December 2014

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH • BUFFALO, MN DECEMBER 2014

O f f i c e@ Zi on Bu f f a l o . o r g ( 7 63 ) 6 82 - 12 45 w ww. Z i on Bu f f a l o . o r g

Active Military

Cory Nyholm

Stationed in Goodfellow, TX

Dirk Foster

Deployed to Afghanistan

Fred Pierce

Stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ

Joe Schmidt

Stationed in San Diego

Trey Wilson

Stationed in Virginia

Cody Bauman

Stationed at Fort Knox, KY

Vinnie Pecarina

Stationed in Japan

Bradley Johnson

Stationed at Ft Drum, NY

Ben Pecarina

Stationed overseas

Doug Pecarina

Serving in the Army National Guard

Kevin Osfar

Stationed in Japan

Will Dobbins

Stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA

Greg Bremseth

Stationed at Ft Bliss, TX

Deanna Strommen

Stationed in Washington, DC

Strength for the Journey

Strength for the Journey Sunday

forums will be on break for December.

Watch for upcoming details about the

January 25, 2015 forum. Zion will

welcome back Marilyn Sharpe, Twin

Cities parent and family educator,

speaker, parent and grandparent.

Marilyn will speak about “Telling Our

Stories,” the importance of sharing our

faith stories with family members

across the generations. She has been a

speaker at Zion in the past at a St.

Lucia supper and the 2013 women’s

brunch. You won’t want to miss

Marilyn’s encouraging words and ideas

that will give you strength for your

journey.

Santa Lucia Supper

Whether your family roots dig into Swedish soil or you’d just like a great family event during the holidays, you are invited to the Santa Lucia Supper on Tuesday, December 9, from 6-7:30pm, sponsored by Women of Zion for women and their families and friends.

The St. Lucia Supper is a family friendly event that highlights the Swedish tradition of Lucia, who gave food to those in need. Many Swedish families and communities celebrate St. Lucia Day with a breakfast served by the oldest daughter in the family or someone chosen to wear the Lucia crown of lighted candles. Zion invites all to a light supper of soups, breads, cheeses, and lots of Scandinavian specialties: fruit soup, rice pudding with lingonberries, rosettes, kringle, krumkake, almond cake, lefse, and cardamom cookies.

Special guest speakers will be Zion’s own Mary Lynn Leff and Arden Solheim. Mary Lynn and Arden are both creators of Scandinavian carvings and figures. Come to hear about Scandinavian carving and creating, especially through the stories of the nisse and tomte, little impish characters in Scandinavian Christmas folklore. You'll also be able to see a display of creative arts, including creations from Mary Lynn, Arden, and also a remembrance display of carvings by Mel Gillund.

Holiday music will be presented by the wRight Ringer Community Handbell Ensemble. The Santa Lucia legend will be featured with a visit from Santa Lucia and her court bringing delicious rolls especially for the day!

Registration is appreciated for planning: sign up online or at the Information Desk.

Child care will be provided if requested, but supper is not available in the nursery.

Cost for the St. Lucia supper is $4/person or $15/family, payable at the door.

Are you interested in helping on December 9? You could help bake the traditional Lucia rolls, serve the supper, or help with clean up after the supper. Contact Sherilyn Burgdorf in the church office for information.

Senior Appreciation Dinner

Zion staff will host a Christmas Dinner for Zionaires, volunteers, and homebound members on Thursday, December 18. There will be a worship service with communion at 11am, followed by dinner and entertainment provided by the church staff. The staff appreciates the many hours of work so many of you give to Zion once your "day job" has finished and retirement has come.

Please make your reservation by December 15 by calling the church office at 763.682.1245 or at the Information Desk. Rides are available.

Creating a community where people are connected 2

Connecting With Care

January Women’s Retreat

Planning has begun for a terrific day of

renewal and friendship for women of all

ages from Zion and from the

community. The retreat will be held on

Saturday, January 17, from 9am-

2:30pm.

This third annual women's retreat will

be focused on Isaiah 64:8,

And yet, O Lord, you are our Father.

We are the clay, and you are the potter.

We all are formed by your hand.

Guest presenters Sue Harris, Mary

Buchholz, and their team from

southwestern MN/South Dakota will

present a full day retreat with the

theme, The Potter and the Clay: Made

with a Purpose.

Jess Johaneck, Zion member and

potter, will provide the visual image of

a potter, making pottery during the

retreat. Each retreat participant will

receive a piece of pottery, hand-thrown

by Johaneck, to take home as a

remembrance of the retreat.

In addition to the main presenters,

health and wellness organizations are

invited to display information that is

informative and helpful to participants

to view during “wellness wandering”

times during the day.

This yearly event has been valuable to

those who have attended during the past

two years.

Cost for the day retreat is $20/

person which includes a continental

breakfast served from 8:30am and

catered lunch.

Registration is requested

by January 9th, and limited to 150

participants.

Gift certificates are available in the

Zion office for this great gift of

time together with friends, sisters,

or neighbors.

In case of inclement weather, the

retreat will be rescheduled

for January 31.

in relationships and supported in need.

A Simple Christmas

Remember when life was simple? Chances are, it was long ago when we had few obligations, no driver’s license, and before our first checking account. Every time I think about those days, I get hit with a wave of pleasant nostalgia. It would be a sunny Saturday morning, riding my bike home after a sleepover at a friend’s house. Maybe an afternoon of fishing off the dock up at the cabin. What about the days when you could just fall asleep on the way home from some family function and be carried up and put to bed when you arrived home? Yep, I miss those too.

The thing I miss the most is the Christmas season of wonderment and excitement as experienced like a child. The day after Thanksgiving, we’d put up the trees. White-flocked artificial with blue lights and handmade art project ornaments for us boys, and gold and red perfection for mom’s tree. Ours was always the one in the picture window, though.

I remember being in awe of going to church while it was dark outside. Wednesday evening Advent services were a tradition in New Ulm, and I still

have vivid memories of those nights. The lights were low as we entered in, the adults were all hanging their coats off to my right. We grabbed

Mom’s hand to avoid getting separated in the crowd. I looked up at the adults milling around, waiting to enter the sanctuary (I’m still amused to this day that in my memories I am the height of a ten-year-old and I have that long ago experience of being shorter than the crowd.)

