Newsletter: February 2008 Archives

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February 29, 2008

In Pastor's Words

What Do We Know
For Sure
About the Hereafter?

A telephone poll of 1,018 American adults, conducted by Time/CNN and Yankelovich Partners, Inc., asked these questions:

1. Do you believe in the existence of heaven, where people live forever with God after they die?
Yes: 81%
No: 13%

2. Do you believe in hell, where people are punished forever after they die?
Yes: 63%
No: 30%

3. Do people get into heaven based mostly on the good things they do or on their faith in God, or both (asked of 809 who believed in heaven).
    Good things they do: 6%
    Faith in God: 34%
    Both: 57%

4. Immediately after death, which of the following do you think will happen to you? (asked of 809 who believed in heaven).
    Go directly to heaven: 61%
    Go to purgatory: 15%
    Go to hell: 1%
    Be reincarnated: 5%
    End of existence: 4%

5. Which of the following do you believe are in heaven? (asked of 809 who believed in heaven).
    Angels: 93%
    St. Peter: 79%
    Harps: 43%
    Halos: 36%

6. Does only a person’s soul live in heaven, or does a person have both a soul and a body? (asked of 809 who believed in heaven)
Only a soul: 66%
Body and soul: 26%

7. Do you believe you will meet friends and family members in heaven when you die? (asked of 809 who believed in heaven)
Yes: 88%
No: 5%

It is apparent from this polling data that there is not a small measure of confusion
regarding the hereafter among average Americans who, while they say they are Christians, are unsure of what the Bible teaches about it. Please join us Sunday as we examine what the Bible teaches concerning the hereafter.
Pastor Ralph Partelow

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)

THE BUZZ AT ZION

LIBRARY NEWS
Pilgrimage of a Country Preacher
a journey to the Holy Land of Appalachia
By Father Ralph W. Beiting
~ He was called to Appalachia to build church communities and ease the pain caused by poverty.
~ Read about this interdenominational Christian organization with over 70 programs and activities to bring home a peace to those in need.
~ Read about one of the largest relief organizations in America.
Come check it out.
It’s in your church library!

PSALM CHOIR TO SING AT ZION
Zion in pleased to welcome the Psalm Choir Wednesday, March 5th @ 6:30-7:00 pm during our Lenten Service. The Psalm Choir is comprised of 40-45 voices and originated from three churches in the Worland Community over 10 years ago. Today its members are made up of a variety of local churches who frequent the church houses in the community throughout the Christian holidays. They sing a wide variety of music ranging from modern to classical to negro-spiritual pieces. Currently, the choir is directed by Dan Fredrick and accompanied by Celia Davis. Be sure to set aside this very special evening as we
enjoy the spiritually uplifting music presented by our local Psalm Choir.

“HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD”
DVD’S FOR SALE

“He is the image of the
invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in Heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or principalities or powers. All things were
created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:15-17

The amazing DVD “How Great Is Our God”, by Louie Giglio, was viewed during Sunday School last Sunday, and is available for you to purchase. The cost of the DVD is $15.00. If you wish to buy a copy please call the church office before Friday, March 7th. The order will be placed ON FRIDAY. Once the DVD’s arrive you may pay for them in the church office as well. Don’t want to buy the DVD? That’s okay, there are TWO available for check out in the Zion Library!

Welcome New Members
This Sunday...
Dan & Kristy Hansen
Wade & Kim Sanford
Jim Vanderwoude
Please join us this Sunday in welcoming these
new members in a reception in the Fellowship Hall following the Morining Service.

