Exercising our gratitude muscles
from The Newsletter Newsletter
Expressing gratitude isn’t just a good thing to do; it also appears to be good for us! Indiana University researchers found that participants who performed gratitude-focused writing exercises felt uplifted, and were more likely to express gratefulness through generosity, even weeks later.
Furthermore, brain scans revealed increased gratitude-related activity even months down the road (New York Magazine).
Though the study was small, we seem to have a “gratitude muscle” that can be strengthened through exercise. If so, there may be more than we thought to the popularity of gratitude journals and Mom’s insistence that we write thank-you notes. Not to mention the biblical call to “give thanks to the LORD, for he is good” (1 Chronicles 16:34, for example).
Might God have hardwired us for gratitude — not only at Thanksgiving but year round — because it’s good for us as well as for those we thank? To that, we respond, “Thanks be to God!”
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Join us for worship
The new church year begins with the first Sunday of Advent, November 27. Our scripture readings for this week remind us that this new year comes with a wake-up call: Christ is coming soon! Both Paul and Jesus challenge us to wake from sleep, for we know neither the day nor hour of the Lord’s coming. Isaiah proclaims the day when God will gather all people on the holy mountain and there will be no more war or suffering. Though we vigilantly watch for the promised day of salvation, we wait for what we already have: Christ comes among us every day to strengthen our faith in the promises of God.
Sunday morning worship begins at 9:00 am. For those who are unable to worship with us in person, join us during our Sunday radio worship broadcast at 9:00 am on 92.5 FM Warroad.
On November 30, Wednesday evening worship begins at 5:30 pm and includes a variety of music led by the worship band, an easy order of worship, and a message.
"Anticipation, anticipation it's making me wait ... it's keeping me way way way waiting"... the old ketchup commercial (did you sing along?). We wait for so many things! Holidays, birthdays, family time, Super Bowl -- and how exactly do we wait for Christmas? As we enter this season of Advent, Jenee Provance and Shelley Galle will be presenting a short drama about waiting. What we wait for and how to prepare and what exactly we are waiting for. Join us for worship on Wednesday, November 30, for a humorous look into waiting and why we, as Christians, wait every Christmas for the birth of our Savior.
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The November 27 radio broadcast is sponsored by the Women of Zion with coffee fellowship funds. Thanks be to God! If you would like to sponsor a broadcast, please call or email the church office. The cost is $85. The 2023 sign-up calendar has been posted and January is wide open for you to secure a sponsorship date!
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Partners in Prayer
Please pray for those on Zion's prayer list: Kerrin Every (daughter of Karen Stoskopf), Ralland Harrison, Susan Kofstad, Jon Paul Kragness (son of David & Jan Kragness), Heidi Lien, Grant Olson, Gary Rachuy, the family and friends of Al Sommers, and pastoral care and worship leadership for our congregation.
Click here to continue reading our extended prayer list. If you have a name of someone you would like to add to the prayer list, please ask permission from that person first. Then, you may contact Zion’s church office (386-1733 or zlcw@mncable.net) to have the person added to the list.
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Council Update
Kelly Schaible Thiele, Council Secretary
Greetings, members of Zion! I hope this message finds you well and warm. Council met on Thursday, November 21 and while we missed Pastor Mary in our first gathering since her retirement, we were pleased to welcome our three new representatives: Amanda Ma, Buck Bue, and Jim Hallan. Great thanks to them for their willingness to serve!
We are in awe of this congregation’s stewardship as we near the end of 2022 with complete building loan repayment in sight and within reach. We look forward to finishing the race, to use Treasurer Patrick Frolander’s analogy, and thank you all sincerely for your dedication to this goal.
While the upcoming Advent and Christmas seasons usually bring with them joyous occasions, this time of year can also be difficult for myriad reasons. To acknowledge this and offer camaraderie to anyone feeling some heaviness, the Congregational Care committee will be leading the Blue Christmas service on Thursday, December 8, at 6:30 pm. If grieving a loved one(s), please feel free to bring their framed photo to place on the altar prior to the service.
Looking ahead to 2023, we also want to get the word out that Vitalant plans to hold another blood drive at Zion on Tuesday, February 7, and we are looking for volunteers to assist with setup, sign-in, and cleanup. If you may be able to help, please mark the date on your calendars—more details to come!
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Coming up this Sunday! Plan to attend the Women of Zion Advent Event on Sunday afternoon, November 27, at 2:00 pm, hosted by the Esther Work Group. You may participate in the optional $5.00 gift exchange and Secret Pal drawing. Invite a friend or several to attend.
Red Stocking Project
Red Stocking Project: Would you like to collect some dimes for a great cause? Felt Christmas stockings are available for you to pick up in the Gathering Space, take home, and use to collect your dimes. Then, bring your dimes with you to the November 27 Advent Event -- or collect them throughout the year ahead. Click on this link for a poem to guide you along as you grow your collection of 78 dimes. Each of the WELCA circles decides to what ministry the proceeds from their circle members will go.
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- - Save the date and invite a friend to join you - -
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Trumpets and French Horns and Trombones, oh my!*
Are you a brass player who is interested in playing in an ensemble between the worship services on Christmas Eve? If so, contact Jeff Galle at 218-242-1140 by December 5.
*All brass instruments are welcome, not just trumpets, French horns, and trombones!
