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June 27, 2007
THE BUZZ AT ZION
OFFICE CLOSED FOR THE 4TH OF JULY
A friendly reminder that the office will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th in celebrationof our independence! Have a fabulous and safe day!
NAVAJO MISSION TRIP SPECIAL SERVICE
All 21 of our Navajo Mission Team returned safe and sound on June 23rd, after a long and rewarding week of ministry and fun! Thank you all for your prayers and support of our group! We have scheduled a special service on July 22nd at 7:00pm so that we can share testimonies, fun stories, and pictures from the trip with the congregation. Please come and join us in a great time of worship and rejoicing for God’s provision!
LOST AND FOUND
Due to the many events here at the church we have accumulated lots of dishes on the table in the Fellowship Hall. If you by any chance are missing a dish or two, please swing by to reclaim it. Thanks so much!
CHURCH LIBRARY NOTES
With all the business of summer, be sure you have a good book to relax with! The Adult Fiction section is FULL! Some of the choices are:
- 20 books by Gilbert Morris, set in Civil War era.
- 9 books by Tim LaHaye & Jerry Jenkins, drama of Earth’s last days.
- 3 books by Beverly Lewis, set in the Amish community in Pennsylvania.
- 7 books by George MacDonald, Scotland’s master storyteller.
- 16 books by Janette Oke, stories of faith and love.
- 5 volumes by Bodie Thoene, historical novels set in post-war Jerusalem.
- AND seemingly endless non-fiction~ Christian Living, Biographies, and much much more!
So check out a good read and be inspired today!
DEEPEST APPRECIATION
We wish to express to our family and friends our deepest appreciation for their thoughts, flowers, food, visits, calls and prayers.
~The Family of Adam Schneider
OLD TIME GOSPEL COMMUNITY CONCERT
By Ron & Opal Erickson
“In a time when there is such a variety of entertainment available, some stand out just a little different than the others. Ron and Opal do not just sing together, they perform as a dynamic duo. This couple will entertain you with show stopping humor, classic country & southern gospel singing with Ron playing a variety of instruments. Ron and Opal were the recipients of the Vocal Duo of the Year award from the Country Hayride Opry. In 2000, they took their own show on the road performing for RV resorts, chuck-wagon cookouts, cowboy poet gatherings, RV rallies, cowboy church, churches, and other events all across America.”
Come join us Sunday, July 1st at 7:00pm and welcome Ron and Opal Erickson of Branson, MO as they put on a concert sponsored by the Washakie County Ministerial Association.
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 02:49 PM | Comments (0)
In Pastor's Words
How About Some “Let Us” This Summer!
It’s the “good ole summer time” again with beautiful warm days, long daylight hours, and fresh garden produce, with lettuce, of course. The Bible would have us enjoy some of its own “let us” as we make our way through the next several weeks before school starts up again. In Hebrews 10:19-25 the writer admonishes, 1) “let us” draw near to God, 2) “let us” hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, 3) “let us” consider how we may spur one another to love and good deeds, 4) “let us” not give up meeting together, and 5) “let us” encourage one another. Central to the writer’s argument in this passage is “let us” not give up meeting together as a Church body for the purposes of drawing near to God, holding fast to our hope, spurring one another to good deeds and encouraging one another.
The writer of Hebrews admonishes us, “let us” not give up meeting together. Why? First, we meet together regularly that we might draw near to God. One can certainly draw near to God through reading the Bible, prayer and service. But part of our experience in drawing near to God “comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). Second, we meet regularly to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess.” Reinforcing our faith on a weekly basis, through recitation of the Creed, affirmation in music, study of the Word and the encouragement of others by our attendance, all help us to remain faithful to God. Third, we meet regularly to “spur one another to love and good deeds.” Our presence in the church body has a “spurring” effect to witness, to give, to serve and to love that has no equal. Fourth, we meet regularly to encourage one another or to instill within our fellow and sister worshippers the courage to meet life’s myriad challenges. At a time in history when our mechanical and technical devices seem to drive us farther and farther from the interdependence that God has designed for His people, the Church offers a place where personalized love and encouragement are still found in abundance.