VARIOUS CONTAINERS NEEDED!
The Wednesday Night Cook teams are in need of any containers you may have. For example, cottage cheese, butter (large and small) sour cream, or any other small to medium containers you may have lying around. They use them for sending home and storing leftover food from the dinners. Please drop them off in the kitchen here at the church. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

FOOD BANK
Thank you for supporting our local Food Bank. Many in our community struggle financially and are still in need of your contributions. Please drop off your items in the box in the Narthex and I will collect them. Whatever you can bring will be
appreciated. ~Helen Schoeler

NICE WORK!
Just a quick Sunday School Attendance Contest Update. We hit 150 on Sunday. Very well done. With your help we can reach 208 this Sunday.
Help us reach our goal of 208 in the next two weeks.
Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Mar. 2-Message-The Hereafter: What We Must Know

Mar. 5 - Psalm Choir

Mar. 9 - Time change!
Sunday School Contest ends
Message- Nicodemus

Mar. 12- Confirmation Class Exam, 6:30 p.m.

Mar. 16- Palm Sunday
Message- Portraits of Christ

Mar. 18 - Lenten Breakfast @ 6:30 am

Mar. 20- Maundy Thursday Communion Service,7pm

Mar. 23 - Easter Sunday Message- Jesus Lives!
6:30 am - Sunrise Service @ the Banjo
9:30 am - Communion Service
10:30 am - Easter Morning Worship

Mar. 30 - International Sunday (Chakulafest)
Message- What Everybody Knows About God
Chakula (international food) Fest following Worship

1st Week in April - Cookies for College Kids

Apr. 6 - Message- God Behind the Scenes
Pancake Supper @ 5:30 pm

Apr. 19,20 - Spring Missions Weekend
Special speaker- Dr. Joseph Okello

May 10 - Mother’s Day Brunch ~ Hello Dolly @ 10am

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)

February 20, 2008

THE BUZZ AT ZION

LIBRARY NEWS
The Ten Commandments Mystery Series
By Elspeth Campbell
Hey kids! Did you know there are mysteries to solve in the church library? Come read about the T.C.D.C. (that’s Three Cousins Detective Club). There’s a book for every commandment (that means there are 10 in the series). If you’re in second or third grade and enjoy adventure, these books are for you!
Come check it out.
It’s in your church library!

NEW CHAIRS
A donation for new chairs for
Fellowship Dinners and Bereavement Dinners was made late last year.
After much deliberation and sampling, a chair was chosen and purchased. Now they have arrived. We hope you will enjoy the comfort of this new design. Please note these are to be used for church dinners only. If you need to borrow chairs for an event of your own, please feel free to use the older chairs which are being stored upstairs. Thank you!
~Jennifer

ZION’S NEW
MINISTER OF YOUTH AND WORSHIP
We are excited to announce that on Sunday, February 17, Zion voted 97.6% to call Jason Taylor for the position of Minister of Youth and Worship. Jason and his wife, Amanda, will join us sometime in March.
Pray for them to be able to take care of all of the details concerning their move out to Wyoming from Tennessee and that God would give them a fruitful ministry here at Zion and in the Worland Community.

Sunday School This Week
Adults are invited to a special showing of Louis
Giglio’s How Great Is Our God at 9:15 a.m.
Remember “Indescribable?” This is the follow up video that promises to amaze our minds and minister to our hearts...

He's big enough to breathe out stars, yet intricate enough to fashion together the trillions of cells that make up every facet of who you are. The God who spoke the universe into existence made you, too, and knows everything about you. From the smallest molecule to the situation you find yourself in right now, He's aware of your circumstances and intimately acquainted with everything you do. And He cares about you and promises to carry you through.

Bring a friend with you this week!

ONLY THREE MORE WEEKS!!
That’s right. If we can reach at least 208 in Sunday School for the next three weeks, Pastors Ralph and Steve will present a sermon in the morning worship in Swahili and English. Help us reach our goal!
Please join us, bring friends and pray that
we can meet this goal for the glory of God.

