1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

 ZION UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
211 S. ST. PETER STREET
SOUTH BEND, IN 46617
Non Profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
South Bend, IN
Permit No. 202
Sunday Worship 9:00 am
Fellowship Time 10:00 am
Sunday School 10:30 am
THEVISITOR
ZionUnitedChurchof
Christ
*AJustPeaceandOpen&
Af irmingChurch*
Vol. XXIII Issue 1 January 2015
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Church Office Hours
Monday-Friday
PASTOR’S PONDERINGS: A MESSAGE FROM REV. WENDY BRUNER
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
“I have decided to stick to love...Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
― Martin Luther King Jr. I know, you don’t want to begin the new year talking about race relations in our country. I know. I would
rather not talk about it either. But during advent I ran across a quote by Martin Luther King Jr. regarding
love and I started reading some of the other things he said. Then I recalled what we had just talked about in
Sunday School, about how we as the church might participate in bringing shalom to our community and
maybe even the world. Then I thought about that little baby whose birth we celebrated – celebrated with
hope for a better future that might come if we but followed him. And then I thought… I can’t not talk about
what’s going on in our country.
Wendy Bruner, Pastor
Connecting People With God
Contact information:
Office: 574-233-5446
Fax: 574-233-9684
Email: [email protected]
website: www. zionsb.org
We’re on face book.
Our Church Community:
Ministers
Pastor
Music Director/Organist
Accompanist
Office Manager
Bookkeeper
Custodian
Board of Elders
Every Member of the Congregation
Wendy Bruner
574-326-9023
Linda Roher
Tim Becze
Nancy Philabaum
Jan Raymond
Michelle Cain
Cathy Bair
Rick Meece
Jen Einspahr
Cortney Nellis
Beth Green
Beth Sargent
Brian Hedman Iaian Seals
Linda Kowatch Judy Taelman
Bob Lang
Don Zutter
When one group in society cries out in anguish because they are being killed, the response to that cry
should not be to turn the other way so we do not have to hear or see their anguish. Regardless of what our
views are about the events that unfolded in August and beyond in this country, the bottom line is that our
brothers and sisters are hurting. People are not experiencing justice in the land they call their own. This did
not just start in August, 2014. August was the tipping point. We are far from shalom.
I would invite us into an intentional conversation this year about race in this country and how we might be
followers of Jesus - the one whose table was inclusive, the one who stood up and spoke when it would have
been safer to keep his mouth shut, the one who calls us to come along with him. I would invite us to think
about ways we might live out the love of God by caring about our brother’s and sister’s anguish and consider speaking out against the injustice that creates it.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but
where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
Let us stand together as children of God – as a loving and compassionate people. Our lives, after all, begin
to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
JANUARY MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS
Deacons
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
Fred Goldstein & Bill Liskow
will sponsor a Coffee Hour for you.
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Contact Cherie: 254-0316,
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Liturgist
4 Fred Goldstein
11 Jan Raymond
18 Lila Kennedy
25 Tom Whipkey
Communion Hosts:
4 Cathy & John Bair
Audio
Rick Muhlbeier
Visual
Julie Niedbalski
Altar Paraments Michele Seals
Coffee Hosts 4
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OPEN
Richardson/Fellowship
OPEN
Seals
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS NEEDED
If you are unable to host a coffee hour,
with your donations, Fellowship Ministry
Emmi Rosin
Bill Wagoner
Lorraine Besemer
Karen Hintz
Susan Goldstein
Jacob DuBrava
Matthew DuBrava
Alva Hohl
Jen Einspahr
David Gerth
Michelle Seals
Geneva Sweet
Jack Sargent
Matthew Forsythe
Erin Keresturi
Katelynn Muhlbeier
Rachel Wozniak
Michelle: 329-5599,
or Sandy: 220-0195
February’s Newsletter Deadline
Deadline for articles for the February issue
of The Visitor is Thursday, January 15th.
November’s Worship Attendance
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30
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71
64
82
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PASTOR WENDY’S
PHONE (574) 326-9023
PRAYER CONCERNS
Hilda Bare,
Arthur Bradley,
Floyd Burton,
Betty Green,
Pastor Mary Lundgren,
Dennis Riedel,
Emmi Rosin,
Sandy Schafer,
Geneva Sweet,
Alice Trubey,
Bill Wagoner,
and Margaret Whipkey.
NOTES FROM THE ELDERS
With a new year brings new Elders to our board.
We welcome Jen Einspahr, Linda Kowatch, Bob Lang, and Beth Sargent
and look forward to working with them.
We would like to thank Rich Cullar, Becky deBruyn, Dana Forsythe, and Sue Goldstein
for their commitment to the board.
Our new year brings new enthusiasm and new questions for Zion.
Please keep the Board of Elders in your prayers as we move ahead
in God’s design for Zion, in our neighborhood, our community and the world.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AT ZION
SUNDAY MORNING ADULT ENRICHMENT
Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
We’ll begin a new series on Sunday, January 11, 2015! Watch for updates!
MONDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY
Mondays at 6:45-8:00 p.m.
A Bible Study/Small Group is meeting on Monday Nights
MISSIONS MINISTRY
The Missions Ministry has been very purposeful at looking at ways to use
our time, talent and treasure. For 2015 Missions Ministry decided Broadway Christian Parish would be the recipient of our gifts for the whole year
so when you go to the grocery store you will know what to buy because it
will usually be the same items.
from 6:45-8:00 p.m. It incorporates prayer and study on living out our faith in the
world by learning about social justice issues. EVERYONE is welcome. Join us on
Monday nights and pray for how God will transform your faith through this small
group! If you have questions talk with Pastor Wendy or Linda Kowatch.
