Zion Lutheran Church

Zion & Carpio Newsletter

March 2021

“Jesus Knows and We can Make a Difference”

Rev. George Schuessler

     Have you ever been bullied? How did you feel? Have you ever witnessed bullying? What did you do? Whether as a child or as an adult we all have either been a victim or a bystander to such a situation, a situation that Jesus knows firsthand and personally.  St. Matthew in his writing of the Gospel notes that following the trial of Jesus, the soldiers at the governor’s headquarters “gathered the whole cohort around him.” In a cruel joke they mocked Jesus. “They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” (Matthew 27:28-29) St. Luke in his writing of the Gospel notes that Jesus stopped under the tree that Zacchaeus had climbed and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” (Luke 19:5)

     As baptized believers who have affirmed our baptism on a confirmation Sunday and who worship often being fed with one heavenly food in the body and blood of Jesus in Holy Communion we have a new life in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul writes, “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:1-3) Simply put, our life is not our own, it is lived in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

     St. Peter says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1^ST Peter 2:9) It is not wonder that the Apostle Paul therefore writes, “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12) Simply put, in Jesus Christ you and I are empowered to endure the cruel mocking of this world of sin and to react to make a difference for those we witness being caught in the cruel mocking by defending them and removing them from such a situation.

     In Jesus Christ we have compassion, an affection to intensely care. In Christ we are kind, exhibiting sacrificial generosity.  In Christ we are humble, a recognition that we are not better than others. In Christ we are meek and behind the scenes giving credit to the good of others to empower changes for the good. And in Christ we in patience make the time to make a difference for love, peace, and justice in this cruel world of sin. Indeed, not an easy task or mission as Jesus fully knows, but one that is extremely appreciated as Zacchaeus expresses, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” (Luke 19:8)

     Yes, bullying does hurt and Jesus knows this personally. Yes, like Jesus, you and I can make a difference for others who are being bullied. The next time you hear an ethnic joke or a racial slur how will you react in your new life in Christ Jesus? In this season of repentance, just maybe we need to be more proactive in our life in Christ.

CARPIO Sunday School & Crossroads:

 March 7: Easter Program Practice

March 14: Easter Program Practice

March 21: Easter Program Practice

March 28: Easter Program, last day of SS

ZION Sunday School & Crossroads:

 March 7: Easter Lesson

March 14: Easter Lesson

March 21: No SS/Crossroads

March 28: Last Day of SS, Party & Bible Bucks

LUTHER LEAGUE:

Watch Weekly Bulletins and Facebook page for updates on future Luther League Events!

METIGOSHE MINISTRIES Upcoming Retreats:

First Communion Retreat ~ March 5-6.

Friday Night Live: Jr. High~ March 19-20, 4-6^th Grade ~ April 9-10

Piecing Together Faith with Mom ~ April 16-18^th

Hammering Out Faith with Dad ~ April 30-May 2.

See Bulletin Board for more info!! 

Serving in March @ Carpio:

 Usher: Jeff Huber        Altar Guild: Cathy Armstrong

Serving in March @ Zion:

 Readers: 

March 7: Laurie Gathman                              March 14: Lyle Gorseth

March 21: Wes Hagen                                    March 28: Carol Rovig

Ushers:  Mike Lautenschlager & Chad Schweitzer    

Altar Guild:     Laurie Gathman & Tammy Lindahl

Organist:        Kristin Berg    

ZLCW

Wishing everyone stay safe. Hang in there this will pass. 

Nothing new to report this month. The Western Prairie Cluster Spring Gathering that was to be held April 10, 2021 has been cancelled.

Your sister in Christ,

Barbara Cooper, ZLCW President

The ZLCW will be collecting items for Personal Care Kits during the Lenten season. Items needed include darker colored, light-weight bath towels (Walmart has some for less than $3), fingernail/toenail clippers, 4 oz bars of soap (2 per kit), toothbrushes, and sturdy combs.

PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS all who are ill.

CONTINUED PRAYERS for all nursing home residents and home-bound members.

CONTINUED SAFETY for all military personnel who are stationed around the world.