WOMEN'S MINISTRY MEETING
Women’s Ministry will hold a meeting, Wednesday, February 27th at 7:00 pm immediately following the Lenten Service. The meeting will be held in the
Fellowship Hall with the program being given by Mary Ellen Girard. Some of the topics to be discussed are:
* Finalize Lenten Breakfast Details
* Cookies for College Kids: Sign-up
Don’t miss this wonderful time to commune
and fellowship with the women of Zion.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:41 AM | Comments (0)

In Pastor's Words

Be A Person Others Would Enjoy

Most people want friends and want to be liked. But what is necessary for us to make friends and to become people others would like being around? The Bible is not silent on this issue and gives this counsel: “A man that has friends must show himself friendly” (Prov. 18:24). Best sellers like Becoming a Better You stress principles for us to follow which would not only please God, but which would make us happier people and more desirable to be around. For decades, Dale Carnegie’s book, How to Win Friends and Influence People, has swept the world with practical advice for becoming successful in relationships. My one time employer, friend and mentor, Norman Vincent Peale, who served as senior pastor of the Marble Collegiate Church (the oldest continuous church in America dating back to about 1628) in New York City for sixty five years, once shared ten rules for becoming the kind of person whom others would enjoy being around. These rules have been a great help to me and I share them with you with the hope that they may serve to guide and inspire you to succeed in being a person others would admire, appreciate and enjoy knowing.

1. Learn to remember names.

2. Be a very comfortable person so there is no strain in being with you—be an old-shoe, old-hat kind of individual. Be homey.

3. Acquire the quality of relaxed, easy-goingness so that things don’t ruffle you.

4. Don’t be egotistical. Guard against giving the impression that you know it all. Be normal and naturally humble.

5. Cultivate the quality of being interesting so that people will want to be with you and get something of stimulating value from their association with you.

6. Study to get the “starchy” elements out of your personality.

7. Sincerely attempt to heal, on an honest Christian basis, every misunderstanding you have had and now have. Drain off your grievances.

8. Practice liking people.

9. Never miss an opportunity to say a word of congratulations upon anyone’s achievement, or express sympathy in sorrow or disappointment.

10. Get a deep spiritual experience (with Christ) so that you have something to give people that will help them to be stronger and meet life more effectively. Give strength to people and they will give affection to you.

In my estimation, the practice of such rules will make us more joyful in our soul, more winsome in our personality, more confident in our relationships and more useful in our witness and service for Jesus Christ to the world around us.

Pastor Ralph Partelow

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:40 AM | Comments (0)

February 13, 2008

THE BUZZ AT ZION

LIBRARY NEWS
Dinner with a Perfect Stranger
By David Gregory
The main character, Nick, accepts an invitation to dine with Jesus. What follows is a fascinating conversation that covers family relationships, world religions, and the afterlife, among other topics - all addressed in a simple, easy-to-understand manner. Along the way, Nick confronts his own unfulfilled longings, spiritual uncertainties, and anger with God- and he begins to wonder if the man across from him holds the answers.
This is engaging, entertaining reading at its best!
Come check it out.
It’s on your church library!

LENTEN SERVICES
Lenten Services have begun and will continue each Wednesday at 6:30 pm until March 12th. Lent is a time of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock of our spiritual lives and our relationship with the Lord. Lent originated in the very early days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. Come join together as we prepare for the blessing of Easter.

Our deepest and most sincere condolences go to the families of Eileen Soller, Katherine Bybee, and Molly Eckert, who have gone to be with the Lord.

The American Cancer Society’s
Daffodil Days
There is a sign up sheet in the Fellowship
Hall for all who would like to purchase
daffodils. The cost is
1-4 Bundles -$8.00
5 Bundles - $37.00
10 Bundles - $70.00
All proceeds go to the
American Cancer Society

A Friendly, Warm, Humble
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
To our church family who responded to the call and offered an invitation to a friend, To my committee friends who served humbly, flexibly, and willingly to complete all the essential components needed for the reception and gifts to present on Friendship Sunday--Karen D, Peggy M, Ruth D, Kay S, Dora F, Punkie P, Jennifer H, Denise C, and Donna J and To our dear Pastor Ralph for his inception of the event, his inspiration of ideas, his never-ending shepherd's love for his "flock" and lost sheep, and his heart-challenging sermon of how far Godly friendship should go. May every Sunday be Friendship Sunday. To God be the glory!
In Jesus' Love,
Sandi

