December 2014 From Pastor Chang The Sounds of Zion Zion United Methodist Church • 1001 24th Avenue South • Grand Forks, ND Greetings in the name of the Savior Jesus who is to come among us soon again! Yes, it is December, the Christmas month that is marked by the colorful decorations, lights and snow- flakes, sweet smell of cookies and chocolates filling in our house. Probably some of you have already brought Christmas trees and lights to your house and are ready to celebrate this holiday season. In this exciting, joyful season, remember those around us who can’t be in the mood of celebration be- cause of the hardships of life, health concerns, or the recent loss of their loved ones in the family. Right before working on this message, I read another newspaper article about the afterward measures and plans and new arrangements to prevent further cases like the death of a young man in Ferguson, MO. Because of the decision of the Grand Jury announced last week not to indict the po- lice officer, many were outraged. They saw this case as the miscarriage of justice, while others were arguing that the decision is to be honored and respected since they had come to that conclusion af- ter careful consideration on the unusual number of evidences and testimonies submitted to them. Our nation has been torn apart once again and we witness the unresolved, on-going issues of our so- ciety that has become the seedbed of violence, mistrust, and racism. Being confronted with the split of the nation, and being in my prayer for healing and return of peace to our communities, I came to think that this is why we are so desperately waiting for Jesus, waiting for His justice and His realm on the earth. Did you know this is the very theme of the season of Ad- vent? In church, we have just moved into a new season called ‘Advent.’ Until Christmas Eve, we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ. The season pro- claims Christ’s anticipated coming again, as well as the coming of Jesus as the infant Savior whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. So, it is a time that is not just preparation for Christmas day, but also the time of preparation for the second coming of Christ in the name of justice and peace, and the in- ward soul-searching that should mark that prepara- tion. For our spiritual preparation for His coming, we are having a new Advent sermon series titled “What Are We Waiting For?” based on different gospel and epistle readings. Come my friends and join our worship and exciting seasonal events here at Zion!
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December 2014
From Pastor Chang
The Sounds of Zion Zion United Methodist Church • 1001 24th Avenue South • Grand Forks, ND
Greetings in the name of the Savior Jesus who is to come among us soon again!
Yes, it is December, the Christmas month that is marked by the colorful decorations, lights and snow-
flakes, sweet smell of cookies and chocolates filling in our house. Probably some of you have already
brought Christmas trees and lights to your house and are ready to celebrate this holiday season.
In this exciting, joyful season, remember those around us who can’t be in the mood of celebration be-
cause of the hardships of life, health concerns, or the recent loss of their loved ones in the family.
Right before working on this message, I read another newspaper article about the afterward
measures and plans and new arrangements to prevent further cases like the death of a young man in
Ferguson, MO. Because of the decision of the Grand Jury announced last week not to indict the po-
lice officer, many were outraged. They saw this case as the miscarriage of justice, while others were
arguing that the decision is to be honored and respected since they had come to that conclusion af-
ter careful consideration on the unusual number of evidences and testimonies submitted to them.
Our nation has been torn apart once again and we witness the unresolved, on-going issues of our so-
ciety that has become the seedbed of violence, mistrust, and racism.
Being confronted with the split of the nation, and being in my prayer for healing and return of peace
to our communities, I came to think that this is why we are so desperately waiting for Jesus, waiting
for His justice and His realm on the earth. Did you know this is the very theme of the season of Ad-
vent?
In church, we have just moved into a new season
called ‘Advent.’ Until Christmas Eve, we prepare
ourselves for the coming of Christ. The season pro-
claims Christ’s anticipated coming again, as well as
the coming of Jesus as the infant Savior whose birth
we celebrate at Christmas. So, it is a time that is not
just preparation for Christmas day, but also
the time of preparation for the second coming of
Christ in the name of justice and peace, and the in-
ward soul-searching that should mark that prepara-
tion.
For our spiritual preparation for His coming, we are
having a new Advent sermon series titled “What Are
We Waiting For?” based on different gospel and epistle readings.
Come my friends and join our worship and exciting seasonal events here at Zion!
November 2014 Page 2
Administrative Council Meeting Minutes from November, 2014
Attendees: Tim Carlson Chairperson, Pastor Chang, Jerry Quam, John and Cynthia Shabb, Don Miller,
David and Cathy Perry, Brad Loiland and Dale Taylor acting secretary.
Call to Order at 7:07 pm by Tim Carlson. Pastor Chang led us in Prayer.
Minutes for the October Meeting: Moved and Seconded Cynthia/Don. Approved
Treasurer’s Report (John): A copy of the October financials was provided. All bills were paid in full ex-
cept apportionments which are now approximately -$2,500.00 for the year. The roof is complete and
all but the final payment of approximately $4,000.00 has been made. Pastor Chang said approximately
$2,700.00 was made at the Turkey Dinner. The profit is to go to the roof project. Cynthia/Don moved
to accept the report. Report Approved.
