| August 2008
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
Deuteronomy 4:9
As we quickly approach the end of the summer, we begin another year of Sunday school here at Zion. As many of you are aware of, I am one of the alumni of our School. I was confirmed in 1974. It has truly been a blessing to be a part of the School as a student and later returning as a Seventh Grade Teacher and Youth Group Leader.
On September 7th, Zion will celebrate the start of another year of teaching our children. It is our RALLY DAY! I invite everyone, especially the Alumni to come and worship with us at 9:15. We have an exciting year planned!!
Please come and join us and celebrate another year of teaching God’s Word to the children of our community.
I am extremely pleased and excited to have Vicar Lara on staff with us and look forward to working with her to expand the Youth Program here at Zion. I am also excited and extremely proud to have my daughter, Christina assisting our Sunday school Teachers this year.
Yours in Christ,
Patrick Sawler
President
July 2008
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
On June 7th, several of our church members participated in Relay for Life. It truly was a moving event. We met with so many survivors of cancer and remembered those who have passed on. It was amazing to hear stories of their battles and struggles with this terrible disease. At times, it was hard to understand why they have to endure such pain and suffering. However, as the evening progressed and as you walked with them through the night, you felt God’s presence and how your faith can inspire others to carry on.
Thank you to all who participated in this event, whether it be by walking in the Relay or supporting us by making a donation.
On July 13th at the 9:15 service we will vote on whether or not to move up the starting time of the Service to 9 AM. The reason for the change would be to allow for additional discussion time after the Sermon. On several occasions we have had to end our discussion due to lack of time. By moving the start time to 9 AM will allow us more time to explorer God’s Word.
Yours In Christ,
Patrick Sawler
President
June 2008
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
(Matthew 28:19)
In a sermon during May, Pastor spoke of the Holy Trilogy and reminded us that there are many people in our area that are unchurched. Pastor spoke about our baptism and her love to perform baptisms. She also encouraged us to talk to our friends and neighbors about this fact and invited us to bring a friend to church. I would like to take this opportunity to expand on this idea. As you go on your way this month, make it a point to ask your friends and neighbors where they are in their faith walk. If they have not started or have strayed away for one reason or another, please encourage them to come to worship with you. Talk to them about your experiences at Zion and talk about how our Pastor loves to baptize people. I would love to hear about the different conversations that you have. Please call, email, or see me at one of the coffee hours.
Also, during the next Council meeting we plan to reach out to some our church members who we have not seen in a while. If you would like us to call someone, please let me know.
On final note, on June 7 th starting on 6 PM, Zion will participate in Relay For Life® . It’s theme is - One day, One night, One community. By us participating in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life® event in Roselle Park, we honor cancer survivors, remember the lives lost to the disease, and help raise money to fight it. This is much more than a walk around a track, Relay is a time to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember those lost and get inspired to fight back.
Please join us in this 12 hour event, even if you can only make it for an hour or two. If you would like a ride, make a donation, or need more information, contact me, or visit their website.
Yours in Christ,
Pat Sawler
President
May 2008
“In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts20:5
Zion Lutheran gives us so many opportunities to put this verse into action. We have our Sunday School children leading us to fill up the pantry for the needy. We have our members baking cupcakes for Food For Friends. We have our members, lead by WELCA gather gifts and wrap them and they are given to Seafarers at Christmas, who may not otherwise receive any gifts. We have our Stephen Ministers quietly reaching out to those who are in need of a compassionate listening Christian ear to help them through a difficult time in their life.
Also, we have our members, lead by Prayer and Praise meeting twice every month to prayer for our sick and needy in our church and around the world. The list continues on, so I encourage everyone to come out and participate in one or more of these opportunities. If you not sure where your talents can be used, please feel free to contact myself or Pastor and we will be happy to discuss this with you. Hope to you see you all at one of our Coffee hours or one of our upcoming events. Special thanks to Lee Thor for running such a wonderful Spaghetti Dinner Friday night, April 18th. Everyone in attendance had a wonderful time!!
Yours in Christ,
Pat Sawler President
April 2008
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 16:3
Zion Lutheran has been committed to the Lord now in its 156th year and indeed our plans have been successful!
We have been a beacon of light and God’s love serving our member and the community of Rahway and God’s people throughout our country and around the world.
