AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church

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AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL
               540 OAK PARK AVENUE, P. O. BOX 369
                    BEECHER, IL 60401-0369
     CHURCH (708) 946-2271 SCHOOL (708) 946-2272
    ZIONBEECHER@COMCAST.NET WWW.ZIONBEECHER.NET

              AUGUST 2019

Table of Contents:
Pastor Rock’s Message; HS Youth Notes               Page 2-3
Senior Worship; Table Talk Men’s Group; Amazon      Page 4
Outdoor Worship; Dinner Auction; Rev/Exp Report     Page 5
Covered Walkway Project                             Page 6-7
“Urgent News” Sign Up; Worship Anew                 Page 8
News from the Principal; Please Consider ZLS        Page 9-11
Be a Vital Part of a Child’s Future!                Page 11
10th Annual Dinner Auction Info                     Page 12
School Supplies; Okay, Did You…; Worship Time…      Page 13
Zion Well Represented at Beecher 4th Festivities    Page 14-18
AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church
August 2019
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
It’s August. The more relaxed time that we’ve been enjoying since
Memorial Day is winding down. Teachers and students alike are
asking “Where did the summer go?” while reluctantly preparing to
return to the classrooms. And I… well, I’m preparing for a surgery
and lengthy time of recuperation! Yikes!
Probably by now, most reading this newsletter are aware that the
cardiologists and cardiac surgeon have agreed that the ascending
aortic aneurysm that was detected in me some years ago must now
be “addressed.” Because of that, I’m preparing for surgery to be
done at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago on September 10th.
Of course, things will be a bit different at Zion in my absence.
However, the important things – the proclamation of the Gospel and
the administration of the Sacraments will continue.
Pastor David Bottorff, a recently retired LCMS pastor who now lives
in Bourbonnais, will fill in for most of the worship services in my
absence. Also, he will be available to help families with any funerals
that may arise during my time of recuperation. Other pastors will be
available to assist along with our Board of Elders and Paul Eggert
(who will teach junior confirmation classes during my absence).
In an effort to allow you, Zion’s dear members, to keep up to date
during the time of the surgery and my recuperation, we are
establishing two methods of contact.
     1. Please see the article on page 8 in this newsletter to learn
        of our attempt to begin an “Urgent News” email list. Sign up
        for that following the procedure outlined in that article.
     2. My family has established a “page” using the web site
        known as “CaringBridge.” You may go to this link:
        https://www.caringbridge.org/ to get updates on me. On your first
        visit, you will establish your own account and login

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AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church
credentials. With that done, search for “Ronald Rock.”
        You’re then set to receive updates regarding my status.
Finally, if you don’t have an email account or access to the
internet, I suggest that you ask someone to call you with updates
as they learn them through one (or both) of the above two methods.
Certainly, you could call the church office, but if everyone did that,
it would put a LOT of calls onto Terri. Then she would repeatedly
answer the same questions while her day-to-day work can’t get
done!
I greatly love all of you who are part of our Zion family. I truly
appreciate your love, care, and prayers on behalf of me, Karen, and
our family. As I’ve told many of you in the past, God says: “I’ve got
this!” And now, He says that to me as well! And, until the surgery…
See you in church!

Pastor Rock

                      HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NOTES
                    Ten of our high school youth along with two
                    chaperones attended this year’s Higher Things
                    Youth Conference at Concordia University in St.
                    Paul, Minnesota. They left Beecher on Monday,
June 24 and returned home late the following Saturday night. (Pastor
Rock was unable to attend with them due to his hospital stay just prior
to the conference.)
A great time was had by all. Much learning along with wonderful
worship opportunities were realized each day of the conference.
As in prior years, the youth’s pizza sales at the
Beecher 4th of July Food Court helped them pay for
their trip. Thank you to everyone who helped them by
purchasing pizza as well as those who helped them
work their food booth!
Thanks also goes to so many of our members who
gave gifts of money and prepaid gas cards to the youth to help make
the trip possible.
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AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church
SPECIAL MONTHLY WORSHIP & LUNCHEON
                          THURSDAY, AUGUST 15TH @ 11:00AM
                         ATTENTION ALL SENIORS, RETIREES OR ANYONE
                        AVAILABLE ON THE 3RD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH!!
                      We are encouraging everyone who is
                      available to come to this special worship
service and luncheon no matter what your age. Following the
communion service, you will be served a luncheon which is
sponsored by private donations of individual members of Zion and
served by some of our members. This event is held on the 3rd
Thursday of every month. Please join us at 11:00am for a time of
worship and fellowship. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

