December 21, 2008 Announcements
December 21, 2008
Check out this week’s announcements for our Christmas Schedule and upcoming bible studies.
Click on the link below for the entire announcements.
December 21, 2008 Announcements
Happenings at Zion Ministry
Sat 12/20 Saturday Healing Worship Service 4p Worship & Music
Sun 12/21 Sunday Worship Services 8a & 10:15a Worship & Music
Internship Support Committee Meeting 9:15a
Sanctuary Decorating 11:30a Various
Bells & Blessings Musical Program 7p Worship & Music
Mon 12/22 Stained Glass Team Work 7p Christian Fellowship
Wed 12/24 Christmas Eve Family Worship 4p & 6p Worship & Music
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 11p Worship & Music
Thur12/25 Christmas Day Worship 10:15a Worship & Music
Sat 12/27 NO SATURDAY WORSHIP TODAY
Sun 12/28 Sunday Worship Service 10:15a ONLY Worship & Music
Bells & Blessings Musical Program
December 21 @ 7:00 p.m.
DECORATING AT ZION
We hope you’ll join us to decorate the Sanctuary on Sun-
day, December 21 at 11:30 (following 10:15 worship). The
more the merrier!
CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE
Dec.24 Christmas Eve Worship 4p & 6p
Candlelight Worship 11p
Dec.25 Christmas Day Worship 10:15a
Dec.27 No Saturday Service
Dec.28 No 8 a.m. Service
BLUE CHRISTMAS
Blue Christmas will be observed at the First Baptist Church, 581 Meriden Ave, Monday eve-
ning, December 22nd, at 7:30p.m. Blue Christmas is a worship service designed for those, many
who for the first time, are facing Christmas since the death of a loved one. Grief is often inten-
sified at this time of year, often compounded by the joy of the season. Blue Christmas is recog-
nition of that grief, seeks to bring comfort, and is a preparation for the holiday. Whether one
has lost a loved one this year, or continues to grieve for those who have died in previous years,
all are welcome.
Flowers on the altar in honor of Albert M. Spranzo, loving father and
grandfather, given by Linda and Colleen Klopp
Make this worship experience better for everyone
by helping with the following:
WORSHIP ETIQUETTE SEATING
Please do not use vacant seats for personal items You may sit anywhere, but we
During prayer please wait for completion of prayer ask that you sit in the middle
before being seated of the pew to maximize space.
Electronic devices should be turned off at all times
Food & beverages are prohibited in the sanctuary
Children are welcome in worship. Pick up a children’s quiet bag, when entering the sanctu‐
ary. Encourage them to try Angel Choir or Hand chime choir .
SERVING IN WORSHIP
THIS SUNDAY—DECEMBER 21
SERVING IN WORSHIP
NEXT SUNDAY—DECEMBER 28
Leading Worship: Rev. James Debner Organist: Christopher Messner
10:15 A.M.
Communion Asst: Karin Thompson
Lector: Debbie Mauro
Acolytes: Reed Kroll
Ushers: William Holbrook & Steve Kroll
Altar Guild: Lee Sirotnak
Leading Worship: Vicar Laura Olsen Organist: Christopher Messner
8 A.M. 10:15 A.M.
Communion Asst: Lisa Gentile Bonnie Zownir
Lector: Lois Davis Susan Miller
Acolytes: Austin Gentile Aidan Jones & MacKenzie Martin
Ushers: Mary & Helmut Jobs Kyle Gundersen & Doug Graham
Altar Guild: Lee Sirotnak
How can I learn more about my faith?
Christian Education Beth Long, Director
CONFIRMATION CLASS
This year’s Confirmation program will explore Martin Luther, the Ten Commandments,
and the Lord’s Prayer. Upcoming classes include:
January 11 Ninth & Tenth Commandments—Coveting
Christian Education for all ages meets from 9‐10 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Sunday School
classes are available for children age 3 to grade 8, adult Christian education, led by Pr. Debner,
meets at this same time.
Sunday Morning Adult Education 9 a.m.
Sunday School resumes on January 11, 2009.
Leadership Insights from Biblical Women Bible Study
Join Vicar Olsen for a four part series highlighting leadership insights
from Biblical Women. The Bible study will be held on the following Thurs-
day nights at 7pm: January 22nd, 29th, and February 5th and 12th. Bring
your Bibles!
