The Spirit Goes Where It Wills

Pastor Eric Zacharias

This time of year the winds pick up speed, bringing the clouds and rain, ushering a change of seasons. The wind rustles the leaves of the trees, making a gentle hush, as if to tell everything everywhere that all is okay. Do you remember Jesus’ words about the wind? “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 14745 Co. Rd. 153 Cologne, MN 55322

June 2016 Rev. Eric Zacharias Pastor Home: 952-466-2123

Mr. Chris Dehning Principal Office: 952-466-3379

Church/School Office Phone: 952-466-3379 Fax: 952-466-2703 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.zion-cologne.org

Mission Statement Zion Lutheran Church, Cologne, MN is a branch of Christ’s family saved by grace alone, rooted in God’s love, and growing in faith through worship, teaching, fellowship, and service as we reach out to others with the good news of Jesus.

We are in the Season of Pentecost and we mark the Sundays that speak of God’s work of salvation for the world. In the first half of the season the Gospel readings focus on the words and work of Jesus; in the second half, the Gospel readings focus on the work of the church, as it ministers in the name of Jesus. We will hear many parables that speak about the Kingdom of God. One evening, Jesus was speaking of being “born again” into the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus asked how this could take place. That’s when Jesus spoke about the wind going where it pleases. Jesus explained that in the same way the Spirit of God goes where it desires, into the hearts and lives of many people. You and I have seen the Spirit at work. Perhaps you have seen the work of God in those people whose lives are clearly changed. A woman hears a sermon on the radio that seems that it was meant for her; she hears and understands. She drops her desire for substances that have controlled her life and suddenly makes it her goal to care for others. A man in prison reads a New Testament that has been placed in his hands. He reads the Gospels and suddenly understands what Jesus’ life was all about. His life is dramatically changed. Who can explain the work of the Holy Spirit? Do not forget that the same Spirit is at work in each one of us. The wind does not meander the earth looking for hard luck stories, like an angel of mercy. The Spirit is at work wherever the “Word of God is taught in truth and purity,” as it is also at work in the lives of all who hear and believe. There are many stories of lives dramatically transformed; but even more abundant are the stories of lives that are transformed simply but as powerfully, whether in Holy Baptism or in the hearing of a Bible story at bedtime or in a word of forgiveness. “Who can see the wind? Neither you nor I; but when the trees bow down their heads, the wind is passing by.” The Holy Spirit is seen in every accomplished work, bringing faith and directing the hearts and lives of people everywhere, speaking God’s peace as they engage in his kingdom of grace and glory. Do you hear the wind at work? Ponder the work of God in you.

Ladies Aid/LWML

Organization Notes

The Ladies Aid and LWML met on May 5, at 7:30 PM.

Ella Molnau has been asked to send Esther Sauter a card for her special birthday.

President Julienne Klaustermeier welcomed the group and Darlene Leistiko gave the devotion "Someone is Thinking of Me.”

New Business: the Tour Committee has been really busy. We have a "Save the Date" flyer from Roxanne for Thursday, August 18th. There will be a tour to the Tonka Toy Museum at the Westonka History Center, followed by lunch and an afternoon tour of KSTP for a taping of “Twin Cities Live”. We are limited to 45 people, which is the maximum for the KSTP tour.

Pastor Zacharias led our Bible Study, entitled “Our Changeless God in the Changes of our Life” from the Quarterly. After the LWML pledge, the meeting was called to order. A motion was M/S/C to accept the previous minutes as written. A motion was M/S/C to accept the Treasurer's report and it was filed for audit.

The meeting closed with prayer. Darlene Leistiko served as our hostess for lunch.

Correspondence: We received a thank you for our donation to St. James' Lutheran Church in Northrop in response to the fire which destroyed their church.

Dates to remember: June 24th-26th Biennial MN South District LWML Convention at the Verizon Wireless Center Ballroom, Civic Center Plaza in Mankato, MN.

MITE BOX Dedication: Our monthly service project donation was sent to Camp Omega in Waterville.

