“SHARING THE GOOD NEWS”

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

• Wednesday, May 1st - All Committees’ mtg @ 7 pm

• Tuesday, May 7th – Mary Martha meeting @ 1:30 pm

• Thursday, May 9th – Ruth Circle meeting @ 7 pm

• Sunday, May 12th – Youth fundraiser bake sale

• Monday, May 13th – “Walk of Faith” confirmation rite of passage @ 7 pm

• Tuesday, May 14th – 4H Club meeting @ 7 pm

• Wednesday, May 15th – Church Council @ 6 pm

• Thursday, May 16th – Church secretary on vacation

• May 17-May 18 – Pastor & Cindy @ Synod assembly

• Sunday, May 19th – Confirmation Sunday

• Tuesday, May 28th – Bluebonnet Club meeting @ 11am

• Friday, May 31st – Serving @ BBM

Zion Lutheran Church

1800 FM 2679 Brenham, Texas

Pastor: Katrina Walther

Cell Phone (509) 840-3009 Church Phone (979) 836-7909

Email Address:

zionsville1800@gmail.com Website:

zionsvillelutheranchurch.org

Argent Court George Rhodes

Focus Care of Brenham

Doris Blum Sybil Kumaga

Isle @ Watercrest

Alvin & Ruth Free

Kruse Village

Evelyn Plueckhahn

Oak Haven Assisted Living/ Industry

Bernice Vaughn

Rosehill Assisted Living/Bellville

Viola Koehn

Homebound

Fred Blum LaVerne Blum

Herman & Elvera Borchardt Henry & Laverne Ganske Bradley Grimm & parents

Josephine Helm Gracy Lange Joyce Meyer

Edna Schramme Glenn Schroeder Mary Tockhorn

Zion Lutheran Church Council-April 17, 2019

Youth Leader Cindy Lyles led the opening prayer. Officers present: Michael Bentke, President Brandon Keller, Vice-President Jane Little, Secretary Susan Henske, Treasurer Steve Capan, Witness Allison Crowson, Stewardship Herbert Hardan, Building and Grounds Sara Ramirez, Parish Ed Jane Pederson, Worship Officers absent: none Michael Bentke called the meeting to order. The Minutes were presented and accepted. The Financial Report was presented, discussed, and accepted. Pastor's Report: Pastor Katrina reported that she will be taking instruction to become a Boundaries trainer. She will be attending The Synod Assembly May 17 and 18 in Houston. Cindy Lyles will also be attending. One more lay person is needed to attend from Zion Lutheran, and a volunteer is needed. She announced funeral service this Friday. Four new commicants will be received at this week’s Maundy Thursday service. Creating safe spaces planning has been pushed back secondary to recent funerals. Homebound visitation numbered 13 in February, and 16 in March.

Youth Ministry: Cindy Lyles reported planning for summer camps in addition to educational, volunteer, and Lenten suppers and Easter activities. She also reported the success of Gospel Fest held 3/3/19. Building and Grounds: Herbert Hardan reported lights fixed in sound room, door repairs, and ongoing problems with back doors. Seeking more information to decide to repair or replace these doors. Stated the Bees have arrived again, but have not gained access to building. Parish Education: Sara Ramirez reported Easter Egg Hunt and bucket raffle will be held Easter Sunday April 21, 2019. May 19, 2019 will have 10 students confirmed. July 21 thru 25, 2019 are the final days set for Vacation Bible School. The Maundy Thursday service April 18, 2019 will include four students receiving first communion. August 14 is schedule to be Rally Day. Stewardship: Allison Crowson reported positive progress with the scholarship committee, with work continuing and information gathering. The Worship Team will be participating in the Maifest Parade and also leading the St. Paul Lutheran Church Polka Sunday. She reported the HUGE success of soloist James Keienberg during Zion Lutheran Palm Sunday worship service. Thank you James! Worship: Jane Pederson reported busy worship committee schedule, including Easter Lilies sales, Maundy Thursday altar stripping, Easter Sunday services and brunch . Witness: Steve Capan presented a historical synopsis of the Zion Lutheran

