heal. We have had a great response to our initial calls for interest. Ten adults and ten youth are ready to sign on the dotted line, but we still need more to join us. Registration forms are now available. We've got plenty of room, lots of spirit, and we're looking forward to having a great time together. We really want you to join us. Call the Church Office with your interest.
Vacation Bible School: July 17 - 21
Mark your calendars now. We have scheduled Vacation Bible School for the week of Monday through Friday, July 17-21, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Join us on our Adventure to Son Treasure Island as we find a treasure on the island that is more precious than gold or silver - GOD'S LOVE! If you are available and interested, we can always use your help. In fact, we really need it! Please contact Debbie Fox at 330-966-2433.
TEACHER IN THE SPOTLIGHT
This month's Sunday School Staff Spot-light is on Wayne Slease, who's been a member at Zion for thirty-eight years, and has been very active at Zion during every one of those years. He currently teaches the High School Sunday School class, and has done so for the past five years. His favorite part of teaching is developing relationships with our youth and seeing how they grow and change through the years. In addition to teaching, Wayne also leads Zion's Bible Bowl Team, and is one our Youth Leaders for the Junior High and High School group. Wayne also is a mem-ber of Zion's Praise Team, as well as the Senior Choir. In the past, he was a member of Zion's bowling team and mixed volleyball team. He has also been an usher, a deacon, and an assisting minister.
Wayne is married to Janet, and they will be celebrating their 30th Anniversary in May. They have two children, Melanie (a senior at Capital University) and Matt (a senior at Glenoak High School), both of whom have grown up at Zion, and a cat named Hobie. During the week, Wayne is a licensed optician at WalMart. He has been in the optical field for 32 years. In his spare time, he loves to follow his favorite sports teams: the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Browns, and, of course, the Ohio State Buckeyes. He also enjoys working on cars and helping out with his children's outside activities.
Wayne's favorite food is steak and his favorite book is What It Means to be a Buckeye. His favorite TV show is Home Improvement, and his favorite movies are Jaws and Field of Dreams. Wayne is a true music enthusiast. His favorite type of music is Southern Gospel. His favorite artist is Gold City, and his favorite song is I'm Not Giving Up. We are truly grateful to Wayne for all that he does at Zion, and this is our way of thanking him for all of his hard work and dedication, not only to the youth of Zion but also to the entire Zion congregational family.
THE MEN OF ZION
The Men of Zion offered their support to the Lutheran Men in Mission, with Chris Thomas entering his homemade chili in this year's Chili Cookoff at Kountz Memorial Lutheran Church in Louisville on Saturday, March 25th. Chris was fired up for the con-test, leaving many of the chili connoisseurs with a burning desire for more, or less. It's hard to say. No awards were passed out, and fortunately, none of the tasters were either!
The Men of Zion plan to gather for their usual meeting on the first Wednesday of the month. Join us on April 5th, at 6:00 p.m. in Luther Hall for dinner and fellowship. It's not too soon to start thinking about the Mother's Day Breakfast, when we'll serve the women we love a breakfast they'll love. May 14th is the day. Between services in Memorial Hall will be the place.
Bob Lancashire continues to move Zion's coed softball team toward what we hope will be our first championship in 2006. We will practice on Sundays, April 2, 9, 23, and May 7 at 2:00 p.m. at Dogwood Park. The fields will not be available on May 14, 21, and 28. Mike Aquilo will help manage the team again this year. The season begins June 4, and wraps up with a family picnic on July 31. We will not play on the weekend of the 4th of July. We need both men and women who are interested in playing. We play our games on Sundays at Dogwood Park here in North Canton.
THE WOMEN OF ZION
The monthly Women's Bible Study will meet on Tuesday, April 18, continuing its focus on Acting Boldly with the fruit of the Spirit. April's fruit is gentleness. It is difficult to find compelling stories about humble and gentle people because they often don't enjoy basking in the limelight. We do, however, have a few biblical examples of humble, gentle, bold people. We could start with Jesus. Gentleness and humility calms us and others; it inspires and ensures; it enriches and enables. Find out more about gentleness - and about the Women of Zion - by joining in this monthly Bible study in Luther Hall.
The Northeast Ohio Synod Women's Organization Spring Retreat: The Cluster Board is preparing for this year's annual Spring Retreat, The Widow of Zarephath. The bible study leader will be Pr. Ron Jefferson, now retired, but a former Interim Pastor at Zion. The retreat is Wednesday, April 19, 2006, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the North Canton Masonic Building, 805 Orchard NE, North Canton. A chicken dinner, prepared by the Lodge Auxiliary, is being served for lunch. A non-refundable registration/luncheon fee of $8. is due by Wednesday, April 12th. Make your check payable to NEOSWO, and turn it into the Church Office, or to Joyce Gibeaut
Please remember: we need your order of Easter lilies in the Church Office no later than Sunday, April 9. The price is $8.00.
ANNIVERSARIES IN APRIL
| April 5 |
Robert & Susan Heyard |
| April 16 |
Clarence & Vicki Givler |
| April 20 |
Chris & Melanie Whalen |
| April 22 |
Rich & Deborah Weikel |
| April 26 |
Neal & Cathy Kodish |
NEWS FROM MELANIE
Melanie Slease, a daughter of Zion, and also the daughter of Wayne & Janet Slease, was our Missionary in Mecklenburg a couple of years ago, when she spent an entire year in Germany humbly serving older residents in a nursing home community. She had just finished her first year at Capital University, and was selected by the ELCA to serve in our Young Adults in Global Mission pro-gram. I am sure than many still recall the updates in The Zion Herald that Melanie shared on a regular basis. Well, Melanie is now ready to graduate from Capital ? and right on time! What a great four years for Melanie, for Capital, and for the Church!
The Good News is that Melanie still has service and the church in her sights. She applied for, and received, one of six appointments to work in outreach with LOMO, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Ohio. Hers is a summer position that involves traveling throughout Ohio and working with different churches as a part of a staff leading Vacation Bible School.
Once the summer is over, Melanie will head to Chicago, where she has been selected to serve as an intern for the Lutheran Student Movement USA, an organization that serves college, graduate, and seminary students who are striving to better understand the gospel through a commitment that connects personal spirituality with social service. Because the ELCA supports the LSM-USA, Melanie will now find herself working in the ELCA Churchwide Office in Chicago. Congratulation, Melanie, and well done!
APRIL SENIOR BIRTHDAYS
| April 11 |
Helen Ballentine |
| April 21 |
Ruth Storch |
| April 22 |
Chuck Danner |
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