FocusFocus Monthly Newsletter of Zion Lutheran Church, Shawano, WI September 2012

Annual

Salad Supper

Wednesday, September 26

4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Our Theme:

o, Packers!o, Packers!o, Packers!o, Packers!

We will have a children’s table

for the younger ones!

Approved for

Thrivent Financial Supplemental Funds.

Tickets: $6 Adults $2 Children $15 Family (Parents and up to 5 children)

Tickets available at the door!Tickets available at the door!Tickets available at the door!Tickets available at the door!

Dear Zion Members,

Thank you to all who helped with set-up, working, and take-down of ZLCW’s Annual Rummage and Bake Sale. With your help, proceeds of approximately $2,000 were taken in. A special thank you to Audrey Pennycook, Anita Stubenvoll, Mila Waukechon, Karen Childs, and Mitzi Moesch, who diligently worked with us each day throughout the sale. Thank you and God bless all of you!

~ Donna & Jerry Milbauer

2012 Financial Update

Thanks to July’s five Sundays of contributions and a normal level of expenses, Zion’s General Fund balance increased slightly to $9,528. This is good news and should allow us to survive the normal ‘summer slump’ in good financial condition.

The first two weeks in August appear OK for a summer month with expenses projected to exceed revenues by about six thousand dollars … so the financial picture will probably retreat some with the General Fund balance estimated to end the month at about $3,500. However, with the fall season approaching we expect finances will turn much more positive through the end of the year. Thank you, Zion members. We continue to appreciate your loyal support.

In Christ’s Service,

Your Finance Committee: Scott Glysch, President Renee’ Elertson, Vice President Gordon Holten, Treasurer

Thank you !!!

The The The The

Parish RecordsParish RecordsParish RecordsParish Records

Bap�sm:

† Aug. 11, 2012 Owen Robert Nemetz

Son of Gregory & Lesley Nemetz

Sponsors: Sarah Bahr

Joshua Bahr

Funeral:

† Aug. 7, 2012 Lois B. Tomashek

Death: August 1, 2012

Funeral held at Zion.

Attention Expecting Parents!

Please remember to contact Leigh at the church office with information including your name, address, contact phone number, and due date of baby. This way we can be prepared for when the baby does arrive to “shower” you with some meals. 715-526-2017 or email famlife@shawanozion.org

Electronic Giving

Contributions can be debited automatically from your checking or savings account! Our electronic giving program offers convenience for you and much-needed donation consistency for our congregation.

An authorization form and a “Frequently Asked Questions” flyer are available at the Information Desk in the Commons, or you may call the Church Office at 715-526-2017 if you have any questions.

Zion's Prayer Chain

If you have a request for the Prayer Chain, please call

Ginny Vraney (715-799-3507) or Kathy Bruhn (715-745-6603)

with your request.

Men’s Wednesday Night Bible Study will be back beginning Sept. 5th at 6:00 p.m. meeting in Room 101. We welcome newcomers into our amazing Bible talks! Join us for this fellowship opportunity. Questions? Contact Timothy Herrmann 715-526-2494 or tsalmherrmann@hotmail.com.

Scrapbooking, Stamping, and Quilting!

Scrapbooking, stamping and quilters will once again be meeting on Sept. 28 at 5pm. This is a fun event for fellowship and getting some work done. It is open to anyone who has a love for scrapbooking and stamping to come together. Pizza is usually ordered around 6pm for anyone who is interested so bring a couple extra dollars and any snacks you want or are willing to share!

Health Ministry Dates At A Glance...

Tuesdays & Thursdays, 5-6 p.m. – Evening Exercise Class Fellowship Hall. New comers always welcome! No need to pre-register. Nancy Schultz, Exercise Leader ► No class on Tuesday, Sept. 11th.

Wednesday, September 5: Friendly Visitors 9:00 a.m.

Monday, September 10: Health Ministry Meeting 12 Noon

Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 15 & 16: - Blood Pressure Checks

- Sign Up for the Walking Challenge!

Thursdays, Sept. 13 & 27: In-Stitches 1:00 p.m., Commons

Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 22 & 23: Vials For Life

Sunday, Sept. 23: Walking Challenge Starts!