My faith journey started right here at Zion back in Sept 1960, when I was baptized. Sine then I have participated in Zion’s Sunday School, Communion classes, Confirmation, served as a 7th grade Sunday School teacher, Youth group leader, Church Council member, and Maria and I were married here in Oct 1989. Yes, I am indeed committed to the Lord and to Zion. Together with the Parish Council, we’ll set the course for Zion to have to a very inspirational and successful year.
Here are just a few of the things we plan to do:
- Add a Vicar to our staff.
- This addition will help us reach out further into our community to share our faith with more members of our community, thus in turn enrich our own faith journey
- Zion along with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans will participate in Relay for Life held on June 7th and 8th at Roselle Park
- Mission on the Move, there will be several meetings on how we can participate in this great program to help jump start new Lutheran churches.
Lastly, if you have any question, concerns, or comments. Please feel free to call me or see me at the Coffee Hour after the 9:15 service.
Yours in Christ,
Patrick Sawler
President
August 2007
It Depends on You!
John and Mary were riding in their new car.
Mary said, “You know, honey, without me and my money, we wouldn’t be able to afford this great car.” John was silent.
Retuning to their lovely home, Mary said, “You know honey, without me and my money, we couldn’t afford to live in such a wonderful home.” John was silent.
Mary continued, “Look at our gourmet kitchen and our family room with its entertainment center. Consider our elegant living room, the furniture, the rugs, paintings, the crystal pieces. Without me and my money we couldn’t have all this.”
Finally, John spoke. “You know dear,” he said, “the truth of the matter is…without you and your money, I wouldn’t be here either.”
What does this story have to do with any given congregation? The answer is “Everything!” The truth finally is that we wouldn’t be in this wonderful House of God without you and your money. You paid for this House of God. You paid for everything you see: the nave, chancel, altar, pulpit, pews, hymnals, cross and communion ware, and musical instruments. Everything on this site, all buildings and equipment, parking spaces and landscaping are all due to gifts from you. You also are the source of all salaries and services the congregation provides.
Missionaries and mission work, our seminaries and colleges depend on you. Our congregation’s ministries and programs depend on you. The bottom line is that our congregation would not be able to exist or to serve Christ efficiently without you and the dedicated gifts that you give. We thank you so very much for your support and commitment to keep our congregation moving forward in its many ministries and programs. There is so much to be done for our Lord! As you have been blessed, tell Him and show Him how thankful you are for all His grace, love and gifts. You have heard it many times, but it bears repeating: “Our Lord has no hands but our hands to do His work.”
Harry W. McDowell
July 2007
“Life itself is a gift of time. Isn’t it incredible how God has given each of us our own unique set of talents and skills to develop and use to make that time meaningful?”
Spiritual Gifts! Are you using your Spiritual Gift(s)? Through baptism one is given a spiritual gift or a mix of spiritual gifts to carry on His mission. The commitment to discovering one’s own spiritual gift(s) is a challenge to each one of us. This is the endeavor to use our own God-given talents in the ministry of our congregation. We are to use these spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ, which is the Church.
Find your spiritual gift(s)! Join our team! The usage of our spiritual gifts are the powers that will move our congregation forward in its mission. As Pastor Boese says, “the understanding and usage of these gifts are as necessary to congregational life as oxygen is necessary for human life.”
As our 2007 Stewardship Program moves forward, let me remind you that financial stewardship is a spiritual issue, not a bill-paying or budget-building procedure. We must all think about and talk about the real need of the giver (you and me) to give his or her spiritual benefits; not for Zion’s need to receive. Stewardship is an attitude with which Christians approach life, stemming from their spiritual relationship with God. Spiritual giver? Yes, a spiritual giver—one who contributes material resources to the Lord’s work with generosity, regularity and cheerfulness. A spiritual giver considers giving to be a wonderful opportunity rather than a sacrificial burden.
As you have been blessed, tell God how thankful you are by accepting your share as a spiritual giver. Many times it takes a quiet moment of thought and prayer to fully realize that all we have and all that we are, are gifts from God. Give to God what is right—not what is left.
The lift project continues to move forward. We have had one meeting with the architect/engineer and have received his initial proposal. Another meeting with the architect and sales engineer (Mobility Elevator and lift Co.) is scheduled for June 20. At this time we still are in discussion with both parties above to determine feasibility and costs. We do need a means of access to Fellowship Hall for everyone.
