July 2017

Zion Lutheran Church (660) 385-4433 [email protected] www.zionmacon.org

Staff & Board *Pastor: Elden D. Kohn *President: Dan Watts *Elders: LarryDittmer, David Leath *Treasurer: Wayne Howe *Secretary: Pam Cosby *Dir. of Christian Educ.: Bev Dittmer *Trustees: Justin Smith, Mark Wilson, Dana Mueller

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. (1Pe 2:16)

In this Issue... Summer Respite

2

Birthdays

2

Lunch in the Park

2

Missionary Gary Theiss 3-4 VBS

5

Missionaries

5

Calendar

6

The burning of the American flag. It is an offensive sight to most Americans. Yet, it is protected by law. And some proudly do it as an extreme act of protest and exercise of free speech to further their cause. They are free, they say, to express themselves. But at what cost? How are the fallen honored by such an act? How are the living who bear the scars of their service respected? How is the unity so foundational to our nation's existence fostered when a key national symbol is desecrated? How is future solidarity fostered? Seems to me that each of these questions yields a negative response. When a flag is burned, it benefits no one but those performing the act. All it says is, "I'm choosing to use my freedom for me, regardless of how it impacts others." This is, of course, an extreme example of exercising legal rights. However, it does make a point. It is possible to do something "legal" and exercise one's "rights" and "freedoms" in a way that disregards 1) other individuals, 2) national identity, and 3) shared foundational values. In other words, freedom, though a wonderful blessing, can be used toward selfish, even harmful, ends. Sadly, the news has no shortage of these stories: individual freedom exalted while national unity and foundational values suffer. The same thing happens in the Church,

you know. While we thank God for our temporal political freedom as Americans, our true, eternal freedom comes through forgiveness in Jesus Christ. Often, however, even this freedom gets misrepresented and selfishly abused. Consider just a few simple questions. Go to worship or not? Attend Sunday school and Bible class or not? Give an offering or not? Serve on the church board or not? You have a certain amount of what we call "Christian freedom" in answering these questions. But if your answers consistently reflect an attitude that says, "I'm choosing to use my freedom for me, regardless of how it impacts others," let me ask you a pointed question: Are you any better than those who choose to burn a flag? Are you making any better use of your freedom in Christ than they are in exercising their Constitutional rights? As you ponder that, fix your eyes on Jesus. His readiness to give up His freedom is what has set you free to be a child of God. In Christ, You are free-freed from sin and freed for a life of service to God and others. Choose wisely how you use that freedom. And this Independence Day, refresh yourself on what God's Word reveals about this wonderful gift (Jn 8:34-36; 1 Co 6:12-20, 10:23-24; Gal 5:1; 1 Pt 1:17-21, 2:13-17). Peace in Christ, Pastor Kohn : ]

Summer Respite With the school year ending, our Summer Respite has begun! Sunday School and Bible Class concluded for this season on Sunday, May 21, and will resume again on Sunday, August 20. For the weeks between (Sunday, May 28, through Sunday, August 13) worship time will be moved to 9:00am. Watch for special Community gatherings during this Summer Respite to allow extra opportunities for Christian fellowship, including two visits from our missionaries in July!

Lunch in the Park

July Birthdays July 1 July 3 July 4 July 6 July 7 July 8 July 9 July 10

July 11 July 12 July 13 July 15 July 17 July 19 July 20 July 21 July 22 July 23 July 24 July 29 July 31

Sharon Harold Brennan Moots Erika Mueller Russ Grant Cheryl Cason BreeAnna Norden Pate Llewellyn Jason Deichman Shellie Claiborne Jim Simon Ben Werr Lisa Norden Cade Pemberton Brady Moots Virginia Werr Marie Hoehne David Leath Janet Ryan Matthew Kothe Destiny Herndon Pam Cosby Jeff Werr Michael Coe Nehemiah Kohn Judy Senholtz Wilson Dwiggins Vickie Viers Paul Bork Nina Howe

Zion is once again participating in the Macon County Ministries "Lunch in the Park." The week we serve lunches is August 7th – 11th. We usually serve about 75 children a day with some days higher. Each day the volunteers will meet at Zion at 10:00 am to prepare the meals then distribute them in three locations: Rubey Street Park, Jackson Street Park, and Sheffield Housing. We finish about 12:30 after returning from the parks/housing. Each day 6 volunteers are needed, two at each park. Please watch for the signup sheet that will be placed in the fellowship hall soon. Thanks for supporting this outreach mission. Contact Mary Ross for more details.