From Your Parish Nurse...

As the weather cools, the leaves dry, and we find our sweatshirts, we are reminded that fall is on its way. With that we are also reminded that the Zion Health Fair is around the corner. This year it is being held October 6th at the usual time of 8am to Noon. In ad-dition to the free screenings and other information, we are going to have safety videos in the little theater here at Zion. Included in that, we have an idea to do a skit previewing the videos. We would need two 20-30-something moms with kids who use car seats, and two of their moms representing the grandmas. All skit scripts will be very short and provided for the participants. This is very low key. If interested please contact me at 715-526-2017. You can imagine what this video is about!

In the past we’ve had volunteered for the set-up, man-ning the Health Fair, and take-down. Some of you have held these slots for a long time and I certainly look forward to you participating again. Please call the church office and sign up as early as possible. As you know, this event takes a lot of manpower and the volunteers are crucial. We so appreciate the joint ef-fort in presenting the Health Fair to the community.

We have received word from Thrivent a $1,200 grant I wrote has been ap-proved. Also, we have received $100 each from the Shawano Lake Lions Club and the Shawano Lake Lioness Club, and $150 from the Shawano Lions. All of these contributions are appreciated and will be put to good use. If you are a member or know a mem-ber, we want to make sure these organi-zations are acknowledged. Thank you to those contributors for realizing the importance of our community outreach by holding the Health Fair.

We look forward to this event, meeting new people and their contributions, and once again renewing with our friends who have contributed in the past. Every-one helps in our mission this year: "Inspiration of divine compassion to heal, restore, and renew us; in mind, body, and spirit”. We are looking forward to everyone's support for another successful Health Fair. Thanks to all. Blessings, Georgia Stapleton, RN

According to the Center for Disease Con-trol and Prevention, in 2009 2.2 million nonfatal fall injuries occurred among older adults requiring treatment in Emergency Departments throughout this country. Of these 581,000 were then hospitalized inpa-tient. 20-30% of people who fall suffer moderate to severe injuries. Most fractures among older adults are caused by falls. And, when people fall, they may develop a fear of falling. The fear may cause them to limit activity leading to reduced mobility and loss of physical fitness which then INCREASES the risk of falling.

The program will include fun balance and strength training, ways to stay safe when out and about, how medications contribute to falls, and other falls prevention infor-mation. A health professional and lay leader will co-lead with several speakers anticipated.

Class sizes are limited, register early!

Contact: Holly Konitzer

715-526-4687.

The prevention of falls is vital to maintaining personal independence.

Free Program at Shawano Medical Cen-

ter Rehab Services for

Preventing Falls in Older Adults!

“Stepping On” Tuesdays, Sept. 18 - Oct. 30

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the Center

General Fund—Altar Guild By: Crystal & Joyce Phalen In memory of Lois Tomashek By: Evelyn Breitrick In memory of Lois Tomashek By: Marian Ellis In honor of Jan Wallin’s 80th Birthday

Building Memorial Fund By: Tom & Sandy Rhode In memory of Dorothy Laabs, Rhoda

Thiel’s mother

Church in Society By: Lois Kruse By: John & Dejon Polzin In memory of Aune Kaurala and In memory of Lois Tomashek

Endowment By: Steve & Sandy Rhode By: Sharon Erickson In memory of Phil Erickson

Health Ministry By: Shawano Lake Lions & Lioness Club Health Fair Donations By: Frederick Souba

Missionary for a Day By: Howard & Roberta Buenting By:Pauline Sohr By: Jean Rudie In memory of Aune Kaurala By: Lois Kruse

Music By: Harold & Charlene Helms In memory of Dorothy Laabs By: Ted & Mary Ann Rudie In memory of Dorothy Laabs

National Youth Gathering By: James Yeakey

Park Sound System Fund By: Jerry & Donna Milbauer

Sunday School By: Len & Sally Prahl In honor of Teacher Pete Moesch

Undesignated Fund By: Ted & Mary Ann Rudie In honor of Jan Wallin’s 80th Birthday

Youth - Camp Scholarships By: James Yeakey By: Ted & Mary Ann Rudie In memory of Lois Tomashek

Youth By: Sandy & Steve Rhode

Gi�s and Memorials

July 23—Aug. 27, 2012

E-mail Addresses for…..