THE SHACK
Now’s the time to begin reading the book everyone’s talking about
— The Shack by William P. Young. We’ll be getting together on
Thursday evening, January 8 at 7 p.m. for a book discussion. I
hope you’ll join us. Pastor
2009 Flower Chart Now Available in the Gathering Place
Sign up now to get your preferred dates!
ARE YOU A PLANNER?
If you’d like to be a part of planning the February, 2009 South Central Mission Area
Seminar, please contact Arlene Creswell of St. Andrew’s Church in Bristol at (860)
833-7682.
PEW COMMITTEE MEETING
The next meeting of Zion’s Pew Committee will be on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at
9 a.m.
How can I learn more about Christ and get to know people better at Zion?
Christian Fellowship Shawn Darling, Director
COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UPS
The Coffee Hour signup poster is next to the flower chart. Please take a
minute and find a Sunday that works for you and/or your family to contrib-
ute your time and baked “goodies”. The coffee, cups and napkins are pro-
vided. You will bring the coffee creamer and food items. Even if you wish to bring the
snacks, but can’t be the host(ess)–or if you can host , but are unable to supply the
food, please sign up accordingly. Together we can make it happen. This is a great
way to build fellowship at Zion. Thanks to Tim and Rebecca Kesller for hosting cof-
fee hour this week!
How can I be a good steward of my time, talent, and treasure?
Stewardship Steve Long, Director
“Stewardship is about giving up the love of possessing and practicing a life of simplic-
ity; of developing the habit of giving things away; of buying only what is absolutely
necessary; of rejecting anything to which we are becoming addicted; of learning to en-
joy things without owning them; of developing a greater appreciation of and respect for
the natural world; of rejecting anything that will result in an injustice for oth-
ers.” John Westerhoff – Grateful and Generous Hearts
PRAISE TEAM ANNOUNCES REHEARSAL
SCHEDULE
Zion’s new contemporary music team will rehearse on the following Mon-
days at 7 p.m.: January 5 & 12. They will sing during the 10:15 worship
service on January 18.
IMPORTANT MEETING DATES—January 11 & January 25, 2009
Join us for an informational meeting on Sunday, January 11 at 9 a.m. where we will
discuss some pressing maintenance needs. We’ll be discussing these issues in prepara-
tion for our Congregational Meeting on January 25, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.
In order to guarantee that any special offerings will be included in your 2008 Annual
Statement Of Giving all checks must be received no later than Sunday, December
28. Anything received after that date may not be recorded in 2008 but will appear on
your 2009 statement. Steve Long
How can I serve God and have an impact in the world?
Christian Welfare Dawne Cappellino, Director
Watch Your Mailbox…
Your church council has changed the supplier of our offering envelopes for
2009. Instead of receiving a book of annual offering envelopes you will be
receiving a packet of envelopes before the start of each quarter. These packets will
be delivered in December, March, June and September. Believe it or not, this change
will cost the church less money than what we have done in prior years. The bulk of
the savings will come from the fact that we don’t have to over-buy envelopes in order
to have enough on hand to distribute to new members throughout the year.
In this Season of Giving…
Would you find it helpful to have your offerings take from your bank account as you
do with other monthly drafts – insurance premium, mortgage payment, car loan, and
the like? Thrivent Financial for Lutherans sponsors a program called Simply Giv-
ing®, which offers this service for people who wish to have offerings transferred elec-
tronically to the church’s account. There are several schedules available that should
suit most families – weekly, semi-monthly or monthly. For those who travel, this is
particularly helpful in keeping up with their intended offerings, and it will keep you
from having to make up the difference later. The Church Council has approved
this program for those who choose to participate in it. Contact the church office for
more details.
IS THERE TRUTH AND JUSTICE TODAY?
Tickets are now available for the 13th Annual Martin Lutheran King,
Jr. Community Event to be held on Sunday, January 18, 2009 from 2-5
p.m. at the Aqua Turf. The guest speaker will be Rev. Dr. Peola Hicks.
There will be a buffet. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by
calling Diane in the church office at 628-5759.
BULLETIN RECYCLING
If you don’t bring your bulletins home, please leave them in the paper recy-
cling bag. Kathy Petruzzello has volunteered to collect them for recycling —
thanks Kathy! If anyone has extra paper shopping bags, please bring them
in for this project.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Resumes on January 11, 2009 at 9 a.m.
