1 John 1:7 - “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” [NKJV]

     A Missions Walk. One doesn't just become a Christian. One is called to be a Christian. And the call is not to be a Christian per se. The call is to the hope that comes in Christ. That call is to one Lord, one faith, one baptism, all because our Father God has enabled us to be called to Christ. He is the source and He is within us when we are called. Not only that, but it is our God who gives us the grace of Jesus Christ. It is measured out for us in some sense and given as a gift.

     Grace and Missions at Zion in April. We are particularly blessed in 2005 as we look at missions. The Letter to the Ephesians suggests that we've been given a gift, a measure, of Christ. As we experience God's gift, the light we have through His Son Jesus Christ, we are to fellowship with one another. This fellowship comes through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the world. That's the message that we share in missions, that Christ died for the sins of the world, that God cares for people, and that we can have fellowship with God and with one another. What does that mean for the concept of missions in the year 2005 when our country seems to be closing the door to even mentioning Christ in the public spaces? Would you believe that we are looking at bringing light to our brothers and sisters in the human family, here and abroad?

     An Engineer Turned Pastor? Engineers have the task of managing and connecting people and materials and technology. Our workshop speaker for our April Missions Conference is an engineer by training who has a background in Home Missions in the AFLC. Think about engineering and connecting. How can we connect our society with Jesus Christ? How can we build spiritual bridges to connect people with the Lord? Sounds like an engineering problem, doesn't it? Here's Pastor Jim's background:

     Pastor James C. Gerdeen, received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Michigan Technological University, 1959), an M.S. in Engineering Mechanics (Ohio State University, 1962), and a Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics (Stanford University, 1965). He was a Senior Research Engineer at Battelle (1959-1968) and a Professor and later Chair in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech (1968-1989). He served as Professor and Chair in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado-Denver (1989-2002).

     How does a Ph.D. in Engineering become a pastor? Pastor Jim returned to school, this time a theology school, and earned a Master of Divinity from the Association Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1980. But even before seminary, he served as a Lay Pastor at Maranatha Free Lutheran in Chassell, MI, and at Grace Free Lutheran in Pelkie, MI, in the 1970s. He even served on the AFLC Coordinating Committee (1974-1977). He has served as Interim Pastor in ND, MN, and MI at various times since the 1970s. He currently serves Immanuel Lutheran Church in Springfield, MO, where he has been since 2002.

     Now, this pastor has a special interest in rejuvenating and innervating congregations and their views of mission. He is mission-minded and has much to share with our congregation.

     Missions Workshop. We are going to have Pastor Jim present a number of workshop sessions to our congregation and community. The program will be over the weekend of April 2-3 and all people with any missions interest are invited. Here's our Workshop Program:

Saturday April 2:

9:00-11:30

Session I ~ “Working Missions from Within the Immoral State of our Nation”

11:30-12:30

Complimentary light lunch

12:30-2:00

Session II ~ “Finding Mission Relevance in an Irrelevant Modern Church”

9:00-9:50

Session III ~ “The Most Urgent Mission Need in Our Church and Nation”

10:00-11:00

Sunday Sermon: “Christ’s Vision for Our Mission and Purpose in Today’s Church”

11:15-12:00

Potluck Dinner

12:00-1:15

Session IV ~ “Discipleship in the Mission of the Local Congregation”

     Missions Challenge. Pastor Don Richman one year ago challenged us in our thinking about missions in Eastern Europe. Are you ready for the challenge of home and foreign missions? Plan on attending the workshop.

     The meeting was called to order by Pete Midgarden. Pastor opened with a devotion and prayer. Council members present included Pastor Dave, Pete Midgarden, Darlene Tasso, Ernie Burnett, Charlie Canning, Vera Avera, and Linda Gibbs. Absent was Loreli Walker.