Pastor Gisele…. pastorgisele@yahoo.com Leigh Welander… famlife@shawanozion.org Georgia Stapleton… nurse@shawanozion.org Debbie / Office ….. zion@shawanozion.org

African Walking Challenge…. Get ready with the pedometers!

The Zion Fall Challenge

2012 will take you to Africa this year.

How exciting is that?

The sign-ups will be at the

Sept. 8th & 9th,

Sept. 15th & 16th,

and Sept. 22nd & 23rd

services.

The actual walk will

begin the week of

September 23rd.

Nancy Schultz has done all the research to assist you in your mission – which will be to increase awareness and support needed to stomp out malaria in Africa. Please consider this endeavor by stepping into a healthy and social activity. The challenge will be eight weeks this time. By the way, Nancy says 2,000 steps equals a mile and the virtual tour is 120 miles. Sounds like fun!

Items Needed for

the LWR Kits!

School Kits: 40 70-count Notebooks, wide-ruled 10 Blunt edge Scissors 10 Boxes of Crayons, 16 or 24 count

Baby Care Kits: 40 Cloth diapers (found at Walmart) 20 long/short-sleeved Gowns or Sleepers, NO feet 10 Receiving Blankets 20 bath-sized bars of gentle Soap 10 cards of Diaper Safety Pins

Personal Care: light-weight Bath Towels, 52”x27” bath-sized bars of gentle Soap sturdy Combs metal Nail Clippers

Please place your donations in the tower of drawers near the stairway. Thank you!

A devotion I read recently focused on Mark 10:45 ”For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

The reflection on this verse states: "most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity".

We are each called into God's family and commissioned to be disciples of our Lord Jesus - Yes???? If we are called to follow Jesus, then that means we need to look to Jesus for direction and that is often the difficult part. Sometimes the way Jesus would lead us is not clear or we can't recognize it, or often times we don't even pause in our busy lives to ask for directions, we just push ahead either assuming we know the way or just figuring it out as we go. At other times, we may see where Jesus is leading us and we don't like it because it may call for a change within us or some sacrifice that we think will be difficult. In either case, the important point to remember is that Jesus does have a purpose and a goal and Jesus needs us to carry out that goal. "God's work, our hands." Are we ready to set ourselves aside for the sake of Jesus’ mission?

This will be a focal point for Zion this fall, to ask where Jesus is leading this congregation. The way may not be clear; it will take prayerful listening time. The way may be challenging and call for some changes. Are we here to SERVE God or to serve God only in an "advisory capacity" where we get to decide what is good for us? Can we together prayerfully listen for God's guidance, pause our tendency to push ahead and get things done and instead, stop and listen and wait for God to guide and direct us?

I do know from experience and from reading about Congregational ministry and Church growth, that congregations with a clear sense of mission (meaning congregations that know their purpose and feel called and inspired by the Holy Spirit to do God's work in their corner of the world), are the congrega-tions which are growing both in numbers but also in spiritual depth as they experience the joy of God actually making a difference in the world and feel the deep contentment of knowing God is using them and their lives to make Jesus’ love real for people in their community. This is an exciting time in the life of Zion, please set aside extra time each day to pray for the mission and vision of where God is leading your congregation - many will be blessed as a result.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Gisele

Zion’s Future...God’s Future

The Sunday school will be using new curriculum this year called Spark. It is a liturgy-based curriculum that will utilize the interactive Spark Bibles.

The 7th Graders will be receiving the Here We Stand

Lutheran Study Bible on Rally Sunday, September 9th during the Education Hour!

Bible News!

Sunday School begins

September 9

at 9:15 a.m.

Can’t wait to see you all

there for another

great year!

Kid’s Of Zion (K.O.Z.)

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

Meeting September 12 & 26

This is for all students in grades 3rd, 4th, & 5th.

The kids walk over from Olga Brener for a snack, play games, have a daily devotion, and work on an arts and craft project. We end around 5:00 p.m. We meet the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month.