12/14/2008 8:00 AM – Advent 3 Pastor Debner
December 14, 2008
Click on the Play button the stream the sermon
[podcast]http://s175331839.onlinehome.us/public_html/Sermons/20081214.mp3[/podcast]
Click on the link to download the sermon:
12/14/2008 10:15 AM – Youth Christmas Program Zion Youth
December 14, 2008
Click on the Play button to stream the Christmas Program
[podcast]http://s175331839.onlinehome.us/public_html/Sermons/20081214B.mp3[/podcast]
Click on the link to download the program:
December 14th Happenings
December 14, 2008
Happenings at Zion
Sat 12/13 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal & Pizza 9a Various
Christmas Caroling 1p Various
Saturday Vigil Worship Service 4p Worship & Music
Sun 12/14 Sunday Worship Services 8a Worship & Music
Children’s Christmas Program 10:15a Worship & Music
Sunday School 9a Christian Education
Confirmation Class 5:30p Christian Education
Mon 12/15 Stained Glass Team Work 7p Christian Fellowship
Men’s Christmas Dinner 6p @ Steve’s Restaurant Christian Fellowship
Tue 12/16 Council Meeting 7p Various
Wed 12/17 Bell Choir 6:30p/Chapel Choir 7:15p Worship & Music
Thur 12/18 Purpose of Christmas Advent Series 7p Various
Sat 12/20 Saturday Healing Worship Service 4p Worship & Music
Sun 12/21 Sunday Worship Services 8a & 10:15a Worship & Music
Internship Support Committee Meeting 9:15a
Sanctuary Decorating 11:30a Various
Bells & Blessings Musical Program 7p Worship & Music
December 14th Announcements
December 14, 2008
Click on the link below for the entire announcements.
December 14, 2008 Announcements
Welcome ! Today is the birthplace of all hope, peace and joy. It is a joy to have you wor‐
ship with us today. Christ The Lord is risen today! Alleluia! Today we celebrate the resurrec‐
tion of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Visitors are asked to sign the guest book by the front door. You will find prayer cards
in the pews.
CONFIRMATION CLASS
This year’s Confirmation program will explore Martin Luther, the Ten Commandments,
and the Lord’s Prayer. Upcoming classes include:
December 14 Eighth Commandment—False Witness
January 11 Ninth & Tenth Commandments—Coveting
Christian Education for all ages meets from 9‐10 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Sunday School
classes are available for children age 3 to grade 8, adult Christian education, led by Pr. Debner,
meets at this same time.
Sunday Morning Adult Education 9 a.m.
Rev. Rinell leads an overview of the Bible. Ever wondered how we got the Bible?
What does it all mean? Come and learn about the thread that weaves through out
the whole Bible, tying together the major theme.
Leadership Insights from Biblical Women Bible Study
Join Vicar Olsen for a four part series highlighting leadership insights from
Biblical Women. The Bible study will be held on the following Thursday
nights at 7pm: January 22nd, 29th, and February 5th and 12th. Bring your
Bibles!
The Purpose of Christmas by Rick Warren
“If you find that Christmas has become nothing more than a source of
emotional and financial stress…If somewhere along the line you lost “the
reason for the season”…You need to attend our Thursday Advent series!
We’ll meet on December 18 at 7 p.m. to discuss what Rick Warren calls
“A Time for Celebration, A Time for Salvation, and A Time for Reconcilia-
tion”. I hope you’ll join us for this video based series.
THE SHACK
Now’s the time to begin reading the book everyone’s talking about —
The Shack by William P. Young. We’ll be getting together on Thurs-
day evening, January 8 at 7 p.m. for a book discussion. I hope you’ll
join us. Pastor Debner
How can I learn more about Christ and get to know people better at Zion?
Christian Fellowship Shawn Darling, Director
COFFEE HOUR SIGN-UPS
The Coffee Hour signup poster is next to the flower chart. Please take a
minute and find a Sunday that works for you and/or your family to contrib-
ute your time and baked “goodies”. The coffee, cups and napkins are pro-
vided. You will bring the coffee creamer and food items. Even if you wish to
bring the snacks, but can’t be the host(ess)–or if you can host , but are un-
able to supply the food, please sign up accordingly. Together we can make it hap-
pen. This is a great way to build fellowship at Zion. Thanks to Carol Wright and
Dawne Cappellino for hosting coffee hour this week!
How can I be a good steward of my time, talent, and treasure?
Stewardship Steve Long, Director
Our time and talents can and are used within this congregation but we primarily use
them in the daily situations we find ourselves in: work, home, school, and play. We are
witnesses to Jesus Christ on a 24/7 basis. There is never a time when we are not wit-
nessing to Jesus Christ! The haunting question is: what kind of witness are we
giving?!