     An addition to the previous month's minutes was the suggestion from Darlene that we report the expenses to receipts as well as the amount over/under budget. The addition would read, "The treasurer's report for January 2005 showed expenses exceeding receipts by $238.23. This reflects a ($449.49) YTD for the 2005 proposed budget." The minutes were approved with this revision.

     Treasurer's Report. Darlene presented the treasurer's report for February. The report showed that expenses exceeded receipts by $1,094.81. This reflects a (2,019.46) YTD for the 2005 proposed budget. The motion was made and approved to accept the treasurer's report as submitted.

     Committee Reports.

Correspondence. The following correspondence was received by the church in February:

Vision-A thank you letter for gift of support.

Swedish Council of America: 2005 Futures Project Survey and calendar update. Also a letter asking us to host a focus group; the Jan/Feb newsletter.

First Assembly of God. A letter inviting participation in the July 4th Celebration.

Catholic Social Services. Thank you letter for $50.00 donation.

Museum Report. Ernie reported that he would pursue the purchase of a Christian Flag for the other flag pole. A DVD on the church history that appeared on the local Cable channel will be given to Debbie Owen to put on our church website.

Building Report. The congregation approved the establishment of a fund to pave the parking area at the special congregational meeting on February 27, 2005. Ernie reported receiving a bid from Baldwin Road Builder, Inc. for $9,250 to pave the lot. The fund has received contributions of $670.

     Pastor's Report 050308

     Website Report. We had 398 different website visitors in January making 513 visits averaging close to three minutes a visit. 17477 pages were visited . Web search engines indexed us 21,485 times. We averaged 18.5 visits per day. 14 visitors came in through the AFLC website. Volume is much higher than January. Action Requested: None

     Concert Choir. The AFLC concert choir is scheduled for March 30 at St. Paul's in Mobile. St. Paul's pastor has given a phone invite for our congregation to join them for supper at 6:30 and the concert at 7:300. Action Requested: None

     Spring Missions Program. Pastor Jim Gerdeen has accepted our invitation to bring our Spring Missions Program. He will be coming April 2 and 3. The activities of March and April are a little condensed since Pastor Jim will be coming a week earlier than Pastor Enderlein. Pastor Jim has requested prayer for his workshop. We will start an e-prayer devotional on March 20 which will continue through the conference. Funding: Charlie Canning is working on it. We will begin making the congregation aware of this "evangelism" activity next Sunday. Action Requested: Suggestions.

     Culvert Completion. Pete "done good." Action Requested: Does the Council need to do anything further?

     Bell Tower Damage. Pete has been working on this thing--he might want to fill us in on what needs to be done. Action Requested: Does the Council need to take any action?

     Pastor's Vacation. May 1 to May 14. We will leave for Matt's graduation in Minnesota after our morning service May 1 and return May 14. Action Requested: How does the Council want to deal with May 8? I can provide a sermon if pulpit supply is a problem.

     Uganda Bibles. Darlene to update. Quite a problem getting money to Uganda! Darlene sent the funds to the AFLC. Pastor David has advised us that he will be in this country in late April and has asked if he could visit us. I've advised him of distances in this country and the time needed to get to us from Minnesota. We'll see what comes out of this. How interested are we in having him visit us if there are costs involved? Action Requested: None at this time.

     Lenten Midweek Services. Soup and sandwich suppers have not been well attended, but those present have been pretty consistent. Promotional things and ads haven't had much effect. Action Requested: None.

     Evangelism Grant for 2005. At Pete Midgarden's suggestion, I have contacted teacher Jo Hellmich (943-4326) at Silverhill School about design of a music after school program designed to complement the school's music program which consists of a half semester program each school year. Our goal would be to present supplemental music programming the semester when no music is present. We would incorporate a devotional component to the program. Jo will be talking to her colleagues this week. Depending on what comes out of this, we will submit an evangelism grant with this kind of music focus unless there are objections. Jo was involved with exactly this kind of programming in Foley in the past and does kids' music in her own church in Daphne. Action Requested: Comments? Suggestions? Need to have a lay coordinator assigned for any grant.