Please contact Leigh at 526-2017 or famlife@ shawanozion.org with any questions or concerns.

There will be a parents meeting Wed., Sept. 5 5:00 - 6:00pm to complete required paperwork. If you cannot attend contact Leigh to get copies.

Kid’s Church

Kid’s Church is back for another year

and begins on September 9 during

the 8:00 a.m. service.

This is open to children ages 18 months to 6 years. The kids leave at the start of the readings and go to the li-brary for their own lesson, craft, and snack. They then return to their parents at the end of the sermon. If you are interested in helping with this great ministry please contact Leigh at 715-526-2017 or famlife@ shawanozion.org or contact Christie Wegner at cwegner@frontiernet.net or 715-526-8788.

Junior High After-School Program!

We are starting a

Junior High

after-school program

for all kids in

6th, 7th, and 8th grades. We will meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month,

beginning September 19, it will run from after school until 5pm.

We will have a snack, play some games, begin working through the Peer Ministry program and ending with a craft-type project. We will also be making plans for many service projects throughout the year.

We will be having a parents meeting on September 5 from 5pm to 6pm to fill out paperwork or please see Leigh if you are unable to attend the meeting.

Sunday School Teachers Installation

The Sunday school teachers will be installed on September 9 during the 10:30 service.

We give thanks to all who are so willing to

educate your youth here at Zion….

Preschool: Vicki Heling and Christy Glysch Kindergarten: Joel Delzer First grade: Sherie Schultz and Abby Nead Second grade: Pete Moesch and Ericka Kowalkowski Third grade: Jenny Herm Fourth grade: Barb Konkel Fifth grade: Timothy Herrmann Sixth grade: Matt Heling Seventh grade: Joel Yeakey Eighth grade: Lorin Preston and Mason Moesch Computer Lab: Keith and Sue Milner Music: Sandra King and Karla Retzlaff and Sunday school Superintendents: Jenny Herm, Sandy Rhode and Wendy Nead

School is once again getting under way and we want to show our love and support to all the Zion youth returning to school. We are hav-ing a blessing of the students and their book bags during the 10:30 service on September 9.

Blessing of the Backpacks September 9 during the 10:30 service.

All students are invited to bring their book bags

to receive a blessing to have another happy and

successful school year.

Confirmation Classes are starting!

� The 10th grade class will meet in room B-25/27 September 12th, 19th, and 26th at 6pm. Parents are also required to attend on September 26th!

� 7th graders will have their acolyte training September 26 at 6pm meeting in the sanctuary. This is for parent(s)

and student(s).

The Synod Youth Gathering (SYG)

November 9—10—11

in Manitowoc

This is open to all youth

9th grade to 12th grade.

More information will be coming on

paperwork, cost, and due date.

Please mark your calendar now

for a fun weekend in Manitowoc!

Junior High Blast at Crossways! November 2—3—4 at Imago Dei Village

Open to all youth in 6th to 8th grade. Your cost is $40 —the remainder of the cost is paid by Zion.

Registration is due October 12 by 5pm. Registration forms can be printed off the Crossways

website or can be picked up from Leigh in the office.

Please mark your calendar now

for a great weekend at camp!

Stockholders Dinner

Sunday, September 23 ~ 5:30 p.m.

Dinner will be served first with the presentation following the meal.

Can’t wait to share some Cajun food and stories about our time in New Orleans!

We have returned from New Orleans where we went for the National Youth convention with 34,000 other youth from around the country and we can’t wait to share with all those who bought stock in our trip just what we learned and experienced!

Bible Buddies are adults who take a Bible which will be given to one of our students on Bible Sunday. They are asked to highlight two or three passages that are their favorite or are meaningful to them in the Bible, and then write a note to the child with which passages are marked and why they chose them. The adult is then asked to con-tinue to keep that child in their prayers as they begin their journey through the Bible.

This year we will need 19 Bible Buddies. If interested please contact Leigh at the office or email to famlife@shawanozion.org.

Bible Sunday

September 16

during 10:30 service!

Following the service we will be having a

Bible Buddy Reception so all the Bible Buddies

can meet their kids who received a Bible.

