Meals on Wheels Thanks

Thanks again to those who have taken the time to help deliver Meals on Wheels to local seniors during June. Zion will be delivering again in November, so watch for the next sign up in the fall.

Old Sweaters?

Do you have any old wool sweaters that you would like to donate to Harvest of Hands? The group is planning to make wool pincushions and bowls from the old sweaters. Bring your old sweaters to the front office or to the Harvest of Hands craft nights.

Potluck Picnic Celebration

You’re invited to a pot luck picnic to celebrate Dennis and Kari Murnyak’s return to Minnesota.  Kari’s brother, Kristopher Hartwig, will also be with us.  Zion has supported his hospice project in Tanzania and he will give us a short report on the progress of this ministry.

Monday, July 7, 2008

6:15 p.m. at

Dave and Sue Wright’s Garden

near Zion on 12th St. S.

Bring a dish to share.  We’ll provide beverages, paper plates, and picnic utensils.  Please RSVP so they know how many to plan for.  Invite anyone else you know who know the Murnyaks or who are interested in Zion’s mission activities.   Hope to see you there for this mission celebration.

Dave and Sue Wright

Dennis Murnyak Update

Missionary Dennis Murnyak is moving back to USA from Tanzania on July 2 and is in the midst of sorting, packing, moving and saying farewells.

His family will spend the summer in Minnesota as they search for jobs and places to live.

Dennis has a new email address, so please delete old addresses and contact the church office for his new address.

Redeemer’s Cheryl Chatman

by Cheryl Chatman

I was fortunate to be raised in a family that believed in, depended on and served God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. My grandmother often reminded us to “put God first, and all things will be added unto you.” My family attended church weekly, and was active in the work of the church and the community. The adage, “train a child in the way she should go and she will not depart from it,” resonates with me.

Social Ministry

A new Social Ministry Committee has been established.   One of the initial efforts of this committee will be to continue and strengthen the small group experience that was begun this past Lent during 40 Days of Community.

Foundation Scholarships

For many years the Zion Foundation has given a financial gift to Zion students in the second year at an ELCA college.  The gift is $350.00 given directly to the school to assist with the tuition cost.  If you are interesting in more information please submit your name and school information so that we are able to have this in place before the Fall semester begins.

Blood Drive Thanks

Thanks to those who donated blood and helped in all areas with the blood drive itself in May.  The next blood drive will be in November, and the goal will be 80 units.  Bev Smith will be calling for volunteers again in mid October.

Murnyak Mission News

May 22, 2008

Dear Supporting Congrgations,

Greetings to all of you! While many of you are welcoming spring/early summer we are just marking the end of the rainy season. It was a good stretch of heavy rains and farmers are pleased - but it did a number on our dirt roads (like the one that leads to our house) which are nearly impassable in spots - happy we have four-wheel drive!

Enough Already & Hurry Up And Wait

By Warren Mhyre, Global Missions Committee

‘ENOUGH- ALREADY’ is a phrase used by people who are poised for action and frustrated with delay and anxiety.  I, as I am sure you did, felt that way as the world watched anxiously the human suffering in Myanamar (Burma) in early May.  ENOUGH-ALREADY as that nation’s elite looked at their self-interest vs. the suffering of the people hit by the cyclone, and the willingness of relief organizations to help.

Thrivent Builds

In 2008, Thrivent Builds will construct up to 322 homes in 42 states. The Twin Cities Region of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity to build ten homes through the efforts of its 23 Thrivent chapters and Lutheran congregations. This initiative will provide additional homes throughout Minnesota. Are you ready to become involved? Opportunities are available now for interested individuals and churches.

Count Your Blessings

by Sandra Hessedal

In 1897, Johnson Oatman Jr. wrote a song with the refrain, “Count Your Blessings, count them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done!” Have you counted your blessings lately? Have they included food and shelter or are those two items “our due” because of where we were born? For many of the world’s people, food and shelter are truly “blessings” and perhaps far beyond their hope of obtaining BUT YOU can provide that hope and make that difference. You can help through “Harvest of Hands” with the work of your hands.