In a capitalist economy – as we have in America – things happen when money is ex-
pended. It is no different for any church. As the fund available for ministry increase,
so does the ministry performed. It is as simple as that!
PRAISE TEAM ANNOUNCES REHEARSAL
SCHEDULE
Zion’s new contemporary music team will rehearse on the following Mon-
days at 7 p.m.: January 5 & 12. They will sing during the 10:15 worship
service on January 18.
IMPORTANT MEETING DATES—January 11 & January 25, 2009
Join us for an informational meeting on Sunday, January 11 at 9 a.m. where we will
discuss some pressing maintenance needs, including the organ, heating system, office
phone system, parking lot, men’s bathroom, hot water heaters, and fluorescent lights.
We’ll be discussing these issues in preparation for our Congregational Meeting on
January 25, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. We’re asking everyone to attend so that all are well-
informed on what’s happening within the church.
How can I serve God and have an impact in the world?
Christian Welfare Dawne Cappellino, Director
Watch Your Mailbox…
Your church council has changed the supplier of our offering envelopes for
2009. Instead of receiving a book of annual offering envelopes you will be
receiving a packet of envelopes before the start of each quarter. These packets will
be delivered in December, March, June and September. Believe it or not, this change
will cost the church less money than what we have done in prior years. The bulk of
the savings will come from the fact that we don’t have to over-buy envelopes in order
to have enough on hand to distribute to new members throughout the year.
In this Season of Giving…
Would you find it helpful to have your offerings take from your bank account as you
do with other monthly drafts – insurance premium, mortgage payment, car loan, and
the like? Thrivent Financial for Lutherans sponsors a program called Simply Giv-
ing®, which offers this service for people who wish to have offerings transferred elec-
tronically to the church’s account. There are several schedules available that should
suit most families – weekly, semi-monthly or monthly. For those who travel, this is
particularly helpful in keeping up with their intended offerings, and it will keep you
from having to make up the difference later. The Church Council has approved
this program for those who choose to participate in it. Contact the church office for
more details.
IS THERE TRUTH AND JUSTICE TODAY?
Tickets are now available for the 13th Annual Martin Lutheran King,
Jr. Community Event to be held on Sunday, January 18, 2009 from 2-5
p.m. at the Aqua Turf. The guest speaker will be Rev. Dr. Peola Hicks.
There will be a buffet. Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased by
calling Diane in the church office at 628-5759.
DECORATING AT ZION
We hope you’ll join us to decorate the Sanctuary on Sunday, December 21
at 11:30 (following 10:15 worship). The more the merrier!
Organ Sounds
December 8, 2008
A few weeks ago we were singing a hymn in the middle of worship at Zion Lutheran Church. We were just finishing the second verse when all of sudden the organ went silent. The organist was pushing down on the keys, but there was no sound coming from the speakers. Our organist looked to me with a bewildered look that said, “What do I do now?” I gave him a look of shock that said, “What happened?”
Once we had shaken off the shock and surprise we simple moved to the next part of the service and later we continued our singing with the piano.
A few days later a technician arrived to repair the organ. He opened the organ’s innards and began to pull out circuit boards, and amplifiers. There were many parts that needed to be replaced including: amplifiers, fuses and even some chips on the circuit boards. He simple heated up his soldering iron and replaced the chips and amplifiers that had been fried. It was amazing to see the skill of the technician, seeking out the broken chips and replacing them. Once the circuit boards were re-installed with the new chips, the organ’s sound was once again restored.
I was thinking today about the organ and how it went silent. Sometimes I feel like that organ. The organ was made to make loud and amazing music, and yet, there it was silent, not fulfilling its purpose at all. There were some vital circuits that had been fried.
Sometimes I feel that my keys are being played, but there is no sound coming from my life. I wonder if my circuits have been fried by all the demands of life. Normal weeks are filled with stress and the demands of family, but these past few weeks have been even more burdensome. The stresses of the economy, the worrying about job security, the demands of preparing for Christmas, are simple overwhelming. Do you ever what to just say no to everyone and everything that needs your attention? Do you ever feel that you’re not fulfilling your purpose, like a organ that’s silent because its circuit boards have been fried?
Author Patsy Clairmont writes that one year, she decided to write “Noel,” the French word for Christmas, in bright lights on the roof of her house. Unfortunately, she ran out of lights halfway through the project, so she ended up with just the word “NO” in flashing, multicolored lights on her roof. Some of us want to say “NO” to the Christmas season too. We are too rushed to enjoy it. We are too detached to experience it. We are too cynical to believe in it. We are too fried to live it.
