MT. ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH A congregation of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC)

4065 Mt. Zion Rd. Lucas, Ohio 44843 419-892-2023

Pastor Eric Steward 757-876-6572 (cell) 567-483-8001 (home) pastormtzion@embarqmail.com

Lent is “Fast” approaching

Traditionally each year at this time the cover of the echo is to explain Lent. While I don’t plan on disappointing anyone because I feel we always can use a refresher on why we celebrate certain seasons in the church, I am also going to talk about our focus for the Lenten period. From ancient times the season of Lent has been kept as a time of special devotion, self-denial, and humble repentance born of a faithful heart that dwells confidently on His Word and draws from it life and hope. The lengthening of days (which is what Lent means) is both literal (the days are getting longer) and spiritual

as it gives us time to reflect on whose we are and examine what sin has done to God’s creation to include ourselves. Genesis invites us to see that the world is not as it should be. God created us in His image, meaning we were made to reflect the goodness of God, to be with God and work the garden. Unfortunately, when sin entered the world, things changed, death became the norm and we are reminded that from ashes we came and to ashes we will return.

Lent is a 40-day season (not to include Sundays which are feast days) to repent over sin, lament over the rebellion in our hearts, and anticipate the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. Often, Christians have fasted or abstained from things or behaviors (food, sweets, meat, coffee, television, social media, etc.). In addition to abstaining, some Christians also add something to their lives during Lent (more church attendance, prayer, giving, Bible reading, etc.)

O come, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Gradual for Lent, based on Hebrews 12:2) When the characters in the Passion narrative look at Jesus, what do they see? In most cases, people misunderstood who He is and what He was doing. In some cases, by faith, people recognized Him aright. Our Lenten series this year, based on the Gospel according to St. Mark, will examine how the various people around Jesus viewed Him—and how we should view Him. We will “fix our eyes” on what Jesus has done to save us from our sins by His holy, precious blood and innocent sufferings and death, and celebrate what God sees on account of His work: our justification for His sake.

On Ash Wednesday, we will see how, in spite of Jesus’ repeated predictions about His upcoming Passion, the disciples with “Misjudging Eyes” fail to recognize that soon He will not be with them, and they cannot see the anonymous woman’s anointing of Jesus as preparation for His burial. But Jesus sees her actions as a beautiful deed that will be proclaimed throughout the world wherever the Gospel is heard.

THE ECHO

March 2020

At our midweek service after the First Sunday of Lent, we will look through Judas’s “Betraying Eyes” and learn why he did this awful deed. Yet the behind-the-scenes-reality is that Jesus was “handed over” (another way of translating the verb for “betray”) by God the Father Himself, so that Jesus could die for the sin of the world. “Sleepy Eyes” is the theme for the second week of Lent. In Gethsemane, Jesus’ inner circle of Peter, James, and John cannot keep their eyes open to watch and pray with Jesus for even an hour, while Jesus comes to see that His Father’s will is that He drink the cup of God’s wrath when He comes to the “hour” of His suffering. In the third week of Lent, we stare into the “Denying

Eyes” of Peter and the other apostles. They could not see how they could ever fall away from Jesus, but after Jesus is betrayed by Judas, ten of them flee, and Peter—when he is spotted by a servant girl and sees that his own neck is on the line—sees fit to deny Jesus, which leads to his own eyes weeping in remorse. We sinners likewise deny our Lord in many ways, but Jesus denied Himself to take up the cross for our salvation.

“Murderous Eyes” is the theme of week 4 in Lent. The chief priests and scribes saw Jesus as an obstacle to be rid of by murdering Him through the Roman judicial system. Yet during the Passover festival, they would unwittingly bring about the Father’s sacrifice of the ultimate Passover Lamb.