Let us all unite, work together as a Christian family and make it possible to welcome everyone to Fellowship Hall. REMEMBER! · A LIVELY church sees challenges and opportunities; a dead church sees problems and dangers. · A LIVELY church believes in God’s future and “lets go” with faith; a dead church believes in the past and “holds on.” · A LIVELY church dares to dream great dreams for God’s kingdom; a dead church has nightmares.
Harry W. McDowell
June 2007
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
Each one of us must share Christ’s love in our congregation, our homes, our communities and throughout the world. Working together we can make Christ known to all. Working together we can change lives and shape God’s world. Our SUPPORT for mission makes a difference! Yes, thanks to our generosity in 2006, the ELCA (Global Mission) used: · $9.2 million to support 284 missionaries in 48 countries · $12.5 million to alleviate poverty and to meet human needs through long-term sustainable development · $5.1 million in grants to help companion churches support their ministries · $1 million to help educate leaders for companion Lutheran church bodies.
As you can see, we gather and share our resources of the church to serve God best in diverse settings, in communities where Lutherans have not been commonly found, and among unchurched people who in many cases have little awareness of Christianity or the story of Jesus. We do this in 48 countries! Thanks to our partnership and generous giving, God is changing lives! The lift project has been reactivated once again. We are in discussion with an architect and Mobility Elevator and Lift Company to determine the feasibility and costs. Again some of you may ask “why” the Congregation Council, and I personally, believe this project has merit and should be a top priority for completion. We currently have several parishioners who do not attend functions, which take place in Fellowship Hall. A number of our parishioners, both men and women, find the internal stairway narrow with right angle turns and quite difficult to negotiate. In addition, when we have visitors who come for worship services, special services or other events, we again face the same problems. We do need a means of access to Fellowship Hall for everyone. Let us all unite, work together and move forward to welcome everyone to Fellowship Hall.
Harry W. McDowell
May 2007
Just before Easter we concentrate our thinking on the Lord Jesus and his Cross. We remember the words he spoke as he faced and met his bitter death for our salvation. The “Seven Words from the Cross” have been in our minds as we have tried to understand and to fathom the experiences of our Lord as he went to his death. What puzzles me is that no one seems to have made a similar collection of the words, which the Lord spoke to his followers from this side of the Tomb.
Now that we have grasped the Easter fact that “the Lord is risen indeed”—listen! Listen for his voice and we hear the words he speaks. “Fear not” he said to his disciples. “All hail! Fear not. Go and tell my brother to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Many times he questioned and assured them with words such as “fear not” and “do not be afraid.” And why not? The answer is a simple one. It is because He lives. They need no longer fear death or disaster. “Bear witness.”
Remember how he challenged the fears of his disciples? And then calmed them as he said, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” Another time on the hilltop in Galilee, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” “Receive Power.” John tells how he came saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Luke relates how he replied to a question from his disciples, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you.” Yes, the Lord comes to everyone including the simple, ordinary people like you and like me. This is his continued and continuous message. These three statements sum up his comfort, his challenge and his commission. FEAR NOT! BEAR WITNESS! RECEIVE POWER! And he adds the promise, which all his followers have proved ever since, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”
Sunday, May 27! Any significance or meaning in our church year? Well for three (3) of our talented youth, it is Confirmation Day as well as Pentecost Sunday—the forgotten festival in the Church Calendar. Pentecost! The outpouring of the Holy Spirit or the founding of the Christian Church. Pentecost individualizes each one of us. We are more than a mere number in the file, more than an impersonal name on the roster. We are men and women and children redeemed through the cross and saved by the faith, individually loved and personalized. If we realize this, then Pentecost takes on a new significance for each one of us. Yes, Sunday, May 27 also is Confirmation Day for Anthony Giarrizzo, Carley Lesinski and Christina Sawler. This young man and these young ladies have been instructed in the Christian faith and will make public affirmation of their Baptism at the 10:30 am worship service on Sunday, May 27. We all will rejoice with Anthony, Carley and Christina as they make public confession of their faith and assume a greater responsibility in the life of our Christian family.
A LIVELY church believes in God’s future and “lets go” with faith, a dead church believes in the past and “holds on.”
Harry W. McDowell
April 2007
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
As we reach the halfway point in this Holy Season of Lent, hopefully, we all will continue our preparation for the rising to newness of life. Lent is the time for practice and training in virtues and self-denial that are to be permanent and habitual in the renewal life after Easter. We ask each of you to plan to join the millions of the other Christians in active remembrance of the Holy Season by attending Church services and through special meditation.