As we entered the sanctuary, my favorite part of church at Christmas materialized above my head. Row upon row of handmade ornate sparkling stars were strung across the sanctuary, making me feel like a shepherd in the field by night. It was a magical time, because I had the time and the presence of mind to experience it as more than a frantic rush to get the kids ready and off to church so we can get a parking place, so we can get a place to sit, so the kids can hopefully behave well enough to not embarrass us. See how quickly we can go from calm to craziness? That one sentence warped me 25 years into the future and almost challenges me to experience something that same innocent way over again. I think we can do it. Whatever your challenge is that prevents you from that simple enjoyment that we so often deny ourselves, take it on this Christmas. Conquer it. Seek simplicity. Do away with the distractions that keep you from creating vivid memories of family, of friends, and of the gift of Christ that we celebrate this Christmas. Let the awe and wonder of God’s great gifts fall on you anew this season.

3

Zion to Zambia Mission

When St. Francis of Assisi was once

asked, "What is the greatest prayer ever

uttered?" St. Francis replied, "The

greatest prayer ever uttered is simply to

say thank you!" So with gratitude, Zion’s

Zambia mission team gives a prayer of

thanks for the generous support at Zion -

from your purchases at the sweet corn

fundraisers this summer to the donations

of cash and materials over the last few

weeks.

Zion’s team (Julie Swaggert, Denny, Kim,

and Neil Gleason) will be at Villages of

Hope in Zambia for approximately 2 1/2

weeks, from late December into January.

Check Zion’s website at ZionBuffalo.org/

global for posts from the team, sharing

their experiences and God's work at the

Village of Hope.

The team will be filling at least 5 large

suitcases with needed supplies as well as

providing a check to All Kids Can Learn

for the purchase of additional items such

as CD players for the orphanage houses

and classrooms. A wonderful supply of

Christian CD's for all ages has been

donated. What an appropriate Zion gift,

the gift of music to share with our Zambia

brothers and sisters in Christ! In addition,

the many skeins of yarn and teaching

aids/crafts will be welcomed and put to

immediate use.

If you wanted to donate but didn't have a

chance yet, call Kim Gleason

at 763.682.6745 to arrange for donation

of

White knee-high socks for girls

Navy blue or dark socks for boys

Printer cartridges for

HP85A computer printer

60 ft. two-sided laminate refill

Cartridges for Xyron ezLaminator

Blessings to you, and thank you for your

prayers and support, from the Zambia

2014 mission team.

Living God’s Call

A Special Christmas Gift

By Steve Peterson

I really enjoy the time of year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is a busy time with so much going on with the kids’ programs and concerts, the special relative gatherings and, of course, the decorating and cookie baking. Some of my favorite things are all the special Christmas stories and repeat movies that touch our hearts and get us into the spirit of the season. You know the ones, they make us laugh with lighthearted antics or they make us cry with tears of joy because something happens that makes the story very warm and wonderful.

What if you could make your own story – one that might help others celebrate and experience joy and happiness? Like a special gift from you or from your family to someone or some organization outside your day-to-day life. The Global Mission Committee invites you to do just that – give a Special Christmas Gift. We encourage your family to take a few minutes around the dinner table or at a family gathering to talk about joyfully giving something, whether it be your time or talent or a financial gift to someone or something outside your family. It can be a wonderful feeling to give to others a portion of what God has so generously given to us. It can be a wonderful lesson and discussion with your kids – asking them to give up a little of their allowance, or ask them what they would think if you didn’t buy them one of their gifts and instead donated those dollars to some local or global mission project. Then make that a family tradition. Wow – it will probably have a positive impact on them for the rest of their life.

What sort of things can you and your family do? Well, the Global Mission Committee currently is providing financial support to All Kids Can Learn International and Redeemer Lutheran Church and could always use any financial gifts to help support our efforts. There are also many other opportunities to give of your time and talent. We encourage you and family to participate in mission projects both locally and globally. What if you decided to forego a few family Christmas gifts and set those dollars aside so your family could go on the next youth works mission trip to Duluth to help others for a weekend, or set some dollars aside to go on a future Mission Jamaica or AKCLI mission trip? Or do you go out as a family and participate in a community effort food drive, a community cleanup day or maybe a Habitat for Humanity project? There are countless ways to share your blessings – all of which will brighten your day and provide joy to you and the people touched by your giving spirit.

Make your own special Christmas story – it might bring a tear of joy to you and your family. You can experience the joy of giving in many ways. If you would like to financially give to our current mission projects, please do so by sending your gifts to the church – designating them to Global Missions and, if you would like, to a particular mission project. In a few short weeks we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus. What a joyous time of year. We at Zion are so blessed by all we have and can share.

Engaging people in a process of discipleship which inspires them 4

Adopt a Family

The Adopt A Family program is sponsored

by Buffalo Rotary and Love INC-Big

Woods. The program provides practical

Christmas gifts such as clothing and

personal items for children (who will also

be eligible to receive toys from the Toys

for Tots program). Recipients will fill out

a wish list and are matched up with a

family, business, or congregation wishing

to adopt.

Adopting families and congregations

receive a wish list from a family

indicating a child’s age and clothing sizes.

The Zion congregation is adopting six

Buffalo families. To help provide gifts for

these families, please take a tag from the

display in the narthex. Tags list the age of

the child and their request. Purchase the

indicated gift, and return it, unwrapped,

to Zion by Tuesday, December 9.

If your family, small group, committee, or

confirmation team would like to adopt an

entire family, contact the church office as

soon as possible for a sign up form.

Thank you for your generosity!

Toys for Tots

The local Toys for Tots campaign

sponsored by the Buffalo Rotary is

collecting unwrapped toys for children

newborn to age 17 in the Buffalo and

Montrose area in the collection bin at

Zion until December 14.

More information about this program can

be found at buffalo-mn.toysfortots.org.

Application forms can be found at

buffalorotary.com and are due by

December 12.

Thank you Volunteers!

November proved once again how Zion

families work “from the heart” to

generously give time to deliver meals to

those who are homebound. Ninety routes

were filled by volunteers, providing a noon

meal and a daily check in for many people

in Buffalo. If you’re looking ahead to the

warm days of summer, put Meals on

Wheels on your calendar for June 2015.

Veterinary Mission

Dave Wright grew up in the Lutheran Church and says he has been blessed with supportive parents (Zion members John & Marie Wright) who continue to be an example of faithfulness to him. His hometown pastor, Charles Anderson, was also influential in his faith journey, making confirmation interesting and pertinent.

Dave and Sue moved to Buffalo in 1980 and joining Zion was a natural decision, as they already had connections within the congregation.

Wes and Mary Mahlberg were high school classmates; Pastor Ed Blair was from my hometown in Worthington; and Pastor John Folkerds was from my dad’s hometown in Cokato. Zion has given us many opportunities to grow spiritually, socially and professionally. Thanks to all who continue to be part of this loving family.