In the fifth week of Lent, we look through the “Worldly Eyes” of Pilate, the Jewish leaders, and the Roman soldiers. Pilate can only view matters in a worldly, pragmatic way, wishing to placate the worldly Jewish leaders and crowd, so he consents to handing Jesus over for crucifixion. The soldiers see the opposite of a worldly king, but their ironic hailing of Him as “King of the Jews” proclaims who He really is. The world looks for power and glory; God’s way is suffering and the cross.

On Maundy Thursday, there is “More Than Meets the Eye” to the Lord’s Supper. We will look into the Old Testament background of the Last Supper and rejoice in the mystery that Jesus, in and with, bread and wine, gives us His body and blood in order to deliver to us the benefits of His Passion.

On Good Friday, we look through “God’s Eyes” to see what is happening during the Passion: the once-for-all atonement for the sin of the whole world and the justification of all sinners on Easter.

Eyes on Jesus will continuously focus our eyes on Jesus Christ and Him crucified, buried, and risen for our justification. This is a vision that will never disappoint, for by trusting in Jesus, He promises that we will gaze upon His beautiful face now by faith and forever in heaven!

Won’t you Join us for a time of reflection and worship each and every week as we go through this “40” day journey.

LENTEN SCHEDULE

DATE/TIME EVENT LOCATION

Wed 4 Mar 6:30-8 Lent Service 1 (supper) St Michael

Wed 11 Mar 6:30- 8 Lent Service 2 (supper) Mt Zion

Wed 18 Mar 6:30-8 Lent Service 3 (supper) St Michael

Wed 25 Mar 6:30 – 8 Lent Service 4 (supper) Mt Zion

Wed 1 Apr 6:30 – 8 Lent Service 5 (supper) St Michael

Thur 9 Apr 7 – 8 Mandy Thursday St Michael

Fri 10 Apr 7-8 Good Friday Mt Zion

Sun 12 Apr 7am Sunrise Service Mt Zion

Sun 12 Apr 8:30 am Breakfast Mt Zion

Sun 12 Apr 10:30 am Easter Service Mt Zion

JANUARY YEAR TO DATE

Income $7,536.00 $7,536.00

Expenses $7,221.77 $7,221.77

Net $314.23 $314.23

Please continue to pray for our fellow members and friends: Members: Jim Fogle, Al and Mary Fowler, Ethel Oaklief, and Kate Steward. Family and others: Mark Alt (Uncle of Kathy Grover), Tyler Duckworth, Darell Harless, Tom Lyons, Richard Orewiler, Sara Schwendeman, Diane Seifert, Avalyn Stepp, Alice Taylor, Jameson Taylor, Rae Walker, and Kay Zgela.

Feb 10, 2020

Attendance: Nate Arnold, Audrey Cook, David Culler III, Martha Dourson, Mary Fowler, Ralph Hall, Pastor Eric Steward

Pastor Eric opened the meeting with devotions from John 3:1-8.

Minutes were handed out. Motion to accept minutes made by Nate, seconded by Ralph. Motion carried.

TREASURER'S REPORT

For the month of Jan. receipts of $7,536.00 expenses of $7,221.77. We were +314.23 for the month.

Total collected in the special offering for LAMA was $142. A check for $50 was also sent directly to LAMA.

A motion made to accept treasurer's report for Jan. made by Ralph, seconded by Mary. Motion carried.

A budget was presented for 2020 by David Culler in the amount of $112,640.

Ralph Hall made a motion to present the budget to the congregation at the annual meeting as it was presented to council. Nate seconded. Motion carried

Pastoral Acts Home Communions: 1 Home Visits: 4 Hospital Visitation: 0

Worship Sermons Preached: 4 Children’s Sermons: 4 Funeral Services: 1 (Attended 2 others)

Consultations Administrative: Sunday and Wednesday prep, phone visits, email Counseling Session: 4 (1.5 hrs each) Premarital counseling: 1 (2 hrs) Funeral counseling: 1 (2 hrs)

Teaching Adult Sunday School: 4 Catechism: 2

Meeting and Activities Church Council: 1 Food Panty: 1 Congregational Meeting: 1

Other Information 2 J-term Seminary Class – complete J-Term: January 2-22 (meet 3 times/week 7-10pm, Mon, Tues, Thurs) Spring Semester: 3 classes meeting starting Jan 23 (Tues 4-7: Wed: 1-4: Thur: 7-10pm) Seminary Retreat/NALC Discipleship conference: Feb 11-15 Member transfer service A Call Committee must be formed according to the Lutheran Confessions. A Pastor must be properly called to be ordained. The Committee is to prayerfully consider any person considered as Pastor before they decide to have the congregation vote to place a call.