HELPING HAND CART for BROADWAY CHRISTIAN PARISH:
THEHOSPITALITYROOMiscurrentlyBroadway’smostevolvingministry.OpenMonday
throughThursdayfrom8:30to11a.m.,itprovidesaplaceforhomelesspeopleandother
nearbyresidentstocomeforbreakfastandtoconnectwithothers.Itisaplacewherepeople
areknownbynameandaretreatedasguests.Whilehere,ourguestscansignupforshowers,washsmallloadsofclothes,andreceivenewsocks,underwearandotheressentialsdependingontheseason.
Ourguestswillalso indvolunteerswhowillstopbytochat,ortojustlistentotheirstories.
Aswegettoknowguestandtheygettoknowus,linesofcommunicationareopenedthatcan
leadtoadditionalhelpwithhealthmatters(SaintMary’scontributesstudentnurses), inding
employment,anddiscoveringothermeansofassistance.Inalltheseefforts,westrivetobea
placeofphysical,emotionalandspiritualsustenance.
THE HOSPITALITY ROOM needs: coffee and laundr y soap.
THE FOOD PANTRY needs the following: canned goods (especially Bear Creek soup mix),
cereals, peanut butter, and toilet paper.
THE SHOWER MINISTRY needs:
 Large Bottles of Shampoo
• Laundry Detergent
• Razors
• Soap* (Liquid preferred)
• Shaving cream
• Towels (used is fine!)
• Deodorant* (Spray preferred)
*We prefer the spray deodorant and liquid soap so that the men and women can share them! TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.
“In the end, there are only two hard historical facts about Jesus of Nazareth upon
which we can confidently rely…”
These words written by Reza Aslan, the author of Zealot, have started the Tuesday
morning study group on a journey through the life and times of Jesus. We meet at
9:00 a.m. every Tuesday. If you want to be challenged, this is the place to be. Please
join us.
CONFIRMATION CLASS
Fourth Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon
Confirmation Class is working on exploring our faith in fun and creative ways.
The class is researching imaginative ideas to fund a Church World Service
project. They want to make a difference in the world and think this is a great
way to begin.
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN
Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
Grow, Proclaim, Serve! is our curriculum.
“Touched by Jesus” is January’s focus”.
Children 2-12 will be discovering the Bible stories:
January 11-The Woman at the Well
January 18-The Ten Lepers
January 25-Mary & Martha
COMMON GROUND COFFEEHOUSE
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Sign up starts at 6:45 p.m.
Open Mic 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
MUSIC, POETRY, COMEDY & DANCE
ALL ARE INVITED & ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE !
Free admission, Fair Trade coffee & snacks
EVANGELISM MINISTRY MEETING
Monday, January 12, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.
Evangelism Ministry tells the story of Zion Church and its ministry.
THE ELDERS MEETING
Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
The first meeting of the new year!
TAIZE SERVICE
Friday, January 16, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
Please join us for our Taize Worship Service on the third Friday of each month.
Taize is a sung and silent participatory prayer service designed to achieve
a contemplative state through music, song and silence.
BOOK CLUB
Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.
We’re meeting at the home of Maureen Wildey.
The book for discussion will be Zealot by Reza Aslan (nonfiction).
A FUTURE selection will be Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey.
PROPERTY MINISTRY MEETING
Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.
Property Ministry is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and improving all church properties.
CONFIRMATIONCLASS
Saturday,January24,2015from9:00a.m.-noon
We’rebeginningournewyearofexploringourfaithinfunandcreativeways!
ALL CHURCH WORK DAY
Saturday, January 24, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. until noon
This is a wonderful opportunity to work together and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Anyone can participate for any amount of time. And ALL work is appreciated.
THE VISITOR MAILING TEAM
Wednesday, January 28, at 9:00 a.m.
The team readies “The Visitor” for mailing.
OpportuniƟes for Worship, EducaƟon & Mission
MONDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY
Mondays from 6:45-8:00 p.m.
This Bible Study/Small Group incorporates prayer and study on living out our faith in the world
by learning about social justice issues.
EVERYONE is welcome. Join us on Monday nights and pray for how God will transform your
faith through this small group!
If you have questions talk with Pastor Wendy or Linda Kowatch.
TUESDAY MORNING STUDY GROUP
Tuesdays at 9:00 a.m.
Join us Tuesday mornings for adult Bible/book study.
We are discussing Zealot by author Reza Aslan.
STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY MEETING
Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.
Stewardship Ministry involves the congregation in year round stewardship.
CHOIR REHEARSAL
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
Anyone who is interested in singing with the choir – please join us
in preparing for leading worship.
THE WHITLOCK BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Thursday, January 8, 2015 at 3:30 p.m.
Zion is a member of The Michiana Benevolent Society, Inc. which supports The Whitlock,
an Independent Living Community for persons 55 and older in Bremen, IN.
WORSHIP MINISTRY
REMOVE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 9:00 a.m.
Take down the decorations.
Worship Ministry is meeting to remove, organize, and put away the decorations.
WORSHIP MINISTRYPLANNING MEETING
Saturday, January 10, 2015
After removing Christmas decorations Worship Ministry is meeting for a planning session.