Sometimes when our lives become so hectic, frenzied, difficult and messy we feel God has abandoned us to the forces of fate, evil or despair. It is during these messy times that God’s presence hovers near to
us. For Christians, “stable” moments aren’t those few days when calm briefly descends upon our
world. Our true “stable times” are when we look around and see that however unpredictable, unmanageable and unimaginable our mess, the message is there even more. At Christmas, the mess
is the message.
Jesus was born in a stable — a small, cramped, congested, messy place. A new born baby was out -of-place, out-of-sync, amid the dusty animals, the mucky straw, and the spilled grain. But the mess is the message of Christmas. There is no stable, no place in our world or in our lives that is too poor, too remote, too outcast, too “other,” too messy, that God cannot be found and formed in us.
As Christmas approaches, we will all find ourselves at wit’s end, running out of time, out of patience, out of money, out of ideas. Don’t be fooled into thinking that God cannot draw close to your life, to your heart, just because your schedule seems “too busy” for Christmas. If your life is hovering near overload, you could be on the very cusp of experiencing genuine “stable time” in your life. Open up to it, exalt in it, and be willing to let God love and care for you. I pray you may experience a very Blessed Christmas.
December 7th Happenings
December 7, 2008
Happenings at Zion Ministry
Sat 12/6 Bell Ringing @ Price Chopper/Salvation Army Various
Saturday Vigil Worship Service 4p Worship & Music
Sun 12/7 Sunday Worship Services 8 & 10:15a Worship & Music
Sunday School 9a Christian Education
Confirmation Class 5:30p Christian Education
Mon 12/8 Stained Glass Team Work 7p Christian Fellowship
Praise Rehearsal 7p Worship & Music
Tue 12/9 Men’s Club Card Night 7p Christian Fellowship
Wed 12/10 Bell Choir 6:30p/Chapel Choir 7:15p Worship & Music
Thur 12/11 Purpose of Christmas Advent Series 7p Various
Sat 12/13 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal & Pizza 9a Various
Christmas Caroling 1p Various
Saturday Vigil Worship Service 4p Worship & Music
Sun 12/14 Sunday Worship Services 8a Worship & Music
Children’s Christmas Program 10:15a Worship & Music
Sunday School 9a Christian Education
Confirmation Class 5:30p Christian Education
December 7, 2008 Announcements
December 7, 2008
Click on the link below to see the announcements.
December 7, 2008 Announcements
Happenings at Zion Ministry
Sat 12/6 Bell Ringing @ Price Chopper/Salvation Army Various
Saturday Vigil Worship Service 4p Worship & Music
Sun 12/7 Sunday Worship Services 8 & 10:15a Worship & Music
Sunday School 9a Christian Education
Confirmation Class 5:30p Christian Education
Mon 12/8 Stained Glass Team Work 7p Christian Fellowship
Praise Rehearsal 7p Worship & Music
Tue 12/9 Men’s Club Card Night 7p Christian Fellowship
Wed 12/10 Bell Choir 6:30p/Chapel Choir 7:15p Worship & Music
Thur 12/11 Purpose of Christmas Advent Series 7p Various
Sat 12/13 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal & Pizza 9a Various
Christmas Caroling 1p Various
Saturday Vigil Worship Service 4p Worship & Music
Sun 12/14 Sunday Worship Services 8a Worship & Music
Children’s Christmas Program 10:15a Worship & Music
Sunday School 9a Christian Education
Confirmation Class 5:30p Christian Education
Dec.11 Purpose of Christmas Video
Study 7p
Dec.13 Christmas Pageant Rehearsal &
Pizza Party 9a
Christmas Caroling 1p
Dec.14 Children’s Christmas Program 10:15
Kids arrive @ 9:30a
Last Day of Sunday School
until January 11
Dec.15 Men’s Club Christmas Dinner 6p
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
December 13, 2008
Please share your voice and join us for Christmas caroling
on Saturday, December 13 at 1 p.m. We’ll meet here at
Zion.
Children’s Christmas Pageant
December 14, 2008
This year Zion’s Sunday School students will per-
form “The Animals Gather Around Jesus in the
Manger” on December 14 at 10:15 a.m. Children
should arrive at church at 9:30 a.m. in their costumes. There is a
snow date of December 21 in the event of a major snowstorm.
The dress rehearsal will be held on Saturday, December 13 from 9:15
-11:30 and will be followed by the annual pizza party. Any questions,
please speak with Barbara Debner.