                   “TABLE TALK” MEN’S GROUP
                   Our group designed for men to get together has
                   been going quite well since beginning in March!
                   Many of those who gather find themselves talking
                   with other men who they knew belonged to Zion,
                   but with whom they’d never had occasion to speak!
That is one of the explicit purposes of forming the group in the first
place! It is hoped that these new relationships will serve as a
springboard to even greater Christian fellowship among not only the
men, but also all of our families at Zion.
Come and check it out soon. Meet at the restaurant ABOVE the Evil
Horse Brewing Co., 1338 Main St., Crete, IL. Our next meeting will be
on Thursday, August 22nd at 7pm. We’ll follow the example of Martin
Luther and have “table talks” over a beer or two! Also, some men prefer
to not drink beer. Come anyway and associate with other Christian
men and enjoy an evening with them. Usually everyone is on their way
home no later than 9 pm. Give it a try! Contact Brad Johnson or Pastor
with any questions.

                Support Zion Lutheran Church & School when you
                        shop online with Amazon Smile.
                               smile.amazon.com
                            Your unique charity link:
                   https://smile.amazon.com/ch/36-2480851

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AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church
WORSHIP IN THE PARK
                          Once again this year, together with our two
                          Beecher sister congregations, we will
                          worship together at Firemen’s Park in
                          Beecher! This will be held on Sunday,
                          August 25th. The service will begin at 9:30
                          AM. Following the worship service, a
potluck will be held. Games and activities will then follow for young
and old alike! Pastor Julian LeMie, the new pastor of St. John, Eagle
Lake, will be preaching. So… please plan to attend on Sunday,
August 25th at 9:30 AM.

        ZION'S 10TH ANNUAL
         DINNER AUCTION
“IN THE LORD W E TRUST – 10 YEARS OF BLESSINGS”
 TICKETS ON SALE AUGUST 4TH!
       (FREE DRINK TICKET WITH ALL TICKETS
             PURCHASED BY SEPT. 29TH)
           Saturday, October 26th
             Glenwoodie Golf Club
         19301 S State St., Glenwood
            Catered by Scrementi's
      Next Committee Meeting: August 13th @ 6pm

 Revenue & Expense Report
 Recap Month – June 2019               This Year        Last Year
 Beginning Balance                     -$30,623.69       -$37,771.66
 +Receipts                               55,321.11         62,864.26
  -Expenses: Payroll, Taxes              36,997.78         39,738.45
    Bills Paid                           19,943.57         22,199.16
 Ending General Fund Balance           -$32,243.93       -$36,845.01
 Loans, Payables Due                     11,000.00         69,000.00
 Current Status of General Fund        -$43,243.93      -$105,845.01
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AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church
COVERED WALKWAY PROJECT
                                Thanks be to God! On Sunday, June
                                  30th we were able to formally dedicate our
                                  new Covered Walkway and Portico!
Following the conclusion of the morning Divine Service, the entire
worshipping body proceeded out to our new portico. There, using Scripture
and prayer, we formally dedicated the new building addition to God’s glory.
It was a great day for us to realize this long-held hope to have protected
access for God’s people to enter and leave our house of worship –
especially during inclement weather.
Many of those who worked on the project as well as many who donated
their God-given assets were present for the dedication. A reporter from the
Peotone Vedette was also on hand to take pictures and obtain information
for a feature article that was run in the next week’s edition of that paper!
At the time of publishing this newsletter, Zion’s Board of Trustees was
receiving bids from various companies to complete the project by having
it properly landscaped.
Thanks be to God for this wonderful addition!