One church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.” This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher. “I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this . . . they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today! “
To help encourage all of us to enjoy some of God’s summer “let us,” we’ll be delving into the very practical and user-friendly messages from the Book of James for the next several weeks. Please join us and find a warm welcome with our Zion family on Sunday mornings.
Pastor Ralph Partelow
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)
June 20, 2007
THE BUZZ AT ZION
FARMERS MARKET
Farmer’s Market will continue throughout the summer as produce is ready. The ladies are more than willing to make jams and jelly’s, but are in need of some jelly jars. Should you have any lying around and would like to donate them, please let Pat Wiseman know. All proceeds from the market will go to The Family Life Center. Thank you for your contributions and enjoy your goods.
WOMEN’S MINSTRY MEETING
This month’s Women’s Ministry meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 27th at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Some of the topics to be discussed are:
Fundraising for LeRoy Fabricius.
Family Day Picnic ~ July 8th
Nursing Home Birthday Party
We look forward to seeing you there!
THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS
The Worland VBS was a great success! We served 97 children and 34 of those received counseling upon asking Jesus into their lives. It is so beautiful to see the family of God come together after many months of planning and serve the community of Worland in such a mighty way. Thanks to all who lent their time, resources and lifted up prayers on our behalf. A special thanks goes to the prayer warriors who continually prayed for us. Gods special blessings upon each and every one of you!
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST
As most of you know our Navajo Missions Team is in Blue Gap, Arizona and VBS is underway. Many children are attending and all are safe, however, most of the team has come down with the flu. We need prayer for the health of the team and endurance to keep striving forward. They still have two days of VBS and three days of traveling (as of Tuesday). Both which require lots of energy and enthusiasm. Your continued prayers are much needed and appreciated at this time.
GRADUATE THANKS!
Zion,
Thanks so much for the book. It will be a very good book to have next Fall to keep me on track in my spiritual life.
Thanks, ~ Jamie Jackson
FRIENDSHIP/MEMBERSHIP CLASS
BEGINS June 10th at 9:15 a.m. during Sunday School
-For all who are interested in joining Zion
-For anyone who simply wishes to find out more about our church
The class consists of six one hour sessions in which you’ll have opportunity to fellowship with others, learn about the church’s history, hear about the church’s ministries, meet the leaders, study the church’s statement of faith and share your own walk of faith.
If interested in attending, please speak to the pastor as soon as possible.
Classes led by Pastor Partelow and Dan Scheuerman
Women's Ministry is Sponsoring
Family Day Picnic
Sunday, July 8th following
Morning Worship at Sander’s Park
EVERYONE is invited for:
FUN ~ FOOD ~ & FELLOWSHIP
WORLAND CEF
Worland Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) is hosting two 5 Day Clubs during the week of June 25-29. There will be a 5 Day Club for Kindergarten-2nd Grade from 10:00AM-11:00AM and one for 3rd-5th Grade at 11:30AM-12:30PM. Both clubs are at Sanders Park. The 5 Day Clubs are taught by 5-6 Christian teens from the Big Horn Basin. We have the following needs to make that week successful:
Housing for teen teachers, boys and girls separately (Sunday-Thursday night)
Lunches for the teaching team all week (meals can be offered at your home or dropped off at Nicole Scheuerman’s by 12:30) Gift certificates for pizza or fast food could be used in lieu of cooking. If you can help with housing or meals for that week, please contact Nicole Scheuerman at 347-8552 or 431-2551.
OOPS!
Enjoy these “bloopers” found in various church newsletters-but not in ours!
* The choir will present an evening of scared music. Sunday at 7:00pm.
* Hymn: “Harp! The Herald Angels Sing”
* Hymn: “Let Me Be Thin Forever”
* Marital Arts classes to be held in the fellowship hall.
* “Before you leave be sure to pick up trash, turn off the lights and lick the doors. Thank You! (Ooh, Yuck!)