12/7/2008 Advent 2 – From the Wilderness Pastor Rinell
December 7, 2008
Click on the Play button to steam the sermon
[podcast]http://s175331839.onlinehome.us/public_html/Sermons/20081207.mp3[/podcast]
Click on the link to download the sermon:
December 2008 Newsletter
December 1, 2008
Click on the link below to download the Horizon
Zion Lutheran Church’s
On the HORIZON
Volume 24, Issue 9
December, 2008
Children’s Christmas Pageant
This year, Zion’s Sunday School students will perform in a Christmas Pageant
titled “The Animals Gather Around Jesus in the Manger”. The pageant will be on
December 14 at 10:15 a.m. Children should arrive at church at 9:30 a.m. in their cos-
tumes. There is a snow date of December 21 in the event of a major snowstorm. The
dress rehearsal will be held on Saturday, December 13 from 9:15-11:30 and will be
followed by the annual pizza party. Any questions, please speak with Barbara Debner.
Decorating the Church
We hope you’ll join us to decorate the Gathering Place on Saturday, December 6 at 9
a.m. We’ll be decorating the Sanctuary on Sunday, December 21 at 11:30 (following
10:15 worship). The more the merrier — we hope to see you there!
Mark Your Calendars for These Important Dates
December 6 Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Price Chopper 9a—5p (1/2 hour shifts)
December 13 Final Rehearsal for Children’s Christmas Pageant 9a-12n
Christmas Caroling 1p
December 14 Children’s Christmas Pageant (kids arrive at 9:30a in costume)
No Sunday School until January 11, 2009
December 15 Men’s Club Christmas Dinner 6p @ Steve’s Restaurant
December 21 Sanctuary Decorating 11:30a
Bells & Blessings Musical Program 7p
Snow date for Children’s Christmas Pageant
December 24 Christmas Eve Family Worship 4p & 6p
Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship 11p
December 25 Christmas Day Worship 10:15a
There will be no worship service on Saturday, December 27. There will not be an 8 a.m. service on 12/28.
Christmas Caroling—December 13
We’ll be joining our voices to share the Christmas spirit on Saturday, December 13, 2008
at 1 p.m. We’ll meet here at Zion — there’s a sign-up sheet located in the Gathering Place.
Men’s Club Christmas Party
The Men’s Club Christmas party will be held on December 15 at 6 p.m. at Steve’s Restaurant in Plants-
ville (next to Kennedy Middle School). The cost is $28 per person.
Page 2 ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH’S
ON THE HORIZON
To the Saints at Zion Lutheran Church,
The frantic hurry has begun; Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone. Sometimes
when our lives become so hectic, frenzied, difficult and messy we feel God has abandoned us to
the forces of fate, evil or despair. It is during these messy times that God’s presence hovers near to
us. For Christians, “stable” moments aren’t those few days when calm briefly descends upon our
world. Our true “stable times” are when we look around and see that however unpredictable, un-
manageable and unimaginable our mess, the message is there even more. At Christmas, the mess
is the message.
Jesus was born in a stable — a small, cramped, congested, messy place. A new born baby was out
-of-place, out-of-sync, amid the dusty animals, the mucky straw, and the spilled grain. But the
mess is the message of Christmas. There is no stable, no place in our world or in our lives that is
too poor, too remote, too outcast, too “other,” too messy, that God cannot be found and formed in us.
I invite you to join in worshiping God at Zion Lutheran this Christmas. Bring a friend, a neighbor or a family member
who may need to hear the message God sent and continues to send in Jesus. The special worship services at Zion Lu-
theran Church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day include:
Please note there will be no 4 p.m. service on Saturday, December 27 and no 8 a.m. service on December 28.
In preparation for these celebrations, we will be decorating the Gathering Place on December 6 at 9 a.m. and the wor-
ship area of the church for Christmas on Sunday, December 21 following the 10:15 service. I hope you’ll plan to join
us! On December 14 we will present our Children’s Program at the 10:15 a.m. service. Our Bells and Blessings Musi-
cal Program will be held on December 21 at 7 p.m..
As Christmas approaches, we will all find ourselves at wit’s end, running out of time, out of patience, out of money,
out of ideas. Don’t be fooled into thinking that God cannot draw close to your life, to your heart, just because your
schedule seems “too busy” for Christmas. If your life is hovering near overload, you could be on the very cusp of experi-
encing genuine “stable time” in your life. Open up to it, exalt in it, and be willing to let God love and care for you. I pray
you may experience a very Blessed Christmas.