Some of those who gathered for the Covered Walkway and Portico dedication on
June 30th.

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AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church
Shown above are some members of the Building Committee along with some of
those instrumental in bringing the Covered Walkway and Portico addition to
completion. June 30, 2019

Pictured are Art Blum, Building Committee Chairman, and Pastor Rock at the
dedication of Zion’s new Covered Walkway and Portico addition.

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AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church
PLEASE SIGN UP TO RECEIVE
                                                URGENT NEWS
                                       During pastor’s recent hospital stay, it
                                       became evident that having a quick way
                                       to send urgent news to ALL of our
                                       members was needed. We already have
                                       a Sermon Distribution List, a Newsletter
                                       List, and a Prayer Chain List. But, even
                                       within all of those lists, we don’t have a
                                       way to get in touch with everyone in the
     church should the need arise.
     With that in mind, we are building an Urgent News Email List within the
     church office. We wish to have everyone (or at least every household) in
     the church on this list. We expect this to be a low volume list, so don’t
     expect your email inbox to receive a deluge of messages.
     To help us, please:
1.    Email a brief note to the church office zionbeecher@comcast.net
2.    Type your full name
3.    Type out the full email address that you wish to be used for this purpose
4.    Also state if that email address pertains only to you, your entire household
      (or for whom else it pertains)
     By your sending the information to us electronically, we hope to save both
     keyboarding time and errors.
     Also, by having this list in place, we will be able to easily contact each
     member or household in the event that church must be cancelled due to a
     blizzard, loss of heat in the building, etc. Thank you!

                               ZION SPONSORSHIP OF WORSHIP ANEW
                             Our Endowment Committee has once again
                             determined to distribute some of the earnings
                             from our church’s Endowment Fund to the
                             Lutheran television program Worship Anew.
                             Putting the earnings from our Endowment
     Fund to good use, we will sponsor broadcasts of the show on the
     following dates in 2019: January 20, March 17, May 19, July 21,
     September 22, & November 17. Worship Anew can be viewed on
     DIRECTV each Sunday at 10:30 AM using channel 377. It may be
     viewed on Comcast Cable each Sunday on channel 138 at 11:30
     AM. (Online viewing at www.worshipanew.org)

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AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church
As the 2019-2020 school year is quickly approaching I would like
to share a few points of interest:
   •   We would like to thank all of the families and children that
       participated and rode the float in the Fourth of July parade. Thank
       you also to those who helped put the float together.
   •   We are getting ready to begin our new school year. You are our
       best advertisement. Please spread the word about Zion Lutheran
       School. We have openings at all levels.
   •   Registration is on Wednesday, August 7th, 2019: 7:00-11:00 a.m.
       and 1:00-7:00 p.m. Families will register on a first come, first
       served basis. If you are unable to register at this time, please call
       the school office. (946-2272)
   •   We will begin our school year with an opening service on Sunday,
       August 18th at 1:00 p.m., followed by an Ice Cream Social
       sponsored by the PTL. This is a great time to see your classroom
       and meet your teacher.
   •   The first day of school is Tuesday, August 20th with an 11:10 a.m.
       dismissal. Pre-kindergartner will begin on Wednesday, August
       21st, and Preschoolers on Thursday, August 22nd.
   •   We would like to welcome Mrs. Allison Clous to our staff. She will
       be teaching 7th & 8th grade.
May God bless the remainder of your summer! JoAnn Hess

GROWING PHYSICALLY?
   HOW ABOUT
SPIRITUALLY??
PLEASE CONSIDER…
       …ZION LUTHERAN
         SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD!