This year the Sunday school kids

are taking up the challenge to raise

enough funds to buy a well.

The ELCA has put out the challenge for us to raise enough money to buy 100 wells and the Zion youth want to be a part of that and they are challenging the congregation to help them reach that goal. On Sep-tember 30 we will be having a loud offering during all 3 services. What is a loud offering? It is where the congregation brings in all their loose change and the kids collect the loose change in buckets during the regular offering. Then we are challenging the congregation to keep all their loose change for the month and on the last Sunday of each month bring in your loose change and dump it in to the well. There will be a well upstairs in the commons and one down in the Sunday school wing waiting for your change!

One well costs $2,500 so don’t forget your

loose change on September 30!

100 Wells

Loud Offering Sept. 30

Area gardeners have an opportunity to share their extra produce with those in need this summer. We are all feeling the pinch of tighter budgets, and some families are struggling to put food on the table. Share the Bounty

is a hunger program which allows gardeners to bring their excess produce to drop-

off sites where it is distributed to families and individ-uals who can use it. There is no paper work. And recipients get healthy food and gardeners know their produce will not be wasted! Share the Bounty is coordinated through the Shawano Co. UW-Extension Office. Local drop-off sites:

SAFPARC—218 E. Richmond Street 9:00—11:30 am. Monday thru Friday.

Lutheran Counseling & Family Services Thrift Store—2324 E. Richmond Street 9:30 am—5:00 pm. Monday thru Thursday 9:30 am—6:00 pm Friday 9:30 am—3:00 pm Sat. Goodwill Industries—300 Lakeland Road 9:00 am—9:00 pm. Monday thru Saturday 10:00 am—6:00 pm Sunday Quantities of produce both large and small are accepted! We ask that it be reasonably clean and of good quality. Boxes are provided at the site.

Contact Linda Olson, UW-Extension Family Living Educator at 715-526-6136 with any questions.

BIBLE DETECTIVE

Bible Detective is a fun way for parents and children to challenge themselves and their knowledge of the Bible, and maybe even discover something new they didn’t know be-fore. There is an easy, intermediate, and hard level question. For the children, when they find all 3 answers (with or without their parents help) they can bring them to Leigh and, if correct earn a prize. For everyone else, the answers will be posted in next month’s Focus, so everyone can play along. Enjoy the challenge and hopefully every-one will become a Bible Detective!

This months questions:

EASY: What was the name of Jesus’ mother?

INTERMEDIATE: When he was approached by Jesus, who said “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the most High God. I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”?

HARD: Who did Pilate send Jesus to after he had interrogated him?

We are all called to be disciples and utilize 7 faith practices into our lives—prayer, study, worship, in-vite, encourage, serve, and give. During the month of September let us look at some ways we can incorpo-rate a healthly and natural prayer life into our every-day lives. Here are some basic ways to incorporate prayer into our everyday lives:

• Make bedtime or mealtime a time of personal attention and rich conversation. Reflect on the joys and frustrations of the day and pray in a con-versational way. Encourage all to let go of their worries and believe that God will hold them.

• Offer “instant prayers” or brief spontaneous prayers as you and your family encounter joys and challenges throughout your day—“Lord, help _____ with her test today. Amen” or “thanks for the sunset”.

• Use Luther’s Small Catechism as a guide for prayer. Review the meaning of the Lord’s Prayer to gain a greater understanding of how Jesus taught us to pray.

• Let the sight of a police car, fire truck or ambu-lance prompt you to say a quick prayer for all those involved.

• Enrich your leave-taking or times to say goodbye with a prayerful exchange—“The Lord be with you”, “And also with you”.

• Nurture natural ways to pray. God doesn’t need to hear grand and glorious words. God longs to hear our voice anytime, anywhere, and for any reason.

So take some time this September—pray alone, as a family, and as a community.

Grace always abounds, Leigh

FaithFaithFaithFaith----walkin’, Faithwalkin’, Faithwalkin’, Faithwalkin’, Faith----talkin’ Peopletalkin’ Peopletalkin’ Peopletalkin’ People A Call to Discipleship

To register of for more information visit

www.crosswayscamps.org or call 920-882-0023.

