Ways to Serve in July
Stewardship Team Wanted! - Pastor Blenkush is looking for individuals who would be willing to be instrumental in a new and intentional ministry that focuses on stewardship here at Zion. What does this mean you might ask? Doesn’t stewardship focus only on money and an annual commitment drive? Hardly! Someone once said, “Stewardship is everything you do after you say ‘I believe.’” And there is considerable truth to that statement. Stewardship is about living a life of faith, it is about how your faith influences the way you live, the decisions you make day to day, it’s about putting your trust in your relationship to Jesus Christ. To simply suggest that stewardship is about money is underestimating the width and depth of this exciting ministry. If this invitation piques your curiosity contact Pastor Blenkush and in August a Stewardship team Info meeting will be scheduled. Until then, it you want to get a jump on learning more about the wonderful world of stewardship contact Pastor Blenkush and pick up a copy of the book; Giving to God: The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life by Mark Allen Powell.
Thanks to a gift from the estate of Arnold Meleen, we were able to pay off the mortgage!
Noisy Offerings! On the last Sunday of each month, we will receive a "noisy offering" so set aside your spare change thru the month and bring it to "make a joyful noise to the Lord!"
Sunday School
♦ Have you thought about serving the church in the education ministry? We are looking for teachers and helpers for the 2008-09 Sunday School year. If you would like to help, please contact the church office.
New Service Groups! The Worship & Music Committee has reorganized the Service Group lists. On the green sheet enclosed in the June newsletter you will find the lists of groups and information on what service groups do. If your name has been left off by mistake, please contact the church office (983-3368).
Volunteers Needed! – Looking for a way to give back to the community? Want to make a difference in someone’s life? Volunteer at Fairview Northland Medical Center! We are currently looking for volunteers to help with a variety of projects at our medical center in Princeton. Shifts are 2-4 hours in length. Contact Fairview’s Volunteer Services at by e-mailing jelbert1@fairview.org or call 763-389-6565 for more info.
Heartland Home Health Care & Hospice Volunteer Training – You are invited to enrich your life and make a difference in the lives of others by becoming a Hospice Volunteer. We encourage you to consider joining our team by attending volunteer training. Heartland provides care that is comforting and compassionate, and volunteers play a vital role in that care. In caring for the mind, body and spirit of those facing a life limiting illness, volunteers offer support with friendly visits, giving a break to family members, assisting in the office, sharing in the final journey of patients and bereavement care. The schedule is flexible, and volunteers choose how much time and where they would like a volunteer. For more info please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at (877) 249-8836. This could be one of the most rewarding calls you ever make.
Here are some of the ways that Zion has served needs around the world this past year:
From WELCA
65 quilts to Lutheran World Relief
26 quilts to special projects
12 prayer shawls
3 patchwork afghans for Warm Up America
18 chemo caps
81 caps for babies and children in Honduras
9 rolled bandages
74 T-shirt diapers
From the Sunday School
25 school kits
To Global Barnyard:
5 pigs
5 fish farms
1 cow
5 goats
1 beehive
10 pairs of rabbits
This page is full of ways that you can be of service at Zion, in Milaca, and throughout the world.
Earn a little money for Zion by doing your Internet search on GoodSearch.com - just click the GoodSearch link on our home page and Zion will get about one penny for every search you do! One penny isn't much, but add a penny for every search Zion members do and who knows how much we could earn? Be curious - search often - earn cents for Zion! And if you shop onlline, try GoodShop link on the GoodSearch page! Many of your favorite shopping sites are listed along with the percentage of your purchase that will go to Zion. Questions about how all this works? Check the FAQ Page.
Help Wanted: Summer Piano Player - During the summer months one of our worship services will be conducted on Thursday evenings and we are in need of individuals willing to play the piano and lead us in the hymns. If you can help out for a couple of Thursdays or only one, we welcome your gift. This service does not involve the traditional liturgy and will only involve the playing of hymns/songs. If you want to learn more please contact either Pastor Blenkush or Karen in the Church Office (983-3368).