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AUGUST 2019 - Zion Lutheran Church
Now, more than ever, Zion Lutheran School makes sense for your
child. In this world seemingly “anything goes” and, in fact, political
expediency forces public institutions to tolerate (and even
embrace!) worldly values that are contrary to the eternal Word of
God. Yet, in the face of that, Zion’s school continues to base its very
essence on the Name above all names – Jesus Christ!
Zion Lutheran School is not encumbered by state and federal laws
that force families to accept morals and values that are contrary to
those values which parents wish to instill in their own children. In
fact, Zion’s school is considered by most parents to be an extension
of those principles that the parents urgently hope that their children
embrace in their own adult years!
Zion Lutheran School has continued to excel in all the facets of
education that one would expect of a grammar school and so much
more! Consider the following:
      Zion Lutheran School graduates consistently and
       disproportionately place in the upper ranks of class standings
       during their high school years regardless where they attend high
       school.
      While attending Zion, every student has the opportunity to
       participate in every activity that interests them, thus allowing
       each student (even “late bloomers”) to participate in activities
       without the fear of “not being good enough.” Zion graduates may
       complete grade school with a wide variety of experiences.
      Christian values are observed throughout the school day. The
       students are held to be accountable to one another, to those in
       authority over them, and to God, thus instilling the students with
       respect for all people. With such respect, they are better
       prepared to enter their adult years.
      Dedicated teachers and staff consider their work with the
       students to be a “calling” – not merely a “job” – and therefore
       provide personal attention to each student.
      Low student/teacher ratios allow the above point to be a reality.
      Over the past few years, Zion students have…
       • …earned high honors in math and other competitions with
          much larger schools.
       • …excelled in fine arts contests.
       • …been active in an afterschool robotics program.
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• …won multiple athletic championships.
        • …participated in choral singing, musicals, & plays.
        • …had an Illinois State Spelling Bee finalist.
        • …daily been exposed to the Word of God.
        • …participated in multiple service projects.
        • …worshipped together in weekly chapel services.
Prayerfully consider enrolling your child or grandchild in Zion
Lutheran School for the upcoming school year. Our teachers and
staff stand ready to serve you and your children to the best of our
God-given abilities. Call for more information: 708.946.2272.

                                         BE A VITAL PART OF A
                                           CHILD’S FUTURE!
                                   Years ago, there was no tuition
                                   charged to Zion member families for
                                   their children to attend our parochial
                                   school. Perhaps some of those
                                   reading this note were blessed to take
                                   advantage of that former situation –
                                   either for themselves or for their
children (or both!). Those days of free tuition at Zion’s school no longer
exist.
Presently there are families that are eager to send their children to our
school. They want a decidedly Christian (and especially Lutheran!)
ethos to be a part of their children’s early educational years. However,
for those same families, the tuition costs put this goal for their children
beyond their reach.
Would you please consider being a vital part of one or more children’s
future? If so, please contact Pastor Rock at 708.946.2271. What a joy
it would be to help nurture a new generation of Christians whose
educational background is rooted in the Word of God from the Lutheran
perspective. You may choose to assist in this effort anonymously.
Thank you! Zion Board of Christian Day School

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“In the Lord We Trust –
        10 Years of Blessings”
        10th Annual Dinner Auction
Glenwoodie Golf Club, (19301 S State St., Glenwood)
           Saturday, October 26th
Dear Members of ZION,
Please open your hearts and consider making a
donation for the Zion School and Church Dinner Auction.
We have 4 possible options for you to make your contribution:
1 Gifts – TRAVEL, ENTERTAINMENT, ELECTRONICS,
   SPORTS & HOBBIES, FOOD/WINE DINING EXPERIENCES
   are some of the possibilities.
2 Sponsorship Ads Includes: Donor Billboard Sign Listing
  Full Page Ad (approx. 8X10 inches) + 8 tickets - $750
  Full Page Ad (approx. 8X10 inches) + 4 tickets - $500
  Full Page Ad (approx. 8X10 inches) + 2 tickets - $250
3 Standard Ads
  Full Page Ad (approx. 8X10 inches) - $100
  Half Page Ad (approx. 8X5 inches) - $50
  Business Card size Ad              - $25
4 Fund-an-Item
  School/Church improvement funds achieved via auction at
  the event.
• All donors will be listed in the ad book. Deadline for donations
is October 6th.
• Tickets will be $50 per person. Available in the School or
Church Office beginning August 4th. Only 200+ tickets will be
sold this year so don’t hesitate to get yours! Tickets purchased
by September 29th will receive a FREE Drink Ticket!
Donation Wish List and Auction Donation Form available in the
Church Office and Narthex.
Come and support Zion’s Mission and Ministry!
All donations support Zion Lutheran Church & School and are tax
deductible. 501(c)(3)non-profit EIN 36-2480851

