MT. ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH MARCH 2014 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear friends in Christ, Since announcing the news of our family’s move to Cincinnati I have received many words of gratitude and encouragement. The words “Thank you” is the best response I can offer. I want to say thank you to all of you. Your partnership in ministry over the last ten years has been a significant blessing for me. Our faith journey together has been rich. Beyond words of thanks, I want to offer words of encouragement, just as you have done for me. Pastor John Sutherland, Assistant to the Bishop for the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin met with Mt Zion’s Church Council and presented a roadmap for transition. Beyond recognizing natural feelings of grief, his message was one of hope and excitement. Mt Zion is a place where some great pastors want to serve. Once I announce an effective resignation date Pastor Sutherland will present pastoral candidates to consider for Interim ministry. The Church Council votes to call this transitional pastoral leader. This is then followed by a period of congregational study, led by a transition team consisting of Mt Zion members. Once this process is done, a Call Committee, consisting of Mt Zion members as well, will work with Synod staff to identify candidates to interview. The hope is that Mt Zion will be able, through faithful discernment, to call a new pastor in 2014. This is a significant time for Mt Zion. Your willingness to support and participate in the process will help define and establish the strength and direction of Mt Zion’s future ministry. Thank you in advance for doing this. Know that God’s hand will be guiding all of us as we move into a hope-filled future in which God seeks to prosper us. In Christ,

Pastor Brian Ferguson

I wanted to thank the people at Mt. Zion for the Christmas package that arrived during finals week and for the scholarship money. It is always fun to receive a package during that stressful week! I really appreciate the scholarship money to help pay my school expenses. Books are expensive! Thank you, Jen Johnson Dear Mt. Zion Family and Grant Committee, Thank you so much for choosing me to get a Mt. Zion grant. It was very generous. Everyone at Mt. Zion has helped me grow into the person I am. Church happenings are a big part of my life: Elliot and Networks, Craig and the Sr. Choir, Mary Kay and the Tone Chimes (yes… Jr. Choir too) and of course PB! I can't thank you all enough for the love and support you have shown me. God Bless, Nick Pilarski Dear Grant Committee & Mt. Zion Church Family, I would like to express my sincerest thanks for selecting me to receive a $200 grant for college. I am extremely honored to receive this grant. It will greatly help cover the cost of student teaching fees and “non-mechanic” clothes I will need for student teaching! Your generosity has touched me and I am very grateful for your contribution to the advancement of my education. Thank you so much. Sincerely, EJ Pilarski To My Special Church Family, I wanted to say a big “THANK YOU” for the awesome care package sent to me in Dec. during finals. It’s hard to study for long periods of time and the treats in the box were great to check out when I needed a break. The gas card was super since I commute! Thanks for remembering me and support me. Nick Pilarski

TIME TO PROSPER CAPITAL FUND POSITIVE POINT OF THE MONTH In the month of February $3,334.00 Time to Prosper Capital Fund dollars were sent to Second Mile Haiti. Second Mile is one of the three ministry partners the Time to Prosper Appeal is supporting. Through the purchase of a milking cow and other items, the dollars sent are working to feed mothers and their young children. An additional $2,381.00 was raised through the spaghetti dinner, silent auction, and Riley Ferguson selling $477.00 of bracelets at the Hudson High School. The total sent to Second Mile was $5,715.00. Thank you for your regular Time to Prosper Capital Fund gifts.

BACKPACK PROGRAM Those of us who work with the backpack program for Rock School would like to thank all of the people who donate food for the program and those who bring in backpacks. The need has been greater this year than in years past. We are bringing 57 or more packs to the school once a month. A special thank-you goes out to the people who helped us over the holidays when the weather cancelled church the Sunday the food was to be brought in for the January delivery. The support of the congregation has been wonderful and has made this hunger outreach possible. We look forward to your continued great support and THANK YOU!