Respectfully Secretary

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Christian Growth reported The Dwelling Place received the 23 quilts which were sent; Jennifer was the contact person. No Report was given from the Funeral Committee. There were no reports from the Communion and Flower Committees. The Kitchen Committee is going to order spoons for church functions. Discussion was held regarding placemats, but that matter was tabled. Unfinished Business: The Confirmation Reunion Potluck was hosted by the Mary Group. They served about 112 people; the Zion Education League reimbursed them for supplies. It was suggested that the group order more chicken in the future to be sure that there would be enough for the dinner. The Pew Bible Project, headed by the Evangelism Committee, is still gathering donations; Ruth Harms will check to see what is still needed for this fund and write a check to the group for the balance. Darlene Leistiko and Darlene Ulrich are the delegates for the convention. Members are to bring items to the June meeting as listed in the WOM for the “Gifts of the Heart" offerings.

submitted,

Mary

Zacharias,

Have you ever considered a trip to the Holy Land? There will be an 11-day trip in November 2017 with Pastor Greg Heidorn of Grace Lutheran in Rochester and Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus, The Lutheran Hour. For more information check the flyer on the bulletin board.

Tiger Tales Zion's school year theme was JOY, which stands for Jesus First, Others Second, You Last. This has been quite the JOYful year at Zion. We had so many activities and learning experiences throughout the school year that I don't know if I can list them all, but I'm going to try. 

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We welcomed a new Pre-School and Kindergarten teacher this year, Mrs. Jenna Rodman, and Mrs. Nellie Hennen as a long term sub during the second semester of school. We had a very successful Trunk-or-Treat event, thanks to the bad weather forcing concessions to be in the gym. The entire school traveled to the Minnesota SeaLife Aquarium at the Mall of America. So many fish. The 5th-8th Grades presented “No Body to Murder” for the fall play, and surprise, there was no one actually murdered. We had a very different Christmas Eve Program this year, “The Light Before Christmas,” showing us that the only thing we need is God's Light, shining in the darkness. Tobias Waine Dehning and Madison Rose Rodman were born in December and January! National Lutheran Schools Week was a big success with dress up days, trips to LHS, bowling, and Feed My Starving Children, and playing Bunco with parents and grandparents. The 7/8 Girls Basketball team competed at the State Tournament at Concordia University, St. Paul. Thanks to ZEL, the Pancake Breakfast and Auctions raised over $18,000 for the church and school! The Kindergarten-4th Grades presented “It's Saturday!” in early May, and there may have been a cameo by the principal too. The next day K-4 went to Murphy's Landing and had fun despite the rainy weather. The 7th and 8th graders enjoyed their time at the Minnesota Zoo. No one was left behind.

Mr. Chris Dehning

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Last week of school special activities included Pre-School & Kindergarten graduation, Play Day at St. John's-NYA, and the Last Day of School Picnic.

As you can see, there were plenty JOY-causing events at Zion, and that wasn't only a one year thing. There will be many more activities, learning experiences, and fun events for years to come.

LHS Summer Sale Sale Donation Days: June 11th & 13th, 1 PM-7 PM June 14th & 15th, 9 AM-8 PM Public Sale Days: June 14th & 15th, 9:00 AM—8:00 PM June 16th, 9:00 AM—7:00 PM Procedure:  Individuals bring items directly to MLHS and place them in correct locations.  Any donor wearing a name tag is a worker and encouraged to shop rummage, fleas, and priced areas during donation days.  Please bring at least FOUR people from your church to work during your shift.  No “drop off” at the door. Please place your donations in the appropriate place.  By wearing a name tag we know you have signed in and your time will count toward Thrivent Volunteer hours.  The Bake/Produce Sale will run throughout the sale. Bring your baked goods and produce to the gymnasium check out for pricing.  No concessions this year.

Zion Work Days June 16th 4-7 PM and/or 7-9:30PM (clean-up) See bulletin board in narthex for more info.

