December 2012

ZIONS LUTHERAN CHURCH

1801 East Second Street Defiance, OH 43512 Rev. Timothy Reynolds, Pastor 419-782-8781 Fax: 419-782-6719
Church Office Email: zion111@embarqmail.com Visit our website at:

www.zions.embarqspace.com

Arise! Your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you! The Prophet Isaiah 60.1
Light; darkness: thats what this time of year is about isnt it? Since the beginning of November, when we changed our clocks back to Eastern Standard Time, evening seems much darker. As we approach 21 December, the morning sun even rises later making our mornings dark as well, and our days shorter. When I first lived in Northwest Ohio, back in 2000, a parishioner at Salem said something that I have never forgotten. Its good to share our stories so that we can, as a community, deepen our faith in God and our love for one another. I remember that I had commented to Gene that the days in Toledo seemed shorter than in South Carolina where I had just lived for almost 5 years. He got a smile on his face and said, Easter will have a new significance for you here in Toledo. I did not, at first, understand what he was saying. Of course, every day was filled with new events and much significance. Every day, I met new people, learned something new about ministry; why such an odd statement? Well, needless to say, when Easter Sunday rolled around, I had forgotten Genes words. The busyness of planning and implementing Lenten services, extra classes, funerals, emergencies, extra choir rehearsals, preparation of final exams for my final months of internship, all of it kept me too busy to notice the simpler things like Gods presence. When I awoke on Easter morning, I went, as usual to worship and then a meal afterwards. It wasnt until the meal that I was able to relax and take in what had happened in the past few weeks and months. And then, Gene walked up to me, hugged me and said, Happy Easter! I remembered his words so many months before and I remember feeling a sense of regret, because I had let so much opportunity go by me opportunity to stop and listen to God with us. Easter did hold a special significance for me that year and it still does especially since I have moved back to NW Ohio. Truly this is a darker time of year. Its darker in many ways, not just in the amount of sunlight that we receive during the day. Its also a darker season because so much clouds our vision from the reality of life from the reason for the season as someone once said. Its no wonder to me that there is such a let down, almost like a depression that sets in on our culture on 25 December: we have seen trees since 1 November and heard Christmas music played all around us since the same time. Everywhere, everyone is grasping for every straw she or he can in order to find meaning in life; and yet, no one wants to struggle with life itself we want comfort and joy and we want it right now. In holy wisdom, the Church has given us a season of struggling with the challenges of life in a meaningful way a way that gives impetus to our hope and gives us courage to go on. In Advent Season, the time of waiting for the Light of the World to come to us, we proclaim to the world that struggle is real, that suffering is hard and that there is hope in the God who makes promises to us even promises like becoming one of us, living with us, suffering for us and rising for our salvation. The difficult part for us who now live in a time after Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection, is to hold off until the 12 days of Christmas and to allow ourselves, body, soul and spirit, to slow down and listen to the struggles within us as God deals with each one and overcomes the evil in our lives. In a culture that increasingly seeks distractions to keep from seeing reality and confronting struggle, Advent is the season for the Church to proclaim, prophetically that there is another way to life. In a book I read recently, Can You Drink the Cup? by Henri J. M. Nouwen, I read the following words that help to sum up what I have said: Entertainment is everything that gets and keeps our mind away from things that are hard to face. (p. 94) I wonder, if I had just read those words while in Toledo, OH, if I could have slowed down and listened to God speaking to me? I wonder if I could have allowed myself to face the difficulties of life if I could have understood more fully the depth of the joy of the prophets words, Arise! Your light has come and the glory of the LORD has shone upon you! Too much water under the bridge now, but I intend to allow this Advent to be different. I hope you do, too. Gods peace and light guide you to the Light of the World during this Advent Season, Pr Tim
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CHRISTMAS SERVICES and EVENTS

Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 9th at 4:00 p.m. Childrens Program Sunday, December 16th at 9:45 a.m. No Sunday School Christmas Eve Monday, December 24th Candlelight Service, with Communion - 7:30 p.m.

Christmas Decorating
The Church will be decorated for Christmas on Saturday, December 8, at 9:00 a.m. All are welcome and encouraged to join the festivities! Tear down will be January 8, at 9:00 a.m.

