Finishing What
You Started

Ps 37:3 - Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

2 Corinthians 8:10-11 - ... I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it ... so there also may be a completion out of what you have.

Hebrews 13:16 - But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

     Trust. Our bulletin for July 18 reminded us where we were a year ago. There is a picture in that bulletin taken on August 8, 2003. There are some of you painting our new Fellowship Building. Zion Lutheran Church started that building project in March--it was slow to go. The old Sunday School building had to be carted off. A pad had to be put down. Plumbing preparation had to get done. The skeleton of the building had to be erected. The skin had to be put down and the roof. Insulation had to be put in and then the sheet rock and the sealing. By August 8 we had that painting happening and then the flooring. When our congregation began planning for a Fellowship Building several years ago, the dream had yet to become a plan and a reality. With our annual meeting in 2003 and your faithfulness, the Fellowship Building came to fruition. That happened because we at Zion decided to trust the Lord.

     Do Good. Last August while we were working on our building, we spent a full month thinking and praying about what to do with our new building, seeking the Lord concerning His plans for our church fellowship. Many ideas surfaced and we began implementing your suggestions. Our fellowship has been built up by activities of blessing in our new building. Things that could not have physically taken place in our old church alone, now can happen because of the trust that Zion exercised in pursing God's will for the congregation. Think about trying to do the kind of potlucks in our old kitchen that we now have going on. Think about doing a wedding reception or a baptismal reception in our old church parlors. Think about doing a missions conference or a Men's 710 Second Tuesdays or an Ambassador Team meeting in our old church by itself. That July 14 potluck with that Ambassador program physically could not have happened last year. We can do good and serve our community and church because of the trust you as a congregation have and because you honor God's Word which calls on all people to do good. We can see good things happening.

     Stay Put. Do you see how trust and doing good fit into God's plan in Psalm 37? Look at the next idea in this little verse 3, the idea of "dwelling." You and I know that two people never agree on everything and there may be disagreements among the family of God. But, God's idea for us is that we need to dwell together--vernacular would be "hang tight" together. It is okay to disagree on strategies and the practical working out of God's plan, but we need to consistently trust our Heavenly Father and follow His lead in doing good. He did good by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, didn't He? Just like in our discussions last August, we need to continue to find new ways to do good to bless one another and bless the communities that God has put us in.

     Feed on God's Faithfulness. God reminds us in His Word that He has been kind to us, that He has blessed us, that He has given us every encouragement to stay close to Him and reside and dwell with Him. This kind of proximity to God and His blessing allows us to take nourishment from Him, the Bread of Life. 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 has to do with this feeding process. God gives His church a vision for blessing others and here in this letter to the Corinthians is the reminder that we need to look back and see if that blessing is happening. We need to ask, have those ideas that we sought last August come into being and is blessing happening at Zion? Have we shared what God has given us and is God pleased with our stewardship of what He has given us, this new building and new fellowship opportunities?

     Challenge. As we move out of Summer and into a time of contemplation of God's activity at Zion and we look at Hebrews 13:16, is God well pleased? Perhaps you would take time to jot a suggestion for pleasing God that your church Council or Pastor should know about. We need your prayers and encouragement always, but we also need to have your practical advice and suggestions. Think about putting aside October 16 and 17 this Fall for Pastor Jim Rasmussen's visit with us--He will explore with us the sharing of what we have with others.

     Council Members Present:  Darlene Tasso, Linda Gibbs, Pete Midgarden, Ernie Burnett, Loreli Walker, and Pastor Dave Johnson. Absent were Charlie Canning and Vera Avera.

     The meeting was called to order by Council President- Pete Midgarden at 7 pm.

     Opening Devotions:  Pastor Dave shared text from James 5:7 which tells to be patient (Faithful), we don’t understand that things are happening in our lives, we need to ask, “What does God want to accomplish here.”

     Minutes of June Meeting:    Council meeting minutes were read and approved.

     Treasurer's Report:  Darlene presented the books for June; the report was reviewed and accepted as presented. Darlene brought up the fact that the line item “Memorials for building fund” should be closed. Linda Gibbs made the motion to do this and use the $45.49 to purchase a plaque to list the names of the contributors to the building fund, eliminating this line item in the report. Future Building Fund Memorial funds will be added to the Memorial Fund. However, names will continue to be added to the BF Memorial plaque if more memorials are made. Ernie Burnett made the second, and the motion carried.

     Committee Reports:  Ernie Burnett reported that the Library was coming along nicely. He suggested that there be a plaque with a list of all the full time Pastors from the beginning of the Church history. He hopes to have everything completed by Heritage Day.