Dave and Sue’s two sons, Tristan and Eric, were confirmed and received their faith foundation at Zion. Both are now living in Los Angeles with their wives.

Dave has participated in Zion’s growth in the community and in the world in many ways over the years.

I was the chair of the congregation when we made a major decision to move from the beautiful building near downtown and build at our new location. Although there were strong attachments to our church home at the time, the growth of our congregation was limited by our location.

Dave first became involved as a foreign mission volunteer in January of 1999, when he traveled to Tanzania for a month with “Christian Veterinary Mission,” an organization dedicated to spreading the Christian message through veterinary service. At the time, Zion-supported missionaries Dennis and Meredith Murnyak were working in Tanzania to develop fish farming projects.

[In Tanzania] I worked with Maasai herders, toured the Murnyaks’ fish farming projects, and taught part of a week-long seminar to Heifer Project supervisors on dairy reproduction.

Since then Dave and Sue have volunteered in Honduras, Bolivia, and at Villages of Hope in Zambia.

It has given us an opportunity to experience foreign cultures at a local level and share why our relationship with Christ has been so important to us.

Dave’s next mission trip will be to the Dominican Republic during the first week in December. This time, he will be joined by his brother, Jim, also a member of Zion. This will be Jim’s first mission trip.

(Dave Wright continued on page 16)

to trust in Christ, grow in faith, and serve God’s world. 5

Christmas Decorating

Zion takes on a festive look for the

advent/Christmas season, thanks to a

great group of volunteers. If you

like decorating, come and join the crew

to decorate the Fellowship Hall,

narthex and library on Tuesday,

December 2 from 9am-noon. The coffee

pot will be on and the decorations are

provided. For more information,

contact Diane Huston (763.682.1040).

Christmas Bake Sale

Get ready to do your holiday baking in

record time by picking up some goodies

at the Christmas treats bake sale on

Sunday morning, December 14, hosted

by Zion’s Women’s Ministry.

Look over the variety of treats and

choose your favorites to take home for

just $5 a plate. You’ll find a variety of

cookies and treats to purchase including

almond glazed cookies, ginger cookies,

peanut blossoms, Russian teacakes,

snickerdoodles, sugar cookies, lefse and

more. In addition to the bake sale,

Linda Engwall and her sisters will be

selling their famous Danish aebelskiver

in the Fellowship Hall from 9:30-

10:30. All proceeds from the morning

go to help defray costs of the 2015

women’s retreat and spring brunch.

If you are interested in providing baked

goods for the Women’s Ministry bake

sale contact Marian Hille

(952.913.6684), Judy Weis

(763.497.0052), or sign up at the

Information Desk. Plan to bring items

to Zion on Thursday, December 11 or

Friday, December 12, in one container

for plating and pricing at Zion. Include

the name of the cookies/treats and

indicate specialties (gluten-free,

contains nuts, etc.).

Advent Readers

Contact Sherilyn if you or your family

would be interested in serving as

worship leaders for and Advent reading

and candle lighting at any service

during Advent (November 30,

December 7, 14, 21).

6 Creating Sunday morning experiences at Zion that invite,

Middle School Role Model

Dawn Agre attended private Christian school from K-12th grade and was confirmed in the Christian Reformed Church. Her father is a life-long member of the Worthington Christian Reformed Church and never misses a Sunday.

He's the most honest, God-fearing man I know. My parents made a lot of sacrifices for our Christian education and I really appreciate what they did for us as we grew up. My dad continues to be an unparalleled Christian role model for all of his grandchildren.

A favorite Bible verse is Psalm 46:10:

Be still and know that I am God.

It reminds me that no matter how much anxiety I have or how busy life gets, God is in control.

I've been surprised numerous times in my life. There have been many times I wondered why my prayers weren't being answered. But later I came to realize that what I thought I wanted wasn't good for me after all. God really was answering my prayers but it was hard to see at the time.

Dawn's first experience with a Lutheran Church was attending Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart when she lived there after her marriage to Mike Agre.

Dawn has three children: Deirdra Vander Grift, Nick Agre and Emily Agre. Deirdra is a 2007 graduate of Buffalo High School, a 2012

(Dawn Agre continued on page 15)

Celebrating on Sundays

Worship Services

8:30am traditional worship in the

sanctuary with nursery available,

Sunday school during the school year.

9:45am Family Express in Trinity Hall.

10:30am contemporary worship in the

sanctuary with nursery available,

Sunday school during the school year.

Lessons

Sunday, December 7 Second Sunday of Advent

Mark 1:1-8

Pastor Ted Preaching

Sunday, December 14 Third Sunday of Advent

John 1:6-8, 19-28

Christmas Program

Sunday, December 21 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Luke 1:26-38

Carols, Choirs & Celebration

Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm, 11pm

Thursday, December 25 Christmas Day 10am

Sunday, December 28 First Sunday after Christmas

Luke 2:22-40

Pastor Luke Preaching

Christmas Volunteers

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are

great times to volunteer at Zion. There

are many new faces from the

community and many family and friends

who visit Zion during those two days.

It’s an especially important time to

show a welcoming face and lend a hand

from the time worshippers enter the

parking lot to the time they find a spot

in the sanctuary for worship. If you’re

willing to help on Christmas Eve or

Christmas Day as a parking director,

usher, greeter, or nursery helper please

contact Sherilyn Burgdorf in the Zion

office or sign up at the info desk.

welcome, engage and inspire people to live for Christ. 7

Welcoming Worshipers

Andrea Jonasson is originally from Grand Forks, ND. She moved to Minneapolis in 1996, attended the University of Minnesota, and graduated in 2001 with a degree in Child Psychology and Spanish. She worked with children in a variety of settings, married in 2004, moved to Buffalo, and soon became a stay-at-home mom.

Andrea and Brent joined Zion in 2005 before the birth of their first child.

At the time we had just moved to Buffalo and did not have a church home, but we both agreed a strong faith was an important part of our family life. We immediately felt connected to Zion; everyone was incredibly kind, friendly, and welcoming.

Andrea grew up Catholic and while she was unsure of making a change, she knew she wanted something different for her children.

I found there were only a few differences and for the first time I really felt that I belonged to a church community. I felt a strong sense of connection, understanding, and acceptance especially at the first new member meeting and baptism meetings that we attended.