POINSETTIA ORDERS DUE

I would like to order a total of _________ poinsettias @ $11.50 each
(Indicate # for each variety below) _______ RED _______ WHITE ________ PINK

________ JINGLE BELLS __________ PETERSTAR MARBLE

(blotched red splatter) (white edge pink center)

In memory of _______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ In honor of _______________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ (Your name) _________________________________________________Amount Paid ________________________

Last day to order is Monday, December 10th.

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MORE CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES!!!

CAROLING Sunday, December 16 at 3:00 p.m. Meet at the Church CHILDRENS PARTY Sunday, December 23 at 9:00 a.m.

Email Addresses Needed !!!!!! We will need to have an updated email address from everyone in the congregation. Those who do not have computers or do not provide an email address will be able to pick up a copy of this newsletter in the church narthex. Please be sure to add the church email address (zion111@embarqmail.com) to your safe senders list, so that the newsletter will not be blocked or mistaken for junk mail or spam.
Discipleship 101 Tackling the Big Questions
January 8, 15, and 29 February 5, 19, and 26 March 5 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Hofer Room. Sign up now for an exciting new class taught by Pastor Tim using the series Animate. Class size is limited to the first 12 persons to sign up. There is a $15.00 fee to purchase the accompanying book. Deadline to sign up will be December 17, in order to allow for time to order materials. Please pay your $15.00 fee to the church office by December 17. Sessions will include: God: Faith is a Quest Religion: Spirituality is Not Enough Jesus: The Revolution of Love Salvation: Abundant Life Now Cross: Where God is Bible: A Book Like No Other Church: An Imperfect Family
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ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING December 2, 2012 after the Sunday Worship Service
RING THE BELL FOR RAVENS December 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Northtowne Mall. Sign Up Sheet in the Narthex.
Save the Date! March 15-17, 2013 15Youth Grades 6-12 6Chicago, IL

Youth RetreatFor more information, please see the bulletin board in the NarRetreat thex. See Deb Shockey or Mark Stephens for early registration.

WEATHER DELAYS & CLOSINGS

For any cancellations due to bad weather you may tune into: Channel 11 (website: www.wtol.com) OR WDFM 98.1 (website www.981mix.com)
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DEACON SUPPORT TEAM

Included in the last few months Trumpets were articles about your deacons. If you were not aware of your deacon, do you now know her or him? We hope you have a sincere interest in getting to know your deacon as a present and future friend and confidant. Our Pastor is the best resource with whom to discuss questions and concerns, but your deacon can also serve you in a similar way. Deacons are not exempt from having a deacon of their own. ten and we turn to our deacon. At times we need someone willing to lis-

As mentioned the last several months, deacons meet bi-monthly to discuss a variety of topics, but more importantly we are available for you when your needs might require someone to talk with other than Pastor Tim occasionally. 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. If you are unsure about your deacon, please call the church office for assistance. Dick Anderson

2012 Annual Reports

All Ministry Team chairpersons are requested to submit an annual report for 2012 to the church office no later than January 15, 2013.

Prayer List
Church Council has enacted a new 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: zion111@embarqmail.com.

New Scrapbook Club

Starting December 1st and commencing on the first Saturday of each month we will be cropping in the Hofer Room from 8am to 4pm. Bring your pictures and enjoy some great fellowship. For more information, please see Roxanne Maxson.

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HARVEST WEEKEND I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. Lynne Hybels co-founder Willow Creek Community Church, near Chicago. The weekend of November 17th and 18th we celebrated Harvest Weekend, we took time to thank God for our plenty and we also took time to remember and help those less fortunate. There is something you can do that will not cost you anything but a little time and maybe a stamp, yet it could have an impact on those in poverty here in our country and around the world. As the new congress convenes we are sure that there will have to be massive cuts to the budget, and there should be. However, it should not be on the back of the poor people. Write, email or call your congressmen and ask them to create a circle of protection around funding for programs vital to hungry and poor people in the United States and abroad. We have supplied you with a sample letter (found on page 13) and addresses to do just that or you can go to www.bread.org to send an email. Outreach Committee

Area Members in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

Lois Finkenbiner The Laurels of Defiance Room 208 1701 S. Jefferson Ave. Defiance, OH 43512 Helen Rosebrock Isabella Beindorf The Laurels of Defiance 1701 S. Jefferson Ave. Defiance, OH 43512 Elizabeth Mumy Kingsbury House 245 W. Rosewood Ave. Apt. 144 Defiance, OH 43512 Glenn Park 2429 William A. Diehl Ct. Apt. 155 Defiance, OH 43512 Mary Zirkle Glenn Park 2429 William A. Diehl Ct. Apt. 112 Defiance, OH 43512 Norma Mansfield Kingsbury House 245 W. Rosewood Ave. Defiance, OH 43512 Loann Peters Kingsbury House 245 W. Rosewood Ave. Apt. 136 Defiance, OH 43512 Joyce Lichty Vancrest of Holgate 600 Joe E. Brown Holgate, OH 43527

Please send a card or stop by to visit.

