Silverhill’s Heritage Day
Set for October 21

     It is a month till Silverhill usually has Heritage Day, but the celebration has been moved back to a more weather-friendly October 21. Whether the celebration occurs in September or October is of little note, since Pete Midgarden assures us that our supply of “Swedish sausage” will make it into the fall. Regardless of day, however, some other things are worth remembering.

     Psalm 119 reminds us that God’s Word, His “testimonies,” is one thing worth remembering. They are an inheritance and worth keeping in our minds. Yes, we treasure some of the history of Silverhill and will remember 2006 and its Heritage Day this October 21, but God’s Word is forever and will be there long after Silverhill’s Heritage Days fade into history.

     Or how about Micah 7:18? God’s Word reveals that we have a special place before God. We know from the New Testament that the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in each of us when we come to Christ, particularly when we receive baptism. God is in our hearts and is forever, but He is willing to limit His memory. Why? Because He is a loving and merciful God Who chooses not to be angry forever because of our sin. We like to talk about a forgiving God, and here we have it, tied into heritage. Silverhill’s Heritage Day is for remembering, but God’s heritage for us is His willingness to overlook our past with all its sin.

     Indeed, we are renewed, made over, and brought to new life because God remembers that we are His inheritance and our ultimate destiny is in His residing place, heaven itself.

     This inheritance will be kept safe, because heaven is a place where things do not rot away or are perverted or fade. We say that our future is sure, because of Jesus Christ. Silverhill’s Heritage Day can be changed and shifted or even canceled because of things as fickle as the weather, but God’s promise is that He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And we can trust our heritage to Him, yesterday, today, and forever.

     Dr. Michael Coleman, organist for Zion, was recently honored when his two Bagatelles for solo piano were played in Arkansas. Click here to read this entire story and find a website link to order CDs of Dr. Mike's music.

Click to Enlarge.

Members and friends of Zion will remember the kindness of Pastor Dr. St. Pierre in his brief interim pastoral ministry to the congregation in the late 1990s after some difficult times during the congregation's withdrawal from the ELCA and affiliation with the AFLC. Pastor Ruport and Thelma St. Pierre visited the congregation on Sunday, July 2, 2006. They are in the process of selling their home in Fairhope and "retiring" to Sun City West in Arizona. Please pray for the sale of their home according to the Lord's time table and for travel and relocation mercies.

     Ed and Eva Engel joined the Zion Lutheran Church fellowship on June 4, 2006, Pentecost Sunday.

       Zion welcomed Becky and Steve Vasko into membership July 9, 2006.

The local Thrivent chapter will hold an election in October.  The ballots will be printed in September.  We need volunteers to serve on this chapter leadership board.  This present board cannot serve—our term has expired.  Please Pray and consider one of these positions:

• President
• Vice President
• Financial Director
• Records Director
• Communications Director
• Events Director

If you would like to have your name placed on the ballot please call one of the members listed below:

• On the Eastern Shore
  call President David Decker 251-928-8397
• Zion Lutheran Church
  call Ernest Burnett 251-990-4520
• St. Paul’s
  call Robert Hamburg 251-943-3564
• St. Marks
  call Betty Alms 251-986-5183
• Shepherd of the Bay
  call Herbert (Bud) Anderson 251-962-2418
• St. Jude’s, Grace, and Peace
  call Robert Hamburg 251-943-3564
  or call Betty Alms 251-986-5183

Call one of the above phone numbers and say “YES” to serve on the Thrivent Chapter Leadership Board.