They now have three children, all attending Northwinds Elementary. Gunnar is 9 and in 3rd grade, and Brody and Olivia are 7 1/2 and in 2nd grade. Andrea completed her license in Parent and Family Education in 2009 and now works as a parent educator for the ECFE program in Buffalo. Her husband, Brent, works for Eaton Technologies in Plymouth as a project manager.

Andrea has a passion for volunteering both with the Northwinds PTO and at Zion. She has helped in various events for children at Zion and currently serves on the Children and Family Ministry Team. She enjoys being an even more integral part of her children's faith through working with the team to help to plan and set the foundation for Zion's family events.

With 3 young children I believe that one of the ways for them to grow and understand their faith is to model what it means to care for others [and] share God's love. CFM allows me to do that and to connect with other members with similar perspectives.

The Jonasson family has an active lifestyle and relies on a two simple yet powerful Bible verses to guide them:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave or

forsake you." ~ Deuteronomy 31:6

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Coming to church on Sunday mornings and connecting with so many people is a wonderful

(Andrea Jonasson continued on page 14)

October 2014 Financial Report

General Services Fund

Income Oct 2014 YTD 2014 Oct 2013 YTD 2013 General Offering $58,851 $609,904 $63,529 $574,269

Rent and Sunday School 1,352 13,501 1,620 17,564

WedNite Supper Income 1,374 5,827 1,559 6,702

Missions and Hunger 1,016 12,238 942 15,652

Other Designations 68,780 80,106 30 77,488

Total Income $131,373 $721,576 $67,680 $691,674

Expenses Synod Benevolence $1,000 $10,000 $1,000 $10,000

Other General Services 61,366 623,019 64,900 625,862

Total Expenses $62,366 $633,019 $65,900 $635,862

Checkbook balance as of 10-31-2014: $44,211

Building Fund

Income Oct 2014 YTD 2014 Oct 2013 YTD 2013 Offerings and Interest $15,767 $148,375 $14,788 $150,935

Stock Gift 10,000 10,000 0 0

Total Income $25,767 $158,375 $14,788 $150,935

Expenses Building Mortgage $15,869 $158,690 $15,869 $158,690

Bank Service Charge 15 45 0 15

Total Expenses $15,884 $158,735 $15,869 $158,705

Checkbook balance as of 10-31-2014: $24,784

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

Memorial Gifts Received

A gift to the Memorial Fund in memory

of Dr. Stan Held from Phyllis M.

Gridley.

A gift to the Zion Foundation in

memory of Dr. Dan Marty from Mark &

Louise Minkler.

Year End Gifts

End of Year Giving needs to be received

in the church office by 10am on

Wednesday, December 31, to be

included in the 2014 giving records.

Thank you for your generosity in

support of God’s mission through our

congregation.

Memorials List Update

Zion’s Memorial Fund provides

opportunities for directed giving to Zion

or one of the currently pursued

memorial fund projects.

Current memorial gift opportunities

include:

New carpeting in the sanctuary.

The original carpet and pew

cushions are from 1989 when the

sanctuary was built and are ready

to be replaced. This would refresh

the sanctuary and make the whole

space seem new again.

Kitchen remodel. The kitchen at

Zion is heavily used for everything

from funerals to Wednesday night

suppers, to Lutefisk and Harvest of

Hands events. It is time to

remodel with new cabinetry,

countertops, and flooring. Many of

our active members have

found themselves in there at one

time or another and giving to this

project is a great way to remember

them.

Undesignated funds (used for the

greatest current need or special

church needs)

Finance & Stewardship

Please support the advertisers who make this newsletter possible:

seekandfind.com/find/zion-lutheran-church/supporters

ZionBuffalo.org/Give 8

Parents Day/Night Out

Parents, enjoy some time preparing for

the Christmas holidays while your

children are experiencing an afternoon or

evening full of fun, faith-filled activities

including art, snacks, devotions, and play!

Saturday, December 13 from 4-7pm

or Sunday, December 14 from

noon-3pm

Children birth to grade 6

Cost is $10 per child or $25 per

family

Registration forms are available here,

at the Information Desk, and in the

church office

If you have a child with special needs,

please specify needs in advance on the

registration form to ensure

appropriate staff are available

Hosted by Zion’s Mission

Jamaica Team as a fundraiser for the

February 2015 Mission Trip

Sunday Announcements

The relationships of our members with

one another bring a richness to our lives

and we want to foster these relationships.

If you would like your church family to be

aware of any special celebrations in your

life or the lives of your loved ones, please

let the church office know by Thursday at

10am and we will include them in the

written announcement insert in the

bulletin.

Evening Childcare

Evening childcare is available

for parents taking part in

evening activities on

Wednesdays.

9

Christmas Giving

By Mary Abramowski

December is my absolute favorite time of the year! I love Christmas carols and programs, decorated store windows, cards and letters from faraway friends, and the cookies! I also love to shop for and give presents. It doesn’t matter if the gift is large or small…I just really enjoy the giving part.

With the end of 2014 approaching, we all begin to reflect on the many gifts and blessings we have received throughout this year. Many people traditionally give financial gifts to their church at this time of year, using their gift as another way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Others use December as an opportunity to catch up on the giving they intended to do throughout the year. For others, giving in December is for tax purposes, as gifts made on or before 10am on December 31 qualify as charitable tax deductions for that year.

This season is a good time to consider how we might give some of our wealth or assets back to God through a special year-end gift of cash or appreciated assets. Examples of assets that can be given to Zion as charitable gifts include public or private stock, mutual fund shares, farmland/real estate, collectibles, or commodities. If you would like to consider giving this type of gift, please talk to either Pastor Ted or Pastor Luke and they will be happy to assist you.

December is an exciting month here at Zion, as we prepare for and then celebrate the birth of Jesus. Please remember our church when planning your Christmas and end-of-year giving. The Stewardship Committee wishes you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year, too!

Winter in June?

We know that winter has only just begun, but Zion’s Children and Family Ministry staff have already started planning for a winter wonderland in June for our Everest 2015 VBS theme!

Any ideas or items that you could save/donate/lend to the program would be greatly appreciated. This can include anything from fake snow, white fabric, climbing gear, snow shoes, ropes, small backpacking tents, hiking backpacks, etc. Kirsten, Kristin, and Marsha would love to hear any ideas you have... or that you'd like to be involved with the planning for this great ministry.