     Robertsdale Fourth of July. The churches of Robertsdale are looking for church involvement with the July 4 activities. Action Requested: Do we want to participate?

     Save a Life Walk-A-Thon. Cindi has volunteered to chair Zion's support for life. A number of our members did do the walk support a couple years ago. Action Requested: Any reason we should not again support this activity?

     EEMN Requesting Support for Matching Grant Funds. Seeking gifts to match $25,000 challenge grant. They've extended their deadline Action Requested: Token support of $25 or $50?

     Men's 710. Attendance was good today. Long-term: we have been picking up on attendance, but have been a little less than a dozen on average. Action Requested: Suggestions for speakers?

     Snow Bird Outreach. I'm thinking that we may have some outreach possibilities using the internet. I need to find a key player to foster a webpage for snowbirds--there is a perceived need. Action Requested: None at this time.

     Foley Nursing Home Status. There was a conflict with another church being scheduled during our nursing home time in Foley in February. It turns out that the week staff and the weekend staff are not the same, and there is not always the best communication between the two. The nursing home understands the problems of volunteer recruitment and the effects of conflict on keeping volunteers. It was quite sensitive to the issues raised about our involvement. It will work on getting information flowing from its end. Complicating things is the fact that churches will sometimes just show up and the home typically tries to accommodate them. On weekends, the staff may confuse these walk-ins with those who are scheduled. I emphasized that we did not want to be in conflict with other ministries and other churches. Action Requested: None at this time.

     New Mission Family. We need to re-allocate mission funds as soon as we end our current commitment. Action Requested: Advise.

     Paul Nash. We got a call advising that Paul Nash was flying through on a Thursday evening and wondering if we could use him. I suggested that the timing probably wasn't good, but we would be glad to be a hospitality spot half way between Illinois and southern Florida. If he will take us up on our invitation, we will get a small group together and have a "coffee" for him. Action Requested: None at this time.

     Old Business.

     Missionary Family. The council discussed finding a new missionary family or project to support this year. Additional research is needed before making a decision.

     Newspaper Advertisement. The motion was made to drop the weekly advertisement in the Gulf Coast Newspapers beginning in April due to lack of funds. Motion carried. Special advertisements during the year will be considered.

     Evangelism Grant. Pastor will complete the paperwork for the Grant on establishing a music program for Silverhill School. Linda has agreed to be the lay coordinator.

     EEMN matching grant. No decision was made to send funds for this grant. New Business.

     Correspondence. Discussion on what to do with incoming correspondence led to the suggestion by the council to report correspondence in the monthly minutes. With no further business, the council adjourned with The Lord's Prayer.

     Respectfully submitted by

     Linda Gibbs, Recording Secretary

     At a special Congregational Meeting, Zion members voted to start a special fund to pave the church parking lot.

     As of March 20, 2005, $1,790 is currently in the fund. The total amount needed for the parking lot is $10,000.

The Sermon On The Mount Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~Matthew 5:1-3

1. Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited-until you try to sit in their pews.
   
   
2. Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers.
   
   
3. It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
   
   
4. The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
   
   
5. When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
   
   
6. People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back pew.
   
   
7. Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
   
   
8. Quit griping about the  church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
   
   
9. The phrase that is guaranteed to wake up an audience: "And in conclusion."
   
   
10. If the church wants a better preacher , it only needs to pray for the one it has.
    
    
11. Not only are the sins of the fathers visited upon the children, but also nowadays the sins of the children are visited upon the fathers.
    
    
12. God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
    
    
13. To make a long story short don't tell it.
    
    
14. If your left hand doesn't know what your right hand is doing, you should consider running for a job in Washington, DC.
    
    
15. Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
    
    
16. Peace starts with a smile.
    
    
17. Outside of traffic, there is nothing that holds this country back as much as committees.
    
    
18. A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.
    
    
19. We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.