Church website and upgrades, including a 2017 renovation. He discussed ideas for updating and improving the site further. Thank you to Kim Cmajdalka and Brianna Maitland for helping with this. The web address is ZionsvilleLutheranChurch.org Agenda: Allison Crowson opened discussion voicing visibility and safety concerns secondary to trees. Concerns and solutions voiced with further action after input from Building and Grounds team. Discussions opened regarding special events honoring members of Zion Lutheran with no action taken pending further review. Open discussion held regarding worship and stewardship enhancement/collaboration in regards to increasing membership and participation. Ideas included further social media presence and improvements. No action taken at this time. Brandon Keller opened discussion concerning review and updating of the Church Constitution; Further planning and discussion to be continued. He also raised the possibility of change in scheduling of the confirmation and JOLT youth. This also tabled for further review. Michael Bentke briefly reported progress scheduling active shooter training. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned by Michael Bentke Pastor Katrina gave the closing prayer.

Respectfully

submitted,

Jane Little,

Secretary

Date Regular Memorial

04/03 415.00 Lent

04/07 2315.00 1185.00

04/10 231.00 Lent

04/14 4957.00 145.00

04/18 1250.00 Maundy Thurs.

04/21 5782.00 50.00

PASTOR’S MESSAGE This month, several of our young people will celebrate their graduation from High School. This month, I would like to take a moment in the newsletter to address them directly, and I hope my message stirs their spirits and the spirits of our non-graduates (young and not so young) as well.

Dear Class of 2019, Congratulations! Your church family and I are very proud of you! On the occasion of your graduation, I wish to share with you the story of Jesus’ calling of the first disciples and invite you to reflect upon this story as it relates to your life. Matthew 4: 18-22

18As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. 19And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." 20Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. 22Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

This is an amazing, wonderful time for you. After years of hard work, you are finally graduating. No doubt many of you have plans for the next few weeks: plans to celebrate your graduation, plans to relax, plans to have fun with your friends and classmates, work a bit, and/or plans to spend time with your families. And then there are the other plans, the bigger plans, the long-term plans. As you balance on the cusp between high school and the rest of your adult life, many of you have goals and plans, hopes and dreams for what the future will hold, probably even some fears or worries mingled in to that wondrous mix. The stages in our lives that are the most exciting are also often the scariest. Some of you may have plans of going to college or to a vocational school. Some of you may plan to go directly to work, and you may even know where. Some of you may plan to go into the military. Some of you, no doubt, know precisely what you want the next 3 years or more to look like. Some of you feel certain you know what God is calling you to do with your life. Some of you are unsure. I, for one, knew exactly what I wanted for my future when I was in your shoes. From the time I was about 8 or 9 years old, I knew where I wanted to go to college (because college was the option I wanted for myself), and I knew who and what I wanted to be in my life. From that early age, I just knew that I was going to be… a zoologist. Wonder what happened there, huh? I continued to hold firm to that plan for the next 10 years or more. I was so firm in my goal that I left

Date Worship Sunday School

04/03 30 Lent

04/07 83 22

04/10 28 Lent

04/14 115 32

04/18 95 Maundy Thurs.

