A Winter Retreat at St. Norbert Abbey
A Winter Retreat will be held on February 3-4, 2012 at St. Norbert Abby in Green Bay. It’s an overnight retreat, and will begin after supper on Friday and conclude after lunch on Saturday. The theme is “A light shines in the darkness and darkness has not overcome it.” In this darkest time of the year you are invited to a winter retreat at the holy space of St. Norbert Abbey with simple prayer, silence, time for winter walks and rest, we will explore the themes of darkness and light as they appear in scripture and in our daily lives. This overnight retreat provides for private rooms, delicious food and time with fellow travelers in the faith. More information and brochures with registration forms will be available soon. Registration is limited to 20 people. Pastor Lee Goodwin is the Retreat Leader.
ELCA Youth Gathering News
Youth mission trips aren’t a vacation, but an important ministry of the entire congregation. Our youth enlist the support of Zion members in many ways-as adult advisors, through prayer, and financial support. Zion’s Youth Group will be selling stock certificates to help get them one step closer to their mission trip and the ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans. This is a fun way for members of our congregation to make an investment in the youth of Zion and help support youth ministry. We believe this idea has benefits that go beyond fundraising because it helps to give others ownership in the mission trip. Through the stock sale, Zion members can purchase stock at the cost of $15 for 1 share or $25 for 2 shares. In addition to the joy of helping our youth, the stock holders will receive our official stock certificate and newsletters. They will also receive a postcard from youth while they are on the road, describing the work we are doing and sharing the mission experience. You will also be invited to attend a stock holder’s dinner to be held in the fall that will feature a visual presentation from the trip, first-hand accounts from the youth of their experiences, and the finest cuisine. Please consider purchasing stock when we begin selling shares on Sunday, January 29.
Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers as we prepare for our trip to New Orleans. For more information, contact Carla Clarke 715.732.0002 or Lisa Knopik 715.735.3994.
Christmas Caroling
We will be Christmas caroling on Wednesday, December 21st at 5:15 p.m. starting at the Luther Home in the lobby area. We also plan on making visits to Northland Village and the Renaissance. Any questions, feel free to contact Sarah Rabideau, Volunteer Coordinator at 715.938.2218 or mnvik_26@hotmail.com.
Hope you can join us!
Christmas Services
Our Christmas Eve service will be on Saturday, December 24th at 8:00 p.m. The Senior Choir will be presenting selections from the cantata “Tapestry of Light” and will feature solos, duets, oboe, piano, and the choir.
Our Christmas Day service will be Sunday, December 25th at 9:30 a.m. with a performance by the gospel quartet. Hope you can join us!
Zion’s Wellness Team Presents: The 2nd Annual Biggest Loser Community Challenge
Zion’s Wellness Team Presents: The 2nd Annual Biggest Loser Community Challenge. We will hold our first meeting on Thursday, January 5th, 2012. Registration will begin at 6 p.m. The program will run for thirteen weeks. Future meetings will take place every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There is a one-time registration fee of $10.00 per person. After the thirteen weeks, whoever loses the highest percentage of body weight will be able to donate the funds to the charity of their choice.
Kick off the New Year with a NEW YOU! You will learn many new easy ways to enjoy a longer, healthier life. Any questions please call Sarah Rabideau at 715.938.2218 or mnvik_26@hotmail.com.
Cookbook Deadline Extended
The deadline for the cookbook has been extended until the end of the month. The teens going to the ELCA National Youth Gathering in New Orleans are preparing a taste-tempting custom cookbook featuring favorite recipes from our members, as well as members of the entire Menominee Valley Conference. Please submit your favorite recipe to plumberswife@new.rr.com or pick up a form by the bulletin board at Zion. Any questions feel free to contact Carla Clarke at 715.732.0002 or cclarke@new.rr.com.
Year End Statements
If you want your offering for 2011 to appear on your year-end statement it must be at the church office no later than, Wednesday, December 28th. If you have any questions feel free to call the Financial Secretary, Karen Houdek at 715.735.7180.
Menominee Valley Conference LAY SCHOOL for MISSION
The Lay School for Mission is a ministry of the Northern Great Lakes Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is a program of learning for lay persons who are seeking to deepen their knowledge and experience of the Gospel and the life and history of Christ’s Church.
The Lay School is a unique opportunity for adult continuing education. While we invite participants to enroll in the entire 5 semester program or in one semester of 4 or 5 classes, we also encourage interested students to enroll in one or two courses in any given semester.
The classes will be held on Monday evenings at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Menominee beginning January 9th. The only cost of the school is books, and, if needed, scholarship help is available.
The following are the classes to be taught this upcoming semester:
THE END OF ALL THINGS
Biblical and Modern Views of the End of the World
5:15-7:15pm-January 9, 16, 23, 30 & Feb. 13, 20
Instructor-Pr. Lee Goodwin
OLD TESTAMENT WRITINGS
The Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes & Song of Solomon
7:15-9:15pm-January 9, 16, 23, 30 & Feb. 13, 20
Instructor-Pr. Doug Schoen
LIFE TOGETHER
How We Organize Our Life Together As a Lutheran Church
5:15-9:15pm-February 6
Instructor-Bishop Tom Skrenes
THE HEART OF LUTHERANISM
The Center of Lutheran Teaching
Feb. 27, March 12 & 16, April 16-5:15-9:15pm
March 5, 19 & April 2-7:15-9:15pm
Instructor-Pr. Lee Goodwin
STEWARDSHIP & SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Embracing and Managing What God Has Entrusted to Us
5:15-7:15pm-March 5, 19 & April 2, 23
Instructor-Pr. Keith Kolstad
Contact Pastor Keith for more information or contact either of the Coordinators of the local Lay School:
Pr. Lee Goodwin 715.938.2443
Mr. Jerry Gentz 906.863.3431
Spark: Faith Formation News
A rehearsal for the program will be held on Saturday, December 17th, at Zion from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The Spark Faith Formation Christmas program will be held on Sunday, December 18th at the 9:30 a.m. worship service with a coffee hour reception to follow.
Just a reminder: The last Wednesday of Spark Faith Formation will be on December 14th. After the holidays, on January 8th, Spark Faith Formation will begin to be held on Sundays following worship.
Decorating the Sanctuary
We will be decorating the sanctuary on Thursday, December 8th at 10 a.m. We will need four men to help put up the trees and lights. If anyone wants to make soup or chili we could plan to have lunch together. Everyone is welcome to come. Please sign up on the sheet located on the main entrance bulletin board. Any questions call Ann Buscher 715.735.3017.