MILESTONES AT MT. ZION BIRTHDAYS IN MARCH March 1 ~ Michelle Alters March 3 ~ Allison McCarthy March 4 ~ Laurie Johnson Amanda Olson Andrea Sempf Lydia Spence March 5 ~ Henry Okerlund March 8 ~ Dave Anderson Elliott Krizek Gwen Paulson March 9 ~ Keenan Becker March 11 ~ Don Flatt March 17 ~ Braden Studelska March 19 ~ Holly O’Connell March 20 ~ Martha Solfest David Szymanski March 25 ~ Lyla Alters March 27 ~ Riley Ferguson March 28 ~ Liam Ferguson Sam Horsman Jim Stolzenburg March 29 ~ Henry Gigure March 30 ~ Krista Spence March 31 ~ George Pavel

MARRIED IN MARCH March 2 ~ Brian & Rachel Ferguson March 9 ~ Scott & Kathy Horsman March 21 ~ Terry & Marcia Teschner March 28 ~ Jason & Karen Gigure

BAPTIZED IN MARCH March 1 ~ Chris Johnson Kim Pilarski March 5 ~ Nora McDonald March 7 ~ Krista Hallen March 8 ~ Cindy DiGidio Carl Meincke March 9 ~ Brandon Matzek March 10 ~ Lucy Adams March 11 ~ Martin Halvorsen March 12 ~ Andrew Tonsager March 14 ~ Angie Fellrath March 16 ~ Brian Ferguson Craig Gustafson John McConville March 20 ~ Joan Saathoff March 21 ~ Lauren Dombrock March 22 ~ Dylan Nitti March 24 ~ Rachael Saathoff March 25 ~ Gail Gerdts Scott Veenendall

CELEBRATING MILESTONES! On Sunday, February 9 we celebrated our 4 YEAR OLD BIBLE MILESTONE with Lauren Dombrock, Rosa Gigure & Madilyn Jakubek

Our next Milestones are Sunday, March 16 3 yr. old Prayer Pillows & 6th Grade Prayers

If you have missed your special date, or have the wrong information, please contact the church office at (715) 386-5409 or email the information to [email protected]

If you have a 3 yr. old and they have not received their Prayer Pillow, please contact the Church office at (715) 386-5409 or watch for information coming via email.

WORSHIP ASSISTANTS FOR MARCH 2014

Sunday, March 2 8:15 am Team Lead: Nicole Gelina Ushers: Jim & Sonja Johnson Greeters: Jim & Nicole Gelina Reader: Kristin Solberg Communion: Renee Eickstadt Acolyte: Sierra Keyes 10:30 am Team Lead: Sue Kirt Ushers: Dennis & Dusty O’Connell Greeters: Tor & Dana Okerlund Reader: Bill Olson Communion: Olive Olson Acolyte: Henry Okerlund

Wednesday, March 5 Ushers – Carol Gustafson & Joan Christopher Communion – Karen McConville, Nora Flavin, Courtney Peterson Basket Holder – Maggie Gustafson Reader – Deb Tonsager Acolyte – Andrew Gustafson

Wednesday, March 19 Ushers – OPEN Acolyte – Brooke Dreier

Sunday, March 23 8:15 am Team Lead: Jessica Hines Ushers: Dennis & Cindy Saathoff Greeters: The Hines Family and Sandy Huppert Communion: Floyd Foslien Acolyte: Lydia Saathoff Reader: Kathy Hunter 10:30 am Team Lead: Courtney Peterson Ushers: The Rayome Family Greeters: Bill & Anna Peterson Communion: Andrea Dreier Acolyte: Brooke Dreier Reader: Deb Tonsager

Wednesday, March 26

Sunday, March 9 8:15 am Team Lead: Jim Eral Ushers: Harley & Joan Saathoff Greeters: Jim Eral & Mary Ellefson Communion: Mic Hanson Acolyte: Emily Gerdts Reader: Mary Ellefson 10:30 am Team Lead: Karen McConville Ushers: Dave & Lisa Anderson Greeters: Dave & Jackie Anderson Communion: Karen McConville Acolyte: Ava Anderson Reader: Jon Schneewind