04/21 250 0

no room for the voice of God’s call. My dogged determination to follow MY plan, after a while, left me feeling uncertain and lost, despite being on the path I thought was the one for me. Lost and uncertain, but I was afraid to change, afraid to follow a different path, afraid to acknowledge the still, calm voice of God calling within my heart. It was more than 7 years after my graduation from high school that I finally began to follow God’s call. I was still afraid and nervous when I finally began my journey to seminary, but I was no longer uncertain or lost. The path just felt right, in a way nothing had before. Simon Peter and Andrew and James and John, no doubt, were certain of what they were meant to do with their lives. They were certain that they were meant to continue in the path and role that their families had held for generations. Fishing in the Sea of Galilee is what they had been raised to do, it was what they knew. Had deviating from that choice ever even entered their minds? I doubt it. Then, suddenly, the world was turned upside down: they heard a voice call them. “Come follow me and I’ll teach you to fish for people.” Immediately, immediately, despite whatever fears or doubts or worries they may have had, they immediately left the path they had been on their whole lives and followed Jesus. James and John even left their father sitting there in the boat! The tasks that God calls us to do for God’s service are often like that: different, new, challenging, even a little scary. Think of how many prophets were initially afraid or nervous about following God’s call—Moses, Jeremiah, Jonah (he was downright stubborn). But when we find that which we are called to do, we go despite our fears or objections. Now, there are many calls within each of our lives. There is the overriding call of God we all receive—to love and serve our Lord and to love and serve one another. Each of us also has calls of relationship, usually several different roles: we are called to serve as brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, husbands and wives, and friends. (Each of these roles is defined by love, and love, I’m sure you know is from God.) Then there are also the specific calls, the vocational calls: the ways in which each of us are called to fulfill our service to God and God’s beloved children, and that call can take almost any shape. Some of you may feel called to be teachers, farmers, scientists, accountants, nurses, mechanics, stylists, salespersons, custodians—the career or job does not matter. What matters is that we use our gifts and callings to serve God and others, not to serve ourselves. As you leave here tonight, my young brothers and sisters in Christ, be filled with hope! You may not know for certain what you will do with the rest of your life today, or tomorrow, or even next year. But I want you to know that, no matter where you go or what you do or where the road ahead takes you, God is with you, each and every step of the way. Always. In the highs and lows, in the dark times and the light, God IS with you. As you walk along on the journeys of your lives, take time to listen to the still, calm voice of God in your hearts. The voice of God can and will comfort you and calm your fears. God will guide you along the right pathways. Amen. Your sister in Christ, Pastor Katrina

Questions: 1. What did the earth look like in the beginning? 2. How did the father first respond upon seeing the Prodigal Son returning home? 3. Which well known Psalm of David contains the line, “he maketh me to lie down in green pastures”? 4. Abraham’s wife, Sarah, bore a special son. What was his name? 5. Which son did Jacob love more than all the others?

Our thoughts and prayers

during the past month of

March have gone out to:

Family & friends of

Darlene Gaskamp

Family & friends of L.W.

Miller, Jr.

Lois Albright

Jeri Bentke

Fred Blum

Laverne Blum

Doris Blum

Raymond Blum

Elverna Borchardt

Herman Borchardt

Marchel Brennan

Keith Brooks

Lee Elledge

Harold Eikenhorst

Rich Forst

Alvin & Ruth Free

Vickie Garner

Arthur Grimm

Dale Guelker

John & Carol Haarmeyer

Darleen Hardin

Marian Helfrich

Dale Herrington

Joshua Herrington

Fred Kessel

Wanda Kramer

Sybil Kumaga

H.T. Langford

Gloria Lehde

Pat Lehrer

Mark Machacek

Marvin Marburger

Shirley McCord

Howard Mead

Jim Meals

Wanda Meier

Ron Mertz

Heather Meyer

Lance & Angela Mundkowsky

Emmett Muske

Barry & Susan Pepper

Neal Pieper

Kyla Pietch

Robert Richter

C.W. & Ramona Riley

Earl Rosenbaum

Edna Schramme

Sue Schwartz

Roger Seilheimer

Russell Sommer

Robert Sorenson

Bernice Vaughn

James Vaughn

Ryan Wagner

Milroy Weinert

Betty Winkelmann

Sandy Winkelmann

DarleneGaskamp

NatalieBellM/MPaulCmajdalkaSharonCollins/DanaKasmierskyBarbaraDarilekElveraDrewsM/MRickeyGaskampM/MMarkHahnM/MColtonPieperM/MJustinSchroederM/MRobertJeskeM/MJimKielM/MVernonLehdeVeradellLehdeM/MAllanNiemeyerBettyPelkemeyer

EdnaRoehlingM/MEdwardSchulteMarvinSpreenM/MJerryVaughnWomenofZionM/MClarenceGerkeM/MLeroyHoddeEuniceKelmM/MWeldonKrinkeFloyaMertenRuthMaassMonicaBentke&DoyleReevesJenniferGrimm&LillianAntkowiakM/MElroyMaassM/MJamesVaughnJoyceMeyer&familyCharlesLanford&CharlaEasleyBeal&BettyCraneWade&NancyEilers

L.W.Miller,Jr.