Zion's Camperships: An Opportunity to Give and Make A Difference
A week at Church Camp can be a life changing experience. Where else will our youth have the opportunity to spend a week in God's great outdoors surrounded by a community dedicated to sharing God's love in fun and exciting new ways? If you would like to help the youth of our congregation have this experience please keep the Zion Campership Fund in mind. If you have questions regarding the Camperships please contact Pastor Blenkush.
Join the Senior Companion Program! - Spend just 15 hours a week: make new friends, receive a tax-free fInancial reimbursement and have the personal satisfaction that you are helping others. Senior Companions provide companionship, transportation and errand assistance to elderly community members, allowing them to continue to live independently in their own home. Qualifications are that you must be 60 years of age and willing to give back to your community with just 15 hours a week. Please call 888-205-3770 for an application and more information. Sponsored by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Minnesota Department of Aging.
Give Zion a Gift for your birthday - Looking for a great way to celebrate your birthday? How about a gift to Zion? There are a number of places to give and support that would benefit Zion’s mission and ministry. Consider one or more of the following opportunities:
+ Purchase the new Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymnal
+ Help provide Camperships to Zion’s Youth
+ Zion’s Endowment Fund
The ELW Hymnal Count this Week is: 218
Before WE PLACE EACH NEW HYMNAL I THE PEWS, name plates will be typed up and placed in the hymnals saying given "In memory of...", "In honor of..." or "In celebration of..."
If you have been planning to give a hymnals in such a manner, act NOW!
Sign Up: to serve coffee and treats on Sunday morning between services. Check the signup sheet for available dates or call the office.
Camp Onomia
Camp Onomia New updates:
Summer Work Weekend: Aug. 1-3 – An additional work weekend has been added this year. There will be a number of projects available for people of all ages. Projects include room Renovations, painting, landscaping, bed building, and more.
Summer Staff Hiring - We are looking for summer staff for 2008. If you know of anyone in your congregation that would make a good camp counselor, please let them know we are starting to hire for the summer. Applications are available at www.camponomia.org.
Previous updates:
Room Renovation Project: We have recently remodeled another room and are ready to start on a few more. We are looking for volunteers to come up to camp for a weekend and remodel a room. There are jobs for people of all skill levels, but we do need some skilled laborers within the group. Please contact the camp if you are interested in helping out.
2008 dates are available on the web site at www.camponomia.org.
Commit Random Acts of Kindness: Summertime is a good time to commit a random act of kindness for a friend, a neighbor, a family member, or a stranger. Need ideas? Click here!
Prayer Blocks: Is your family in a table grace rut? Do you need to add a table grace to your dining experience? Zion's Youtheran are selling "Passing on the Faith Table Grace Prayer Blocks". Roll the prayer block and when it stops pray the table grace that faces upward. This is a fun and easy way to learn new table graces and to "Pass on the Faith." The cost is $5 per block and all proceeds will benefit the 2007 Youtheran mission trip to Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota (July 13-22).
Donate Your Used Vehicle: Make a difference in the life of a working family! Zion Lutheran Church in collaboration with Communities Investing In Families now has a car donation program in Milaca. Northland Auto Sales donates their time and labor to do minor repairs, tune-up and clean up of donated vehicles. Family Services of Milaca has a waiting list of deserving families in need of a reliable vehicle, which can make the difference between being on public assistance, or sustained employment and self-sufficiency! Your donation is tax-deductible as you claim the full private party value of the vehicle. For more info, please call Sharon at 320-679-5431 or cell # 320-630-2539
Be sensitive to allergy sufferers and restrict use of colognes and perfumes when we gather in public setting such as worship, meetings, or classes. We wouldn't serve food to someone if we knew it would make them sick - let's be as thoughtful when it comes to the scents that we use.
Recycle your old magazines: Bring them to church and we'll send them off to men and women serving in the military. There's a box in the Narthex.
Help With Youth Groups: If you are interested in working with Zion's youth or being a Confirmation Mentor, contact the church office ot talk to Pastor Blenkush
Email addresses: We are compiling a list of email addresses for Zion members, so if you have an email address, please email it to the church office. Don't worry - we won't share it with anyone else!