Committee reports:
A. Technology (Brad): Reported the west side projector in the Sanctuary no longer works. The prob-
lem appears to be a bad mother board. It is more cost effective to buy new rather than repair the pro-
jector. Brad said an LP type projector would cost between $500.00 and $550.00 and an LCD projector
would cost approximately $1,000.00. The difference between the projectors is the LCD would be bright-
er and clearer. It was decided that Brad fill out an application for the Endowment fund to purchase two
LCD projectors and if approved to purchase one and try it out and if it is considerably better than our
present east side projector we would purchase the second. A person has told the pastor they would like
to pay a portion of the cost which would then lower the request from the Endowment Fund. If the re-
quest is not approved by the Endowment Fund the issue will be brought back to the Administrative
Council.
B. Trustees (Jerry): Reported the Fire inspector made his annual inspection. We were told to make
sure there were no combustibles with 18 inches of and alarm. Jerry removed a portion of the shelving
under the east stairwell. We were also told there should be nothing under the control box in the me-
chanical room under the office. Jerry cleared the area. We also received our annual inspection of the
sprinkler system. The system was tested and found to be in good working order. Other areas worked on
this month included replacing three thermostats and setting week day temperatures at 65 degrees.
Heat tape of the kitchen roof was installed and 16 ceiling tiles in the downstairs were replaced. Be-
cause of the break in new locks and keys were installed in the Pastors Study and the Day Care office.
Master keys have all been place in the safe rather than the office. A window was replaced in the Day
Care office as the police have taken the window as evidence. The doors in the Church office and Day
Care office were repaired. Yellow tape has been installed on the steps. Camera installation was dis-
cussed and Trustees were directed to find the cost to wire cameras and report back to the Administra-
tive Council at the next meeting.
C. Education (Cynthia): Reported the children Christmas Program will be on December 14th. She
also stated we were in need of two adults needing to be present when the Youth Group meets on
Wednesday nights. She said Bonnie Taylor would be in the area during the meetings.
D. Hospitality: (Don): No report this month.
Page 3 December 2014
E. Stewardship and Finance: (John): Reported that we are within reach of our budget being about
$2,500.00 short of apportionments thus far. Because of this John reported we would have a celebra-
tion on Sunday December 7th. He would make a statement during the service and we would have a
treat after the service and prior to decorating the Sanctuary. Cathy said she would organize something
such as Sloppy Jo’s and cake for that time and Cynthia said she would help.
F. Staff Parish: (Cathy) The committee would be meeting next week to complete the Church Pro-
file.
G Worship: (David) Stated our Joint Thanksgiving Service would be on Tuesday at7:30 p.m. at Zi-
on. Ken Sherwood will be directing the combined choir. The offering for the night and a special offer-
ing the following Sunday will go, as directed by the Bishop, to Native Americans in the Rapid City area
and Ebola victims in West Africa. December 10th the Youth and others will be Caroling at Valley 4000
beginning at 6:00 p.m.
H. Pastors Report: (Pastor Chang) began a discussion about the building usage and handed out a
Zion policy dated 9-20-92. It was decided that the pastor should select a committee of leaders to re-
view the policy and bring back suggestions to the next Administrative Council meeting on December
11th.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. David Perry closed with prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Dale Taylor, acting Administrative Council Secretary
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service 5:30 pm
December 2014 Page 4
Children’s Message Zion has three new “messengers”
who are bringing creative drama to
the Children’s Message portion of
our worship service. They are
Grace Jackson, Chloe Whiteside &
Ashley Rossler – 8th graders with
a fresh vitality for conveying God’s
word to all of us. We at Zion are
truly blessed to have these three
spiritually energetic presenters!
Book Notes from your Library Team In the library, for your convenience, you will find a yellow tub containing RECENT BOOK
DONATIONS – no need to search through the stacks. These books, listed below, will remain in the
yellow tub on the library desk until January 2015.
A Year Of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans (humerous and thought provoking)
Finding FAITH in the Field by Benjamin Duane Hylden (North Dakota author)
A House in the Sky by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett ( A Memoir)
Lost Boys – Why our Sons Turn Violent and How we can Save Them by J. Garbarino, PH.D.
How To Be Rich by Andy Stanley (Copy of Zion’s Recent Book Study)
The Journey, Walking the Road to Bethlehem by Adam Hamilton
(Christmas Story)
The Red 3 Ring Binder replaces the old card catalog system and it
remains on the library desk top for a quick reference. Over a thou-
sand books have been entered onto a spread sheet and divided into
three areas: Author, Title and Classification.
Thank you to all who have donated.
Your Library Committee
December 2014 Page 5
12/01 LaVonne Brown 12/21 Nancy Evans 12/02 Jone Barnick 12/22 Kristi Swartz 12/10 Earl Olson 12/23 Broughdy Millard 12/10 Nathaniel Krueger 12/23 Robb Pasley 12/12 Sherri Collings 12/24 Ted Clausen 12/13 Carrie Jackson 12/26 Tony Adams 12/14 Morgan Hartz 12/27 Virgina Stewart 12/15 Penny Ollman 12/28 Josh Nelson 12/16 Jerry Loiland 12/28 Rebekah Krueger 12/17 Alexis O’Halloran 12/29 Bette Olson 12/18 John Shabb 12/30 Travis Vanyo