ElmerKramerfamilyM/MDavidBuckHerbertHardanM/ME.F.MarburgerM/MClarenceGerkeEdnaRoehling

MarvinBlum

NatalieBellMarvinSpreen

LeeDavisAugustson

M/MJerryVaughn

To the Youth

of Zion

Lutheran

Church:

We thank

you for the

generous and

thoughtful

donation to

the

Berlin/Mill

Creek/Zionsv

ille Fire

Department.

Your offering

will be used in

the purchasing

and/or

maintenance of

existing

equipment for

fire protection

in the

Zionsville

Church area.

Again we

thank you for

your donation

which is

greatly and

heartfully

appreciated!!!

Rick

Neyhard

Treasurer

We are please to let you know that a deposit has been made to our account on behalf of Thrivent Financials’ Choice program. Members directing Choice Dollars to the account: Dorothy Bentke David Buck Evelyn Buck Alvin Free Ruth Free Herbert Glaesmann Kay Glaesmann Russell Heidemann Darryl Heine Susan Henske John Keienburg III Marjorie Krinke Gracy Lange Jeffrey Maitland Marla Maitland Shirley McCord Bobby Mertz

Mary Mertz Myles Niemeyer Gladys Ordner Lanette Pledger Dane Rau Melonie Rau Charles Rauch Gloria Rauch George Rhodes Edna Roehling Diana Rosenbaum Alton Seilheimer Don Studhalter Belinda Vincent Roderic Vincent

2019 Easter Breakfast

Thanks to all the volunteers: Served – 100 Collected -$493.00 (to be contributed to lawn care & maintenance fund) Breakfast items donated by: Brian Bentke George & Walline Lorenz Allan and Dinah Niemeyer Robert and Shonda Ziese Thanks to all who helped cook: Matthew Conner Billy Gaskamp Mark & Shane Hahn Herbert Hardan Brian & Jennifer Lorenz George & Walline Lorenz Karley Lorenz Justin Brending Bobby Mertz Allan and Dinah Niemeyer

Sean Rosenbaum Robert & Shonda Ziese

ZION YOUTH

WhatabusyAprilwehavehad!CookingmealsforourWednesdaychurchserviceswasfuncookingwiththeyouth;thankyouGavinBlum,LeahBlum,JillRosenbaumandShannonHetzel.Tothosewhocameandate–thankyouforsupportingus–weloveyou!

OnaSaturdaymorning–PastorKatrina,JudyJeskeandmyselfmetwithourfouramazingyouthwhoweregettingthemselvesreadyfortheirFirstCommunion.TheybakedbreadwithJudy,decoratedtheirgobletsandwentovertheservicewithPastorKatrinaandthenstompedgrapeswithMs.Cindy.TheparentsthenjoinedusforaSederMeal.IpraythattheywillrememberthisforalongtimeastheyjourneywithJesus.

OurFirstCommunionsandproudparentswere:KylerGiles–sonofAshleyGilesBraxtonParker–sonofRachelRodenbeckParkerandOlinParkerCooperHodde–sonofDebbieandRandyHoddeLaurenPepper–daughterofErinandTimothyPepper

OurseventhandeighthgradeconfirmationclasswouldliketothankeveryonethatcametoourGoodFridayservice“StepintothePicture”–awalkofJesus’slastdays.Thankyouyouth–youdidawesome!ThankstotheolderyouthwhohelpedinfillingEasterEggsandhidingthemforouryoungerstudents!!ThankstothemanycooksforthedeliciousEasterbreakfast.