In the Joy of Christ,
The Rev. James Debner
Wednesday, December 24 4:00 p.m. Family Worship Service
Wednesday, December 24 6:00 p.m. Family Worship Service
Wednesday, December 24 11:00 p.m. Candlelight Worship Service
Thursday, December 25 10:15 a.m. Christmas Day Service
Pastor’s Corner
The Shack
Now’s the time to begin reading the book everyone’s talking about — The Shack by William P.
Young. We’ll be getting together on Thursday evening, January 8 at 7 p.m. for a book discussion. I
hope you’ll join us. Pastor Debner
The Knight’s Templar Presents Certificate to Pastor January 18 @ 10:15a
The Rev. James A. Debner of Zion Lutheran Church in Southington, CT has been selected to join next February’s
two week pilgrimage of Christian ministers to the Holy Land under the auspices of the Grand Encampment of Knights
Templar of the USA and Connecticut sponsorship of Washington Commandery No. 1 in East Hartford.
Rev. Debner, a native of Iowa, graduated from Wartburg College with a BA and received a Master of Divinity from
Luther Northwestern University. He began his ministry in 1988, serving parishes in West Union, West Virginia and
(Continued on page 3)
Babysitter Position Available
VOLUME 24, ISSUE 9 Page 3
This year’s program explores Martin Luther, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s
Prayer.
Dec. 6 Salvation Army Bell Ringing @ Price Chopper Dec. 14 Eighth Commandment—False Witness
Dec. 7 Seventh Commandment—Stealing Dec. 21 & 28 Off
Dec. 13 Christmas Caroling—Time TBD
We are looking for someone who would be interested in babysitting our two boys 4 and 6 once in a while.
So if any one in the church would be interested in some babysitting jobs please contact us.
Robert & Deb Stanczykiewicz (860) 747-5914
Confirmation
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS FOR 2008
___ 6” $5.55 ___ 7” $9.65 ___8” $14.20 ___10” $19.50 Color: ______________
(white, red, or pink)
In loving memory of _____________________________________________________________
or
To the glory of the newborn King______(check mark please)
Given by __________________________________________________ Amount:__________
MEMORIALS FOR 2008
In loving memory of _____________________________________________________________
or
To the glory of the newborn King______(check mark please)
Given by __________________________________________________ Amount:__________
All orders must be in by Sunday, December 7, 2008
Leadership Insights from Biblical Women Bible Study
Join Vicar Olsen for a four part series highlighting leadership insights from Biblical
Women. The Bible study will be held on the following Thursday nights at 7pm: January 22nd,
29th, and February 5th and 12th. Bring your Bibles!
Rindge, New Hampshire before becoming minister of Zion Lutheran Church in 1995. Assisting him in all his parish
duties are his wife Barbara, son Joshua and daughter Abigail. Rev. Debner is excited about how such a trip will deepen
his ministry: ”To smell the earth of Israel and to be covered in the dust of the roads Jesus walked, will make the scrip-
tures come alive as nothing else could do.” Modern day Knights Templar is a Christian organization of the Masonic fra-
ternity, and the Holy Land Pilgrimage is one of their many community oriented projects, reminiscent of ancient Tem-
plars who, during the Crusades, protected pilgrims in their travels to the Holy Land. Rev. Debner’s sponsoring organiza-
tion, Washington Commandery, adds further tradition, being organized in 1796 and remains today as is the oldest com-
mandery of Knights Templar in the western hemisphere in continuous existence.
(Continued from page 2)
Join us for an informational meeting on Sunday, January 11 at 9 a.m. where we will discuss some press-
ing maintenance needs, including the organ, heating system, office phone system, parking lot, men’s
bathroom, hot water heaters, and fluorescent lights. We’ll be discussing these issues in preparation for
our Congregational Meeting on January 25, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. We’re asking every- one
to attend so that all are well-informed on what’s happening within the church.