Congrats Graduates! Zion Lutheran’s graduation was May 29th, and recognized this year’s 8th grade class: Liam Aldrich, Charles Morschen, Reagan Sauter, and Carsen Ulrich, all of whom will be attending Mayer Lutheran High School this fall. We would like to also recognize Canton Vinkemeier on his graduation from Central Middle School and Charles Dietzel on his graduation from Cologne Academy. Both will be attending Central High School this fall. We would like to also congratulate our high school and college graduates for their hard work and dedication. 

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HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES Megan Bingham graduated from Waconia High School and will be attending St. Scholastica – Duluth, pursuing a degree in nursing. Karrington Boelke graduated from Mayer Lutheran High School and will be attending Ridgewater College – Wilmar, pursuing a degree in farm operations. Johnny Bones graduated from Mayer Lutheran High School and will be attending NDSCS in Wahpeton, North Dakota, pursuing a degree in mechanics. Carley Buetow graduated from Waconia High School and will be attending the University of Wisconsin - River Falls, pursuing a degree in animal science. Nick Huinker graduated from Mayer Lutheran High School and will be attending Winona State pursuing a degree in Computer Science. Paula Rolf graduated from Southwest Christian High School in Chaska and will be attending the University of Minnesota – Duluth pursuing a degree in graphic design. Clare Stuewe graduated from Central High School and will be attending South Dakota State University – Brookings, pursuing a nursing degree. COLLEGE GRADUATES Krianna Boelke graduated from Normandale Community College with an Associate of Arts degree. She will be

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moving on to Northwestern College – Orange City, IA, pursuing a degree in business administration. Austin Buetow graduated from Ridgewater College – Wilmar with a degree in Farm Operation and Management Ashley Huinker graduated from Montana State – Boseman with a degree in Organismal Biology. Alex Lenzen graduated from Ridgewater College with a degree in Dairy Management. Will work on the family farm with the plan to, one day, take over the operation. Logan Radde graduated from Dordt College with a degree in Health and Human Performance: Exercise Science and Theatre Arts: Technical Theater. Reid Stacken graduated from the University of Minnesota – Mankato, with a degree in sports management and a minor in marketing.

Barnyard Round-Up VBS Vacation Bible School: Be part of Barnyard Roundup VBS, July 25-28. Open to kids of all ages. We are also looking for full-time and parttime volunteers to assist in many different areas. For information or questions, contact Stephanie at [email protected] or 612718-5213 for more information. Join us to see how Jesus gathers us together!

From the Kitchen I would like to thank everyone for their donations to the school lunch program this year. They were very helpful. Also, thank you to the congregation and school members for all your help my first year. You are a great group. Thank you, Betty

Finances

Usher Schedule

Account Balances

Salary Balance (1/1/16) YTD Expenses YTD Income Balance (4/14/16)

-$45,616.53 $159,394.67 $121,004.71 -$84,006.49

Missions YTD Total (5/2) 2016 Pledged 2016 Goal

$2,607.00 $7,500.00 $15,000.00

LHS: YTD Total (5/2) 2016 Commitment Per communicant member

$4,277.66 $22,495.00 $55.00

Maintenance (Building/Repair): Account Balance (5/15) $31,608.46 Suggested household contrib. $550.00 Salary Fund Note: The Zion Salary Fund has been needing to borrow funds consistently over the past several months to meet its payroll, payroll taxes and Concordia obligations. As we move into the summer months we typically see fewer donations to support our continued financial needs. Please remember Zion with your contributions as you are able. We are approaching our Salary Fund loan limit which has been established by our lending bank. Building Fund Note: Enclosed in this newsletter you will find an envelope for the Building Fund at Zion. Previously we have sent out one envelope for each communicant member. Depending on the size of the monthly newsletter there are times when enclosing multiple envelopes would put us over our weight limit for this mailing. You can now combine family member contributions into one envelope. We will also have extra envelopes in the church office and in the rack in back of church. We will be doing this in November also, when the building fund envelope comes out for the Thanksgiving collection.

JUNE USHERS June 5th June 12th May 19th June 26th

Jason Schneider Clay Sauter Thaine Herrera Nick Huinker Anica Herrera Olivia Stalhlke Tori Stacken Clare Stuewe

From the Office Summer Office Hours (May 30th – Aug. 26th) will be 8 AM to noon Wednesday – Friday. Please have bulletin items to the office by noon on Thursday and July/August newsletter items to the office by June 23rd.