PASTOR GARNETT AND NORA
We have officially said our goodbye’s and cried our tears as we wished Dan, Nora, and Sarah God’s blessings on their newest endeavor. But we can still keep in touch, so put away the tissues and dry your eyes! Their new contact information is:
Dan & Nora Garnett
2102 N. Trades Day Boulevard
PO Box 328
Canton, TX 75103
Cell: (903) 245-8622
Garnett’s ~ You will be missed. God Bless! Zion
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:42 AM | Comments (0)
In Pastor's Words
Who’s Your Bible Hero?
People love to rally round a hero: the soldier who valiantly defends his nation, the passerby who rescues a drowning child, the neighbor who helps in crisis, the doctor who saves a life. We have our favorite Bible heroes, too. Noah built an incredibly big ship on dry land at God’s direction in the face of decades of ridicule! Abraham launched out in faith across miles of unknown wilderness to obey God. Moses stood up to the greatest monarch on earth and demanded, “Let my people go!” Gideon battled the vast Midianite army with a mere 300 men. Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land. Daniel submitted to being thrown to the lions and survived without a scratch! Samson was victorious over the Philistines. On and on the Bible goes with one amazing story after another of people who endured unthinkable challenges and came out on top with God’s enabling. Other heroes are highlighted in the Bible’s “Faith Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11. One name not mentioned among the heroes is Nicodemus, whom God strategically used.
Heroes are usually marked by unusual courage. You may be one of those who think you are not a courageous person and might feel more like one of two boys who went to the dentist’s office. Two small boys went into the dentist’s office and one said to the dentist, “Say, doc, will you pull a tooth right this minute? I don’t want gas or nothin. Just give her a good yank.” “Sure,” said the dentist, “now that’s what I call being courageous. Just show me the tooth you want pulled.” And the boy called, “Willy, come on over here and show the Doc your tooth!” Amazing courage is even found in nature. Did you know that there are 488 kinds of hummingbirds. You can find them from the top of Canada all the way down to the bottom of South America. The smallest of these is found in Cuba where the hummingbird measures 1 ¼ inches long. Despite its size it has a ferocious temper and will attack intruders with bewildering courage. They are absolutely fearless!
Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to Jesus by night to inquire about the new birth, has often been thought as a coward because of his surreptitious meeting with the Lord. But a closer look bears a different story. A more correct conclusion about Nicodemus is that he was a man of courage who, first, sought Jesus (John 3). Taking a huge risk to his position in coming to Jesus at all, when it was politically dangerous to do so, Nicodemus demonstrated a measure of courage that was more than amazing. His inquiries about the new birth and hunger for truth were genuine. Possessing an office in Israel that at that time was equal to being a college professor, a supreme court justice and the bishop of a church, combined, Nicodemus showed courage in coming to Jesus. A second reason we believe Nicodemus was courageous is that he defended Jesus. There is an interesting exchange in John 7:50,51 between Nicodemus and his colleagues concerning the sending of soldiers to arrest Jesus, but who came back empty handed and complained, “No one ever spoke the way this man does.” The other Pharisees mocked the soldiers, but Nicodemus came to Jesus’ defense, saying, “Does our law condemn anyone without first hearing him to find out what he is doing?” In defending Jesus, Nicodemus was willing to bear the scorn of his fellow Pharisees. Yet a third reason that convinces us that Nicodemus was courageous is that, at last, he confessed Christ. In John 19:38-40, following the crucifixion of Jesus, it is Nicodemus, together with Joseph of Arimithea, who step forward to claim the body of Jesus for burial after all of Jesus’ friends, family, followers and disciples had left the scene. In that incredibly brave and meaningful act, Nicodemus confessed, by his courageous act, that Jesus was His Lord.
Whether or not Nicodemus is your favorite Bible hero, he definitely stands out as a courageous New Testament character who sought, defended, and confessed Jesus. This Sunday, in keeping with this theme, we’ll be considering, “Finding Courage for Life’s Challenges.” Please join us.
Pastor Ralph Partelow
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)