Wednesday, March 12 Ushers – Bill & Courtney Peterson Acolyte – Cameron Jahns

Ushers – Dave & Lisa Anderson Acolyte – Ava Anderson

Sunday, March 30 8:15 am Team Lead: Nicole Gelina Ushers: The Gelina Family Greeters: TBA Communion: Nicole Gelina Acolyte: TBA Reader: TBA 10:30 am Team Lead: Sue Kirt Ushers: Dana & Tor Okerland Greeters: Bill & Olive Olson Communion: Olive Olson Acolyte: Henry Okerland Reader: Bill Olson

Sunday, March 16 8:15 am Team Lead: Kristen Johnson Ushers: Mike & Linda Yde Greeters: Don Kriegl and Jack Johnson Communion: Carol Gustafson Acolyte: Ellie Johnson Reader: Judy Meincke 10:30 am Team Lead: Tracy Whiteley Ushers: Earl Monson & Peter Tiede Greeters: Sandy Gillis & Tracy Whiteley Communion: Tracy Whiteley Acolyte: Maria Tiede Reader: Tracy Whiteley

Schedule is Subject to Change

Fellowship March 2 - Ava Anderson March 9 - Mic Hanson March 16 - Andrea Dreier March 23 - Thrivent Financial March 30 – Melody Wahlberg & Beth Parr

MT. ZION’S YOUTH

TOT TIME MONDAY, MARCH 3 Newborn - Pre-K Playtime and activities with caregiver 9:30 am - 11:00am We meet in church nursery. For questions contact Angie Adams

YOUTH BOWLING K- 8th Grade Come join us Sunday March 2 for a game and some fun with friends. We will meet at 1:00 pm at the Hudson Bowling Center. Cost is $5, including shoes. Please RSVP by Feb. 26. Any questions, please contact Holly O'Connell

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN Pick up a FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN “PILL” box in the Commons, fill it with your spare change and return it to church. We will add all collected money to our FMSC donation when we go as a group in April!

SPRING PLANT SALE NOW UNTIL MARCH 30 Spring is on the way, so it's time to kick-off Mt. Zion's Annual Plant Sale. This year’s sale is in memory of Richard “Gus” Gustafson. Orders will be accepted up until Sunday, March 30, 2014. We have included an order form as part of the March newsletter. Order forms will also be available on the church website (www.mtzionhudson.com) and at the information station at church. Please feel free to print or photocopy as needed or pick up more forms from the information station at church so you can offer the opportunity to order plants to neighbors, co-workers or relatives. For plant pictures, check the display in the commons, the church website or visit www.gertens.com for more planting information. Proceeds from this year's sale will be used to increase the principal fund for the Mt. Zion Post Secondary Education Grant and to increase the amount to be awarded in grants next year. Half will be added to the fund's principal with the other half going into the grant fund's 2015 awards to supplement the amounts earned from interest and provided through the annual budget.

4th – 12th Grade Confirmation Youth Saturday, April 12. 2014 the Mt. Zion Confirmation Classes invite you to join them as they travel to Eagan, MN to the Feed My Starving Children site.

We will be purchasing plants from Gertens' Greenhouse again this year.

We have 30 spot open just for Mt. Zion Members and friends! If you would like to join this group, please sign up in the Commons on Sunday mornings in March or call the church office at (715) 386-5409

Sign-up sheets for volunteer sorters will be placed in the church entry during late April. Sorting will begin at approximately 10:00 am in order to be finished by 2:00 pm. If you wish to help but can only come for an hour or two, that's fine too.

Saturday, May 10 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm is pick-up time for plants ~ just in time for Mother's Day!

OUTREACH …AND BEYOND! LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF – BABY CARE KITS Dinah’s Circle, together with Mt. Zion Lutheran Church members and friends, are gearing up to make “Baby Care Kits” in March for Lutheran World Relief! We are reaching out to ask for these donations: BABY KITS WILL INCLUDE 1 or more of each of the following items:  LIGHTWEIGHT COTTON TSHIRTS 

DEBORAH CIRCLE Tuesday, March 4 7:00 pm At the Home of Barb Walczak Please RSVP to Barb at (715) 386-6617

JOY CIRCLE Thursday, March 13 9:15 am at the Home of Mary Ellefson Please RSVP to Mary at (715) 386-3498

LONG OR SHORT-SLEEVED GOWNS OR SLEEPERS [WITHOUT FEET]



WELCA WELCOMES YOU!