Worship Servants for December
Date Communion Assistants Lectors Ushers Acolytes
12/7 Carra Rockwood (8)
Nancy Benoit (10:15)
David Kall (8)
Bonnie Zownir (10:15)
Betty Lou Schweiger & Sue Skrzypiec
Steven Kroll & John Miller (10:15)
Caroline Barry & Megan Graham (10:15)
12/14 Lois Davis (8)
Children’s Program (10:15)
Bill Gibbs (8)
Children’s Program (10:15)
Carra Rockwood & Frieda Fries (8)
Mike Kurtz & John Sirotnak (10:15)
Ashley & Nicole Christensen (10:15)
12/21 Lisa Gentile (8)
Bonnie Zownir (10:15)
Lois Davis (8)
Susan (or John) Miller (10:15)
Mary & Helmut Jobs (8)
Kyle Gundersen & Doug Graham
Austin Gentile (8)
Aidan Jones & MacKenzie Martin (10:15)
12/24 John & Faith Kjellson (4)
Vicar Olsen (6)
John Miller & John Kjellson 11
Carra Rockwood (4)
Ana Dauphin (6)
Beth Long (11)
Jim Suess & Dean Mauro (4)
Lisa & William Miller (6)
Aidan Jones & Matthew Kall (4)
Altar Guild in December: Lee Sirotnak
12/28
10:15 only
Karin Thompson (10:15) Debbie Mauro (10:15) William Holbrook & Steve Kroll
(10:15)
12/25 (10:15)
VOLUME 24, ISSUE 9
Important Meeting Dates: January 11 & January 25, 2009
Prison Ministry Gift-Giving
Again this year Rev. Carol Salka from the Webster Correctional Institute in Cheshire is appealing for a
generous response in the giving of care package items for the inmates at Webster. At Christmas time, this small gesture
touches and encourages their hearts. Please join us in our effort in giving common and ordinary items that become an
uncommon and extraordinary expression of God’s love that touches many lives! The following items are allowed and a
basket will be in the Gathering Place. All items are needed by December 9.
Soap (bath-size) Toothbrush (adult)
Toothpaste (6 oz) Deodorant (no glass or women’s deodorant)
Hard candies (individually wrapped) Instant hot chocolate (individually wrapped)
Operation Christmas Child Update
Our 58 Operation Christmas Child boxes were delivered on November
22nd to Liberty Baptist Church in Bristol, our regional drop-off site.
There they will be placed into larger boxes to be shipped to North Carolina, and then around the world
to needy children – some of whom have never received a gift of any kind. Thanks be to God that we are
so blessed and able to support this mission.
VOLUME 24, ISSUE 9 Page 5
Zion Lutheran’s Confirmation Class for 2006
Click on our
New “Calendar” Link
To see the most up-to-date
Info & events
On the Horizon is a monthly publication of Zion
Evangelical Lutheran Church, 531 Woodruff Street,
Southington, CT 06489. Phone: 860-628-5759. Fax: 860-
620-0742. Web: www.zionlutheranct.org. Email address:
pastor@zionlutheranct.org or office@zionlutheranct.org.
We welcome your comments, suggestions, and contribu-
tions. Deadline for the newsletter is the third Thursday
of the month. Please call the church office to remove your
name from the mailing list.
Zion is affiliated with the New England Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, one of over
11,000 congregations in the ELCA.
We worship every Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and Sunday
at 8:00 & 10:15 a.m. Holy Communion is celebrated
weekly at all services. Sunday School and Adult Study
Hour: 9 a.m., except during the summer. Summer Sunday
worship at 9 a.m.
Staff
The Rev. James Debner Pastor
The Rev. Will Baumgartner Asst. Pastor
Christopher Messner Music Director
Barbara Debner Nursery School Director
Diane Lamb Parish Administrator
George Morales Custodian
Council Officers
John Miller President
Rich Suter Vice President
Michelle Gladue Secretary
John Kjellson Treasurer
Mark Reider Asst. Treasurer
Board of Directors
Steve Long Financial Affairs
Carol Wright Membership/Witness
Faith Kjellson Worship/Music
Shawn Darling Christian Fellowship
Peter Kurtz Church Facilities
Dawne Cappellino Christian Welfare
Beth Long Christian Education
December 7 Rev. Rod Rinell Advent 2
December 14 Pastor Debner Advent 3 Youth Program 10:15
December 21 Vicar Laura Olsen Advent 4
December 24 Family services 4-6 pm Candle light 11pm
December 25 Christmas Day 10:15
December 28 Only 10:15 , no 8 am or Sat. worship.
December Worship Opportunities
Advent Series
The Purpose of Christmas
“If you find that Christmas has become nothing
more than a source of emotional and financial
stress…If somewhere along the line you lost “the reason for
the season”…You need to attend our Thursday Advent series!
We’ll meet on December 4, 11 and 18 at 7 p.m. to discuss
what Rick Warren calls “A Time for Celebration, A Time for Sal-
vation, and A Time for Reconciliation”. I hope you’ll join us for
this video based series.