COMMITTEE REPORTS • No reports presented. Martha reminded chairs that an annual report was needed.

OLD BUSINESS • Mike Dourson has a rough draft done of the first 100 years of the Bicentennial Book and it wil • be e-mailed to council members. • The scholarship information and application was sent to the Lucas High School guidance • counselor. • Martha asked Ethel Briggs, Ashlee Hall and Brad Sweval if they would be interested in running • for church council. They are all thinking about it.

NEW BUSINESS • The two pianos were tuned at a cost of $80 each • A Call Committee must be formed according to the Lutheran Confessions. A Pastor must be

properly called to be ordained. The Committee is to prayerfully consider any person considered as Pastor before they decide to have the congregation vote to place a call. Lee Cook offered to chair the committee. So far the members are Mike Dourson, Jim Tomlinson, Linda Sweval and Melinda Hall. They still need 2 members.

• We reviewed the funeral policy and it will be rewritten with a few changes that council suggested.

• Outreach for March is a special offering on the 2nd and 4th Sundays for the New Store. • April 26th we will have a meal honoring the graduates. • Congregational meeting May 17th. • Ralph made a motion to send $200 to Lucas Schools to help pay delinquent lunch charges. Mary

Fowler seconded. Motion carried. A motion to adjourn was made by Ralph, seconded by Nate. Motion carried.

Meeting closed with The Lord's Prayer

Respectfully submitted,

Audrey Cook, Council Sec

Making the Sign of the Cross "(Name), child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever."

Those words were spoken at your Baptism as a cross was marked upon you, perhaps with oil. That same cross is made upon you with ashes after your confession on Ash Wednesday. With that cross, we are blessed forever. Under that cross we live. And by that cross we are brought to eternal life.

As Christians, we are proud to bear the cross of Christ and to show that sign before all, whether that cross is in jewelry that we wear or embossed upon a book that we carry. For the same reasons, Christians since the second century have marked themselves with the cross, as a sign of alle-giance, as a sign of blessing, and as a sign of remembrance of their baptisms.

To make the sign of the cross, one touches the forehead, the mid-section, one shoulder, then the other. It doesn't matter which shoulder is touched first, nor which hand is used in making the sign. The sign of the cross is made at the beginning and end of private prayer, at the Invocation of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, at Communion, and whenever the cross symbol + is seen in the liturgy.

S B N R

Every so often I come across some information that I think is noteworthy and worth shar-ing, if nothing else to know what is going on in the world. SBNRs are no exception. After read-ing, “They Like Jesus But Not The Church”, I knew there was an increasing number of people who found criticism with organized religion, but was quite surprised to know there is now a label for this phenomenon: Spiritual But Not Religious. If you’ve heard this term, you’re one up on me, and if not, be aware that this phenomenon is growing.

Many years ago the two terms, spiritual and religious, were almost identical. Religious peo-ple attended worship, Sunday School and other church events because of their belief in God. Reli-gion motivated people to practice, or at least try, spirituality in their daily life – live by following the Ten Commandments, prayer, reading the Bible and adhering to its word. To be religious was inherent in spirituality and vice versa.