ThankstoBirdieSommerfeldforleadingtheMondayafterEasterWorldReliefCentralStationforthemanychurcheswhobroughtblankets,schoolkitsandhealthkits.Wehad22churchescomewithcarandtrailerloadsofboxes.ThankstoGaryWagner,EarlBlum,DarrellWinkelmann,theLutherhillstaff,andmyselfforunloadingthevehiclesandtransferringtotheU-Haultruck.Amorningofservice–feltgood.AndthankstoJudyJeske,BirdieS.andDonnieReynoldsforthedeliciousrefreshments.

HerecomesMay!AnotherBusymonth.MaybringstheMaifest,MothersDay,ConfirmationandGraduation.

ConfirmationwillbeheldonSunday,May19th!Thisyoungpeoplehaveattendedclassfortwoyears,LutherhillanddoneserviceprojectstoreadythemselvesforbecomingmembersofZion!

Congratulationstoyouall.Theyare:

DawsonDraehn–sonofDavidandLisaDraehnLeahHardy–daughterofTrey&StacyHardyErinKeller–daughterofBrandonandJillKellerCarsonLehde–sonofTracy&MelanieLehdeAllisonMarburger–daughterofMichaelandJoAnnMarburgerDylanMcKee–sonofBryanandKristieMcKeeCarmenNiemeyer–daughterofWarrenandJacyNiemeyerHaylieNiemeyer–daughterofAlisaNiemeyerandMylesNiemeyerPresleyParker–daughterofRachelRodenbeckParkerandOlinParkerKadeRau–sonofDaneandMelonieRau

Our2019BrenhamHighSchoolGraduatesare:

ReidBentke–sonofMicheal&AllsonBentkeGuntherNiemeyer–sonofWarren&JacyNiemeyerKaydenPieper–sonofNeal&KristiePieperLauraZibilski–daughterofPamZibilskiandMattZibilski

MarkyourcalendarsforJune9thaswehonorthemilestonesoftheseyouthalongwithALLmomsandDads!

SeniorMinistryatBurtonBridgeMinistries-Areminderthatallfolks55andbetterareinvitedtojoinusforourweeklyseniormealandsocialtimeeachFridayfrom11:00a.m.to1:00p.m.AgreatmealandfellowshiparealwaysawonderfulwaytospendaFriday.Thecostofthemealisonly$3.00andincludeshomemadedessert.FormoreinformationpleasecontacttheBurtonBridgeOfficeat979-289-2223.MealsforthemonthofMaywillinclude;Meatloaf,friedchicken,porkroast,sourcreamchickenenchiladasfromOnDeck,andMadeline’sMemorialDaySurprise.

ChildrenandYouthMinistry-Plansareunderwayforthissummer’sCampHope,tobeheldJune17th–21standJune24th–28th.Thistwoweeklongdaycampwillbegineachmorningat8:30a.m.withbreakfastfollowedbyagreatdayofbiblestudy,games,lunch,andsnacks.Eachdaywillendat3:30p.m.MoreinformationwillbeprovidedinourJunenewsletteroryoumaycontactLacyEckertourchildrenandyouthteamleaderatleckert@burtonisd.net.IfyouareinterestedinsponsoringacamperthissummerpleasecontactLacyEckertoftheBurtonBridgeOfficeatburtonbridgeministry@gmail.com

Ouryouthareveryactiveanddifficulttokeepupwith.Iknowthepastmonthshavebeenbusywithour4-H’ersandFFAmembersgoingtostockshows,4-Hevents,swimmingevents,baseballandsoftballgames;ifyouhaveamajoreventthatyouwouldlikeformetoknowaboutpleasesendmeamessage.GoZionYouth!!Youareallawesome!!