Zion Financials ~ January

BEGINNING BALANCE – January 2021                                                                                                     $12,060.67          

INCOME:  Offerings                                                                        1/03/2021                            $5,281.00

1/10/2021                                            $2,076.00                             1/17/2021                            $2,801.00

1/24/2021                                            $   785.00                              1/30/2021                            $1,070.00

Carpio Luth Reimbursement       $                                              Simply Giving                     $   418.00             

State Bank and Trust- Interest   $      2.09                               Donations                           $1,000.00            

TOTAL INCOME                                                                                                                                                $13,533.09

EXPENSES:          Western ND Synod                                                                                                   $ 961.04                                               

MDU (Church - $262.57; Parsonage - $74.50)                                                                                  $337.07                      

Xcel Energy (Church - $232.09; Parsonage- $77.64)                                                                       $309.73

SRT (Church- $80.77; Parsonage $140.37)                                                                                       $221.14

City of Berthold (Church- $42.50; Parsonage- $44.00)                                                                  $   86.50

Gaffney's of Minot - 1/18/21 to 1/18/22 copier maintenance agreement                               $731.29

Church Mutual Insurance                                                                                                                   $364.46

Concordia Supply Co. - Communion Cups                                                                                         $  99.99

Julie Deaver (Piano)                                                                                                                              $325.00

Curt Schumaier (Custodian Jan)                                                                                                          $350.00

Amy Neshem (Secretary & 64.99 stamps & copy paper)                                                               $564.99

Kylene Hornberger (Treasurer & roll of stamps & NEC-1099)                                                      $624.72

Secretary of State                                                                                                                              $  10.00

Backdraft Gift Card – groundkeepers                                                                                                 $100.00

Transfer to Pastor Account                                                                                                              $    0.00

SUBTOTAL EXPENSES- January 2021                                                                                                         $5,113.62

TOTAL EXPENSES                                                                                                             

ENDING BALANCE – January 2021                                                                             $20,480.15                                           

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH COUNCIL ~ No Meeting in February

Carpio Financials

AS OF January 31, 2020

Bremer Bank Checking Account:   $23,134.84

Thrivent Contingency Fund:           $3,746.78

Thrivent Lindberg Fund:                 $10,843.00

Total Funds:                          $37,724.62

PASTOR PAYROLL ACCOUNT (ZION & CARPIO)

Beginning Balance January 2021                                                               $10,729.4

Total Deposits                                                                                                   0.00                  

Expenses:                                                                                                                                                                      

Portico (Pastor’s Benefits)                                                                                          $2,595.83                          

Mileage                (Jan.)                                                                                                    $   135.52

Pastor George Payroll                                                                                                    $4,395.72                        

 Total Expenses:                                                                                                                               $7,127.07                           

Ending Balance: January 2021                                                                                                     $3,602.35

Carpio Lutheran Church Council Meeting

The Carpio Church council meeting was held on January 31, 2021 at noon. The meeting was called to order by Vice President, Stan Vangsness. Pastor George opened the meeting with a prayer.

Secretary’s report from January 10^th, 2021 was given by Tammi Moen. Travis Engelhard motioned to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve as presented. Jeff Huber seconded, motion carried.

The Treasurer’s report was given by Summer Engelhard and approved as presented.

The account balances are as follows:

Bremer Bank Checking                  $23134.84

Thrivent Contingency Fund         $3746.78

Thrivent Lindberg Fund                 $20843.00

Total                                                      $37724.62

Pastor’s Report: The Pastor has made limited phone calls and in-person visits when possible. January 6^th and January 27^th confirmation assignments were emailed. He is doing wedding preparations for the Erickson/Schooner wedding at Zion on October 23^rd. He is preparing end of year reports for the Synod and the ELCA. Also, he is preparing for Ash Wednesday’s joint Lenten service on Wednesday, February 17^th, to be held in Carpio.

New Business: We will continue our COVID-19 practices. Lenten offering will be designated to the general fund. We will not have the soup supper or fellowship before Lenten services. Travis Engelhard motioned for the Pastor to be able to pray for an individual and mention their name during the prayers if given permission by that person. Jeff Huber seconded, motion carried.

The next council meeting will be March 7^th after church. The meeting was closed with The Lord’s Prayer.