1. Nursing Home Ministry: there is not a lot of participation at the home; however, we will continue this ministry.
2. Maintenance for the grounds: Ralph Utter has been doing the yard. Consideration must be done to purchase a building for storage of equipment and maintenance machinery.
3. The Ambassador Team is here. There will be a free will offering, the funds to go to the school. A special thanks to the Owen family for putting them up the five young people.
4. The Men’s 7-10 Club is doing very well. The Ambassador team sang grace at the meeting this morning.
5. Statistics about the web site were shown. The distribution of our commemorative coins may have had an impact on the web page.
6. Paraments for the Sanctuary needs to be addressed.
7. Jim Rasmussen will be here in October.
8. Steeple is repaired; Pete Midgarden has gotten things completed. A very good article appeared in the local newspaper...
9. The church computer was updated to OS10, it is secure now, and is compatible with the new camera.

1. The boxes prepared for our military have been sent. Pastor Jesse from the Covenant Church will get a list of the names who rec’d packages from the churches.
2. President Ronald Regan’s Funeral was remembered here at Zion Lutheran Church. Ernie Burnett tolled the bell in unison with others that participated around the globe. An article appeared in the local paper.
3. Membership letters should be sent to inactive members, to find out if they should still be on the role, perhaps they have moved their membership and we have not been notified, etc.
4. A memorial for Pastor Jolliff was held here at the church on a Sunday morning; a memorial plaque will be placed in the church library. Several of his family visited during the memorial.
5. Commemorative Coin: there will have to be another order made in Sept. so that we have enough for the Centennial Year.

1. Pastor Bob Dittman will fill the pulpit August 1, in the absence of Pastor Dave, who will be in Minneapolis taking some Seminary courses.
2. Vera Avera did very well in securing things for the pew for families with small children.
3. Ted Forsman inspected the old building on July 8, 2004. In general the building is in good condition, with some areas such as all windows need the glass re-puttied and painted, inside wood work around windows needs to be re-varnished, and there are a few soft places in the floor. Ernie Burnett will get an estimate from the company “House Calls”.

1. Insulation in the new part of the old building needs to be addressed.
2. Lawn Shed, Charlie Canning will be asked to make a recommendation and estimate and address where it should be located on the grounds.
3. Ambassador Team--
   • Loreli made the motion and was seconded by Ernie that the free will offering will be the total amount of money sent to the school.
   • Linda Gibbs made the motion that we give each team member $20 for food as they continue the destination, it was seconded and approved.
4. Seminary funding is important and we will consider putting it in the budget next year.
5. Paraments will be approached at a later date.
6. A motion was made, 2nd and approved to raise the pay for substitute pastors to $150.00 per Sunday.

     The Council Meeting adjourned at 9:45 pm

Submitted by,
Loreli Walker, Secretary

     June 22, 2004

     Dear Church Members,

     Thank you for your donation of $100.00. Some of you may not know we are privately funded and depend entirely on donations from individuals, churches, civic organizations and corporations. Your gift will help provide much needed items for our young men.

     We have a good group of young men at the Ranch. Without the support of people like you, we would not be able to care for these boys who come to live with us through no fault of their own.

     We would like to invite you to come down visit the ranch and meet some of the boys who live here. The boys always like to meet our supporters and love showing off their home.

     Thank you again for your support of the Ranch program. Please keep the boys and staff in your prayers.

Sincerely,
Jim Harmon
Director of Ranch Life
Baldwin County Sheriffs’ Boys Ranch
21870 County Road 32
Summerdale AL 36580-0157
(251)989-6392
www.sheriffsranch.org

     “It’s easier to build boys and girls than to repair men and women.”

     Editor’s Note: Funds paid to Sheriffs’ Ranch were paid with your donations to Zion’s special Lenten offerings.

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of God stands forever."

     Isaiah 40:8

     Dear Partners in life,

     Often through the day the sights and sounds in the office change. Just a few days ago as I was on my way to the reception area all seemed quiet. But when I opened the door, WOW… it was standing room only and all three counseling rooms were full.

     All eyes rested upon me wondering if I would be the one seeing them. I quickly looked from face to face noting the different emotions displayed there. I witnessed fear and anxiety along with excitement. Each one having a story and each one having a need.

     The receptionists had it all under control and thank God there were enough counselors to see everyone, even though they may have had to wait a little while.

     It truly is because of God’s grace and your faithful giving that allows this ministry to continue to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of all our clients. God Bless You.

For Life,
Sue Leavins
Assistant Director
Heart to Heart Family Resource Center
A Ministry of Sav-a-Life of Baldwin County
PO Box 1610
Robertsdale, AL 36567
Phone: (251)947-2111

Received From:      Zion Lutheran Church Items Donated:       Diapers

     Thank you so much for the Gideon Bibles you did in memory of our Dad, Charles Jolliff. I know he would appreciate this lovely gesture.

     Dad dearly loved his years at Zion. He and Mom both had the best years of their lives there. They made so many dear friends and they rejoiced in their opportunity to serve God in this special place.

     Thank you again for your kindness during this difficult time.

     Blessings and peace,

     Dallas & Bobby Shealy