Our Congregation Council has devoted significant time the past several months learning about Spiritual Gifts. Each council member had the opportunity to read the book “Spiritual Gifts: The Power that Drives You and the Congregation” by The Rev. Neal R. Boese. Each council member subsequently completed a simple exercise, hopefully, to recognize or discover his or her spiritual gift(s). At our council meeting in March, Albert Cowell (our 2007 Stewardship Coach) made a 30-minute presentation on Spiritual Gifts.
Why this focus on Spiritual Gifts? What are Spiritual Gifts? How do we use our Spiritual Gifts? Through baptism one is given a spiritual gift or a mix of spiritual gifts to carry on His mission. The commitment to discovering one’s own spiritual gift(s) is a challenge to each one of us. This is the endeavor to use our own God-given talents in the ministry of our congregation. We are to use these spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ, which is the Church.
“Now there are a variety of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are a variety of services but the same Lord; and there are a variety of activities, but the same God who activates them in all people. To each one is given a gift for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
Spiritual Gifts include the following as listed in the previously referenced book:
a. Apostle: is the gift that gives a believer the courage and the urgency to express faith in settings where the gospel is rarely heard.
b. Exhortation: is a gift that moves the believer to reach out with Christian love and presence to people in personal conflict or facing a special void.
c. Hospitality: is the gift that causes a believer to joyfully open his or her own home for meetings and overnight visitors.
d. Intercession: is the gift that enables a believer to pray with the certainty that prayer is heard and, where requests are made, answers will come.
e. Mercy: is the gift that motivates a believer to feel deeply for those in physical, spiritual or emotional need and then to act to meet that need.
f. Music/Vocal: is the gift that gives a believer the capability and opportunity to present personal witness and inspiration to others through singing and instrumental music.
Other gifts include Administration, Craftsmanship/Artistry, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, Knowledge, Leadership and Teaching.
Do you find your spiritual gift(s) above? Whatever your gift, join our team! The usage of our spiritual gifts are the powers that will move our congregation forward in its mission. As Pastor Boese says, “the understanding and usage of these gifts are as necessary to congregational life as oxygen is necessary for human life.”
Harry W. McDowell
March 2007
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” -Acts 1:8
Thanks to our partnership and generous giving of time, talents and possessions, God is changing lives! Our annual Leadership Retreat was held on Saturday, February 2, 2007, from 9 am to 3 pm in Fellowship Hall. The Rev. Dr. Scott Schantzenbach was our leader and moderator. Subject: Mission Support. His emphasis on “all we have belongs to God” and his keen insight into “what we should be doing and giving in Jesus’ name for the sake of the world” were eye opening and challenging to everyone. The entire group of leaders (16-18) was very attentive and responsive throughout the five (5) plus hours—even during lunch. We all had to depart from the retreat inspired with the knowledge that each one of us “must share Christ’s love in our congregation, our homes, our communities and throughout the world.”
Working together we can make Christ known to all. Working together we are changing lives and shaping God’s world. Our SUPPORT does make a difference! The ELCA has 349 missionaries and overseas volunteers in 60 countries. Seventy percent of these individuals are lay people serving as professors, teachers, doctors, nurses, health care workers, administrators, engineers, accountants, etc. In the 15 African countries (Cameroon to Zambia), the church is at the center of society. African Christians (360 million) look to their churches for education, health care, worship and fellowship. From their place at the center of society, African Lutheran churches (14.2 million members) are growing rapidly, increasing membership by 50 percent between 1996 and 2003. In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Lutheran Church has 3000 members and the Bangladesh Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church has a membership of 8600. ELCA Global Mission supports and provides community health care and development activities to rural communities. In Indonesia, the ELCA has relationships with four Indonesian churches with a combined membership of nearly 3.6 million. ELCA cooperates with three Christian universities and a theological college that prepare leadership for the community and for the church. The ELCA also supports a health and community development program in Indonesia, as well as tsunami-related rebuilding. In areas new to Christianity, like the Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, new churches are being built from the ground up by indigenous pastors and evangelists who know the local language, culture and beliefs.
Once again your Mission Support offerings help to support these efforts. Thank you for your partnership in Ministry!
Harry W. McDowell
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