CongratstoCurtis&JessicaMeyerastheywelcometotheirfamilyMarley&MiabyadoptiononMarch19th.AlsowelcomingtheirnewsistersareRebeccaandKaraMeyerandbrotherNathanCarroll.ManyofGod’sblessingstoyou.

Youth Director

Cindy Lyles

PRAYER BUDDIES HOPE & ENCOURAGEMENT

Started as a way to honor a granddaughter lost to abortion, prayer buddies have become a source of hope and encouragement to New Beginnings moms. PRAYER-It’s the one thing we *all* need. Many NB moms have no one in their family to pray for them. YOU can be family for a mom and baby during her pregnancy. Contact us today and we will get you a prayer buddy to “foster” as a reminder to pray daily (I keep mine beside my TV so I see it multiple times a day). When the baby is born we will get the buddy back from you and give it to the mom and baby to keep. Isaiah 55 tells us God’s Word never returns void and so you know your prayers will make a difference!

Zion Lutheran Youth Organization 1800 FM 2679 Brenham, TX 77833 Thank You for your gift! It is particularly encouraging to us when we find young men and women concerned about the sanctity of human life. If you would ever like us to come speak to the youth or the entire congregation regarding our ministry, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Melinda

ArthurGrimm 2-MayLizCapan 4-MayCarterCallahan 5-MayMasonElledge 5-MayCarolGaskamp 5-MayCynthiaKelm 5-MayEthanOrts 7-MayPhyllisVaughn 7-MayMarkKlausmeyer 9-MayCodyKunkel 10-MayReidBentke 11-MayMichalaEmshoff 11-MaySusanAbke 12-MayRuthMaass 12-MayTimothyWellmann 12-MayKathrynWittner 12-MayTylerHohlt 14-MayJonathonHardan 15-MayCullenSupak 15-MayKinsleyKing 18-MaySandraLange 19-MayJimMeals 19-May

AdrieNiemeyer 19-May

AllanNiemeyer 19-MayShirleySchiller 19-MayWyattHohlt 20-MayHerbertHardanJr. 21-MayJohnEngeling 22-MayMichaelMarburger 23-MayRebeccaMeyer 23-MayBeatriceGaskamp 24-MayHenryGanske 25-MayGaryLehde 26-MayMaryLeeMertz 26-MayCarlieCallahan 27-MayBraxtonParker 27-MayDeanWinkelmann 27-May

IsabelEckelhoff 1-MayRonnieKelm 2-May

AidanKeller 3-May

JennaHardy 4-MayDonLyles 4-MayLeonoraBlum 5-MayLizCapan 7-MayConnieStelter 7-MayPaulWunderlich 7-MayJoyceBoeker 8-MayLaVerneGanske 8-MayLindaWagner 10-MayCooperHodde 11-MayDeannaZwilling 12-MayDinahNiemeyer 14-MayHenryGanske 17-MayChristineCmajdalka 22-MayRocksannMarburger 24-MayAprilPieper 24-MayEthanEckelhoff 25-MayEvelynPlueckhahn 25-MayCraigBlum 26-MayJonathanPelkemeyer 26-MayJillRosenbaum 26-May

KyleLehde 27-MayCarolynHeidemann 30-MayChristiHohlt 30-MayMichaelRoehling 30-MayBrazosSupak 30-MayMandyPetersen 31-May

Ricky&MelisaBosse 2-MayGary&JanetDannhaus 3-MayAllan&DinahNiemeyer 8-May

Joe&LaurieGurka 10-May

Gary&LindaLehde 12-MayChadd&KaciNeumann 15-MayGary&DianaRosenbaum 16-MayShon&DelainaCallahan 22-May

Kristina&MarkPierce 22-May

ArticlesfortheJune2019newslettermustbereceivedbyMay22nd,Thankyou.

Non-Profit Organization

PAID

Brenham, Texas PERMIT NO 3

Zion Lutheran Church

1800 FM 2679 Brenham, TX 77833 Phone: 979-836-7909

www.zionsvillelutheranchurch.org Email: zionsville1800@gmail.com

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