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WORSHIP SCHEDULE
Saturday 5:00 pm Sunday 9:45 am

DCTV 5
You may watch Zions Lutheran Worship services on Wednesdays @ 6:00 pm on DCTV 5 Defiance, OH.

LLS
Lutherans of Long Standing Meets Tuesday December 4 at 2:00 p.m. In the Hofer Room

ATTENDANCE & OFFERINGS

ATTENDANCE DATE Oct 27/28 Nov 3/4 Nov 10/11 Nov 17/18 Nov 24/25
5:00pm/9:45am

Young at Heart
meets on WEDNESDAY, December 12, 2012 at 11:30 am, at Leftys Pizza

MINISTRY FUND $ $2,244.89

CAP IMP FUND $ $226.00 $275.00 $211.00 $103.00 $34.00

29/95 14/95 22/78 17/82 19/78

To be determined $2,705.55 $3,183.14 $1,554.50

Mens Fellowship meets every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. in the Library

Dave Ramseys Financial Peace University

meets every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Hofer Room. through Dec. 11 The Book Group meets on Monday December 10 at 7:00 pm in the Shepfer Room

Equal Exchange Coffee

On sale throughout the year!!!!

ORGANIC COFFEE & TEA PRICES

Breakfast Blend $ 8.00 Decaf Breakfast Blend $ 9.00 English Breakfast Tea $ 3.00

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.
THANK YOU!

DEADLINES
BULLETIN ANNOUNCEMENT Every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. (unless otherwise noted)

January
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE December 14, 2012

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Congratulations!
to Chad and Kelli Reineke on the birth of their son, Owen Thomas Reineke, on November 15, 2012.

December LESSONS
1 ADVENT December 1 & 2 Saturday: Daniel 6:6-27 Sunday: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 2 ADVENT December 8 & 9 Saturday: Joel 2:12-13, 28-29 Sunday: Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6 3 ADVENT December 15 & 16 Saturday: Isaiah 61:1-11 Sunday: Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-8 4 ADVENT December 22 & 23 Saturday: Luke 1:26-49 Sunday: Micah 5:2-5a Psalm 80:1-7 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:55 CHRISTMAS EVE December 24 Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20 1 CHRISTMAS December 29 & 30 Saturday: Luke 2:21-38 Sunday: Luke 2:8-20 Hebrews 1:1-4 Isaiah 9:2-7 John 1:1-14
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Kyle Gustwiller Trena Zachrich Ryan Mumy Donald Dunbar Marvin Widmer Christopher Meffley Regina Snyder Donna Schindler Sandra Bostelman Chad Crites Chip Frank II Sue McKibben Nancy Groll Jeff Starner Timothy Bowling LoAnn Peters David Duerk Mark Stephens Robert Swingle Timothy Reynolds Joyce Rayle Thomas Boals Bill Brownson Christine Palmer Linda Hardy David Engel Donna Ripke Pamela Mumy

12/3 12/4 12/5 12/6 12/6 12/7 12/7 12/10 12/12 12/12 12/13 12/14 12/15 12/15 12/16 12/17 12/18 12/18 12/18 12/22 12/23 12/25 12/25 12/25 12/29 12/30 12/30 12/31

Please help keep our records accurate! If your birthday is not here or is incorrect, please call the church office at 419-782-8781 or email the church secretary at zion111@embarqmail.com
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To My Zions Lutheran Church family: Thank you for the calls, cards, emails, and most of all the prayers. Special thanks to Pastor Tim for the visits. Friends in Christ, Anita Schnegg Thank you to the Eis family for their snow removal services. Property Committee To Zions Congregation and Council: Thank you for your recent gift to me in recognition of Pastor Appreciation. Annie, Luke, Sophie and I have started a fund for our vacation in the summer with the check that you gave us. Such generosity is one of the hallmarks of the Christian community that Zions exemplifies so well. Thank you for your openness to Gods ministry and thank you for your kindness on our part. Gods peace and blessings, Pastor Tim

Additions to the Zions Prayer List:

Phone Prayers: Barb Vogel at 419-393-2544 Eprayers: zeprayer@yahoo.com Call the Church office at 419-782-8781.
If you are calling for someone other than yourself, please be sure that you have that persons permission to give out their name.