Community Service: Watch the bulletin and newsletter for more opportunities to serve by working with the Milaca Area Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, and Elim Coffee hours. Zion does each for a month every year.
Check the Lutheran World Relief web site for ways to help around the world.
Give a Ride - Get a Ride: If you would be willing to provide someone with a ride to church on Sunday morning, please call Jan at 983-2320 or send her an email. And if you need a ride, call or email Jan and she'll find you a ride.
Serve in the Altar Guild: Help prepare for worship for a month of Sundays each year. See Mary Anderson.
Maintain Church Property: If you're handy or just willing to work, call the church office about helping with maintenance.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: If you can knit and purl - or if you are willing to learn - you can make a Prayer Shawl to bring the warmth and comfort of Zion's prayers to someone who is going through difficult times. We have yarn and needles for anyone who wants to make a shawl thanks to generous gifts from the Sunday School and other Zion members. The yarn is soft and the shawl pattern is simple. Talk to Lee Anderson or Jan Brown if you would like to be part of this ministry. Come and knit and crochet with other crafters - check the monthly calendar for date and time. We are not meeting during the summer but will resume in the fall - and you can use your hooks and needles at home until then!
More than Prayer Shawls - "Hooks and Needles": If you knit or crochet and you'd rather do something smaller than a prayer shawl, we are also making soft caps for chemo patients who have hair loss and will be starting smaller projects like stocking caps for newborns and knitted or crocheted afghan squares for Warm Up America. Talk to Lee Anderson or Jan Brown to find out more and get patterns. Come and knit and crochet with the Hooks and Needles bunch - check the monthly calendar for date and time in September - we're on vacation til then.
Support our Missionary: Support our missionary - Pastor John Lunn just home from Liberia and off to India in the fall. Learn more about John, about Liberia, about Phebe Hospital where he works, and take a look at Liberia. Read John's monthly newsletter from Liberia.
Zion Prayer Chains: Visit Zion's Prayer Chain page for information on how to submit a prayer request and how to join the email Prayer Chain.
Blessing of the Quilts: on May 11 this past year's quilts made by Zion’s Quilters were on display and were blessed at the worship services. Zion’s Dorcus Quilters are: Maxine Tyrrell, Lee Anderson, Mary Anderson, Ardy Becklin, Dorothy Bruflodt, Linda Hamill, Carole Kiel, Martha Norrgard, Myra Norrgard, Mary Peterson, and Marie Secord. If you would like to be a part of this ministry, check the calendar in the fall!
Circles: Join a Circle and meet with other women of Zion. Have a Bible Study, some great fellowship, and something good to eat. Check dates and times on the monthly calendar. The Circle chair-persons are all listed on the main page of Zion Online- give them a call. One Circle meets in the morning, one in the afternoon, and the other in the evening (except during the winter months), so choose whatever time works best with your schedule. Any of the Circles would welcome you! Check the calendar for Circle meetings.
W.E.L.C.A.: The next meeting is July 17th and Pastor John Lunn will be our special guest speaker. If you missed the meeting in May, visit the Zion Women's Page. Come to the meetings and learn how you can help with the many projects the women do every year. Look back at Rev. John Lunn's India Ministry and at his Liberian Mission - missions the Zion Women have helped to support.
Join the Senior Choir or the Bell Ringers: Have you ever caught yourself humming along with the radio? Have you been looking for a new way to Praise God? Come one, come all to a rehearsal of the Zion Lutheran Church Choir! We hold rehearsals at 6:15 PM on Wednesdays. All are welcome! And...
Ringers Wanted! Prior musical experience extremely helpful. Good sight-reading skills a definite plus. But what is really required is a willingness to work in a team, an eagerness to learn, a dedication and commitment to weekly rehearsals and performances and, most importantly, an enthusiasm for this incredible art form. Our “Music Season” is from September through May. Rehearsal is on Wednesday nights. If you are interested in learning more about ringing, please join us for practice during the month of September and see what bells are all about! Questions? Call Karen at 983-3368. Check the monthly calendar for weekly practice times.