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This week at Zion
- Wednesday, November 23: No classes; No evening Worship
- Thursday, November 24: Happy Thanksgiving! Church offices closed
- Sunday, November 27: No Choir Rehearsal; 9:00 am- Worship; 10:00 am- Coffee Fellowship; 10:30 am- Worship & Music Committee meeting; 2:00 pm- Women's Advent Event
- Wednesday, November 30: 12:00 pm- Items for weekly publication due; 4:30 pm- Wednesday School; 4:30 pm- Pre-Confirmation; 5:30 pm- Worship; 6:15 pm- 8th Grade Confirmation
- Thursday, December 1: 6:00 pm- Memorial Committee meeting
See the monthly church calendar at a glance here.
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Stewardship
Worship Attendance:
40 at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, 11/16
66 at 9:00 am on Sunday, 11/20
Offerings for week ending 11/20:
General Fund: $5,110.30
Building Fund: $710.00
Choir Music Fund: $10.00
Christian Education Fund: $10.00
Building Loan funds to raise as of 10/31: $6,300.00
As a response to hearing the Good News of the Gospel through Scripture and proclamation, a worshipping congregation collects an offering. Offerings provide funds for outreach and mission. We encourage you to support Zion’s mission by giving in any of the following ways:
- Online at https://zlcw.org/webpay/
- Automatic giving (Use the link above to set it up yourself or if you need help with getting set up, call the church office.)
- Through the Vanco Mobile app. Search "Vanco Mobile" or “Vanco Mobile Faith Engagement” in the App Store or Google Play. Once you download and open the app for the first time, search for "Zion Lutheran Church of Warroad" or "Warroad" (make sure you don't add an extra space after Warroad, or it may not find us). If you have logged into WebPay from zlcw.org or if you’ve used the retired GivePlus app, use the same username and password for Vanco Mobile.
- Drop off your offering at worship or in the drop box outside the main entrance
- Mail your donation to Zion Lutheran Church, PO Box 61, Warroad, MN 56763
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An update on "What's next?"
Liz Hardwick, Council President
Things are moving along! Many of you are probably wondering if we are any closer to getting an interim pastor. And I can happily say, "Yes!"
I have been in conversation with a retired pastor in our synod who is prayerfully considering becoming our interim starting in January. He will be conducting our worship service on December 4 and meeting with the council afterward. A Call Committee will be formed in January and the interim pastor will guide and advise us through the call process.
In the meantime, we have pulpit supply and worship leaders for every Sunday and Wednesday through December. Synod Authorized Minister (SAM) Roxanne Goulet has graciously offered to be an emergency contact for our congregation. If you are having a health crisis, unexpected illness, or need a home or hospital visit, you can call her at 218-370-0182.
I am truly thankful for those who have shared their gifts and talents so that we can worship together during the period of transition. Thank you all for your patience, prayers, and faith as we journey through this process together.
"Be still, and know that I am God."
Psalm 46:10
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We are currently in the process of expanding our Child Care Task Force at Zion, as this was one of the three top priorities identified by the Practicing Resurrection team. Current members of the task force are Deb Landin and Amanda Bengtson, but we are looking to get 2-3 more members. We think that would help the project get moving and the more people we have involved, the quicker this can get started. If you are interested or if you know of any other community members who see childcare as a growing need in the area and would like to be a part of this project, please contact Amanda at amandabengtson611@gmail.com.
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Prayer Threads work day update
Shawn Brunelle
On Sunday, November 13, a small group met for an afternoon of fellowship and making Prayer Threads. A total of six blankets were completed. For anyone who is interested in making a blanket or shawl to be used as Prayer Thread for someone who could use a reminder of our prayers and God's care, there are supplies available for knitters and crocheters as well as some pre-cut fabric for sewing. Supplies of yarn and patterns can be found in a tote in the sacristy. If you would like fabric to sew, please contact Shawn Brunelle at 218-386-3644. If you have any other questions, you may contact Claudia McFarlane at 218-386-1198 or Deb Lalim at 218-689-5626.
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Help victims of disaster around the world through ELCA Lutheran Disaster Response
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response make it possible for the ELCA to act quickly after disasters, whenever and wherever they strike. Such gifts make short- and long-term responses to these crises possible. To give to Lutheran Disaster Response to accompany disaster survivors on the long road to recovery, visit this website or designate your gift to Zion as "Disaster Relief."
We pray that God's presence will be felt in the midst of suffering and bring comfort to those who are hurting.
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Stress and Crisis: Get help now.
Click on the QR code below.
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Worship services are each Sunday at 9:00 am and Wednesday at 5:30 pm. The church office is open from 10:00 to 4:00, Monday through Thursday. You may email Vicki or Deb at zlcw@mncable.net and call the church phone number at 218-386-1733.
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Zion's Church Council
Liz Hardwick, President (Personnel): 218-230-4423
Deb Lalim, Vice-President (Community Concerns): 218-689-5626
Kelly Thiele, Secretary (Cong. Care): 218-242-2631
Rick Arntzen (Stewardship): 218-242-1535
Shawn Brunelle (Christian Ed): 218-386-3644
Buck Bue (MEF): 218-386-1168
Dan DeMolee (Property): 218-386-1879
Jim Hallan (W&M): 218-386-1285
Amanda Ma (Memorials): 786-651-8800
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