Sunday December 7

Holy Communion at 8:30, 9:45, & 10:30

7:00am Cinnamon Rolls

8:30am Traditional Worship Service

8:30am Sunday School & Christmas

Program Rehearsal

9:30am Coffee Fellowship

9:45am Family Express Worship

10:30am Contemporary Worship Service

10:30am Sunday School & Christmas

Program Rehearsal


11:45am Annual Meeting

Monday December 8

8:30am Men's Bible Study

9:00am Quilters

9:00am Women's Ministry Planning

Committee Meeting

6:15pm First Sunday Rehearsal

7:00pm Personnel Committee Meeting

Tuesday December 9

9:00am Harvest of Hands Crafts

9:30am Staff Meeting

1:00pm Children & Family Staff

Meeting

5:00pm Outreach Committee

6:00pm St. Lucia Supper

7:00pm Finance Committee Meeting

Wednesday December 10

9:30am Women's Bible Study

2:45pm Class Ring

3:45pm Ring Forth

3:45pm SONshine Choir

3:45pm Kids' Place

5:00pm Wednesday Night Supper

5:15pm Youth Choir

5:30pm Christmas Program Rehearsal

6:00pm Confirmation

6:30pm Joyful Ringers

7:00pm Confirmation Small Groups

7:00pm Senior Choir

7:00pm Harvest of Hands Crafts

7:30pm Graceland Senior High Youth

Group

Thursday December 11

8:00am Men Seeking Wisdom Bible

Study

9:00am Women's Ministry Cookie

Baking

Friday December 12

9:00am Women's Ministry-Cookie

Baking

Saturday December 13

9:00am Christmas Program Rehearsal

Women's Ministry Cookie Baking

4:00pm Parent Night Out

Sunday December 14


with Sunday School Christmas

Program

8:30am Women's Ministry Bake Sale




with Sunday School Christmas

Program


12:00pm Baptism Class

12:00pm Parent Day Out

Monday December 15


9:00am Quilters

9:00am Kitchen Cleaning


Tuesday December 16


9:30am Naomi Circle


Meeting

5:30pm Stewardship Meeting

ZionBuffalo.org/Calendar 10

Monday December 1


9:00am Quilters


7:00pm Mission Jamaica Meeting

8:00pm Mission Jamaica Board of

Directors

Tuesday December 2

9:00am Church Christmas Decorating



Meeting


7:00am Men's 50+ Bible Study


2:45pm Class Ring

3:45pm Ring Forth


3:45pm Kids' Place


5:15pm Youth Choir

5:30pm Christmas Program Rehearsal

6:00pm Confirmation



7:00pm Prayer Shawl Meeting

7:00pm Property Committee Meeting

7:00pm Senior Choir


Group

Thursday December 4


Study

6:30pm UpGrade Middle School Youth

Group

Friday December 5

6:00am Friday Breakfast Crew

Saturday December 6

9:00am Christmas Program Rehearsal

9:00am Prayer Sister Tea

December 2014


7:00am Men's 50+ Bible Study


2:45pm Class Ring

3:45pm Ring Forth


3:45pm Kids' Place


5:15pm Youth Choir

5:45pm Worship & Music Committee

Meeting

6:00pm Confirmation



7:00pm Prayer Shawl Meeting

7:00pm Senior Choir

7:00pm Church Council Meeting

7:30pm Children & Family Ministry

Team Meeting


Group



Study

9:00am Newsletter Assembly

12:00pm Advent Appreciation Dinner

6:30pm Youth Board Meeting

6:30pm UpGrade Middle School Youth

Group

7:00pm Rebecca Circle

Friday December 19


Sunday December 21

Holy Communion at 8:30 and 10:30

7:00am Cinnamon Rolls

8:30am Choirs, Carols & Celebration

Worship Service

8:30am Sunday School



10:30am Choirs, Carols & Celebration

Worship Service

10:30am Sunday School


TIM Team

Monday December 22


9:00am Quilters


11

Tuesday December 23

9:00am Harvest of Hands Crafts



Meeting


Christmas Eve

Zion Office Closes at Noon

2:00pm Christmas Eve Worship Service



10:30pm Christmas Eve Choir



Christmas Day

10:00am Christmas Day Worship Service

Friday December 26

Church Office Closed

6:00pm Wedding Rehearsal


3:00pm Wedding

Sunday December 28

Sanctuary Sunday






Monday December 29


9:00am Quilters


Tuesday December 30



Meeting


New Year’s Eve

Year-End Offering by 10am


12:00pm Zion Office Closes at Noon

Wednesday Suppers

On Wednesday nights, families,

confirmation students, musicians,

committee members, and people of all

ages get together for a Zion family meal

in Fellowship Hall. Seven supper teams

rotate, giving variety to the menu each

week. Serving runs from 5:00-6:15pm,

with a suggested donation of $4 per

person or $15 per family.

If you have time to give as a supper team

member, contact Cindy Bonde at

[email protected]. Teams serve only 4

times a year; an easy serving option with

great groups of people.

Supper Menus December 3: Burgers

December 10: Soup/Chili/Hot dog

December 17: Baked Potatoes

December 24: No Supper (Christmas

Eve)

December 31: No Supper (New

Years’ Eve)

Sign Up for Prayer Sisters

What is a Prayer Sister? It is someone

you are partnered with for the year, and

whom you remember in daily prayer. You

also send cards and/or gifts for special

occasions, or whenever God moves you to

do so. He knows when she needs a day

brightener. The following December, the

identity of your Prayer Sister is revealed to

you at the annual Christmas Tea. Sign up

for the 2015 program online at

ZionBuffalo.org/prayer-sisters or at the

Information Desk.

Director of Youth Ministries

Myron Crawford

763.682.1245 ext. 308

[email protected]

Engage. Grow. Proclaim.

Zion Youth Ministries exists to

engage youth, help them grow

and proclaim faith in Christ.

Friday Breakfast Crew

Are you a 9th-12th grader and want a

great way to start your Friday right?

Then come to Perkins for breakfast on

the first Friday of each month at 6am.

This is a great time to check in with

your friends and have some great food.

This month’s Friday Breakfast Crew is

Friday, December 5, at 6am. If you

need a ride to school, contact Myron.

Make sure to bring money for food and

a tip for our great servers!

Confirmation Class

Schedule

Confirmation at Zion is open to all 6th -

8th Graders and meets

each Wednesday evening from 6pm-

7:30pm. Students should remember to

always bring their Bibles and a pen/

pencil.

October’s scheduled topics are:

December 3: Ruth - The Tenacious

Outsider

December 10: David - The Flawed

and Beloved King

December 17: Elijah - The Get-R-

Done Prophet

December 24 & 31: NO CLASS -

Winter Break

1 Timothy 4:12

Don’t let anyone look down on

you because you are young, but set

an example for the believers in speech,

in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.

