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Newsletter Contents: 1-2 General News 3-4 Pastor’s Paragraphs 5 El J Elucidates 6 Library News 7 Musically Speaking 8 Sunday School / God’s

Acres / MN FoodShare 9 Treasurer’s Reports 10 Birthdays, Anniversaries,

Action Groups Calendar is on the Tidings

wrapper.

Saturday Night, March 10th Turn your clocks ahead one hour!

ZION’S MISSION: We are claimed, gathered, and sent forth to serve and witness

in Jesus’ name.

ZION’S VISION: Zion is a

welcoming church where all people will experience a vibrant lifelong journey in faith through

worship, education, mission and service.

Palm Sunday Service is March 25th at 10:00 a.m. Maundy Thursday and Seder Meal Service is March 29th at 6:00 p.m. Good Friday Service is March 30th at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel in Battle Lake.

Easter Sunday is April

1st. Our services will be: 7:00 a.m. Contemporary Sunrise service 8:30 a.m. Traditional Service 10:00 a.m. Traditional Service 7:45 – 9:45 a.m. Easter Breakfast

Wednesday Lenten Services are March 7th,

14th, and 21st.

This year we will be “Watchers On The Hill”.

The hill called Golgotha was not empty that Friday.

Besides the crosses and those dying upon them, there were witnesses – watchers on the ancient hill. This lent we

will overhear the conversations between those

first century characters as they witness Jesus’ death.

A soup supper will be at

6:00 p.m. preceding each Lenten service.

The sign-up sheet to provide soup and/or bread and milk is in the Narthex/Lobby. If you provide soup or bread, we would appreciate if you would help serve and clean up. Thank you! ----------------------------------------

Maundy Thursday Seder Meal

6:00 p.m. on March 29th Zion Fellowship Hall As Jesus presided over his last Passover, he instructed the disciples (and us) on the Lord’s Supper. Relive the ancient ritual with a potluck and communion worship. More information on page 5. May the blessings of each day be the blessings you need most.

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FROM THE OFFICE

RUTH CIRCLE Communion:

Sundays, March 4th and 18th.

DORCAS, MARY & RUTH

CIRCLES Meeting jointly at

1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21st.

(Ruth Circle serves)

EVENING CIRCLE Sundays, March 11th and 25th

at 11:00 a.m. in Gathering Room

Confirmation classes will assist in the Wednesday Lenten worship services and meet after the services for a short time to hear a congregation member talk about their devotional life. Angels, roll the rock away; Death, yield up thy mighty prey: See, He rises from the tomb, Glowing with immortal bloom. – Thomas Scott, “Easter Angels”

OTC Youth Activities

Faith N’ Films Sunday, March 11th at 6:30 p.m. at Zion

All ages are welcome!

Food Packing for the Hungry Event

Sunday, March 25th

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Faith Haven Camp

$50 per person

Zion Book Discussion Thurs., March 1st at 1:30 p.m.

Sonny’s Blues

By James Baldwin Sonny is the main character's brother. The reader sees him through his brother's eyes, as a quiet, introspective person with a tendency to withdraw inside himself. Sonny is also described by the narrator as wild, but not crazy. He has a heroin addiction, which led him to jail, but because of his passion for jazz, he became a musician. ----------------------------------------

MEN’S BREAKFAST Saturday, March 3rd

at 8:00 a.m. at Zion. Bring a friend and/or

neighbor! ----------------------------------------

As part of your Lenten journey we have placed Lenten coin folders on the table in the narthex. All Lenten coin folder money goes to world hunger.

A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone and put a note on his windshield that read, "I've circled the block ten times. If I don't park here, I will miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses." When he returned he found a ticket and the following note from a police officer that read, "I've circled the block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket, I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Start saving your coins!

In honor of March being Food Share Month, the Sunday School Children will be

hosting a NOISY OFFERING on March 11th and 18th.

Bring your change and help fill those pails!

Butter Braids Fundraiser for Clifton

Boys Home in Jamaica

Order deadline: March 7th. Cost: $11 each Options: Apple, Blueberry Cream Cheese, Strawberry Cream Cheese, Raspberry, Cinnamon, Cream Cheese and Caramel Rolls. Delivery will be prior to Easter. All proceeds go to help rebuild the Clifton Boys Home after it burned down last year. Call or email the office to order.