���� Preschool Parent & Me Retreat Sept. 21 - 23 - Imago Dei Village, Clintonville

Created for preschool children ages 3-6 and their parents! Spend some quality time together! Morn-ings include worship and Bible study. Learn how to nurture the faith of preschool children while the kids participate in a fun and exciting Bible study led by Crossways staff. In the afternoon you will get to explore creation together with a line-up of all the best activities camp has to offer! Cost: $90 adult, $30 children. ►Camp scholarships are available for Zion

children! Contact Leigh for information!

���� Retired Persons Retreat Cost: $120 per person. September 26-28 - Pine Lake, Waupaca

���� Men’s Retreat Cost: $TBD per person. October 5-6 - Pine Lake, Waupaca

���� Quilting & More! Retreat Cost: $150 per person.

October 7-10 - Pine Lake, Waupaca

���� Scrapbooking Retreat Cost: $100 per person. October 12-14 - Waypost Camp, Hatley

Saturday, October 6 Waypost Camp on Mission Lake, Hatley

This is a bike tour through the scenic countryside that sur-rounds the camp and supports a camping ministry that im-pacts the faith lives of thousands!

Cyclists of all ability levels can ride any one of the routes, including 15-, 20-, or the 70-miles route (to celebrate the 70th Anniversary!). The finish line celebration will include a free Italian meal and the chance to swim in Mission Lake as you cool down!

Visit crosswayscamps.org

for more information

and to register.

New Books in Zion’s LibraryNew Books in Zion’s LibraryNew Books in Zion’s LibraryNew Books in Zion’s Library

The Last Martin by Jonathan Friesen is the story of Martin Boyle, who has plenty to worry about. His germaphobic mother keeps him home from school if she hears a sneeze, and his father is always off somewhere reenacting old war battles. Julia, the most beautiful girl in school, won’t even speak to Martin, and the gym teacher is officially out to get him; which is why Martin really doesn’t need this curse hanging over his head. On a trip to the fam-ily cemetery Martin wanders among the tombstones of his ancestors and discovers a disturbing pat-tern: when one Martin is born, the previous Martin dies. And—just his luck—Martin’s aunt is about to give birth to a baby boy, who will, according to tradition, be named Martin. Martin must find a way to break the curse, but every clue seems to lead to a dead end. Time is running out.

My Time in Heaven A True Story of Dying. . .and Coming Back by Richard Sigmund tells about Richard when he was killed in a bad car accident. He was dead eight hours. God took him to heav-en. In this book Richard has the most extensive description of heaven of all.

The Power of a Praying Teen by Stormie Omartian. Discover how learning to pray can change everything. Through prayer, God can lift you above the pressures of your life so you can see His unique plan for your future. What’s important to you is important to God. Share all that is in your heart, starting with the prayers offered at the end of each chapter. Talk with God. Hear from God. And see His great purpose for you unfold.

Adult & Family

Retreats

Offered by

Regular Schedule

begins

Sunday, September 9th

Holy Communion:

† Saturdays at 5:00 p.m.

† Sundays at 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.

“Meet ’n Greet”

Reception

Sunday, Sept. 23 9:15 a.m.

in the Commons

They are looking forward to meeting the people of Zion and answering any questions you may have.

The Health Ministry Commit-tee has ideas of old and new to provide services for Zion. If you have ideas, please feel free to talk with Georgia about them at the reception!

Join us in welcoming Pastor Gisele Berninghaus

and Parish Nurse Georgia Stapleton to Zion!

SEPTEMBER FOCUS ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH 1254 SOUTH UNION STREET SHAWANO WI 54166-3461

Address Service Requested

FOCUS is published monthly by Zion Lutheran Church. 1254 S. Union St., Shawano, WI 54166

Rev. Gisele Berninghaus, Interim Pastor Leigh Welander, Minister of Family Life Rev. Howard Buenting, Visitation Georgia Stapleton, Parish Nurse Debbie Bernard, Admin. Assistant Rev. James Sack, Missionary to Japan

Phone: 715-526-2017 e-mail: zion@shawanozion.org Web site: www.shawanozion.org

PEOPLE OF ZION