2021 Zion Lutheran Church
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ZION NEWS
1216 W. 8th Street—Davenport, IA
563-322-3533—office@ziondavenport.org
www.ziondavenport.org January
2021
Growing in faith… ...to reach out in love
2021
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord.
“Plans to prosper you and not to harm you.
Plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Zion News - January 2021 page 2
… Reaching out in love
Thank you to all who helped with and supported the Christmas Ham Hop Food Boxes. We were able to
provide boxes of food to 50 households. Families who received these boxes expressed their thanks to the people
of Zion for providing this generous gift during a time when many are struggling to feed their families and simply
make ends meet. THANK YOU for your generosity and “reaching out in love.”
Community outreach activities: This has been a year where all of our lives have changed in some way,
but community outreach ministry continues at Zion. Zion continues to be one of a variety of community groups
and organizations that people look to for help in time of a financial crisis. Zion continues to utilize an average of
$900.00 each month to provide aid for rent and/or utilities to people in our community. This is a tremendous help
to many especially during this time of the coronavirus and economic uncertainty.
I would like to tell you about a family of five who Zion recently helped with a utility bill. The self- employed fa-
ther had taken a bad fall at work cracking a bone, which prevented him from working for a month. Prior to this
injury the family had been struggling to make ends meet, but this accident caused even more stress on an already
tight budget. He healed quickly and got back to work, but they still were behind on a water bill which was soon to
be shut off. The wife had contacted numerous other agencies and organizations all of whom were out of funds
and unable to assist. She only asked for enough to prevent the water from being shut off. To pay off the entire bill
only needed a little more added to the request, as the funds were available. Zion, you helped pay this family’s
water bill.
This is not the end of the story. A couple weeks later the office received this thank you from the family. Here is a
portion of the email:
“Dear Friends,
I am writing to you in grateful appreciation for your church and your generous members. A few weeks
ago, we found ourselves in the dire position of the threat of having our water shut off….The last place I
called had a nice lady that told me about your church. I called and spoke to Janine….I can not express the
stress that was lifted from us that day she called and told me it was taken care of. Our family will
forever be grateful for your church and the wonderful people who made this possible. You showed our kids
the true love and generosity of God through your actions. We haven't been to church for a while. I won't
bore you with the details, but suffice it to say that you have restored our faith in our brothers and
sisters in Christ and showed our kids what it means to be a true example of a Christian. Even though there
will be no fancy gifts under our tree this year, we have the priceless gift of brotherly love from strangers
who have never met us, yet helped us, just like the good Samaritan who helped the beaten stranger he
found on the roadside. We are grateful to have water to drink, cook with, do laundry, and shower. You
have done a good thing. This is what Christmas is really about- a valuable lesson to remember that we
should be focused on Jesus, helping others in whatever way we can, and not worrying about what is or isn't
under the tree. Our family wants to wish you all the very best Christmas and a truly heartfelt thank you!
God bless you all! Sincerely...”
Zion, this letter from this family expresses the gratitude that is shared with me from the many families and
individuals you help with your generous gifts. Even though we have not been able to gather at the church for
activities or worship the spirit and work of God that is Zion Lutheran Church has continued to be felt and moves
throughout this neighborhood and community every day. Zion, God shines in and through each one of you.
Paul wrote in Philippians 1:3-4 “I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every
one of my prayers for all of you…” And I pray for each of you and the gifts and talents you share with each other
and the world. Go in peace sharing the good news of Jesus.
A safe and healthy new year to all. Deacon Janine
Zion News - January 2021 page 3
Thank you to all those who participated in the December Zoom
meetings. Your input was valuable to the committee in our search
for our next pastor. We continue in the process and look forward
to the future work yet to be done. Thank you.
Julie Kalkwarf,
Call Committee Chair
r in g
at h e
g
Re-
The Re-gathering Task Force met on December 3, 2020. Due to the high
number of COVID cases at that time, the task force determined that
Phase 1 would continue for the next month. This limits the number of
people in the building to ten, requires that everyone wear a face mask,
be aware of physical distancing, and sign the contact tracing sheet when
they enter the building. The Re-gathering Task Force will meet again on
January 7, 2021, to re-evaluate the situation. Thank you.
Steve Klecker
Council President
Zion Lutheran Church
The Annual Meeting will look different in this year of pandemic!
The congregation will be updated as details become more specific. The
synod has Annual Meeting guidelines available to help assist with this
process. Here are important dates:
1/17/21 Annual Reports will be available to members.
Email addresses on file will receive a PDF version.
Others will receive a hard copy in the mail.
1/24/21 A Budget Forum will be held via Zoom.
1/31/21 The Annual Meeting will be held via Zoom.
The synod offers suggestions on how members can vote.
Zion News - January 2021 page 4
January Senior Birthdays! Sending words of
1/10 Trudy Crane encouragement…
1/18 Allen McDonnell
If you would like to brighten Bud
1/19 Carey Noble
1/20 Mary Lou Vikdal Kelley’s day—you may send your
1/26 Linda Bata warm wishes to:
1/28 Sharon Claussen Glenn Kelley
1/28 Ken Stoltenberg Good Samaritan
1/29 Rod Behr 700 Waverly Rd
Davenport, IA 52804
The offering envelope company got a little behind this year with
factory closings. The 2021 Offering Envelopes should arrive
mid-January. You may send your offerings to the church in plain
envelopes until they arrive. It is helpful if you include your envelope
number on your check until they get here. This does not apply to
those who use Bill Pay or VANCO. Thank you for your patience and
for supporting the ministries of Zion!
Thank you!
A continued warm thank you to
Pastor Elaine Olson for sharing the
Word with us during our time of
pastoral transition.
Zion Lutheran Church Staff
Deacon Janine Johnson, Outreach Ministries
Committee Chairs… deacon@ziondavenport.org
Please have your annual committee Keith Haan, PhD, Organist /Adult Choir Director
reports to the office by Friday, Jonathan Turner, Accompanist
January 8th so that we may prepare Rosie Bates, Childrens’ Choir & Handbells Dir.
the Annual Report Colleen Peterson, Office Administrator
office@ziondavenport.org
Ken Stoltenberg, Custodian
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