Ed Blair Classic IV Golf Day Details

Sunday, Sept. 7 at Albion Ridges.
Come at 1:30 to sign in and get set for the shotgun start at 2:00.

You may sign up as singles, twosomes, threesomes, or foursomes. . . remember that this is a fellowship event and consider taking this opportunity to golf with someone new by not signing up as a complete foursome.

Sign Up Now

Zion’s former pastor, Ed Blair is planning to be visiting from Arizona for the weekend and participating in the golf day. Rally Day will also be held at Zion on September 7, so plan to have lunch at church before you head to Annandale.

Zion Men’s Softball Falls to Salem

Friday June 20th was a tough night for the Zion men’s softball team. Salem scored early and often to route Zion 21-8. Zion’s record now stands at 2 wins and 5 losses, with 3 games remaining.

This Friday, June 27th, Zion takes on Buffalo Covenant 2 at 9PM at Bentfield Mills.

Ed Blair Golf Classic IV

Planning is underway for this year‟s golf event, scheduled for Sunday, September 7, with a tentative tee time of 1:30 pm. Check the website or August newsletter for complete details and registration information.

I suppose a fellow can worship on the golf course - but it’s almost as unhandy as playing golf in church.
~Author Unknown

Women’s Joint Bible Study

The annual Women of Zion Joint Bible Study will be held in August this year, tentatively on August 7 at 7pm. If you would like to help coordinate this event, please attend the planning meeting on July 8 at 6:30 pm. Details for the Joint Bible Study will be available in the August newsletter.

Make Your Picture Directory Appointment Now

Have you heard that Zion is doing a new picture directory?

All summer dates (July 21-25 and July 28-August 1) as well as initial fall dates (September 30-October 4) are open for church picture directory photography appointments. Additional fall days will be added as these times begin to fill up.

Click here to make your own appointment now

Those who have not yet made an appointment will receive a call from a Lifetouch representative (area code 419) on behalf of Zion. They are assisting us in contacting you to schedule your portrait appointment and to answer any questions you may have regarding your portrait session.

Zion Men’s Softball Gets 2nd Win

The Zion men’s softball team played a solid game on Friday June 13th, and came away with a 25-13 win over St. John’s. Aggressive baserunning, smart pitch selection, a rare show of homerun power were catalysts for the victory.

Zion takes on Salem Lutheran this Friday June 20th at 9PM under the lights. The team appreciates the fan support we’ve had recently, and would like even more! Come on out to Bentfield Mills!

Have you ever toured Buffalo Lake?

Join the Zionaires Seniors Group on Monday, June 30th Zionaires to board a pontoon boat and see Buffalo from the lake.  The first group of ten will board the pontoon at the dock near the Sturges Park Pavilion at 10am, and a second group will leave a bit later.

Lunch will be at Zion at noon for both those who took a tour, and those who would just like lunch with friends.

Please sign up at the information desk by June 27.  If the weather is not suitable for boating, ‘plan B’ is to meet at Zion at 10am.

Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger

The book club selection for August is Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger (the first of his mystery series) . Book Club will meet in the library on August 11 at 7pm.

Part Irish, part Anishinaabe Indian, Corcoran “Cork” O’Connor is the former sheriff of Aurora, Minnesota (population 3,752). Embittered over losing his job as a cop and over the marital meltdown that has separated him from his wife and children, Cork gets by on heavy doses of caffeine, nicotine, and guilt.

Zion Falls in Men’s Softball

On Friday June 6th, Zion fell to Latter Day Saints Church by a final of 20-11. It was a back and forth game until the final inning, and LDS pulled away at the end.

Zion next faces St. John’s Lutheran at 7:00 on Friday June 13th. Come on out to the park!

Zion Men’s Softball Rallies, Comes up Short

On Friday May 30th, the Zion men’s softball team took on St. Paul’s. After getting down early, they rallied for 4 runs in the bottom of the last inning, but fell 2 runs short for a 15-13 final. The loss puts Zion’s record at 1 win and 3 losses for this young season.

Next for Zion is the Latter Day Saints church on Friday June 6th, at 9 PM. Come spend your Friday nite watching some softball under the lights at Bentfield Mills!

Zion Men’s Softball Falls to Spirit of Joy

On Friday May 23rd, Zion jumped out to an early 3-0 lead v. Spirit of Joy, but unfortunately those were the only runs they would get. Spirit of Joy uncorked their bats and cruised to a 13-3 win. Zion next takes on St. Paul’s this Friday May 30th, at Bentfield Mills Field #1. Gametime is 7PM.