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SUPER SCHOOL SUPPLIES                is a nonprofit
providing necessary school supplies to the children
in Alicia’s House’s (a local food pantry) feeding
area; this includes South Chicago Heights, Steger,
Crete, Beecher, Peotone, and University Park.
Last year, Super School Supplies provided all basic
school supplies for roughly 60 children in the area. This July, the
program is hoping to provide supplies to over 100 children who
need them. Besides that, Super School Supplies is working towards
the goal of earning 501c3 status, which would officially make it a
federal nonprofit. Help from the community has been a huge
blessing in this endeavor thus far, and any prayers or help is greatly
appreciated. If you are interested in more information or making a
donation, please contact the following: Sam Bruns: 708-821-0027
or Pam Bruns (home): 708-756-2104

                        OKAY, DID YOU…
                        …DROP YOUR LANDLINE PHONE, MOVE, OR
                        OTHERWISE BECOME HARD TO REACH??
                          Many, many people have dropped the use of
                          their old telephone “landline” and have opted
                          to simply use their cell phone for all such
                          communication. Very often, the church is not
included on the list of “people to contact” and make aware of the new
way for contact using a phone.
So… if this is YOU, please contact Terri in the church office
(708.946.2271) or simply note your change of phone number and/or
address on your weekly attendance card so we can update our records
in the church office. (Please send your current email addresses to
zionbeecher@comcast.net and we’ll update those also!) Thank you!

               WORSHIP TIME CHANGE COMING
               The last Monday evening worship service for the
               summer will be held on Mon., Aug. 26th at 7 PM. We
               will resume our Saturday 5 PM worship service on
               Sept. 7th. Please note that on Labor Day Weekend,
               only the Sunday 9 AM service will be held.

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ZION WELL REPRESENTED AT
               BEECHER JULY 4TH FESTIVITIES
Many of our members were quite active during the recently
completed Beecher July 4th Festival. Some areas of service were:
       BINGO TENT Zion took on responsibility to manage the Bingo Tent
        again this year. Our members made sure that there were always
        adequate workers present for each time Bingo was played.
        Members served as callers, runners, ticket sellers, etc.

               Rhonda Campbell serving as a bingo runner.

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Jake Mills calling numbers at
      the bingo tent.

                                     Janice Brands selling
                                         bingo tickets.

                                15
L-R Karen Rock, Joan
Wehrmann, Margie Cook

                             Pastor Ron & Karen
                             Rock

                        16
Ron & Annie Janota
take a break between
    bingo games.

       PTL WALKING TACO STAND Zion’s PTL served both walking tacos
        and baked pretzels again this year. Thanks to all who purchased
        food as well as helped serve at the counter.
       ZION H.S. YOUTH GROUP PIZZA STAND Yummy pizza was again
        sold by our high school youth group. Thank you to all who
        supported it with their food purchases as well as volunteering to
        prepare and serve behind the food counter.
       ZION PARADE FLOAT Zion Church & School entered a float in the
        Beecher July 4th Parade. The theme was Noah’s Ark! Youth and
        a few adults rode on a decorated trailer holding various animals
        representing those saved from the flood waters. Although it was
        extremely hot, it was a lot of fun for the kids (and most of the adults!).
        Thank you to all who decorated the float as well as those who
        rode on it!
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Some of those who participated in Zion’s July 4th Parade float. July 4, 2019
Thank you to everyone who helped Zion to serve our
wonderful community which, in turn, allowed Zion to “be
seen” by our community during the July 4th festivities!

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