As we know, times are now different. SBNRs, generally speaking, are critical of religion. They see it as rigid and pushy. For some, it is not just about rejecting religion outright but not wanting to be restricted by it. Some SBNRs claim that belief in God is not only not essential but that it is potentially harmful or at least a hindrance to spirituality. They claim spirituality is a pri-vate reflection, a private experience and not a public ritual. They doubt organized religion as the sole or most valuable means of furthering spiritual growth. According to some, SBNRs can be characterized as, “a mix of intellectual progressivism and mystical hunger, impatient with estab-lished churches.”

The concept should not really be a surprise. Most of us have seen dwindling numbers of people attending church. We have seen churches that seem to “water down” God’s message of be-lief, humility, sacrifice, honesty, adherence to God’s commandments and a prayerful life. We have seen people constantly searching for meaning in their lives – whether it be through “finding your inner self” through some ancient meditation, or yoga, or Buddhism.

Obvious criticism has arisen about the SBNR focus. Indeed, some say SBNR thinking is plain old laziness. Others state that spirituality without religion, espoused by SBNRs, is self-centered complacency. Others state that SBNRs equate themselves with the knowledge of God, and that directing the focus toward satisfying a person’s inner self is the most important. As a re-sult, outward focused political, social and economic forces that shape the world are neglected and left unattended. Perhaps more serious is that SBNRs seem to encourage dabbling in religious and spiritual practices in a haphazard way and only when it supports their way of thinking.

So, what are we to do? If you think about it, Jesus himself did not like the organized reli-gion of his time, especially when the actions of the supposed “religious” were hypocritical or for showing off (think Pharisees). If we can be consistent in our living, knowing that our belief in Christ guides us to love and to forgive, to obey his Word, and to have faith that He has a plan for each of us, we can show SBNRs that it is possible to be both religious and spiritual, and in a way that addresses their intellectual progressivism, mystical hunger, and impatience with established churches.

In His Service,

Martha Dourson, Council President

Lutherans in the U.S. have had the “Discipline of Lent” since the publication of the Lutheran Book of Worship in 1978. And yet, when it comes to understanding and actually making use of this disci-pline, to which we are all invited on Ash Wednesday, there is little guidance.

We begin this holy season by acknowledging our need for repentance and for God’s mercy. We are created to experience joy in communion with God, to love one another, and to live in harmo-ny with creation. But our sinful rebellion separates us from God, our neighbors, and creation, so that we do not enjoy the life our creator intended.

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to a discipline that contends against evil and resists what-ever leads us away from love of God and neighbor. I invite you, therefore, to the discipline of Lent – self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, sacrificial giving and works of love – strength-ened by the gifts of word and sacrament. Let us continue our journey through these forty days to the great Three Days of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The Discipline of Lent

On Ash Wednesday, as Lent begins, we are invited “to struggle against everything that leads us away from love of God and neighbor” by exercising the Discipline of Lent: repentance, fasting, prayer and works of love. These become the specific occasions and opportunities for spiritual renew-al during this season of renewal.

Living out a discipline takes our Lord's words about self-denial seriously (Matt.16:24). Through discipline, we find freedom and grace, just as parental discipline is loving and brings a child to freedom and righteousness (Heb.12:3-13).

In the Lenten Discipline, we focus our lives on Christ's self-sacrificing passion, death and res-urrection, which has brought us acceptance, forgiveness and redemption by God. Through that same discipline, we make a loving response to God.

REPENTANCE

Repentance means turning 180 degrees away from sin to walk toward God. Repentance in-cludes an examination of our lives and our actions in light of God's grace and love, which comes to us free and undeserved through Christ's death and resurrection.

St. Paul tells us that we have been joined to Christ's death and resurrection through our dying to sin and rising to new life in Baptism (Rom.6:3-4). Repentance therefore also means returning to our Baptism, that occasion when we were washed of sin, joined to God in Christ and received the Holy Spirit.

Here are some ways in which we can make that return to our Baptism through repentance:

1. Remember your Baptism each day when you rise and before you retire by placing a small bowl of water in your bedroom, dipping your fingers in it and making the sign of the cross while saying the Invocation: “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

2. Attend worship each Sunday when corporate confession is made.

3. During your daily prayers, examine your life in light of the Ten Commandments and ask God to forgive you and to lead you into ways of loving him and your neighbor more deeply.