Camp Omega and the China Town Diner at the MN State Fair would like everyone to consider volunteering your time/energy to this year’s State Fair activities. We are asking for 4-6 volunteers this year per shift. If you would like to sign up for more than one shift, you are welcome to do so. We will accommodate as best as we can just please let me know. Please apply for Community Volunteer service hours funding through Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (if your chapter still has it). Also this year is a new opportunity through Thrivent called Action Teams. Below is the link to their site that describes the program. Each member of your team can apply for funding which would help Camp immensely. Please respond back to Danielle Huar at 763-6702019 with what date(s) you would like or if you have any questions.

Membership Notes BIRTHDAY LIST 2 David Henschen Joel Klaustermeier 4 Steven Buetow 6 Jenise Polingo Diane Miller 8 Ellen Arndt Ilene Dietzel Sandra Gruenhagen Janet Sons 9 Konrad Breeggemann 11 Lee Radde 12 Charles Dietzel 13 Patti Dietzel Darel Radde Claudia Stahlke 15 Jaclyn Dose Krista Herrmann Karen Hodgin Ryan Rolf 16 Herman Eggers Hannah Klaustermeier Brooke Moen Daryl Traver 20 Lorraine Boelke 22 Lael de Boer Olivia Geisel 24 Jonathan Henschen 25 Erwin Schmidt 27 Rachel Pexa 29 David Daugaard Jayne Klaustermeier 30 Daniel Traver

ANNIVERSARY LIST 2 Allen & Evon Lenzen 3 Earl & Inez Buetow Ralph & JoAnn Herrmann 5 Chris & Rachel Dehning 7 Marlin & DiAnn Melcher 10 Robert & Amy Gennrich 12 Rickey & MaryJo Sauter Kevin & Janet Sons 14 Patrick & Janell Elleraas 15 Dale & Renea Lindquist 16 Gary & Barb Herrmann Curtis & Lori Lenzen 17 Herman & Beverly Gennrich 18 Andy & Jodene Stuewe 20 Mark & Donna Stacken 25 Steve & Michelle Hoen 27 Dale & Martha Molnau Arnold & Barb Scholz 29 Brian & Suzanne Honebrink Dean & Anne Traver

VISITATION LIST Chaska Florence Lindquist Joycelyn Rolf Cologne Addie Eggers Gaylord Almeda Guethling Norwood Young America Gloria AmEnd Mabel Lenz Erwin Schmidt Waconia Gertrude Honebrink Lillian Ische Ruth Krueger Bonnie Leikam Irene Rolf (Mrs. Harry)

Remembering our Soldiers Eben Karnitz – Air Force Eddie Karnitz

2016 JUNE

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ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL - LUNCH CALENDAR

FIRST DAY OF WEEK

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Inside Clean-Up Day Starting @ 8 AM Ladies Aid/LWML Meeting @ 7 PM 05

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Chapel @ the Harbor @10:15 AM

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Service (C) | 9:00 AM

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26 Service (C) | 9:00 AM LWML Convention Concludes

26th Bi enni a l LW ML Conventi on J une 24th - 26th V eri z on Center - Ma nka to, MN

Evangelism Meeting 7:30 PM

Service | 9:00 AM

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Cologne, MN Permit No. 153

Zion Lutheran Church 14745 Co. Rd. 153 Cologne, MN 55322 Return Service Requested

INSIDE…

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL BARNYARD ROUND-UP Jesus Gathers Us Together! July 25th-28th | 6:00 – 8:00 PM Online enrollment is now open! zion-cologne.org Volunteers are welcome! For questions or more information contact Stephanie Morschen [email protected] or 612-718-5213

The Spirit Goes Where It Wills

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Ladies Aid

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Tiger Tales

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School News

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From the Office

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Finances

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Usher Schedule

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Carver Lifelines

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LHS Summer Sale 6-7 Membership Notes

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Calendar

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