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PASTOR’S PARAGRAPHS Dear Members and Friends, Gratitude and joy fill my heart as I think back on our recent Mission Jamaica trip. There are so many positive things to share with you! I begin by thanking you

for all of the toothbrushes you sent down with us! Wow! We must have had close to 1,000 toothbrushes! We also brought “gently used” tennis shoes and a suitcase of housewarming gifts for the family that received the home we sponsored. Here are some photos that tell the story of building the Zion House 2018:

The building site ready to start

Painting the siding

Duane Hovland & Nazzy

Day 1 – Making good progress

Getting ready for our lunch!

Day 2 progress – working between rain showers

Painting the inside as we go!

Cutting the slats for the windows One of the blessings is the friendships that have been created over the years. We made new friendships and renewed old ones this year. We also take plenty of time to rest, drink water, and get to know each other.

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Duane & Le

The neighbors stopping by to visit

The new generator worked well!

Installing the slatted windows

Doug and Barb

Finished our part of the house!

Dedicating/Blessing the new home!

The team on the Zion House with our Jamaican friends! Thank you all for your part in making this house a reality for this family! Pastor Jim

Next Month: Mission Jamaica Medical Mission,

Clifton Boys Home and West Haven Children’s Home.

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El. J. Elucidates

On Maundy Thursday Zion will be offering a Seder meal as our worship service. While the concept of a Seder is new to many people it was

not new to Jesus and his disciples. This meal was celebrated every year as a reminder of the Passover and the exodus from Egypt. The food and the service were symbolic of the journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the promised land.

The term Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) refers to the tenth and final plague that persuaded Pharaoh to let God’s people leave Egypt. The people of Israel placed the blood of the lamb on the door posts of their homes. When God sent the angel of death to kill the first born of Egypt the angel “passed over” the houses with blood on the door post. While the Passover is a traditional Jewish celebration it is also a Christian celebration that dates back to the earliest believers.

The word Seder means “order” because the meal is to tell the entire story of the exodus by utilizing a prescribed sequence. The service we will utilize will follow closely what a Jewish family in the time of Jesus would have done in their home to celebrate the Passover. Their celebration would have been at home rather than in a church. To simulate the “family feel” of the celebration one person at each table will serve as the father and one person will serve as the mother. The order of the service is called the Haggadah or telling. There are a few foods that are used in every Seder meal. The first is the Matzah or unleavened bread. It is symbolic of the need for the Israelites to leave Egypt quickly without waiting for the bread to rise. It is eaten several

times during the service. In the past when I have attended a Seder meal we have used Norwegian flat bread for the Matzoh.

On the Seder plate you will find salt water that is symbolic of the tears shed while they were in slavery. You will also find Karpas which is used to symbolize new life. The Karpas is usually parsley but may be celery or another spring leafy vegetable. On the Seder plate is the shank bone of a lamb. The bone should not be broken. It is the symbol of the Passover lamb that was killed to provide the blood for the door posts. For us it also the symbol of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. As the Passover lamb saved the Israelites, Jesus saves us.

Yet another item on the Seder plate is the Maror or bitter herbs. It symbolizes the hardships that the Israelites faced in Egypt. Frequently Horseradish serves as the bitter herbs. The bite of the bitter Herbs is offset by the sweetness of the Charoset. The charoset is a combination of apples, nuts, cinnamon, and wine or grape juice. It symbolizes the mortar used by the Israelites to build the pyramids.

Our Seder plate also contains Baytzeh or a roasted egg. The egg is a traditional food of mourners and it symbolizes new life and the destruction of the temple. This item may not have been on Jesus’ Passover supper as the temple was not destroyed until several years after his death.

The final item that is used in a Passover meal is the wine. Through the course of the meal four cups will be consumed with each having a specific celebration. The first cup celebrates Freedom. The second cup celebrates Deliverance. The third cup is believed by some scholars to be the cup Jesus used in the first communion; it symbolizes redemption. The fourth and final cup is a cup of thanksgiving to God for fulfilling his promises, for allowing us to be His children. A final item of note is that a place will be set for Elijah should he choose to return and attend this Seder celebration. A glass of wine will be poured for him. We will be using grape juice in place of wine at this supper.