You Are Invited to a

Baby Shower for Pastor and Molly Kohn July 16, 2017, following worship Breakfast Casserole/Brunch Reception (watch for a signup sheet in the fellowship hall) No gifts, please. If you wish to welcome the baby, gift cards or cash are appreciated.

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VBS 2017: Maker Fun Factory – Created by God, Built for a Purpose CALLING ALL KIDS (and kids at heart)... Zion will be holding VBS 2017 during the week of July 24th thru July 28th from 9:00a to 11:30a. The theme "Maker Fun Factory - Created by God, Built for a Purpose" will provide fun in learning scripture, songs, and having fellowship as we study what it means to be created by our Heavenly Father and made new in Christ for a purpose. Imagine a world where curious kids become hands-on inventors who discover they're lovingly crafted by God. Throughout the week, we will learn Bible verses and stories, make creative crafts, play games and learn lots of fun songs. Pam Cosby will help us make greeting cards one day! Leigh Simon will organize a servant event project for the preteen class and older youth on Wednesday to reach out to our community. A Thrivent Grant will provide funds for this project. Lunch will be provided by the Summer Lunch Program from Moberly each day (Mon. thru Thurs.) at 11:20 am. On Friday, we will close the week's festivities with an outdoor picnic. Hot dogs, chips and home-made cookies will be served at 11am. To close, we will again have a "Pie in the Face" activity! I wonder who will get to have this fun challenge??? All kids and their families will be invited to join us in church on Sunday, July 30th, to share all of the new songs we have learned. Following worship, cookies and Kool-Aid will be served as refreshments. Plan to attend!!! Check out the display in the fellowship hall. Older “kids” and kids at heart, please consider helping by serving as a teacher/helper or providing needed supplies or food items. Most importantly, please pray for our VBS!!! BRING A FRIEND!!!! We love to have visitors join us!! You may also register online at www.zionmacon.org or fill out a registration form on the display table. SEE YOU THERE!!!

Missionary Visit

Please Pray:

July 9th, we will welcome Chuck & Jean Hoffman and their daughters, Anneliese & Elsie. They will share with us their experiences in Seoul, South Korea. Please plan to attend this special worship service. We will have refreshments & fellowship following worship.

We are blessed in July to have some wonderful visitors to Zion. On July 9, the Hoffman family, our missionaries in South Korea, will join us to share about their work. On July 30, Gary Thies from Mission Central will join us for worship (and a special Bible study session afterwards) to share how the Lord is working through His Word across the globe. Please keep these individuals, as well as their visits to Zion, in prayer, that this may be a time of celebration, encouragement, and learning for all! (And consider inviting a friend to join for these special visits!) 5

July 2017 Sunday

Monday

Communion Duty 2 David & Justin 16 Dan & Mark

9

Wednesday

Acolyte 2 Gracie 23 Tanner 9 Pate 30 Jacee 16 Anna

3

2 Worship w/ Communion 9:00a

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 1

Chancel Care Dana Mueller

Office Closed 4

Facility Use: Viers

5

6

Facility Use: Stamp Club 5:00p-9:00p

7 Pastor’s Day Off

Pastor in Iowa 10

Worship 9:00a

11

12

Board Meeting 6:00p

13 Facility Use: Card Club 3:30-9:00p

Missionary Visit: The Hoffmans

14 Pastor’s Day Off

8 Facility Use: Cosby/Rist 9:00a-11:00a

15 Men’s Bible Study 7:00a

Facility Use: Stamp Club 12:00-5:00p

16

17

19

18

23

20 Facility Use: Card Club 1:00-9:00p

Worship w/ Communion 9:00a

24

25

26

Worship 9:00a

28 Pastor’s Day Off

VBS – Maker Fun Factory

Voter’s Meeting Following Worship

9:00a – 11:30a

Facility Use: Stamp Club – Cosby 12:003:00p

30

27

21 Pastor’s Day Off

31

Aug 1

Worship 9:00a Mission Central Visit: Gary Theis

Float Trip

6

22 Facility Use: Square Dance 7:30-10:00

29 Facility Use: Tuttle 1:00p8:00p

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