ZionBuffalo.org/Youth

Youth & Children’s Ministry

12

Childcare Assistant

Preston Bestick was baptized at Christ the King Lutheran Church in New Ulm, confirmed at Alleluia in St. Michael, and started attending Zion when his mom, Dawn, started working as an office administrator and receptionist in the church office a couple of years ago.

Preston enjoys working with children and has volunteered in many ways with children's ministry at Zion, including as a Sunday School Shepherd last year, Sunday School Teacher this year, VBS Crew Leader for two years, games on Homecoming Sunday, and making kitty mats to take to Crossroads Animal Shelter on SERVE Weekend.

I enjoy the stories [the children] have to tell. I also enjoy seeing them at church on Sunday and having them come up to me to say hi.

This past summer, Preston worked as a counselor with the Zion Day Camp childcare program.

ZDC is a good place for children to have fun and learn about God during the summer. The ZDC scavenger hunt on the last day of the program was awesome. We searched for things throughout the church.

With the beginning of the school year, Preston has returned to Zion's staff as a childcare assistant with the Wednesday afternoon Kids' Place program.

[Kids' Place] helps kids have an understanding of the importance of social relationships and communication in their church setting. It provides the children of Zion a safe place to go before or after their church activities.

Preston is also actively involved with senior high ministry at Zion, as part of the Graceland youth group, and feels that youth director Myron Crawford has opened many doors for him to experience his faith.

My favorite thing that I have been involved in here at Zion was the mission trip to Indianapolis this summer. It was a great bonding trip and made me feel more at home here at Zion.

Preston's favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

It just seems to show up when I need it.

(Preston Bestick continued on page 14)

My favorite thing that

I have been involved in

here at Zion was the

mission trip to

Indianapolis

Director of Children & Family Ministry

Kirsten Kelly

763.682.1245 x331

[email protected]

Children & Family Ministry Assistants

Marsha Watkins

Kristin Lotthammer

763-682-1245 x308

[email protected]

[email protected]

Sunday School Calendar

December 7: Queen Esther (2) &

Christmas Program dress rehearsal

December 14: Christmas Program

December 21: Wise Men

December 28: Sanctuary Sunday

Sunday School Reminders

Have you turned in your SS registration

fee ($10/child) and covenant (blue sheet)

yet? If not, please turn these in next time

you are at church!

If your child is in need of a Spark chapter

or story Bible, please stop by the SS

Office to pick one up. If you have lost your

Bible, we ask that you contribute $15 to

pay for a replacement one.

Read your Bible on a daily/weekly basis,

fill your Bible reading card, and bring it

to the SS office to receive a prize (and get

a new card)!

Parent Text Updates

Here’s how to be added to our list for

short text updates/reminders about Zion's

Sunday or Wednesday ministries. You

can’t respond to these text messages but

they are a quick/easy way for us to send

into to a lot of people at once.

Sunday School Parents: text

"@ssupdate" to 651.314.1878

Wednesday After School Ministries:

text "@zionwed" to 651.314.1878

Sunday School Teachers: text

"@zionsstch" to 651.314.1878

The Very Important Christmas Pageant

All Sunday School Children will be singing in the Christmas Program again this year on Sunday, December 14, at 8:30 and 10:30 services.

On this Sunday only, we ask that parents do not bring their children to worship for the first 15 minutes. Instead, preschool parents drop off their children in their classrooms and K-5th grade will meet in Trinity Hall. This will allow us to get situated and practice one last time before the program that morning.

There will also be a dress rehearsal the week before on December 7 during each Sunday School hour, allowing the kids to see the entire program and how things will run (specifically with the songs they are singing). Sunday School children will be singing parts of Joy to the World, Away in a Manger, and O Little Town of Bethlehem. Song sheets with lyrics and specifics have gone home with the children and can also be found online. Please practice these songs at home with your children so that they are prepared for the program on December 14! We ask that children wear their Christmas best for the program.

Woodworking Community Partnership

Have you ever stopped to think about what sort of planning goes into making the week of VBS happen? From the set and decorations to the snacks, crafts, volunteers and even registration. Planning doesn't just begin the month or two before... believe it or not, it begins almost the day after the previous year finishes! There are many hands that work together to make this ministry so successful.

One unique piece of Zion's VBS has been the woodworking project. Planning for this piece begins about 10 months in advance by the Children and Family Ministry team and a dedicated group of volunteers that have incredible woodworking skills.

Last years' project, the beautiful, personalized name plaques, began a new partnership. As we were exploring options for this great keepsake, LeRoy Kronenberg discovered a gem called the Buffalo Toy Shop. This wonderful ministry takes place out of a little building down by Sturgis Park where a group of people volunteer their time to do woodworking a few days a week... building toys from donated materials to be sent to children all over the world. Once LeRoy made this discovery, conversation began about partnering to help make our VBS name plaques (which each had "Child of God" etched into them). The Buffalo Toy shop allowed the woodworking crew (including LeRoy, Rodger Hessedal and Glen Berglund) to use their space and tools to create the 375 name plaques for our VBS children. LeRoy said that with some practice, they were able to get it down to 10 plaques

(Woodworking Partnership continued on page 17)

ZionBuffalo.org/Children 13

Baptisms

November 9

Oscar Johannes Bertsch

Ava Elizabeth Rinderknecht

Weddings

October 25

Kelly LaFrance & Raymond Dahlof, at

Zion

The Baptism Class

Anyone wishing to schedule a baptism is

asked to attend a class prior to the date of

the baptism. Expectant parents, as well as

those who already are parents, may

attend the class. Scheduling of baptisms

will take place at the class.

The next classes are Sunday, December

14, and Sunday, February 8, at noon.

Register at ZionBuffalo.org/Baptism or

by calling the office.

Keeping in Contact

Zion is a big place, and sometimes things

happen in life that keep us from being as

connected to the community as we would

like. We would like to make sure that all

Zion members feel like part of the church,

whether they are able to worship regularly

or not. If you or someone you know is

unable to worship regularly, or would

consider themselves homebound, or are

living in a senior care facility, please let

us know so we can make sure you are

receiving communion and pastoral care.

We want to make sure all the people of

Zion are able to stay connected. Please

call or email Ann or Dawn in the office

with information as to how we can reach

you or someone you know that you’d like

us to include in our visitation schedule.

Thanks, Pastor Luke and Pastor Ted

14

Preston is a junior at St. Michael/Albertville High School.