During the Seder meal we will serve and consume a pot luck supper. Please treat this pot luck as you would any other church pot luck

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El. J. Elucidates cont’d.

and bring your favorite dish to share. Remember that at a Lutheran pot luck there’s always room for jello! After our Seder feast is complete we will celebrate the real presence of Jesus by having a short communion service.

Anyone wishing to be involved with the Passover meal should contact Lynn in the office. It has been suggested that we get an idea of how many are planning on attending so we can prepare the correct amount of the special food items. If you know you plan on attending this Seder feast please let Lynn know. If Maundy Thursday sneaks up on you and you decide at the last minute to attend please come. There is always room at Zion!

Sunday, March 11th at 9:15 a.m. Topic: Stop the Bleed “Bleeding is the second leading cause of death from injuries. However, anyone can save a life at a scene if they know what to do.” AED use will also be covered. Presenter: Michael Ittner No Adult Forum on Palm Sunday, March 25.

Summer events and concerts……. …..are being planned for our summer at Zion. We need Thrivent dollars for the events to help defray the costs. Please contact anyone on the Music and Worship Committee or the office for more information.

Thank you, Sonja

New Lock Box

Next to the office is a white lock box. Please feel free to use it to drop off notes, money, etc

when the office is closed. Thank you.

LIBRARY NEWS

If you receive the Tidings on the first of the month, you will find we have discussed the book Sonny’s Blues, by James Baldwin. Our meeting is almost always the first Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. Join us even if you have not read the book. It may be valuable to hear others feelings and provide incentive to delve further into the next title.

April 5, Thursday at 1:30 p.m. (again) Carol Gealow will lead discussion of the book The Two Family House . Lynda Cohen Loigman is the author. The Church library has three copies but there is a 2 week limit for checkout. The book is also available in the usual outlets. Brooklyn, NY is the location for a family experience occurring between 1947 and 1970. Two families share a house and more. This is the introduction to a winding tale of secrets and drama during that time.

On May 3rd Darrell Vetter will lead discussion of The Other Wes Moore, One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore. The public library has 3 copies and ebooks are available. Two boys born at the same time, same place, with the same name, sure have different experiences. Let this book help you out of the shell of winter in our pretty safe and woe-be-gone Minnesota tranquility.

In the midst of Lent, if you are looking for a prayerful seasonal read, look no further than the Zion library. Children and adult themed titles are available to deepen the meaning to the approach of Easter. Titles are displayed on the open shelves and beckon your interest and a visit to your home.

Enjoy the feeling of the rhyme below and read a good book for fun! The Library Team

The North Wind Doth Blow

Nursery Rhyme The north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow,

And what will poor robin do then? Poor thing.

He'll sit in a barn, And keep himself warm,

And hide his head under his wing, Poor thing.

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MUSICALLY SPEAKING

Near the Cross

I was sitting in front of my computer looking at a blank document with a blinking cursor and wondering what to write about for this month’s article. I had good company though because the Olympics were on TV, and I was watching with my daughter Jess. We got to see many gutzy athletes: the skaters, curlers, ski jumpers, speed skaters, snowboarders, and, my favorite, the alpine skiers. After I watched Lindsey Vonn ski the last downhill race of her stellar career, I noted several skiers charge down the hill and fall. Spectators, whether on site or in front of screens, gasped and groaned. Italian Federica Brignone’s skis crossed so badly, she couldn’t get them untangled as she careened toward and crashed full-speed into the fence. Once we knew she was okay, Jess and I hurriedly started talking about how awful it is to have your skis cross. “You just can’t get out of it!” “It’s a mess!” “It’s one thing I never want to happen!” “I can’t even uncross mine when I’m standing still!” (The latter was my comment.) Considering the outcome, competitive skiers must dread having their skis cross.