4. Take advantage of private confession by making an appointment with the pastor. In preparation, read Luther's instruction on confession in the Small Catechism.

5. Seek to resolve a conflict or tension between you and someone in your life. Do not let it become a stumbling block to your faith & spiritual growth.

7. Attend the Maundy Thursday Service to receive the final absolution of Lent.

PRAYER

Prayer may generally be described as that activity in which we are drawn closer to God in contemplation and communication. Prayer is our half of a conversation with God. That means that prayer is not only speaking, but listening as well.

Prayer finds its anchor and focus in the Sunday Eucharist with the community of faith -- that Holy Supper in which we take God into ourselves by eating the Body and Blood of Christ. All prayer during the week springs forth from that union on Sunday and eagerly anticipates our Com-munion on the next Sunday.

It helps to have a consistent time and a quiet place for prayer, although prayer can happen anytime and anywhere. A cross or crucifix and a lighted candle can help create your place for prayer.

Daily prayer might include these things:

1. Begin by signing yourself with the cross and the words of Invocation. Then simply be quiet for a moment in God's presence.

2. Use a devotional aid such as a Lenten devotional provided or the NALC devotional

3. Use one of the Daily Prayer or Responsive Prayer services in the front of the LBW (pp.131-164), following the lessons in the Daily Lectionary (LBW p.178f).

4. The Psalms are a wonderful treasure for prayer.

5. Read scripture each day, perhaps the Sermon on the Mount (Matt.5-7) or a portion of the Pas-sion Narrative (Matt. 26-27, Mark 14-15, Luke 22-23, John 18-19). Or take a book of the Bible, divide the number of chapters by the 40 days of Lent and read those portions each day.

6. The Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the Creeds or even Luther's Small Catechism are good for meditation and prayer.

7. Examine yourself in light of your reading and meditation, and ask God to lead you into repent-ance and renewal in faith.

8. Close your prayer time with a favorite prayer, the Lord's Prayer, or the following prayer: "Heavenly Lord, thank you for this day and for this time of prayer. Through the discipline of Lent, help me to grow in my love for you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”

Beginning Your Discipline

As with all things, begin with prayer, asking the Holy Spirit for guidance in choosing those things that would best fit you for your Lenten Discipline. Prayerfully dedicate all your choices to God as a commitment for the six weeks of Lent, and ask that your Lenten Discipline move you closer to God for the sake of the sufferings and death of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Keeping Your Discipline

After making your choices and beginning your discipline, it is not necessary to share your choices or your acts of love with anyone else. In fact, anonymity is regarded as better (Matt.6:1-7, 16-18).

Don't be too hard on yourself, too rigorous, or too legalistic. The idea is to have a discipline that moves you spiritually closer to God, not one that focuses you solely on your discipline.

If you break your discipline, you certainly will not be condemned eternally. However, breaking promises to God is not something to take lightly. So if you break your discipline, simply repent quietly and start over. Remember that Peter denied Jesus and all the others abandoned him. Yet all repented and were welcomed by Jesus after the resurrection.

Joining Jesus On His Mission! “Kick The Tires”

Guest Speaker: Pastor Greg Finke

A Mission Conference of The Ohio Mission Region – NALC

Saturday, March 21 – Sunday, March 22, 2020 Hosted By:

First English Lutheran Church

53 Park Avenue West

Mansfield, Oh 44902

The “Kick-the-Tires” Mission Weekend is designed to be a low-risk way to introduce us to what it could look like for us to join Jesus on His mission in our everyday lives and support each other as a congregation. At this conference we will answer some questions and see:

• The Mission of our congregation: Are we accomplishing what Jesus wants us to accomplish? Do we join Him in everyday life?

• What is happening to U.S. churches? How can we become more missional?