Sisters in Christ
Dates to note: We will not be meeting in December. The next meeting will be January 20; with cards signed on January 27.
Our Innkeeper guests are continually thankful for the food and supplies given by our members and others throughout the community. In order to continue to serve their needs, we ask that you consider giving the following items: chicken noodle soup, hot & cold cereal, toothpaste, shaving gel, canned fruit, pudding, paper towels, toilet paper, detergent, boxed skillet meals, box potatoes, spaghetti and dry pasta noodles, bottled water, canned meat tuna, sausage, chicken, Ramen noodles beef, chicken & shrimp, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, bottled fruit juices, microwave popcorn, salad dressing and cooking oil. On behalf of Diana Groll and myself, we thank you for your ongoing generosity. Dick Anderson

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DECEMBER 2012
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WED THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1 7:30 Weight Watchers 8:00 Scrapbook 5:00 Worship
Shut In Communion

2 9:00 Sunday School 9:45 Worship

Shut In Communion

3 Pastors Day Off

4
9:00 a Mens Fellowship 9:00 aWeight Watchers 2:00LLS 5:30Lighten Up 7:00Financial Peace University

5
7:00 a Women @ Cabin Fever 5:00 p Community Dinner 6:00 p Hand bells 6:30 p Catechism 7:00 p Chancel Choir

6
9:00 aBulletin Announcements due 5:00TOPS

8 7:30 Weight Watchers 9:00 Christmas Decorating 5:00 Worship

11:00 ANNUAL MEETING 9 9:00 Sunday School 9:45 Worship 4:00 Conference Advent Lessons and Carols 10 Pastors Day Off

11

12
7:00 a Women @ Cabin Fever 11:30 a Young at Heart at Leftys 4:30 p Food Pantry Sign Up 5:00 p Community Dinner 6:00 p Hand bells 7:00 p Chancel Choir

13
9:00 aBulletin Announcements due 5:00 TOPS 7:00 - Worship & Music Meeting

14 2:45 p.m.
JANUARY NEWSLETTER DEADLINE

15 7:30 Weight Watchers 5:00 Worship

9:00 aMens Fellowship 1:00 POINSETTIA 9:00 aWeight ORDERS DUE Watchers 5:30Lighten Up 7:00 Book Group 7:00Financial Peace University

16

17

18
9:00 aMens Fellowship 9:00 aWeight Watchers 5:30Lighten Up

19
7:00 a Women @ Cabin Fever 5:00 p Community Dinner 5:45 p Food Pantry Pick Up 6:00 p Hand bells 6:30 p Catechism 7:00 p Chancel Choir

20
9:00 aBulletin Announcements due (for Dec. 22 through Dec. 30) 7:00 Council Meeting

21 9:00 Ravens Bell Ringing at Mall

22 7:30 Weight Watchers 5:00 Worship

9:45 CHILDRENs Pastors Day Off PROGRAM 3:00 CAROLING

25 26 23 24 7:00 a Women @ 9:00 Childrens 7:30Christmas Christmas Day Cabin Fever Christmas Party Eve Service 9:45 Worship

27 5:00 TOPS

28

29 7:30 Weight Watchers 5:00 Worship

CHURCH OFFICES CLOSED ALL WEEK

30 9:45 Worship

31 Pastors Day Off

Office Closed

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Faith Active in Love

ALTAR FLOWERS:
December 2 Kate Frank 9 AVAILABLE 16 Karen Bowling 23 Bob Thomas 24 AVAILABLE 30 AVAILABLE December 2 Audrey & Jim Eis 9 Judy & Duane Engel 16 Cyndi Ensign 23 Kate Frank 30 Linda & Orville Hardy

December 2012
FELLOWSHIP HOUR for Sunday 9:45 am

HOSTS for Saturday 5:00 pm

December 1 Donna Ripke & Sonia Bussing 8 Donna Ripke & Sonia Bussing 15 Bob & Nancy Swingle 22 Donna Ripke & Sonia Bussing 29 Gene & Barb Vogel

BULLETINS:
December 2 Donna Schindler 9 AVAILABLE 16 AVAILABLE 23 AVAILABLE 24 Judy Mekus 30 AVAILABLE