Yet every day we encounter thoughts, images, or words about some kind of cross, and they aren’t about skis. Perhaps we see a cross on a stained glass window, in the glimpse of a tattoo, on a necklace, or during the benediction. Throughout Lent, our hymns are filled with themes depicting the pain of crucifixion on the cross, yet buffered by a sense of comfort.

On Ash Wednesday, we sang Sir John Bowring’s “In the Cross of Christ I Glory” which presents the cross confidently “towering o’er the wrecks of time.” On Sunday, February 25th, the Hymn of the Day was “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” by Elizabeth Clephane. This song emphasizes the cross’s shelter and safety during our journeys “within a weary land; / A home within the wilderness, /a rest upon the way / from the burning of the noontide heat, / and the burden of the day.” The service closed with “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross,” written by Fanny J. Crosby, who wrote over 8,500 gospel songs. Crosby’s lyrics contain scenes that promise “a precious fountain,” “the bright and morning star,” and “the golden strand, / Just beyond the river.” Her pictures are beautiful,

vivid, and even more astounding because Crosby was blind by six weeks of age.

As we enter the last month of Lent, note the times you hear or sing the word cross. Consider each connotation; it may be reverent, plaintive, calming, or heartening. Rejoice in and embrace its sound, even if you’re watching skiing. ----------------------------------------------------------------

** for the donation of sausage for the Sunday School Fat Tuesday Pancake day celebration.

**To the worship and Music team members who function so well as they plan and lead the worship community at Zion. **To the Equal Exchange committee for selling coffee and chocolate to support the small independent farmers. Thanks too to those who support this ministry by purchasing these products. The price is good and the quality of the goods is excellent. **To those who bring ideas for adult forums and to those who present them. Especially we also thank those who have attended the adult forums and our first three presenters of 2018. **To everyone who made our Fat Sunday, “Fat Tuesday-Pancake day” celebration a success by cooking, serving, and cleaning!

Zion Church Family,

Thank you for your continued prayers for me as I live and see God at work in North Africa. I am grateful for your special gift of $240 and I am confident that the

Lord will use it to build his kingdom here. North Africa Missionary

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Sunday School and Jo & Dough:

March 4: Sunday School

March 11: Sunday School –Grades 4, 5 & 6 lead Apostles Creed in Church March 18: Sunday School March 25: Sunday School Palm Sunday – Sing in Church April 1: NO Sunday School – EASTER!! Give your children/grandchildren the gift of learning about God by attending Sunday School each Sunday!

Parents/Grandparents: you are invited to our Joe and Dough Fellowship during Sunday School. It is a great way to spend a relaxing hour in your busy day. Children’s Time: March 11th and 25th during the 10:00 a.m. service.

“There is no limit to what can be accomplished by dedicated people with ambition, diligence and a degree of patience and most importance – dreams” This statement truly exemplifies the people involved in God’s Acres. Students of St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Perham chose God’s Acres as the recipient of their second quarter chapel offering. This was their “Minnesota” site offering. A check for $203.00 was graciously accepted during a chapel gathering. The students will be notified when the use of the money is determined. Dreams have become realities that now receive maintenance by loyal lawn mowers, trail groomers, weeders, tree maintenance and so much more. What a wide range of talents that have made (and continue to make) God’s Acres a blessing for the community.

March is Minnesota Food Share Month. This means local food shelves are given allotments based on food and monetary donations in March. The Food Shelves are supplied primarily from the North Country Food Bank. The food shelves are able to purchase food at greatly reduced prices. For example, you can purchase a box of Frosted Flakes at your supermarket for about $3.00. The food shelves can purchase a case of 14 for $2.52, 12 cups of yogurt for $0.90, 50 pounds of potatoes for $0.05, ground beef $2.00#. As you can see your monetary gifts go so much further. Zion has been very generous with monetary giving and food donated and for that the food shelf is extremely grateful. Thank you for helping those who don’t have enough food. Sunday, March 4th will kick off our Food Share campaign with a temple talk and donation envelopes. The Sunday School students will collect a noisy offering for the food shelves on March 11th and 18th. So start saving your change! While physical offerings are welcome, monetary donations are the most beneficial in terms of the quantity that can be provided. So please consider a monetary donation. Deadline for monetary donations is March 25th.