My favorite class is anatomy and physiology. It is my favorite class, because I want to study forensic sciences as a future career.

Preston also enjoys playing video games, reading, hanging out with friends, and snowboarding at Powder Ridge in Kimball.

His father, Mark, is a safety manager at Firestone Metal Products. Preston's family also includes two older sisters, Stephanie and Samantha, an older brother, Nathan, brother-in-law, Ben, nephew, Cale and two nieces, Addison and MacKenzie.

(Preston Bestick continued from page 12)

way to start each week. My kids really enjoy attending Sunday School with their friends and it is wonderful to see their faith grow so naturally.

This fall, Andrea also took on leadership of the Second Sunday Welcome Crew. She reaches out to Zion members who are willing to give their time Sunday mornings for ushering, greeting, and coffee fellowship.

Because we had such a wonderful first experience at Zion, I want to help ensure that other new families have the same positive experience we did. SWC gives me that opportunity! This has encouraged me to reach out beyond some of my many close friends at Zion and get to know other members. We typically attend the 10:30 service but working with SWC I have begun to be there earlier on some Sundays and meet more families.

Andrea is interested in hearing from anyone who would like to be part of the Second Sunday crew.

(Andrea Jonasson continued from page 7)

Christmas Traditions Around the Globe

Although Americans celebrate the holiday with candlelight services, piles of gifts, large feasts, lights and trees, people in other countries mark Jesus’ birth in many interesting ways:

Instead of decorating trees, Italians place fruit on small wooden pyramids.

On Christmas Eve, the streets of Caracas, Venezuela, are blocked off so people can roller-skate to church.

Ukrainian Christmas trees often feature an artificial spider and web. According to a folk tale, a poor woman who couldn’t afford decorations awoke one Christmas morning to find that spiders had “trimmed” her children’s trees with delicate webs.

In Brazil, the gift-bringer is known as Papai Noel (Father Noel), who lives in Greenland, according to legend. When he arrives in Brazil, he wears silk clothing because of the summer heat.

15

graduate of the University of Minnesota, and works as a program manager for Meridian Services of Golden Valley. Nick is a 2014 graduate of Buffalo High School and a current student at St. Cloud Community and Technical College. Emily is in 10th grade at Buffalo High School.

Dawn and Mike are both music teachers. Dawn previously taught band and choir at Yellow Medicine East High School in Granite Falls and Cedar Mountain High School in Morgan. She has been at Buffalo Community Middle School for the past 12 years, where she teaches 6th Grade Choir, 7th Grade Boys’ Choir, and 8th Grade Choir along with two extra-curricular choirs: 6th Grade Singers and Guys Group. Mike is a choir director at Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine.

When they moved to Montrose they visited several area churches, and chose to make Zion their home because they liked the music and already knew many people.

Dawn got involved with music ministry right away, beginning with the Senior Choir. She has also played in the wind ensemble and has joined the Joyful Ringers handbell choir.

It’s always fun to play [in the Wind Ensemble] for Lee Kjesbo. I never know for sure what instrument I’m going to be playing until we get to rehearsal. I had never played bells prior to coming to Zion and it's been a great learning experience as well as a challenge for me.

This past summer, Dawn was approached by Mike Walsh to direct Zion's Youth Choir.

It wasn't something I had thought about since my plate is already pretty full. But it's turned out great and I'm glad I said yes. It's important to get the kids involved. If kids feel valued in church, they will keep coming. Young people need good role models now more than ever and church is a great place to find them.

Dawn finds it refreshing to lead music in a different setting from her day job.

They choose to come and want to be there! I enjoy their enthusiasm. It’s also interesting to have kids in the group who have only been in band or orchestra and this is their first choir experience.

Other musical interests include helping Mike at the Presbyterian Church, where he is the choir director, and accompanying musicals including Little Shop of Horrors and Springtime for Hitler for Buffalo Community Theater and Phantom of the Opera for BHS. She will be accompanying another BHS musical this spring.

(Dawn Agre continued from page 6)

(Dawn Agre continued on page 17)

Our Mission... Zion seeks to

Share Christ’s Word,

Strengthen faith, and

Serve those in need.

Our Vision… Helping people experience the joy of

life in Christ by:

1. Celebrating on Sundays:

Creating Sunday morning experiences that invite, welcome, engage, and inspire people to live for Christ.

2. Living God’s Call:

Engaging people in a process of discipleship which inspires them to

trust in Christ, grow in faith, and serve God’s world.

3. Connecting with Care:

Creating a community where people are connected in relationships and

supported in need.

Young people need

good role models now

more than ever and

church is a great place

to find them.

I never know for sure

what instrument I’m

going to be playing

until we get to

rehearsal.

Lutefisk Thanks

The Lutefisk committee would like to

thank all the Zion volunteers who helped

to make this year’s dinner a huge success

as over 350 people were served again.

Many commented about the great meal

and the great help that was provided. It

was especially a treat for the committee

to hear all the positive comments about

the youth that helped in the dining room.

The committee looks forward to the young

people helping each year and we believe

the Lutefisk lovers appreciate their efforts

also.

Photos from the dinner can be found at

facebook.com/ZionBuffalo/

posts/10152847170295522.

All of the proceeds of the dinner go to

support Zion ministries and community

ministries. The committee will be meeting

in late November to decide how to

allocate this year’s proceeds, another

exciting part of the Lutefisk process for

the committee. Since 2007, over $10,000

has been distributed.

The Lutefisk dinner for 2015 is set for

Friday October 30. Mark your calendars

now!

16

Donations Arrive in Jamaica

The shipping container full of medical and other supplies collected at Zion recently arrived in Jamaica.

"Once we opened the doors we worked our butts off, it was so hot that day. I want to say thank you all for your help with this project. I know it turned out to be a lot more than we all thought it would be but the end results were amazing. Again, thank you."

Jeff Peterson, Mission Jamaica

Donations for the 2015 trip will be collected in February. Check the January or February newsletter for a list of items.

Dave and Jim will be joining another veterinarian, a team of health care workers, and a small group of teachers for this trip. The team will offer veterinary care, teach at local clinics, visit small ranches, and build relationships by staying with local Dominicans in Las Caobas, near Santiago.

Dave was also a long-time member of Zion’s Stewardship Committee and co-chaired two capital fund appeals, giving him an opportunity to study Christian stewardship.

Sue and I were challenged to put these principles into practice. We made the decision to become tithers at a time in our life when we had huge debt, young children and limited income. I can’t claim that tithing has eliminated all of our financial worries, but I believe it has given us a spirit of generosity that has always left us with “enough.”