DIRECTORY UPDATE
It seems like forever since we started the new directory. We thank you for your patience as we compiled hundreds of pictures and worked through staff transitions. We FINALLY have it done and will be submitting our proof to Olan Mills this week. It will take about two weeks to get Olan Mills’ proof and then another month after that to get the finished directory in. Long story short, you will have your NEW and UPDATED directory in about 6-8 weeks. Thanks again for all your cooperation and patience during this project. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call Sally Reuer (347-4971)

WE HAVE…

A NEW BUS
A 1996 Bluebird 72 passenger bus has been
purchased for the church by an anonymous donor. The cost for the bus was $6,750.00. If you would like to donate to offset this cost, please specify “bus” on the memo line of your contribution.
Thank you so much for your support!

AND NEW CHAIRS
A donation for new chairs for Fellowship Dinners and
Bereavement Dinners was made late last year. After much deliberation and sampling a chair was chosen and purchased. Now they have arrived. We hope you will enjoy the comfort of this new design. Please note these are to be used for church dinners only. If you need to barrow chairs for an event of your own, please feel free to use the older chairs which are
being stored upstairs. Thank you!
~Jennifer

PSALM CHOIR TO SING AT ZION
Zion in pleased to welcome the Psalm Choir Wednesday, March 5th @ 6:30-7:00 pm during our Lenten Service. The Psalm Choir is comprised of 40-45 voices and originated from three churches in the Worland Community over 10 years ago. Today its members are made up of a variety of local churches who frequent the church houses in the community throughout the Christian holidays. They sing a wide variety of music ranging from modern to classical to negro-spiritual pieces. Currently, the choir is directed by Dan Fredrick and accompanied by Celia Davis. Be sure to set aside this very special evening as we enjoy the spiritually uplifting music presented by our local The Psalm Choir.

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:11 AM | Comments (0)

In Pastor's Words

This Sunday Meet Jason & Amanda Taylor
This weekend, February 15th-17th, we are excited to welcome Jason and Amanda Taylor to Zion as Jason comes to candidate for Minister of Youth and Worship at Zion. Jason has been unanimously recommended by the Search Committee and the Consistory to candidate for this position.
Jason is 28 years old and hails from Jefferson City, Tennessee. Amanda is 25 years old and is also from Jefferson City. Jason and Amanda were married on 7/7/07, and both have impressive backgrounds in ministry.
Jason has previously served as a youth minister at two churches. He also has extensive experience in counseling troubled teens. Jason has worked as a therapeutic wilderness master counselor in the mountains of East Tennessee, and as a direct care youth counselor in Knoxville, Tn. Jason plays the guitar and also sings. Amanda has been involved in short-term mission experiences in several countries and also loves to sing.
Jason earned a Bachelor’s degree in Religion from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. Amanda is also a graduate of Carson Newman College.
Please take advantage of at least one of the following opportunities to meet Jason and Amanda. The youth will be gathering to meet the Taylors on Friday, February 15th at 7:00 pm in the youth room. The entire congregation is invited to meet them at a carry-in dinner on Saturday evening, February 16th at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. On Sunday, Jason will spend the Sunday School hour with the teens, and will give the message during the morning worship service. A vote will be taken regarding offering this position to Jason immediately after the morning service.
Pastor Couch

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:09 AM | Comments (0)

February 06, 2008

In Pastor's Words

This Sunday is
Friendship Sunday

Bring a friend to Sunday School and Worship this Sunday and both you and your friend will not only receive a beautiful gift, but will be honored with a reception in the fellowship hall after the worship service. How important it is to reach out to friends while we have them. Today we have, but tomorrow is never guaranteed. My homiletics professor at Denver Seminary, Haddon Robinson, once used this verse to press home just how short a time we have to see that friend or that family member and encourage them in the things of God.

Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end;
Yet days go by and weeks rush on,
And before I know it, a year is gone,
And I never see my old friend’s face.
For life is a swift and terrible race.
He knows I like him just as well
As in the days when I rang his bell
And he rang mine. We were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men:
Tired of playing a foolish game,
Tired of trying to make a name.
“Tomorrow,” I say, “I will call on Jim
Just to show that I am thinking of him.”
But tomorrow comes—and tomorrow goes,
And the distance between us grows and grows.
Around the corner!—yet miles away. . .
“Here’s a telegram, Sir,” . . . ‘Jim died today.”
And that’s what we get and deserve in the end:
Around the corner, a vanished friend.
By Charles Hanson Towne

Why wait? Invite that friend to come with you this Sunday.
Hope to see you this Sunday and meet your friends.
Pastor Partelow

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:37 AM | Comments (0)

THE BUZZ AT ZION

strong>Celebrate Life After 50, by Roger PalmsAre you thinking the author is crazy? Absolutely NOT! Ministry and church service after 50?! Absolutely YES!
Why now? These are the years when your wisdom, energy, and availability combine for great effectiveness in ministry.
Why service? When you look back over your life, nothing you could pursue could ever be as fulfilling and rewarding as impacting other.
Why me? You can offer what younger people may not have - the wisdom of experience, spiritual depth and time. The world need more models of maturity in auction!
Come check it out.
It’s on your church library!

WE HAVE A NEW BUS!
A 1996 Bluebird 72 passenger bus has been purchased for the church by an anonymous donor. The cost for the bus was $6,750.00. If you would like to donate to offset this cost, please specify “bus” on the memo line of your contribution. Thank you so much for your support!

The American Cancer Society’s
Daffodil Days
There is a sign up sheet in the Fellowship
Hall for all who would like to purchase
daffodils. The cost is
1-4 Bundles -$8.00
5 Bundles - $37.00
10 Bundles - $70.00
All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society

DIRECTORY UPDATE
It seems like forever since we started the new directory. We thank you for your patience as we compiled hundreds of pictures and worked through staff transitions. We FINALLY have it done and will be submitting our proof to Olan Mills early next week. It will take about two weeks to get Olan Mills’ proof and then another month after that to get the finished directory in. Long story short, you will have your NEW and UPDATED directory in about 6-8 weeks. Thanks again for all your cooperation and patience during this project. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to call Sally Reuer (347-4971).

Mark Your Calendars
On the weekend of February 15th, we are excited to welcome Jason and Amanda Taylor to Zion as Jason comes to candidate for our Minister of Youth and Worship position. Jason is 28 years old and hails from Jefferson City, Tennessee. Jason has a Bachelors Degree in Religion from Carson Newman College, and has previously served as a youth minister at two churches. He also has extensive experience as a counselor to troubled teens. Amanda is 25 years old, and is also from Jefferson City. She is also a graduate of Carson Newman College, and loves to sing. If Jason is called to Zion, he and I will work together very closely in leading the youth ministry. I’m impressed with Jason’s heart for Jesus, his love for young people, and his ability to relate to them. Jason also brings a level of creativity, energy, and musical ability that is much needed in the youth ministry right now. I would like to invite all of you to come and meet Jason and Amanda on this weekend. The teens will have an opportunity to hang out with Jason on Friday evening, Feb 15th (time & details TBA), and entire congregation will get to come and meet Jason and Amanda at a carry-in dinner in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday evening, Feb 16th, at 6:00pm. These will be great opportunities for you to get to know the Taylors before Sunday’s vote. Hope to see everyone there!
Pastor Steve

Greetings from troubled Kenya,
I know many of you have wondered what is going on in Kenya and how we are doing. It's hard to report, because as things seem to be going in a positive direction in one aspect, violence continues to break out in other areas. Kofi Annan has brought the two sides together and begun mediation talks, but other ethnic factions have taken the opportunity to take revenge on earlier incidences of violence. It is very sad and we really don't know what to expect from day to day. We here at RVA and Kijabe are not threatened, but travel is often disrupted, and many of our Kenyan friends have been closely affected by the loss of family, or friends. The death toll is over 800 and there are hundreds of thousands of displaced people. I hope this helps clarify our situation. We appreciate your prayers for Kenya and the many people who have lost homes and loved ones. Blessings, Alan and Sara

Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at 11:34 AM | Comments (0)