• Our strategy needs to return to Jesus’ strategy: From, “Y’all Come!” To, “Let’s Go!” How do we disciple family and friends?

Saturday Schedule:

8:30-9:00 Registration

9:00-10:15 Framing Today’s Conversation

10:30-11:45 Practical Steps for Joining Jesus on His Mission

11:45-12:30 Lunch

12:30-1:30 How the Congregation Supports a Missional Lifestyle

1:45-2:45 Joining Jesus in Discipling Our Family & Friends

2:45-3:15 Connecting in Relationship for Discipleship & Multiplication

Sunday Schedule:

9:00-9:45 Adult Forum (main sanctuary)

10:00-11:00 Worship – Pastor Finke as Guest Preacher

REGISTRATION COST – INCLUDING LUNCH:

Received By March 7th - Registration is $20.00 per Person

Received After March 7th - LATE Registration is $30.00 per Person

Make Checks Payable To: “The OMR – NALC”

Mail Registration & Payments To:

Ethel Briggs

1067 Laurelwood Road

Mansfield, OH 44907

Registration forms will be available on the bulletin board or the church office.

During the month of March, you are encouraged to greet and pray for these members and friends of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church who are celebrating birthdays and anniver-

saries.

**If there is anyone you would like to add to our Birthday/Anniversary list either in honor of, or in memory of, please contact the Church Office with your request! Thank you!

During the month of March, we THANK these members who are offering their service to the church in various ways:

Lector Acolyte Fellowship Time

1 Marie McKenna Shelby Grover

8 Ralph Hall Ryan Culler Marie McKenna

15 Tim Cooper Atticus Hall Freda Steward

22 Kim Smollen Zac Winters Linda Sweval

29 Gary Cook Colin Arnold Mary Tomlinson

Ushers The Ralph Hall family

Communion Linda Sweval

Offering Counters Martha Dourson & Ralph Hall

Altar Guild Kathy Grover and Tammy Cooper

1 Matt Culler

6 Nathan Arnold

10 Jacob Arnold

16 Mike Grover

19 Lee Cook

20 Keegan Arnold

22 David Graham

26 Freda Steward

27 Carson Hauger

28 Ashlee Hall

29 Nancy Andres

30 Bart Robertson

17 Jeff and Ayesha Fraizer

21 Charles and Diane Winger

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Catechism 6-8

2

Pastor in office

11-5

Karen in office

3

Pastor in class 4-7

Karen in office

4

Pastor in class 1-4

6:30 Meal;

7 Service

St. Michael

5

Pastor in office

9-2; class 7-10

Elaine in office

6

Pastor in office

10-5

7

8 9

Pastor in office

11-5

Karen in office

Council Meeting

10

Pastor in class 4-7

Karen in office

11

Pastor in class 1-4

6:30 Meal;

7 Service

Mt. Zion

12

Pastor in office

9-2; class 7-10

Elaine in office

13

Pastor in office

10-5

LAFP Delivery

14

LAFP Distribution

15

Catechism 6-8

16

Pastor in office

11-5

Karen in office

17

Pastor in class 4-7

Karen in office

18

Pastor in class 1-4

6:30 Meal;

7 Service

St. Michael

19

Pastor in office

9-2; class 7-10

Elaine in office

20

Pastor in office

10-5

21

22 23

Pastor in office

11-5

Karen in office

24

Pastor in class 4-7

Karen in office

25

Pastor in class 1-4

6:30 Meal;

7 Service

Mt. Zion

26

Pastor in office

9-2; class 7-10

Elaine in office

27

Pastor in office

10-5

LAFP Delivery

28

LAFP Distribution

29

Catechism 6-8

30

Pastor in office

11-5

Karen in office

31

Pastor in class 4-7

Karen in office

March 2020

Mt. Zion Lutheran Church

4065 Mt. Zion Road

Lucas, OH 44843

Don’t forget to spring your

clocks ahead on March 8!!!