More Photo Appointment Times Open

The first week of fall time slots (Sept 30- Oct 4) are now open for appointments in addition to the first week of summer times (July 21-25). Additional days will be added as these times begin to fill up.

Those who have not yet made an appointment will receive a call from a Lifetouch representative (area code 419) in June on behalf of Zion. They are assisting us in contacting you to schedule your portrait appointment and to answer any questions you may have regarding your portrait session.

Invite to Write

The congregation is invited to write to the 2nd-5th Grade youth that are attending Andy’s Gang at Shore’s of St Andrew’s Camp in New London, MN and the 6th-8th Grade youth that are attending Confirmation Camp at Camp Green Lake in Spicer, MN from Sun June 15 to Fri June 20, 2008.

There will be a display in the narthex with postcards with students names, addresses and directions on what to do starting June 1.

Hear Rachel Kurtz on June 22

Rachel Kurtz will be at Zion on Sunday, June 22, participating in worship services in the morning, and in concert at 1pm.

“Rachel Kurtz is a fulltime singer/songwriter originally from Cokato, MN. She travels the country singing about faith, life, love and the freedom we have in Jesus. She enjoys traveling and meeting people from all around the world and hearing their stories. Rachel has been involved with youth ministry for the past 9 years. She loves to encourage students with her stories and also see and affirm their gifts. Rachel sings in a variety of venues, from coffee shops to colleges, pubs to house parties, youth weekends to churches. Rachel has also sung in both ELCA and LCMS national gatherings, synod events and has had the pleasure of singing in India and West Africa. Rachel hopes to continue traveling the world singing for the Lord. “

The afternoon concert will be free and open to the public. You can learn more about Rachel or check out her CDs at rachelkurtz.com.

Thanks, Servers!

Thank you to all who worked on the Wednesday Night Supper teams during the past year! The suppers have become a mainstay of the Wednesday night schedule at Zion. The supper teams will take a break for the summer and teams will form again in the fall to resume the weekly meal rotation.

All Wednesday Supper Team members are invited to be guests at a supper on Wednesday, June 11 at 5:30pm. Chicken and burgers will be provided for team members and their families. Bring a dish to share (salad, dessert, etc.); beverage, dishes and clean up will be provided. Come and be our guests for a night to celebrate a great year. We’ll also take a few minutes to share ideas and suggestions for next year’s supper plans.

Please RSVP by Sunday, June 8 to Sherilyn, Cindy Bonde, or Dorothy Valentine

Church Directory Time

This year we will be working with Lifetouch, as we did in 2003, to take pictures of our church family during summer and fall photography sessions and produce a new pictorial directory, which is the family album of our faith community. This is a great opportunity for a family or individual portrait: professional photographers, close to home, inclusion in our church history, and no sitting fees.

A Win for Zion Men’s Softball

Zion’s men’s softball team found the bats they were missing from the last game and defeated Buffalo Covenant #1 on Friday May 16th. Zion got some big hits along the way and built a nice lead, then hung on for a 23-18 win.

Come out to Bentfield Mills this Friday, May 23rd, to see Zion take on Spirit of Joy under the lights at 9PM.

Lutheran Night at the Twins Ticket Info

This year’s Lutheran Night game will be Minnesota Twins vs Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, August 19.

A free bus will again be provided by the Wright County Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. You must register in advance to ride the bus, which will probably leave from Zion; specific details will be provided in August.

Tickets range from $6 to $21 and can be ordered here or at the information desk.

Book Club Now On Mondays

Book club has changed days from the second Tuesday of each month to the second Monday. We meet at 7pm in the Zion Library / Chapel.

Our summer schedule is as follows:

• June 9: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
• July 14: Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
• Aug 11: Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger (the first of his mystery series)

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz July 8

The book club selection for July is Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz . Book Club will meet on July 14 at 7pm.

Odd Thomas is just that. He works as a fry cook in the fictional California town of Pico Mundo. Should he ever leave that position, he sees a future in selling tires or shoes. What he lacks in ambition, he makes up for with a special gift. He communes with and sees the dead, some of whom enlist his help in avenging their deaths from foul play. His gift is a secret from everyone except his beautiful girlfriend and the Chief of Police, who never questions Odd’s tips, advice, or presence at a murder scene.

School Library Journal

Read more of this review on Amazon.com, and a very unique introduction by the animated main character on the author’s web site. School Library Journal recommends this book for high school and adults.

The August book will be Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger (the first of his mystery series) on August 11.