As a member of the stewardship committee for many years, one Lenten season we conducted an interesting congregational experiment we called, “Try a Two-Month Tithe.” We challenged the council to tithe ten percent of each Sunday’s offering as a “first-fruit gift” to synod benevolence and we challenged congregational members to tithe ten percent of their pay checks as a “first-fruit gift” to Zion for a two-month trial. Zion ended the year in the black and we may have inspired some members to continue to tithe.

Follow Dave and Jim’s trip to the Dominican Republic at wright2us.blogspot.com.

(Dave Wright continued from page 5)

We made the decision

to become tithers at a

time in our life when

we had huge debt,

young children and

limited income.

17

Advent Devotionals

Stop by the Zion information desk to pick

up an advent devotional for home use.

New this seasons is Your People Long to

Greet You, the advent devotional book

created by Luther Seminary. The booklet

is written by Shelley Cunningham, Luther

Seminary graduate, and includes a daily

Bible passage and brief reading for the

season. Daily email is also available

at luthersem.edu/advent.

Redeemer Christmas Store

Redeemer Center for Life and Redeemer

Lutheran Church in North Minneapolis

are again gearing up for their annual

Christmas Store, which will place

on December 13, 2014 from 9am-noon at

Redeemer Lutheran Church.

This event gives Redeemer the opportunity

to reach out to children, helping them to

participate in sharing the excitement of

giving at Christmas. The Christmas Store

offers children a chance to buy four gifts

for their family members and get them

gift-wrapped for the price of twenty-five

cents per gift!

Members of partner congregations like

Zion can participate by volunteering at

the event, donating gifts, or perhaps in

your own creative way to contribute to the

success of this event.

The success of the Christmas Store flows

from the generosity of others, like you,

who are willing to donate gifts, time and

resources. Please consider how you may

participate in this event and contact

Sarah Stadie at Redeemer Lutheran

Church (612.374.4139 x24 or

[email protected]) or Babette

Chatman at Redeemer Center for Life

(612.374.4139 x16 or

[email protected]) with any

questions.

per hour (as long as they didn’t make any mistakes). With 375 to make, let's just say that the guys donated quite a bit of time to get the plaques ready for VBS... a true labor of love.

Now, through this new partnership, the Buffalo Toy Shop has connected with Mission Jamaica and has donated over 300 wooden toys to be sent to children in Jamaica this spring with our Zion team. It's a beautiful thing and amazing to see how God is at work in our community and in the world!

Through a plaque at VBS... to hands that do woodworking... to toys that will bring smiles to children's faces in Jamaica... God is good, all the time... and all the time, God is good!

A huge thanks to Irv Schmidt and his team at the Buffalo Toy Shop for all that they've done to share the good news of God's love through their gift of woodworking! And continued thanks to LeRoy, Rodger, Glen and many others that have contributed to our VBS woodworking projects over the years! Thanks for sharing God's love with the VBS children at Zion!

Where’s Your Plaque?

Now that you know some history behind the VBS name plaques, we would love to see where they all ended up! You are invited to share a picture of where your child's name plaque is hung in your home. Upload your photo to the Children’s Ministry Facebook page at facebook.com/ZionKids or email them to [email protected], and we will make sure to share them! Thanks for being a part of the journey!

(Woodworking Partnership continued from page 13)

She also plays in the Never Made it Big Band for the Staff Showcase at BHS.

Throughout her 12 years in Buffalo, much of her time has been dedicated to her children's activities at BCMS and BHS, including band, marching band, choir, Chamber Choir, Chamber Orchestra, FFA, Students Stepping Up, National Honor Society, Junior National Honor Society, volleyball and softball. Deirdra was also Miss Montrose 2006-2007. She has also delivered Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels was an eye-opening experience and I loved doing it. It was amazing how appreciative the people were when all you did was deliver a small meal for them.

Dawn likes to read and be at home, and she is also employed as a personal care assistant for Meridian Services in Golden Valley, working with disabled adults in four group homes.

(Dawn Agre continued from page 15)

The Voice

A monthly publication of Zion Lutheran Church

Upcoming Deadlines

December 3 at 8am for January Issue

January 19 at 8am for February issue

Editor: Angela Bengtson

[email protected]

This Month’s Cover

Christmas Trees at Zion

Contact Us

[email protected]

www.ZionBuffalo.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-

4:30pm

Ph 763.682.1245 / Fax 763.684.1967

1200 Highway 25 South, Buffalo (across

from 13th St S.)

PO Box 88, Buffalo, MN 55313

18

Zion Staff

Ted Vanderpan: Senior Pastor

ext. 304 | [email protected]

Luke Schmidt: Pastor of Congregational Life


Sherilyn Burgdorf: Shared Ministry Director


Kirsten Kelly: Director of Children & Family


Marsha Watkins: CFM Coordinator


Kristin Lotthammer: CFM Coordinator


Myron Crawford: Director of Youth Ministries


Jim Onstad: Youth Staff

Dawn Bestick: Office Administrator / Receptionist


Ann Lyons: Office Administrator / Receptionist


Angela Bengtson: Communications & Membership


Sue Stensrud: Financial Secretary


Joel Mackereth: Building & Grounds Manager


Lynn Botts: Facilities Manager


Cory Sherman: Part Time Custodian

Missy Peterson & Angie Smith: Nursery Staff

Michael Walsh: Coordinator of Music

Bob Strommen: Sound System Coordinator

Mike Rome: Video Technician

Congregational Council

Kelly Hanson

Alisa Ireland

Deana Jeske

Sarah Klett

Tom Moline

Heather Moseley

Mike Newman

Nancy Olson

Harley Pommier

Thomas Stanforth

Dave Tauscher

Kristin Wilson

Inside

Zion Lutheran Church

1200 Highway 25 S.

PO Box 88

Buffalo, MN 55313

www.ZionBuffalo.org

Address Service Requested

Standard

U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit 11

Buffalo MN 55313

Address Label Here

Santa Lucia Supper 2

A Simple Christmas 3

Special Christmas Gift 4

Dawn Agre 6

Andrea Jonasson 7

Christmas Giving 9

Christmas in June? 9

Preston Bestick 12

Christmas Program 13

Woodworking Partnership 13

Pod Arrives in Jamaica 16

Decem

ber 2

01

4

*

* *

ZionBuffalo.org

December 2014

Documents

santa lucia supper

lucia day

santa lucia legend

swedish tradition of

bu f f

traditional lucia rolls

family educator

family roots