LECTOR & DEACON for Saturday 5:00 pm

(* DEACONS) December 1 Linda Hardy* 8 AVAILABLE 15 Dawn McKibben* 22 Sally Grosenbacher 29 AVAILABLE

ALTAR DUTY
December 2 Cindy Wendell 9 Marsha Leaders 16 Diana Groll 23 Sue McKibben 24 Kate Frank 30 Barb Jones

LECTOR & DEACON for Sunday 9:45 am

(* DEACONS) December 2 Cindy Wendell, Audrey Eis, Craig McKibben* 9 Dick Heilmann 16 Tom Boals, Dick Anderson, Doug Eis* 23 Karen Graf 24 Patty VanDemark, Tom Boals, Craig McKIbben* 30 Sue McKibben

ACOLYTES
December 2 Oakely Demar 9 Skyler Grosenbacher 16 Zach Stephens 23 Alexis Eis 24 Luke Reynolds 30 Luke Reynolds

CRUCIFERS
December 2 Eric Engel 9 Elizabeth McNeely 16 Oakely Demar 23 Matthew Engel 24 Worship Team Member 30 Worship Team Member

OFFERING COLLECTORS for Sunday 9:45 am

1st Sunday 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday 4th Sunday 5th Sunday Randy Groll Jim Eis & Bill Brownson Mary Boals & Cindy Wendell Marsha Leaders & Chuck Bailey Randy Groll & Mary Boals

USHERS for Sunday 9:45 am

1st Sunday 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday 4th Sunday 5th Sunday Randy & Diana Groll Gene & Barb Vogel Donna Schindler & Annie Reynolds Mike & Deb Shockey Jake & Zack Stephens

AUDIO-VISUAL
Doug Eis, Dale Worline, Vicki Stephens, Shaun Holley, Stormy Gutman.

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ZIONS MISSION STATEMENT

Driven by Gods spirit we will grow in faith and make Christs love known
DEACONS Dick Anderson Tom Boals Audrey Eis Doug Eis Linda Hardy Craig McKibben Dawn McKibben Patty VanDemark Cindy Wendell
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 zionlutheranfbpage@gmail.com.

COUNCIL MEMBERS Tom Boals, President Deb Shockey, Vice Pres. Steve Graf, Treasurer Laurie Schey, Secretary Mary Boals Kim Chehi Lenore Doctor Randy Groll Stormy Gutman Elizabeth McNeely Carl Snyder Mark Stephens Dale Worline

ZIONS EMAIL ADDRESSES Office Secretary - zion111@embarqmail.com Pastor - prtim@embarqmail.com Treasurer - ziontreasurer@embarqmail.com Website - www.zions.embarqspace.com
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OFFICE HOURS

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

Sample Letter I ask you to stand up for hungry and poor people in the United States and abroad by committing to form a circle of protection around programs for hungry and poor people in the upcoming budget decisions. The fiscal choices before Congress are difficult, but we must not balance the budget on the backs of vulnerable people. Programs for hungry and poor people are a lifeline for millions of families. In 2010, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) lifted 4.4 million people out of poverty. The Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit lifted 9.3 million people out of poverty. Last year, emergency food aid helped 46.5 million poor people. Over the last decade, foreign assistance programs provided safe drinking water for nearly 1.3 billion people around the world. Time and again, these programs have proven effective in addressing hunger and helping families move out of poverty. Although every previous bipartisan deficit reduction package over the past 25 years has followed the principle that deficit reduction should not increase poverty, we're now seeing severe threats to programs that address hunger and poverty. Sixty-two percent of the $5.3 trillion in cuts in the House's FY 13 budget are to programs vital to poor and hungry people, while much of the savings goes to trillions in new tax cuts. The budget slashes SNAP by more than $130 billion, which could kick more than 8 million people out of the program. It cuts funding for international programs such as food aid and poverty-focused foreign assistance by another 11 percent for next year and calls for further cuts that would endanger lives and allow global hunger and poverty to persist. Please, stand up for a different vision. Our budget choices must not hurt those Jesus called the least among us. As you consider the upcoming budget and tax choices before Congress, I urge you to form a circle of protection around funding for programs vital to hungry and poor people.

Congressman Bob Latta 1323 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225 6405

Senator Sherrod Brown 713 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224 2315

Senator Rod Portman 338 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224 3353

www.bread.org

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