RECEIVING BLANKETS [MED.

HOPE CIRCLE Tuesday, March 18 1:30 pm at the Home of June McLaughlin Please RSVP to June at (715) 386-5630

WEIGHT, COTTON OR FLANNEL

DINAH CIRCLE



CLOTH DIAPERS



JACKET, SWEATER OR

Tuesday, March 18 6:30 pm at the Church RSVP (715) 386-5409

SWEATSHIRT WITH A HOOD [OR BABY CAP] 

SOCKS



HAND TOWELS [DARK IN COLOR]



BATH BAR SOUP [GENTLE ON SKIN AND IN ORIG. PACKAGE]



DIAPER PINS

Sizes 6 to 24 months may be used. Varying the sizes of the clothing items included will make the Baby Care Kit useful as the baby grows. Our goal is to collect enough supplies to make 20 Baby Kits for Lutheran World Relief. Donations can be dropped off at Church any time from now until March 16. The white laundry basket will be located in the Commons near the Information Center for all donations.

WELCA Morning of Renewal The spring gathering of the St. Croix Valley Conference is Saturday, April 5 at First Lutheran in New Richmond. The program will be "All Are Precious" presented by Gail Lando from Grantsburg. She is a retired teacher and has been teaching English as a second language. Racial justice has been a central theme in her life as the mother of two bi-racial children and two Cambodian foster children. It should be an interesting program. There will be coffee and registration {$5.00} from 8:15 - 8:45 am. An offering will be taken which will be divided between Synod causes and New Richmond backpack program. If you are interested in attending, call Carol Kriegl {386-1862} or Nancy Weeks {3865685}. First Lutheran Church is located at 218 County Road K on the west side of New Richmond

EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS EVENTS AT THE CHRISTIAN COMMUMINTY HOME Do you know someone diagnosed with some type of dementia? Do you have questions on how this disease will progress and what you can do to help the person diagnosed and yourself go through this progression? Join us at CCH for a Free Dementia Workshop -Saturday, March 8 from 8:30am - 1:30pm on the Christian Community Home Campus – 1320 Wisconsin St. In the Marie Blakeman Senior Center. This workshop will be led by an Outreach Specialist from the Alzheimer's Association. There will be lots of good information for everyone from early diagnosis to later stages of the disease. We do ask participants to register so we can be sure to have enough materials for everyone. To register please call Brenda @ 715-381-4205. Please call by March 5. Christian Community Homes and Services, Inc. would like to give you the opportunity to be a part of our initiative in dramatically enhancing our communities aging populations’ lives! Please join us Friday, March 21 at WinterGreen, 1312 Wisconsin St. for a All You Can Eat Fish Fry Fundraiser There will be two seatings for dinner: 4:30pm and 5:45pm ________ Reservations are recommended! Please call Lisa at 715-386-9303 ext. 362 With your help, we’ll be able to bring the healing power of music to certain individuals who have a need and are struggling with a wide range of cognitive and physical impairments on our Hudson campus.

PRAYER CHAIN One of the privileges of being part of the body of Christ is the opportunity to share in the joy and the sorrow of others. If you have a special prayer request or would like to place someone on the prayer chain, please call the church office at (715) 386-5409 or the Prayer Chain Leader: Joyce Johnson and we will make sure to add that person to our list!

GRACE PLACE MEAL FOR MARCH The 9th Grade Confirmation class will be preparing the evening meal for Grace Place in March. Chris Gelina & Jack Johnson, along with their parents and mentors will get together in the kitchen on March 30 at 11:30am to make the dinner. We are looking for someone who would be free on March 31 between Noon – 2:00 pm who could deliver the meal for Mt. Zion to Somerset, WI, If you can help, or if you have any questions, please see Robin Arneson.

ALUMNI TIE – CALLING ALL MT. ZION MEMBERS Since there are only two 9th Grade students this year we are going to be hosting an "alumni party" to help make all the blankets for our graduating 2014 Seniors! This will take place on Wednesday, March 12 at 5:30 in the Lower Level of the Church. We will all enjoy dinner together after. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact - Anna Peterson or MaryKay Mahler.

EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS MT. ZION’S NEW WEBSITE 2014 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Expect to see final results in 5 – 6 weeks. If you have any info you wish to see on the site, please send your information to Jackie Anderson at [email protected].

SOUP & SANDWICH DINNERS Wednesdays during Lent March 5 – Senior Choir March 12 – Relay For Life March 19 – Feed My Starving Children March 26 – 2nd Mile Haiti Ministry April 2 – Habitat for Humanity April 9 – Tone Chimes/Junior Choir *If you would like to provide any of the following, please contact Anna Peterson *Soup, Sandwiches, Dessert Workers are also needed. Watch your email weekly for “WEDNESDAY MEAL MENU”

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 7:00 pm Lenten Worship for March March 5

Ash Wednesday 7:00 pm

March 12 Lenten Worship 7:00 pm March 19 Lenten Worship 7:00 pm March 26 Lenten Worship 7:00 pm

The habitat group is just getting started on planning our trip for July of 2014. The dates we are looking at are July 14th – 25th. The exact dates have not been set, but will be within these dates. We also have two site options we are looking at, one in Centuria and one in Birchwood, WI. We will be making our final decision based on the best option for our group during the time we will be there. We hope to make this decision at our next meeting in April. We are looking for new volunteers to join us in a very fun and rewarding experience. You must be 14 years of age to attend. We encourage you to stay the full week, but since we will be close to Hudson, please consider a partial week if a full week does not work for you. Lodging is provided for those who stay overnight. Mt. Zion has been helping with Habitat projects out west and throughout Wisconsin for the past 20+ years. It is truly a tradition our church can be proud of. Our mission has many goals: to help construct a Habitat house, to provide a venue for our youth to learn the ministry of helping others, to build relationships through fellowship and to have fun along the way during our free time. Talk to anyone who has been on a mission trip in the past and find out the fun, fellowship and joy of helping others you will experience. Our next meeting will be April 13th in the fellowship hall at 11:30. Please come join us to find out more about the trip and what we do. We promise a fun and enjoyable experience. You’ll be glad you came!

PARISH NURSE ~ EILEEN WYMER Greetings my fellow tundrawanians. That is a word I made up meaning "people who live where it is too cold." Have we had enough below wind chills to last us from now until forever? I hope you are staying warm, well, and busy. The other day at quilting I asked the ladies if anyone had any ideas for my next newsletter article. June suggested SAD. That is Seasonal Affective Disorder, the depression that results from a prolonged rotten winter. I have done that topic before, but then I realized that we have recently had an epidemic of sad here at church and it has absolutely nothing to do with the weather. Ahead is a modification in our environment, our situation, and our mental/physical condition that results in circumstances that challenge our existing comfort level. Are you still with me? In other words, we are in for a big change, all of us, especially the Fergusons. My theory is that the only one who likes change is a wet baby. But it is necessary for growth for all of us. We have all grown so much in the past 10 years, thanks to Pastor Brian. Just think of all the new programs, outreach opportunities, and special events that have been started. And, oh yes, a new church. He will leave behind quite the legacy. For now, we are learning to cope with the idea. We know that Pastor and his family will do wonderfully well with wherever God leads them. And we will do well, too. We just haven't quite figured out how yet. Lots of prayer, lots of talking with our friends, lots of commiserating with our fellow members and lots of support for Pastor and family. Oh I forgot lots of chocolate. I've eaten about half a ton by myself. (We all cope in our own ways!) I spent a lot of time talking with a good friend of mine and also with my older daughter about the change ahead. My friend pointed out that

we "old duffers" (that term gave "doghouse" a whole new meaning for him) need to stay true to course and keep all the wonderful about our church and the congregation going successfully. We older folks have seen more change and understand it and know that we will be OK more so than the younger families. We have seen the need for everyone to work together to maintain God's work here at Mt. Zion and to welcome in a new pastor. But, boy, will we miss the "old" one.