Meeting Adjourned

Tammi Moen

Recording Secretary

 “JOURNEY OF STONES”

2021 Midweek Joint 7pm Lenten Worship in Carpio

     This “Journey of Stones” is a journey for God’s people; a journey which ends with the joyous invitation to be free, to be alive in Christ! Along the way, we will confess our faith, we will weep with sorrow, we will tell the truth about ourselves, and we will eat the body and drink the blood of Jesus, the Son of God. We will stand together at the foot of the cross, lay our stones and our sins down, and leave in the wonder of God’s grace. Together we will journey through this season of Lent and together we will proclaim Jesus Christ, crucified and raised from the dead, as a merciful Savior for ALL people!

March 3^RD, 2021                                                                LENT 3                                                   “Sticks and Stones”

#337                      “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”                                                                                               Psalm 32

#592                      “Just As I Am Without One Plea”                                                                               Romans 3:21-26

#779                      “Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound”                                                                              John 8:1-12

March 10^TH, 2021                                                              LENT 4                                                   “Hearts of Stone”

#604                      “O Christ, Our Hope”                                                                                                      Psalm 51

#597                      “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less”                                                                          Revelation 3:14-22

#609                      “Chief of Sinners Though I Be”                                                                                   Luke 11:37-52

March 17^TH, 2021                                                              LENT 5                                                   “Upon This Rock”

#338                      “Beneath the Cross of Jesus”                                                                                     Psalm 23

#742                      “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”                                                                            Acts 3:1-16

#778                      “The Lord’s My Shepherd”                                                                                          Matthew 16:13-20

March 24^TH, 2021                                                              LENT 6                                                   “Crying Stones”

#324                      “In the Cross of Christ I Glory”                                                                                    Psalm 93

#661                      “I Love to Tell the Story”                                                                                               Philippians 2:5-11

#545                      “Lord, Dismiss Us With Your Blessing”                                                                     Luke 19:29-40

April 1^ST, 2021                                                    “MAUNDY THURSDAY”                                                “Stones of Bread”

#347                      “Go to Dark Gethsemane”                                                                                           Psalm 130

#542                      “O Living Bread from Heaven”                                                                                    1^ST Corinthians 11:17-34

#480                      “O Bread of Life from Heaven”                                                                                  Matthew 4:1-11

April 2^ND, 2021                                   “GOOD FRIDAY”                                                              “The Final Stone”

#353                      “Were You There”                                                                                                           Psalm 143

#351                      “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”                                                                              Isaiah 53:1-9

Song Sheet         “The Old Rugged Cross”                                                                                                                John 19:1-42      

CARPIO LUTHERAN CHURCH IS LIVE STREAMING 11am SUNDAY WORSHIP & 7pm WEDNESDAY LENTEN WORSHIP. If you are unable or if you choose to self-isolate to protect yourself during the pandemic please join your sisters and brothers in Christ in these worship services each week. You may find the services on the Zion & Carpio Lutheran Churches FACEBOOK Page. They will also be posted to be viewed at any time that you choose. For those who choose to use the FACEBOOK version of worship, your OFFERINGS may be mailed to the Financial Secretary of your congregation. The names and addresses of both Financial Secretaries are listed below:

CARPIO FINANCIAL SECRETARY                 ZION FINANCIAL SECRETARY

Marlis Peterson                                                                Connie Hagen

4230   74^TH Street NW                                                     6101   310^TH Street NW

Carpio, ND. 58725                                                            Berthold, ND. 58718

SPECIAL PROVISIONS have been made concerning Holy Communion to allow individuals in their homes who are worshipping virtually by Live Stream, to have bread and grape juice or wine available to be used during the time of Communion during the Live Streamed worship service. During Holy Communion follow the directions of the Pastor as you would if you were worshipping in person at the church. This will be allowed until the health crisis is over and people can safely gather in person at the church for worship with Holy Communion. If you have question, feel free to contact Pastor George.

BERTHOLD ZION FOOD PANTRY IS OPEN:

MARCH 9^TH Tuesday morning from 10am until Noon.

MARCH 17^TH Wednesday afternoon from 3pm until 5pm and also in the night from 7pm until 9pm.

If the above times do not work for you, you may make an appointment at an alternate day and time by calling Ladora at 453-3121 or on her cell phone at 701-562-0041, or Barb Cooper at 701-629-5075.

          Any household may come Once per Month to get items in the Food Pantry Free of Charge. All that is needed from anyone using the Food Pantry is to give your NAME, STREET ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, and NUMBER OF PEOPLE in the Household. NO OTHER QUESTIONS will be asked. All are welcome! Our mission is a Hunger Free North Dakota!