What Time Do You Have?

by Pastor Kelly Chatman of our partner congregation, Redeemer Lutheran Church

Last month our congregation had a special evening that included a meal, Holden Vespers worship and a presentation by Kairos consultant, Kurt Meyer.  During Kurt’s presentation he asked of the solid and inter-generational gathering of  participants what they value most about Redeemer.  Kurt could hardly get through the question before a nine year old child raised his hand with a question.  He wanted to know

Eagle Scout Troop Support Project

Matt Fautsch, a member of Troop 312 in Montrose and a member of Zion, is working on his Eagle Scout project.

His Eagle Scout project is to build a care packet for a US Marines unit that is stationed in Iraq. Lance Corporal Danny Allen a former member of Troop 312 and a graduate of Buffalo High School, was stationed in Iraq. Although Danny recently left Iraq, he helped initiate this project to help his former unit.

He is seeking wet wipes donations from business and individuals in the Buffalo and Montrose Area. He would like to include the donations in the VFW Memorial Day Ceremony in Montrose, MN on May 26^th.

Guest Speaker From the J.O.Y. Center May 13

Women United in Faith invites you to hear guest speaker, Mary Ann Peterson from J.O.Y. Center (Journey of Youth) on Tuesday, May 13, at 6:30 pm in the library.

• This is a safe, healthy and respectable environment for divorced or separated parents and children to spend quality time together.
• Teaches parenting skills and knowledge of the needs of children.
• Adult and youth support groups.

We encourage you to bring a friend and join us for an informational and inspirational meeting.

Meals on Wheels Drivers Needed for June

June is Zion‘s month to deliver Meals on Wheels to seniors in Buffalo. We are asked to provide 3 drivers per day. This is a most rewarding activity and makes a good family service project.

Consider which days you can help and sign up on the chart in the narthex. Sign ups can also be done by emailing Sherilyn at sburgdorf (at) zionbuffalo (dot) org.

Adoption Information Meeting

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Adoption is holding an information meeting for its Special Needs Adoption program on Tuesday, May 13, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. It will be held at the LSS offices in Minneapolis (710 East 24^th Street, Room 3C).

The Special Needs program helps families who feel called to adopt children through the Minnesota’s Waiting Children program. These children are under state guardianship, typically at least six years old, and can have emotional, behavioral, social, mental, or physical challenges. Families pay no fees for this program. Call Lynne Haggar at (612) 879-5230 to register. For more information, or to register online, visit www.minnesotaadoption.org.

Redeemer Trip Report and Photos

The trip to Redeemer was a great experience for all involved! More than 80 Zion members traveled to Redeemer Lutheran, on April 20, to enjoy worship with our sister congregation. The children enjoyed a half hour Sunday school session with Redeemers youth. The topic discussed was the Heroes of the Bible, and the kids had a great time remembering the many important stories of the Bible that they had learned in each seperate Sunday school environment.

The worship time began at 10:30, and all members of the congregation, including the children, joined together in the sanctuary for worship and prayer. Pastor Kelly was an amazingly gracious host, and made all those visiting, from Zion and other places feel right at home. After the meaningful worship service, with glorious music ended, everyone gathered in the fellowship hall for a light lunch and great conversation. Redeemer was a gracious host. We look forward to continue building the community between the two congregations! To God be the glory!

Photos from the day are posted on Photobucket

Bloodmobile

The American Red Cross bloodmobile will be at Zion on Thursday, May 22 from 1pm to 7pm. Donors and volunteers for the canteen, greeting, setup and take down are need. Please contact Beverly Smith.

Monday Morning Quilters

By Debbie Johnson

If ever you walked into our church on a Monday morning around 8:30 or 9:00 it might seem like the only activity was in the office. But, if you found your way to the Wilderness Room you would find Zion’s faithful quilters hard at work.

Amazingly, they put together