---------------------------------------------------- Summary of Zion Council Minutes

February 14, 2018

No council meeting was held in February due to a lack of quorum.

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ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH OF AMOR TREASURER’S REPORT January 2018

Jan Actual Year to Date

2018 Budget

Budget Used

INCOME

Sunday Offering 20,337.00 20,337.00 271,926.00 7.48 %

Special Offering 0.00 0.00 6,000.00 0.00 %

Other Income 1,094.66 1,094.66 860.00 127.29 % Total Income 21,431.66 21,431.66 278,786.00 7.69 %

Expense

Our Benevolence 1,416.66 1,416.66 19,000.00 7.46 %

Missions 0.00 0.00 14,000.00 0.00 %

Pastoral Compensation 8,417.48 8,417.48 100,737.00 8.36 %

Pastoral Expense 273.05 273.05 5,200.00 5.25 %

New Members/Outreach 0.00 0.00 2,150.00 0.00 %

Education 1,332.67 1,332.67 26,290.00 5.07 %

Library 0.00 0.00 300.00 0.00 %

Music & Worship 972.93 972.93 19,742.00 4.93 %

Altar 24.13 24.13 400.00 6.03 %

Office Staff 6,444.11 6,444.11 42,318.00 15.23 %

Stephen Ministry 0.00 0.00 300.00 0.00 %

Office Expenses 1,551.33 1,551.33 14,504.00 10.70 %

Stewardship 0.00 0.00 300.00 0.00 %

Planning 0.00 0.00 710.00 0.00 %

Property Management 1,389.76 1,389.76 28,178.00 4.93 %

Maintenance & Repairs 239.00 239.00 2,957.00 8.08 %

Capital Improv/Emerg Op 0.00 0.00 1,700.00 0.00 % Total Expense 22,061.12 22,061.12 278,786.00 7.91 %

Income Less Expense -629.46 -629.46 0.00

ATTENDANCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS 2017 / 2018

2017 January

2018 January

Date Attendance Contributions

Date Attendance Contributions

1-Jan 67 $7,324.00

7-Jan 126 $7,434.00

8-Jan 113 $7,699.00

14-Jan 128 $4,501.00

15-Jan 122 $4,013.00

21-Jan 135 $6,594.00

22-Jan 135 $2,618.00

28-Jan 126 $1,808.00

29-Jan 78 $1,737.00

TOTALS 515 $23,391.00

TOTALS 515 $20,337.00

Ave 103

Ave 128.75

Restricted Funds January 2018

Flowers 178.65 Improvement Fund 3,928.15 Designated Giving 1,256.18 Food Shelf 1,153.32 Funeral 1,000.00 Sunday School 2,474.53 World Hunger 100.00 Cemetery Fund 60.00 Library Fund 705.52 Memorials & Gifts 2,289.43 Music Fund 1,360.24 Youth Group 0.00 Found. Pass Thru 0.00 Sunday School Projects 0.00 Stephen Ministry 1,055.74

Fair Trade Coffee 209.72 Organ Fund 5,692.77 Pancake Breakfast 31.76 God’s Acres 70.00 Men’s Group Funds 257.82 Mission Jam Pass Thru 0.00 Twins Game 0.00 Helping Hands 3,778.17 Missions 607.00 Jamaica House 1,707.00 Technology 10,400.00 Total $38,316.00

Being a Christian isn’t for

sissies. It takes a real man/woman

to live for God – a lot more

man/woman than to live for the devil.

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SHARE AN EASTER FLOWER

Would you like to share an Easter Flower with Zion? The cost is $8.00 per plant. You may take your plant home after the last Easter service. Please enclose payment with your order. Make your check to Zion but designate Easter flower. Name: Number of plants: In memory of:

In honor of:

To the glory of God:

Children’s Letters to God: Dear God, Thank you for the baby brother but what I prayed for was a puppy. Joyce Dear God, I keep waiting for spring but it never come yet. Don’t forget. Mark Dear God, I bet it is very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it. Nan Dear God, I didn’t think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tues. That was cool. Eugene Dear God, I am doing the best I can. Frank