THE BOOK NOOK ~ KATHY HUNTER As the Sunday morning readings continue through the book of John, consider the historical novel, John, Son of Thunder. Author Ellen Gunderson Traylor advises readers of the genre to study Scripture first, as she has done, to provide a foundation. Then, as with any book, let your God-given imagination fill in details that may shed new understanding on the historical account. Traylor incorporates the book of John as well as other New Testament accounts to imagine the apostle John’s life, beginning with his meeting John the Baptist. The novel imagines the inner struggle of John about believing the man Jesus as the Son of God, a contemplation that, if not literally true of the apostle, may still resonate with some 21st-Century Church-goers. John “no understood this much: that to find Jesus interesting was not enough…to attempt to be like him was not enough…” John, Son of Thunder continues with Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the persecution of the early church, and finally John’s capture and exile to the island of Patmos as an old man. For those interested in the Old Testament stories, novels about Samson [also by Traylor], David, and Ruth bring these historical figures to life. Look for these books and others in the new display area in the Commons.

FLOWERS FOR EASTER We invite members and friends of Mt. Zion to provide Flowers to grace our EASTER ALTAR in celebration of our Risen Lord!

HIGH SCHOOL 9-12 Grade Sunday, March 2

6:00 pm

Sunday, March 30

6:00 pm

Meet in the Fellowship Hall

SUNDAY MUSIC SCHEDULE

If you would like to purchase a flowering plant (which is yours to take home after the 2nd Easter Service) please indicate the type you wish to order on the form below and mail back to the church. Please make checks payable to: Mt. Zion Lutheran Church MEMO: Easter Flowers DEADLINE for ORDERING is MARCH 30

Sunday, March 2, 2014 8:15 am worship Senior Choir - Between Readings 10:30 am worship Senior Choir - Call to Worship

Sunday, March 9, 2014 8:15 am worship Junior Choir - Benediction Tone Chime - Between Readings 10:30 am worship Tone Chime - Between Readings

Sunday, March 16, 2014 8:15 am worship SPECIAL MUSIC - Between Readings 10:30 am worship SPECIAL MUSIC - Between Readings

PLEASE CIRCLE ONE $10 plants are: Single Easter Lily Cyclamen Begonia, Kalanchoe Tulip ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ $20 plants are: Double Easter Lily Hydrangea [Blue] Hydrangea [Pink] Azalea ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ $25.00 plant is: Mix Bulb Garden ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ $30 plant is: Triple Easter Lily

Please print (please circle “in honor or in memory”) YOUR

Sunday, March 23, 2014 8:15 am worship Senior Choir - Between Readings 10:30 am worship Senior Choir - Call to Worship

NAME:___________________________________ In Honor or Memory of______________________________________ In Honor or Memory

Sunday, March 30, 2014

of______________________________________

8:15 am worship Senior Choir - Between Readings 10:30 am worship Senior Choir - Call to Worship

In Honor or Memory of______________________________________

Mt. Zion Lutheran Church 505 13th street Hudson, WI 54016

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit # 108 Hudson, WI 54016

Sunday Worship in MARCH 8:15 am w/Communion 10:30 am w/Communion Wednesdays 7:00 pm Lent Worship

MARCH 2 8:15 am & 10:30 am 9:20 Sunday school

CONTACTING US Church Office 715/386-5409 Email us at… Pastor Brian Ferguson ~ [email protected] Secretary ~ Anna Peterson [email protected] Milestones ~ MaryKay Mahler Organist ~ Deb Tonsager Sr. Choir Director ~ Craig Gustafson Jr. Choir/Tone Chime Choir ~ MaryKay Mahler Parish Nurse ~ Eileen Wymer President ~ Floyd Foslien

MARCH 9 8:15 am & 10:30 am 9:20 Sunday school MARCH 16 8:15 am & 10:30 am 9:20 Sunday school 3 Yr Old Prayer Pillows and 6th Grade Prayers Milestone Blood Pressure Sunday MARCH 23 8:15 am & 10:30 am 9:20 Sunday school MARCH 30 8:15 am & 10:30 am 9:20 Sunday school